At night, Team Avatar, Team Azula, and the Kyoshi Warriors were camping. They were on the final stretch to return to Ba Sing Se.
"Why?" Suki asked Azula's team and Zuko.
"Why what?" Azula asked.
Suki looked at Zuko. "Why attack and burn our village..." She started then turned to Azula and her team. "...and why capture us and dress like us, only to help us?"
"A lot's happened recently, Blue Eyes." Zirrinni said.
"Pray tell." Sirri requested.
"Sirri, you're not actually being friendly with them right now?" One of the Warriors asked.
"There's a reason they suddenly helped us after everything they've done. I'm simply curious as to what that reason is."
"We led a coup in Ba Sing Se, but the guy we worked alongside with double crossed us and turned Rinni against us." Ty Lee started.
"My father has basically disowned me." Azula said.
"We helped the Avatar and his friends defeat Long Feng and his Dai Li agents." Mai said.
"Then we came and saved you." Zirrinni said.
"And now, we need to hurry back to Ba Sing Se to stop my father from taking the city." Zuko finished.
Sirri looked at the rope burns on her wrists and sighed.
"Either Katara or I could remove them." Zirrinni said.
"How could you remove them? You're a Firebender." Sirri said, but her tone held no anger or resentment.
"I'm also a Waterbender, like your friend with the badgermole is an Earthbender and an Airbender."
Sirri mulled it over then nodded and extended her wrists to Zirrinni, who placed placed a hand on each wrist.
"Do you need water?" Aang asked the female hybrid bender.
"No, I don't, Avatar Aang. Because waterbending isn't the only bending art that can heal." Zirrinni replied then closed her eyes and began to concentrate on her breathing.
Sirri felt the rising heat from Zirrinni's hands, but stayed still. Once the healing was done, Zirrinni pulled her hands back. Sirri was astounded to find that the rope burns were completely gone. Everyone except Katara, Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee were surprised as well.
"How did you...?" Suki started.
"Firebending has healing abilities as well as Waterbending, like I said. Azula's uncle taught my father, who taught me." Zirrinni replied.
"And she passed that knowledge onto me." Azula added.
"Azula, Mai, and I found out after I ended catching a small fever." Ty Lee said.
"We should get some sleep. We'll reach Ba Sing Se in the morning." Sokka said.
They nodded then everyone got some sleep with Aang next to Appa, Shao next to Claw, and Zirrinni next to Echo.
The next morning, Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, Suki, Sirri, and Zuko were flying back on Appa, Zirrinni, Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee were flying on Echo, and Shao was underground with Claw and the rest of the Kyoshi Warriors.
They reached the Royal Palace of Ba Sing Se by noon then climbed off the three mounts and started going up the stairs to the palace.
They were greeted at the top by General Iroh and General How.
"Welcome back, young ones." Iroh said.
General How looked at Zuko and Azula. "Your uncle was a great help in providing information on your father and what lengths he'll go to."
The former prince and princess nodded.
"Like I said, he'll get no mercy from me when he gets here in three days." Azula seethed.
"Calm yourself, my niece." Iroh said then turned to Aang. "If you wish, young Avatar, I can teach you Firebending."
Aang looked down. "I have a confession. The last time I used Firebending, I burned Katara. After that, I swore I'd never firebend again."
"You shouldn't let your fear of harming someone stop you from learning it. Fire isn't just destruction, Avatar Aang. It's also life." Zirrinni said. "My father taught me that. Maybe General Iroh, Zuko, Azula, or I could help you."
Aang looked reluctant until Iroh placed a hand on his shoulder. "You may approach us when you are ready to learn." He said and Aang nodded.
Zirrinni looked at Katara. "...If you need more Waterbending lessons, I could teach you a few things."
Katara smiled and nodded.
The two headed to Lake Laogai where Zirrinni showed Katara a few advanced forms. Zirrinni was impressed with how fast Katara was advancing.
"I learned Northern Style when we got Aang to the North Pole to learn waterbending." Katara explained.
Zirrinni nodded. "Who taught him?" She asked.
"Same person who taught me. Master Pakku."
Zirrinni was surprised. "My mom said that old man is a stickler for tradition."
Katara nodded. "He refused to teach me until he saw this." She explained, pointing to her necklace.
"Your mother's necklace."
"Pakku made it for my Gran-Gran."
"Kanna's from the Northern Tribe too?"
Katara nodded then smirked. "...So, what's going on between you and Mai?"
Zirrinni blushed. "Nothing."
"Zirrinni, we may not have spoken in ten years, but I do still know you can't keep a secret hidden from me for long."
She sighed. "Even if I wanted to pursue something with her, it wouldn't last long. Mai's heart belongs to Zuko, not me. Besides, she's a higher class person than I ever will be."
Katara hugged her. "Don't give up on the possibility of being happy."
Zirrinni hugged back. "I'll try."
Meanwhile, Mai and Zuko were just outside Iroh's tea shop.
"...Your friend seems to have taken a shine to you." He said.
Mai blushed, knowing he was talking about Zirrinni. "Are you jealous?"
"Do you feel the same way?"
"...I think I do...but I still love you too."
"...Then maybe we can make something work." He said.
Inside the tea shop, Zinnika walked up to Iroh.
"I should have expected my brother to send you." He said.
"Yes, you should have...Father." She told him.
That's chapter four. Follow, favorite, and review this story and I'll post more chapters