A/N: Just wanted to let people know there is currently an issue with new chapter updates not showing. It is a site wide issue from what I can tell. Hopefully Chapter 14 will show up... eventually... maybe... I do have a "Uncensored" version of this story on AnOth3r site. If you can't figure it out yet... Don't know what to say. It is an 18+ site, so you've been warned. If you do go there... be careful of other stories. I do some pretty fetishtastic and disgusting stuff there. I try to add all of the appropriate tags. A couple of stories even have warnings before scenes, but not the very fetish intensive ones.

Chapter 13: Those Together. Those Alone.

It was the last evening Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee would be on the royal ship. Tomorrow they would meet War Minister Qin and see this prototype they would be testing. Azula was currently telling her men their new assignments. She seemed particularly eager to do so with the ship's Captain.

Mai decided to take the chance to speak with Ty Lee in private. She wanted clarification on something. "So, how exactly did Azula call a little louder?" she asked.

Ty Lee grinned. "It was really something actually. She spoke to me before my performance. I asked to discuss what she wanted afterwards. She watched my performance and only made one slight modification to it after consulting the Ring Leader," she said.

"What modification?" Mai asked flatly while hiding her concern.

"Just removed the net. That's actually something that happens fairly often," Ty Lee said.

"That was all?" Mai asked in surprise.

"Yep! We talked about the mission and came to an agreement," Ty Lee said while smiling.

"That's a bit unexpected," Mai mused aloud.

The doors behind them opened and a very pleased Azula came in and sat next to them. "You seem in good spirits," Ty Lee said.

"I am. It was cathartic ripping into that innate captain. I told him more than once our plan and he still let slip why I wanted Zuko and Iroh coming with me. They escaped because of his incompetence," Azula said.

"I guess it doesn't matter you find this way more entertaining," Mai said flatly.

"True, I do. Why should Zuko get to travel the world on a mission?" Azula started.

"Even if I do find this more to my liking, it doesn't change the fact the captain failed me and ruined an important mission," she added.

"Where's he going?" Ty Lee asked.

Azula grinned. "He will be the new captain of a very small river patrol boat in a very boring part of the Fire Nation with a rather undisciplined crew."

"Ouch… That's got to sting," Ty Lee said with a giggle.

"From the Royal Ship to small river boat. Quite the downgrade," Mai stated with a slight smirk.

"Which is exactly what he deserves. Maybe he'll learn a thing or two about keeping quiet on important matters when needed," Azula said.

"Are you sure he didn't do it on purpose?" Mai asked as she examined one of her knives. Azula knew she just had to say the word and Mai would deal with him.

"That did cross my mind, but it wasn't so. He was too much a genuine nervous mess for that to be the case. It was immediately obvious he didn't intend to let it slip. As they say, do not attribute to malice which ineptitude adequately explains. There were other problems with him on the journey before meeting my brother and uncle in the first place," Azula said.

"You've always been good at reading people," Ty Lee said with a smile. Azula nodded with her own smile.

The trio talked together until Mai gave a stretch and said, "Well… I'm bored yet again. I swear they make these ships purposefully boring."

Ty Lee giggled, "That's because you find everything boring."

Mai smiled to that.

"Expect my brother, for whatever reason," Azula quipped causing Mai to almost blush.

Azula mentally frowned since Mai won this round. Mai's only reaction was to blink quickly a couple of times.

Mai gave a shrug. "True," she replied flatly.

She mentally cheered at winning this round, even if it was close. Perhaps things weren't as boring as she claimed.

"Whatever the case, tomorrow we will be seeing this tank train, as Minster Qin calls it. There's also rumors the Avatar was spotted near Gaoling. Plus, a flying bison was seen by one of our outposts in the night sky recently," Azula said.

"Oh joy… finally some potential excitement. This still beats Omashu and my parents at least," Mai said. She left Ty Lee and Azula to themselves.

[-] [-] [-]

The two girls headed to Azula's quarters. Ty Lee insisted they share, since Mai wouldn't stand for sharing. Azula wasn't too opposed to this. Her bed was big enough. She also realized she would have to get comfortable with being in tighter quarters with both of her friends.

There might also be a small part of nostalgia she felt for their sleepover days when they were younger.

When they eventually retired to bed, Ty Lee paused in tending to Azula's beautiful hair. She herself was sporting four ponytails. That was Azula's choice of Ty Lee hairstyle for the night. "You are going to tell Mai your plan regarding Zuko, right?" she asked a little worried.

"Of course I will. When she needs to know... We are far from that time though. Until then, enjoy our little game," Azula said.

Ty Lee let out a sigh of relief. She didn't want Mai getting upset at their plan suddenly. Especially, since she only knew part of it for now. Mai did come along happily because she was bored, but things could get unnecessarily complicated when the time for apprehending Zuko came. She didn't want her friends drifting apart so soon after being reunited. She forgot how much she loved being with the girls while she was at the circus.

Azula seemed to realize something was on Ty Lee's mind. "What are you worrying about?"

Ty Lee gave a wain smile. "Nothing…" she said.

Azula sat up and frowned. "I don't like being lied to. Especially when it is so obvious," she said sternly.

"Just having a bit of a moment, I guess. I'm realizing how much I missed you girls. I don't want something coming between us too soon," she said.

Azula looked to her. "That would be entirely Mai's fault. Before it is too late, I'll tell her I intend to deal with the Avatar and give brother credit. I already told you my word combined with that, will be enough for father to allow him back. Uncle will be going to jail regardless, but Zuko isn't completely condemned to that fate yet," she said.

"But you said Fire Lord Ozai is very disappointed in him. He means a lot to Mai," Ty Lee argued.

"I know this," Azula said flatly in almost annoyance. "I swear she deserves much better, but I guess it is up to her."

Azula frowned, "Unless Zuko really messes up further, I have a way to keep him from being a problem in the future, but Mai can still be with him. He won't have the same status, but love makes even Mai act foolish. She wouldn't care about such matters, only that they were together."

"She would like that," Ty Lee said.

Azula sighed in frustration. "I just don't get what she sees in him. What makes it worse is Zuzu doesn't understand how lucky he really is," she said.

Ty Lee didn't like her friend being frustrated. She blushed when she had an idea. She wondered if it was something Azula would still enjoy. Last time, it had been shortly before they went their separate ways. They could also go further now, since they were both older.

"Hey, Azula," Ty Lee started.

"Ty Lee?" Azula replied.

Ty Lee blushed deeper. "I know we are both into guys… Even if you have very high and appropriate standards," she said.

"I am the Fire Nation Princess and heir apparent. I won't settle for just anyone," Azula said.

"I know. I said appropriate. I was wondering if you wanted to… well… do that stuff again. I mean we are both older now," Ty Lee said.

Azula blinked a couple of times. She then gave a smile. "Are you feeling a little… eager?" the princess asked in a seductive tone.

Ty Lee blushed. Now that Azula mentioned it, she kind of was. "Maybe?" she asked in a slightly higher than usual voice.

"Then let's get started," Azula said as she leaned in and gave Ty Lee a kiss. Ty Lee returned the kiss as they both started to undress.

Something Ty Lee, and maybe Mai, knew about Azula is she enjoyed doing naughty things to an extent. She didn't really do them with others, but she did with Ty Lee. Ty Lee knew Azula saw it as a fun challenge, but she was fine with that.

Azula did what she could to keep from going over the edge, while attempting to get Ty Lee to do so as many times as possible. Azula saw the moment she finally went over as a reward for completing the challenge.

Ty Lee enjoyed the attention and obvious benefits, as well as the satisfaction she got from finally getting Azula to go over the edge. They did have some limits obviously, but there was still plenty they could do. Plus, it was safe with the two of them and they could learn what they liked to do sexually.

[-] [-] [-]

Azula and Ty Lee were both catching their breath as they lay next to each other basking in the afterglow of their sexual encounter. Both girls were covered in a very kinky sheen of sweat from their sexual exertion. Azula again looked to Ty Lee's face and blushed momentarily. Ty Lee hadn't fully cleaned her own face yet. Azula could see her squirt still there.

As kinky and sort of proud as she felt of that, she looked around and grabbed a piece of fabric nearby. She handed it to Ty Lee. "I know it's your top, but you have a spare and you should probably clean up," she said.

Ty Lee blushed. She kind of liked wearing Azula's gift of satisfaction, but she did need to clean up. "Will there be time for laundry tomorrow?" she asked as she used the impromptu towel.

"There should be," Azula answered.

Ty Lee grinned as she tossed her used top to the side. She then snuggled in with Azula. Both girls enjoyed doing so to an extent. It was probably some natural inclination hardwired into them for after such encounters. That was how Azula explained it. She didn't really want to admit it was kind of nice being this physically close to someone.

Azula would admit to herself it was nice having Ty Lee back again. She was really happy she didn't have to force the girl to come along either. Azula wondered about that a little. She had expected to be happy to have Ty Lee by her side again, but it seemed to mean more to her than she thought it would. She figured that was because she saw both Ty Lee and Mai differently now.

They were always her 'friends', but it seemed Azula was figuring out how that meant more than she used to think it did. Maybe all of those books were reaching her.

Ty Lee let out a pleased sigh as she snuggled in more next to Azula. Azula pushed such thoughts to the side. She relaxed next to Ty Lee in the bed. She made sure not to fall asleep though. She needed to make sure they eventually got into proper night clothes.

It would be so very embarrassing if anyone saw them like this naked next to each other. That wouldn't do for a princess. She still enjoyed being next to her friend like this though. Ty Lee's body was both soft and firm. The warmth next to her was nice as well.

[-] [-] [-]

Zuko was doing his best to keep a low profile as he entered a small Earth Kingdom town to resupply, with the little he could afford. It was a very… interesting… place to say the least. There seemed to be a slight, almost, military presence here. He wasn't so sure though.

The group was small and didn't act much in the way of disciplined. They were wearing what looked like modified Earth Kingdom uniforms. The slight difference looked to be personally applied by the members of the group.

The group claimed they were protecting the small town, but Zuko doubted that was the case. The first flag against them was how little this place would have in the way of military importance. It didn't have much in the way of crops, so it wouldn't even be attacked to cut off supply lines. It wasn't really well placed for anything in all honesty.

Zuko had been keeping up to date on the war to avoid being caught. This meant he knew this small and insignificant town was too far away from the war to be worth attacking. There wouldn't even be reason for a raiding group to attack for the sake of spreading fear. A town like this could literally be leveled and only the small population living here would be affected.

The second flag against the group was their behavior. They acted more like thugs or bandits than soldiers. At the same time, Zuko could tell they had proper training, even if they didn't seem to do much to keep their skills sharp.

The group instead enjoyed the power they had over the small town and the people. No one seemed to be willing to stand up to them. The group gambled out in broad daylight. They started drinking in the middle of the day. They even helped themselves to the women as they wished.

Zuko saw a couple of men take a girl into a small alley between buildings soon after he arrived. He saw another group leave an alley laughing together while a girl with her breasts exposed sat on the ground and wiped drying cum from her face. She was probably no more than a year older than him.

Zuko really wanted to do something, but he wasn't sure there was anything he could do without blowing his cover. The group wasn't big, but he was just one guy and he would rather leave without causing problems. He wasn't staying so getting too involved benefited no one.

There was also how no one else seemed to care. Zuko couldn't find it in himself to bother with these people if they wouldn't even try to defend themselves. Besides… he didn't know anyone here and he could leave quickly while putting it behind him. He had many other things to worry about instead.

Zuko spent the last of his money when he noticed a nervous girl, who looked to be a year younger than him, stood close to him. She had hazel eyes and light brown hair that went to her shoulders. There was no denying she was pretty.

Zuko looked to her curiously and she looked pleadingly back at him. He was about to ask what she wanted, or tell her to bother someone else, when three soldiers/thugs came over. He couldn't just leave right then though. He had to instead hope this worked out somehow.

The trio of guys looked to both of them. Zuko could see the hunger in their eyes as they looked over the girl. "Never seen your ugly mug here before," one said to Zuko with a look that was supposed to be intimidating.

Zuko could see the apprehension in his eyes though. Zuko figured that was enough to prove they were who he thought they were. Cowardly deserters.

"There a problem with that?" Zuko asked neutrally as he causally drew attention to his dual swords at his waist.

The leader of the trio decided to grab Zuko's feed bags as he said, "Thanks for your donation. I'd leave if I were you. Looks like staying here is too expensive for you."

The guy then looked to the girl and lightly licked his lips as he said, "See you later, Sayori." The others chuckled as they turned to leave.

Zuko watched them go with narrowed eyes.

"Thanks…" the girl said to him softly.

Zuko was silent and started getting ready to leave. He would just have to hope there was a different town nearby.

"Wait," the girl called as she grabbed his arm.

Zuko looked to her as he said, "I have no reason to stay here. Sorry."

She seemed saddened but then her eyes brightened and she smiled as she said, "To thank you for the help, I'll let you and your ostrich horse rest at my family's home."

"I really need to keep moving," Zuko said to her.

"You also really need food, water, and supplies," she countered.

Zuko was in thought for a moment and closed his eyes. "Fine," he relented with a sigh. He really didn't have a choice.

Sayori smiled and said, "That's the spirit! I'm Sayori. Who are you?"

Zuko thought for a moment before replying, "Lee."

"Thanks again, Lee." Sayori said cheerfully.

Zuko mentally sighed and had a sinking feeling he was too heavily involved now. He would stay for a day or two and get supplies. After that, he was gone and wouldn't look back. It didn't matter how cheerful and pretty Sayori was.

[-] [-] [-]

Zuko stayed longer than he intended. Perhaps he felt guilty as Fire Prince after seeing how the war had torn even more families apart. Perhaps he felt he owed them for their great generosity. Maybe, despite himself, he enjoyed the company of others after being alone for so long. He would leave soon though. He stayed too long as it was. It was too pleasant and peaceful here just outside of the town for him.

Sayori and Zuko were sitting together on her family's porch as the sunset. "Why doesn't anyone do something about them? There aren't that many of them. From what I've seen, most of them aren't very skilled," he asked her.

Sayori looked to the horizon in thought. "None of us here are fighters. Anyone who was joined the military," she said.

"They're a bunch of cowardly deserters. If enough people stand up to them, they will leave," Zuko said.

"The relationship is also a bit twisted I would say. They are deserters, but they still have connections to the military. They learned the names of all the people who joined from the area. They keep us informed on the war and our family members," she said.

"But the way they treat everyone… Especially the girls and women," Zuko said with a frown.

"I know. Everyone has just come to expect it. Some feel they do in a way help protect us from actual bandits. I doubt that is the case, but people will do a lot for even the illusion of safety. Some of the women even enjoy the company on their better days," she said.

"How do you feel about it?" Zuko asked as he looked to her.

Sayori shivered a little. "I've been lucky so far. My family lives outside of town. I'm also younger than most of the girls and women they prefer… But I've seen their looks… My luck will only last so much longer, I fear."

Zuko frowned in thought. "They are cowards through and through," he said.

"You said that already…" she pointed out.

"No. You don't understand. They don't even stay in the town. They have a small camp nearby where they stay nights. They will leave the moment things get a little difficult for them here. That includes regular bandits coming close," he said darkly.

He had seen their camp. It was set up to easily break down and leave. The deserters had little to no intention of staying. They acted tough and bold when he was probably the only one in town worth a damn at fighting, even without his bending. Even then, Zuko could smell the fear on them when he was around. That was the reason why they hadn't bothered Sayori or her family while he was here.

Zuko wasn't so sure Sayori truly realized that. She shouldn't have to be worrying about such things. Not in a town like this. The only worries this small nowhere town should have was hearing bad news about their loved ones at war. Not great, but better than it was currently.

"It is how it is," she said sadly. She was coming to accept Lee would be leaving soon. She knew that would be when her time was up. "I just wish my first time wouldn't be by their hands." She tried to say in a manner that hinted her unspoken request to him.

Zuko looked to her in thought. She stood up and went inside. She put extra sway in her hips to entice him. Zuko didn't pick up on her hint. He instead made up his mind on something.

[-] [-] [-]

"Yorin," the boss of the deserters said as he felt up a waitress sitting in his lap with her skirt lifted a bit.

The waitress put up with it because there wasn't really much that could be done about it. A few of these guys were Earth benders. What hope did a regular person like her have against them? They also tipped decently well, even if it was with money they took from the other people in town.

"Yeah boss?" Yorin asked.

"You get the feeling the town's getting a little uppity?" the boss asked.

Yorin took a drink from a different waitress and grinned as he looked down her shirt. "Where has that wonderful customer service gone?" he asked.

The girl blushed and reluctantly pulled down her blouse and exposed more chest for him.

"That's better," he said as he took a sip of the drink and gave one of her breasts a squeeze.

"I think you're right, boss. What we gonna do about it?" Yorin asked.

"I think it has to do with that new stranger in town. He didn't take our warning seriously enough and shacked up with Sayori and her family. I say we give him and her family a last serious warning. If he still doesn't heed our warning, we gather the others and pay their house a visit," the boss said.

"We finally moving on her?" Yorin asked excitedly.

"Yeah. She's looking extra pretty lately. She's grown in real nice and she's pretty much old enough. We tried being kind to her, but she just took advantage of our kindness," the boss said.

"What will we do about her parents?" Yorin asked.

"We tell them we'll take care of her for them. They'll just need to give us a little upkeep is all," the boss said with a grin.

Yorin pulled a waitress into his lap and grinned at her. He ran a hand slowly up her skirt and kissed her lovely lips. She gave an involuntary shudder he mistook for arousal. He chuckled a little and turned to his boss. "We'll set the rest of the town right again after that, won't we?" he asked.

"Of course," the boss said with a confident chuckle.

Things were really good here. The war was scary. The Fire Nation, fierce. Hell, even other Earth benders were rather intimidating as so-called comrades in arms.

These people didn't even know how to fight for themselves, even with pitchforks and torches. The stranger had swords. The boss could tell the guy knew how to handle himself, but there would be five of them and even more if their serious warning didn't work. They would show him, even if it would be a tough fight.

[-] [-] [-]

Zuko wore his blue spirit mask as he looked at the camp below. Not all of the group were there at the moment, but most of them were. He was certain once the few who were passed out in the local tavern returned, and saw their camp in ruins, they would run. He even planned to cut loose a little. Him using fire bending here, away from the town, would only scare them into leaving sooner.

Zuko sneaked into the camp and was surprised they didn't even have guards posted to keep watch. This would be too easy. This would be very unfair. It even went against his sense of honor on a level.

This wasn't about him though. He wouldn't let them make sport of the town anymore. He wouldn't let them steal Sayori's virginity either. She deserved much better than that. No one deserved what these cowards did to them.

"Perhaps I grew a little too attached," Zuko mused to himself. It didn't matter though. He would leave soon after this.

Zuko found where the deserters kept their weapons and armor. It was odd they didn't have them better located or even close their person. Zuko supposed they figured if worst came to worst, leaving such heavy items behind would let them escape faster.

It took little effort on his part to burn their makeshift armory down. He then set some tents ablaze and started killing the cowards. He got a pretty good head start before any them got up to start fighting back.

Zuko was able to easily deal with the few who were able to put up much of a fight. It was just as easy as he figured with his fire bending. He was almost shocked how easy it was. He had little time to dwell on that. He wanted to finish this before the sun rose. He would then rest a little and say his good byes.

"Who are you?!" a man shouted as he stared at the masked figure.

Zuko looked to him and said, "Retribution."

"Wha-wha-what?!" the man asked as he trembled in place.

"Did you really think you could get away with deserting and bullying the people here?" Zuko asked with his voice sounding deeper than usual.

"Bu-bu-but…" the man was terrified and at a loss for words.

Zuko made quick work of him before returning to his task.

[-] [-] [-]

"Where's Lee?" Sayori asked as she looked through the house after waking up.

"He left a note saying he needed to do something, but would be back before lunch," her mother said.

"Okay," Sayori replied. She was a little relieved he hadn't completely left yet. She was also disappointed he didn't seem to get her hint yesterday.

"Would you run to town this morning?" her mother asked.

"Why?" Sayori asked.

"We all know Lee will be leaving soon. Lunch might be his last meal with us even… We should make it a bit of a feast in honor of him what he has done to help out here," her mother said.

Sayori looked a little sad at those words. She then nodded in determination. "Okay," she said to her mother getting ready to leave.

She would approach Lee one last time and make sure he knew her intentions. If he wasn't interested in her, then that was his choice. She would be a little heartbroken, but she wasn't going to force him like she knew the deserters would to her, once Lee was gone.

[-] [-] [-]

Zuko gave a mighty stretch before laying down on a grassy hillside. He wasn't too far from Sayori's place, but he needed a little rest before getting back. It was rather peaceful here with the babbling stream nearby. He needed a moment after what he did. He felt it was right and he was used to fighting and killing, but he needed to calm his mind and heart after that.

He soon closed his eyes for a spell.

He felt it wasn't too long before he was awakened by the gallop of an ostrich horse. He readied to defend himself as he opened his eyes. He stood up and relaxed for a moment once he recognized Sayori's mother.

When she was closer, he saw her look of worry. He knew this wouldn't be good.

"What is it?" he asked as soon as she hopped off her ostrich horse.

"They took her!" she cried out. She handed him a note. "I sent her into town early this morning. We wanted to give you a proper good bye feast. We figured this would be your last day here," she explained as Zuko read the note.

"They want to face you. They said they won't do anything to her before you meet them in town," she said.

Zuko was angry but controlled his emotions. "I'll get her back. I'll make sure they never bother you or the town again," he said.

He knew this was their last move, but he wasn't going to let on to that. He knew this had to be the group that stayed in town last night. If they had made it back to their camp, there was no way they would have hung around.

Sayori's mother felt relieved, but was still worried. "I won't let you go alone. My husband is trying to gather up the other townsfolk, but I doubt that will help much. They are all too... defeated," she said.

"I promise you. Sayori will be safe and these cowards will never again bother her or your town again," Zuko said once more as he mounted his ostrich horse.

[-] [-] [-]

Sayori was terrified. She was confused as well. Why were they doing this to her? Why hadn't they just taken her away? Why did they have her tied up in the center of town? They hadn't even tried anything as she figured they would.

She couldn't help but feel hopeful as she saw Zuko coming her way. Her heart was too aflutter she decided. If Lee saved her, she might just beg him to let her join him on his wandering. Her leaving might be the only way to save her family from the deserters striking back.

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised you arrived," the boss of the group said as he tried to look confident as the stranger arrived.

"I know your type," Zuko said as he stared them down. "This proves how cowardly you are. Taking a hostage. Bringing four men with you. All just because of one stranger with dual swords," Zuko said as he drew his swords and took a combat stance.

"This will be the last time you and your lot taint this town with your cowardly stench," he said dangerously.

The boss actually felt uneasy at his words. He put on a semi-brave front as he called to one of his men and said, "Are you going to stand for that insult?"

The guy gulped and readied his spear. He charged at Zuko.

Zuko easily knocked the man out with the hilt of his sword in the man's gut. The man went flying backwards.

"Go on," the boss ordered the next man.

This guy gulped and charged in as well. Zuko broke the spear with a kick and smacked the guy with the side of one sword.

The next guy charged a little early, but Zuko easily dealt with him as well.

"Really… Yorin!" the boss called as he looked to his left. He gulped mentally once he noticed Yorin was already running away at top speed. Yorin was their second-best fighter…

"Can't get any good help these days," the boss muttered. He would show this punk and really take over the town. No more mister nice guy! He would have a full-on harem of always naked wenches and everything. He would demand the town hand over all their valuables and their finest clothing. No more slack for them.

He readied his dual hammers and immediately used them to channel earth bending. They were something only novices used, but he felt they worked much better than most benders realized. He could earth bend and had some rather handy weapons as well.

He slammed one hammer into the ground and used the other to send a rock chunk at the stranger.

Zuko was a bit more cautious now, but he was able to dodge the rock. The boss deserter continued his attack. Zuko was having to go all out dodging the flying rocks. This was much more difficult then he thought it would be without his bending. He really didn't want to resort to that though.

He wished to leave in peace and have one last pleasant evening with the family that gave him a place to stay. Zuko knew the town wouldn't tolerate him anymore if they saw he was a fire bender. They may not be warriors fighting the war, but they had family who were. Zuko would be a convenient and rather appropriate outlet for their anger at having their family torn apart.

Zuko dodged one rock and then another, but a third one smacked him back a bit. He remained standing, but it seemed things were getting more difficult.

The boss deserter smirked. He really was pretty awesome, wasn't he? He was putting this arrogant fool in his place and showing the town he owned them. He was already getting excited about his plans to celebrate his impending victory. He might even help himself to some of the younger daughters in this town as well. That would show the weaklings for getting overconfident just because a stranger with swords happened by.

Zuko was being pushed back more than he liked. The deserter boss jumped up and slammed both hammers into the ground. A crack in the ground raced towards Zuko. He jumped back, but it wasn't enough. A chunk of ground shot up and hit Zuko in his stomach. The scarred prince went backwards and landed harshly on the ground.

The boss deserter smirked at his success. He started to walk forward slowly. That would really show off how powerful he was. He didn't even need to be in a hurry to take out this traveling master swordsman. What hope did the townspeople have? He could taste the disbelief and shock in the people gathered to watch the showdown.

As Zuko laid on the ground, he remembered the last night he saw his mother. He remembered her words to never forget who he was. He remembered some of the things his uncle said to him over the years.

Zuko's eyes opened suddenly.

He couldn't lose here. He wouldn't lose here. He would end this. He would use his full power and then leave. His wishes to do so peacefully and to have one last enjoyable night didn't matter.

This wasn't for his sake in the first place. He only hoped one day Sayori and her family could forgive him for taking advantage of their hospitality. It didn't matter what the rest of the town thought.

Zuko recovered with a spinning fire kick, which sent the deserter flying backwards.

The man was shocked and terrified. This wasn't a swordsman… This was a demon from the Fire Nation! They would probably be here soon. It was time to cut loses and run!

Zuko roared in anger as he sent several fire attacks at the man using his swords. He then got ready to deliver his last attack. He wouldn't kill the man. He knew once the man recovered, he would leave as quickly as possible. That's if the town didn't decide to finally do something about him once he was powerless.

The boss was sent flying back and slammed into a nearby wall. He knew he was defeated and close to passing out, if not full on death. He looked to the demon before him. "Who. Are. You?" he asked breathlessly.

"Zuko. The one who burned your camp and men to the ground last night," Zuko replied in a low voice only the man could hear before he knocked him out.

Zuko wouldn't give the village his real name. He would just be some wandering fire bender who happened by for better or worse. He would be leaving now, but there wasn't a reason to leave more of a trail for others to follow.

Despite his earlier determination, it still hurt to see the looks of the townsfolk. It was like they hated him more than the deserters who tormented them and raped their women regularly. He supposed one could argue he deserved such hate, but he still felt it wasn't right. It was something else to add to the back of his mind on what he should do with his future later.

Zuko stood up and noticed from the corner of his eye Sayori was free now. She looked hurt, betrayed and confused. Zuko couldn't blame her. She had taken him into her home and confided in him a great deal.

Zuko left calmly, but only so he could react if needed. He also feared if he ran the villagers might think he was about to charge them or something. As he approached the edge of the town, he said to them, "For what it is worth… They won't bother you ever again."

He climbed on his ostrich horse and galloped away. He felt it would be wrong to thank Sayori's family. It might paint a target on them for the rest of the town.

Zuko didn't see a young boy pick up a rock he was ready to throw. Sayori's father kept the boy from doing so.

"He knows to leave. He knows he's the enemy. He knows we want nothing to do him with. Don't sully yourself by attacking someone's back because of hate," he said.

The boy looked a little confused, but nodded in understanding. He, like everyone else, watched cautiously as the fire bender left.

[-] [-] [-]

Sayori was a mix of emotions that night. She knew what she had planned and wanted to do that afternoon with Lee. She didn't know what to think. She now understood what his burn actually meant.

Part of her still wondered more about him. Questions filled her mind. "Who was he really? Why was he banished from the Fire Nation? Is he really so bad?" she thought to herself.

He may have been Fire Nation, but he helped out her family. He avoided causing trouble. He even handled the town's deserter problem. He saved her virtue and probably her life as well.

If they ever met again and things were different, she would thank him properly. She doubted she would ever hear of him again though. He was keeping a low profile and if he was ever discovered by the Fire Nation, he would probably be dealt with permanently.

[-] [-] [-]

"Fine! Be that way!" Katara huffed and stormed away from where she just confronted Toph outside of the Earthbender's rock tent.

Sokka gave a yawn as he looked to Harry. "Do you think you could silence the both of them?" he asked.

Harry was in thought for a moment before he shook his head. "I have no problems with silencing my friends' snoring. But it would feel wrong to just silence people for arguing alone," he said.

"It's only going to get worse. It's starting to really cut into our sleeping schedule," Sokka complained.

"I think Harry's right not to do that. I don't like it, but I feel they need to work this out. We're just making some distance at the moment, so it isn't too bad. Though it probably will get worse," Aang said with a frown.

Harry was in thought again. He sighed and said, "I'm not sure how to help with this. Things usually get pretty bad when you get between your own friends. Katara is right that Toph needs to do more than she has been. But at the same time, Toph needs time to adjust. She's had her whole life dictated by others. This is her first taste of freedom and she isn't used to being in a group yet."

Aang nodded in agreement.

"Why don't you explain that to them?" Sokka asked.

"As I said… Things usually just get messy when you put yourself between others. Plus… I don't think either of them would listen," Harry said.

"Fine. But if this keeps going another night or two… I won't let you just stay out of it. Appa needs sleep too," Sokka said.

"Perhaps we should do something soon," Aang said with a concerned frown to Appa.

"Sokka just wants to sleep more," Harry pointed out dryly.

"He's still right though," Aang replied.

"Okay. Two more nights. Then we try to intervene," Harry said.

"We?!" Sokka asked in alarm.

"I'm not doing it myself. Girls are scary when they get angry, even without bending powers. Katara and Toph are master benders," Harry said.

"Maybe… I'm being a little impatient," Sokka said with a gulp.

Aang gave Sokka a teasing grin. "Where did all of that talk about how sleep is sooo important go?" he asked.

"Sleep is important. But I'm not ready for a permanent nap yet," Sokka said with a grimace.

Harry and Aang chuckled at Sokka's response, but they also secretly agreed with him.

[-] [-] [-]

"This does seem it will be very useful, War Minister Qin," Azula said as she looked over the tank train in front of her. It really was a marvelous machine.

It was a good mix of both a tank and a train. It also had a lot equipment built into it. She really liked the idea of the giant grappling hooks on the front. They could be used offensively or to help with traversing more troubling terrain. Additionally, there was a giant plow on the front to protect it.

From the earlier demonstration, it was obvious the machine's speed was equally impressive. It would really help them while tracking the Avatar across the Earth Kingdom. It would help her possibly face Harry once again. She did not want to let her defeat stand. She had too many… confusing thoughts regarding him already.

"Given you are in search of both your uncle and brother, who have fled to the Earth Kingdom, and the sightings of the Avatar. I figured this would be perfect for your needs, Princess Azula. And would be honored if you so choose to use it," Qin said as he bowed to her.

Azula looked over the machine again and nodded to herself. Ty Lee and Mai were both examining it as well. Mai actually seemed slightly less bored, as she looked it over. That actually spoke a lot given who she was.

"We shall see how useful it can be. It seems your work is ever improving, especially as of late," Azula said as she looked to him. She was mentally smiling as she thought over the many projects he had in work. It seemed there would be yet another leap in Fire Nation technology coming.

"I am honored by your words, your Highness," Qin said with a deeper bow.

"I trust preparations are near completion for our journey then," Azula said.

"All that you have requested has been seen to, your Highness," he said in reply.

"Good. You are probably one of the most competent Ministers we have," Azula said as she dismissed herself to join Mai and Ty Lee.

[-] [-] [-]

Zuko decided the universe was yet again trying to give him a very harsh lesson with the last town. He also thought maybe it was just the world telling him to get back to his uncle. Zuko's time alone had not been terrible nor pleasant. He was pretty sure it had come to an end though, and it was something he needed one way or the other.

"It is time I found uncle again," Zuko thought to himself as he galloped on his ostrich horse into the evening. He would have been shocked to realize in that moment there wasn't even a hint of a thought about regaining his honor or finding the Avatar.

A/N: Not the best chapter title. Couldn't really think of a better one though.

I decided to change up the Zuko Alone part. I wanted to do something a bit different, but still kind of similar. It may be more extreme or mature content oriented, but I felt it suited the lesson Zuko will learn from it more. Also… not the best excuse, but this is a M rated fic instead of an animated show meant for kids.