Getting ready for a trip that involved royalty required a lot less heavy lifting than Katara first expected. Two tall stablehands came out with a large cart holding Dawa's saddle. As they managed it onto the Air bison, other servants bustled and conferred on how best to pack of the journey. Zuko wanted to spend the night outside of the town but they could certainly resupply in Hira'a, and as space was a question for Dawa, it was best to pack light.

A rope ladder had been tossed over Dawa's back and the group climbed up, Chang taking the responsibility of stabilizing Azula as she awkwardly grasped at the rungs with her shackled hands. The princess was passive and slumped against the side of the saddle as soon as she toppled in. Sokka was the last one on and he pulled up the ladder after him.

And then they each fell into three separate circles that shared an orbit.

Katara sat hesitantly on Dawa's head to pick up her reins. With an air of casual surety, Zuko sat next to her, a map out to navigate. Azula was closest to him, sitting at the front of the saddle staring off while her fingers worked themselves into different shapes. Chang, her hands deep within her sleeves, sat quietly on the other side of Azula. And at the back were Sokka and Suki, talking quietly between themselves. Katara couldn't make out what they were saying, and knew that they wouldn't be able to hear her without her shouting.

Because Dawa had never gone to Hira'a before, Katara had to stay at the reins for the entire trip, and she was surprisingly grateful for that. This way, there was no questioning why Zuko stayed so close to her.

Zuko folded his map to a relevant range and sat closer to Katara's hip.

"This feels a lot like the old days. Flying toward a destination that wasn't bringing us closer to our deaths." Katara said and Zuko cracked a smile.

"That was before my time with you guys." He said, keeping his eyes turned toward the map. Katara glanced at him, seeing the clean line of his hair as it was pulled back. It was currently in the longest stage she had ever seen it. Much better than his earlier haircut.

Katara snorted and turned her gaze forward.

"I don't know," She said. "I distinctly remember you being there from the very beginning."

Zuko made a discontented sound in his throat.

"I try not to think about that." He replied, his voice low.

"Was it the shaved head specifically that makes you want to block it out?" Katara could feel him looking at her and she fought, poorly, the smile that threatened her face.

"Was it really that bad?"

"You looked like an egg." Katara finally glanced at Zuko and she bit down on her lower lip. "With a little handle at the top."

Zuko blinked lazily at her and then leaned on his elbow to turn back to the others.

"Hey Sokka." He yelled. Katara glanced back to see Sokka rise to his knees.

"What." Her brother bellowed back.

"Did I use to look like an egg?"

"What?"

"DID I USE TO LOOK LIKE AN EGG?"

"That was a request for clarification, not volume."

"When I rammed my boat into your village."

"Like a million years ago?"

"Yeah."

"Did you look like an egg?"

"Katara said I looked like an egg."

"Oh yeah, dude, you were hideous."

"So you're saying you love me for my personality and not my looks?"

"Zuko, I love you because you're rich."

"At least you're honest."

"Anytime buddy." Zuko turned back to the map and Katara started laughing.

"When did you two become friends?" She asked and Zuko shifted his arm so he could lean closer to her. She could feel the heat that he perpetually radiated and her heart fluttered.

"Sokka visits me all the time." Katara startled and looked at him, her brows knitting together.

"I thought he's been staying with Suki?" She said and Zuko shrugged.

"I mean, he is. But he sees me for a week every month and a half, two months. We usually spend the time sparring or hunting. Even couples need to do things separately."

"I didn't know he saw you so often. He never mentioned it."

"Honestly, Sokka is the best friend I have ever had. For awhile, we were both convinced that no one else really liked me."

"How could you think that?" Katara felt a twinge of pressure across her chest. Zuko shook his head and looked out over the sky.

"Toph never visits, never writes-" "She's blind." "She can dictate Katara." Zuko sighed. "Aang was travelling all the time, and you were with him."

"I wrote to you." Katara said, but she knew how feeble it sounded.

"Of course. But it seemed like you were writing in a journal, like you didn't expect a response. You just told me what you and Aang were doing." Zuko waved his hand, as if dismissing her lack of intention. "And Suki and I never really got to know each other in the first place."

"How did you love me then, if I was so distant?" Katara sounded bitter, knew she did, but Zuko ignored it.

"Because I found out that you weren't writing to anyone else outside of your family. And," Zuko looked back at Sokka. "Your brother kept me in the loop as to what you were really doing. All the stuff you filtered out of your letters."

"What does that mean?"

"You never told me about your inciting a rebellion with the Swamp Benders."

Katara's mouth snapped shut and she gripped the reins harder in her hands.

"It wasn't a rebellion." She finally said and Zuko chuckled.

"He told me about what you were really up to, and I fell more and more in love with you."

"Mmmmm." Katara vocalised and glanced down at the map. "Is my heading okay?" Zuko rummaged in a pocket and pulled out a compass. He placed it on the map and looked over the side of Dawa's head to the space below them.

"There's too many clouds to tell by landmarks." He said and looked back at the map. "But the compass says you're going in the right direction." He put the compass back into his pocket and Katara nodded.

"Zuko, do you really think we're going to find your mom in Hira'a?"

"Yes."

"You're that sure?"

"Where else would she go? She had no resources and had never left Hira'a except to move to the palace." Katara didn't reply and they lapsed into a long silence. Zuko looked down over the stretch of land beneath them and looked back at his map.

"You don't think she'll be there." He finally said and Katara sighed.

"I honestly don't know. If it were me," Katara trailed off. She looked over at Zuko, who was still staring at the map. She twisted the reins in her hands and faced forward. "If it were me, I would probably run straight home too."

"You haven't yet."

"I don't really know where home is right now." After being elected to the head chief of the Confederation of Tribes in the South Pole, Hakoda used the light months to travel to the various villages. The dark months were spent in the North Pole working with the King on their Southern Reconstruction plan.

Gran-Gran had moved to the North Pole years ago and had settled into a new life with her former fiance.

Now only one thing kept her tethered to the South Pole, to her village in the desolation of snow and ice. As Katara touched the pendant at her neck, she wondered when, if ever, she would break that tether.

"I once read a critique of statesmanship written by an Earth Kingdom minister. It said that a family should be viewed as a nation, and that a nation is just a larger family. How a ruler oversees his family is how he will also oversee his nation." Zuko said and touched her hand still on the rein.

"Well, I'm not a ruler."

"No, but play out the metaphor. You're like a colony that's been separated from its homeland. You have the concepts of self-rule down but you no longer have your sense of identity nor the concept of your role in the bigger picture.

"I'm sure if you're on your own for longer, you will fill in these missing pieces yourself. But you have to ask yourself if you even want to. And either way, you have to deal with these issues until they can be resolved."

"None of that sounds optimistic."

"I've never been very cheerful Katara."

"Well, what about you then? Is this why you're going in search for your mother?"

"What do you mean?"

"Unify your family and you unify your nation?" Zuko took his hand back and instead pushed some hair back from his face. In direct sunlight, Katara noticed that Zuko's hair wasn't strictly black. It was a lighter shade, a brown so dark it was sable. But not black. Not the same as Ozai and Azula.

She wondered if Ursa had brown hair.

"I don't know what I'm trying to accomplish. Maybe I'm looking for a reason to execute my father. Maybe I have the same madness my sister does. Or maybe I just want to see my failure as the Fire Lord done on a more personal and intimate stage."

"You're not a failure Zuko."

"We'll find out soon I guess."

They got quiet again, but Zuko didn't move away from her. She felt his closeness, his warmth, and relaxed into it. She looked over the slope of Dawa's shoulder and to the sky below. Their flight was mostly over land, as the capital city was at the middle of an inlet sea and Hira'a was settled into a forest. Still, Katara could feel the shimmer of water around her, bound in the clouds that created its own landscape in the air.

Aang had used the imagery to woo her out of a bad mood. He had described how only air and water could exist in a harmony that did not diminish the state of either element. Water and earth made mud, air and fire just made a bigger fire, or put it out completely. But in the sky, water was held in adorable fluffy clouds, hanging in the pure air.

At times, Katara wondered about storms and typhoons.

She looked at Zuko, how caught her glance and smiled at her. Would she boil away then? Water made steam in the heat of a blaze?

"You're sitting awfully close to the water peasant brother." Azula's voice was low but cut through the wind. Katara felt Zuko stiffen, but he still didn't move.

"I did always wonder why you took a bolt of lightning for her." She continued. Katara wondered why Chang did nothing to silence her.

"It's bad enough you brought your weakness to the throne. Do you intend to pollute our bloodline as well?" Azula said and the heat pouring off of Zuko intensified. She glanced nervously over at him and noticed that the edges of the map were burning.

"I don't know Azula, she managed to defeat you. Perhaps I intend on strengthening it." Zuko replied evenly.

"You're not fit to rule and you know it."

"Azula, it is a testament to my strength that I haven't killed you. Don't test me, or I will indulge in that weakness." There was silence and, her curiosity getting the better of her, Katara turned to look over her shoulder.

Just as Azula opened her mouth to spew blue fire.

In one moment, Azula was roaring and Katara could only see the blue flame heading toward her.

In the next, she saw Zuko flick the flame away with a quick snap of his wrist. He had, at least, bothered to turn to aim the thing.

"I don't need to be better than you Azula, I just need to know how to counter you. Which I do." Zuko turned his back to her. "I will kill you if you try that again though." Katara felt a chill go through her at his words. He so easily offered the threat of death to his sister, who he had said he had no intention of harming.

"Didn't you say you hoped this trip would heal her?"

"I am more sentimental around you." Katara balked but stayed quiet.

For a moment.

"So was it a lie?" She asked.

"Katara, I don't know. My feelings towards them changes, multiple times in a day even." Zuko replied. Katara felt a lump in her throat and she tried to swallow it down.

If his emotions could change so easily, how could he be so sure that he loved her?

And would his love last after she left?

This last thought bothered her, surprisingly as much as Zuko's death threats toward Azula. Perhaps they were too much like their elements. Perhaps Zuko's passions burned quickly.

She looked back over toward the saddle. Both Sokka and Suki had moved forward, no longer talking but watching Azula. Chang sat still, her hands still in her sleeves and her eyes staring off. Azula was back in her spot, muttering to herself and moving her hands.

Katara faced forward again. Zuko still held his place close to her, but he also still seemed tense. His heat had been pulled back inward, and Katara could feel the chill in its absence.

"Katara-"

"Are we going the right way Zuko?" She interjected sharply and she could see that Zuko noted her tone. Instead of pressing her, Zuko took the singed map and looked over Dawa's side.

"You need to adjust a little toward the northeast. Otherwise, we're making good time." Zuko held up the compass and examined the horizon. "Here, follow my arm." He pointed off to the right and Katara pulled on the reins. Slowly, Zuko straightened his arm and Katara gave Dawa her lead.

"I'm sorry you're seeing me like this." He said and lowered his arm. Katara dropped the reins and wiped her hands against each other.

"It's a part of you Zuko."

"I know. That's the problem."

"Hey," They both jumped at the voice suddenly right behind them. "Can we do something about your sister?" Zuko turned fully and stared at Sokka.

"What do you mean?" He asked. Sokka cocked his head to the side, to indicate the babbling figure behind them.

"She's muttering to herself. Something to someone about influencing us. That we're part of some conspiracy." Sokka explained. Zuko sighed and rubbed his face with a hand.

"She thinks Ursa is out for her. She thinks our mother has influenced people to kill her." He replied.

"Well, she's creeping me out. Let's switch." Sokka said and began climbing over the edge of the saddle. Zuko blinked.

"What?" He said.

"I want to sit up here with my sister. You go sit back there with yours." Zuko sputtered but Sokka kept climbing. He looked at Katara but she only shrugged. Resigned, Zuko clambered over the saddle and went to sit across from Azula. Sokka took his seat next to Katara.

"What are you doing up here Sokka?" Katara asked idly. Sokka laid on his side, his left arm holding up his head with his fist on his jaw.

"You were looking tense. Figured Mr. Hot Pants was getting to you." He said and scratched his chest with his free hand.

Katara huffed out a laugh.

"Why do you still look out for me?" She asked.

"When did you stop being my little sister?" He shot back.

"Wha?" Katara raised a brow and laughed. "What are you talking about?"

"You're my little sister. It's what I do." Katara rolled her eyes.

"I'm not a little girl anymore Sokka." Sokka sat up and shot a look back at Suki. He turned back to her and narrowed his eyes.

"This has nothing to do with you being a, female. Person." Katara covered her mouth as she laughed. Sokka relaxed and laid back down. "It's just what I do Katara."

"Well fine. Do you know how to read a map big brother?" She asked.

"I am insulted by your implication." Sokka said and looked down at the map. He leaned over a little to gaze down at the ground below. "I'm pretty sure we're fine."

Sokka spent the rest of the trip with Katara, chatting idly. Zuko had left his compass and, from time to time, Katara would glance at it and correct Dawa's natural drift. After a few hours, they all sat back in the saddle to eat lunch.

They passed around a water skin and Zuko, who sat next to Azula, offered her a drink. Azula glared at him and snorted steam out of her nose.

"What, are you going to pour it down my throat as if I were an invalid?" She hissed. Zuko closed his eyes briefly and his hand holding the skin lowered.

"I'm sure you can manage it." He said through gritted teeth. Azula raised her hands and shook her shackles.

"Oh of course. Let me just take a drink of my own volition with no inhibitions." She retorted.

"Do you seriously think we'd have you not chained up? I'd rather you were tied up." Sokka blurted and Suki elbowed him sharply. "What? She can firebend with her mouth!"

"I am still the princess of the Fire Nation. I deserve to feed myself with dignity." Azula turned to stare at Zuko. "I was able to do at least that in the nut house." Zuko held her gaze and then turned to Sokka.

"She'll stay like this for the trip." He looked back at Azula and held out the water skin. "But once we get to Hira'a, I'll let her go unshackled." Katara, Sokka, and Suki all looked at each other.

"Fine, but we get to take her down if she tries to jump us." Sokka said.

"I'd like to see you nonbending peasants try." Azula said. Katara saw Suki roll her eyes so hard that she worried the woman would get them stuck.

"I'm sure they could handle you." Zuko said. He turned to the others. "That's fine. Do what you need to do."

After lunch, they drifted back to their spots. Katara kept flying with Sokka navigating. Zuko sat across from Chang and Azula. Suki sat close to him, but with enough distance that kept her from initiating conversation.

Sokka kept up idle chatter with Katara and the rest of the trip passed fairly quickly. As the sun was beginning to set, Zuko stood abruptly.

"There it is." He said and pointed. Smoke, thin and curling in the breeze, lifted from various parts of a small town. They could see buildings, but no movement of the inhabitants.

"Still want to land far from the village?" Katara asked.

"Yeah. I don't want to come into the village while their cooking their dinners. We'll camp out here and go in in the morning." Zuko said. Katara nodded and pulled Dawa off to the left. She found a clearing a few miles away from the village and landed.

As they set up their campsite, Chang sat with Azula. Sokka brought wood as Suki and Katara gathered water. Zuko lit the fire and went to work on Azula's bonds as Sokka pulled out the cooking pot. Everyone kept silent as Azula was freed, and Katara and Sokka shared a tense look. Suki moved herself away from the group to set up her bedroll.

"We'll need to set up a watch for Azula." Zuko said as he sat back down at the fire. Sokka stirred the stew he had tossed into the pot.

"Understandable. Who takes first watch?" He asked.

"I think Katara and I should take the first. You and Suki on second. Chang wakes up early anyway, so she can take the third shift." Zuko said.

"Well thank you so much for your consideration Fire Lord." Chang said and Sokka snorted.

"Then that means I'm going straight to bed after dinner." Sokka said and began dispersing the soup. Without a moment's hesitation, Chang took a bowl and offered it to Azula.

"Princess." They all watched, waiting to see what would happen. Azula eyed Chang and then the bowl.

"The water peasant probably poisoned it." Azula muttered.

"I assure you, he would do no such thing. It is unfit that you are eating with us, but I promise you that nothing will harm you, Princess." Chang said. Azula sniffed and took the bowl from her. Sokka let out a breath and filled another bowl. From her sleeve, Chang pulled out a lacquered box. Instead of reaching across Azula, Chang stood and walked over to Zuko. Kneeling, she opened the lid and offered the box to him.

"Thank you Chang." He said as he pulled out a carved spoon. Chang smoothly leaned back and turned on her toes, kneeling now toward Azula.

"Princess." She said. Azula sneered at the box but plucked out the other spoon.

"This isn't a Fire Nation design." She said, examining the handle. Chang closed the box and replaced the box in her sleeve.

"I am not from the Fire Nation Princess." Chang said and rose. Azula snorted as Chang walked back to her seat.

"You can't even manage to staff Fire Nation people in your own palace?" Azula asked, looking pointedly at Zuko.

"Chang has shown you nothing but respect Azula." Zuko said as he took a bowl from Sokka.

"As she should. I am the princess to the Fire Nation. She is, what, from the Earth Kingdom? The only reason we didn't crush her people sooner is because they live in holes." Azula said.

"Azula." Zuko's voice rose and Katara froze as she took a bowl from her brother.

"Please, Fire Lord. The Princess is fine." Chang said evenly and took another bowl. Azula snorted and Zuko glared at her.

"Rebuked by an earth peasant." Azula said and stirred her stew.

"Well, princess," Sokka emphasized the word in bitter mocking. "You're kind of outnumbered." Azula stood and walked off toward a tree to eat. Chang shook her head and blew on her stew.

"Think you can manage the cleanup Katara?" Sokka asked as he began to eat. Katara nodded but watched as Azula muttered to herself between bites.

"Yeah, that won't be a problem." She said and turned her attention to her own meal.

"So what's the plan for tomorrow?" Suki asked.

"I am hoping to head into the village in the morning. I'll be taking Katara with me while you three watch over Azula. Once I find out where my mother is I'll come back." Zuko said.

"Sounds easy enough." Sokka added.

"That's the hope." Zuko replied. "I would like to have something good to show Azula."

They chatted, awkwardly, as they ate. True to his word, Sokka abandoned the fire as soon as he was done eating and went to his bedroll. Suki managed to collect his bowl and helped Katara scrub out the pot. Zuko banked the fire and Chang put a hand on his shoulder as she stood.

"Be careful Fire Lord." She said.

"Thank you Chang." He replied. She patted his shoulder before walking off. Katara returned as everyone started to settle in for the night.

"Are you ready for this?" Katara asked as she sat down next to Zuko. Zuko turned and looked off in the direction of the village.

"I have no idea." He said.