Chapter 7: It's Just The Heat

“What do you want?” Homura shouted. The boy named Uka kept his hands held up in surrender. “I’ve been sent to meet someone here halfway, I assume that someone is you, miss…?”

She scrunched up her nose. “You don’t need to know my name. Who sent you?” Uka smiled. Is this guy always this happy? Homura thought.

Uka continued to speak. “I meant no harm by it, ma’am. My…father sent me. He heard that someone was on their way to where the Avatar was staying at the moment. Is that correct?” Homura nodded. “What do you want with her?”

“You and I both know that something is wrong, so I was making my way to Republic City. The world’s been awfully quiet, hasn’t it?” Uka said. Homura was starting to get annoyed at how polite he was. “If you’re trying to ask if you can come with me, then fine. But stay out of my way, and no funny business.”

Uka’s eyes lit up as he smiled again. “Yes’m, I hear ya loud and clear.” The two of them began to walk, the moon and Homura’s fire lighting up the path. She had to admit, it was less lonely with Uka trailing behind her. “You’re a terrible liar, you know.” Homura said. “Whatever do you mean, miss?” Uka replied. “Your father didn’t really send you, did he?”

Uka chuckled. “No ma’am, he didn’t. I’m…It’s just me, really.” Homura looked back at him. “Where are your parents?”

“My father is at home, and my mother is…somewhere safer.” He replied. The firebender decided not to ask questions, remaining silent for the rest of the walk. An hour later, the Temple of Shino came into view. “Finally.” Homura said with a heavy sigh. Uka extended his hand towards the direction of the entrance. “Shall we?” Homura rolled her eyes, leading the way. She took a step onto the cobblestone stairs, nearly falling over from something she slipped on. Uka held onto her arms before she could hit the ground. "Are you alright?" He asked. Homura nodded. "I slipped on a…a coin?" She said, picking up the object from the ground. Uka took a closer look and suddenly his eyes widened. “Woah. This is a very old currency. Someone must've dropped this a long while ago."

Homura shrugged and trudged up the steps to the Temple. Beyond the entrance were two hallways that led somewhere.

She sighed. "Alright, which way do we go?" She thought out loud. Uka pointed to the one on the right. "Maybe this one?"

"Actually, I was talking to myself. And myself says we should go that way." Homura replied, pointing to the one on the left. She began walking to the left when Uka put a gentle yet firm hand on her shoulder to stop her. "Ma'am, I really think we should go the other way." Homura pushed his hand away and continued walking.

With no other choice, Uka blocked her from the left tunnel by earth bending a wall in front of her. "I'm sorry, but I really think we should go the other way."

Homura whipped around with anger written all over her face. "Let. Me. Through." Uka sighed and let down the wall so she could go through. "Now walk." She said.

Using her firebending for light, the began to walk down the pitch black tunnel. "I've still got a bad feeling about this…"

Homura kept walking. " Well stop it, because it's going to be fine. You're just freaking out because of the heat, I can already see a light down there." She said, pointing to a soft light.

"C'mon!" She was running towards the light, Uka following behind her.

"See? I told you this was-" She stopped outside of the tunnel, where the police were waiting for them. "Hands up, kids." One of the officers said. Uka grumbled, putting his hands up. Homura followed suit, glancing at him. "Oh yeah, this is exactly the place we need to be." He said.

LATER

Uka and Homura were chained up in a cell, awaiting their fate. Uka took a deep breath and tried to strike up a conversation. "We're gonna get out of here soon, I'm sure of it." Homura ignored him, chained to the other side of the cell. The floor was cold and hard and the air was hot, making it uncomfortable with their hands chained above their heads.

"I'm going to make this right. As soon as we explain to these people that we're innocent, it'll all be over!" He continued. Homura shook her head. "I doubt it. These cops don't seem interested in hearing what we have to say."

Uka tilted his head to the side in confusion. "Oh, those aren't cops, they're just…some people. I used to work for them."

Homura jolted up and looked at him in surprise. "You used to work for them? And do what exactly?" Uka smiled. "I was their body guard! Until…they started asking me to do some bad stuff, so I kinda quit."

"What bad stuff? Who are these people?!" She asked. Uka looked away. "If anyone stands in their way…Well that's where I came in. Let's just say we aren't the only ones looking for the Avatar."

To Be Continued