I never get to find out what in the world has been going through Judai's head.

"Come on, I want to laugh, too!" I keep trying anyway and puff up my cheeks, a hand on the hip.

But Judai only waves me off. "Believe me, it's not funny if I say it out loud."

Silence. Maybe that helps.

"Forget it. You're not gonna change my mind."

I sigh and let my shoulders drop. "Fine, I give up." Asking nicely didn't work, asking less nicely didn't work either, puppy eyes, pouting, the silent treatment... Judai is unmovable, and I'm all out of options. "So, now that we're done bantering... Any suggestions what to do next?"

"Get a lift. I'm sure we'll find someone."

I give a noncommittal hum and shrug. I don't feel any need to repeat the experience from a few minutes ago. Actually, I'd even prefer walking back over asking for a ride. But I guess it's okay if Judai asks. As long as it's not me...

Surprisingly enough, the next carriage owners Judai approaches, a middle-aged couple, agree right away to take us with them. They also let him help with fixing everything up. I just stand around, probably looking as lost as I'm feeling. All those belts and buckles running criss-cross over the komodo rhino look absolutely jumbled to me, and I'm nothing short of mystified by the skill the couple and Judai display.

Before long, the male side of the couple is checking the straps for... I don't know, loose parts maybe.

"Thank you, young man," he says afterwards. "Good job."

"My pleasure," my friend replies with a respectful bow. "The name's Judai, by the way."

"Fao Ji," the man introduces himself, smiling warmly, then gestures at the woman. "And that beauty over there is my wife Mayu."

Mayu comes from the other side of the rhino, while Judai grins at me, silently beckoning. I feel a bit uncomfortable, but I force myself to step up and bow a greeting.

"I'm Kamina. Nice to meet you."

"Same here," I can hear Mayu's friendly voice. I chance a look, she has a welcoming smile on her lips, warm brown eyes and pale freckles on her light brown face. Apparently, tanned skin is rather common in this region. Aang and me wouldn't attract any attention with our skin color out here...

Come to think about it, Hide is actually pretty dark, too. Almost as dark as Sokka and Katara. I wonder... No. There is no way in the world Hide would be of Water Tribe descent. It's more probable that his family originates from a sunnier region of the Fire Nation.

"Well then," Fao Ji's voice penetrates my thoughts. "Hop in, kids! We'll be starting anytime now."

"Thank you," I state, bowing once again before climbing into the cart with Judai. It seems to be a simple hay cart, a wooden platform with a one and a half foot rim. The plank at the back flaps down on hinges, allowing for easier access, but there are no special features like benches or something. Well, I guess I can't expect it, so I just stretch out my legs and lean back on my hands. Judai kneels at the side with his arms placed on the rim, gaze traveling over the bustling field.

I leave him alone and recline on the wood, closing my eyes against the dazzling sunlight. Which I planned on doing anyway, the strain of the last hours is catching up, now that I have a chance to truly rest for a moment. I'm tired, and I cross my arms behind my head as a pillow. I have to shift a bit to relieve the pressure on the sword cut, but it's comfortable enough.

A "Hang on, children!" warns me of the following jerk forward, then we're moving smoothly and before I know it, I'm dozing off in the afternoon heat.

That is, until the going stops being smooth. I hiss in pain when a jolt causes my wrist to bump against my injured arm and I shoot up.

"Are you okay back there?" Mayu throws over her shoulder from her seat next to her driving husband.

"I'm fine," I squeeze through gritted teeth, thankful the gash hasn't started to bleed again. The pain is already abating, but I decide it's safer to refrain from lying back down.

"You sure?" Judai asks and I look to the side, catching his worried, maybe even fearful gaze. I smile reassuringly.

"I'm sure. It doesn't even hurt anymore." I get why he's concerned, though. The angry red lines on his arms offer all the explanation needed.

Before my eyes get fixed to them again, I tear my gaze away and take in the procession of rhinos and carts. Puma goats are nowhere to be found, I suppose they took the direct way, up the steep paths which the carts cannot pass through. The trees cast long shadows, and in a moment of shock, I realize that the sun is beginning to set. How is it sundown already?!

"It's getting late," Judai remarks, as if reading my mind. "I hope we get everyone down before nightfall."

"Don't worry, young man," Fao Ji pipes up. "It's not our first rescue job. By the time the moon is out, you'll have a roof over your head and a warm meal in your stomach, trust me."

"Thank you so much," Judai replies earnestly, bowing his head even though the couple can't see it. Oh, the force of habit...

"No probl..." The rest of the answer gets swallowed by another bump in the road, and I almost get knocked over again. Okay, that does it! This is not how I imagined the trip back!

I crawl over to Judai and grab onto the rim of the cart myself, grumbling, "I should have walked!"

"So tough, city girl?"

He can't help it, can he?

I huff and poke my tongue out at him. "I'll show you tough!"

"I'm looking forward to it!" Judai teases. Then he sobers, setting alarm bells ringing in my head. "You shouldn't stick your tongue out, though. If we hit another bump, you might accidentally bite it off."

I grimace uncomfortably, that sounds painful. "I'll keep it in mind."

We keep silent for a while, just sitting next to each other, treegazing. Then, completely out of the blue, Judai speaks up, "Can I ask you something?"

I spin around at the anxiety in his voice. Again? It's painful to listen to... But at least he's not shaking or anything, just staring straight ahead, with eyes narrowed in what I hope to be concentration. "Uh... Sure, ask away."

"What's the date?"

"The date? Er..." I rack my brain, calculating. If I'm not mistaken, it's... "The fifth day of Seventhmonth."

"The fifth..." he repeats huskily, collapsing like a house of cards. His eyes glaze over, and I grit my teeth in discomfort when I'm confronted with the distraught boy I met back in the cage. Before I can decide otherwise, I pull him into a hug. I'm not entirely sure what his problem is, but I have my suspicions.

"You've been stuck in there for a while, haven't you," I whisper, acutely aware of the poking ribs, the matted hair, the slight tension in his muscles, ready to take flight... or maybe a hit.

"Four weeks," Judai mumbles, and he sounds thoroughly beaten. I can't think of anything to say, so I just hug him tighter, resolving to stay with him until he pushes me away.

Or the next bump, at least. Where we somehow manage to knock our heads together and, reacting accordingly, break apart with cries of pain. Someone's got a hard skull...

"Are you alright, kids?" Mayu asks once again, twisting in her seat to look at us.

"Yeah, we'll be fine," I grumble, rubbing my throbbing temple. "But I hate those bumps more and more."

"I'm afraid we can't do anything about them," she states with an apologetic undertone, and I wave it off.

"I know that. Sorry for taking my bad mood out on you."

She smiles friendly. "It's okay. I'm glad it's nothing more serious."

I bite down on my lip. Nothing more serious, huh? I don't know about that. I wait until Mayu has turned forward again, then glance at Judai, who didn't respond at all. His back is turned at the two drivers, but I can see the tears threatening to roll down his face. And I can also marvel at how masterfully he's holding them in. Probably even better than me...

The rest of the trip passes by uneventfully. There is no more talking, no more comforting. It tears me up on the inside, but I don't know what to do. And so I don't do anything at all.

I'm glad when we rumble to a halt near the pool. I don't even wait for the hatch to be opened, I jump over the rim of the cart and quite literally run away from the suffocating atmosphere, weaving through the trees until I reach the clearing. I can see Guard Li talk to Sokka and Toph, while Guard Hina and Katara roam the place, checking that everything goes off without a hitch. A couple puma goats and komodo rhinos are already laden with new riders. A cart is parked nearby, occupying the only spot which is spacious enough for such a big vehicle, and I catch sight of Aang helping to ease a badly injured boy onto the platform. Which, as opposed to the one I just hopped off of, is covered in... straw mats, I assume. And blankets.

"Kamina!" I hear someone call out for me, and I recognize Katara's voice. She waves me over, and I happily obey.

"Hey!" I greet her. "How's it going?"

"Everything is going smoothly," Katara reports, smiling. "I'm sure..."

She's interrupted by a cheerful "Kaaamiii!" and I find Mari speeding toward me. I'm already preparing for impact when she stops just short of my toes. A knot forms in my stomach (I have to deal with a child again!), but I suppress the uneasiness and force myself to grin.

"Hey Mari, good to see you! You're still looking out for everyone?"

She nods enthusiastically. "Of course!"

"That's great!" I praise her and give her a pat on the head. "Then tell them that the carts have arrived. They'll take you somewhere safe so your parents can come."

For a moment, Mari looks shocked, then a beaming smile spreads on her face. "Yes!" she cheers and runs off again. Relief washes over me, and I turn back to Hina and Katara with a small smile.

"Is there something I can help with?"

"You could..." Katara starts, only to get cut off again by a "Hina!" and three heads spin around. It's Guard Li with Toph and Sokka.

"Oh, hey guys!" I wave.

"Hey Kamina," Sokka replies distractedly, a serious expression on his face. Toph goes about it a lot more jovially, grinning and... punching my arm?!

"Ow!"

"Welcome back, Fireflake!" she ignores my cry. I glare at her and shake the offended limb to get rid of the pain, huffing.

Guard Li speaks up, "The children are taken care of. I think it's time to apprehend the slave traders," causing Guard Hina to nod, her gaze hardening.

"Good idea. Let's go."

A word and a blow. Sokka and Toph accompany the two guards as backup, and I follow them out of curiosity. We walk to the cave, and are greeted by an interesting sight. Registry-guy and swordwoman are stuck in earth blocks, and it looks like Toph has bent the metal of the cuffs with which Judai and the other teens have been restrained to immobilize earthbender guy and the doctor. Which probably means she's an earthbender as well, the two are even blindfolded. I don't know how much sense it makes, Toph is blind and can still see just fine. Then again, Toph is special. I guess I really lucked out on getting the two most dangerous slavers with my sneeze attack...

"Who's there?" earthbender guy hollers, snapping me out of my musings. I assume it's supposed to be intimidating. Well, it's not.

"Gee, who do you think it is?" swordwoman replies sarcastically. "It's the little fire brat and her treacherous friends."

Toph's reaction to the accusation is rather appropriate: She stomps her foot, shaking up the stone casing which holds swordwoman.

"Watch your mouth!"

On the other side, earthbender guy wails, "Stop it, Zahmi! You can't mess with the spirits."

"What is he talking about?" Sokka asks, appearing thoroughly weirded out.

I shrug. He doesn't see it, but I don't care. "Me, of course."

Another fearful whimper. "It's her... It's the spirit!" Yeah, that guy is truly superstitious. I mean, I know spirits exist, but I doubt they look like Fire and Air Nation bastards.

It's kind of an opening, but this time, I don't feel the need to exploit it. It's just pathetic. Wordlessly, I watch Guard Li and Guard Hina leading the slavers away, with Toph's help. Sokka and me traipse after them with some distance, and when we reach the mountain stream, I see some of the remaining children flinch back. Some others stiffen, but no one shouts or screams. It has something of a funeral.

I spot Judai in the crowd, hanging around Aang, and I notice only then that I've been unconsciously searching for him. I catch his solemn gaze, and I know he's been looking for me, too. I'm not sure how I know, I just... do. I feel it.

I wonder if I should walk over to him, but I don't think he wants me around right now. I did kind of run away after all. Besides, I can't let myself become dependent on him. We'll be leaving, and I probably won't see him again. Well, maybe in some distant future... That would be nice.

But for now, I just stick with Sokka. Ironically, it doesn't really help, because the gang ends up gathering around anyway. Katara springs up from somewhere, then Aang, trailed by Judai, then Toph comes back with Guard Hina and Guard Li.

"Thank you, kids," the latter begins. "You've done the people of the Fire Nation a great service."

I shift uncomfortably, eyes glued to my toes. If only they knew...

"I'm glad we could help," Aang's voice rises, honestly, confidently. I look up to find him straighten after a bow. And yet... I can't really tell, because I'm standing behind him, but Aang seems distressed when he flashes a glance at the cart rumbling off with the slavers. "What's going to happen to them?"

"They'll be send off to prison," Guard Hina replies, voice harsh with suppressed anger, but Aang relaxes visibly. "They won't be tearing any more families apart."

Next to me, I sense Sokka tensing up and catch him sharing a look with his sister. That's... hmm... I guess that's nothing I want to think about too much.

"So..." Guard Li drawls, ready to navigate the conversation into a less emotionally charged direction. "I'm sure you kids would like to sleep in an actual bed after this episode. The inn has a six-bed room, you can stay for free."

"Six?" Aang repeats skeptically, speaking out my own thoughts. "But we're..."

"Well, we do kind of have an extra," Toph comments, effectively cutting Aang off and steering the general sight line at Judai. "Don't you have someone else to cling to, Mayor Mango?"

Uh oh... I stare ultra-hard and slightly panicky at my friend, giving it my all to communicate a telepathic Don'tsnapshe'sjustteasingpleasepleasefortheloveofAgnidon'tsnap!

An eyebrow twitches dangerously, but I notice with relief that the words end up sounding calm and controlled: "I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't call me that. And, for the record, making friends isn't exactly top priority when you're locked up and starving. So no, I don't have anyone else to cling to!"

Okay, scratch the 'controlled'. Tranquil fury probably fits the cynic tone better.

"Guys..." Aang steps in, carefully. "I know we're all upset and tired, but we're all on the same side with this. So let's avoid fighting, okay? Toki didn't mean it."

I release a breath I didn't realize I've been holding when Toph doesn't declare otherwise, just crosses her arms. Judai sighs.

"Anyhow, I don't think it's a good idea for me for to stay in the same room as you guys." There is that unsettling gesture again... Judai hugging himself as if he were cold. I want him to quit it. What is he talking about, anyway?

Nightmares of course, stupid Kami. Wake up crying, or even screaming. I can understand that he wants to be alone.

I take his hand and give it a gentle squeeze. "You probably have to stay with someone else, anyway. Might as well be with us."

"Can we think about that later?" Sokka chips in. "We need to get back to camp first, there are things to take care of."

An image of Appa flashes through my mind. Sokka's right, I suppose, and it would be good to get away from everyone. There are a couple things to discuss, stuff which would strike people as odd.

We should be splitting up, I know that. But I'm not ready to leave, and I can't help but wonder if, once we're gone, Sokka would let me go back...

Lately, it's becoming something of a compulsion to post A/Ns at the head of the chapter, so this one comes without top A/N to prove to myself I'm not gonna die from omitting it.

So, about the ostrich horses: The Fire Nation has them alright. I checked even before I posted the 22nd chapter. Granted, they only appear in the post-war comics, so they might as well be imported from the Earth Kingdom, but I kinda doubt the Royal Guard would ride an animal they're not familiar with while protecting the Firelord and his newfound family. It's all up in the air of interpretation and headcanon, I guess. The Avatar Wiki isn't too specific about it, either.

I checked the date for the Day of Black Sun in the Library episode, it's the first day of the eighth month, so I gave the Gaang about three weeks to get to the Black Cliffs. I hope that's not gonna come back to bite me in the blubber. ^^"
(Yeah, Japanese skills are helpful with reading Chinese. The inscription on the gate to the Serpent's Pass reads 'despair', but as far as my limited Chinese skills go, that might actually amount to the same as 'abandon hope'. I don't really know.)

Okay, I think that's enough fun facts for now. Zentauria over and out!