Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar, blah… blah blah, blah blah, you get the point-
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Chapter 3) A Wonderful Discovery
"SHHHH!" he shouted. He spun around, grabbed hold of my shoulders, and shoved me into the wall of a building in the shadows.
"How do you know my name? Are you a spy? Are you looking for the Avatar too? Answer me now!" Sokka hissed.
"Don't worry I'm on your side, I'm not a spy," I muttered.
"How are you on our side, your fire nation!" he said.
"Not really, where are Aang, Toph, and Katara? Did you find Appa yet?" I asked.
"What do you mean not really! Fire nation is bad!" Sokka snarled, stamping his foot to extenuate his point, and then he opened up to me. "Besides I need a map, but I can't find one to buy in any of the shops."
I have a map, come with me!" I exclaimed, ripping free of his grasp and grabbing his wrist. I ran down the street pulling him along. Many sets of eyes turned to stare at the young fire bender dragging a cloaked figure along the street. The previously invisible soldiers now seemed to pop out from every corner, making Sokka nervous. I dragged him into my house hoping that, that lady, who I guessed was my mother here, was not present. As I pulled him into my room he gazed up, open mouthed at the giant map.
"Wow, all the fire nation cities are here," Sokka said, running his fingers over the marked dots. He moved his hand to the star, "And this is the capital city and the palace, right here... where we are..." Sokka came out of his shock and turned to me.
"Why are you helping me? Your fire nation," he asked.
"Do I need a reason? I want the war to end," I said. Even though then the show will end and I'll have nothing better to do, I thought.
"But it's like there's no war here, except for the market, your apples are soo expensive!" exclaimed Sokka.
"Can you take me to them?" I asked, changing the subject.
"To the apples?" Sokka asked confused.
"No, back to Aang, Katara, and Toph," I explained.
"What! We can't leave now; I worked so hard to get in here!" Sokka shouted.
"You don't know how to get out do you?" I asked.
"I do so know how to go out," Sokka said defensively. I cocked my head to the side and put my hands on my hips; giving him the I know you're lying look, tell me the truth look.
"I got nothing," sighed Sokka.
"I knew it, but I can help," I smiled. I grabbed for Sokka's arm, but missed and gripped his hand. I drew back, blushed slightly, and nodded for him to follow me as I led him to the training arena.
"Here I'll give you a boost," I offered. I cupped my hands for him to step up, and pushed him to the roof.
"Sokka, stop eating so much, lose some weight," I grumbled. He just grumbled back, but offered his hand to help me up. When we were both on the roof, I pointed to the wall, it was only five feet away, and thirty feet up.
"Now jump!" I commanded, I jumped into the gap of air between the two structures. Luckily we both landed on our feet, and slid down the outer side of the wall. Then it was Sokka's turn to lead me through the forest.
"Are you sure your not out to capture the avatar?" Sokka suddenly asked. I giggled and walked ahead.
"No, I promise you, I'm not a spy out to capture the avatar," I replied, "Let's go, I want to get back before dark." Sokka believed me and led us through the tangled, forest foliage, over a small stream, and over to a small clearing.
"Sokka your back!" shouted two voices in unison.
"Oh Sokka, I'm so glad your back," said one of the voices. As I stepped into the open field, I saw it was Katara, who was squeezing her brother in a tight hug. Aang stood nearby leaning on his staff.
"Hey stop, who are you!" commanded Aang, as his smile disappeared.
"Wait I'm not," I stuttered.
"Your with the fire nation, Sokka what did you do, did you know?" questioned Katara, she pulled water skin into reach.
"Guys relax, she's with me, she's here to help," smiled Sokka.
"Oh," sighed Aang relaxing his staff. Katara walked closer and eyed me over before smiling.
"Hi, I'm Katara, that's Aang, and you've met my brother," she said before I cut her off.
"Oh I know all of you, I mean, oh," I stopped smiling, great now what are you going to say genius, my mind screamed.
"Oh, how would you know?" asked Katara.
"Katara there are probably fire nation wanted posters with us, since were with the avatar," Sokka guessed.
"Where's Toph?" I asked, looking around.
"Sleeping probably, you never mentioned your name," said Katara. She sat down near the fire and threw a twig randomly into it.
"Niki," I said.
"What kind of name is that?" asked Sokka.
"Um, a fire nation name," I announced. If Azula had bought it, they would too.
"So why did you come here?" asked Aang as he sat down across the fire.
"Aang, have you learned fire bending yet?" I asked wondering how much time had past between now and the desert episode. Obviously a lot, because Appa was snoring away from the fire in the clearing.
"No why?" asked Aang. He leaned closer to me, his whole body eager to know what I would say.
"I know where you can learn," I smiled.