This one is going to be a little bit like 'Tales of Ba Sing See.' But only for Aang, Sokka, Katara, Toph and Kuei and it's only going to like that for a short moment.

Water

Earth

Fire

Air

Long ago the four nations lived in harmony. Then everything changed when the fire nation attacked. Only the avatar master of all the four elements could stop them. But when the world needed him most he vanished. A hundred years past and my brother and I found the new avatar. A young air master named Aang. And although his airbendings are great he has a lot to learn before he can save anyone. But I believe that Aang can save the world.

Chapter four: Thoughts

The summer night was quit warm yet Mai felt cold. She wanted to leave, but she didn't dare to ask Ihro to give up waiting on Zuko. On the other hand they couldn't stay here for long. It would be suspicious for Ihro if they could wait here for more then half an hour without being chased. Finally she decided that they really should leave, and with a small voice she said. "General Ihro we should accept the possibility that Azula could have killed Zuko. And we can't wait here for ever. Azula or her men would catch up with us if we did. "

Ihro look at the girl. He hadn't trust the lack of resistance when they escaped from the palace, and he didn't trust Mai. Yet he had to admit there was much truth in what she said. But he couldn't leave Zuko behind, and some how he felt that Zuko was still alive. Eventually he decided that they really couldn't stay here any longer. "You don't have to call me general." He said kindly. And with a more depressing tone he added "But I'm afraid you're right and we should leave." Ihro looked back one last time after they had walked a few hundred feet. And to his joy and relieve he saw Zuko came limping out of the passage.

Ihro ran to his nephew planning to hug him, but Mai was faster.

"You had us so worried" she snubbed.

"I'm sorry." He apologized with genuine regret in his voice. "The fight with Azula was short. But after you left the palace guards finally came into action. So I had to fight my way out."

"Did you kill her?" Ihro asked. He feared both possible answers.

Zuko turned his head away. "No I couldn't bring myself to finish her of when I had the chance. I'm sorry." He answered shamefully

Ihro voice was firm and he looked at his nephew with an angry stare. "Zuko, how many times do I have to tell you!? Merci isn't something to be ashamed of!" Would his nephew ever learn? "Yet I have to admit I would be a lot more at ease if Azula was gone." He added remorsefully.

XXX

The group had split up for the day. When you live every day so closely together you sometimes just need some time alone. Aang always used that time to practice air bending. "Even a master is just a student and needs practice from time to time." The monks used to say. But now he had more problems with his air bending then usual. He needed to think like an air bender. But he couldn't get last earth bending practice out of his mind. Or couldn't he get Toph out of his mind. She had become kinder and more caring towards him. Aang liked her better this way. But now wasn't the time to think about earth bending or Toph he decided. Now it was time for air bending.

XXX

Katara also had problems with her bending practice. But unlike Aang she didn't cared much about it. She just wasn't focusing on water bending right now. There simply had happened just too much in the last week. Zuko had won her trust and then betrayed it, Aang had nearly died and so did Sokka. The plus side of the last two was that she easily could forget about Zuko. But it also had terrified her. She now realized that it was very likely one of them would be killed before this war was over. And she knew she would never forgive herself if that happened. Somehow she felt responsible for all of them, she almost felt like a mother to them. Of course she had always felt a bit like a mother for her brother ever since her mother was killed. But she hadn't thought she would feel that way for Aang and Toph. It was unfair that a fourteen year old should have this feeling over three teenagers. Only now she fully realized how unfair it was for Aang, after all he was only twelve years old and he had to save the entire world.

XXX

They had travelled as fast as they could for six hours now. And Zuko wished for the hundreds time he had arranged some kind of transport. Finally Ihro couldn't go any further; he was poorly fed during his imprisonment. So they decided to make camp. Only now Zuko realized how reckless he had been. Not even arranged some foot and survival equipment was downright stupid, and that was an understatement. He fully expected a comment from his uncle about never think things trough. But Mai spoke before Ihro could.

"So what now?" it had taken her a lot of courage to ask this question. She realized that Ihro didn't trust her yet and he wouldn't like to give her the answer on that question. To her surprise he did answer her.

"Tracing down the Avatar of course he needs our help to restore balance. Surly you've realized that." He didn't let his distrust sound in his voice. It would upset Zuko even more. He realized how Zuko must fell about joining the Avatar. Yet he was surprised when Zuko contradicted him.

"No we won't." His voice was calmer then usual when ever he contradicted his uncle.

These three words had an incredible effect on Ihro. "Zuko I.. I...I... thought you had decided to do the right thing." The old man stuttered.

Zuko's voice and words were reassuring. "I have. But the Avatar doesn't need our help right now. The Water Tribe warriors at Chameleon Bay do."

This shocked Ihro. But it shocked Mai a lot more.

"What do you mean the Avatar doesn't need our help!? We need to join him Zuko. You and your uncle are probably the only one who can teach him how to fire bend." She tried not to let her desperation sound in her voice; Azula wouldn't like this.

Zuko's words were a huge relieve for Ihro. They made his voice calm again when he spoke "I partly agree with Zuko; The Avatar doesn't need our help at this moment. Yet I don't see why those Water Tribe people do."

"Because Azula send a fleet to crush them. They would all be killed." His voice was cold and bitter when he realized for the hundredth time how many lives were lost in this war.

Mai hide her disappointment well, and her voice was compassioned. "Zuko I understand how you feel. But we can't use our time saving lives. The Avatar needs our help to stop this war."

"It's not just their lives which will be taken but also Ba Sing Se." He answered with an angry voice. Calmer he continued. "Azula doesn't have enough loyal soldiers to rule Ba Sing See for long. She needs Fire Nation Soldiers, and she can only get those through Chameleon Bay. The earth benders on the first wall are still resisting her. It would be the end of them, if Azula could get Fire Nation soldiers into the city to overthrown them. Ba Sing Se would truly be defeated if those warriors fall. That will be the end of the earth kingdom and probably this war."

XXX

Normally Sokka used anytime he was alone to go hunting. But he couldn't do anything but cry right now. Since the time they had left Ba Sing See he always did stuff he felt obligated too do; guarding the camp, getting some food, scouting the environment, sharpen his boomerang etc.

But now he couldn't force himself to do something. Leaving him with nothing to distract his mind so unbearable images could shape in his head. Sukki's black burnt body lay on the ground, Azula standing over it with an evil grin on her face. His logic mind had already reasoned that if Azula and her sidekicks were wearing Kyoshi warrior robes they would have encountered them. Probably all of them were killed. So now for the second time he had lost the girl he loved. He knew that he should with the group. But he couldn't bring himself to talk about it. How in heavens sake was he going to cope up with this again?

XXX

Toph tried to reason the way Sokka always did. He might be an idiot but he could always found a logic solution for everything. She had already figured out she was indeed jealous about Aang's crush on Katara. But there could be several reasons for that, she could come up with three. The first one was to lest embarrassing and she hoped it was the true reason; If Aang was focussing on Katara that would probably mean he would also focus more on water bending. That might mean less attention on earth bending. If that was true she was only jealous as a teacher not embarrassing feelings involved. The second reason was more embarrassing; Aang had been Toph's first and best friend. If he and Katara were going to have something he might not even notice her anymore. In that case she would only be jealous because she might lose him as a friend. Somehow she found it pleasant to believe she had a friend to be jealous about. The third one was by far the most embarrassing and would make things very complicated for her, Aang and Katara. And she really didn't want to think about it.

XXX

Kuei always had excluded himself so this time alone didn't was so special for him. Yet he was glad with it. No one was now going to disturb him. No one was going to see his silent tears of shame.

He had let his people alone in their darkest time. He had run away when they most needed him. What kind of weak, pathetic and cowardly king was; he abandoning his people?

"You're not." A strong and unlike his own voice said in his head.

"I'm not what?" his usual inner voice asked curiously.

"Not a cowardly king. Perhaps you're weak even pathetic, but you're not a coward!"

"How am I not a coward?"

"By not abandoning your people, do you remember the oaths you took the day you became king?"

"I would always stand for my people."

"Indeed and that's just what you're going to do!"

XXX

"Typical I finally caught up with the Avatars flying bison, and now the Avatar and his companions were nowhere to be found a perfect example of my luck." Mao thought bitterly "well at the bright side now I have at least a moment to think." He still wasn't sure why he should help the Avatar. The fact that world balance would be destroyed if the Avatar failed at his destiny wasn't such a big deal for him. He didn't need world balance and he didn't care about it either. In fact he didn't care about this war at all. Both sides had heroes who tried to the right thing. And both sides had their criminals who were cruel evil and caused unnecessary pain and death. He had to admit to himself that the Fire Nation had more of those criminals and less of those heroes then the Earth Kingdom. Yet the Earth Kingdom had hurt him more and he refused to take a side. Of course his loyalty to the Order forced him to do what his masters wished him to do. On the other hand improving his chances of survival was the only reason why he had ever joined the White Lotus. Now he was carrying out an assignment which might get him killed. That didn't make much sense to him. Still there was honour. Not helping the Avatar meant treachery against those where his honour lay. He had told himself a thousand times that honour didn't keep you alive. Still it was one of the most important aspects of his life, possible the most important one. And the White Lotus was all he had. Where would he go to if he would betray it? He finally came to the conclusion that he couldn't bare the consequences of treachery. And he approached the flying Bison and the sleeping lemur. Winning their trust would be the first step to winning the Avatars.

XXX

Mai and Ihro were exhausted when the group finally reached Chameleon Bay, and Zuko was very tired too. But that was mostly due to his uncles complaining. However he had to admit his uncle was right. Thanks to his lack of preparation they didn't even had some disguises, and it would be pretty suspicious to see two teenagers in Fire Nation clothes and one old man in prison clothes walking into a water tribe camp. Yet they didn't have much of choice. All they could do was slowly walking into the camp with their hands held up high, hoping for mercy.

All of the warriors were too astonished by the group to react on them until their leader came out of one of the tents.

With his boomerang in his one hand and his machete in the other he yelled. "Who are you!? And what are Fire Nation people doing here!?"

Ihro decided that however dangerous it might be, telling the truth would be the best course of action. He kneeled down and the air of honour and pride which Ihro had while he spoke was incredible. And whatever answer water tribe leader suspected it was not this. "My name is General Ihro, father of Lu Ten now passed. I'm the disinherited heir of the throne of Fire Lord Azulan and now a fugitive of the Fire Nation and an enemy of the Fire Lord Ozai. I'm known as the Dragon of the West. This is my nephew Zuko banished Prince of the Fire Nation, son of Fire Lord Ozai and now as well a fugitive of the Fire Nation as an enemy of his father. This is Mai daughter of the Governor of the city New Ozai, better known as Omashu We came to warn you."

XXX

It was sunset and everybody of the group came back to camp. All of them were tired and all of them kept their thoughts for themselves. Sokka was the first spotting the teenager and Momo playing together. He immediately took a fighting stance. "Who are you!? And what are you doing here?!" he yelled as aggressively as he could.

The boy didn't seem to be the least intimidated by Sokka's hostility. "Hi. I'm Mao and as you can see I'm playing with this flying lemur. It's quit a funny creature" He answered with a kind voice.

Feeling ashamed by the lack of manners of her brother Katara said. "Hi Mao I'm Katara, this girl is Toph, this is Aang and I'm afraid that this rude idiot over here is my brother Sokka. But we do would like to know why you are here."

Mao was glad he was a natural at lying. "Owh no reason in particular, just passing through, wondering what a giant air nomad bison and a flying lemur pet did around here."

Aang's became suspicious when Mao mentioned air nomad bison. But he had to admit the giant arrow on Appa's head was hard to miss, and it wasn't a secret that the arrow was an air nomad sign. Not to mention Appa seemed to trust him and he had always known people. He tried to be as kind as Katara was when he asked. "So were you going?"

"I'm afraid I'm not going any were now Ba Sing Se isn't safe anymore. Now I'm just searching for the safest place I can find. And since travelling with you is safe engough for the earth king I'm suppose I've found it. Would you let me travelling with you?"

XXX

When the Water Tribe leader finally was recovered from the surprise he answered. "I'm Hakkoda from the southern Water Tribe, Father of Sokka and Katara and leader of these warriors."

Zuko and Ihro were both shocked by meeting Sokka's and Katara's father but neither of them showed it. "We're honoured to meet you." They all said as one while they bowed.

"I wish me and my man could say the same. But we don't really trust Fire Nation people just walking into our camp. Certainly not those so high placed." Hakkoda replied bitterly. "However the name and honour of the Dragon of the West has travelled far. And he is known to be an honest and trustworthy man. So I'll hear what you have to say." His face became kinder and he leaded them into the tent.

Hakkoda said on the other side of the table with his hands in a praying position. It was his way of trying to look patience. "So let us assume I trust and believe you. What is it you want to warn me about?"

The answer came quick and Zuko's voice was cold. "A fleet two times the power needed to crush you is coming to this bay. They were ordered to have no mercy."

"Are you threatening us?" Hakkoda replied with an dangerous and offended voice.

Ihro spoke before Zuko could, knowing his nephew would use the wrong words. "No. As we said we came to warn you."

"And advising us to flee?" he still sounded insulted.

This time Zuko was faster then his uncle. "No. We are advising you to fight. And we're here to offer you any help we can."

XXX

"Tell you what if you let me travel with you, then I'll will arrange some camping equipment for you. It looks like you have lost yours." Mao offered hoping this would be enough.

None of the group felt at ease neither with Mao's request nor his knowing about air nomad bisons and him recognizing Kuei. Yet they all felt guilty about the capture of Ba Sing Se and his knowing could easily be explained. "Excuse us for a minute." Aang finally said. "We need to talk about this."

"Naturally." Mao replied understandingly.

"So Toph what do you think of him?" Aang whispered when Mao was out of hearing range.

"Why are you all looking at me?" she answered with a surprised voice.

"First off we're not all looking at you, Second off aren't you the person who could tell if people were lying with your earth bending and all?" Sokka answered.

With an offended voice she answered "Well how am I suppose you're not looking at me?" With a more troubled voice she continued. "But I'm not sure if he is lying."

This was a surprise for them all. Toph didn't often admit she failed doing something, certainly not if it was about her earth bending skill. Katara recovered the fastest and she tried not to sound reproachful when she spoke. "How come, is there something wrong with your bending?"

This was probably the best way to insult Toph and her voice sound pretty angrily when she answered. "Of course not. It's just his blood pressure and heartbeat both are quite normal, if he is lying then he is very good at it. Yet."

"Yet what?" Sokka demanded.

"Well he looks smart enough to add flying air nomad bison and 12 year old boy in air nomad clothes together as Avatar. How would your heartbeat be when you just met the Avatar and the Earth King?" her voiced was again quite troubled.

"Pretty high I suppose, but he doesn't look the type to be easily excited" Sokka answered. "Well I guess we should choose now. Are we leaving him here, or are we dumping him somewhere safe?" he turned his face on Aang. "Well?"

"Why are you guys looking at me?" He tried to sound surprised.

"I'm not looking at you." Toph said.

"Thanks Toph. Hey"

"Heh Heh you're almost as easy as Sokka." She laughed.

"Well I guess we could always fight him if he's an enemy. Four to one should be a piece of cake. And we really need that equipment." He finally said.

They all nodded in agreement.

"Well Mao I guess you're in."

XXX

Finally Zuko and Ihro had fall asleep. Now nobody was watching her. She Took out a small black bird from on of her sleeves and untied its wings. It was a small miracle you could train an animal to be so quite for such a long time. "I'm very fortunate." She thought when she noticed there wasn't anybody guarding their tent. She bound a small letter to the bird paw and let it go. Somehow she felt sorry for the little messenger when she realized how to receiver was going to take the news.

Wow it started of as a small story and I didn't expect much of it. Yet I'm proud on the story line but of course you fantasize about what you like so you like what you fantasize. So maybe it isn't so good as I think. I wanted to put Appa and Momo in as well. But I really can't write out of the perspective of animals so I left that out. Also I would like this moment again to beg for reviews. Please please review I don't care if they are nice or not. You can even flame me if you like but please review. It doesn't have to be a long review the word good or bad are enough. Then I at least know if people like it or I have to try harder.

Anyway thanks for reading.