This chapter is a little short but it moves the story forward.

Book 1: Freshmen

Chapter 4: Lairs

Three weeks had gone by, at first it was to fast and then everyone just wished the day would end and the week would end. Going to Omashu to shop was a fun weekend thing to do. The local joke and charm shops were always packed with kids but every time the Huǒ students walked in the noise stopped for a few seconds.

No matter how much the gang tried to ignore the Huǒ students it seemed that Azula would seek them out, with her friends and Zuko, just to make Aiyoku angry. They're fights were only verbal but Aiyoku would find herself wishing she could hit her just once.

Things did calm down in school, Aiyoku realized that she was getting better at dealing with Zuko and his creepy vibe. But not enough to where she wanted to talk to him more then required. Mokka, however, began to talk to not only Zuko more than needed but, she seemed to strike up a friendly conversation here and there with one of Azula's friends, Ty Lee.

"Zuko really isn't that bad if you talk to him. Really he is just misunderstood." Mokka said one day at lunch. "I can believe that but he just has that vibe and I don't like it." Aiyoku answered.

Soon another development was Jet's attitude toward Aiyoku and her friends. The gang began to notice he was getting more distant and secretive. He wasn't around as much and Aiyoku was becoming worried, but when she would mention something to him he would just brush it off, "Everything is fine, babe, you just worry too much."

The week came and went and Omashu was on everyone minds there was to be a new shop for basic spells. In Omashu everyone was flocking to the new shop, but some would stick to buying the usual.

Jet said he had homework to finish and would meet with them later. Shu said he would go to the joke shop and grab something Jet asked for. While the others ran for the new shop.

Yue, Don and Mokka found some interesting reading spells; Aiyoku got some cleaning spells and clothing spells.

"Hey Aiyoku, how about we go and ask if we can see Appa." Mokka said. "Who's Appa?" Yue asked. "That's Mokka's Flying Bison." Aiyoku answered. Don gasped, "Wow you actually have one I thought those were extinct." Mokka shook her head, "No people just say that so no one hurts them."

Just then Shu came running to them. He was out of breathe but tried to speak anyway. "Jet …... friends …... old man …... cramp ... cramp!" Shu finished holding his side.

"He's trying to tell us something, quick get the verbs." Aiyoku said in response. Shu hit her on the arm, "It's not … funny." Shu huffed. "I just saw Jet with two of his gang members mugging an old man." Shu finally said.

Aiyoku and the others looked stunned. "Come on Shu, Jet doesn't do that anymore. Besides how can his gang members be here they're not Elementals. Also, I would know if they were here or not, Jet would have told me." Aiyoku said. Shu grunted, "Unless he didn't want you to know so he could do stuff behind your back like he use to." Aiyoku rolled her eyes, "Shu we know you're jealous of Jet because he's a lot cooler than you. So just stop trying to frame him for stuff." "That was nothing to do with it! Jet is; was; and always will be a thug; a criminal! Why can't you see that!"

Aiyoku didn't respond she just walked off. The others looked at her as she walked away.

"Why doesn't she ever believe me?" Shu asked out loud. Mokka put her hand on his shoulder, "Would you if someone said that about me?" Shu looked at her, "Well, no but you were never a criminal." Mokka sighed, "That's not the point criminal or not she loves him. She doesn't want to believe it if anyone said Jet was up to his old tricks, again. She trusts him more than she is willing to believe you."

They walked back to the Dining Hall. Aiyoku was already sitting at the table. No one really talked to each other this time. It almost seemed that with them not talking the Dining Hall was dead silent.

Even though Yue and Don were curious about what was going on they didn't ask. Aiyoku left the Dining Hall quickly, barely having eaten.

"I'm just trying to help her. She's my little sister, protecting her is my job." Shu sighed. Mokka grabbed his hand, "Give it time. If Jet really is doing this again she'll find out just wait."

The next day Aiyoku walked down to the Dining Hall to see Shu and Mokka waiting in front of the door.

Shu stepped in front of her, "Aiyoku, I'm sorry for what I said yesterday about Jet. Maybe you're right." Aiyoku hugged him, "That's all you had to do." Aiyoku smiled at Shu, "Let's eat."

When Aiyoku walked away Mokka praised Shu, "See that's just what she needed." Shu sighed, "But I'm not sorry. I was telling the truth." Mokka kissed him on the cheek, "I know you were but for now we play it Aiyoku's way till the Jet is out of the bag." Before they walked to the Dining Hall Zuko passed them and headed for the Huǒ table. Mokka asked, "Do you think he heard?" Shu shrugged in response.

All day Shu and Mokka played along with Aiyoku's denial. Jet didn't seem to act any different, which just seemed to make it harder for Mokka and Shu to be proven right.

Mokka even spent time in the Dining Hall looking for any of the members of Jet's gang. Shu didn't remember they're names so it made Mokka's search harder. She had to ask around a little.

"Oh, Ty Lee!" Mokka exclaimed when she spotted her entering the Dining Hall. "Can I ask you if there are curtain Dìqiú students are in one of your classes?" Ty Lee shook her head, "There aren't any students in my classes that aren't Huǒ House members. It's a special request from my parents. Same with my friends Azula and Mai." Mokka stared for a moment, "Oh, well that's alright I need to keep looking though. See you around." With that they parted ways.

Three days went away and Mokka and Shu were beginning to lose hope in helping their friend. Jet and Aiyoku did start to act different, more distant. Yue and Don didn't ask any questions even though they wanted to; and even Zuko was acting different.

The fourth day of the week was uneasy, brought on by the professors. They all were a little tense and a little over excited. The day finally came to a close and everyone met for dinner.

"Hi everyone." Aiyoku said waving to her friends at the Kōngqì table.

As everyone settled in their tables Headmaster Roku stood up and asked for silence. Everyone turned their attention towards him.

"I must announce that after one-hundred-years we have discovered the next Avatar."

Every table became filled with murmurs at the mention of the Avatar. Once again Headmaster Roku asked for silence, "The Avatar is of the Shuǐ House. Please join me up here and bow to your peers Avatar Aiyoku Huóshuǐ."

The gang turned toward Aiyoku in shock. Aiyoku felt her heart beat faster and a chill ran down her spine. It had to of been a mistake, she couldn't have been the Avatar. Not her.