A/N. Back once more, and this time, I promise faster updates. Life was being rather complicated!

The sun was supposedly coming up… But it was hidden behind a thick layer of clouds and rain. Zuko stood on the deck of the small ship that was taking him towards the shore of the island. The message Toph and Aang had sent them at Fire Fountain was nothing more than… Well, meaningless. His other friends had already gone to Piandao's siege camp a few days ago, but Zuko was done. He had been talking, and talking, and talking, with the governor of Fire Fountain, a dour, gloomy man.

Uncle had understood it faster than he could have done. The governor was stalling, but for what, they had no idea. So, Iroh had suggested to do something unexpected, something that would throw them off. At that, Zuko remembered all the faces turning to him. His officers, his uncle and Hezu… All battle tested, older men… They had expected him to make the choice.

Still, now that he was standing in front of his choice, he wasn't sure if it had been the right one. The young Fire Lord had suggested to take a part of the army and reinforce Piandao, making sure the troops were moving during the night so as not to arouse suspicion in Fire Fountain. Uncle had been kind, but Zuko had seen the doubt. Uncle had said it was a brave plan, meaning it was foolish. But in the end, they had decided to make the enemy think they had abandoned the siege of the second city of the Fire Nation.

It made no sense. His sister was cleverer than this. She would not be sending the governor to talk. And all their evidence suggested she was in Fire Fountain. So why was she acting as if she wanted to surrender the city? It made no sense at all.

Azula always lies.

Yeah… That was true. But to what end?

"Lord Zuko?" One of the sailors of the small ship came to stand behind him. Far behind. Zuko had seen it happen more and more often. During the siege, when he actually worked with the soldiers, he heard them laugh and joke around him, but never with him. The only moment the soldiers had told him the truth was that first time he had helped them. After that, when it had become known in the camp that Fire Lord Zuko was working with his soldiers, the situation had changed.

They didn't speak to him, except when he asked a question. And when he did, he got a polite, short answer. Uncle had explained that the soldiers, and the Fire Nation as a whole, wasn't used to royalty working with them. Even Iroh had not done so… So, now, the soldiers were apparently confused as what he was trying to achieve.

"Yes?"

"Brace yourself. The ship is going to ground itself on the beach there." The man bowed and quickly retreated away. Gripping the wet iron railing, Zuko had to grith his teeth as the bottom of the boat scraped over the small pebbles of the beach. Agni, why was this place so important?

When Aang's message, and Toph's included complaints, had come, they had understood that something was happening here. But what? That he had come to discover. Let Uncle or Hezu worry about the endless rambling of the old governor of Fire Fountain, who had talked a whole morning about the construction of the glorious statue of the late Lord Ozai, may Agni protect his flame. Zuko had explained it several times… But the old man had not wanted to believe that Ozai was still alive.

Sighing, the firebender put a booted foot on the railing, preparing to jump over it, down onto the beach. Glancing behind him, he saw that the crew, four men strong, were all looking at him with perplexed expressions. One was holding a metal ladder, clearly intended to make the Fire Lord exit their boat in a more dignified manner.

"Don't worry about it. I am used to it." Zuko tried to smile, but felt that it probably looked more like a grimace. He had used the same kind of boat that day when he had almost caught Aang, back in the forest with the pirates. Cringing at the memory, he jumped down.

As his feet hit the ground, one of the small pebbles forced itself into the sole of his boot, and Zuko went on one knee to absorb the shock. His feet sank down into the sand turned mud underneath him, but it was manageable. Stretching and straightening, he glanced back once more at the crew, who were still looking as if they were seeing water burn.

"Go back to the ship, and take it back to Shuhon Island!" He called, turning his back to the crew. Normally, the crew had landed him somewhere close to the siege camp, but he doubted he would have to look for very long. Knowing Piandao, some scouts would appear at any given moment.

As the small boat chucked merrily away, Zuko walked towards a boulder sitting close to the trees sprouting at the edge of the beach. Putting down the bag he was carrying in one hand next to it, he sat down.

Agni, what a mess.

Why couldn't it have been simple after defeating his fa… Ozai. Ozai. Not that. Ozai didn't deserve that. Zuko didn't deserve that. And yet, he was reminded of it every day when he saw his reflection. Not only because of the fact that he had burned half his face, but also because he looked like that man. And Agni, how Zuko hated that fact.

At least, he had the small consolation that Mai was safe. He had heard that she had got home from the Boiling Rock, and that Ty Lee was staying with her. That was good… Even if he would have liked for her to come and see him. But he understood why she hadn't. Not only had he broken up with her by letter… But he had left her in Azula's clutches. Knowing her, she was probably hating him now. Throwing daggers at a crude drawing Ty Lee would have made of him. Yeah… That was probably as much as he deserved.

His friends, however… How safe were they? He would find out today… Aang was probably still the same horrible mess as he had been the last time he had seen him, perhaps even worst… Where was Katara? It was nearly impossible for Azula to have caught the waterbender. He had seen the fight between her and his sister, and he knew that Azula, in her current mental state, was no match for the waterbender. Of course, it was entirely possible that numbers had overwhelmed Katara, but for some reason he doubted it. Katara had gone to find Aang at Wulong, and he had pity with the fool who would have tried to stop her from doing that.

He didn't understand it. Two people, so well matched, and yet so different. What attracted him with Mai was the fact that she saw the world as he did… But Katara and Aang had very different worldviews, and very contradicting characters… Where Aang was patient and kind to the point of appearing weak to those who didn't know the steel behind that gentleness, Katara was hot-headed and rash.

Or was she? Sokka had told him on their way to the Boiling Rock, all those weeks ago, that Katara was always ready to fight you over something she thought was the right thing to do. But Zuko had not seen it like that. Perhaps it was because he actually didn't know her that well, but to him, it seemed more like the waterbender would do anything for anyone… As long as it didn't put the people she loved in too much danger.

She had been ready to forgo the fight against Ozai, or at least, to postpone it after the comet, purely so that Aang would stay safe. It had been the right strategy, the right plan, and all those other things they had tried to convince him with… But Zuko had known the real reason. Katara wasn't ready to lose Aang, even if that meant weeks, months or even years of further suffering.

And he understood that. He would have done the same thing for Mai, if he had known how to help her after the Boiling Rock… Perhaps that was what love was? The courage to accept the pain of others, as long as it kept the person you loved safe?

Sighing, he rubbed his temples. This kind of thinking was far more likely to find its place in his Uncle's head than his own. He should ask his uncle… As long as he didn't try to set a date up for him once more.

"Who are you?" A voice called from the tree line, and, looking up, Zuko rolled his eyes at the clearly inexperienced young man, maybe a year or two younger than him, pointing a spear in his direction. Agni, was this what the Domestic Army was like?

"Ehm… This is going to sound rather strange, alright? I'm Zu… Fire Lord Zuko. I'm looking for Lord Piandao." He said, straightening and waving an awkward hand at the young man. The ember eyes of the soldier looked around him, as if he was searching for the pomp and glory of a real Fire Lord. Not finding it, he turned his attention back to Zuko.

"Fire Lord Zuko is at Fire Fountain."

"You do realize boats exist, right? And do you need further proof than this?" He gestured to his scar with a hand. The eyes of the soldier fixed his face, before seemingly realizing something.

"Oh… Yes! Ehm… Follow me, your… Highness?" It sounded far more cringeworthy than Zuko had expected it to sound.

"Zuko is fine." He said before thinking. The soldier was probably more confused than ever now, as he tried to turn back towards the tree line, while at the same time, trying to avoid turning his back to the Fire Lord, the embodiment of Agni, the sun spirit come to earth… And all that ostrich horse crap. Zuko began to walk a few steps behind the young man, realizing that the training of the Domestic Army had probably consisted of "Here is a spear. Or if you're a firebender, here is a target to practice.". And that, for something like two or three days before being sent to a garrison or sent to guard a factory. It was horrible… And yet, he knew he would have to disband that part of the army. Perhaps even the whole army.

It all depended on what would be discussed at the peace negotiations… Whenever they would be held. Even though he had called off all attacks on the Earth Kingdom, there was no news from that country on where King Kuei was, and Zuko doubted that Bumi, who had been left at Ba Sing Se to rule as regent, had the authority to make peace with the Fire Nation.

And after the Earth Kingdom, he would probably have to make major concessions to the Water Tribes, something that was entirely justified, of course… But Agni, how was he supposed to explain that to his people, those who, for a century, had been told they were the greatest, and that all the other elements were inferior to fire? They had rebelled in favour of Azula purely because his fa… because Ozai had decreed that he was no long Prince Zuko.

How was he going to convince them to abandon all that had been gained with the blood of so many sons and daughters?

And how was he going to make sure that the negotiations were fair? He would stand no chance against a united Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes. No… His only hope to make sure the Fire Nation was left with something to survive during the negotiations was Aang…

And that was a horrible prospect. Zuko knew that his friend was fair, and just and kind. He would put a stop to any unfair arrangement… But if Katara had been hurt? If she had been killed? Well, Zuko supposed he would be lucky to have a nation to rule over if that was the case.

It was frightening to realize how much depended on the fact that the Avatar loved someone…

"How has the siege been going?" He asked, trying to change his mindset, moving away from the horrible, intricate thought he was having.

"You… Ehm… Haven't heard? Lord Piandao sent a letter yesterday…" The young man sounded afraid.

"What should I have heard?" Zuko felt his heart sink down into his chest, knowing that whatever had happened… Something wasn't alright.

"Ehm… Well… Your… fireness…" Agni, that was bad…, "the Princess… She is, ehm, here." The last few words were spoken in a whisper, as if the man was afraid of what would happen.

"Azula? She is here?" The firebender felt his feet stop dead in their tracks, and he gaped at the soldier, who nodded, eyes wide with fear, "Here? At Kirashi?" It made no sense. Azula was at Fire Fountain. She had to be! No way she would have stayed here, a small provincial fortress town. No, Fire Fountain, with it riches and mansions was far more likely…

But then again… Azula was always unpredictable…

"Lord Piandao… well, he would explain it better than I. But the savages seem to be angry about it. There has been yelling in their camp ever since we woke up." The man, apparently relieved he wasn't going to be incinerated, took a tentative step forward. Zuko, without realizing it, did the same, moving once more towards wherever they were going.

"The Water Tribe warriors are here?" That meant that Sokka and Suki had reached this island safely, and they would have calmed Aang down as much as possible…

Oh Agni.

Aang.

Aang would know where Azula was. Zuko groaned aloud. Hopefully, the airbender had stayed hidden. His sister would not hurt Katara, as long as Aang did nothing. Of that, the firebender was sure. Katara had to be the shield Azula was using to keep Aang away. That was the only reason she would have to capture the waterbender.

But then again… Katara hated his sister. And Azula clearly disliked the waterbender, probably hated her for defeating her during an Agni Kai, that had taken place while Sozin's Comet was in the sky. Agni, even Zuko felt the shame of that. Losing an Agni Kai was bad enough. But losing one against a waterbender, a "savage"? During the moment that firebenders were at their most powerful.

"The savages have set up camp close to the northern gate, Lord Zuko." Apparently, the young man had finally found a good title to call him, because he spoke the two words without hesitation, "Lord Piandao has ordered us to… ehm… avoid them. A good thing too!"

Good thing… Well, in the soldier's eyes, it was probably better to stay away from such inferior people. But Zuko knew why the sword master had ordered this. It was to make sure that there were no tensions between the two groups.

"Don't call them that." Zuko spoke softly, "They are no more savages than we are."

"Of course, lord Zuko." The soldier answer, but the firebender heard the slight defiance in the man's voice. Sighing, he knew that just asking nicely wasn't going to change the opinion his countrymen about Water Savages, Earth Filth and certainly not of the hated Air Degenerates. Did they know that the Fire Nation was known as Asheaters all around the other countries? He highly doubted it…

"Take me to that part of the camp first. So…" Zuko let the name die in his throat, as the man was probably not aware of how one savage was called.

"Alright." The man changed course, going slightly towards the left. As they walked through the downpour of rain, Zuko heard the wind howl and whip over their head, making the trees creak. Agni, the monsoon was going to be brutal… If the beginning was already far more than they were used to, how was it going to be in a few days? The town would be rather safe if there were mud floods, but the camp? The camp was at risk. No… They needed to get inside the town. And that was probably as difficult as it was proving to be at Fire Fountain.

Fire Fountain. Of course… That was why the governor there was stalling! He had got word somehow that Azula was coming here, and he had been playing them, pinning them to one place with two third of the domestic army! That was it!

"..Are you completely insane?" A familiar voice rose above the wind."

"We have arrived lord." The soldier bowed awkwardly, and took a few steps away, before coming to a standstill, clearly not knowing what he should do.

"Thank you." Zuko whispered, looking down to his clothes. They were so drenched that the red and gold were not even clear anymore, so he guessed that he would be safe among the tribesmen. And judging by the fact that Sokka had spoken to someone, probably Aang, was so good… Finally, some sane people! No more old officers, no more Uncle that was trying to advise him on military matters… He loved Iroh to death, but this advice was somewhat… Well, it showed him a part of his uncle he had forgotten about. The Dragon of the West, the best general the Fire Nation had. It was so strange to realize that that legend and his soft-spoken, kind uncle were one and the same.

Moving past a few tribesmen, Zuko saw that the warrior had hung huge sails above them, fastened around four trees, to form some sort of roof above a space that was big enough to hold a few dozen men. And it was underneath that construction he saw Sokka and Suki stand in front of…

Hakoda?

What was he doing here?

"He is the Avatar! He can take care of himself!" The older chief answered, in the same irritated tone as Sokka was using, and Zuko held his breath at that. It was the first time he saw the two actually argue, and it was… Well, it made him feel very anxious. Not for Sokka, he knew that Hakoda would never even dream about hurting his own son, but at the fact that this was a normal way to behave. To argue, instead of imposing your will and opinion. Not for the first time, Zuko felt a slight pang of jealousy about how easy the relationship between the water tribe siblings and their father was.

"Aang is a fucking mess! And you let him go?" Sokka waved that horrible cane he had been using ever since Sozin's comet at his father.

Let him go?

What was that about?

"Because you think I could have stopped him? And may I recall that just yesterday, you were arguing to do the exact same thing?" Hakoda answered angrily, waving his arms around. Zuko saw several tribesmen exchange looks, half concerned, half amused. Whatever was happening, was serious… But they all saw the rather comical scene of two men acting with the same manners, shaking fists at each other while wearing the same irritated expression.

"With me yeah! Why did you think I suggested to go with him? He is a freaking time bomb! Anything can trigger him! And you let him loose in there!" At that, the cane went pointing southwards…

Where… The northern gate was probably located.

Oh no.

Surely, surely, they had not been that dumb. Zuko knew very well that he himself wasn't known for his rational decision-making, but that? If Aang was truly inside the town, which would have been the dumbest plan he had ever heard. And this was coming from the guy who had infiltrated the Dai Li quarters just to find a bison, as a way to capture the Avatar… Yep. The world had gone crazy if he was the rational one.

"Hey Sparky." Another soft voice, irritated but also sounding exhausted, spoke beside him. Glancing towards the voice, he saw Toph stand next to him. The girl's hair was as drenched as the rest of them, the bun that normally rested on her head messy.

"How did you…" He began, before realizing it was Toph he was talking to. Her blindness had never stopped her before.

"My sight might be… muddy..." The thin smile on her face suggested to him that that had been a joke…Not a very good one, but still a joke…, "But I recognize your Restore my honour and hate my father vibe. What are you doing here?"

Ignoring the whole part about how, apparently, his whole persona revolved around those two qualities, Zuko sighed.

"Uncle has the situation under control at Fire Fountain. I thought you might need help here…" He spoke softly, watching how Hakoda and Sokka were still waving their arms around, even though nothing was being said.

"Well, that idiot," She pointed her chin towards the Water Tribe chief, "Has sent Aang to his death. Or has condemned the town to that fate. We are still working out the details."

"But…why?" He couldn't understand it.

"Why do you think? Apparently, Sugar Queen is in this town."

Oh Agni…If that was the case, Katara and Azula were in the same town… And that could only mean one thing…for once, Azula had not lied. How was that possible? But apparently, it was, as his sister was here. It didn't make any sense.

"Sokka and Aang wanted to go rescue her, of course, but Hakoda managed to get to Aang, as usual. So, Twinkletoes is gone, and we all can guess where." At that, the blind girl nodded towards where Zuko presumed the town was.

"Has he gone insane? Going in alone?" Zuko groaned.

"Insane? Oh yes, I think he has. He went to talk to the governor yesterday, all Avatar like… It took a few of us calming him down, on several occasions. He caused a small earthquake. I don't think he even realized it, but that is what we have been dealing with." Toph rolled her misty eyes, and the firebender couldn't help but groan aloud.

That…fucking… idiot. How was someone so powerful so stupid?

But then again…It was exactly what the airbender would do. Zuko knew that, he had used the exact same tactic as Azula was now using when he had captured Katara with the help of those pirates last autumn. It was the perfect way to make Aang be an idiot.

Yeah…Aang's weakness was that he loved people too much. And as much as Zuko could admire such resolve and complete devotion to the people the airbender loved, he could also see the problem.

"When did Aang go?"

"Last night apparently. No one knows exactly when." Toph sighed, clearly thinking along the same lines as he was doing.

"He should have been back you mean." The town couldn't be that big.

"Yep. And to top it all off, he shaved his fucking head, and threw away his disguise. He went in looking like himself. I couldn't tell you how he looked, but I guess pretty recognizable!" At that, Toph raised her voice, attracting the attention of another tribesman. Zuko saw the burn marks on the man's arm, and realized it must be Bato. He had met him quickly a few weeks ago, after he had been released from the prison after the comet, but to be honest, he had not been paying attention as much of his chest had felt like it was on fire.

"Great." The man sighed, looking at him, "Tell me, you are the only survivor of your army, and we are even more screwed than we thought?" Clearly, the man was not in the mood for jokes.

"No, my uncle is holding talks with the governor, like he was doing when you all left with Sokka." Zuko answered, glad to be able to give some actual good news in this situation.

"Hey, Meathead One and Two!" Toph shouted, "Maybe we could welcome the actual fucking Fire Lord, instead of arguing about something stupid Hakoda did, per usual?"

At that, the two men who had been waving their hands at each other, looking almost feral at each other, deflated pretty quickly. Not for the first time, Zuko saw the similarities between father and son as both were wearing an expression of defiance, but also of relief.

"Well, at least something is going to plan. Did you take the rest of the soldiers with you?" Sokka walked over to him, and the firebender noticed that the slight limp was not getting any better. To be honest, it was getting worse.

"Sorry… Uncle still has them. But with any luck, they will be coming… soon." He didn't dare give an exact timetable to the water tribe warrior, who grabbed his lower arm in greeting. Having seen the Water Tribesmen do that several times, Zuko responded in the same manner. Praying that no soldier from the Fire Nation saw their supposed Fire Lord being respectful to "Savages" …

"Oh well, we will just have to attack the town in the rain, with mud to our knees! And without Aang, or my sister. And the moment we attack, your crazy sister will probably do whatever she does best, meaning being a nuisance. Oh joy, this is going to be fun to solve…" Sokka didn't sound please, but Zuko had seen the slight gleam in the ice blue eyes. The gleam the warrior always had when he was coming up with a crazy plan that might actually work.

"And you have a solution I gather?" Zuko sighed, knowing he wasn't going to like it whatsoever.

"Oh, now that you are here, I have several. But do you have any of your father's old clothes, all… Fire Lord like?" Sokka grinned now.

"Eh… Why?" Oh, he wasn't going to like it, that was for sure.

"Well, you are just going to ask nicely for them to open the gates."

Nope. He didn't like it.

Answers:

Handler : I was going for Gyatso, someone from Aang's past who would try and help him, without question. As Aang met Kya, I thought it fitting for Katara to at least have a conversation with Gyatso!

Katara2323 : Of course, he seems to be such a sweetheart in the show that you can't imagine him otherwise than the old kind grandpa!