-Inside the Jasmine Dragon-
Throughout the crowded tea house, many older woman swooned the while younger ones giggled and blushed while many a male looked on knowingly while the younger ones made gagging faces.
"So maybe it was fate or maybe it just coincidence, but from the first time they met to their shaky reunion, they both ran the gambit of powerful emotions." said Iroh "From just a mere infatuation, to
anger and guilt , to forgiveness, and finally the beginnings of love"
"And so they both were cured?" asked Hahn skeptically "Just like that?"
"No"said Iroh "Azula would carry the burden of her past as would Xi'an. She still had that cruel sadistic streak and fear of her emotions. He would still be prone his bouts of angry outbursts and aversion to using his bending.
"But I thought they defeated those sides of themselves" said Lan
"The healing process takes time" said Iroh "But for now at least, thanks to their visions of the past and the wonderful power of a kiss, they took a step in the right direction. But sadly it would have to be pushed aside for the time being"
"Why?" asked Tai "Didn't they care about each each other?
"I'm with her" said Hui "Why deny themselves any sort of love?"
Because there was a still a danger out there to both the mortal and spirit world
Chapter 19
-The Plan-
The morning sun rose over the eastern air temple, coloring the sky with beautiful shades of purple amber and blue. A soft breeze drifted across the vast empty corridors, across the large fragrant gardens before dispersing upon the small camp. It was indeed a beautiful morning.
Xi'an was the first to wake, though it was the very first time he awoken with such a beautiful girl sleeping soundly on his chest. As he carefully moved a stray hair out of her face, he had to smile. Even with all her noble upbringing and how she carried herself with such a regal air, they way she slept was the complete opposite.
"She snores" thought Xi'an with a smile "but its kinda... cute"
Slowly taking great care not to disturb her, he slid out of bed, laying her head on a makeshift pillow. A small smile formed on her face as she cuddled the pillow. He chuckled a bit as he gently traced her cheek, he shared a passionate kiss from the infamous Princess Azula.
"Sleep well, princess" he whispered as he leaned down and kissed her on the forehead
Her smile slowly grew a bit larger as she shifted and got comfortable letting out a content sigh before returning to her cute snoring ways
Leaving the shelter Xi'an noticed that it was still early, Checking in on his sisters, he noticed they were out cold with Sokka's sister Katara. Smiling he left then be, They had been through so much already
-Bark Bark-
"Susssssssh!" said Xi'an "It figures that you'd be up. Lets let everybody else sleep in"
-bark-
The boy and the pup walked a bit way from camp to practice some throws with his boomerang. Ever since buying the thing from Kang, he never felt the need to use it up till now. How he knew the reason, he was terrible at it. His first throw flew about 3 feet before dropping like a stone. His second arced high and wide spinning around, hitting him hard into the back side. If a dog was capable of laughing, Kip would have.
"That's gotta hurt!" said Sokka walking up to the two " How are you feeling? Well other than the bruise on your butt?"
"A lot better thanks, I just a bit on my mind" said Xi'an "How about you, how are you feeling?"
"In tip top prime water tribe warrior shape, all things considering" said Sokka watching Xi'an's pathetic attempt at boomerang throwing " You really don't know how throw one of those do you?"
"Not really, no" said Xi'an
"Well what about your Dad, surely he... OH"Sokka trailed off "Sorry.. We heard the details from Kang last night. If it means anything, Katara and I know how you feel.
"Yeah?" asked Xi'an tossing his boomerang "How's that?"
"Our mother was killed in a fire nation raid on our village" said Sokka painfully "Unarmed and in cold blood"
"I'm sorry" said Xi'an sincerely
"It's okay" said Sokka "It took a while but I was able to move on as best as I can, Though I have to admit you never really get over it.
"I know" said Xi'an "Sometimes I keep myself up at night, wondering what if. What if I hadn't thrown that rock, what if I would never used my bending...
"Don't do that to yourself" said Sokka "Talk like that will just eat you alive"
"I know" Xi'an said softly
"So what was the tale with your parents?"
"It's long story" said Xi'an
"Oh no you dont! You tried that before, remember" challenged Sokka "We got time, so talk"
"During the war, my father who was from the southern water tribe fell in love with the daughter of a earth kingdom general. As the story goes, the general completely against it and forbade the two seeing each other.
"They defied him?" asked Sokka
"Oh yeah, not only did they see each other, they got married aganst his wishes" said Xi'an " The general was pretty livid when he found out and kicked the crap out of his own troops in response. He disowned her at that point, and then when I was born, he wanted nothing to do with me. It was a old argument, They just wanted his blessing, I suppose and he refused. He cited his disapproval of their union and their "half breed odd eye son"
"That terrible" said Sokka tossing his boomerang "After what happened, did you ever try to find him?"
"No" said Xi'an " What was the point? Why look for someone who wanted nothing to do with me? I had an adopted family in my Aunt Sho and the twins. And I had a great mentor and father figure in Kang. As far as I was concerned that was enough for me"
"Kinda of makes me worry about my own relationship" sighed Sokka "I mean my father approves but I dont know about her family..."
"Do you love her?" asked Xian tossing his boomerang "Honestly?"
"With all my heart " said Sokka tossing his boomerang "Honestly"
"Then that's all you need" said Xi'an
Sokka nodded grabbing his boomerang out of the air and tossing it again, it flying in a series of complicated patterns before returning gracefully to his hand
"Show off" smiled Xi'an
"Its all in the wrist" laughed Sokka " "So...I know you two were sick and all but how was your night alone with the insane princess?
"It was...enlightening " said Xi'an turning a bit red "And...
"And what?" said Sokka cocking a confused eyebrow
"Shes a good kisser" said Xi;an turning a even deeper shade of red "A very good kisser"
"What?YOU? HER? HOW! WHY?" exclaimed Sokka his jaw dropping "You were chewing her out last night. What happened?"
"It's was weird..." said Xi'an "I got to see with my own eyes how she really is..."
"If that is the case you should be running screaming in the other direction" asked Sokka "You weren't around before she lost her marbles. She was cruel, vindictive, ruthless and a little bit crazy! No I take that back she was and still is very crazy! Are you out of your mind!"
"This coming from a guy who thought I was eating Appa" smirked Xi'an
"Hey, that was an honest mistake..." said Sokka "But my point being is that before she lost her mind, she was one of the most dangerous people in the world. A Tigerdillo does not change it's stripes!"
"Who says she's not dangerous now? Logically speaking,isn't it better to have her on our side?" said Xi'an "Look Sokka, Zuko was able turnover a new leaf. so why cant Azula"
"That's apples and mangos, two very different things" said Sokka "Aren't you letting your affection for her cloud your judgment?
"Maybe I am, I'm not gonna lie, I do care about her...A lot. If you dont trust her fine, find a way to make her earn it" said Xi'an " But regardless we cant stay here foreever, they will find us eventually. So we dont have a choice,but to fight back and we need every able hand we can get. She's one of the best fire benders out there, even you have to admit that"
"Let just hope we dont make a mistake...
Azula awoke to find herself alone in the small stone shelter. As she stretched out and yawned. she had to admit she felt better then she had in months. A wonderful night of sleep and cuddling with him, her boyfriend.
"Boyfriend?" she thought she thought with a smile "Do princesses have boyfriends? Eh, I have to admit it sounds a bit better than royal consort. It feels more...intimate"
She felt a bit lonely not waking up with him, it would have been nice if she had. She never really felt like this before with anyone before.
"He's not really a problem is he?" she thought to herself
She sighed inwardly. From the moment she met him there was something about him. It was something she couldn't place her finger on. Every time she thought about him...Ugh ..even the mention of his name sent her into a furious blush. But at the same time it scared her. Love made a person weak didn't it?
"Love?" she thought " Is that it? Am I in love with him?"
It's funny, she had full knowledge of every fire bending form, she knew proper military and royal protocol, could plan a siege or coup with meticulous precision but matters of the heart? That was a truly an alien concept to her as was her fear of it. But what was it that she was afraid of? Rejection? Having her heart broken? Caring for him?...Losing him? all of the above?
No...She wouldn't, she couldn't risk it. It would be best to walk right up to him, tell him that the kiss and all the feelings behind it was a mistake. That's it she would walk up to him and tell him it would be best if they kept their relationship strictly professional. Yes that's it, no more of those wonderful kisses of his that made her lips tingle or Feeling the warm comfort of his embrace that made her feel so safe and loved...
"Ugh!"she thought gritting her teeth "Why cant this be easy"
Hopping out of bed and adjusting her robe, she left the shelter hoping the avatars girlfriend was awake. There was a lot to discuss and maybe then she could put it in some sort of perspective...
Kang met up with Xi'an and Sokka with a glare of disapproval. Xi'an didnt remember too much from last might but He knew that he sucker punched Kang and the old man responded in kind. From the look in his eyes, he was still a bit steamed
"Sokka can you go over those scrolls I brought?" asked Xi'an
"Yeah" said Sokka patting Xi'an on the back as a silent good luck before leaving
Still upset with Xi'an actions, Kang turned his back on the boy.
"Um Kang... Look I know there's no excuse for the way I acted" said Xi'an laying a hand on his shoulder " I'm sor...RY!
Without looking back Kang grabbed Xians arm, sent him flying over his shoulder and crashing hard into the dirt.
"Sorry doesn't quite cut it kid" said Kang "You took a swing at me and hit me in the face. I dont take kindly to snots disrespecting their elders"
"Then what will cut ?" said Xi'an dusting himself off "A fight?"
"That's right" said Kang rolling up his sleeves "You said you'd kick the snot out of me eh? Well it's time to prove it then"
"I was sick!" Xi'an said "I didn't mean what I said"
"That's no excuse" said Kang
"I'm not going to fight you old man" said Xi'an through gritted teeth
"If you don't fight back then your just going to get beat" said Kang grabbing the boy by the shirt and chucking him into a large crater "You thought you were grown when you took a swing at me. So now its time to prove it"
"Fine, I just want you to know that this time you asked this" growled Xi'an as he dusted himself off and dropped into a fighting stance
"Not asking, boy" said Kang jumping into the crater "I'm demanding"
Azula and Katara both laughed inwardly at the situation, almost a year earlier they were bitter enemies and now here she was asking for advice for matters of the heart over a bit of morning tea. Ever since their team up they had been pretty pleasant to each other. She would almost consider Katara a friend, at the very least a trusted confidant.
"So how are you feeling?" Katara asked curiously "You and Xi'an gave everyone quite a scare last night"
"Much better thank you" said Azula " Believe it or not, I had a very intriguing experience last night.
"Does this have anything to do with him?" probed Katara "He was in pretty bad shape last night, I doubt he meant what he said".
"I know he didn't" smiled Azula turning a bit red "We sort of made up last night"
"Really?" asked Katara very curious "What exactly happened"
"Its so hard to explain" said Azula "We both had strange dreams, where he saw my past and I saw his.
I know it sounds crazy and I'm not sure I even believe it but its true "
"So...what happened next?" asked Katara eager for more details "Come on don't leave me dangling"
"Well... We..." said Azula turning an even darker red
"Yes?" asked Katara excitedly
"We... Kissed" said Azula shyly "And I liked it...a lot. But... "
"But what?" asked Katara a bit confused "Is something wrong?
"You and the avatar?" asked Azula "You love him dont you?"
"With every fiber of my being" said Katara "Though I didn't realized how much until I almost lost him"
"Oh..." said Azula sadly knowing full well what Katara was talking about "I...should leave..."
"Azula? Wait..." said Katara gently grabbing her arm "Aang forgave you...and so can I. You came here for a reason..."
Well ..Ummm" Azula said almost shyly " I want to know how does one know when they are in love?"
"Love huh?" smiled Katara "You and Xi'an ?"
"Maybe" said Azula evasively "I want to know all the risks and benefits. I need to analyze all the facts before I make any sort of decision on the matter. I refuse to leave anything to chance"
" I'm sorry" said Katara "I cant help you there"
"Can't or won't" asked Azula "Surely there some way of predicting it"
"That's your problem Azula" said Katara "You can't analyze, predict or even rationalize it. Love
doesn't work that way. It's one of the most beautiful and illogical emotions we have"
That's why...it... it... said Azula not quite able to let the words out
"It scares you doesn't it? said Katara " Taking the risk of opening your heart to someone because you dont know what will happen?"
Azula nodded
"Let me ask you this, and answer me truthfully" said Katara " How do feel about him"
"He makes my heart beat fast when ever I'm around him. And last night when he had his arms around me, I didn't ever want him to let go. Then there's the way he makes my lips tingle every time we kiss " said Azula with a blush"Plus..."
"Plus? Plus what?" asked Katara
"He has such beautiful eyes" said Azula "To me they are anyway"
"Yeah" said Katara with a big smile "Youre in love"
"But does he love me back?" asked Azula
Before Katara could answer Te raced into the Tent with a look of urgency
"Xi'an and Kang are fighting" she said between breaths
"They're what?" asked Katara and Azula in unison
The 3 girls raced out of the tent, toward where the others were, sitting at the edge of a large crater
that was probably the remains of the fire nation attack on the temple long ago. Now it made the perfect arena for Kang and Xi'an's duel. The two were down in the center circling each other as the rest looked on.
"Whats going on here?" asked Katara
"It's a Rumble Duel" said Toph "Think of it as an earth Kingdom version of an Agni Kai"
"Well lets stop them" said Zuko "We cant have them two fighting"
"No..." said Sokka "Let them go...They need work this out between themselves"
"What...!" exclaimed Suki " What do you mean they need this?"
"Just watch" said Sokka narrowing his eyes
Inside the crater, both Xi'an and Kang stood across from each other with looks of fierce intensity. Casting aside his bow and quiver, the boy proceeded to crack his knuckles in a subtle attempt at intimidation. Kang was unimpressed, tossing his hammers aside and proceeded to answer back by popping his neck and knuckles with a loud snapping sound
Both launched at each other in the middle of the crater throwing fast punches and parries, neither gaining an advantage over the other.
"You're quick, Kid" said Kang
"So are you old man" responded Xi'an tossing a wild punch "But dont you know better than to talk during a fight?
"It's called strategy my boy" said Kang catching his punch "Even a little distraction is enough to gain an advantage"
Crushing his hand Kang slowly dropped him to his knees. Fighting through the pain Xi'an attempted a low sweep only be avoided Kang who responded with a vicious kick of his own, slamming Xi'an hard into the crater walls
Leaping out of the wall, Xi'an rushed at the old man, ducking the barrage of boulders. With fist balled up he swung wildly as Kang expertly deflected each blow. Grabbing the boy by the shirt slammed him hard into the dirt. With relative ease he then kicked the boy into the hard walls of the crater.
"You not going to beat me with out bending" said Kang
A low ever increasing rumble was heard as Xi'an leaped out wall blasting 4 large boulders at the old man. Kicking them away expertly but neglecting his blind side, Kang got hammered by a fifth larger boulder from behind.
"You want bending! I'll show you bending!" said Xi'an jumping back and forming a large man sized boulder "I told you I never liked using it! You know my reasons! But still you want to push me anyway? Fine!
Kang smiled forming a man sized boulder of his own. Both narrowed their eyes as they silently dared the other to move first. From above Toph noticed their stances, almost mirror images of each other, both having the same habit of shifting their weight slightly to the right before throwing a punch. A subtle habit and one easily missed if one isn't looking for it. The only way you get habits like that as if passed though family styles.
At nearly the same time both drove in their fists in, sending the large rocks in flying into the center connecting with each other with a thunderous crash. As both rocks levitated in the air, slowly forming into one ever bigger chunk of rock , Kang and Xi'an both fought for control. Their muscles straining as sweat dripped from their foreheads, each fighting to gain ground. Slowly the Rock started to move as Kang gained the upper hand. With a flick of his wrist he sent the Massive chunk flying toward Xi'an.
Thinking quickly, the boy leaped in the air kicking it with all his might, sending it flying right back a the old man. With a powerful swing of his arms, the old man sent it flying right back. Like a strange game of Kui ball, the rock went back and forth with both earthbenders moving closer trying to gain an advantage.
"You not going to win old man!" snarled Xi'an
"Heh you think you can beat me boy?" spouted back Kang
As if thinking the same thought, both Kang and Xi'an from opposite sides hit the rock with everything they had at exactly the same time causing the massive piece of earth to explode in a giant cloud of dust and pebbles. When the dust cleared, both the boy and the Old man were laid out flat both gasping and wheezing for air... then to the surprise of others they heard …...laughter?
"We're both hard headed idiots aren't we? said Xi'an too exhausted to move
"Yeah we are..." said Kang also too exhausted to move " Are you sorry, boy?"
"I already told you I was!" groaned Xi'an
"Good" said Kang getting to his feet and helping Xi'an to his but not before making sure to playfully slap Xi'an in the face "You're forgiven, Just ever take a swing at me again!"
The other slid down as the crater as the two got to their feet.
"Are you two alright?" asked Katara
"Yeah, we're fine" said Xi'an
"Good" said Azula "Otherwise I'd feel completely terrible for this"
-SLAP-
"Thanks to you two" Azula growled "Te and Ye are a crying wreck"
"I'll go talk to them" said Xi'an walking off holding his cheek
"And as for you Kang..." Azula started
"I'm not gonna be lectured by you!" said Kang "You really want to know what I'm doing?
"I think we all do" said Suki glaring at her boyfriend
"We're trying to keep Xi'an from getting killed" said Sokka
"From being killed?" said Katara
"Xi'an despises his bending and it causes him to hesitate every time he uses it " said Kang "Like it or not we are in a war. For whats whats coming, hesitating even for a moment isn't a luxury he can afford to have.
"So why this way?" asked Toph
"Xi'an is a thick headed kid" said Kang"Sometimes the hard way is the only way to learn. Look, the girls lost their mother, I won't allow them to lose their brother too just because he too stubborn to use his bending, understand"
"Well if he's not up to the task" said Aang "Maybe he shouldn't be my Guardian"
"That's also a luxury we dont have" said Kang walking out the crater
Later in the day everyone gathered back at camp to discuss what to do next.
Sitting down with the others Xi'an picked up a few of the scrolls while listening. Despite trying to explain what was going(or at least he believed what was going on) The girls were having none of it, completely giving Xi'an the silent treatment.
The news wasn't good not by a long shot. While they were safe for now, it was only a matter of time before massive Phoenix empire army found them. The only way that everyone agreed was to hit back and hit back hard. How to do it? That was a whole another matter entirely.
"Why cant we just blast our way into the Royal capital?" said Xi'an "Take out Lo Pan and take out the army. Couldn't we hit right at the heart problem?
"No good" said Zuko "The capital is sure to be heavily fortified, with a fleet of airships and who knows how many battalions of solders, tanks and ships. Even as good as all of us are, taking just Appa and a that small airship into all that is suicide.
"If were to stand any sort of chance against them, we're going to need an army of our own" said Kang
"We couldn't stop them when they invaded the capital" said Katara "Even with an army how are we gonna stop them, now?"
"Because now we do" said Sokka unrolling a scroll " We found a way that causes all the soldiers to under their command to stop in their tracks, permanently
"That doesn't make any sense" said Zuko "What do you mean stop?
"This is how they're being controlled" said Xi'an tossing the broken remains of a clay medallion "A spirit anchor. Those things are led by a single commander, using this. Break this and they all fall
"And just because you break it they stop?" asked Azula "How?"
Because they're not human" said Suki "They're not even living. What Sokka, Toph and I saw were just spirits being forced into armor. They're using our departed against us "
"And where were you while they were dealing with that, oh great guardian?" said Aang to Xi'an
"I was getting dragged in the spirit world, rescuing 4 of you ungrateful avatars and roped into babysitting you" Xian shot back
"Enough!" said Kang grabbing each boys head and knocking them together, hard "If both of you dont understand the gravity of the situation, let me make it nice and clear. Lo pan and his armies are matching over the whole world causing who knows how much death and destruction while at the same time doing untold damage to the spirit world and this is the time you two want to bicker?"
"I dont want his help!" said Aang
"I never asked the responsibility" said Xi'an
"Who gives 2 buckets of spit what you want or what you asked for?" snapped Kang "You Aang , better realize and realize quick that this isn't about you or your precious reputation. You said yourself you've been weakened, so need the help, period! And you Xi'an, It doesn't matter whether you asked for it or not, you have it. Deal with it and do your duty, both of you. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes" they said mumbling unison
"Yes what?"
"Yes sir" they both said
"Sokka!" said Kang gruffly
"Yes sir?" he replied not wanting to get yelled at
"Is there any way to take those things down without going after the medallion?" asked Kang "It's gonna be next to impossible to find the commander if the army is huge.
"According to this scroll, if we puncture they part of the armor here" said Sokka pointing over
the heart "it would allow the spirit to escape and disperse. But it is still better to get the medallion and stop them all at once "
"Good to hear" said Toph "But how are we gonna get an army to fight them? Form what I heard Ba Sing Se has been reduced since the war"
"What about Omashu and Kyoshi island?" asked Katara "Bumi should stillhave a decent size army, and the Kyoshi warriors are great in a fight
"No good, according to the captain that attacked our village" said Kang "Both have been taken"
"Well we have take them back then!" said Suki "My warrior sisters are there!"
"So is my girlfriend!" said Zuko with worry
"What about Omashu?" said Aang "Bumi needs help too"
"Well then there's no choice then" said Azula "We split up and take both at once"
"What about you, Pathik" asked Kang "What will you do?"
"I will stay here" said The Guru "I've done my part, the rest I leave in your hands"
"Its settled then" said Zuko "We leave at sundown"
As the sun started to disappear over the horizon everyone finished packing the airship and Appa's saddle While finishing the final bit of preparations on the Airship Xi'an was interrupted by a water tribe warrior peering over the edge.
"We got a problem" said Sokka "Actually two little ones
Te and Ye were having an argument over who to go with, Ye with Sokka's group and Te with Aang's group and it was coming close to blows.
"Whats going on here?" asked Xi'an getting the immediate silent treatment from the twins
"Not talking Huh?" sighed the boy " Okay fine, Katara do you think you can settle this? They're not talking to me"
"Yeah I'll see what I can do" said Katara leaning closer "You might want to talk to your girlfriend, no sense in 3 girls being mad at you"
Sighing as he left Katrina to play peace maker, he walked over to where Azula was sitting.
"Hey"
"Hello" said Azula coldly still a little ticked
"I heard your riding with Sokka's group" said Xi'an
"Yes I am" said Azula "It was my decision"
"Are your sure you want to do this?" said Xi'an "Look I'm sorry, If I knew it was going to upset you 3 that much I would have just taken a beating. I admit it...I'm an idiot!"
"Yes, you are " scoffed Azula " But there are some things I have to sort out...Alone "
"I see" said Xi'an a bit disappointed "I understand"
As Xi'an got up to leave, Azula grabbed the back of his shirt pulling him back down.
"I dont believe I said you could go"said the princess coldly "Did I?"
Gracefully she slid unto his lap and rested her head on his shoulder. Her expression softened as she felt his arms around her.
"Yes you are an idiot" she said "But your my idiot"
"Gee...i lov... "started Xi'an but stopped by a finger on his lips
"Don't say that unless you mean it" said Azula sharply
"But I d.. "started Xi'an again and again stopped by slender finger on his lips
"So many things have happened. Things so strange to me, so I have to deal with them alone, understand? " said Azula " But when we meet in Ba Sing Se, then I'll wish to hear that from you. All right?"
Xi'an nodded softly
"Therefore you will return to me one piece and unharmed. Fail to do so and I will have you locked up in a rat infested dungeon until you learn the error of your ways! Do you understand?" said Azula jabbing him in the chest with very evil look on her face
"What?" laughed Xi'an uncomfortably "Don't you think that's a tad bit extreme?"
"Uh ..sorry it's force of habit" blushed Azula "Um...Be careful?"
"You too" said Xian kissing her on the forehead
She wanted to just tell him it was just a big mistake..but she couldn't. Because it wasn't. While she decided to set aside her feeling for him for the time being, she truly cared for him. And even though she refused to let him say so, she knew that he cared for her as well.
"You are aware that a mere kiss on the forehead isn't enough for someone like me" she said softly tilting his chin toward hers
"Oh" he said softly "Not enough for a princess?"
"No" she said "Not enough for your girlfriend"
As their lips touched , an explosion of emotions ran between them. Fear of never seeing each other again, Forgiving each other, Hope that things would turn out right and of course Love. Love that showed itself in the simple tingle of a kiss
"There is no way" she thought as she wrapped her arms around his neck "I will never give this up, its too wonderful"
Sundown came entirely too quickly and even though this time there it was by choice, there was sense of sadness about being split up again. Xian with Kip would be with Aang, Katara and Zuko on Fung's airship to Omashu. Azula would be with Kang, Toph Suki and Sokka to Kyoshi Island. As for the twins, much to Xi'an displeasure Te would go with Aang's group while Ye would go with Sokka's.
He didn't like the idea of them being split up. Ye still a bit upset at Xi'an yelling at Azula and dueling Kang so she insisted that she went with Sokka's group. Kang and Azula assured they would look after her but Xi'an still worried none the less.
"Don't worry, you forget they got the world greatest earth bender with them!" bragged Toph
"And Zuko" said Suki "If Mai's there we'll get her to Ba Sing Se
"Thanks I appreciate that" said Zuko
"You guys remember the plan right?" asked Kang "No matter what, in 1 week we meet up in Ba sing Se, got it?"
"Yes sir" said the group said finishing packing the airship
"Katara" said Kang "Will you what I asked when you get to Omashu"
"I will Kang" said Katara "I promise"
Appa Growled at Azula causing the fire nation princess to jump back
"Easy Appa" said Sokka "She's on our side, at least for now "
"Thanks" said Azula
"Don't thank me yet" said Sokka "I still haven't forgot all of what you've done. And I sure dont trust you"
"I'm trying to atone for that, all of it" she said softly
"Words mean nothing, Azula. Especially from you" said Suki "If you really sincere, you'll prove it with your actions"
"But I'm warning you right now" said Sokka darkly "If you even look like you're going betray us, I'll put you down myself"
Azula sighed as they got into Appa's saddle, though she expected this. At least she would have some friendly faces in Ye and Kang. Hopefully in time she would prove it to the others.
As both Appa and the Airship flew off in opposite directions the, Guru smiled knowingly.
"Safe journey, my friends"