The trip home was uneventful. Azula's ship was the fastest in the fleet, and armed to the teeth. The traitor was kept locked up with at least one Dai Li agent and one Imperial Guard watching him at all times. That and the metal wrapped around his hands and feet secured him enough for now. Zuko had told of his skill with lightning; she would not underestimate him again. One false move and he would be in a world of pain. But they needed to get information about this treacherous 'White Lotus' organisation, and he was their best lead. So he would be kept alive. Mostly.
Only one thing was bothering her at the moment, but nothing she tried was working. Zuko stubbornly refused to get involved with Mai, and it was utterly bizarre. The noblewoman was all but throwing herself at the prince and he was either oblivious or completely not interested. Ty Lee and Azula tried and tried to match them up but all was in vain. He was always either too lost in thought, or too busy training.
And worst of all the knife thrower was losing interest fast. This was not the passionate, exciting boy she had blushed at those few years ago. The drive was there but it was just... not exactly cold, but not warm. Like his new blue fire. Still hot but entirely focused, so very little warmth given off. Oh, he still had the normal fire, but he had to chose to call it instead. He was still capable of being his old self, it just wasn't his normal state anymore. He had to work for it; work to keep up the warmth. And he seemed to not feel the need very often.
So Mai's childhood affection simmered down day by day until she no longer tried. Ty Lee was appalled; they would make such a cute couple and she wanted her friends to be happy! What better way than to be happy together? Azula was disappointed; this would have been another link tying him to her life, and another avenue for fun. Oh well. At least it meant no disgusting displays of affection.
The siblings kept up their training on the ship's deck, Li and Lo most impressed by their game of catch. Zuko explained the different waterbending and earthbending forms he had faced, though admittedly much less of the latter. They went over the fight against the Avatar and the waterbender again, this time with scrolls from her ship explaining the forms and best counters. The most difficult aspect was the roundabout nature of it.
Rock was direct or defensive, but water flowed in all directions. A blow dodged could be pulled back to strike from behind, or it could envelop as she had so ingloriously discovered. She wouldn't let water get that close to her again. More heat was the answer. That, and lightning sent through any water touching the unsuspecting bender. She should have thought of it sooner. Gah.
Then the capital came into view in all its glory, and if she noticed Zuko's anxiety, she didn't say so.