I'm BAAACK! Sorry for the long wait. The fact is that I was hard at work trying to find a job. I've been coming the internet and the newspaper looking for employment, but it hasn't been going so well. Anyway, that's been taking up most of my time. But then, I don't know if you've heard, but Kentucky has basically shut down. All the schools are out for the week and the stores are almost empty. No milk, no bread, it's kind of creepy. It's like the apocalypse. We've got about a foot of snow, and I know that probably doesn't seem like much, but we freak out when we get three inches, so basically this is snowmageddon for us. I've been in the house for days and I've finally had time to get back to working on this. While we're all shut down and can't do anything I'm going to try and get as much done on this as I can, maybe store up some chapters so I can get back to updating every other week. Anyway, here's the next chapter!

When she returned to the ship, all Asuni wanted to do was collapse into bed. Unfortunately, she still had dinner to make for the crew and the royals. Thankfully she'd put some stew on before she left, so now all she had to do was the royals' meals, and that meant she had a few minutes.

Asuni went to the cubby and quickly stripped down to her under things. She pulled water from the basin in the corner and ran it all over her body, cleaning off the dirt and grime. She threw the dirty water out of the window in the kitchen and pulled more in to replace it.

Refreshed and redressed, she went to her cubby and pulled out one of the scrolls. It was the one she read as a bedtime story, the one about her ancestor Akiak. The way the story went, during a very harsh winter, the spirits in the North turned dark and violent and began attacking the villagers. Everyone was afraid, but Akiak went to try and reason with the spirits. He was able to calm them and in thanks the spirits trusted him with a great secret and promised him they would provide their aid if he ever called on them.

It made a good bedtime story, but that didn't mean it wasn't true, Asuni now realized. Spirits had always interested her – perhaps it was genetics, her family being spiritual leaders in the North Pole, or it could have been Lo Shen's own interest – but she'd never really taken it very seriously before. It was always just some topic to turn to when she had nothing to do, a hobby. Apparently it was serious.

She heard the door open to the kitchen. Asuni hastily gathered up the scroll and shoved it into the cubby, closing the door quickly. She stepped out into the kitchen and blinked when she saw Zuko standing there by the table, looking around absently.

"Prince Zuko!" she exclaimed in surprise. "I thought you were still out!"

"No, I just got back," Zuko said, sitting down at the table.

"Well, I haven't gotten started on your dinner yet, so any requests?" Asuni asked cheerily, heading for the stove. In reality, she was tired and in no mood for a potentially dangerous conversation.

"Whatever."

He sounded disheartened, not really there. Asuni turned to him in surprise. Zuko was slumped, his arms folded on the table in front of him. His eyes were boring holes into the wood.

"Something wrong, my prince?" she asked warily.

"She was there again."

Asuni stiffened. "She? Who?"

"The girl in black."

"Ah." Asuni turned back to the stove, busying herself with dinner preparations. "What did she do?"

"She defended me."

"Well, it sounds like she's helpful, who ever she is," Asuni continued, chopping vegetables quickly and with a little more vehemence than was strictly necessary.

"I spoke to her. She's a member of the Royal Guard."

"What? You mean so they're not just a legend?" Asuni exclaimed, forcing herself to sound shocked.

"Apparently not," Zuko grunted, picking absently at a scratch on the table with his finger. "She talked to me," he continued quieter.

"Did she now?" Asuni asked slyly. "Was your uncle correct? Does she like you?" She heard a faint snarl and smiled to herself.

"No."

"Alright, alright," Asuni said, turning around and holding up her hands soothingly. She wiped them on a towel and continued, "So what did she say?"

"She said…" Zuko stared at the opposite wall intently, and then shook his head. "Nothing important. But her voice…"

"Did she sound cute?"

Asuni quickly found herself the subject of a patented angry Zuko glare. "Alright, alright, I'll stop," Asuni chuckled. "But… I am curious. Tell me?" she requested as she ventured into the storeroom to fetch some more ingredients.

"She sounded… like a demon."

Asuni raised an eyebrow. She'd thought she did a good job, but a demon? Really? "What do you mean by that?" she called as she pulled a loaf of bread down.

"She sounded like her throat had been mauled," Zuko struggled to explain. Asuni winced.

"Poor woman," she said sympathetically. "Do you think she was hurt in some kind of training exercise?"

"I almost got her mask off."

"Did you?" Asuni asked breezily. "See any of her?"

"No, she got away. She's very good at hiding who she is," Zuko scowled thunderously.

"I imagine she's been trained that way."

"How does she keep finding me?"

"She's probably been trained in that too. All the legends say the Royal Guards were nigh-unstoppable," Asuni said, smothering the large amount of pride she felt in her group.

"No!" Zuko disagreed. "We're sailing, and there's been no sighting of a boat following us, and yet somehow she's always there when something's happening. You've never seen a woman in all black, have you?"

Asuni turned around and looked at him archly. "I'd have reported that for sure."

"I guess so," Zuko allowed, scowling even more heavily. He paused and inhaled deeply. "What are you making?"

"Something simple," Asuni explained, and set a plate down in front of him. "Vegetable sandwich," she smiled. "Something to tide you over until dinner. I'd imagine it was difficult out there."

She made to withdraw her hands, only for Zuko to seize her right wrist. Asuni's eyes widened in shock.

"Prince Zuko, what-?"

"Where did you get that?"

He jerked her hand around and Asuni's eyes widened in horror at the sight of a smudge of ash lingering on the outside of her wrist. Her heart started pounding. No, no, no!

"I-"

Zuko stood up and backed her towards the counter. Asuni froze, heart pounding as he loomed over her, snarling, "Is it you? Was it you on the island?" He shook her. "Tell me!"

"My prince!" Asuni cried. "I work in a kitchen, sometimes I brush against the stove and get a little ash on me! It's nothing," she soothed.

Once more, not lying. She did occasionally brush into the stove and get ash on her. It wasn't how she'd gotten it this time, but it was a fact.

Slowly, golden eyes still probing her, Zuko released her, stepping back. Asuni rubbed her wrist with her free hand, wincing slightly.

"This girl has you really worked up, my prince," she said vaguely.

"I don't like not knowing."

Asuni calmly sipped on her tea as she placed a pai sho piece on the board in front of her. She smiled at the sweet raspberry taste. Her happy expression immediately dropped when Iroh made his move. She scowled heavily, looking for a way to counter him.

The ship shifted direction and Asuni calmly picked up her cup of tea to keep it from sliding off the edge of the table. When the ship steadied itself, she set the cup back down and smugly placed her next piece on the board. Iroh stared at the board intently.

"So there," Asuni said, crossing her arms cockily.

The door to the bridge flew open and Zuko stormed in, clad in his training clothes – a sleeveless vest and loose pants. Asuni blushed slightly as he stalked past her. She sometimes forgot what he looked like under all that armor and mmm yummy muscles.

"Your move," Iroh murmured, smiling at her pointedly. Asuni blushed harder at being caught staring and turned back to the game.

"What is the meaning of this mutiny?" Zuko demanded of the captain, who was back on his heels, leaning away from the enraged prince as far as he was able while still keeping a grip on the wheel. "No one told you to change our course!"

"Actually, I did," Iroh disagreed, placing down his next tile. "I assure you it's a matter of utmost urgency."

Zuko whirled around, instantly alert. "Is it something to do with the Avatar?"

"Even more urgent," Iroh stressed. "It seems…" his face fell and Asuni mentally cursed. She'd been present for Iroh's realization that the tile was missing. It hadn't been pretty. Esteemed general he was, but it was hard to take Iroh seriously when he got so worked up over the game piece. That's what had prompted her to very quickly fetch up some tea. Her favorite, raspberry, and the general's, jasmine. The two scents mingled pleasantly in the air.

"I've lost my lotus tile!" Iroh finally confessed, looking incredibly broken up.

Zuko stared blankly. "Lotus tile?"

"For my pai sho game," Iroh clarified. "Most people think the lotus tile insignificant, but it is essential for the unusual game style I employ."

Zuko gaped at his uncle incredulously. "You've changed our course for a stupid lotus tile?"

"See, you, like most people, underestimate its importance," Iroh lectured. "Just give me ten minutes to check the merchants at this port of call. Hopefully they'll have the lotus tile in stock, and I can get on with my life."

Zuko leaned his head back, exhaling cinders and smoke in frustration, steam trailing off the fists clenched at his side.

"I'm lucky to have such an understanding nephew," Iroh said as smoke swirled around his head.

The were safely in the Earth Nation when they finally docked and disembarked. Iroh and Zuko went first with a small detail of soldiers for their personal protection. Sea-faring towns who had people from all over tended to be more friendly towards Fire Nation citizens, but they still weren't exactly beloved members of the community.

Asuni slipped off by herself under the excuse of wanting to check the produce by the waterfront. Zuko cautioned her that they'd be leaving quickly, and not to stray, or he'd leave her behind. Asuni no longer believed him, and she'd merely smiled before heading off, basket slung over her arm and a pouch of coins tucked into her belt.

She combed through the stalls of the merchants, picking through the vegetables and fruits interestedly. She bought a few oranges with a plan to make orange pig-chicken for dinner for Zuko and Iroh that night. She also picked up a few staple vegetables she was running low on, and some fish to make a nice soup for the men that night.

Asuni was browsing a stall that absolutely reeked of herbs. Dried sprigs hung everywhere, bundles of fresh-cut branches laid on in trays. Small jars of roots and leaves were out on display for the discerning passer-by. Some were already powdered and waiting in pouches to be bought.

Asuni stared into her money pouch, contemplating whether or not she wanted to use the last of her allowance on spices. A woman in a long green cloak came up next to her, touching a sprig of rosemary curiously, turning it around under the guise of looking for rotten spots.

"A bit late for rosemary," the woman observed to the merchant.

"Ah, but this is a hardy plant! Still perfect, you can see!" he insisted, sensing hesitance in the purchase.

The woman cocked her head and looked the plant over critically. "The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all," she observed esoterically. The merchant blinked.

"Uh… I suppose so?"

"Just like a single light can cut through the darkest nights," Asuni replied. The merchant looked at her in surprise and the woman next to her nodded and smiled.

"Yes, exactly. I'll take it," she said, placing coins into the merchant's hand and plucking the bundle of rosemary from its hanger. "Have a good day," she said in a parting comment, before turning and striding down the docks. She ducked into an alley next to a fish-merchants stall. Asuni waited a moment, dithering between bundles of sage before finally paying for one.

The merchant was obviously quite happy to see the back of her when Asuni took off. She headed down the pier and ducked down the alley. The woman from before was leaning back against the building, absently picking under her nails with a small knife. Dark hair fell messily over her shoulders. The woman was tan, skinny, and dressed in dirty, loose clothes. She was very obviously a traveler.

"Asuni, nice to finally meet you," the woman greeted, nodding to her. She slipped the knife back into her cloak and a fire ferret poked its head out. The woman snorted a bit and wiggled a finger against the top of the ferret's nose. It made a happy sound and then sheltered back inside the cloak. "I'm Kaieda."

"I got your message," Asuni said by way of greeting. "Interesting messenger hawk," she added, recalling the hawk with the dark underbelly and light wings. She also very much recalled it trying to sneak chunks of meat out of the skillet she was preparing it in the night before.

Kaieda snickered. "Shift wasn't hungry when he got back last night. Thanks for feeding him."

"It wasn't on purpose," Asuni scowled, still a bit annoyed with the bird. She reached into her clothes and plucked out a scroll. It was very thick and bound in a blue ribbon. She passed it over to Kaieda, who took it and saluted with it jauntily.

"Many thanks, Lieutenant," Kaieda replied, stowing the scroll inside her cloak. "The General should be pleased with a more full report from Crescent Island. Apparently those sages weren't exactly forthcoming."

Asuni raised an eyebrow. "Are you heading back to base soon? I thought you were still on assignment in the southern Earth Kingdom."

Kaieda shrugged. "I'm am, but I was up here for business and I've got my own report to send. I heard about the fiasco at Crescent Island and figured you probably had something to say. Figured we could share Shift," she explained. "Then the General gets his reports faster and you take less risk."

Asuni nodded appreciatively. "Well, thank you. It was nice to meet you," she added.

Honestly, it was. Kaieda was a bit of an oddity in the Royal Guards. Eiji's half-sister was rarely ever in the Fire Nation. She excelled in undercover work, so she was usually on assignment in the Earth Kingdom. Even when she was at base she still kept to herself. She was a master with any kind of blade though, just like Eiji. It was unavoidable when you were Piandao's child.

"I'd say it was nice to meet you too," Kaieda replied, "but you've been a little brusque."

Asuni's eyes narrowed. "Watch yourself, Sergeant."

"Ah, rank-pulling, eh?" Kaieda chuckled. "We've reached that point already?" She turned and started down the alley, calling over her shoulder, "If you're ever in my area, let me know if you need help!"

Asuni stared at the retreating back. She supposed Kaieda was allowed a little freedom. Her loyalty was unquestioned, which was the only reason she was allowed to operate so freely and modify her assignment as needed.

Shaking her head, Asuni emerged from the alleyway and started back towards the boat. She paused when she saw Iroh and Zuko making their way towards a ship docked nearby. With a few running steps she'd caught up, asking Iroh, "Have you found what you were looking for?"

"No, but I thought I'd check this charming little ship!" Iroh replied cheerfully, mounting the gangplank and boarding the ship. Asuni heard a faint snarl to her left and looked to see Zuko glaring at his uncle's back.

"Not that it stopped him from buying half of the other things he saw," the prince muttered under his breath. Asuni chuckled slightly, covering her mouth with a hand. Zuko glanced sideways at her and Asuni looked apologetic.

"Sorry, just…. Well, did you expect anything different?"

Zuko scowled. "No, not really."

"Let him have a little fun," Asuni advised as they all descended into the hold. It was lined with shelves and little cubbies where wares were on display. Zuko stood stoically beside his uncle's shoulder while Asuni amused herself with some light browsing. Not that she had money to spare or anywhere to put a curio, but it was interesting to see what they did had.

"Ooh, this is handsome! Wouldn't it look magnificent in the galley?" Iroh called from across the hold. Asuni turned and looked. It was a stone statue of a monkey with huge glittering rubies for its eyes and a necklace. Asuni shuddered.

"No."

Iroh wilted and Zuko sent her a pointed look. Asuni responded by sticking out her tongue petulantly at him. Zuko stared at her, surprised, and a small smile forced its way onto her lips as she turned back to the display of jewelry.

There were some pretty pieces. There was a bracelet made of obsidian that was clearly Fire Nation. She even recognized the maker's mark as one from the capital. Next was a necklace of smooth, polished sea stones with Water Tribe carvings on them. Next to that hung an engagement necklace that was a little worse for wear. And next to that…

Asuni froze. Her hand drifted towards the necklace around her own neck.

It's a replica, it's a replica…

But when she picked it up and flipped it over, she saw the distinctive ridged back that turned the simple charm into a key to anything involving the Royal Guards. It was a real one and, most disturbingly, there was a bit of blood on the ribbon, almost invisible against the red fabric.

The Royal Guards were fiercely defensive of these necklaces. They served a myriad of purposes. They were used to identify each other. They allowed the Royal Guards to open anything the group had secreted away. But because they were so useful, they were also very dangerous in the wrong hands.

"What an interesting necklace," Asuni said, voice raised ever so slightly to catch the attention of the man in the big hat who was looming in the shadows at the rear of the hold, waiting to be noticed or to see a sale. Sure enough, he emerged and came over to her, placing a friendly hand on her shoulder.

"Ah, a fine eye! That piece we got off of a man in the Earth Kingdom a week or two ago."

"A man?" Asuni noted sharply.

"Yeah!" the man chuckled. Asuni pegged him as the captain. "Imagine, a man wearing a trinket like that. Fellow seemed oddly determined to keep it, too," he added under his breath, a hint of menace in his voice.

"Interesting," Asuni mused, and set it back down. Almost immediately, a hand reached out and swept it up. Asuni had fully intended to steal the thing after she got a little information on who it might have belonged to, but Iroh was holding it aloft, smiling.

"Indeed, a handsome piece! I know a girl who would look quite nice in it!"

Iroh flicked a gold coin at the captain, who caught it and grinned.

"Pleasure doing business with you," he said with a bit of a pleased growl in his voice. He moved off behind the counter to place the coin in a lockbox. Iroh undid the latch and, with much dramatics, fastened it around Asuni's neck, right over her own that was always hidden by her high collar.

"Thank you very much," Asuni said earnestly. Iroh clearly new exactly what the necklace was, and knew how important it was that it not get out of her reach. He'd also given her a perfectly good reason to be able to wear her necklace openly instead of hiding it while aboard the ship.

"What do you think, nephew?" Iroh asked, turning Asuni around by her shoulders and presenting her to the prince. Asuni blinked in surprise. Zuko shrugged carelessly.

"It looks fine," he grunted, and turned away to examine a large vase. Iroh patted her shoulder comfortingly as a man in green entered the hold, scuttling between them and over the captain.

"I'm sure he means you look lovely," Iroh assured her. Asuni snorted.

"Let's not exaggerate, shall we?"

"We lost the Water Tribe girl and the little bald monk she was traveling with," the man in green said irritably as he leaned on the counter. Instantly Zuko turned and approached them, eyes narrowed and focused.

"This monk… Did he have an arrow on his head?"

As you can see, Zuko's getting his first hint that Asuni is the woman in black, and I've included some more stuff with the Royal Guards in general. I'm going to try and have the other half of this episode up tomorrow, as an apology for taking so long and just because I have nothing better to do than write right now. Again, sorry for the long wait.