*。☆。
★。＼｜／。★
˚ ₊ ♡ ❰ MIRACULUM ❱
*✧ ─── ❝ ❪ THE DESERT OASIS ❫ ❞

⋆ 🌪. CHAPTER TWENTY ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
˚ ₊ ♡ 112 a.a ─── book two: earth

THREE DAYS HAD PASSED SINCE THE THUNDERSTORM, AND THE TENSION BETWEEN UKI AND ZUKO HAD only intensified. They had spent most of that time in silence—broken only by sharp words and heated arguments, despite Iroh's constant attempts at mediation. The wound on Iroh's ribs had healed enough for them to move, but the hostility between the waterbender and the fire prince seemed far from mending.

Uki had been the one to declare Iroh fit to travel again, though she hadn't been particularly kind about it as she told Zuko. And now, she found herself stuck on the back of the same ostrich horse as him, both their bodies rigid as they rode through the open plains. The discomfort wasn't just from the awkward silence or the unresolved frustration that hung in the air.

No, it was more than that—Uki had quickly discovered that people from the Fire Nation radiated heat, and Zuko, in particular, seemed to run incredibly hot.

She fidgeted uncomfortably, wishing she could put more distance between them, but the narrow saddle made that impossible. She had long since shed her furs, having sadly left them behind before they embarked on their journey. Without Appa's saddle to store her things, she had no choice. The coldness of the Water Tribe felt far away now, and in the heat of the Fire Nation prince's presence, her layers had become stifling.

Now, all she wore was a sleeveless blue tunic, kimono-like in its design, cinched at her waist with a belt made of soft leather. It left her arms bare and exposed to the warmth of the sun.

Behind them, Iroh trailed slightly on his own ostrich horse, the reins held loosely in his hands as he hummed softly to himself, seemingly unfazed by the tension.

"Stop fidgeting," Zuko muttered suddenly, not even bothering to look back at her. His voice was low, sharp.

Uki scowled at the back of his head, "You really need to work on your attitude, you know that?"

Zuko's jaw clenched. "I don't have an attitude."

Uki barked out a short laugh. "Oh, really? Because from where I'm sitting, you've got enough attitude for an entire army."

Zuko's grip tightened on the reins. "I don't have time for this."

"Of course you don't," Uki said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're too busy brooding and pretending you're the only one with problems."

They were interrupted by Iroh—as he groaned and clutched his side, brows furrowed. Concern immediately flooded her, "Iroh?" She looked over her shoulder, "Are you alright?"

"Maybe we should make camp," Zuko suggested, glancing over his shoulder at Iroh.

Iroh waved him off with his usual cheery demeanor. "No, no! Don't stop because of me. I'm sure I'll be fine!"

Uki sighed, unsure as Zuko shrugged all the happy to ignore his uncle.

But they didn't make it far before Iroh dramatically groaned in pain again, clutching his side.

With an exasperated huff, Zuko halted their ostrich horse and slid off. "Uncle, sit down. We're stopping," he ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Iroh complied, sliding off his steed and settling himself on a large rock, gingerly rubbing his wound. Uki was already pulling the water from her pouch, letting it swirl around Iroh's wound.

They barely had a moment of rest when the ostrich horses' ears perked and twitched, and they nervously shuffled their feet. Uki straightened up, scanning their surroundings. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled.

"What now?" Iroh asked in exasperation.

Before anyone could answer, the sound of heavy footfalls filled the air. A herd of rhinos burst through the trees, cracking the earth beneath their massive paws. The animals were carrying five burly men, each wielding a distinct weapon. Uki's grip on her waterskin tightened instinctively as she spotted the sharp glint of armor.

"Colonel Mongke, what a pleasant surprise!" Iroh's voice rang out, warm and cheerful, as if they had stumbled upon an old friend instead of a squad of dangerous mercenaries.

The leader of the group—a bald, burly man with a nose ring that gleamed like molten gold—snorted, unimpressed. Mongke slammed his bracers together with a sharp clang, sparks flying from the impact. "If you're surprised to see us, then the Dragon of the West has lost a few steps," he growled.

Uki's gaze flicked between the riders, her stance subtly shifting as she assessed the situation. The five men were heavily armed, their mounts pawing restlessly at the ground, snorting in anticipation.

Zuko stepped closer to his uncle, his golden eyes narrowing into slits. "Uncle, you know these guys?" he asked, his voice low, edged with suspicion.

Iroh clasped his hands behind his back, radiating calm despite the growing hostility. "Of course! Colonel Mongke and the Rough Riders are legendary. Each one is a different type of weapon specialist." Then he added with a nostalgic grin: "They're also a very capable singing group, if I recall correctly!"

Mongke's expression soured further, his lip curling in disdain. "We're not here to give a concert," Mongke barked out. "We're here to apprehend fugitives."

Iroh didn't miss a beat and Uki could feel her heart hammer in her chest. "Ah, but surely you wouldn't pass up the chance for some tea first? I'm sure I still have some jasmine left. What about you, Kachi?" He pointed to one of the men, his thick bear braded and surprisingly well kept. "You strike me as a jasmine fan."

"Enough stalling!" Mongke barked, flicking the reins on his rhino. "Round them up!"

Uki sighed and flexed her fingers, pulling a stream of water from her pouch. "I guess tea time's canceled," she muttered under her breath as chaos erupted around them.

Fire blasts rained down as the Rough Riders charged at them. Uki darted to the side, narrowly evading a flaming arrow that thudded into the ground beside her, the heat brushing her face. Her heart thundered in her chest as she whipped her hands forward, drawing water from her pouch into a sinuous arc. The liquid snapped against the incoming arrow, smothering its flames and sending it tumbling harmlessly to the dirt.

Zuko, already in a defensive stance, shot fire blasts back at their attackers. "Stay close!" he barked at Uki and Iroh.

"I can handle myself, thanks!" she snapped, letting the water swirl defensively around her body before shooting out quick whips of water. With a precise movement, a shard of ice flew, moving with the path her arched arm chose—slicing right through the bowstring of the archer.

Rising a wall of water, she barely managed to stop a blast of fire send her way—the heat felt sweltering from so close. As the water wall fell away, Zuko leaped over her, his body twisting in a smooth roll. He landed with a fist slamming forward, fire erupting in a fierce jet before he pivoted, his leg sweeping out in a blazing arc that forced their attackers back.

One of Mongke's firebenders stepped forward, a sneer curling his lips as flames danced menacingly along his fingertips. He cracked his knuckles, his eyes alight with smug confidence. "Think you can handle a real fight, Water Tribe?" he taunted, thrusting his arms forward to send a searing wave of fire in her direction.

Uki's lips thinned as her eyes narrowed. "Try me," she muttered, her body moving before her mind even caught up. She flicked her wrists, pulling the water around her into a protective wall. The flames slammed into it, evaporating into a hiss of steam that shrouded the battlefield in a thick mist. Undeterred, Uki swept her arms wide, the water flowing outward in long, tendril-like streams that lashed out at the firebender with the speed of snapping ropes.

The man stumbled back, narrowly dodging a tendril that cracked the ground where he'd been standing. He retaliated with a burst of flames, but Uki was faster. She spun on her heel, drawing her water in a graceful arc, weaving it into a protective shield that blocked his attack.

The firebender growled. He thrust both hands forward, sending twin jets of flame toward her. She stepped forward, her foot sliding over the dirt as she drew her water into a compact sphere. With a sharp kick—mimicking a move she'd seen Zuko execute moments earlier—she sent the sphere crashing into his chest. The impact hurled the firebender into the trees with a satisfying crack, leaving him groaning and slumped against the trunk.

Breathing hard, Uki straightened, tossing a glance over her shoulder at Zuko. "Not bad for 'Water Tribe,' huh?" she quipped, brushing a strand of damp hair from her face.

Zuko, mid-battle with another of Mongke's men, shot her a quick, begrudging smirk. "Just don't get cocky, peasant."

"Oh, I'd say I'm keeping up just fine, Your Highness," she retorted.

From behind her, Iroh grabbed Uki's wrist. "Time to go." he said, pulling her toward the ostrich horses. "We need to retreat!"

She nodded, jumping atop one of the ostrich horses as Iroh did with the other. Urging the animal forward, dust shot up as the creature started to run.

Zuko, having just kicked Mongke off his rhino watched them and without missing a beat, he leaped up behind Uki as she spurred the animal into motion.

Just as they headed for the cover of the trees, one of the armored Rough Riders tossed a fire grenade in front of them. The explosion shook the ground, but Uki and Iroh rode through the smoke, using the chaos to escape.

Once they were safely out of range, Uki released a long breath, her heart still racing. "That was close," she muttered.

"It's always nice to see old friends," Iroh said lightly, his tone far too cheerful for the situation.

Her brow twitched in annoyance, "Friends?" she asked beneath her breath—neither men heard her.

Zuko shot him a glare. "Too bad you don't have any old friends who don't want to kill us."

Iroh scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm... old friends who don't want to attack me...." He trailed off for a moment, as if seriously considering it. Then his face brightened. "Ah!

The desert town Iroh had so enthusiastically led them to was far from the paradise he'd promised. For something allegedly renowned as a "tropical retreat," it was about as inviting as a dried-up mud puddle.

At the heart of the settlement, the so-called oasis stood as a tragic monument to disappointment—a sagging pillar of ice slumped sideways into a shallow hole, its once-pristine surface streaked with sand and dirt.

The town itself was no better. Dust had settled like a second skin over every surface, coating the low, dome-like buildings that resembled sand igloos. Uki noticed cracks spiderwebbed across their surfaces, and some of the roofs sagged like old men under the weight of too many years in the unforgiving desert. The streets, if they could be called that, were uneven paths of shifting sand and dirt that swallowed footsteps whole. The way the settlement seemed to sink into the surrounding dunes gave the eerie impression that the desert was slowly devouring it.

The townspeople matched the scenery—worn down and barely holding on. Most wore clothes so sun-bleached and threadbare they looked ready to dissolve in the next gust of wind. Their faces were lined with exhaustion, their movements sluggish as they shuffled from place to place like tumbleweeds.

Many avoided making eye contact, retreating into the shadows of doorways or the cover of ragged cloaks, as if interaction was as scarce and precious as water. Even the merchants hawking wares from makeshift stalls seemed half-hearted, their goods little more than withered produce and trinkets salvaged from who-knows-where.

"This place is a dump," Zuko muttered, breaking the tense silence. He strode ahead of them, his golden eyes scanning the town with visible disdain. "It doesn't even look worth stopping for."

"Ah," Iroh said brightly, clearly unfazed by the dilapidation. "There is beauty in even the humblest of places, nephew. Sometimes, you just need to look a little harder to find it."

Uki raised an eyebrow at him, skepticism written plainly on her face, but she didn't comment. If there was beauty here, it was buried under layers of neglect and misery, and she doubted they'd have time to dig it out.

What wasn't hidden, however, was the heat.

All-consuming heat.

Sweat trickled down her temple as she trudged after the pair, cursing the sun and already missing the cooler climates of the North—spirits, she even missed the cold wind that swept through her hair when she rode on Appa's saddle—and she hated being on Appa's saddle.

Eventually, the group wandered toward a larger building near the center of the settlement. A crooked sign hanging above the entrance identified it as some kind of tavern. Uki pushed the door open, grateful for the temporary reprieve from the sun.

Flickering candles provided a warm, uneven glow, and the air, while stale, was at least cooler. Most of the tables were occupied by the kind of people Uki's mother would have called "unsavory"—rough-looking travelers with shifty eyes and knives strapped conspicuously to their belts. It wasn't exactly welcoming, but at least it was alive with the hum of low conversation and clinking mugs.

Before Uki could take it all in, Iroh was already guiding her and Zuko to a corner bench. He left them there without a word and headed for the bar. Uki barely had time to blink before a steaming cup of tea was placed in front of her.

"No one here is going to help us," Zuko grumbled, glaring at the other patrons as if daring them to prove him wrong."These people just look like filthy wanderers."

Uki gave him a pointed side-eye and deadpanned, "So do we."

"Ah, this is interesting" Iroh said, and Uki subtly looked over her shoulder toward where Iroh was nodding. A lone man sitting at a Pai Sho table. "I think I found our friend."

The man was older, his weathered face partially lit up by the light of the candles—he looked out of place between the ruggish people of town. His clothes pristine and well looked after.

"You brought us here to gamble on Pai Sho?" Zuko's voice was thick with disbelief.

Uki didn't voice her agreement with the firebender just out of spite.

Iroh chuckled, a twinkle in his eye. "Oh, this is no gamble, Prince Zuko." Rising from the bench with a soft groan, he made his way toward the man and with a sigh, Uki pushed herself up to follow after him.

"May I have this game?" Iroh asked politely as they reached the table.

The old man looked up slowly, studying Iroh with piercing eyes before nodding. "The guest has the first move."

Iroh lowered himself into the seat opposite the stranger and, with a knowing grin, placed the lotus tile at the center of the board. Uki caught the subtle shift in the stranger's expression—a flicker of recognition. The man mirrored Iroh's sly smile and responded with a deliberate motion, placing his own tile.

"I see you favor the white lotus gambit," the man said, his voice low but tinged with intrigue. "Not many still cling to the ancient ways."

Iroh cupped his hands together in a specific gesture and replied warmly, "Those who do can always find a friend."

The old man mimicked the gesture, his grin widening. "Then let us play."

The two men began placing tiles at an almost alarming speed, their movements precise and deliberate. Uki exchanged a bewildered look with Zuko as the Pai Sho board quickly transformed into an intricate design. When the game was complete, the pattern on the board resembled a blooming lotus flower, its center marked by the lotus tile.

"Welcome, brother," the stranger said, standing to clasp Iroh's shoulder. "The White Lotus opens wide to those who know her secrets."

"What are you old gasbags talking about?" Zuko demanded, his frustration boiling over. Uki elbowed him sharply in the ribs and shot him a glare.

"I always told you, Pai Sho is more than just a game," Iroh said, rolling a tile over his knuckles with practiced ease before clenching it in his fist. His smile was brighter than ever, as though he'd just revealed the punchline of a particularly clever joke—one Uki and neither Zuko seemed the be in on.

Rustling behind them made the hairs on Uki's neck bristle in alarm and as she tried to glimpse at the commotion, her heart stuttered in her chest.

"You two fugitives are coming with me!" Xin Fu—the presenter of Earth Rumble Six and Toph's kidnapper, barked, his voice as heavy as his footsteps.

Uki's stool scraped the floor and toppled over as she shot to her feet, her hand instinctively moving toward the water pouch at her hip. She didn't get far. The old Pai Sho player—who, moments ago, had been the picture of calm wisdom—leapt up with surprising speed, interposing himself between them

She blanched as he pointed right at them. "I knew it! You two are wanted criminals with a giant bounty on your heads!" he shouted, pointing at Zuko and Iroh and in turn catching the attention of everyone inside the tavern.

"Oh, no," Uki muttered under her breath, her fingers twitching toward her pouch again. Her eyes darted around, and sure enough, more and more patrons were rising from their seats, exchanging glances as if silently agreeing this was an opportunity too good to pass up.

"I thought you said he would help!" Zuko growled beneath his breath, and Uki shifted nervously as one of the candles closest to her rose with the Prince's rising anger.

Uki gritted her teeth, averted her gaze and began to ready her unscrew the cap of her pouch, but Iroh's hand being placed on her shoulder stopped the waterbender. "He is." he answered as he put his other hand on Zuko's shoulder. "Just watch." he continued.

The Pai Sho player turned to face Yu and Xin Fu. "You think you're going to capture them and collect all that gold?" he asked them accusingly.

All of the men in the bar look up at the mention of gold.

"Gold?" One of them breathed out before all of them begin to ready their weapons. "Uh..." Yu said hesitantly. "Maybe we shouldn't." he continued eyeing the men around him warily But Xin Fu's pride—or perhaps better said; stupidity—outweighed his caution as he jumped into the fight.

While the room devolved into bedlam, the Pai Sho player turned back toward the trio with a small, satisfied smile. "We should leave—now."

"Now that's advice I can get behind," Uki spluttered, darting after him as he hurried toward a side door.

Iroh chuckled softly, his hands tucked behind his back as though they were on a leisurely stroll and not fleeing a bar brawl. "You see? All is going according to—" He yelped as Zuko pulled him along "--plan."

Before Uki could argue, a resounding crash sounded from inside the tavern. Xin Fu's furious shouts rang out above the chaos, but they were quickly muffled as another round of fighting broke out.

The Pai Sho player led them quickly through the winding streets, avoiding the main paths where some locals still loitered around. "We'll head to the outskirts," he said.

They didn't let up until they reached a smaller building at the edge of the desert village. The stranger took them into a flower shop, checking to make sure no one was following them before locking the door behind them.

"It is an honour to welcome such a high-ranking member of the Order of the White Lotus," he said. "Being a Grand Master, you must know so many secrets."

"Now that you've played a rousing game of Pai Sho, are you going to do some flower arranging?" Zuko said impatiently, cutting Iroh off before he could even respond. "Or are we going to get some real help?'"

Uki rolled her eyes and knocked him aside with her shoulder.

The Pai Sho player, who clearly seemed to have more manners that the disgraced prince—in Uki's humble opinion, knocked on a door on the back wall.

A small window in the middle slid open and a man peeked through.

"Who knocks at the guarded gate?"

"One who has eaten the fruit and tasted its mysteries," Iroh answered.

The window closed with a snap and a second later, the door opened. Uki, sighed in relief, took one step forward, only to be stopped in her path by Iroh, who held his hand out.

"I'm afraid it's members only," The stranger said before promptly slamming the door in their faces.

Uki puffed out a discouraged breath, clenched her fist and raise them as if to pummel to door, before deciding against it.

She twirled around on the balls of her feet, casted one wary glance at Zuko who stood a little to the side and promptly let herself slide down the wall to sit with a a defeated thud.

Zuko let out a sound of frustration and leaned on one of the tables, his arms folded over his chest and his face in a deep scowl—she did her best to ignore the sliver of fear that ran through her when the candles in the building rose with his angry outburst of his breath.

She would not let it past him to accidentally burn the building down.

Zuko eventually sank to the ground beside her. He stretched one of his legs out in front of him, his other knee bent, and settled into a stiff silence. For a while, he just sat there, glancing between the door where Iroh disappeared through, the nearby storefront, and finally—though subtly—at her from the corner of his eye.

Uki's brows furrowed when she caught his gaze lingering. "What?" she grunted, shooting him a sharp look.

Zuko's head jerked slightly, as though caught doing something he shouldn't. A faint blush crept up his cheeks that even burnt his right ear pink, betraying his embarrassment, but he quickly forced his expression back into his usual scowl. "Uncle's healed enough," he said, his voice clipped. "Shouldn't you leave?"

Uki let out a long sigh, drawing her knees close to her chest. She wrapped her arms around them and rested her chin on top. "I should, shouldn't I?" she hesitated, her voice quieter now, almost like the words had been clawed from her. "I don't know where my friends are though..."

The silence between them stretched, brittle and uneasy. Uki, for her part, didn't elaborate. Part of her didn't want to risk leading Zuko to Aang or the others when she would go looking for them, but another part—the one she hated admitting even to herself—was afraid of being alone. Fire Nation prince or not, it was safer to travel with company...plus she kind of came to like his uncle's stories and tea brewing skills.

Zuko scoffed, his scowl deepening. "So, what, you're just sticking around out of convenience?" he said, his tone brimming with skepticism. "Waiting for someone to come rescue you?"

Uki turned her head slightly, fixing him with a side-eye glare. "I don't need rescuing." she said sharply, offended he even thought her to be a damsel in distress. "Besides your uncle isn't completely healed yet." She quipped.

Zuko's jaw tightened. "He doesn't need a babysitter," he bit back. "And I'm more than capable of taking care of him."

Uki gave a dry laugh. "Yeah," she said sarcastically, her lips quirking into a smirk. "Face it, Zuko. You're about as nurturing as a cactus."

His amber eyes flared with indignation, but he didn't have a quick retort. Instead, he muttered something under his breath that Uki didn't catch.

Uki shook her head, her smirk softening into something more neutral. "Look," she said after a moment, her tone calmer. "I don't want to be here either, all right? But for now, it's safer than wandering around the desert alone—especially with those two lunatics on our trail. And let's not forget your crazy sister."

And maybe Uki wanted to believe what Iroh had said; maybe something in Zuko was worth trusting—and maybe, she would be able to divert him from his search—mislead them when they caught a whiff of Aang.

His gaze snapped to her, sharp and accusing, but before he could launch into whatever fiery retort he had brewing, the door creaked open. Iroh stepped out, his ever-placid smile on his face. "Ah, good! You're both bonding," Iroh said cheerfully, as though the air between them wasn't thick with tension.

Zuko jumped to his feet, his movements sharp and tense. "What's going on?" he demanded, his amber eyes darting around the room. "Is the club meeting over?"

"Everything has been taken care of," Iroh said calmly as Uki stood and dusted herself off. "We're heading to Ba Sing Se."

Zuko's expression shifted from confusion to skepticism. "Why are we going to the Earth Kingdom capital?" he asked, crossing his arms.

"The city is full of refugees; no one will notice three more," the Pai Sho player explained, his tone even and assured.

"We can hide in plain sight. It's the safest place from the Fire Nation— not even I could break through to the city."

Uki blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Ba Sing Se. Her gaze flicked toward Iroh as his words sank in, but unease churned in her chest. For all his gentle demeanor and soft smiles, Iroh was still the Dragon of the West—a Fire Nation general whose victories had left scars across the Earth Kingdom. And Zuko? He was still hunting the Avatar...still fighting to reclaim his title as crown prince of the Fire Nation.

The same nation that wished to conquer her home—the same nation that murdered Yue.

The gnawing guilt twisted further in her gut, but before she could dwell on it, the front door creaked open. A man stepped inside, his hands clutching three official-looking documents. "I have the passports for our guests," he announced, his voice brisk and businesslike. "But there are two men on the street looking for them."

Uki tensed, immediately guessing who those "two men" were. Iroh and Zuko moved to the front window, peering out cautiously. Sure enough, there stood the familiar forms of Xin Fu and Master Yu, their postures stiff with purpose as they held up wanted posters and questioned a passerby. The paper fluttered slightly in the breeze, but there was no mistaking the unmistakable scowling face of Zuko staring back from the sketch.

"Now what do we do?" Zuko muttered, his voice low but edged with frustration.

The Pai Sho player straightened, his expression calm yet purposeful. "Shiyu," he said, addressing the man with the passports, "get three large flower pots."

Uki groaned inwardly, already bracing herself for whatever absurdity was about to unfold. Her hand instinctively ran down her face as if trying to wipe away the dread pooling in her stomach.

"I don't like where this is going," she muttered, but her complaint was drowned out by Iroh's cheerful hum of approval.

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