atla one shots

29 - chained and whipped

Zuko pov

It was really no surprise, when the second we entered town, the people all moved like normal. They didn't react to us, since we were mostly disguised. The girls were all wearing dresses and we boys are wearing more normal clothes, instead of school uniforms. *coughcough Aang coughcough*

I had a hood, since my face was too recognizable otherwise. Suki and Katara are chatting friendly, trying to decide what food to get, Toph and Chit Sang are talking about something - probably fights, likely - Aang, and Sokka are debating getting fire flakes and Hakoda is walking with me, his face that of a used parent, done with his children already. It was out cover, though Katara was very much against it.

I groan and look over the stalls, trying to decide where we would best be spent, when I see them - a gleam of light off dark armor - and ignore the instinct to duck, instead sharing a glance with Toph, who nods slightly, and then turns to Sokka. By the time we get to the first stall, everyone knows we are in a town with guards.

That means we have to be more careful than usual - Sokka - and a lot quicker too. We planned on a hotel, but we can camp out as well. It will be slight adjustments to the plan that will continue to change depending on number, strength and size, along with position. The only thing that would not be changing now was that we were not sleeping in town. I knew the others would be sad - they wanted to sleep on real beds for the first time in a while - but I was used to ruffing it after living as first an exile, then a fugitive, and then as a traitor. I am used to sleeping on the ground.

I decide to take a small portion of the money and get some medicine. The others decide to split up, and I slip away while they are arguing. The medicine is more important with only Toph, Aang, Hakoda and I are used to living in the Fire Nation, where it is easy to get lung sickness or skin sickness, since a lot of people forget heat, and ash are naturally part of our climate. It takes very little for me to get the medicine required for anything, in case they get sick. I dig into the pouch and pay the host, who nods and packs the medicine in a pack.

I take it and slink back to the center area, where the others had agreed to meet up. I immediately spot Toph, Chit Sang, and Hakoda, who have small packs by their feet. It took a few moments for me to manage to creep and join them, but I managed.

"Medicine?"

"Got it. Figured it was important since most of the group aren't accustomed to Fire Nation climate and get sick easier. However, it has also been a few years since I have lived hear and thus it is possible I might get sick. Figured it was worth the little money and space it would take up. You?"

"We got the weapons we thought would be best equipped for the weaponless."

"I got some maps and such, so we know where we are, since there's a possibility we might get lost. I figured we all got something we thought important. It shouldn't take the others too long, hopefully."

We sit there a little longer, and then there's a commotion over by one of the streets. I can see fire bending and sigh, knowing it's probably one of our friends, with our luck. We all pick up our bags and head over, blending into the crowd easily. We keep track of each other, and immediately notice when the other 4 join us. So not one of ours. We all start to retreat from the crowd, planning to leave, when my hood snags on something. 

I wince and try to move, but any movement might draw the hood down and I can't see the thing I'm snagged on. I try a small fire blast, but the light is too much, even if no one glances at me. I wince and then a hand is settling on my elbow, though it's one I recognize from constant abuse via punch. 

"Sparky, what's the hold up? We need to leave."

"Trust me, I know. My hood is snagged and any movement will rip off my hood. That'll surely cause more of a commotion then the fight or whatever that has the crowd's attention. Firebending is too bright for this small an area. I am, for the moment, stuck. Unless you can get me out?"