Diushi flew with Bai, the baby slept in it's small pouch near her breasts. She felt comfortable in his tiny breaths.
“Bai, we should rest here for the night... I know it's Fire Nation territory, but maybe it's best for now... We haven't stopped in a few days... C'mon, buddy..."
Bai landed on the small Rocky island, attached to more territory by a small wooden path, a cave was there. Diushi looked at the baby, “We will go into town tomorrow to get you something to eat, okay?"
***
The next morning, Diushi woke, looking through the clothes she had packed. She dreaded wearing anything different, but she managed to find a dress that was a light shade of brown, she could not afford suspicions.
She wore it, grabbing a sheet to carry the baby in, “We need a name for you... I'm not sure what, but we do... I'll find you a name soon, all right, dear?"
He laughed.
As the two crossed the walkway, she could smell smells which she had never known, some were of fresh vegetables being cooked, others were unknown to her. She continued on her way, unknown of the time.
Some men walked past her, heads full of hair, she looked around curiously.
A woman was selling clothes, all red, of course. Diushi thought that first she should buy food, then worry about bringing in.
A man had a cart if cabbages, she smiled, “Cabbage and potato stew is always great..."
She walked towards him, “Excuse me, sir? May I buy a cabbage?"
He nodded, “Well, of course, young lady. I'll only need one bronze coin."
She took out a coin, gave it to him and took the cabbage. She bowed to him in respect.
At another cart, she saw tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, potatoes. Immediately, she knew that she had to shop there. She walked closer, inspecting the produce. The woman behind the cart smiled, “Looking for the world's best, huh? I'll give you a bargain, three potatoes and two carrots for five bronze pieces?"
Diushi smiled, “That is wonderful! Thank you!"
“I will place them in a bag, dearie," she said as she did so, handing it to her.
As she walked, she looked around, not paying any attention to what stood in front of her. She jumped into it, almost falling, he turned around and grabbed her hand, “Oh, my! Forgive me, ma'am!"
She grabbed into his hand, glad she didn't Airbend.
Diushi looked at him, he was tall, with brown eyes. His hair was long, yet well kept in a pony tail, a headpiece with the Fire Nation's logo laid over his pony tail.
“Forgive my idiocy, as a general of the Fire Nation, I should understand how busy these streets are," he said as he lifted her up, his large arms tense.
“Oh no, I should watch out, Mr-"
“Please, I am General Zuko, and you are?"
“Diushi..."
“A wanderer, if I may ask?" He said with a smile.
She looked down, “Yes, I settled here in this lovely land just last night."
“Well, Diushi, if you'd like, I'll be cooking tonight at my home. You are welcomed, and you can bring your son?" He asked with a smile, looking over the small child.
“Well, I took him in, but I plan to act as his mother," she said as she looked at the baby.
“And his name?"
“His name-his name is Gyatso," she gulped.
Zuko beamed, “I love babies! He's so handsome! How kind are you to take him in? There aren't very many kind women like you anymore, ya know?"
Diushi blushed, “Well, I guess that's just who I am..."
“Would you like to come on over right now? I'm not expecting anyone for the whole day..."
She nodded, “Well, that sounds like a great idea."
In the distance, a man shouted, holding up a newspaper, “Air nomads are put in their place! With struggle for years, Fire Lord Sozin puts them down, once and for all!"
Zuko was wide eyed, “Sozin ordered it... No... Azulon said it wouldn't go through..."
“Zuko, what does he mean?" She asked, tears swelling in her eyes.
“Fire Lord Sozin... Most don't know, but, to find the Avatar, he set out a decree to kill all Airbenders... His son argued against it, it's wrong!" He growled.
Diushi looked away, she ignores his every word after he explained that, she could hear muffles from his voice. She walked away without speaking, he shouted, but she ignored him, running away.
Her tears had begun to stain her lightly shaded face, Maybe the baby could feel her every emotion, because he too, began to cry.
She held onto him tightly, the two were the last of the Air Nomads, Aang was presumedly dead. She had broken her promise to Bai, she failed as a protector. And Ai? He too, she thought, was dead.
Already in her hideout, she grabbed the reigns if her air bison, “Bai, please leave... I can't risk them finding us... This is probably selfish, and I'm sorry, but please go...."
Bai whimpered, yet walked out. Diushi placed some robes down on the floor, then put Gyatso down.
With grace, she spun around, chanting quietly to herself. Air was flowing around her like a glowing Halo of the Divine. Tears fell down her cheeks as she airbent.
“Spirits... I have failed my people... Please forgive me..." She stated, the air grew no violent as she continued on, “Gyatso is dead! Ai, and Aang! I let them down! I let them all down!"
The robes that covered her arms and legs flew off due to the wind. Revealing her tattoos.
“Diushi... Please, please kill me with your element!"
She stopped, seeing Zuko a few feet away from her, tears fell onto the floor. He was on his knees, his hands supporting him. His eyes could not meet hers.
“Please, my people have stolen your being... Please kill me as I have killed you," he shouted, “Kill me! I cannot serve my nation! Not Sozin!"
Diushi cried, “This is not your fault, Zuko. It isn't mine, either," she said as she stopped.
“This... It's so wrong... I'm so sorry..." He whispered.
“Zuko," she bent down, to grab his chin, lifting his face up gently, his eyes meeting hers for the first time in the cave, “Please don't cry for me..."
“Forgive me, then. I ask if you would be able, though, to stay in my home as a guest. It's all I can give to you," he mummered.
“I don't know..." “Diushi, please. I refuse to let such a soft spirit stay in a cave. Please, I need to help you..."
She sat down, sighing, “What more do you know?"
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