A/N: Apologies for the lack of postings. At this point I have 4 more chapters, but I've been having so much trouble with Chapter 101 that I didn't want to post this chapter without having that one finished since they're kind of related. I've reached the point of my unfinished ending, and combined with life issues, major writer's block, lack of motivation, and lack of time, it's been difficult to get it finished. If I'm lucky to find 2 hours to work on it, I might get one or two sentences down. Then my next free hour might be spent fixing one word. The last two chapters are still not finished, but I decided to throw this one out there anyways and hope I don't regret it later.

Fire Lord Iroh was sitting in a meeting with his council of advisers when a messenger entered the room and bowed to him. The Fire Lord beckoned him forward, and the messenger spoke to him in a low voice.

"Ah, yes, thank you," said Iroh who stood up. "Meeting adjourned," he addressed the men in the room.

"But Fire Lord, we still haven't discussed..."

He raised his hand which instantly silenced the man. "Whatever it is can wait. I have more important business at the moment."

He left the room leaving a few of the men looking perplexed. Admiral Jeong Jeong, Commander Sozoh, Commander Tezam, Zaro, Yuzo, and Akio, however, were less surprised by his abrupt departure.

"At this rate we'll never get anything done in this Nation," grumbled one of the men.

"It will get done," said Jeong Jeong. "But to the Fire Lord, his family is priority."

Tezam got to his feet as well. "That means my daughter has returned then too," he said with a smile. "I wonder how her adventure went at the North Pole."

"Far more successful than Zhao's I'd wager," said Jeong Jeong in a low, dark tone.

One of the other men in the room looked affronted. "That's not funny, Admiral."

"And when have you ever known the Admiral to be funny," said Sozoh. "He doesn't know how to joke."

"It's still a dark thing to say," argued the man. "We lost most of our fleet during Zhao's campaign."

"A fate he brought on for toying with the spirits," said Jeong Jeong deeply. "His and Ozai's hunger for power earned the wrath of the spirits upon our Nation. And it needs to be said and said repeatedly and taught in the schools, otherwise it will be a tragedy repeated by another over-ambitious fool in the future."

Jeong Jeong's words silenced any other complaints.

ooo

"Ezih, bring tea to my office," Iroh ordered out in the hall.

Ezih bowed and walked off while Iroh continued towards his office followed by two Imperial Firebenders.

He had not been waiting in his office long when Zuko and Chiara entered and bowed low to him.

"Nephew." He moved around his desk to hug him. "It's so good to see you again," he said as if they had been gone for months rather than weeks.

"You too, Uncle."

Iroh took Chiara in his arms next. "My daughter, lovely as ever." She returned his tight embrace. "You look radiant," he said to her.

"Thank you," she smiled.

"How is my little grandchild doing?" he asked taking her hand and leading her to the table.

"I wouldn't even know he was there if it weren't for the firebending."

Iroh laughed as they knelt around the table. "I have yet to find anyone able to explain it. Great Sage Shyu is still researching it, but neither the sages nor the doctors have heard of anything like it not even among the mixed Nation families in the colonies."

Ezih entered the room carrying a tray with two tea pots and a plate of cakes "Fire Lord," he acknowledged as he placed the tray on the table. "Prince, Princess, welcome home."

"Thank you, Ezih," said Chiara.

Iroh poured his special blend tea for Chiara before pouring jasmine for him and Zuko.

"So how was the meeting with Chief Arnook?" he asked eager to learn about their mission.

"It went well," said Zuko.

Iroh smiled, feeling relieved. "It will be good to have peace now."

"We brought back forty-one Fire Nation citizens," said Zuko. "They're being transported to their families right now."

The Fire Lord nodded. "Forty-one is far more than I would've expected to have survived," he said softly. "We can be thankful the Northern Tribe spent their resources to support them instead of just executing them."

"Especially considering we couldn't return any of their people," said Zuko in a soft, somber voice before taking a sip of his tea.

"That's not entirely true," said Iroh with a slight smile. "Princess Chiara returned to them."

Zuko looked puzzled. "Not really, not while she lives here."

"She may live here, but your marriage has created a special union between our Nations—one unlike any written peace treaty that could be arranged. And your children will be expected to be familiar with both of their ancestries and cultures."

Chiara was smirking. "Especially since they made Prince Zuko a Warrior of the Tribe."

Iroh's eyes grew wide. "Did they, Nephew?" he asked excitedly. "Even I wasn't made a Tribe member."

Zuko was still feeling overwhelmed by his acceptance into the Tribe. "They have permanent quarters for us in the colors of both Nations," he said.

Iroh smiled and nodded. "They expect you will return with your little one to present him to the Tribe."

"They have a room for you as well," added Chiara.

"Then I will go too for that ritual."

"And I made sure to emphasize that you'll need your own Imperial Waterbenders when you visit," she said.

Iroh was chuckling. "It seems I have my own Imperial Firebending Waterbender right here."

She smiled.

They continued drinking their tea, and his own smile dimmed as his mind drifted back to the former prisoners of war.

"How were the soldiers you brought back?" he asked. "I know such a long exposure to the cold must have been harsh for them."

"None of them could firebend when we brought them on board," said Zuko. "But Chiara found a way to help them."

Iroh looked at her. "Really? How so?"

"I healed the damage to their bodies caused by the cold, and then I...reignited their internal flames, so to speak."

"Very clever," he said, impressed by her ability and determination. "And speaking of healing," he started with just the slightest hesitance, "Azula has been asking for you." And though it was not possible, he spoke softly for fear that Amiku might overhear him.

Chiara looked concerned. "Anybody hurt?"

"Not that I've been told," he said.

Chiara nodded. "I'll visit her tomorrow then."

"You need to rest first," said Zuko. "You spent a lot of energy healing the firebenders."

"I'm fine now. I rested up on the way back. Besides, I'd rather not keep her waiting too long considering what happened when we returned home from the Earth Kingdom."

"I visited her myself," said Iroh. "Your treatments seem to have helped her quite a bit." He took a sip of his tea wondering how they might take his next words. "I believe we should remove her from the asylum—return her here to the palace."

Zuko's cup hit the table with a little more force than he intended. "Do you think that's a good idea?" he asked staring at his uncle.

"Aside from a few minor outbursts, she has improved considerably, and Chiara won't have to travel so far so often to treat her."

Zuko was not comfortable with the idea of Azula living with them in the palace.

"I believe it will be of benefit for her to be surrounded by family," added Iroh.

"Family that loves her," said Chiara in an audible undertone.

Iroh nodded in agreement.

"But it's her family she's tried to kill," Zuko said deeply. "She's attacked every one of us."

"Then we will make sure she understands that there will be no tolerance for violent misbehavior," said the Fire Lord.

Zuko was still troubled by it. "Maybe Aang will be willing to drop in a little more often," he said softly, speaking his thoughts aloud.

Chiara let out a little chuckle.

He shrugged. "I just think that maybe a little threat of energy-bending might keep her in line."

"I know what you were thinking," she smiled at him.

"I'm sure it will not come to that," said Iroh not wanting to see his niece end up like his brother.

He added more tea to their cups.

"Have they been keeping you busy?" Chiara asked him.

"Oh, yes. Too busy. Now I know why I didn't want the job."

"Too late," Zuko blurted out. "You can't give it up yet."

Iroh started laughing. "Don't worry, Nephew. You just prepare for being a father."

Zuko froze as his uncle's words sank into his brain. "And how do I do that?"

"Ah...good point." There was a sadness in his amber eyes as he stared at his teacup, but his lips curved into the slightest smile. In his mind was the image of a chubby little babe with coal-black hair in his arms. "There really is no way to prepare for your first child."

His answer did nothing to help relieve Zuko's anxiety.

"But...it is the most rewarding job," added Iroh gazing at them, his eyes sparkling. "It is these moments with you two that I treasure most."

His words brought a smile to their faces.

"And it's a nice break from boring meetings," he added in a lighter tone.

"I guess now that I'm back, I need to go to the meetings with you," said Zuko.

"In time, but first..." He pulled a scroll from inside his sleeve. "...a letter arrived for you a few days ago." It was apparent the seal had been broken as he held it out to him. "I hope you'll forgive me, but I took the liberty of reading it just in case it might have been something urgent that required immediate attention in your absence."

Zuko took the scroll from him and unrolled it. He scanned it and looked at Chiara. "Noren from Hira'a invited us to see their performance of Love Amongst the Dragons."

She perked up. "How exciting."

His eyes fell back on the letter. "He said they'll be performing it throughout the month, and if we can't make it, he understands, and he's willing to put on a production just for us whenever we're able to get there." Zuko looked up at Iroh. "This isn't anything urgent. I can put it off for now."

"Actually, I think it would do you two good to take a vacation. You've both been working very hard."

"But so have you, Uncle..."

Iroh raised his hand. "Family first, Nephew. Take your wife and go to Hira'a. It's a lovely little village."

"We've already been there," he said.

Iroh raised his eyebrows. "Have you?"

"That's where we went to find a doctor for Chiara—when we found out she was pregnant."

"How pleasant," Iroh smiled.

"But there's no rush," said Zuko. "We can go any time."

"I think it's important that you go as soon as possible," he insisted.

Zuko and Chiara were both curious by his insistence, as well as suspicious.

"Why?" he asked.

Iroh's back straightened. "I have learned that Ursa, daughter of Jinzuk and Rina, granddaughter of Avatar Roku, hails from Hira'a."

"What?!" said Zuko.

Even Chiara's eyes grew wide at the news.

"Do you think that's where she could be?" he asked, excitement in his voice.

"That I cannot say," said Iroh relaxing his posture.

"We never saw her when we were there," said Chiara.

Zuko was trying to recollect all the people he met wondering if he might have seen her in the small crowd and did not recognize her. He was sure he would have known his own mother's face. It left him with a deeper concern.

"Maybe...maybe she didn't want to see me," he said softly.

Chiara placed her hand on his back. "If Aunt Ursa had been there, she would've come to you."

"But everyone in Hira'a knew we were there," he said. "No one said anything about Mom, not even the doctor."

"She might not have returned there," she suggested, "especially considering the circumstances."

Zuko gently nodded as he considered the possibility. "She might've been too afraid of Ozai," he said thoughtfully. He sighed. "I...I need to talk to him again." He cringed at the thought of seeing him, especially after their last encounter.

It always broke Chiara's heart to see his depressed state whenever he returned from the prison, and she was worried about him visiting Ozai again.

"He wasn't very helpful the other times you talked to him," she said. "And didn't he say he'd never tell you where she was?"

"Which means he knows something."

Iroh was stroking his beard in thoughtful contemplation. "I do not believe Ozai will be willing to give you information, Nephew," he said. "However, he may be more forthcoming with Azula."

Zuko considered it. He knew Azula had just been a tool to Ozai, but he was reluctant to get his sister involved.

The next morning, the Prince and Princess took a ship to Heiwa Island. Upon entering Azula's room, Chiara was surprised to see her with her arms and legs strapped in chair since the doctor had said nothing of any staff injuries. Azula looked up relieved to see her, and she was anxious for her healing treatment that had destroyed the voices in her head and always helped her relax. Her pride, however, still kept her from speaking her feelings, and she forced a condescending facade.

"It's about time you returned," she said haughtily.

"It looks like you were causing trouble again," said Chiara.

A smirk grew on Azula's face. "Only a little."

"Considering how they have you restrained, I'd say more than a little," she said stepping towards her and kneeling down in front of her. "You promised me you wouldn't hurt anyone."

"I promised you I wouldn't burn anyone. I did keep that promise. Not one of those pesky servants was burned."

"They're only here to help you, Azula."

"Oh, I hardly hurt any of them," she shrugged as much as she could in her restraints. "I think they're just afraid of me."

"Don't give them a reason to be afraid of you then," said Chiara simply.

She did not remove the restraints, but she did reach up and move the loose strands of hair behind her ear. It did not escape Zuko's notice how Azula seemed to relax at Chiara's motherly touch.

"So how was your old homestead?" Azula's tone was still one of arrogance.

"It was quite cold," she answered. "Maybe one day you can visit with us."

Azula rolled her eyes. "Like I'd want to be wheeled in a chair into some savage ice hut."

"The cold weather'll be quite challenging to your firebending skills," said Chiara pleasantly.

Her attempt to pique Azula's interest with a challenge was successful.

"Well...," started Azula thoughtfully, "...it might be...interesting to test my firebending there."

"Uncle wants you back at the palace," said Zuko bluntly, his harsh tone in contrast to Chiara's gentle one. He was not completely ready to have her home again.

Azula looked up at him not expecting the news. "Wh-what? Uncle...wants...me?"

Chiara smiled at her and nodded. "Yes."

Azula felt numb. She wanted to be happy, ecstatic, but she could not help being suspicious, and she glared at Zuko. "Why? I tried to kill his favorite nephew."

"I'm his only nephew, Azula," said Zuko dryly.

She tensed up. "So I get to be wheeled around the palace like an invalid?" she asked, anger rising inside her at the thought.

"No," he said. "Out of the restraints."

She seemed to relax.

"But...," started Zuko, causing her to tense up again. "...we need you to do something first."

She glared at him expecting an impossible request would be made of her.

"I've had conversations with Ozai and it's gone nowhere," he started. "He refuses to reveal what happened to Mom. So I've come to an uncomfortable conclusion." He stared at her wondering if this would be a mistake. "You are the only person in the world who can coax the information I need out of him."

Her glare turned into a frown at the thought of her father. "Talk to Father?" she asked skeptically. "That's it?"

"Get him to talk about what happened to Mom."

Azula sat in silent thought. She often wondered what happened to their mother, but had never dared before to question Ozai about her. "I'll do it."

Zuko's eyes lit up.

"On one condition," she added.

The light left his eyes nearly making her smirk.

"What condition?" he asked.

She kept her face expressionless. "My dear sister-in-law serves us tea—Father and me."

"No," he said instantly. "Absolutely not."

Chiara looked up at him.

"That's my condition," said Azula. "You can accept it or I don't speak to Father, and I'll just stay in this crazy house."

"This is ridiculous, Azula! I'm not letting her anywhere near Fath...Ozai!"

Her lip curled at his slip. "He's sitting in a prison cell, and you told me he can't even firebend. What are you afraid of?"

"Prince Zuko, if it'll help find Aunt Ursa...," started Chiara.

"I don't want you near him," he said adamantly.

"I guess we don't find mother then," said his sister turning her face away from him.

He was getting frustrated with her. "Chiara doesn't have anything to do with this..."

She gave him a determined look. "If you want me to get information out of Father, then I want your wife to serve the tea," she insisted.

He glared at her. "Why are you doing this, Azula?" he demanded.

The smile she gave him sent chills down his spine, as if she was about to burn something of his.

"I think a nice family reunion will be quite helpful in coaxing that information," she said pleasantly.

He crossed his arms. "No. It's not going to happen," he said with finality.

ooo

While they were sailing back to the main island, Zuko took Chiara's hand and pulled her over to the railing.

"You don't have to do this, you know," he said softly, still holding her hand.

"I want to. Aunt Ursa deserves to be home with her family."

"If she's alive," he said sadly looking down.

She tenderly touched his cheek. "And we'll never know if we don't try everything possible."

She could see the concern in his golden eyes.

"I'm worried about what he might do," he said.

"He can't do anything..."

"He can insult you and degrade you." The fire in his eyes darkened.

"Insults coming from a psychopathic homicidal maniac are not going to hurt me," she tried to assure him.

The worry reappeared in his eyes as he turned them down. "It'll hurt me to hear it." There was pain in his voice at the mere thought of Ozai insulting her.

"It's for your mother. We can do this."

His eyes were drawn up to hers. He could see the hope in them, and if it were not for Kaito, Nai, and Izin standing a short distance away near Azula in her wheelchair, and members of the crew walking about on deck, he would have kissed her, but as Crown Prince he was expected to maintain a respectable image in public which meant keeping his lips to himself.

I love you, he mouthed silently.

She smiled and mouthed it back, I love you too.

ooo

In the Capital City Prison, two prison guards led the way to Ozai's cell. Zuko was pushing Azula's chair while Chiara walked behind them, Izin next to her carrying a tray, and Kaito and Nai were following as well. The guards stopped and opened the door allowing Zuko to take Azula inside. Izin handed the tray to Chiara before she followed them.

Ozai was sitting quietly in the back of his cell, and hearing the door creak, his eyes slid open. They narrowed as he glared at Zuko, but the hatred in his eyes grew even deeper when he spotted Chiara. "How dare you allow that savage spy into my presence," he said deeply.

"It was my idea, Father," chimed in Azula pleasantly. "I thought it would be nice to have the family together."

Ozai sneered. "Just because your pathetic brother beds that...thing...doesn't make it family," he scoffed.

"You won't speak about her like that!" yelled Zuko. He was used to Ozai's animosity and insults against himself, but he had no tolerance for the man's behavior towards his wife.

Chiara set the tray down and quickly placed her hand on Zuko's arm to calm him down. "It's okay," she said, looking into his eyes, though his were still giving Ozai a death glare. "Don't let him get to you."

"Ahem...I was promised tea," said Azula as if talking to a servant.

Zuko was unable to unclench his fists regretting agreeing to the meeting. Chiara gently caressed his arm before kneeling down by the tray to prepare the tea.

"That Water flea isn't worth being a slave, much less a concubine," growled Ozai. "I should've squashed the little parasite as soon as my traitorous brother brought it home."

He was taking perverse pleasure in seeing Zuko steam at his insults.

"Such a disgrace," he continued. "The headpiece of our deceased Princess Mina adorning the head of a filthy savage."

"Like you ever cared about Aunt Mina," Zuko growled. Though Iroh's wife had died long before Zuko was born, he was sure that Ozai had never cared about anyone other than himself.

"At least she was pure Fire Nation blood and not the seed of some uncivilized barbarian."

Zuko was finding it difficult to control his temper.

"You're speaking of the future Fire Lady, Father," said Azula smoothly.

"She will never be the future anything of the Fire Nation! I don't want her in my presence! Remove her!" he demanded.

"But, Father," said Azula, "I thought you might enjoy spending time with your grandchild..."

The sound of the teapot unintentionally slamming against the tray echoed through the cell. Neither Zuko nor Chiara told Azula of the baby, and neither of them had known that she knew. Ozai glared even more upon hearing the news.

"What's wrong, Brother?" asked Azula. "You didn't think I knew about my niece or nephew?" Zuko was silent. "It doesn't take a genius to figure out how a waterbender can firebend."

Ozai raised his eyebrows upon hearing the unusual news.

"Nobody knows how it's possible, Azula," said Zuko. "Not even the sages."

"She's a waterbender that can suddenly bend fire; clearly she's carrying a firebender," she said in a lofty, gloating tone. "It's the only explanation."

"You're supposed to conquer the barbarians, not mate with them making half-breed beasts," sneered Ozai disgustedly.

Zuko suddenly launched a fireball into Ozai's cell. Ozai automatically raised his arm in a firebending move to block the attack, but he produced no fire of his own and could not divert the flame. He was hit, the sleeve of his garment catching fire burning his forearm. Chiara stood up and extinguished the fire before pulling Zuko's arm taking him out of the cell into the hall. If he had stayed, he might have seen the devilish smirk on Ozai's face despite the burn on his arm.

"I hate that man!" yelled Zuko.

The flames burning in the lamps along the wall flared up as they passed them heading down to the end of the corridor.

"What happened?" asked Nai as she followed them.

"He's being Ozai," answered Chiara. "He's trying to provoke you," she said to Zuko when they stopped. "You can't let him get to you."

"How can that not bother you the way he talks about you and the baby?"

"I told you—he's a psychopathic maniac who intended to burn down the entire Earth Kingdom, who burned and banished his own son. Nothing he says to me can be worse than what he's done to you or tried to do to others."

Zuko turned away from her. "I-I can't do this," he said, visibly upset. "I can't listen to him talk to you that way."

"I'll take care of it," she said.

She turned to go back, but he grabbed her arm. "No. You're not going in there alone with those two."

She did not argue with him. "Maybe Azula will still get the information out of him," she said softly.

"You really think she's going to help? This was her plan. She knew exactly what she was doing and what was going to happen!" he said angrily. "And...and how did she know about the baby?"

Chiara had been wondering that too, but she knew how astute Azula was. "If I had been firebending before I knew I was pregnant, I might've come up with the same conclusion."

Zuko stood staring down the hall. "I'm not sure it's a good idea to bring her to the palace."

"But we promised she could return," she said. "We can't go back on that."

He looked down feeling frustrated. "I don't trust her. We'll look for Mom without her and without...without that...that psychopath," he growled.

They remained in the hall while Zuko tried to calm down.

Just when Zuko was considering leaving Azula locked up with Ozai for good, one of the guards walked up to them. "Prince Zuko, the princess is asking for you."

He let out a deep sigh. "Stay here," he said to Chiara before walking back down to Ozai's cell.

Nai stepped close to her. "He was insulting you and the baby?" she asked softly.

"Of course. But besides the fact that he's a hateful man, he was trying to get Prince Zuko to lose his temper."

"To what end?"

"He derives pleasure out of torturing his own son," she said sadly. "Prince Zuko set his arm on fire."

When Nai started laughing, Chiara looked at her.

"After what the prince did at Boiling Rock, you didn't expect him to...explode?" asked Nai.

The princess could not help smirking. "I guess I should have."

"Ozai's lucky it was just his arm."

Chiara was shaking her head still disgusted by Ozai's sadistic nerve. "I was really tempted to extinguish it with hot tea just to douse him."

"Why didn't you?" asked Nai, knowing she herself would not have resisted.

"I didn't want to jeopardize Azula's attempt to get any helpful information out of him."

Nai leaned towards her. "Do you really think his sister will get anything out of him?" she asked in a low voice.

"If Ozai knows anything, I think Azula's the only one he'll share it with."

Zuko walked down the hall towards them pushing the chair while Azula gave Chiara a devilish smirk.

They left the prison in silence, and it was not until they were in the carriage on their way to the palace that Azula finally broke it.

"Aren't you curious about what Father said, Brother?"

"No," he said abruptly, turning to stare blankly out the window. "Nothing he says is of any importance."

She cocked her head at him. "You wanted me to get information out of him, and I have, and now you don't even want to know what it is?"

He was glaring at nothing in particular. "It wasn't worth it," he said, his voice deep.

"Oh, come now, what are you so upset about?" she said lightly as if it were all a game. "Because he called Chiara a few names? Look at her. You don't see her brooding about it."

He turned his glare on her. "You didn't need to have her there! This was just another one of your ridiculous head games!"

She was unfazed by his anger and his scolding. "Well, I won't argue with you on that, Zuzu, but I will tell you it was for Father."

He had no idea what she meant, and he could not help taking the bait. "What? What are you talking about?"

She smirked at him. "I simply had to convince Father that I was on his side, and what better way to do that than have him distracted by an enemy."

He was still scowling at her.

"I can see you still don't get it," she said. "Father knew I was there to get information about Mother and he knew it was your idea. He wouldn't have given me any information without...well, without an appropriate sacrifice."

Her explanation was only making him feel more heated. "My family should not have been a sacrifice to Ozai!"

"If it makes you feel any better think of Chiara as an icebreaker." She giggled at her own pun.

Zuko turned away from her to stare out the window again. "Whatever."

Azula's eyes slid to Chiara who looked bored.

"Honestly, Chiara, I don't know how you put up with his Royal Sulkiness."

She had grown up with their arguing, and as far as she was concerned, as long as they were not killing each other, she did not need to step in.

"I wouldn't have to if you didn't instigate so much," she said.

"Oh, he makes it too easy to mess with him," smirked Azula.

"That doesn't mean you have to," said Chiara.

Azula just giggled and shrugged within her restraints.

"So...when is my niece or nephew due?" she asked. "And when were you going to tell me about it? He is family after all."

"Like you care anything about family," said Zuko in a low voice.

"About five and a half moon cycles," said Chiara. "And when it's announced is the Fire Lord's decision."

"Ah, yes," she said with a slight eyeroll. "The Fire Lord. I suppose Uncle's quite the happy grandfather."

"It's better than a murderous one," mumbled Zuko.

Azula smirked at him.

ooo

Once inside the palace, Zuko removed Azula's restraints, but before she could stand, he moved in front of her holding her wrists down against the chair as he leaned towards hers focusing his golden eyes on hers.

"If you try anything, Azula, the Avatar will be more than willing to do a little energy bending," he threatened deeply. "And then you can share a cell with your father."

By his deep and serious tone, she knew her brother was not joking, and for a moment she felt unnerved by the thought of losing her bending like Ozai, but she recollected herself and smirked at him. "Oh, I'll behave, Zuzu."

He stood up straight. "Uncle wants to see you."

"Of course."

Azula walked free on Zuko's left while Chiara walked on his right, her hand on his arm. Kaito, Nai, and Izin followed but stopped at the door of the Fire Lord's office. The two Imperial Firebenders guarding the entrance bowed to the royal family.

"The Fire Lord's expecting you, your Highnesses," said Shin before opening the door.

Zuko stepped inside with Chiara on his arm followed by Azula. When they entered the office from the antechamber, Iroh's eyes lit up at the sight of the three of them.

"Azula, my niece, it's good to see you home again." He stood up and stepped around his desk.

"Uncle...um...Fire Lord," she greeted him stiffly without bowing.

He wrapped his arms around her and gently laughed. "'I've told you before, Niece, I prefer 'Uncle.'"

While she felt awkward being hugged, she did not fight it.

"Sit," he directed them. "Ezih is bringing tea."

They knelt around the table.

"So Ozai was helpful?" he asked.

"No," said Zuko deeply. "He was a complete waste."

"I disagree with you, Zuzu," said Azula lightly. "He provided information which might prove useful."

"What kind of information?" asked Iroh.

"Nothing that's worth hearing, I'm sure," said Zuko darkly before Azula could say anything. "Chiara and I will leave for Hira'a tomorrow." His sister looked at him. "We'll start at there and find out what we can on our own," he finished.

Iroh could sense the magma bubbling beneath the surface threatening to burst out. "If that is what you want," he said not pushing the issue. "Take as long as you need. You certainly earned the time off."

Ezih placed the tray of tea on the table.

"I thought you didn't know anything about Mother?" Azula asked Zuko.

"Uncle found out she's from Hira'a, but that's all we know. We don't know if she returned there. We were hoping Ozai might have more information."

Azula said nothing.

ooo

That evening, Zuko and Chiara were in their room preparing for their trip the next day.

"Did you hear that?" he whispered to her.

Her frozen posture answered his question, but she nodded. Thinking it was too late for servants to be walking around and still concerned about having Azula in the palace, Zuko quietly opened the door and looked out.

"What is it?" Chiara whispered.

"It's Azula," he whispered back.

He quietly stepped into the hallway, Chiara silently behind him, and they began following his sister. They trailed her through a maze of corridors until she disappeared behind a doorway. Approaching the room, the door was left open, and Zuko carefully peered inside. When he entered there was no sign of Azula.

"I don't understand it," he said looking around at the simple room. "We saw her come in here."

They studied the few furnishings, including a table, candles, incense, and a large image of a flame hanging on the wall. Zuko touched the image.

"It's still warm," he said.

He stepped back and shot flames towards it. The outline of the image glowed orange. Its frame slid across the wall revealing a passageway behind it.

Chiara smiled at him. "You're still finding secret passages."

They stepped inside and followed the passage to another room lit up by a fire in a brazier. They scanned the items filling the room: clothing from the Water Tribe and Earth Kingdom, vases, several trunks, and even a canoe hanging from the ceiling. In the corner of the room they spotted Azula digging through a trunk.

"They're here, just like Father said," she whispered.

"What is this place?" asked Zuko.

"One of Father's many secret chambers," she said.

She stood up and turned towards them holding several envelopes in her hand.

"What are you holding?" he asked her.

"What, these?" She held them up tauntingly. "They're many years' worth of letters that Mother wrote, and they're the key to finding her."

"Give them to me," he demanded.

She grinned at him. "But I thought you weren't interested in anything Father had to say."

He stepped closer to her. "Just give them to me," he ordered.

"Fine," she shrugged. "Come have a look."

As soon as they approached her the letters were engulfed in blue flames.

"No!" yelled Zuko jumping towards her. "Azula, what's wrong with you?"

There was nothing but black ash drifting to the floor.

"Why would you do that?" asked Chiara.

She glared at them, her fists clenched. "You two are going to leave me here alone to go look for Mother," she said, her voice filled with resentment.

"So you don't want us to find her?" asked Zuko.

"Believe it or not, dear Brother, I want to find her just as much as you do." Her fists relaxed. "So I'll tell you what was in those letters on one condition."

Zuko was scowling. "Now what? Another sacrifice of my family?" he asked sarcastically.

Her lip curled. "I want to go with you."

Zuko and Chiara were both surprised by her request, but Zuko was hesitant, suspecting he would have to watch his back the entire time.

"You could've just asked, Azula," said Chiara simply.

"And would you have said 'yes'?"

Zuko did not answer knowing he would have refused her.

Chiara stepped closer to her. "Aunt Ursa's your mother, too. You have every right to look for her."

Zuko thought he saw his sister's eyes soften.

"Come on," said Chiara. "We're leaving early. Pack a bag. We don't know how long we'll be gone."

They left the room together, neither Zuko nor Chiara seeing the letter hidden in Azula's tunic.

A/N: Parts of this were taken from The Search.