not from around here | Zuko X OC

| chapter fifty three |

The group all slowly walked along the dry earth that was their path forwards. All heads were hung in shame and humiliation at their devastating loss.

Aang said there was somewhere safe for them to go, however the only way to get there without Appa collapsing from exhaustion was to walk themselves. Saving Appa came at a price, and that price was their feet.

Saki could feel the blisters from walking so long in the boiling hot weather worsening and stinging with every step, however Saki knew complaining would make everything ten times worse.

Her arm is as still painful, but she had wrapped it up in bandages and done some healing on it on the way on Appa, so it was slightly better.

"This is humiliating." Katara said, looking down at her feet.
"You mean getting thoroughly spanked by the Fire Nation or having to walk all the way to the Western Air Temple?" Asked Sokka, who was still in his armour.

Katara momentarily glanced at Sokka, then looked back down to answer.
"Both."

"Sorry guys, but Appa gets tired carrying all these people." Aang told everyone, gently petting Appa.

"I wonder how the rest of the troops are." Teo wondered aloud.
Saki didn't answer because she could barely distinguish what he was saying and if she could, her throat was too dry to answer.
The combined lack of food for the past...however long it's been since she ate a good meal, plus the walking made her feel dizzy and disheveled.

"They're probably on their way to a prison. Seems like my dad just got out and now he's going back in." Haru answered him.

The Duke spoke up. "I miss Pipsqueak."
"I miss not having blisters on my feet." Sokka added, which Saki related to.

The small boy called The Duke was walking next to Saki, clearly struggling. He seemed a lot less stronger without his big friend Pipsqueak, more like a "normal" little boy.

Saki stopped and turned, kneeling down to the boy and wiping his eyes where there were tears.
"Are your legs okay?" Saki asked him, looking him up and down.
"They hurt." Cried the boy.
"Come here." Saki gently lifted him up and rested him on her hip, one arm supporting him and the other making sure he didn't fall backwards.
"Thank you." He murmured, burying his face into her shoulder as she pushed on and kept walking.

A few minutes later, Toph suddenly stopped and smiled.
"Hey, we're here! I can feel it!" She exclaimed, feeling more with her feet.
Everyone looked around at the vast land of nothingness that was dry and deserted.

"Uhhh... I think your feet need their eyes checked." Katara said, saying what they were all thinking.
Aang took a step forwards and smiled too.
"No, she's right. We are here!"
"Wow... it's amazing!" Toph continued to exclaim.

Saki continued looking around in confusion for the temple, however couldn't see anything.
"Uhh, am I more blind than Toph, or have I gone crazy from heatstroke, because I don't see anything." She finally spoke up, looking at everyone else.

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"It's so different from the Northern Air Temple. I wonder if there are any secret rooms." Teo spoke up, excited at having somewhere new to explore.
"Let's go check it out!" Haru suggested as he ran off.

The Duke wriggled in Saki's arms and she gently put him down on the floor, patting his head. "Stay safe okay?"
"I will." He nodded and turned, running with Teo after Haru.
Aang tried to as well, but was cut off by Katara.
"You guys go. I think we need to talk about some things." Katara said, using Aang's staff to stop him from going.