My hands fumbled underneath the large war table that took up nearly the entire room. The generals of The Council of Five sat on one side of the table, while I had the other half to myself. Momo's warm body rested on my shoulder, and his tail gently swished against my back like a comforting touch. The last time I heard about a war council meeting, it didn't end very well. The Earth Kingdom's customs are very different from the Fire Nation's, but still… my nerves bubbled underneath my skin. I took a deep breath and cleared my throat.

"The Fire Nation Capital is located on Capital Island, rested in the western region of the Fire Nation." I popped the lid of my waterskin and pulled out a tiny stream of water. I directed the water to point to the island. "The city itself is nestled inside the crater of a dormant volcano. That's where all the important people live: the Fire Lord, the Royal Family, and all the nobility. That's where we should strike." I moved the water stream to the edge of the island. "The capital is nestled next to the beach, with the shore here. It'll be a straight line from the shores of the Earth Kingdom."

"We'll have General Fong's base be the launching point for the attack." General How moved his arms, and a couple of green stone pieces across the map, from the Earth Kingdom to the Fire Nation. "Two months from now, we'll invade the Fire Nation."

"There is something you should know about." Using the water whip, I lifted one of the red stone pieces for the Fire Nation and placed it on the blue just before the shore. "The Great Gates of Azulon lay just before, and it guards the sea entrance to the capital. While it looks like a giant statue of Fire Lord Azulon from a distance, once activated, a large net is brought out of the water and ignited to keep unauthorized personnel out. Once the ships are forced to stop at the gate, the military boards to investigate. They won't be too happy to discover invading troops."

General How stroked his beard. "Interesting. How might we go about this?"

"Well…" I stared at the map. "The gate prevents anything riding the surface of the water from passing through, but… underneath the water isn't blocked. If the Fire Nation did that, fish wouldn't be able to reach the capital's beaches, and they wouldn't be able to catch them for food. All the rich people could certainly afford the cost of importing fish, but it'd be a pointless waste of expenses." I folded my arms as the water continued to float in the air. "It's too deep to use waterbending… maybe once Aang masters the Avatar State, he could enhance his airbending or waterbending to transport us there…"

At this point, I was rambling. I snapped to attention and straightened my posture. "Sorry."

General How lifted his hand. "No need. For now, we have a basic plan; the details we will continue to discuss." One of the generals handed How an embroidered scroll. "All we need is the Earth King's seal, and we'll be able to execute the plan."

General How thrust his arm forward, and a slab from the desk before him ejected out, over the table, and to me. I grabbed the scroll and stood.

"I'll deliver this to him right away," I said. I bowed. "Thank you, General How."

"Thank you. The information you've given us is crucial for the operation," General How said. "Tell me, how do you know so much about the Fire Nation?"

I stiffened for a moment, but words immediately flowed from my mouth. "I spent many years studying in the Fire Nation. That was where I learned about the people and its culture."

"They don't let just anyone into the Fire Nation these days," How said, "The paperwork must have been brutal."

"Indeed." I gave a polite smile and bowed again. "I'll be on my way now. I'll bring this back to you as soon as possible."

I turned on my heel and hurried out of the war room. Once the doors closed, I heaved a sigh of relief. I always rehearsed my response to that question, dating back to when I first arrived at the Southern Water Tribe. Although it wasn't brought up often, a fearful pang ignited in my gut whenever it was. Momo purred in my ear. I scratched his head and started to walk.

The sky was leaving its last shades of afternoon, and the orange and red tints of sunset settled in. My stomach rumbled softly. I placed a hand over my stomach.

"How about we divert a little and get something to eat?" I said. Momo twitched his ears indifferently. I headed for the stairs. "We could stop by Pao's Family Tea House. I've been craving their tea lately."

"You mean the really good tea one of the employees used to make?" I paused and turned to one of guards stationed at the stairs.

"Yes," I said.

"That guy doesn't work there anymore. An entrepreneur caught wind of his expertise and offered him a shop of his own. Today's their opening day."

"Oh, really? Where is it?"

"It's here in the Upper Ring. Once you reach the bottom of the stairs, turn right and head up the street for a while. You'll find it on the left. It's called the Jasmine Dragon."

I bowed. "Thank you." I turned and hurried down the stairs. That's good for that employee. At least the walk from here won't be too far. My stomach rumbled again at the thought of the tea, this time a little more ravenously.

Following the guard's directions, I approached the Jasmine Dragon. It was a large, fancy tea shop painted deep green. Gold dragons decorated the outside wall, as well as a sign that read, "The Jasmine Dragon." The roof was a light brown. The building's colors made it feel comforting, and the open front doors invited you in. I climbed the stairs and entered the shop. Two women bowed at the entrance.

"This will be a to go order," I said. The women nodded. I looked around.

The front room was large and had many tables. Nearly all the tables were filled with people they silently, yet hungrily sipped tea or chatting as they waited for their turn to enjoy the beverage. I looked around and smiled.

"This looks like a great place," I said. I looked at Momo. "Remind me to come here more often."

Momo tilted his head and flicked his tail. I left the doors and made my way to the counter.

"I need two jasmines, one green, and one lychee for the corner table!"

I stopped. The hunger sitting inside my stomach vanished, leaving behind a deep shudder.

"How about you try your hand at it this time?"

"Are you sure? They came here for your tea."

"Of course! I'll get these orders that are ready out to the customers." Iroh called over his shoulder.

Holding a large serving dish, Zuko moved across the room to the back room. My eyes followed him as he walked. There was a bounce in his step and confidence in his posture. From his profile, I saw a soft smile on his lips. He looked happy; a concept I hadn't felt from him in a long time.

As Zuko disappeared into the back room, Iroh came out with a serving dish of his own. He stepped to the counter and filled the dish with tea cups and snacks. He stepped on his foot and turned, and our eyes met. He stopped.

"Uncle? What's the holdup-?" Zuko poked his head from the kitchen window.

His eyes found me. My chest quivered with nervous emotions. His blissful expression instantaneously shifted to shock. Somehow, he stood just a little taller.

"…Ashe?"

As my name escaped his lips, my feet sprang into action. I fled from the restaurant, leaving behind confused remarks from customers and more calls for me. I scurried down the stairs and down the street.

"Ashe! Wait!" Zuko's voice was behind me, but it didn't sound like it was fading.

Why am I running? I thought as my feet pounded against the pavement. I took deep, heavy breaths. My feet wouldn't stop. Is it guilt? Guilt that I'm holding a scroll with a plan to invade the Fire Nation? Guilt that I helped construct this plan?

"Ashe!" Zuko's voice was closer, much closer, than the last call. A few more paces, and a hand gripped my arm and forced me to a stop. I turned around.

He stood close to me. His chest heaved as he caught his breath, and it rustled the short hairs framing my forehead. He hadn't broken a sweat. His grip, which was tight to stop me, immediately softened. Now that I was closer, I could see how much his hair had grown since I last saw him. During the chaos of fighting Azula, I almost didn't notice before his new hairstyle. Since the North Pole, he cut off his ponytail and allowed his hair to grow. His hair was longer and more unkempt than last time.

"Ashe…" Zuko said. Once he had caught his breath, he smiled. "How are you?"

My heart palpitated. I released the air I realized I was holding. "Hi," I said.

"Are you okay? I haven't seen you since Azula…" Zuko's voice trailed off.

Katara's words from after that incident came back to my mind, and I stood straighter. "I'm okay," I said. "It did leave a scar, though."

Pain washed over Zuko's face. His grip tightened, but it remained gentle. "I was… so worried about you. I was scared that-"

I hesitantly lifted my hand and placed my hand over the hand that held my arm. He broke his eye contact.

"I'm sorry I broke our promise."

I shook my head. I leaned forward and rested my head on his shoulder.

"It's okay," I said.

"You're not mad?" Zuko said.

I shook my head again. "I'm glad I got to see you again." I stepped back and smiled. Zuko returned the smile and released my arm. His eyes shifted to something else.

"What's that?" He pointed to my hand.

I looked down, and my face flushed. I had completely forgotten about the war plan.

"Oh, um…" I said. "I was on my way to take this to the Earth King. It's… confidential information."

"I see," Zuko said. "So, you're helping the Earth King? The Avatar and your other friends must be doing their part, right?"

I examined his face, but I found no ill will written. Whatever happened between now and the last time I saw him, he had once again returned to the happy, cherished friend from my childhood.

"They're not here right now," I said. "Katara and Sokka went to go see their father, Toph went to go see her mother, and Aang is on his way to see a Guru who can help him master the Avatar State."

"They left you behind?"

"No. I chose to stay here."

"Why?"

"So I-" I paused. What would Zuko think if I told him about the invasion? I was torn. They had done nothing but scoff at and scorn him… but what if he still considered them his people? "So I could help the Earth King in Aang's stead, like getting this important scroll to him."

"Right… I should let you take care of that."

"Yeah," Then I quickly added, "but I'll be back as soon as possible. I can't believe you and Iroh are here in Ba Sing Se. I want to hear a million stories when I get back!"

Zuko smiled. "I've got a million stories to tell you."

I grinned, turned on my heel, and jogged down the street. The fear that had caused me to run away had transformed into a joy that put a skip in my step. Zuko is here! In Ba Sing Se! In the whirlwind of emotions, I had forgotten to buy food, but my hunger was long gone. The sooner I deliver this plan to the Earth King, have him stamp his seal, and bring the scroll back to the Council of Five, the sooner I can return to the Jasmine Dragon.

I ran a little bit faster.

Soon, I reached the Earth King's palace. Panting under my breath from the endless flight of stairs, I hurried into the throne room.

The Earth King wasn't there, neither his loyal pet bear, Bosco. Rather, three Kyoshi Warriors stood around the throne. Just before everyone had left, we had received word that Suki and a couple of her fellow comrades had arrived in Ba Sing Se. Although I hadn't the chance to properly meet them again, the Earth King welcomed them warmly and assigned them to be bodyguards.

"Suki!" I called as I ran further into the room. "Where's the Earth King? I have something I need him to-"

Something inside me, perhaps pure instinct- a concept wild animals feel when in the face of danger- forced me to a halt. Sirens and red flags created chaos in my mind, making it impossible to think. They trickled to the back of my neck and down my spine, leaving me nearly in a state of petrification… of terror.

They wore their uniforms. Their faces were caked with their makeup.

But they were not Kyoshi Warriors.

And the girl I was looking at… whose sharp, golden eyes stared back at me…

She was not Suki.