"I can't believe how easy it was to forge those passports," Ty Lee said. "I guess that's the efficiency of the Fire Nation for you."

Azula hoisted her bag into a more comfortable position on her shoulder. "Don't celebrate just yet. This is only the first step."

The passports had allowed them to get tickets for the Half-Moon Bay ferry, but she and Ty Lee had also been forced to take on the role of poor Earth Kingdom refugees. As nice as it would have been to pretend to be nobles or even the offspring of rich merchants, it was too easy to trace lineage and wealth, which meant the forgeries had a higher risk of being exposed. Put simply, they would draw less attention if they just pretended to be two nobodies. Less attention was what Azula needed right now, even if it would make it more difficult to carry out her plan once she was in Ba Sing Se.

Still, being a poor nobody really was a pain. Azula was a princess. She was not used to wearing ill-fitting, scratchy clothes or not having servants there to tend to her every need. Nor was she used to being surrounded by stinky, sweaty peasants who didn't understand that they should be keeping their distance. The docks were crowded with people, all desperate to earn a place on the ferries. She had lost count of the number of times she had been knocked by an elbow or someone's bag. Also, this standing in line business was completely ridiculous. With all the shoving and the shuffling-like progress they were making, Azula felt like a koala-sheep being herded into a pen.

"What is even taking so long?" Azula muttered. "It's just walking up a ramp onto a boat. It's not like we're trying to climb the golden threads to Agni's celestial mansion."

Ty Lee covered her mouth to smother her giggle. "We don't have too far to go now."

Azula repressed a huff. Patience was not something she lacked, at least when she chose, but having the patience to stand in line for hours would test even the most forbearing of souls. She didn't know how Ty Lee managed to stay so energetic. Not even the fact Ty Lee had given up her pink outfit for a shapeless brown robe had been able to dampen her spirits, claiming that pretending to be a refugee was like a game. Just thinking about the conversation made Azula want to sigh. She could just imagine what Mai—

No. No use thinking about what Mai would have said. That traitor didn't deserve a place in her thoughts.

"Oh, we're moving again," Ty Lee said brightly.

Azula gripped the strap of her bag and continued the trudging, shuffle-like walk to the ferry. They were getting closer to the ramp. Suddenly, she lurched to the side. Someone had bumped into her shoulder. Her gaze locked onto the culprit: a teenage boy with messy brown hair. Azula's eyes narrowed in a flash of irritation. "Watch it!" she snapped.

The boy removed a blade of grass from his mouth. "Sorry," he said, and then his lips curved into a surprisingly charming smile. At least for a peasant. "I didn't see you."

Something happened in Azula's stomach in that moment: a weird, fluttery sort of flop. She wondered if she was feeling ill.

Ty Lee stepped forward. "Hello! My name is T—Dandan," she hastily corrected, throwing an apologetic glance at Azula. "What's yours?"

"Jet." He gestured behind him. "These are my Freedom Fighters, Smellerbee and Longshot."

Azula stared at the two other boys, both who looked younger than herself. The smallest one, Smellerbee, greeted them properly but Longshot just nodded. All of them were peasants, judging by their threadbare clothing. Still, what intrigued her was not how they looked but the label which Jet had given them.

"Freedom Fighters?" she questioned.

His smile faltered. "Well, it's just the three of us now."

Smellerbee and Longshot both lowered their gaze at these words. So, there had been more of them once. Rebels, no doubt. With a name like the Freedom Fighters, it was unlikely they had been running around playing happy peasants in the Earth Kingdom.

"Anyway," Jet said, once more plastering on a smile. "Are you two girls travelling alone?"

Ty Lee told him their cover story: that they were cousins who had fled from Omashu and were hoping to make new lives in Ba Sing Se. Azula didn't offer any input. She had lost interest in the conversation and simply waited for the line to keep moving. A bunch of peasant rebels were of no worth to her, even if she was conscious of Jet's gaze flickering to her from time to time. She purposely kept her face averted.

"You know," he said, moving a bit closer, "I didn't get your name."

The line cleared in front of her. Azula stepped onto the ramp and glanced at him over her shoulder. "That's because I never told you," she said coolly.

Without waiting for a response, she walked up the ramp with her head held high. Maybe she no longer wore her royal armour or headpiece, but she was still a princess. She didn't need to waste her breath on peasants. Even if Jet's smile had been rather pleasant. Even if she did have a ridiculous urge to look over her shoulder to see if he was watching.

Ty Lee caught up her to a second later. "That Jet guy was cute, don't you think?"

Azula scoffed. "Every boy is cute to you."

Ty Lee was quick to defend herself, claiming there were many boys who did not meet her standards. She just happened to like Jet. He was good-looking and charismatic. That wasn't a bad combination.

"I hope we see him again," Ty Lee confided.

Azula rolled her eyes. "Let's just find a place to sit. We've got a while before we reach Ba Sing Se."

Ty Lee had no fault to find with this plan. The two girls weaved through the groups of refugees, trying to find as private a spot as possible on the deck. They had to wait for everyone to board before the ferry set sail, so Ty Lee insisted they play games to pass the time. Azula indulged her friend because there really was nothing else to do, but a part of her brain was still working through plans, discarding ideas and creating new ones as she plotted out their next move.

"Okay," Ty Lee said, placing her finger to her chin, "would you rather kiss the Avatar or, um, switch bodies with his bison for a day?"

Azula raised her eyebrow. "You're kidding, right?"

"Silly questions are part of the fun."

"This game is stupid. I refuse to play."

"Oh, come on, A—"

Azula glared in warning.

"—Ruolan," Ty Lee corrected, biting on her lip a bit sheepishly. "Sorry. I keep forgetting."

"Make sure you don't. We can't afford to mess up."

"I know, I know." Ty Lee pressed her palms together, ducking her head. "I'll be good."

Azula repressed a sigh and pushed her plait over her shoulder. She missed her topknot. The long rope of hair was always getting in the way. Something blocked the sun on her back, casting a human-shaped shadow over her.

"So, your name is Ruolan," a familiar voice observed.

Azula's stomach did the odd, flip-flop fluttery thing again. That honey-smooth tone could only belong to one boy. Her back straightened, though she did not glance behind her. "Eavesdropping isn't very polite," she said, careful to keep her voice disinterested. "Are you stalking us now, Jet?"

Jet laughed and moved to stand in front of her. "I just saw you two and decided to come over." His charming smile came out in full force. "Besides, it's not safe for two girls to travel alone. Perhaps we can accompany you during the trip to Ba Sing Se?"

Azula noticed that Smellerbee and Longshot were flanking him as usual. She raised her eyebrow. This peasant was rather forward.

"What makes you think we need you to protect us?" she asked.

He shrugged. "Fine, maybe I just wanted an excuse to spend time with you." His smile widened as he met her gaze. "Is that such a bad thing?"

Smellerbee rolled his eyes. Azula, however, felt like the fluttery, flip-flopping thing in her stomach had multiplied. Maybe she really was getting sick. It was the only explanation for why this scruffy-haired peasant had managed to disturb her equanimity. There was something almost magnetic about him. Not that the pull pleased her. She had never liked things that unsettled her emotions.

"We'll pass," Azula said, waving her hand in a dismissive manner.

Jet's brow furrowed a little, as if he couldn't believe that he had been refused. Azula busied herself with her bag, not sparing him another glance. He took the hint and left with his two followers. Azula couldn't quite stop the tiny smile that tugged at her lips. That had put him in his place. She noticed Ty Lee staring at her with wide eyes.

"You were flirting with him," Ty Lee accused.

Azula raised her chin. "I was not."

"You totally were!" Ty Lee giggled and leaned forward, lowering her voice. "So, you actually do think he's cute, don't you?"

Warmth bloomed on Azula's cheeks. "Don't be ridiculous. Why on earth would I find a boy who chews on grass like a moose-cow attractive? He's no better than an animal."

Ty Lee giggled even more. "You're so funny, A—Ruolan."

Azula pursed her lips.

"Sorry," Ty Lee said, ducking her head with a wince. "I promise I won't slip up again."

Azula nodded and let the matter slide. Truth be told, she was just glad Ty Lee was no longer teasing her about that stupid Jet boy. The whole situation made her feel ruffled and off balance. She didn't understand why he'd had such an effect on her. She hated that her thoughts kept returning to him, dwelling on the glint of magnetism she'd seen in his eyes and his far too charming smile.

No distractions, she told herself sternly.

She walked over to the railing, leaning on the edge and watching Half-Moon Bay get smaller and smaller as the ferry drew closer to Ba Sing Se. It had been two days since her defeat at the Outer Wall. She knew that her brother, uncle, and Mai were somewhere inside the city with the Avatar. Those traitors would not escape her again. Not when so much was at stake. This time, her plans would come together as she wanted. They had to.

No distractions.

She closed her eyes. Maybe another fourteen-year-old girl could indulge in silly feelings and fancies, but Azula wasn't like that. She was a princess who had been given a specific task. She knew exactly what would happen if she failed.

"I'll show you, Father," she murmured. "I'll show you that I alone deserve to be at your side."

oOo

"Remember, fire itself is not something to be feared," Zuko murmured.

He and Aang sat opposite each other in the small garden at the back of their house. A wall and a high hedge sheltered them from any prying eyes that might be lurking on the street. Not that it would have mattered even if someone was watching. The Ba Sing Se officials had already been alerted that "Lee" and "Yingjie" were firebenders. That was why Zuko had decided to go ahead with teaching Aang. They'd been stuck in Ba Sing Se for two days. He was going stir-crazy with having so little to do to occupy himself.

"I'm going to light it," Zuko explained, gesturing to the candle between them. "All you need to do is make a connection with the flame."

"That's it?"

A faint smile curved Zuko's mouth. "This is firebending meditation. I figured it would be a good place for you to start."

Aang had shied from any kind of offensive moves, but something that was supposed to calm the mind and body would not frighten him. At least, that was what Zuko hoped.

He lit the wick and told Aang to close his eyes. "You want to feel for the flame," he explained in a soft voice. "Don't rush it. This isn't about speed. Just take your time and let me know when you've made the connection."

"How will I know?"

Zuko's smile widened. "If you're a firebender, which I know you are, you'll know once you've got it."

Aang exhaled and pressed his fists together. He was quiet for a moment, just breathing in and out. Suddenly, a spark of excitement lit up his expression. "I can feel it! It's like—" He frowned and opened his eyes. "Uh, I lost it."

"That's fine. Everyone does that their first go. The main thing is you know what it feels like now."

"It's like a tiny heartbeat," Aang said in wonder.

"Fire is life." Zuko created a ball of golden flames and let it grow bigger, enveloping them both in the gentle warmth. "We've been raised to believe that flames can only destroy, but at its heart, fire is just another part of the balance. All firebenders draw their energy from the sun. You know getting close to the sun will kill you, but you still wouldn't want it to go away, right?"

Aang shook his head.

"Bending fire is the same. Fire is seen as the most destructive element because it can spread and grow even without a bender to manipulate it. It'll take out entire villages if you're not careful."

He let the flames grow bigger, flaring in a wave of intense heat. Aang made a small cry and raised his hand to shield his face. Zuko drew the flames back into his palm so they were small and gentle once more.

"But that's why learning control is important." Curling his fingers, he manipulated the fire to create a tiny flying bison.

Aang grinned. "Hey, it's Appa!"

Zuko held his gaze. "You don't need to be scared of fire, Aang. You just need to learn how to control it." He snuffed his flames out, leaving only the candle lit between them. "Do you think you can do that?"

Aang let out a breath. "I'll try."

"Don't try. Do it. Hesitancy won't work. You need to decide now that you will learn to control fire."

Aang swallowed. "Okay."

"Then do it again." Zuko gestured to the candle. "Make the connection, but this time don't let go."

Aang closed his eyes. Zuko felt the moment he succeeded, always attuned to the fire around him.

"Good," Zuko encouraged. "Now breathe with the fire. Feel its warmth running through you. Become one with it."

Aang inhaled a deep breath and exhaled. The flame flared and dipped. He blinked in surprise and lost the connection again.

"Wow," Aang said. "That felt amazing. So different to when I did the leaf thing with Jeong Jeong."

Zuko smiled. "That's the power of fire."

Meditating with flames was relaxing, but it was also like opening oneself up to a gentle spark of energy. The flames invigorated and soothed, but they still had to be controlled. It was what made it a good exercise for training firebenders.

"Now do it again," Zuko said. "I want you to get used to the feeling of being connected to fire."

Aang nodded and went back to meditating. Zuko waited until he was sure he had got the hang of it before he stood up and headed towards the house. Mai was seated on the step, resting her chin on her palm as she watched Aang meditate.

"You're surprisingly patient with him," she observed.

Zuko ran a hand through his hair. "Aang was traumatised when he burnt Katara. If I push him too hard, I'll just make the block worse."

"You don't need to get defensive. I didn't say it was a bad thing. I just never pegged you for the 'good with kids' type."

His cheeks warmed. "Whatever."

He made to walk past her, but he was blocked by Katara, who had come through the open door.

"There you are!" Katara exclaimed, planting her hands on her hips. "I've been looking for you."

Mai raised her eyebrow. "I didn't realise you craved my company so much."

Katara struggled for a moment to hold back whatever retort she wanted to make. "It's time for your healing session. Let me see your face."

Mai heaved a sigh and began unwinding the bandages. Zuko couldn't help but stare. He had not seen Mai's face without the bandages. All he remembered was how it had looked in the tunnel: raw and melted and far, far too damaged. Now, he saw the result of Katara's healing. Puckered, not quite healed skin marred the left side of her face—not an angry red like his, but still ruined. Her eyebrow and eyelashes had been burnt away and the eye itself was a gnarled slit, much like what had happened to him, except where his vision had only been a little impaired, he was doubtful if Mai could even see out of hers. Blue fire had always burned hotter.

Without realising it, he found himself stepping closer. "Mai," he breathed. "I didn't—I'm so—"

"Don't," Mai said in a hard voice. "I told you this isn't your burden."

"But—"

"Zuko." Her voice lashed against him like a whip. "Don't."

He swallowed and shifted his gaze to Katara. "Isn't there anything you can do?"

Katara lowered her head. "I've been trying. Unfortunately, my bending isn't a miracle cure. Not for a wound this bad. The most I have been able to do is quicken the healing process and lessen some of the damage." Her hands trembled. "Maybe if I used the Spirit Oasis wa—"

"Forget it," Mai said bluntly. "I told you not to waste that stuff on me."

Zuko perked up. "What are you talking about? What stuff?"

Katara explained about the Spirit Oasis water she had received from Master Pakku and its special healing qualities. Zuko couldn't believe that Mai had rejected such a gift. He was not sure if he would have been able to do the same. Mai really was strong. So much stronger than he had ever given her credit. Perhaps even too strong for her own good.

"Why do you want to punish yourself?" he asked. "You told me I don't have to carry your burden, but neither do you."

She blinked. "What are you—"

"I've lived with this face for three years, Mai. Do you think I don't understand how you feel right now?"

She averted her gaze. Even Katara said nothing, though it seemed she was holding back more for his sake than anything. Her gaze was full of sympathy—for him, for what he had just revealed—but he didn't have the energy or the desire to deal with that right now. Instead, he sighed and sat next to Mai on the step.

"I don't understand you," he said after a moment. "What are you trying to prove?"

"I'm not trying to prove anything. I'm just being practical."

"Practical?" He made a frustrated sound and grabbed her chin, tilting her face towards him. "You think this is being practical? You can't even see out of your left eye! Don't tell me it isn't true!"

She wrenched her face away. "Better to be blind in one eye than to waste a chance to save someone's life."

Zuko lowered his hand. "Is that what this is about?"

Mai met his gaze steadily. "Are you willing to take the risk? That girl's water has special properties. What if it's her brother who gets hurt next? What if it's your uncle, the Avatar, you? What then, Zuko? What if the damage is too much to heal with normal bending? Do you think I want to live with that?"

"Mai—"

"I've already accepted the consequences for betraying Azula. The waterbender has taken away the pain and healed what she can. That is enough for me."

Zuko curled his hands into fists. He knew what Mai said was logical, but still. He had spent three years having people cringe from him. Three years of people sneaking glances at the left side of his face, as if his scar was some fascinating yet repulsive thing. He didn't want her to suffer in a similar way. He didn't want her to be disfigured, to go half blind, just because his sister had got the cruel idea to give her the same punishment he had got.

"I can't accept that," he said quietly.

Mai heaved a sigh. "Zuko, you realise you're just projecting your own feelings onto me, right? I can live with this. So just drop it."

"You say that, but can you look me in the eyes and honestly say you're okay with this?" He held her gaze, daring her to contradict him. "Lie to yourself if you want, Mai, but you can't lie to me. Not about this. We both know that you were hoping Katara could heal more."

Mai had no response to that. As he had thought, she was just putting on a brave face.

He glanced at Katara. "You're going to try healing her again, right?"

She nodded.

"Then let me help."

Her eyes widened. "Isn't that dangerous? Iroh said—"

"I know, but I'll be able to control it this time. Just let me try. Both of us working together should make a difference, right?"

Mai's wound wasn't life threatening. It was bad, but not life threatening. So long as he didn't dip too deeply into his energy reserves, he and those bonded to him should be fine. At least that was his hope. Aang must have been distracted by their voices, for he soon joined them and asked what was going on. Katara explained the situation. He chewed on his lip, but he didn't try to argue against the plan.

"If Zuko thinks he can control it, I don't see the harm in trying," Aang said with a shrug. He cast a warm smile at Mai. "Besides, I want to see you get better as well."

Mai looked the other way. "You're all being ridiculous," she told them in her flattest voice.

Katara's chest swelled. "You—" She made a frustrated sound and grabbed Zuko by the hand. "Come on, we're doing this now!"

He blinked. "Uh, Katara—"

"Calling us ridiculous," Katara muttered, kneeling in front of Mai and uncorking her waterskin. "Haven't you realised yet why we're willing to do so much for you?" She enclosed her hand in water, letting it glow an unearthly blue. "You're one of the most aggravating girls I've ever met, but you're still part of this group!" She raised her head to meet Mai's gaze. "So sit still and shut up, because Zuko and I are going to heal you right now!"

Now it was Mai's turn to blink. Zuko could sympathise; Katara had a knack for giving impassioned speeches that took a person off guard. Still, he also wasn't willing to let Mai sell her own worth so short. Not when he could see so much of himself in her. So when Katara gave him his cue, he simply brought his hands near her water-encased ones and closed his eyes.

Making a connection felt different this time. Zuko didn't know if it was because Katara had already partially healed the wound or if it was just because Mai wasn't a bender. Her energy was less elemental somehow. Not weak, but different nonetheless. It was hard to pinpoint. Still, the warmth of life thrummed within her and he could feel the tangle of wrongness that his fire instinctively wanted to fix. Katara had started working on the spot, a watery presence that whispered of ocean and rain. It was a familiar signature.

He drew more fire from his inner sun and let his energy fuse with Katara's, weaving himself into her touch in golden threads. She flinched a little, perhaps shocked by his intrusion, but she did not break the connection. Zuko was glad. He knew it was dangerous if he tried to take on too much of Mai's wound, but Katara was a trained healer. If he allowed her to guide him, if he acted more as a supplement to boost her powers, perhaps nothing would go wrong this time. Perhaps they could make a difference.

Katara seemed to understand what he wanted. She relaxed into the embrace of energy and nudged him into helping her untangle knots of chi or to spark regrowth where needed. They were like a blend of sun and rain working together, healing withered roots and creating life. Mai's breathing quickened. Something was happening to her wound. Zuko could feel it in the way the sense of wrongness seemed to lessen, feel it in the chi that flowed, no longer as knotted and frayed. Unfortunately, the pull on his energy was also beginning to increase. Katara must have felt the drain as well, for her body slumped a little against his side.

"I think that's enough," Katara said faintly.

She pulled her hands away. Zuko found his own connection broken since his energy had been entwined with hers. He opened his eyes. Mai did not meet either of their gazes. She touched the left side of her face, tracing her fingers along her cheek and up to her eye. Parts of her skin were still puckered—albeit, in a much smaller and faded way—but that was not what made his breath catch. Mai's left eye was no longer a gnarled slit. The tawny brown that encircled her pupil was visible again, not quite symmetrical with the other, but still open enough for her to see without hindrance. It wasn't a perfect healing, but it was a miracle in its own way.

"How?" The word escaped Mai before she could stop it, sounding small and surprisingly vulnerable.

Katara struggled to stay upright. Zuko had to admit that he wasn't faring any better. Willpower was the only thing stopping him from falling flat on his face. Still, Katara forced herself to sit up straighter so she could meet Mai's eyes.

"In our group, we don't ignore each other's pain. You needed to be healed. Zuko and I wanted to help you. It's as simple as that."

Mai shifted her gaze to Zuko. He nodded to her in a silent acknowledgement.

"I can't figure you people out," Mai admitted. "Zuko I can maybe understand—he's always had a saving people thing—but you barely know me." Her brow furrowed. "Why go to so much trouble? Why wear yourself out this much just on the off-chance that you might heal me? You know I never asked you to, and it's not like I agreed to become part of your group."

Katara laughed and slumped more against Zuko. "Sokka was right. She really is like you."

Zuko nudged her with his shoulder. "Shut up."

Mai raised her eyebrow. "Somehow, I get the feeling that being told I'm like Zuko isn't a compliment."

"It's not that," Aang said. "Zuko just wasn't very good at accepting our help in the beginning. Or our friendship," he added, scratching his chin. "In fact, he still pushes us away a lot of the time."

Zuko rolled his eyes. "Whatever. The point is we're all here now and we're working together."

"Was that your way of admitting you're our friend?" Katara teased, poking him in the ribs.

His cheeks pooled with warmth. "I—you—it's not like I—" He made a frustrated sound and shrugged her off him. "I'm going back inside!"

Mai's eyebrow rose even higher. "You really think I'm like that?"

Zuko stared at her in betrayal. "Not you too, Mai!"

Of course, this just set Aang and Katara off into a fit of giggles. His blush darkened and he folded his arms across his chest. Somehow, he always ended up being the butt of people's jokes. Still, Mai was actually smiling now, and he could sense that there was nothing malicious about Aang and Katara's laughter. Not like how it had been when he had been forced to play with Azula as a child.

"Don't worry, Zuko," Katara said, pulling him into a hug. "We still like you even if you are a grump sometimes."

"Gee, thanks," he muttered.

Aang joined her on his other side so that Zuko found himself squished between them. "Yeah. I don't care what Toph says about you. I think you're really cool."

Zuko heaved a sigh and met Mai's amused gaze. "You just wait," he told her. "This will be you soon."

Mai actually looked a bit horrified at the thought. Before she could respond, the sound of the front door opening distracted everyone's attention. Loud voices and footsteps could be heard from inside the house. Momo swooped through the window to land on Aang's head. It seemed that Toph, Iroh and Sokka had returned from their shopping trip.

Zuko winced. "Uncle probably isn't going to be happy with me."

Katara unlinked her arms from around him. "Nothing bad happened, right?"

He shook his head. "Following your lead helped a lot. I'm just—"

Iroh stepped onto the porch and paused upon seeing Zuko seated with Aang still sprawled on him. This sight seemed to alarm Iroh enough to question whether he was feeling well. It wasn't every day Zuko let the Avatar hug him.

"I'm fine, Uncle," Zuko said, somehow managing to dredge up the energy to push Aang off. "I'm just exhausted after helping Katara heal Mai."

There was no point lying about what had happened. Iroh was bound to find out, and Zuko didn't like the thought of hiding such a thing from his uncle. Not after their conversation in the prison cell.

"I'm sorry," Zuko was quick to add. "I know you didn't want me to heal again, but I didn't do anything dangerous this time. Katara actually helped me stay in control and—"

"Nephew, you and Katara both look as if you're about to keel over."

Zuko swallowed.

"For the record," Mai said with all her usual indifference, "I never asked these idiots to heal me. They did that all on their own." A slight pause. "But I guess I do owe them."

Iroh smiled and bowed his head to her. "Of course. It is nice to see you looking so well, Mai. I was most distressed when I learnt what my niece had done to you."

Zuko blinked. "Wait, you're not angry?"

Iroh sighed. "I would bet three silver pieces that my beard has turned greyer, but no. I'm not angry. If you say you took the necessary precautions, then I will trust your word."

Some of the tension relaxed in Zuko's shoulders.

"Be that as it may," Iroh continued, "it's obvious the healing session wasn't a simple matter for either of you. Both of you look far too pale. Can you even stand?"

Zuko and Katara exchanged a sheepish glance.

Iroh exhaled in an exaggerated way and helped them to their feet, though his eyes twinkled a little when he met their gazes. That was reassuring.

"I guess our firebending lesson is over," Aang remarked, rubbing the base of his neck.

"Firebending lesson?" Iroh stared at Zuko as if seeing him for the first time. "My, my, you have been busy."

Zuko blushed and muttered under his breath that it wasn't that big of a deal. Aang had to get over his block with fire somehow.

Iroh made a humming sound. "You could also do with some further training."

"I actually was meaning to talk to you about that," Zuko said, not put off in the slightest that his uncle had drawn attention to his own shortcomings. He would be the first to admit that his bending needed work. "That thing you did with the lightning, if I could do that—"

"Yes, yes," Iroh said, steering both Zuko and Katara towards the house. "We will discuss the matter of firebending lessons later. For now, you two need to rest."

Zuko wanted to protest, but the look his uncle gave him made him shut up. It was that look, the one that was often followed by convoluted proverbs. Zuko was way too tired for that. So he let the issue drop, apologised to Aang for cutting their lesson short, and allowed himself to be dragged off with Katara to the lounge area. Iroh laid several of the large cushions on the floor for them and then left with the promise that he would be back with tea. Sokka came over to check on his sister when he realised something was wrong, but once he was assured that she was okay—or, in her words, just a little worn out—he headed back to join the others.

Katara rolled over on her cushions to face Zuko. Her eyes were already drooping shut. "Thanks for helping with the healing," she murmured. "I wasn't sure if I'd be able to do it on my own."

"I should be the one thanking you."

"Hrm?"

"Aside from the fact I hated seeing Mai like that, this was the first time I felt like I wasn't healing blind or just relying on instinct." He let out a breath. "It made a difference."

Her lips curved into a sleepy smile. "Well, I'm not sure if the same rules will apply for fire healing, but I can try to teach you what I learnt from Yugoda if you think it'll help."

"You'd do that for me?"

She tossed a cushion at his head. "Idiot. You don't need to sound so shocked. Of course I'd help you. You're my friend."

Something warm settled in his chest. He had an odd urge to tell her that he considered her a friend too—considered all of them his friends, even grubby-footed Toph. But the words made him feel shy and awkward. They got stuck in his throat. He rolled onto his back and stared up at the stone ceiling.

"Katara," he said after a moment.

"Yeah?"

"I ..." He sighed, broke off again. "Just thanks, I guess."

Her fingers brushed against his, intertwining to link their hands. He let the contact happen for a few seconds before he pulled back, but it was still a few seconds longer than he would have allowed in the past. Judging by her smile, she had understood. They had all come a long way since those days when he had hunted the Avatar. Zuko might struggle to put his feelings into words, even actions, but he did not regret his decision to give up gaining his father's approval in favour of joining this ragtag group.

He would never regret that decision.

oOo

"What is this slop?" Azula complained.

The "slop" was the dinner she and Ty Lee had been given by the ferry crew. It looked and stunk like something that had been swishing around in a mouldy boot at the bottom of a lake. Azula tossed her plate overboard. She'd rather starve than eat that filth. Even Ty Lee struggled to maintain her smile when confronted with such disgusting gruel.

"Do you think we'll have to eat like this in Ba Sing Se?" she asked, scrunching her nose at the bowl.

"I doubt that."

Azula turned at the sound of the male, and now familiar, voice. Her eyes narrowed when she spotted Jet step out from the shadows. This peasant had been watching her and Ty Lee all day. She'd seen his tall figure lurking in the corners of her vision, a gnat that dared to encroach on her space and make her shoulders tense, forcing her to wonder if he had perhaps overheard more than she had wanted. Forcing her to question if she was just being paranoid. She didn't like it. She didn't like him. No one, not even a boy who just wanted to chat to pretty girls, was this persistent.

In two strides she had him pressed against the railing and a dagger to his throat. "I thought I told you that we didn't need your company," she said coolly.

Smellerbee and Longshot made motions as if to defend their leader, but Jet held up a hand. There was something smug about his expression. Even his mouth had curved into a smile

"I knew it," he said in a self-satisfied way. "When I first looked into your eyes, I knew exactly who you were."

Azula remained outwardly calm, but inside she was a whir of calculations. She needed to silence the peasants. Not with fire. Too bright. The dagger would have to do. A cue to Ty Lee to stop them from crying out before she could slit all three of their throats. Ty Lee was fast. They could do it; they could—

"You're an outcast like me."

The murderous calculations stuttered to a halt. Azula blinked. In fact, she almost laughed. An outcast? Her?

She lowered the dagger from his throat and released his collar. "You have no idea what you're talking about."

"I know what I see in your eyes," Jet said in a low voice. "You are like me. You've had to fight for your place in the world. You've been driven by revenge, by hate—maybe you've even done things you regret. Isn't that why you're really coming to Ba Sing Se?" He leaned forward so that they were at eye level. "You want a new beginning, just like me."

Azula let out a razor-sharp laugh. "Did you stumble out of a bad theatre performance? What is this nonsense?"

Jet didn't smile. "Why try to deny who you are? Even you must know that outcasts like us have to stick together. We have to watch each other's backs, because no one else will."

She swallowed and broke eye contact. He might have jumped to the wrong conclusion about her, but something in his words still niggled. She wasn't an outcast. She'd never had to fight for her place in the world. As a princess and a prodigy, everything had been handed to her on a platter. It was Zuko who had got the short end of the stick. There was nothing she had lacked. People would not dream of shunning her, except—

"You're sick, Azula."

"I don't know what is wrong with that child."

"I wanted to be your friend, but you were too much of a monster!"

Azula's fingers tightened on the dagger. "Are you suggesting that I should trust you to have my back?" She didn't even bother to hide the derision in her voice. "Thanks, but no thanks. Dandan and I are fine on our own."

She turned on her heel, gesturing for Ty Lee to follow. Jet was bold, she'd give him that, but he was also a deluded fool. Azula had no time for such people.

"You're a smart girl."

His voice made her pause.

"What if I showed you right now that working with me would be mutually beneficial for everyone?"

Azula glanced at him over her shoulder. "I'm listening."

"I hear the Captain of this boat is eating like a king while us refugees have to feed off his scraps." He raised his eyebrow in a challenge. "Care to help us liberate some food?"

Her lips quirked into a smile. "Dandan."

Ty Lee stepped forward.

"This is your area of expertise," Azula said, meeting her eyes. "Help Jet and his Freedom Fighters liberate some food for us."

Ty Lee gave her a look as if to ask if Azula was sure about aligning them with these people. Azula nodded a fraction. Ty Lee plastered on her trademark grin and somersaulted so that she was suddenly right next to Jet, nose almost touching his.

"When do we start?" she asked brightly.

He stepped back in surprise, perhaps not having expected her to be so agile, but he recovered an instant later. "Right now, if you're ready."

Ty Lee tossed her bowl overboard. "I'm ready!"

Azula watched the group retreat. Once she was alone, she turned back to the dark waters with a faint smile lingering at her mouth. "Freedom Fighters," she murmured. "Perhaps that peasant can be of use after all."

This chapter was originally titled "Joo Dee". Joo Dee does not feature in this chapter. Now you know my struggle.

Also, if you're wondering what's going on with my timeline (since, in canon, Jet caught his ferry before the drill attacked), basically in UF's timeline the drill attack was pushed forward a few days (which would make sense since Appa never got taken, there was no desert crossing, yadda yadda). Now everything is aligned. At least in terms of the timeline. I'm sure you've guessed already that my version of Ba Sing Se is going to be very, very different from canon.