**shorter chapter than the others... but i needed to get something out there. reviews would be MUCH appreciated!!! thanks!!**
"Riley! Get your ass over here!" Nutashi yelled from across camp. Riley, a 17 year old boy with sapphire mohawked hair and fiery red eyes looked up from the book he was reading. Nutashi, the leader of the rebel benders, also known as "the hybrids", was standing with her partner, Liaf, in front of their tent. She looked pissed, and the only thing worse than an angry Nutashi was… well, nothing was worse. Riley sighed and got up from the ground. He approached his leaders cautiously.
"Yes Nutashi?" They led him inside of their tent.
"We are in need of your services Riley." She smiled. Riley gulped; when Nutashi smiled, it was never because she was happy.
"Alright? What can I do?"
"We need you to go undercover."
"Undercover? Why?"
"Apparently, we are no longer a secret. All the world leaders are now aware of our existence. It must be because of that boy that escaped a couple weeks ago. Anyway, we need you to go Ba Sing Se and go undercover and discover what they plan to do about us. We need to get one step ahead of them, and you are just the man for the job."
"I am?"
"Yes. You leave tomorrow at sunrise. Now go." She dismissed him with a flick of her wrist. Liaf escorted him out of the tent. He walked to his tent that he shared with the other male (besides Liaf) in the group, Holt.
"What did they need you for?" He asked.
"Nothing." Riley knew they wouldn't want him to say anything to the others. He got into his cot and stared up at the top of their tent, thinking about his task until he drifted off into a fitful slumber.
The morning after the Gaang arrived at Ba Sing Se was spent in meetings with Chief Arnook, The Earth King and Zuko, deciding what to do with the rebels. By noon, no one had come up with a good plan, and tempers were rising.
"Let's take an hour break for lunch." suggested the Earth King. They all agreed and dispersed. Aang and Jessa went to meditate, Toph had Earth Kingdom business to attend to, and Sokka went with Chief Arnook to discuss the Water Nation.
"Katara!" Zuko called down the hall. She stopped and waited for him. "I was wondering, do you want to eat lunch with me?" He was blushing, and Katara couldn't understand why.
"Sure! Where do you want to go?"
"Well, we could go and visit Iroh." He suggested.
"Oh yes! I would love to!" Katara had forgotten that Iroh owned a tea shop in the city. They left the palace and walked out into the city.
"So how are things going in the Fire Nation?" Katara asked after a long awkward silence.
"Alright. It's more difficult that I thought it would be. I write to Uncle a lot, asking for his advice. He's been a great help. What about the Water Nation?"
"The Southern part is thriving. We're almost back to where we used to be, before the war. At least, that's what my Gran-Gran tells me."
"Good." Zuko said. They went silent again.
"Any luck finding your mom yet?" Katara asked. Zuko chuckled.
"Actually yes. We found her on a remote island about a year ago. My father had banished her there, along with her maids."
"Zuko! That's terrific! I bet she's very proud of you." Katara smiled at him.
"Yes, yes she is." They had reached Iroh's tea shop. As soon as they stepped into the shop, Iroh was by their side.
"Zuko! Katara! What a pleasant surprise!" He hugged both of them. "What are you doing here in the city?" He asked. Katara and Zuko shared a glance.
"We'll explain later. Top secret." Zuko whispered. Iroh nodded knowingly.
"Well sit and enjoy ourselves. Tea is on the house!" He led them to a table closest to the front of the shop.
"I'll have a cup of chai tea, please." Katara ordered.
"I'll have lemon." Zuko told his Uncle.
"Right away!" He sped off into the kitchen. Katara looked around at the busy shop; there was a wide variety of people, ranging from high city officials to dusty city workers, drinking their coffee and interacting with one another. She remembered before they won the war, when the city had a deep division between their social classes. Now, everyone was mingling with each other, despite their status.
"Here you are!" Iroh had brought their tea.
"Thanks." They said at the same time.
"Excuse me sir." A boy with sapphire colored hair approached Iroh. He wore tattered and dirty clothing. "I was wondering if you were hiring at all."
"I am young sir! Come with me." He put an arm around the boy's shoulders, who stared at Katara and Zuko with his red eyes as they walked into the kitchen.
