"We can fetch a good price for him in Ba Sing Se." I heard a man say as I started coming-to. I opened my eyes and saw a small camp.
"What do we do with the girl?" I looked up, squinting at the bright sun.
"She's seen our faces and is basically useless. Get rid of her." Get rid of who? I looked around and saw another man stepping towards me with a blindfold.
"What are you doing?" I asked, trying to scoot away from him. He just smiled and quickly wrapped my head so I couldn't see anything. "Let me down!" I started wiggling as someone picked me up and threw me over their shoulder.
"Stop squirming." The person below me said. It was the same man who I had heard by the library. The guy lifted me off his shoulder and tossed me onto something hard. I was definitely going to have a bruise on my shoulder. I tried to quickly stand up, but my bound arms were grabbed and pulled back. I was tied to probably a post, unable to get off of whatever we were on.
My head flung to the side as something hard hit me in the side of the head. It hurt, but I don't think it did what they wanted it to do. If they were getting rid of me, they probably wanted me to be knocked out, I wasn't. My head hurt like crazy, but I was still conscious. I dropped my head to make it seem like I wasn't awake. A few minutes later. I heard something loud land beside me on the wooden platform. Seconds after, wind was blowing through my hair. We were probably in a sand glider heading away from the small area they had been in.
"Where should we dump her?"
"I was thinking just past that mound there." One man replied to another's question.
"How far are we?"
"I would say about a day's walk, not like she is going to be getting out." Both men laughed. Soon we came to another stop. I heard some rustling next to me and a little bit further away. "Bring the girl!"
I felt my body get lifted on someone's shoulder again. If I started struggling again, they would know that I was awake and was hearing everything they were saying. So I stayed loose and didn't move. I was soon dropped onto the sand then rolled into something else. When I was rolled, I fell a good couple feet into something hard. I held in the urge to groan as my body impacted. Whatever light I could see through the blindfold was quickly snuffed. It sounded like a lid was placed on whatever I was in. I heard something slide over top of the lid and all light disappeared. I waited a few moments, taking a couple deep breaths.
I was underground, clearly in something that has been covered. I could feel my nerves start shorting out with being stuck underground. While slowing my breathing and trying to keep it under control, I started bringing my knees up to my chest. Whatever I was in was small, but there was just enough room that I could barely bring my knees up. I tilted from side to side to bring my arms from behind my back to the bottom of my feet. Stretching, I was able to, painfully, stretch my arms over my feet. With them now in front of me, I was able to pull my blindfold down.
My blindfold was down, but I was still unable to see around me. I felt around the box to see if there was anything in here I could use and how big it was. Unfortunately there was nothing in the box with me. They had even taken my fans so I had no way to use them to pry open what I had. My hands were still bound and I was stuck in a box. I twisted my hands and pulled them back and forth, loosening them. Once they were loose enough, I pulled one hand out then the other. My hands were unbound, now I need to get myself free. I closed my eyes and listened to what was around me. I could hear the sound of wind, which means I wasn't super far below ground. The box was warm, so the sun was out and it was able to reach the box I was in. It smelled like heat and sweat. Wait, it smelled like sweat.
I started wiping my body gathering all the water I could at my fingertips. Once I had a good amount, I started moving my hands so that they were slashing the lid above me with water. After a few minutes, the lid had started splintering and letting sand come through. A few more slashes and the lid above my stomach collapsed. Sand started pouring in from the top but light was slowly showing. I took a deep breath as the sand started covering my face. Once the sand came to a stop with movement, I used the water that had accumulated to send up, soaking the sand above. Once I felt like it was enough, I used the watered sand to push a hole above me. The wet sand made a large hole above me, holding back the rest of the sand so it didn't fall in on me again. Slowly I was able to see the sunlight and breathe the normal air. Still holding the water, I sat up and looked around me.
I was still in the middle of the desert, but from what the men were saying, I was about a day's walk from any type of civilization. But which way was civilization? I looked up at the sun, we were probably about 3 hours from sunset, so I needed to move away from the sun.
It was night time, probably close to morning. I have no idea how long I have been walking but it has been a long time. I finally had reached a point of water and I could see a group of trees across the river. Using my bending, I sped across the river quickly getting to the other side. I found a small area hidden within the trees that I could sleep in.
The next morning, I kept heading in the North Eastern direction, hoping to come to an area where I would be able to get an idea as to where I was. A good 4 hours of walking, I soon saw a very large stone wall start to grow on the horizon. That must be Ba Sing Se.
Once I got to the wall, there was basically no way to get into the city. I did however find a river that seemed to be going through the city wall. Getting into the river, I was able to get to the wall of the city. The water was going through a grate under the wall of the city. While holding my breath, I turned the water around the two middle bars of metal into ice. Keeping the ice cold and unmoving, I pulled it, eventually pulling the two pieces of metal off. Now that there was a big enough space, I pulled my way through the hole and into the city. The area I came up on was farmland. Off to my left I saw a road that was leading to another part of the city, another part that was behind a wall. I quickly but quietly made my way to the road, hoping to find another way to get into the main city.
I stood about ¼ of a mile from the get heading into the main city. If I was going to find Appa, he was going to be where all the people were. If they wanted to sell him, he was going to have to be in the area where people are going to be. Not in open land that is only being used for farming.
Soon I was able to see a cart heading towards the gates for the main city. I can't just get into the back of the cart because any person checking will check there. Maybe I could hide under the cart? So that is what I tried, and I was successful. The only reason it was successful is probably from the training and speed I got as a Kyoshi warrior.
I held my breath as the cart stopped at the gate. Someone stepped around the cart, probably looking at whatever was inside it. I didn't take a breath until we passed the gate. I stayed holding onto the bottom, my arms straining, for a couple minutes before dropping and letting the cart roll over and away from me.
I jumped up from the ground and headed to an alley. Great, I am inside the city. Now I just had to figure out where I was going to go and how I was going to find Appa. "Have you heard about that tea shop with the new mixer?" I heard someone say as they passed.
"Yeah, the old man mixer and then the server with a burn scar?" That caught my attention. Too similar to possibly Iroh and Zuko, but how did they get into the city?
"I really wish I could taste it." One of them said with a small smile on their face.
"Excuse me." I stepped out of the alley to face the two boys. "Could you tell me where the teashop you're talking about is? My grandpa said that I need to come see his tea shop in Ba Sing Se, but he never told me how to get to it, I think the one you're talking about could be his." I fluttered my eyelashes and put my hands behind my back, trying to look younger.
"Of course. If you head in that direction, you should be able to find it." One of the boys replied with a smile pointing into the city.
"Thank you, I really appreciate it." I gave them a small wave and headed in the direction they pointed. I walked for a bit, I didn't realize how big this city actually was.
I was able to find a small tea shop, with a little bit of help. Once I stepped in I was immediately greeted with, "good evening, how can I…." I smiled at the older man who was standing in front of me. "Sene?"
"Hello, long time no see." Iroh stepped forward and pulled me into a hug.
"What are you doing here?" He asked as we pulled apart.
"I was actually taken from my team and just made it to the city. I don't know where they are, but the Avatar's sky bison was taken with me. However, I was buried in the desert and he was sent here to be sold. So now I am hoping to find him."
"It sounds like you have been through a lot. How about we sit down and have a nice cup of tea." I gave him a small nod. We both sat down at a table, each with a small cup of tea.
We talked for a good hour, about everything we have done. Him and Zuko made their way here hoping to restart their lives away from the Fire Nation. Because Zuko was young when he was banished, not many people know what he looks like so they haven't really had any problems. "Do you have a place to stay?" Iroh, or I guess now it would be Mushi, asked me.
"I actually do not."
"Why don't you stay with Zuko and I. I don't think he would mind having another person around to talk to." Iroh laughed. "I made a joke about him bringing home a lady friend, but I am the one bringing one home." I laughed at that. "Why don't you go sit down and I will bring you some tea. Lee should be back in a few minutes, he was taking a break."
"Thank you." I smiled and took a seat in the corner. Iroh brought me a small cup and pot of tea. It was a lovely combination of mint and berry.
I watched Zuko come back to the shop, his head down, trying not to bring attention to himself. His hair was longer than I had seen it a couple weeks ago. He was sweeping tables and cleaning off used tables, but keeping away from being too close to anyone. "This is the best tea in the city!" The customer Iroh was currently helping exclaimed.
"The secret ingredient is love." He smiled widely and turned to go to the back of the shop. He started talking to another man, who I was guessing was the owner. Zuko was looking at Iroh with a small glare.
Suddenly, the front door was slammed open and a boy stepped through, pulling out two swords. "I'm tired of waiting." He seemed to say to someone behind him "These two men are firebenders." He pointed at Zuko and Iroh who only exchanged a glance. "I know they're firebenders, I saw the old man heating his tea!" I raised an eyebrow. Didn't they work in a tea shop and constantly work with hot tea coming through the back?
"He works in a tea shop." A customer spoke out my own thoughts.
"He's a firebender! I'm telling you." The boy yelled again.
A couple of the men in the shop stood up, taking a couple steps near the boy. "Drop your swords, boy. Nice and easy."
"You'll have to defend yourself. Then everyone will know. Go ahead, show them what you can do." He yelled again, stepping towards Zuko. I glanced at Iroh who was looking at me. I could see what he was asking, for me to step in if it started to go south. One of the other men started to pull out a sword they had on them.
"You want a show? I'll give you a show!" Zuko stepped forward, grabbing the swords from one of the men who stood up. He pulled a table over and kicked it at the other boy. The other boy jumped over the table and shot forward. Zuko jumped up onto a table, dodging a slash from the swords. The boy then slashed down, slicing the table in half that Zuko was standing on as he dodged it again. The other boy sliced multiple times, knocking the table pieces out from under Zuko. Zuko dodged each slice, balancing on every small piece of table he could. When the last piece was knocked out from him, he jumped up and landed easily. I don't know if it was just me or not, but he was definitely better with his fighting technique then when I saw him last.
The boy jumped back from Zuko before running forward bringing both of his blades down. Zuko blocked them both easily and shoved him back. Both boys made it outside of the tea shop. Each of the patrons of the tea shop had run to the door, watching the two boys fight. I took one last sip of my tea before standing up and walking to the door. I gently pushed my way forward so I was standing behind Iroh. "Please son, you're confused. You don't know what you're doing!" Iroh yelled, reaching out to both boys. He then turned to me, "can you do something?" I gave him a small nod and watched for the opportune moment to stop them from fighting. I wanted to see if Zuko could hold himself without using his firebending. The Zuko I knew was only capable of using firebending and not holding himself back and thinking things through. Hence why he lost a lot while fighting us before and after Kyoshi Island.
Both boys continued to slash at each other. At one point, Zuko was able to stab one of the swords in the ground, making one of the other weapons stuck on the floor. He then stepped forward and sliced over the other boy's head, who just barely dodged it. By this point, there was a crowd. The boy jumped back and stood on a well that was behind him. "See that, the Fire Nation is trying to silence me!" I rolled my eyes and stepped forward so I was closer to them both. I didn't think I would need to step in, Zuko was actually doing a very good job. "That'll never happen." The boy said again then used his weapon to swing forward towards Zuko.
By this point, the fighting was getting pointless. I jumped forward, doing a flip in the air and landing between them both. I kicked both weapons away then used my water to freeze the other boy in place. "What are you doing? He is the firebender here!" He yelled as I stepped in front of Zuko.
"I am a water bender. Do you really think someone like me would be with a water bender?" I glared at the boy.
"Prove it!" I heard someone yell from the crowd. I glanced over at the area the voice came from. How would I be able to prove that I was with him, even though I didn't.
"Ok." I said as a thought came to my head. I turned around and pulled Zuko to me. "Play along." I whispered to him. He gave me a questioning look but didn't get more time as I pulled him into a kiss. It took a second, but he pulled me closer by the waist and grabbed me by the hair. The kiss deepend, and ... .he was a good kisser. I pulled back and looked at Zuko, who was breathing just a little heavy, just like I was. I turned and looked at the other boy who had widened eyes.
"Everyone drop your weapons." I looked to our left and saw two men standing in front of the crowd. I pulled back my water from the boys feet and put it within my pack on my side.
"Arrest them? Those two are firebenders!" The boy yelled. He wasn't going to back down.
"This poor boy is confused. We're just simple refugees." Iroh said, stepping forward and grabbing Zuko's shoulder.
"This young man wrecked my tea shop, and assaulted my employees." The man from earlier that Iroh was talking to stepped forward.
"It's true sir. We saw the whole thing. This crazy kid attacked the finest tea maker in the city." One of the patrons said. Even though it was dark outside, I could see Iroh's blush.
"And you?" My guess is the soldier or the people who are like police, asked me.
"I am a Kyoshi Warrior for Island Kyoshi." I gave a small bow, just like I had been taught to do when telling someone of my station and group. "I just arrived this afternoon and was able to witness this boy attack my intended." I didn't stand up, but I could hear some gasps around me. I didn't think people knew about the Kyoshi Warriors, it was just a gamble on my part.
There was a moment of silence, at least from the police. Everyone around us was whispering, but I couldn't tell what it was about. "We are glad you are here, help us keep the streets clean. We have heard of the Kyoshi Warriors and their training to deflect or minimize damage. If you would like a job, please come to this place." I looked up and saw one of the men holding out a piece of paper to me. I grabbed it as I stood, looking down there was an address written on it. "Come with us son." The other man said as both stepped forward. The boy slashed with his sword, but the police man easily disarmed him and grabbed both arms.
"You don't understand, they're Fire Nation!" He yelled as he was dragged away. "You have to believe me."
Once he was out of sight, we went back into the tea shop. The patrons sat down and went back to their tea, I followed behind Iroh and Zuko.
"What are you doing here?" Zuko grunted.
"I was taken from my group and almost buried alive. I found my way to the city in search of someone and I happened to hear about an amazing tea mixer and a burned servant, so I made my way here. That way I at least knew someone in town and wasn't wandering around the city."
"You helped save my tea shop." A voice appeared behind me. "If the Dai Lee says you are ok and offered a job, you are welcome to stay here. There is a room across from Lee and Mushi that is available." I smiled at him.
"It would be most appreciated, thank you." I gave the shop owner a smile who grinned back and stepped towards him, giving him a kiss on his cheek. His smile widened before he turned and stepped away.
I sat down in my corner and waited for the shop to close. When it did, I followed Iroh and Zuko to where we were going to be staying. "You didn't have to step in, I would have had it handled." Zuko muttered next to me.
"I know you did, mostly. You were handling it very well at the beginning when Iroh told me to step in. I wanted to wait and see what you could do. I haven't seen you fight other than with your bending. Once you were both fighting basically back to back, neither of you were able to get past the others defenses. Having something surprising happen was the only way that there would be any break in both of your defenses." I explained. There wasn't a reply for a moment. I glanced out of the corner of my eye to see Zuko thinking.
"And what about the kiss?"
"What about it? If I needed people to believe me, I needed to do something that would be hard to dispute."
"You didn't have to kiss me like you did." Zuko muttered. I raised my eyebrow and looked at him.
"You didn't have to kiss back like you did."
"Touche."
"But I will say, you are a good kisser." I smiled and skipped forward, wrapping my arm with Iroh. "I am excited to be able to learn more from you."
"I am excited to be able to learn from you." Iroh replied as we came to a stop outside a door. "This is our stop." He pointed to one door then motioned to the one across the hall. "And that is your stop."
"Thank you again, Mushi." I gave him a kiss on the cheek then turned to my door. Using the key I was given, I stepped towards it. Once I unlocked the door, I turned back to the two men. "Thank you, guess I will see you in the morning."