Ghazan noticed that Ming Hua has changed during their days together – she smiled more often, used less sarcasm, and wasn't as bitter. The wall she had built around her somehow disappeared. He had a real talent in breaking down walls.

He loved the new Ming Hua, just as he loved the old one. It was their happiest time – being hidden from the outside world, safe in their own stolen fortress, not needing anything but each other's company.

The mornings were the only time of day where they were both fully dressed. He went off to get their daily food supply, wearing his long-sleeved, high-collared shirt, even in the scorching summer heat. She stayed in to avoid attracting unnecessary attention, wearing a long navy dress.

She made everything in his life different. Instead of sleeping on the rock-solid ground, they now shared the same down-filled mattress, and he woke up with her hair nearly blocking his airway. Neither of them was a very good cook, but the food seemed nearly irrelevant when they made it together. And the baths – she could turn those into an extravagance of waterbending, not to mention the sex.

Everything was going so well. Maybe soon they might even have a tiny anarchist of their own. Ming Hua would make a great mother, in her own sort of way. After growing up in such a messed-up family like hers, she'll probably know all the things she shouldn't do. As for him, he'll be the cool dad, providing the kid with great girl-advice, like don't confess your love for about a decade or so, and be very awkward about it.

Sometimes on his daily route, he'd enjoy walking passed the tear he made in the inner wall, just to see the people walking in and out whenever they please, with no one to boss them around anymore. It was an intoxicating feeling of freedom. He knew that eventually, the Earth Kingdom will get itself back into order, and some other despot will rebuild the wall he so carefully destroyed. But for now, he had that accomplishment, and no one could take it away from him.

As he watched the free people go by, there was one who caught his eye. Straight black hair streaked with grey, a constant frown, sad brown eyes staring right into his. He could see the look of recognition and surprise on her face before he averted his gaze and turned the other way, walking as quickly as he could to avoid her. What was she doing going to the Lower Ring, anyway?

"Ghazan, wait! I know it's you," She called after him. Just what he needed, his name echoing through the streets. It's best to just get it over with. He turned to the nearest alley, waiting for her to catch up. He knew what needs to be done, but how could he kill his own sister?

She caught up quickly, as he stood there, ready to defend himself. To his surprise, she threw her arms around him, hugging him closely, as if she never gave up on him so easily.

"I thought I'll never see you again. It's been so long."

"Whose fault it that?" he asked dryly, but returned the hug nonetheless. He could deny it all he wants, but he missed her.

"I'm sorry, but you have to admit I was right about everything. Your life would have turned out different if it weren't for those three," she sat on the ground, and he decided to sit across from her. He had dreamed of this moment for years, of finally telling her what a backstabbing bitch she is, letting her know she meant absolutely nothing to him anymore, even though he never really forgot her.

"Those three were there when you weren't. I wouldn't trade them for some crappy job and a big fancy house, but I know how much you care for real estate," he gave her his most sarcastic smile.

"I didn't leave you for a house; I did it because you never listened to anything I said, and I got tired of it."

"You just kept saying the same thing over and over again," he rolled his eyes. "I won't change my life entirely just because you wanted me to."

"And I won't, either. Isn't asking me to uproot my whole life the same as me asking you to leave your precious gang?" She smiled sadly. "I never wanted you to leave. You should be grateful I even managed to get you out of there without serving time. Not that it mattered, with all your years in a fucking dungeon. I can't believe you turned out so… evil."

He hated to admit it, but she did have a point. They had a long history of ignoring each other's wishes. He only did whatever he wanted, without ever thinking what she has to say about it, just like she did by marrying her asshole husband.

"You only think it's evil because you don't understand. It's idealistic," he grinned. "And I retired."

"So trying to kill the Avatar twice, assassinating a queen, killing who-knows-how-many civilians and throwing an entire city into chaos is not evil?"

"Creating chaos was the whole point, and we just tried to kidnap her the first time."

"Oh, alright. That makes everything so much better."

"What good are these walls, separating people on the account of something as worthless as money? Why bother having a queen who only takes care of herself? Come on, look how happy they all are now!"

"Kuei's dead," she said quietly. "He probably got killed by a mob during the riots. They only found his mutilated body a few days later. He's the fucking father of my children, and he's dead because of something that you did. I don't have any money, they stole all my things, I barely managed to keep my own home – I've got mouths to feed! What am I supposed to do now?"

Somehow, all he could get from that was, she had kids? That option didn't even cross his mind during his prison years. Maybe the thought of little Kueis running around was too much for him to bear.

"Take this for now," he handed her the groceries he obtained. "I'll take care of you. Meet me here tomorrow and I'll get more. You're better off without him."

"I really loved him." She took the food reluctantly, knowing exactly how he got it. Old habits die hard – when she needed something, she always took it, no matter what.

"I'll make it up to you," he put his hand on her shoulder. "Your kids won't get hungry, I promise."

"I'm never going to get over what you've done. Reading about all the attacks in the papers, knowing it was you who did those terrible things… but I'm glad you're back. We've been away for too long. I shouldn't have been so harsh," she hugged him again.

He returned to his new home, feeling quite content. Patching things up with Noriko was something he gave up long ago, and all of a sudden, he had both her and Ming Hua in his life. Funny how things can turn out so perfectly after years of misery. It'll be just like the good old days – getting Noriko her food, being a part of her life, and spending the rest of his time with his closest friend.

It couldn't get any better than that.

Mako sat by the radio, filling out his ordinary paperwork. One burglary, two robberies – a relatively slow day. He snapped out of his bored haze as he heard a distorted voice through the radio.

"Hello? Can you hear me?"

"I copy, over," he said, willing to take off at a second's notice.

"I have to speak to the Avatar immediately, I'm – " there was a pause. "Ghazan's sister."

"Sorry for your loss, but the Avatar will not reimburse – "

"I didn't lose him."