Breath in, breath out, breath in, Breath out

Zuko had found it necessary to practice breathing techniques whenever he was unoccupied by something else. Lately he seemed to be aggravated by everything. The members of his council would constantly bicker and complain to him, his advisers would always be teaching him about politics as if he were a child, and he received countless threats from supporters of his father. He would be going on a rampage if he didn't have the things that would soothe him, one was his breathing, and the other was spending time with Mai

Zuko was on his way to Mai's house. The first thing he noticed once he was outside the palace gate was the ever present palanquin. A servant noticed him and got up to speak, "Where may we take you Fire Lord?"

"It's ok I'm just headed to Mai's house again"

"Hey!"

Zuko looked up. He could see a Kyoshi Warrior running towards him; he recognized her as Sokka's girlfriend but couldn't remember her name.

What was it? Was it something like Sokka? Sukka, Sikka?

She ran in front in him and gave a warm smile. "Hi Zu- , err Fire Lord Zuko".

He felt somewhat nervous

"Hello, Sikka?" He tried mumbling the name to see if she wouldn't notice if he was wrong.

Her smile fell into a slight frown "It's Suki."

Zuko slapped his palm into his forehead "Right Suki, I'm so sorry. I've been kind of stressed lately."

Her frown curved into a smirk "Heh, it's all right. Anyway I was sent to bring you to Mai's house."

Zuko felt some relief, "Oh yea?"

"Yea, we'll explain it all when we get there, come on!"

With that she ran off in the direction of Mai's house. Zuko ran after her, he could hear the palanquin servant complain.

Zuko entered Mai's house. He noticed Mai and a certain girl dressed in a Kyoshi Warrior uniform were sitting at a table talking. There was no mistaking the girl's signature wide grin.

"Hi Zuko!"

Zuko rubbed the back of his head, "Hey Ty Lee. Listen I know we're good friends and all but it still is formal to address me by Fire Lord first"

Ty Lee's mouth dropped in what seemed to be awe, "You... still consider me one of your good friends?"

Zuko's eyebrow went up in confusion. I wonder if she thought the bonding we did on Ember Island was lost when I changed sides.

"That's so great!" Ty Lee sprang towards him and caught him in an embrace. Zuko could hear Suki giggling a little bit behind him.

"Yeah so, I actually wanted to talk to you." Ty Lee finally let go of him.

Zuko straightened his robe with a swipe of his hands, "Really? What might this be concerning?"

Mai cut into the conversation, "Ahem- perhaps I should tell him" She walked to Zuko and gave a slight smile.

Zuko returned the smile as he greeted her, followed by another hug.

"What is it Mai?"

Mai glanced to Ty Lee then cleared her throat, "Well Ty Lee came to me because she feels concerned about what the situation is with your um- sister".

At the sound of the word Zuko felt a slight spark go off in his head. He looked over to Ty Lee, her grin was gone and was replaced by a frown.

Suki broke the silence, "Yes actually we were helping rebuild an Earth Kingdom town when she told me how she was feeling and asked me if she could come here. I was reluctant at first but finally I decided I would personally accompany her to find out what she wants to know."

Zuko sighed; he knew this was not going to go well. Ty Lee was staring right into his eyes. He could feel some guilt building up.

"Well Ty Lee I don't know what you have heard yet but I actually made a promise to Aang that I would not let her rot in prison like my father. I promised to do anything I could to help her be healthy again and get her to change her ways."

Ty Lee's face brightened. "Oh yea? That sounds great! How is she now?"

Zuko sighed and cleared his throat, stalling time so that he could think of what he would say.

"Well I did send some kind of a mind specialist to see if he could help her but she was too hysterical when we first put her in prison. She is still a firebender Ty, she's dangerous. I had to let her cool off for some time before I tried again. I've gotten so busy with everything I have to take care of now that I haven't really gotten a chance to pay too much attention to the matter lately. Although I did allow her some more freedom privileges in her cell when I got a report that she hadn't attempted firebending in weeks."

Ty Lee looked down at her feet. She looked thoughtful. Mai put her arm around her and led her to a seat.

Zuko hadn't felt very much guilt over the situation with his sister. She had nearly killed him and he personally thought she was lucky that her life was spared along with her father's.

Now Ty Lee made him feel bad.

He glanced to Suki. She was still standing in the corner where she had stood the whole time. Her eyes caught his for a moment then she quickly turned away, pretending to be busy with something on her armor.

Zuko rubbed the back of his head again. "I hope you don't take this the wrong way Ty Lee, but why did it occur to you to check up on Azula? I thought your friendship with her ended completely after she had you imprisoned."

Ty Lee turned to him. Zuko could see the hurt in her eyes. "I know we aren't friends like we used to be. I don't regret changing sides and helping Mai but I still feel kinda bad."

Ty Lee walked right in front of Zuko. Her pouting face was irresistible, he suddenly wanted to grant her anything in the world she wanted as if she was his spoiled daughter.

"I know she did lots of bad things Zuko, but she deserves a second chance just like you did. Somewhere inside her was my real friend who showed herself to me a couple of times. I just can't stand to see someone innocent get hurt."

Zuko's head started to feel heavy. "Ty are you sure this isn't just that devotion to do every one of my sister's commands? You know she doesn't have any power over you anymore, you can go and forget about her completely if you want to."

Ty Lee did not hesitate to reply. "I don't intend to let her push me around anymore. Mai and I have been with her since we were little. I know she's been through a lot. The only other person, who should know this more than us, is you Zuko."

Zuko nodded, "That is true Ty Lee, both my sister and I have been subject to the control of my father. I was able to break free but I can't expect the same from Azula. She always clung close to Father, his command on her is far too strong."

He regarded Mai "What do you think about this."

Mai didn't change the expression on her face. "I don't care much for Azula. I left her for good. You can do whatever you want with her I don't care."

Ty Lee's eye widened, "Mai! You can't really think that can you?"

"I'm sorry Ty but she there's probably nothing we can do for her."

"Did you really promise Aang?"

Zuko turned to look at Suki, who had finally broken her silence, "Yes I did."

"Well Fire Lord if you made a promise then you're gonna have to stay by it."

Zuko felt some annoyance, "I told you, I'm really busy with fixing the Fire Nation right now."

"Do you have any plans on what you intend to do with her?"

"Well… no I haven't gotten around to it."

"Well I don't care for her much either but if two of my friends say she deserves a second chance then I say do something about it."

Suki didn't give Zuko a chance to respond before continuing. "I know! What if you let Ty Lee visit her? Maybe seeing a former friend can get to her."

Zuko didn't share her enthusiasm on the idea. "That would just make her mad. She was outraged when Mai and Ty Lee betrayed her. I doubt she wants to see them again."

Ty Lee replied. "No wait. I wanna do it Zuko. I seem to be the only one who has seen her true self."

"Ty Lee I can't risk letting you get hurt just for a theory that she still has a part of her not filled with hate."

Ty Lee furrowed her eyebrows then responded. "Do you remember Ember Island? When the four of us went for a vacation from all the war and stuff?"

Zuko was thrown off by her sudden change of topic.

"Erm- yes I do."

"Remember when we all talked about the bad feelings inside us that made us the way we are. Azula said your mom thought she was a monster. She seemed to be filled with hurt not hate that moment didn't she?"

Zuko had to process this for a moment. He turned to face the door. It was true, he did remember seeing the emotion in Azula's eyes when she admitted that. He also remembered how she managed to pretend she didn't care at all. Mother… perhaps she had a bigger role in this than I had thought

"Ty Lee, Suki, do you guys have somewhere to stay tonight?"

"They can stay with me for the duration of their visit." Mai said.

"Ty Lee you can visit Azula tomorrow if you want. She's at the prison tower, I'll have them informed of your arrival and they will take you to her."

Zuko turned around to see Ty Lee grinning. "Thanks Zuko, I knew you would see it my way."

He looked back to Mai and offered her a slight smile. She didn't return it. "Goodnight Mai, will you come over to the palace tomorrow?"

Mai made a slight wince for a second. Zuko knew this was one of her ways of smiling without actually doing it.

"Sure, I'll be there for Dinner. You better not be in another meeting again, I hate it when you blow me off."

He felt like chuckling but didn't, "Of course, tomorrow will be saved for you. Bye Mai, bye Ty Lee"

He turned to Suki and gave her a nod, she returned it.

Some of Zuko's guards were outside waiting for him, they stood to attention when he stepped outside.

Perhaps it's time to give father another visit.