AN: Hey all! I know I promised to update sooner but I hope to make it up to you with an extra long chapter. School is over for the summer so I should be more consistent. Please, just forgive me my ADD. I get distracted eas… oh look! A chicken! Sorry. Anyways, on to the chapter.
Disclaimer: Still don't own it. If I did, we'd have new episodes already.
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"I've never seen anything so big."
Zuko smiled at her wide admiring eyes. "And you'll never see another like it." They had finally reached the walls of Ba Sing Se. "My uncle used to tell me stories of this place. He always wanted to see inside the walls." A sad smile crossed his face.
"He will. Once everything is over, he'll get his chance." They brushed hands, still not entirely comfortable with open shows of affection. Especially under the scrutiny of the rest of the group.
"Yeah, anyways. Where are we heading people?" Even if he couldn't change their relationship, Sokka could always ignore it.
"Let's just set down of the wall. Maybe someone'll be able to give us directions to the king."
"Way to be optimistic there, Twinkle toes." The group dissolved into the bickering of people who have been too long together in too close quarters.
The bearded man approached cautiously. It wasn't everyday a group of kids on a flying bison landed at his station. "Umm, excuse me. Excuse me." He cleared his throat but no one paid attention. "Excuse me!"
"What!" Aang snapped but drew back when he saw the man standing near them. "Oh, sorry. Umm, I hate to ask but could you give us a hand. I'm the Avatar and I need to meet with the king."
"Welcome Avatar. If you would wait shortly, I will summon a guide." With a quick nod, he left them to stretch and wait.
Not long after they were approached by a young woman with a wide smile and vacant eyes. "Hello. I am Joo Dee. Welcome to Ba Sing Se. If you will follow me, I will show you to your quarters. But your…" she looked over at Appa, "beast will be unable to stay. He will have to travel to the stables on the outskirts of the city."
Aang narrowed his eyes. "Appa stays with us."
"I am sorry but the law states that beasts his size are not allowed in the city proper. He cannot stay."
"Then maybe we'll just go." He was stopped by Katara's calming hand on his arm. "Fine. Sorry boy." He scratched beneath Appa's chin. "It won't be for long and Momo can go with you. You keep each other safe."
Joo Dee watched in satisfaction as Appa lifted into the sky. "If you will follow me." She took them to a stone building with a large central room and two rooms on either side. "These will be your quarters during your stay. I will return tomorrow to give you a tour of the city." She bowed and backed out the door.
"When will we be able to see the king?"
She turned back to the Avatar. "I will present your request to the proper authorities. After it has been approved, you will have an interview with a junior advisor. Then…"
"Are you kidding me?!" Sokka's eye twitched in frustration. "We don't have time for all that red tape stuff. There's a war going on!" Joo Dee just stared, eyes blank, smile vacant. "You do know there's a war going on, right?"
"We are safe here. Our walls protect us."
Her hollow voice sent shivers down their spines but Sokka tried again. "But what about outside the city?"
"Our walls protect us. We are safe in Ba Sing Se."
Sokka's face was scrunched in confusion, a sick feeling in his gut. "Yeah, sure. Whatever you say." She back out the doors, closing them firmly behind her. "Well… that was weird."
"Thank you Captain Obvious."
"Hey!" He shot Toph a glare. "That's Master of the Obvious to you. Anyways, now what?"
"We wait. That's all we can do." Aang plopped down gently on the ground. "We can't do anything until Ishi gets here so we might as well enjoy it while we can. I wonder if there's an Earth temple here."
"Sure. I heard my parents talk about visiting it once. It's on the west side of the city."
"Great!" A burst of air pushed him from the ground and he grabbed his staff. "Let's go Toph."
They were almost out the door when Sokka stopped them. "There's no way you two are going out on your own."
"Great idea!" Katara grabbed Zuko's hand and raced out the door. "Have fun guys."
There was a definite twitch under Sokka's left eye as he watched his sister drag the older boy behind her at top speed. "That was just wrong." He looked at the two beside him with the too innocent looks on their faces. "Come on. Let's get to the temple."
O.o.o.o.o.O
"I say we take the boat all along the river. It would be quicker." Ishi traced the route on the map.
"But a ship like this will attract attention. We should go over land."
"That would take too long."
Jee closed his eyes momentarily and counted to ten. This wasn't the first time this argument came up. With two strong willed people, both used to being in charge there was bound to be arguments. But when they got like this, they reminded him of Zuko. "We do both."
"What."
Being pierced by two identical burning stares was enough to make the boldest of men back down but he steeled himself. "It's a new moon so we will be able to travel at night without being seen. When it becomes too bright we'll travel by foot." Their stares held grudging acceptance but they stayed silent. He sighed. "Is that understood?"
The mumbled 'Yes sir' only made him sigh again. This is going to be a long trip.
O.o.o.o.o.O
"We should be coming up on it soon."
Sokka looked at her strangely. "How can you tell?"
Toph cocked her head to the side as if listening to something intently. "I'm not sure. The spot up ahead just… feels different."
"Like it's drawing us towards it." Aang was focusing as intently as she was.
"We're here." They had arrived at a simple building. The only decoration gracing its walls was a small disk bearing the symbol for earth next to the door. With a deep breath, Aang pushed open the large wooden door.
Where the Northern Oasis was surrounded by water this was a flowering garden, full and lush. Plants climbed the walls and lined the stone walkway leading to a large circle of grass. Above this, creating an arch, was a blooming wisteria bush. And, presiding over the entire area, was a deep sense of peace.
Without waiting for the others Aang settled into the lotus position under the archway. He was about to enter a meditative state when Sokka's voice reached him. "Don't get kidnapped this time." He smiled then slipped into the spirit world, this time easier than the last.
Toph and Sokka stood watch over their vulnerable friend. "Sooo…" Sokka rocked back on his heels. "Read any good books lately?"
Toph only shook her head.
O.o.o.o.o.O
"I can't believe we just left them like that."
Katara waived off his concern. "They can take care of themselves. Besides," she slipped her hand in his. "It's nice not to have everyone around." He blushed as she led him around the market place. Neither noticed the person across the square turn to follow them.
Zuko waited patiently while she searched among the fabrics at the clothing stall, gently fingering the different textures. Then, without warning, she raced across the street to look at the water skins.
His eyes wandered down to the worn one hanging at her side. When she moved on to the next stall, his eyes drifted sadly to the weapons stall before he stepped up to the hawker and bought the skin she had been admiring. Without a word he slipped over her shoulder. The smile she sent him was thanks enough but the kiss was an added bonus.
She transferred her water to the new skin before pushing him over to the weapon booth. Though not as expressive as herself, she could read the admiration in his gaze.
"Uncle sent me a knife like this the first time he came to Ba Sing Se." He fingered the blade longingly.
"Do you still have it?"
His facial expression didn't change but his eyes grew hard. "No. I lost it the night the pirates attacked my ship." Before he could re-sheath it he was shoved by someone moving through the crowd. The blade cut a shallow line across his palm.
Katara growled at the retreating back, briefly wondering if she could reach him from where she was before turning back to Zuko. "Here." She took his hand. "Let me see."
"It's all right. Nothing more than a scratch." He winced as she pressed too hard.
"Men. Just let me take of it." A small blue orb came to her hand and settled over the slice. Glowing briefly she healed him and used the excess water to wash away the blood. "There. Now that wasn't so hard was it?"
He gave her a soft smile. "No. I guess it wasn't." Beside them the shop keepers began to light their torches. Twilight had fallen on the city. "We should start heading back."
"One thing first." She ran over to a vendor and returned with two steaming cups. Lifting her tea she smiled. "Here's to Uncle."
Taking a cup and echoing her movements she smiled. "To Uncle." Finishing their drinks they headed back, hand in hand.
O.o.o.o.o.O
"And then he said, 'that's not a platypusbear, that's my wife.' Get it. My wife… he he… he…" The only sound to meet Sokka's ears was the chirp of the cricketflies. "You could humor me you know."
"I hate to give false encouragement." Toph rested on her back, arms folded behind her head. "Is it normal for him to be in a trance this long?"
"I don't know. He was in for a day once."
"I am so not sticking around here for a day. I'm heading back." She stretched and moved towards the door.
"You can't leave. What if something happens and I need to protect Aang?"
"The only thing dangerous around here are your jokes."
He glared at her. "You're just jealous because I have reached a level of humor far beyond your understanding."
"Nope. I'm older than four."
His reply was cut off by the deeply indrawn breath behind them. Aang had awakened from the trance. "You okay?"
Aang took a few seconds to regain his bearings then he broke into a wide smile. "It was amazing. You guys won't believe what I found out."
"Spill it Twinkletoes."
He shook his head. "Not till we're all together. Come on." They raced through the streets, Toph keeping up surprisingly well, and reached the house in no time. Zuko and Katara were sitting out front. "I know the secret!"
"What secret?" Katara looked as confused as Zuko by their friends' sudden arrival.
"I know how to beat the Fire Nation."
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AN: Well I hope you enjoyed this. I was going for longer but I wanted to get this up as soon as possible. Hope you enjoyed it and the next chapter is already being written. Now, remember a review equals love.