The firebenders were piling onto the ships. They realized too late that they had been unprepared. Once all the survivors were boarded, the ships pulled out of the harbors.

"Set your course for the Fire Nation," Ozai ordered angrily.

His fists were still at his sides. Azula was no less furious than her father. Still, she felt certain that they could have killed the chief's family had they stayed longer. The girl saw her brother walking between soldiers and followed him.

"You were helping them, weren't you?" she asked quietly.

"Why ask? You know you think that I did," he retorted.

"I know that I didn't see you out there trying to kill anyone."

"I guess I'm just not a murderer like you and father."

"Technically, Dad had us leave, so I haven't killed yet, but I wouldn't hesitate if it strengthened the nation."

Zuko looked at her with furrowed brows, genuinely unsettled. "Doesn't it disturb you that you'd take an innocent person's life without any regrets?"

"If they're against the Fire Nation, they aren't innocent. You're the only one here who sides against us. So, the real question, Zuzu, is doesn't it disturb you how easily you turn your back on your own people?"

The prince did not answer her. Instead, he went to the deck of the vessel. Glancing out, he saw the Southern Water Tribe get smaller and smaller. Too soon, it was out of sight. Zuko wondered how he could already miss being there. He would miss the cold weather and the crunch of snow under his feet when he walked. Most of all, he would miss his friend. The sun rose over the ocean, greeting the prince, but its light did nothing to brighten his spirits. Only the fact that the majority of tribesmen had survived let him have some type of comfort. He could not be overly upset when his friend was still alive. He just could be disappointed to be left behind.

"I hope they get to the Northern Water Tribe quickly," the boy thought. "I also hope that Zhao wasn't successful."

Sighing, Zuko leaned on the side of the ship, resting his head on his arms as he looked out onto the water. He did this until he sensed that he was not alone. There was no need to turn. He already knew who had come over to him.

"You helped those peasants," Ozai accused, scowling. "I should have killed them on the first day. I won't make that mistake again. The next time I send in soldiers, they won't take any prisoners or servants."

Zuko knew that nothing he said would lessen his father's rage, so he stayed silent. This did not help either and the firelord snarled at him.

"When did you find out about the attack? I'm sure that you were told about it."

Not receiving his answer quickly enough, the man grabbed Zuko by his collar. The prince could see fire appearing on Ozai's hands, ready to be used on him.

"I didn't know for long."

"When did you find out?" Ozai hissed, grip on the collar becoming tighter until he was pulling the clothes to constrict around the boy's throat.

"Yesterday," Zuko answered, tugging at his father's hand.

Ozai let go, shoving him to the ground with a glare. "You're disgraceful. You not only stood by as your own citizens were killed, you probably assisted in some way."

The man stormed over, causing Zuko to get to his feet quickly and move back. Fire blocked his path, coming closer until he was forced to choose between walking into it or going nearer to his father. Deciding the fire was safer, Zuko managed to manipulate some of the flames to create an opening for him to run through. He kept running until a fire whip caught his leg, tripping and dragging him back. Ozai stepped on his chest and prepared two blades of fire. A murderous look was in his eyes.

"What should stop me from killing you?"

Zuko paled and tried to push up against the firelord. His attempt was in vain. Ozai kept considering what he would do before he finally snarled.

"If I killed you right now, it would reflect poorly on me. I'd either be the firelord who killed his own child or the one who sired a traitor."

Ozai lifted his foot, but he yanked up the prince by his hair before the boy could flee.

"This isn't me sparing you, Zuko. This is me waiting."

Roughly, he let go and strode down to the lower compartments. Zuko miserably watched him go, only feeling worse when he heard a nearby chuckle. Azula had her arms crossed and was smiling.

"One of these days, he really will go through with it, you know. It's only a matter of time now."

Zuko did not want to hear her and went to his room. He shut the door and leaned against it, breaths quick. Within a few days, their ships would dock at the Fire Nation. Once that happened, Zuko was not sure what would be next. He just worried that it would be unsafe for all of their subjects. The boy could think of nothing to relieve himself of these concerns. If someone upset the firelord, that person would suffer. Soon, the Fire Nation would be forced to adjust to a tyrannical leader. With a glum sigh, Zuko glanced up to where he used to keep his blade.

"Good luck, Sokka," he said. "You'll really need it."

Away from the Southern Water Tribe, the three children and bison were flying through the sky. Katara was happily petting the animal's side.

"You're a good boy, aren't you, Appa? He's so cute. How long have you had him?"

Aang grinned at his furry friend. "I've known Appa since he was a calf. The other kids and I were brought to the herd when we were little to pick who we'd bond with. Appa came over to me and we've been friends ever since."

"We don't have something like that back home," the girl said. "It would've been fun if we did."

"Maybe when we get back, you'll be able to bond with a penguin seal!"

"Yeah, that would be nice. What do you think, Sokka?"

The boy had been looking over the edge of the saddle for a while. When he heard his name, he glanced at his sister.

"Hmm?"

"Have you been listening to anything?"

"Not really."

Aang turned to look at the other boy. "I'm sorry that your friend isn't here."

"Thanks. I just keep thinking about him. Maybe Zuko should've come with us."

Katara walked over to her brother, still adjusting to walking while riding a flying beast. "He probably didn't want to leave the rest of the Fire Nation alone. With just his dad and sister in charge, everyone would be in danger. At least he might be able to help a few people if he stays."

Sokka sighed. "I guess you're right."

The warrior-in-training still felt terrible. He was certain that someone in his friend's family would find out what he had done. When that happened, Sokka was worried what the repercussions would be for the older boy. He forced himself to focus his mind. If he did not, he would not be able to work as efficiently. That would help no one.

"So, what's the usual stuff that goes along with being the Avatar?" he asked.

Aang looked up at the sky in thought. "Well, on the bending side of things, after I learn waterbending, earthbending is supposed to be next."

"Why?" Katara inquired.

"I think it's because that's the order of the Avatars. After me, it'll be a waterbender, then an earthbender, and finally a firebender. So, we just learn the elements in the order of the future Avatars."

"Well, we know who can teach you firebending at least," Sokka added. "If Gran Gran is right about Master Pakku, he'll be the waterbender. We just don't have a clue who could be the earthbender."

The airbender's eyes lit up. "That might not be the case. I have a really good friend who's from Omashu."

"A friend in Omashu, friends in the Fire Nation…you did a lot of traveling before getting stuck in the ice," Katara mentioned.

"I never really thought about it, but I guess that I did. Monk Gyatso wanted me to have a good understanding of the world. Knowing what I do now, it was probably because he knew I was the Avatar and wanted me to understand the other nations."

The brother's face took on a sympathetic look. "Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you had a friend almost a hundred years ago…"

Aang got the implication and sadly looked down. "I hope he's okay. His name is Bumi if he's still alive. He was so much fun to be around. I think you two would really like him. I used to call him a mad genius."

"He's mad?"

"A little, but mad in a cool way–not angry or anything. We'd get into so much trouble. He used to be a great earthbender. I couldn't think of someone I'd rather have to teach me."

"That's fun that you already have someone who could do that," Katara said, grinning and sitting down by the boy. "I'm really looking forward to meeting Master Pakku. If Gran Gran recommended him, he must be a great man. I'm also so excited to finally learn waterbending properly."

"Yeah, we'll get to learn together!"

"We will!"

"I bet you're going to be a great bender, Katara," Aang said with a big grin.

The girl blushed at the compliment and Sokka rolled his eyes. "Hopefully, you two will actually be paying attention and won't just be talking the whole time."

"We'll pay attention," Katara said defensively.

"I'll believe it when I see it. While you're doing that, I'll keep an eye on things with the Fire Nation. If they're there, then the royal family might be in trouble. Most of the families probably will be, so I'll work with the warriors to see what we can do to run them out like we did back home."

Katara turned back to Aang. "Sokka's a strategist."

"That's cool," the boy awed. "I've never known a strategist before."

"Well, we've never known an airbender before, so this is pretty cool for us too," Sokka said, causing another smile to pop up on the Avatar's face. "Could you tell us some more about the places you've traveled?"

"Sure!"

As Aang began discussing places he had gone to in the Fire Nation, especially catching Sokka's attention when he mentioned food, the former firelord was still traveling in the Earth Kingdom. He wanted to leave and go somewhere deeper into the nation. Coming up to a place of residence, the man saw a herd of domesticated ostrich horses. Iroh approached a humble home near the animals and knocked on its door. A man answered and bowed to the elder.

"Hello, Sir. Is there something my family and I could do for you?"

Iroh bowed his head as well. "I am a traveler and saw that you had several ostrich horses. Would I be able to buy one from you? I would treat him well."

"You'd like to buy one? Yes, of course! Please, come in."

The man opened the door wider for Iroh to enter. Immediately, the firebender saw that the home had several people living there. A woman was holding the hands of two children and one toddler she could not stop in time went over to the stranger. He tugged on his pants' leg, looking up with curious eyes.

"Up please!"

"Leave the man alone," his mother chastised. "He's speaking with your father."

Hearing her upset tone, the little boy began to get tearful. His father picked him up to shush him.

"I'm sorry, Sir," he said. "He's a noisy child. We can't seem to ever get him to stop getting into something or crying when we scold him for it."

Iroh just looked at the father and son for a moment. "Could I hold him?" he requested. "When my son used to cry, I'd sing him a song and it would calm him down. I did the same for my nephew when he was this age."

"Please," the father said, exasperated. "If you think it'll help."

He handed over the weeping child to the older man. Iroh bounced the boy a little, making him laugh from the shock of it all. Then, the bender started to repeat a song he had sung so many times in the past.

"Leaves on the vine, falling so slow. Like fragile, tiny shells, drifting in the foam. Little soldier boy, come marching home. Brave soldier boy comes marching home."

When the song ended, the toddler had gone to sleep. Sadly, Iroh handed him back to his father who put him in another area of the home so that the sounds would not awaken the little one.

"Thank you so much. Nothing's worked so far to do that."

Iroh just nodded his head. He did not yet trust his voice. It hurt to sing that song. It brought back so many memories. Clearing his throat quietly, he and the man began discussing prices. Iroh gave the family a little more than they requested and was offered a meal in gratitude. Despite what he usually would do, he declined this. Being around the children just made him think more of Lu Ten. As soon as the purchase was made, Iroh got onto the ostrich horse's saddle. The father untied the reins of the animal, handing them to the new owner.

"Where are you headed?" he asked.

"I'm not sure," Iroh admitted.

"Then, what do you think of Gaoling? I hear it's a great city. One day, my family and I will move there."

"Gaoling," the man repeated. "I'll see what I can find there."

"I wish you safe travels."

With a small smile, Iroh began steering the animal off. He knew where Gaoling was located. He planned on taking it over after he conquered Ba Sing Se. Going there as a visitor instead of a conqueror would be interesting, but maybe it would also be what he needed. Only, he did not know that some people from the Fire Nation had already been authorized to go there. As two soldiers chased down some children who had dared to earthbend tiny rocks at their helmets, they had not gone unnoticed. The men closed the distance between themselves and the juvenile delinquents, hands covered in flames. Just before they could attack, the earth opened up and they fell until they were trapped up to their heads.

"Who did that?!" one yelled furiously, knowing it had been neither child.

The trap restricted their vision, not letting them see who all was around them. They only had one clue to the identity of their attacker: a mischievous laugh. One of the boys stuck out his tongue at the soldiers.

"You won't be able to just kill everybody here like you do in other cities. The Blind Bandit will protect us and there's nothing you can do to stop that."