Come What May

By Gigawolf1

Chapter 4: Recollection

The two Fire Nation nobles stared at each other. Both were panting, unable to defeat the other. Mai smiled, for reasons unknown to Zuko. "What's so funny?"

"You are, Kozuzu. You haven't changed a bit, have you?" Mai's smile only grew wider with the grimace appearing on Zuko's face. "You remember all those years ago, don't you?" Zuko remembered, and all too well. It was the day after Azulon's funeral.

Flashback

Zuko sat alone on part of the roof. His mother's disappearance, Azulon's death, Iroh's surrender… All brought him confusion. The very foundation of his belief system was rocked to the core. He knew Azula was becoming more and more violent, and that she had no outer care for her mother's vanishing. Suddenly, he noticed Mai beside him. She held her head between her knees, hiding her face.

He put a hand on her shoulder. He then noticed her red face, caused by blushing. He knew she liked him, but he didn't think of her that way. In fact, not only was he at the stage where girls were taboo, but friends of his sister were especially so. However, he had so much turmoil in the last few days, he felt he needed as much love as he could get. And so he embraced her, whispering promises of friendship. Together, they went to the gates, where Iroh was to arrive.

End Flashback

"The day I first donned my mask. I remember that day more than you can imagine. That's what I want to talk to you about, Blue Spirit." From behind her, Mai drew a white mask, depicting a crying spirit. The tears were the colour of blood, denoting a dark deed. Her skills as an assassin had only increased in the years since her nightmares began. Now, she would once again become the White Spirit, secret partner of the Blue Spirit. "I will no longer stand in the shadow of Azula, and neither shall you, Kozuzu."

Zuko stood in shock, for he had not seen the mask since that day. Anger coursed through him as he heard his nickname. He knew he could not continue without help, but from the cursed witch who had helped ruin his life…

Their small camp was only large enough for the five humans plus Appa and Momo. Regardless, Azula felt like she deserved more, and used her female wiles to convince Sokka to get her some more food, preferably meat. The other three sat around their small fire as Azula explained herself.

"I'm pretty high up in the Fire Nation, but I was supposed to capture Zuko and Iroh. The two of them were banished, and now I am too. I was supposed to bring them back as prisoners, but they somehow keep slipping out of my grasp. I was shocked when my old soldiers attacked me, but I did manage to escape. Then that spirit attacked me, and that's my story up until now."

Katara looked at her sceptically. "Why did you attack Aang in Omashu if you're after Zuko?"

"Everyone in the Fire Nation is after the Avatar. I was no exception, and besides, he took the Earthbending King. I couldn't very well let such a powerful Earthbender go free, now could I?"

Toph smiled. "I think we can trust her, Katara. With Aang here, we can't be threatened by any Firebender. No offence, but Aang is the most powerful Bender in the world, Avatar or not." Toph's words made Aang blush slightly, noticed by Katara. To break the awkward moment, Sokka stopped listening in and brought in the food.

While the five ate, Ty Lee told the tale of Azulon's Death to Iroh. The horrors brought the Dragon of the West to one conclusion. He knew where Azula would go, and that he would have to return there first.

Azula asked Aang where they were going. "Well, since you can be my Firebending teacher, we can go pretty much anywhere. We could go to the Southern Air Temple for my training, but people may still need my help."

Azula feigned a shocked face. "Don't you know? The Fire Nation is attacking Ba Sing Se again! If anything, we have to save Ba Sing Se!"

Aang, having no idea that the Earth Kingdom capital was under siege, ran off to tell his friends of their next destination. Azula grinned to herself… Her plan was going perfectly.

Meanwhile, back in the generic Earth Kingdom city, Shin Fu and Master Yu remained stuck in the ground, with their heads frozen. Screams of fury from within attracted little attention, as the people thought it was just their imaginations.

AN: Voting time! Please review, and say whether you want Azula out of the group before Ba Sing Se or not!