(A/N And I am finally done with the siege of the North! Looking forward to the next arc.

Thank you for your support! I love seeing reviews and follows; it makes me all warm and fuzzy!

Brief reminder that I have no idea how often I will update this. I'm just happy I was able to do a little bit and get through this arc so far. I have some future stuff in mind for this, but I feel like some stuff needs to happen in between where I am and where I'm going and I haven't figured out what that stuff is yet...

Without further ado, hope you enjoy!)

"Katara," he greeted. She jolted at his voice, unhealthy purple bags spreading under her wide eyes.

"Captain," she nodded once before trying to turn back to her patient.

"I was asked to fetch you. There are some injured out on the ice."

"They can't be moved to the tent?" she asked with obvious worry in her voice. He shook his head. It wasn't a lie.

Pure concern shined across her face as she looked over to the bed the Avatar lay on. He hadn't moved since Zuko had laid him there.

"Is he okay?" he asked, making her jump again.

"Hmm? Yeah… I- He's fine. He just hasn't- He hasn't woken up yet."

"I'm sure reaching the Spirit World is exhausting." And whatever had happened afterwards was likely much worse.

She nodded, the haunted look never leaving her eyes as she fidgeted with what he recognized as a betrothal necklace. It was surprising to see on her neck. He simply hadn't noticed it before, but now he wondered where her betrothed was. Was he the boy with the boomerang? Why had he left her side when she so obviously needed a steadying presence after Yue's death? Or had she left her betrothed in the South Pole? Maybe another warrior had made an offer for her just while she'd been here these past weeks.

Shaking the thoughts from his head, and stowing his desire to give the poor girl's other a good scolding, he nodded his head to the tent flap. She bit a lip for a moment and glanced back to the Avatar before dipping her head in a quick nod and allowing him to lead her down the now familiar path on the ice.

She stretched a few times, and he noticed she didn't even walk in a straight line. And Uncle thought he was bad at taking care of himself.

She made it to the bottom of the hill before passing out. She was lucky he caught her so that her head didn't hit the ice. Two waterbenders called her name and ran over to the pair, obviously worried. Zuko gently laid her on the ground and checked her pulse. "She just exhausted herself," he told them.

"Should we get-"

"It's fine," Zuko interrupted. The healers had enough to worry about and he could keep her warm while she rested for a moment.

They eyed each other a moment, shifting back and forth on their feet as Zuko held her head and placed a warming hand the base of her neck. Within about thirty seconds she began to stir.

"Wha-"

"You fainted." Her nose scrunched up and she cringed away from his voice. "Keep your eyes closed for another minute. Then we'll see if you can get up and lead me back to your room to rest."

"M' fen," she slurred, trying to sit up. Causing the two waterbenders to snort and nod as they walked away.

"You are not fine. You were placed in my care, no matter how temporary, and I will not allow you to hurt yourself." She scrunched her face in annoyance again, but settled her head back down in his hands.

"Mm you?"

"What about me?" Zuko would deny any defensive tone he used at her question. No, he hadn't slept since the battle and had been keeping fairly busy, but he wasn't constantly exerting himself either.

"Mno," she slurred again and then took an annoyed breath as she noticed how her words fell. "An Yu?"

Zuko huffed, but allowed a small smile to cross his face. He warned her before picking her up to mover her off the path and then after finding a place for them to relax relatively out of the way, explained his crew's sabotage and An Yu's ruse. She kept her eyes shut through the tale, but he could see various emotions crossing her face as he went.

"We used low war tactics, but it's been a while since I've cared about honor when fighting the Fire Nation," he sighed wondering if she remembered his rash words about the Firelord and honor.

"Hmm. I'm sorry. I just…" She reached up to fumble blindly for his hand, then squeezed it when he offered it. "Thank you. Thank you for being there. Thank you for…"

In his mind's eye he could see Zhao slinking towards the four on the other side of the oasis as he sprinted to their aide.

"Don't go thinking I'm all noble," he grumbled. "I'm a pirate and I was avenging one of my own."

She finally opened her eyes to smile at him. He couldn't help but smile back. And while he was glad she could sit up on her own without needing any support from him, he was beyond angry that she felt it necessary to argue with him for the next four minutes about whether or not she was well enough to go see the injured he'd been taking her to.

She was surprised to see they were the Fire Nation prisoners, but didn't take any additional prompting to address the open wounds on two of the marines in the first pit. When she turned to one who looked slightly feverish, but with no visible injury, he was glad she accepted the compromise to only help those in dire need at the moment so that she didn't pass out again.

.

It didn't take Sokka long to find Hahn. The kid, and that is what he seemed like now even if they were the same age, was in too deep far out of his element. He was trying to dictate the tribesmen, but was mainly receiving pitying glances as the elders went about following the 'orders' a little to the left in a more organized and efficient manner.

Clasping Hahn on the shoulder, Sokka didn't feel the need to say anything, just nodded his head to the healers' tent and led the way. It took a moment, but eventually Hahn followed and they sat down on either side of the chief. Arnook just started ahead for several minutes. Hahn looked panicked as he eyed his once future father-in-law.

Sokka took the time to check on Aang, who seemed to be having a nightmare before he smoothed his brow, and then returned to the two tribesmen.

After what felt like an eternity Arnook grabbed them each by the shoulder and closed his eyes, taking a shaky breath. And he recounted Yue's tale. From her first breath, to her first steps. Her first words and first opinions and the first time he saw pain in her eyes as he explained the duty of a princess. A pain he caused. A pain she carried. A pain that she was free of now. Her duty to her people was fulfilled in the most complete manner.

.

They'd pieced their way through all the ice pits slowly. Zuko was sure to keep her from exhausting herself to the brink of collapse and was thankful that the stray waterbenders roaming the flats were willing to bring odd and ends of food for her to munch on as she slowly walked to each of the pits.

Now, he was awkwardly trying to usher her towards her living quarters in an attempt to keep her away from the elder healer, but he knew if he said anything outright she'd be indignant and refuse any reason.

"So," he began, grasping at straws for a line of conversation hoping he could lead her into the city before she even really noticed where they were going, "are you and your betrothed still responsible for the Avatar or has someone else stepped forward as his keeper?"

"I- My- What?" The girl was utterly confused for a second before her hand went to clutch the necklace at her throat again and she blushed. "Uh, my brother and I travel with Aang. Why?"

Zuko was confused for a moment before he dismissed the misunderstanding and continued. "As I said yesterday, my people want to help your cause. We already oppose the Fire Nation when the situation presents itself, as is evident now. However, if you mount an offensive, we will coordinate appropriately." Forcing her concentration on the war was a gambit, it could remind her of the unconscious Avatar and her desire to return to him and those recovering, or it could distract her as she considered logistics and strategy.

"Thank you. We haven't really gotten that far. Aang still needs to learn earth and fire before we can confront the Firelord." Zuko was impressed with how disciplined the girl was as she visibly prevented her gaze from landing on his scar when she mentioned the Firelord. Most others who knew how he'd received the scar were not so tactful. "Actually," she perked up and he could just see what she was about to suggest.

"But, I will not allow the Avatar on any of my ships," Zuko informed her. An expression of pure shock met the captain but he didn't even acknowledge it as his gait continued and she stumbled to keep her incredulous stare in his view.

For a brief few moments she visibly struggled with her temper and he suppressed a smirk as he recalled her outburst in the throne room.

"You are a target and I don't need to give the Fire Nation more reason to come after us. You saw what was out there. If they organized enough to actually locate my fleet they could crush us. I will not risk their lives more than I need to," he explained as the war over her features seemed to lean towards scrutiny rather than anger.

"I understand," the girl said strongly.

The amount of relief that rolled off of him was surprising as he spotted the boomeranged warrior and the little bald monk stumbling ahead of them in vaguely the same direction as they were going. He waved at them and they stalled, leaning on each other as they allowed the pair to catch up.

"Sokka-" he held up a hand to cut off his sister.

"Later. Just…later."

She nodded solemnly before fussing over the Avatar a little. He assured her he was okay, just a little disoriented. Zuko continued to walk with them as they meandered towards what he assumed was their rooms. Aang numbly recounted his time in the Spirit World, and the unwitting deal he made with La, as well as the sensation and work he had done in La's domain.

"Thank you," Zuko nodded curtly to him, recalling Jee's report and connecting the tales. Aang's smile was warm and broken, but he seemed somewhat relieved to hear so many had survived, even if so many more had died.

Coming upon an apartment that was not unlike any other that they'd passed, Sokka invited Zuko to crash with them, as it was nearing dark again. "I need to check my men's progress and inform my Uncle that I did not die in the battle. I'll rest as soon as I'm back on my ship."

Sokka nodded slowly, Aang seemed to be in his own little world, and Katara allowed concern to show on her face. It seemed that was a near-constant expression for her. Steeling himself, he cleared his throat to return the conversation to something slightly more serious.

"I know you need allies anywhere you can find them, and we would love to act as allies, but my fleet cannot act as a safe haven for you. Give me your word. If the Avatar sets foot on one of my ships I will turn him over to the Fire Lord myself," Zuko ground out.

"You're bluffing," the Sokka sputtered.

"You don't know what I have to gain," Zuko said, raising his head a little.

"Yeah, I know what the bounty is," the kid sneered slightly rejuvinized.

Zuko took an unsuccessful steadying breath, but the girl intervened before his temper could flare again.

"I swear. Aang, my brother and I won't knowingly step foot on any of your ships," she held out her hand to shake on it and when she grasped Zuko's forearm she held fast, "unless there is a life or death situation."

Zuko pursed his lips for just a moment before offering a smirk.

"An agreeable amendment." She gave a nod and stepped back. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I should go, and you three need rest." Zuko dipped his head and headed back the way he came.

.

Jee had about three quarters of the supplies arranged in the throne room when Zuko found him and the men. He told them to stop for the night, the rest could be delivered in the morning. Yuro remained behind, watching over the ice pits with the waterbenders.

Then he was aboard with Uncle. The retired general wore all his years in his grave expression, and Zuko didn't have the heart to push him away when he grabbed him in a crushing hug. Aseri and Don huffed out a chuckle before clapping Zuko on the back and picking their way towards their bunks below deck.

All around the deck cold bodies littered the floors, gently being warmed and coaxed back from the brink of death by various firebenders. Zuko felt his expression crumble, because he wanted to be up here helping however he could, but Uncle's firm grip on his shoulder was the only thing combating the slight sway of the ship on the waves. He would not make the same mistake as the waterbender.

Feeling defeated and useless, Zuko slowly made his way below deck, running through possible conversations with various people that he would have tomorrow as he requested three ships in place of payment for the supplies.