Azula stood in the center of the small examining room—the same one Doctor Izumi had taken her into all those weeks ago. Her arms were folded across her chest and her left hand was wrapped into its two-finger point while her face was locked in a thoughtful scowl. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She wasn't alone.

Mrs. Chen sat on a chair, her hands gripping her clothes nervously, while Jing and Chiyo leaned upright against the wall, too nervous themselves. The four of them had accompanied Meilin to the hospital at first light, flagging down a passing cart during the morning rush to make it easier on the injured teen. Now they waited for Doctor Izumi to report on her condition.

They had been waiting a long time.

Two quick raps sounded on the door, followed by a creak as the door hinged open. Doctor Izumi appeared in the door way, dressed in her usual white and pink robe, followed by one of the attendant girls. The two hospital workers entered the room and closed the door. Doctor Izumi wore a somber expression while the attendant girl folded her hands demurely in front of herself, standing beside her superior.

Everybody's eyes fell to the doctor's.

"I've treated Meilin for her injuries," the medical woman explained in a soft, clinical tone. "She hasn't sustained anything permanent. I am confident she will be okay, although her spirit is quite depressed..." She spoke that last part delicately. "My intention is to keep her here for a day or two, if that's possible. It'd make it easier to treat her more sensitive wounds."

"Certainly." Mrs. Chen nodded earnestly. "Can we see her before we leave?"

Doctor Izumi gave a quiet smile. "Yes. Aimi will show you to her."

Slowly, as an old woman would, Mrs. Chen rose to her feet as she, Jing and Chiyo followed the attendant girl out of the room. Doctor Izumi stood with her back against the open door to allow the group to pass. Yuki did not follow.

"Doctor," Azula addressed the woman calmly.

Izumi turned toward her.

Azula lowered her arms to her sides. "Can I speak to you in private?"

"Of course." The capital-trained doctor shut the door and gave her undivided attention to her former patient.

Azula took a deep breath and met her doctor's eyes. When she spoke, her tone was smooth and measured. "Meilin said she is certain the people responsible were members of this so-called 'Mori Clan' that I had my run-in with. She also reported they told her to tell me that if they find me the same way they found her, it won't end with me walking home."

Izumi cringed, seemingly having a more vivid depiction of what that entailed. Azula's face remained neutral. "It would appear both Hao's murder and Meilin's attack is a combination of retribution against me and a desire to intimidate me into complying with this 'clan's' demands." It still felt odd to use the term 'clan'. They were all destroyed during the formation of the Imperial Government, those that didn't swear fealty to the Crown, that is.

Izumi's face wrinkled in puzzlement. "Demands?"

"Yes." Azula replied. "Mr. Chen took me to their supposed 'leader' so we could beg for mercy and protection. He actually didn't know this man was their leader at the time. Apparently, this was a recent development. Anyway, the leader explained this might happen since I had embarrassed his organization so greatly. Even though he personally didn't care about what I did, his foot soldiers would want revenge. He told me that, unless I agreed to become a courtesan in the service of his organization as a form of 'payment' for my protection, he wouldn't be able to stop his foot soldiers from taking punitive actions of their own."

Izumi's jaw dropped.

Azula's expression did not change. "I told him 'no', of course," she said plainly. "And as a result, this has occurred." She paused to take a breath. Her stoic demeanor remained. "I do not believe this will be the last time. I believe this will continue until I either give in to their leader's demands, the Chen's evict me from their home for their own safety, or until both Meilins and Haos' fates befall me."

The doctor's normally steady face melted in dismay. "Yuki…" The woman seemed at a loss for words. "I… This… Is terrible."

Azula gave a light shrug.

"Have you gone to the police?" Izumi asked keenly.

"Yes, that's what I mean to ask you. Doctor," she addressed the woman politely and tilted her head in disarming curiosity. "Do you believe that what is occurring is justified?" She asked in a thoughtful manner. "That this is somehow earned on my part? That it should be occurring? That this is a…" She trailed off in search of the proper terms. "Typical occurrence in this part of the country? I honestly don't know. This is all completely new to me."

The woman's jaw dropped further. "Of course not, Yuki!" She spoke in a hushed yet emphatic tone. "This is horrible. It should never happen. To anyone. Anywhere."

Azula pursed her lips into a slanted line as she considered the woman's reply. A moment later, she smoothed her expression and nodded. "Okay," she said simply. "Then do you believe anything can be done to stop this from going further?"

Izumi's head titled in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Can these 'yakuza' criminals be stopped?" She stated bluntly.

"Oh. You mean, can you go to the police for help?"

"Yes."

"Absolutely." Izumi nodded earnestly. "Tell them everything that's happened. I'm sure they'll want speak to Meilin, find out everything she knows. I'm sure they'll try to find who did this."

"But can they stop them?" Azula clarified.

The woman's expression faltered and, for the first time, Azula saw the woman's shoulders fall. "I think they will try to catch who is responsible," she spoke in a deflated tone. "But I don't think they can stop anything more from happening." She regarded her former patient with a compassionate frown. "The police don't stop crimes. They can't. They can only respond when the law is broken, not see the future. Lots of people get away. It's just… The way of things, unfortunately."

Azula's brow creased. "Why?

"Well, they can't be everywhere at once. Taizao is a big city. There are lots of places to hide, lots of people to hide them…" Her expression sagged with a frown. "And lots of ways of bribing people to stay silent."

"So do you think the town guards will catch who is responsible?"

Izumi frowned even deeper. "If this 'Mori Clan' you say really is yakuza…" She took a deep breath and sighed. "Then no, I don't think so. There's a limit to how far the town guards will go against the yakuza. They're pretty well ingrained. You fought back because you didn't know what they'd do. The town guards try, but they don't want the same happening to them. Unfortunately, the yakuza aren't just criminals. They're organized crime and have their tentacles everywhere. There really isn't much serious crime in Taizao other than through them. For most people, the yakuza don't cause trouble, but for a small number, they get away with anything."

Izumi took another deep breath and released it just as slow. Her expression turned altogether sad. "I'm so sorry you've fallen into this, Yuki." Her face fell with misery. "You must think cities are a disgrace," she referred to her belief that the teenage girl standing in front of her was from a small town in the countryside and had never set foot in anything close to Taizao.

Azula's brow furrowed and she glanced up at the ceiling in thought. "I wouldn't use that word," she said calmly. "Eye opening, perhaps. Disappointing, maybe. It has certainly… Altered my views." She returned her gaze to the capital-trained doctor's. "I used to hold a different view of this country's obedience to its government. I never thought I would see so many people afraid of something other than the Crown and its vassals… Even you."

Izumi winced at the comment. "It's a complicated world," she said solemnly. "We all do what we can."

"So, I'll ask you, Doctor," Azula stated bluntly, shifting her tone. "Do you believe the vassal government of the Hizen Domain has failed to uphold its duties?"

Izumi peered at her quizzically. "No, not particularly. This is just the way things are. Criminals exist. They try to stop them but sometimes they can't."

Azula nodded as she allowed herself time to think. That wasn't the answer she was looking for. "I'll put it differently. As you are a representative of the Imperial Government, do you believe the local government of Taizao is even capable of solving this problem on its own?"

The doctor grimaced self-consciously, showing clearly that she was not sure. "I don't think anyone can get rid of the yakuza, Yuki," she said at last. "Nobody wants them to exist. They exist because they can. They just… Do." She grinned awkwardly as if hoping her answer would be enough.

Azula's gaze lingered on the doctor's for a short time. She turned her head away from the woman and stared at the wall, her brow wrinkled and eyes narrowed in thought.

"What are you and the Chens going to do?" She heard the doctor ask worriedly.

The former princess's expression did not change. "There's only one thing I can do."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Chiyo swung the front door open and the group, minus Meilin, filed inside. Nobody spoke. They removed their shoes in somber silence and went their separate ways into the quite household, save for some muffled cries from the wards. Everyone except for Azula.

Instead of heading to the wash room to fold clothes, as was her usual chore for this time of day, she made for the back of the house where Mr. Chen and the boys taught the male wards their trades. There she found Mr. Chen and Rong doing that very thing.

At one end of a long work table, Mr. Chen was guiding several feeble-minded men and boys through a special leather stitching process, while at the other end, Rong was helping a few more sand and lacquer ornate wood boxes. The boxes were similar to the ones she had prevented the yakuza from stealing all those weeks ago.

Most notably: Hao was not there.

Mr. Chen and Rong both turned their heads toward her when she appeared in the doorway. Some of the wards glanced up at her too.

"How's Meilin?" Rong asked immediately.

"She should be fine," she replied in an uncharacteristically gentle tone. "But she'll be spending a few days at the hospital." She turned to the charity home's patriarch, former sea captain… And former criminal smuggler. "Mr. Chen."

The old man's eyes were tired and his face was solemn. "Yes?" He spoke quietly.

She met his gaze. "I have no interest in seeing this go further. I need you to bring me to Shinzo."

His mouth hung open as if he were somehow shocked or upset by this. A moment later, he shut his mouth, closed his eyes and bowed his head. "Okay," he said dejectedly, breathing a long sigh. "Give me a minute to get ready." He pushed away from the table and began to rise.

"I don't mean to be brought to that offensive establishment, however!" She commanded imperiously. "I need you to bring me to his home. Please," she added politely at the end.

His brow creased and he stopped and stared at her in utter bafflement. "Why?"

Her eyes narrowed and she raised her chin with pride. "If I am to be an elegant and dignified associate of his," she spoke properly, as years of schooling and experience in the royal court had taught. "Then he can be the same to me."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Once more, Azula found herself riding in a rickshaw with the old man on their way into the city, only this time her back didn't sear with pain and she knew their destination: a known criminal leader's personal residence.

The blue sky was streaked with orange and gold as the sun began to set behind the faraway mountains. Mr. Chen had them wait until evening so they would have the greatest chance of finding Shinzo at his home. The former acquaintance of the criminal leader had never visited his old conspirator at the Mori estate but he knew he must live there since he had 'married into the family'. Unfortunately, there was a chance the clan leader would not be there.

The rickshaw took them down the gentle slope of the road toward the waterfront. Her head swiveled all around. She noted every intersection, street name and major landmark they passed, and observed the concentrations of bystanders and formations of town guards.

Before long, the rickshaw arrived at the waterfront and turned left. Small boats and sailing ships lined the piers, along with throngs of people and carts occupying the smooth, wooden boardwalk. Eventually, the piers and ships gave way to empty shoreline and sandy beaches, bolstered only by a tall stone sea wall, which eventually transformed into tall, sandy bluffs. The buildings also changed.

Storefronts and warehouses became private houses, their walls covered in beige plaster with red curved roofs, yellow flame decorations and dark cherrywood beams. They all had courtyards, fences and walls of varying height, and even had manicured trees and gardens in their yards. Some of these modest estates—those that bordered the seawall—even had docks with small boats of their own. There were hardly any people on this section street and sidewalk. It was entirely residential.

Her expression softened as she took in the recognizable scene. It appeared they had entered a wealthy section of the city. It was the most reminiscent of her old home—the capital—as she had yet seen.

The rickshaw slowed to a halt and stopped alongside an iron gate built into a high stone wall. Azula turned her head to the right to view their apparent destination.

The property was encircled by a stone wall at least 12 feet high, the stones themselves smooth and the mortar between them ground flat.

That was a defense against climbers.

The wall ran for some distance down the street until it arrived at the adjoining residences, both of which had either smaller walls or mere wrought iron fences. Directly overhead, rising up from behind the great wall and reaching over the sidewalk, were the canopies of four massive gingko trees, so large they blocked out the sky and any view of the house that lay within. In fact, the trees were so tall their lowest limbs were unreachable, even if one stood atop the wall and jumped.

The trees must have been hundreds of years old.

As for the gate, it was constructed of flat, rivetted iron plates. There was a smaller door-sized section built into the middle, currently closed, and there were several small, barred hatches, currently open, through which the courtyard of the estate could be viewed, and two men standing inside. They appeared as would have sentries.

Azula disembarked from the rickshaw and stood on the sidewalk, eyeing the wall, the gate and everything around. Meanwhile, Mr. Chen disembarked, paid the rickshaw puller and handed him extra so he would wait for them until they returned. Afterward, she and Mr. Chen approached the gate together.

"Can I help you?" One of the guards asked in a pleasant, unassuming manner.

Azula's eyes shifted between the two men. The guards were fairly young and dressed in fighting robes; blue bottoms with white tops.

"Yes," Mr. Chen replied. "We need to speak to Shinzo. It's urgent. He should be expecting us. Tell him Bo Chen and Yuki are here to see him."

The young man nodded, turned on his heel and headed down the gravel path, presumably on his way to the house within. She spotted a tanto sword in his belt.

"Thank goodness," Mr. Chen said in quiet relief. "He's here."

While they waited for the sentry to return.

Azula folded her arms and narrowed her eyes as she studied the gate from her close vantage. The hinges were not visible and were, without a doubt, buried within the stone to avoid tampering, and the lock was heavy and thick, just like the bars and plates. Clearly, the iron plates were designed to be difficult, if not impossible, for a single firebender to melt away, let alone soften enough to break, and if it was a double-wall construction as she suspected, filled with several inches of cement…

… Then there was no cutting through.

Her lips pursed as she scowled in thought.

Mr. Chen leaned toward her. "I'm sorry it's come to this, Yuki," he spoke softly. "I really am. I feel as if I've failed you."

Her expression didn't change. "That is quite alright," she replied calmly. "You have done enough for me already. It's time I repay the favor."

After what felt like a long time, the sentry returned, followed by two more similarly-dressed men. They carried tanto swords too but they must have been decoration. There was no way neither of these four men weren't firebenders.

"Shinzo will see you now," the returning guard reported. His partner unlocked the gate and swung the smaller, door-sized portion open.

Azula and Mr. Chen entered.

"We have to check you for weapons first," the same guard revealed once they stood fully inside the courtyard.

"Weapons?" Mr. Chen sounded bewildered at the notion.

Azula stuck out her arms without protest. Promptly, both she and the old man were patted down. Her face was a neutral mask as the guard ran his hands down her arms, legs and sides. Fortunately, she had removed her hand wrapping, causing her fingers to be splayed open. She had expected this. Good thinking.

They found nothing of consequence on either of them.

"Follow me," one of the arriving guards instructed. He took the lead in front while the other positioned himself behind their two 'guests'.

As they traveled down the path toward the house, her head pivoted discreetly in a sweep of the estate's courtyard. The four ginkgo trees bordered the path with two of them having a doghouse underneath and a dog secured to each of them.

Two young children played with one of the dogs, a boy and girl, no older than eight or nine. Despite the children's friendly banter, the dogs were clearly guard animals. Otherwise, the courtyard had no other defining features, that is, no more than any other wealthy residence: botanical gardens, a rock garden, a koi pond, and a series of grave sites marked by tombstones and shrines. There must have been hundreds of years of generations buried on the premises.

There were hundreds of years of ancestors buried in the palace cemetery too. She would never be included.

As they neared the end of the path, her eyes flicked to the house in front.

She was struck with awe.

The house was built atop a heavy, heavy stone foundation as high as the surrounding walls. In fact, the foundation was the wall.

High above the ground, sitting atop the heavy stone wall-foundation, the house had a long porch facing the courtyard, with the house itself having two floors and an overall square shape, save for the sloping sides and curved rooves. Notably, the rooves were not colored red, rather were a blueish-green like corroded bronze.

That was a peculiar color for a modern Fire Nation residence.

Also of note were the windows. On all floors, the windows were made of glass and metal-framed, but above them, hanging on tracks, were sloped, iron covers that protruded outward from the wall, like a triangular chute.

She recognized these coverings instantly.

They served only one purpose.

Once these chutes were slid in place, they prevented fireballs and projectiles from reaching the house's interior, but at the same time allowed those standing behind the chutes to attack invaders standing below. At that moment, the nature of the wall, the courtyard, the foundation and the 'house' became clear.

It was an old castle from the ancient era of the Fire Islands.

It even had a drawbridge.

They climbed the defensive drawbridge leading to the first floor's porch. The drawbridge's ramp was constructed of wood and iron and was suspended by chains so it could be lowered to prevent invaders from reaching the castle's front entrance. She caught movement on the porch. Glancing to her left, she spotted an elderly man and woman seated on rocking chairs, fluttering themselves with fans to stay cool in the warm evening air. Their faces were content and their attention was pointed at the courtyard. Presumably, they were watching the small children. They did not pay her, the guards or Mr. Chen any attention.

At last, they arrived at the castle's entrance: a heavy double door constructed of thick wood planks and bolstered many numerous metal straps and rivets. This too she recognized instantly. Even if the door burned, invaders still would not be able to gain entrance due to the iron lattice work that would remain standing. Right now, however, the door was propped open, no doubt to allow fresh air into the structure.

They removed their shoes and entered the castle.

The interior was made entirely of wood. Not surprising given the structure's age. A combination of massive vertical and horizontal wood beams supported the ceiling and walls. The floor was also made of wood and highly polished. There were hallways branching off from the main interior and numerous sliding screens that lay open for further airflow. A stairwell behind an open, hinged door lead downward into the foundation—presumably into the basement—while a large flight of stairs lead upward to the second floor.

There were Fire Nation-themed decorations hanging from the rafters, along with artwork, furniture and even relics that she was sure dated back to the Fire Islands: crude swords, old shields, flimsy bows and arrows; even suits of ancient laminated armor similar to what she had in her bag back at the charity home. There was even a banner from an ancient, defunct Fire Island clan. The colors were white and blue.

She had no idea which one it was.

She'd almost have been fascinated by it all, like visiting the history museum in the capital, if it hadn't been inside the confines of such vile, criminal people.

The guards led them straight across the first floor, toward an area of bright light at the opposite end: the back wall of the castle. It was long and full of big glass windows, and had a large sliding door at its center that was drawn open fully. Cool, salty sea air wafted through, reminding her of her days on Ember Island in Lo and Li's beach house. As they neared the back wall of the castle, she spotted the kitchen and pantry, and shortly after that, they arrived at the sliding door.

As in the front of the castle, the rear portion had a long porch. From this vantage, she could see the massive bay and the sandy beach.

But she couldn't see the walls.

By her guess, the walls terminated at the sand and ran inward to provide the remainder of the castle's foundation. Here, the ocean and beach acted as a form of natural barrier to invaders. The porch, however, was not limited to the castle but extended outwards, over the beach and high above the ground, seemingly as an add-on that served no practical purpose other than leisure. It was on this extended deck that she got her next glimpse of the castle's inhabitants: a gathering of people.

One group was comprised of three women and two teenage girls seated around a small table, all dressed in fine clothes and engaged in conversation with each other. At the other end of the deck was another group, comprised of four men of various ages and two teenage boys, all talking and holding drinking. They too were dressed in fine, leisure clothes.

Nearest to her and to the left, two charcoal braziers were being tended to by what appeared to be a male servant. The cooking grilles sizzled with meats and vegetables and she could smell the spices and burning fat in the air. At the far end of the deck, a long table was being prepared with plates, bowls, dining utensils and trays of food by two female servants. Most notably, though, was who she spotted among the group of men.

The clan leader spotted her too. He set down his drink and made his way over.

"Yuki. Bo," he greeted with cordial respect, meeting each of their eyes. "Welcome to my home. What brings you here?"

Her hands were not bound and her firebending was intact, yet the clan leader appeared entirely unafraid.

"We, uh—" Mr. Chen stammered.

Azula's calm eyes met the leader's and she softened her expression into a subtle, solemn frown. "It appears you were right," she spoke softly. "I held out against your offer and terrible things have resulted."

The clan leader's brow wrinkled as his expression turned equally solemn. "What happened?" He glanced down and up at her. "You appear alright."

"I am fine," she confirmed. "But two of my friends are not. In fact, one of them was murdered and the other was attacked and violated."

The clan leader frowned and nodded softly. "I see. I'm sorry to hear this. Do you know who is responsible?"

"No, not personally," she replied in an equally quiet tone. "But I am certain it was a few of your 'dogs' looking for red meat," she used his own terminology.

His expression remained somber but his lips compressed into a thin line. "That is very possible. It's been a week since the deadline."

"Did you know about this?" She asked dully, her eyes not leaving his.

The clan leader raised his chin and firmed his expression. "While I command the obedience of all who work for me, I do not control every moment of their lives. Whatever illicit activities they get into on their own time, at their own peril, is outside my control. I assure you that I neither ordered, nor knew of, such a thing."

She stared into the clan leader's eyes, the glare of the setting sun causing her to squint. She glanced momentarily at the scene behind him. Some members of the crowd were passing quiet glances at her though none appeared threatening or suspicious; just curious. Her eyes flicked back to the leader's. "I believe you," she said finally. "I also believe that the perpetrators of these acts are too cowardly to attempt the same against me and so will pursue those in my company until their thirst for revenge is satisfied." Or until I submit to the wishes of their leader.

"I would agree with that assessment," the man spoke calmly. "They would be smart not to confront you directly. Your power and ferocity are without question. Is there something you would like me to do about them?"

At last, he raised the topic.

Azula lowered her eyes from the criminal leader's and stared at the deck, her expression growing somber. She gave a weary sigh and raised her forlorn eyes back to his. "Yes," she answered weakly. "I mean to accept the offer you gave me all those weeks ago. I did not believe you at the time. I thought you were just trying to scare me. I thought this was a problem I could handle on my own but now I see I was wrong. I don't want this to go any further."

The leader took a deep breath and exhaled through his nose. His calm visage did not falter and he did not smirk or show any signs of victory. He simply nodded slowly, with sober calm. "I am glad you made this decision," he said at last. "I wish it had not taken these circumstances but, nevertheless, no more harm shall come to you or anyone in your company. My offer still stands. I accept you, Yuki. I'll have word out sent immediately to my associates throughout the city..." He turned to one of the guards behind her and beckoned. "Fetch me a messenger hawk and a scroll," he ordered.

The guard gave a curt bow and departed. The clan leader turned back to his new associate. "Come by the Flying Fish tomorrow morning. We'll have the contract for you to sign. After that, you'll have a week to get your affairs in order. Don't rush. There's no hurry."

At this, Azula bowed at her waist and placed her left, splayed, injured hand atop her right fist in the formal Fire Nation salute. "Thank you, Shinzo," she spoke stoically, feeling her skin crawl at the forced gesture. "I appreciate your patience with me. I know I can be obstinate and fiery."

The clan leader gave a slight chuckle of amusement. "Like any powerful firebender," he mused. "This will be worth your while. I assure you." He glanced down at her hand. "What's wrong with your hand, by the way?"

"Just a childhood injury," she replied simply. "I enjoyed playing with fire… A bit too much."

When she straightened out of her bow, her eyes flicked past the clan leader to that place across the bay where the Fire Navy base lay, where the great red flag of her country's military flew in a distant breeze, glowing with light of the sun. Her eyes shifted back to the clan leader's. "We better get going," she said with politely. "We need to get home for dinner."

"I would invite you to join us but we were not expecting guests."

"That is quite alright," she replied. "Good evening to you."

"As to you," the clan leader returned.

She and Mr. Chen turned around and took their leave, escorted by only one of the guards as the other had left to retrieve a messenger hawk.

As the teenage girl and Bo Chen departed, the clan leader began to return to his prior company. A second later, he stopped, turned and faced his departing guests.

"Yuki," he spoke aloud to capture her attention.

She stopped and turned.

Shinzo stared at the firebending teen for a quiet moment. "You are very well spoken," he said sincerely and with a touch of curiosity. "I think you have a bright future."

"Thank you," she replied warmly and forced her lips to curve into a cordial smile. "I think so too."

At this, she turned around and resumed her departure. And I know you don't…

Her face was a mask of calm as she continued to study the castle's interior. Her eyes took in every hallway, every door, person, window and beam.

Stonewalls and an iron gate; a drawbridge and steel-clad doors. So there will be no escape…

… For them.