If Mai didn't know better, she would say that Azula appeared to be bored out of her mind. She sat with her legs and arms crossed, looking out the window. For several moments, neither spoke a word, until finally, Azula sighed.

"Well?"

Mai nearly sighed, but refrained. Azula had always been the type to cut to the chase and still manage to confuse a person. "Well what?"

Finally, Azula looked at her, but did so to apparently roll her eyes. "Oh please. You're here because of my brother, the Avatar and his merry group. So what do you want?"

This time, Mai rolled her eyes. "You may be surprised to know that its not just because of them that I came here. I'm also rather curious to know what caused you to leave. It's very…unlike you."

Azula looked at her, but all emotions seemed locked away, leaving a mere mask. Mai knew that Azula could easily manipulate a person into believing she was telling them the truth. Yet even at those times, she showed emotions of some sort.

"What am I like, Mai?"

The command-like question made Mai open her mouth to reply, but no words escaped. She closed her mouth, uncertain what she should say.

"It's not so simple any more, is it?" said Azula. "Beforehand, everything seemed straightforward. The Fire Nation had to rule. We had to take the land and power from the people. We were meant to be all-powerful."

"And now?"

Azula shrugged. "Absolute power means controlling people with fear, and with that, you know how the people will react. They'll either cower in fear or try to fight back, so you push the former and destroy the latter. But you always know what they felt about you; hate."

"And you think that's a good thing? To live like that?"

"I suppose I did. Isn't predictability better?"

Mai frowned. "But you walked away."

For several seconds, Azula said nothing. A nurse entered the room and quietly placed some pills beside Azula, as well as leaving a paper cup with what Mai assumed was water. Azula didn't hesitate to take the pills.

"I walked away," Azula said. "Making people hate you…it takes a lot of energy. And even then…not everyone does…and…if one person says that they still love you, why continue?"

Mai tried to understand Azula's perspective, but figured that perhaps only someone like Azula could understand hatred and power in such terms. She wanted to pry and find out what she meant by love, but she had been warned not to disturb her.

Unfortunately for her, Azula chose not to clarify.

"Is there any information you'd be willing to give us, Azula?" Mai finally asked.

"You mean like locations of their bases or whatever information father chose to divulge?"

Mai hesitated only a moment before nodding.

"I'll consider it. But for right now, do go away. I'm rather tired."

With a final nod, Mai stood to leave, yet before she closed the door, she heard Azula call her name. Mai looked at her, brows furrowed, and wondered what else she had to say.

"Try to visit more often this time," Azula said. Then, as if such conversations were perfectly natural, she turned her back on the door.

A small smile stretched across Mai's face, and she closed the door.

Aang slowly stretched, feeling his muscles protest. Though he had not been sick as long as when Azula had struck him in the back, he still didn't want to take the chance of overdoing exercises too soon.

His hair had begun to grow again, and for some reason, he chose at the moment to leave it. He knew he probably looked ridiculous, but figured that he could try to avoid looking in mirrors for a little while.

He imagined himself surrounded by foes, and slowly began with a series of kicks and punches. As he continued, his tempo increased until he became a near blur and sweat poured down his body.

Even as he turned, he sensed the person behind him. If he had any less control, they would have been hit, but the punch he directed at the individual stopped before skin connected.

To his credit, Zuko didn't even flinch. Aang wasn't certain if it was because Zuko expected to be punched, or if Zuko knew him well enough to know he would stop. Either idea mildly disturbed him.

What he did not expect was the hand that grabbed his arm and pulled him close. Aang gasped, but the sound was swallowed by the mouth that covered his. One hand went to hold Zuko's head in place while the other went to Zuko's lower back to pull him closer. Their tongues met and danced before Aang finally pulled away.

"I'm sweaty," he said, somewhat wanting to hit his head for the obvious statement. The smirk that crossed Zuko's face made it clear he knew what went through Aang's head.

"I know. I was watching."

"Is that why you attacked me?"

Zuko chuckled against his neck, but didn't reply otherwise. Then, suddenly, Aang found himself pushed backwards, causing him to flail even as he fell. He yelped as he landed on his butt, and then glared up at Zuko.

Seconds later, his mouth fell open.

Zuko carefully unbuttoned the shirt he wore, revealing just a bit more of his chest. When he was done, he very slowly lowered the shirt off his shoulders before letting it slip to the ground.

"I'm sorry," Zuko said, not sounding sorry at all. "Let me make it up to you."

Aang sat frozen as Zuko undid the ties of his pants and let them fall, kicking his legs free. A small part of Aang's brain realized that Zuko had gone commando. The rest of him was more concerned with how uncomfortable he felt.

"What's wrong?" Zuko teased. "Don't like what you see?" Aang yelped a second time as Zuko practically ripped the pants off of him. He could feel his whole body flush.

"Ah, looks like you do like what you see," the Firelord purred, crawling on top of his body. Aang's hands went to Zuko's waist to help steady him.

"Hm, I'm not sure," Aang replied, trying to pretend disinterest and knowing he was failing. "Let me double check, okay?"

He pulled Zuko down, and as they kissed, one hand went lower. Carefully, he slipped two fingers inside, feeling the resistance since they were dry. Zuko moaned, rubbing their bodies together.

Zuko pulled back after a moment, sitting up, and carefully helped Aang enter him. Aang's feet curled at the feeling and he bit his lip to keep from moaning.

"I thought we'd lost you," Zuko whispered. "Toph said your heart stopped. I'm not sure what I would do without you. You've been a part of my life for so long."

"It's okay," Aang said. "We'll figure out a way to defeat them, and nobody's going to die."

"You can't promise that."

"I'll make it happen, Zuko. Somehow."

Silently, Zuko moved, making sure to prolong their pleasure as long as possible. Aang didn't want to admit it, but by the end, his eyes were filled with tears.

Aang looked at the monstrosity dubbed an 'airship' and then looked at Teo.

"You're telling me that this thing…can take us anywhere…faster?"

"Of course," replied Teo.

"I mean, it looks like what the Fire Nation once used, but…smaller. It won't…break, will it?"

"It may be smaller, but it's better. And it's not like it's tiny, either. It's just not as stupidly bulky. And it won't break."

"It's pretty awesome!" said Sokka. "Suki and I had no idea how'd we manage to get to you guys, and then Teo here shows up and is like 'hey!' And then we went really fast and found Mai, Haru and Toph and BAM! We're with you guys! Isn't that the awesomest thing ever?"

Aang took several seconds to decipher what Sokka had said, then shook his head, feeling a headache coming along.

"C'mon, Airbender. You aren't chicken, are you?" Teo asked.

Aang's eyes narrowed, and he straightened his posture. "I'm not scared of anything! Bring it on!"

Iroh smiled as Zuko disembarked from the Airship, attempting not to look relieved at finally being on solid land and failing miserably. Zuko always had preferred to have some semblance of control over things, and until he learned more about the Airship, he had none over this device.

"Ah, it's good that June was able to contact you, Teo!" exclaimed Iroh even as he pulled Zuko into a bear hug. "I see you've managed to find everyone!"

"It was definitely a challenge, being the first huge task and all, but she flew beautifully."

"Uncle!"

"Ah, terribly sorry, nephew," said Iroh, finally releasing Zuko. Aang snickered, earning a glare from Zuko.

"It is good to see you in better health, Aang. I must say that it was a relief when Katara sent word that you recovered."

"Thank you. I couldn't have had any better healers with me."

Both Hahn and Katara colored at the praise.

"I suppose now we must begin to discuss what we will do now that Ozai is causing trouble once again."

"Yes, unfortunately," said Zuko. "Has Mai managed to speak with Azula?"

Iroh nodded. "She has spoken with her, but it seems that Azula will not divulge any information at the moment. Still, I hear that they have spoken more. I believe that is quite a good sign that your sister's treatment brings her some peace of mind. Of course, the fact she didn't attack me spoke volumes."

Zuko stopped walking and stared at his uncle.

"Is there a problem, Zuko?"

"What do you mean Azula didn't attack you? You didn't send any word that Azula had been here."

"Yes, I seem to have forgotten to write that previously. You know how the mind goes as one gets older…"

"Uncle!"

"I will admit, it was quite surprising," Iroh continued as if Zuko wasn't glaring at him, "I was quite prepared for a fight with her."

"You should have told me she came here!"

"Next time, if I remember."

"You didn't forget! You left it out on purpose!"

"Tell me, do you plan to go see your sister?"

"Yes," said Zuko. "I believe that will be the first course of action after briefing the generals. We'll need to raise alarms everywhere so villages will have some chance against him. But I think he'll try something a bit more subtle, as he did at the Northern Water Tribe."

"And the dark Avatar?"

Everyone looked to Aang, who shrugged. "Once I figure out what he wants from me, I'll figure out how to…take him out."

This statement was followed only by the sound of the wind that danced around them.