It felt really weird seeing Appa being all packed up and saddled and Zuko knew he was not going to be in that saddle to go with the young airbender and the two water tribe siblings.
How weird it was. Only such a short time ago Zuko had been chasing them from the ground and now he felt weird because he wasn't going with them.
"I created this blend for you young Avatar." Iroh smiled as he offered Aang a small bag of tea leafs. "To calm your spirit and warm your inner flame on your travel. I hope you don't mind."
Aang gasped as he looked up at Iroh and then gave him a big hug making Iroh laugh as he gently padded Aang on the shoulder.
Leave it to Iroh to become everyones Uncle in a matter of days. Zuko thought as he smirked.
Then he grabbed Sokkas arm as the water tribe boy passed him. "Remember what I told you yesterday." he said. "Do not treat your blade as a foreign object or a mere tool. It is a part of you. And you must treat it with the same respect you would treat your own limbs."
Wide-eyed Sokka looked up and he nodded. "I understand." he said and Zuko fixed him with a serious gaze.
Then finally let go of Sokka as he nodded in approval.
Toph sighed as she stepped up beside Zuko. "You know. It's going to be nice with some peace and quiet around here." she said.
At that Zuko looked behind himself at their house. And all of the fore nation refuges looking out of the windows. Plus Smellerbee and Longshot on the second floor. Then he looked back at Toph.
"It'll be nice and quiet in our bedroom!" Toph stated. "Sokka snores!"
"You sure you wont miss it?" Zuko asked.
"No." Toph pouted. But in the same motion she pulled in Zukos pants as her head was hanging.
Zuko halted. "Hey are you all right?" he asked concerned.
Toph swallowed. "Promise not to laugh?" she asked.
"I promise." Zuko swore and he meant it. Which was good because Toph could tell when people were lying.
"I…" Toph halted. "I never slept alone before." she admitted. "When I lived at home. I could always feel my mom in the next room. She might as well be right next to me, I always knew exactly where she was. My first night with the others was scary… But I did feel them around me. And Aang had promised we would protect each other." Tophs empty eyes turned up towards Zuko. "We are still going to share a room right?"
And it hit Zuko. Toph was twelve… Like Aang she was also just. So young.
"Of course." Zuko said as he put a hand on her shoulder and Toph smiled.
"Well." Katara stepped in front of them. "I suppose it's time to go."
Zuko nodded. "Yeah. You be safe all right?" he asked.
"You too. Both of you." Katara said.
Just then a young Avatar came running. Crying as he shouted. "I'LL MISS YOU!" slamming into both Zuko and Toph for a big hug.
"Idiot! It's just a couple of days." Zuko hissed but returned the hug.
Only for Katara to join in and then Sokka shouted.
"WAIT! DON'T LEAVE ME OUT!"
"Come here you big idiot." Katara asked as she opened her arm and Sokka joined in on the big group hug.
Zuko sighed as everyone just squeezed each other and then finally let go.
Katara smiled. "Well. See you in a few days. Don't get into to much trouble."
"Me? Trouble? Never." Toph smirked.
"You're not even the one I am worried about." Sokka smirked. "Mr. swimming through arctic waters in the north pole!" he looked at Zuko.
"Heh… Well… I didn't die." Zuko tried.
"Barely." Sokka stated. "When we found you with Aang you were pretty much dying. Which makes sense now when we know how you got there in the first place."
"Sokka is right. Even I wouldn't do anything that stupid." Toph stated and Zuko pouted.
"Good thing there isn't any arctic waters here." Aang grinned then jumped up on Appas head. "Ready for take off. You guys are gonna see your dad!"
Sokka smiled widely as he crawled up in the saddled helping Katara up after him. Then they looked down at Zuko and Toph who stood. Iroh now joining them as he looked up.
"See you guys!" Aang grinned. "Yip yip!" he grinned and they were off.
Sokka, Katara and Aang all waving from on top of Appa. And Zuko, Toph and Iroh waving from the ground and then the bison was gone as Zuko lowered his hand.
"Well. I suppose we should get ready for the day ourselves." Iroh commented. "We have quite the schedule in front of us."
"Yeah." Zuko nodded and then started to walk back towards the house with Toph right next to him. And then suddenly she reached up grabbing Zukos hand.
Zuko didn't say anything but allowed Toph to do what she wanted. And then he just walked inside with the little girl and his uncle who was right on time making sure they both got some tea.
"What interesting uniforms." Azula commented as she glanced at a group of young female warriors who had been marching on the road towards Ba Sing Se. "You are a long way from home? Aren't you? Kyoshi warriors." she asked.
The girl in front, whom seemed to be around Azulas own age. Maybe a year older maybe a year younger, looked up. Her eyes stern and her mouth was shut closed.
"The silent treatment huh?" Azula asked. "That's to bad. It would be nice with a talk. Just us girls." she smirked.
The warriors eyes only narrowed.
Then Azula sighed as she stood up. "Tie them up. Search them." she asked and the soldiers pulled the warriors away as Azula stood with her back to them.
"Another dud huh?" Ty Lee asked.
"Finding a way into Ba Sing Se is impossible." Mai sighed deeply.
"No. It is not." Azula said. "Though of course. One thing is finding a way inside, another thing is defeating the avatar." she said. "My fool of a brother really has joined forces with him. And where-ever Zuko is. Uncle wont be far behind." she hissed annoyed.
"That sounds like a drag." Mai commented.
Azula grunted annoyed. "As much as I hate to admit it." she said. "Taking them down when they are together would be difficult. Perhaps even to difficult." she begrudgenly admitted.
"Then what do we do?" Ty Lee asked.
Azula smirked. "It's simple really isn't it?" she asked. "Taking them when they are together will not do. But when each of them is alone?" she asked. "And we just pluck them off." she made a plucking motion with her hand. "One by one."
Mai nodded, then though her eyes widened and she turned. They all looked up to see a flying Bison soar over them.
"The Avatar." Azula gasped.
"He… Left the city." Ty Lee said.
Azula was quiet and then. Her mouth spread in a grin. "Perfect."
"Princess!" A soldier suddenly came running. "Princess Azula! We found something on the warriors!" he held up a rolled up piece of parchment.
"What is it soldier?" Azula asked.
The Soldier rolled up the paper as he read out loud. "By degree of Kuei 52th King of the Earth Kingdom. We would be honoured to invite the Kyoshi warriors into our city. And would greatefully accept their aid in restoring our city and kingdom to its previous glory. The King shall look forward to meet the honoured Suki and her warriors upon arrival." he looked up. "It is even signed by the king."
Azula was quiet. Dead quiet and then her grin spread, her eyes seemed to light up in a fire and he grinned. "Girls. Agni seems to be playing in our favour." she said.