Note: WaitWaitWait... the Waterbending Scroll came BEFORE the Blue Spirit episode?

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They didn't talk about the incident. Frankly, Sokka was happy to forget that it ever happened. Other crew members, even Iroh, continued to walk through Sokka like he wasn't even there. He didn't know why Evil Prince Jerk was different.

Whatever.

But as hard as he tried to shake it off, he found himself remembering how… real everything had felt. The rough weave of blankets against his skin. The warmth of the bed. Sokka hadn't even realized he had missed out on that sort of stuff now.

He caught Zuko giving him considering looks now and then, as if afraid Sokka was just going to jump into his body out of the blue. (Yuck and nope, in that order.) But after a few days, he started to relax. Zuko went back to bothering Sokka about where the Avatar was, and Sokka went back to annoying the very irritable prince at every opportunity.

The sad part was, despite everything, Sokka had started to convince himself that Zuko was some kind of human being. A really messed up human being with the moral thickness of a thin sheet of ice and the temper of a fire rhinoceros with a toothache, but... a person, at least.

Sometimes—occasionally—even an interesting person.

Then Zuko's ship pulled into port (Iroh really needed a special Pai Sho tile) where they ran into a bunch of pirates. Or, more specifically, ran into the pirates while they were chasing after Katara. She had stolen a waterbending scroll from them, which just proved that Sokka needed to find a way to become see-able as soon as possible. What other morally questionable things had she and Aang been up to while Sokka had been gone?

And where was Aang, anyway?

Before Sokka could intervene, Prince Asshat saved his sister from the pirates… only to turn around and order his crew to tie her to a tree.

Zuko strode up to Katara, all swagger and confidence. "I'd like to propose a trade."

Katara snarled at him, struggling against the ropes. "You have nothing I want!"

"Want to bet?" Zuko asked, voice almost silky. "If you tell me where the Avatar is, and I'll tell you about your brother."

He didn't have a body anymore, but Sokka's stomach still felt like it had dropped all the way to his shoes. "Oh, you low son of a hog monkey."

Meanwhile, both Iroh and Katara were staring at Zuko in confusion.

"What are you talking about?" Katara's expression fell. Then brightened. "Wait, you know where Sokka is?"

"I know exactly where he is," Zuko confirmed.

This was the absolute last straw. Sokka slid between his sister and Prince Asshole. "Let her go right now, or I'll jump inside you and make you do the victory dance."

Zuko's gold eyes flicked to Sokka.

"The full victory dance," Sokka confirmed.

Katara lunged against the ropes. "Where's Sokka? What have you done with him? If you hurt him, I swear—"

"He's not hurt," Zuko said, and then actually smirked. "You could say he's my... guest."

"Bullshit!" Sokka yelled.

Katara's face twisted. "Let me see him!"

"Nephew," Iroh stepped up, a hand landing heavily on Zuko's shoulder. "May I have a word?"

Between the force of Sokka's glare, and the hand on Zuko's shoulder that looked supportive, but was probably hard as steel, Zuko was forced to back off. "Think about it," he growled, turning away.

Sokka followed them, but looked back over his shoulder at Katara, wishing he could find some way to comfort her. As soon as Zuko left, she sagged, biting her lip in a way she only did when she was trying not to cry.

Iroh stopped his nephew when they were out of hearing range. "I cannot believe I have to lecture you on honor, Prince Zuko. Why have you offered an exchange for something you cannot provide?"

Zuko flushed, but his eyes flicked to Sokka. "I know what I'm doing. Trust me."

"Trust you?" Sokka yelled. "You have my sister tied up to a tree!"

The dig on his honor seemed to have made him incautious. "I just saved her from the pirates!" Zuko snapped at Sokka.

Iroh looked utterly taken aback. "Nephew..."

But Zuko swung around and marched back toward Katara. Sokka followed.

"Look," Zuko said. "It's in your best interest that the Avatar be here."

"Why?" she asked.

"He's the bridge between the spirit and the material world. Only he can help your brother."

"I don't understand," Katara said. "What's wrong? Where is he?"

"Standing right next to you," Zuko replied.

For once, Sokka had nothing to say. Zuko was a completely immoral jerk, but... damn it all, he missed his sister.

Katara glanced over... in the wrong direction, but that was okay. Seeing empty air, she recoiled. "You're insane."

Zuko grimaced and turned to Sokka. "Tell her something only you would know."

"What?" Sokka yelped, then looked between the two of them. Katara had involuntarily followed Zuko's gaze and for a second it almost, almost was like she was looking at him. "No way! I'm not helping you capture Aang!"

"Not even to help yourself?" Zuko demanded, frustrated.

"I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but this is not funny!" Katara snapped.

Zuko turned back to her. "On my honor, your brother is standing next to you right now with a stupid expression on his face. He... he..." He struggled for a moment as if to find something incontrovertible, "He talks about seal jerky about twenty times a day!"

"I do not!"

"Yes, you do. You're obsessed!"

It was that moment when Aang and Appa showed up... along with about twenty pirates who decided that capturing the Avatar was worth more to them than whatever Zuko had promised to pay for the waterbending scroll.

Through a combination of luck and the two forces of Zuko's crew and the pirates getting in each other's way, Katara and Aang managed to escape.

There was a moment where Sokka could have followed after his sister. He hovered, just as torn as he had been on Crescent Island. Clearly, Katara and Aang needed someone to talk sense into them…

There was no point being with Aang and Katara right now. They couldn't see him. They wouldn't even know he was there at all.

As much of a complete jerk Zuko was, not being seen at all was… torture. He couldn't handle it. With a sigh, he stepped away from Appa.

Zuko was so pissed about missing his shot at capturing Aang, he both took his anger out on the crew and ignored Sokka completely. It was like going back to day one.

That was fine. Sokka wasn't exactly happy with him, either, and laughed unpleasantly when Zuko received summons to join his uncle for tea in his quarters. Iroh was never this formal with his own nephew, and judging by the darkening of Zuko's scowl, these weren't the type of summons one could ignore.

Sokka followed along, just to see how Zuko planned to play this.

"Sit, nephew," Iroh said and pushed a cup of steaming tea across the table to Zuko. He looked unusually grave. "I wish to talk about what happened today."

"I know, Uncle. About that—"

"I never knew you were that good of an actor."

Iroh's voice remained mild, but Zuko looked down, chastened. "I... didn't want to tell you I've been seeing ghosts, Uncle. I didn't want you to worry."

"Really? How many times, Zuko? I am not a ghost!" Sokka snapped.

Iroh, though, had rocked back in his seat. "For how long?"

"Since Crescent Island. The idiot Avatar got his friend killed by the spirit of the Hei Bai forest, and he's been haunting me ever since."

"You take that back. I'm not dead!"

Zuko turned to him. "Yes, you are. Accept it and move on. Preferably into your next life!"

"Why has he attached himself to you?" Iroh's voice had a too-steady quality. The voice of someone who was deeply concerned and trying not to show it.

"Because even the Avatar cannot see him. I'm the only one."

Iroh toyed with his own teacup for a moment, considering this. "Prince Zuko, you know I have some experience with the spirit world. I have sensed nothing."

"I know Uncle, but—"

One look by Iroh stopped Zuko cold. Whoa. He never acted like it, but the old man had some power. "And by all rights, the Avatar should be the ultimate authority on the spirits. If he also cannot see this ghost..." He put the teacup down. "Nephew, you have pushed yourself quite hard over the last few weeks."

Zuko's pale skin flushed red. "I know what you're thinking, but I'm not cr—I'm not like her, Uncle!"

"You are stressed and you have recently had... several injuries, a few of which were to the head."

Zuko seemed to be at war with himself. Then he turned to Sokka. "Fine. Do the thing."

"What thing?

"You know." He touched his chest meaningfully.

"What... get inside you? No way!"

"I hate it when you say it like that. But yes."

Sokka glanced over and saw the open worry on Iroh's face. Worry and… a healthy dollop of sadness, too. No shock, though. That was interesting. "Why isn't he acting more surprised? It probably looks like you're talking to yourself."

"My sister—" Zuko stopped and grimaced. "Because my sister talks to voices only she can hear when she gets... stressed."

Zuko had a sister? Oh, the poor girl.

"Sokka... just do it. Okay?"

"Wow," Sokka said. "That's twice you've used my actual name. I'm impressed."

But he didn't really see a choice. Not unless he wanted to leave Zuko hanging. And as pissed off as he was about the pirate thing, Sokka wasn't that sort of guy.

Sighing, Sokka stepped up to Zuko. As naturally as breathing, he found himself sitting in a chair facing Iroh. Instantly, he was aware of the warmth of the room, thanks to the nearby fire, and the taste of fragrant tea on his tongue. "I honestly don't know what he expects to prove, here," he said with Zuko's voice. "What am I supposed to do? Sing a Water Tribe song?"

Iroh's teacup slipped from his hand. "Zuko, your eyes—"

"That's the thing: I'm not Zuko," Sokka said.

What's wrong with my eyes? Zuko wondered from the back of his mind.

Sokka took the teacup in hand and looked down. It was a quiet tea blend, and the liquid was more orange than brown. Thanks to the well-lit room he got a pretty good reflection. Sokka blinked.

His own blue eyes stared out of Zuko's face.

Iroh seemed to have gotten over his moment of shock. He came around the table and grabbed Sokka's shoulders. "Spirit, I beg of you. Release my nephew at once. Return him back to me. Please."

"Sure," Sokka said. "It's not like I want to be in here anyway."

With a feeling like he was stepping away, Sokka found himself, once again, outside Zuko's body.

Instantly, Zuko's eyes were his normal bizarre gold color.

Neither were ready for Iroh's reaction. Every candle in the room flared to life, the flames curling up to the ceiling. "That was incredibly foolish, Zuko!" His grip on Zuko's shoulders became white knuckle tight. "Never, ever invite a spirit to possess your body. What if he had decided not to leave?"

"Why in the world does he think I like being inside you?" Sokka grumbled.

"Stop making it sound like that!" Zuko barked before turning to Iroh. "Uncle, that won't be a problem."

"Nephew, listen to me. The most dangerous spirits are the ones who can possess others. Once they are within a barrier of flesh, there is no exorcizing them out."

"I don't want his body!" Sokka yelled, frustrated. "I want my perfectly good body!"

He half expected Zuko to rise to the bait about the 'perfectly good' thing, but he only snorted. "I don't think Sokka is that sort of dark spirit. He's obnoxious, not… dangerous."

Iroh eyed him for a moment and then sat back in his chair. "Tell me what happened, from the beginning."

Zuko told the story of Sokka's encounter with Hei Bai, and, like the asshole that he was, he made it sound like it was all Aang's fault.

"He didn't know I wasn't in the spirit world!" Sokka complained. "That wasn't on him."

Zuko rolled his eyes. "The Avatar has no idea his friend is here." He looked at Iroh. "Which means I have an advantage, and inside knowledge."

"Spirits you are such a… ugh!" He couldn't even think of a bad enough word. Zuko had been crystal clear about his motivations from the beginning, but it still sucked to hear. "You're a real... a real... asshat, you know that?"

Zuko turned to him. "An asshat?"

"Yes! Like a hat... with an ass on it. You know what I mean!"

Zuko smirked, but then turned to his uncle. "I know you have walked among the spirits, Uncle. Have you heard of this before?"

Iroh had calmed down with the aid of two full cups of tea. The color had come back to his face, too. He mused for a moment, pulling at his beard. "Not exactly, but I do have theories. It sounds as if the forest spirit's attack was very quick. And if the Avatar is convinced his friend is alive, it may be that he has not been given the proper rites according to the traditions of his people."

"I don't need rites because I'm not dead!"

"He is in denial about being dead," Zuko said flatly.

"Hmm. An unquiet spirit." Iroh favored his nephew with a look. "Those are usually the most dangerous."

"I hate this theory," Sokka said. "What's his other one?"

Zuko smirked and turned to Iroh, the picture of fake politeness—just to piss Sokka off, no doubt. "You had another option, Uncle?"

"Yes." Iroh took a sip of tea. "It is said that the first Fire Lord was the strongest Fire Sage in centuries, and that he could speak with ghosts. Perhaps you have inherited this gift."

Zuko wrinkled his nose in distaste. "What does that have to do with Sokka?"

"Your singular focus for three years has been to find and capture the Avatar. Now, one of his own companions is bound to the material world when he should have moved on. You may be the one holding him here, without realizing it."

Zuko and Sokka exchanged a look. Sokka crossed his arms.

"That still doesn't work because I'm. Not. Dead."

Zuko gave a reluctant sigh and shook his head. "If I had any power over him, he would have been banished from this ship when he first arrived."

Sokka opened his mouth to object, then shrugged. "That's fair." Then he glanced between them. "So what's about your sister?"

"Azula?" Zuko said. "What about her?"

"Um, hello, you said she talks to people no one could see." Sokka couldn't believe he had to spell this out. Zuko was a jerk of the highest order, but he wasn't actually stupid.

"She's… That's different." Zuko glanced at his Uncle as if for confirmation, but seeing as Iroh only heard half the conversation, he didn't have anything to add. "He wants to know about Azula."

"Ah." Iroh let out a sigh, but then to Sokka's surprise and pleasure he turned to face him. His eyes were sort of looking a little too far to the side, but it was the thought that counted. "My niece is, unfortunately, a very troubled young woman."

"It's not something we talk about outside the palace," Zuko added as if Sokka would go blabbing it to… well, anyone. "It's not just the voices. Sometimes she gets paranoid, and… small creatures and pets have a habit of… self-immolating when she thinks someone's wronged her. No one can ever prove it's her, but…" Swallowing, he looked down. Not a big leap to guess he'd lost a pet or two.

Sokka stared.

As usual, his mind was going a million miles a minute, making connections that usually got him into trouble.

"Zuko, if you your father doesn't lift his banishment, who becomes Fire Lord after him?"

Zuko let out a sound that was probably could have been a huff of a laugh, if it weren't sad. "You're starting to see why I need to go home."

Oh man. Aang better hurry up on the mastery of those elements. Ozai might not be the worst thing coming down the river.

There was a knock at the door.

"Come in," Zuko said.

Lieutenant Jee walked in and saluted. "Sir, we have cleared the port. Have you decided on a new course and heading?"

Zuko as of a few weeks ago would have snapped something rude at the older man. This time he seemed to pause. "Tell the navigator I am determining that now."

"Yes, sir." Jee saluted again, his face stone though there was a gleam of approval in his eyes.

Zuko waited until Jee had shut the door before turning to Sokka. "My sister aside, it's in your best interest to tell me where the Avatar is heading."

"How do you figure that?"

"Because if you're right, and you're still alive, he's the bridge between the spirit world and the material world. Only he can undo what has been done. If Uncle is right, then he and your sister are still needed to perform your tribe's death rites to lay you to rest."

Sokka was silent, head bowed, thinking.

"What is he saying, nephew?" Iroh asked.

"He's trying to think of a way out of this, but there isn't one." Zuko's intent gaze never left Sokka. "His only shot at returning to normalcy is cooperating."

And damn it, he was right.

"I won't let you capture Aang or hurt my sister," Sokka said. "But you might be right about the other stuff." He paused, hating himself. "They're headed to the Northern Water Tribe. Katara and Aang want to learn waterbending there."

Zuko stood. "Then that's where we will go."

For once, Sokka didn't follow him out. He looked at Iroh, and even though he knew the old man could not hear him he said, "I hope I've made the right choice."

Iroh was quiet, sipping his tea. "I don't know if you can hear me, young man," he said at length, "Or what kind of spirit you truly are, but I believe you have had a positive effect on my nephew. For that, you have my gratitude."