So... these chapters are going to be a little shorter than my usual ones are, but I'm writing when I can right now so I want to get something out to you without putting it off too long. Enjoy.

- Faith

Chapter 37: The White Lotus

Iroh woke up once the sun hit his face. He saw that Zuko and I were both awake, and was relieved to see we were in better spirits than the night before. Once he ate breakfast, amazed that Zuko had actually cooked up something again, we left the cave to travel once more. We were cautious as we headed along the dirt path before us, knowing there was a possibility the Rough Rhinos were still around. Thankfully, they seemed to have departed after they lost us the day before.

We traveled east for some time, and as we headed away from the western part of the Earth Kingdom I noticed that the water was becoming scarce and the trees were barely anything. Soon we started to walk through sand, and Ping started to slow as things got a little more steamy from the desert heat. However, we did not travel through the desert long. We could see as we came over a sandy hill that there was a town below made out of stone buildings with a stone wall going around the perimeter.

As we headed forward, Iroh spoke from where he rode on Ping. "Stay close, Amara. There's a lot of dishonest characters that hang around these parts."

I shivered at his comment. Yuna whined with concern on my shoulder. I stroked her feathers to let her know it was okay. To be cautious, I stayed closer to Zuko's side as we headed through the opening of the town's wall. When we got on the other side, Iroh slid off Ping and walked him over to a stable area. We passed a small block of ice in the center of the town as we followed, and I could tell it was not as large as it had once been. I asked Zuko about it, and he explained that it had once been a huge natural ice spring, but over the years people had taken so much from it that there wasn't much left.

Once Ping was settled, Iroh gestured for us to follow him towards a large building where numbers of people in tan clothing were coming in and out. There were some men leaning against the building also, dressed from head to toe in tan wrappings, their eyes and mouth the only thing seeming to be uncovered. I could sense immediately from their demeanors that they were the ones that Iroh warned me about.

Or so I had thought. As I followed Iroh and Zuko, two men caught the corner of my eyes.

I froze in shock. My eyes went wide. Zuko stopped walking when he heard me gasp. Yuna hissed.

"Amara?"

I didn't respond to Zuko. I stared at Master Yu and Xin Fu in terror. They were the men we had met back at Toph's place. Her old teacher and the man who had kidnapped her were here… why? Were they after Toph? Of course, if they were working together then it had to have something to do with Toph. We had already feared Toph's father would send someone to look for her. However, after what Xin Fu pulled at the earth kingdom arena, I didn't understand why he would be the one hired for such a task…

But if they were working together it had to be because of Toph.

Quickly, I turned away from them so they wouldn't see my face. I was glad to be wearing Earth Kingdom clothing at that moment, and hoped they didn't recognize me.

"Amara… What's wrong, dear?"

Iroh's concern finally made me explain. I moved my eyes to Iroh, and then back to the men. "Those men over there… I know them… I think they're after my friend Toph."

Zuko glanced over at the two men that I spoke of. They were looking at a wooden board of posters so thankfully they hadn't noticed me. He asked softly, "Why?"

I answered, pulling Zuko's arm so we started to walk again. I knew we needed to get inside before they spotted me. "Toph kind of ran away from home to join the group and teach Aang earthbending… her father is really rich, so I think he paid them to bring her home. If they see me they'll recognize me and try to use me to find her. We need to go before they spot us."

Iroh agreed. "Yes... let's get you inside before they do."

Zuko moved behind me to shield me from their sight which I was grateful for. Once we got inside the building, and the dim light took us over, I was relieved. I knew they wouldn't be able to recognize me as easily. I could see the place we had stepped into was crowded too, so we would hopefully blend in. Stepping further into the building, I saw a wooden bar to the side of the room where a man was cutting up fruit. Tables were scattered across the area and there were men and women who appeared to be locals or travelers.

"This way," Iroh spoke. Zuko grabbed my hand to pull me along so I didn't get lost in the crowd. We headed across the room to a vacant table, and Iroh gestured for us to take a seat. "Wait here. I'll go buy us some food."

Zuko was puzzled. "With what money?"

Iroh smiled. "I have my resources." He winked at us, and then he walked across the room to the bar.

I wasn't entirely sure what we were doing in this shop. I didn't want to question Iroh. I knew he always seemed to have a plan. However, looking at the characters around us, I wasn't exactly sure if anyone would help us in this place.

I let out a heavy sigh as we sat and waited for him to return. Zuko glanced over at me with concern.

I quickly shook his concern off. "It's nothing… I just don't understand how we're going to find help here. These people will see us as the enemy if they learn we're Fire Nation…" I stared at the wood of the table in front of me. "That was always the hardest part about traveling with my family… I still looked Fire Nation to people in the Earth Kingdom, and it was hard to gain their trust... I'm nervous it will happen again, especially to you also."

Zuko sighed. "I've been on the other side of this war for so long… it won't surprise me if people don't trust me, especially when they learn about my identity. But I'll do what I can to prove to them all I'm ready to change. We're going to stop this war." He took my hand and gave it a squeeze. "We're going to help the Avatar restore peace together. I promise I'll do everything in my power to end this violence so your mother's people and the rest of the world can live in peace."

My heart fluttered at his sincerity. I met his golden eyes with a smile. "Thanks, Zuko."

We sat in silence for a few minutes, observing the people around us. Yuna dozed on my shoulder as we waited for Iroh to return. Only a few moments passed when a piece of fruit was suddenly placed in front of me. I looked up to see Iroh who smiled at us upon his return. "Eat up. We should be having assistance shortly."

Zuko argued. "Uncle… no one here is going to help us."

Iroh took a seat on the other side of the table. "They already have. I have been given important news. My connection tells me that the Avatar and his friends are headed to Ba Sing Se as we speak." He frowned and met my gaze. "Unfortunately, I heard that the Avatar's bison was stolen and they are headed to Ba Sing Se to find him."

My eyes widened in terror. Tears burned. My throat caught. "What? Appa… He's been stolen? How?"

Iroh sighed. "From what I understand, your family went to find Wan Shi Tong's library in the desert the other day. While they were inside a group of sandbenders captured the bison and dragged him away. Another group of sandbenders found your family wandering the desert a day later and got them out. But… they were not able to retrieve the bison."

My heart ached. I could not imagine the pain and worry that Aang felt. Appa was his best friend… they had grown up and got frozen in an iceberg together… they were inseparable. Aang was probably devastated. And poor Appa… he was probably terrified.

Zuko put an arm around me to try and calm me down. "I'm sure he's okay, Amara… if he's anything like Aang, that bison will make it."

"He's such a sweet boy… I can't imagine how scared and alone he feels right now…"

Zuko spoke with promise. "When we find your family we'll help them get him back."

I gave a small nod. My heart still ached with concern. Yuna whined and I stroked her feathers to let her know it would be okay.

After we ate the fruit Iroh had brought to us, we waited for Iroh to explain further what our next steps were. Iroh did not say anything as we continued to sit in the room. Finally, Zuko grew impatient.

"Uncle… What are we waiting for?"

Iroh smiled at him. "Our turn."

I furrowed my brows in confusion. "Our turn for what?"

Iroh looked across the room at something. I followed his gaze, wondering what he was talking about. When I saw the Pai Sho table, I realized then what he meant. "Pai Sho? What does that have to do with getting help?"

The older gentleman at the table in a tan and brown robe looked up from the circular board he was staring at and met Iroh's gaze. Iroh nodded and stood, gesturing for us to follow. We did so, following him across the room.

Iroh asked as we approached, "May I have this game?"

The man gestured for us to take a seat at the table. Iroh took the spot across from him, while I sat in a chair beside Zuko. Yuna's eyes were wide as she stared at the board with curiosity.

The man noticed my cat-owl and smiled. "What a precious friend you have there. I used to have one when I was younger. They are definitely loyal."

I smiled slightly back. I spoke softly, stroking her fur. "Thanks… She's definitely precious."

The man nodded, and then spoke again to Iroh. "The guest has the first move."

Iroh took the White Lotus tile that he always had in his possession and placed it on the board. The man nodded in approval, saying, "I see you favor the white lotus gambit. Not many still cling to the ancient ways." He picked up a teapot beside him and poured us each a drink. He handed the tea around, and we each took our cup with gratitude.

Iroh spoke again in response to the man. "Those who do can always find a friend."

The man nodded. He took his turn then, saying, "Then let us play."

The two men started to move their tile pieces around the board. Zuko and I watched with both confusion and intrigue. I only knew a little bit about Pai Sho from my time with Iroh. The moves they were making were not ones I was familiar with. When they reached their final pieces, I was astonished to see that they had made the symbol of a lotus on the board with the tiles. I knew then this was no ordinary game of Pai Sho.

The man smiled at the end and nodded his head in approval. "Welcome, brother. The White Lotus opens wide to those who know her secrets."

Zuko grew impatient. "What are you two talking about?!"

Iroh smiled over at him, picking up his white lotus tile again. "I always tried to tell you that Pai Sho is more than just a game." Iroh rolled the tile over his knuckles and then caught it in a fist.

"Is… this the group where your connections come from?"

Iroh nodded over at me. "Yes. They will help us."

Zuko was stunned. "A secret organization?"

Iroh nodded. "I will explain later. For now, we-"

A voice I quickly recognized as Xin Fu suddenly shouted across the room, "I'm not waiting all night for these geezers to finish yapping!" We glanced over to see him and Master Yu coming towards us. My eyes widened in horror. Yuna hissed. "It's over! You two fugitives and the dualbender are coming with me!"

My heart skipped. At first I was stunned Xin Fu knew, but then I reminded myself that Master Yu knew I was a dualbender, so I was certain he was the one to have told Xin Fu. Zuko prepared to fight, but Iroh grabbed his shoulder to stop him.

The other man at the table stood and pointed at all of us. "I knew it! You three are wanted criminals with a giant bounty on your heads!"

The others in the building fell silent as they heard. My nerves were shot and panic filled inside me. Why was the man suddenly turning against us?

Zuko snapped at Iroh, "I thought you said he would help!"

Iroh reassured the both of us, "He is. Just watch."

The man with us pointed at Xin Fu and Master Yu suddenly. "You think you're going to capture them and collect all that gold?"

A man at the bar nearby muttered, "Gold?"

The room erupted into chaos then. Fighting broke out as everyone tried to come forward to stop Xin Fu from claiming us so that they could get the bounty for themselves. In the chaos, the man Iroh trusted gestured for us to follow him quickly. We did so, keeping low around the crowd to slip out through a backdoor in the room. Once we were outside, we went over to Ping and grabbed our stuff upon Iroh's order. I asked him what would happen to Ping, and he let me know that his friends would take care of him. I patted my ostrich-horse friend to say goodbye and then followed Iroh and Zuko as the man led us away. The fighting from the tavern could still be heard in the distance, and I saw a few men get thrown out of the door as we left the area.

Eventually we were away from the building where the bounty hunters were, and we ended up leaving the main square and walking down a dirt path. We walked by a bunch of smaller stone homes, and then arrived at another market area. There were pots of flowers outside of the building we went towards, and a wooden cart was parked outside as well. As we headed towards the building, my racing heart was finally calming.

"I'm surprised," I whispered. "I really thought Xin Fu and Master Yu were only after Toph... I guess they've become bounty hunters now."

Zuko argued. "They probably are after your friend… but any additional money is worth veering off their original mission. Greed does that."

I nodded. "Well… I guess the good thing is Toph and the others are safe from them."

Zuko took my hand in his. "We will be too. Uncle knows what he's doing."

We went inside what was clearly a flower shop. Once we were inside, the man who introduced himself as Fung, bowed to Iroh and stated, "It is an honor to welcome such a high-ranking member of the Order of the White Lotus. Being a Grand-Master, you must know so many secrets."

Zuko pulled his hand away and crossed his arms with frustration. He was tired of not having answers. "Now that you played Pai Sho, are you going to do some flower arranging, or is someone in this club going to offer some real help ?"

Iroh spoke to the man. "You must forgive my nephew. He is not an initiate and has little appreciation for the cryptic arts."

Fung nodded. He then led us further into the room towards a wooden door that led to a back room. The man knocked on the door twice, and a piece of wood was pulled back so someone could peep through.

Another man asked, "Who knocks at the guarded gate ?"

Iroh answered, "One who has eaten the fruit and tasted its mysteries."

The door opened. Another man, a little younger than Iroh, stood at the entrance. Iroh smiled and headed inside with Fung. Zuko and I moved to follow, but the door shut before we could. Iroh opened the small window and said, "I'm afraid it's members only. Wait out here."

Zuko and I glanced at one another with confusion, but before we could ask the window was already shut.

Zuko let out a heavy sigh. "Well… I guess we don't have a choice."

We ended up sitting on the floor of the flower shop. As we did, Zuko picked up a blue flower that had fallen from a pot on the shelf behind us and placed it on my ear. I blushed and brushed my finger against the soft petals. Yuna rested in my lap as we waited as well.

"Hey Zuko…?"

He met my gaze to let me know he was listening.

I sighed, looking back down at Yuna. "I… just want you to know how much all of this means to me… You spent so many years trying to chase after the Avatar and restore your birthright… This is more than I could ever ask of you to betray your family."

Zuko took my hand and gave it a squeeze. "I already told you, Amara… the Fire Lord isn't my family. My family is right here. You… Uncle… you're what matters to me. Helping the Avatar… Restoring balance to honor my great-grandfather Roku... That is my mission now. I know my path. We're going to stop this war together, and I'm going to help rebuild the Fire Nation so that we can be allies again rather than the enemy."

I leaned against him and rested my head on his shoulder. "Your mom would be so proud of you…"

He squeezed my hand more. "Your mom would be proud of you too."

We sat longer. Both of us started to doze as the hours passed. Finally, the door opened, bringing us alert again. Yuna moved to my shoulder once more and we stood as Iroh and Fung came out.

Zuko asked quickly, "What's going on? Is the club meeting over ?"

Iroh nodded. "Everything is taken care of. We're heading to Ba Sing Se. Once we get there we will find the Avatar."

Iroh and Fung bowed to one another again.

I asked softly, "Do you have more friends in the city who can help us? I… I heard Ba Sing Se is really big. If they're in the city, will we really find them?"

Iroh placed a hand on my forearm. "Don't worry dear. You will see your family very soon. I am taking care of everything."

Zuko sighed. "Fine. So when do we shuffle off?"

"Your passports should be here momentarily," Fung promised.

Just as he finished speaking a bell at the front door rang. A young man, probably in his twenties, stepped inside with papers in his hand. He looked nervous.

"I have the passports for our guests, but there are two men out on the street looking for them."

We glanced out one of the windows and saw Xin Fu and Master Yu a few yards away. We were not surprised they were still looking for us. But we were anxious.

Zuko asked Iroh, "How do we slip past them?"

Fung smiled. "Do not worry. I have already thought that part through."

Iroh took the passports, while Fung gestured for us to follow him through the door we originally were not allowed to go through. We did so, knowing if we went through the front we would be seen. The room we stepped into was empty, and I was surprised by its lack of occupants. Iroh had been in the room so long, I was expecting a group of people drinking tea or something.

We went out a backdoor and found a wagon outside with three large pots. There was an ostrich-horse hitched at the front. A man sat on the front of the wagon, waiting for us to get on.

Fung stepped over, and gestured to the pots. "Each of you will hide in one of these. Once you are safe, Tin will let you know so you all can get out."

Zuko grimaced. "We're going in those pots?"

Fung shrugged. "Unless you want to face the bounty hunters?"

Zuko sighed. "No… we need to get moving…"

As he and Iroh moved forward to get in the pots, I hesitated. Tight places were not my favorite. Zuko noticed and walked back over. He placed a hand on my arm. "You okay?"

"Yeah… just… not a fan of cramped spaces…"

Iroh reassured me. "I know it will be dark and uncomfortable, but it will only be for a little while. I promise, you will be perfectly safe."

I breathed deeply. "I know… let's… let's just go…"

"Just relax," Zuko spoke softly. "Yuna will be with you. And I'll be only a flowerpot away."

I smiled slightly. "I know… I'll be okay."

We each got into our own pot. I was able to sit cross-legged in mine, and I pat Yuna who nestled in my lap. The men outside covered the top of my pot with some flowers, and immediately my space became dark. I shut my eyes trying to not think about my past. I focused on Yuna, petting her and telling myself I was not alone this time.

The wagon started to move and we were off. I was not certain how long I sat in my pot for, but it felt like a good three or four hours. The ride was very bumpy and the space I was in felt too hot for my comfort. When the wagon finally came to a stop, and a knock sounded on my pot, I was relieved. I quickly stood from inside the large pot and pushed the flowers out. Zuko and Iroh were already out of their own hiding spots. Zuko helped me when he saw me struggle to clamber out of the pot. Yuna flew out once she had space to do so and returned to my shoulder.

I could see that it was dusk once we got out. I could also see we were in a wooded area again. The man who had taken us to our current location, pointed us to our next direction.

"Head that way. The port is about a half day journey. I'd set up camp and then head there in the morning. You should be safe from the bounty hunters now."

Iroh bowed to the man in gratitude. "Thank you, friend. We will remember your help today."

The man bowed in return. "It was an honor to serve you, Grand-Master. Best of luck on your journey." The man got back on the front of the wagon and flicked the reins. The ostrich-horse began to pull him and the cart away.

Zuko spoke to me as Iroh waved at the man who departed. "Are you okay?"

I gave a small smile. "Actually, I did a lot better than I thought I would. Yuna helped keep me calm."

He smiled. "Good." He patted Yuna then. "Good job girl." Yuna purred in response.

Since the sun was still out, we decided to continue our traveling until it grew dark. We wanted to get to our next destination as soon as possible. As we headed through the woods, I asked Iroh more about his secret group.

"So… What exactly is your group, Iroh?"

Iroh answered. "We are a secret organization that has been around for many years. Members of the group come from all four nations. We do not allow the war to divide us, but to unite us. We are called the Order of the White Lotus."

Zuko was curious then. "How long have you been part of this group?"

Iroh gave him a sad smile. "After Lu Ten died, I went on a journey through the world and opened my eyes to the darkness that was taking over. I have longed for peace for many years. I have longed for the Fire Nation to be restored to its former glory. For too long the Fire Nation has been a plague on this world. Your father and his men must be stopped. That's why when you told me your desire to help the Avatar, and I sensed your sincerity, I had more hope than I have had in years. You are the key to saving our people, Prince Zuko. Once we win this war, you will take your place as Fire Lord and help restore balance."

Zuko sighed. "That will only happen by gaining the Avatar's trust… I don't know how I'm going to do that. After everything I've done to them, they will only see me as their enemy."

I argued. "It will take time, but once they see the good in you they will trust you… And… Aang is one of the sweetest souls I've ever met. He will listen to you. Plus, I'll do what I can to convince them like I promised before."

Zuko smiled slightly from my reassurance. "I know…" He took my hand and gave it a squeeze. "I can do anything with you by my side."

My heart fluttered. "Good… because I like being by your side."

Yuna gave a "mew-hoo" in agreement.

I giggled. "And Yuna too."

Zuko reached over and stroked her feathers. "Yeah. I like you by our side too, Yuna."

Yuna gave a "mew-hoo" again, flapping her wings in delight.