AN: Sorry this is a few days late, but this is by far the longest chapter in the story so hopefully that balances it out.

Also, I'll be completely honest, I cannot remember if I already gave Tenji's bison a name, and I couldn't find reference to it anywhere, so her name is Moshi now, if she does have a previously mentioned name, let me know, and the two names can battle it out for true name status.

Chapter 17: Oma and Shu

The ocean wind was harsh against Zuko's skin. Everything felt too much. The crashing sound of rushing water, the ever reaching bright sky, the smell of salt and sea all rolled over him endlessly, prickling over every nerve, like a newborn scrubbed raw, unprotected from the elements. He relished in it and was overwhelmed by it all at once, fighting the urge to bury himself in the brig of the ship, under layers of blankets and thick curtains to block out the light.

Zuko hadn't given much thought to after during his time in Li Han's attic. He'd mostly assumed he wouldn't survive his injuries. Even when he seemed to be improving, he waited on the day in which they overcame him and he closed his eyes in perminance. All in all it hadn't seemed like a bad way to go at the time. The haze from his injuries and his medicine left him with little motivation, drifting in and out of consciousness, hardly sentient. Drifting away slowly and without worry seemed like a peaceful way to rest. And he didn't like to entertain the thought of a life after. Someone from the Fire Nation would find him, likely, his father, come to finish the job.

On days he was particularly keen on self reflection he imagined himself living in the house forever, venturing out to help Li Han with the cabbage business, a fourth, mysterious addition to their family, and living out the rest of his life in obscurity and meaninglessness. The thought frightened and depressed him. Then he would think about Li Han and Yuki and how this was their real life, and he felt even worse. Like the pompous spoiled brat he was, and he thought maybe they ought to put him out of his misery anyway.

His fantasies of rescue always stayed glassy, no real shape to them, the way a dream was. Katara would rescue him and everything would be okay again. He never gave a thought to what 'okay' would look like. He hadn't given any thought to the impending war, to the growing military occupation at the South Pole, that would prevent them from seeking refuge in Katara's homeland. Or to Katara's own stubborn indignation. Zuko had asked her, when they boarded her ship, if they were returning to the North. Katara had looked at him with a look of determination and a hint of sorrow. No, they wouldn't return to the North. The North was unwilling to acknowledge the blooming danger, preferring to take the path of carefully planned negotiation and skirting lines of diplomacy. The coward's path, Katara had called them. Zuko wanted to shout at her about that, she was supposed to be there, where it was safe, not preparing for war. But then he thought about that life, Katara and him tucked away in some corner of the Northern Water Tribe, Zuko in a land of perpetual ice, always hidden from the world, and Katara, unable to practice her bending, unable to do anything, and his anger fizzled.

Instead, they would return to the Western Air Temple. It was safe there, Katara had told him. But not too safe. Not so safe that they would turn their eyes to violence. Shield themselves from the coming war. No, the Air Nation was indignated. They had learned this lesson before, and despite their oath to non violence, they would not be caught unaware in another attack, nor would they let their brethren in the Earth Kingdom be seized without warning.

Salty ocean water crashed over the side of the ship as it rocked with the impact of a great big flying bison landing steadily on the deck. Zuko had just started to think the fresh sea air had been nice, he scowled at the cold impact of water.

An Air Nomad slid down the side of the bison, he looked like Aang, but younger, with a wispy brown beard and lighter eyes.

"Tenji!" Katara yelled and ran from her sitting place to embrace the man. Zuko hadn't seen her look happy about anything since their reunion, and personally, he was too concerned that the gigantic beast now perched on their ship would cause it to sink, to be all that happy about anything.

"What are you doing here?" What was he doing here? They were less than a day away from the Western Air Temple, surely the airbender could have waited a day, wasn't patience a virtue of theirs?

"It's not safe to go back to the temple." The airbender- Tenji, said. Katara deflated into a more solemn stance and said something too quiet for Zuko to hear from his perch against the ship's edge.

"Zuko." Katara called to him, in that slow, measured voice that she had determined to use for him, it was too soft, too sweet, pitying: it made him sick. Still, Zuko pushed himself off the ledge and walked to join them, his limp was practically gone now, a small grace.

"Zuko, this is Tenji, he's from the Western Temple." Obviously, Zuko thought, but withheld the bitter comment. Tenji however, grinned at him like an idiot and bowed.

"The Fire Prince! We were all so glad to hear you survived." He then captured Zuko in a sudden, undesired hug. Why were Air Nomads always so friendly? Zuko tried not to scowl.

"Nice to meet you." Zuko managed to mutter.

"Where's Iroh? We need to change course." Katara asked.

The three of them found Iroh in 'the study' which was definitely a reconstituted war room. In fact, it was still a war room. Katara, however, seemed to be squeamish to the idea of acknowledging it for what it was and what it was they were using it for, so, the study.

"We've spotted at least three Fire Nation Naval ships less than a mile off the coast of the island in the last day. They haven't made contact yet but they're definitely snooping." Tenji told them.

"They're looking for my ship. They know I'm not in the North anymore." Katara concluded.

"That's what I thought." Tenji said.

"Do you think they'll make contact?"

"I'm not sure. So far they've just been lurking, I think if they were going to they would have by now."

"So maybe they're waiting for us to come back." Zuko interjected.

"We can't go back then. It's not safe, for us, or you." Katara decided, and Zuko was inclined to agree. Everything in the Western Sea felt unsafe, the ocean between the Earth Kingdom and his homeland was narrow, and busy. Zuko didn't think he'd feel safe until they were in the middle of the Si Wong desert, far away from anyone who might be looking for them.

"That's partially why I came, I can fly you back without being detected by their ships." Tenji said.

"No." Katara paused. "It's too risky, I won't put your people in any more danger than I already have."

"Master Katara is right." Iroh nodded slowly. "It is no longer safe for us to return to the Western Temple. Both for our protection and the protection of your people." Iroh stroked his beard and breathed slowly, in contemplation.

"I just wish we had a way of knowing what they were planning." Katara said, a frustration to her tone.

Iroh leaned back. "I know my brother and father well, but even so I cannot predict their every move." They needed information. It was too dangerous to re-enter Fire Nation territory, and without a permanent location they wouldn't be able to receive correspondence from anyone. Not to mention, letters could be tracked, they would give away themselves and whoever was hiding them.

And Zuko really didn't want to go anywhere near anyone from the Fire Nation, but there was going to be a war, and his uncle was right, they needed information. Perhaps it was Zuko's desire to stay in the Earth Kingdom, or a misguided hope, but he said "I think I know somewhere we can go for information."

Zuko was a fool, according to Katara. Omashu would offer them nothing but Fire Nation soldiers, ready to capture or kill Zuko on sight. And Zuko was a fool for thinking anyone there would offer anything more. She didn't say as much, but she did say:

"We might as well hand ourselves over to the Fire Nation"

And, "What makes you think we'll be able to trust them."

And finally, "I'm not going to walk into enemy territory on the insane hope that your girlfriend is willing to commit treason for you."

That one stung the most. And Zuko wasn't sure if she was speaking out of hurt, or if she truly thought that he was an idiot. Probably both. He didn't know when she had become such a skeptic, but if she was, she must be right. He didn't know if he could trust anyone in Omashu, even Mai. Perhaps especially Mai.

Miraculously, Iroh agreed with Zuko. "There may be people there who hold loyalty to me." Iroh, after all, wasn't under any official excommunication, and he was still the Crown Prince.

So they set a course for Omashu.

Zuko expected Tenji to leave after that. His message delivered, they had heeded his warning and corrected course away from the danger (and toward another one entirely) his job was complete.

Tenji did not leave. With Iroh's blessing, Tenji and Katara jumped straight into strategizing their quest to Omashu. Tenji seemed to think his giant beast would be the best way to travel from the coast to Omashu. Zuko thought that sounded horrifying and horribly conspicuous. No one seemed much inclined to pay attention to Zuko's thoughts.

Tenji's presence was obtrusive. He seemed to know all of Katara's crew and was intent on bringing each and every one of them to barreling laughter. Zuko's Uncle seemed especially keen on Tenji, encouraging him with his own barbs and invitations to make a music circle when the sun got low and the crew was settled from a long day's work.

"Know any instruments, Zuke?" Tenji asked, the nickname falling off his tongue easily. It had taken him less than an hour before he began to adorn Zuko with the diminutive, and Zuko resisted the urge to blast him when he did. Zuko wondered if Katara had been calling him that behind his back. The prospect was so absurd that he quickly squashed it into the back of his mind where all his other stupid thoughts lived.

"Pass." Zuko answered, standing up from the crate he'd sat on. "I'm going to bed." He decided suddenly.

Standing up, while Tenji shrugged and began plucking away at his Veena and singing in an off pitch bellow.

" two lovers forbidden from one another

a war divides their peeeople "

The sound faded as Zuko made his way below deck. It wasn't that Zuko disliked Tenji. By all accounts Tenji had been perfectly pleasant, and filled with the kind of easy charisma that came with being a simply kind person and Zuko hated it. He found it exhausting, and Zuko was already so tired as it was.

Below deck, Zuko scuffled into the small room he called a bedroom, he pulled off his shirt and sank down onto the bed. It was too soft, like his bed at the palace. Had he liked that once?

A knot formed at the center of his chest, restless and angry, like he wanted to set something on fire. Zuko opened his palm and created a small flame. It flickered and crackled above his hand, the heat of it licking his face. He closed his left eye and checked for its shape with his bad eye. A fuzzy, dancing shape filtered through his blurred vision. He squinted at the flame, concentrating, as if that would somehow heal his sight. Zuko opened his other eye and snuffed the flame out, before repeating the motion, a new flame. He watched the smoke trail from it as it took a different shape from the first flame. Snuffed it. Tried again. Each new flame was a little different than the last, he tried to match his breathing to the rhythm of the flame igniting and dousing.

There was a hollow knock at the door and Zuko snuffed his fire for good. The door hinge squeaked with a loudness distinctive to one trying to open a door gently.

"Hey." Katara stepped half inside the room. "Are you okay?" She asked, looking at him creased brows, as seemed to be her default recently."Fine." Zuko rasped in return and Katara stepped deeper into the room. There was a tension between them, an awkwardness perhaps. Since his 'rescue' Katara had treated him with a gentleness that made him squirm. She had a hesitancy to her that was unfamiliar, like she suddenly cared if the things she did or said hurt him. She'd never cared about that before. The desperation from their reunion seemed to fizzle from her as soon as they left Yu Dao. She was careful around him, wouldn't touch him unless it was to heal him, wouldn't meet his gaze when he searched for it, like she didn't want to look at him. Not that it was any better when she did. Her eyes would go nearly wide and her brow would crease with worry, and Zuko could practically hear her pity.

"Okay." Her voice was shallow. And then "Are you sure?" Zuko exhaled furiously, wishing she would take his word for it.

"Yes."

"If something's wrong-." She started, and the thing that had been ticking in him, winding round and round, squeezing his heart all day, finally unwound.

"Golly, what could be wrong." He snapped at her. "Maybe it's that my father tried to kill me and burned half my face off. And were sailing to an enemy occupied state to stop a war. And everything hurts, all the time. And that stupid airbender is so annoying."

"Zuko!" Katara exclaimed. "That's rude." She condemned, but then sat herself on the edge of her bed, her eyes returning to that soft, motherly look. "You should have told me you were in pain." She turned to the water satchel on her hip, flipping the top open.

"Don't."

"I can help."

Zuko huffed. "You can't, it's not- my injuries." And it wasn't, really. Katara's healing sessions had been helping the lingering tenderness from his now healed scars. But it didn't stop the tightness around the edges of the scar tissue, pulling when even blinked. Or the stiffness of the thick, numb flesh that descended down his arm, the smooth, glassy feeling of it whenever he touched it. Katara couldn't heal the weakness in his legs, from months of inactivity. Or stop the angry, bitter taste that filled his mouth any time he caught his reflection, or saw someone else seeing him. For that there was no cure.

Katara's water flowed back into her satchel. "Alright." She said, gently still, always gently, Zuko wanted to scream.

"Zuko, I-" Katara started, but then stopped again. Whatever she had intended to say was replaced with a falsehood "I'll make some tea." She stood abruptly and turned away from him.

It was like she wasn't real. Every time she looked at him, or spoke to him, it felt like it was coming from someone else. A servant, or a nurse, or his mother. Her eyes were saturated with pity, though she tried to hide it. Zuko could see it, she just wanted to make him better. But he wasn't going to get any better. This was just how he was now. Zuko wondered if maybe he was the one who wasn't real. Maybe he'd never really left that attic, perhaps he'd never survived at all.

Katara returned with a cup of hot tea and Zuko pretended to be gracious for her sake. Sat up and drank it, treated it like it would solve all his problems. And when Katara swiped her hand along his cheek, like he was a person deserving of tenderness, he smiled weakly. Too tired to fight.

Omashu stood out like a mirage in the desert. From the perch of Tenji's bison every detail of the city could be seen. Grand sweeping stone trailed the length of the mountain, looking like it was carved by giant spirits, rather than the feats of man. It reminded Katara idly of home, houses carved right out of the landscape.

There was only one way into the city: a single road, entrenched by a canyon, winding it's way to the base of the mountain. Luckily, they were able to circumvent the road all together. It was a risk, taking Moshi, Tenji's bison. It was a conspicuous way to travel. But airnomads were travelers, and Omashu was a vast metropolitan, where that kind of thing would hopefully be commonplace, expected.

They procured an inn near the edge of the city walls, one with a stable room large enough to accommodate Moshi.

Katara had convinced Zuko to stay out of sight. Though he needed little convincing, they snuck him into the inn room after settling with the innkeeper, and he would stay there until they were ready to leave Omashu. She thought he might have put up a bigger fight. Neither of them had spoken of Mai directly in the days leading up to Omashu, but Katara could see the anxiety and tension building in Zuko. Not all of it could be passed off as worry over the danger of their plan.

Zuko had, however, put up a fight when Katara told him she would be accompanying Iroh to the palace and the ambassador's house. Katara wasn't Fire Nation, she didn't know the ranking generals like Iroh, she wouldn't be respected as he was either. Katara didn't say it but, she didn't quite trust Iroh as much anymore. He might not betray them, but he might keep things from them. Overlook something that Katara wouldn't. So they fought over it, and Katara won, Katara would be helpful convincing their allies just as she was convincing Iroh of her usefulness.

It all proved for naught.

They went first to the Palace to meet with the King. The Palace had been carved directly into the mountain of the city and required climbing what must have been thousands of steps, Katara's legs burned by the time they reached the top. There was an open doorway into the palace, without even a guard to greet them. Katara worried about the safety of the King.

"Omashu is one of the safest cities in the world. The people here love Bumi, no harm would ever come to him." Iroh had told her, but it wasn't the people of Omashu she was worried about.

The palace opened up into a grand, open room, tinted emerald by large glowing green torch lights. The room also was empty, and Katara briefly wondered if the palace had been abandoned. But then, from up above on a balcony, came a loud voice.

"Is that little Roro?" Katara looked up at the source of the voice, an old man adorned in fine green silks leaned over the edge of the balcony, before promptly jumping from it. Katara shouted, but the ground of the palace shifted, catching the man and creating a large ramp that slid him gently to the floor.

The floor fell back to place as the man stepped forward toward Iroh, feet shuffling in small steps. He had a hunched back and moved slowly, as would be expected of an aging man of his lifespan, but not as would be expected of someone who had just jumped from the balcony.

"King Bumi, it is a pleasure to see you again." Iroh bowed.

"My, you've gotten old haven't you?" Bumi said, a displeased squint on his face.

"If I've gotten old it's only because you did it first." Bumi's glare remained for a moment before breaking into a thunderous cackle.

His laughter settled and he looked upon Katara skeptically. "Who's this?"

"Katara, of the Southern Water Tribe. It's an honor to meet you." Katara bowed deeply.

"Southern Water Tribe? Hmm." Bumi glared at her. "Well I guess you're okay." He decided, shrugging.

"Bumi, I don't mean to alarm you, but we traveled here on urgent business, perhaps there is somewhere we can speak privately." Iroh said. Bumi seemed to consider this, and nodded, turning to lead them out of the foyer.

King Bumi was famously known for his wisdom as a ruler, having lead Omashu for nearly eighty years. His reign being a time of innovation and prosperity and peace in Omashu. Leaders all over the world looked to him, and the government in Omashu to model their own infrastructure and laws after. Unfortunately, what was left out of those songs of praise, was that King Bumi was absolutely, positively, insane.

He put Aang's wackiness and odd oldmanisms to shame. Iroh had detailed the intentions of their journey to Bumi, who responded in total dismissal. He seemed completely unconcerned with the impending war, and when Iroh asked him about the Fire Nation ambassador he huffed and said "Those stuffy old farts? They're nothing to worry about." He spoke in riddles and told Iroh not to worry, as he had everything under control. Though he couldn't detail what that meant exactly. All in all, he was no help.

Their meeting with Ukano, the Ambassador to the Fire Nation, was equally useless. Bumi had found a way to discreetly summon him to the Palace, without alerting the others at the embassy. What ensued was a tense sparing of words. Iroh and Ukano danced around their meanings and their interests. Katara wondered if he truly was the right person to meet with. After all, he was a highly ranking officer, and a friend of Ozai's. But Iroh had assured her before the meeting. Ukano had been slighted by Ozai when he broke Zuko and Mai's engagement, and would be in no mood to do him any favors. Though he might seem like a friend of Ozai's, it was a friendship of status, Ukano's loyalty was to the crown first, and on that front, Iroh outranked Ozai.

Half an hour through the meeting, which had been disguised as an afternoon tea, Ukano suggested he and Iroh spoke privately, quietly and ceremoniously shooing Katara from the meeting.

Katara left the tea room, huffing when the door closed behind them. This had been a terrible plan. She seethed at herself for letting Zuko talk her into coming to Omashu. They were putting themselves at risk, and for what? To find out information on the Fire Nation that might not even exist. Even if they found something out, what would they do with it? According to Tenji, people all around the southern peninsula were preparing to fight the impending Fire Nation attack, but that would stop the attack from coming. There would be a war, and people would die, it didn't seem like knowing the Fire Nation's next move would do much to change that.

Katara leaned against the wall outside of the tea room trying to come up with a better plan. They should have stayed in the capitol, Katara thought. They could have tried to speak to the Fire Lord. Azulon was intimidating and calculating, but he wasn't heartless. Aang had been his friend. They should have stayed and tried to expose Ozai for his crime, instead of running. Yue always used to talk about making things better from the inside, wielding the power of diplomacy and playing the game of politics. Katara always saw that as a way to say 'be quiet, and do what you should, don't fight' and resented it now. But she saw meaning to it now. Zuko had fought, and Katara had run, and now they were both desperately trying to do the impossible while leaving Ozai alone in Capitol City, where he was safe, and free to fill the Fire Lord's head with his hatred and vitriol.

A flying object whizzed past Katara, drawing her from her thoughts, and hit the wall inches from her face. Katara jumped, and examined the small, jeweled knife that was now implanted in the wall, tied to it was a small scroll. Katara whipped around, looking for the source of the blade, but no one was near. She called out and turned around the corner to look down the corridor, but whoever had thrown the knife had disappeared as quickly as they had come.

Katara returned to the knife and unwound the scroll:

We should talk, meet me in the courtyard at sundown.

The message was not sighted, but Katara didn't need to guess who had sent it. She'd heard enough stories from Zuko and Azula both to know the calling card.

Katara didn't mention the note to Iroh until they had left the palace and returned to the safety of their Inn. Iroh had confirmed what Katara could have guessed, that Ukano hadn't been quick to share anything, if he knew anything at all.

"What do you think she wants?" Katara asked, after showing Zuko the note, who identified its sender on sight.

"I don't know." Zuko seemed entranced by the small parchment. "But, Mai's always been good at knowing things she shouldn't, she might help us."

"Do you think she will?"

"I don't know." Zuko said, breathy and quiet.

"You could come with, it will be night, there's a low chance anyone will recognize you." Zuko's face a progression of grimaced expressions at the suggestions.

"No. No one can know I'm alive. Like you said, it's not safe." Katara wondered if Mai was still grieving over Zuko; she wanted to tell Zuko that Mai deserved to know. But Zuko was right, there were bigger things at play.

When the sun started to set, Katara left the inn quietly, she'd changed into browns and greens, hoping to blend in as much with the locals as she could. Despite the setting sun, it was a warm summer's day, people were still out and about, and she didn't need anyone recognizing her. By the time she made it back up to the palace, her legs burning from a second run at the long steps, the sun had completely left the sky. She found the adjoining garden that connected the main palace to the embassy, and found a stone bench to sit on.

Sitting unsettled her, so she stood again. Her pacing drowned out the sound of oncoming footprints, until their owner was in front of her.

Mai was taller than Katara expected, but lithe like a bird, with porcelain skin nearly laminating in the moonlight and perfectly pinned hair. She glared at Katara appraisingly, face set in stone. Zuko seldom spoke about Mai, but when he did his voice always went a little dreamy, he spoke of her like she was a marvel, a goddess of beauty and retribution. Katara had imagined her as a spitfire, full of passion and light and power. Mai was not that.

Katara felt fidgety under her gaze, but an overwhelming urge to stand still as stone and press back her shoulders like a proper young lady. Katara broke her nervous hands apart and shoved them flat at her sides. "So, you're the Water Girl." Mai said, voice husky and a little disappointed, like Katara was exactly what Mai had expected.

"I - Katara." It wasn't so much an introduction, as it was a confirmation. Mai raised her eyebrows slightly as if to say, yes, I know.

"Aren't you supposed to be in the North Pole?" Mai asked, like the question made her tired.

"We needed your help." Katara said instead.

"We?"

"Prince Iroh and I, we came because-" Katara trailed off, starting to feel incredibly foolish. She silently cursed Zuko, this was a bad idea, and Mai was looking at her like she hadn't decided if she'd let Katara leave alive.

"I can't help you." Mai said instead. "You should leave. Both of you, it's not safe for either of you here."

"How do you know that?" Katara hoped it was the right question.

Mai sighed, "People talk."

"That's why we need your help. There's-" Katara took a breath, there was no point in stalling. "The Fire Nation is gearing up for a war, we need to know what it's plans are."

"You want me to be a spy?" There was an amused ring to Mai's voice, the first change in inflection she'd made. "Why on earth would I help you?"

"Zuko." It wasn't a reason or an answer, but it was their only thread of commonality, and the only word Katara could think to say.

"Zuko was a traitor so maybe I will be too?" Mai asked.

"No." Katara said, a bit too loudly.

"I'm sorry you came all this way, but my loyalty is to my country. And whatever war is coming, I don't want to be involved."

"So you believe it then? That Zuko was a traitor?" Katara changed course. Mai had known Zuko, loved him even, if anyone would see through the narrative that Ozai spread it should have been her.

"Believe what? That Zuko, who I once saw cry over a squashed spider, killed the Avatar and himself?"

"So you don't believe it?"

"I don't know what I believe." Mai said quickly, defensively. Then, with almost a whimsical tone she added. "You know, I thought maybe you did it."

"Me?"

"You're the reason the Avatar was there, weren't you. I thought maybe you'd planned the whole thing." Mai said, leaning back in her chair. "Clearly I was wrong." And Katara should have been glad, Mai was wrong, Katara would never have hurt either of them, but the patronizing tone Mai took made her want to protest.

"Ozai, he-"

"I don't want to know." Mai cut her off quickly. "It doesn't matter now. Whatever happened to Zuko, he's dead now, and so is any attachment I once had to him. He may be stupid enough to get tangled up in his father's plans but I value my life more than that. If someone did kill him, they're dangerous, and I don't want to be involved." Mai said firmly. Katara seethed, how could anyone care about Zuko and not care that he'd been murdered, or attempted to be murdered. Maybe, Zuko had been wrong, maybe the thing he thought they shared was never really as real as Zuko had thought. The thought made Katara a little ill. And angry enough that she didn't think about her next words.

"Zuko's not dead." The words fell out of her bitterly, with them, all her cards.

Mai's face twisted. "What?" She hissed.

"Ozai tried to- but he failed, Zuko's alive."

"You're lying." Mai's voice pitched high, the calm and coolness of her burning away.

"I'm not." Katara realized later that perhaps she could have had more tact in this moment. Remembering the way her body and mind had collapsed around the news of Zuko's survival, how she'd screamed and fallen to pieces, perhaps Katara could have been more gentle when delivering the news to Mai.

But Mai didn't scream or cry, instead her eyebrows knitted together and she breathed heavily before gritting out. "Is he here?" She said harshly. "He is isn't he?"

"He hasn't left our inn, he's h-"

"You need to leave. Now." Mai commanded. "It's not safe here. If anyone finds out he-"

"They won't. Not unless you're going to tell anyone."

"I wouldn't." Mai snapped. "But he can't be here, you all need to leave as soon as possible."

"We can't, we need to find out what Ozai is planning next, there's going to be a war."

"I don't care about some war, you need to run, all of you, get as far away from this place as you can." Katara felt a hint of relief at the tremor in Mai's voice, she did care afterall, it didn't feel like a victory.

"And go where? Nowhere is safe for us, not with Ozai commanding the Fire Nation's army." Mai didn't answer for a long moment, schooling her features and returning to her composed state.

"Okay." Mai finally said. "I'll help. But I want to see him first. If Zuko really is alive I have to see for myself."

Katara's instinct was to protest. It wasn't safe, letting Mai know Zuko was alive had already been too much. But, Katara thought back to the hot rage she had felt when Iroh kept the truth from her, the desperation she felt, the panic that didn't leave her until her eyes had finally set on him in confirmation. If it were Katara, she'd want proof too.

"Okay, come with me."

Katara led Mai back to the inn. They didn't speak. Katara took the long way, twisting randomly at intersections, just in case she was followed. She didn't think they would be, but Mai's warning had permeated in her. They rounded the street of the inn twice before entering.

Iroh's snoring filled the otherwise silent room. Tenji sat on the floor, with a tattered scroll on his lap, eyebrows knit together in concentration, while Zuko was leaned back in his cot, inspecting a twig that he'd caught on fire, the flame was slow moving, as though it wasn't moving of its own volition. Zuko always seemed to be bending something these days, like he was worried if he didn't he'd forget how.

At the sound of the door, Zuko jumped to his feet, the flame flickering out as he did. Katara knew he'd been anxious for Katara to go alone, she hoped this made up for it. But when Mai stepped into the small room from behind her, Zuko's eyes widened, in something that looked like fear.

Mai hadn't cried when she heard of Zuko's passing. She'd already spent the tears she had for him. The first nights of her new life in Omashu had been filled with unwanted crying and screaming into her pillow. Every new letter he sent her filled with empty promises and futile begging as if she was the one who left him. As if she was the cruel one. As if she had any choice in the matter. Zuko had always been emotional and disdainful of rules and she was always forced to make up the difference, to hold true to tradition and responsibility even when he wouldn't. And here he was, a thousand miles away, still forcing her to hold the responsibility. To say 'no' when he asked for her, when he filled her head with pretty fantasies about running away to the countryside and leaving it all behind, she had to be the strong one. The one to resist succumbing to desire, because if not for her they would destroy themselves.

Mai hated him for it. Resented every letter. The resentment festered and tightened into a heavy ball that sat in the pit of her heart until she couldn't stand to even think about him anymore, or talk about him. She'd rather pretend he didn't exist, lest the rage she'd swallowed down came back up.

So when Ukano mentioned casually over breakfast, as though discussing the weather: "Prince Zuko was found dead this morning." Mai didn't react. Didn't let herself think about it. He was already lost to her, what point was there dwelling on it. And if she woke up in the early morning panting from nightmares, tearstained face and shaking, she didn't think about it, simply dressed for the day and put the dreams behind her.

But Zuko wasn't dead. He stared at her with desperate, wide eyes. If it weren't for that wrecked, pleading look in his eyes she was so familiar with she might not have recognized him. His hair was shorn short, unevenly cut and unkempt, nothing like the long inky silk locks she had known. And an angry, red, fresh scar warped the right side of his face, distorting his once bright amber eye, and disappearing under the cuff of his olive peasant top. A strangled sound hit her ears, and it took Mai a moment to realize it had come from her.

"Mai!" Zuko exclaimed, alarmed, as if she frightened him. "What are you-" he shifted his gaze to Katara. "What is she?" He didn't seem able to form a full thought, but Mai and Katara both were able to glean the meaning.

"She wanted proof you were alive." Katara said, overwhelmingly gentle, unsettlingly so.

"You can't just." Zuko shouted, then glanced back at Mai. "You shouldn't be here." Something cracked, the place where Mai had kept all her anger and sadness began leaking into her bloodstream.

"Really? That's all you have to say to me?" She exhaled. "No, 'Hello Mai.' No, 'sorry you thought I was dead for months, that must have been terrible.' It was, by the way." She said bitterly.

Zuko stumbled around his words. "I- I couldn't. I-." Then he turned back to Katara "I can't believe you brought her here." He spat, and the previous gentleness seemed to evaporate from Katara.

"What was I supposed to do? This was your idea, Zuko." Katara's voice was hushed but harsh.

"I didn't want you to bring her here." That, Mai felt.

"Stop talking about me like I'm not here." Mai commanded, interrupting their banter.

"Sorry." Zuko mumbled quickly. "I didn't want you to see me like this." He averted his eyes, looking at the floor and he looked like a much younger version of himself.

"See you like? Zuko, I thought you were dead." She took a step closer to him. "Some girl shows up saying you're alive and I'm just supposed to believe you. There was a funeral. Azula saw your body."

"Azula?"

"Honestly, how did you think coming here was a good idea?"

"Wait," Katara interjected. "Azula's here?"

"She's been here for weeks."

Zuko racked his hands through his cropped hair. "That's not good." He said and swore. Mai finally shifted her eyes to the fourth person in the room, an airbender, who was coming up behind Zuko and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Maybe we should all sit down." Zuko glared at the hand, but then sat back on his cot, Katara simply leaned against the wall and Mai refused to move an inch.

"Do you think she knows?" Katara asked.

"That I'm alive? I have no idea. I don't know what happened."

"Maybe we should find her, she might-"

"Absolutely not!" Zuko shouted, interrupting Katara. Mai unfortunately agreed, Azula was an unknown.

"She's your sister, she could help." Mai had never asked Azula about Katara directly, or anyone for that matter, but that didn't stop Azula from sending her information in kind. Information that Katara was gullible and short sighted. Optimistic had been the kind word for it. Mai thought perhaps Azula was just trying to comfort Mai with callous insults, she should have known Azula had no instinct for comfort.

"She's a psychopath, is what she is." Zuko returned. "She'll tell my father, or try to finish the job herself."

"She wouldn't, she's your sister."

"My own father tried to kill me, Katara." His voice rang out. "And Azula is just like him." Mai let the argument play out. Azula may not have been as empty hearted as Ozai, but Zuko was right, she was dangerous, she couldn't be trusted with his safety.

"I-okay, you're right, the less people who know you're alive the safer you are."

"The longer you stay here, the more at risk you are for discovery, you should leave as soon as possible." Mai said.

"We still don't know what the Fire Nation is planning." Katara said.

"I'll do what I can. Meet me tomorrow at the city edge at high noon. And then leave, before anyone else finds out you're here." She said, looking at Zuko.

"Okay." Zuko said.

"Thank you." Katara added. "For helping."

"I said I would, didn't I? I have to go now, before anyone notices my absence." Mai couldn't stand to be in that room another moment, she didn't give anyone the opportunity to protest, disappearing from the inn and onto the city street before she could be followed.

Mai drifted into invisibility often. In fact she was revered for it. Her undetectablity earned her parents great respect for raising such and unnoticeable, silent daughter. And there were certain perks afforded to the unnoticed. She became privy to information others wouldn't dare share if they thought they were in the company of an observing third party. Of course, much of the time she paid these conversations no mind. The discussions and dramas of Fire Nation nobility were so boring. Mai couldn't be bothered.

There were however, some who knew better than to ignore uncontrollable players. Too smart to underestimate the china dolls around her. The morning after Mai's late night rendezvous, Azula sauntered into her room lazily, with an eye of curiosity. Mai hadn't been followed, she'd been sure of it. Still, if anyone were to successfully track her whereabouts, it was Azula.

"Trouble sleeping Mai." Azula said, aqusatorily, there was no hint of a question.

"Not really." Mai shrugged. She hadn't slept well, even once she'd returned home, the events of her night replaying in her mind over and over, along with the months prior as she tried to slot together the truth with the narrative that had been spun.

"Really? I thought I heard your door creek open last night. Perhaps it was a dream." Azula mused unfaithfully. This was a slight inconvenience, she'd hoped Azula's barbing was aimed at Mai's sleep deprived appearance. Azula did love those subtle insults.

"I was hungry, went to the kitchens."

"Well now I'm hurt." Azula said, but the malice was feigned. "You should have brought me with you, dinner last night was absolutely putrid." Azula draped herself over Mai's daybed.

"I didn't want to wake you. Next time I will."

"No no, you're right. We both know how much I hate it when someone interrupts my beauty sleep. Restless sleep will give you wrinkles." There it was. "You really should get rid of that chef though. I thought he was going to poison me."

"He's supposed to be the best chef in Omashu, apparently their best isn't much." Mai responded. Maybe if she set Azula's attention to ridding the embassy of the wretched chef she would create enough of a distraction to start cataloging information. It was a win-win: their cook really was awful.

"They do know that just because we're in the Earth Kingdom the food doesn't need to taste like actual dirt."

"Apparently not."

"Typical, they're totally uncivilized. I don't know how they manage to function at all."

"Beats me. You should see the King, he's a complete quack."

"It's totally irresponsible, letting someone like that in charge.

"No heirs either, makes you wonder who will take over once he's finally kicked it." Mai was fishing, not well either. Azula didn't know anything, probably. But she was smart enough to see what everyone else could, that the Fire Nation was preparing to take control of Omashu as soon as the king passed.

"That's why your family is here, to prevent political collapse."

"Of course, the people here will need our help when Bumi passes, but the problems here run deeper than that. The entire country is a disaster, just think about it, Omashu is an independently governed state within the Earth Kingdom, there's absolutely no unity." Mai echoed back the words she had heard her father and even Azula say. It was true, the Earth Kingdom was in shambles, for a land defined by its stability, the political unrest and lack of cohesion ran deep through its roots. There was no communication, no cooperation, land skirmishes had only become more frequent with the implementation of easier and faster forms of travel. But Mai couldn't see why that was the Fire Nation's problem. The Earth Kingdom should be allowed to fail and succeed on their own.

"I know, it's horrendous. The entire government in Ba Sing Se is incompetent. The Earth Kingdom needs a strong, ruling structure." Mai wondered how much Azula knew. She wondered what would happen if she asked. Azula certainly held herself like she was privy to all the Fire Lord's information. But Mai could see the streak of frustration in her, the resentment that she'd been sent to Omashu, not to lead a political move, but to be out of the way, it had been eating away at Azula, even if she seldom displayed it, Mai could see.

Mai waited until Azula's interest shifted, and she lamented that she wanted to visit the hot springs, before she shriveled up from the dry air and dust. Mai made up an excuse about needing to practice her Erhu, knowing Azula would rather do anything than spend time with someone using a musical instrument.

After Azula left, Mai shuffled from her room, sneaking down to her father's study. Ukano would be at lunch, and the room was unguarded. She tore through the room, looking for any important scrolls or messages, maps or personal notes. She didn't waste time reading them, throwing them all into a large knit sack. Her father would likely notice them missing, but Mai wouldn't be a suspect, she held a moment of silence for whatever poor servant or assistant was blamed.

Mai wasted no time slipping outside and she descended the steps quickly until she was two stories below the palace and her home. Once thoroughly embedded in the bustle of the city, she relaxed slightly. She could be there and back before anyone noticed her missing.

True to their promise, Zuko and his entourage waited by the gates right outside the city, on top a great, flying monster. Azula had seen flying bison before, from a distance. Flying above cities and into the mountains, but they were much smaller from that perspective. This one was large and covered in thick coarse fur that matted and stunk ever slightly of farm animals.

Zuko wore a tan hooded cloak that frankly, made him look even more suspicious than he would have without it. He slid off the bison at the sight of her and rushed to her. Only seeming to remember himself when he got within reaching difference and halted stiffly.

"Did you find anything?" Mai nodded, and shoved the sack into his hand.

"Here, I don't know how helpful this will be."

"Thank you. Really, I don't know what we-"

"Don't mention it." She interrupted him. He looked down at his feet, like he had more to say, but she'd cut him short. Signaling that she wouldn't stand for whatever heartfelt declaration he had for her.

"I-I have to go." Zuko said, glancing back at the bison.

"Yes." Mai said. She had so far, had to say goodbye to Zuko twice in her life. Each time more final than the last. The first time, she was filled with hot rage that burned bright until it was all burned up and all she had left was an aching pit of longing. The second time, she had shut down completely, treating it like it hadn't happened. Refusing to think about it had been the only thing she was capable of.

Now, she was saying goodbye a third time. She couldn't help but feel this time was the most final of all. More final than death. He would go off to save the world, or die trying, and whatever love he had for her would fade, replaced by more important things.

She let out a shaking breath, and stiffened her shoulder, ready to make the trip back up the mountain, leaving him for good.

"Well isn't this interesting?" A cold, vitriolic voice shattered through Mai, halting whatever other thoughts she had been having. Zuko's face warped in a twist of panic, as Azula crossed the gate. Mai swore, loud and undignified.

"Was that really necessary Mai, I thought you were a proper lady." Her voice was light, whimsical even, Mai found it the most frightening of all her tones.

"Azula." Zuko's voice broke.

"What happened to you? You look absolutely terrible Zuzu." She nearly laughed. "Though considering you're supposed to be dead, not bad."

Katara tumbled down the back of the bison, rushing to Zuko's side.

"Oh good, the whole family's here." Azula said, when Iroh came up behind them.

"Azula you can't tell anyone you saw us." Katara tried.

"Oh it's too late for that I'm afraid. I told the guards to follow me down, they should be here any minute."

"We have to go." Katara pulled at Zuko's arm.

"And cut short the family reunion?" Azula frowned.

"Mai, I'm disappointed, really, I thought you were smarter than this. Conspiring with traitors and murders? And in broad daylight, no less." She sighed, like she was bored. "You do know what the punishment for treason is don't you?"

Azula was right, if she was caught she would be branded a traitor. He entire family would fall from that shame.

"You know Zuko didn't kill the Avatar."

"Do I? Must have slipped my mind." From a hundred paces, Fire Nation guards were jogging towards them.

"We have to go." Zuko said, then grabbed a hold of Mai's arm, the first time they'd touched since she'd seen him. "Come with us, it's not safe." Mai thought of all the times he'd asked her to run away with him, this didn't feel anything like that, she stepped forward as they backed up to the bison.

"Mai, don't you dare go with them." Azula commanded.

"Like you said, I'm already a traitor." Mai said, following Zuko. But Katara rushed forward toward Azula.

"Guards!" Azula yelled, directing the guards to where they were huddled.

"Azula you don't understand what you doing. Your father he-"

"My father is the only one willing to do what our country needs." Azula shot back.

"He tried to kill Zuko!"

"Zuko was weak, he couldn't handle the situation, my father sees me for my strength."

"Is that why he lied to you about Zuko being dead?" And for a moment, Azula had no rebuttal. "Ozai doesn't care about anyone but himself."

"How dare you." Azula shouted. "You can't do this. Mai, don't you dare go with them." But Mai was already climbing onto the bison.

"I'm sorry Azula." Mai said.

"No." Azula shouted, and a bright blue flame erupted from her, but Katara's bending was faster, and a large wave slammed over Azula, knocking her to the ground. Katara slung an unconscious Azula up the side of the bison.

"You can't bring her!" Zuko shouted.

"I'm not leaving her here."

"But-"

"We don't have time for this!" Katara shouted, as the guards approached. "Tenji go now." The airbender called out a command to his bison, and the beast lifted off the ground, shooting up toward the sky, away from Omashu.

AN: This was the chapter that just wouldn't end. Let me tell you, if I could have written "Zuko, Katara and Tenji go to Omashu and get Mai and Azula" instead of writing this chapter, I would have. But it's over now, we can move on to a new chapter where "Zuko, Katara, Mai and Azula are all trapped on a boat together" Which I think will be much more fun