Night was settling over the war-torn Fire Nation camp laying just outside the Earth Kingdom capital of Ba Sing Se. Lu Ten had been called to his father, General Iroh's, tent to receive some important instructions. He and three other elite soldiers were summoned. Upon arrival, they all bowed, then looked expectantly at the general.

"Our attempts at capturing Ba Sing Se have so far been unsuccessful," he said, his eyes scanning each of their faces for a moment. They rested briefly on Lu Ten before continuing. "I need the four of you to sneak inside and do some reconnaissance. Find their weak spot, then report back to me in one week. It will take at least a day to get inside the lower ring. I will not accept any failure."

They all bowed again and said a hearty "Yes, sir!" before exiting the tent. They were then given further instructions from the Colonel about going undercover as refugees and how to blend in with the commoners of Ba Sing Se. This was their mission. Lu Ten was packing some things in a bag as he put on his Earth Kingdom disguise. Just as he was preparing to leave, his father entered his tent.

"Lu Ten," he greeted, and smiled warmly. He acted very tough in front of the other big wigs, but whenever he got a moment alone with his son, he really relaxed and became rather goofy. Of course, the other officers knew this, but pretended he was intimidating to spare his feelings.

"Dad," Lu Ten returned, and embraced him. "Did you need something?"

"I just wanted to remind you to be careful on this mission," Iroh replied. "It will be difficult to get behind the walls, and I don't want you to get hurt."

"Dad, I'm going to be fine," Lu Ten assured him. "Honestly, you treat me like such a kid. I've barely even seen battle. When are you going to let me grow up?"

Iroh sighed. He couldn't deny everything his son pointed out because...well, it was true. He knew how gruesome battle could be, and it hurt him to think of his son witnessing it; or the atrocities that occurred because of it.

"I know," he admitted. "But you're only twenty-three years old-"

"Only twenty-three!" Lu Ten cut him off. "Dad, I'm a grown man." Iroh looked a little dejected, so Lu Ten added gently, "I'll always be your boy. But you've got to let me get some experience. This will be good for me. Besides, it's only reconnaissance. How bad can it get?"

Iroh looked shocked. "You could get caught!"

"Please, if I got caught you would burn the whole city to the ground single handedly to get me back," Lu Ten said, rolling his eyes. "I'm not too worried."

Iroh chuckled. "Well, goodbye, my son. I will see you in a week."

"One week," echoed Lu Ten, and they embraced once again before the latter and his three companions departed.

Refugees were entering from a ferry that crossed Full Moon Bay. Lu Ten and his companions casually blended themselves in and followed the crowd into a train station. It was there, it seemed, that they would have to wait a day before they could get into the city. Most of the trains were already full for the night and the Fire Nation spies could not get a train until the following day around midday. Iroh's Colonel had given them enough money to get tickets for the train and to get them a place to stay. After getting their train tickets from a stern looking woman with a harsh voice, Lu Ten told his group to separate. It would look too suspicious if all of them stayed together. So, the prince, ticket in hand, found a bench to sit down on and made himself comfortable, knowing he was going to be there for a while. Using his backpack as a pillow, he laid down and was just settling in when he noticed a couple a short distance away getting down onto the floor. Only the woman was struggling since she was very pregnant. Her husband seemed to be doing all he could to help.

"I shouldn't get on the ground," the woman was saying. "It'll be too hard to get back up in the morning."

"I know, darling," the husband replied. "But we've got to get some rest. It won't do you any good to stand up all night either."

Lu Ten rose from his bench and removed his backpack. He strode over to the couple.

"Take that bench," he offered, indicating with his arm. "I can take the floor."

The husband gaped at him. "Are you sure?"

"Of course," Lu Ten replied. "She needs it much more than I do."

The woman's eyes shone as she gazed at him. "Thank you so much!"

He only nodded and took their spot on the floor. Once again, though far less comfortable this time, he settled down. He watched as the pregnant woman sat down and laid on her side, falling asleep almost instantly. He smiled to himself as he shut his eyes and allowed a light sleep to claim him. The next day, he woke early, noticed the couple still on the bench, sound asleep. The man was on the ground, sitting upright, but still holding his wife's hand. Lu Ten wondered how far they had come to get to Ba Sing Se. Guilt suddenly flooded him when he remembered his mission was to take away the safety these people had traveled so far for.

The time to board the train finally came around, and Lu Ten waved to the couple before his train departed and disappeared beneath a tunnel. They came out in the lower ring of Ba Sing Se, the area where Lu Ten would be hiding out. It was a miserable looking, poverty stricken area, that seemed to consist mostly of refugees. Lu Ten grimaced at the sight. Everyone around seemed so…tired. As if life had already taken everything from them. The train stopped at its station, and Lu Ten emerged, feeling as out of place as he ever had.

Lu Ten was looking for a place to stay for the rest of the week, but - having never been inside the extremely large city before - he was unsure where to begin. He decided to ask. His eyes found a girl about his age. She was quite lovely; she had chocolate brown hair that hung in a loose braid, and wide, curious blue eyes. She had dark skin and a radiant smile. Lu Ten approached her.

"Excuse me," he said.

"Can I help you with something?" she asked, her pretty pink lips curling into a faint smile.

"Yeah," he said nervously. "I was just wondering if you could tell me how to get to an inn or something nearby. I just got in, so..." he trailed off.

"Sure!" she agreed happily, taking his arm. "I know a great place that takes in refugees for half price until they can find a more permanent place. I can take you there."

"That would be great!" Lu Ten said, but added, "You're really very kind."

She giggled. "I'm Cho, by the way. What's your name?"

Lu Ten blurted out the first name that came to his mind, "Ping. My name's Ping."

She giggled again. "Nice to meet you, Ping," she said. "Now, let me show you the way to the inn."

"So, have you always lived here?" Lu Ten asked awkwardly as they walked.

"Yes," she answered. "I grew up here. My father actually owns the inn you'll be staying at. But since the Fire Nation's been attacking as heavily as they are, my family has been considering leaving Ba Sing Se."

"Where would you go?" he returned. "All the refugees are coming here."

"I don't know," she answered. "But I don't think we could live here if this city fell to the Fire Nation. It wouldn't be the same."

"You must really hate the Fire Nation then, huh?" he observed.

She nodded. "But what about you? You must really hate them since they actually forced you to move."

"Oh, yeah!" he replied, as convincing as he could make it. "Well, I come from a really small village, and the Fire Nation soldiers burned it to the ground. Unfortunately...I was the only survivor."

Her eyes filled with pity. "You poor thing! I'm so sorry."

"I'm okay," he assured her. "Moving to Ba Sing Se gave me an opportunity to start over; to start a new life."

She smiled, and then stopped him. They had arrived at the hotel. They went inside and got him a room, and she offered to show him to it. When they got to his door, they stood in awkward silence for several long moments.

"Well, are you going to ask me on a date or what?" she teased.

He laughed. "Oh! Well, yes. Cho, would you allow me to take you on a date tomorrow?"

"My, Ping!" she gasped sarcastically. "This is all so sudden! But...since you asked so nicely, I'm going to say yes!"

"Great!" he replied. "I'll pick you up tomorrow in the lobby. I'm going to need someone to show me around the city."

"Sounds great," she agreed. "I'll meet you around ten, 'kay?"

They exchanged parting words and then went into their respective rooms to sleep and prepare for the following day.