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Chapter Text

Name: Kalini Ling

Nickname: Kali

Petal (Zuko; eventually)

Little Flower (Iroh; eventually)

Title: The Last Nature-Bender

Age: 17/18/19

- Given her history, the exact date and age for Kali are unknown. She was been with Raya for five years, and it is thought she was taken by her first slaver at five or six. Kali went through a fair few owners between the first and the Raya. (Raya chose the day she bought Kali for Kali's birthday, as many of Kali's owners have done in the past so it is possible that they could be up to a year off in either direction) In my mind, she's 18.

Appearance:

Hair: Red

Eyes: Green

Skin: Green

Family:

Unknown Nature-Bender Father (Deceased)

Unknown Nature-Bender Mother (Deceased)

Raya Ling (Current Master/Owner/Surrogate Mother)

Various other masters and owners

Bio:

Little is known by Kali about her past or where she came from. Once upon a time, nature-benders were a peaceful and largely compassionate people, until the beginning of the 100-year war in which they were nearly all wiped out by the Fire Nation for being deemed too dangerous and powerful. A small group survived and escaped the initial attack on their land, living as nomads. Though not much is known of these nomads, who came to occupy the many forested areas across the world, it is known that Kali was born to one group of nomads.

Sometime after her birth, the Fire Nation spared no one when they attacked. Kali survived by laying under her mother's body until she was found by a passing slaver. Kali was likely around five or six when this happened, going off the notes inside of her instruction manual. She has no memories of what happened, and her mind has likely protected her from it, though she occasionally has nightmares regarding it.

Kali passed through a number of slavers for many years until she was bought by Raya, an ageing grey-haired woman who ran a whorehouse/brothel in a small, but popular, town. Kali was initially too young to be one of the girls that worked there, she was raised as Raya's 'daughter', though Raya often used Kali's abilities for her own gain.

When Kali seemed to come of age, an auction was set up by Raya, basically selling off her virginity to the highest bidder. Raya was often threatened by the Fire Nation, that Kali would be saved for a 'high ranking' individual and that if Kali wasn't reserved and the auction called off , then bad things would happen. The auction went ahead anyway, and was won by an individual not associated with the Fire Nation. Mysteriously, the night following the auction saw that individual assassinated and the brothel was burned to the ground.

Raya and Kali escaped the building and have been on the run since. Raya is currently trying to offload Kali to someone who will pay a good price for the young woman.

- It can be assumed, given her upbringing, that Kali is unable to read and write.

Appearance:

Kali is a tall, skinny, almost emaciated, young woman with green skin, green eyes, and green lips. Her past is clear in her appearance, with various scars marking her body. She has long red hair and styles part of her hair on the left side, almost covering her eye. In the beginning, Kali is seen most often in her 'slave' clothing. A green wrap dress covering brown undergarments. She bears the metal gauntlets and collar that mark her as a slave.

Personality:

Given her history, Kali starts off rather quiet and withdrawn, but the longer she spends with Zuko and Iroh, the more she will come to show her true self. 

Kali is energetic, lively, eccentric, resourceful, and quick-thinking. She prefers to settle problems through negotiation rather than violence, though she is more than willing to result to violence when she deems it necessary.

Kali also gets distracted easily. Usually, it applies to something only she finds fascinating, even disregarding important matters. This is seen more so when Kali is close to nature, as her instincts pull her towards the source.

Kali had a tendency towards self-loathing for her bad actions and does feel bad when she hurts or kills people.

Kali is admired by children for her eccentric, tender, playful and childlike personality. She also shows a great deal of compassion for children, unable to resist helping if one is upset or scared.

She is a very attentive and loyal lover if in a serious relationship.

Kali also holds very little respect for authority figures, and will often mouth off, this is likely why she has gone through rather a large number of masters.

Kali is not all talk: not only can she shoot out hilarious and seething comebacks, but she packs a mean punch, and is a very powerful individual.

Kali can be very sarcastic and sharp-tongued at times. She always has a smart ass comment ready whenever someone says something antagonistic to her, and always bites back with a witty insult. She doesn't hesitate to speak her mind, and can be extremely stubborn in her opinions.

Although Kali is not necessarily conceited, she is very aware of the fact that she is very beautiful and uses it to her advantage when the need arises.

She can be friendly and warm, not shying away from meeting new people, and has considerable skill in social interactions. Kali has a certain charisma that attracts people and makes them flock to her.

Kali is also adept at using her feminine wiles. She has shown an ability to seduce men and sweet-talk them into giving her what she wants.

Quotes:

Kali (To Zuko): The first time I was hit, really hit, that's when I gave up... until I met you

.....

Zuko (To Kali): I hate that I hurt you. You know, you deserve everything.

.....

Kali (To Iroh): My powers has limits. If I push too hard, nature pushes back.

......

Kali (To Zuko): It's all in here; it's like a reminder that I'm not invincible. Please...don't...don't tell anyone.

.......

Kali (To Zuko): Oh, I don't know. Between here and upstairs there's still time for you to do something stupid.

........

Kali (To Zuko): It's not like there's a theatre here. You working out is my main source of entertainment.

.......

Kali (To Sokka): Look, under normal circumstances, I'd probably try to warm up to you, be your friend, or something, but I'm kind of under a time crunch, and I need your help.

......

Kali (To Zuko; W/Sokka and Aang): When we planned our romantic day together, I wasn't picturing you, me, and two other guys.

......

Zuko: Kali! You can't kill him.

Kali: You don't think I can kill a 12-year-old?! Oh, okay. Well, I will smash in his face with a bat like a WATERMELON!

......

Azula (To Zuko): You think I care about you or your jolly green whore?

Kali: Okay, rude, I'm standing right here.

.....

Kali: First of all, I care about nature. Okay, I don't know what about that makes me a bad guy.

......

[Kali becomes a giant plant woman]

Sokka: [gets excited] I'll give you my boomerang if you put me in your pocket! [everyone stares at him] What? I got a type. You know this.

......

Aang: Yuck, you worry too much, Kali

Kali: Uhhh, you know I think I'm worrying the perfect amount, to be honest.

.....

Kali: No, no see, you don't get it. Mei's like, she's so confident and cool. And somehow, she just like, draws you in by being aloof. You know, you just see her, and you're like, "Ah, I want to be like that".

.......

Kali: I'm going to give you a piece of advice about sex at 1000 feet. Don't do it into the wind.

.....

Kali: Hush, little baby, don't say a word, Momma's gonna kill for you the whole damn world.

Zuko: Kali!

....

Pairing: Zuko

- Aged up to 18

Chapter Text

Edited: 19/10/21

Powers:

Nature-Benders are considered some of the most powerful and most dangerous benders, and for this, they were hunted into near extinction by the Fire Nation at the beginning of the One Hundred Year war, with only a handful escaping, disappearing into the world. As of Kali's birth, she is the last known nature-bender, whether she is actually the very last one or not is unknown. It is unknown what Kali's true power level could be, but considering that her power encompasses anything and everything to do with nature, her powers could be limitless.

Nature Manipulation/Nature-Bending: Kali's powers are directly connected to the natural world and thus she can communicate, influence, manipulate, and control nature: all living beings, plants, natural phenomena (such as the weather and geology of the Earth), and the matter and energy of which all these things are composed.

Kali is connected directly to the natural world and thus, in theory, can communicate, influence, manipulate and control nature: all living beings and plants and natural phenomena, such as the weather and geology of the Earth, and the matter and energy of which all these things are composed. She can survive in any natural environment on earth.

Kali can potentially manipulate, tap into, blend and/or become elements of nature, including air, weather, lightning, earth, stone, metal, water, ice, light, darkness, clouds/mist, magma, fire etc.. She can control animals and plants and mimic their abilities and forms.

Because Kali can communicate with nature, she becomes instantly familiar with her surroundings, the connection is so deep that the earth can respond to her emotions and desires (blossoming with flowers and calming weather when happy, making skies stormy or cause earthquakes when angry, shifting the landscape to gain the advantage in a fight, etc.)

Kali can purify, heal and generally influence the health of nature, and considering the fact that she is helping the environment, plants and animals act favourably towards Kali. She has access to every living species of animal and can also draw strength from them and acquire their abilities.

- Plant Bending/Manipulation: Kali can create, shape and manipulate plants, including wood, vines, plants, moss, and parts of the plants, such as leaves, seeds, roots, fruits and flowers. She can cause plants to grow, move/attack or even rise from the soil and "walk", mutate plants by rearranging DNA structure and revive withered or dead plants. She can use her power for defence and support, cause flowers and other plants to bloom instantaneously, manipulate tree branches to use them as whip-like weapons, control spores and pollen, and bring plants back to life and make them sprout seeds/fruits/berries, use plant chemicals to heal people/objects or manipulate their properties for a wide range of effects.

She can summon forth vines to entangle or snare, and so on. She has threatened on more than one occasion to cause the microscopic flora within her enemies bodies to grow out and kill them from the inside, whether or not she can actually do that has yet to be seen. Once, she made a miniature replica of an entire city, complete with animated persons (talking, walking, acting and with natural colors) and houses in each detail, only with her plant powers.

- Botanical Communication: Kali can communicate with all forms of plant-life, including flowers, trees, fruits, vegetables, pollen, etc. She does this telepathically, but her connection can be strengthened by touch. Plants can tell her of what happened or what is happening, like helping Kali track someone.

- Plant Empathy: Kali can understand the overall well-being and conditions of plants, as well as fully interpret their emotions.

- Plant Generation: Kali can generate plants, including vines, moss, fungi, and parts of the plants, such as leaves, seeds, fruits and flowers, by drawing them from already existing plants.

- Plant Growth: Kali can influence and accelerate the growth of plants causing flowers and other plants to bloom instantaneously, causing them to mature with supernatural speed, grow to unusual size, and produce in abundance. Kali can cause plants to grow from seeds to mature plants in moments, cause them to flower and produce fruits, seeds, etc. outside season, cause a cut plant to grow roots and other similar feats.

- Healing Plant: Kali can heal others by using plants and the energy that they produce.

- Botany Intuition: Kali possesses extraordinary skill in botany, the study of the growth, reproduction, metabolism, evolution, and diseases of plants, including "plant-like" like fungi, algae, bacteria and viruses. They have intuitive rapport with plants, unique insights into their psychology and behavior, and a connection with them spiritually.

Animal Manipulation: Kali can control animals behavior, she can set stampedes onto attackers, get animals to fetch things. Kali can call forth hoards of rats or insects to wipe out a crop, or to encourage bees to replant it.

- Animal Empathy: Kali can sense and understand the emotions of animals and vice versa.

- Animal Companionship: Kali can form a sacred and powerful union between herself and a animal companion, and they both tend to protect and care for one another and assist each other in multiple situations.

- Animal Telepathy: Kali can telepathically read the minds of animals and communicate with them.

- Animal Intuition: Kali is highly intuitive when it comes to dealing with animals, being really good at reading, understanding, and staying in tune to their body language, able to solve many of their behavioral problems in an effortless way, and having unique insights into their psychology and behavior.

"Hello, my animal friends,"

"(A few minutes later)"

"Guys, please, could you give me five minutes?" - Kali after some animals follow her into the bathhouse.

Weather-Bending/Atmokinesis: Kali has demonstrated a plethora of abilities most of which are facets of her power to sense and manipulate the weather. She is able to manipulate and control the weather through her psionic connection to air currents, water vapor, and natural electrical energy on both large and small scales. Kali possesses the psionic ability to control all forms of weather over vast areas. She can modify the temperature of the environment, control all forms of precipitation, humidity, and moisture, generate lightning and other electromagnetic atmospheric phenomena, and has demonstrated excellent control over atmospheric pressure.

- Though Kali is more comfortable using her nature-bending atm and hates the weather-bending she has so she doesn't use it very often. It is likely because she finds it far too dangerous and has been conditioned to be weak.

Lightning-Bending/Lightning-kinesis: Kali has the power to summon lightning bolts from the sky that can be used to blind, stun, or severely burn her opponents even to the point of death. She can even tap into the Earth's electromagnetic field and send out a powerful electromagnetic pulse.

- Lightning Absorption: Kali can charge herself with lightning.

- Electro-kinetic Flight: Kali has the ability to levitate and propel herself through the air at great speeds. When taking off and landing she generates lightning discharges towards the ground.

Other forms of bending that Kali has access and shown so far, according to Kali's instruction manual and those that have been theorised:

Air-bending:

- Including Aero-Telekinesis by controlling the air around objects, Levitation, Tornado Manipulation/Tornado Creation, Cloud Manipulation, Thundercloud Manipulation, Thermal Manipulation, Cold Air Manipulation, Hot Air Manipulation, Hurricane Creation

Water-bending (She uses this more than Air, mostly to water her plants)

- Including Hail Generation, Rain Manipulation, Rain Generation, Snow Manipulation, Blizzard Creation, Snow Generation, and Fog Generation

Earth-bending

Fire-bending

Earth Link: Kali's powers have created a psychic bond between herself and the primal life force of Earth's biosphere. This bond with the Earth and apparently the entire universe, gives her the ability to sense and detect life-forces. She can also sense any natural phenomena including earthquakes, storms, etc.

- Subjective Precognition: Kali has the power to see into the future, it is believed that her connection to the Earth allowed her to view potential futures and she uses them to her advantage in order to keep herself and Raya safe. It mainly works by her focusing on a certain object or person and keeping track of its decisions. She can also focus on several objects at the same time, up to the limit her mind allows.

"She sees things—things that might happen, things that are coming. But it's very subjective. The future isn't set in stone. Things change." - Raya about Kali's visions to Iroh, trying to sell Kali to him.

However, Kali's foresight has many limitations: she can only see the outcome of someone's decision once it is made - meaning the future can change all too quickly; and if the decision is not firmly rooted, she can see several possible futures at the same time. Also, her vision can be clouded if someone else's decision is involved.

Toxin Immunity: Poisons and toxins have no effect on Kali.

Regeneration: Kali is able to completely heal herself from even the most fatal of wounds and injuries by using plants and plant energy but she must be awake to will this to happen. Scars can form if she doesn't get to the wound fast enough as seen with the scars on her body from her years as a slave. 

Belongings:

Instruction Manual: Made by Kali's first owner, it is passed on as Kali is sold on and informs her master about her abilities, as well as 'management' techniques. And is added too with each owner.

Gauntlets and Collar: Kali wears a collar and a pair of gauntlets that mark her as a slave.

Necklace: On top of the collar, Kali wears a necklace made of things she's picked up during her years.

Bing (Eventually): A mysterious creature that will be gifted to Kali by Iroh, much to Zuko's annoyance.

Ran-Ya (Eventually): A pygmy puma that Kali will rescue and nurse back to health in Be Sing Se.

Shang (Eventually): A Turtle duck that will eventually be given to Kali by Zuko.

Chapter Text

A/N - Just a heads up that there will be darker aspects to this, especially in the beginning regarding Kali and her occupation. She is a slave. And Raya is not a nice woman. There are going to be mentions of dark subjects but nothing overly descriptive, so (I'm hoping) nothing triggering. If there is, let me know and I will amend it as soon as I am able. 

.....

During the day, Kali is to remain indoors. A way to hide her unique appearance. So she spends her days locked away in a tiny hut with little more than one bedroom. She sleeps mostly during the day, as she spends most nights awake. Cleans if she can't sleep. Basically waiting on Raya. Waiting on her returning from the markets. She's been with Raya for a long time now, longer than any of her other masters. Owners. Whichever fits best. Both probably. In her mind, she owes Raya. The woman that bought her from her last master, a rather angry individual, who liked to take out his anger on Kali when someone, anyone, upset him. Raya had saved her from him. Taking her from his home and to the Gilded Orchid. Kali spent years there with her. Watching. Learning. Even following her out of a fire that destroyed the building. Killing some. Ruining everything Raya had built. The Orchid had been a place frequent by men, soldiers mostly, for the specific reason as the company of women. It was a brothel. Following the fire, they'd fled. Leaving that life behind them. For the most part. Raya took up a position as a clothing and silk tradeswoman. Selling what she managed to rescue from the remains of the brothel. But they are down to their last few pieces and Raya is stingy with food, to begin with. And even less if she misbehaves with the guests that Raya brings around to meet her.

Kali scratches at her neck, dipping her fingers into her collar to rub at the skin there with a sigh. It's not the most uncomfortable collar she's ever had, but it is still a collar. A thing that shows she is owned by someone. A slave. She stares out the window from the side, keeping her face mostly covered by a hood and veil. Raya's idea. To hide her from anyone that might see her. She's green. She stands out in a world of people that aren't. She watches children playing. Running around. Kali never had that. She never played with other children. She doesn't even remember a time when she laughed. She's been in chains for as long as she can remember. Locked away and hidden from the world. She lets out a breath, eyes misting with tears. Her history doesn't make her feel good. Raya is then walking past the window with an older gentleman and Kali ducks back, hiding just in case Raya sees her. She's not supposed to go near the windows or the door. Just in case. She looks around before she moves, moves away from the window and takes her place on a chair, folding her hands in her lap, her eyes kept down.

"It's a good offer" Kali lifts her eyes a little to the doorway as Raya walks in, but she's not alone, her gentleman friend is with her, stroking his beard in thought. "She's a good girl...And she's special, really special...." Raya gives Kali a look, motioning with her hand for Kali to stand and remove her veil. The young girl does just that, pulling her hood down and pulling the veil from around her face before she smooths her hand over the front of her dress. "She sees things, things that might happen, things that are coming. But it's very subjective. The future isn't set in stone. Things change." She draws off when she notices his attention is already firmly on Kali. Raya smirks to herself.

"Fascinating skin tone" He comments. Kali shrinks a little, hanging her head under his gaze.

"Exotic, yes?" Raya asks him. "And no one knows why..." He stares at Kali as if he knows though. Raya touches Kali's chin and lifts her head. "She's beautiful and worth every gold piece" Raya turns Kali's face for him to look at her.

"Mind if I take a moment with her?" He asks Raya who then nods and back out of the hut, casting a stern look at Kali as she goes. Kali looks down and then takes a deep breath. Kali reaches for the ties on her dress, intending on undoing it and baring herself to him. He grabs her hands to stop her. "No" He argues and glances at the door. "That's not what I am here for" She frowns at him. The men that Raya brings around are for one thing and one thing alone. He motions to a chair. "Sit" He offers, she glances at the door, waiting for Raya to come back, but she doesn't. Kali takes a deep breath, biting the inside of her cheek, as she moves to take the seat. "The offer wasn't for your company," He tells her, she frowns at him. "It seems your....master is trying to sell you, my dear" She looks down and away from him. Raya has been far better than some of the others, but she shouldn't be surprised that she's being sold. She has no worth now. Raya sold the one thing Kali had to bring in a large sum of money. She doesn't bring in as much now. And Raya is too old to sell her body the way in which she sells Kali's. He's watching her sadly as she works through her emotions. Passing over them. She's not supposed to feel anything. That's one of Raya's rules. She's to block it all out. Focus on nothing. He hums a little, thoughtfully watching her before he turns and leaves the hut. Kali closes her eyes. He didn't touch her, so she supposes that's something. But she's still unsure how to feel about this. She's always wanted to know what it's like to be free, but she knows she'll never be able to do it. Even if, by some miracle, someone releases her. She doesn't know how to be alone. She has no idea what she would do. Raya is all she has, and the idea that she might not have her anymore. It kind of hurts. Raya walks back into the hut, looking rather pleased with herself.

"You go with him," Raya tells her as she counts out the gold pieces from the coin purse with a greedy smile on her face. Kali is a little surprised. Raya has never talked about selling her, never even to threaten her with it. "He owns you now" Raya adds as she grabs Kali's little bag from the hook on the wall. It's nothing special. Just a little travel bag. The only contents being that of a leather-bound book. She shoves the bag at Kali and then nods for her to go. Kali doesn't know what she expected, none of the others cared much but she thought Raya actually did. All those years. She thought this woman actually cared about her. "Come on, kid" Raya starts. "You know this isn't personal" She defends herself. "I need money....and you were the only thing I had left to sell...and this" She shakes the coin purse. "It's more than I could ever charge for what is between your lovely legs" Kali clenches her jaw. But then realises she doesn't have to follow her rules anymore. She spits right into Raya's face. Raya pulls a face and wipes away the saliva with the corner of her sleeve before she slaps Kali, hard. Kali cradles her cheek as tears gather in her eyes. Guess it means Raya doesn't have to hold back either. Kali then turns and leaves, not wanting to waste another second with that woman if that's how she truly felt about her. Kali did know that she was owned, she's not stupid, but she thought of Raya as a mother figure. She loved her. And Kali thought Raya loved her too, in her own way. She was wrong. Her new master is waiting for her outside. He doesn't look like the others. They've always had this glint in their eyes. A darkness. But he doesn't have it. There is something more like light in his eyes. A kindness. A softness. Compassion. He holds out his hand towards her and gives her a sad smile. She sniffles and looks away from him. Trying really hard not to cry about this.

"What is your name?" He asks her, she looks at him surprised.

"Kali," She tells him softly as she pulls the strap of her bag over her head, settling it against her side. "My name is Kali" He hums and nods. 

"Iroh" He holds out his hand towards her, in a gesture of introduction. Kali takes his hand and he smiles at her, reassuring her. She's not naive, but she wants to believe that he is different. 

Chapter Text

Kali follows Iroh as he leads her through the little village. She gets a few looks from those that they pass. She has no shoes and she bears the collar and gauntlets that mark her as a slave. They know where she stands in the order of the world. At the bottom. Right down there in the dirt. She lets out a breath and wraps an arm around herself. He leads her to a small hut, though it is in a lot better condition compared to Raya's. A little on the larger size too.

........

Zuko sits meditating inside the hut, his legs crossed, his hands resting palm up on the tops of his knees. A lit flame on the table in front of him rises and falls with his breaths. He can hear footsteps on the other side of the door and assumes it is going to be his uncle, who else would have a reason to come to this house? He stands from where he has been meditating and pulls on his shirt as he moves to the door.

"Uncle, did you get......?" Zuko pauses when he opens the door. It is not his uncle on the other side of the door. It's a young woman with green skin and long red hair. Very much a far cry from his father, but he has no idea who she is. He frowns. "Who are you?" He asks. "What are you doing here?" She turns and looks at Iroh as he climbs the little step to join her.

"Ah, I see you've met Kali" Iroh offers with a smile. Kali gives Zuko a tense and nervous smile when she turns back at him. "Go on in," Iroh tells her and motions for Zuko to let her through. Zuko frowns but does it, mostly because he's too confused to argue about this.

.....

Iroh monitors a cooking pot set up over an open fire. Soup cooking away. Zuko hovers nearby, his eyes on Kali. Just cautious about her. He turns back to Iroh and gives him a look. Wanting answers as to why his uncle has brought this female into his hut.

"The last of our money, you spent on a..." Zuko looks at Kali as she sits on the edge of the bed, looking rather out of place. "Slave girl?"

"And food" Iroh defends as he stirs at the pot over the fire before replacing the lid. "I did get us food" Zuko lets out a breath and looks at his uncle.

"And why the girl?"

"Who knows" Iroh answers, Zuko lets out a breath in annoyance. Because Iroh knows. He knows full well why he bought that girl.

"Do you know why is she green?" Zuko asks, Iroh shoots him a look.

"Youth today" Iroh comments. "They never remember anything they are told" He goes back to setting up dinner whilst Zuko just stares at him. Nothing is ever straightforward with his uncle. Kali moves towards them, not happy sitting and doing nothing.

"You shouldn't be doing that" Kali comments, Iroh frowns. "They...I normally have to....cook"

"Not today" He argues and motions to a pillow on the floor. "Sit...I'll bring it over" Zuko watches Kali as she paces instead of sits. She seems unable to sit and do nothing. Iroh focuses on his soup.

"She looks about ready to implode, Uncle" Zuko comments. "Maybe you should have let her cook" Iroh looks at Kali who really does look about ready to explode. She's not used to doing nothing. She is usually given a list of tasks that she is meant to do. She knows it's her first day and everything.

"Sit," Iroh tells Kali firmer, she clenches her jaw and her hands before she drops onto the pillow immediately and hangs her head. "Did you see that?" Iroh asks Zuko who sighs and shakes his head. "She doesn't like orders" Iroh comments. "She's not built to be a slave, Zuko...And she's not here to work" Iroh scolds Zuko.

"Then why am I here?" Kali asks him. Iroh and Zuko look at her. "Why did you buy me?" Iroh stands and moves to where Kali is sat, he kneels in front of her, her eyes calm but cautious. Studying him. Watching him. He reaches up and she leans back, he gives her a look, wanting her to trust him here. She lets out a breath and nods. He moves his hands to the back of her neck where he undoes the collar around her neck and she reaches up, touching her throat. Unsure about what he's doing.

"I....." Iroh starts and then sighs. "I didn't buy you to continue keeping you as a slave" She frowns at him. "I bought you...to free you," He tells her. "Stay here if you wish....or leave.....it's up to you now"

"I don't understand" She whispers. "You bought me....but you don't...want to keep me?" He hums and nods, moving back to sit with Zuko who is just as confused as Kali about all of this. She touches her neck, she can't see it but she feels as though there is a mark where her collar had been. Iroh grabs three bowls and ladles out the soup into them, holding one out to Zuko who takes it.

"Now, come and eat with us" Iroh offers, holding out a bowl of soup towards Kali. She lets out a breath and moves closer to them, taking the bowl from him as she sits cross-legged on the floor with them. "You can take them off too, if you want" He taps the metal gauntlets on her wrists. She looks at them before shifting her eyes to the soup. She doesn't know about this. She feels like it's wrong. That this is some kind of test. She doesn't want to get it wrong.

Chapter Text

It's dark and quiet. The telltale sign that night has fallen. Kali sits against the wall. She doesn't feel comfortable enough to sleep yet. She doesn't feel safe or settled enough. Iroh snores. Loudly. Against the wall in his cot. Kali bites her lip. Trying to figure this whole thing out. It's hard for her to comprehend why he let her go. Why he paid for her and then released her from the whole thing. Zuko is sleeping with his back towards her. But she's not sure about him. He's more reserved. Iroh seems to just be what he shows. But Zuko. The way he watched her. Cautious. He trusts her as much as she trusts them. Which is smart. But not comforting. At all. She takes a deep breath and then pushes herself to her feet. She shouldn't. She shouldn't try it. But she's gonna. She's gonna try the door. Iroh said she was free to go. Or stay. But she could leave. She's going to try. Her bare feet are soft and silent as she crosses the little hut, moving to the closed door. She touches her arms, drawing them around herself. It could be a trick. A trap. A way to test her. It wouldn't be the first time. She lets out a breath and stands at the door. Staring at it. She reaches out and wraps her fingers around the door handle. But she's not sure she could be on her own. She pulls her hand back and hangs her head. She has no money. She has nowhere to go. No home. No family. Nothing. Where is she supposed to go? What is she supposed to do? She's green. That's hard to hide. There is nowhere she can go that people won't stare at her. No one will help her. No one has ever helped her. She steps back from the door and moves back across the room to sit back against the door. Wraps her arms around her knees as she rests her chin on the top.

........

Kali's the first one awake the next morning and that is likely because she didn't sleep in the end. She just couldn't turn off long enough to get any sort of rest. Too on edge. Too unsure. She thinks that it is worse with Iroh being so kind to her. She's second-guessing him and his intentions. She'd rather if he was going to turn on her that he'd just get on with it. The waiting is torturous. But if he is going to play nice, then so is she. She is going to make it seem like being nice to her makes her work harder and not the other way around. So she makes a little breakfast. Iroh and Zuko sit together, both still half asleep but the smell woke them and now they are being ruled by their grumbling stomachs. Kali carries two plates to the table.

"I wanted to say thank you" She offers. "For what you did..." She then pauses and looks at the food. "It's not much" She sets down the two plates, pancakes covered in papaya and mango pieces and slathered in a moon peach sauce.

"Where did you get the fruit from?" Zuko asks. That wasn't part of Iroh's supplies from the market. Kali swallows a little and hangs her head. That's not something she wants to admit to.

"It's okay" Iroh stops her. The two of them sharing a look. "You don't need to tell him" Zuko gives his uncle a weird look. She raises an eyebrow at Iroh, still not sure if this nice person is going to last. It never lasts. She turns away and moves back to the small kitchen area where she picks up the tea tray and moves back towards the table. Kali gasps a little and then drops the tray in her hand. Everything on it shatters as it hits the floor. Iroh moves to her side and looks down at the scattered pieces. "It is just a couple of mugs, do not worry" Iroh assures her as he crouches to clear it up. Kali's eyes go completely blank. Empty. Void. Zuko raises an eyebrow as he watches her. But there is nothing.

"Uncle" Zuko points out. Iroh looks up and notes the look in her eyes. He stands and cocks his head. Then waves his hand in front of her face but there is no change. "No wonder her last owner was in such a rush to get rid of her" Zuko comments. "She's defective" Iroh gives his nephew a look.

"Zuko" Iroh scolds slightly. "She is our guest, and we don't insult our guests" Kali blinks and looks down at the shattered mugs.

"Oh," She lets out and then lists up a hand to rub at her head.

"What was that?" Iroh asks, Kali blinks and looks at him.

"Angry girl is coming" She answers, Zuko gives her a weird look.

"What does that mean?" He asks her, she shrugs a little.

"It means....angry girl is coming" She answers, keeping her head down. Zuko turns his look on his uncle.

"She, apparently, is capable of seeing the future" Iroh offers, Zuko closes his eyes and lets out his breath. Of course his uncle was tempted by a fortune teller. "She's a seer" Zuko shakes his head and lets out a breath. "Raya was very convincing" Iroh defends.

"Is Raya attractive?" Zuko asks. Iroh is and always has been a sucker for a beautiful woman. Iroh shrugs slightly. Zuko turns to Kali to answer him, she pulls a face and then side shrugs as she tidies up the broken mugs. She can't leave the mess on the floor, someone will get hurt.

"She's not unattractive" Kali offers. "But she's old"

"How old?" Zuko asks. Kali shrugs.

"I don't know, like...in her thirties" Iroh gives her a look as Zuko fights a smirk. "What?" Kali asks softly, innocently.

"I can't begin to imagine how old you think I am" Iroh comments, Kali shrugs a little, wisely choosing not to even try.

Chapter Text

Lightning strikes the night sky, illuminating the village in the darkness. Illuminating the small figure sat on the porch to a house. Kali sits on the porch, her back against the wall as she stares out at the village. The night is when she can do this without being stared at. When the darkness hides her green skin. The door to the house opens and Iroh steps out. Taking a worried breath as he stares ahead. Something is clearly bothering him. He turns around to head back inside and almost jumps out of his skin seeing Kali sat there. He relaxes though. Relieved. He thought she'd left without saying goodbye.

"Can you not sleep?" He asks, she looks up at him and then shakes her head. She tried, but the circumstances of this setup make her nervous. She keeps waiting for something to happen. Something bad to happen. Because it always does. He tilts his head slightly. "You put your collar back on" Iroh points out.

"I don't feel...right" She admits as she adjusts the collar. She knows what it and the gauntlets on her wrists mean, but she feels safer wearing them. She can't even explain why. "Without it" She keeps her eyes away from him and down at her lap. He watches her. Studies her. She's just a lost little girl. Taken advantage of at every corner of her life. She doesn't know what to do with her freedom so she goes back to the familiar, her chains.

"No one should live a life in chains," He tells her. She looks out at the sky and shrugs. It is all she's know. She literally doesn't know what else to do. What else can she do?

.................

Midday sun streams through the window and onto the table where Iroh gathers with Zuko and Kali. Zuko looking exhausted and exasperated. It's been a long morning with his uncle, but he is also starting to see the benefit to Kali, she is like an Iroh barrier, saving Zuko from some of his uncle's rather boisterous and loud personality. Iroh empties a bag of seashells on a table. He lifts a few, inspecting them, showing them to Kali, as if she wasn't there when he found them.

"Look at these magnificent shells!" Iroh cheers as he holds up another shell. "I'll enjoy these keepsakes for years to come," Iroh tells them, Kali fights a smile because, for someone that bought her, he's rather cheerful and happy.

"We don't need any more useless things" Zuko comments, casting a look at Kali whose jaw twitches in annoyance. She knows he's not as on board with what his uncle did as Iroh is himself. "You forget we have to carry everything ourselves now....unless your new friend is going to help"

"Hello, brother. Uncle...." The two men spin to find a young woman sitting at the table now. Azula. Zuko's younger sister. "Oh, and friend" Azula adds looking at Kali who lets out a breath, hanging her head to hide what can be seen of her face.

"Angry girl" Kali whispers as she turns slightly, trying to shield herself, avoiding looking at Azula.

"Oh" Zuko realises that Azula is who she meant with her vision, Zuko then glares at Azula, stepping forward to greet her, also conveniently or even subconsciously placing himself between the two girls. "What are you doing here?" Azula seems utterly unaffected by their glares as she toys with the seashell in her hand.

"In my country, we exchange a pleasant 'hello' before asking questions" She gets up and walks over to face Zuko. "Have you become uncivilized so soon, Zuzu?"

"Don't call me that!" He snaps furiously.

"To what do we owe this honour?" Iroh asks as he moves, just like Zuko, making sure that there is a barrier between Azula and Kali.

"Hmm... must be a family trait" Azula points out. "Both of you so quick to get to the point" She shatters one of Iroh's shells with her sharp nails on this last word. Iroh's face darkens. "I've come with a message from home. Father's changed his mind. Family is suddenly very important to him. He's heard rumours of plans to overthrow him—treacherous plots. Family are the only ones you can really trust" Her voice and face soften but Iroh doesn't buy it, neither does Kali and she doesn't know the girl. "Father regrets your banishment. He wants you home" Zuko turns to look out the window. "Did you hear me? You should be happy. Excited. Grateful. I just gave you great news"

"I'm sure your brother just needs a moment to..." Iroh tries but Azula is having none of it.

"Don't interrupt, Uncle!" She then turns to address Zuko again, walking closer to him. "I still haven't heard my thank you. I am not a messenger. I didn't have to come all this way"

"Father regrets? He... wants me back?" Zuko asks her.

"I can see you need time to take this in. I'll come to call on you tomorrow. Good evening" Azula's eyes linger on Kali before she leaves. Iroh seems thoughtful as he watches the door closing. He is not inclined to believe Azula's statement and smells issues with it.

.......

Kali follows along behind Iroh and Zuko as they head towards the village bathhouse. She didn't want to overstep by listening in to their conversation regarding family matters, but she is close enough to hear them, even if she tries to block it out. It's rude to listen in when it's none of her business. She will be a little sad to see Iroh leave, he's security and safety and without him she will be on the streets, looking after herself.

"We're going home" Zuko states, happy about the turn of events, he's clearly been dying to return to his home. Kali doesn't know what happened, but for his family, his father to turn on him, he must have done something terrible. "After three long years. It's unbelievable"

"It is unbelievable" Iroh agrees, carrying a pile of clothing in his hands. "I have never known my brother to regret anything"

"Did you listen to Azula?" Zuko asks. "Father's realized how important family is to him. He cares about me"

"I care about you" Iroh argues. "And if Ozai wants you back... well, I think it may not be for the reasons you imagine" Zuko turns his back on his uncle, defensively.

"You don't know how my father feels about me" He stiffens. "You don't know anything"

"Zuko, I only meant that in our family things are not always what they seem" Zuko whirls around angrily and faces Iroh, leaning in as he accuses him.

"I think you are exactly what you seem: a lazy, mistrustful, shallow old man who has always been jealous of his brother" Kali gasps a little at that. Zuko turns and walks away. Iroh looks on sadly, then closes his eyes, he then looks at Kali. She gives him a look back, shrugging slightly before she nods for him to go after Zuko. Iroh touches her arm and nods. They both know what this means. That he will leave her behind. But family is important. She knows that. Even if she's never had one. He turns and walks away, heading to follow after Zuko. Iroh glances back over his shoulder at Kali. She keeps her eyes down as she fights the fear rising in her. She's scared of going out there on her own. Iroh looks down, conflicted and torn before he leaves.

Chapter Text

Kali leans in the doorway of the bathhouse, her fingers holding to the strap of her little bag as she watches Zuko and Iroh together at the bottom of the steps, talking together, clearly having made up. But they are leaving now. Going back to wherever they came from. To their family. She has absolutely no idea what she is supposed to do next. Her eyes suddenly turn vacant and she just stares ahead at nothing. A vision. When she blinks out of it, her eyes are instantly searching for Iroh, but he and Zuko are gone. She lets out a breath and then hurries down the steps. Something bad is about to happen.

........

A group of Fire Nation soldiers form two ranks along the path leading to Azula's ship. Zuko and Iroh walk toward them. Azula is standing at the top of the stairs leading onto her ship, a soldier on each side, looking rather pleased for herself. Zuko looks content, while Iroh eyes them suspiciously, he's not sure about this. Azula raises her arms in greeting and then bows to them.

"Brother! Uncle!" Iroh and Zuko both bow in greeting too but Iroh sneaks a peek through his eye to watch the soldiers beside him. "Welcome. I'm so glad you decided to come" The two files of soldiers close in behind Zuko and Iroh.

"Are we ready to depart, Your Highness?" The captain asks her.

"Set our course for home, Captain" Azula answers pleasantly.

"Home" Zuko whispers, wistfully. Zuko and Iroh begin to climb the stairs onto the ship, the captain leading the way. A vine creeps along the stairs, following them, and Iroh frowns a little as it races forward, preparing for something. He glances behind him and back along the deck. Tucked behind a stall, in a cloak and hidden, is Kali. The captain turns to the rest of his men.

"You heard the princess! Raise the anchors! We're taking the prisoners ho..." He stops abruptly, realizing his mistake. Zuko and Iroh stop, looking surprised, Azula suddenly appears to be enraged. "Your Highness... I..." Zuko eyes widen with realisation. Suddenly, the vine wraps around the ankles of a number of guards and then hauls them upwards towards the sky before whipping them out over the dock and into the water. Another guard approaches from Iroh's left but Iroh then elbows him off the incline. He punches another that approaches from his right and the vine grabs another, spinning him around and tossing him away. Zuko grabs one guard, throwing him off the ramp and into the water. He stalks up the incline, furious.

"You lied to me!" He accuses Azula who appears confident in the face of his anger and rather smug.

"Like I've never done that before" She turns and walks away, and two guards launch fire at Zuko but a floral shield erupts between them taking the hits. Zuko appears momentarily surprised before he turns and charges forward onto the ship after his sister.

.........

Kali shifts slightly where she is hiding, her eyes scanning over the men as she tries to direct the vines with as little hand movements as possible, to not draw attention to herself. It's something she's always known to do. The bare minimum for the maximum effect.

..........

Zuko leaps on board the deck of the ship, knocking two guards on either side out of the way with flames shooting from his arm and leg. Zuko takes up a fighting stance at the left while Azula remains motionless, her back to her brother. She glances to her left and grins evilly, apparently expecting this. Zuko brings his arms down, fire daggers manifesting in his firsts.

...............

Iroh is still fighting off the guards on the ramp with the help of the vines. Tangling and throwing those that get too close to him whilst he uses fire-bending to take out others. Two other soldiers approach from each side, and Iroh turns to fight them when from either side of the ramp two pillars of water erupt and crash down on the soldiers, dragging them off into the depths as the water retreats. Another guard launches a fireball at Iroh's face, but he avoids it, grabbing the soldier's arm and putting a hand on his neck. Holding the guard, he turns toward the ship.

"Zuko! Let's go!" He tosses the guard towards the vine who snatches the guard up and then throws him into the water. Another approaches, throwing fire at Iroh, but Iroh steps to the side and pushes him away with a palm to the face.

............

Zuko swings his fire daggers ferociously at Azula, repeatedly, but she simply avoids them with graceful and easy steps. She grabs his arm and spins him around. Zuko is breathing hard. She's clearly a very talented fighter and bender. 

"You know Father blames Uncle for the loss at the North Pole" Azula informs him. "And he considers you a miserable failure for not finding the Avatar. Why would he want you back home, except to lock you up where you can no longer embarrass him?"Zuko brings out his fire daggers again and leaps at Azula, throwing a flaming kick at her head. She leaps back, nimbly dodging his blows. She swipes at his face with her fingernails. Zuko staggers back, revealing three cuts on his forehead. He charges forward and screams, swiping his daggers at Azula. She blocks his blows effortlessly and the fight continues up the stairs toward the cabin of the ship. She kicks Zuko, knocking him down the stairs a bit. He recovers quickly and charges back toward Azula, she blocks his fist and grabs his arm, bringing it down harmlessly. She glares at him, and Zuko's eyes widen. She tosses a blue flame at his head, sending him tumbling down the incline. He lands with a thud and pulls himself up, looking back at the incline. Zuko's vision is blurry and shaky as he tries to locate Azula. She is standing at the top of the incline and begins to swing her arms in arcs around, lightning arcing around her. She aims her fingers at Zuko and a lightning bolt shoots toward him. Iroh suddenly appears and grabs Azula's fingers in his hand. He channels the electricity through his body and shoots it from his other hand, letting it explode harmlessly into the cliffside. He turns back just in time to watch as a vine wraps around her ankle and tips her up, yanking her into the air and then flips her away from the ship. Sending her flying overboard. She splashes into the water. Iroh and Zuko don't waste any more time, they run.

...........

As Iroh reaches the end of the docks, heading away from Azula's ship, he glances over to where Kali is hidden, then changes direction, heading towards her instead. Zuko frowns but follows after him. Iroh grabs Kali's arm when he reaches her, pulls her into an alley behind them.

"If she'd realised what you are" Iroh scolds her, out of breath from the fight and the run.

"And just what is she, Uncle?" Zuko asks his uncle.

"A nature-bender" Iroh informs Zuko who frowns at him. "Do you remember nothing of the stories I told you as a child?" Iroh scolds his nephew before sighing. "Powerful and dangerous benders...." Iroh informs him. "And just like the air-benders, it was believed that they were all wiped out by Sozin at the beginning of the war" Iroh gives Kali a look. "Our new friend disproves that" She hangs her head, touching her arms as she shrinks back. Iroh softens. "And we should be thanking her" He realises himself, scolding himself for scolding her.

"Did you know she was a nature-bender all along?" Zuko asks his uncle who gives him a look, a sly smile on his lips. Zuko realises that there was more to Iroh's purchase of the slave girl than just to free her. He knew all along exactly what she was.

Chapter Text

On a forest path, somewhere in the middle of nowhere, Iroh is squatting and studying a pretty white and red flower that has bloomed. He's mesmerized by it. A bush begins moving behind him, followed by a series of grunts as Zuko emerges from it.

"I didn't find anything to eat" Zuko offers, frustrated. "I can't live like this. I wasn't meant to be a fugitive" He kicks at the ground angrily. "This is impossible!" Iroh sniffs the flower deeply. "Uncle... what are you doing?"

"You're looking at the rare white dragon bush" Iroh answers, sounding impressed and adoring. "Its leaves make a tea so delicious it's heartbreaking!" He then pulls a face. "That, or it's the white jade bush, which is poisonous" Zuko rolls his eyes a little.

"We need food, not tea" He draws off when he sees Kali leaving the forest, arms filled with fruits and berries. But it just makes him feel useless. "I'm going fishing" Zuko mumbles and then walks away. Iroh remains at the flower, debating if it's going to kill him if he attempts to make tea with it.

"Delectable tea? Or deadly poison?"

"Poison" Kali offers for him, he looks at her as she holds out an apple to him. He stands and takes it from her. "That plant is poisonous" He smirks a little.

"You would know, huh, Little Flower?" He teases softly, fondly. She hums and nods, blushing slightly at the nickname. She turns, looking for Zuko, to give him fruit too. She pulls a face when she notices that he's gone. "What else did you find?" Iroh asks, gaining her attention as he peers at the fruits and berries in her arms. She did well. He knows she is used to having to prove herself, a useless slave is a useless slave after all. But she doesn't need to work so hard with them. She saved them. They owe her.

......

Zuko stands at the edge of a river with a long fishing pole and a very sour expression. He glares down at the end of the line where a pitiful minnow wiggles pathetically. It isn't a good catch and in no way will feed three of them.

"Zuko, remember that plant that I thought might be tea?" Iroh asks from behind him as Iroh leaves the trees and walks towards his nephew, Zuko appears horrified as he realises what his uncle is implying.

"You didn't!"

"I did" Iroh turns around to reveal his red, swollen face which he is scratching. "And it wasn't."

"Yah" Zuko recoils in repulsion and horror.

"When the rash spreads to my throat, I will stop breathing" Iroh points out then turns excited. "But look what I found! These are bacui berries, known to cure the poison of the white jade plant. That, or macahoni berries that cause blindness"

"We're not taking any more chances with these plants! We need to get help" Zuko points out, losing his patience with his uncle.

"But where are we going to go? We're enemies of the Earth Kingdom, and fugitives from the Fire Nation" Iroh reminds him.

"If the Earth Kingdom, discovers us, they'll have us killed" Zuko muses.

"But if the Fire Nation discovers us, we'll be turned over to Azula" Iroh points out. They look at each other and nod in agreement.

"Earth Kingdom it is" Zuko voices just as a branch cracks close to them, Iroh and Zuko glance to the right as Kali appears, stepping through the trees with a dead duck in her hand. She looks up and at Iroh, notices his face. She gives Iroh a look and he smiles sheepishly at her.

....

Kali stands in front of Iroh who sits on a stool in front of her. She's studying the rash created by the plant that he stupidly made into a tea and drank despite her warnings. Zuko sits behind the Kali, against the wall of an abandoned and semi-destroyed hut. Just somewhere to hold up so she can help Iroh.

"Hold still" She scolds him as Iroh tries to shift away from her as she looks over the rash with a scolding expression. She sighs a little. "I told you that plant was poisonous" She adds as she crouches in front of him. "But I can fix this," She tells him and then holds her hand to his face, a green light erupting from her palm. "That angry girl must be pretty important" She muses, Iroh frowns at her. "To have so many Fire Nation guards with her" Iroh and Zuko share a look, realising that this girl has absolutely no idea who they are.

"Yeah" Zuko agrees and looks away. Iroh watches as tears gather in Kali's eyes, something she seems unaware of, as if it's subconscious. Iroh brushes away her stray tear and frowns.

"Why the tears?" He asks her.

"Nothing" She whispers and turns away, her free hand brushing over her face to stop herself from crying. She's not unaware of why she's upset. She remembers what the Fire Nation did to Raya, to her, to her home. She takes a steadying breath, changing her emotions in an instant. Pushing them away. Slaves don't have feelings. That's what she was taught. "Do you have names?" Kali asks them. Zuko turns and gives her a weird look.

"What?"

"If Angry Girl is looking for you" She offers. "You are going to have to change your names" She looks at Iroh and then at Zuko. "And your clothes" She adds. Zuko looks down at his clothing before he pulls a face. Iroh hums and nods in agreement.

"You've done this before" Zuko comments, she looks at him.

"No" She argues. "But Raya had"

"You didn't have to change your name?" Iroh muses, she hums.

"No one cares enough about some slave girl," She tells them and then finishes healing Iroh who reaches up to touch his face. "So you do have names?" She asks.

"Of course we have names" Zuko argues, Iroh gives a look that implies that they don't. Zuko takes a moment to think. "I'll be... Lee. And you, uncle, shall be, uh... Mushi." Iroh shoots him an unhappy look.

"Yes, but my nephew was named after his father, so we just call him Junior" Iroh offers and then winks at Kali who smiles before letting out a little chuckle. Zuko curls his fingers into his fist in response to the nickname before his stomach rumbles loudly. He looks away and clears his throat. Kali smirks a little and turns to Iroh. 

"Let me cook this time," She tells Iroh, placing her hand on his arm.

"Zuko, why don't we see what was left behind" Iroh offers as he stands from his seat, motioning to the hut as he walks towards it, the dead duck Kali had gotten them hanging from his hand.

Chapter Text

The damaged house is almost a write-off, walls crumbling, holes in the ceiling but it does have a table, and it does have cookware and beds and a place to cook food. It will do for a night or two. Just for them to catch their breath. To make a plan. To work out where they are going to go and do next. Zuko and Iroh are seated at a knee-high table in the centre of the room. Iroh uses a mirrored plate to look at his face, still amazed by the level of healing that she showed. Kali sets a large plate in the centre of the table and then sits next to Iroh as he and Zuko peer over the roast duck dish.

"You said that Raya had to change her name" Iroh muses as he serves the dish to each of them. "From who?"

"The Fire Nation" She answers. Iroh pauses and then glances at Zuko. "Before..." She stops and then sighs. "Before that village where you bought me...Raya had a house.....with other girls" She explains. "They came and raided our home.....burnt it to the ground; Raya and I were the only ones that made it out..."

"What about your family?" Iroh asks. "Your...birth family" She shrugs.

"I don't remember" She answers. "I mean, obviously they existed...but where they are now...." She hums and shrugs again. "I know I was little when my first.......when he found me" She pokes at her food with her chopstick. "If they are alive, I haven't seen them since...."

"I haven't seen my father in many years" Zuko muses, she looks at him.

"Oh. Is he fighting in the war?" Kali asks him. Iroh finishes slurping a mouthful of noodles as he looks with some trepidation at his nephew to see how he will answer this question. Zuko puts his bowl on the table before he replies.

"Yeah" Zuko looks away and pulls a face, turns out he doesn't like lying to her.

..........

All the plates are empty, bellies filled as the sun sets outside. Kali stands from her seat as Iroh leans back. Happy and satisfied with a full belly.

"Thank you for the duck. It was excellent" Iroh tells her as she clears away the plates, carrying them in her hands, effortlessly, she knows how to do this effectively.

"You're welcome" Kali whispers softly, blushing, she's not used to people thanking her, for anything. 

"Zuko, where are your manners?" Iroh gives Zuko a look and then nods to Kali. She is not here as their slave and they need to start treating her as their friend and companion instead. She should be thanked for doing something that was once considered part of her slave skills and demands. She cooked for them because she wanted to, not because she felt she had to. That's a big step. Zuko turns and offers a small bow to Kali who appears surprised.

"Thank you" He whispers and then lifts his head to look at her. She shrinks back with a nod before turning to clear up. Zuko rises and looks away. Iroh looks between the two of them, a twinkle in his eye.

"We will stay here tonight" Iroh offers. "Then make haste in the morning"

....

On the porch, Zuko uses his fire-bending to light a porch lantern before he sits cross-legged on the deck of the porch. Content to do nothing right now. Kali exits the house, walks over to him as she adjusts her wrap around her shoulders.

"Can I sit with you?" She asks him, he glances at her and then away again before he nods. She sits beside him, pulling her legs under herself. They both sit there in silence, staring out into the night sky. He's surprised to find that he doesn't feel uncomfortable with her. She actually has a rather soothing presence. He can also feel when her eyes shift to his face. She's studying him. Trying to figure him out. But at least she isn't staring into her lap. She looks away again, drawing her fingers over her leg, to herself, she's mulling over something. "Did they do that?" She voices, breaking the silence, he frowns a little in response.

"Who did what?" He asks.

"The Fire Nation" She answers as she reaches out to touch the scarred side of his face, but Zuko grabs her hand without looking before she reaches his face. "It's okay" She flexes her fingers and he releases her hand, she pulls it back. "They hurt me, too" She raises the part of her dress covering her right leg to reveal a fire-bending scar. She didn't have time to heal it when it happened. She and Raya were fleeing from the fire and the fire-benders after they'd torched the brothel. By the time they stopped, it was too late to fix. Zuko appears shocked, she shrugs a little and covers the scar again. Zuko lifts his eyes to her face as she hangs her head down, staring down at her lap as she traces the edge of her gauntlet. He knows she doesn't just mean that one physical scar. She told them. That they came and burnt down her home. Her 'sisters'. Raya's life. His people did that to her. She clears her throat and stands, wanting to flee this. To flee him. He stops her, wrapping his fingers around her wrist, ignoring the cold bite of the gauntlets. She looks at him.

"Sit" He whispers and nods to where she had been perched at his side. The two of them share a look before she nods. He releases her and allows her to sit at his side.

Chapter Text

Zuko can't sleep between the current situation and everything that's happened recently, and within the last three years, weighing heavily on him. The betrayal, by his own family no less. The anger in him. The uncertainty of his future. He lets out a breath, trying to calm himself down enough to get some sleep, he then turns over, pulling his blanket closer to him. From here, he can see Kali in her bed, she seems to be having as much trouble as he is sleeping. She's shaking, shivering. She's cold. He realises. And even with his fire-bending, he can feel the chill in the air. He glances at his uncle who lays snoring against the far wall. Zuko stands from the bed and drags his blanket over to where she is laying.

"What are you..?" She asks him, alarmed when he touches her arm and moves her slightly, trying to make space on the cot for the two of them. "If that's what you wanted all you had to do was say" She argues. He frowns at her.

"What?" He asks, she looks up at him, all wide-eyed and he suddenly realises what she meant. "No" He pushes himself away from her. "You were cold" He argues quickly. Trying to defend himself.

"Oh," She whispers and then nods. "Yes," She doesn't seem bothered by the thought that he might be propositioning her. Perhaps he was being a little naïve in regards to what she did. She's a slave. And old enough to be with men. He didn't think about it. But he should have considered it. Her eyes flicker around his face before she moves, shifting to make space next to her. He looks away and then closes his eyes. He didn't really want to make a fuss out of helping her. He assumed she was asleep. But she's awake. And aware that he was trying to be nice to her. He slides into the bed next to her, leaning up a little to adjust his blanket, adding it to the one she was using. An extra layer to keep her warm. He flinches slightly when he notices that she's reaching for his face. But she's not reaching for his scarred side, she's reaching for the cuts he received from Azula in the fight. She presses her fingers to the wounds and he closes his eyes. Feels a warmth flooding through him that erupts from her touch as she heals him, just as she had Iroh. She pulls her hand back and nods before she turns so she's facing the wall, her back to him. He lets out a breath and touches his forehead, but there is nothing there now, it's like it never happened. He looks at her, fighting a soft smile. She didn't have to do that. There was nothing in it for her. He pulls the two blankets around them both before settling against her back, the two of them curled together as he uses his fire-bending to warm the air under the blankets. To keep her warm. He takes a deep breath, trying to get comfortable as he moves. He's not used to being close to another, not in a relationship way, not in physicality. But he's okay with this. With her. Maybe it has something to do with the way she smells. She smells earthy and floral, and if he's honest, he expected nothing less from her. He doesn't know why. He settles in against her but she turns to face him, the two of them staring at one another before she leans closer and curls into his chest. He's surprised by this. By her affection. It's comforting. Nothing more. Just her seeking comfort in him. In the warmth that he's radiating. He lets out a breath, relaxing, before he wraps his arms around her.

........

Zuko wakes as the sun begins to rise but finds that Kali is no longer at his side and from how cold that side of the bed is, she's been gone a while. He frowns and turns, searching the hut room for her but she's not anywhere he can see. His uncle is up and about though, tucking into his breakfast. Zuko raises an eyebrow at him as he sits up, brushing the blankets from him.

"Kali" Iroh offers in way of an answer. "She made breakfast"

"Of course she did" Zuko stands and moves to join his uncle. There is a huge bowl of fresh fruit on the table with nuts and berries mixed in. He takes a seat at the table and then lets out a breath. "Do you think she left?" Zuko asks as he sits. Iroh pauses with a piece of fruit halfway to his lips.

"No" Iroh answers. He doesn't think she left them. She has nowhere to go and no one else to rely on, no one else that she could call friend. They are her family now, at least in Iroh's head. She's just a kid.

"These nature-benders" Zuko starts. "What can they do?"

"Bend nature to their will" Iroh points out, rather obviously. Zuko gives him a look.

"Specifically" He argues and looks away again.

"Plants, animals....the weather" Zuko glances at him. "My grandfather considered them the most dangerous of benders, Zuko, the things they could be capable of, practically limitless....they can summon raging storms, tree soldiers, stampedes of beasts...nature is such a broad concept, but they were peaceful people" Iroh looks rather sad about them being gone. Zuko looks out the window and lets out a breath. Iroh glances at his nephew. "Your sudden concern for her whereabouts have something to you crawling into her bed last night?" Zuko snaps his head around.

"She was cold" He defends himself. "It wasn't like that" Iroh hums a little and then strokes his beard, thinking.

Chapter Text

Zuko stands on the porch, staring out into the trees beyond, he assumes Kali's gone looking for more food, she seems to like doing that, likes being out there. He thinks it has to be a nature-bending thing. He remembers a little about the stories Iroh told him as a child of them, flashes of it but nothing concrete. Not enough to know them. He kind of wishes he paid more attention, had a better memory. Maybe then he would understand better. He turns his head, can hear something from around the side of the house. Someone. He can hear someone. He moves around the side of the house, holding his hand down at his side, ready for a fight if need be, but there is no need. He pauses. Kali's standing there with two ostrich horses who happily play with her hair as she chuckles, trying to pack up the saddlebag on one of their backs.

"Where did you get them?" Zuko asks her as he moves closer.

"They wanted to help" She answers and hugs the nearest ostrich horse's neck with a smile. Something that makes her look so much younger than her usual pained frown. "I accepted" She then looks at Zuko. "It is better than going on foot?" She asks.

"Yeah" Zuko assures her with a nod. The two of them sharing a look. She looks away first, reaching down to pull a roll of fabric from the pile of things at her feet. She holds it out to Zuko who frowns.

"Change" She offers and turns back to the saddlebag. "I have one for your uncle too" Zuko touches the roll of fabric and glances at Kali. She's been busy. He wonders how she found time to do this. How long has she been awake? "You might want to do something with your hair too" She adds, he gives her a look before realising that she's right. And she knows how to live away from authority better than they do. She knows how to lay low and keep herself hidden and small. He reaches up for his ponytail and pulls a face.

.......

Zuko adjusts the new clothing he has on as he leaves the hut, swapped out are the red and blacks for greens and browns. Earth Kingdom colours. Blending in. He touches the knife tucked away in his belt. He knows she's right about their hair, but that doesn't mean he wants to do it. Iroh follows him out in his own changed clothing and looks to where Kali is sat on the ground, the ostrich horses sat with her. Iroh smiles fondly as he watches her feed them from a bundle of apples in her lap. Zuko lets out a breath as he pulls the knife from his belt. He stares at it for a moment. It has to be done. Iroh moves closer to him, understanding what he is going to do, he nods solemnly and turns to Zuko. Zuko brings the knife up behind his head and then clean cuts off his ponytail. He passes the knife to Iroh, who does the same. The two of them dropping the ponytails to the ground. Sort of throwing away their identity. Something nudges his shoulder and he assumes it is Kali. The shove is harder a second time.

"Hey" He goes to scold but finds it's now Kali who's nudging him. It's one of the ostrich horses. He raises an eyebrow at it.

"She's impatient" Kali offers. "She wants you to hurry up" She teases. Zuko lets out a snort and holds up his hand to the animal who presses her head into his hand. He glances at Kali as she stands, handing the last of her apples to the second ostrich horse who happily takes it from her. She's so soft with them. Patient. Something he probably struggles with more than he lets on. The only animals that ever seemed to entertain him were the turtle ducks back home. He looks at the ostrich horse wanting his attention.

"Well, let's get going then" Iroh offers as he moves to the second ostrich horse with Kali. Iroh climbs up onto the back of the second ostrich horse followed by Zuko climbing up onto the second. Zuko then holds out his hand towards Kali and she looks up at him surprised. She assumed she would be riding with Iroh. He seems to be more open to her being around. Though Zuko seems to have softened slightly she doesn't exactly get the vibe that he wants her here with them. She supposes it would be easier for them if she wasn't. One less mouth to feed. One less person to worry about. She takes a deep breath and reaches up, taking Zuko's hand and lets him pull her up onto the back of the ostrich horse. He releases her hand and picks up the reins instead. Kali positions herself behind him on the saddle and curls her arms around him.

"Where are we going, exactly?" Kali voices. Zuko and Iroh share a look because neither of them actually have a plan. She glances between the two of them.

"Urm, just....anywhere" Iroh answers. "For now..." She hums a little and pulls herself closer to Zuko who then shares another look with Iroh, because they both know they are going to have to come up with something. They can't just wander around forever and hope for the best.

Chapter Text

Kali swims through a lake close to where they have set up camp for the night. They've been travelling a while now and it's not very often they get to stop off in places with bathhouses, so they rely on nature, which suits Kali just fine. Zuko and Iroh, being fire-benders, obviously prefer the comfort of warm water, but Kali actually likes the cold water, she likes how refreshing it feels. Zuko sits on the lake edge with a knife in hand, and a dead fish in his other hand. He concentrates on trying to debone and fillet it up. His hair is longer now, not by a lot, but into a nice even brush cut. He's shirtless. There are still some droplets of water dripping from him from his own swim. Whether he likes the cold or not. They all needed a wash after the last few days. He holds up the fish towards where she is swimming and raises an eyebrow, she cocks her head and looks over it.

"Better" She offers. He huffs and drops the poorly gutted fish to the stone he was using as a table. He's never had to look after himself this much before. And he'd reluctantly gone to Kali for help. He had watched her skin and prepare a dead duck for cooking, so he knew that she knew what to do. She's been teaching him. Slowly. It turns out he's a terribly impatient student. And he gets frustrated that he can't do something the right way. He can hear the water moving as he picks up another fish from beside his feet. He is very determined to get it right. Whether to prove to himself that he can do it, or to show her that he can do it. Kali leaves the lake and moves towards him, standing in front of him. He lifts his eyes and almost drops the fish in his hand. She's standing in front of him in nothing more than her underwear. Water dripping down her body. It is something he's noticed with her. That she is less ashamed about being undressed around them. And she is beautiful, he sees that. And he's been seeing it more and more of her. And he's feeling things more and more when he looks at her. He's eighteen, it's not that he hasn't thought about girls. It's not like he hasn't been intimate with someone. Once. It wasn't terrible, but it also wasn't great. He went with that girl because he thought it was what he was supposed to do at that age. Perhaps not the best reason to do so. "You have to be gentler" She comments.

"What?" He asks, snapping out of his thoughts, she gives him a look and then motions to the fish.

"With the knife...softer strokes...." She instructs. "Longer....." She sits with him and picks up another fish to do one herself. Zuko watches as she picks up a knife and just does it. Easily. No overthinking it. He tilts his head slightly.

"You can understand them, right?" Zuko asks, she looks at him and frowns. "The fish?" She then nods. "Other animals?"

"It's part of it, yes" She answers.

"So you know how they feel when you kill them?" He counters, she lets out a breath and nods. "You know what they are thinking....?" She nods again. "Does it ever upset you?" She looks at him.

"No" She answers. And she means it. She can't let it get to her like that. She doesn't think she'd get up in the morning if she did. She's learnt how to filter it better. 

"Never?" He counters, she shrugs a little.

"It did, when I was younger, before I understood...." She corrects herself. "Now, I've learnt how to be gentle about it...I tell them I'm sorry and I always try and find older animals, those that have lived a life....and" She shrugs a little. "I thank them" Zuko leans forward and raises an eyebrow.

"You thank them?" He asks, she hums and nods.

"They are giving their life to give me food, it's the least they deserve" She admits softly as she picks up a little dish from the stone that they are using as a little table. She sniffs at it, trying to work out if it needs anything else added to it. It's just a few mashed up berries. Intended for a sauce to go with the fish that Zuko is butchering and not in the good way. She hums as she tastes it from her fingers. "Here" She smears some of it onto her fingers. "Try this" She holds out her hand to him. He stares at the offered hand and then looks at her. She gives him an encouraging nod and he takes her wrist in his hand before pulling it closer. The jam-like sauce is right there in front of him. He is just about to taste it when they are interrupted.

"Look at this!" Iroh shouts as he leaves the trees. Zuko jumps, surprised, knocking the dead fish into his lap and Kali ends up smearing the sauce all over his cheek.

"Uncle" Zuko scolds as he lets out a breath, calming himself down. Kali chuckles against her knees, highly amused. Zuko gives her an unimpressed look but it is very rare that she gets like this. When she genuinely seems happy with them. Iroh worries a lot that they aren't helping her. That they are just making things worse for her. But when she laughs. And smiles and seems happy. He can feel good about what he did for her. For buying her. For setting her free. Zuko drops the fish back onto the stone and lets out a breath.

"What did you find?" Kali asks and holds out her hand for whatever it is.

"Look at the colour of this stone" Iroh sets a tinted green stone into her palm. She smiles and turns it around. It is beautiful. "I thought it might be a good one to practice earth-bending" Iroh offers. Zuko and Kali both give him a weird and confused look. She's not an earth-bender. Plants and animals are her things.

"Earth-bending?" She asks him and then shakes her head. "No, I don't think I can" She holds out the stone. "I can't do that"

"Stone is part of nature" Iroh takes it from her and turns it around in his hand. "Just as the tree is, just as the fish is, just as the river is...." She pulls a face. "You can try" Iroh offers. "Just try" He holds back the stone. "Just try" He offers softer, motioning with his free arm for her to use a bending move. But that's not how she does it.

"It's not like how you all do it" She admits. "It doesn't work like that" She lets out a breath. "I don't need the flashy" She motions with her hands, almost mocking the other benders. Iroh smirks a little as she takes back the stone. She curls her fingers around the stone and takes a deep breath.

"So how does it work?" Iroh asks her. She lets out the breath and uncurls her fingers.

"It's more about feeling a connection....linking myself..." The stone floats up out of her palm and Zuko leans back watching. "And once I have that connection" She smirks a little and curls her wrist. The stone breaks into hundreds of little pieces. She wiggles her fingers and it reforms into the one stone before she reaches up and catches it out of the air.

"So you can do it" Iroh teases. "Huh, Little Flower?" She smiles up at him and he almost melts, how long since someone looked at him like that? With pride and excitement. Like he's this parental figure imparting wisdom. Zuko doesn't always listen to him. But Kali. It's like a fresh start for him. Someone to care for and look after. Someone that needs it. Someone that has never had someone to look after them the way they need it. His stomach suddenly rumbles and Zuko smirks to himself and shakes his head. Iroh touches his stomach and chuckles. "Any idea how long dinner is going to be?" Iroh asks them, Kali turns a look on Zuko.

"We will have fish when he gets it right" Kali argues and drops a new fish in front of Zuko. He gives her a look.

"Then not for a very long time" Zuko comments and then holds out the fish. "You might as well just do it yourself"

"No, come on" She argues. "What if you have to do this yourself? What if I'm not here to cut up your fish for you?"

"Why?" Zuko is quick to argue. "Where are you going?" She softens a little and shakes her head.

"Nowhere" She answers and he looks down, blushing and fighting a smile. He likes that she doesn't plan on going anywhere. That she wants to stay with them. She takes the fish from him. "I'm not going anywhere" She assures them and smiles up at Iroh who touches her shoulder. 

Chapter Text

Iroh sits by the fire, using the light it gives off to read from a book. It's fascinating but anger-inducing. It's Kali's 'instruction manual', meant to teach her masters how best to utilize her and control her.....punish her. It's basically an instruction manual on how to cause her the most pain. Zuko drops an armful of firewood just away from the camp before he moves to join his uncle. Notes the book in his hand.

"What are you reading?" Zuko asks as he sits next to his uncle in front of the fire. Kali sleeps across from them, all wrapped up in blankets to keep her warm.

"Kali spilt the contents of her bag" Iroh answers, not looking up from the book. "I asked about the book, she gave it to me" Zuko looks at him. "Said it was mine now"

"That doesn't tell me what it is" He argues, Iroh nods in agreement and then lets out a breath, closing the book.

"It's an instruction manual" Iroh admits and holds it out to Zuko. "For Kali..." Zuko frowns and takes the book. "A list of everything she can do, everything she is good at. Keywords that snap her into submission and obedience" Iroh's voice takes on a harder angrier tone. "Punishments that work. Those that don't..." Zuko eyes sadden as he reads through some of the pages. "Even what little family history they know about her...." Iroh adds and then shakes his head. "It was written to tell her masters just how to control her, to hurt her" Zuko clenches his jaw, in his own anger. He isn't naïve enough to think that there weren't some methods that her former masters must have used, but he didn't think they were this. "You shouldn't read that" Iroh takes it from him and then mentally scolds himself for letting Zuko look at it. He didn't need to read that. Zuko glances back at Kali, watching her frown in her sleep. Iroh tilts his head slightly as he watches his nephew. "Admit it" Iroh whispers. "You've grown fond of her too" Zuko snorts and shrugs a little.

"She's not terrible" Zuko offers. Iroh smirks to himself, he knows that they've grown close, as friends, perhaps more than. Zuko perhaps needs a friend. Someone his own age to care about him. To support him. To show him a different path. A different way to be honourable.

.......

With the sun rising beyond the trees, Kali is up and foraging, cheating when she can't naturally find what she needs. Enough to feed the three of them through the day if she can, if not, then enough for breakfast at least.

........

Kali is crouching over a wooden bowl, woven using her powers, she's mixing together pieces of fruit and some nuts together to put breakfast together for them. Zuko sits on the ground nearby, watching her. He barely slept, thinking about that book. About the way, they must have found out those things. How many times she had to be hurt for them to make those discoveries. It makes him angry to think of these slavers hurting a child. Because she was just a child. He reaches up and touches his face. He was just a child too.

"Kali" Iroh starts as he moves towards her. She hums and looks up from the bowl to give him her full attention. Iroh shows her the 'instruction manual' book and she raises an eyebrow as she stands. "Have you ever read it?" He asks her, she shakes her head. He holds out the book to her. "Don't you want to know what's in it?" She reaches for the book before she lets her hand fall at her side, looking away from it and them. It's not like she knows what's in the book. Even if she wanted to. She can't read it. She can't know what it says because she doesn't know how to read it. "You can't read" Iroh realises. She clenches her jaw and closes her eyes. "Of course" He whispers. She was a slave for the majority of her life, no one would have thought to teach her. Wouldn't have thought it was as important as cooking, cleaning, likely sewing skills. Other skills. She glances between the two of them before she flees. She walks away from them, not really wanting to stick around. She feels embarrassed enough as it is about it, let alone being called out on it.

.......

Zuko finds Kali later, sits at her side as she stares out over the lake, she has her arms wrapped around her knees. She's clearly upset about being called out. She's 18, most likely, and she can't read. And she can't write. They weren't deemed important by anyone that owned her. Even Raya. None of them cared enough. She turns her head away from him as tears roll down her cheeks. She's not full-on crying, but her emotions are there, on the edge. Threatening to spill over. Zuko picks up a pebble from the ground.

"I can teach you" He whispers, she turns to look at him.

"What?" She asks him, unsure what she heard.

"I can teach you to read" He elaborates, turning the pebble over in his hand. "You...have attempted to teach me how to cook...so if you want to read...I can teach you" She smirks a little and then leans against his side. He almost stumbles over, surprised by it before he rights himself, dropping the pebble to wrap an arm around her shoulders.

"I want to read," She tells him, he nods and then looks at her. It's warming, doing this for her, offering this to her. She's shown him how to take care of himself, as much as he has taken it in, she's tried. He can do this for her.

"Then I will teach you" He adds. "Maybe you can teach me something else. Something I might actually be able to do" She chuckles and nudges him.

"I will teach you to cook" She counters, firmly. She fully intends to teach him how to cook. To make it through the whole process. The kill. The foraging. All of it. She will get him to do it. He turns to her and she gives him a soft thankful smile. He brushes the remains of her tears from her cheeks.

"You shouldn't cry over what they did" He whispers. "Or didn't do" He adds and pulls his hands back. "Uncle made sure they can't hurt you anymore" She's not sure she believes that. So many have promised her softness but it soon turned sour. It wasn't long till they showed their true colours. Iroh and Zuko have lasted longer than the others. She is starting to believe they are different, but she doesn't want to cave and then they change. It might actually be worse if these two turn out like all the others. She sniffles a little.

"What does it say?" She asks him. "In that book?" Zuko shakes his head. 

"Nothing important" He answers. She doesn't need to know what they wrote in there. She doesn't need to know what they said about her. He stands and then holds out his hand towards her, she takes it and he pulls her up to her feet. He keeps hold of her hand as he leads her back towards their camp.

Chapter Text

There is a shriek that echoes through the trees, but a shriek of laughter as Kali weaves through some trees. Behind her, the two ostrich horses chase after her, but there is no threat. This is fun. Exciting. Entertainment. They were bored and she was bored. There is not much in the way of entertainment out here. Kali presses herself back against the trunk of a tree listening to the animals move, a vine creeps down as she reaches up a hand, the vine secures itself around her arm before it pulls her upwards into the trees just as the two ostrich horses attempt to ambush her. They both look around, frustrated when they find her gone. Kali crouches in the tree, a soft smile on her lips. They've not had much opportunity to have fun. She likes this. She likes fun. She glances back towards camp and then stands, using the trees to head in that direction. 

............

Back at the camp, Zuko frowns as he stands with his uncle in front of the dying fire. They are both staring into the trees though, listening to the ostrich horses. It's not really a noise they've heard from Kali yet. Pure unadulterated joy. She's happy playing with the two of them. Something she probably hasn't really had much freedom to do before.

"What's she doing?" Zuko asks, Iroh smiles at him and then goes back to watching the ostrich horses.

"They were bored" Iroh answers as he opens up his coin purse, thinking about the supplies they are going to need. "Kali offered to play with them..." Iroh makes a noise of disappointment and then closes the coin purse again. "We're out of coin" He admits. "And asking Kali to constantly use her bending to get us food...It doesn't feel right"

"You know that she offers to do that" Zuko argues. "We never asked"

"Still" Iroh counters and sighs. Zuko is suddenly lifted off his feet when a vine wraps around his ankle, hoisting him up into the tree. He lets out a surprised noise which causes Iroh to turn to face him. Kali drops out of the tree above him and lands in a crouch before she straightens up, wearing a smirk. Zuko gives her an unamused look.

"Very funny," He tells her as she chuckles. Iroh smirks at her side. The two of them just watching him dangle there. "Now let me down, Kali" She tilts her head and the vines release him slowly, setting him on his backside before he quickly pushes himself to his feet, brushing soil and dirt from the back of his trousers and robes. 

"There is an Earth Kingdom village down the road....perhaps we can see if we can't ask nicely for some coin" Zuko turns a look on his uncle, understanding perfectly what he is getting at.

"You mean beg?" Zuko asks, scoffing and folding his arms over his chest. It feels so degrading to have to do that. To have to beg for enough coin to buy food. The two ostrich horses suddenly storm the camp, heading straight for Kali who chuckles and allows them to tackle her to the ground, Zuko and Iroh jumping out of the way of them. Zuko finds himself smiling watching her with them. She doesn't care that they're animals. They're just more 'people' to her. Iroh glances at Zuko and strokes at his beard with a sly look.

......

Iroh packs up the saddlebags as Zuko digs through them, to his annoyance. He's looking for a cloak, or a blanket to use as a cloak. They need to do something about Kali's appearance. She stands out way too much. Zuko finds something he can use and turns to Kali as she pulls her bag strap over her head, resting it against her chest. He holds out the cloak and she nods.

"Because I am green" She points out, she knows that. She knows she has to hide herself. Zuko nods and pulls the cloak around her shoulders. "I know" She whispers, but he can read into it. She's not ashamed of the green, it doesn't bother her, it just bothers everyone else. Because she is the last of her people. She stands out too much. She can't just blend in with everyone else. He pulls her hood up, letting his hand linger on her cheek. Even though she has to hide, he does actually like the green. With her red hair and love of nature, obviously, it's rather fitting for her. "It's okay" She assures him as she brings the cloak around her. He drops his hand and then nods. It bothers him though. That she has to hide. They are the ones in exile and she is the one that has to hide. He lets out a breath and turns, pulling himself up onto the back of the ostrich horse, Iroh doing the same to his own. Zuko glances back down at Kali as she adjusts the cloak to be comfortable before she holds up her hand. He wraps his fingers around her arm and helps her up onto the back of the ostrich horse behind him, her arms instantly wrapping around him as she gets comfy against him. Her body is all warm against his back. Hands soft on his chest as she curls the fabric of his clothing between her fingers to hold onto him. He lets out a breath he had no idea that he was holding. There is always something about it, when she is this close to him. Like his heart want to burst out of him. A flutter in his stomach. It's not a bad thing, just something he's not used to feeling. 

"Comfortable?" He asks, she chuckles a little and nods, resting her cheek against his back as she closes her eyes. Zuko smiles to himself, lowering his straw hat down to hide it. 

"You're warm" She offers in way of an answer, he knows she likes that he's warm, it's why some nights he wakes to her curling into his side, usually after the fire has gone out. He lets her though, which says more about their relationship than he thinks. Closed off and hostile to everyone he met, until Kali. That he allows her to be so close to him, screams that he's changing, that she's changing him. 

Chapter Text

Later, in the village, Iroh and Zuko are sitting on straw mats, their ostrich horses behind them with Kali who sits curled up with them, hiding herself as best as she can. Iroh holds his hat in his hand, outstretching it towards the street and the people that pass them by. Zuko's entire body is stiff and on edge, he hates this. Hates everything about this. Well...almost everything. He glances back at Kali as she hums away to herself, a lap full of flowers that she weaves together into some form of a chain. As a cart passes, another pedestrian walks in front of Iroh. Iroh holds his hat out to the pedestrian and speaks to him.

"Spare coins for weary travellers?" Iroh asks. The man throws a few copper coins into Iroh's hat, joining perhaps a dozen already there. Zuko clenches his jaw, his anger rising.

"This is humiliating" He admits. "We're royalty. These people should be giving us whatever we want"

"They will - if you ask nicely" Several more pedestrians pass them, ignoring them. Iroh next solicits a well dressed young woman. "Spare change for a hungry old man?"

"Aww" She produces a coin from her sleeve and puts it in his hat. "Here you go"

"The coin is appreciated, but not as much as your smile," Iroh tells the girl. Zuko turns to look at Kali, can make out the twitch of an amused smile. At least she finds his uncle behaviour entertaining. The girl giggles and walks away. A man carrying a pair of broadswords on his back wanders by in the opposite direction as the girl. He stops and addresses the beggars.

"How about some entertainment in exchange for..." The Broadsword Man holds out a gold coin to the two men. "A gold piece"

"We're not performers" Zuko grumbles.

"Not for you" The man argues, Zuko looks up to find that he's not looking at them, he's looking at Kali behind them. "An hour with your...friend" Zuko clenches his jaw, curling his fingers into his palm. But before he or Iroh can say anything, Kali speaks up behind them.

"Okay," Zuko snaps his head around to her.

"Kali" He goes to stop her as she stands, setting the flower chain, now very much a crown onto the head of the female ostrich horse. Zuko stands as she steps between him and Iroh. She turns to face him.

"It's okay," She tells Zuko who shakes his head. "Trust me," She tells him as he touches the gold collar around her neck. He doesn't like this. The idea of her...doing anything with them, just for a few coins. It's not worth it. It's not worth treating her like that. Her eyes plead with him to just trust her with this. Zuko looks away instead, dropping his hand from her neck. He swallows a little and she sighs, clearly knowing she didn't get him to believe that she knows what she's doing. The Broadsword Man grabs her wrist, tightening his fingers around them before he walks away, dragging her along with him. Zuko keeps his head down as he grinds his teeth together.

"How can you let that happen?" Zuko asks Iroh.

"She is free to accept whatever proposition she may receive" Iroh argues. Zuko paces as Iroh watches him. He's just as concerned about Kali but he trusts her, she's probably been in these situations far more than she'd ever tell them, not that they'd ask. She's used to being treated this way. And it's heartbreaking that that's a thing. But if she chose to go which she is free to do.

......

Kali stands with a coin purse, humming to herself as she counts through it. Against the wall in front of her is the man that bought her company, tied up in vines and gagged with moss and plant life. His eyes are wide as he stares at her, now capable of seeing her face, her hood around her neck. She sets the coin purse in her bag and then she crouches in front of him and cocks her head. Men have had the right to touch her for as long as she can remember. Whether a punch, a kick, a slap....and worse later. They don't have the right anymore. Iroh freed her. He freed her and she doesn't have to let it stand anymore. This felt good. Getting to tie him up. To steal from him. Even if he didn't get to touch her in any way, he thought to, he thought to pay for it. She's not that person anymore. She has friends. She has freedom. Never again. She glares at him before she walks away, hearing him grunting and struggling as she goes. She will release him, just once she's far enough away that he can't get to her.

.........

Zuko has his head in his hands as he tries not to think about what Kali and that man are doing. It makes him feel sick. To think of some man putting hands on her. Touching her. He shoots to his feet before that thought can progress. He takes to pacing again. He can't think about it. Doesn't want to think about it.

"Perhaps we should find somewhere and have some tea" Iroh offers from behind him.

"I don't want tea, Uncle" Zuko argues. Iroh sighs a little. He's just as worried about her. But him reacting and 'flipping' out as Zuko is, won't help either of them. His eyes move past Zuko and land on Kali.

"Ah, there will be no time anyway" Zuko frowns at him. Iroh nods behind Zuko who turns to find Kali heading back towards them, not even half an hour after she left with him. Zuko's eyes scan over her, to check she's okay but there is not a thread out of place on her. She rummages in her bag as she moves closer to them, then holds out the coin purse and drops it into Iroh's hand, he frowns and peers into it. Zuko looks over his uncle's shoulder to see how much there is. A lot more than promised for an hour. Zuko's heart drops into his stomach, his mind trying to fathom what she could have done to earn that.

"And what did you have to do for that much coin?" He snaps a little, she looks at him.

"Nothing" She answers. "But we should leave town, like, right now" She adds, Zuko frowns and gives her a look.

"What did you do?" He asks softer this time, pride flooding through him, he catches her eyes, sees mischief and self-pride in them and he knows. She stood up for herself. The two of them share a look and she shrugs.

"I'm not a slave anymore" She points out, believing it this time. He nods softly, agreeing with her.

"No, you're not" Iroh agrees. "And you are right, we should leave, right now" Iroh adds seeing the Broadsword Man leaving a back alley, pulling the vine ropes from him. Kali gasps a little.

"He got out of that faster than I thought he would" She complains watching as Broadsword Man spits out the moss and glares at the trio. Zuko whistles and the two ostrich horses are instantly on their feet for him. Iroh and Zuko are quick to climb up, Zuko reaching down to pull Kali up into his lap this time, setting her in front and across him, tucking her into his chest as the ostrich horses move, fleeing the man that yells down the street at them.

Chapter Text

They end up in a cave in the middle of nowhere, yet again they are using nature, which Iroh had wanted to avoid so Kali wasn't feeling like it was all on her shoulders. No matter how many times she assures them that she doesn't mind doing it. They will hold up here for a while, just till they are sure the threat of the man with the swords is gone. A few days. Till the coin runs out. Zuko watches Kali sleep, curled up in front of the fire. Iroh sleeps in his own bedroll against the wall. He can't sleep. He can't stop thinking about what that man was planning on doing. He can't get it out of his head. He knows she took his coin, but Zuko doesn't think that's punishment enough. He brushes her hair back from her face, tucking the strands behind her ear before he moves to pull the blanket tighter around her, without him there, she's going to get cold.

"I'll be back soon" He whispers, promising her and himself actually. Just this one thing. Just a little bit of justice.

................

The Broadsword Man is walking down a street alone. He hears something behind him, turns and draws his blades but there is nothing behind him. The street is still silent except for his heavy breathing. His fear creeps in.

"Who's there?" His hands are grabbed each in turn by another man's hands. He is disarmed and thrown against some nearby boxes, his swords useless on the ground. His attacker approaches his swords, he picks them up. The Blue Spirit stands before the Broadsword Man who stares back up at him, he cowers as the Blue Spirit moves forward towards him.

...........

The Blue Spirit climbs over a log, passing a quilled chameleon who snatches up a fly. The Blue Spirit stops at a tree and then looks around before he crouches, pulling off the mask before he places it into the hollow of the trunk. Zuko looks out from around the tree before he moves on.

..........

Zuko moves through the cave, careful not to wake Iroh or Kali as he returns. He reaches into his robes and pulls out a children's book. He thought it would be easier for him to use something meant for younger children to help Kali learn to read. He sets it under her bag before he moves to where his bedroll is set up waiting for him.

........

Zuko later wakes to soft footsteps next to him, they most certainly don't belong to Iroh. He holds out his hand without thinking and Kali takes it, letting him pull her down softly into his bedroll. He does it now without thinking. Letting her join him. Letting her curl into him. He adjusts the blanket around the two of them.

"Did your mother ever sing you to sleep?" She asks him, he hums a little.

"Long time ago" He answers. He does remember his mother singing to him before she left them. He brushes his fingers through her hair. "Did your..." He stops, remembering that she has no memories of her family, so she will have no way of answering that. She shrugs a little against him.

"Sometimes I think I remember" She whispers, he looks at her surprised.

"What?" He asks. She leans up a little, hovering over him, resting on her elbow, fingers touching the hair growing back on his head.

"Sometimes I dream of a woman" She admits. "Singing to me, and it makes me sad...I think she's my mother" She frowns a little, trying to remember her, trying to remember anything but there is no face in her dreams, only a voice, a body, and a warmth. She believes that it's her mother. It feels like it's her mother. Zuko reaches up and brushes tears from her cheek, she sniffles a little and turns her head away from him, her hair hiding her.

"Come stop your crying" He sings quietly. "It will be all right......Just take my hand...Hold it tight" She looks back at him and he gives her a look, nodding to his chest, she lays back down at his side, resting her head on his chest over his heart. "I will protect you from all around you. I will be here. Don't you cry" He threads his fingers through her hair as she closes her eyes. He lost track of the number of times his mother sang that song to him, how many times she caught him crying, because of Azula, because of his own lack of fire-bending. It always made him feel better. Hearing her singing to him. He falls silent, listening to Kali breathing softly, asleep against him. He hums the rest of the lullaby as he strokes his fingers through her hair, trying to get back to sleep himself.

.....

Iroh tilts his head watching Kali and Zuko sleeping, curled around one another. Zuko needs Kali as much as she needs them. He knows that. And if Zuko let himself think about it, he will see it too. She's good for him. Just the presence he needs in his life. To keep him on the right path. Kali needs someone her own age to lean on too. Someone she can trust to have her back. Iroh can be a paternal figure but a friend, she needs Zuko to be her friend. Maybe something more. Someone to show her that not all people are terrible. Iroh glances at the dying fire before he uses fire-bending to refresh it before he hums away to himself, moving back to his bedroll.

Chapter Text

The fire is softer come morning, Zuko finishing up the last of his breakfast. Iroh had wandered off into town for supplies, spending the last of their coins. After this, they'll be back to being poor. Scavenging for scraps. He looks up when Kali walks into the cave, her hair is wet but drying, she's obviously found somewhere close by to take a swim. He'll ask where later. He stops hearing her moving and he sighs a little. She can be quiet when she wants to be, can move silently. He can feel her though. A warmth to her. Despite her being cold a lot, there is a heat that she radiates.

"What?" He asks, not looking up at her, but feeling her eyes on him from close by.

"When are you going to teach me to read?" She asks, he smiles a little and looks at her, finds her standing right at his side. She gives him a look, because he did say he would and it's been weeks now since he mentioned it. She is right to ask him. He tilts his head.

"We can start now, if you want" He offers, she pulls her bag around her side and sits next to him. She then holds up her manual and he shakes his head. "I'm not going to teach you to read that book" He argues, taking it from her and sliding it away from them. He's not going to read those horrible things to her, and he certainly not going to teach her to read those things. "I have a book..." He counters. "A better one" He touches her arm and pulls her closer as he picks up the children's book from his side before holding it out to her. She wrinkles her nose, can see the images and the bright colours. It's clearly meant for children. Little children. She looks at him and he gives her one back as he scoots closer to her, opening the book in her lap. She sighs but she understands. She's starting from scratch. From the beginning. Like a child. Which makes her feel stupid. He sets his leg behind her, tucking his other under himself so he can help her properly. Knees touching one another. He brushes her hair back over her shoulder so he can watch her face. To make sure he's not overly confusing her because she likely won't say so for fear of upsetting him.

.......

Kali takes it back. She doesn't want to learn to read anymore. It's too hard. Too hard. She's never going to get it. She flops back and groans, her head actually hurting. Zuko smirks a little, taking the book from her lap and sets it aside.

"You're doing fine" He assures her as he turns to look down at her. "Who knew you were so impatient?" She opens her eyes to glare at him.

"Maybe I'm not..." He stops her with a look and she pouts a little.

"You know that annoying determined thing you have about teaching me to cook?" He starts, she smirks and nods. "Right well, I will teach you how to read" She huffs a little, now she understands why he finds that annoying. If she sounds like that. He brushes her hair from her forehead and out of her eyes, she wrinkles her nose.

"Did I thank you?" She whispers, he shakes his head. "Thank you, Zuko" She tells him. "You and your uncle...." She doesn't really have the right words to tell them how grateful she is for them, for Iroh buying her, for setting her free, for Zuko to be accepting of her being part of this. He could have argued with Iroh, he could have stomped his foot and made Iroh get rid of her. But he didn't. He let her stay. He showed her kindness. Behind them, Iroh wanders back into the cave. His eyes instantly landing on Kali and Zuko on the ground, close together, staring intently at one another.

"Ah" Iroh offers and Zuko leans away from Kali, turning away a little.

"I'm going for a walk" Zuko pushes himself up and then leaves the cave without looking back. Kali looks down at the book, the alphabet book that he gave her to learn from. She sighs and then pulls her knees to her chest. She's still not sure she can get it.

..........

Later, Iroh sits cross-legged within the cave in front of the fire when Zuko returns carrying a basket of 'goodies'. Loot. He went out as the Blue Spirit again. Opting to change their lifestyle. Living in a cave is one thing, but having to live like animals is another, and if they can spruce it up a little then maybe it won't be so bad. He drops the basket in front of Iroh who raises an eyebrow at it and then at Zuko.

"Where did you get these?" He asks his nephew.

"What does it matter where they came from?" Zuko argues and heads towards his bedroll.

"Hmm..." Iroh opens a box of pastries and takes one to eat it, he smiles as pink goo drips from his mouth. "Mmmm!" Zuko frowns and looks around the cave.

"Where's Kali?" Zuko asks.

"She went for a walk" Iroh answers, mouth still full of food. Zuko glances to the cave entrance and purses his lips. It's dark out there. Iroh glances over the things in the basket that Zuko brought back with him, none of which he could have afforded to buy. They have no coins left. Having spent the last of the change that Kali took from that man. "Looks like you did some serious shopping" Iroh comments as he takes out and inspects a gold teapot in front of him. "But where did you get the money?" Iroh asks, side-eyeing Zuko.

"Do you like your new teapot?" Zuko asks, completely ignoring his uncle's question.

"To be honest with you, the best tea tastes delicious whether it comes in a porcelain pot or a tin cup" Iroh answers. "I know we've had some difficult times lately. We've had to struggle just to get by" Iroh glances at Zuko. "But it's nothing to be ashamed of. There is a simple honour in poverty"

"There's no honour for me without the Avatar" Zuko counters. Iroh looks at him sadly.

"Zuko" Iroh sighs. "Even if you did capture the Avatar, I'm not so sure it would solve our problems. Not now"

"Then there is no hope at all" Zuko snaps a little.

"No, Zuko!" Iroh argues, firmly. "You must never give in to despair. Allow yourself to slip down that road and you surrender to your lowest instincts. In the darkest times, hope is something you give yourself. That is the meaning of inner strength" Zuko looks back at his uncle for a moment, then leaves. He walks away from the cave and decides to go looking for Kali. He can find her, which will kill some time, give him a moment to calm down before returning to the cave.

Chapter Text

There is a rustling of the trees that seems to be leading Zuko through them, he assumes they are leading him to Kali, what other reason would they have to communicate with him. So he follows the directions. Either it means she's in trouble or she wants him to find her. He's hoping for option number two here. He finds her sitting on the ground right in front of the tree that he's been using to hide his Blue Spirit mask which she is holding in her hand. She looks at him and raises an eyebrow. He gives her a look as he moves towards her.

"How did you find that?" He asks, sitting on the ground across from her.

"Trees talk" She answers and looks down at the mask. "Why?" She asks as she sets the mask against her face, covering it.

"Because I can" He answers and holds out his hand towards her for the mask. She tilts her head with the mask not handing it over. "Because it's exciting" He corrects himself.

"Because you are ashamed?"

"No" He argues quickly. But he's not even entirely sure himself why he puts on the mask. He could say that it's so no one sees his face. It could be a way to splinter himself. To actually be someone. To take what they need without paying for it. Because of his mother. Because of a lot of things probably.

"Because you are conflicted?" She continues.

"About what?" He counters. She shrugs.

"I'm just curious," She tells him, he frowns a little. Can feel her eyes on him, as if she's trying to see something in him. Like she is trying to see right down inside of his soul. There is a heat in her gaze too. A warmth. A shift. She likes the mask. Him using it means something to her. If she knows what it is, she doesn't show it. "I've known many men that wear masks" She offers as she pulls it from her face, turning it over to look at the front. "Not actual masks but...." She traces the lines on the face.

"And why do they wear them?" He asks, she pulls a face and lifts her eyes to his face.

"For power" She whispers and scoots closer to him. She holds up the mask and then sets it on his face, searching his eyes. Studying him in it. "But not you" She muses with a little frown, as if she's trying to figure it out. She sets the mask down and touches his face, touching his scar. And he allows it this time. His eyes flicker to her lips as she concentrates on his scar. Her fingers are soft and warm on his jagged scarred skin. He wants to lean closer to her. He wants to kiss her. He's thought about it a couple of times since that man in the village. When he saw her, when he realised what she's not done with that man, when he saw that she'd stood up for herself, he'd wanted to kiss her. And again when he was teaching her, there were moments when she was trying so hard to get it right, when she was concentrating, trying to do it. Moments when they are laying together. Moments when they are curled up. Her eyes flicker up to meet his when he leans closer to her. He brushes his nose over hers, testing the waters, waiting for her to pull away. He's expecting it. But she doesn't. She closes her eyes. Waiting for it. But he hesitates. He pauses. It hits him what he's doing. The line this will cross. His friend. He can't. He can't bring himself to do it. He pulls back from her and she frowns a little, rejection in her eyes. She looks away, clenching her jaw and he feels terrible. It's not that he isn't interested in her that way. She's beautiful and kind. She's shown him more kindness than anyone that wasn't Iroh in a long time. But he can't.

"We should go back," He tells her. "Before Uncle comes looking for us" She nods a little but makes no moves. She just sits there. Zuko stands and moves to set the mask back into the hollow but stops, staring at it. Decides not to leave it in the tree. He starts back towards the cave. "Kali?" He asks, turning to look at her but she's not there. He turns and searches for her but she is definitely gone. He sighs and looks down at the mask in his hand. He screwed up. With Iroh. With Kali. Maybe they would be better off if he wasn't here. Better off without him. Everything he touches turns sour. His family. His exile. His hunt for the Avatar.

......

Back at the cave, Iroh is sat by the fire, cross-legged, waiting for the youth to return. He figured Zuko would go looking for Kali, she always seems to cheer him up. Zuko stands behind him, in the mouth of the cave.

"Uncle, I thought a lot about what you said" Zuko starts. Iroh turns his head towards his nephew to acknowledge him. Pleased that Zuko at least thought about it.

"You did? Good, good"

"It's helped me realize something" Zuko starts, with no malice on his tone, no hesitation. This is something he has to do. "We no longer have anything to gain by travelling together. I need to find my own way" Iroh looks down and slumps slightly in sadness. Zuko nods to himself, this is the right thing to do for him.

"What about Kali?" Iroh asks.

"She'll get over it" Zuko answers and then walks away, leaving the cave behind him. Iroh closes his eyes and sighs.

......

Zuko walks away from the cave, pulling a bag over his shoulder. He takes a deep breath, calming himself, something about the idea of walking away now seems wrong. He was so sure of his choice. So sure of leaving, till Iroh mentioned Kali. Zuko should never have thought about Kali as anything more than a friend. Should never have looked at her like that.

"Wait!" Zuko turns hearing Iroh's voice. He leads over one of the stolen ostrich horses and places the reins in Zuko's hands. They share a look. "She'll be fine" Iroh offers softer. "I'll look after her" Zuko nods and then climbs onto the ostrich horse. Zuko looks back at his uncle once, then shakes the reins and gallops away.

........

Zuko doesn't get far before he realises that he wants to tell Kali himself. He feels like after the day, after everything else, he should be the one to tell her that he's leaving. He finds her easily, again, this time she's sitting on a fallen tree, her knees pulled up to her chest as she stares out at the clearing beyond. Zuko climbs down from the ostrich horse and moves closer to her.

"You're leaving" She states without looking at him.

"Trees tell you that too?" He asks, she shrugs a little and glances at the ostrich horse. "Ah" Zuko realises and then sits next to her. Both of them sit there silent. He didn't want to leave without talking to her about what happened. "About before"

"It's fine" She turns to him and shrugs. "I get it...." He frowns at her. "I'm just some dumb slave girl that can't even read..."

"No" He argues. "No" He shakes his head and looks at her. "You're my friend," He tells her. "And I've never really had a friend before" He admits and looks down. Embarrassed to admit that. "And I don't think you have either" She shakes her head in agreement. She hears him though. Friends. They both need friendship and nothing more complicated. They need each other as they are. "You could come with me" He offers, she looks back towards where Zuko left Iroh, back at the cave. "He freed you" He reminds her. "You don't have to stay with him"

"Then who will look after him?" She asks.

"He's a grown man...He doesn't need you to look after him" Zuko argues. "Me on the other hand" He offers, she smirks a little and looks down.

"Is that the only reason you wish for me to go with you?" She asks him. "Because I feed you?" He threads his fingers with hers at her side.

"No" He assures her. "Because you're my friend and I want you to come with me...." She looks up at him and then shakes her head. He understands that she feels some level of loyalty to Iroh, because he bought her, because he freed her, and he understands why she wants to stay with him.

"I'm not ready" She admits. "I don't....don't want to leave him" His eyes sadden but he knows it's not about him. That her choice is because she is finally getting to make choices on her own, but she's not ready to step out of her comfort zone with Iroh yet. And if he forces her to go with him, she'll just end up hating him for it. He then hugs her tightly and she curls into his chest, breathing him in. He doesn't know how long it's going to be before he sees her again, if he ever does and she knows it too. 

Chapter Text

Iroh is talking to Kali, or more accurately at her. She's not listening. Her eyes are on the trees beyond them. Listening to them talking to her. Things have been quiet since Zuko left. Lonely for her. Iroh is great, he is great to her, but he's older than her, he talks about tea and Pai Sho, which is fine, just not to the extent that he talks about it. She guesses he misses Zuko too, and talking about those things take his mind off of that, but she misses Zuko too. Even if she's not ready to deal with why that upsets her so much.

"Kali?" Iroh pushes, trying to get her attention.

"What?" Kali asks, turning to Iroh who ponders the fire.

"Fire-bending" He answers and then lifts his eyes to her. "Were you listening, Little Flower?"

"Of course I was" She argues, turning to look out at the tree line. Watching. Waiting for Zuko to come back. Every day is the same, even if she doesn't know she is doing it. Iroh stands and moves to sit next to her. They're held up under a plant made shelter whilst it rains, waiting for it to pass before they hit the road again.

"I was thinking that we could try you with some fire-bending moves" He offers as he sets his teapot over the fire.

"I like plants and animals" She argues. "I don't want to learn to do other stuff, I like what I can do. I just...."

"Want to be left alone?" Iroh asks her, she looks away. "I miss him too" She huffs a little. "When all you have are two people in your life, you are bound to form attachments to them, enough that when one goes away...suddenly"

"He was annoying and grumpy and I don't care he's gone" She argues, pulling her arms around her knees. Iroh gives her a look and she closes her eyes, resting her chin on her knees. She's not fooling either of them. "I just...."

"I know" Iroh stops her, assuring her that he knows. He knows she misses him too. But she's not good at dealing with that, because she's never missed anyone before. She's never had anyone to miss before. She doesn't know what to do with herself when she's feeling this way.

"I'm going to take a walk" She stands.

"In the rain?" Iroh asks, she shrugs and then peers up at the clouds before sighing. No. She can't go out in the rain. Not the way it's coming down. She sits down again and pulls her knees back to her chest. Iroh watches her, worried. She barely touched her breakfast, and she is barely sleeping. She's come a long way, physically, since they met, and he's worried she's going to shrink back into that emaciated scared little girl.

........

Iroh looks at the second ostrich horse and then at Kali who stands, staring out over the trees. It's very clear that she hasn't slept again, that she's finding it difficult to sleep without Zuko there. Without that presence. She trusted him to have her back whilst she slept, and it's not that she doesn't trust Iroh, it's just that she trusted Zuko more. She needs that. With her history. He moves to the ostrich horse and touches his neck before he checks the saddlebags, that they have all the supplies that are needed before he takes the reins. She can't stay here with him. It's time that she was really set free. She needs to learn how to make her own choices. Make her own way too. In whichever direction that takes her.

........

Kali lets out a breath as she adjusts her shawl around her to keep her warm, but it's not the same. Iroh approaches her from behind, the ostrich horse following him. Hearing them, Kali turns, frowning at him. They agreed that they weren't going to leave until the morning. Iroh gives her a soft smile and nods.

"What are you doing with him?" She asks him, he hands over the reins to her, and she doesn't need him to tell her what he's thinking. "No" She argues and shakes her head. She can't leave him. She doesn't want to leave him. She's not ready to go out there on her own.

"You're going to have to do it one day," He tells her. "Do you really want to be stuck with me forever?"

"You bought me" She reminds him. He gives her a look.

"Kali" She looks down, her jaw trembling.

"Please, don't make me leave" She pleads.

"Oh, Little Flower" Iroh touches her arms. "I'm not going to make you. You have to make your own choices, and not because you feel you owe me, or that you need to stay with me because I bought you, you're free now, remember?" She nods a little. "If you want to go...go and find him...or stay here....or come with me..." She looks down. "But pick the one you want..." She looks at the reins in his hand before she takes them from him. "I'll go on ahead, on foot...if you join me....then you join me, if not then.....be careful" He nods and gives her an encouraging smile before he picks up his pack and walks away, heading along the path. Kali looks at the ostrich horse who gives her a look back.

.......

Later, the sun setting in the sky, Kali sits alone with the ostrich horse who rests his head on her shoulder, waiting patiently for her to make up her mind. She's torn. She's never had to look after herself before. Not really. Not without having someone else to look after first. Someone to always put in front of her. But now. Now she has to choose. Left. Right. Straight. Back. Alone. Zuko. Iroh. She doesn't know what to do. She doesn't know which way to go. She looks at the ostrich horse and raises an eyebrow.

"What do you think?" She asks him, he makes a noise and nudges her. He misses his little girlfriend who went off with Zuko, so of course, that's his choice. Kali lets out a breath and shakes her head, trying to will a decision out of herself. She can be a scared little girl trapped in her past or she can do something new. Embrace change.

Chapter Text

Zuko has set up camp next to a lake, somewhere quiet, peaceful.....too quiet. The only company he has is the ostrich horse whose mood is about as happy as he is. He assumes that's to do with her being away from the male. But he understands how she feels. Being away from a companion. Even if he and Kali are friends and nothing more. She became a firm fixture in his life, more than he realised she had become. He throws another branch onto the fire and lets out a sigh, rubbing at the bridge of his nose. He's tired. He's hungry. He's lonely. And he can't stop thinking about Kali. The way that she wormed her way in. The way she was just there. Next to him. His friend. He has to keep telling himself that they are friends. That's it. There is nothing else there. Because if he realises that he's already in love with her, then he has to admit that he left her behind, that he walked away from her. A cracking of branches close by draws his attention, sets the hairs on the back of his neck on edge. He turns his head, peering into the trees but sees nothing. There is another crack and he suddenly pulls one of his swords from the ground under his pack as he stands, turning to seek out the source of the sound. The ostrich horse makes a noise behind him and Zuko hisses for her to be quiet. There is another noise and he turns, ready to attack but stops himself. Kali stands there between the trees, giving him a nervous smile. The ostrich horse behind him makes a noise and hurries to Zuko's mount. Kali waves a little at Zuko.

"Found you" She whispers as she returns her grip on the strap of her bag across her chest. He lowers his sword and smiles back at her, relaxing.

"How...?" He asks, voice breaking slightly, touched that she'd come to find him. He clears his throat. "How did you find me?" She shrugs.

"Trees talk" She teases as she moves closer to him. He reaches out for her when she reaches him, touches her hand at her side, threading his fingers with hers.

"Of course they do" He pulls her into a hug, she relaxes against him and closes her eyes, clutching to the back of his robes. He has missed her, more than he will ever tell her. More than he will ever tell himself. He feels like he needed her. She would have been much better at dealing with the things he's been through. All those weeks travelling alone. Being away from her was hard. Excruciating. It was a stupid idea. Going off on his own. He doesn't know what he was thinking. He threads his fingers through her hair and closes his eyes as he presses his head to the side of hers. Comforting himself. Comforting her. She pulls back, touching his robes, rubbing a bit of dirt from them before she smiles brightly up at him, as if a massive weight has been lifted from her. He can't say he hates the way she's looking at him either. Like he matters to her. Like he matters to someone. Suddenly, she grabs to the front of his robes as her eyes become vacant. He pulls her closer to stop her from going over, from her taking him with her, his arm around her waist, curling into her. "Kali?" He asks, he's only seen this happen once and that was before they were friends. Now it's a little more jarring. Worrying. He grabs her face with his free hand as her eyes flicker around. "Kali" He whispers, her eyes stop on him and she returns from wherever she goes when this happens. "What is it?"

"Something's coming" She answers. "Big...something big..." She turns her head to look around. "A..." She frowns trying to find the right word to describe what she saw. "A weapon...I think"

"Is it coming this way?" He asks, she shakes her head.

"No, I didn't see it with us...I just saw it...on a road, moving....." He brushes his thumb across her cheek as she struggles to understand what she saw. To try and get a better understanding of it, to better explain what it is. She wrinkles her nose and shakes her head. She can't explain it, she's never seen anything like that before.

"If it's not going to affect us, then it doesn't matter" He assures her. She hums a little and leans back into his chest. He smiles to himself, wrapping his arms around her. "Are you staying?" He asks her. "Or were you just checking on me?"

"Staying" She whispers. "If that's okay...."

"If that's what you want" He counters, she grumbles something into his chest and he frowns. "What was that?" She lifts her head and gives him the stink eye.

"You and your uncle..." She complains. "Telling me to do what I want...to...make choices....I...I don't know how to..." She stops and pulls a face.

"Uncle told you to pick, didn't he?" Zuko asks. "Me or him..." She nods. "You chose me" He realises, she nods again. He fights tears, because when was the last time he was anyone's first choice. That she chose him. That she picked him, means a lot actually. Means everything. This is something they have, him and Kali. Something he's never shared with anyone else. This sort of relationship. This sort of friendship.

Chapter Text

Later; Kali and Zuko are both sitting in front of the fire, the sun setting in the distance, the two ostrich horses curled up together close by. Zuko watches the two of them and then turns to Kali as she adjusts the blanket over her legs. Maybe he is a coward too. Maybe he can add that to the list of things that are wrong with him. If he wasn't, maybe he would be able to do what he wants. To pull her closer. To tell her how he really feels about her. To kiss her and hold her. But he doesn't. Maybe that does make him a coward. Maybe he isn't capable of those things. Maybe he doesn't deserve those things. Maybe he doesn't deserve her. Maybe that's why he never had a friend before. She leans into his side and he lets out a breath. All thoughts and doubts erasing from his mind. She is so quick to do things like this. To touch him without thought. He moves an arm to wrap around her shoulder, to pull her closer to him, she smiles and lets out a soft breath as she stares into the fire, processing everything they've talked about. He's told her everything he's been through since he left them. Everything he did. How he ended up out here. How he ended up feeling worse. She frowns a little.

"So you saved that boy," She tells him, he nods. "But they didn't thank you?" She asks, he shrugs a little.

"I.." He stops and sighs. It's not that simple. Not that cut and dry. "They didn't know who I was....and when they found out....it didn't matter what I'd done for them" She tilts her head in question.

"And who are you?" She asks him. He looks at her.

"No one" He answers. "Not anymore" She leans up.

"Who were you?" She counters, he shakes his head. That she doesn't know who he is, he likes that. To her, he is just Zuko. There is no pressure of title, no dishonour or the disgrace of exile. She has no idea. And he doesn't want to tell her. He doesn't want to shatter that naïve and oblivious little bubble she has. That they have. "Who were you?" She repeats. He sighs and looks away from her. She's not going to drop it. He knows that much.

"Fire Prince" He admits, she watches him as he keeps his eyes from her.

"You're the Fire Lord's son?" She asks him, he hums and nods. "Okay," She adds and then shrugs, not really caring. He turns a frown on her.

"That doesn't bother you?" He counters. "You don't hate me now?" She tilts her head in question. "Everyone hates the Fire Nation....you..." He looks at her leg. "You hate them, they hurt you" He points out, touching her leg "That..." He shakes his head. "How can you be okay with this?"

"I should blame you for everything your father has done? Or...ordered to be done?" She asks him. "Would you prefer for me to do that?"

"No" He argues quickly.

"Then don't complain" She points out, he smirks a little and presses his forehead to the side of her head. "Why are you out here then? Why are you not...I don't know, in some palace...with all your shiny things?" She asks with a frown. He pulls back and looks at her as she turns her head to him.

"I was banished" He answers, she pulls a face of confusion. "Long story" He whispers and shakes his head.

"What did you do?" She asks, shifting closer to him till she is practically sitting in his lap. He sighs a little.

"Disrespected my father" He admits. "Showed I was...dishonourable"

"But how?" She counters, he looks at her, she's frowning, adorably frowning at him. She really has no idea how things work outside of her own experiences, and she's been at the bottom of the pyramid for her entire life with not even a glimpse at the top.

"I spoke out of turn, in matters that I had no business talking about," He tells her. "Then I refused to fight my father in an Agni Kai..."

"What did you say that was so terrible?" She continues probing, he clenches his jaw. She's not asking to provoke or annoy him, he knows this, but it is dragging up things he doesn't want to think about let alone talk about. He looks at her, those green eyes of hers just staring up at him.

"Does it matter?" He asks her, she nods.

"Yes, of course, it matters" She defends. "It shows the kind of person you were...are....willing to talk up, to stand up for something...."

"I'm not that person anymore" He argues, she tilts her head and then pushes herself to her knees.

"What did you say?" She repeats, he clenches his jaw as she searches his eyes.

"It doesn't matter, Kali" He stops her with a look, he really doesn't want a reminder of what he did. She nods a little, not ignoring the topic, but at least putting it on the back burner, for now.

"So what were you going to do?" She changes the subject. "On your own....?" He lets out a breath and nods a little. Relieved that she's moving on.

"Capture the Avatar" He starts. "Maybe then I can go home, maybe it will make things right...my father will...restore my title. I will have my honour back" She hums a little, whilst she doesn't understand that whole thing, but she knows it means a lot to him. So she'll help him. If that's what he wants, then as his friend she'll help him.

"Which way?" She asks, turning her head to look out through the trees, he laughs dryly and shrugs.

"I have no idea" He admits, she chuckles a little and leans closer to him.

"Then you should be glad that I am here" She whispers in his ear before jumping up and moving to the nearest tree. He turns to watch her as she presses her forehead to the trunk. He realises and softens.

"Trees talk" He offers and watches as she smiles, knowing he's caught on. She draws her hands up to touch the tree, closing her eyes to concentrate.

........

A large train-like tank with smoke pouring out of its smokestack moves very fast along a dirt road, it has two large compartments connected to it, trailing behind. All have large treads, digging into the ground deeply, gauging its way along.

.........

Kali pulls back from the tree sharply, Zuko stands and moves to her. To check on her. She shakes her head.

"What happened?" He asks.

"The same thing I saw...it's vibrating through nature" She motions at the trees. "They are in pain" Her voices breaks. Zuko takes her hand and she looks at him. "But they do think it's following the Avatar" He raises an eyebrow and then nods.

"If we find the Avatar, then we find this...thing...then we can stop it" He offers, she sniffles and nods. He looks around the camp, thinking about their next move. They have to get on the road. 

"Zuko?" He hums in acknowledgement. "What's an Avatar?" She asks, he turns to her surprised before he smiles amused. "What?" She defends, he shakes his head and grabs his pack and swords from the ground. "What is it?" He moves back towards her. She raises an eyebrow at him.

"He's...elusive" He answers and brushes her hair over her shoulder. "And annoying.....and my ticket home" She nods a little and then lets out a breath. 

"Okay, so we find him...and you can go home," She tells him, he touches her cheek and nods.

"And you'll come with me?" He asks, she frowns a little. "No more chains, no more...hiding...If I have the Avatar, then I can ask for things....for you to be comfortable...For you to be safe" She doesn't know what to say, it's not something someone's ever promised her before. Safety. Comfort. She doesn't know if she believes it. She wants to, because she trusts him. It's other people she doesn't trust. He can mean it, but if his father doesn't. Then she will never have those things.

Chapter Text

Zuko and Kali ride the ostrich horses along the road, next to huge tracks that have been marked and dug into the road by the tank-like vehicle. They come to a stop and Zuko jumps down from the ostrich horse's back, moving closer to the tracks. Something very large passed through here. She wasn't kidding about its size. Kali joins him, touching his shoulder before she passes him. He stands to watch her as she steps into the tracks. She takes a deep breath and kneels on the ground. She leans forward and draws her hands into the soil, closing her eyes as she concentrates. Reading the environment around her. Listening to the trees and the plants.

"Angry girl" She whispers and pulls her hands back.

"Azula" He corrects, she nods, Zuko helps her up to her feet.

"Whatever this was..." She looks down at the tracks. "It was her," Zuko notices a cloud of smoke in the distance as Kali climbs up onto the ostrich horse. He moves to climb onto his own, not taking his eyes off the smoke. It has to be the same thing. It has to be connected. "Come on" Kali offers.

"What?" Zuko looks at her.

"You want to follow it still, don't you?" She asks him, he glances at her, the two of them sharing a look. He nods. "So let's go, come on" She nudges her ostrich horse into a walk and Zuko smiles to himself before he follows her. His smile fades when he realises what this means. It means Azula is now hunting the Avatar, which means that Kali will now be in danger if he goes after him. As gifted as she is with plants and animals, Azula will not hesitate to hurt her if Azula feels it will hurt him. He can't be responsible for Kali getting hurt.

"Kali" She hums and glances over her shoulder at him. "When we find the Avatar..." He starts. "If...Azula is there, then I want you to stay out of sight, I want you to hide"

"What?" She asks him. "No"

"You don't know Azula or how she fights" He argues. "But I know and.....I know you are powerful in your own right too, but she's ruthless and she will hurt you, and I...I can't be worried about you whilst I'm fighting her"

"You worry about me?" She asks him, he nods and then realises, he looks at her to find her smirking at him.

"In a very...friend-like way" He defends. "As friends" She raises an eyebrow.

"As friends" She repeats, but there is mischief and amusement in her eyes. He looks away from her, a blush on his cheeks. "I know that" Zuko frowns and turns back to look at her.

"What?" He asks. Kali lifts her eyes from his ostrich horse.

"She's talking about you" She comments, Zuko's eyes shift to the head of the ostrich horse he is riding.

"What is she saying?" He asks. A little alarmed as he searches his memories, trying to work out if he's subconsciously let anything slip around the ostrich mount, he doesn't think he has. He doesn't think he's shown the animal how he feels about Kali.

"Just that you've missed me" Kali offers, a warm smile on her face before it turns teasing. "As friends" He groans and hangs his head as she chuckles. "Just so you know" She starts. "I missed you too" He lifts his eyes to meet hers.

"As friends?" He asks her, she hums and nods before she shakes her head.

"Maybe more than friends" She whispers, he appears surprised that she's just said that. He didn't think she'd be the one to say it. He wasn't sure she even felt anything like that for him. That it was just who she was. That it was just her personality. But the more he thinks about it, the more he realises that she was never like that with Iroh, just him.

"More than friends?" He counters, she nods. Zuko clenches his teeth, trying not to react, trying not to look too much into it. She might not know what she means. She might not understand the implication of what she's saying. He wants to believe. That maybe she feels the same things that he does for her. That would just be the cherry on the cake, with the Avatar in his sight.

.......

Zuko is crouched over the set of tracks that head off in one direction as Kali stands at a tree, listening. Something about this path, this area bothers her. Something is wrong. Different. She can't put her finger on it though, which is why she is asking the trees to talk to her.

"The tracks go this way" He comments and then stands, moving away. Kali shakes her head.

"No" She stops him, Zuko turns to her. "Not that way"

"But the tracks" He points out, she shakes her head, her hand on the tree.

"They spit up" She relays. "All of them...the flying bison went one way...the Avatar another" She frowns a little. "Then angry girl followed him....without the machine" She plucks something soft from the branches and rubs it between her fingers.

"It's fur" Zuko tells her. "From the bison" She hums in agreement.

"The Avatar is using this" She lets the fur float away on the wind. "To draw out your sister" They share a look, he nods.

"That way then" He points away from the tracks where he can see more clumps of fur. Believing and listening to her. He's seen her connection to nature, he's not about to take it lightly. It's got them this far. 

Chapter Text

Kali is alone now. Just on the outskirts of an abandoned town. Her ostrich horse behind her, pacing. Zuko had gone on ahead. To check the town. But Kali can feel that this is the right place. That this Avatar person is here, as is Azula, and as she promised Zuko, she will be keeping herself hidden and out of the way. She and the ostrich horse share a look and then she shrugs, turning she holds out her hand and a vine erupts from her hand, wrapping around her wrist and then the roof ledge, pulling her up. She wants to at least be able to see what's going on, to make sure Zuko's okay.

........

In the centre of the ghost town, the Avatar, Aang waits patiently, staring at the path as Azula makes her way towards him. Calm and collected but with an underlying intensity.

"Alright, you've caught up with me" Aang states. "Now who are you and what do you want?"

"You mean you haven't guessed?" Azula asks him. "You don't see the family resemblance? Here's a hint" Azula covers half her face with her hand and then imitates Zuko. "I must find the Avatar to restore my honour" Aang looks unimpressed by her attempt at mockery. "It's okay. You can laugh. It's funny."

"So what now?" Aang asks her.

"Now... Now it's over. You're tired and you have no place to go. You can run, but I'll catch you." Aang stands from the ground, ready to face her head-on if need be.

"I'm not running" Aang argues. A cruel smile spreads over Azula's face as the breeze blows a strand of her hair. "Do you really want to fight me?" Suddenly Zuko bursts into the frame from an alley between the Avatar and Azula. He tumbles off the ostrich horse he is riding, and lands in a crouching position.

"Yes," He stands and throws his straw coolie hat away. "I really do"

"Zuko!" Aang states, surprised that he's here.

"I was wondering when you'd show up, Zuzu" Azula counters and Zuko lands a glare in her direction. Aang laughs a little.

"Zuzu?" He asks. Zuko shifts into a fire-bending position, ready for a fight. He faces Azula, but his arms are outstretched both towards her and towards the Avatar on his other side.

"Back off, Azula! He's mine!" Zuko warns her.

"I'm not going anywhere" She counters as she assumes a fire-bending stance. Zuko looks wary, Azula confident, and Aang worried. Zuko's eyes shift from side to side and he scrutinizes his opponents. Kali appears on a roof close by, but not close enough to draw attention, clinging to a corner, trying to stay hidden whilst watching. She holds her breath, waiting to see who makes the first move. It's Azula, she launches a blast of blue fire at Zuko, who blocks with a wall of his own fire. Though he blocks the blast, it does knock him to the ground with a crash. Kali moves but stops herself. She promised to stay out of it, to stay out of sight. Aang freaks out and jumps into the air with his glider. Azula knocks him out of the sky with a wave of blue fire. Aang lands safely, using his staff as a helicopter blade to both break his fall and dissipate the blue fire in his immediate vicinity. Aang rolls over on the ground to get up, but Azula lands near him after jumping off a nearby roof. He avoids her, gets up with his staff. Zuko has gotten back up and is firing blasts at Azula in the background. Aang is between them now. Azula launches blast after blast of blue fire at Aang, but he dodges and runs around her. The three of them trade bending blasts. None land. Azula chases Aang into the upper floor of a burned building. When the Princess enters, her expression turns to alarm, there is no floor and the drop is sheer to the bottom. Aang is on the opposite from the door sitting on an air scooter. Azula leans precipitously over the edge on the side with the door, her arms flapping comically. Aang smiles and waves at her. Azula almost falls in, but recovers and manages to regain stability standing on a ledge next to the doorframe. Right after she recovers, Zuko runs in and promptly jumps into midair, screaming in surprise. He hits the ground below with a crash. Aang's air scooter is dissipating. Azula fires several shots at him which miss. He dissolves the rest of the scooter, bounds over to her on the ledge and knocks her off. She lands, gracefully and ready for action, next to Zuko who is struggling to get up from where he landed. Aang runs out of the door he originally entered through on the second floor. He runs down to the street level. Suddenly, the side of the building is blown open by a blast of blue fire and Zuko is blown out onto the street. On the roof, Kali's eyes widen.

"Zuko" She whispers and then turns, sliding down the roof. She's held off as long as she can. And he clearly is struggling against Azula and the Avatar. He needs her help. Azula appears on the street and starts firing blasts at Aang. He dodges each, jumping up between the walls of a nearby alley, in effect scaling the buildings. As he reaches the top of the building on the left, Azula slices a triangular piece of it off with a blast of fire. The piece of the building falls out from under him, but he catches on to the remainder of the building. Azula repeats the process and this time Aang is unable to recover. He falls into the building beneath a heap of rubble. Aang looks up from the rubble in which he is entombed inside the building. Azula enters and lights the rubble around the room on fire. Aang tries to free himself from being trapped underneath a large beam, but fails. Azula walks forward with a cruel smile, she assumes a bending stance. Over her shoulder, Katara enters the doorway in the background. Azula is hunched forward in a fire-bending stance, her right hand raised to strike. Suddenly, a water whip grabs her by the hand poised to strike and yanks her backwards. Aang appears shocked as the water whip appears and breaks the wooden beam. Aang smiles and rubs his wrist.

"Katara!" Aang cheers. Azula whips around and fires a few blasts at Katara, who runs. Azula pursues her out of the building. As she passes an alley, Sokka jumps out at her and slices the air with his club, missing the Princess, but breaking her pursuit of his sister. The Avatar, Sokka and Katara now form an arc around Azula and push her back. Zuko still lies on the ground nearby. He wakes up slowly, grasping at the hand holding his.

"Kali?" He asks and she suddenly appears over him, worried eyes staring down, her hand touching his face.

"Get up" She pleads with him, he groans, trying to move but he aches everywhere. Iroh touches her shoulder and looks up at him. The two of them share a look. Kali stands, and pulls Zuko up to his feet, his hand holding to hers. She presses her hand to his chest to stop him from stumbling over. Azula launches herself at Aang, who jumps out of the way. The Princess and the others trade blasts and dance around each other, but it is clear that Azula is outgunned. She is falling backwards in an orderly fashion, when suddenly she is pushed to the ground from behind, revealing Toph.

"I thought you guys could use a little help" Toph comments.

"Thanks," Katara tells her warmly. Azula gets up and starts to run but a vine grabs her ankle and hauls her upwards. Aang spins, looking for the source and finds Kali stood with Iroh and Zuko. Her cloak no longer hiding her green skin and her red hair.

"A nature-bender" Aang whispers, surprised but in awe.

"I thought they were all gone" Katara points out from his side. Kali flicks her fingers and the vine throws Azula away from them, she hits the ground hard and rolls a few times before she comes to a stop. Azula pushes herself to her feet and turns around, finding that Sokka, Aang, Katara, Toph, Zuko, Kali and Iroh are closing in on her, blocking her in, her back is now to the corner of a burnt building. She has no place to go.

"Well, look at this" Azula mocks. "Enemies and traitors all working together. I'm done" She raises her hands in a gesture of surrender. "I know when I'm beaten. You got me. A princess surrenders with honour" Iroh's gaze momentarily shifts from Azula to the lineup of his allies. He sees Toph, a girl with whom he had tea at some point earlier, after Kali left him but before he arrived here. Azula sees that her uncle is distracted. Something flickers past Kali's eyes and she turns to look at Iroh then back at Azula.

"No" Kali whispers. Azula aims a strike at Iroh, lightning crackling at her fingers before it shoots forward. But Kali is suddenly standing in front of Iroh, and takes the hit instead. Striking her square in the chest, throwing her to the ground. Zuko's eyes widen as Iroh tries to reach for her. Zuko's eyes narrow in anger as he turns to face his sister who smirks darkly at him. Suddenly, all four benders then fire at Azula simultaneously and Sokka even throws his boomerang. Azula makes a shield of blue fire, but the combined blows of the forces directed at her cause a tremendous explosion. When the smoke finally clears, Azula is gone. Nearby, Zuko kneels in despair beside his uncle who is checking on Kali. She lies still and quiet, half curled around herself. And Zuko actually fears that she is dead. Around the three of them, grass has grown, replacing the sandy soil and flowers are erupting in full bloom, spreading out to cover the entire town. Aang looks down at the grass now under his feet before he lifts his eyes to Kali. Zuko reaches out and brushes her hair from her face, she groans and he swears he can feel her leaning into his hand, he closes his eyes. Alive. She's alive. Zuko clenches his fist and teeth in anger. The others approach from behind. Zuko turns to address the Avatar's party, pulling Kali closer to him, to protect her from them. Iroh's eyes sadden as they settle on his nephew.

"Get away from us!" He snaps. Iroh touches his shoulder but Zuko's too emotional to be reasoned with. Toph looks watery-eyed, her toes curled into the grass. Katara places one hand over her heart and stretches out the other in a gesture of aid freely offered.

"Zuko, I can help!" Zuko turns and unleashes a wave of fire over their heads.

"Leave!" He growls back at her.

"Zuko" Iroh scolds a little but Zuko shakes his head and lifts Kali up a little so he can settle her in his lap as he stretches his legs out under her. This can't be happening. He should have just told her before. Admitted how he felt. He has no idea if he is going to get the chance now. 

Chapter Text

Zuko sits on the ground of a derelict shack on a hill, across from him, Kali lays, unconscious on a bedroll. Her flowers and vines trying to comfort her, the floor of the cabin covered in a layer of grass and wildflowers, like an indoor meadow. But he doesn't care how beautiful it is. Or how nice it smells. His focus is on Kali. She hasn't woken up since Azula's attack. Not when he and Iroh dragged her up here, not when Iroh checked on her, not in the last two days. Two days. Zuko rests his forehead on his knees and closes his eyes. He's tired. He hasn't slept. He can't till he knows she's going to be okay. Till she wakes up. He snaps his head up when she groans. Twisting slightly in her unconscious state, frowning. Whatever she is dreaming about, it's nothing good. Zuko pushes himself up and moves towards her. He sits behind her, crossing his legs and pulls Kali's head into his lap. He touches her forehead and brushes her hair back from her face. Trying to calm her down. To comfort her.

"Shh" He whispers, moving his hand to her cheek. She grips to the hem of his trousers, whimpering. He moves his hand to her neck and jaw. Brushing his fingers over her skin. She shifts against him as she wakes. He holds his breath, watching her, waiting. Her eyes open to stare up at him. He tries to smile but she still looks like she is in pain, how can be happy about that. "You were unconscious," He tells her as her eyes flicker around, confusion swimming in them. "Azula did this to you" Kali attempts to get up but winces in pain. A bandage covers the left side of her chest and shoulder, she reaches for the bandage, a whimper in her throat. "Kali" Zuko tries to help her but she cringes away. He frowns. He doesn't understand why she reacted like that but he can see that she doesn't want to be touched right now. She cowers against the wall and lets out a soft breath as she gets comfortable. Zuko clears his throat and shuffles away, to give her her space. Iroh enters the shack behind Zuko who turns a look at his uncle, asking for help here, he has no idea how to do the whole bedside manner thing. He doesn't know how to comfort her. Iroh sits on the floor across from Kali who peers through her hair to watch him.

"How are you feeling?" He asks her. She has an arm across herself, touching the bandage on her shoulder. Her eyes flicker down and she pulls a face. In pain. Iroh nods. He knows she is. "It probably feels worse than it is," Iroh tells her. Zuko picks up a steaming cup and hands it to Iroh.

"I...I made tea whilst you were gone" Zuko admits. "I hope I made it the way you like it" Iroh takes a sip from the cup and his eyes widen. He lets out a cry of disgust, but manages to mask it. Zuko holds another cup out to Kali who stares at it before she uses her good arm to take it from him.

"Mmm, good" Iroh takes another drink and grunts, glancing at Kali. "That was very, uh... bracing!" She looks down at her cup, watching the steam rising from it. Zuko hands Iroh another cup and he tosses it out the window when his nephew isn't looking. Kali sets her own cup down without touching it.

"So uncle, I've been thinking" Zuko comments, watching Kali as she cringes and tries to curl around herself. To protect herself. "It's only a matter of time before I run into Azula again" Zuko continues, turning his eyes to his uncle. "I'm going to need to know more advanced fire-bending if I want to stand a chance against her. I know what you're going to say: she's my sister and I should be trying to get along with her"

"No, she's crazy and she needs to go down" Iroh argues. Zuko nods. Iroh grunts as he stands up again. "It's time to resume your training" They share a look, Iroh then lets out a breath and frowns, still feeling that something is off with Kali. He knows she's hurt, but she's very quiet. "Little Flower?" Iroh asks her. "Are you sure you're okay?" She glances between the two of them and frowns, something lost in her eyes.

"Who are you both?" Zuko and Iroh turn to her, alarmed and confused.

.......

Outside of the shack, Iroh and Zuko stand together, out of earshot of Kali, they don't want to talk about this with her listening. She already feels physically in pain, why add to her emotional and mental pain?

"She's still injured" Iroh offers. "Maybe it is taking her a moment for her mind to catch up" Zuko shakes his head and paces. He hates this. Hates all of this. She's hurt, by his sister. She's in pain, because of his family member. And now she has no idea who he is. All that time spent together. Gone. The conversations and moments shared. Just gone. All of it is gone.

"So her memories could come back?" Zuko asks.

"Potentially" Iroh answers, Zuko turns to him. "They also might not" Zuko groans and drops his head back. "I am sure she will fall in love with you all over again"

"That's not..." Zuko goes to argue. Iroh gives him a look and Zuko stops. There is no use arguing with Iroh about this it seems. "That's not what I'm worried about" Zuko finishes as he turns to Iroh. "She was free..." He reminds his uncle. "Not just physically, but she finally felt it....and all that's gone?"

"Maybe" Iroh answers.

"She'll go back to being that person..." Zuko tells him. "Before....before you...." Zuko looks down but Iroh smiles. He's showing that he cares about her, that he cares about something that's not his honour, or the Avatar, or his father. Zuko cares about Kali. Deeply.

"We're still here" Iroh argues. "And I did nothing" He points out. "That person she became, was because you were her friend..." Zuko looks down and scuffs his shoe on the ground. "Because you loved her too" Iroh adds. 

Chapter Text

Kali clutches to her head, fingers in her hair. She has a headache, on top of everything else that hurts. Her shoulder. Her back. Her chest. All of it is on fire. She has no idea what's going on. Everything in her mind is mush. Like boiled broth and her memories are noodles just floating around all tangled together. She can't focus on anything. She can't pick out anything. Jumbled together. She cringes and presses the heel of her hand into her forehead and lets out a harsh breath.

"Kali?" Zuko asks reaching out for her, he touches her good shoulder. She jumps back from him and instantly regrets it. She cries out and curls around her shoulder, biting her tongue to quieten herself. Zuko flops back onto his backside and cringes. He didn't mean to scare her. He didn't mean to hurt her. "I didn't..." He starts but then stops and sighs. He takes a breath and then looks away. "Uncle would like you to join us for some tea," He tells her, she glances at him, confusion still there in her eyes, she still has no idea who he is. He stands and walks away. Leaving her on her own. Her eyes follow him though. There is something about him, but she can't put her finger on it. She lets out a breath and glances down, her eyes skimming over her arms before they snap back. Her gauntlets are gone from her wrists, she turns and looks around the shack, trying to find them. She's not supposed to take them off. Iroh appears in the doorway and she looks at him.

"Raya?" She asks as she pushes herself to her feet.

"No, Raya..." Iroh starts and then sighs. "I bought you from Raya" He offers as he holds out his hand to her. "Remember?" She glances at his hand and then away. Something about that sounds right, but she can't wrap her head around that fact.

"Right" She whispers, just accepting it for now, till she figures this out. "Where are my gauntlets?"

"You took them off" He answers.

"I took them off?" She asks him as she follows him. He hums and nods as he leads her to where Zuko is already sitting in front of a small fire where a teapot sits. "Did you say I could take them off?" Iroh looks at her.

"Yes" He assures her, Zuko gives him a look. He's lying. Kali being free, took them off herself, her own choice. But Iroh knows that right now, she needs to know that everything that is going on is fine and because she was told to do it. If she's gone back to being the person she was before they met then she is looking to be more comfortable following orders from her owner. "Sit" Iroh offers, motioning to the fire. Kali lets out a breath and takes the space opposite Zuko who keeps his eyes from her. He can't look at her right now, not when she's not looking at him with the same eyes. They seem so lifeless now. And he can't look at her. Iroh sits between them both and shakes his head to himself. Stubborn boy isn't going to help her by shutting down."Lightning is a pure expression of fire-bending, without aggression" Iroh explains. Kali frowns a little, not really understanding the conversation, but she keeps quiet. "It is not fueled by rage or emotion the way other fire-bending is. Some call lightning the cold-blooded fire" Iroh takes the tea kettle off the fire and pours it into another pot. He then begins to pour three cups, one for each of them. "It is precise and deadly, like Azula. To perform the technique requires peace of mind" Iroh hands a cup to Zuko.

"I see" Zuko whispers as Iroh hands Kali a cup. "That's why we're drinking tea: To calm the mind" Iroh pauses and then nods.

"Oh yeah, good point! I mean, yes" He agrees and glances at Kali who is smirking down at her tea, amused, which proves that their Kali is in there somewhere. She still finds him amusing at least.

......

Later, Kali is nowhere to be seen as Zuko and Iroh stand on the edge of a hill overlooking the valley with a walled, abandoned city at the bottom. The shack standing behind them.

"There is energy all around us" Iroh informs Zuko. "The energy is both yin and yang; positive energy and negative energy" Iroh holds up one finger on each hand to stand for the two forms of energy. "Only a select few fire-benders can separate these energies. This creates an imbalance. The energy wants to restore balance and in a moment the positive and negative energy come crashing back together" He brings his hands together to illustrate the point. "You provide release and guidance, creating lightning" Iroh holds out a hand, signalling for Zuko to step back. He holds his right hand to his side and with two fingers extended begins to create lightning by rotating his arm in a circular motion around his body. He mimics the motion with his left arm. Zuko watches on, impressed. Iroh brings his two hands together and then lunges forward with his right hand extended and shoots lightning into the distance.

"I'm ready to try it!"

"Remember, once you separate the energy, you do not command it. You are simply its humble guide. Breathe first" Zuko breathes in and closes his eyes. He then begins to mimic the motions that Iroh performed, except that he does not create traces of lightning. Cut to a close up of Iroh for a moment, then back to Zuko. He shouts and shoves his right hand forward, but it merely causes a fiery explosion that shoves him backwards. He falls on his back next to Iroh. Iroh shakes his head slightly.

..........

Kali rests inside the shack, sleeping on the bedroll, just going outside and sitting and having tea was exhausting for her. She tosses and turns, which jars her shoulder, aches, but she doesn't wake. It just sends her subconscious into memory lane, or dark memory lane as it flings dark images at her, trying to remind her what happened to her with Azula. She bolts awake, lightning flickering in her eyes. Sitting upright she curls around herself as she tries to calm down, her heart hammering away in her chest. Whatever that was, wasn't a good memory. It was painful. And recent. She thinks it has something to do with her shoulder and she's right, of course. She pulls open the tie of her dress, letting it droop away from her shoulders, letting it fall down around her waist. Using her good arm she peels away the bandages, pulling them from her. There are marks across her skin, scars. She drops the bandage and raises her hand. She traces the light green markings across her chest, a few shades lighter than the rest of her skin. The scar looks like leaves. Which isn't too bad. It's not ugly. It could definitely be worse. She looks up and lets out a breath, catching sight of Zuko who is standing behind her. She gasps and pulls her dress back across her chest, keeping her head down.

"Are you okay?" Zuko asks her, she nods. He takes a breath and moves towards her, can see the scar on her shoulder. The mark left behind by Azula. He sits behind her, setting his legs on either side of her. "Does it hurt?"

"Not really" She answers as he pulls the back of her dress down to look at the scar on her back. The feathering stretches over her shoulder and down the back of her arm, all the way down to her elbow. "Aches inside" She whispers. He nods a little as he touches it and she leans forward but doesn't flee him. He hates that this happened. Blames himself for it. He was the one that told her to come with him, he is the reason that she found him. He presses his hand to her back, can feel her heart beating through it. He can't get anything right. She got hurt because of him. He won't be able to forgive himself for that. And the memories. If she never gets those back, he'll blame himself for that too.

Chapter Text

Zuko is training again. But it's still not going very well. He just can't get his head around it. Can't get it even once and his patience is wearing thin, if he ever had any, to begin with. He gets blown back by an explosion. He has a frustrated look on his face and clenches his fist. Iroh looks on while leaning against the shack.

"Why can't I do it?" Zuko asks. "Instead of lightning, it keeps exploding in my face! Like everything always does!" Iroh gets up from his spot and walks over to Zuko who pushes himself to his feet.

"I was afraid this might happen. You will not be able to master lightning until you have dealt with the turmoil inside you" Zuko turns to him, an angry look on his face.

"What turmoil?"

"Zuko, you must let go of your feelings of shame if you want your anger to go away," Iroh tells him.

"But I don't feel any shame at all! I'm as proud as ever!" But they both know damn well that that is a big fat lie. Zuko feels shame for a lot of things. And one of them is inside the shack.

"Zuko, pride is not the opposite of shame, but its source. True humility is the only antidote to shame"

"Well... my life has been nothing but humbling lately" Iroh looks to the side.

"I have another idea. I will teach you a fire-bending move that even Azula doesn't know, because I made it up myself!" Iroh offers and points a thumb toward himself, then smirks slightly. Zuko smiles in response. Iroh picks up a stick and then starts drawing something that looks like a tree, with the four elemental symbols on branches, into the dirt between him and Zuko. "Fire is the element of power" Iroh explains. "The people of the Fire Nation have desire and will, and the energy and drive to achieve what they want. Earth is the element of substance. The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring. Air is the element of freedom. The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns and found peace and freedom. Also, they apparently had pretty good senses of humour!" Iroh smiles widely, but Zuko doesn't react. "Water is the element of change. The people of the Water Tribe are capable of adapting to many things. They have a deep sense of community and love that holds them together through anything. And Nature binds them all together. As you know, nature-benders are all about forming a deep connection to the world around them and everything in it. They understand how the natural world around them works and binds the elements together, binds every living being together...Unity and harmony" Iroh glances over at Kali who stands in the doorway of the shack watching them now.

"Why are you telling me these things?" Zuko asks.

"It is important to draw wisdom from many different places" Iroh explains. "If we take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale. Understanding others, the other elements, and the other nations will help you become whole"

"All this four elements talk is sounding like Avatar stuff," Zuko argues with a scoff.

"It is the combination of the four elements in one person that makes the Avatar so powerful" Iroh agrees. "But, it can make you more powerful too" He pokes Zuko's chest with his stick. "You see, the technique I am about to teach you is one I learned by studying the water-benders" Zuko leans closer, looking intrigued.

........

Later, Kali sits in the doorway to the shack, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders as she watches Iroh and Zuko practising water-bending moves together.

"Water-benders deal with the flow of energy. A water-bender lets their defence become their offence, turning their opponents' energy against them. I learned a way to do this with lightning"

"You can teach me to redirect lightning?" Zuko asks him, getting excited at this concept. This will be useful. Iroh nods.

"If you let the energy in your own body flow, the lightning will follow it" Iroh explains as he points with his right arm at an angle into the air and points at it with his other hand. "You must create a pathway from your fingertips up your arm to your shoulder and down into your stomach" He moves his left hand from his arm, to his shoulder, and then to his stomach. "The stomach is the source of energy in your body. It is called the sea of chi. Only in my case, it is more like a vast ocean" He laughs, but Zuko remains stoic. "You direct it up again and out the other arm" Iroh points off into the distance with his left arm. "The stomach detour is critical. You must not let the lightning pass through your heart" Iroh walks up to Zuko and points his fingers at his chest. "Or the damage could be deadly." Zuko glances over Iroh's shoulder to where Kali is. "You may wish to try a physical motion to get a feel for the pathway's flow. Like this" Iroh continues, points to the left with both his arms and Zuko mimics the motion. Iroh then takes his right arm and points it in the other direction. Zuko copies this move as well. Iroh and Zuko then move their left arms to the right and back again. "Now, are you focusing your energy. Can you feel your own chi flowing in, down, up, and out?"

"I think so" Zuko continues to mimic the motions Iroh showed him. Iroh begins to move his arms in waving motions at his sides.

"Come on. You've got to feel the flow" He teases, Kali smiles watching them together.

..........

It's dark, but Zuko and Iroh are still practising the motions. Kali now sleeps against the side of the shack, curled up with her blanket. It's was getting late and she wanted to go to bed but had no energy to actually get up, hence why she ended up asleep. Iroh suddenly stops and stands in front of Zuko.

"Excellent! You've got it!" Iroh tells him. Zuko bows slightly, putting his hands together.

"Great! I'm ready to try it with real lightning!" Zuko tells him, Iroh then gives Zuko a questioning look.

"What, are you crazy? Lightning is very dangerous" Iroh warns him,

"I thought that was the point" Zuko counters. "You teaching me how to protect myself from it, to protect..." Zuko stops himself and glances towards the shake.

"But I'm not going to shoot lightning at you!" Iroh scolds and waves his arms around defensively. He turns away from Zuko and looks at him out of the corner of his eye. "If you are lucky, you will never have to use this technique at all"

"Well, if you won't help me, I'll find my own lightning" Zuko snaps at him as he moves towards the two ostrich horses. Iroh closes his eyes and trembles a little, he knows this is a terrible idea. Zuko climbs onto one of the ostrich horses and then rides away.

"Where is he going?" Kali asks from where she is now awake, her eyes following the ostrich horse as it disappears.

..............

Zuko finds himself standing at the peak of a mountain during a rainstorm, staring up at the dark clouds above him. If he can't control lightning, if he can't get this right, then Azula can hurt him with it, can hurt Kali again, maybe worse. If he can't protect her, then what is the point? He takes a deep breath, his gaze turning into a glare at the sky.

"You've always thrown everything you could at me!" Zuko yells up at the sky. "Well, I can take it! And now I can give it back!" Lightning strikes in the distance. "Come on! Strike me! You've never held back before!" He closes his eyes and a stream of tears begins to flow from his good eye. He raises his arms and shouts before collapsing onto his hands and knees. He closes his eyes and lets out a few shaky breaths. A hand touches his shoulder. He jerks a little in surprise before he turns to look up at whoever it is. Kali stands there and gives him a small smile. Soaked through from the rain. Zuko uses his sleeve to wipe at his face, turning away from her. She kneels in front of him as his jaw trembles, fighting back his emotions. He doesn't want her to see him crying. He doesn't want her to see him as weak.

"Come stop your crying" She sings and he lets out a relieved breath, he knows what that means, that she remembers. If she knows this. She remembers. She remembers him. She touches the scarred side of his face. "It will be all right....." he leans into her hand and reaches out for her. "Just take my hand...Hold it tight" He collapses into her and she holds him in her arms, his arms wrapping around her. "I will protect you from all around you" She sings gently. "I will be here. Don't you cry" She brushes her fingers over the back of his head. He lets out a breath as he brushes his nose over her neck. He then pulls back to really look at her. To make sure he's not just imagined that she sang to him his mother's song. He brushes her wet hair from her face and she looks at him with those eyes, perfectly aware of who he is. He presses his forehead to hers and she closes her eyes.

"I missed you" He admits quietly, but still loud enough for her to hear him over the storm.

"As friends?" She teases, he pulls back and looks at her, shakes his head with a sad chuckle.

"More than friends" He counters and pulls her closer to him, she touches his chest, feeling the wet fabric between her fingers, he touches her cheek, his nose brushing over hers. Right back here. To the moment he pulled away last time. But he's not going to pull away this time. He's not stopping himself. He presses his lips to hers. Kissing her softly. Slowly. Waiting to see what she does. But she kisses him back.

Chapter Text

Zuko leans over Kali, fingers in her hair as she watches him, the two of them are curled up in the shack together on a bedroll, Iroh sleeping against the far wall, snoring away. It's like something clicked in them with that kiss. Like something shifted and settled. Softened. He has her back. Her memories are back. And he finally got to kiss her. That's pretty much a good mood inducer. After the last week, it's welcomed. Even if he fears it won't last. There are still issues. The Avatar. Azula. He can worry about those later. She hums a little, pondering a question about the return of her memories, finding a way to word what happened.

"I don't know" She admits as he draws his fingers through her hair. "It wasn't like a moment that it hit me, I just...I was watching you on the ostrich horse...it was like, I just knew who you were and..." She shakes her head. "It's hard to explain"

"I don't care how it happened" Zuko argues. "I'm just glad that it did" he nudges her nose and she hums in agreement. She lifts her arm, forgetting for a moment that she's still hurt and in pain. She cringes and tries to curl around her arm. Zuko leans back, pulling away knowing that she's in pain and he is going to help her by getting in the way. "Can't you....heal it?" He asks. "Like you did with my head?"

"No, it's too late" She argues as she rubs her arm. "I have to be conscious and I have to get at it straight away...." She scoffs a little. "And I've never healed anything bigger than a stab wound" She sighs. "Lightning is a natural thing, I don't think I would have been able to do it even if I was awake...."

"Natural thing" He points out, she hums and nods.

"What is that thing called?" She asks, thinking. "Oh...Irony?" He snorts a little, brushing her hair back over her shoulder so he can look at her scar.

"This was my fault" He touches the scar on her shoulder. She tilts her head.

"What?" She asks him.

"It's my fault" He repeats, she frowns at him.

"How did you figure that out?" She sets herself closer to him, her leg at his side.

"You were only there because of me..."

"I was there because of me" She argues, he looks at her. "That was the point, right?" She counters as she touches his chest. "That I made that choice myself to follow you, to find you, to stay with you?" He closes his eyes and lets out a breath. "Azula hurt me, and that's on her, but I was with you, I chose you..." He leans forward to press his forehead to hers. "It's not your fault" She assures him softly.

........

Zuko sides on his ostrich horse through a small valley, Kali rides in front of him this time, careful of her arm as she rests against his chest, his arm around her, the other holding to the reins. Her shoulder wouldn't allow for her to sit behind him this time. Plus Zuko rather likes this set-up. And she can't say it's terrible. It's definitely warmer. Iroh rides on the second ostrich horse in front of them, leading the way. Kali cringes a little, clearly in pain and discomfort. The jostling of the ride taking its toll on her back and neck and shoulder. Zuko glances down at her as her fingers tighten into his robes.

"Maybe we should make camp" Zuko voices.

"No, please, don't stop for me" She argues, Zuko watches her concerned, she nods, reassuring him that she's fine, she can do this. But she can't. She's in agony and only a few more steps prove that as she lets out several more pained noises. Zuko pulls the reins of the Ostrich horse, stopping it. Iroh moves to help her down from the ostrich horse. She goes to argue but a look from Zuko stops her. She sighs and lets Iroh help her to her feet. Zuko dismounts behind her as she groans and takes a seat on a large flat rock. Iroh joins her, wanting to check on her injury. It's humiliating. She's just slowing them down at this point. The ostrich horses perk up, pricking their ears, Kali looks at them and then around them. Zuko turns defensive.

What now?" Iroh asks, annoyed. Rough Rhinos streak through the foliage around them. Colonel Mongke's rhino stamps the ground forcefully, breaking the surface crust. Zuko and Iroh both place themselves in front of Kali who curls around her injured side. Colonel Mongke pulls back on the rhino's reins. Zuko continues his defensive posture. Iroh brightens and places a hand on Zuko's shoulder. "Colonel Mongke! What a pleasant surprise!"

"If you're surprised we're here then the Dragon of the West has lost a few steps" Mongke counters, looking down at them sternly. He emphasizes his remarks by making sparks with his bracers. His men ready their weapons.

"You know these guys?" Zuko asks as he holds out his hand behind him, Kali takes it and moves closer to him.

"Sure" Iroh answers. "Colonel Mongke and the Rough Riders are legendary. Each one is a different kind of weapons specialist. They are also a very capable singing group"

"We're not here to give a concert. We're here to apprehend fugitives!" Mongke scolds Iroh.

"Would you like some tea first? I'd love some. How about you, Kachi? I make you as a jasmine man. Am I right?"

"Enough stalling! Round 'em up!" The rhinos seem to have other ideas. Knocking their riders from them before they runoff. One of the riders swings his ball and chain at Iroh. Iroh kicks the ball away. Iroh dodges fire blasts by tumbling along the ground. Zuko keeps Kali behind him, defensive. She watches Iroh dodging blows before she narrows her eyes into a fighting glare. A vine wraps around the rhino riders ankle and lifts him up, flinging him away from them, he shoots through the sky and Iroh waves at him as he goes. An archer shoots a lit arrow at Kali's back as she shifts behind Zuko. Zuko senses the arrow, turns, pushing Kali back, and breaks the arrow apart as it approaches him. Zuko then lets a fire blast loose, which burns a hole in the archer's bow, a hand's width above the archer's hand. The blast passes through the bow and breaks the string. Mongke is seen letting lose fire blast after fire blast at Iroh. Iroh deflects each. Zuko runs up to Mongke, to distract him from Iroh. A brief duel ensues between them. Kali whistles and the two ostrich horses race towards them, Iroh is quick to climb up onto his as Zuko grabs the reins of his own and climbs up, pushing the ostrich horse towards Kai who holds up her good hand, he grabs it and pulls her up with him. The two ostrich horses race them away from the rhino riders.

"It's nice to see old friends" Iroh comments, Zuko turns a look on his uncle.

"Too bad you don't have any old friends that don't want to attack you" He comments.

"Hmm... Old friends that don't want to attack me..." Iroh muses but it is clear that he has come up with no one. Zuko shakes his head and looks down at Kali who sets her head against his head and closes her eyes, clutching at her arm and shoulder. That stop didn't help her injury. Neither did the fight.

Chapter Text

There is a small fire that illuminates a small camp where Iroh, Kali, and Zuko have set up for the night. They had to stop. To rest. To sleep. For Kali to take the pressure off her injury. Zuko sits in front of the fire as Kali dozes against his side, tired but not ready to sleep yet, Zuko watches her though, watching amused as she fights her own subconscious. He moves to pull her closer to him, to settle her between his legs so she can rest against his chest instead. Across from them, Iroh watches them both. Content to see his nephew being that way towards someone he cares about.

"Why don't you get some sleep?" Zuko whispers to Kali as she shifts against him, curling into him, getting comfy.

"No, I don't want to sleep" She complains, Zuko hums a little as he pulls a blanket around her back. "I feel like all I've been doing is sleeping or resting"

"You're still healing" Zuko offers. She sighs and sets her head back into his chest. "I was in bed for weeks whilst my face was healing" She turns a little to look up at him.

"You still haven't told me what happened" She points out as she touches his face, drawing her fingers over his scar.

"I did, actually" He argues, she frowns at him. "Sort of" He corrects, she tilts her head, thinking back to the conversations she's had with him. He draws the side of his little finger down her forehead and along her nose softly as he waits for her to figure it out.

"The Agni Kai?" She asks, he hums and nods. "Your father did this?" He nods again. "Zuko" She whispers. She honestly doesn't know what to say to that. How can she say anything that will matter when his own father marked him this way? What can she say? He shrugs a little, understanding that look in her eyes. He doesn't really know what to say about it either. She draws her palm around his face as he closes his eyes, leaning into her touch. He doesn't want to talk about it, so she won't. She hums a little and he peeks at her. She decides to change the subject. "Did you know that I can modify my own body heat using energy I can take from plants?" She asks him and gives him a look. He frowns and then fully looks at her as she snuggles into his chest.

"So every time you complained about being cold..." He starts, giving her a look. "Every time you climbed into my bedroll....?"

"Was so I could to be close to you" She admits quietly and shrugs. He lets out a small laugh and then sighs.

"You're unbelievable," He tells her, he is a little impressed actually.

"Worked though" She teases, pulling herself closer to him, he hums and looks down at her, eyes softening as she up smiles at him. He wraps his arms around her and rests his chin on the top of her head. He knows what she did. Why she shifted the conversation. She keeps doing that. For him.

.........

The sun blazes over a small village, tiny really with only a handful of small houses made from dry mud, there are no palm trees, or any plant life at all, and a tiny ice spring in the centre of the village which looks like it's seen better days. Kali pulls a face, standing at the gates as Iroh and Zuko tie up the two ostrich horses to a post outside. It feels dead. Like there is nothing in there. She knows there are people. She can see them, but it just feels so lifelike. Zuko threads his fingers with hers and leads her on. She's having to hide again. Covering herself from view and he hates it. She's beautiful and she shouldn't have to hide who she is. Or what she is. She should be able to be proud of her nature-bending and her connection to nature. She shifts closer to Zuko, curling her hand around his arm. Iroh leads the two of them towards a building that appears to be some kind of bar.

......

Inside, at a table, Iroh, Zuko and Kali sit, watching the patrons of the bar go about their day, drinking, talking. Kali keeps herself as covered as she can, her eyes scanning around all the people inside. She's not used to so many people. Even with Raya and all the others that came before her. They never let her be around so many people. And for months, it's just been her and Iroh and Zuko. She can feel eyes on her, even if they aren't actually on her. Zuko glances around the room with a frown on his face.

"No one here is going to help us" Zuko points out. "These people just look like filthy wanderers"

"So do we" Iroh counters, Zuko pulls a face of disagreement. Iroh then points across the room at a bald man sitting at a Pai Sho table. "Ah, this is interesting. I think I've found our friend"

"You brought us here to gamble on Pai Sho?" Zuko asks, giving his uncle an annoyed look.

"I don't think this is a gamble" Iroh argues and gets up, heading to the table. Zuko groans and looks at Kali, she shrugs a little.

"Just let him play a game" She whispers. "I'm tired" His eyes soften a little and then nods. They have been on the road almost non stop the last couple of days, only stopping once to rest. Taking a break to let Iroh play his game doesn't sound so bad. He supposes. He stands and follows his uncle, pausing to check that Kali is following after him too. She is. She takes his hand when she reaches his side and he instantly seems to relax.

"May I have this game?" Iroh asks the Pai Sho player who inclines his head, Iroh takes a seat across the board.

"The guest has the first move" Iroh places the lotus tile in the middle of the board. "I see you favour the white lotus gambit. Not many still cling to the ancient ways"

"Those who do can always find a friend" Iroh counters.

"Then let us play." The old Pai Sho player places another tile on the board. Iroh quickly places another tile as well. Zuko sits down with Kali and they both watch the game as the two men place tile after tile on the board in rapid succession. When they are done, the tiles form the shape of a lotus, with the lotus tile in the centre. "Welcome, brother. The White Lotus opens wide to those who know her secrets"

"What are you old gasbags talking about?" Zuko asks them.

"I always tried to tell you that Pai Sho is more than just a game" Iroh counters, Kali raises an eyebrow in question. "Little Flower?" He asks. "Have you ever played?" She shakes her head.

"No, but when I was a child, one of my...." She pauses and clenches her jaw. "He used to play....and I used to watch" Iroh rolls a tile over his knuckles and clutches it. "But I also know that it's not always about what's in front of you" She and Iroh shares a look, he fights a smirk.

"Smart girl" The Pai Sho player offers, Zuko frowns and looks at his uncle for some explanation. Two men approach the table, Xin Fu and Master Yu.

"It's over!" Xin Fu holds up two wanted posters. "You two fugitives are coming with me!"

"I knew it! You two are wanted criminals with a giant bounty on your heads!" The Pai Sho player yells out.

"I thought you said he would help!" Zuko scolds his uncle. Kali touches his arm.

"He is" Iroh argues. "Just watch"

"You think you're going to capture them and collect all that gold?" The Pai Sho player points out.

"Gold?" Another patron asks and suddenly every set of eyes in the bar are gleaming and looking up. The siren call of gold capturing all their attention. Several of them pull out knives and approach the group around the Pai Sho table. Zuko pushes Kali back, behind him as his eyes flicker around all the weapons.

"Uh... Maybe we shouldn't" Master Yu whispers to his friend. Suddenly two men jump in front of Xin Fu. The earth-bender spins around and delivers a reverse roundhouse kick, bending a rock from the ground which knocks the two men away. Master Yu enters his stance and bends the earth underneath one of the assailants, causing him to sink into the ground up to his neck.

.....

Outside, Zuko, Kali, Iroh and the Pai Sho player slip out of the building unseen, avoiding the conflict.

Chapter Text

Zuko pulls Kali closer to him as they follow Iroh and the Pai Sho playing into another building. The Pai Sho player makes sure that no one is watching before shutting the door. Inside it becomes apparent that the building is a flower shop. Kali makes a noise and smiles widely moving to check out what they have. The Pai Sho player turns to Iroh.

"It is an honour to welcome such a high-ranking member of the Order of the White Lotus," He tells him. "Being a Grand Master, you must know so many secrets" Zuko glances around the flowers.

"Now that you played Pai Sho, are you going to do some flower arranging, or is this club going to offer some real help?" He voices, Iroh gives him an annoyed but patient look.

"You must forgive my nephew" Iroh offers the Pai Sho player. "He is not an initiate and has little appreciation for the cryptic arts." The Pai Sho player knocks on a door in the back. A small window in the middle slides open and a man peeks through.

"Who knocks at the guarded gate?"

"One who has eaten the fruit and tasted its mysteries" Iroh answers. The door is opened and Iroh and the Pai Sho player enter. Zuko attempts to follow them, but the door is shut in his face. Iroh slides open the door's window. "I'm afraid it's members only. Wait out here" Iroh's eyes then flicker to Kali. "Keep an eye on her" Zuko snorts.

"Pretty sure we don't exist right now" Zuko mumbles to himself as Kali indulges in the plants around them. He softens though, seeing her happy, and she is happy, despite everything going on around them, she has flowers to occupy her. Zuko glances around then leans over to a nearby basket of flowers and takes one from it. Something a deep purple. He sniffs it and glances at Kali who stands and moves to another bundle of plants, she pulls her cloak hood down, letting her red hair fall from where it was tucked away. He hates that she has to hide herself away the way she does. Because she's too obvious. She stands out too much. He looks at the flower in her hand before he moves closer to her. She turns to meet him when he reaches her side. He holds out the flower to her and she looks down at it and then at him, she smiles and takes it from him, bringing it up to sniff it.

....

Zuko sleeps against the wall, Kali tucked into his chest, sat across his lap, his arms wrapped around her. They've clearly been there a while waiting on Iroh. The door opens again and Iroh steps out, causing Zuko to wake and look at him, he then gently wakes Kali who groans but does stand. Stretching a little to work out the kink in her shoulder.

"What's going on? Is the club meeting over?" Zuko asks as he pushes himself to his feet.

"Everything is taken care of. We're heading to Ba-Sing-Se" Iroh answers as Kali yawns, brushing her hair back from her face. She looks down and picks up the flower that Zuko gave her.

"Ba-Sing-Se?" Zuko asks. "Why would we go to the Earth Kingdom capital?"

"The city is filled with refugees" The Pai Sho player answers as he joins them. "No one will notice three more"

"We can hide in plain sight there" Iroh adds. "And it's the safest place in the world from the Fire Nation. Even I couldn't break through to the city" Kali shifts closer to him, her eyes on the fabric sling across his chest, because that is new.

"What is that?" Kali asks, pointing at the sling across Iroh's chest. He smiles and pulls it over his head.

"Ah...A gift..for you, Little Flower" Iroh tells her, she softens, touched by the gesture.

"No one's given me a gift before" She admits as she opens up the sling to find some kind of animal inside. Zuko leans away from it, he's never seen anything like that before. Kali loves it though, she pulls the sling over her head and settles the animal against her chest. "And today I got two" Zuko glances at her, finds her watching him softly. He blushes a little and looks away. She turns back to the animal. "What is it?" She asks. Iroh opens his mouth to answer but then stops, he shrugs.

"I have no idea" Zuko and Kali both look at Iroh at this admission. "I've never seen anything like him before...." He glances behind him. "They found him in the desert..." Kali reaches into the sling and touches the little horn on its head.

"His name is Bing" She offers, head tilted as she listens to him.

"Bing?" Zuko asks, she hums and nods.

"That's what he says" She lifts her eyes to meet Zuko's, he lets out a breath.

"Bing" He repeats and nods in agreement. If that's what it's called he can't exactly argue with it, if that is actually what it is telling Kali. The door to the building suddenly opens and a man steps inside, Zuko grabs Kali's arm to pull her back, to push her behind him, to protect her.

"I have the passports for our guests, but there are two men out on the streets looking for them" The man announces, Iroh and Zuko move to the window to peer outside. They watch as Xin Fu and Master Yu hold up wanted posters to anyone that passes them by. Iroh and Zuko turn to each other and give each other questioning looks. They are suddenly yanked backwards by vines.

....

Two ostrich horses pull a cart that travels out of the village, traversing over the sand dunes. Hidden beneath a straw hat and wearing a cloak, is Kali who holds the reins to the animals. Bing's sling settled nicely against her chest. The cart behind her is filled with flowers, overflowing with them. Zuko suddenly sits up from within the flowers, glaring slightly before he spits a number of flowers from his mouth, Iroh lays next to him in the flowers but looks a lot more content with it compared to Zuko. Zuko lets out a breath before climbing over the end to sit next to her. She smiles at him and he softens. She's very proud of her plan. So is he, actually. He holds out his hand and she hands over the reins to him, content to let him take them the rest of the way. She looks down at Bing whose eyes blink as it wakes up against her.

Chapter Text

An Earth Kingdom ferry port is the next stop for Zuko, Kali, and Iroh. They need to catch a ferry to Ba Sing Se and this is the only port that is not watched by the Fire Nation. It means that it is their only route. Zuko's eyes are on a cruel-looking Earth kingdom woman that stands at a podium, stamping papers of the refugees seeking their own journey to Ba Sing Se. Zuko pulls Kali closer to him, his arm around her waist as they wait their turn to be seen. Iroh stands in front of them with their passports in hand, ready to go. Each of them is hoping that this is going to work.

"No animals allowed" The woman at the podium scolds the refugee. A guard takes the cat from the refugee and he stares after it as they take it away from him. He lets out a breath and nods. Accepting it. Kali looks down at Bing, worried that he's not going to be able to go with them. She looks at Zuko who seems to sense what is bothering her. But he doesn't know how to help here. He rubs her back, trying to comfort her. To reassure her. Iroh glances back at them both and Zuko gives him a look.

"Bing" He voices.

"Trust me" Iroh comments, Kali nods, she does. More than anyone. The woman stamps a paper and hands it down to the refugee waiting, taking it he bows his head and scampers away.

"Next!" Iroh moves forward to the podium.

"Four tickets for the ferry to Ba Sing Se, please," Iroh asks the woman there.

"Four?" Kali asks Zuko who shrugs a little as they move closer to join him.

"Passport" Iroh hands over their Lotus given passports. "There are only three passports here" The woman argues.

"Yes, but my nephew and his wife" Iroh starts. Zuko clenches his jaw, trying not to send a glare at his uncle. "Just had a baby, and those under six months...." Kali looks down at the sling across her chest and then at Zuko. Iroh is making out that Bing is a baby and right now, he can be easily hidden.

"Very well" The woman states and stamps the papers before handing them down to Iroh who then walks away with Zuko and Kali.

"How did you know that was going to work?" Zuko asks his uncle.

"Even the Fire Nation doesn't demand papers for those under six months old" Iroh counters and shrugs. "Took a chance..." Zuko lets out a breath and reaches down for Kali's hand, threading his fingers together. She lets out a relieved breath that she can keep Bing with her. She's already attached to the creature. He was a gift, from someone she has come to care about. Just like the flower that is now living inside of the book Zuko has been using to teach her to read. These two men have shown her more kindness than anyone has ever shown her. She squeezes Zuko's hand and looks down at her, silently asking if she's okay. But she is. She is more than okay.

.........

On the ship, Iroh and Zuko find space at the railing, the two of them stand together, looking out over the water. Kali sits behind them with a few small children who fuss and coo over Bing and Kali's kind nature. Children seemingly flock to her as she tells them stories to keep their minds occupied and off their hunger and their pain.

"Who would have thought, after all these years, I'd return to the scene of my greatest military disgrace...as a tourist" Iroh comments solemnly as he pulls on a flowered straw hat and then smiles at Zuko at this side.

"Look around, we're not tourists, we're refugees" Zuko argues and then takes a sip from the wooden bowl in his hand. "Ugh!" He spits the contents from his mouth and over the railing. "I'm sick of eating rotten food, sleeping in the dirt... I'm tired of living like this" He glances over at Kali, who seems to take all of this in stride. But he hates that she's living like this too when she should be treated with reverence for who she is and what she is.

"Aren't we all?" A figure close by agrees with Zuko, wearing a sly grin. "My name's Jet and these are my freedom fighters, Smellerbee, and Longshot" Jet steps out toward the rail, his companions behind him.

"Hey" Smellerbee greets as Longshot nods a greeting.

"Hello" Zuko comments, flatly, turning back to look out over the water.

"Here's the deal" Jet starts as he moves closer to Zuko. "I hear the Captain's eating like a king, while us refugees have to feed off his scraps. Doesn't seem fair, does it?"

"What sort of "king" is he eating like?" Iroh inquires.

"The fat, happy kind" Jet answers, Iroh's mouth gapes open, drooling. "You want to help us 'liberate' some food?" Zuko stares down at his bowl of gruel, then gives Kali another glance, considering a moment before hurling the bowl out over the rail.

"I'm in" Zuko offers as he turns to Jet.

"Zuko" Kali whispers, moving to him, she's not sure about this. He turns to her when she touches his arm, a small frown on her face. She doesn't trust this person. This Jet person. "I can feed them, you don't need to do this" She reminds him, he shakes his head. She can't hide her bending here. There are no trees, no bushes, nowhere for her to have gotten fruits and berries and nuts from. He touches her cheek as she peers up at him. He knows she wants to help them. That she can help them. But it's too much risk for her. He leans down and kisses her forehead before pulling back.

Chapter Text

The ferry cruises beneath a moon-lit sky, as a guard walks along the upper deck with a lantern. Zuko stealthily leads Jet and Smellerbee upstairs and around the corner. They pause to look in the kitchen window, then slip around back. Jet forces the lock while Smellerbee keeps watch, then Zuko and Jet burst into the kitchen. Jet sweeps several hanging bird carcasses into a sack. Zuko uses his swords to nimbly stack eight bowls of food together, securing the stack with a ribbon. Both shoulder their sacks and turn to the doorway.

"Guards coming!" Smellerbee warns. The three of them rush to the balcony edge, while below, Longshot fires a line-strung arrow into the railing. Both bundles slide down the line, followed by the three sneak-thieves. The arrow is pulled free just as another lantern-bearing guard walks past.

.....

Jet and his companions pass out the stolen food to thankful refugees including Iroh. Kali watches them cautious though. She doesn't know what it is about him, but she doesn't like him, or them. Zuko touches the small of her back when he appears at her side. She lets out a breath as she turns to look at him. Zuko holds out an apple to Kali who glances at it and then at him. She takes it and gives him a warm smile. Zuko she can trust though. She knows that. She steps closer to him, curling into his chest. He lets out a soft breath and wraps an arm around her, his other brushing her hair back, tucking it under her hood.

....

Sometime later, Kali and Zuko are now sat together with Iroh, Longshot and Smellerbee. An almost peaceful hum has settled over the refugees with their bellies filled with food. Kali lets Zuko pull a blanket around her shoulders, pulling her closer to his side.

"So, Smellerbee, that's an unusual name for a young man" Iroh comments.

"Maybe it's because I'm not a man. I'm a girl!" Smellerbee shoots Iroh a look, rises and walks off.

"Oh, now I see! It's a beautiful name for a lovely girl!" Iroh tries to defend himself, Zuko gives him a look. Iroh shrugs back. Jet then calmly sits down with them.

"From what I heard, people eat like this every night in Ba Sing Se" Jet comments. "I can't wait to set my eyes on that giant wall"

"It is a magnificent sight" Iroh agrees.

"So you've been there before?" Jet asks.

"Once, when I was a different man" Iroh admits whilst he looks away with regret. Jet glances around and then turns back to them.

"I've done some things in my past that I'm not proud of. But that's why I'm going to Ba Sing Se, for a new beginning. A second chance"

"That's very noble of you" Iroh offers. "I believe people can change their lives if they want to. I believe in second chances" Iroh then shares a meaningful look with Zuko, while Jet studies them both. Zuko then looks down at Kali, drawing his fingers under her chin with a soft look. They aren't the only ones that have been given a second chance. She did too.

....

They have very little space to sleep in. All the refugees confined to one area means that they all have to make do with what they are given. But Kai and Zuko end up with their own little patch of ground to sleep on. Zuko curls his arm around her waist and pulls her back towards him. She shifts a little, turning to face him as he props his head up with his hand. His free hand comes away from her waist to trace the line of her cheekbone and jaw before he pushes her hood back from her face. She hides herself all day because she has to, but it just makes him more appreciative when he does actually gets to see her face. He leans closer to her with a sly smirk. She curls her fingers into his robes to pull herself closer to him. He hums and brushes his lips over hers, delving into the kiss with more heat when she kisses him back. He pulls her leg up and around his waist. Drawing that hand around to her back to press her against him. Pressing his hips against hers. Intent being made. He's giving her the chance to pull away. To stop him if she doesn't want to take it further with him. But the way she is grabbing to his robes. The way she is kissing him back with just as much gusto. Her foot hooked over his leg. They've both been waiting for this. But they are then interrupted by Iroh's loud snoring from behind Zuko and it is a reminder that they are not alone. They are sleeping on the deck of a ship filled with refugees. Zuko sighs and presses his forehead to hers. That does put a damper on certain relationship aspects. Never getting to be alone with one another. It means no getting intimate with one another. He doesn't need that. But he would like to. And he believes she wants to as well. To add another level to their blossoming relationship. The more it sinks in. the more he thinks about it. He doesn't want their first time together to be on the deck of some ship. Not on the ground whilst they are camping on the road. It will be in a bed. And they will be safe. He touches her cheek as she pulls her leg back from his waist. He can see that she understands. He kisses her again. Softer this time before he pulls away. She gives him a small sad smile and he nods. He's sure about this. They don't need to go there. Not until they both feel like they want to. Not on some ship deck. She shuffles closer and curls into his side when he turns onto his back, his arm coming around her waist to adjust the blanket and her cloak around her.

Chapter Text

Zuko stands at the prow looking toward the nearing shoreline as the sun rises. He could barely sleep. Trying to work out what's going to be best for Kali once they are in the city. He knows it's going to be hard to keep her hidden around more people. On the road, hidden in caves and in their own little camps, it is just them, she doesn't have to worry about hiding herself. But in the city, they are going to have to figure something out. Jet approaches him from behind.

"You know, as soon as I saw your scar, I knew exactly who you were" Zuko glances warily at Jet who now stands next to him. Trying to work out if he really knows who he is. "You're an outcast, like me" Jet continues. Zuko internally relaxes. "And us outcasts have to stick together. We have to watch each other's backs, because no one else will" Zuko glances at Kali who stretches, Bing hanging off of her shoulders, his huge ears just hanging there. Kali looks over her shoulder and brightens seeing Zuko watching her. Smiling at him.

"I've realized lately, that being on your own isn't always the best path" Zuko admits to Jet who turns and follows his eyes to Kali's cloaked figure. Jet glances at Zuko, knowing that there has to be something going on there with Kali. Why else would she feel the need to hide herself away like that?

......

At the ticket gate, an Earth Kingdom official, a sour, heavyset woman with a large hairy mole above her eyebrow, looks over Iroh, Kali and Zuko's papers dubiously as they stand waiting for approval for entry into the city. Kali is turned into Zuko's chest a little to hide Bing from sight. Just in case.

"So, Mr and Mrs Lee, and Mr.... umm Mushy is it?" The woman asks looking between the three of them. "And baby" Her eyes linger on the sling against Kali's chest.

"It's pronounced Moo-shee" Iroh corrects. The customs woman then looks at him, angrily.

"You telling me how to do my job?" She demands of him. Iroh moves closer to the podium.

"Uh, no no no. But may I just say that you're like a flower in bloom, your beauty intoxicating" Iroh openly tries to charm the woman. Zuko pulls a face behind him as Kali smirks, a soft chuckle leaving her.

"You're pretty easy on the eyes yourself handsome" The customs woman makes a cat-claw gesture. "Raorrr. Welcome to Ba Sing Se" She stamps their papers and pushes them forward, Iroh takes them but Zuko is then at his side, snatching them away.

"I'm gonna forget I saw that," He tells his uncle.

"I'm never going to be able to forget that I saw that" Kali counters as she looks down at Bing. Zuko turns to her, holding out his free hand, Kali takes it without even looking, just knowing that it's there. He pulls her closer and they follow after Iroh as they head past customs and into a sort of train station waiting area.

.........

Kali tucks her knees under herself as she sits with Zuko and Iroh in the large stone train station. People are milling about in groups, families, couples. Refugees and residents alike. Jet approached them and casually sits down on Zuko's other side. Kali wrinkles her nose.

"So, you guys got plans once you're inside the city?" Jet asks them, Zuko glances down at Kali who pulls a face. It is very clear that Kali does not like or trust Jet. He noticed the moment she told him that he didn't have to steal food. She didn't want him around Jet.

"Get your hot tea here! Finest tea in Ba Sing Se!" All four of them look up to see a tea merchant pushing a concession cart in front of them. Iroh's hand instantly reaches up.

"Oh! Jasmine, please" He asks, Kali looks at the older man and smirks a little. The tea peddler pours out a cup of tea and hands it over to Iroh before moving on. Iroh delightedly takes a sip. His eyes widen in shock and he spits it out in disgust. "Blaugh! Ugh. Coldest tea in Ba Sing Se is more like it. What a disgrace!" Jet nudges Zuko.

"Hey, can I talk to you for a second?" Jet gestures for Zuko, who seems to be ignoring the tea episode, to follow him. Zuko rises reluctantly and sighs, walking away with him. Kali draws her arms around her legs, careful of Bing against her chest, her eyes firmly on Zuko and Jet. "You and I have a much better chance of making it in the city if we stick together," Jet tells Zuko who pulls a face at the implications of that statement. "You want to join the Freedom Fighters?" Jet asks Zuko who raises an eyebrow and then glances over at Kali and Iroh sitting together.

"Thanks, but no thanks" Zuko counters, he has no intention of leaving Kali behind, or his uncle. With everything they've been through, walking away would be like spitting in the face of it all. Jet moves to stand in front of Zuko, cutting him off.

"Come on, we made a great team looting that Captain's food. Think of all the good we could do for these refugees" Jet pushes but Zuko shakes his head and walks away, heading back over to Kali.

"I said no"

"Have it your way" Jet mumbles looking mildly surprised that Zuko turned him down. Jet then watches as Zuko grasps Kali's face in his hand and kisses her firmly. Reaffirming that he's not going to leave her. Her fingers curl into his robes and he catches sight of green-tinted skin. She's why he won't join them. He then turns his attention to the seated Iroh, who is carefully enjoying the tea now steaming vigorously in his cup. Jet suddenly bristles and his eyes open wide in shock, realizing what he is seeing. Zuko pulls back from Kali and then looks back toward Jet, who now wears a look of hostile suspicion on his face. Jet turns and walks off. Watching Jet leave, Zuko abruptly turns and dashes the cup of tea from his uncle's hand.

"Hey!" Iroh complains.

"What are you doing fire-bending your tea?!" Zuko scolds him. "For a wise old man, that was a pretty stupid move"

"I know you're not supposed to cry over spilled tea, but..." Iroh sniffles and the cup is shown overturned in a puddle. "That's so sad"

Chapter Text

Iroh manages to find them an apartment in the lower ring of the city. It's just a small place, barely enough space for one let alone three of them. But with so many refugees coming into the city, they are lucky they got anything, to be honest. Zuko and Iroh aren't around, out buying supplies with what they have left, just till they come up with something else but Kali rests on the open window, watching people come and go on the street below. She can't leave without a cloak on, and it's too warm for it. Too lonely with it on, even at Zuko's side. With the cloak used to cover her, she doesn't have full use of her sight, restricted to what's in front of her or beneath her feet. It's not exactly ideal or wanted. She doesn't want to be locked away all day. She sighs and lowers her head to rest her chin on her arm.

.........

Zuko walks along the street, heading back towards the apartment. Kali's bag strap across his chest, it's the only bag they have at the minute. None of their travel packs made it out of their encounters on the road. So he's borrowing it to carry shopping. Food isn't something they are desperate for, with Kali's bending they aren't going to starve. So he spent the last of his coin on something for her. She hasn't changed her clothing since they met and he thought she might like or appreciate a second outfit. Something new to wear. He's tried to keep it similar to what she already has and in earthy tones. If she doesn't like it then they will figure something else out. He just wants to erase any reminders of her past with Raya. He might even be able to convince her to remove her collar. Iroh catches up to him from behind, holding a large vase with several orange flowers placed in it, Zuko glances at the flowers and then at his uncle.

"I just want our new place to look nice for Kali" Iroh offers, giving Zuko a small nudge with his elbow. "It wouldn't be so bad for you two...to make a life here"

"This city is a prison. I don't want to make a life here" Zuko argues. This isn't what he wants for her. Not poverty. Not hiding away. She shouldn't have to hide away because she looks different. She should be able to come and go as she pleases. Walk around.

"Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not" Iroh counters and then takes a deep breath. "Now come on, let's get these flowers back...I found us some new jobs, and we start this afternoon...." Zuko glances at his uncle who nods reassuringly at him. Behind them, watching them walk away, is Jet. A glare set onto his face.

"Look at them, fire-benders living right under everyone's nose" Smellerbee and Longshot walk up to Jet from an alley.

"Jet, you saw a man with a hot cup of tea" Smellerbee comments. "It doesn't prove he's a fire-bender. And what if he is, are we supposed to attack them I thought we were starting over here, changing our ways"

"And what about the girl?" Jet counters. "Where is she now? Why was she wearing that cloak? Hiding her face...." Smellerbee frowns a little.

"You think they kidnapped her?" She asks him. Jet shrugs back. It is a possibility he is thinking about. Two fire-benders travelling with a young woman who is covered and hidden. Like they are trying to hide her away. What else is he supposed to think?

"When I get the evidence I need, I'll report them to the police and let them handle it. Ok?" Jet asks them. Smellerbee and Longshot share a look.

..........

Zuko's heart almost gives out when he sees that Kali's sat by the window. Alarms ringing in his head. He pulls off the bag and drops it before he moves towards her. Kali smiles at him in greeting as she pushes herself to her feet.

"You're back" She greets warmly but Zuko grabs her arm and pulls her away from the window.

"You should stay away from the windows" He scolds her, she watches his face before she hangs her head. Scolded.

"Right...Sorry" She whispers and pulls her arm away from him, curling into herself. He realises what he's done. The way he's spoken to her. The way they all likely spoke to her. He never wanted her to see him in that light. Never wanted to be just like them.

"Kali" He starts but she just shakes her head. He didn't mean for it to come out like that. He didn't mean to upset her. He's trying to keep her safe, to protect her. "It's just...what if someone saw you?" He asks her, she sighs and brushes her hair behind her ear before she lowers her hand, staring at it. at how green it is. She's never really thought it was a problem before. She was kept hidden but she never had too much of an issue with being trapped inside. She longed for freedom but never hated that it was because she was green. It was always because she was a slave. But she's not anymore. And she's still trapped inside, this time it is because she is green.

.....

It's a sort of awkward afternoon, with Kali's mood shifting following Zuko's little snap at her regarding the window. He knows what he did. He knows that with her history the tone he took with her was wrong. Iroh tries to keep the mood light, he makes tea and tries to get Kali to talk, but she shut herself off. Now they have to leave for this job that Iroh arranged. And Zuko hates that he's leaving her alone in this mood. He can't bear to think of her being upset and all on her own all afternoon.

"We'll be back later," Zuko tells Kali who sits on the bed, her leg under her as she stares down at her hands. She's been quiet since they got back, not even looking at what Zuko brought back for her. He crouches in front of her and she keeps her eyes away from him. "Kali" He whispers, trying to get her to look at him. He touches her knees, pressing his fingers in, trying to comfort her. He knows the way he went about it was wrong, but he just wants to keep her safe. He knows that's not a bad thing. Iroh stands at the door.

"We don't want to be late on our first day" Iroh teases a little. Zuko glances at him and then back to Kali. He kisses her head and sighs when he pulls away. Still nothing from her. He moves away, joining his uncle at the door. "Let her calm down," Iroh tells Zuko. "She knows you didn't mean it..." Zuko shrugs a little and scratches at his arm as they leave together.

Chapter Text

Jet is leaning against the wall of a tea shop in the lower ring, lingering near a window. His eyes look around, making sure no one is watching him before he turns around, peering in through the window, spotting Zuko and Iroh speaking with the tea shop owner. Zuko appears distracted, how is he supposed to work when Kali is so upset with what he did? He would understand if this changed things between them. If she never wanted him to touch her again. If she wanted to leave them.

"Well, you certainly look like official tea servers," The tea shop owner tells them. "How do you feel?"

"Ridiculous" Zuko comments. He and Iroh are both wearing aprons. Iroh is desperately attempting to tie the string behind his back, but his effort is in vain.

"Uh, Does this possibly come in a larger size?"

"I have extra string in the back. Have some tea while you wait" The owner pours two cups of tea and hands them to his new employees before heading to the back of the shop. Iroh takes a sip from his cup, but quickly pulls it away, his face contorted in disgust.

"Eeow! This tea is nothing more than hot leaf juice!" He complains, Zuko turns to him and frowns.

"Uncle, that's what all tea is" He points out. Iroh turns, alarmed, surprised and disgusted at what he's just been told.

"How can a member of my own family say something so horrible?" Iroh scolds him. "We'll have to make some major changes around here" Iroh grabs the teapot and heads over to the window Jet is spying through. Jet gasps and pulls away just in time and Iroh dumps the tea out the window. Jet slowly stalks around the corner of the shop and leaves.

......

Kali touches the petals of the flowers that Iroh brought home. They're beautiful. She moves to set the vase on the bedside table next to her bed, well her and Zuko's bed. She's not mad at him, not really. Just shocked that it reminded her of them. Of everyone that came before. Shocked at how fast she sunk. How much it affected her. It wasn't Zuko saying that to her in that tone. It was everything that happened inside of her. He was looking out for her. But it scared her too. A lot of things at that moment scared her. If this is her home now, then she is to be stuck inside forever. Stuck in this tiny apartment? Trapped inside these walls. She doesn't want to do that again. She can't go back to that. She is free....so why doesn't she feel it? Not stuck in here. She sighs and brushes her hair over her shoulder, her eyes then landing on the clothing that Zuko got for her. She can try them, wear them, and reassure him that she's not upset at him. She crosses in front of the window, moving to the bag. Unaware that Jet is watching from the roof across the window, capable of seeing all the way in. Kali isn't hiding who she is here. She has no cloak to cover up what she looks like. What she is. And he can see now, the reason she was hiding. He doesn't know what to think now. More convinced that she is a kidnapping victim. Why else would two firebenders be squirrelling away someone so unique? To steal her away. He watches as she moves into the side room before he moves. He needs proof first. And then he can help her.

.......

Iroh and Zuko do return later, the sun has set by the time they close the door behind them. Kali is less enthusiastic about this return home. Zuko sits on the edge of the bed and looks at Kali lying there, a blanket wrapped around her. She's not asleep, but not really interested in contributing to anything. Just wanting to curl up on her own. So she does that. Keeping her back to the room and ignoring both of them. Zuko rests forward on his knees, rubbing at his face with his hands. He's tired. Exhausted even. With the tea shop and what happened with Kali. Iroh moves to the counter in the little cooking area and sets up a teapot.

"Would you like a pot of tea?" Iroh asks, Zuko raises an eyebrow as he lifts his head.

"We've been working in a tea shop all day" He argues. "I'm sick of tea"

"Sick of tea?" Iroh counters. "That's like being sick of breathing!" He then rummages through the cupboard beneath the counter. He then leans up and frowns. "Little Flower, have you seen our spark rocks to heat up the water?" He asks her, she turns to look at him and then to the cupboard. She shrugs a little and then climbs from the bed to help him look. Without her blanket, Zuko can see that she's changed. She's wearing her new clothes. Zuko softens a little watching her. The fitted ruffled brown one-shoulder top, the burnt orange sarong style skirt, with sandals. She looks comfortable. More so than with the last outfit. This is softer. Practical. He picked something good. She looks great. But that collar is still around her neck. She rummages around, looking through where the rocks are supposed to be, but there are no rocks here. She frowns and stands.

"I thought I put them in there" She points out.

"You did" Iroh agrees. "I watched you.... never mind" He comments and touches her arm. "I'll go find some more" He then turns and leaves before either of them can argue. The apartment falls silent as Kali shifts on her feet. Zuko takes a deep breath.

"Kali" Zuko starts, standing from the bed. She keeps her head down, fidgeting with her fingers. He doesn't like this. He doesn't like her being upset with him. He doesn't like her being scared. Of him. Of anything. Iroh then returns with a pair of spark rocks, not giving Zuko a moment to talk with her. He sighs and sits back on the edge of the bed. It will have to wait until Iroh has gone to sleep.

"I borrowed our neighbours, such kind people," Iroh tells them, his eyes flickering between the two of them. Iroh then moves to where Kali is standing at the counter. She holds out her hand and he gives her the spark rocks, setting them into her palm. She clearly needs to do something to occupy herself. She strikes the spark rocks together near the small pile of twigs beneath the teapot. They quickly ignite and a small flame is created.

Chapter Text

Zuko sits on the edge of the bed watching Iroh as he snores away on his own bed across the room. This is the quiet moment he has been waiting for. To talk with Kali. He glances over her shoulder at where she lays with her back to him again and he sighs. He has to put this right. He can't bear the silence. Not from her. He picks up Bing from the bed and sets him on the floor before he lays next to Kali, pulling the blanket around him, to join her. Bing's little footsteps echo slightly as he moves to find somewhere else to sleep. Zuko turns so he's staring at the back of Kali's head.

"Look, what I said earlier..." She keeps her back to him and he dances his fingers down her spine. "I'm trying to protect you" He whispers and then leans closer to kiss her shoulder. He never meant to hurt her, it was never, and will never be his intention. Fear gripped him when he saw her standing at the window. Anyone could have looked up and seen her there. Seen what she is. Azula knows she is with him. One word that there is a nature-bender in Ba Sing Se, she will be right here. His fingers touch her scars. 

"If I wasn't green" She starts. "It would be different" Her voice breaks a little. He closes his eyes and lets out a breath. But he won't lie to her.

"Yes, it would be different" He agrees quietly against her shoulder, nuzzling into her. Begging her to face him so he can talk to her face and not her back.

"I've never felt this way about the way I look before," She tells him as she turns to face him, his arms wrapping around her. "I was always trapped because...I was, because that's what they told me to do...to stay out of sight. I thought it was because..." She touches the collar around her neck. "But now...now I know it wasn't..." Whilst he hates that he does, he understands why they kept her hidden.

"If anyone else finds out about you, about what you can do" He starts, cupping her face gently. He doesn't want to continue that thought. He knows what might happen. He knows what people might do to her. "I don't want to see you in chains again....or worse" She nods a little. He brushes the side of his little finger down her nose and gives her a soft smile. He never wants her to think that there is something wrong with the way she looks.

"If I looked like everyone else...." She whispers, tears gathering in her eyes.

"You don't need to look like everyone else" He stops her. "I think you're beautiful" He assures her. "Just the way you are..." She nods a little but it's stuck in her head now. That doubt. That distaste for her own skin colour. Ba Sing Se is a city too big and too populated to disappear, especially for her. She stands out too much.

......

Kali waits until Zuko is asleep before she moves. Carefully climbing over him to leave the bed. She doesn't want to wake him though. She just needs a moment to herself. Despite being alone all afternoon, she just needs to take a breath. She steps into the little side room, the washroom, closing the door behind her. She turns and uses the strike stones to light the candle in the room. Using it to light it up enough that she can see her reflection in the mirror on the wall. She turns to look at her reflection, staring at her green skin, tilting her head one way and then the other. She lets out a breath and stares into the mirror, before she holds out her hands, they begin to glow green and she closes her eyes. There is a warmth that rolls over her and then nothing. She opens her eyes again to find her reflection is different but the same in a way. It is still her. It is her eyes. Her nose. Her mouth. But her skin is now the same as everyone else's. No green except for her eyes. She smiles and looks down at herself, checking that it's not just the reflection. It's not. She managed to change the pigmentation in her skin. Changing the colour.

"Just like everyone else" She whispers to herself, drawing her fingers over her arms. She could go outside. She could take walks and meet people and not be stuck inside anymore. She looks up at her reflection when that warmth rolls over her again, her skin's gone back to being green. Her eyes sadden. She's not strong enough to keep it up. To keep herself normal. She slides down the wall and closes her eyes, burying her head in her knees as she cries.

.......

On the other side of the door, Zuko sits on the floor listening to her sob, his head pressed back against the door. He's not very good with crying people, more so people he cares about crying. He doesn't know what to say to make it better. He doesn't know how she's feeling about things, he doesn't understand it from her perspective. He just wants her to be happy, and she's not. She's far from it. Ba Sing Se hasn't made things better, it's made them worse. Zuko rests his head onto his knees and lets out a breath. He needs to do something to cheer her up. Find something in the city that she can do, that's going to make her happy.

Chapter Text

Kali sits on the floor of the apartment, humming away as she weaves herself a flower thing, Zuko's watching her work away from where he sits behind her, legs tucked against hers, her back pressed to his chest. Iroh left earlier to give them the morning to themselves, even taking Bing with him. Just to let them have some time to work through Kali's mood from the day before. To cheer her up. She wiggles her feet, watching her new sandals, and smiles softly to herself, but he sees it, he follows her gaze to her feet and smiles himself.

"Do you like them?" He whispers as he plays with her hair. She wiggles her feet again, her new sandals flexing with the movements. She really hasn't ever had shoes before. Usually going around barefoot. For as long as she can remember. Shoes increased the chance of escape, so of course, she was never allowed any.

"I do" She assures him warmly. No trace of her mood from the night before. She smiles and then chuckles, Zuko's own smile growing. At least she is happy about something he's done recently.

"And...the other things?" She hums and nods, drawing her fingers through her skirt fabric. She loves it. Turns out that she loves all of it. That he really thought about her when he picked them out. Thought about the way she moves.

"Thank you" She offers and smiles to herself. "I love them" She admits and touches the fabric of her top.

"Do you want to do some more reading today?" He asks her. "We have some time before I have to...." He stops himself, almost choking on the words. She laughs and pulls away to turn and face him.

"You can't even admit that you have a job, that you have to work...." She teases, he pulls a face. "There is no shame in hard work, Zuko," She tells him fondly. "Hard work shows the true character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all." She teases and pokes his nose. "Which one are you going to do?" He hooks his hands under her knees and pulls her forward so she's almost in his lap, her legs on either side of him.

"If it gets us out of this" He muses and looks around the apartment. "Hole..." She gives him a look. She doesn't think it's that bad. She supposes that is something that differs in their world views. He is used to everything being handed to him. She is used to nothing. "...then I will turn up my sleeves" He answers and nods. "I don't want this for you" He admits, she tilts her head. "This tiny little home...being trapped...being..." He touches her chin. "Sad" She goes to argue but he gives her a look. "I heard you last night..." She looks away from him, taking his hand from her face. He uses his other hand to touch her face. "Please don't hide from me" He whispers, she sniffles and glances at him. "If you're sad...show me you're sad, don't hide when...." He stops himself and closes his eyes, lets out a breath, not really wanting to voice it. "I'm sorry that I snapped at you..." He adds, opening his eyes. "I hate that I hurt you. You know, you deserve everything"

"No...I don't" She argues.

"After all the pain you suffered, all of those years of nothing but...." He gives her a look. "The way that each of them treated you, and yet here you are...." She lifts her eyes to him. "Kali, you are by far the best person I have ever met" He admits.

"I don't know" She counters. "I think your uncle is pretty great" He snorts and then nods in agreement. "I bet your mother was too" She adds, watching him. "She must have been..." He frowns and looks at her. "She did something right with raising you..." He softens and looks away. "Despite Azula being..."

"Psychotic?" He asks with a small smirk.

"I was going to be nicer about it" She admits as she touches his neck. "But yes"

"She was always....twisted" He offers. "Even our mother didn't understand why she was that way, she got worse....after she left"

"Everyone is wired differently, Zuko" She comments. "Maybe losing your mother just...pushed her too far, those wires crossed and snapped something in her...but that doesn't mean she's a bad person" He touches her shoulder and her scar.

"How can you think that?" He whispers. "After she hurt you?"

"She wasn't aiming for me" She argues.

"No, just her own uncle" He counters giving her a look. "I know you want to see something good in her, in everyone" She sighs a little and looks at her fingers, playing with the edge of his robes. "I can see that you do" He adds. "But not her" He argues. "I know her, Kali, I know what she is capable of...." She nods a little as he brushes his hair behind her ear. "This" He moves his fingers to her scar. "Was nothing to her...." He shakes his head. He doesn't like thinking about what could have happened. If that shot of lightning had hit Iroh like Azula meant to, if it had hit Kali in the heart. He leans closer to her and kisses her scar.

"Let's talk about something else" She counters and he pulls back with a questioning look. "Teach me some more," She tells him, reaching for her bag where she knows their little book is. "Whilst I have your attention" He hums in agreement before he smirks.

"You always have my attention" He assures her, pulling her closer to him as she picks up the bag.

"If that's the case, then maybe we skip reading" She starts, he frowns a little. "Well, we finally have this place to ourselves" She muses and lets out a breath. He hums in agreement. "Your uncle won't be back for hours" She coos and pulls herself into his lap, Zuko's hand moving to her waist and around to her back, holding her close to him. "We...have a soft bed..." His eyes search hers. "But if...you want to use this time to teach me to read, then we can do that..." He grabs the bag from her hand and throws it aside. She's not wrong. They have been waiting for this moment. For somewhere comfortable and safe and alone. She smirks a little and presses her forehead to his.

Chapter Text

Kali lays on her stomach in her bed with Zuko who leans up at her side. The blankets rest around her lower back and legs. Zuko's fingers tough the feathered scar from Azul's attack. It's healed but she is going to be forever scarred by it. By his own sister. He leans closer to her, presses his lips to her scar and closes his eyes, his hands on her waist. There is a warmth to her that he likes, he thinks it might be a fire-bending thing. Being around her, it's like he can feel the sun on him, even indoors. He draws his hands upwards, can feel other scars under his fingers. Scars from her history. From her past. He pulls her hair from her shoulder so he can nuzzle into her neck. She is ignoring him, but he's fine with it. She has her book open in front of her as he teaches her to read, when he's not getting distracted. She traces the letters on the page, a little frown on her face.

"Are you stuck?" He asks, she shakes her head. He hums a little and kisses her shoulder as he peers over at her book. The pages are open on a drawing of a woman. But it's not someone with green skin. Like hers. It's a woman that looks like everyone else. He glances at her face. She's feeling self-conscious again. He doesn't understand how she can look at herself and see something wrong. He understands that she does though. He touches her back and closes the book with his other. "Kali" He starts softly.

"I know" She stops him. "I know that you like..." She pulls a face. "I can't help the way I feel when I see...When I watch them from the window and they get to go out and spend time in the sun...walk down the street with the people they...." She sighs and turns onto her back to face him. His hand moves up to cup her cheek. He knows what she wants. She wants to go out there and spend time with him. And he knows that she's not meant to be kept shut away. She's meant to be out there among trees and plants. He needs to do something to cheer her up. To make this more like home. Iroh was right. She's going to need more foliage. He can do that for her. For everything that she's been through.

"I should get you some plants" He comments and glances around. "That's a start"

"A start?" She whispers, he hums and nods.

"To build a home here" He looks back at her. "You and me..." He nudges her nose and smiles softly.

"You would be happy with that?" She asks him, he shrugs.

"I can try to be" He answers. "I mean, maybe not...in the Lower Ring, but...as long as you are here..."

"Stuck in here?"

"I'm trying to figure something out" He defends. "I know you hate it...hate being here..."

"No" She stops him. "I don't hate being here" She draws her hand around his neck. "I hate being stuck in here all the time" She sighs. "Staring at the same four walls....and they are not even that interesting" She teases a little. He leans closer and kisses her.

"I'll figure something out" He whispers against her lips. Promising her that he will find a way. For them to go out and do something. Like real people. Like a real loved up couple. To go out on a real date. Their first date. They should probably have done that before falling into bed together.

"How long do we have?" She asks him, he glances outside at the position of the sun and then back down at her.

"Long enough" He answers, brushing her hair back from her face. He gives her a small smile, trying to be reassuring. But he doesn't know how he can help her. As much as he wants to.

....

Later; Kali sits on the floor with Bing who has his head in her lap as he plays with his ears. Other than Bing, Kali is alone. Iroh and Zuko have left for their afternoon shift at the tea shop. Whilst this morning was nice with Zuko, she's feeling a little abandoned still. She stares in the mirror propped up against the wall across from her. She'd taken it from the little bathroom to sit in the light, to get a better look at her new trick. She takes a deep breath and holds out her hands, they glow green as she concentrates. Trying to redo the trick with her skin. If she can make her skin normal then she won't have to hide anymore. She just has to be able to keep it up. To keep it going long enough that she can go out. A warmth rolls over her skin before she peaks through her lashes to look at her reflection again. The green has gone and she looks beautiful. She smiles at her reflection and brushes her hair over her shoulder. At least that remains red. She loves her hair, which at least hasn't changed. Just her skin that's the issue. Hopefully, that can change now.

She frowns at her reflection as blood trickles from her nose, she's overdoing it. Forcing something that she's probably not meant to do. Her eyes flutter before she passes out, falling back against the floor. Bing stops playing with his ears and looks down at her.

....

Iroh finds a bloodied cloth hidden away in the laundry basket. Hidden away in Kali's old clothing. He glances over at where she sleeps beside Zuko. He assumes it has to be hers. Why would Zuko feel the need to hide something like this in her laundry? But it makes him worried. If she's hiding something like this from them.

Chapter Text

Mornings where Iroh goes out and gives Zuko and Kali time to be with one another. Mornings in which they spend in bed together. It's hard to find time otherwise. Zuko is usually exhausted after working in the afternoons and Iroh is around the rest of the time. So they take those couple of hours on the morning, when it is just the two of them, and Bing, but still. He's happy enough to curl up in his crate bed and sleep for the moment. Zuko watches as Kali moves around the apartment, she wrinkles her nose as she shakes the waterskin, checking to see how much water is left in it, before she heads to the plants. His eyes track her every move. She sets the waterskin on the side and concentrates, she motions with her hand and the water erupts from it. Zuko likes watching her bend. It's so unique, because of the way she was raised. She was raised to be subtle about her abilities, meaning that she learnt to bend using the bare minimum of movements. A flick of her wrist. A wiggle of her fingers. It's incredible. And very likely makes her a more powerful bender. If she ever expanded and used the broader bending moves, which would pull on more power because of the way her bending works, she could unleash a devastating amount of power. Nature is such a broad term. It covers everything. The symbol that Iroh drew in the dirt showed a tree with all of the elements branching from it. It means that Kali has to ability to tap into everything. Everything. Fire. Air. Water. Earth. Plants....his mind absolutely boggles over what she could do if she was motivated or angry enough. And people have put her down her entire life. Kept her weak. He understands why they did it. He does not agree. But he understands. They would want to keep her down, to keep her weak. If she fought back, even from a young age, she could have been dangerous, deadly even. She uses the water to water her plants. Letting it trickle over them. He's been trying to get her to come back to bed for some time now, but he knows that she's arguing for the sake of arguing. To wind him up.

"You do this every morning" He teases as he shifts in the bed. She smirks and shakes her head. Because she knows she does. She leaves him there for a time to tend to her plants and then refuses to come back until he is sufficiently annoyed.

"You just don't like being in there alone" She counters, he pulls a face and then nods. But they both know that her plants don't actually need watering when she can just grow them however she wants with a wave of her hand, she gets up out of bed and takes her time, just to torture him, he's sure of it.

"It's the only time we get to spend together...alone" He reminds her, she pulls her hair over her shoulder and sits on the bed next to him, pulling her leg under her as she peers down at him. It's quiet this morning. Not even a lot of noise coming from outside. He holds out his hand towards her and she smiles, leaning over him, letting him rest his hand on the small of her back, drawing his fingers over her skin softly. He reaches up with his free hand and touches the collar around her neck. "Why do you still wear this thing?" He asks her.

"I don't know" She whispers. He gives her a look. "Maybe...it's a reminder. Maybe because it's the last piece of that part of my history. Maybe I can't bring myself to take it off" She adds as he plays with her hair. Her eyes then drift to the window to stare out of it. "Maybe I still feel like I'm a slave in some ways" He frowns and nudges her so she looks at him.

"In what ways?" She gives him a look and motions around them. "Right," He whispers. He knows that she's sick of being stuck indoors. He knows how she feels. He knows she feels trapped still. "If I knew how to fix it" He starts and she looks back at him.

"I know" She does know. She can see it there in his eyes. He hates how she feels being here. It was so much easier on the road. Living in the trees. But here. She is too unique. If people find out about her and what she can do, they'll try and use her and her powers. He's trying to keep her safe, but it's making her unhappy. He can't seem to get it right.

.........

Later; Iroh is back and wandering around the little apartment as he waits on Zuko to get ready for work. He also wants to take this opportunity to talk to Kali about what he found. Something has to be going on with her. Because he is sure that it is not his blood on that cloth and he would think Zuko would be a bit more vocal about something happening. Kali is the one that will hide if something is wrong. Iroh glances over at where she sits on the bed, her knee pulled up as she fusses over Bing.

"Little Flower" He starts, she hums in acknowledgement before she looks at him. He holds out the bloodied cloth he found and Kali clenches her jaw, quickly looking away from it and down at Bing who pulls at her hand for her attention. She tried to hide it. She thought she hide it pretty well actually. She didn't think he would go rummaging around. "This is not mine and I don't believe they belong to my nephew," He tells her, she sighs touches Bing's ears.

"My powers have limits. If I push too hard, nature pushes back" She shrugs and goes back to paying Bing all of her attention. Iroh sits on the bed next to her.

"Pushes back how?" Iroh asks her, she sighs and turns to him.

"Headaches, nose bleeds....fainting spells" She explains. He stares at her trying to figure out why she is so nonchalant about things like that happening to her.

"Kali" He starts, she looks at him. He gives her a look and she shifts, turning to face him.

"I understand the limits of my own bending, I just pushed myself too hard"

"And what could you possibly have done to do so?" She shrugs and shakes her head. She knows that being stuck indoors all day she doesn't really have an excuse to be pushing her powers so hard. And she feels bad lying to Iroh. But she has no choice. He won't understand what she's doing.

"Just..practising" She offers and then stands, moving away. Iroh doesn't seem to buy the excuse though. He's watched her practice before and she's never had a nose bleed before.

Chapter Text

Kali gets more and more withdrawn, spending her days in her bed, or sitting in front of her plants with Bing. It worries Iroh and Zuko. Seeing her so quiet and despondent. Each day that passes shut away, she loses something of herself. The weeks that pass have her falling into almost silence. Whilst she is happy with Zuko, being around him and Iroh is the safest she's ever felt, she's not content or happy being stuck inside all the time. She wants more. Zuko touches the fabric in his hand. A new cloak for Kali, enough that it will wrap around her properly, protecting her from sight. He got it after the day he had yesterday. With Jet bursting into the tea shop to accuse Iroh and Zuko of being fire-benders in front of everyone in the shop. Whilst true, that's not something they were telling people, obviously. And he made a comment about Kali that had Zuko seeing red, but it isn't like he was wrong. Even Jet thought that there must be something going on, if they keep her locked up inside all day and night. So Zuko went out, got the cloak, made plans to take her out. To do something with her. To get her out of the tiny apartment. He moves towards where she is sitting with Bing on the floor. That creature seems to be the only thing that gives her any comfort at the moment. Kali lifts her eyes from Bing to Zuko, Bing instantly starts to paw at her hands for attention. Zuko crouches at her side and holds out the cloak.

"What's this?" She whispers.

"It's a new cloak," He tells her, she bites her lip, she has a comment right there on her tongue about never going anywhere, but she knows she shouldn't say it. He bought it, thinking that she'd like it. And she is torn between practicality and honesty. She takes it from him, drawing her fingers over the fabric. "Meet me in front of the tea shop at sundown; after my shift there," He tells her, she frowns at him.

"No, Zuko, you know that..."

"Today you are" He stops her, taking her hands gently in his hands. "Please?" He whispers, she softens a little and then nods. Knows that if he is saying please he must really want her to do this.

"Alright" She assures him, he leans closer and kisses her softly before pulling back and away from her, her eyes following him, still a little confused as to what is going on with this.

.....

The tea shop door opens as Zuko steps out into the street, the sun only just having set. He isn't wearing his usual brown clothing, instead, he's wearing a much smarter, cleaner, sharper, green outfit, something often seen on people around Ba Sing Se. Though the most startling and humorous change in his appearance is that his hair, which is usually shaggy and unkempt, has been combed and parted. He walks out into the middle of the street and looks around as Kali emerges from an alley at the side of the shop and approaches him.

"Zuko?" He turns to face her and she instantly pulls a face. She's not sure what to make of his new appearance. He looks....not like himself. She scrunches up her nose then reaches up and messes his hair so it looks normal again. He lets out a long breath but offers a soft smile, threading his fingers with hers at her side.

"It took my Uncle ten minutes to do my hair" He scolds weakly, not at all bothered that she fixed his hair. He didn't like it either. He touches the edge of the cloak. It does hide her well enough, but that doesn't actually make him feel any better. She shouldn't have to hide who she is, simply because she doesn't look like everyone else. But right now, this is all they have.

.....

Zuko leads Kali into an open area with a large fountain and several posts with candles on top surrounding it in a circle, none of them are lit, but he knows this, he set this up, with Iroh's help, for her. To do something to cheer her up. In the centre of the circle, is a little table set up waiting for them. Zuko releases Kali's hand and steps up behind her.

"Close your eyes" He whispers in her ear, she glances at him. "And don't peek" He gives her a look, she lets out a breath and closes her eyes. Zuko walks out into the circle of candles, holds his hands together, and closes his eyes as he prepares. Using his pointer and middle fingers on each hand, he shoots small bursts of flame in all directions at the candles to light them. Once finished, he stands straight and looks at Kali, still with her eyes closed. He smiles softly at her as she waits. "Okay. Now you can look" She peeks through one eye before she opens them both, a smile splitting her face.

"Wow..." She whispers as she looks around at all of the lit candles. But as touched as she is that he brought her out here, it just makes her feel like she is missing out on stuff because she is stuck inside. He brushes away the tear on her cheek, but he knows why she is upset, she's been so stuck indoors, that this means a lot to her. As Zuko examines his work, Kali brushes her hand through her hair, ruffling it back to the way it was before and smiles at him sadly. It's not on him to fix this. It's on her. Only she can change the way she feels about herself. Only she can find a way. She should never have expected him to do it for her. It's not on him, or Iroh, to heal her. She reaches over and grabs his hand to hold it. Having attracted his attention, Zuko turns to look at her. She is thankful he did this. That he thought of doing something to make her feel better means a lot to her, even if it isn't actually making her feel better, because, at the end of the night, she'll go back to that apartment and be stuck. He's come so far from that boy she first met, all angry and pained. He's softer now, more understanding, kind to her. And he is trying here in Ba Sing Se, she's just starting to believe that this isn't a place meant for her. That she belongs out in the trees. Away from people. Even from Zuko and Iroh.

Chapter Text

Zuko and Kali are lying in a patch of grass, staring up at the starry sky above them, a soft breeze disturbing the grass around them, their fingers laced together between them. Neither of them feels the need to say something. The night was more than Kali could have imagined when he told her that they were going out. They had dinner together and then took a walk, ending up on a small hill of grass, where they are now. Kali glances at him, watching his face. She knows why he did this, why he brought her out, but she fears that he thinks this is enough. This one night is enough to make her stay inside. She wishes it was going to be that easy. But she doesn't think this will be enough to change her mind. She shifts closer to him, sets her head to his shoulder and closes her eyes, his arm wraps around her as she curls into his side.

"Thank you, Zuko," She tells him, he hums a little and then looks at her. There is a sadness in her voice that he seems to miss. She is sad. There is this feeling in the pit of her stomach. One warning her of coming pain. And she knows...it will be because of her. She is going to give herself a deadline. To fix herself. To fix this situation. She needs to find a better solution. A better way to live. A way that doesn't include being locked away. She wants a life. A real one. One where she can go to the market or the tea shop whenever she wants. She wants to be normal. Like everyone else.

.....

The apartment is quiet as Kali sits cross-legged on the floor, the mirror in front of her as she focuses on it. Her skin rippling as she changes herself, back and forth between green skin and slightly tanned skin. She is practising. Just pushing herself to get control over the change. If she can control it then she can keep it up longer.

"Little Flower?" She jumps, her skin turning green again as she turns to find Iroh behind her, watching her. "What are you doing?" He approaches her and she shrugs a little. He knows what she was doing. It was pretty obvious that she was attempting to change her skin tone with her bending, and she was succeeding, he's just not sure why. "Is this what has been causing your nose bleeds?" He asks her, she nods a little. "You know that Zuko likes you just the way you are" Iroh assures her. "That he isn't asking you to change...."

"It's not about him" She whispers and scratches at her arm. Iroh sits beside her as she lets out a long breath. "My skin has been a novelty for others for as long as I can remember" She admits. "Raya used it to bring in..." She stops and pulls a face. "They would pay more because I am green. For so long I was kept hidden away, behind walls, behind a veil, I just always assumed it was because I was a slave, but it wasn't...I see that now, I see that it was my skin that kept me hidden, and even though you freed me..."

"You still feel imprisoned by your situation" He adds, she nods.

"I adore you both so much and I am so grateful for everything you have done for me" She assures him. "But I don't know how long I can stay with you...how long I can stay here..." She glances over at Zuko, fast asleep in bed.

"Do not worry about my nephew" Iroh scolds softly. "Do not stay simply to make him happy"

"I do not want to leave him" She whispers as she looks down. She might not want to leave him, but for her own happiness and health, she might just have to. She is happy with him, but she would be happier free of the confines of this city. She would be happier still if he were to go with her, but she'd never ask that of him. He is safe here, for now. He can't leave the city for the risk of getting caught either by the Earth Kingdom or worse, his sister. If she leaves, it will be alone. It's going to break her heart to leave him. But it might be better to do it now, before it's too late. She looks down at her hands, watching as they change again, the green of her skin disappearing. This is the answer to the problem right now, but it will not be long term if she can't learn to permanently change herself. If she has to go, she will. She was freed, she is free, she has to start living her life. Even if, in the end, that is not with Zuko.

"Whatever you decide," Iroh tells her. "Make sure you are happy with the outcome...." He takes her face in his hands. "You have come so far already, Little Flower. Do not let anything hold you back from what you need" She nods and he leans forward to kiss her forehead before he pulls back. "Get some sleep" He whispers as he stands and moves into the next room. Kali lets out a breath and closes her eyes. Iroh is right. If she needs to leave for the sake of herself, then she has to. With or without Zuko. Pushing herself to her feet, she puts the mirror away before she climbs into bed next to Zuko who shifts, sensing her there with him, hands reaching out for her. Zuko pulls her closer, wrapping his arms around her in his sleep. She lets out a soft breath and nuzzles into him.