This is my first Avatar The Last Airbender fanfiction this chapter was not Beta read and if any are interested in beta reading my work before it's post PM

I would like to thank all my patient reads and hope you enjoy this next chapter and for all those reading please stay safe out there especially with the virus going around because if you don't stay safe how will you be able to read what comes next

Disclaimer I don't own anything related to ATLA

Aikio groaned as she shifted out of bed, rolling out of her sheets. She rarely ever slept in but with the increasing hours at the border and the long trips back on the ferry. She desperately needed the rest. Once out of bed she scratching her side through her loose tunic, she headed into the kitchen for breakfast. She hobbled her way over to the icebox, going through it before pulling out a bottle of milk. "Morning sleepyhead," a familiar voice called out making Aikio groan as she turned to face her captain who was seated at the dining room table.

"Morning," Aikio said before tilting the milk bottle against her lips drinking it straight from the source. Suki gagged at the sight rolling her eyes. "You do know there are cups in the cupboard right?" she questioned annoyed.

"No I didn't, but I'll make sure to remember for next time," she said sarcastically as she grabbed a loaf of bread and joined Suki by the table.

"You always say that but you never do," Suki said as she shifted her gaze from the older girl down to the pai sho board in front of her.

Aikio grabbed a seat across from her slumping down in the chair as she bit into her loaf of bread. "Well in that case maybe you should learn you can't change me and just learn to deal with it," she retorted with a small chuckle. She leaning against the chair as she watched Suki move a few tiles across the board. "What are you even doing?" she questioned as she drank from the milk bottle once more, a few drops dripping down the sides of her lips.

Suki groaned in a bit of disgust but continued with her next move. "Practicing. I and Uncle have a rematch later," she noted her gaze now focused on the board in front of her.

"You do realize you don't have to call him uncle right?" Aikio rolled her eyes hearing Suki. She was willing to humor Suki being with Zuko, and she was willing to call him brother but it was getting a bit too much even for her.

"I like calling him that. Besides it's much better than calling him Mushi haha," Suki retorted moving a few more tiles. "Besides I think he'd like it if you called him uncle too, he is like family after all," she reasoned.

"Maybe your family but not mine," Aikio murmured before nearly downing the rest of the milk. "Speaking of family, where is everyone?" she asked as she set the bottle aside.

"Ami left for class, apparently there is some lecture at the university and she will be gone most of the day," Suki said trying her best to recall everyone's plans. "Tam, well she took most of our money to go out and do some shopping. And for Kikki... well," almost on cue both girls could hear loud snoring leaking in from the other room causing Suki to giggle. "Well, Kikki is still sleeping," Suki said as she lifted her gaze looking up to Aikio. "What about you Aikio got any plans for your day off? Wanna join me when I go see Zuko?" she asked curiously.

"No thanks, got a date," Aikio shrugged.

Suki blinked hearing her completely in disbelief. "You... have a date?" she asked still not sure she heard her correctly.

"Yeah, I have a date. Is that a problem?" she asked with an arched brow.

"No no no of course not. It's just... I'm surprised is all," she says not wanting to sound rude. "Who are they? Have we met them?" Suki questioned curiously.

"No, you haven't met them," Aikio answered annoyed. "We met awhile ago and we are just seeing where it goes that's all," she said not in the mood to answer too many questions.

"What's their name? How'd you meet?"

Aikio groaned at Suki's questions her face getting a little flustered. "Their name is Li. Now I would love to play twenty questions with you, but I'm gonna go get changed and head out," she grunted shifting out of her seat.

Suki bit her lip as she could see how she embarrassed Aikio. "Look, I'm sorry for prying. I'm just happy for you sis. It's good that you met someone," she says genuinely happy for her. "I'm gonna head out too. Hope your date goes well... maybe later we can meet them?" she asked as Aikio sighs and gives a small nod. "Yeah maybe," she whispered before turning and heading to the bathroom.

Aikio shut the door she let out a heavy sigh as she leaned against the sink. "Maybe later we can meet them... yeah right," she said mockingly repeating Suki's words as she looked in the mirror. To be honest she was actually disappointed that they couldn't meet them. This was going to be her fourth date and no one knew. She let out a deep breath before she began to wash herself off, getting herself clean.

After she tossed her dirty clothes in the hamper, she began to get dressed. But when she pulled on her chest bindings she pulled them extra tight. She cried as the fabric pinched her breasts, but she kept pulling them tighter till her chest was nearly flat. When that was done she pulled on a simple green tunic that she had stashed away and did up her hair in a braid. Once done, she looked herself over in the mirror washing her face again to make sure there was no lingering makeup left. "Well hello, Li. Ready for our date?" she asked her reflection putting on a forced smile.

Aikio took a few heavy breaths building up the courage to pull away from the sink. "Come on their waiting we can't be late," she muttered to herself as she pulled away and opened the bathroom window. She climbed out and quickly jogged down the street, making sure she didn't bump into Suki on her way out.

She kept jogging to be safe making her way over to the meeting spot. She prayed that she wasn't late as she reached the bridge. As she finally made her way over she breathed a sigh of relief as she saw her date. "Hey, Naomi sorry I'm late, lost track of time," she said as she approached the girl seated at the bench.

The young woman instantly smiled up at Aikio as she saw her. "Hey, Li," she said as she brushed off her skirt and stood up. "It's not a problem at all, in fact, I was a few minutes late myself," she said as she looped her arm around Aikio's before kissing her cheek.

Naomi was a simple Earth Kingdom girl. She had light brown locks, with a soft green in her eyes. Her skin was tan but soft with slender delicate hands. Aikio first met Naomi on her first outing dressed as a man. She had torn her tunic and went to a seamstress to get it patched. Naomi was one of the workers that helped her. The way Naomi smiled and flirted with her was something she had never experienced before. Aikio almost came up with any excuse she could to see her again, until she finally dared to ask her out.

"So Li where are you planning to take me?" Naomi asked with a small smirk seeing the blush on Aikio's pale cheek.

Aikio blinked for a moment still a bit flustered from the kiss. "Well, I just got paid so I can take you where ever you want to go," she said as she still wasn't keen on the layout of the city.

"Hmmm well, there is a restaurant not too far from here. It's not too pricy but it does have a bar," Naomi said feeling how tense "Li" was, thinking "he" needed to loosen up.

"You know what. That sounds nice right about now," Aikio admitted smiling down at Naomi as she held her arm.

"Great let's go," she smiled as they both began to walk down the street, arms linked together. "So how's work been soldier boy?" Naomi asked interested.

"Oh work has been fine... the other day we stopped a few refugees from smuggling fire nation goods into the city," Aikio noted rubbing the back of her neck with her free hand.

"Really? What were they smuggling?" Naomi asked even more intrigued.

"Oh, nothing much just some alcohol, a few rugs, clothing, and jewelry," in that moment Aikio pulled a pair of ruby earrings from her pocket. Showing Naomi as her eyes lit up.

"Wow they are beautiful!" she exclaimed gazing at the two earrings. Though the design was simple the red rubies shined brightly. "Are you... are you giving these to me?" she questioned not sure she could accept them. "Won't you get in trouble?"

"Nah I'll be fine. Besides all this stuff gets destroyed anyway who's gonna miss a few missing earrings," she reasoned.

Naomi bit her lip and smiles. "Thank you they are beautiful," she smiled taking the small earrings. She unlinks her arm with Aikio for just a moment to put them on. "How do I look?" she asked pushing back her hair to show off the red studded jewels.

"Stunning," Aikio answered with a soft smile and a faint blush.

"Me or the earrings?" she questioned before pecking Aikio on the cheek. "And there is a right answer," she whispers in her ear making Aikio shiver.

"You of course you," she said hurriedly her cheeks turning redder.

Naomi laughed at Aikio's reaction wrapping her arm once more with her's. "Come on now let's go to dinner, I'm starving," she announced as she begins to drag Aikio behind her to the restaurant.

Aikio and Naomi soon reached the restaurant as they are seated and begin looking over the menus. "Hmmm is there a price limit?' Naomi asked concerned not wanting Aikio to spend too much.

"It's fine, order whatever you want," Aikio tries to reassure her as she looks over her own menu. "I got this."

Naomi smiled at the gesture but still didn't want to order anything too expensive just in case. "I didn't ask but how's work for you going?" Aikio asked trying to make conversation as they ordered.

"It's good not too bad. Although business is slow," she admited. As the two of them continue to talk, Naomi starts to get a bit uncomfortable. She feeling like she is being watched.

"Something wrong?" Aikio asked seeing the change in her mood.

"Huh, oh it's nothing just really hungry is all," she tried to brush it off, but the feeling doesn't go away. Naomi's eyes then begin to dart around the room a bit just in case. Her eyes finally catch on a man at the bar their eyes leering at her. She subconsciously crosses her arms like she was covering herself up. But their hungry lustful eyes made her shiver.

Aikio quickly caught on to what was going on spotting the man leering at her. "We can go we don't have to stay," she reassures reaching over to take her hand.

Naomi was comforted by the gesture and before she could answer the man was already approaching their table. "Hey, sweetie. What's a beauty like you doing with a shrimp like this?" the man said flexing his muscles as he leaned against their table.

"He's not a shrimp, he's my boyfriend! So please leave us alone," Naomi shot back glaring up at the man.

"Why not trade up from this little boy to a real man?" he grinned leaning in closer to her. Naomi recoiled back in her seat as he got in her face. The smell of his sweat and alcohol-stained breath made her wrench away in disgust.

Just as the man reached to grab Naomi, Aikio slammed her hand against the table and growled. "She said leave us alone! Now, how about you take your little friends and run along, before I make you," Aikio threatened the entire restaurant went silent watching the couple being harassed by the drunk man.

He scoffed as he turned and got in Aikio's face grinning wide. "Big talk from such a little boy," he mocked.

"I'm not a little boy," Aikio answered. Before the man could reply, Aikio stood up and slammed her forehead against the man's nose, headbutting him hard. Everyone could hear the man's nose break as he was sent reeling back. Blood pooled down the man's face as he stared at Aikio in disbelief and utter rage. "You broke my nose?! YOU BROKE MY FUCKING NOSE!" he roared.

"Honestly it's an improvement," Aikio smirked as she wiped the blood off her forehead from where she hit the man's face. The man then roared and charged at Aikio, but she wasn't intimidated. She punched straight into his gut making him jerk forward as she delivered a right hook down against his face. Naomi cheered as she watched the man fall to the ground gripping his stomach.

"Look out!" Naomi called out, eyes wide as two other men proceeded to lunge at Aikio.

Aikio quickly dropped down, to dodge a punch from one of the man's friends. Aikio twirled and swept the man's legs making him crash against a table. While he went down the other friend grabbed her from behind. His thick arm wrapping around her throat. Aikio growled gritting her teeth as she thrashed around in the man's grasp.

"Looks like... we have to... to teach you some manners!" the man with the broken nose threatened as he rose to his feet. The two other men closed in as she was restrained. Quickly Aikio drove her elbow into the man's side who was restraining her. As he wrenched forward she slammed her head back into his face breaking free from his hold.

"Looks like... I'll be the one giving the lesson," she coughed as she stretched herself out. "Lesson one, begins now," she announced as the three men now charge at her. What started out as a simple dinner date turned into an all-out brawl.

Naomi and many of the restaurant's guests watched in awe as Aikio fended off the three burly men. Her knuckles bloody as she beat and wailed on them. Aikio grappled with one of the men, spinning him around before throwing him over the bar, sending him crashing into the bottles of booze. When his friend came to his defense, she quickly shot her fist straight into the man's throat. Punching his windpipe, sending him gasping for air as he fell to his knees. Taking this moment she gripped his head and slammed her knee into his face knocking him out cold.

Seeing his two friends down the man with the bloody nose reached for a knife from behind the counter. "Enough games! You are dead!" he threatened as he slashed wildly at Aikio. Naomi gasped in horror cupping her face as the man charged at her "boyfriend".

Aikio dodged and backed away from the man's strikes. The blade barely nicking at her tunic as he slashed at her wildly. He then tried to stab her thrusting the blade towards her chest. Aikio twirled letting the knife sail past her. Once he was open she grabbed his wrist yanking him forward, grabbing his shoulder, and twisting his arm as she threw him to the ground.

The man cried in pain as Aikio twisted his arm nearly snapping his wrist. "So are you going to leave us alone?!" Aikio demanded as the man nodded his head begging frantically for her to let him go.

"Guess I'm not a shrimp after-," Aikio paused as she looked to Naomi. She expected a look of relief or pride, but all she saw was shock and horror on Naomi's face. "Naomi what's wrong?" she asked confused. But her question was quickly answered as she looked down. Her tunic was torn revealing her chest and visible cleavage, as well as her hair that also came loose during the fight. "Naomi I can explain!" she said her heart sinking to her stomach as Naomi recoiled before running off.

Aikio finally released the man as she raced after Naomi, pushing past the customers as she made her way outside. Aikio tried her best to chase after Naomi wanting to stop her, wanting to explain, but it was too late. Naomi already disappeared from sight vanishing into the crowds.

Aikio spent the next couple of hours roaming the streets trying to no avail to find Naomi, but she was gone. "I'm such an idiot!" she muttered in anger as she leaned up against a wall before sliding down it. She felt so defeated, she didn't even care about the weird looks and unwanted stares she got over her tattered ripped clothes.

"Hello, are you alright?" a familiar elderly voice spoke drawing Aikio's attention.

"Mushi? What are you doing here?" Aikio questioned looking up in surprise at Zuko's uncle.

"I was doing some shopping when I saw you run by. I got worried and followed after you," Iroh explained remembering seeing the panicked look he saw on the Kyoshi warrior's face, and through concern and curiosity, he had followed her down the street.

"Well as you can see I'm alright, so you can run along," Aikio said not in the mood to talk to anyone right now, especially in her state.

Iroh was quickly reminded of Zuko when he looked up at her. The same defensive nature and outbursts of anger. He had seen this behavior too often, and he also knew the perfect remedy. Iroh silently shifted over to her taking a seat next to her against the wall as he went through the basket he was carrying with him.

Aikio arched her brow as she watched the old general sit next to her and rummage through his stuff. She arched her brow even more in confusion as he pulled out a tea set. "Do you carry tea where ever you go?" she asked dumbfounded.

"You never know when you might need a cup," Iroh answered with a soft smile setting up the clay pot and burner.

Aikio watched as he brewed the tea. She argued with herself whether or not she should get up and leave. But in the end, she had nowhere to go and resigned herself to remain seated.

After awhile the tea simmered and boiled, Iroh controlling the heat subtly with his bending to get the tea just right. Once it was done he poured and handed Aikio a cup.

Aikio reluctantly took the cup, sighing heavily as she brought the cup to her lips. She poured and gulped the hot liquid down, drinking the whole cup as it burned her throat.

"It works better if you sip it down," Iroh pointed out as he poured his own cup. Aikio just grunted in response, wiping her lip as she stared off towards the busy street. Everyone moving and rushing along as the two of them sat quietly to the side.

Several minutes passed with them both sitting silently together. The only noise that broke between them was when Iroh would sip his cup. "Why are you being so quiet?" Aikio finally asked as she turned to him. she had expected him to question or lecture her but he just sat and drank tea with her.

Iroh just gave her a soft smile as he pulled the cup away from his lips. "I didn't want to force you to talk until you were ready," he explained. "But if you do wish to talk I'm here to listen."

Aikio paused for a moment hearing him, thinking carefully. "If I do talk to you... would it be just between us? You won't tell the others or Li?" she questioned him.

"Of course. I won't tell anyone," Iroh smiled as he poured her another cup of tea, which she took without argument.

Aikio this time sipped the tea slowly as she looked to Iroh. "Besides if you do tell anyone, I could easily just rat you out to the guards couldn't I?" she humored.

"I suppose you could," Iroh smiled not phased by the veiled threat. "What's the matter?" he finally asked her.

Aikio paused once again trying to find the words she needed. "I... I wanted to feel normal. To feel like myself... for once and try and be who I really am, but I messed everything up," she began as Iroh just silently listened. His presence was a bit comforting, like no matter what she said he wouldn't judge her. That she could say anything at all and finally be open.

"There was this girl I met... and I liked her. We... started going out and it was nice," she said her voice getting softer as she looked down at the tea in her hands. "Though she didn't know who I was... she thought I was a guy. I know it sounds weird, but even though I hid who... what I really was. It was nice... the way she smiled at me, the way she kissed me I felt like it was right," Aikio said the small smile on her lips fading as she talked. "But everything got screwed up. She saw what I was and freaked out... and ran."

Iroh was silently giving Aikio as long as she needed to explain. He knew how hard it must be for her to tell him this. The world wasn't forgiving to those who wanted to be who they are. "You probably think I'm crazy for telling you this huh?" she asked as he was still silent. Iroh simply shook his head. "No, I'm honored that you'd trust me enough to tell me."

"Well, I wouldn't say that," Aikio corrected him.

"Have you told anyone else? What about your friends?" Iroh asked curiously.

"No, I couldn't."

Iroh furrowed his brow now, a bit more concerned for her. "Are you afraid they wouldn't accept you?" he asked as she shook her head quickly. "No, no not that I'm sure they probably would but..."

"But what?"

Aikio then took a deep breath setting down her tea as she tensed up a bit. "The person I want to be with... wouldn't like me the same way... so I didn't see the point," she admitted her heart twisting in her chest at the thought.

"How do you know?"

"She's with your nephew," Aikio answered finally admitting the truth.

Iroh paused as he heard her. She was in love with Suki, an unrequited love. He could understand how discouraging that could be and was sympathetic to her struggle. "So why even tell them, or her if it won't change anything," she continued as she pulled her knees closer to her chest.

The silence returned between them. Even as the crowd around them was bustling down the street, the sound felt distant as they sat together, the tea now growing cold. Iroh then fully turned to face her as he broke his silence. "You know, you remind me so much of my nephew," Iroh spoke drawing Aikio's attention as she looked to him in confusion. "He was also confused... not about the same thing mind you, but... he spent so much time struggling, fighting wanting to return home. It became so hard for him that he shut himself off, isolated himself. He was alone he cut himself off from everyone even those that loved him. And the thing he wanted most, he started to realize he may never get. He started to lose hope," Iroh said doing his best to explain as his face started to brighten. "Then you came along. You and your friends and you gave him something he didn't know he needed."

"Which is?" Aikio asked curiously.

"Acceptance, friendship, and family," Iroh answered his eyes watering at the thought. "You gave him a chance to show you all who he truly is. It was probably something he was worried about. Being rejected by all of you, but you all let him in, and... honestly, I haven't seen him this happy in ages. And I have to thank you for that... to thank you for bringing back the prince I thought I had lost." Aikio's eyes began to tear up at his confession. She doing her best to wipe her eyes before he could see. "So maybe, you just need the same thing. To let them in... I don't know if you'll get what you want in the end and maybe you won't... but every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better and more interesting place," he said with a warm welcoming smile.

Aikio began to smile back at him. She was surprised at how comforting his words really were. "How do you know if it'll change anything for the better? How do you know if it'll make me feel better?" she asked.

"You told me, didn't you? Don't you feel better now?" Iroh asked causing Aikio to chuckle softly.

"I guess... I feel sort of better," Aikio shrugged as she began to pull herself up getting herself to her feet. "Thanks for the tea it was, good."

"Any time," Iroh answered as he too began to get up. He grabbing up and packing up his tea set.

"Again, thanks for the talk... Uncle," Aikio said rubbing the back of her neck.

"You're very welcome." Iroh couldn't help the big smile that grew across his face. Aikio rolled her eyes but she too smiled back at him, the smile was infectious. "I think I'm gonna go for a walk and clear my head and think."

"Have a good walk," Iroh bowed to her.

"Thanks, Uncle," Aikio returned the bow before waving him bye. She heading off down the street as he went to return to his shopping. Aikio spent the next few hours contemplating his words thinking hard on what she should do. As she walked she found herself passing the same bench she met Naomi earlier it now sitting empty.

Aikio sighed heavily at the sight and continued to walk. She found herself soon at the doorstep of their apartment. She could hear through the door her sisters laughing and talking behind it. She bit her lip as she stood in front of the door thinking on Iroh's words. She then reached for the door pulling it open as she stepped inside. Before any of the girls could greet her Aikio spoke up first. "Hey, can we talk for a second? There is something I need to tell you all."

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