"Again." Azula ordered hands poised to intercept any of Aang's attacks. The Avatar nodded and moved swiftly, jets of fire arching from his palms.

Azula was still quicker. Breaking the attack she moved in to penetrate his defenses. Aang struggled under the intense barrage of blue flames. The Avatar just barely stepped out of the way to avoid getting his robes singed. With a grunt he leapt, spinning in the air, and sending a sharp wave of fire at the princess.

The hit nearly landed but she leapt lithely out of the way. Sighing Aang straightened. He'd come to the fire nation with his friends to better his training, he never expected to take on his former enemy as a tutor, yet here he was.

Azula had gradually gotten better over time with the help of her brother, mother, and friends. Part of the deal allowing her war crimes to be absolved was that she had to find ways to make up for her past wrong doings. This was one of them.

The skirmish went on for another moment or two until Aang was flat on his back a flaming foot inches from his face.

"Not bad. That's good enough for today." Azula took a step back allowing the Avatar to clamber to his feet.

"Thank you." Aang gave her a curt bow before turning to his friends who had crowded on the court yard steps to watch.

"She kicked your butt buddy." Sokka mused laying casually on the steps with a hand shielding his face from the sun.

"But," Katara interrupted, "You've definitely gotten better. Your fire bending's improved ten fold."

"Thanks sweetie." Aang smiled.

"I don't know twinkle toes, you're good but not great. Don't get an ego." Toph called to him from where she was carefully bending a piece of metal.

"You're one to talk about egos Toph." Aang rolled his eyes. "How about we go inside it's hot out here."

"I like that idea." Sokka eagerly got to his feet and stretched his arms over his head. "To the shade!"

He and Toph made quick work of heading inside while Aang and Katara walked slowly hand in hand in a deep conversation. Azula, however, remained outside. She never disliked the heat. She enjoyed it, the feeling of sweat when she worked only ensured she was working hard. That was the point, if you didn't work hard why even bother putting in any effort at all?

Standing in the empty courtyard she paced about striking down phantom enemies with strikes of blue fire. With each combo she carefully dodged invisible attacks. To an onlooker it seemed silly but to her it wasn't. The game was vivid in her head.

Each enemy stood prominent with different abilities. For instance the earth bender to her right. They knew how to move the earth to create very subtle differences between one's feet. Just enough to throw off an attack. Azula had to carefully evaluate and adjust according to these shifts, imaginary or not, it was how you'd survive the duel.

Zuko stood inside watching from the window. His sister was very fit, the deadliest fire bender to ever exist in the nation, but he worried she worked herself too hard. Of course, he knew it served as a distraction for her, it kept her head clear of unwanted thoughts. Still, he worried.

"Is she in the courtyard again?" Mai questioned, joining Zuko in his observations.

"Yes." He nodded, watching as Azula attacked fiercely, her face a blank slate in the eye of conflict. She never gave anything away.

"It's been three years since her recovery; you would think she'd smile." Mai sighed. Despite the past transgressions with her friend, she still felt attached to Azula. The girl who was once fourteen was now a young adult approaching nineteen years of age. She should be living a happier life, but she wasn't.

"Mother talked about bringing Ty Lee here, maybe with the three of you together it would spur some good memories instead of bad ones." Zuko explained, but Mai shook her head.

"Azula doesn't want to see her and Ty Lee is busy with Suki and the other Kyoshi Warriors. Besides, Azula's hardly forgiven me for betraying her. She's even more resentful of Ty Lee for chi blocking her." Zuko glanced at his girlfriend and wrapped an arm gently around her waist.

"I know. Just a thought." Zuko smiled kissing her temple. "Maybe we don't have to tell her."

"I'm all for making her happy again -and you can do as you please- I just worry about repercussions." Mai noted resting her head on Zuko's shoulder.

"I'll think about it. I'll inform you of my decision." He promised.

Azula stayed outside well into the evening and only entered the palace upon her brother's insistence. She showed up for dinner like always but she remained quiet. She was much more of an observer nowadays than she ever had been before.

She watched the others laugh and smile. Of course, she was glad they all got along, it was nice to see. The way Sokka and Toph drove Katara insane. Or how Aang and Zuko would get jabbering about politics. Mai and Ursa making small talk. They were a big family.

Only Azula felt like she was watching from behind a thin film of glass. Not quite there. Not quite part of it. This, she knew, was for a reason. She had tried to destroy them. She couldn't really blame them for a reluctance to let their guards down around her.

So she ate like usual, a small portion of what had been served, and disappeared without anyone noticing. Once in her room she would read until she couldn't keep her eyes open any more.

Most nights she forgot to shower and was reminded by a servant. Of course Azula knew she had to take better care of herself but she didn't necessarily feel like it all the time.

What she didn't know, however, was that Zuko did intend on bringing Ty Lee to the palace. He wanted the three girls to have a reunion, it was time to heal old wounds. It would be good for all of them. It may even make Mai a bit happier than she already was.

Besides, if he was being honest, he did miss the bubbly girl just a tiny bit. It would do some good for the palace to be a bit more lively. So that night he stayed awake and drafted the invitation before sending it off via messenger hawk. All Zuko needed was a reply.

He didn't have to wait long. The response was sent the next morning before he'd even had a chance to prepare himself for the day. Taking the scroll from the hawk and petting it gently for a moment Zuko turned to his desk. Sitting down he unrolled it eager to see the response.

Dear Zuko,

It's nice to hear from you. I'm glad things are going well for you back home, after all that happened, you deserve it, a lot. Mai seems to be happier from what you say-which is absolutely wonderful! I know you guys had some trouble but it's sweet you worked it out. And to answer your question I'm doing quite fine on the island. It's nice, small, peaceful, but I do miss home a bit. So I've decided to take you up on your offer and spend a day or two in the palace. If anything, to catch up with Mai. I bet she has some stories to share, although I'll probably do most of the talking. Anyways, I'll see you soon. Keep ruling Zuzu you're doing a good job.

~ Ty Lee

Smiling, Zuko shook his head and tucked the paper in a drawer of his desk. "Ty Lee still hasn't changed a bit I bet."

With that in mind Zuko finished getting ready and discovered Mai reading in the garden about...weaponry? Well,  she did like sharp objects.

"What is it you're reading about today? Swords, axes, spears?" Zuko smiled sitting next to her.

"Butterfly knives actually." Mai informed holding up a picture of the carefully crafted blades.

"Funny people name deadly objects nice things like butterflies." Zuko chuckled. "Anyways, I can to tell you I sent for Ty Lee. She responded quickly. She's coming here for a day or two. She seems really excited to catch up with you."

Mai smiled which was a rare sight, "Isn't she always excited?"

"Oh yes, but something tells me she'll be more excited than ever. Just reading her letter makes it seem like she's hardly changed." Zuko sighed leaning into Mai.

"We all have at least a little. Ty Lee's tougher than she looks. Maybe she's changed the least out of all of us." Mai noted taking Zuko's hand. The two stayed in the garden for some time in the early morning, enjoying the cooler air.

At one point Sokka came into the garden to practice throwing his boomerang; which was a funny thing to watch. Katara found him and he attempted to teach her how it worked. That didn't end well.

Mai being a master at such things just watched with a look of amusement. "Instead of smiling you could help them."

"That takes away the fun." She replied earning a playful roll of the eyes from Zuko.

"Boo." Zuko startled turning around to see his sister perched in the tree branch over head.

"Don't do that!" Zuko frowned watching the slight hint of a smile twitch at Azula's lips. "How long have you been there?"

"Before sunrise." She explained, crouched like a panther, but appearing perfectly comfortable. "Isn't that right Mai?"

"Mhm." Mai nodded now focused back on her reading.

"You should be more observant Zuko. It's not good to have people surprise you." Azula meant it. If her brother wasn't more observant he could be killed rather easily. Then again,  he shouldn't be paranoid, but a bit more of a heightened awareness would serve him well.

"Thankfully, it's just you." He sighed turning back to watch Sokka and Katara.

"You used to think otherwise." Azula noted climbing higher with ease.

"That was then. This is now." Zuko called up to her. He didn't earn a response and had lost sight of her. He only hoped his sister hadn't heard his little admission about inviting Ty Lee to the palace.

Azula was once again the last in the courtyard. Others may have gotten bored with how many times she'd explored it but the place was full of endless opportunities. For instance; Azula loved all the things she could climb.

The trees, the light posts, the walls, the roofs. She knew it drove others crazy but it was freeing. So she stood balancing on one of the shaded structures in the center of the courtyard. The shingled roof reaching a point topped with an intricate metal design.

She climbed up with ease and balanced very carefully on the uppermost point. The breeze ruffled her hair and clothes but it felt nice. Sure, she could fall, but there were ways to lighten the impact.

"Azula must you always climb up there?" The princess opened her eyes and glanced down at her mother and Kiyi who had accompanied her into the courtyard and garden.

"Sorry mother." Bowing her head Azula swiftly made her way down.

"Woah!" Kiyi, now much older, looked at Azula with awe. "I'm gonna be that cool one day."

"I'm sure." Azula gave a very faint smile. "Did you have lessons today? How did they go?"

"Awesome!" Kiyi smiled puffing out her chest.

"Good." Azula nodded glancing up to see a fond look in her mother's eyes. "Well, I better go, there's always a new corner to the library."

"Azula dear." Ursa reached out and gently caught Azula's arm. "You know it's okay to socialize. All you do is read in your room and work on your bending. You're much more than your skills and studies."

"I know." Azula nodded gently pulling her arm away. "But it's how I feel comfortable."

Ursa left her be and didn't see her daughter again until dinner that evening. Even then she hardly talked to Azula who was always more interested in what was going on than actually joining the conversation.

Though, Zuko,  was unusually absent. His seat remained oddly open and it was causing speculation. Azula was nearly done with her evening 'socializing'  when she heard the familiar pattern of feet on the floor despite the loud chaos at the table.

Her ears had always been sharp, all of her senses were primed, having been turned into a weapon everything about her had to be sharp. Zuko rounded the corner a figure in tow. One Azula knew well.

All conversation at the table died down upon the entrance of the two friends. Azula in her panic to leave stood abruptly from the table. Smacking her knee as she stood. Nearly everyone turned to look at her but before anyone spoke she turned curtly on her heel and strode off in the direction of her room.

"Drama." Sokka mumbled to Toph who stifled a laugh.

"Well look who it is." Mai said studying Ty Lee. The girl was much taller and had grown into her former curves making her appear much thinner than before. More athletic if it was even possible. Otherwise, her appearance was the same.

"Mai!" Ty Lee smiled brightly bouncing on the balls of her feet. "It's been ages. Look at you! You're so pretty."

Zuko laughed and took his seat while the two girls embraced. Ty Lee's attention quickly shifted to the others. "Hello Avatar, nice to see you. Your tattoos are still awesome. Sokka, looking spry. Toph, still tough as steel I bet?"

"You know it Pinky." Toph smiled brightly.

"Katara, how's the water tribe?" Ty Lee asked.

"Great! We're repairing and growing. It's amazing." Katara sighed dreamily.

"Wonderful." Ty Lee clapped her hands together.

"You do know you can sit." Ursa mused.

"Oh, I know. I already ate so I'm not that hungry. I'm actually quite tired." Ty Lee admitted.

"Tired? You don't even know what the word means." Sokka said, pointing a fork at the chi blocker with a hunk of meat on the end.

"Oh believe me, she only gets more exciteable when tired." Mai explained. "Come on, I'll show you to a room."

"Thanks Mai, you're the best." The two girls walked off together, but Zuko was beginning to wonder if his decision had been a good one considering his sister's reaction. He hoped so. He hated seeing her so lonely and lost looking. She needed something to brighten things up for her. If anyone could do that, it was Ty Lee. That much he knew.