Ahoy! To people who are already involved in the story, if you happen to glance at this, please note that I have been doing some editing, which has resulted in my inserting a chapter in part two. So for anything new please see chapter 10. For newcomers, welcome to my story and my somewhat bizarre mind. I would like to mention right now that I have received flames for this story and they are NOT appreciated. If you have a problem with my story, say it nicely or don't say it at all because I will label you as a jerk and I hold grudges quite well. With that said, I hope you find this story enjoyable and if not, just don't read it because I don't feel like being told that it's a piece of shit.

PART ONE

I. Lee Ang hurried through the streets of Ba Sing Se, pulling her hat down a little bit more, hoping to hide her blonde hair. Blonde hair was a rarity. She was ridiculed and spat at among other various things. She was different. But Lee Ang wasn't just a blonde, she was also an airbender. Everyone said that the Avatar was the last airbender, but everyone was wrong. He was the second to last.

Lee Ang walked a little faster, hoping to get home quickly. It was only a block away. But her attention was caught by something else. Two men arguing. One, a dark youth with a purplish scar that covered the left half of his pale face, the other, a spindly old shopkeeper. Lee Ang's compassionate nature won over her desperate need to get home. She paused to listen.

"What do you mean I can't buy them? I have the money!" The teenager thrust out his hand which held a few bronze coins.

"I won't sell to you! A worthless peasant like you would waste such fine weapons as these!"

Lee Ang inched closer to see that the old man was cradling a pair of broad swords. The teenager grew bright red. "Do not call me a worthless peasant!" With little warning he lunged at the shopkeeper.

Gasping, Lee Ang sprinted forward to get between the two men, surprised that she was actually strong enough to hold them apart. "Stop it!" They listened. She picked up the swords, inspecting them. Cheap. "You wanted to buy these?"

The teenager nodded, not trusting his words.

"They're cheap crap. You're better off looking elsewhere." She turned. "And you," she said pointing to the shopkeeper. "When you working in the Lower Ring, you have to sell things to 'worthless' peasants." Lee Ang turned and walked away before they realized she was blonde.

But the scarred teenager jogged after her. "I'm not a worthless peasant," he said.

"Of course not," Lee Ang answered.

"Are you condescending me?" The teenager tensed.

"No."

"Oh." He relaxed. "Well. Thank you. For. Back there."

"No problem." Lee Ang hoped that he would leave. She didn't want him to get caught in the intolerance mess that was her life, but to her dismay he continued along the sidewalk with her.

"There's something strange about you," he said suddenly. "I can't figure out what it is."

Lee Ang turned to look him in the eye. She considered showing him her hair, if only it would make him go. But she couldn't, not in a crowd like this. Her hair was a double edge blade. "There's probably something strange about you too. But you aren't spilling your secrets." She turned swiftly and continued walking. Perhaps rudeness would work in her favor. If only she was good at being rude.

The teen continued to follow her. "I'm sorry."

Lee Ang softened. "What's your name?"

"Li," the boy lied easily. He couldn't tell her his real name. That was his secret and it could get him killed.

"My name is Lee Ang," she said quietly. "And I have to go. Goodbye."

"Uh," said the boy. "My, uh, uncle and I work it the tea shop down the street. You should come. Uncle would probably give you free tea."

Lee Ang smiled. "I'll think about it."

Insertbreakhere.Insertbreakhere.Insertbreakhere.Insertbreakhere.Insertbreakhere.

The boy who called himself Li walked down a few alleyways and entered his own small, decrepit apartment. A fat, old man was waiting there, drinking a steaming cup of ginseng tea.

"Oh, hello, Prince Zuko," he called. "How was your day off?"

Zuko turned a little red at being called 'Prince.' He was banished. He wasn't a 'prince' anymore. He sat down at the small, wooden table. "Really weird," he answered.

His uncle raised an eyebrow and sipped his tea, waiting for an explanation.

"Ok, but before you say anything, she is not my 'lady friend.' She's too old for me," he insisted.

His uncle smiled. Good for whomever she was for intriguing his nephew.

"This girl, Lee Ang, kinda stopped me from beating up a shopkeeper. I lost my temper because the fool would sell to me… because of my status." A frown creased the young man's face. He didn't like the current state of poverty he lived in. He was supposed to be a Prince, damn it! "But there was something really strange about her. I don't know what." Zuko gazed thoughtfully out the window.

"Did you invite her to the shop?" his uncle asked slowly.

"Actually, I did."

Zuko's uncle struggled not to spit out his tea in shock. She must be really intriguing.

"She might not show up," Zuko added. "She seemed… nervous. Like she was running away from something."

II. Katara walked cautiously through the Lower Ring. She was dressed in the usual Earth Kingdom green instead of her blue robes. She didn't want to stand out. She was looking for someone. If that someone was in Ba Sing Se, it would be the Lower Ring. She tossed her long braid over her shoulder and stepped into a dark shop. It was the pet store they had visited a few days ago with Joo Dee. There was something about her that had frightened the shopkeeper. Then again, Joo Dee was eerily perfect.

Katara pretended to gaze at the animals interestedly as the owner led her around. "Actually, I'm looking for a much more rare type of pet. I've heard talk about flying bison," she said, trying to sound a tad incredulous. "Do you know where I might find one?" She smiled sweetly.

A nervous bead of sweat formed on the shopkeeper's brow. "Uh… Rako down the street knows more than I do. Would you look at the time? Time to close up already. Bye." He shoved her out the door while she protested that it was barely even noon.

Katara kicked the dirt. It was the same everywhere. "Ask someone else." She muttered something incomprehensible about the Dai Lee under her breath, using every adjective she had ever heard sailors use. She walked onward. She had already visited Rako's shop.

III. "Hey, you. Give me all your money."

Lee Ang felt a dagger at her throat. "Let me go, I don't have any money."

"Liar." The crook pressed the dagger closer.

"You're one to talk." Lee Ang couldn't bend. Not here. It would cause an uproar. And then she would probably end up carted off to the Dai Lee.

A rush of water splashed into the alley, knocking the crook down and freezing him to the wall.

Lee Ang turned. A slight teenage girl with a dark braid and striking blue eyes had entered the alley with her hands stretched in front of her and a glare pasted on her face. "Are you ok?" the girl asked, her voice surprisingly calm.

Lee Ang rubbed her neck gingerly. "Yeah, just peachy. Thanks for the save."

"No problem. So what's your name?" The two women walked out of the alley, leaving behind a bewildered would-be robber.

"Lee Ang. And yours?"

"Katara."

"So you're a waterbender? Don't see many in these parts."

"Yes. It does get lonely when you're far from the poles."

Lee Ang nodded. Katara didn't seem to want to share much about her past. She didn't press the topic. They walked down the street. "I owe you, big time," Lee Ang said. "If there's anything I can do, I'm not staying in the city long, but if there's anything?"

Katara paused for a moment. "Actually, I'm looking for something." She glanced around. "Can we talk somewhere private?"

Lee Ang raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "Ok, sure."

They walked a little ways until they reached Lee Ang's apartment. "Here, this is my house." They entered. "It's not much," Lee Ang began.

"It's the same size as the buildings in the South Pole," Katara said.

"You're from the South Pole?" Lee Ang was shocked.

Katara nodded. "Look, the reason I'm in Ba Sing Se is because I'm the Avatar's waterbending teacher. We're looking for his missing bison. And…"

"And if the bison is anywhere, it's in the Lower Ring," Lee Ang finished.

Katara nodded.

"How can I help?"

"If you have any information that would be helpful, since you live here?"

"Actually, I do hear most of the rumors in Ba Sing Se. Hmmm…" Lee Ang thought for a moment. Bison… bison… flying… that's it! "Oh!"

"What?" Katara's blue eyes gleamed.

"Well, I remember hearing that there were people talking about a flying bison cycling though the black market and then being sent far way."

Katara's face fell.

"Wait, there's more. There's also a rumor that those rumors were started by the Dai Lee."

"Corrupt bastards," Katara muttered.

"No kidding."

"What, they haven't brainwashed everyone?"

"If you don't talk about the war, they don't know you know about it," Lee Ang said. She knew about the war alright. She knew damn well.

Katara smiled. "Thanks so much." She hugged Lee Ang. "Lee Ang, why do you wear a hat inside?" she asked suddenly.

"Because I'm an outcast." She took off her hat, letting her long hair tumble out.

Katara stared. "That's horrible. You don't deserve to be treated like that."

"Thanks, but it's a fact of my life. People don't always change."

"Can I come back her tomorrow with my friends?"

"Sure. If I'm not here, you can let yourself in. I don't have anything to lock up."

"Thanks, Lee Ang." Katara left, leaving Lee Ang sitting alone, wondering what it would be like to have friends.

IV. Zuko frowned as he put on an apron. An apron. Could life suck any more? No. Not really.

"Li, take this to table four." Zuko had a tray push into his hands and he left the back room. He delivered the tray without a word and went to sulk behind the counter.

"Li?" a voice asked.

Zuko, so used to his alias, turned. "Hey." It was Lee Ang. "Let me get my uncle."

Lee Ang glanced around idly. A nice little shop. Pretty full. Li was back with uncle.

"Hello, Lee Ang. My nephew forgot to mention your beauty."

Lee Ang blushed. "Thank you, sir."

"Call me Mooshi."

Lee Ang smiled. "This is a lovely tea shop, Mooshi."

"Of course, tea. Would you like some? It's on the house."

"Do you have ginseng?"

Li groaned. "You've stolen my uncle's heart."

They talked for a few hours. Mooshi did most of the talking. Li added a comment or two. He was a good kid, hot-headed and a bit sulky, but he would make a good man one day. He reminded her a bit of Katara. When Katara had saved her, she seemed so different from the girl whom she then proceeded to speak to. Hmmm, those two would be cute together, she thought. "Well, I have to go. I'm meeting someone," Lee Ang said, getting up.

"Come back any time," Mooshi called.

"I will." Lee Ang waved and left.

"She's a nice girl," Mooshi said.

"Uncle, don't start."

"You're right. She's a little too old for you."

"And she's not old enough for you, Uncle."

Mooshi laughed.

V. Katara knocked on the door. Aang, Sokka, and Toph waited behind her. Lee Ang opened the door. She smiled. "Come on in. Sorry it's so cramped."

"Thank you for allowing us to come." The Avatar gave her a small bow.

"Of course." She notice Katara was wearing blue today. It was nice. It suited her.

"So this is Aang, my brother, Sokka, and Toph," Katara said pointing to each of her friends.

"Nice to meet you all."

"So you said that the Dai Lee started rumors," Aang began.

"That your bison was shipped out of the city. Which means the Dai Lee probably have your bison."

"To control me," Aang concluded. "But where could they possibly hide Appa?"

Lee Ang frowned. "I don't know. There are lots of hidden things in Ba Sing Se. He could be anywhere. Most likely underground."

Katara put her hand on Aang's shoulder. "We can try the fliers," she said. "Maybe then we'll get more information. At least we know he's ok."

"You're right." Aang turned to Lee Ang. "Thank you for all your help."

"Of course."

As they started to leave, Lee Ang stopped Katara. "You aren't 'with' the Avatar, are you? You know, like dating?"

Katara blushed. "Oh, no. He's like a brother."

Lee Ang smiled. "Can I set you up on a blind date then?"

"Oh, I uh… I guess… um, sure." Katara was beet red.

"Ok, let me talk to the other person. I'll contact you for the date and time stuff."

"Ok. Well, I gotta go."

Hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Feel free to review as long as you don't use that as an opportunity to be an insulting wench. Thank you.