Sorry this took a bit longer again. I'm writing them all in advance and the next chapter is already sent out to my beta. Also: a word of advice. Please don't review and only say something along the lines of 'update soon plz great story'. I'm fine with knowing that you want me to update but it feels like your demanding me and makes me a bit stubborn to update quickly. Instead, maybe you could say that you would like me to update and also something you liked about the chapter or something you didn't like. Sorry if that seems like I'm getting bossy or something, but it really gets annoying when thats all I get day in and day out.


Ty Lee chewed on her rice, contemplating. Already she was preparing another bite for her mouth, but knew it was unladylike to just shove it in now. She had to wait until she was done with her first portion before going on. It was something that she had been trained well in, being the daughter of a nobleman and all. Funny, since she used to despise her upbringing. No matter how much trouble it had given her when she was younger, now she was ready to go into the world with appropriate manners.

"Well?" Ling Ling asked anxiously. "How is it!"

She gave a thumbs up, swallowing. "Great, Ling Ling. It's perfectly sticky and sweet! You've really gotten it down."

"Oh that's awesome!" the twin beamed. "I worked so hard on that!"

And that she had. The rice was steamed to perfection, not a burnt grain in sight. For once Ty Lee was craving more of the food she had cooked. She had been her test subject for awhile, trying all of the meals she created. It had been a little painful at times with all of the screw-ups and inedible concoctions, but Ty Lee knew she had to do this for her friend, and because no one else was willing. Not even Ying Ying.

She brought the hot bite of rice to her mouth, savoring the tantalizing flavor. Had Ling Ling used soy? Or was it ginger? Maybe a bit of both? Whatever it was, it was really good. Before she realized what she was doing another bite made her way into her cheeks. And another. She quickly swallowed, knowing she would've gotten a big reprimanding if she had done that back at home.

But this was her home now. And no one was going to tell her how to eat.

"I can tell. But maybe you should try to make other things too, other than just rice."

"I know. I'm just starting with the basics. I'm hoping to go on to a simple curry dish next. And if you want it to be especially spicy I can do that. I know how the Fire Nation likes their hot food."

"Actually, I like it to be more sweet than hot," Ty Lee informed, taking another bite. She could tolerate the spicy food her homeland was accustomed to, but only because the smoky burning flavor had been ingrained into her palette. After eating practically burnt turkey chicken for dinner she would always look forward to the sugary cake afterwards.

"Oh! Oh! I know how to do that, too!" she replied in a sing-song voice.

"Nice! I can't wait to taste it."

"Soon I'll be good enough to cook with my sister," she explained excitedly, then lowered her voice. "Well… at least that'll be one thing we both can do well."

"Hey, cheer up!" Ty Lee said, rubbing Ling Ling's head. "Remember what I told you?"

"'Never stop smiling'."

"Exactly! As long as you do that, you'll always reach your goals. Always," she insisted.

"Really?"

Ty Lee forced a smile, something that often happened when she lied. "Really."

"Thank you so much, Ty! I don't know what I'd do without you. Especially since Ying Ying's been…" she stopped. "Whoops! …wasn't supposed to say that…"

There was an awkward silence as Ling Ling stared at her hands, her face red. Ty Lee put down her bowl on her bed, watching the twin in concern. From the other side of the room, Ying Ying looked up, alerted through their bond about where the conversation had led. Everyone else was still deep in conversation, the discomfort only obvious to the three of them. They all just looked at each other for about half a minute, turning from one person to the other.

Ty Lee faltered, trying to think of what to say. She thought she had an idea of what Ling Ling was going to say, considering what she had learned from Ying Ying on the way to the inland. The older twin was trying to sever her bond with the younger, for the sake of doing their job easier. From what she could tell, the feelings about this weren't mutual. But what could she say to try to make it better? She had no idea what it was like to go through this.

"I need to get some fresh air," Ling Ling announced monotonously, standing up and leaving the dojo before Ty Lee could get a word out. At the same time Ying Ying returned to her food, no longer interested in what had just happened.

Ty Lee leaned back a bit, grabbing her bowl and eating some more. She hated it when she wasn't able to help others. She had spent so much of her life causing pain and ruin to anybody and everybody. Now that she was a Kyoshi Warrior she wanted to change that, to work for the good of the people around her and not for the bad. Usually she was able to get it done, but in situations like this she felt like a dead weight. Not good for anything other than taking up space. And considering her intelligence, that's probably what she really was.

Nobody important.

Nobody special.

Just there to steal some air and sunshine from other people before dying.

"Hey, Miss Frowney-face. What's the big problem?" A pair of hands suddenly came at her cheeks, forcing them up in a smile. "There! That's more like it!"

"Hasoka! What are you doing!" she exclaimed, pushing away her friend's prying fingers.

"'Never stop smiling', right?" Hasoka replied. "Y'need to start living up to your own advice, there."

She sat down next to her, using her chopsticks to grab a bit of Ty Lee's rice. Well, try to, anyways. Ty Lee quickly pulled the bowl protectively to her side, not ready to share quite yet. She pushed a big portion into her mouth, grinning and making satisfied noises to Hasoka's chagrin. The other girl pouted, then broke out into a grin as well.

"Never thought I'd see you so excited over Ling Ling's cooking."

"It's really good!" Ty Lee insisted, now offering the bowl for Hasoka to sample. She took a small bit of the breakfast meal and cautiously brought it to her mouth.

"So," she said in between chewing, "What's with the frown, anyways?"

"Sorry. I was just thinking, really."

"About…?"

"Uh… nothing…"

"Fine. Don't tell me," Hasoka shrugged, retrieving a bigger collection of rice than before. "I've got something better for you to think about, anyways."

"What?" Ty Lee asked, interested.

She looked around to make sure no one else was paying too much attention to them, then whispered, "I know how we can finally catch Nikumu."

That's what she'd been waiting for. Wide-eyed, Ty Lee nodded enthusiastically, giving her permission to elaborate.

"Y'know that today's Fall Cleaning, right?"

She nodded again. Fall Cleaning was like Spring Cleaning except in the fall, which made it easy for Ty Lee to understand. Apparently the dojo got so dirty that they had to clean it up twice a year. Washing the floors and waxing them. Fixing the roof. Applying new coats of paint when needed. It was a lot of hard work, but if they all did it together it would be done quickly.

"Well, we usually get rid of trash and stuff we find around the dojo today as well. Which would mean it would be the perfect time to get rid of something that you wouldn't want anyone else to find, if you know what I mean."

Ty Lee knew exactly what she meant. "So what will we do?"

Hasoka smiled. "Don't worry. I've got a plan."


Ty Lee kept her breathing shallow, waiting until every voice died out to loosen up. All of the other warriors had gone down to the village to get the supplies for Fall Cleaning. But not her. She had to stay here and check out Nikumu's belongings. Find the one thing that the traitor didn't want her to find. The one thing that linked her to Azula and all the trouble she had been causing on the island.

The plan was rather simple, yet ingenious at the same time. Ty Lee stayed behind while Hasoka kept Nikumu in particular busy looking for some 'lost supplies' by the docks. If anyone else happened to come up to the dojo, then they would be witnesses of the evidence they were about to procure. They would be convinced, as Ty Lee always had been, of Nikumu's treachery. It was so perfect. She could barely believe that it was finally going to happen!

When the voices of her fellow warriors disappeared down the hill she took a deep breath. Hopefully nobody would notice her absence too early and come back before she found the evidence. Having a rival – even more than that; enemy – snooping through the rival's things was just a tiny bit conspicuous. Then the blame might fall on Ty Lee, and she would end up right back where everything started: in jail, with the trust and loyalty of her friends shattered. That was the last thing she wanted.

"So… what are we doing here?"

Ty Lee almost screamed, but large hands hurriedly covered her mouth, practically smothering her. She tried to defend herself from her assailant, but the lack of oxygen was making her weak. The only thing she could do was forcefully breathe out of her nose and stare at the hand that was over her.

Wait…

She recognized that skin tone

"Whoa… whoa! Sorry! Don't scream!" Haru pleaded. "I didn't mean to scare you!"

Ty Lee calmed down, but only for a moment. Now her heart was pounding for completely different reasons. His fingers… they were so soft. She would've expected them to be rough and dry from all of his affiliation to the earth, but they were smooth and fine to the touch. And against her lips so gently… she could feel the warm blush envelope her cheeks as the world seemed to melt around her. Her legs swayed under her, and she prayed urgently that she wouldn't start sweating.

"…are you good now?" he asked.

She nodded. Absently, she noted again the softness when the movement moved her lips against his fingers. Her blush increased.

"Okay. Please don't scream."

Slowly he released his hold of her mouth, and she secretly wished he hadn't. She never knew an earthbender could be so gentle and yet firm. She had always heard that they were tough and worn from all of their work with rocks and such. Even Toph's feet and hands had seemed dirty and blistered. But not Haru's. She wanted to feel his skin again, let him brush her lips and shut her up.

"Why are you here?" she asked in a hushed tone, still startled from his sudden appearance.

"I could feel that someone was in here… and so… decided to check it out," he explained in a mumble. His face grew red as well, as if he realized what he had just done. She wasn't sure if he had ever gotten that close to a girl before, the way he acted. She gave a reassuring smile.

Man, he just kept getting cuter by the second.

"Through your earthbending, like Toph?"

"Yeah, she taught me. I'm not the best at it… but I can 'see' things that are near me… I guess…" Haru replied. "I didn't know it was you, though. I can only 'see' that it's a person or a chair or a bag or whatever it is. Any other details about the thing I 'see', like hair and faces, are left out."

It was strange. Haru always was a little shy and not much of a talker. But when he was around her… it was like he felt more comfortable, but still uncomfortable in the same way. He had to be comfortable because he definitely talked to her more than anyone else on the island. But he also had to be uncomfortable because he was always blushing and speaking softly with some hesitation and tripping over words. As far as she knew, that was a good sign.

"That's still pretty impressive. Not many benders can do it."

"I guess…" he straightened up. "And you?"

"Hm?"

"Why are you here?"

Everything around her grew hot. The plan! How could she have forgotten about the plan! Why did Haru have to come along now of all times! She put her hand to her face and sighed, trying not to look directly at him. That, and to find out what she was going to tell him. Would it be okay if he knew? He could be her witness… of sorts. And surely he would trust her. He had to trust her.

Otherwise nothing would work between them.

"Uh…" she muttered, twisting her finger up one of her naturally wavy bangs. "Well… here. Follow me."

She walked over to Nikumu's area which was stuck in the corner of the dojo, Haru following uncertainly behind. Her bag was partly open, an extra change of clothes hanging messily out of the side. Ty Lee swallowed, suddenly unsure about this whole thing. What if she didn't find anything? What if Nikumu wasn't the traitor? Ying Ying had defended her so strongly the other day. What if she was right? And Haru was right here. Watching her snoop through someone else's belongings with no goal achieved wouldn't make a good impression.

Yet she found herself unconsciously kneeling down next to the bag, her trembling hands unfolding the rest of the flaps. Nikumu had to be the traitor. She just had to. If she wasn't then Ty Lee would have no leads on who was helping Azula. She wouldn't know who it was who was trying to hurt her, making her life more complicated. The one who had inadvertently destroyed her relationship with Sokka (though that didn't seem so bad now. It still hurt, though).

"What are you doing?" Haru asked.

Ty Lee forced her eyes shut as the contents of the bag were exposed. She didn't want to see it. Didn't want to know her failure. She just wanted to hide and wait until this whole thing was over. Azula would leave on her own and everything would be peachy again. But no. Instead she was here, invading someone's privacy. She bit her lip so hard that it drew blood.

"…what's that?"

Ty Lee's eyes flew open. The first thing she noticed was the massive amount of disheveled items about Nikumu's bag.

Then she saw the scroll with the Fire Nation seal on it, partially hidden under a cream top.

"…Ty Lee?" Haru asked again.

Her breath caught in her throat. There it was. What she had finally been looking for.

Evidence.

"This is Nikumu's bag," she said faintly. "And this…" She pointed at the scroll in almost disbelief. She never really thought that she was actually going to find anything. This was unbelievable!

"You're saying that this is Nikumu's?" he carefully picked up the item in question. "So that means…"

"Open it."

He did so. The seal had already been broken, meaning it had been read before. And since it had been hiding in her bag… that could only mean one thing. This was for real. Nikumu had been keeping it a secret.

She was the traitor.

They quickly read through the scroll, Ty Lee's eyes widening even larger after every word. It revealed so much. Everything made more sense. There was no way around it. No loopholes. Nothing. Ty Lee was practically hyperventilating in all of the discovery and shock. But then again, she shouldn't be shocked, right? It had been her theory all along.

The scroll read, Haru rolled it back up. "We have to go tell Suki."