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

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

THE FERRY GROANED AS IT DOCKED, THE HULL SCRAPING AGAINST THE WORN WOODEN POSTS. A HUSH FELL over the refugees for a brief moment, as if they had all been holding their breath for this moment—the first step into Ba Sing Se. And then, the silence shattered.

Mothers hoisted sleeping children onto their backs, fathers shouldered the weight of meager possessions, and weary travelers shuffled forward, their movements sluggish but determined. The flood of bodies surged down the gangplank and onto the long stone path that led deeper into the harbor of Ba Sing Se.

Uki adjusted the strap of her bag, glancing toward Iroh and Zuko before back forward. So this was Ba Sing Se. The so-called "safest city in the world."

She wasn't sure she believed that—she once believed the Northern Water Tribe to be invincible too, but that dream had shattered quickly and merciless.

She, Zuko, and Iroh had separated from the Freedom Fighters earlier that morning, but Uki had seen Jet approach Zuko at the crack of dawn, when mist still clung to the water's edge. She didn't know what they had talked about but she knew Zuko wouldn't disclose any of it with her.

Falling in with the endless line of refugees waiting to have their papers approved, Uki's mind drifted to her friends, she wondered if Aang had made any progress with earthbending—Toph truly seemed like an unforgiving teacher.

Uki sighed, shuffling further along the line, shifting awkwardly as Zuko's shoulder pressed against the back of her own. The heat radiating off of him was almost smoldering, even against her bare arms.

Casting her eyes up Uki saw that the queue stretched far beyond what the eye could see, a slow-moving sea of weary faces, all waiting for a single stamped document to determine their fate.

When they finally reached the front, the official at the desk barely spared them a glance. She looked as though she had seen thousands just like them—tired, hungry, desperate.

Iroh, however, joyfully presented their fake passports to the lady.

She paused for a moment before taking them and inspecting them closer; "Mr. Lee, Ms. Lian and., um Mushy, is it?"

"It's pronounced 'Moo-shi,'" Iroh corrected, smiling.

She stilled, passport held midair, and for the first time, she actually looked at them. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she leaned forward.

The woman's expression darkened. "You tellin' me how to do my job?"

Iroh blinked, then let out a hearty chuckle, quickly backpedaling. "Uh, no, no, of course not." He leaned against the counter, lowering his voice ever so slightly. "But may I just say—you are like a flower in bloom. Your beauty is simply intoxicating."

Uki barely held back a groan.

Zuko, beside her, stiffened, looking as if he'd rather set himself on fire that bear witness to whatever was happening in front of them.

The official, however, preened at the compliment, her dull features lighting up with a faint dusting of pink across her cheeks. She tilted her head, flipping her hair over her shoulder as a smirk curled at the edges of her lips. "Mm. You're pretty easy on the eyes yourself, handsome. Rawr."

With an exaggerated flourish, she stamped their documents and shoved them across the counter. "Welcome to Ba Sing Se."

Iroh collected them with a satisfied smile and turned to his two stunned companions.

Zuko ripped his passport from Iroh's hands. "I'm going to forget I saw that."

"I don't think I can," Uki muttered, rubbing her temples.

They pressed forward into the city, following the throngs of refugees as they were funneled toward the next checkpoint—a dark trainstation, decorated with the Earth Kingdom insignia carved in the wall revealed itself to the trio. Dark jade colored tiles were mixed in with more muted colors, and the lantern gave off a green light—similar to what Uki had seen in Omashu.

The three of them settled onto a worn wooden bench, surrounded by others waiting for transport into the city proper. Uki let her head tip back against the wall and pulled her legs up into a meditative position.

Her own body ached, her limbs heavy from too many sleepless nights. She closed her eyes for just a second—

"So," a familiar voice cut in, casual, but laced with something sharper. "You guys got plans once you're inside the city?"

Uki's eyes snapped open.

Jet.

He leaned against a nearby pillar, arms crossed, one boot braced against the stone. The ever-present smirk on his face was easy, but his gaze wasn't.

Before either Uki or Zuko could answer, a vendor pushed a cart past, steam curling from the lids of the dented metal pots.

"Get your hot tea here! Finest tea in Ba Sing Se!"

Iroh perked up immediately, waving the man down. "Oh, jasmine, please!"

The vendor poured a cup and handed it over. Iroh took a sip—then immediately spat it out.

"Coldest tea in Ba Sing Se is more like it," he muttered, shaking his head in dismay. "What a disgrace."

Jet exhaled sharply, clearly unimpressed by the detour in conversation. "Can I talk to you two for a second?"

Uki and Zuko exchanged a glance. Then, reluctantly, they stood and followed Jet a few steps away.

He didn't waste time. His voice was low, his words clipped. "You two and I have a much better chance of making it in the city if we stick together. You wanna join the Freedom Fighters?"

Uki's muscles tensed. Beside her, she felt Zuko stiffen as well.

"Thanks," Zuko said, voice flat, "but I don't think you want me in your gang."

Jet's jaw tightened. "Come on. We made a great team looting that captain's food. Think of all the good we could do for these refugees."

Uki crossed her arms, her voice firm. "We appreciate the offer, but we're not really here to do things like that again."

Jet's expression darkened, his smirk vanishing. He looked between them, his eyes flickering with something unreadable, something dangerously close to suspicion. Uki felt the weight of it settle in her stomach.

Then, without another word, Zuko grabbed Uki's wrist and turned, leading them back toward Iroh.

"I said no," Zuko muttered over his shoulder, finality in his tone.

As they walked away, Uki risked one last glance back.

Jet was still standing there, unmoving, watching them. His face was unreadable, shadowed beneath the brim of his hat, but Uki could feel it—the shift in the air.

They returned to Iroh, who was still lamenting his poor excuse for tea and it was only then that Uki realized, Zuko fingers were still curled around her cold wrist.

And then, Zuko slapped the cup clean out of his hands.

"Hey!" Iroh yelped, watching the liquid splatter onto the ground.

Zuko's voice was low, sharp. "What are you doing firebending your tea?"

Uki's breath hitched. "You what?"

Iroh blinked, his expression innocent. "I was merely warming it up a little—"

"For a wise old man, that was a pretty stupid move," Zuko hissed. His golden eyes flicked toward where Jet had stood just moments before.

Uki followed his gaze, her pulse quickening. If Jet had seen—

Iroh sniffled, oblivious. "I know you're not supposed to cry over spilled tea, but—it's just so sad."

Uki groaned, rubbing her temples. "I'm stuck with idiots—absolute idiots."

THE HOUSE THEY WERE ASSIGNED WAS SMALL, CRAMPED AND BARELY HAD ANY FURNITURE, BUT IT WAS safe and warm—although, to some degree that most likely was because she shared it with two firebenders. Night had already settled over the vast city of Ba Sing Se, and the sky stretched above her in an unbroken expanse of deep blue, littered with stars. There were barely any clouds in sight, leaving the full moon unshrouded, its silver glow illuminating the narrow streets and casting long, soft shadows over the stone pathways.

Uki sat on the front porch, her bare feet resting against the cool wood, arms wrapped loosely around her bent knees. The evening breeze was gentle, teasing strands of her loose hair, bringing with it the distant hum of a city that never truly slept. Somewhere in the distance, the muffled sounds of voices, the occasional bark of a stray animal, and the faint chime of wind bells filled the quiet.

Zuko and Iroh had long since gone to bed, their quiet breathing filtering through the thin walls of their shared space. Uki, however, couldn't sleep. She had tossed and turned beneath the thin sheets, her mind restless, her heart heavier than she was willing to admit.

She leaned back on her hands and tilted her chin up toward the sky, her lips curling into a soft, bittersweet smile.

"Looks like I got out, Yue," she whispered, her voice barely carried by the wind.

The moonlight bathed her in its glow, illuminating the sadness in her eyes.

"Though... this isn't exactly how I thought it would turn out."

Her fingers idly traced the pendant of Yue's betrothal necklace around her neck, the feeling of the material grounding her.

"I joined the Avatar—which you probably already knew. I was looking after Sokka for you, of course..." Uki let out a small chuckle, though it was tinged with sorrow. "He's still a bit of an idiot, but he's got heart. I know that's why you liked him."

For a moment, she let herself picture Yue—her soft smile, the way she radiated warmth, how she always knew what to say when Uki needed her the most. The memory hurt, but she clung to it anyway.

She exhaled sharply.

"And then I found out about this whole spiritual guardian thing," she muttered, her grip tightening on the pendant. "About Atka and Niyahitha and Avatar Kuruk. As if being blessed by the ocean spirit wasn't already enough pressure."

She laughed dryly, shaking her head.

"I wish you were here, Yue. You always knew what to say."

As if in response, a cloud shifted across the sky, momentarily stealing the moon's light and leaving her in darkness.

Uki sighed, pulling her legs closer to her chest, hugging them tightly.

"And now... I kind of feel like I got myself into this mess—with, you know, the Firebenders." She whispered the last part as if afraid the city itself might hear. "But... I don't know. Something is telling me to stay, and I don't know why. I mean, Ba Sing Se is safe enough for me to go on my own. Maybe the others will end up here too. Maybe I could find them again."

She groaned, burying her face in her hands.

"I'm a mess."

When she lifted her head again, the moonlight had returned, and a sad but knowing smile played at her lips.

"I miss you, Yue."

"—Why are you awake?"

Uki tensed.

She snapped her head up to see Zuko standing in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest.

His golden eyes flickered in the darkness, narrowed slightly in suspicion.

Uki exhaled slowly, rolling her eyes. "Are you spying on me?"

"Yes."

She blinked.

Well. At least he was honest.

Zuko's expression remained unreadable. "You could rat us out to the Earth Kingdom patrol."

Uki scoffed, leaning back on her hands. "And how would I explain why I was with you in the first place? I have a fake passport too, you idiot."

Zuko let out an irritated huff. Uki smirked, satisfied.

But then—

"Who were you talking to?"

She froze.

Her shoulders tensed as she debated whether or not to answer. Then, finally, she pointed up at the sky.

"Yue."

From the corner of her eye, she saw him shift, his arms loosening slightly.

"Yue?"

Uki nodded, gaze lingering on the moon's soft glow.

A beat of silence.

Then—

"...The moon?" Zuko's voice was slow, uncertain. "You're talking to the moon."

Uki let out an involuntary laugh at the absurdity in his tone.

"She wasn't always the moon, you idiot," she said, the mirth in her voice softening into something more fragile. "She was like a sister to me back home."

Under Yue's light, Uki felt... at ease, in a way she hadn't in a long time.

Her smile faded slightly, fingers curling into the fabric of her pants.

"She was blessed by the moon spirit, Tui—just like how I was blessed by the ocean spirit, La." She swallowed, her voice growing quieter. "She was the most important person in my life."

She hesitated, then clenched her fists.

"She sacrificed herself."

Zuko's brows drew together, but he said nothing.

"Tui—the moon spirit—gave her life when she was a baby. And when your Fire Nation general"—she spat the word with venom—"killed Tui in the Spirit Oasis, Yue gave that life back."

Zuko was silent.

"Oh."

Uki scoffed, turning to glare at him beneath her lashes.

That's all he had to say?

Zuko shifted under her icy stare, visibly uncomfortable. "I—" he started, but the words died before they could form.

Uki sighed, shaking her head.

"I don't know why I'm telling you this."

Another silence stretched between them, heavier this time.

Then, unexpectedly, Zuko sat down beside her.

He didn't say anything. Didn't try to offer some hollow words of sympathy or pretend to understand. He simply sat there, arms resting on his knees, golden eyes fixed on the horizon.

Uki watched him for a moment, wary, but said nothing.

And for the first time since she arrived in Ba Sing Se, since she had been with Zuko and Iroh the silence didn't feel quite so lonely.

The silence steadily remains, and as the clouds shift in the sky and time passed slowly, Uki seemed unable to keep her eyes open. Her head lulls forward, her hair shifting in front of her closed eyes.

A single strand tickles her nose and she twitched, head tilting unconsciously, and brushing against Zuko's shoulder.

The scarred boy tensed his form rigid and uncomfortable. He glanced down, barely daring to breath as he observed the waterbender.

The steady rise and fall of her chest, and the way her head snugly laid against his arm. She's mumbling something under her breath, he can't make out what she's saying exactly but something about warmth?

His lips thin, a hint of annoyance at her casual act familiarity—how dare a water tribe peasant even think about touching him! And yet, for some strange reason, he can't bring himself to push her away—perhaps because he knows it will be even more uncomfortable to acknowledge it even happened in the first place. Her incessant arguing and quips enough the make him reconsider his life choices.

Agni, He can't even believe he went and sat down with the waterbender in the first place. But seeing her moping and staring at the sky like some senseless child that lost her favorite toy stirred something unknown in his gut.

A soft snore broke through his spiraling thoughts and he scoffed beneath his breath. "so undignified."

Uki stirred but didn't wake up, she only seemed to burrow herself deeper into his side, her face squished against the fabric of his tunic—eyelashes caressing her tanned cheeks.

She's mumbling, and Zuko hoped she wasn't drooling.

He rolled his eyes, resigning himself to his new role as pillow.

What had the world come to?

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