The Chase

Appa shedding had to be on Azira's top ten least favorite things list. The fur that was shedding was thick and somewhat damp, leaving an undesirable smell that wafted through the campsite.

In fact, she was more than certain that the fur would be more than trackable. It's not like there were any other large shedding flying animals passing through the area here. Toph, ever the independent girl, had already hopped down from atop Appa. Her bare feet landed atop the soft fur and a genuine smile slipped across her face. "Hey, you quys picked a great campsite. The grass is so soft"

"That's Appa's fur." Azira deadpanned, resisting the grin from slipping onto her face.Katara gave a look of disgust, glancing down at the bottom of her shoes. "Oh gross!" She exclaimed.

"That's not gross!" Aang insisted. "It's just a part of spring. You know, rebirth, flowers blooming, and Appa gets a new coat."Azira gave a shrug from her spot standing next to Appa. It wasn't so bad when Aang put it like that. "I happen to like spring. Even if it is kinda gross."

Just then, Appa gave a large sneeze, causing his fur to go flying everywhere.

"l rest my case."

Night fell far too quickly for Azira's liking. She was quick to gather some of the food from the packs, helping Katara purify the water they had found. Sokka got to work collecting firewood for a small fire.As for Aang, he got to work setting up the tents for the group. The only person not helping, which didn't necessarily come as a surprise to Azira, was Toph. Not that the older girl held anything against Toph.

Katara nudged Azira's arm and Azira gave her a look. "If you want to talk with her, you're welcome to." Azira stated,eyes flicking to the younger girl.

With those words, Katara didn't hesitate in crossing over to Toph. "So Toph, usually when setting up camp, we try to divide up the work.

"Hey, don't worry about me. I'm good to go." Toph insisted."Well actually, what I'm trying to say is some of us might fetch water, while someone else might set up the firepit or- even Momo helps out." Katara smiled as Momo laid a pile of nuts in her hands.

"Katara, I'm fine. I can carry my own weight. I don't need a fire, I've already collected my own food, and look-"

Toph thrust her hands forward, creating a tent of rocks above her. "My tent's all set up."

"Well that's great for you, but we still need to finish-"

"l don't understand! What's the problem here?!" Toph demanded. "Nevermind" Katara stalked off back towards Azira."So that went exactly how l'd expect."Katara nearly snapped, eyes flashing towards Azira. " didn't see you talking to her about pulling her weight! Who's in charge here, again?"

Azira crossed her arms. "Are you finished?"The younger girl visibly deflated at Azira's words. "Yes."

"Toph isn't like you or me. She doesn't have the same life experiences. She's going to need a different touch than your motherly one to help her get along."

Katara just gave a slow nod. "Well, if you're sure.Azira had slept on the flight to the campsite, so she was more than prepared to be the one staying up and guarding the camp. What she wasn't prepared for-multiple times-was to have Toph awake quickly, warn them that someone was coming, and to flee in the middle of the night.

Although she was rather used to the odd schedule she had, it was painful watching everyone else become increasingly grumpy and rude to one another due to the lack of sleep.

She had no more than sat down on the plateau and everyone had closed their eyes when Momo began to screech. "Oh don't tell me" Sokka groaned in a tired tone.

"That's impossible! There's no way they could have tracked us!" Aang exclaimed, eyes wide in surprise. "Where there's a will, there's a way" Azira said, getting to her feet and eyes sharpening on the blur in the distance."I can feel it with my own two feet!" Toph confirmed.

Azira hurried forward, finally spotting the machine clambering towards them. "Fire Nation."

"Let's get out of here then!" Katara said."Or we could face them," Aang offered."No way. You quys would just throw me off. You're too tired for this." Azira said emphatically.

Steam curled off of the Fire Nation machine and the doors hissed, opening and revealing three Mongoose Lizards- ridden by none other than Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee.

"Something tells me we should definitely get out of here." Azira hissed. "Oh we can take them! Toph insisted, getting into a ready position.

As the lizards crept closer, Toph sent a wave of Earth rolling at them. They climbed over the rocky ridges with ease and Azira just tugged on the girl's arm. "Pick your battles!" She said, tugging her towards Appa.They narowly managed to get on Appa before lightning spilled towards them. With Appa taking off, Azra felt her mind racing.

"l can't believe those girls followed us all the way from Omashu." Katara breathed out, eyes wide."I still think we could've taken them." Toph spat out in annoyance.

"No. They wouldn't be coming after us to take us in or to take us prisoner. I'm kill on sight with the Fire Nation at the moment." Azira said heavily. And Azula hates people who betray her automatically, so..

"I agree." Katara trailed off. "Last time, one of those girls did something that took my bending away. That's scary!"

"Chi-blocking" Azira was staring up at the stars, feeling somewhat numb. "She's be

en training in it for years. Trying to even the playing field with the people she might be facing off against."

Sokka just gave a low whistle. "Well you sure know how to pick your friends." At that, she raised her head. l picked you, didn't l?

"Touche."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

After watching everyone blow up on each other, but especially at Toph, Azira felt for the girl. It wasn't easy being the odd one out, or the new one. She would know.She promised that she'd be back with Toph in no time. And oddly enough, Azira really meant it. She had a whole plan,follow Toph, go with the whole Uncle Iroh approach, the works.

It couldn't have been easy for Toph either. Azira knew what it was like to leave her family. To leave her whole life behind.Toph had fallen to the ground, exhaustion overtaking her. "Are you here to gloat? She questioned, not even turning her head in Azira's direction.

"That's not my style." Azira said pointedly. "Need a hand?"

"No."

Silence.Toph's features softened "Yes

Azira wordlessly pulled the giri to her feet. "I'm sorry they yelled at you. That's not very fair of them."

"Why are you being so nice?" Toph questioned suspiciously."I'm generally not a nice person anyway." Azira said tentatively. "But I really think I get you." "You don't. No one does." Toph murmured in annoyance.

"I'm Fire Nation. I abandoned my dad because my psycho waterbending murderer grandmother wanted me to be a killer"

Silence again.

"That's..rough." Toph finally said.

"So I took my chances. And now I'm here. But it hasn't been easy" Azira said, walking side by side with the girl. "I had to learn how to look out for other people. How to work with a group. It's not just me anymore."

It was silent. Until it wasn't.Because, there standing a few feet away from them was Iroh.

Azira wasnt sure how to feel about the whole situation; sitting there with Iroh, while he made tea, and she sat there defensively. Neither one of them had acknowledged the history between them. And Toph had sat there silently confused.

"Here is your tea." Iroh handed over two cups, one to Toph, and then one to Azira. She knew he wouldn't poison her. That didn't stop her from hesitating before taking the tea. Where Iroh was, Zuko couldn't be far behind.

"You seem a little too young to be traveling by yourselves" Iroh said in a knowing tone. "I'm not alone." Toph insisted, hand reaching out for Azira's.

"And you seem a little too old."

Azira nearly snorted and Iroh did laugh.

"Perhaps I am."

"I know what you're thinking. I look like I can't handle being by myself"

"I wasn't thinking that." Iroh said in a warm and reassuring tone. Azira just sat there, almost overcome by emotion. Even on opposite sides, Iroh was still warm and reassuring.

"You wouldn't even let me pour my own cup of tea."

"He's a tea master. I wouldn't take it personally" Azira murmured with a small knowing smile.Iroh nearly beamed at her. She had the biggest heart of anyone he knew. And he wished his nephew would have learned from her.

"I poured your tea because I wanted to and for no other reason." Iroh promised.

"People see me and they think I'm weak They want to take care of me. Even you do-and don't try to deny it."

Toph insisted, kicking at Azira's foot. "But I can take care of myself by myself."

"You sound like my nephew." Iroh murmured. "Always thinking that you need to do things on your own, without anyone's support. There is nothing wrong with letting people who love you help you. Not that I love either of you- He promised quickly.

"I was like that once." Azira said quietly.

"I know you were, my dear." Iroh said in a gentle tone. "But you've learned."

"So..where is your nephew?" Toph questioned quietly."I've been tracking him, actually.*Azira's head snapped up.

"Is he..lost?

"Yes, he is a little bit. His life has recently changed and he's going through very difficult times" Iroh's head turned towards Toph as he spoke. "He's trying to figure out who he is and he ran away."

"So now you're tracking him. Like-like you." Toph said, head turning towards where Azira was sitting. "You two are lot alike."

"I'm not as brave as your friend here." Iroh admitted, lowering his head. "My nephew doesn't want me around, but if he needs me, I'Il be there."

"Your nephew is very lucky"Toph murmured."Yeah. Yeah he is." Azira said in a hollow and glum voice, eyes watching the sunrise.

"Thank you!"

"My pleasure. Sharing tea with a friend and a fascinating stranger is one of life's delights." Iroh beamed."And for the help." Azira added."About your nephew?" Toph started, getting to her feet. "You should tell him that you need him too."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To say that everyone, including Azula, was surprised by the sudden appearance of Toph and Azira, would have been an understatement.

"Thought you guys could use some help Toph grinned.Azula blasted at them with fire, but Azira spun forward, water colliding against the blue flames. Eyes wide, Azula hurried away, clearly outnumbered. Just as she leapt over a barrel, she was slammed into by Iroh, accompanied by Zuko.

In a surprising turn of events, everyone advanced on Azula, backing her into a corner. "Well, look at this. Enemies and

traitors all working together. I'm done. I know when I'm beaten. You've got me. A princess surrenders with honor."

"You don't have any" Azira said darkly.

Azula grinned and spun, lightning spilling out towards Iroh. Iroh fell backwards and Azira and Zuko gave a sound of surprise and horror. Without hesitation, everyone blasted at Azula- Fire exploded outward and when the smoke cleared, Azula was gone.

Azira stood there, watching Zuko. He blasted at the others. He blasted at her. But she did not move.

She turned slightly, looking at the others. "I'll catch up, I promise. I need to do this though."Everyone exchanged a woried look, but Azira just stayed rooted to the spot. Finally, Sokka started forward. "Just be careful Az. We'll see you soon.

"Always am Azura smiled dryly.

"How will you-" Aang started.

"I tracked you down once. I can do it again."

And with that, Azira turned her attention back to the weeping and angry Zuko. It was time to redeem her act of betrayal.