Azula was not thrilled about joining Haru's family for dinner. She'd much rather have stayed with Hira in the barn then sit face to face with the boy who had the power to destroy everything. But Ro had insisted and now here she was. And she hated it.

"I'm so glad you decided to join us for dinner." Haru's mother smiled.

Ro smiled back. "We're grateful for your invitation. There's nothing better than a home cooked meal."

"Yes, thank you." Azula replied, watching Haru warily.

She didn't trust him to keep his mouth shut. And based on the way his father was watching her, she had reason to. Clearly he knew who she was as well.

"So where are you two from?" Haru's father asked.

"Tyro!" Haru's mother scolded. "Don't be so brash. They're our guests, they don't have to share anything if they don't wish to."

"It's alright." Ro reassured her. "You see, Mai and I are runaways. Our family lives weren't great, so we left them behind in search of something better. And bless the spirits we somehow ended up running into eachother. Now we're making this journey together."

Ro's response caught her off guard. He wasn't lying, yet at the same time neither one of them knew the whole story of why the other was running. His quick tongue never ceased to amaze her.

"You poor dears." Haru's mother tutted. "Avatar Aang and Fore Lord Zuko have worked hard to make amends and restore peace. But the war has still left many scars. I take it that has something to do with your family struggles?"

"Yes." Azula nodded, not wanting to seem too withdrawn. "The war has had a great impact."

"Well," Tyro cleared his throat. "You are welcome to stay as long as you need."

"Thank you sir." Ro replied. "But we're going to continue on our way in the morning. Neither of us are ready to settle just yet."

"Well then," Haru raised his glass. "To safe travels."

They all raised their glasses together. "To safe travels."

Azula finished what was left on her plate. "The meal was nice. I think I'm going to turn  in for the night."

"Are you sure?" Haru's mom asked. "There's plenty more."

"I'm fine." Azula replied, standing up. She couldn't take the stares from Haru and his father any longer. "I'll be in the barn if you need me Ro."

"Alright." Ro nodded, watching her go.

Haru's mother frowned. "Is Mai okay?"

Ro smiled reassuringly. "She's okay. Mai just has trouble being around other people. They make her nervous. I'm lucky she tolerates me."

"You're lucky she hasn't tried to kill you." Haru muttered.

"What was that?" Ro asked.

Haru cleared his throat. "I was just saying that you're lucky to have found eachother."

Ro nodded, flashing him a smile before returning his focus on finishing his dinner. When they had finished, Ro helped them clean up before returning to the barn.

Ro quietly slid open the barn door and crept inside. He could just make out Hira curled up in the corner and Azula asleep in her bedroll. Ro silently climbed into his own bedroll and closed his eyes, letting sleep take him.

A few hours later....

"Stop it! STOP it! STOP IT!"

Ro awoke to the sound of screaming inside the barn. He rubbed his eyes and sat up, looking around for the source of the screams. That's when he noticed Azula thrashing in her bed roll. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she tossed and turned, screaming for something or someone to stop.

Ro crawled out of his bedroll and made his way to her side, shaking her gently. "Mai. Mai wake up. You're having a nightmare. It's not real. Mai!"

Azula shot up from her bedroll, drenched in sweat. Her eyes looked wild as she looked around frantically for something that wasn't there. Ro reached out to touch her shoulder but she jumped back, staring at him like a stranger. "Get away from me!"

"Mai, it's okay. You're safe, it was just a dream." Ro tried to reassure her.

"No. No. You're trying to trick me." Azula snarled. "You're trying to get in my head. I won't let you! Stay away!"

Ro stared at her wild expression in concern.  This was more than a nightmare- induced panic. She was manic.

"Mai, you need to calm down." Ro said softly, trying to soothe her. "You're safe. It's just you and me."

Azula shook her head, backing further away. "You're lying! You're trying to turn my mind against me! I won't let you!"

Azula sent a blast of fire his way and Ro quickly caught it and extinguished it before the hay in the barn could catch fire. He realized then just how bad of a situation they were in. If this continued she could burn the place down.

Ro made a quick decision and lunged at Azula. He grabbed her wrists and maneuvered himself behind her. Azula screamed and cried as as knelt down and pulled her back to his chest. He kept a firm grip on Azula wrists as he wrapped his arms around her, pinning her against him.

"Let me go! LET ME GO!" Azula screamed, thrashing in his grip.

Despite her fighting and cries to be released, Ro held her tight. He had to get her to calm down. Eventually, Azula tired herself out. She went limp in his arms, her chest heaving as she sobbed.

"Shhhhh." Ro soothed. "You're okay Mai. You're okay. It's over. It's all over."

After while, Azula cried herself to sleep. Ro sat quietly as he held her sleeping form, admiring the peace that was now reflected on her face. Deciding not to disturb her, Ro leaned back against the bales of hay and drifted off to sleep.