Ash [Prince Zuko - Book Two]

❃Chapter Eleven❃

Asake waited until the night to sneak away from the group. It had been at least two days since she started traveling with them, but they were close enough to Ba Sing Se for her to leave. She didn't have a ticket nor did she have enough money to pay for a ticket, so she had to figure out how to get inside the walls by herself. She had to take matters into her own hands now.

Lisha slept on the hard ground beside Asake. Night had fallen around them, and the group decided to rest before entering Ba Sing Se the next day. Unfortunately for Asake, Lisha had grown very attached to her, and she had to admit that she had grown on her, too. She was one of the brightest people she had ever met, and she was always happy. That happiness transferred to Asake, who had smiled more in the time with her than with Zuko and Iroh. She also wanted to figure out why Lisha seemed so familiar to her.

Asake glanced back one more time, hoping she would see her again. If she didn't, she knew Lisha would live a good life, especially because Asake wouldn't be there to ruin it. Shaking her head, she turned toward where the wall loomed in the distance and started making her way toward it. Her swords were strapped to her back, and she didn't have her left arm in her homemade sling. She needed both arms to sneak into Ba Sing Se.

"Where are you going?" a sleepy voice asked.

Asake dropped her head and turned around to face Lisha, who was sitting up. Her blanket slipped off of her, and she cocked her head to the side. A disappointed look appeared on her face like she didn't want Asake to go, to make her own destiny and life in the city of walls.

"I have to go," Asake said softly. "I'm sorry."

"Why can't you come with us?" she asked, her eyes widening. "My mother is on the other side of the wall, and you can live with us."

"I can't," Asake said firmly. "I can't come with you."

"Why?"

"I don't have a ticket, and I don't have the paperwork to buy a ticket," she said to her. "I have to sneak in."

"We can buy you a ticket!"

"No." She shook her head, hating how sad she was that she was leaving Lisha. "No, you don't. I'm doing this, and you can't stop me. Okay?"

Lisha stared at her. Her big eyes had lost a little of their glow as she watched Asake turn around and walk away. She felt horrible by doing that, but she had to make her own way in the world now. It was just her now. She only had to take care of herself now. That was the best way to live life. She stalked off from the girl and large group, her heart dropping in her chest. She was alone yet again, but this time, she truly felt lonely.

Turning her head, she glanced over her shoulder and saw Lisha watching her go. Asake's steps faltered, and her heart whispered to her to stay with the group. She stopped walking and turned around to fully face the girl. This time, it seemed like her heart, mind, and soul were in accordance with each other: maybe, just maybe, her journey would be easier if she allowed herself to accept help.

Asake took the first step forward and continued on, her heart hammering against her chest. She thought that this journey she was taking was meant to be lonely, that she needed to be alone to find her true place in the world, but she was wrong. If she only allowed herself to let people in, she would be happier.

She just didn't understand why she didn't learn this when she was with Zuko and Iroh. They knew her better than Lisha did, and yet, Lisha was more welcoming and warmer than the two of them. Lisha didn't know about her horrible past, Lisha didn't know about the bitter thoughts plaguing her mind, Lisha didn't know anything, and that was what made their relationship better.

Asake collapsed onto the ground beside Lisha, tears and emotion overwhelming her. She leaned against Lisha, who wrapped her arms around her shoulders, holding her as she cried.

—

Somehow, they made it into Ba Sing Se without any trouble. Asake swore that the angry lady at the desk would say no and not allow Asake in the city, but then Lisha took control of the situation. For a girl much younger than Asake, Lisha sure could sweet-talk a person into giving her what she wanted.

So, the two of them walked into the city arm-in-arm, two girls finding their places in this new place. Deep down, though, Asake knew she needed to leave Lisha and find herself.

Wonderful smells permeated down the street as Lisha guided her forward, a huge grin on her face. Asake stumbled after her, a giggle escaping her lips when Lisha suddenly stopped and stared open-mouthed at all the street vendors lining up and down the brick walkway.

"There is so much food!" Lisha said excitedly. "When Mama wrote me, she said that Ba Sing Se was the crossroads of the world, but I never expected this!"

"Do you think they have food from the four nations here?" Asake asked, her eyes scanning the area. Many people walked around, many in finely dressed clothes but others in dirty rags, begging for money and food. "If it is the city of crossroads, then they would have cuisine from every nation."

Lisha gave her a look. "Now, why would an Earth Kingdom city, the capital city, no less, have Water Tribe food here?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest. "Sure, people come here from every nation, but that doesn't mean they cater to them."

Asake's face burned with embarrassment. "Right," she said, nodding once. "You're right. Let's just find something to eat, and then we can go."

Lisha guided her toward a random cart and handled the transaction while Asake stood there. She felt weird being around so many people, but she felt even weirder when she thought about this city being the crossroads of the world. When she was on the ship, she heard stories about the Impenetrable City, the one that even the Dragon of the West couldn't conquer. The Fire Nation couldn't get their hands on this city, no matter how hard they tried, and it was the center where refugees came to survive.

And yet . . . she looked around and didn't see anyone as worried as she was. There was a war going on outside these walls, but it didn't seem like these people really knew that. Something felt off here like there was a promised sense of joy that was fake, made up so these people could live in a bubble.

Lisha handed her a steaming hot kabob, and Asake gratefully took it from her. "Are you a refugee?" Asake asked as they started walking down the street. "Is that why you're here, looking for your mom?"

The girl remained silent for a second, taking a bite from her kabob. She chewed for a second before answering. "Yes, I'm a refugee," she said softly. "My town was burned down by this angry prince from the Fire Nation."

A cold sweat started on the back of Asake's neck, and her skin prickled when Lisha looked at her. "That's . . . unfortunate."

"My mom was already on her way to Ba Sing Se when it happened, so I decided to come to the city early. There was nothing back on that island left for me, so I joined a group and started my own new life." Lisha nudged Asake's arm, smiling softly. "We're more alike than I realized."

Asake swallowed hard, her appetite suddenly gone. She smiled at Lisha to keep her bad feelings at bay, bowing her head at the girl. "I am sorry for what happened to you," she said, her voice thick. She knew what angry prince Lisha was talking about and wondered if she was there when Lisha's city was burned down. "And I hope you find your mother. I think it's time for me to start my journey, alone."

Lisha's mouth dropped open. "But – but we were on this journey together!"

"I understand, but this is something I have to do." With the kabob in her hand, she bowed lower and made the Earth Kingdom symbol with her hands, her eyes pricking with tears. "Thank you for your hospitality, and thank you for believing in me. I am indebted to you forever."

Asake spun around before Lisha could say anything else and hurried off, her heart hurting because of this decision. She had finally allowed herself to open up and accept help, but the person she was helping happened to be a victim of hers and Zuko's. Her conscience couldn't take the fact that she destroyed her city, that she destroyed her life as she knew it, and she had to get away from that feeling. 

It was better to be numb than to feel anything at all.