Y A O I

The days seemed to pass on an endless cycle each day that Zuko spent in Ba Sing Sei. His life seemed to be circling a drain ever since he was banished...and this scar on his face was a constant reminder to him. After spending 3 years looking for the avatar, he had finally found him...only to be defeated each time by him and his group of friends. And with each defeat, he felt his self worth began to deminish each and everytime...

And now, he was forced to flee from his own people as a refugee among the lowly Earth people in the lower ring of Ba Sing Sei. But he had to admit to himself...this wasn't as bad as it seems. He was stripped of his title, his power, his family, that part was true. But noone in his family except for his uncle really cared about him. And since he's been living as a commoner he's felt more....calm...he couldn't explain it but he just felt that way. All his anger seemed to be borrowed within instead of just on his sleeve for all to see. Since he wasn't hunting the avatar, it felt like a strange weight was lifted from his shoulders...perhaps...he could make a life here if he wanted to...

"Lee, table 6 needs a Jasmine tea!"

"Coming Uncle!" He called out, answering to his fake name that he used here in the city. Of course they couldn't let anyone know who they were, he did wish his uncle would pick names that weren't so...well...common...but it was already established so Zuko had to deal with it. He went about serving tea as usual, figuring this day would go on like any other...

The days were growing long and frustrating. They wouldn't let Aang see the ruler of Ba Sing Sei, which couldn't have been more ridiculous. That partnered up with how strange all the residents acted, and the rules of never mentioning the fact that outside of their great walls a war had been raging on for years, it all seemed to suspicious. Something had to be up, Sokka could feel it in his gut... or maybe that was just his stomach growling.

A loud 'gurple' sound made it clear that although the latter might not be true, his stomach still wanted some sort of filling. Katara, Aang, and Toph weren't really around. They were probably shopping or doing girl things. He had no idea why Aang would willingly do all the stuff he did with them.

Finally the 'gurpling' became too much for him to bare, and he began to look around for a place to eat. It wasn't long before he spotted a place, and it had a high client base so that meant it must be good. Walking inside he took a seat and looked at one of the menus laying around. When he had a question about the teas, and what he could order with them he waved at the waiter, who had his back turned to him.

"Hey, Excuse me but-" he froze when he got a look at the other teen's face. It was Zuko.

Now he had to make some decision: warn the police of Ba Sing Sei, tell Aang, confront Zuko, make a scene and let everyone know who they were being served by, or run. Multiple options seemed like a good idea, but making a scene didn't seem like something he wanted to do in such a suspicious town. Especially since the war didn't 'exist'.

Zuko came out of the kitchen, back first, as he tried to balance a platter on in his hands. As he moved through the tea shop, he still did not noticed Sokka yet as he passed out tea cups with peoples orders. He had almost emptied the platter and now there was one more order to give out. However, when he got close he noticed something....blue clothes....a short pony tail...and a boomerange holster...

Zuko stopped in his tracks when he realized who it was and dropped the platter he was holding...

The water tribe boy!! He was here!? And that meant the Avatar was here!! Before Sokka could say anything, Zuko ran full speed back into the kitchen and out into the back alley. He couldn't decide if this was a good thing or a bad thing? Should he capture him to try and get to the avatar? Should he hide so the avatar wouldn't turn he and his uncle in, condeming them to death? What should he do? What should he do!? Hiding in the alley way, he knew his uncle was looking for him and was hopping the water tribe boy didn't follow him...Zuko felt his pride stab at him for running away like that...but with a city full of earth bender refugees wanting nothing to put to put a fire bender in his place, he couldn't risk being found out...

When Zuko ran, Sokka ran after him. To tell the truth he didn't know why. Fighting the man by himself had proven to be a failure time and time again. Why would he be able to beat him this time? It could get him captured. Yet if he let Zuko get away that meant he could continue with whatever heinous plan he'd come up with to take over Ba Sing Sei, or capture the avatar. Sokka couldn't allow him to do that, even at the risk of his own life.

Before he could think of what he really was doing, he was doing a flying tackle towards the exiled prince, "HYAAAA~"

Any moment now he would get a fire ball thrown at him, he knew it. The tackle would fail, but at least they'd have evidence of a fire bender in Ba Sing Sei. His shoulders were aimed for Zuko's lower back, his arms open wide to grab him once he made contact.

 'Okay Sokka, time to say goodbye you crazy nut job. Why didn't you make a plan? Why decide to tackle the guy who could turn you into ash when he was running away?' he continued to think to himself.

Zuko didn't expect Sokka follow him. Nor did he want to make contact with the boy....too late for that. Zuko didn't have time to react as he was suddenly tackled to the ground, landing on his back hard. At first, the wind had been knocked out of him for a moment before he opened his eyes, looking at the water tribe boy. Panicking for a moment, he shoved Sokka with a nervous "Get off" coming from him before he, once again, turned tail and ran. "Christ! I get the stupid one following me!" At first, Zuko thought of fighting against him. But if he did, Sokka could've turned him and his uncle into the Ba Sing Sei authorities! However, Zuko could've just was easily subdued the water tribe boy without using swords or fire bending, but he wasn't thinking straight. Much like Sokka, he rarely came up with a plan ahead of time.

No fire yet. That had to be a good sign. Sokka continued his pursuit after the other. He reminded himself that he  couldn't use his boomerang because it could get him in a load of trouble if he was seen as being the one to 'start' the fight. Goign through alley after alley, he kept pace with the other boy, only a little ways behind. Hair began to fall out of his ponytail due to the activities and how often he narrowly dodged  laundry ropes and clothes.  Then he paused, that gave him an idea.  When he found the next empty rope he grabbed it and began tying a lasso. When he finally had it, he threw it at Zuko...

Although it missed. Instead it landed on an animal in front of Zuko, causing the rabbitdog to growl and get in Zuko's way.  The thing's long ears were folded back, and it's powerful back legs were getting ready to propel it forward to attack the person who had roped it, which the animal assumed was Zuko.

Zuko stopped running when he saw the beast getting closer to him. That thing had sharp teeth....VERY, sharp teeth...Looking infront of him, then back of him, he tried to figure out what to do. Suddenly, he realized that the alley way they were standing in was just narrow enough for him to get out. Running toward the rabbitdog, at the last moment, he jumped toward the wall, run up and jump off each wall until he was at the top of the building. Sokka might've been able to keep up with him on land, but the former fire nation prince knew that he couldn't do that. Looking down at him, he made a slight sigh of relief before running off again....but now the problem was should he go back and tell his uncle of what had happened..? Or should he just run away again...going further into his exile....he knew he couldn't stay in Ba Sing Sei for long, now that the water tribe boy knew he was here....

Not giving up so easily, Sokka used the rope and jumped onto the rabbit dog. Getting a good grip, he held on tightly as the thing bucked and started jumping everywhere. He screamed a very manly scream, although anyone but him would probably think he sounded much like a girl. Finally the rabbitdog jumped and got him onto the roof. Taking the other end of the rope he tied it to his boomerang. The moment he saw Zuko he threw it. Unlike with just a lasso, he was actually good with his boomerang. It had been aimed for the man's ankles, hopefully to trip him up.

"YEEEHAAAW!" Sokka screamed, trying to hide his fear of the bucking beast beneath him. Yet when he got the rope off of it, the Rabbitdog fled.

Sokka had a tight grip on the rope as he ran over to Zuko, "Now you're going to tell me why you're here? How'd you get into Ba Sing Sei!?"

Zuko only had time to sit up before Sokka was right there, demanding answers. The young prince growled at hi, trying to untie the rope from his ankles. "What do you mean HOW I got here!? I'm a refugee just like you!" He said. However, after he saw the looked on Sokka's face, he made a frustrated sigh, finally snapping the rope of his ankles. "...me and my uncle are hiding here from the Fire Nation....we were banished a few weeks ago! I'm NOT following you, or hunting you and the avatar! S-So just leave me alone!!" He said, standing up and walking away, looking for a way down off of the roof of the building they were on.

"AH HA! I never mentioned hunting the Avatar or following us. Why should I believe that you aren't spies for the fire nation or that you really were banished? Huh?!" Sokka walked over, the ponytail completely pointless now as his hair fell around his face.  His dark skin contrasted greatly with Zuko's as he grabbed the other teen's arm. "Am I supposed to believe that after all the times you've tried to capture us and at some points kill us that you're really like this now? I don't think so buddy."

Looking around he also tried to figure out a way down from the roof. There seemed to be enough rope left that they could probably use that if they tied it to one of the stone figures.

Zuko was getting angry now. Without warning, he grabbed Sokka's shirt and slammed down onto the roof top tiles. "Listen you idiot!! If it weren't for the fact that I'm a wanted criminal by the fire nation, I would make you bursts into flames right now!! You DON'T understand what my life has been life and you DAMN WELL don't know what's going on with me NOW!! I failed to get my father love and respect back and because of that, I've been banished, beaten, and wanted dead or alive by my own father and sister!!" After that short explanation, Zuko waited to make sure that Sokka understood. And once he saw that, his gripped loosened a bit. "Now I'm going to let you up, and let you go and I'm going....back to work.....and if you so much as tell anyone that I'm here, so help my god...I'll...I"ll.....I don't know what I'll do...but it won't be pretty....got it?" He said, finally releasing Sokka before moving away from him, looking for a way down off the roof again.

"Well you're father ordered the slaughter of most of my tribe!" Sokka growled out and pointed accusingly at Zuko, "Why would you even want the love of a monster like that? He's not even human! As you say your own father has done all this crap to you, ever think it's because he's EVIL!? Fire benders murdered my mother. So don't act like your life is the only one that's miserable. You're not that special."

He growled and headed towards the rope on the ground and began to tie it off on a chimney part before pushing it over the side. It didn't reach the bottom, but was close enough so that he could probably survive the drop with just sore ankles.

"You do anything suspicious and I don't care about the threats, I'll report you. I... I guess I wont until then. Don't use my rope either! Find your own way down.." Sokka grumbled as he started climbing down.

As Sokka slowly made his way down the ceiling with his rope, Zuko used his skills jump and off the other roof, using the same technique he did before to get up there. He was soon down before Sokka's feet touched the groun and walked away...feeling very, very upset...

Through the rest of the day, everyone knew better than to mess with him as he worked. It was as if he wore a sign around his neck that said "Do Not Disturb....or Else". Once the day was over, he was glad to get home and have some time to himself. At least that Water tribe boy kept up his promise....perhaps he was leaving him alone...?

As much as a relief that came to Zuko, it still didn't help. Every night, he would lay awake, confused, angry and depressed, an assortment of emotion just curling up inside him. He couldn't take it anymore, this was the last night he was stay awake thinking about this. He stood up from his mat and walked out the front door, making sure not to wake up his uncle...

As he walked around, he tried to sort this out. What should he do now? This was so frustrating! Making his way to the upper rings, he found his way to a large pond and started talking to himself, not knowing he was in the same upper ring as the Avatar. "What am I supposed to do!? I get banished so I can find the Avatar, I find the avatar and always loose! I get banished for NOT finding the avatar and now that I finally feel like things are at peace, the Avatar shows up right infront of me!! WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME!?!" He yelled at whatever god or deity was tutoring him. He fell to his knees, holding his head, so confused and angry at the same time, he didn't know what to do with himself. Finally, his emotions got the best of him, a few tears slipping out from all his frustration. "...just please.....leave me be....."

((I think it would be best if Sokka heard all that! x3))

As a service to the Earth Kingdom, Sokka took it upon himself to be a personal spy for them. Every night he'd make a few rounds checking to make sure that Zuko really was doing what he said, that no trouble was being caused and that they weren't trying to take over the kingdom. After the first few nights he noticed how Zuko acted, and he thought the other teen might be faking it to throw him off the trail. Yet, when it continued, Sokka really didn't know what to think. Then on his way to the usual post, he noticed Zuko moving out of the building. Quietly he followed, his boomerang at the ready if the firebender tried to hurt anyone.

Throughout the next few moments, Sokka stood there a little speechless. The boy really did have an emo complex. Everything he got blamed for honestly wasn't his fault though, at least not completely. So it made Sokka wonder why the boy even tried or why he didn't just come over to the good side. They wouldn't betray their friends or family like Azula and the king of the Fire Nation had. Maybe he could try to trust Zuko, even just a little. If he did that, there was no telling what the other boy might do...

"Maybe... they want you to be on the right path. The one you've been on has been rather corrupt after all," he put away his boomerang and stepped out of the shadows. "You gotta admit it'd be more than just a coincidence if that was the case. I mean we got an earth bender, air bender, boomerang bender, water bender... and out of all the firebenders I gotta admit that... you're the least," he grumbled and whispered, "Evil.... that I've ever met..." to try not to let Zuko get depressed over the statement he shouted with authority. "And that's a compliment!"