Komodo Rhino's grunt and blow puffs of smoke from their snouts as they made their way to another city. Riding on the large beasts were soldiers, a colonel, and a general. The red and gold uniforms shined in the sun light. To them the heat was nothing. Reason being was because one they are from the Fire Nation and heat like this was normal. Reason two was the uniforms they wore protected them from getting a serious heat stroke. Which was one of the reasons why they were all wearing their helmets even their general wore the helmet her brother gave her.

A month and a half has passed already. Azula and her troops were heading more south checking any other villages that were not marked. During their travels Azula had received a letter from her earthbending friend Toph. The letter reported several areas up in the southwest have been checked including the Foggy Swamp area. So that was less to worry about for the peace keepers of the Fire Nation.

They slowly made their way into an abandon town called Tu Zin village. Azula's eyes scanned the area looking about seeing a certain building cut down. Her eyes continued to scan and noticed all the old scorch marks along the ground and buildings. She remembered this place very well. How could she forget, this was the village where she first encountered her lover. She lets a chuckle escape her lips remembering how her little antics finally got the attention of a certain waterbender.

"What seems to be amusing you?" Miku asked curiously

The general shook her head chuckling more "Remembering how I first met Katara"

Her friend looked around and blinked "All the way out here?"

"Yup, this was the place where I actually met Team Avatar" she said chuckling more "Thinking back it had made me realize something." She said

The colonel looked at her "What?"

Azula smiles "I'm a sucker for those beautiful blue eyes." She said chuckling "Not only that but I didn't follow them for the Avatar. I followed them for her."

Miku snickered looking at her friend "It's cute but way too creepy." She said smiling then started to feel strange "Speaking of creepy something doesn't feel right" looking at the buildings

The firebending general quietly spoke "Why must you have that feeling every time we are in a dead area?"

"Come on General. This isn't the first time I did this and you know I'm correct when I say I don't feel right." Miku whispered back knowing she was right

Azula nodded in agreement. Indeed this wasn't the first time colonel Miku pointed out her disturbing feelings in certain areas. Last time she had that feeling they were almost surrounded by a small group of rebels. It wasn't much of a problem but it still held back a lot of precious time to reach a certain area to make a campsite before the sun settled. Azula sat up straight and made a hand gesture signaling all of her troops to keep quiet and be fully alert.

The colonel lightly smiled "Glad you're finally listening" she quietly spoke

Azula lightly scoffed "You're my second in command, so I do have to listen…..sometimes." she mumbled

"I listen to you all the time." She pointed out

Amber eyes sparked with amusement "But there's a difference. A Colonel, a General. Which one is better?"

Miku's stiffened a bit "Are you pulling rank on me?" she hissed only to hear a chuckle

"Why yes I am. How'd you guess?" she asked

The colonel was about to say something back till small explosions went off all around them which created a large white dust cloud.

Azula coughed from the smoke "WHAT THE FUCK!? SERIOUSLY?!" she shouted out of anger

"Hey if it makes you feel any better at least we knew." Miku stated out loudly

All of the troops were coughing as well and tried to look around only to see nothing but white smoke all around them. Then quick shadows started to appear taking the troops out one by one before they could even make a sound.

"General we need to move no-" everything turned deadly silent

Azula turned her head "Miku?" she called out "Miku!?" she shouted only to receive nothing.

Her eyes narrowed as she pulled out both swords from her back keeping herself on high alert. Nothing was heard not even the hint of an attacker, till something jumped up from behind her and jammed their thumb into her neck knocking her out cold. The last thing she remembered was looking up at a dark figure and her last thought were "Oh shit"

The Fire Nation Palace was quiet. Too quiet if anyone asked. The palace halls were hollow and not a single sound was made. Several Fire Nation royal guards stood full alert in front of two large doors. Within the shadows blue eyes quietly study the guards counting how many there were.

The young woman stood in front of her student with her hands behind her back "The test will judge your speed, endurance, stealth, and what kind of abilities you have with your blades. If you fail then there will be consequences. I won't tell you what they are either. So make sure you pass my test or else."

An older woman spoke up "Doesn't that sound a bit harsh?" she quietly asked

The teacher shook her head "Not even close to what my past teachers told me. Compare me to them and you'll see a major difference." She informed

"It's understandable. You know more about this test than we do." A young man spoke then looked at the older woman "And there will always be some type of consequences between a teacher and student. I'm sorry but this is true." Then looks at the student "Even the Dragon of the West had consequences on certain lessons" he explained

The student nods her head "My teachers did as well and I will make sure I surpass this test."

The young woman smiles "I'll be looking forward to it. Be ready tomorrow morning. When the sun rises the test begins and you have the whole day to complete it." She watches her student stand "Don't fail me."

And with those words said everyone stood up and headed to their rooms getting some well-deserved rest for tomorrow's morning test.

The shadowed person stayed hidden "I will surpass my test." She quietly whispered to herself then disappeared into the darkness of the Fire Nation palace.

While a test was going on at the Fire Nation back at the Earth Kingdom the peace keepers of the Fire Nation were tied up in groups of five. They were unable to move and it was not because of the ropes. It was because they couldn't feel their bodies. Mostly paralyzed is what had gone through everyone's mind. It was strangely funny for the troops because they were used to this kind of miscalculation in the Earth Kingdom territories. The only thing that made it more entertaining was their General who was now yelling in anger.

"I DEMAND YOUR LEADER NOW DAMNIT!" she yelled in anger not happy to wake up being tied up and paralyzed.

The door of the room opened and a female warrior marched in, a Kyoshi warrior to be exact with the Avatar Kyoshi uniform and color. Azula didn't look so happy to see this lone warrior and lightly growled in anger.

"You got some nerve Fire Nation filth to be talking to us like that" The young woman said frowning

"Well wouldn't you be pissed off if you woke up tied up and paralyzed?" the firebender hissed

The female warrior withdrew her fan and lightly pressed it against the General's neck "You know its people like you who piss me off." She hissed back

"Maka that's enough" another Kyoshi warrior said walking into the room "We are not to harm them until out leader returns and decides. Understand?"

Forest green eyes glare back at amber eyes then steps back putting the fan like weapon away and turning away quietly walking out of the room. The other warrior silently watches Maka walk away. Then looks back at the Fire Nation general who sat quietly. She couldn't really see the general's face because they had yet removed the helmets off the troops.

"Excuse her behavior" she said calmly "She's been through a lot in the past." She explained

"That does not give her an excuse to go around starting trouble" Azula said still upset

The female warrior lightly sighs rubbing her neck "She's with us to keep her in line of life. We are still trying to make her understand it all."

The firebender scoffs then looks at the warrior "Why are you nice?" she asked

"Because our leader taught us to be compassionate, plus she said not to do anything rash until she comes back." The warrior explained.

"I'm assuming the Kyoshi warriors have not been informed about us?" Miku asked after being quiet for so long

A white painted brow rises in question "What other information do we need about your kind?" she asked with a somewhat cold tone

"The peace keepers of the Fire Nation within the Earth Kingdom territories? Surly you have heard of them." Azula said

The female warrior shakes her head "No, we have not yet been updated about what is going on. We have been mostly on the move making sure we do our part against the rebellion here."

The colonel sighs "I see" she mumbles quietly

"Very well we will be patient and wait for your leader to come back then. Just keep that Maka girl distant from my troops." Azula informed quietly

The Kyoshi warrior nods silently then walks out of the room closing the door behind her. Once she left all the troops started to whisper to one another. The whispers were nothing serious it was the simple questions of "when are we leaving?", "how long will this one take?" and so on. Azula sat quietly leaning against Miku. She was a bit exhausted and decided to close her eyes for a bit.

"Sir what are you doing?" the Colonel asked

Azula chuckles "using you as a pillow to nap on. Now shut up so I can continue with my light nap."

Miku frowned "I'm not your damn pillow and I don't think it'll be best to nap since the leader of this group is not here yet."

"Then you keep guard while I take a small nap Colonel." The firebender said closing her eyes once again

The second in command frowned deeply again seeing as the general didn't seem much interested of the situation they were in. Then again something like this was a good sigh. General Azula was never really this calm or collected when they were imprisoned by other Earth Kingdom units. So maybe there was something special about the Kyoshi warriors that the princess of the Fire Nation knew about. Miku lightly sighs and sits quietly with the general waiting for their leader.

The two large doors at the Fire Nation palace busted open and there stood a female dressed in all black. The royal guards were either knocked out or pinned to the walls somewhere. Blue eyes scanned the area searching to the next challenges that was supposed to be waiting behind these doors. As soon as one foot stepped over that shadowed line flames shot out of nowhere. The blue eyed assassin jumped back and back flipped once again dodging another fire ball.

A firebender dressed in black stood in front of her taking a firebending stance. The figure in black was male. She could tell easily. They stood in defense for several seconds then the blue eyed assassin charged at him dodging several fire attacks. She slid across the floor and flicked both of her wrists quickly pinning the male's feet to the ground. He gasped a bit surprised by the attack then fell forward onto the ground. As soon as he was on the ground the blue eyes warrior changed then jumped up in the air and flicked her wrist pinning the male completely to the floor.

As soon as that last knife pinned him another person dressed in black jumped in front of her except this person was taller and wielded a pair of dual dao swords. The blue eyed warrior swiftly moved dodging the twin blades. As soon as they got a good distance the assassin noticed it was a woman, an older woman to be precise. And apparently this woman knew how to wield her swords very well. Then in a blink of an eye the taller woman charged at her at a rapid pace.

The assassin flicked her wrist again releasing two pairs of blades at her target. The sword wielder saw the attack coming and brought forth her swords knocking the daggers out of her way. Blue eyes widen then quickly jumped off to the side nearly missing the edge of a sword. Amber eyes narrow apparently upset about missing her target. As soon as the assassin's feet touched the ground the taller figure charged again. The blue eyed warrior stood her ground then at the last minute released another pair of blades as quickly as possible.

The taller warrior was able to block the first blade but the second blade hit its mark which was the center of the sword where the blade meets the handle. The sword flew back and landed somewhere within the dimmed room. As soon as the sword landed both warriors faced each other, amber eyes met cold blue eyes, both focused and ready to battle. The warriors stared each other down and slowly started to circle their target. They both knew that this stalemate was not over. When the movement of their feet stopped the taller woman took her stance now holding her sword with both hands and the blade facing out and off to her side ready for any attack. The blue eyed warrior looked at her opponent and felt a small drop of sweat pass her brow. Then charged at her opponent, as soon as she did the taller amber eyed warrior charged as well. Both knew one was going to stand.

"Sir?" nothing "Sir Wake up." Miku said nudging her friend

Azula opens her eyes half way "Hm? What?"

Miku moves a bit "Sir I think the leader is here." She quietly stated

The prodigy firebender shifted a bit now wide awake "What makes you say that?"

"There's a lot of talk outside, I heard some of them say their leader is finally here" Azula's second in command said

"Oh good, I was starting to get hungry." The General said smiling

As soon as she said that the door opens and three Kyoish warriors walked in. The one standing in the middles caught Azula's attention. She couldn't help but smile under her helmet. Standing before her was her childhood friend Ty Lee.

"So nice to finally meet the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors" Azula said in a different tone

Ty Lee slightly frowned "We are not here to meet. I am here to make a decision of what happens to you." She said in a sharp tone

A brow raises "Really?" then chuckles a bit "Miss Ty Lee I hope it's nothing bad"

The young woman stiffens a bit "How do you know my name?"

"I know many things. I know you grew up in the Fire Nation. I know your two best friends are Mai and Azula. And I know you like what's her name" the General said grinning "was it Bei Fong?" she asked

Ty Lee blushed red under her makeup "Shut Up!" she yelled then grabbed her metal fan and threw it straight at Azula's helmet

The fire nation troops watched at the metal fan hit dead center of the Generals forehead and fall back landing on the ground and taking the Colonel down with her. As Azula fell back the impact of the metal fan managed to knock off her helmet. Everyone's eyes widen and stayed quiet wondering if their General was even alive now.

Azula lay's on the ground with a stupid grin on her face "best prank ever" she whispered painfully

Colonel Miku simply rolled her eyes then blinked as three shadows casted over her and the General.

Back within the Fire Nation palace the older fighter groans a bit and the echoing sound of a metal sword hitting the ground bounced off the walls. The blue eyed warrior flicked her wrist once more pinning her opponents legs to the wall as well making sure the taller woman wouldn't get out of that pin. A small noise was made within the room and the blue eyed assassin went on high alert. She slowly walked into the center of the room and slowly stopped her breathing as she carefully listened to her surroundings. She could hear her two pinned down targets breathing patterns and nothing else, which caused her to be more alert and a bit paranoid because she knew her test wasn't over.

Then her eyes widen and quickly ducks off to the side as five blades pierce the floor. She does her best on trying to calm her breathing but it doesn't happen. She dodges again as three small arrows pierce a pillar which was aimed for her head. Her reflexes were not as fast this time as one arrow nicks a piece of cloth from her arm. Luckily it was just cloth instead of flesh, but she had to reach a higher speed now. Her last opponent meant business. This wasn't a game; this was an all-out test of who was better. The teacher or the student. A shadowy figure finally appeared on the other side of the room, the room's air became thick as tensions started to rise.

"Not bad" the figure stood in a relaxed stance "Not bad at all Katara" the figure said

Katara smiles under her cloth mask "Learned from the best" she said

Mai smirks "Your test is not over yet and this fight is far from over" she quietly said slowly backing away into the darkness of the room

"I'm ready" her student said backing away into darkness as well

While the teacher and student went head to head Azula was sitting calmly in front of a good size camp fire. A cup was handed to her and she smiled gladly taking the cup. Ty Lee smiled and sat down beside her best friend.

"How's your face?" she asked smiling

Azula grinned "Fantastic"

After her best friend knocked her out with the metal fan the helmet was removed and Ty Lee got a good look at the General. At first the Kyoshi Leader was surprised to see who it was then jumped onto the General and smothered her with hugs and kisses on the cheek. While everyone else was in pure shocked by the interaction Ty Lee stopped for a moment explaining everything was ok and that Azula and her troops mean no harm what so ever.

After everything was explained and understood the troops were set free and un-paralyzed. Ty Lee and the rest of the Kyoshi Warriors started asking questions and apologizing to the Peace Keepers. The Fire Nation troops just laughed and accepted the apologies then explained that something like this became normal to them. After a while everything settled down and Ty Lee asked her friend for her and her troops to make camp here with them, which became quickly decided since it was late afternoon and the sun was setting faster than expected.

"I'm glad we found each other given the crazy circumstances" the acrobatic young woman said smiling at her friend

The General chuckles "I'm glad too. It's nice to see familiar faces during a time like this." She said

Ty Lee smiles and bumps her friend "Tell me the stories of your travels here and how is everyone back at the Fire Nation?"

"Well everyone is doing fine and as for" then stops as Colonel Miku walks up to them

"Sorry to bother you Sir but I would like to ask the Kyoshi Leader if it was ok to look over her maps?" she asked

The Kyoshi Leader smiles quickly standing up "Call me Ty Lee and sure one of the girls will gladly help you with that." She quickly walks over to one of the girls and speaks to her for a moment then walks back "this is Akemi she's the one who keeps track of where we've been and what towns we went to." She said

The Colonel gives a slight bow to them "A pleasure to meet another warrior"

The young woman smiles giving a slight bow back then looked at Miku "Do you mind if we update from your maps too since we seem to a bit out of date?" Akemi asked

Miku lightly smiles "Not at all I was planning to ask Ty Lee if she wanted me to do that for her."

"I appreciate that" then turns to her friend "Make sure to get all the details from Colonel Miku's maps. We have to be sure everything is covered." The Kyoshi Leader said

The Kyoshi warrior nods then walks ahead of Miku showing her where all the maps were placed at. Azula quietly watched as the Colonel and Kyoshi warrior walk away to get some updates on the maps. She chuckled as Ty Lee sat back down next to her. Her acrobatic friend raises a brow in question.

"I've never seen you so serious Ty Lee it's very different of you" she said smiling

Ty Lee lightly sighs "This war against the rebellion has changed me and most likely you as well." She quietly said

Azula quietly stares into her cup "War always makes changes to people and to nations" she said finishing off her drink.

Ty Lee slowly leans in and rests her head on her friends shoulder "So tell me a story" she said like a quiet child

The firebender smiles "Sure"

Katara breaths in heavily trying to control her breathing, but it was hard with her heart beating rapidly against her chest she couldn't control much of it. Her stealth clothes were now a bit shredded and holey thanks to all the arrows and blades she had been dodging. She looks up and notices her teacher Mai still in a defense crouching stance, grey eyes sharp as ever and her breathing patterns were quiet and in control. But her clothes showed that Katara was on the same level as her. Tears and shreds of cloth showed where her student was trying to pin her at.

"You're doing very well for yourself" the teacher said quietly "but your breathing control is terrible." Frowning a bit

Katara sighs deeply finally controlling it "I know"

"Again" Mai stated and with that flicks her wrist

The waterbender quickly slid and dodges the blade then narrows her eyes and flicks her wrist as well. Mai smirks and slides across the floor then in one quick motion bring both hands out shooting out four small arrows. Blue eyes widen and quickly jumped up then flicks her wrist throwing two at her opponent. Mai manages to move out of the way then is stopped as a blade pins part of her clothed leg to the ground. Her student sees this and charges forward quickly throwing four blades at once.

But the young queen smirks and cuts the piece of cloth that was pinned. She then dodges her student's blades and slides off to the side and flicked her wrist faster than a blink of an eye causing two of her blades to fly towards her opponent. The sound of a grunt was heard and Katara slowly opens her eyes then tried to move but realized she was pinned to the wall. She was about to move then several move blades shot out successfully pinning her to the wall. Katara opens her eyes and moves a bit feeling everything pinned except for her fingertips. She puts her head down feeling disappointment within herself.

Mai smiles walking up to her "Your test is over"

The waterbender sighs with her head down "I failed didn't I?" she asked

The young woman gives a light smile "Somewhat" she said then looked around the room seeing all the damages "You passed the test"

"Really?" Katara asked surprised by that comment

Mai smiles "Yes and the reason why is because you managed to pin me several times, and no one has ever been able to do that. Not even Azula." She said reaching out and taking the blades off her student

"But you managed to escape all the pins I sent out" the waterbender pointed out

The young woman smiles "That's because I'm not like everyone else" she said "If I was a normal guard or something I wouldn't have time to think about cutting my clothes off. I would be in a shocked state of the blade almost piercing me." She explained

Katara sighed moving her arms a bit now that the blades weren't pinning her down "That makes a lot of sense. You're used to this kind of stuff." She said taking off the cloth mask that covered her face

Mai smiles "I was born with this kind of stuff" she said chuckling

"Does this mean we can leave now?" a male voice called out

The young Fire Lady smiles walking over to her Fire Lord "Yes we can leave now" she said unpinning her lover "You did very well hiding" then leaned down giving him a kiss on his cheek

Zuko lightly blushes "I learned how to be stealthy during my banishment" he said finally being able to stand up

"Um can someone help me?" the other voice called out

Katara blinked then quickly ran to the other person "Sorry Ursa are you ok?" she asked unpinning her

The older woman smiles "I'm fine dear I was just a bit worried that I was going to be forgotten here" she said with a small chuckle

The waterbender smiles now finished pulling out the blades. The older woman smiles moving her arms around a bit then gives Katara a big hug congratulating her on passing Mai's test.

"So, when did you learn how to wield swords like that?" Zuko asked

The old warrior smiles "Fire Nation royals are taught at a young age to learn how to take care of themselves in case the royal guards failed us." She simply said

"Looks can be very deceiving" Mai said smiling with a suggestive brow raised

Ursa chuckles a bit looking off to the side a bit "Yes they can be, but let's go get something to eat. It's been a long day and I'm pretty sure everyone's worked up an appetite." She quickly said lightly nudging everyone out of the room not wanting to talk about herself

As day turned to night a happy giggle and laugher filled the air. Azula smiles watching her friend have an un-controlling giggle problem, after telling Ty Lee a funny story about pulling a prank on some of her troops she couldn't stop giggling.

"So yea that's about it." Azula said smiling trying to end her friends giggle fit

Ty Lee smiles "It's mean Zula but it's very funny." She said then settles down "Those other stories of your battles against the rebellion sound amazing. Especially the one when you paired up with Toph"

"I knew you would" the firebender said with an all knowing smirk

The young acrobat blushes and lightly pushes her friend "Shut up" she muttered

Azula chuckles "You must really be fond of her to be blushing like that" she pointed out

"Yes I am" she said lightly smiling while looking at the camp fire

The General watches her friends for a moment then spoke up "Why are you though?" she asked curiously "Katara told me you like her for the eyes and the challenge but there has to be more than that."

Ty Lee sat quietly then looked at her friend "She has a strong aura. No something stronger than that, something that's very alluring about her."

"Is it power?" her friend asked

She shakes her head "No, it's the way she is." Then faces Azula "I mean sure she seems a bit rough with everyone but deep down she would do anything to protect the people she cares for." She looks at the ground "do you remember how we meet?" she asked

The General nods "Yea, you were being picked on and I came to help you. Even though it was my first day of school, it didn't seem right to see someone smaller being picked on."

"And remember from that point on you would always watch out for me to make sure I never got hurt, even at my own home?" she asked

She nods once more "Yea" she raises a brow "Where is this leading to?" she questioned

Ty Lee looks at her friend "You two protect the people you care for and love. Even though both of you are a bit rough around the edges you two have big hearts." She takes her friends hand "I know you and Mai care for me deeply, but if I ever had someone special in my life you two would make sure that this person would always protect and love me right?" she asked

Azula's eyes soften "Of course, Mai and I just want what's best for you" holding her friends hand

"And someone like Toph would be the best no?" the young woman asked

The firebender rolls her eyes a bit and smiles "Hmm I guess she would be a suitable person for you." The turns serious "But if anything does happen to you I swear Mai and I will make her life miserable."

Ty Lee chuckles and hugs her friend "I doubt anything bad will happen. She's a sweetheart." She said holding onto Azula's arm

The General snorts a bit "Yea a real Sweetpea"

Both of them chuckled knowing the meaning behind the silly nickname. As the night sky slowly passed on, back at the Fire Nation palace the ex-Fire Lady walks into her room and carefully places the twin swords back into a case resting at the foot of the bed. She lightly sighs and changes out of her clothes and into her sleep wear.

She slowly slips into bed and gets comfortable under the covers. She closes her eyes and quietly thinks over of the morning events that took place. She had her secrets about her past life over the years and her son was questioning them now. But luckily her daughter in law Mai was able to skip into different topics every time Zuko had a question. She saddens a bit knowing that keeping secrets was not right to keep to herself especially from her family.

She lay's on her side still pondering. True it was bad to keep secrets but she didn't want to say anything about herself yet. She mentally nods in agreement. She would keep her secrets till both her children were present; it would be a lot easier to speak to her kids that way instead of one at a time. She lightly smiles and closes her eyes getting some well-deserved rest and the secrets slipping back into her personal closet.