Warning: Occurs post-series and contains spoilers. Also contains spoilers for "The Silk Fan".
"Iru, it's your turn."
"No way. Ugh. Make Zayi do it, she's sixth."
"She's also still recovering a little from the last time we were here. Don't be such a jerk."
"Ladies," Suki broke in, hearing the bickering from down the hall and peering into the main room with a scowl. "What are you fighting about now?"
Sakana scowled. "Why do you always put me on duty with this little runt?" was her reply.
Iru glowered back. "Why do you always have to put me on duty with such a jaded little--"
"Okay, okay," Suki walked in and held up her hands, shaking her head. While not the best of matches in terms of temperament, Iru and Sakana were the most compatible in terms of fighting together. Both were loath to admit it, and this was one of those instances that the tension would come up out of nowhere.
Or maybe it wasn't out of nowhere. They had finally made it to Ba Sing Se almost a year after their original attempt, serving as the Earth King's Royal Guard. Azaki and Mikku had adjusted well enough - Mikku's sharp tactical mind was instantly a blessing to the Council of Five, and Azaki's cheerful temperament and no-nonsense stance was key for dealing with the Dai Li - but these two were having the most difficulty.
"What's the problem, anyway? I thought you both agreed that spending time here in the main hallways on patrol would be the best suited to your needs," Suki went on, leaning against the doorway with her arms crossed. "Especially since the Earth King has been getting antsy lately - we need to make sure he doesn't run away...again."
Iru giggled at that, but Sakana rolled her eyes. "We have a system, okay?" she said sharply. "We divvy up the daily routes so as not to step on each other's toes. But every single time, whenever Iru comes across...that...she just leaves it alone for me to deal with."
Iru glared, her eyes flashing with fury. "When I do that, it's your turn!" she snapped back, her focus on Sakana now. "You have to participate, too!"
Sakana glared right back. "I have more rank than you," she answered flatly.
"Both of you, shut the hell up," Suki snapped suddenly, startling them both. She was sorry, but she hadn't had the best of days, either. "What do you keep prattling on about? What needs to be done?"
Both girls suddenly looked away from each other, both wearing almost identical looks of nausea.
It took a moment, but when it clicked, Suki slapped her hand to her forehead, then shouted, "ONE OF YOU HAD BETTER CLEAN UP THE BEAR SHIT! I don't care WHO, but GET IT DONE!"
She growled, threw her hands up in the air, and stormed out, leaving the two girls - both looking slightly green now - behind.