Azula spent practically the entire afternoon interrogating the three traitors, paying especial attention to Aosu since the man seemed to have turned up out of nowhere. Considering how insignificant the village he had been born in was, he might as well have. Called it unimportant and a waste of space would have been too kind. It was so small, so poor, and so isolated that it could barely be considered part of the Fire Nation, and it's citizens would live and die in misery, without anyone ever knowing or caring about their existence. Zuko had been helping people in that situation since he rose to power.

Unfortunately, Ozai's men got to Aosu first. He was just the kind of fool some minimally wealthy soldiers loved to find - unbelievably strong, but not too bright. Enough money to rent a decent place to sleep and to buy some food was all it took to buy his loyalty, and make him do all the work her father's men considered bellow them. One of two successes would convince these poor idiots that they could eventually get enough recognition to get an actual reward and prestige. Aosu was simply one of the few how didn't die and now were back to square one.

Being able to see herself in that fool made Azula sick to her stomach. She had much, much more luxury in her life, but it didn't change the fact that she had been just a pawn in her father's game, got thrown away the second she was no longer as useful as she used to be, and had stayed loyal to him for a long time after that. Having to act like she still had any love or respect for that man felt wrong and demeaning. Her father's voice in her head, as usual, didn't help.

Even now you're nothing more than what I made of you, Azula. You think trying to help your brother means you've changed, yet the only way you can be useful is by acting just the way I thought you to. Even your precious Zuko knows you're worth nothing otherwise.

The princess ignored him the best she could, and didn't say a word about to anyone. She wouldn't feel comfortable opening up to any of her true allies, and she had given explicit orders for all of them to never even bring up the fact that they were actually on Zuko's side unless it was absolutely necessary and they were sure they were alone. Their three enemies seemed to have believed their story, but it was better not to take any chances.

After the interrogations, they all started organizing their group and how they'd live for the next weeks. Of the three small homes - the only ones in the entire forest - Azula would take the smaller one, which had only one bedroom. Since she was 'The Fire Lord' she would be the only one who would have a room just for herself, and would not start sleeping in a tent after the other traitors arrived. For now, their group was small enough for everyone to be able to sleep on a bed. They had also decided there should always be at least two people awake at night, so the others would be warned if someone arrived.

Once the three traitors went to bed, being replaced by two Dai Li agents, Azula prepared to leave and meet Zuko's friends, and even after she was ready, she waited a few more minutes before going, making sure Seejih, Taizen, and Aosu were really asleep. Xaang left with her.

The two of them walked for nearly half an hour before reaching the cave where Aang, Katara and Toph were waiting for them. The entrance was hidden by plants, and anyone who didn't know it was there would likely miss it, especially at night.

They lit up their flames, making it a bit easier to move in the dark tunnel, and kept their eyes on the ground until they found a hole next by one of the cave's walls. Xaang called Toph's name, and the ground moved and expanded the passage. She created a 'stair' made of the cave's rocks to allow them to meet them. Just like Toph had promised, there was no way to get out of there without the help of an earthbender.

"How did it go?" Aang asked, sounding a little too cheery. Azula would never get used to how oddly optimistic that kid was.

"It's too early to say, but I think they believe us" Xaang answered "We'll know for sure once their allies arrive and we learn more about how they operate."

"I can't wait till we get to crush all of them" Toph had her usual smirk on her face.

Now that is a sentiment I can get behind, Azula thought, giving the earthbender an approving smile before remembering the girl could not see it.

"No unnecessary violence" Xang's voice became stern "Those were the Fire Lord's orders.

Katara and Aang smiled at his words, and for a second, they almost fooled Azula into believing they weren't the type to enjoy a good fight. But she had seen what that boy when he went into the Avatar state, and she remembered very well how the waterbender had no problem freezing and chaining her up.

But she knew neither of them would be the first one to go against what her brother had said when it was time to fight. Zuko himself would do that. She had seen him lose his temper many times when they were younger, had been on the receiving end of his cold fury during their Agni Kai, and watched him handle both the Dai Li and Ozai. She could just picture it: Zuko losing control in the heat of battle, destroying every enemy in his way, taking down bender using just his swords before making the place go up in flames. Any doubt anyone ever had about him would turn to ash as he proved he wasn't just wiser than their father, he could also be far more dangerous when he wanted to.

She imagined that, just as they got their victory and the chaos started to die down, he would kiss her in front of everyone - family, friends, allies, and fallen enemies. Conquering her as easily as he won his crown.

"Hey, princess! Focus!" Toph's voice pulled Azula out of her little fantasy.

It wouldn't matter. She knew it wouldn't stay just a fantasy for long.