A/N: Apologies for the delay. I just got married and the last couple months have been hectic with planning, then re-planning, then re-planning again because of COVID regulations. I finally found some time to get this chapter done. I'll try and have more steady uploads for the coming chapters.

Aang wasn't surprised to receive a scroll from a Fire Nation eaglehawk whilst sunbathing on the sandy beaches of Ember Island. It was probably just Zuko checking in to see how they were doing. It had been a week since their arrival on and every day had been absolute bliss. It was a relief to be away from his duties as Avatar and finally spend some alone time with the woman he was hoping to marry one day. He could hear Katara laughing in the warm waters of the ocean and splashing as she swam around.

"How nice of Zuko to check on us," he commented, sinking back onto the straw mat on the sand and getting comfortable. When he casually unrolled the scroll and read Zuko's neat scrawl, he nearly choked on the coconut water he'd been sipping on. "K-Katara!" he gasped, a whoosh of bended air pushing him into an upright position. He read the letter again, hoping he'd misread the first time. Katara was by his side in an instant, concern etched on her face. She was dripping wet from her swim in the ocean. With a flick of her wrist, she bended the water off and plopped down by Aang. She eyed the scroll in his hands warily.

"What is it?"

Aang pushed the scroll into her hand and whistled for Appa. The sky bison was resting with Momo on the beach nearby and lazily groaned at Aang's beckon, but stood and made his way over to them slowly. Just seconds later, Katara gasped in horror. Aang didn't want to look at her expression.

"Azula's in the South Pole! Sokka—Gran Gran—we have to go, Aang!"

She was panicking and Aang clenched his fists in anger. "I know. Zuko is waiting for us. Let's go."

In what felt like seconds, they were packed up and departing their sunny haven, leaving the sandy beaches and warm water in the distance. Katara was quiet. Too quiet.

Aang knew she was panicking. Her blue eyes were glued to the horizon towards their destination. Her face was etched with worry that rivaled his own and his heart clenched with anxiety. Just as things were finally becoming peaceful amongst the kingdoms, the only person that posed an actual threat had escaped. How had Azula escaped right under their noses? He felt like a fool. Katara's shaky voice broke him from his dark thoughts.

"Aang, this whole week I've been sitting on a sandy beach, sipping drinks and relaxing while Azula is out there… hurting the people we love."

"You don't know that! Don't blame yourself. Sokka is strong, he wouldn't let Azula hurt anyone. Have faith."

Aang felt Katara shudder under his arms when he pulled her into a tight hug. He could feel hot tears soaking through his thin robes and he rubbed her back as comfortingly as possible. After a few minutes her crying slowed and she suddenly stiffened. He looked down at her with warm gray eyes. "Katara?"

Her face had twisted from concern and worry into one of anger and resolution. He didn't like it.

"I should have taken care of her when I had the chance. I won't make that mistake again."

He knew better than to try and argue with her, despite the unpleasant tingle down his spine from the murderous look in her eyes.

Kanna was annoyingly observant. The old woman had been prodding Azula, no… Song, with questions while assigning morning chores before breakfast. The tiny hut she lived in was icy cold. The fire from the night before was dim in the center of the room, barely clinging onto life.

"So, tell me about your family dear. Don't they miss you?" she asked, her back turned to Azula. She was poking around the small kitchen for pots and pans to make breakfast with. "Oh, can you try and rekindle the fire please? Blasted thing wouldn't keep overnight. This winter has been so bitter."

Azula knelt over the fire and tossed a few logs of firewood on only to realize they were still wet with snow. It was a wonder how this woman hadn't frozen to death overnight. Azula narrowed her sharp eyes at Kanna's back before gripping the logs with her hands and sending heat coursing through the wood, forcing them to dry in seconds. She answered Kanna's first questions while placing the bone-dry logs carefully into the pit, stoking the fire to life.

"I don't have family," she replied with a short, but pleasant tone. "Can I help you with breakfast?"

She hoped her offer would turn their conversation elsewhere. The thought of Zuko and their idiot uncle left a sour taste in her mouth. Kanna didn't back down. The woman turned around with an old clay pot in hand. "No family? How unfortunate. You must have been so lonely travelling on your own…"

Azula didn't miss the sharp gleam in the woman's icy blue eyes when she gazed down at the crackling bright fire. "My, I thought that wood was wet! Couldn't get the darn things to light last night."

"I don't mind being alone," Azula interrupted abruptly, clearing her throat nervously and mentally kicking herself for her mistake. Ozai was rife with irritation and berated her carelessness.

Are you trying to reveal your identity or is the cold weather aiding in your overwhelming stupidity, daughter?

Azula bristled with anger, snatching the pot out of Kanna's outstretched hands and placing it over the fire. Kanna didn't seem to notice, turning back around to pour water into the pot and get various ingredients for what looked like a stew. Azula averted her gaze from the woman, not wanting to be caught in her sharp, knowing eyes. They gleamed the way Sokka's did, sparkling with life and clarity she didn't meet in most people. It put her on edge.

The thought of Sokka and their morning duel rushed back to her and she felt her face flush red. What the hell was that, anyway? The idiot wouldn't put up a real fight and just as she was planning on blasting his face with a fiery kick, he'd yanked her off balance and forced her to use him to regain her footing. His skin was warm under her hands. Worse yet, she hadn't found it unpleasant to touch. It was smooth and slick with sweat. What should have repulsed her had instead set her heart racing and for some odd reason, her stomach flipped with excitement.

"Not minding being alone doesn't mean you like it, Song."

Azula paused. Kanna's words pierced deep. That box hidden deep inside her soul cracked open and the dark, crushing pain of loneliness crept into her heart. She'd spent so much of her life alone that she'd become accustomed to it. But being used to something didn't mean that she liked it. She'd never considered that before—it was never an option.

"Being alone means I don't need to rely on anyone but myself," she replied carefully.

Don't you need me, daughter? Ozai hissed.

"Well, you aren't alone anymore. Not as long as you're here with us."

Kanna gave the steaming stew a stir with wrinkled hands. Azula considered her words, then Ozai's. Deep inside, she knew he wasn't wrong. There was a reason why he never left. He was a figment of her own mind, a toxic need for punishment she felt she deserved. Punishment for being weak, for allowing herself to be imprisoned, for letting Zuko win.

"Sokka seems to have taken a liking to you," Kanna continued when Azula didn't respond.

"He's been very kind," Azula replied as warmly as she could. The topic of the Chief of the Water Tribe made her uncomfortable and she didn't know why. Talking about him felt as though she was admitting to herself that he wasn't all that bad, and that was bad. She needed to remember her purpose. She was getting too comfortable.

"He's a good boy. He'd always wanted to become Cheiftain as a child and take after his father. Well, I supposed I can't call him a boy anymore, can I?" Kanna chuckled. "He's a young man now."

Azula nodded in agreement, her lips pulled into a tight smile. "He was telling me about his girlfriend. She's far away, guarding the Fire Lord?" she asked. Sokka's girlfriend, the Kyoshi warrior she'd imprisoned not so long ago. The girl, Suki, had a strong spirit but was weak. She'd been easy to overpower and take advantage of. That thought satisfied her, but she didn't know why.

"Ah yes, Suki. Sweet girl, but she doesn't come around much. I fear that Sokka will grow lonely being apart from her for so long," Kanna sighed.

Sokka was lonely? Azula hadn't considered that. He was surrounded by friends, family, and loyal warriors. How could he possibly be lonely with all these people around? She was reminded of the loneliness she felt even when surrounded by guards, her so called friends, and her own father. Having people around meant nothing if they didn't care about you.

"Can you dry those logs off for me, dear?" Kanna asked kindly, still stirring the stew. Azula narrowed her eyes at the woman.

"Do you want me to hang them outside to dry?" she clarified.

"How else, Song?" Kanna responded with the same sharp eyes. Azula froze, meeting her gaze with a wide-eyed stare. The air was suddenly thick with tension and the silence seemed to stretch on forever. Azula's mind raced with the endless consequences of her identity being revealed—of all the people she'd have to kill to escape, starting with Kanna. The thought made her stomach lurch with nausea. But it was too late. The woman was too smart and Azula had been sloppy. There was no doubt that she knew, and she was waiting for Azula to reveal herself. Kanna was giving her this opportunity to come forward. Should she take it?

Kill her, Ozai's slithery voice thundered in her head.

Azula took a deep breath, then reached out to the stack of soaked logs beside her. With a flick of her wrist, blue flames enveloped the logs and the wood crackled loudly as the water evaporated from it. She pulled the flame away just before the dried logs could catch, her eyes ever leaving Kanna's. To her surprise the old woman's face softened, and a kind smile stretched over her mouth.

"A pleasure to meet you, Princess Azula," Kanna stated simply, pulling the pot of stew from the fire and ladling some into two bowls. Azula tensed, averting her eyes from the woman. There was no need to pretend anymore.

"Are you going to reveal my identity to your little tribe?" she snapped, tapping her foot impatiently on the ground. "I can't promise your survival if you don't keep that mouth shut."

Kanna slowly shuffled to Azula, holding out a bowl of steaming soup. Azula gritted her teeth and turned her nose in the air. She heard the bowl placed at her feet and Kanna take her seat by the crackling fire. There was the sound of stew being sipped followed by a content sigh.

"How long have you known?" Azula pressed, the silence becoming too stifling for her. It took all she had not to bolt through that door and make a run for it—back to the cargo ships to escape to anywhere but here. Anything to escape from being caught and put back into the dark, damp, icy cell beneath the Fire Nation Palace.

"The minute I saw you, I knew. Those eyes… I've seen those eyes before. From a young man with a scar on his face who came looking for the Avatar so many years ago. You two have the same eyes. Angry, hurt, lonely."

Azula snorted spitefully. "Hundred of miles away and Zuko is still my downfall. How poetic."

"Firelord Zuko no longer has the same hurt in his eyes that you do, Azula. He has found peace… as can you."

KILL HER! Ozai continued to bellow in Azula's mind. She struggled to tune him out, barely able to hear Kanna over his ruthless screaming in her mind. Her fingers were itching to set everything alight. The darkest parts of her wanted to watch everything burn, but even deeper still was a twinge of guilt and the desire to believe Kanna's words. Could she really find peace? She didn't know what it felt like to be happy, truly happy.

"We make war that we may live in peace," she sneered in response. "I'm still making my war."

There was a resigned sigh from Kanna before the woman responded softly, "Those who are at war with others are not at peace with themselves. But I believe you can find peace, Princess. Perhaps you can find it here."

Azula couldn't stop a sharp, uneven laugh that bubbled from her chest. "Peace? Here, with you savages? What, you think they'll take the treasonous daughter of the tyrant Ozai with open arms? There is no peace for me… not now, not ever. I don't even know why I'm entertaining this discussion with you. You're not a bender, you pose no threat to me other than that chatty little mouth," she accused, thrusting a pointed finger at Kanna's face.

"Swear you'll keep your trap shut and I won't kill your little tribe. I made the same deal with Chief Dunderhead the other night."

Kanna's expression wasn't one of fear or concern. The woman still carried a soft smile, albeit sad. Did she pity Azula? The notion was more irritating than she thought possible.

"You put up a tough front, young lady. But if you wanted to kill me, you would have done it the second I revealed my knowledge of your identity, as you would have killed my grandson."

Azula snarled, blue flames crackling to life in her palms. "You think I won't do it?"

"Oh no, dear. I believe you could, and you would to ensure your survival. But I also believe that there is good in your heart, even if you don't. I have faith that my life is safe in your presence, Azula. I'm trusting that with you, as is Sokka."

Azula faltered. She'd never felt her conscience pull her in such opposite directions. Hell, she'd barely had a conscience, period. Things were getting too messy, but her original plan was still intact. It wouldn't matter who knew of her identity later. Once Katara finally returned to the water tribe, all would be revealed anyway. She just had to continue playing her cards right and let them believe that she would do no harm… whilst not raising any suspicion. Until then, she needed to rebuild her strength.

You're making the wrong choice, Ozai whispered.

Fuck off, father.

She sat back down, taking the bowl of stew at her feet and taking a long sip. It was delicious and warmed her from the inside. From the pleased smile on Kanna's face, Azula had a feeling the woman wouldn't spill the beans. At least not while she could play off that she wasn't going to kill them… yet.

"Thank you, by the way," Kanna added. Azula raised a brow in confusion.

"The wood. It would have taken ages to dry. Will you dry some more for me this evening?"

Azula rolled her eyes, but couldn't stop the flush in her cheeks. "Only if there are more fire flakes."

Azula spent the remainder of her day falling back into her false persona. Song was ever pleasant and unassuming. Kanna took her around the village to meet everyone. There were surprising amounts of children, particularly ones that could bend. It seemed that the Northern and Southern tribes were beginning to co-mingle and produce strong offspring. Regardless, children annoyed her. They were too loud, clumsy, and asked too many damn questions. It took all she had to reign in the urge set their hair on fire.

The adults were easy enough to fool. None of them seemed to question where she'd come from, nor where she was going. They welcomed their new tourist with surprising friendliness and curiosity about what laid beyond their icy walls. Most had never left their tribes before. Azula gave short, but polite answers and eventually quelled their curiosity. Kanna was beside her most of the day, gently guiding her to and from their destinations.

When they finally had a moment alone in the late afternoon, Azula found herself slumped into a chair in her hut behind Kanna's home. "Are they always that… chatty?"

"No, you're just new and interesting. It should die down in the next few days," Kanna replied with a chuckle. "It's almost supper time. I'll draw you a bath. Sokka should be arriving soon."

In the rush of the day, Azula had forgotten about Sokka. The thought of seeing him made her stomach flip with excitement and anxiety. The sensation was so odd, but she didn't dislike it. She heard Kanna put water to heat on the fire and she waved her hand dismissively at the woman. "Don't bother."

"Ah, yes. It's so lovely to have a firebender around," Kanna replied wistfully. Azula felt a smile creep onto her face and she schooled it back into a flat line. She quick warmed her own bath water to the perfect temperature and sunk deep into it when Kanna dismissed herself to make dinner.

The room was steamy with heat from her bath and the roaring fire. While her body was releasing tension, her mind was still racing with the day's events. Kanna had given her a lot to think about and she didn't know where to start. She'd said that Azula could find peace here, that she wasn't alone anymore. Azula wanted nothing more than to believe her words, but the darkness in her heart was still hungry for vengeance. She still wanted to kill Katara and reclaim her throne—more than she wanted to let go and live in peace. She didn't know if that raging fury or desire would ever subside… she didn't know if she wanted it to.

A knock on the hut door broke her thoughts.

"Hey, it's me. Are you dressed?" Sokka called through the door. Just how long had she been soaking in this bath? A glance out the small window confirmed that night had fallen, and it was dinner time. She pulled herself out of the steamy water and was dry before she'd even taken a few steps.

"I'll be out momentarily, dimwit," she called back. Her heart was racing, and she couldn't quiet it. She yanked on the thick furs Kanna had laid out for her and took a quick glance at her reflection in the window. She'd almost forgotten that she'd cropped her own hair and she didn't immediately recognize herself. Long gone was the beautiful, young Princess of the Fire Nation with her golden crown and red robes. Azula sighed, tucking hair behind her ear and giving herself a smile that didn't meet her eyes.

"Get it together," she whispered to herself before making her way to open the door for Sokka. He was leaning casually against the frame of the door. The falling snow was catching in his hair, coating it in icy white flakes. She tried not to look too closely at him, but it was impossible not to when he was towering over her, just inches away. He was grinning down at her with that stupid crooked smile and she was reminded of their spar. When she felt her cheeks grow hot, she side stepped and turned away.

"Well, are you coming in or not? You're letting the heat out," she snapped impatiently. He strutted into the room and plopped down by the fire, sighing in heavy relief as he shrugged out of his thick outer coat and gloves. She watched with wary eyes as he settled in for a few minutes, rubbing his hands together to warm back up. She briefly felt guilty for soaking in a steamy bath for so long while he was out in the cold.

"Are we going to talk about our spar this morning?" he asked, throwing a new log onto the fire and stoking it to life. Azula's eyes narrowed in annoyance.

"There's nothing to talk about."

"Okay then, how about what you and Gran Gran discussed today?" he shot back, icy blue eyes meeting hers.

"There's nothing to talk about," she repeated coldly. "If all you're here for is to interrogate me, you can get the hell out. I don't have time for this."

She was irritated. Beyond irritated. What had she expected? For him to waltz in and be kind and sweet when all she'd given him up until then was venom and spite? It was her own fault and she knew it, but still… she was irritated. She headed towards the exit, desperately needing fresh air despite the icy cold she knew laid outside.

"Wait, 'Zula! I'm sorry," Sokka called. He was quickly on his feet and stood in front of the door before she could leave. "I didn't mean to upset you. I really just… I want to talk to you."

"About what?" she demanded, hands on her hips. There were just a few inches between them now and she had her sites set on the exit— tall, dark, and handsome Chief be damned.

"About, uh…," he trailed off, his eyes refusing to meet hers as he struggled for an answer. He was hiding something. Azula snarled, snatching his collar with a vice grip and yanking him down to her eye level.

"I've been lying and deceiving my whole life, Sokka, so don't think you can hide anything from me," she hissed. His eyes darted back to hers and she nearly let go of his tunic. His face was just millimeters from hers and she could feel his warm breath on her face. At this range she could see the tiny flecks of gray in his cerulean eyes, could see the tiny wrinkles forming at the corners of his eyes from too much laughter. She knew she didn't have those lines on her own face.

He seemed to freeze as well, his eyes roaming her face as if he'd never get the chance to be this close again. Azula released his shirt and tried to step back, but found her wrist caught in his warm grip. It was a gentle hold, one she could break out of easily... but she couldn't find the will to.

She breathed a sigh of relief when he seemed to realize what he was doing and let go of her wrist. She snatched it back as though she'd been burned, turning away from him.

"Kanna asked me to dry some logs for her," she said, struggling to keep her voice even. She took a deep breath and spun around, bee-lining for the door. Sokka was no longer standing in the way, but off to the side. She knew he wanted to say something, but it seemed he couldn't spit it out.

"Don't worry," she whispered at the door. "I won't hurt her."

Sokka smiled sadly at her.

"I know, 'Zula."

She left him alone in her hut with more questions than answers. One thing was certain—she needed to find out what he was hiding from her.