A/N: Maki helps Wu. GB!Mako and Wu. slight Wuko. There will be a continuing chapter from this (though maybe not immediately after) so show Maki & Wu's training.

Disclaimer: I do not own LoK.

Maki was walking through Asano's home when she noticed someone sitting out on the deck. The small dark-skinned girl was staring out at the dying sun with her knees drawn to her chest, her short black hair blowing slightly in the wind. Recently, Wu had begun curled into herself, no longer the loud social butterfly Maki was used to. Maki didn't want to pry into the young Earth Queen's business but she couldn't help that feel that something was wrong.

Maki stepped out on to the deck, the slight vibrations of her feet travelling through the wood and alerting Wu to her presence. "Maki, what you doing here?" We asked, twisting her body slightly to look at Maki as she let her feet dangle over the edge of the deck.

"I could ask you the same thing," Maki said, taking a seat next her and pretending not to noticing the shining twin trails on Wu's cheeks.

Wu blushed, quickly swiping the back of her hand across her face before staring back out at the sunset. "Just thinking," she said.

"You've been doing a lot of that lately," Maki said. "I almost miss hearing you screaming orders at me," she added with a slight laugh.

Wu made a noise in response but didn't take her eyes off the sun. Maki rubbed the back of her neck. She was never truly good at this kind of thing. This was more Bali's forte.

Maybe it would be better if she faced this head on. Maki took a deep breath before saying, "Look, I know-"

"You ever feel useless, Maki?" Wu asked, interrupting the girl beside her. "As the Earth King's grand-daughter, I was waited on hand and foot. I had people who protected me and I didn't even have to say something before it happened. I knew that one day I would be the one on the throne and I would have a whole Kingdom to do my bidding. I never forsaw something like this happening."

"Now, I'm the queen of nothing. Kuvin has stolen my kingdom and made her own empire. I was kidnapped and I couldn't do anything to help myself."

"I should have followed you into the bathroom," Maki said, shaking her head. "If I had, you wouldn't have-"

"I was being a complete brat, Maki," Wu said, holding up her hand. "I have been all my life. I don't blame you for anything. I could have easily died that day if you, Korro and Asano hadn't rescued me."

Wu sighed. "But now, I don't know what to do with myself. I-"

Maki placed a hand Wu's shoulder. "I could teach you a few things to defend yourself if you'd like."

Wu smiled as she threw her arms around the firebender's neck. "Really, Maki? Thank you, thank you, thank you."

Maki laughed. "We can start tomorrow morning."