"Hey Zuko you might want to see this" you said gesturing to a horrible, artist's rendition of Zuko, the blue spirit and Iroh.
"The scar is on the wrong side" Zuko said in surprised.
"I'm not that fat, I've lost a few pounds" Iroh commented offended. You giggled.
"This annoys me," Zuko said angrily. You gave him a curious look. "Kana is much more beautiful than this, and your eyes are brighter"
"Aw Zuko" you smiled as he slipped an arm around you and gave you a quick kiss.
"We'll need to be careful, we need some help from an old friend," Iroh stated.
You and Zuko looked confused but figured that Iroh knows best...usually…
Iroh began walking towards a small town. You walked along side Zuko who tilted his hat so no one could see his eyes. Iroh led you into a rather quiet bar.
"What are we doing here?" Zuko asked. You shrugged just as confused.
Iroh ignored his question and sat down across from an elderly pai sho player.
"Uncle you brought us all the way here so you could play a stupid game!?" Zuko asked outraged.
"Relax Prince Zuko I've always said pai sho is more than a game" Iroh said as he played the white lotus playing piece. Intrigued you watched closely.
"Ah the white lotus gambit, an interesting first move" the pai sho player stated.
"The white lotus reveals many secrets to those who follow its teachings" Iroh replied.
The two old men then proceeded to create the image of the white lotus as they played the game
"Welcome brother" the pai sho player said.
"Uncle what's going on" Zuko asked.
"We're getting help from a friend" Iroh replied.
You noticed the two greedy travelers who were trying to catch the earth bender the avatar travels with. "Zuko" you whispered as you pointed to the men.
"Uncle hurry up" Zuko snapped.
"Patience Prince Zuko, patience." Iroh said.
Suddenly the pai sho player stood up and shouted. "I knew it! You're the banished Prince! The Fire Nation has a bounty on your heads!"
"Uncle!" Zuko yelled in anger.
"Relax Prince Zuko" Iroh said calmly.
Everyone in the building began fighting each other over who gets to turn in the banished prince.
You turned to the pai sho player. "Nice move, I never would have thought of that" you congratulated with a sly smile. Zuko finally realized what was going on.
The four of you ran out of the building and into the streets. Everyone stayed quiet as you stuck to the shadows or empty roads. The pai sho player led you to a flower shop. Once inside the pai sho player and Iroh went into the back room. Just as Zuko was about to go through the door, it slammed shut.
A small slot in the door opened and Iroh looked through. " I'm sorry but its members only. You two will have to wait out here"
"But Uncle..." Zuko didn't finish because Iroh closed the slot in the door.
You sat on the ground near a rather large flowerpot. Zuko turned so you motioned for him to come sit with you. Zuko sat next to you so you decided to lay with your head in his lap. Zuko smiled down at you. You smiled sweetly.
"What do you think they're talking about in there" you mused.
Zuko sighed. "Knowing Uncle, probably tea"
You giggled at the comment. You yawned and closed your eyes as Zuko rested his hand on your exposed stomach. It was a little strange because even though you and Zuko have been dating for a few months, your relationship is still pretty innocent. The furthest you've gone is kissing each other's necks and Zuko rarely put his hands anywhere other than your waist. Either way you love the feeling of Zuko being close to you. You opened your eyes to see Zuko gazing at you; his eyes were full of love. You spent all night cuddled up in Zuko's arms.
The next morning you and Zuko woke up startled because the door to the back room opened with a loud thump. Almost instantly the two of you jumped up.
"What's going on? Is the club meeting over?" Zuko asked.
You yawned still sleepy. Iroh looked tired but said, "everything is taken care of, we're heading to Ba-sing-se"
"Ba-sing-se? The earth kingdom capital, why would we go there?" Zuko asked.
"Actually it makes sense" you chimed in "Ba-sing-se is full of refugees"
"Exactly, no one will notice three more" Iroh added.
Zuko looked out the door and spotted the greedy men from the previous day. "Now how do we get out of here?" Zuko asked.
"People all over the village are looking for us" you added.
"Hmm I never thought of that!" Iroh said rather brightly. Zuko slapped his forehead in frustration. You looked around the room and spotted the large flower pots.
"Think we can fit in those" you asked gesturing to the flower pots.
Everyone smiled in approval.
"Kana what would I do without you" Zuko said with a smile.
"You'd probably be frozen in the north pole" you said teasingly as you stuck your tongue out at him. Zuko rolled his eyes and smiled.
The flowerpots were put on a cart. Then Iroh got into one, it was a pretty tight squeeze for him. You and Zuko would have to share the other one. Zuko got in first and tried to position himself so you would have a decent amount of space. You were about to climb in when you realized that you're wearing a short skirt and your boyfriend is under you...probably not the best idea... well it works out for Zuko.
'Well this is awkward' you thought as you slipped into the pot trying to hold your skirt down. Once you settled you're noticed that zuko's face was bright red. Your eyes widened as a deep red blush crept across your face.
"I'm sorry" Zuko whispered looking away.
"Its alright" you mumbled still blushing.
You felt the cart move. You and Zuko stayed silent and blushing for a majority of the time. After what seemed like forever the pai sho player said it was safe to come out.
"Close your eyes" you whispered to Zuko who was still a light shade of pink. He closed his eyes and you climbed out of the pot. Zuko followed shortly after.
"Follow this road, it will lead to Ba-Sing-Se" the pai sho player said.
"Thank you for all of your help" Iroh said.
"The order of the white lotus is always happy to help a member"
You said your goodbyes and started to walk. It was a fairly boring and uneventful day. Soon after sunset you decided to make camp. Iroh started a fire while Zuko went to look for food, since you didn't want to kill any animals you stayed behind. You sat under a tree staying out of everyone's way. You started thinking about everything you've been though in the past few months. It seemed like forever. Your life on the island barely seemed real after everything you've been through. 'I'm glad I have Zuko, even though his temper gets the best of him sometimes, he still the best part of my life." you thought with a smile as you watched him try to cook the fish he caught. Zuko was getting so frustrated you couldn't help but giggle. You noticed that his hair was starting to get long. It looked good on him, much better then his weird pony tail he used to have.
You noticed that your own hair was getting long again. You sighed knowing you would have to cut it, you missed your long hair but it gets in the way during fights especially when someone grabs your by it and you're too easily recognized with long hair. You stood up and walked over to where your dual swords are.
"What's going on Kana?" Zuko questioned.
"I have to cut my hair"
"Why?" he asked as he stood up " I like your hair longer" he said then kissed your cheek.
"But all the wanted posters of me have long hair, besides the red hair is recognizable enough" you explained.
Zuko frowned but understood. He softly kissed your lips then released you and went back to defeating...cooking...the fish.
You flipped your hair upside down and in one swift motion cut your hair into a cute pixie cut.