I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender

With a loud yawn Sokka woke up the next morning. Looking around sleepily he could just make out the slightly blurred figure of Aang. Noticing that Katara wasn't there he trudged down to the stream. Probably finding me some food he thought happily. He leant down and cupped some water from the stream into his hands, bringing it to his face and gulping it down; oblivious to the fact that most of it ran down his neck. Taking several more handfuls he sated his thirst and stood up and started to walk back to camp.

"Sokka, come here quick" an anxious voice yelled from upstream. Whipping around, Sokka raced up along the river bank in the direction that Aang had called from.

"Aang what's wrong" demanded Sokka worriedly as he came in sight of his young friend. Aang looked pale and shocked, this worried Sokka even more.

The airbender didn't answer; he stood there silently and held out the garment he was holding in his hands.

Sokka leaned forward examining the item in Aang's hands; a blue water tribe dress. Sokka's eyes widened in horror "Katara"

Pain ripped through his chest but he kept running. Sweat rolled down his face as he panted from exertion. Zuko heaved the girl in his arms up higher against his body and picked up the speed.

Flashback

Zuko had stopped running 2 hours ago and was resting against a wide tree when he heard people closing in. Grabbing the girl that was sleeping beside him, he picked her up started to run again.

The pirates just didn't give up. Hearing them behind him he forced his legs over the uneven ground. Zuko was using the very last of his energy by now. Green foliage surrounded him completely. No longer could he hear the pirates. Skidding to a stop Zuko wasn't convinced of there safety. Spotting a vine dangling near the ground coming down from the branches of a very large tree he walked over to it contemplating if it was worth it. It can't hurt to try. Bracing himself and throwing the girl over his shoulder I should have dumped her by now he grabbed onto the vine and started to haul himself up it. With a jerk the vine rushed upwards carrying the surprised Prince and unconscious waterbender into the trees.

They were pulled through branches and deposited onto a wooden platform right on the middle of a huge branch.

Stumbling slightly Zuko straightened himself out and breathed a sigh of relief. Why would there be a platform in the trees he asked himself. Immediately on edge Zuko pivoted around slowly wary of his surroundings. A flicker of movement caught his eye. Before he knew it he was surrounded; a pair of hooked swords was pushed up against his neck. "Well, well, well what do we have here" a smooth voice drawled.

"Aang what are we going to do?" Pacing up and down, Sokka looked like he was going to have a fit.

"I don't know"

"Well you should know after all you are the Avatar 'Saviour of the world'" Sokka yelled angrily.

Standing up stiffly Aang walked over to where Sokka had stopped pacing to rant at him. "I am aware of that. But what are you doing to help?" The Avatar replied coldly.

Sokka looked down dejectedly "Sorry Aang".

"That's ok Sokka, we all get angry" he replied happy that his friend had snapped out of it. "We will take Appa and search for her" And with that Aang waltzed away and with a running jump leaped on Appa's head. Finally out of site of the water warrior Aang let the smile drop from his face. I miss her so much.

Hearing Sokka flop into the saddle, his breathe heavy from the exertion of climbing up Appa, Aang grinned at the lack of endurance Sokka had "Appa Yip Yip"

"And you are?" the boy with the swords sneered from behind Zuko. Felling the swords start to cut into the white skin of his throat he was prepared to cooperate. Raising his hands slowly (with a little difficulty with his left on account of the slung over his shoulder) he pivoted around slowly in surrender. The boy with the swords was obviously happy he was not a threat and lowered his swords before drawing them up again when Zuko faced him moodily.

"No one of consequence" Zuko muttered in his husky voice. Looking the boy up and down, Zuko took in the tan skin, messy brown hair, miss matched uniform and annoying piece of grass hanging from his mouth. Said boy smirked at him.

"And you happen to be wearing fire nation colours, carrying broadswords and have a half naked girl over your shoulder. And you say you are of no consequence?" the boy sneered as he tightened the swords around Zuko's neck.

"Yes" he replied casually. "I am a performer and this is my costume" he said pointing out his armour that looked nothing at all like a costume. "Also I carry broadswords as a prop not as a weapon. And the girl she is my…wife." Zuko swallowed nervously, what he had said was nothing close to the truth.

The boy didn't look convinced. "Well, a performer like yourself is welcome to stay for the night" he said cryptically. "Pipsqueak and Longshot will escort you to an available room".

"There is really no need" Zuko said calmly "We are on our way to the town up ahead to stay at the local Inn".

"No I insist you stay" The boy replied in an equally calm tone "After all the next town is three days away".

Zuko paled slightly "Well then your accommodation is appreciated" he said evenly. "And what is my host's name"

"Jet" the boy replied coolly. "Show them to the room" and with that he sauntered away.

A huge boy stepped forward "This way" he said in his pounding voice. Following cautiously, Zuko and his escort made their way over branches and around a maze of platforms to a small hut. "Inside" boy demanded. "Longshot and I will be watching over you tonight so don't try any funny business". He warned.

Zuko trudged into the hut wearily. The door closed after him and the sound of it locking was heard clearly. Sighing tiredly he walked over to the little bed at the back of the room near the window. Carefully he lowered the girl from his shoulders and laid her out on the bed. Her face was as calm as ever and her breathing normal. Zuko pushed her over towards the wall and lay down beside her too tired to sleep on the floor. Within minutes he had joined the girl in dreaming.