Ro stroked Hira's head before sending her off into the woods.

"What are you doing?" Azula asked. "You just let our transportation walk away."

Ro rolled his eyes. "Relax, Hira will come back when I call. Besides, walking into town as ourselves will draw less attention than if we walk in there with an eel hound trailing behind us."

Azula sighed, walking off towards the town. "I suppose you have a point. Let's just go and see if we can find a place to stay the night."

Ro nodded, trailing behind her. "Good idea."

The two of them made their way into the busy little town. People hustled and bustled about, making their way from stall to stall. The sound of chatter filled the streets and children ran about, laughing and playing.

"Its nice here." Ro complimented. "So full of life."

"Its just an old mining town." Azula huffed. "All it's good for is making us choke on dust."

Ro shook his head. "That's not true. Towns like this are important. They provide important resources to all the nations. Where do you think the fire nation got all the materials to create their war machines? How do you think the water tribes built their boats? All the ores, gems, wood, it comes mostly from trade with Earth Kingdom towns like this."

Azula stared at him in confusion. "Why are you getting so defensive over a nation that isn't even yours?"

Ro stopped in his tracks. He turned to face her, eyes narrowed. "You think because I'm a firebender I shouldn't care? This nation has felt more like home than the fire nation ever did. These people are strong and work hard. They welcomed me when I was alone. I'm sorry, but the nation I was born into has nothing to do with my feelings about them."

Azula was stunned. She didn't know much about Ro's past, but the revelation that he was disconnected from their homeland and had found refuge in the Earth Kingdom was a good piece of information. Now she was even more intrigued about what his story truly was.

"I didn't realize you felt that way." Azula admitted, choosing her words carefully. "You never told me how you ended up in that village."

Ro took a deep breath. "Its a story for another time. Why don't you look around, see if theres anything we may need. I'll go ask around and find us somewhere to sleep for the night."

Ro disappeared into the crowd before she even had a chance to reply. Azula sighed, turning her attention to the stalls nearby and browsing their selections. Her travelling companion was not being very forth coming. This put Azula on edge. Of course she wasn't being truthful either, but her freedom was at stake. Besides, she barely knew this boy. Fang may have pushed her in his direction, but that didn't mean she had to trust him. Trust no one, she had learned that lesson well.

A set of throwing stars sitting on a shelf in front of the blacksmith's shop caught her eye. Mai. Memories of times spent with her childhood friend flooded her mind, but Azula shook them away. Mai had betrayed her. As had Ty Lee. She may have chosen the traitor's name as her alias, but it no longer had any meaning. It was just a means to an end, nothing more.

Azula continued on her way. The town wasn't that big, surely she'd find Ro eventually. She made her way through the crowds, glancing at shops as she went but not stopping to linger for too long.

"He walked away from you. He left you just as your so called friends did."

Azula froze at the voice, slowly turning to face the building she had been walking past. She found herself staring into a window, but instead of her own reflection, she found her father's cold gaze staring back at her.

"You don't need him Azula. You don't need anyone."

"Shut up." Azula hissed. "You aren't real. You know nothing. Ro has proven useful."

"You heard what he said Azula. He has no loyalty to the fire nation. It's only a matter of time until he discovers the truth. Do you really think he'll stay once he discovers you're the princess of the nation he feels abandoned him?"

Azuka clenched her fists, repressing the urge to shatter the window with a ball of fire. "You don't know him."

"Neither do you."

Azula turned and ran. She had to get away. She couldn't listen to him talk any longer. Her father was locked away in a fire nation prison. It wasn't real. Her mind was trying to turn against her. It wasn't real. IT WASN'T REAL.

"Oof!"

Azula stumbled back in shock. She had run straight into something, or rather, someone.

"Mai, you okay?"

Azula looked up to see Ro staring at her. His gaze felt intense as he waited for her answer. What was that expression? Concern? For her?

"I'm fine." Azula lied. "I was just...in a hurry to find you. And I did. So, did you find us somewhere to stay?"

Ro raised his brow uncertainly but didn't push the subject further. "I did. The lady who owns this cafe said we could use their barn for the night. It's no fancy inn, but we can make it work for one night. At least we'll have a roof over our heads."

Azula grimaced. Barns were for animals. This arrangement wasn't ideal, but she supposed it would due for one night. "Its fine. Lead the way."

Ro nodded, taking her hand and leading her through the town. Azula quickly pulled her hand away. She didn't want to be dragged around. Ro glanced back at her with a frown, but when he realized she was still following he continued on his way.

Soon they arrived at a house on the outskirts of town. Ro led her around back to where the barn was located. It was fairly large and filled with hay.

"Why don't you take a look around while I go find Hira?" The barn is big enough for her to take shelter with us." Ro told her. "The owner of the barn said she'd send her son by to deliver some basic comforts they could spare. Someone should be here to meet him."

"Fine." Azula sighed. "I'll be here."

Ro nodded before leaving her alone once more. She looked around. The barn was relatively clean, despite the dust that lingered from the hay. Clearly this barn was for storage only, not to house animals.

The barn door creaked open behind her. Azula turned to see who had entered, only to be met by a familiar face.

"You!" The young man shouted, dropping the items in his hands. He took his stance and stomped the ground, raising his arms as he bending the earth around her.

Boots made of rock encased her feet and rock pillars shot up from the ground, encasing her hands before sinking back into the earth, dragging Azula to her knees.

"Release me!" Azula hissed, struggling against her earthen restraints.

The young man strode forward, glaring. "Why should I, Princess Azula? You helped your father in his conquest against the earth kingdom. You hunted my friends and almost succeeded in killing two of them. Your brother has a reward out for your safe return. Give me one reason I shouldn't send a hawk to Zuko right now."

Azula was quiet. This young man had travelled with the avatar and his friends. They had fought together. She was a monster in his eyes. Lashing out would not get her out of this. If she wanted a chance to get out of this, she needed to prove him wrong.

"Do you know what will happen to me if I get sent back?" Azula asked, slumping forward to appear meaker.

"You'll get locked away where you belong?" He huffed. "Sounds good to me."

"He'll send me back to that psych ward." Azula told him. "They'll put me back in a straight jacket and lock me away in that empty room. Do you know what it's like? Staring at the same empty walls for days? My only escape was when Zuko came to take me outside. Even then there was no freedom. The straight jacket stayed on, my former friend would chi block me so I was limp as a noodle, and then my dear brother would sit me in a wheelchair and push me around. He'd talk to me like we were having a wonderful time. It wasn't."

Azula saw the shift in his eyes. She had him thinking. Good. Perhaps he could be swayed.

"You need help Azula." He stated firmly. "We all heard of your psychotic break on the day of Sozin's Comet. I'll let Zuko decide what to do with you."

The young man turned to leave and Azula began to struggle once more as panic took hold. "No! No! You can't send me back! I won't-"

Azula stopped screaming when she realized the young man had stopped dead in his tracks. His gaze turned upward in shock and awe. In front of him, Fang sat coiled in the doorway of the barn. His gaze was firm and unwavering.

Azula's eyes widened. "You can see him?"

The young man turned to look at her, then at the dragon, and back again. "You...you know this dragon?"

"He's my....spirit guide, Fang." Azula explained. "Avatar Roku sent him to help me."

"Why? Why would Avatar Roku do that?" The young man asked. "How do I know this isn't a trick?"

"Didn't ZuZu tell you?" Azula questioned. "Avatar Roku is our Great Grandfather on our mother's side."

The young man stared at the dragon before him. "If there is any truth to her words great spirit. Give me a sign."

Fang reached out, touching the tip of his claw to the young man's forehead. There was a flash of light, then the two separated. The young man bowed respectfully to Fang, his fists pressed together. "I understand. I will do as you asked. Thank you."

Fang gave a subtle nod in acceptance before vanishing from the doorway. The young man turned to face Azula before stomping the ground, causing her restraints to crumble.

"You're free to go." The young man told her. "I don't know what Avatar Roku sees in you, but I will not disrespect the wishes of a spirit."

"About time you see reason." Azula huffed, dusting herself off.

"Don't make me regret this." The young man spat.

There conversation was cut short by Hira running into the barn, Ro on his back.

"Hey." Ro grinned, sliding off Hira's back. "You must be the cafe owner's son. I'm Ro and I see you've already met Mai."

"I'm Haru." The young man introduced himself. "Its nice to meet you Ro and Mai. I brought some blankets and pillows for you both. Mother also said you could join us for dinner if you like."

"Sounds great." Ro nodded. "We'll be there. And thank you all again for this."

Azula nodded. "Yes, your hospitality has been greatly appreciated."

"Of course, it's the least we can do." Haru nodded. "I'll leave you two to get settled."

Ro nodded, watching him go before turning to Azula. "Well Mai, you heard him. Let's get settled."

Azula walked over, grabbing a blanket and some pillows from the ground. The confrontation with Haru had been a close call. She only hoped that Fang's interference would be enough to keep his mouth shut.