Azula immediately knew that something was wrong when she heard her uncle's voice coming from the Avatar's hiding place. The old man, as usual, was laughing at one of his unfunny jokes, and that actually helped her stay calm - he would never be on such a good mood if something had happened to Zuko. She screamed Toph's name and demanded to be let into the cave, and the earthbender immediately obeyed... while mocking her authoritarian tone. Azula had to admit she had a little respect for the blind girl.

The princess froze in place when she saw Ty Lee. Everyone looked tense seeing her stare at the acrobat. She couldn't blame them, it was taking all of her will power not to lash out or shoot lightning at her former friend.

Azula regained her composure "Let me guess: My brother was acting all paranoid and sent the three of you here to make sure I'm okay"

"Yes" the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors sounded a little irritated. She clearly didn't like being sent on such a pointless mission.

Especially one to make sure you are safe.

"But you're alright! He's going to be so happy!" Ty Lee's huge smile and cheery tone got on Azula's nerves.

"What did you guys tell them?" the princess said, turning to her actual allies and ignoring Ty Lee.

"We just told them that something important made you change your mind about staying here for too long, but that we're all perfectly safe" Aang answered, and Azula didn't like how he completely ignored her threatening tone.

If even the kid I killed isn't afraid of me anymore, how am I going to convince anyone that I'm still the insane, dangerous warrior my father raised?

Why are you disappointed about that, honey? Weren't you trying to move past all of that?

Of course her mother would say something that made sense. Why were the voices in her head more well-adjusted than she was?

"If you're not in danger, why do want to come home sooner?" Iroh asked. They had never been close or even liked each other at all at any point in their lives, but even he knew she wasn't the type to give up on her plans for no apparent reason.

"Are you that obsessed with your brother?" Suki rolled her eyes.

"Actually, yes. But I'll admit I needed a break. Zuzu is insatiable and can be pretty rough" Azula smirked seeing the blatant discomfort her answer caused. Iroh was by far the most appalled. Toph simply laughed.

"I get why Zuko likes you, princess"

"About time"

"It's good to see you so happy, Azula" Ty Lee's kind words were ignored once again

"Azula" she had never heard Iroh sound so angry "Can you just tell us what happened so we can leave? You know very well that your brother won't calm down until he finds out, so you might as well save yourself the trouble. And if it's really something serious, then we might be able to help you."

Before she could answer, Katara spoke up.

"I'm sorry, but Zuko is gonna have to wait"

Iroh and Suki looked at her in confusion. Truth be told, even Azula wasn't expecting the waterbender to stand up for her, even in something so small.

"What is it you don't want your brother to find out?" for once, her uncle seemed just curious instead of suspicious of her.

"It's not anything bad, it's just something that I want to tell him myself. That's all I'm saying for now" she wasn't sure they figured it out by that answer, but she didn't care as long as they didn't tell Zuko "Now go away and try not to get caught while you leave. This mission was unbelievably stupid and dangerous."

"So was your plan" Suki said, already grabbing the few things she had brought.

Before Azula had the chance to make her regret those words, Ty Lee spoke up again, earning herself an angry glare

"I'm not leaving until I speak to you, Azula. In private."

"Uh, Ty Lee, I don't think that's a good idea" Aang tried to intervene.

"Leave us alone" the princess demanded, offering a cruel smile to her traitor "It looks like my good friend Ty Lee wants to do a little catch up"