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Author Notes: I was meaning to post this chapter earlier this weekend but I forgot to bring my external HD back with me to home. (So sorry to those who are checking back constantly.) This story was saved on that HD so there wasn't much that I could do about it. The good side of it though is that I already typed up most of Episode 5. Probably expect to release it later in the week.

This chapter is mostly Zuko's story since the Aang gang are still up there flying. Had lots of fun going through it. My intention is to confuse some of you. Also, new characters are introduced (much like any fan fiction now) but I'll make sure to keep the new character count very low.

To jliljj: If you can recall from the show, Zuko had to learn everything on his own. So, after he was banished, he should've been able to find someone who can teach him how to fight with swords. Reminds me of a character from the manga "Kazan" where a girl, who can make water, learns how to fight with a stick because she understands that using her main power can hurt other people. She wants to rely on a strength other than water. (:D)

Disclaimer: All Avatar: The Last Airbender characters belong to Bryan and Mike, Nickelodeon, and (sighs) Viacom. All Rights Are Reserved.

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Episode 4 - Coriander Coltsfoot

Prince Zuko ran non-stop past servants, maids, and guards alike. Many of them were surprised of seeing the prince so full of energy. Their thoughts comprised of wondering why he was skipping his breakfast and why he didn't request for any servant to help him dress. Regardless of what they thought, it didn't matter at all to Zuko. He was too quick for any of them to grab a hold of him. In no time, Zuko was standing by the palace's main gates panting loudly. As soon as he felt that he caught a hold of his breath, he asked for the gates to be opened. The guard, who was controlling the gates, was staring in awe at the prince before he fulfilled the request.

The huge two door gate creaked open. People passing by the royal square stopped in their tracks to see who was coming out through the gate. Soon, a couple of screaming fan girls came rushing towards Zuko. The palace guards took action immediately and blocked the fan girls from even reaching within ten feet away of him.

Zuko took a slight glance at the fan girls before continuing on his small journey. He was feeling completely awkward just seeing a small crowd of girls of any age screaming out his name and telling him that they'll marry him someday. What Zuko didn't notice was that right next to the screaming fan girls was a large red box with a curtained window and two wooden poles built in underneath the box. A nicely dressed man, who was standing next to the box, ran directly into the prince's path and gave Zuko a humble bow.

"Sire, you seem to be going somewhere in a hurry, today. Would you like a ride?" offered the royal chair carrier. His left hand had its palm open aiming right at the red box. Zuko stared impatiently at the carrier.

"No thanks! It's not too far from here," he brushed past the carrier and started up a dash again towards a huge house that was sitting several feet away from the palace gates. Once he got up the stairs and to the front door of the house, he tried his best to maintain a poise before knocking on the tall dark wooden door.

It took a minute before the door opened. An elegant dressed elderly man was standing in the doorway.

"May I help you, sir?" asked the servant but changed his view point once he peered closer at Zuko, "Oh, I'm so sorry, your Highness! I did not recognize you looking so…worn out." He tried to find a right wording to say without trying to insult the prince. Apparently, Zuko was wearing his clothing a bit sloppy and his hair was not combed in any way. "I'm afraid you will have to come back later. The mistress is still sleeping at this moment. I will let her know that you've come for her."

"Thank you," Zuko bowed slightly before turning around to leave. Suddenly, an idea came to him and he turned back to face the servant who was about to close the door. "Wait! Can I ask you something?"

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"So far, I found nothing. What about you?" asked Azula as she dropped Zuko's pillow back onto the bed.

"Nope. Nothing, " said Ty Lee as she poked her head over the bed's canopy. The two girls were taking their time looking through every crack and cranny of Zuko's bedroom. They made sure not to mess anything up. Azula placed her hands at her sides and began scanning the room trying to think of where else they should be looking. She did come across one interesting object which was a small picture of Ursa. Upon seeing it, she snuck it inside her shirt and carried on as if nothing happened.

Overall though, there wasn't much in the room compared to hers. Zuko doesn't seem to have too many material goods which leaves the room a more simpler and cleaner feel. Azula sighed and made her way to the bedroom doorway. "I suppose there could be another place in the palace where he could hide them. Let's go look around, Ty Lee."

"Ok!" Ty Lee back flipped onto the floor from the canopy. She seemed to have enjoyed her time being up there. Both girls left Zuko's room in silence.

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A long line was growing outside the inner city gateway. Merchants. Traders. Visitors. All different kinds of people were standing with scratching heads wondering what exactly was going on at the front of the line. All they wanted was to get into the main part of the royal capital and do their business like usual. Little did they know that their nation's own prince was the one holding up the entire line trying to get out.

"I have to go to somewhere. Please let me through!" Zuko asked in a hard voice towards the two guards who were blocking his way.

"I'm sorry your Highness. We can't let you through without a royal escort. No one knows who you are in the outer part of the capital. Whatever happens to you out there will be our responsibility and we can't risk having the Fire Lord burning our backs for this," said one of the masked guards. This got Zuko extremely angry and he began to raise his voice.

"Since when did my father ever forbid me from leaving!? I'm the prince! I should be free to go wherever I want. I've been outside the Fire Nation for three years! No one knows me there and I don't care!! So, again. Let me THROUGH!" Zuko shouted as he tried to thrust his body to go past the guards. The two guards immediately held up their hands to catch the prince, by his arms, from going through.

This time though, they didn't try to push him back. The two guards looked at each other as if they were communicating through their minds. One of them made a nudge towards the outer part of the capital and then looked down at Zuko's struggling form. The other guard made a nod that signed their agreement.

"Alright, we changed our minds. We'll let you through. Just be sure to be back before the sun goes down. Our shift ends then and the guards who'll be replacing us are trainees. They won't recognize you at all."

Zuko felt their hands letting go of his arms. The feeling of freedom came sinking into his feet and the rest of his body slowly. Without looking back, he said to the guards, "don't worry. I won't forget," and he was off running past the long line of people. Some of them cursed at the prince for making them have to wait so long. Their insults bounced off of him like he was protected by an invisible shield. The way to the outer city was a lengthy one as Zuko had to go down two slopes and up a hill.

Sooner or later, he arrived at the edge of the outer city. In all his life, he's only been through the area and has never really went around to experience any part of it. The outer city was definitely different from what he was use to seeing in the inner part. The houses were smaller. Many of them were not fancy looking. There were even several shabby and run-down buildings. Even the street was paved unevenly unlike the inner city where it's nice and straight.

Now that he's arrived, what now? He was able to spot a chubby man, with a mustache, standing around doing nothing so he walked over to him.

"Excuse me, sir? I need some directions." The man looked down at Zuko in surprise before looking indifferent again.

"Yes, boy? What is it that you must know from an insignificant one like me?" the man asked with a pitiful sounding voice tone. Zuko blinked as he didn't expect the man to say it in such a complex way.

"Well, I'm not from around here and I was just wondering if you could tell me or show me where the flower shop is? I hear that this part of the city has a well-respected one?" The man stared at Zuko for a moment before responding with a light-hearted laugh.

"Oh, you mean 'Coriander Coltsfoot'? You must be from the inner city, yes?" Zuko's eyes widened in reaction and began to panic a little.

"How did you know!?"

"Oh, I could easily tell with what you said and your clothing. It's too nice lookin'! People around here. Aw, they don't wear that kind of lavish stuff." Zuko looked down and for the first time noticed the vast difference of his clothing to the man's. He was beginning to wonder whether he should've gone back to the palace first to change into something that didn't make him stand out.

"Right….," the prince looked back up at the man. "Well, can you please show me the way? This is kind of an emergency here. I'll even pay you if you want."

"Hey kid! I'm just showing you, ey? Hahaha… Who, in this world, pays for directions? And I don't need the money. I'm content as it is in this life. Anyways, you're planning on giving a flower to a girl! Am I right? Am I right!?" the man grinned giving a nudge to the boy, who felt his cheeks beginning to burn a little. "Ah, don't worry. Just teasin' ya. This way please," the man winked before he started to walk in a particular direction. Zuko was more than pleased to follow suit. In fact, there was something in this man that reminded him of someone very close to him. Is this why he could easily feel calm around this man? Then, the words came out of his mouth before he realized it.

"Sir, may I ask what your name is?"

"My name? It's Xuan Meng. Yours?" ("Xuan" pronounced "one")

"It's…" Zuko was still wondering why he felt the need to communicate more with this commoner, "….Lee."

"Lee? Just 'Lee'?"

"I rather not reveal my full name. In case, uh, someone notices I'm here. You see, I'm not really suppose to be here," he gave the man a nervous smile. Technically, he was telling the truth in this statement.

"Oh, I see. So your father must be some hot shot nobleman or government official?"

"Yes! I mean, that is correct."

"Yeah, I understand. Still, it must be awfully nice to live up there where everything is cleaner and all," Xuan said as he rounded a corner. Zuko looked down sadly.

"I guess…."

"Eh? Well, you don't sound too happy about it," Xuan raised an eye brow and looked over his shoulder at Zuko. The boy, with his head still looking down, shrugged and shook his head indicating that he didn't want to discuss anything beyond that.

Soon, they arrived at an open air store that was ridiculously filled with lots of flowers. Panda lilies, tiger lilies, tulips, roses, alpina, maisies, and more. They were either placed on carts or lined up on the ground. A huge brown sign bearing the name "Coriander Coltsfoot" was sitting over the store. The sign's nails were hammered in crudely.

"Well, here we are! The best place in the whole damn city to get all your flowers. I hear they cater to the royal palace sometimes, too," Xuan smiled proudly at the store. Zuko shifted his eyes a little upon hearing that.

"Oh, so that's where all their success comes from?"

"Yep, it's remarkable. Getting even recognition among royalty," Xuan said as he changed his body position to face the direction from where they came from. He then started to walk, at the same time, wave back at Zuko. "Well, I'll be on my way now. It was nice meeting you, Lee! Hope you find what you're looking for!"

Zuko nodded his head towards Xuan as his response to saying "thanks". Soon, he was alone again. To Zuko's relief, there was no one in the shop, with the exception of the shop keeper, who apparently looked to be close to Zuko's age. The shop keeper came out of the inside part of the store sporting a white apron and a crew (or butch) cut hair style.

"Welcome to Coriander, sir! Can I help you?" he asked without looking at Zuko as he was paying attention to cleaning a flower pot that was in his two hands.

"Uh, yeah. I'm here to buy some flowers as an apology gift," Zuko said in an uncertain tone of voice as he looked around at the flowers. Then without warning, a loud sound interrupted his visual tour with a CRASH!!

He quickly looked back at the shop keeper with a surprised look. The shop keeper was also looking at Zuko but with a shock expression. Finding the shop keeper's expression uncomfortable, Zuko decided to break their period of silence.

"Um…you dropped your pot. Is there something wrong? Or you mean this?" Zuko hesitantly placed a hand over his scar.

"You….," was the first word that the shop keeper was able to mutter from his mouth.

"Pardon?"

"I…..I can't believe it! It's you!!" the shop keeper started to shout with excitement.

"Could you please say that in a quieter voice? I don't want any drawn attention to this place."

"I know I know! You don't want to be caught but this is amazing! You even know where to find me!"

"What? Look, I don't even know you. I have no idea what you're talking about. Now, can you please cut the charade and give me advice as to which flower to choose?" Zuko felt his temper was beginning to rise. Either this commoner has lost his mind or maybe, this is still one giant dream.

"Don't know me? Of course you know me! And I know you! And…and….I just want to say, what you did in the inner city was spectacular!" there were stars now shooting of the shop keeper's eyes. Zuko sighed and began to rub his forehead in exasperation. The shop keeper smiled seeing how Zuko didn't seem to believe him still so he instantly grabbed a hold of Zuko's wrist. "Come with me! It's a good thing my parents aren't here at this moment."

"Huh!? Hey!!" Zuko was staring wide eyed as he was being lead away by the other boy. "Let go! I don't have time for this!" He found himself going through the inside part of the store passing by flower stand after flower stand. They ended up in a small back room that had a skinny desk, and was filled with different kinds of flower pots and bowls.

"You told me to save these, so I did!" the shop keeper pulled out a small closed-lid container that was sitting underneath the desk. Upon opening the lid, he took out a black cloak with a hood and a copper colored mask. The mask had the face of an angry dragon complete with a lashing tongue carved to its side. Zuko began to have a sinking feeling in his stomach when staring at the mask. "So, does any of this stuff ring a bell?"

Zuko was speechless at first before glaring at the shop keeper, "you're crazy!! Crazier than my uncle! I'm out of here and I'm not coming back!" He turned to leave.

"Wait a moment! I still got something else," the shop keeper set aside the cloak and the mask. He then lifted the small container out of the way and took out a bigger container that was sitting underneath the small container. After opening that one, he took out the container's contents and quickly ran to catch up with Zuko. "So these aren't yours either?" he waved the two objects in front of Zuko's face.

The prince's face paled as he snatched the two broad swords out of the shop keeper's hands. "Where did you get these!?"

"You gave them to me. Your scabbard is in the box too," the shop keeper said as he cupped his hands together. "You can have it all back if you want."

Zuko stared at the shop keeper with suspicion. He was fully convinced that the boy wasn't at all crazy as he appeared to be.

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Azula burned a piece of grass before lying down. She was getting tired of her search and was frustrated to see that there was nothing she could find. Ty Lee was bending over backwards balancing her body with her hands and legs. The two of them were now in another palace courtyard brainstorming away.

"Why don't you use the Dai Li to help you out?" Ty Lee suggested looking at the defeated princess.

"No…," she said wearily staring up at the sky. "I want to save them for a better occasion than this."

"Are you sure that the Blue Spirit is your brother?"

"Of course. Why? Are you doubting me?" Azula moved her head but didn't lift it while looking at Ty Lee.

"No! I'm not! Well, it's just…. The Blue Spirit existed a long time ago, right? And that guard guy said that the mask wasn't blue this time. Plus, was the Blue Spirit even wearing a cloak? I don't think I can recall any on his wanted posters."

Azula closed her eyes with a small feeling of exhaustion before sitting up from her lying position. "That's because none of the wanted posters showed the rest of his body. He carried two swords as far as I could remember of all the rumors that spread back to the palace. I know Zuzu can't resist swords. That's why, we're not looking for evidence for the petty peasant wannabe. I have no interest in him. I'm looking for the one who actually caused a real interference." She soon had a confident smile crawling up her face as she said under her breath, "I will surely unmask you when I get the chance."

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"….He was about to return the fruit but the seller frightened him so he forgot all about giving it back. Then, you came in at the nick of time. After fighting off the guards, everyone thought you were gone, and so, the crowd left. The family's son, that you saved, wanted to thank you but of course, you weren't there so they left too. I decided to move the flower cart to another area of the city to see if I can get more business. But you know how mornings go. Not too many people so…yeah. Right as I was passing a side street, you grabbed me by the arm and pulled me in. You took off the stuff that you were wearing and gave them to me. Also, the swords! You told me to keep them safe and in secret. That, I should wait until you come and find me. I couldn't speak when you were talking to me!

Then, you walked away and out of sight. It was great!" the shop keeper, known as Bo, explained to Zuko everything without even stopping. The thrill was quite clear on Bo's face. Zuko felt his good eye twitching before being able to find words to what he wanted to say.

"Hold on! How do you know that that was me? It could've been someone who looked like me!"

"Are you kidding? You're the only guy with a scar like that on his face."

"It could be someone else with a scar like this."

"Nope. Yours is the most unique scar that I've ever seen so far."

"Argh! Ok, look. I can't stay any longer. Let me just pay for the flowers. You can also keep all this stuff with you!"

"Really? Even the swords?"

Zuko hesitated for a brief moment at that question. Those one-of-a-kind swords were his most prized possession. The only other form of defense that he had ever since he realized he needed to be stronger through another way. If he were to take them with him though, it'll just prove to Bo that he really is the guy who stood up to the guards. "Yes, even the swords because….they can't be mine!"

"But they are yours! You just asked me how----"

"Forget, I-ever-said-that!! They just look like mine. That's all!"

"Sorry! Geeze. You don't have to get angry at me like that. I was just saying….," Bo sighed before rising his head again with that good-nature smile of his. "Alright! Well, here's what I can tell you. Panda lilies and roses seem to be popular with the girls. Petunias and maises for friendship. Um, let's see---"

"Look. Anything! I'll take anything!" Zuko threw down his fists to his sides. His patience was beginning to ware thin with the boy.

Fifteen minutes later.

"Come again!!" waved Bo. A wide smile was plastered on his face this time.

Zuko stared back at him with an annoyed expression. It took him a ridiculous amount of time to get a bouquet of scarlet bells. He started to increase the speed in his pace, but at the same time, was careful not to clutch too hard on the seven white and red bell-shaped bouquet. He made his way through several streets; always remembering to look up to make sure he was going in the right direction. Since the inner part of the capital was situated on a higher elevation, it wasn't hard to miss it at all.

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"Catch him!" screamed a voice into the night. The hooded figure wearing the black cloak flapped casually through the air. His body was flying from roof top to roof top. Fire was being flung from all different directions. The figure eventually reached a dead end in his roof top hopping. There were no other buildings to jump to. He swiveled around to face the masked guards who were chasing him.

"So, not only do you help thieves but you are one as well!" one of the guards said in a mocking voice. He shot a fist towards the man in black who simply bended back his body so the flame could shoot past him. The same guard then pumped two fists straight at the so-called "thief".

The cloaked man easily dodged both flames by bowing forward feeling the flames' heat fly over him. He then stood straight again and tipped a bit of his mask towards the guards. "I'm sorry, but I can't keep someone waiting. Another time!" he spoke with his voice sounding very unclear through the dragon mask. He swiftly made a salute before back-flipping into the street below.

"No!!" bellowed the guard and he rushed forward to see where the cloaked man went. The rest of the guards followed him. Upon peering down, they all saw nothing. They were so pre-occupied with the street below them that they never saw their mysterious target sneaking off in a side street to the right of them.

A few streets later, the cloaked man came across a bleak looking side street. He stepped carefully into it and touched the left wall in order to make his way through the long dark passageway. Eventually, he came across a door on the right side wall. After giving it a few knocks, the door cautiously opened letting a skinny beam of light come pouring through its gap.

"Y-Yes?" asked an elderly bald man who was dressed in a raggedy nightgown. "Can I help you?"

"No need," the muffled sounding voice behind the mask said as the man in black began to reach for something inside his cloak. "I believe this was taken from you," he revealed a small blue bottle. The elderly man's eyes were wide-open in surprise upon seeing it and shakily took it from the stranger.

"My medicine!" the elderly man almost shouted before turning to ask the man how he knew. Only, he was too late. The man in black was gone.

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To Be Continued….

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A.N.: Originally, this chapter was going to end with Zuko leaving the shop but I couldn't help to add that second important part in. Then, I actually gave the old man a grand-daughter, but then, I thought that was too much so sadly, I had to get rid of her (cries cries)! Also, If you are curious as to why I picked "Coriander Coltsfoot", you can find their meanings on earthly pursuits dot com. It sounds like something from Harry Potter's Diagon Alley! Ahhh! (Yes, I specifically picked "Bo" and "Xuan Meng" on purpose too.)

12/6/07 edit: Had to fix the ending part a bit. It wasn't grammatically correct repeating beginning words like that. Also, corrected another part of the chapter. I do back-track editing sometimes with my stories.