There should be a disclaimer here somewhere...

A/N: Hey guys, just a brief note, i haven't been able to see many of your reviews as they don't appear when i click on the review link. I have just activated my email alerts so i can read them there until this error is fixed.

As always thanks for reading, please feel free to offer any advice.

"Azula?" A hundred different thoughts, feelings and memories ran through Ty Lee's mind as she gazed dumbly at her childhood friend. It had been two years since she had run away from home and she never expected to see anyone from her previous life again, let alone princess Azula. She was so surprised that it took her a full few seconds before she jumped forward to embrace her. "Azula, it's so good to see you!"

Azula quickly extricated herself, she was never one for physical displays of affection. "Please, don't let me interrupt your…" She cocked her brow, "…Whatever it is you were doing."

Needing no further invitation Ty Lee promptly flipped backwards landing on her hands and then lowering herself to the ground to cradle her head in her hands with her legs curled over her flicking back and forth in the air.

Azula glanced back towards the fighters noticing that Ty Lee's attention was still somewhat occupied by them and pointedly coughed before starting again. "Tell me Ty Lee, what is the daughter of a prestigious family doing here? Surely our parents didn't send us to the Royal Academy for girls just for us to end up in…" she glanced back towards the fighters, "…places like this."

In the distance one of the fighters ducked under a punch and lifted one arm to trap it at the elbow then, with speed that belied his size, he took a half step around his opponent and jumped up throwing one leg up over his shoulder so that for a split second he was perched atop the other man holding the man's arm in an awkward position, he then threw his weight forward into a roll until he had thrown the man to the ground and held his arm in a submission hold.

Once again this man had demonstrated technique that she was unfamiliar with and she made a mental note to investigate further when time permitted before continuing, "I have a proposition for you."

Ty Lee, she noticed was watching the show with a strange smile on her face before she turned her attention back to Azula with a questioning gaze.

"I'm hunting a traitor to the Fire Nation" she stated casually picking at her nails, "You remember my fuddy-duddy uncle don't you?"

"Oh yeah! He was so funny." Ty Lee replied from her contorted position somehow looking just as comfortable as Azula was standing.

"I would be honoured if you were to join me." Azula said going in for the kill.

"Oh…I-I would love to…" Ty Lee started as she rolled to her feet with a fluid grace that Azula envied. "But the truth is I'm really happy here," She glanced yet again to the fighters, "I mean, my aura has never been pinker!"

"I'll take your word for it." Azula replied, holding up her hand in a 'stop' motion before flashing a predatory smile and continuing, "I wouldn't have you give up the life you love just to please me."

"Oh thank you Azula." Ty Lee says bowing before starting her stretching routing once more.

Azula turned to walk away before pausing theatrically. "Of course, before I leave, I'm going to catch your show, I wouldn't want to miss such an opportunity."

Turned as she was she didn't see Ty Lee break her stance and near stumble but she noted, with some satisfaction, the nervous note in her voice as she stammered her reply. "Uh…Yeah…S-Sure…of course."

Azula made it another two steps before an idea occurred to her. "Oh and Ty Lee, that man over there sparring, the tall dark one? Do you know him?"

"Yeah, he's my…uh…friend, Hunter." Strangely Ty Lee sounded even more nervous.

Interesting…Azula thought to herself before replying, "Well maybe you can introduce us before I leave hmm?"

She didn't wait for a response before she continued walking.

What the flying fuck in going on!? I thought as I ran through the early evening air towards Ty Lee's tent. I had been sparring for the majority of the day at the behest of a few of the circus men, ever since I emerged victorious in the fight pits the night before it seemed all those around here who fancied themselves macho-men wanted me to show them a few moves. I would much rather have been present to watch Ty Lee's show but the bubbly little girl herself had encouraged me to be out here and spend some 'quality time' with my new found…work-mates? Acquaintances? I wasn't sure how to classify them just yet.

It wasn't until quite a bit of time had passed that I had realised it was getting dark and sat down for a quick breather that I saw the smoke. There was a cloud of it emerging from the top of the main tent and in my tired state it took me a few seconds to realise that Ty Lee was supposed to be performing there! So I ran, adrenaline pumping through my system as I tore through the circus until I got to the foot of the tent itself only to find that the tent was not in fact burning and as if to prove that things could always get stranger, I saw a number of the animal handlers racing around attempting to calm their various animals and get them back in their cages.

"Hey, excuse me, what happened here?" I asked, reaching out to grab who appeared to be a nearby spectator.

"I don't rightly know, we were enjoying the show when suddenly someone lit the safety net on fire and released the animals into the ring, all while that poor girl was balanced on the tightrope!" she replied, "and to make things worse the princess herself was present! It must be such an embarrassment to the circus!"

The princess? Here? Damn it, why does nothing ever make sense? I thought before blurting out, "Is she ok?! Was she hurt?"

"Yes, she even finished her routine…a little fast but that's entirely understandable."

And so here is am tearing through the night yet again, I don't even remember thanking the lady before I rushed off. It wasn't long until I was at her tent and bursting through the entrance."

"Ty Lee what the hell happened!? I saw the smoke and I-" I cut myself off as I saw that we were not the only two people in the tent, Ty Lee was staring at me, halfway through a bow, with a surprised look on her face while the other figure simply stared at me appraisingly.

The other girl was a strange sight, she was wear some sort of light armour that covered her shoulders and came down over her upper torso with metal braces and shin guards to complete the outfit, but the strangest thing about her was the way she carried herself, she stood tall and proud and practically oozed confidence.

"I…uh…sorry…I didn't know you had a visitor." I stammered, knowing I had just stood in the doorway like an idiot for a fair amount of time.

"No, that's quite alright, Ty Lee had already agreed to introduce us," she turned to Ty lee, "hadn't you?"

"Oh…yeah, Hunter, this is Princess Azula, Azula this is Hunter." She says, missing her usual exuberance.

Oh great now you've done it…I quickly bowed the Fire Nation style Ty Lee had taught me, hands making the symbol of the flame, in an attempt to undo any potential insults. "Forgive me, I…uh…didn't know you'd be here." Next time pay attention to what people tell you, I berated myself silently.

"Yes, I suppose it is not every day that member of the Royal family deigns to visit a place such as this." The princes responded with an amused smile. "You and Ty Lee seem to be fast friends, I sense an interesting story…I'd love to hear It." somehow I knew it wasn't a request.

"Well really it's not all that interesting," I lied through my teeth, "I met Ty Lee soon after arriving here while she was on one of her morning walks, she got me into the circus and well, we've been friends ever since." I have only told Ty Lee about my origins thus far and there was a very loud voice in my head telling me that now is not the time to start spreading word.

She merely cocked her brow at me, unconvinced, "You seemed pretty…anxious when you first entered. I would've thought there was more to the story."

"Oh…uh…well she's kind of my only friend here so I uh…panicked." I concluded lamely although the truth in that statement must have convinced as she dropped the issue.

"Well, as much as I would love to stay and chat, I'm afraid that I've spend too much time already," She said before smirking, "And of course Ty Lee needs to pack before we leave."

What? I felt something decidedly unpleasant coil in my stomach.

"W-what do you mean?" I asked uncertainly, looking back and forth between Ty Lee, who looked very uncomfortable, and Azula who had an unreadable expression the vaguely reminded me of Sara when she wanted something from me.

"Ty Lee has agreed to help me with a very important mission, we leave tonight." Said the princess, smiling towards the girl in question before she turned back to me, "I can assure you that it is of the utmost importance, I would not be were it not so…dangerous."

"Dangerous? Why would they send a li-" I caught myself, "-a member of the Royal family if it's so dangerous?" Somehow I don't think calling her a little girl would go down so well, something about her scares me.

"We will be hunting traitors to the Fire Nation, and not just any traitors, but members of the royal family itself. All attempts to deal with them thus far have been botched by the supremely incompetent, that's why I was sent and that's why I am recruiting those with…unique talents."

Unique talents? I thought to myself before the events of last night hit me, images of Ty Lee flipping through the air and effortlessly taking down two earth benders flashed through my mind along with our dinner conversation where she explained how she and her siblings were all 'trained' for the same purpose. No wonder the Princess was here for her, she's practically a ninja with a skill set like hers.

But where does that leave me? Here alone in this circus for a life of fighting in sand circles? No, Ty Lee was the only reason I was here. Could I just pack my bags and wander? Yeah right…no destination, no clue and in a world that's been at war for a hundred years? I wouldn't make it far…not that I'd have anywhere to make it to.

That leaves me one option… go with them, although how I was going to convince a princess to bring me along TR-8R hunting was beyond me….unless…

"I assume that these traitors won't go down without a fight?" I started, making my pitch, "and they're dangerous enough to warrant a team of unique specialists because those who went up against them previously simply were incompetent in comparison…"

"Right on both accounts, but what point are you trying to make?" Azula replied, even though her tone indicated she knew exactly what I was hinting at.

"I'm a lot of things princess, but I have never been called incompetent in a fight and I can guarantee that you'll be hard pressed to find a style more 'unique' than mine. Especially considering in (my admittedly limited experience) that everyone only seems to practice different forms of kung Fu.

"You wish to join us?" Once again, the princess didn't seem surprised at all, I'm beginning to think she wants this…

"Yes princess, it would be an honour." I stated with mental fingers crossed, I even threw in another bow, I'm not really sure what the protocol is for greasing up royalty but I figure it can't hurt.

"Yes I suppose it would be." Came the eventual reply which was accompanied by a satisfied smirk. "Very well, I accept. I will leave you two to organize your affairs…oh and do be punctual, we have a schedule to adhere to."

And with that she turned and left leaving Ty Lee standing awkwardly and me feeling like I had just been played like a violin.

"So…pack?" I asked awkwardly.

One hour later…

Damn it Ty Lee, I thought you were different from other girls. I thought exasperated as I walked alongside her towards the docks, my meagre bag of belongings strapped to my back…and one of Ty Lee's not-so-meagre bags in either arm. I don't even know how it is that I ended up with all of our bags while she walked quite unencumbered carrying only a small bag resembling a purse, although I believe at one point she batted those eyes at me.

Said girl was now walking with an uncharacteristic lack of bubbly. "You didn't have to do that…to volunteer." She said, breaking the long silence.

"What else would I do?" I replied quickly, citing my previous inner dialogue, "Continue fighting in a circus? Wander this war-torn world aimlessly? No, you're my best friend…hell, my only friend in two whole worlds, you'd have to chase me off with a stick to stop me."

This seemed to cheer her up a little, "Sorry, it's just-well, I think she wanted you to come since she saw you training and found out we were friends, and she makes sure to get what she wants."

"Well, she's a princess so I guess she's used to it. But yeah I was kind of getting the same vibe, like I was fighting for something she wanted me to get anyway. But it's not like I want to be anywhere else….I-I mean….that I want to be wi-…damn it, I'll just shut up now, shall I?"

Her response was a loud giggle as we, thankfully, arrived at the gangway that lead up to the biggest friggin ship I have ever seen. Slowly I turned my head from side to side taking in the size of the royal barge then arching my head to gaze up the gangway to where I could see the princess waiting, I couldn't see her face but somehow I knew she was wearing that same satisfied smile.

I turned back to Face Ty Lee and offered her a smile of my own before we took our first steps towards and uncertain future.

The next day

I have decided I love the ocean. In English class we studied quite a few poems about the ocean but I never really understood exactly what they were talking about with all their fancy words and writing techniques. But I understand now. Looking out across the water I could feel what they tried to say, that sense of freedom, like your problems are left behind on shore and you can simply relax.

I was standing on the foredeck staring out into nothing, just enjoying the combination of salt breeze and sun on my face and contemplating the events of the past few days. My short time in the circus was enjoyable but if I were honest with myself, I don't know if I like the idea of being a performer for my whole life, the people were nice enough and I may have even made friends there eventually. But for some reason I feel like there's something I need to do…

You see I've been having these dreams ever since I got here, I can never remember specifics but there's always this…man, I can never get a good look at him but his eyes seem to burn like fire as does the crown above his head, I can never remember what it is he says but I know he wants something from me. I never thought I'd be the type to base my actions on dreams but hey, my life isn't exactly making a whole lot of sense right now and it would make a certain amount of sense that whoever brought me here did so for a reason. And so I find myself considering my current situation, I'm clearly doing something more important than performing, I'll just hope that I'm on the right path.

The day had been uneventful thus far aside from a rude awakening at sunrise, I mean who gets up at sunrise right? Fire benders apparently. But aside from that I've divided my time between breakfast and a bit of exercise, I haven't seen either Ty Lee or the princess thus far but I guess they would be taking a little time to catch up.

My attention was drawn by a nearby group of soldiers who were going through some sword drills, they didn't seem to be doing any sort of official training so I figured I'd see if they had room for one more. After all, I'm going to need to get used to fighting people who use swords, spears and all forms of archaic weapons…and bending now that I think about it, there's a lot I've got to learn.

"Hey guys, do you think I could join in with you? I don't really have as much experience fighting against large weapons and It gets boring practicing on my own." I say, approaching the group.

The tallest of the group, who actually comes up to my nose, steps forward and looks me over before replying, "That depends, what do you have experience in?"

"Hand to hand fighting and defence against knifes and clubs, things like that. Nothing in the actual use of weapons." I said. Saying it all out loud makes me realise all the more just how under equipped I am for a battle here.

Fortunately, this didn't seem to put them off and I was soon standing alongside them in a uniform that barely fit me, I suppose it is a minor miracle that it fits at all, the pauldrons and chestplate were a little tight but the braces and boots fit quite well, I guess I've always had small feet for my size.

The soldier that had been assigned to dress me, who introduced himself as Bao looked up at me. "Just how old are you kid?" He asked.

"Uh, I'm sixteen." I responded, I don't usually like being called 'kid' but hey, it's not my boat. Heh I'm on a boat.

"Damn…what were they feeding you?" he responded cocking his eyebrow up at me.

That made me laugh. "Not enough." I said patting my stomach and feigning hunger.

Our laughter was cut off by a pointed cough. "Now fortunately for you," The taller one, Chao, began. "The standard Dao used by frontline soldiers is an easy weapon to use, it's more of a slashing weapon than a thrusting one so the movements tend to be like so." He continued, demonstrating a set of simple movements.

We continued like that for quite a while as they demonstrated a variety of simple blocks and attacks that are taught to new recruits. I wasn't that great with it all but Chao assured me that I was picking it up surprisingly fast. He explained the gist of what to do when facing opponents armed with spears and other such longer weapons, he even went over what to expect when facing earth benders.

We were interrupted by a loud crash as a massive explosion of water appeared not far off the side of the barge. The effect was instantaneous, everyone one deck rushed to their stations with practiced efficiency and I soon found myself lost in the confusion of running bodies and shouting voices. That was until I was thrown from my feet as something smashed into the deck nearby with an explosion of fire and stone. I sat there slightly dazed as another projectile smashed into the side of the barge on the side of the bridge, I could see that the catapults had already been raised on the foredeck and were already returning fire towards the shore.

Suddenly I felt something shake me by the shoulder, I looked up to see Ty Lee standing above me shouting something, it was only then I realised that all I could hear was the ringing in my ears, behind her I could see Princess Azula staring with eyes narrowed towards the sky, I followed her eyes and saw a flaming ball of stone hurling towards us. On the edge of my vision I saw the princess move, she took a large step forward before she spun into a crouch, then with a sudden burst of speed she lunged forward shooting her first towards the incoming missile. A brilliant burst of blue flame shot from her fist and hit the boulder mid-air in a colossal explosion that showered the deck with rubble.

Holy shit

With that I decided it was time to get up and I staggered to my feet under the unfamiliar weight of my armour, I only made it a few steps before a loud cry cut through the haze of confusion in my mind. "PREPARE TO REPEL BOARDERS!" Turning I could see multiple grappling hooks attached to the railing of the barge and boarding ladders being set by the obviously smaller boats. Turning again I could see the princess had made it to a raised platform on the deck and was looking down on the offending craft with a scowl. I watched as she dropped slowly into a crouched stance, she shifted with unhurried movements, swinging one arm diagonally to her side, two fingers extended from each fist, then she moved both of her arms in steady circular movements. It was then that I noticed small bolts of energy trailing around her hands.

What the?

She kept her arms moving in those circular motions, her face a mask of impassive concentration. The bolts of energy became larger and larger until the air around her was positively crackling with energy, when it seemed like the air could no longer contain all that energy, she moved. She shifted her stance, angling her body towards the closest boat, she took a small step forward and extended her two fingers forward.

Lightning flashed.

Thunder sounded.

The smell of ozone filled the air.

The enemy boat burst into a tower of flame.

Oh my god…

It occurred to me then exactly why she would be chosen to lead this mission. Almost too late I realized just how long I had been standing transfixed by Azula's light show as a man clad in green armour came barrelling down on me swinging a spear, I moved without thinking, seven years of training came into play as I moved by sheer muscle memory. Obviously expecting to catch me unaware, he over-extended himself and ran straight into my elbow, the crunch of breaking bones was clear even over the sound of battle as he fell to the ground unconscious.

Looking up I found myself in the middle of a battle, my previous doubts about me surviving in a battle resurfaced before I shoved them away. I moved as another soldier thrust a spear at me, I felt the blade open a shallow cut across my ribs before I reached across and grabbed him by his chestplate and pulled him into a savage head-butt that sent him reeling as I tore the spear from his grip and brought it hard down on his head.

I don't know how long the battle progressed like this, I grabbed a man attempting to stab a downed red-clad soldier from behind before twisting and slamming him down on his head. I reached down to pull the soldier to his feet and realised it was Bao, he smiled and opened his mouth as if to thank me before a sword blade sprouted from his chest. I let out a feral cry as I surged forward to smash the Earth kingdom coward to the ground, I landed straddling him and felt his dagger cut across my arm after sliding off my pauldron, I roared in pain and anger before bringing my fist down on his face, once, twice, three times before snatching his dagger from his limp hand and stabbing down into his chest.

The full weight of what I'd done didn't seem to hit me, I surged to my feet, my heart pounding so loud I could barely hear the battle around me, I pulled my sword from its scabbard before charging the nearest green object, all finesse was forgotten as I roared again in rage. The man seemed to freeze in his spot as I came barrelling down on him, he barely lifted his sword before I crashed into him impaling him on my blade, the man's body went limp and tore the sword from my hand.

Time was forgotten as the battle raged on, the smell of charred flesh filled my nose almost causing me to gag. My heart was still pounding as if trying to escape my chest and everything felt so…hot, I could feel the heat inside my armour threatening to burn me. I remember a spear opening another gash on my leg, a mace that smashed into my breastplate and somewhere along the way a flying chunk of rock took my helmet clean off.

I could she Azula on the raised platform near the bridge fighting off a half dozen enemies simultaneously; flowing like water around chunks of stone and swinging blades and retaliating with deadly accuracy, plumes of azure flames licking out to consume those who were too slow. It occurred to me that they must be here to capture or kill her specifically…savages. As I moved through the melee I caught sight of Ty Lee weaving her way through, she ducked a swinging halberd, spinning gracefully into a kick that caught the man on the chin and dropped him like a sack of bricks, another moved forward with a dagger in hand, the same dagger falling from nerveless fingers as Ty Lee's arm flashed out, another flashing arm and the man fell to the ground unmoving. It was then that I noticed that she was standing close to one of the catapults or more specifically, barrels of oil they used to coat their projectiles, I watched helplessly as stray ball of flame connected with the barrels, the subsequent explosion threw all nearby fighters –including Ty Lee- to the ground. My legs became unstuck and I rushed forward…only to see an Earth kingdom soldier step forward with a snarl on his face and his spear raised.

I felt the same anger flare within me, these bastards were willing to kill teenage girls! To what end? I was too far away, I could only raise an arm in a vain attempt to will him to stop, I felt that same rage boil up from within me, the same heat that threatened to burn me from the inside seemed to flow as my arm shot forward…and a bright ball of flame shot forward to strike the man in the chest and send him over the railing of the ship.

I had no time to acknowledge what it was that I just did, the fighters who were stunned by the blast were beginning to rise. One rose shakily to his feet only to fall once more as my armour plated elbow connected with his head, another got a 'this is Sparta' kick to the chest that sent him falling through one of the holes in the deck caused by their bombardment. Even as I got to her Ty Lee was already back on her feet, an uncharacteristic glare on her face, we turned together to face the advancing earth soldiers only to see a massive blue fireball explode in their midst, joined by a series of smaller orange ones.

Looking around bewildered I saw that a group of imperial Fire benders had linked up with the princess and they were advancing down the deck in practiced formation. And just like that, the dam broke, the soldiers in green broke ranks and fled towards their boats and the battle turned to a slaughter.

I was aware that I had fallen to my knees, I could vaguely make out Ty Lee's voice but it all seemed to pale in importance as the events of the battle came crashing down on me, the people who had died…the people I had killed! Oh god! What have I done!? My mind rebelled, trying to deny the memories stirring up. My stomach heaved, emptying its contents onto the deck beneath me, my body felt cold as I began to shiver. I felt a pair of arms surround me and a quiet voice whispering to me in a calming tone. That was the last thing I remembered before the darkness overcame me.

Azula, looked out with disgust as the earth kingdom ships fled, the cowards had known they were coming here and had prepared this ambush well, if it were not for the superior quality of soldier the Fire Nation boasted, they would have been overcome.

She turned to regard the deck of her ship, it was littered with the dead and dying, the smell of charred flesh and dead bodies was already filling the air and she quickly ordered the enemy dead to be thrown overboard and their own to be organised for their mass funeral. She scanned the crowd and quickly found the bright pink among the red and black, Ty Lee sat crouched holding Hunters unconscious body, the slow rise and fall of his body confirming him to be alive despite the amount of blood he was covered in.

The dark giant had surprised her yet again, she had lost track of him as the battle had started and a team of specialist soldiers came for her. By the time she had located him again he was tearing his way through the battle like a demon and roaring like a tiger-dillo…and then there was icing on the cake. She too had seen Ty Lee downed by the explosion, she had seen that Earth peasant raise his spear, she had been about to strike him down herself when the unexpected blast of fire from Hunter had send him flying to his death. It was unrefined and untrained but she felt the power there that marked him above the rest.

Yes…she thought to herself, considering the possibilities of having a personal triggerman. You will do nicely.

The tree broke with a loud snap of splintering wood as a cart sized boulder crashed into it. The general was furious, all that preparation, all those lives, a perfect opportunity to capture a royal fire bitch to use as leverage or failing that, to remove on more high ranking fire monster from the world, all of it wasted!

"What in the name of the Face stealer happened!?" he roared at the battered men before him.

It was a while before the lieutenant stepped forward to explain. "Sir t-the attack started as planned but w-we did not expect such fierce resistance."

"Of course they were going to be fierce!" General Fong roared in return, "They were defending their princess! Did you think they would stand aside for you?"

"Sir, the princess was the fiercest of them all, she struck down an entire ship before we could even board!" One of the men cried out.

"SILENCE! I will not have you making excuses for failing to overcome a young teenage girl!" The general's temper was starting to overcome him, ever since the foolish child avatar had spurned his offer of help he had been more and more prone to fits of rage.

"Sir, they had a giant of a man there," Another voice cried, trying a new tactic. "He threw men around like they were children!"

General Fong had enough, he turned and stormed away from those cowards who called themselves soldiers giving the order that they all be sentenced to latrine duty and every other demeaning task that should arise.

He soon came to a halt on the shore line along sides the wreckages of his catapults, those Fire scum were far too accurate with their returning fire, and he regarded the Royal barge that was limping its way south.

This is not over you fire breathing scum. He thought glaring as they disappeared into the distance.

A/N Again: I feel like i should also wish y'all a happy new year since i neglected to in my last update.