Once the rain had stopped, they were on the road again. Now that the trio had been reunited, Hikari decided to stay with them. They had tried to persuade her to leave and find her parents like she wanted. They were fugitives now, there was no need to drag her into their mess.

     She had explained the progress she had made on her own, which was none. She had not seen them in months. They were traveling through the earth kingdom as well. She may as well stick with her saviors once more. Besides, she was unknown to the world. No one would really care.

     Zuko was taking a break from riding in the squished saddle. Iroh was groaning in the front while Hikari slept against his back, unaware of the show her uncle was putting on. Their uncle had been groaning the past few minutes with each step their mount took.

     "Maybe we should make camp," the young male suggested.

     "No please," Iroh begged, "don't stop just for me!"

     After he spoke, he began groaning at an even higher volume. Annoyed, the prince pulled the reins bringing the ostrich horse to a stop. He stepped back and woke up the sleeping female.

     "Hikari, we're making camp," he announced.

     The brunette moaned at being woken, but once she was off of her uncle, said man got off to sit on a rock close by. The female groggily rubbed at her eyes before sliding off the back of the animal. Zuko had to steady her when she nearly fell forward.

     "The rain kept me up most of the night," the girl admitted, "I feel so drained."

     "You look exhausted and you've been asleep since we left," the other stated.

     "I'm sure I'll be fine. I just need to collect myself."

     The ostrich horse became alarmed by something. Zuko immediately took on a firebending stance, ready to defend himself. Hikari, after rubbing her eyes again, unsheathed her kusarigama.

     Iroh got up, "What now?"

     A group of rhino riders came in with big, bulky weapons. Their display of power was stupidly showy. The brunette felt a little dizzy. She just wanted to be on her way. She was honestly scared to start a fight. Her mind felt muddled by some unknown fog. She was dizzy. Maybe it was just from a lack of sleep, but whatever the deal was, it was beginning to scare her.

     "Colonel Mongke!" The girl nearly jumped when her uncle spoke. "What a pleasant surprise!"

     A male with red feathers on his head retorted, "If you're surprised we're here, then the Dragon of the West has lost a few steps."

     Zuko looked to the old man, "You know these guys?"

     "Sure," Iroh smiled, "Colonel Mongke and the Rough Rhinos are legendary. Each one is a different kind of weapon specialist. They are also a very capable singing group."

     Mongke, the guy with the feathers, growled, "We're not here to give a concert. We're here to apprehend fugitives and free your captive!"

     Hikari glared, "I'm honored, really, but-"

     She found a hand, that belonged to her elder, in front of her face being waved dismissively, "Would you like some tea first? I'd love some. How about you, Kahchi? I make you as a jasmine man. Am I right?"

     "Enough stalling!" The leader commanded, "Round 'em up!"

     A chain was thrown towards them, but Iroh kicked it away. It wrapped itself around another rhino's leg. Hikari smirked and used her chain to whip the rhino's rear. That eliminated two threats. She just barely managed to dodge two flaming arrows. Seeing the archer, she ran forwards and faked her movements to look like she was aiming for his wrist. The chain curved and hit him in the eye, right at Zuko's firebending broke his line. The two males went fight the leader, so Hikari mounted the ostrich horse. She met Iroh and allowed him to take the reins. Zuko jumped onto the back from a different vantage point.

     A black object was thrown in front of them and it exploded. Hikari's grip tightened on her uncle's clothes. Black smoke filled the area and she held her breath. Thankfully, the explosive had missed. Once they were free, she let out what she had been holding.

     The old man tried to lighten the mood, "It's nice to see old friends."

     "Too bad you don't have any old friends that don't want to attack you," the prince retorted.

     He held his shoulder and hummed in thought, "Old friends that don't want to attack me..."

     Hikari lightened her hold, "That doesn't matter now. We need a destination and some help."

     It was an agreement. They rode on for a while longer. Thankfully, at the entrance to the desert area, they stumbled upon a small town. Their uncle decided that it would be a good place to stop. The girl had no qualms about it. She felt like riding on their trusty steed had taken more energy out of her then the fight.

     Zuko got off first and was thankfully there to catch her when she nearly toppled forward again.

"Is something wrong," her friend asked.

"I'm just dizzy. I'll be fine. I just need to sit down," she muttered.

     She walked in with them. Thankfully, she and Iroh had money and they were able to buy drinks. Hikari just bought water and was pleased by the ice cups that their drinks were served in. Her uncle bought a few things while the young man got nothing. The female rested her cheek on the palm of her hand. She just wanted whatever was bothering her to go away.

     The prince was looking around once more, "No one here is going to help us. These people just look like filthy wanderers."

     "So do we," his uncle retorted. He then pointed to a Pai Sho table behind his nephew, "Ah, this is interesting. I think I found our friend."

     "You brought us here to gamble on Pai Sho?"

     "I don't think this is a gamble."

     "Zuko." His gaze went to his weary companion, "Have some faith. He knows what he's doing."

     He grabbed her forearm to pull her along. What they were not aware of were the two earthbenders on the other side of the pub. One was a muscly man with long black hair and gruff face. The other was clearly richer with his robes and how some of his long hair was pulled onto a bun, not to mention his mustache.

     The gruff faced man stood, "Let's take them now!"

     The rich man made him stay, "This place is full of desperate characters. If they find out we're collecting a bounty, we might have to fight them all just to keep our prize. Plus, they have a hostage."

     "Hostage?"

     "That beautiful young lady with them! Did you see how that young man grabbed her. They might do something horrible to her if we act now."

     "She's none of our business."

     "But think of it!" He began stroking his mustache, "If we save her, she could reward us nicely."

     The other finally sat, "Fine." 

     It was a good thing that they had not been heard. Zuko and Hikari both stood next to the table as their uncle took a seat.

     "May I have this game," Iroh asked.

     The other man, a bald guy with a thin mustache and beard gestured to the table, "The guest has the first move." The lotus tile was placed in the center of the board. "I see you favor the white lotus gambit. Not many still cling to the ancient ways," he said, cupping his hands.

     The gesture was repeated, "Those who do can always find a friend."

     "Then let us play."

     The old man placed a tile on the board, quickly followed by a tile placed by Iroh. Seemingly without even looking at what the other person was doing, the two men placed their tiles on the board. Zuko, pulled up a chair to sit and watch intently as the two continued with their game. Hikari leaned against her friend as she watched the tiles become a lotus.

     The bald man opened his arms to them, "Welcome, brother. The White Lotus opens wide to those who know her secrets."

     The young man glared, "What are you old gasbags talking about?"

     The girl hit his shoulder, "Be nice."

     Iroh chuckled, "I always tried to tell you that Pai Sho is more than just a game."

     "It's over," a voice interrupted.

     Hazel eyes shot to the man who had scared her. He was much taller that she was. He was clearly muscled and gruff looking. He had seen plenty of fights before. She nearly screamed when Zuko grabbed a hold of her arm and pulled her closer to him. She did not mind though. If almost felt like every second, her mind was clouding and her head was beginning to hurt. Getting into a fight would do her no good.

     "You two fugitives are coming with me," the gruff guy shouted.

     The bald man quickly stood in front of the muscle mountain, "I knew it! You two are wanted criminals with a giant bounty on your heads! You even have a hostage!"

     The hold on her tightened as the prince growled at his uncle, "I thought you said he would help!"

     "He is," Iroh smiled, "Just watch."

     Their new friends next words made her go pale, "You think you're going to capture them and collect all that gold?"

     The murmur went up. Knives were drawn. Men eyed her is a way that disgusted her. They all surrounded the two that had tried to collect the bounty "quietly." A brawl started. The gruff guy used his earthbending to knock some of his opponents out the way. It was once the fight really got heated did they all run outside.

     Once they made some distance they began walking the rest of the distance to draw attention to whoever might be outside. After a few paces, it felt like something had hit her with full force. Had Zuko not been next her, she would have hit the ground.

     "Hikari, what's wrong," her best friend asked.

     "My head feels so cloudy..." She rubbed at the bridge of her nose, "I-I don't know...

     The two old men had stopped when they heard the teen's shout of concern. They looked at each other, also worried for the young girl's health.

     Thankfully the new companion gestured them to move forward, "Come. Once we get you inside, we can be more of assistance."

     The girl ended up leaning against the prince, "I may require assistance."

     He could not help be smirk. It was her attitude with the situation that was amusing. Instead of begging for help and complaining, she accepted her fate and made him aware of the obvious. He walked close to her, helping her move forward. Thankfully, she did not trip again, but he had been ready incase it happened again.

     The bald guy bowed to Iroh, "It is an honor to welcome such a high-ranking member of the Order of the White Lotus. Being a Grand Master, you must know so many secrets."

     "Now that you played Pai Sho, are you going to do some flower arranging, or is someone in this club going to offer some real help‌?" Zuko gestured to his friend who had taken to leaning against the door frame next to him, "If you've forgotten, there's something wrong with Hikari."

     Iroh shook his head, turning to his new friend, "You must forgive my nephew. He is not an initiate and has little appreciation for the cryptic arts." He approached his niece and placed a hand on her forehead, "And you, young lady, are running a fever."

     "That explains a lot," the girl muttered in annoyance.

     "You must get some rest while we talk. Before we do, have you picked up a name for yourself?"

     "A what?"

     "A name to go by while traveling through the Earth Kingdom."

     "Oh that," she rubbed at the bridge of her nose again, "Sorry. I chose the name Lian not that long ago."

     She received a wide smile, "And what a beautiful name it is! You chose well, Niece."

     "It was a spur of the moment decision," she mumbled once he had turned his back.

     She followed a few steps, but stopped realizing the best spot for her to actually sleep would be against the "counter" where the flowers were paid for. She set her bag down and got as comfortable as she could against the rock that served as a check out register.

     A few moments later, she felt a presence next to her. She opened her eyes to see her best friend pouting.

     "It's members only," he said.

     She closed her eyes with a smile, "I told you to be nice."

     "Why didn't you tell me you were sick?"

     "I didn't actually realize I was sick."

     "You didn't realize?"

     "Nope. It's not the first time I've had dizzy spells, but now that I think about it... This almost feels the same as when I tired ambushing your party," she finished sarcastically.

     "Yeah..." She heard him shift, "That was a bad day for me."

     "The first month or so I was with you, every day was a bad day."

     "I've changed since then," he defended himself.

     "You have," she agreed. "And I'm proud of you."

     She could not see it, since her eyes were closed, but a light dusting of pink covered the other's face. He looked the girl over. Hikari actually looked a little paler than she had a few days ago. He should have caught it sooner when she mentioned she felt dizzy the first time. Here she was though, making light of her situation. She actually looked relaxed even though rock was probably the last thing she needed for rest right now.

     After a few moments of thought, Zuko spoke, "Hikari?" He got a hum in response, "You can lean against me if you want."

     She opened her eyes, "Come again?"

     "You can lean against me while you rest."

     After a moment of quiet, she placed her head on his shoulder. He heard a quietly mumbled thanks and she was asleep. She would need all the rest she could get. Traveling with a fever would not be good for her. It would probably make it take longer for her fever to leave. Hopefully, that would be the only thing plaguing her.

     He looked to see the peaceful, sleeping face that greeted him. He had missed her the entire time he had been on the road with his uncle. He would be incredibly reluctant to part from her again.

     Soon, they were both asleep. It was a sight to see when the two old men walked out. Hikari was against Zuko, while Zuko's head rested on top of hers. Both of them were peacefully unaware of the beautiful memory they were giving their uncle. Sadly, it needed to end.

     "Niece, Nephew," Iroh touched the boy's shoulder to get him up a little faster, "Wake up."

     The older teen was alert shortly after, "What's going on? Is the club meeting over‌?"

     "Everything is taken care of. We're heading to Ba Sing Se."

     Hikari slowly stood, rubbing at her eyes, "Ba Sing Se? Wouldn't that be dangerous for you?"

     "‌Why would we go to the Earth Kingdom capital‌," the prince asked.

     "The city is filled with refugees." Bald man smiled, "No one will notice two more."

     "We can hide in plain sight there. And it's the safest place in the world from the Fire Nation. Even I couldn't break through to the city," Iroh finished with a happy shrug.

     A boy, a little older that the other two teens walked in, approaching them with some papers, "I have the passports for our guests, but there are two men out on the street looking for them."

     The trio looked at each other. They could not just walk out now. Hikari turned to look around the shop and her eyes landed on some of the bigger pots.

     "Do you think we could use the flower pots," the brunette asked.

     The men not part of the little trio shared a look. They quickly made sure Iroh could fit in one pot before the other two teens slipped into their own. Shortly after, they could feel the little cart that they had been put on start moving. Even though her head was pounding and she was still feeling under the weather, she was proud of her idea.

     Besides the fact that the guy who was smuggling them out could probably have been more help her by making the ride less bumpy, she was happy. It was an adventure all over again. It was going to be her, Zuko and Iroh. For that, she could not ask for any better company. 

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A/N: HELLOOOOOOO

It's been awhile dear friends. Life just catches up to you and look! I updated during a pandemic. I'm bored and while I was going through my old stories, I found this... And I NEVER UPDATES DURING MY BREAK!!!

I am so so so sorry! Life caught up with me, school started again, but the good news is I'm back for a little bit. So much has been happening in my life since quarantine started and funnily enough, it's leading me to some life changing decisions.

I hope all of you are doing well.

Stay healthy!

-Muse