Ezani swirled the tea in her cup thinking over everything she'd just heard before glancing up at General Iroh, sitting calmly before her. His nerves were only revealed by the subtle tapping of is right finger. She didn't sense any deception in his words and he'd always seemed earnest enough to help Zuko in any way possible.

"I want to punch you for leaving Azula behind," she said finally.

Iroh nodded, "That's an understandable reaction. I apologize again for failing her so crucially. Thank you for stepping in when the rest of us shirked our responsibilities to Princess Azula's education."

A slight smile quirked her lips. The General could still be charming when he wanted to be - sticking to merely apologizing and accepting his faults and flaws had made it awfully hard for her to stay angry at him. And therefore, more open to continue speaking with him. Knowing the tactics didn't make them any less effective - though part of that was also that she'd finally found someone on her side.

"Where should we meet then?" she inquired. "The Earth Kingdom isn't what it used to be."

"Take them South," The General suggested. "Not many ships visit the Southern Water Tribe anymore. Nothing to pillage."

Ezani hummed, "...it would be a good way to get them used to seeing other benders."

"Besides yourself?"

Ezani stiffened, and her eyes darted back to the General who put his hands up.

"Zuko told me," he said. "I haven't told anyone else. But you should know others are beginning to ask questions."

"It was going to happen eventually," Ezani muttered. She caught a glance of her reflection in the wash bin nearby - dark skinned with deeper brown eyes and black hair. "I stand out too much."

"There were guards who did… despicable things not long ago," The General said slowly. "I've been implying that you were one such result."

"...thank you," said Ezani finally. "The last thing I want for the kids is to see me dragged away."

"You are important to the children," said The General, raising his tea to his mouth. "We should attempt to meet in the Earth Kingdom anyway. If I convince Zuko to circle for the North, then the Fire Lord will take special interest in what's happening there. And I believe the Air Temples shouldn't be touched by Fire Nation again."

Ezani dipped her head in silent agreement.

No one bearing the mark of the Fire Nation - even falsely - should set foot in the Air Temples after what was done to the peaceful nomads. She clenched her fist a bit. Her parents hadn't been the most nurturing but they certainly went out of their way to ensure that she knew more than the Fire Nation's depiction of events. She remembered the revulsion and horror that had rolled through her at just eight years old when she realized that those temples had been full of monks and children. Even if the Airbenders had been plotting something, there was no excuse for the carnage and violence enacted against an entire village - no, an entire nation of non-fighters.

"Well," The General said, rising from his seat. "This was an enlightening talk. I need to go speak to my brother about joining Zuko on his journey."

Ezani gave him a surprised look and he chuckled.

"You didn't think I'd let such a young boy run across the world on a pointless quest alone did you?"

Ezani smiled a real smile, raising another cup of tea to her lips.

"No General, of course not."

Iroh smiled back and whisked away from her tent.

"I'll write to you every week," Zuko mumbled into Azula's hair. "Uncle Iroh will make sure you get each letter."

Azula tightened her grip on her brother, "It's not fair that he's sending you away."

"I'll find the Avatar," he promised her. "And I'll come back to you - all of you."

Ezani averted her eyes and focused on soothing the visibly distraught Mai. Though she wasn't crying, Mai was gripping Ezani's hand like a life-line, eyes darting between Zuko and the ship set to take him away. Every once in a while, she'd raise a hand furious rub at her dry eyes as if trying to force the tears to stay down.

When Zuko released Azula and turned to Mai, she released Ezani's had and flew into his arms, gripping him tightly enough that Zuko winced in pain but returned the hug.

Azula slunk over to Ezani looking completely distraught. She wordlessly took the hand Mai abandoned and buried her face in her stomach. Ezani felt her heart breaking as Zuko cast a guilty look in his sister's direction, as if it was somehow his fault that this was happening.

He's such a gentle boy, Ezani thinks to herself sadly. The world won't treat him kindly, being the son of the Fire Lord who caused so much pain and loss across the world. And he'd be made a laughingstock if he told anyone he was searching for the Avatar after the Airbender Massacre.

She wonders if he or the rest of the children even know that the Avatar was likely dead. Ezani had never told them the complete truth about the Fire Nation and the acts of cruelty they'd committed - she couldn't risk them preaching that kind of thing to their tutors lest their father find out and come seek the source. Being that Azula at least knew she was a waterbender, her Fire Lily had probably already begun to question the way waterbenders were portrayed and the concept that they needed rescuing from themselves.

"Ezani?"

She snapped back to attention, focusing on Zuko who was giving her the most serious look she'd ever seen on his face.

"Yes?"

"Please take care of my sister," he said firmly and bowed his head. "I-I don't want father to…"

Ezani tightened her grip on Azula's hand.

"Don't worry Zuko," she soothed. "Ozai will never lay another hand on her."

Zuko beamed at her before re-adopting his serious face. He raised his head bravely and walked toward the docking board, ignoring the occasional jeers from the few wastes of oxygen who'd attended his unofficial exiling. When Zuko disappeared over the crest of the boat, Ezani reaffirmed her promise to him.

Don't worry Zuko - I'm getting Azula the fuck out of here.