Suki eventually found her second wind. She started travelling in earnest, snapping herself out of her endless cycle of wandering and deciding on a goal, if only to have one: Ba Sing Se. She wasn't sure why it was her choice, but she figured that it was better than picking fights and beating people up while sleeping in the dirt and being broke.

Along the way, like she did with the other Warriors, she took up odd jobs to make some money or have some food and a roof to sleep under. She fell into the pattern as easily as she had back then, only it was even easier with just herself to take care of.

It was odd, but this was the first time that Suki found herself spending time with herself. All of her life, she had always been surrounded by others; her sisters, her fellow Warriors, Aang and the others, and then the Warriors and Sokka again. She had always thought she had known herself through-and-through, that she always knew who she was no matter the situation. Even in prison, when she was alone all of that time in her single cell, she had always thought of when she would be surrounded by others again. She had never thought to spend time with just herself.

Being on the road, getting to know her fellow countrymen and women, exploring the different towns and people...she spent more time with herself than she had ever done in her whole life.

And one of the first things she learned was that she was independent, but also dependant on the company of others. She could stand on her own two feet, but did better when others were ringed around her.

Another thing she realised about herself was that she had never allowed herself to let loose and give into those little ideas that she always had, but put away because she had other things to do involving other people.

All of that changed when she was alone. She learned to follow her instincts, to not worry about reactions of others. She realised that everything she thought about herself were actually things she had made herself to believe. It was her way of adjusting, and of coping.

The nights were worse. During the day she could spend time with herself, learn who she was and start to like herself. But at night, when she was alone, when her hand subconsciously reached to the other side of the bed to find it empty and cold, she crumbled, just a bit. She would remember all of those moments of stolen time with Sokka, during wartime and peacetime.

He was her first love. Her first almost everything. The first boy she actually found herself wondering about, wondering what he was doing and why he did them. And when she was with him, when she knew what he was doing and it was all done with her there, it felt...good. Perfect. Relaxing and amazing. Funny and safe. Exciting and adventurous.

No longer hers.

Nights...were bad.

But when the sun peeked through and splashed upon her face every morning, no matter where she was, she was able to get up and keep moving. She was looking forward. The past was past. She needed to make her future for herself.

Once in Ba Sing Se, she beelined for a specific place, the destination in mind one of the first places on her list. Part of her was hoping for it to be a safe haven, but another part was also afraid - since it was a place that was a favourite to everyone in their little group.

And there were two faces she wasn't quite sure she was ready to see yet.

But she went anyway, aiming for a time very early in the morning. Her entry into the city was far different than her first real visit there - at that time, everyone was full of joy and happiness that most places were left neglected in favour of elaborate and rowdy celebrations for the Avatar and his friends.

Now, it seemed like a regular and bustling city. It was relaxed, yes - but it was also happy and exciting and full of life and chaos, just like any other place. She couldn't imagine what it was like when it was the centre of battle and war.

She chose to visit the Jasmine Dragon as early in the morning as possible, knowing that at that hour, the only people she would likely encounter from her group of friends would be Aang, Katara, or possibly Ty Lee. When she walked in, the place was sparsely populated but the faces within were happy and calm. She saw no sign of Iroh, though, who she wanted to see in the first place.

She was walked over to a small table and given a menu, which she looked over and noticed that some new items were added to it - a couple of Zuko's and Aang's favourite snacks. She smiled, a bubble of warmth forming in her stomach for the first time in what felt like ages. She hadn't seem them in a while, and missed them.

When a waiter came by to take her order, she looked up - and almost choked to death on her own surprise. "Z-Zuko!" she spluttered.

He blushed, then waved a hand at her, leaning down and looking around in embarrassment. "Shh!" he hissed, looking desperate. "I don't want the whole city to know I'm here."

"What are you doing here?" Suki answered, both amused and a little ruffled (how often does one have their thoughts confirmed that way?).

Zuko sighed, setting down the tray and sitting across from her. "I needed a break from the Palace, and so is Mai." He then blinked, looking at her closer. "What are you doing here? Mai is on her way to Kyoshi Island to visit Ty Lee...and you."

Suki fussed with the menu, looking down at it, desperate to avoid his gaze. "I...left for a while. I haven't been there in several weeks." She looked up suddenly. "Wait, nobody told you..."

Zuko looked bemused. "Tell me what?"

The words tried up in her throat. She felt her face heat up, but not from embarrassment. She was still hurting, and not eager to spread the news of her pain around, even to people she was close with, like Zuko. "Uh," she stammered.

Zuko, however, seemed to realise he was walking on shaky ground, for he also went red and cleared his throat. "If I haven't heard about it yet, it's probably none of my business."

His consideration touched her. She smiled. "It's okay," she admitted honestly. "Sokka and I have broken up. He's with Toph now, in the South." Her voice wavered, and caught on Sokka's name, but to her surprise, she didn't tear up, which - to her - was a great success.

His reaction was a surprise, and it made her feel much better than ever before. His face fell, then got angry, his hands tightening on his tray. "You should have told me sooner," he said softly, gritting his teeth. "I would have invaded the south sooner, just to get that idiot behind bars and away from the world's women."

Suki laughed, a real laugh, and the sound seemed to bemuse Zuko even further. "You make him sound like a disease!"

Zuko scowled. "I can't believe he would do this. What an idiot! And to think I ever took any advice from him!"

It was silly, but his indignant behaviour on her behalf made her feel worlds better. He was acting like her older sisters would - protective, annoyed, and ready to attack the person responsible for Suki's pain. It was also really sweet.

"Don't worry about it," she replied. "I'll be fine."

"Lee!"

Both Suki and Zuko jumped, especially since the voice was familiar - just not so familiar in that tone and volume. Zuko paled and got to his feet, and standing at the door of the kitchen was Iroh, hands on his hips. "What are you doing sitting on the job-oh!" And the stern look on his face vanished into a warm smile as he caught sight of Suki. "Well, what have we here?"

Zuko stayed standing as Iroh made his way over, holding the tray to his chest and looking wary. Suki mused over that in silence; Zuko still responded to the name "Lee" while working in the teashop, and took his job seriously, despite being one of the most powerful men in the entire world. She knew that it was to protect his own identity, but Suki wondered if it really was necessary - he was pretty recognisable regardless.

Another thing she noticed that within the teashop, Iroh was the lord. Zuko loved and respected his uncle more than anyone else in the world, and his working in the shop while he tried to relax from the stress of politics was also his way to pay Iroh back for years of taking care of him. He was always desperate to do his best, so when Iroh yelled, he was quick to ensure he corrected himself.

But Iroh, Suki pondered, wasn't quite serious when he yelled at his nephew. He used loud words and stern glances, but Suki couldn't help but notice the affection and laughter in his eyes. Zuko may take it seriously, but Iroh was merely trying to keep him on his toes - offering a distraction.

"How are you, Suki?" Iroh wondered, breaking her out of her reverie and sitting where Zuko had been moments before. "We haven't seen you in a while!"

"Um," Zuko broke in. "Can I sit too?"

Iroh looked at him. "Nephew, we are still open. There are orders to take, still. Suki, what would you like to drink? We have a lovely orange blend today."

She nodded. "I trust your judgment," she agreed.

Zuko sighed, long-suffering, then rolled his eyes and stormed off towards the kitchen. Iroh chuckled, and Suki gave him a mock-glare. "You're so hard on him," she scolded.

Iroh laughed again. "Oh, please? He crashes on me and my teashop in order to avoid other politicians, then he will be put to work."

Suki propped her chin on her hand. "How often does he come here?"

"Not often," Iroh admitted, his eyes now following Zuko around the shop as he handed out steaming mugs of tea, looking somewhat flustered when engaged in smalltalk with the patrons. "But enough to concern me."

"Trouble?" Suki wondered.

"Well, perhaps not trouble, but unrest, perhaps. I worry about him, which is why I do not turn him away. If I can keep an eye on him while calming him down, then we both win - and so does the Fire Nation." Iroh's gaze was still on Zuko, his expression wistful and thoughtful. "He can do it - I know he can - but he just needs to find his flow."

Suki looked down. "I know how that feels," she admitted. "I'm still trying to find mine."

"Ah, yes," Iroh nodded slowly, looking sympathetic. "So I have heard."

Suki wasn't surprised one bit. She had known early on that Toph and Iroh were friends and still spoke at length. If anything, Iroh knew the whole sordid affair from Toph's side. But she also knew that Iroh wasn't one to take sides, nor was he one to refuse comfort and sympathy when it was deserved. He knew that Suki had been wronged in this instance, despite being friends with Toph, and he felt bad for her.

She nodded. "Yeah..." she sighed. "And I just don't quite know where I stand. I always thought it would be at Sokka's side, and now he's not there anymore. Where do I stand? Am I always going to stand alone?"

Iroh nodded, looking at her, now. "And have you found out yet?"

She sighed, sagging a little. Had she? Had she found a place to stand on her own, yet? Would she ever?

Was this whole time alone just a waste of time?

"Suki?" Iroh's voice again brought her back to earth and she looked up. "Are you...alright?"

"I..."

Zuko reappeared, thankfully keeping her from answering with a lie. He set down Suki's mug, then set one down in front of Iroh. "Ginseng," he murmured with a soft smile, before turning away to attend to other tables.

Suki watched him, finding that really sweet. Iroh smiled and inhaled the bouquet of the tea slowly, before taking a small sip. "Another reason why I allow him to work here is because he seems to enjoy it," he said. "He knows how to do it, and he seems happy."

Suki smiled warmly. "He wants to make you happy."

"He does," Iroh agreed, looking both sad and please, if it were possible. "But I also want him to be happy, too."

Suki sipped her tea, a pleasing citrus flavour filling her mouth. She smiled, then looked at Iroh. "I think he is, in his own way."

Iroh looked doubtful, but he shook his head and smiled faintly. "You are not hear to worry about my own worries," he said with a chuckle. "What do you need?"

Suki fidgeted with her mug a little, unsure of what to say. Did she need anything? Had she found what she wanted?

"Suki," Iroh said gently, and she looked up, feeling a lump in her throat all of a sudden. She looked down, blinking hard, feeling small and ashamed all of a sudden. She had been fine, really fine, but when forced to think about it...she still felt...

...adrift.

"Are you alright?" he asked again.

"Have you ever just felt as if you were so sure of what you wanted, what you are, and then find out that you were wrong and were the last person to know it?" she burst out, jerking her head up and meeting Iroh's gaze with her own. "And no one told you until everything was already crumbled around you?"

Iroh was quiet, and Suki felt her face heat up again in embarrassment. She looked away, glaring at the wall. "Sorry," she grated out. "I guess I haven't really gotten over it, yet."

She felt stupid, but Iroh didn't push it. He merely sipped his tea, his eyes downcast. Instead, he said, "These things take time to sort out. You can't expect to steep leaves into hot water for so long and expect the leaves to taste as potent as before. You just need to find your feet."

"All I've found out is that being alone is fine, but aimless and dull," Suki answered.

"Then perhaps you need to find an aim, Suki."

She looked over at him and saw that he was not looking at her, but at Zuko. She frowned, not quite sure what he meant by that. The two watched in silence as Zuko darted around, trying to get every order as the numbers within the shop increased. He was the only one on shift so far, so he was spread thin. Despite this, however, while he looked hurried, he didn't look as stressed as usual. He looked...normal. As normal as Zuko could look, anyway.

Suki's mind clicked and she looked over at Iroh. He was already looking at her with a smile. With surprise, she smiled back.

Zuko appeared at their table, looking rushed and annoyed. "Are you going to want to eat anything or should I just leave the teapot here for you?"

"What, and deprive you of a chance to earn tips?" Suki teased.

Zuko snorted, rolling his eyes. "When have I even been tipped?" he answered, turning and walking away to grab several steaming mugs left for him near the front.

"It's a good idea," Suki said softly. "But do you really think I could do it?"

"I think there is no one else in the world that could," Iroh answered.