Kona was no stranger to death.

It came for her father when she was young. It was swift and unescapable. She was so young that she can't even recall what he looked like anymore.

It came for her mother years later, and it wasn't swift that time. It creeped in, hovering over them like a heavy blanket of fog until the day it finally pulled her mother away from her.

Lu Ten went next.

That one hurt the most, though she felt guilty for admitting that. Her parents were little more than hazy memories by the time he died. Lu Ten had been her brother in all but blood, and he was her closest confidant until his death when she was twelve.

There was also, of course, Zhao, whom she had watched get pulled under the waters of the North Pole by the ocean spirit, and likely drowned in a horrifying fashion just feet from her. She wasn't sure if that should make her feel as indifferent as it did.

But, yes, Kona had seen a lot of death, despite her age, and in many forms.

But she had never seen death as swift as lightning.

Iroh and Kona had started their day at dawn.

Iroh had a newfound spring in his step. Somehow, the conversation with Toph the night before seemed to be more enlightening for the old man than for her. Kona assumed the girl had given him a renewed hope for his relationship with Zuko.

She was happy for him.

It felt nice to think about something like that.

It was the first thing she had noticed when she awoke that morning.

There were birds singing, branches were rustling in the wind, the warm sun cascaded down on her freckled face, and the pool of anger that she'd been drowning had all but evaporated. There was no doubt she was still a bit frustrated by her relationships with her traveling companions, but talking with Iroh had lifted a load from her shoulders. She didn't tell him about all her problems, but she had addressed the most important one.

And he had listened.

It felt like her body was finally giving her permission to move on.

After their week of tracking—of staying just far enough behind to be undetected — Iroh and Kona hadn't expected to wander upon a showdown in an abandoned village. Kona didn't know what destiny was up to by forcing the Avatar's group, Zuko, and Azula to meet in a tiny Earth Kingdom ruin, but she wished it would start giving them a break.

She couldn't ignore the fear that bubbled when she realized Azula had gotten to Zuko before they had noticed. For all their tracking, they had been too slow. If the Avatar wasn't there to distract her… well, Kona doesn't even want to know what could have happened.

Iroh and Kona did their best to stay out of sight of the fray, silent observers as Zuko, for once, ignored the Avatar in lieu of fighting Azula. Iroh had to hold back Kona from helping. Then Zuko went down, and as the two people who loved Zuko most in the world, they couldn't stand by any longer.

Kona stood on alert, crouched in defense over Iroh as he did his best to rouse the unconscious teen. Her eyes tracked the Avatar's group as Azula fought them all with only the smallest of efforts. She wasn't winning the fight, but she certainly wasn't losing despite the drastic difference in numbers.

She was too good for her own good.

Kona's heart stuttered at the dazed, "Uncle…" that finally sounded from behind her, but she didn't turn. She couldn't let her guard down with Azula around. She was as unpredictable as she was calculating. Even a second of hesitance could be anyone's downfall.

"Get up," Iroh commanded from behind her, and she heard the shuffling that showed Zuko's compliance.

"What are we doing here, Zuko?" Kona asked, eyes trailing the combat. Azula was playing them all like a fiddle. There was no way that the Avatar's group of three could stop her; that much was clear at this point.

She itched to go in. To help the Avatar get away from her. He was just a boy, and Azula would not be kind to him during his transport. She expected to feel guilt from her traitorous thoughts, but they were blissfully silent.

If she was being honest with herself, it was probably because she hadn't been considering those empathetic thoughts as treason for a long time.

"What's the plan?" Iroh asked again from behind her. His voice was encouraging and steady.

There was a pause, and she allowed herself a moment to look at him from the corner of her eye. His hair had grown in the last couple of days. It was no longer just stubble, but a short, cropped style. His face was gaunt, like he hadn't eaten since he had left them, but what stopped her was his eyes. They screamed something at her, something she couldn't name.

"We can't let Azula have the Avatar."

Kona sighed and nodded before rolling her neck. She knew she should have been practicing, but it was hard to find the energy on such little food. Now she may pay the price.

She undid her belt from where it held her vest closed and used it to hold back her bangs from her face, knotting it at the base of her neck.

Kona turned to her companions and with a warmth in her chest; she understood they were all thinking the same things.

? .

All the thoughts melded together, and with a look at Iroh and Zuko, she did what she did best. She tackled the hard part for them.

"Well, what's a little more treason?" She asked, breaking their tentative silence.

Iroh frowned at her, but it was anything but scolding. Zuko breathed out an amused sound by his side, and she couldn't help the hesitant grin that pulled at her lips in return.

"We can all talk later," Kona said, to placate their guardian.

Iroh shook his head, but followed suit as the newly reunited group snuck out of their shelter and back onto the street.

It wasn't difficult to decide that flanking was the best option in this scenario. Azula thought Zuko was downed, and she didn't know Iroh and Kona were present. Surprise was the greatest weapon.

Aang, Sokka, Katara thoroughly distracted Azula as the Zuko, Iroh, and Kona skirted around the edges of the town.

And was that Toph that just tripped Azula up?

That made sense, if Kona thought about it. No wonder such a strong young earthbender would wander around alone so late at night.

The trio watched from afar as Azula finally saw herself being outmatched with the addition of Toph. She turned to run down a narrow alley, but they had been waiting for that very moment.

Azula collided with Iroh's steady form and was thrown back to the ground. She rose quickly, but as the Avatar's group, Zuko, Iroh, and Kona slowly converged on her, she backed up, eying them all warily.

Kona watched her eyes widen briefly as the back of her heel collided with a crumbled wall behind her. Her eyes roved her surroundings, and Kona knew by the wild look in Azula's eyes that she knew she was cornered.

"Well, well," Azula crooned, eyes cold as ice. "Look at this. Enemies and traitors all working together. I'm done."

Her perfectly manicured hands lifted in surrender. "I know when I'm beaten. You got me. A princess surrenders with honor."

Something unnamable bubbled in her stomach as Kona watched the unbeatable Azula stand outnumbered. She couldn't think of a single time she had seen Azula lose at anything, let alone admit defeat. Azula was calm, calculated, and always one step ahead. It was why Kona admired her, despite the princess being younger than her.

The back of her neck prickled with her unease.

It happened faster than Kona could even track with her eyes.

One second she was there, rejoicing in their doing something good, for once. The next, her oldest companion was yelling in agony, collapsing in a flash of light. She heard another scream, and she thought it may have been hers as she nearly collapsed at his side.

She watched Iroh's eyes flutter closed, his clothed chest scorched and smoking.

"Master Iroh! Iroh! Iroh, wake up!" She cupped his bearded face as gently as she could, but it was difficult with her trembling hands. She heard a commotion, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from the unconscious man before her.

She felt Zuko collapse to his knees beside her, his hand clutching at his uncle's loose robes. Not even his tight grasp of the clothing held the shake of his hand. She heard his breath catch as footsteps approached.

"Get away from us!" He yelled, and Kona heard the footsteps cease.

Kona looked up with glassy eyes. She saw nothing but sympathy on their faces, as Katara, of all people, tentatively approached. Kona's eyes widened at the girl's luminescent hand.

Waterbender.

Healer. Katara was a healer!

"Zuko," Katara said, her voice pleading. She took another hesitant step forward. "I can help him."

"Leave!" His free hand lashed out at the approaching figures before them. His flames were hotter than Kona had ever felt from him. Without thinking, she slapped down his arm, ignoring the blinding heat that seared through her hand.

"No! No, please! Ignore him," Kona begged. She rose shakily until she was kneeling higher on her knees. She held out her arm to brace against Zuko's chest, forcing him back with her as she crawled backwards. Anything to get Katara to approach their wounded ally. "Heal him. Please, heal him."

"Kona," Zuko tried to argue, resisting her movement.

Kona's thin patience snapped. She huffed in frustration, grabbing both his shoulders forcefully and shaking him. "Katara's a waterbender! She can heal him! Ignore your pride and let someone help us for once!"

She saw his jaw clench, but he didn't argue. Instead, he turned to watch Katara approach. Zuko looked like a caged animal, ready to lash out, and Kona prayed to Agni that he could hold his temper just this once.

Kona didn't comment, but she noted Sokka and Aang follow Katara closely, protectively. All things considered, she couldn't blame them.

She dropped her hands from Zuko's shoulders and forced herself to move back. She tugged at his arm, forcing him further back with her.

Kona didn't want their group's weariness of them to jeopardize their helping of Iroh, even if it meant separating herself from him when all she wanted was to stay by his side.

Katara kneeled across from them, flashing what was supposed to be a comforting smile, but its shakiness gave away the seriousness of the situation. Her hands raised in a well-practiced motion, pulling more water from her canteen to coat both of her hands entirely with her element. She hovered them over his panting chest, and Zuko tensed beneath Kona's hand as Katara's hands glowed with a soft light once more.

Kona squeezed his still captured arm in comfort, but didn't take her eyes off of Katara's hands as her fingers moved underneath the layer of water, bending something within Iroh that they weren't privy to.

Kona suddenly tasted blood as the old man jerked and released a grunt of pain. She had to hold Zuko back, but she didn't blame him for his reaction.

But as suddenly as the man convulsed, he settled, and he released a long sigh.

Kona's eyes fell closed in relief. She felt boneless, as she let her hand fall from its place on Zuko's arm.

The glow faded from Katara's hands, and she directed her water back into the canteen at her side. She lifted her head to look at Kona and Zuko. Her eyes were softer than Kona had ever seen, and a thin sheen of sweat showed on her brow. "I fixed what I could for now. He's in no immediate danger, but for a full recovery, I'll need more time with him."

Time? Did they have that? Would Zuko allow that?

Kona turned to look at Zuko and found him already looking at her. His face was hard to read, but finally he set his jaw and tilted his head in Katara's direction.

Kona waited a moment longer, and when he nodded again, she finally turned back to Katara.

"We would be forever grateful, Katara," Kona said, bracing her hands on her knees and bowing so low her head nearly touched the sandy ground. She did her best to ignore the pain radiating out of her right hand.

Now that the adrenaline and panic had faded, she was sure that it was burned.

A rough hand grabbed at her collar and pulled her from her bow. She whipped her head around to glare at Zuko, who glared back at her.

"Katara," Sokka said, interjecting from behind his sister. He looked at the odd group before him warily. "Are you sure about this? I'm all about helping the old man, but we can't trust Zuko around Aang."

Insulted, Zuko bared his teeth at Sokka. Kona shook her head, interrupting what Zuko was going to say by rushing to mediate.

"We completely understand, Sokka. We've done nothing to earn your kindness." She floundered for a bit, trying to find a solution that could leave everyone satisfied. "W-we… we could let Iroh go with you! Yes! You could fly somewhere safe until he's better!"

Katara blinked, then said slowly, "I'm not sure that's necessary."

Sokka's considering turn of his lips said otherwise. He didn't disagree, which caused Kona to push further.

"Toph!" She turned to the stoic girl. She was closer than expected. Hovering only a few feet from her downed master. Her face was downcast, but at Kona's voice, her head snapped to attention. "You remember where we met? Would you be able to get there again?"

"You know Toph?" Aang and Sokka asked in a unison that would have been funny any other day. While Sokka seemed confused, wary, the young Avatar seemed elated.

Toph ignored them. "Sure I could. Easy as cake, turtle duckling."

Kona couldn't help the relieved breath that escaped her lungs and the wobbly smile that pulled at her lips. "Prince Zuko and I will go there. Toph can find us. You don't even have to tell us where you're going!"

"This doesn't really feel all that necessary," Katara said again, and all at once Kona felt guilt fill her for her earlier transgressions against her. After all their meetings, all their bickering, all their harsh words towards each other, Katara was looking at her with empathy, with trust.

Kona didn't deserve it.

"Katara, it's about Aang's safety," Sokka said, insistent, but he wasn't looking at Kona. He was too busy making what Kona thought was supposed to be a threatening face at Zuko.

Zuko, to his credit, simply stared back, unflinching and face flat.

Relenting, Katara turned to her. "It won't take anymore than a day," she said. Her eyes flickered to Zuko and back to her. "And he'll still be pretty sore afterwards."

"Thank you for your kindness. I'll never forget this." Kona bowed her head, knowing Zuko wouldn't let her do much more than that.

Katara smiled at her and with a burst of warmth, she realized Aang did as well. Toph, still withdrawn, but at ease, just stood nearby, always listening. Finally, there was Sokka. His face stayed tense, closed off as he stared at her companion. It was so different from how he interacted with her. She tried not to feel offended on Zuko's behalf (and maybe a bit smug).

Jumping to his defense wasn't her job anymore. Not when it was a situation he could handle himself.

"Make sure he doesn't, either." Sokka's words were bitter, an attack.

Zuko looked away from Sokka, and Kona could see him gritting his teeth—biting back a retort. She reached out to squeeze one of his hands reassuringly, thankful for his restraint.

"We need to move him onto Appa." Sokka said, crouching beside his sister next to Iroh. "Katara, take Aang to the other side of Appa and wait there."

Katara protested, but Sokka pushed her away from Iroh's side. She glared at him and stomped away with a huff. Kona admired his protective nature, even if it was because of her and Zuko's presence at the moment.

She watched him hesitate after Katara and Aang left toward their bison. Sokka seemed to realize then just how large of a man Iroh was.

"I can help move him, if that's ok," Kona said, raising her hands unoffensively.

Sokka eyed her for a moment, not suspiciously. That wasn't the right word, but he was definitely looking for something. Whatever he was looking for, he must have found because he gave a single nodded.

"Zuko stays here."

Zuko opened his mouth to protest, and Kona couldn't blame him. Iroh was his family, but she squeezed his hand harder, making him turn to her.

She simply shook her head, and he sighed. He rose to his feet with no argument, pulling Kona up as he did, before walking a few paces away and turning his back to them pointedly.

Kona snorted at his attitude, and she could have sworn she saw what little she could see of his lip quirk up. She approached Sokka and Iroh, eyeing her guardian as she did so. Like Sokka, she was not weak, but to get him onto the bison could be an issue without bending.

Without bending.

Kona wanted to slap herself for her stupidity. She turned to the girl who stood nearby still, for whatever reason deciding to stay near them rather than return to Appa.

"Toph, would you be willing to…?"

"Way ahead of you. Hold on."

Beneath her feet, the ground rumbled and shook before she, Sokka, and Iroh were moved together across the desert ground, stopping inches from the giant animal's furry side.

He was even more massive up close than she had ever imagined. She'd never seen a creature so large. Appa let out a rumbling growl, and Kona had to fight the urge to pet him.

Before she could work up the nerve to lay a hand on him, the ground rumbled again, and the three rose from the ground on a pillar of rocky earth until they were almost parallel to the saddle. They were a little high, but considering Toph couldn't see, Kona didn't mention it. It was close enough.

Together, Sokka and Kona braced themselves under Iroh's weight and shifted him onto the saddle. It amazed Kona just how roomy the saddle actually was. Including Iroh, she was sure they could fit every single one of them, plus Zuko with room to spare.

Once she was happy with Iroh's placement on the saddle, Kona gently shifted a nearby bag to prop up his head. His face was usually so full of joy, so expressive. As he lay there, for the first time, Kona was forced to see his age in the lines of his face. He looked so fragile, so un-Iroh.

She gently brushed some of his loose hair from his face, and leaned down to press a light kiss on his forehead, just like he did when she used to get sick as a child. She felt her lips purse as she rose to her feet, fighting off the mist that was blurring her vision.

"I'm sorry about your old man," Sokka said from behind her, tying their belongings down for their flight.

She thought about correcting him, but didn't.

"Thank you." Her eyes wandered over Iroh's unconscious form before looking back at Sokka. "And thank you for helping him. I know you have no reason to help us."

"We don't mind helping you."

Kona's chest tightened. She didn't know what she had said or done to make these Water Tribe siblings show her such kindness, and she didn't know what she could do to repay them. She settled on a watery smile for now, crossing to where the rock pillar still stood tall. Sokka offered a hand, which she took as she stepped over the small gap.

"You have my thanks, regardless, Sokka." She looked down at where Zuko stood, arms crossed, eyes focused on Appa.

He must be so worried about Master Iroh.

"We'll get moving so you can travel without worry."

Sokka moved the hand that had supported her to offer a reassuring pat on her arm. "Katara is good at what she does. He'll be back on his feet in no time."

Kona watched as Aang leapt up onto Appa's head, flashing her an enormous smile. Her eyes widened at such a simple and well practiced use of his air bending. It would never cease to amaze her.

Katara clambered up the opposite side of Appa with no assistance. She moved with practiced grace and purpose, and found her place at Iroh's side, giving Kona a single nod as she settled.

"You ready, turtle duck?" Toph called from below, and Kona cast one more look at her fallen companion.

Her hand rose to squeeze Sokka's comforting hand. "Thank you again, Sokka. I'm in all of your debts." He smiled at her, and Kona looked down towards Toph. "I'm ready."

She dropped suddenly, and Toph cackled as she squeaked at the turning in her stomach. Thankfully, years of training allowed her to land fairly gracefully on her feet, though she felt a slight twinge from the ankle that she had hurt a few weeks back.

She turned to Toph, who smirked at her only feet away. Without thinking, she ruffled the girl's hair, and snorted when she punched Kona's arm in return.

"Have fun with your good friend," Toph said with a sneer before launching herself up on Appa.

Kona's cheeks pooled with heat against her will and she shook her head frantically to ward it off. Her hands found the knot in her headband, and let her hair fall back onto her forehead, as she cinched her belt back around her waist. Anything to buy her face time to cool off.

She leaned down to pick up Iroh's fallen bag as she passed where he had been struck. Without a word or a look to Zuko, she tossed it over her shoulder and began walking the path she had taken only hours before.

She didn't have to be Toph to hear her friend fall into step behind her. She knew she should greet him, but she needed to get away from the town before she did something stupid like refuse to let Iroh go without them.

"So," Zuko said, and Kona eyed him as she walked. "How do you know that water tribe boy?"

Kona couldn't help the furrow of her brow or the turn of her head. "We've been chasing Sokka ever since we found the Avatar…?"

"You know that's not what I meant," he said, a low mutter in a tone that Kona couldn't quite place in his voice.

"Do you remember that day that June helped us track them to the abbey?" At his nod, Kona said, "I kept him from getting hurt while he and his sister recovered from their paralysis. We had some time to talk. He's nice."

He's smart, he's snarky, he's protective, and he's stubborn. He reminds me of you.

"Nice," Zuko repeated, that strange tone still in his voice.

Unsure what to say, Kona filled the silence with the first thing that came to her mind. "Katara will heal Iroh. She'll do better than we ever could."

Zuko didn't have to be a mind reader to hear the doubt in her voice.

"I know," he said with a sigh. "Uncle told me about water healers. He'll be fine."

Kona pursed her lips. She had sent Iroh away with them so easily, without really consulting Zuko. Guilt gnawed on her chest, but it was cut off abruptly.

Zuko tugged Iroh's bag out of her hand roughly and threw it over Zuko's shoulder before Kona could even try to protest.

"Thank you," he said, voice quiet. At her questioning expression, he continued, "For making a better decision about uncle than I would have."

The icy guilt within her warmed just slightly.