Where have I been? Um... somewhat of a long story, but let's just say I've been struggling with this horrendous year and then, to cap it all off, I injured a finger making it hard to type (note to self: remind horse my finger is not part of the carrot and cannot be eaten).

Please, however, enjoy this chapter! It has been a beast to tackle!

Quick trigger warning: There is briefly implied non-consensual sex and prostitution discussed within this chapter, as well as discussion of arranged marriage with a minor. Nothing is explicit, however if this will trigger you, please skip all of Zhao's sections.

Three Years Ago…

Jeong Jeong could hear the argument ahead of him in the corridor. Where once there had been the clacking of wooden swords, now only hushed voices in whispered arguments remained. The Yu Yan girl was watching from behind a pillar, her pet crouching beside her, grinning.

"Come on Zuko, it will be fun! Just like old times!" the girl was pleading, masks in hand. "We're the right number too."

"No, Airi," the prince snapped back, pushing away the offered red mask. "I don't have time for games anymore."

"You know, ever since you became Crown Prince, you haven't been coming to our training sessions anymore," Lady Airi pouted. The prince was a year her senior, but acted more the archer's age. He wondered what they were doing in the palace- Princess Ursa's family was frowned upon for showing their faces at Court, the Yu Yan was far from her posting at Pohuai Stronghold and the boy smelt of the bogs of the Earth Kingdom. He wrinkled his nose as he approached.

The Prince flushed at the sight of him.

"General," he said, bowing in respect before an elder. "My apologies for our intrusion." Jeong Jeong glanced down at the masks the girl held.

"Love Amongst Dragons," he grunted, noting the Dragon Empress' mask at the top of the pile clutched under her left arm. In her right, she held the distinctive red dragon mask of the Dragon Emperor. "The four-person play and a rumoured favourite of Princess Ursa's." Silence reigned in the corridor, four impassive faces looking up at him. He wondered just what they were up to.

"It's my favourite too," Lady Airi said stubbornly.

"I see," he said. "Best not performed in the Fire Lord's hearing, however."

"What about Sozin's Palace?" the boy said brightly. Jeong Jeong did not know his name, had never bothered to learn it. It had never seemed important before.

"Children would do well to stay away from that place. It is dangerous for the unwary. Rumours of wandering dragons," he said, eyes drifting to the Prince who turned rather red of cheek and glanced at his feet. The pillar behind him moved and hissed. "Call off your pet, I meant no insult," he dismissed. "I am late to a meeting with your Father. Move out of the way, boy." The Prince stepped aside, running a calming hand over the dragon's head.

Boy and dragon watched him go, the sound of Lady Airi trying to coax the boy into playing with her starting again as he reached the end of the corridor.

He allowed himself a small smirk before entering the lair of the beast.

Never could he have foretold the following events, the biggest political mess in the history of the Hundred Year War.

Katara was concerned about Aang. Something had been off about him since they had left that Stronghold, striking South for a while as they tried to shake off their pursuers and for warmer climates as she and Sokka recovered from the Fire Fever they had suffered from. She had never heard of the disease before, but apparently it was common after storms such as that.

There wasn't anything outwardly wrong with him. He had been quiet a while when he returned with those frogs, but soon seemed back to his bouncy self, especially after visiting Aunt Wu. However, he had gotten quiet again when they met with Bato and the whole palaver of the hidden map. She had felt bad leaving him, and eventually, she had convinced Sokka to return with her, finding him still at the inn, talking with the Nuns and Abbess. They were stood over a bed, a figure covered with a white blanket and the Abbess' eyes were sad. Aang looked to have been crying.

She hadn't hesitated in pulling him into a hug, concerned.

That had been a week ago now, but still Aang was quiet. She had first wondered if it was the first time Aang had seen a dead body. Then she dismissed the thought, remembering the Southern Air Temple and the mass of skeletons. She had been gratified to see that the majority of remains in that tent had belonged to Fire Nation soldiers, but the impact had been the body of Monk Gyatso. Perhaps, it was the reminder of the war, of all that he had lost, but nothing she did would get him to talk.

Sokka seemed far more interested in the news board set up before the upcoming village to be too concerned with their friend, so she took the time to approach him now. He was busy playing with Momo, trying to keep a piece of dried peach away from the lemur's quick paws.

"Aang," she started, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Can we talk?"

"Huh?" Aang turned his head blinking, before breaking into a wide smile. "Oh, sure!" He gave up the attempt to saving the greedy lemur from himself, handing him the peach. Momo curled up gratefully round his neck, purring. "What's up, Katara?"

"I'm just concerned about you," she said, wondering. He was hiding it even now. "You've been quiet ever since the Abbey. Is everything ok?" Aang's face fell at the reminder, looking down at his feet.

"Yeah," he said quietly. "It was just… a reminder, is all. Of the war." The words sounded wrong from her bubbly friend, all stiff and sad. "It's easy to forget on the road, what the effects of the war are. How it's so different from… from back then." She pulled him into a hug.

"I'm so sorry, Aang," she murmured. "I know it isn't enough, to replace the people you lost. But I promise, we will help you defeat the Fire Nation."

"But what does that mean?" Aang asked, almost a wail, surprising her. She drew back, blinking at the tears in the boy's eyes. "I had this friend in the Fire Nation, Kuzon, and he was great! He put up with me and Bumi all the time and not once did he use his firebending to cause harm! And… and… when you guys were sick, I got captured by these archers and… one of them killed their own man just to help me escape." Katara wasn't sure which part of that story was more surprising. That Aang had been captured, or that someone from the Fire Nation had been willing to help him.

"You were captured?" she sputtered. "But, how did you escape?"

"I had help," Aang said miserably. "And they killed someone to do it." Katara still couldn't see what the problem was. A Fire Nation soldier was dead and Aang was safe. Wasn't that what mattered? Sokka was approaching from the board, his face thoughtful, showing that he had heard what Aang had just said.

"You got captured and Fire Nation soldiers helped you escape?" Katara gaped at her brother, who sounded downright intrigued by the concept.

"Sokka!" she cried is dismay. "Am I the only one who gets the issue?"

"No, I get it," Sokka said solemnly. "But, we also haven't really been anywhere except the Southern Water Tribe, despite all this… travelling. Katara, remember Jet?" She flushed, bile sour on her tongue to remember that brute. "He was Earth Kingdom and would have drowned a whole village if not for Zuko and the Fire Nation. So, they can't all be evil."

"But they killed someone," Aang repeated, almost desperately. Tears were leaking from his eyes. "And… and they said that they only helped me because Zhao is awful but the Fire Lord is worse, they didn't even seem to care that someone was dead…"

"Woah, Aang, calm down!" Sokka said, hands out. Katara stared, wondering how this situation got so out of control that Sokka was being the reasonable one. "I'm sure they cared, just… didn't know how to show it." He paused, catching Aang's wrists and pulling his hands away from where he had buried his face in them. Aang sniffled, reminding them all that he was just a child, they all were. A child forced to fight in a war against a cruel, cruel man. It made her furious just to think of it. "You know what'll make you feel better? There's a fire festival in the village tonight. I thought… if you wanted some Fire Nation culture not inherently evil…"

"You'd go to a Fire Festival for me?" Aang asked in a small voice.

"Course we would," Sokka said with a grin. "That's what family does. Drags you to annoying festivals for the people who started a war." A festival for the people who killed Mom, Katara thought sourly, old terror lodged in her throat, shuddering. And Sokka wants us to go. How could he…

"Katara?" Aang asked, voice small and eyes wide. "Will you be ok?" She blinked, staring. Not 'do you want to go?' or 'how great an idea!' but 'will you be ok?'. She swallowed bile and gave him her brightest smile.

"Of course!"

Zuko knew his Uncle wanted to talk. The mask was back in his trunk, along with that of the Dragon Emperor, Dragon Empress and Wind Wraith, black clothing and sturdy, silent boots. The swords had been returned to their supposedly 'decorative' place on the walls of his tiny room within the bowels of the ship. The secret was still that, but now more of a we-know-what-you-did-but-don't-want-to-know-the-details secret. One not spoken of out loud but widely known.

Except for Uncle Iroh, who wanted to talk.

Every time he was on deck, or the control room, or even in the mess deck, there was Uncle Iroh, cup of tea in hand and a polite invitation to join him. But the look in his eye was just a little too sharp and, coupled with Roku's words that day, a little too interested. What are you up to old man? Zuko wondered, ducking back around the corner before his Uncle could spot him. I can't tell you about this. Grandfather made us swear on our honour, and I have so little of it left.

That is not true, Prince Zuko, Roku admonished. And I think your Uncle has a right to know what he is sailing with.

He already knows about the bending, Zuko snapped back, letting his head thump back against the wall. I'd rather tell him I'm hearing spiritual voices than that.

I'm sure he would be delighted.

Shut. Up.

What a pleasant way to talk to one's elder, Roku sniffed.

I'm not in the mood for your games, Zuko muttered in his mind. He jumped as a hand landed on his shoulder.

"Prince Zuko?" Jee asked, eyes concerned. "Is everything alright?" Zuko jolted upright to parade rest faster than he ought to know.

"I- Yes," Zuko stammered, flushing at having been caught in such a position. "I was just… heading back to my room. For meditation." The Lieutenant eyed him suspiciously.

"You're avoiding your Uncle." Zuko gaped for a second before snapping his jaw shut.

"Is it that obvious?" he asked quietly.

"He was worried sick the night you went for a 'walk'," Jee said gently. "He wants to know what happened."

"Do you?" Zuko asked, eyes narrowed.

"Are you going to run off with Water Tribe savages again?" There was something there, a teasing note coupled with a genuine, serious offer, that surprised Zuko. He blinked.

"Not right now," Zuko said slowly. "And if I did, it would be in the Fire Nation's best interest."

"Perhaps," Jee said blandly. "Just don't let them beat you up this time." Zuko stared a moment too long as the Lieutenant turned sharply on his heel and entered the mess hall.

"That's not-" Zuko started to the empty air before letting out a frustrated growl. I need to see Junsuina, he thought miserably. Unfortunately, she was somewhere ten miles east of them on the mainland, probably asleep, while they sailed just in sight of the coast. And if a dragon was seen above their ship, it would be all too obvious that the stipulations of his banishment had not been followed and he would never be allowed to return home, Avatar or no. And then Azula would get what she wanted, and all the responsibility that goes with it. And I don't know if she's strong enough.

He ignored the disbelief from Roku as he turned back towards his quarters. He made it three steps before being interrupted again.

"Prince Zuko," Private Akiko called stiffly from the end of the corridor. "May I have a word?"

"If you want," Zuko sighed, knowing that this conversation was coming. She had been sending him looks ever since he had asked her to accompany him at Pohuai. He allowed her to lead him into the armoury, filled with spears, pikes, swords and, most importantly, arrows.

"That Sergeant. She was Wangdue," Akiko said bluntly. "All Yu Yan know they are meant to be a secret to the Fire Nation, even the Royal Family. But you knew her."

"Yes," Zuko said, knowing there was no point denying it at this stage. "It was part of my training."

"To be Fire Lord?" she said, frowning. "But Prince Iroh…"

"No," Zuko cut her off. "Not to be Fire Lord." He stood stiffly, upright, hands behind his back and perfectly straight. Regal, as a Prince should. Right here, Prince Zuko. Up through the ribs, hold the mouth closed to prevent a sound… Yes, that's it. Let Yumi show you how to throw… He shook off the poisonous whisper, a tutor long lost.

"So, the rumours were true," Akiko whispered. "About Azulon training one of the Royal family to join them." Zuko raised an eyebrow.

"No member of the Royal Family will ever be Wangdue." And that wasn't even a lie. Technically.

You could be, Roku said unhelpfully.

Grandfather never knew that, Zuko returned, watching Akiko's cautiously curious face, desperate to know more and yet not wishing to. He knew the feeling, wished he didn't know either. But Azulon had had plans, plots only partially planned by Sozin.

"I see," she said. He didn't think she did, only that she wanted out of this conversation. "I will not inform Prince Iroh."

"Thank you," Zuko said. "And… for what it is worth, I'm sorry I dragged you into that." She looked startled at that, and then, oddly, smiled.

"It has been a long time since I got to use those skills, Your Highness," she said with a grin. "I rather appreciated the chance to do so one more time."

And with that, she left the armoury, leaving Zuko to dark memories and the old thrill of moving silently through the night.

It had been a long time since Aang had attended a Fire Festival. The celebration of Agni's generosity for the long summer months, always held at auspicious times such as Mid-Summer and Mid-Winter, as well as the equinoxes, to thank her for her warming touch and gift of fire in the long dark months of Winter were integral to the Fire Nation. Unlike many other benders, it was entirely possible to kill a firebender by cutting them off from sunlight, that which fuelled their chi cores and enabled them to bend an element not already existing in the world. Once upon a time, it had fascinated Aang.

Now, looking at Katara's uneasy features, hidden behind a pretty theatre mask, he wondered if it was as wonderful as he had once thought.

Sokka seemed intrigued by the food, Katara had made noises of interest in regard to the masks, curious despite her revulsion, but Aang was far more interested in the line-up for the plays. He was sad they had missed 'Love Amongst Dragons' the night before. Instead, they were playing 'Princess Chihise and the Beast'. It wasn't a bad play, just not one of the better ones in Aang's opinion.

A girl dressed as Chihise was watching them from her place by a stall selling fire flakes.

"Hey, guys," Aang started nervously, tugging awkwardly at the orange cloth he had wrapped around his head to disguise his arrow. He was proud of his Master's tattoos, but it was a giveaway here. Katara had tracked down the material and even haggled with the owner due to a conspicuous stain on it to lower the price (if the stain had mysteriously appeared because of one enterprising lemur, who could say). "I think she's watching us." Sokka stiffened, turning to stare.

The girl gave them a cheery wave, gliding over.

"New to town, are we?" she asked brightly. "Are you players yourselves?" Sokka gaped, while Katara blinked. Aang had enough presence of mind to nod.

She was very pretty. Dark hair had been coiled into braids, half up-half down and flowing around her shoulders. Her dress was a kind of flowy affair, not quite silk, but patterned with all the colours of the rainbow. Gold bands glittered at her arms and her lips were painted a very vivid red, complimenting deep golden eyes. If she wasn't a firebender, Aang would eat his staff.

"Um… yeah," Sokka squeaked, gathering himself somewhat back to life. "Yeah, small troupe players we are, just in town to see the Festival, don't want to be stepping on your toes…"

"Oh, it's wonderful to meet you all!" the girl exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "We don't usually meet too many nowadays. Do you have benders? We used to have a waterbender and earthbender, but they had to return home for family emergencies, you know? All we have left are firebenders and it's such a pain to get the effects right without them." She chattered very fast.

"Waterbenders?" Katara asked, sounding surprised and suspicious. "You had waterbenders in your troupe?"

"Only the one," the girl said, sounding unperturbed. "As I said, he had to go home. His grandmother called, something about the Fire Nation chopping at the shores of their swamp…" She trailed off frowning. "Really, all of that technology and they don't even take the time anymore to honour the spirits properly! No wonder Kaito had to go home."

"Swamp?" Sokka asked, curious. "No, we don't have any benders, just us. I thought the only waterbenders were from the poles?" The girl laughed.

"Yes, most people do! But there are waterbenders in the Foggy Swamp too, if you know where to look. Although I wouldn't recommend it- that place has a life of its own and it's very easy to get lost and drown in there." She tossed her hair back, eyeing them curiously. "Such a shame about the benders. From the way you were dressed, I was sure at least one of you was a waterbender. Masaru is an excellent bender but he sometimes has a propensity to setting the tents alight when he gets enthusiastic." She actually looked rather put out by the idea.

"Er, sorry we couldn't help you," Sokka said awkwardly. "Um… what should we call you?"

"Hm? Oh, yes, my name is Airi," the girl said, distracted. She was frowning in the direction of a hooded figure making his way through the crowds. "If you want to meet the rest of us, share playing pointers, just give my name to the stage director! He'll be happy to help!" She turned, waving at them. "So sorry, I think I might need to speak to the guards about him. Can't have any shady figures about when the bending starts, someone might get hurt!"

She didn't sound particularly bothered by the prospect, Aang thought.

Zhao ground his teeth as he eyed the map in front of him. It had taken a great deal of bribery, cajoling and threats to get the pattern of the brat's ship. It had been surprisingly difficult- that idiot who ran the Pohuai Stronghold had been most unhelpful, sending him to the local councillor's office, stating his records related to the Yu Yan only. Zhao had made a mental note to write to the Fire Lord, informing him of the liberties the man was taking out here, on one of the Fire Nation's most northern frontiers.

The maps made no sense. One day they would be heading north, then beating back south- south-east, then stopping at insignificant towns such as Gaipan for reasons known only unto the brat. It frustrated him. Confusing further, were the reports that, somehow, the Prince still managed to track down the Avatar, despite not intentionally looking for him half the time from the reports. That report regarding the pirates had been interesting, in the sense that he hadn't chased down the girl in blue who had stolen a waterbending scroll.

Idiotic child probably didn't even connect the dots, he thought, sneering. Well, it made his job easier. Perhaps, he ought to take a random approach as well. Children were not known to have logical sense in their travels, and with the Avatar sauntering vaguely northwards, it was obvious to know where he was going. The Southern Raiders had done their job well, although how they had missed one was a mystery. Zhao blamed incompetence, or a lack of required ruthlessness to take a child from their parents. And now that mistake is coming to fruition. Not that she will be much of a threat, being taught in the North. He smirked at the thought of the feisty girl realising she would never be allowed to become a combatant.

It really made his day.

Now, the only problem was proving that the Blue Spirit was the Prince. Colonel Shinu had refused to hand over the names of those who had rebelled against his plans, citing that the Yu Yan would take care of them and that it was an internal affair. The woman with him could only have been the Yu Yan archer listed as a Private on his ship. That document he had requested from the Fire Lord directly, citing a suspicion that there was a traitor on board. It had arrived promptly with a curt note to take what actions he thought he needed to, to ensure that all traitors were wiped from the earth.

It was practically permission to do away with the annoying ingrate from the boy's father himself. Zhao had toasted the letter with a bottle of sake and a sadistic grin that had his subordinates scuttling away.

There was a whimper from behind him.

"Be silent," Zhao growled, eyeing the girl. She wasn't quite what he had been looking for: the eyes were the wrong shade, and she was just a little too old by a couple of years. But finding a whore the appropriate age, look and temperament was somewhat difficult. So, she would have to do. "I don't pay you to speak."

The girl nodded, swallowing and shifting uncomfortably. He had allowed her to cover up and sometimes even treated her as his favoured mistress (never wife, that was only for the girl gifted to him, who had run from the marriage and he would punish her for that when he found her) when meeting important officials. The Earth Kingdom seemed to take a dim view of those in power who were unmarried, which was an odd view to take. What did Zhao need with children now? Until he had secured his place in history, he would allow his little fiancé this liberty of running, before he reclaimed her and got a child on her for an heir.

"P-Please, sir," the girl simpered. "I need to send the money-"

"You will be silent, or you won't get paid at all," Zhao snapped, just as there was a knock at the door. "What?" he shouted, irritated.

"The Banished Prince is in port," his Captain informed him through the door. "Shall we send an invite to Prince Iroh?" Zhao almost snapped at him, before catching sight of the girl in his cabin. He had yet to show her to the Prince and brat. He smirked.

"Yes. Inform Prince Iroh we have ginseng tea. As for you, get dressed. We are going to have visitors soon." Visitors which, I can guarantee, will be very entertaining.

Zuko was staring at the two dragons fighting each other, but no longer were they Fang and Kirai. For once they were Junsuina and Lengku, still fighting among the raging infero. He realised, with a shock, that the ruins of a town trailing down the volcano's side were the outskirts of Caldera City.

Burnt and broken bodies lay below him, some barely recognisable husks of a person.

"Junsuina!" Zuko screamed, choking on the fumes of the once extinct volcano. Ash was thick in the air, clogging his lungs and stinging his eyes. "Junsuina!" She wasn't affected: dragons were able to close their nostrils and sleep in lava should they so wish, capable of holding their breath for hours so long as they were warm enough. Zuko, however, could do neither of those things.

"This is the nation's future, if I am not returned," hissed a female voice. "Find me, Dragon Prince. Find me or by summer's end, no volcano will sleep!"

Zuko returned to himself with a shout, dragging in harsh and uncomfortable breaths, as if his lungs had just been charred. Someone was calling his name, rubbing his back as he dragged air into his aching chest. It took a moment to realise that this person was none other than Uncle Iroh.

"Uncle?" he asked, brows drawn together in confusion. He didn't understand what he had just seen, and the vision left him feeling as if he had just been run over by a tiger-dillo. Or a sabre-moose-lion. Or even the one time he had been knocked over by Lengku.

"Prince Zuko," Iroh sighed in relief. "I feared… you were not answering the door and I found you shaking on the floor. You were screaming for…"

"Junsuina." Zuko jumped to his feet and swayed as the world spun. He stayed standing through sheer force of will. "I have to… I need…"

"Zuko," Iroh said sadly. "You know you cannot. She is wherever your Father saw fit to place her." He had forgotten that his uncle did not yet know what a horrifying thing that was. And that she most definitely was not there anymore.

He swallowed.

"She was at Crescent Island," Zuko said, squinting to see that the door was indeed shut. "He saw fit to see her die in the volcano there."

"What." Iroh's voice was flat. A dragon might be able to sleep in lava, but extended time within a volcano was not good for them. They needed fresh air once in a while, else they risked charring their lungs, just as firebenders could with an inaccurate attempt to spit fire. As with all things in the Fire Nation, some things were just hazardous to your health if you did them wrong.

"Please don't make me say it again," Zuko pleaded. "I couldn't just leave her there. I don't…" He didn't have to say the rest. He didn't remember what happened after finding her, but from the reports flooding in about the island erupting sooner than predicted, he could guess. Sokka's face flooded in front of him a moment, the wary expression when they had met in the woods outside Gaipan briefly crossing his face, mangled with relief and suspicion for the idiot.

Warm arms enveloped him in a hug, almost reassuring enough.

"Where is she?" Iroh asked gently, seemingly resolved to ask nothing of the mysterious spiritual rescue of the Avatar from Pohuai Stronghold or Yumi. He was thankful about that.

"In the woods somewhere, hunting probably," Zuko said. "I told her to stay away from the ship. If anyone were to see her…" Iroh nodded.

"Well, I was feeling an urge to picnic there lately. And I believe Gaipan can count as exceptional circumstances where your presence was needed. I would be honoured if you would join me." Zuko blinked a moment, not understanding before tears sprang to his eyes.

"Of cou-" He was cut off by a polite knock on his door, most likely done so out of deference for the knowledge that his Uncle was here considering it was Turk. The Sergeant preferred banging out your eardrums otherwise.

"General Iroh, Admiral Zhao has sent an invitation to you and Prince Zuko to join him for tea," Turk called through the door before either could speak. Zuko supposed it was the politest they could expect Turk to be.

"What does that… idiot want from us?" Zuko said, frowning, refraining from using some of the more colourful insults at his uncle's disapproving stare. "Didn't he gloat enough at Pohaui colony?"

"It would be rude to turn down an invitation," Iroh said, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Perhaps he intends to apologise for his conduct two months ago." That was two months ago? Zuko thought, surprised. It felt so long ago.

"I highly doubt it," he said dryly, despite knowing his uncle had a point. Refusing to meet Zhao would give the man the excuse he wanted to board their ship again to gloat about how well his career and mission was going. Listening on his own turf meant that they had some control over how long they had to listen to the man's drivel.

Ten minutes later, Zuko found himself being led on deck of Zhao's flagship, twice the size of his own ship. Men were drilling on deck in neat lines, while others were scurrying on and off the ship, ferrying supplies on board. He was alarmed to note that a number of it seemed to be heat gear for northern invasions. He hoped it didn't mean what he thought it did.

Zhao was waiting for them arm in arm with… That slimy piece of shit. Airi would eat you alive. The woman looked severely uncomfortable in the stylish silks, made to look respectable despite being severely revealing. Zuko refrained from asking how much she was paid to be there.

"Commander Zhao," his uncle said, giving a polite bow and deliberately pretending to be unaware of the man's promotion. "What a lovely surprise! And you have brought your wife to view the Earth Kingdom! How are you finding it?" The woman looked doubly uncomfortable, glancing towards Zhao before nodding tremulously. Zuko clenched his fists.

"It is Admiral Zhao now," Zhao said imperiously before she could speak. "And I thank you, but Aiko is merely my mistress. My fiancé decided to tour the Earth Kingdom herself." Zuko couldn't help the twitch of his lips.

"Ah, my apologies. But what a lovely young lady nevertheless!" Iroh took her hand and gently kissed it, causing the poor girl to flush red at such attention. Zuko almost rolled his eyes and gagged. Instead, he imagined the image of Airi pleasantly informing Zhao she was running away before sauntering out of the door.

That was probably a mistake, as it made him smirk at the thought.

"Something amusing, Prince Zuko?" Zhao asked sharply, eyes flinty. He seemed aware that Zuko was silently mocking him for all the things he left unsaid, despite how horrifying it was. Obviously, he had expected Zuko to be thrown off. Instead, it was all too amusing. Father did not think that one through, he thought.

"Oh, no, I'm sure Lady Airi is looking forward to your wedding," Zuko said. "She does so love a winter wedding." With plenty of waterbenders. "She finds the light of the moon particularly romantic." Zhao's lips twitched, but he couldn't tell if it was in amusement or irritation or something else.

"Unfortunately for her, the moon will not be present at our wedding. Everyone knows mid-day is the most auspicious time to be married." Zuko ignored the slight against his time of birth. It was common knowledge he had been born in the dark of night under a full moon- the only auspicious part of his birth- during Winter no less. He had heard it all before, from the Fire Sages to the courtiers who thought they were out of earshot.

"I heard that you had some Ginseng tea," Iroh coughed into the awkward silence. Zhao roused himself enough from his irritated to give a strained smile.

"Ah, yes, of course," he said through a sneer. "Captain, I believe we will take it out here on deck. You will pour for us, won't you dear?" The woman nodded almost frantically. Zuko could see that her hands were shaking.

Internally, he was wishing that he could set the moron on fire and go for that picnic in the woods with his Uncle, perhaps take a flight with Junsuina. Unfortunately, he also knew that that was not possible right now and setting fire to the tea set, while entertaining, would not be the appropriate response. So, he gritted his teeth and sat, steeling himself against the urge to roast this man alive and not accidentally call the dragon here.

Aang cringed at the deadly silence that fell the moment the wind died. The performer, Masaru most likely, was openly gaping at him, while Airi had cocked her head in curiosity from her position off-stage. She looked almost amused. Sokka had slapped his forehead in despair.

"Um…" he started.

Fireworks exploded around them and someone dragged him off-stage, along with Katara.

Through smoke stinging his eyes, he saw it was the cloaked figure Airi had faced earlier. The man raised a finger to his lips, leading them away from the confusion of the stage and the people calling for Fire Nation troops, the Avatar had been spotted. Katara was gripping his other wrist almost painfully and Sokka was following behind them. Behind him, Aang could just make out the form of Airi tracking them, ignoring the Fire Nation solider trying to get her attention.

A moment later, she turned away.

"Come on," the stranger urged them. "I know the best place for us to hide!" He sounded middle-aged, but his accent placed him firmly from the outer islands of the Fire Nation. Aang wondered if his friends knew that or hadn't worked it out yet.

"Where are we going?" he asked, alarmed. Momo was flying over their heads, shrieking in fear. The little lemur didn't like fire and smoke at the best of times.

"To Jeong Jeong!" the man said, as if that explained everything. Aang gave him a look of confusion, lost since they were still running despite having left the town far behind.

"Who's that?" Sokka panted, suspicious. Now that the smoke was clear, Aang could see that his friend had discarded his mask. "The guy from the wanted posters?" Aang relaxed slightly. So, probably not going to kill us outright, he thought. Or hand us over to Zhao.

"Yeah," the man agreed. "I'm sorry, I'd slow down but I don't know what that performer told the guards." Aang swallowed. So, he hadn't been the only one who had noticed.

"She seemed nice," he bemoaned quietly.

"She's Fire Nation," Katara pointed out breathlessly. "She probably thinks it's her duty to tell them where we're going." Her grip tightened on Aang's wrist. The man dragging them along paused and Aang could see him pursing his lips under the hood of his cloak.

"Um… Katara…" Aang started, wondering how to break this to her. They had reached the line of trees, where their guide dropped Aang's wrist and slowed down, taking several steps back away from them. He lowered his hood.

The face underneath was fairly friendly, if shaggy and unkempt. A once groomed moustache had grown out, along with scruff around his jaw. His hair was also wild, but the dark silky texture and hazel gold eyes gave away his heritage. Katara and Sokka stiffened, each going for their weapons. Aang could see that Katara's hands were shaking, but he didn't know if that was from rage or fear.

"My name is Chey, once a Colonel of the Fire Nation army," he said, almost calmly. He was eyeing Katara's waterskin warily. "But I'm a deserter now, same as Jeong Jeong. Can't claim to be the first, that was Jeong Jeong, but I swear by Agni, Lady of the Flames, that I am not going to turn you in!" The last was squeaked out as water flowed from the skin. Aang decided it would be best to diffuse the situation.

"Really? How many have deserted?" he asked, curious and upbeat. He hid the wariness behind the optimism. Well, I will need to learn firebending at some point, he thought. Might as well learn from someone not out to kill me. It was technically out of order but needs must with the comet approaching. Chey thought for a moment and then shrugged.

"There's a few of us. Jeong Jeong took a whole division with him when he deserted three years ago, which is far more impressive than me!" Chey sounded awed by this fact while Aang's thoughts screeched to a halt. Hasn't Zuko been banished for three years? He would have to ask this Jeong Jeong about that. It seemed Sokka had the same idea.

"What, he deserted when Prince Zuko was banished?" he asked sceptically. "Or what, was that a coincidence?" Katara scowled as Chey looked at the ground, almost guilty.

"What does that matter?" she hissed as Chey scuffed at the floor with his foot.

"Yeah," Chey said quietly. "Yeah, he did. Won't say why though." He swallowed, starting to walk through the trees, gesturing for them to follow. Aang did so, knowing his friends would follow him. "Bad time to be a part of the army, three years ago. I was still only a Sergeant, but a lot of big names got thrown out. Was a whole mess, couldn't even return to the capital due to the riots."

"Riots?" Sokka asked, breaking off his hissed argument with Katara, perking up. "What were they rioting about?" Chey shrugged.

"Some plan or something. Fire Lord Ozai did something unpopular and people disagreed. I never really went to Court, you were likely to get stabbed in the back." He shuddered. "And the Princess gives me the creeps. Always looks like she's thinking of gutting you." Aang blinked. Princess? Zuko has a sister? Maybe that's why he wants to go home so desperately. He glanced back at Sokka and Katara who were exchanging glances. He couldn't tell what was said between them in those stares, but he knew a whole conversation had just occurred.

"Sooo," Aang started, almost awkwardly. "Tell us about Jeong Jeong!"

It suddenly felt as if they had delved into something they shouldn't.

Tea with Zhao was excruciating. The man seemed to believe that leering at his poor prostitute would incite some kind of response from him. Zuko tried desperately not to think of his cousin, her reaction or his anger at how the man treated the woman he was with now- doing so would cause him to either laugh or summon Junsuina by accident. He could feel her through their bond, seething just as he was, wanting to join him but knowing that now was not the time.

Uncle was having the time of his life passive aggressively needling the Admiral regarding his track record.

"Ah, yes, I do remember your wonderful capture of the Avatar," he was saying, eyes twinkling. "Such a shame he summoned spirits to aid in his escape." Zhao's eye twitched.

"I assure you, General Iroh, no spirits were involved," he ground out. Zuko took a sip of tea to cover his smirk. "The two that helped him escape were very much human."

"They were?" Iroh asked, surprised. "That is not what I have heard in my prayers." Zuko blinked, eyes narrowing slightly as he turned to face his Uncle. He was nodding at Zhao's surprised and faintly amused look. "Yes, you see, after my beloved son's death," Zuko clenched his fists at the shake in Uncle's voice, just another reminder of what he could not live up to, "I took a spiritual journey to try and find him. I have had the ability to see and occasionally commune with the spirits since. And the Blue Spirit is one of them." I suppose it's not a complete lie, Zuko thought dully. I was cursed by the spirits with the four elements.

Do you see me as a curse? Roku asked pointedly. Zuko ignored him. The spirit knew the answer anyway.

It was going to be a long visit. Made longer as a messenger ran up the ramp, panting.

"Sir, urgent news from the Magistrate. There was a report of an airbender at the Fire Festival in Chun Len village!"

Katara was wary of Jeong Jeong and the other deserters of the army with him. They were all Fire Nation, all liars but they offered them food and warmth and supplies, none of which was poisoned. She supposed they could always rat them out to the local authorities, but they knew they were in the area anyway courtesy of that theatre actress.

At least Aang is learning firebending, she thought, trying in vain to pretend it didn't make her sick. And they haven't tried to kill us yet. Which was more than one could say of Zuko and his crew, never mind Zhao.

That thought was what led her to Jeong Jeong's tent.

It had started as a small nagging thought, one that had started when Chey had mentioned he had been the first to defect from the Fire Nation. She was curious, despite the bile in her throat, what had made such a man, a previous General of the worst nation in the world, to defect with an entire division. And so, she decided to search for him while Aang was off breathing on the cliff, unsupervised.

Jeong Jeong was sat meditating by the river. She had had to speak to one of the recruits with him, a young man by the name of Pao. His eyes were a tell-tale copper. She swallowed her revulsion to offer a strained smile and thank him. She didn't think he believed her.

"What do you want, young waterbender?" Jeong Jeong asked grimly, without turning. He hadn't even opened his eyes.

"How… how did you know it was me?" she squeaked, trying not to sound afraid. She didn't want to show fear to one of the men who could have been a part of the raid that killed her mother. Jeong Jeong opened a single eye, looking irritated.

"You make a lot of noise," he stated as if it were obvious. "Even the people of the Swamps are quieter than you." Katara scowled.

"My apologies for being unused to walking on leaves rather than ice," she spat. Jeong Jeong ignored her tone, turning away.

"You are undisciplined. It will not serve you well in the North." She froze, wondering how he knew that. "The rumours show you have been heading north for some time now," he continued, as if she had spoken. "Only a fool wouldn't anticipate where you are going."

Only a fool. And we know Zuko isn't one, she thought, horrified. Perhaps Aang's meandering had had a positive impact- no doubt it confused the Prince for a time. I hope he thinks we're evading, and it puts him off. She didn't think it likely.

"Why did you defect?" she asked, deciding to get her answers quickly and taking that back to Sokka. He would know what to do with it. Jeong Jeong stiffened, gazing into the water of the river.

"Have you ever witnessed something, something terrible, and wished you had acted?" the man said quietly. Katara stayed silent, waiting. She wasn't leaving without this information and there was no way she was opening up to him. She wouldn't give anything away. "Fire is dangerous. It consumes all in its path, snuffing out what little good it does," he continued. "It took an Agni Kai for me to realise this." He dipped a finger in the river, creating ripples. "I did what I could to disrupt the Court as I left. It was still not enough."

Katara snorted out loud.

"Of course, you didn't," she snapped, turning. "Your people are still attacking the world. Why didn't you do us all a favour and end the Royal Family as you left?" She felt the heat before she saw the flames, quickly snuffed out as the man closed his fists.

"Only a fool kills the favoured of Agni," he growled, visibly shaking. "And I would never betray an old friend by stealing yet another son from him." He strode away before Katara could question him further.

She was accosted by Pao on her way back to the tent.

"You know nothing about our Prince," he spat in her face. "I would not be alive, if not for him. Neither would half the men here. Only our Commander was captured in the end and he purposely stayed behind to protect our retreat." He smirked, a spark of true Fire Nation cruelty in his eyes. "Besides, we set the capital alight for him."

He left, just as abruptly.

Zhao was far too excited about the report of a deserter camp over the one of the Avatar. Why he had felt the need to drag Zuko and his Uncle along, he wasn't sure, doubly so considering the terrified prostitute clutching his arm. Zuko had offered her a hand when Zhao left her for the prow of the ship and she had attached herself to him almost immediately, like a leech. She seemed terrified of the water- it made Zuko wonder if she could swim.

In the distance there was a faint scream. It sounded unfortunately familiar.

"Oh dear," his Uncle murmured. "I hope that wasn't anything disastrous." Aiko shivered, clutching at the wisps Zhao called a dress to preserve some kind of modesty in the crisp breeze of the forest.

"I pray it wasn't a spirit," she whispered. "The Co- Admiral has no fear of them, I'm scared he will bring down a curse upon us." Zuko found himself disquieted by that statement.

"It wasn't a spirit," he reassured her gently. I would know.

Aang is here, Roku said, as if Katara's screams had not made it obvious. He has started training in firebending.

He what? Zuko tried not to say it out loud. The Avatar is supposed to learn the elements in the order of the Avatar Cycle.

He must master the four elements by Summer's end. The order matters not, Roku argued. Zuko frowned. Everything he had read, had stated that the elements had to be learnt in order due to the variation in discipline required. Airbending was antipathy to firebending, preferring retreat and pacifism over attack and steadfast ideals. The Fire Nation relied heavily on their fishing industry for food- the islands did not allow for vast quantities of agriculture despite the ability to grow a wide variety of crops. The airbenders relied on trade of their baked goods and rare bison fur to buy vegetables.

Mixing air with fire at this moment seemed like a recipe for disaster.

What exactly would it be teaching him? To fear fire with the approach of Sozin's Comet? he asked. Roku was silent.

He must learn to respect it. Roku said little else. Zuko watched the forest surrounding them, twitching as figures slipped through the shadows, unnoticed by Zhao's men. Perhaps he trained them to be blind.

Aiko whimpered next to him, clutching ever tighter to his arm.

"These woods are haunted," she whispered. "All the villagers know this. Only the lost and vengeful souls of the 41st division live here." He was not going to react to that, he wasn't.

He flinched anyway.

"The 41st, you say?" Iroh asked, intrigued. "I wasn't aware they were posted to this area."

"There were… whispers. That they were to be sacrificed, in the colonies," Aiko explained, flushing. "They say they committed kanshi and their Commander was imprisoned for failing to prevent this action. And now their spirits roam the world, looking to take revenge for their Prince."

"That is… an intriguing story," Iroh said. Zuko could tell that even his Uncle was discomfited by the story. He wished that Junsuina was here. He missed her comforting presence at his back.

At the prow of the ship, Zhao sneered as a figure stepped out from within the trees. Zuko resisted the urge to facepalm at the distinct orange robes behind the Deserter.

Aang hadn't really been planning to follow Jeong Jeong, especially not after burning Katara. His first instinct was to flee and reflect, but that wouldn't solve this problem. All it helped do was solidify his resolve to never firebend again. He wasn't going to cause such pain to anyone, ever.

For a moment, Aang had seen Zuko's face behind his eyes, face forever marred by a burn in the shape of a hand.

It had been the soldier, Pao, who informed him that Jeong Jeong would need the Avatar's help. That an old student of his had returned to show his ex-master what he could now do. Aang thought that stupid- no one bested their master easily- until he saw who the student was. Zhao, the mutton-faced guy who had captured him at Pohuai Stronghold and threatened to keep him alive, just barely.

He tried not to shiver at the thought.

"I see the student has come to report to his old master," Jeong Jeong commented, hands held deftly behind his back. He didn't seem impressed with the contingent of troops with Zhao. Behind the man, being clutched to by a terrified young woman, was a familiar face. Zuko scowled at him with the same look from before. The one that said he thought Aang was making a stupid decision and should have left hours ago.

He and Sokka were weirdly similar about that.

"I see you have become just as feeble as the stories said," Zhao griped back, smirking. "And you have even brought the Avatar to me."

"You seem to forget what these woods are known for," Jeong Jeong commented. "Vengeance is strong to those who wounded Agni's chosen. And I am sure one such as you know better than to anger a Great Spirit." Aang wondered what that meant.

Iroh twitched on board. Zuko's face stayed resolutely blank.

"I am no fool to believe in such tales," Zhao sneered. "I am the one who will conquer the Great Spirits. I have no fear of them like weak-willed old men such as you."

"Fear the Great Spirits you may not," Jeong Jeong acknowledged, stepping back. "But it was not the Lady of the Flames whose vengeance set the Capital aflame."

The woman shrieked as fire reigned down, suddenly, from the forest. Half a second later, three ships were afire, those that Zhao had obviously taken from the townspeople, built of wood for fishing rather than the metal of the Fire Nation. Figures dashed out from the trees, faces hidden by masks.

For a moment, even Jeong Jeong appeared surprised by this. It was quickly covered up.

"Watch, Aang, and take heed," Jeong Jeong said as the figures swarmed the decks, quickly overtaking two more boats. Zhao lashed out angrily, fire flying overhead and setting the forest alight. "This is the ruin fire brings. Too great, and it burns all those it touches." The woman was still screaming. Aang wanted to cover his ears and turn away.

Was it his imagination or did her screams seem closer?

Behind him, there was a soft gasp.

"Prince Zuko," Jeong Jeong stated. Aang opened eyes he hadn't realised he had shut, blinking away tears from the smoke, to find that Zuko had somehow jumped off the ship, Uncle and stranger in tow, and landed in front of Jeong Jeong. The man was scrutinising him in a way he had not done so to Aang. There was a long pause, and then, "Pass my compliments on to your cousin, Lady Airi. I hear she was in the area." Aang gaped, even as Jeong Jeong strode away.

Zuko watched him with a narrowed gaze.

"Take her," he suddenly said, pushing the woman gently towards him. Both she and Aang stared at him in some disbelief. Zuko pulled out a bag from a pocket hidden by his armour, pressing it into the woman's hands. She had thankfully stopped screaming, and now merely stood, shaking in place. "This is Aiko. She's from the local village. Zhao's been… using her." There was a certain inflection in his voice that Aang didn't quite understand.

He didn't think he was meant to.

"Help her get home," Zuko almost begged. Aang nodded, placing a gentle hand on the woman's arm.

"Sure," he agreed numbly. He wasn't really sure what to say to Zuko. The last time they had seen each other, someone had died. A Fire Nation soldier had been killed while Zuko rescued him. He couldn't remember if he had even thanked him, especially after crying on the other boy's shoulder. "What about you?" An odd expression crossed his face.

"Uncle promised me a picnic today. Zhao ruined it for the most part." Zuko's Uncle's eyes sparkled at some inside joke. Aang wondered vaguely what that was.

"Ok," he said warily. Zuko hesitated a moment, before pulling something else out of one of his- apparently many- hidden pockets.

"Could you… return this to Katara? Uncle said it was probably important to her," he said. Aang could hardly believe his eyes, staring at the sparkling blue necklace.

Zuko was gone, before he could ask where on earth he had found it.

The fires in the forest were ashes in Zhao's mouth. Aiko was long gone, left with that brat and the General, taking the first chance to get away from him. That was fine: he didn't need her dead weight either way.

What he needed, was evidence. Evidence that Prince Zuko was the Blue Spirit, evidence he was a traitor, evidence that he had sabotaged this trip. Half his ships burnt and gone because of two brats, only one of which was a flighty airbender.

It was infuriating.

Someone behind him coughed. He turned to find his Captain, in a shaking salute, standing behind him, sweating.

"Sir, there's a Lady here to see you," he stammered. "She says it's important." Zhao scowled. A distraction was the last thing he needed.

A distraction was not what waited for him on the deck of the ship. Wrapped in a modest silk dress, designed as Princess Chihise from the play, was his darling fiancé, sipping delicately from the tea a swooning crewman had set up. She gave him a smirk.

"My husband to be," she said demurely, standing to give him the proper bow of a lesser to an Admiral. "I bring you good news." He smirked.

"Lady Airi," he mused. "It is so wonderful to see you again." And I will have the knowledge I seek.