"So how do we defeat the Fire Nation?" The mistrust in Sokka's his voice had been replaced with the quivering of opportunity. "What are the weak points, the secrets? Tell me which brick to remove from the iron wall of the fleet, to make them all topple; or sink…" He sighed as he ran out of metaphor, but gestured excitedly for an answer.

Iroh turned to Toph. "Are you convinced you can sense his approach before he could hear anything we say?"

"Sure."

He turned back and breathed in. Sokka's eyes were platter-sized and sparkling, and Katara paid attention too.

"Now."

Sokka groaned, interrupted by a kick in his side from his sister. "The best tea leaves come from the stem of the flower," Iroh murmured, coughing to get his voice hoarser. "They do not get as much sunlight as the ones on top; but they try just as hard, and become more flavourful in the process."

The four maintained the faux tea conversation for several minutes, without getting any visual confirmation of Toph's senses. "I think now it would be in character for me to ask for a more interesting subject," Sokka interjected, earning a frown from everyone else.

"Of course it does not reflect badly on your character to dislike Jasmine," Katara replied with somewhat exaggerated intonation and volume. "There's people who love Oolong, those who prefer Green tea, and some who just adore Chrysanthemum above all; yet they all have a place in, uh, the balance of the universe."

"I think we will get along just fine!" Iroh patted her shoulder with strength not expected from a soldier closer so far past his prime. She struggled to hold up a grin.

"That is 'good' to hear," Zuko spoke, dripping with sarcasm, and he emerged from the side of the town opposite where he had left. He had the bird horse with him, carrying two bags: one much heavier than the other but both equally full.

"I relieved every Jiade cactus from here to Ba Sing Se of their petals, Uncle. And here's some animals that attempted to get between me and them; they might make for provisions, even if one of you doesn't eat meat." He placed the latter bag before Katara.

"Why thank you Zuko," she said with what looked almost like a smile. "Perhaps you would be so kind to roast them for us too?"

"How do you think I slew them? They are already cooked." His face was plain as a blank piece of parchment. "I have nothing more I can offer. Does this conclude our transaction?"

Her face turned to a thunder cloud. Even Sokka could not resist loudly coughing, in a way that sounded like the words thank you. He did not twitch a muscle.

"Afraid not, Nephew!" That did make him twitch. "She healed my wound but the spiritual energies are tied in a nasty knot! The Jiade will help, but I will not make it far if I don't get extended treatment!"

Zuko groaned. "Uncle, I admit that I am not the metaphysical type, but I have never heard of spirits being disrupted by a flesh wound before. Or of a teenager being able to put them back together."

"Oh no, it was her amateurish healing that threw them all off," Iroh said, "a forgivable mistake, and from inexperience no doubt; but where are you going to find a better water healer in the middle of the desert?"

The pressure was cooking, as were the two young benders. It was Toph's turn to shiver with anticipation, waiting for jets of flame and water to start flying everywhere. Rocks churned beneath her feet, and she sunk slightly to gain a more stable position for when it all exploded.

"Zuko, let's have a little private talk." Iroh gestured at a house on the other side of town.

-OoOoO-

It was a free-standing building, and the second story had a trustworthy wooden floor. No vibrations would escape the room, and no witnesses could get close without being in plain sight.

"Uncle."

"Just to be clear," Iroh hurriedly whispered, "obviously I am playing up this spirits thing. As good as I can tell, I am in tip-top shape: but Katara sees me as a sage and lacks the experience to dispute what I say. I am sorry about the flowers; I had to get a private moment with them right away, in order to make this work."

"I suspected as much," Zuko said with soft resignation. "Do you wish to keep a closer eye on them?"

"On Aang. Get you in the position you need, in order to take your decision."

"Katara is right, you are wise," he said solemnly. Iroh smiled and bowed his head. "But I must ask for some more clarity, about this 'decision'. You have never been much in support of my quest for the Avatar, only of me as a person. I am grateful for the assistance but I need to know the motive behind it."

"Are you asking if you can trust me?"

Zuko threw his hands in his hair. "I do not know what I am asking, I… What, what is your goal?"

"To facilitate your growth," he said, eternally calm. "You need to decide what you want to do with Aang. That is his name, and you can start using it, rather than the title. You cannot grow any further until you have dealt with him, and this is an opportunity I daren't let pass."

"Does this mean I can count on your assistance?"

"Fully." His eyes, between wrinkle and hairy eyebrow, stared at his with more fire than he could conjure up, and Zuko knew it was the truth.

"Then, thank you. I will do my best to make it work." He folded his hands, and started getting up.

"Don't thank me; thank Katara! Don't you think it is long overdue?"

He exhaled through his nose, and bowed his head. "On the subject of courteousness," he added after a pause, "there is something I must ask of you."

Iroh shrugged, and asked what it was.

"You are a sociable man, and I trust you to put effort in making them trust you. But do not start answering all their questions, and risk revealing any intimate information about me, yourself, or the Fire Nation."

"Friend, that's a broad classification if I've ever heard one. There is much they could know: such as select portions of the truth, which would make us look more sympathetic in their eyes."

"Talk about the weather. About tea, Pai Sho, perhaps military life in general. But nothing personal, and nothing that could conceivably put any of us at risk."

-OoOoO-

Two actors walked toward each other, both thrown into a role far outside their wishes, and completely stiff with vaguely veiled disgust for each other. Iroh, Toph and Sokka stayed back, unwilling to participate for different reasons for each.

"Katara, I thank you for healing my uncle, and apologise for my earlier misbehaviour and disrespect." He paused, realising his teeth were obviously clenched together, and he tried relaxing them a little. "I would be most appreciative if you could continue to do so. For the given time, until his health is restored, I can try to make myself useful for your party."

"Zuko, your apology is… accepted." Nothing in the world could force her to say any more lies.

"I love it when people find each other!" Iroh cheered, pacing for them, and both stepped aside to avoid being thrown into a collective hug which he was clearly aiming at. "Now, for a question that might throw this new trust in jeopardy but nevertheless is worth asking…" He held up his hands. "Where is Aang now?"

"He should have gotten back," Sokka mumbled. "More than hour ago."