Ryoko could still feel a heavy tension in the air, like something was wrong. The day came about with plans to trade the baby for Bumi, but Ryoko let thoughts of the past sink in. They slipped through her present swiftly. 

Her new friends were not so different from her old friends when Ryoko thought about it. Aang's enthusiasm matched Ty Lee's, the flickering moments of amusement reminded Ryoko of Mai who only enjoyed the most amusing things. But worst of all, Sokka and Katara's bouts of bickering reminded her of Azula and Zuko, the ones she had known and been friends with longest. It only took one second to be reminded of them all and Ryoko was brought back to being a kid again at home.

But this was a new day. A day where she once again stood up against everyone she knew. She knew she was on the right side. Instead of tearing down villages and cities she was actually helping. But seeing Mai's face after all these years brought back the precious memories of home that she missed, the years of play as children and growing up together. Even when she had to face her father and his cruelty, she still had her friends.

Was Mai having the same thoughts as she did? Ryoko couldn't help but question to herself. Though she felt her heart tug at her and hurt when she thought of being against Mai and her family, it was the best thing to do, to trade the baby for Bumi.

Ryoko sighs, staring up at the Avatar who watched the sun rise over the rocky horizon. From a distance he wasn't just a twelve year old boy. If she hadn't gotten to know him in the time she did, Ryoko knew she would still think of him as a child, just a boy for a dangerous enemy. 

Yet he wasn't the enemy. Sokka and Katara were not the enemy. Instead it was those she considered her friends and family. Was this how her grandfather felt when he abandoned everything including his family to leave the fire nation? 

Even as she knew she was doing what was good for the fire nation, Ryoko couldn't help but feel held back by those she loved. Aang starts to walk down the slope, holding the baby in his arms, positivity radiating off of him.

"You realize we're probably walking right into a trap," Sokka comments, a disapproving look sketched onto his face. 

"I don't think so," Aang replies. "I'm sure the governor wants his son back as much as we want Bumi." 

"I don't know, but if he'd let something happen to his children like being kidnapped so easily, it's risky for us," Ryoko says before she moves towards Appa. The three didn't make any comments but glanced at each other in confusion while Ryoko ignored their stares. She focused on petting Appa who grunted. They could notice how Ryoko shifted uneasily when they spoke about the fire nation or anyone from it. Would she open up to them if they asked? It was a question they all thought.

Despite Sokka and Ryoko's caution, Aang threw a smile on his face again. "I have a good feeling about this." Ryoko frowns, fidgeting with her hands while she looks around the view. While the Avatar felt good, she could not feel more awful. Mai's father was showing a weakness though Ryoko hated to admit it, and a weakness would not be tolerated. Something bad was going to happen, even if everything is falling right into their hands. 

---

Mai stands outside, watching as the soldiers carry Azula while Ty Lee trails behind. The soldiers set down Azula, letting her exit the comfort of the cushion and walks towards Mai. Mai puts her hands together, slightly bowing to Azula as she says, "please tell me you're here to kill me." She looks up from her downward gaze and chuckles with Azula. 

"It's great to see you, Mai," Azula replies, coming up to her in a slight hug but Ty Lee rushes forward and embraces Mai tightly. 

Mai pats her back, feeling her tight grip. "I thought you ran off and joined the circus. You said it was your calling," Mai wonders. 

Ty Lee moves back as she answers, "well, Azula called a little louder." 

"I have a mission, and I need you both," Azula interrupts, laying a hand on both of their shoulders. 

"Count me in. Anything to get me out of this place." Azula nods as Mai felt a pit in her stomach. She couldn't get the image of Ryoko out of her head, if it even was her. Now that Azula had arrived to Omashu, she couldn't help but think whether or not she should tell the princess that she may have saw their old friend. Azula may call her ridiculous, that Ryoko was currently with Prince Zuko still hunting for the Avatar. 

Walking to the throne room with the two girls, Mai kept quiet while Ty Lee filled her in on how life was at the circus. It was clear from Azula's silence that there were many things on the princess' mind. Perhaps it was too soon to say anything, Mai thought. It would be better to wait. It was the most interesting thing to happen while she was in Omashu with her family. Ryoko never failed to to keep things intriguing.

Mai kneels before the princess with her family and Ty Lee. In the back of her mind, she decided she would not mention Ryoko but keep it until she could actually tell her. 

She had never been so sure of something. It was definitely Ryoko.

When Ryoko grabbed the boy from harm, Mai saw those eyes that were brighter than no other's eyes. There was no doubt the girl she saw with the resistance was Ryoko, she just didn't understand why. Last she had seen Ryoko was in the fire nation, preparing to leave to go onto Zuko's ship. How much changed in the past three years she saw her? How was it possible that Ryoko was here with the resistance and not with Zuko? 

"I apologize," Mai's father's voice rings in her ears from beside her. He spoke lamely as if a pet whining to its master. "You've come to Omashu at a difficult time. At noon, we're making a trade with the resistance to get Tom-Tom back." 

"Yes, I'm so sorry to hear about your son." Azula puts her hands together, crossing her legs and closing her eyes. Her frustration showed easily with him. "But, really, what did you expect by just letting all the citizens leave?" Azula stands abruptly, staring down the older man. "My father has trusted you with this city, and you're making a mess of things." 

Mai's father leans to the ground, his hands stretched out in fear, as everyone leaned forward while Azula walked towards them. "Forgive me, princess."

"You stay here." Mai and Ty Lee jump up, ready to stand behind Azula. "Mai will handle the hostage trade so you don't have a chance to mess it up. And there is no more Omashu. I am renaming it in honor of my father. The city of new Ozai!" 

Along the line of the new construction of the statue, Ryoko stood with her new friends, anxiously awaiting for Mai's father or anybody for the trade. The sooner the better, she thought. A fight was no question, she was ready, but facing someone she knew was something she wasn't sure she was ready to face. She hoped Mai would stay inside the city walls, away from the trade. Her heart raced faster than the wind that barely made a move, as if realizing the tension among everyone. 

As she saw the heads of figures starting to arise from the ramp, she stands next to Sokka's taller stature, ready to face whoever would come up to them. 

Her eyes scour over the horizon of the landing and sees the three figures come into sight. Walking up the ramp and onto the landing with them were Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee. Ryoko manages not to gasp, but her eyes widen as grabs onto the back of Sokka's shirt, clutching it tightly without anyone noticing. She inches closer ever so slightly, making Sokka look down at her in an instant.

"Ryoko, what's wrong?" Sokka asks, once again turning his gaze back to the three who approached them.

Ryoko falters, wondering if from afar her old friends could still recognize her and know that Ryoko really betray the fire nation after all. "I knew them before I left the fire nation." All three look back at Ryoko, shock evident on their faces. "They were my friends." She gulps, her frown growing. 

Across the way, the three girls were able to get a better look at the four who held Mai's brother and were expecting a trade. Mai who stood at the front squinted, trying to see the girl who stood proud and tall in her short figure. Did Ty Lee and Azula notice as well?

High above the two groups, Bumi who was trapped in a coffin like box was lowered down while he cackled. "Hi everybody," he greets. 

So that was Aang's old friend. Ryoko did not know what to expect from the man. From what little they told her, Bumi was strange in his methods, but overall a good person and someone who would teach Aang earthbending. If only they could get to him.

"You brought my brother?" Mai asks. From far away, Ryoko could still feel Mai's eyes land on her, not moving an inch. It made her restless, like being under surveillance. She couldn't move at all without feeling too seen by the three. Had they realized who I was yet? Ryoko thought as her grip tightens on Sokka's shirt.

"He's here. We're ready to trade." 

"I'm sorry, but a thought just occurred to me. Do you mind?" Azula interrupts as she looks at Mai. 

"Of course not, Princess Azula." 

"We're trading a two year old for a king - a powerful earthbending king. It just doesn't seem like a fair trade. Does it?" 

Mai glances between the princess and her brother, deliberating. Then she nods. "You're right." She steps forward, raising her arm. "The deal's off." The box Bumi was held in slowly rises off the ground by the chains making the king laugh. 

"Whoa! See you all later!" 

"Bumi!" 

"Aang!" Ryoko yells out as he jumps into the air, narrowly missing Azula's blue flames. Without a second thought Ryoko swings her fist, the fire only a warning towards the princess. Ryoko makes eye contact with Azula for a second before both girls look up at Aang who jumped from the construction, onto his staff. The wind blows with a fierce anger, blowing off his hat that covered the blue arrows on his skin. He tries to get the hat but it was too late. 

"The avatar. My lucky day," Azula says before she smirks at Ryoko and runs off towards the construction, throwing flames at the rope and using it to rise up. 

Ryoko looks back at Katara and Sokka. "I'm going to help Aang! Don't underestimate them!" The siblings nod as they turn back to Ty Lee and Mai, leaving Ryoko to herself to chase after Azula and Aang. 

She runs towards the ropes Azula previously used, swiping her hand letting the flames burn through one of the ropes. She grabs onto it, rising up at increasing speed to get to Aang. If Azula was anything like she was when they were younger, then Aang was in trouble. 

She could only see the bottom of Azula from the distance, until Azula jumps off the rope and onto one of the landings, disappearing from view. Ryoko could feel her heart race faster while wishing for the rope to just go faster. If she could just get Azula's attention. 

"Azula!" Ryoko calls out. She notices the landing coming up quicker. Ryoko takes a deep breath and launches herself from the rope onto the landing. She sees Azula's running figure not too far. She could still see the chain that held Bumi's prison and turned back to her old friend. "Azula!" 

This time Azula stops in her tracks. Her feet come to a stop and she doesn't turn to Ryoko at that moment. Ryoko kept nearing closer to Azula without running in fear that she would make a sudden movement. If she could talk to Azula, maybe things would go differently.

"So it really is you, Ryoko," Azula chuckles with distaste. She turns around, finally facing Ryoko properly. Azula quickly looked her over. She was so much different than three years ago. No longer did she wear fire nation clothing, covering up the scar her father gave her. Now she wore earth kingdom clothing that showed the burn that ran down to her elbow, barely showing the rest of its damage on her shoulder. Her hair was loosely tied by the end strands unlike before as well. She was not the Ryoko Azula knew. "Out of all people I never thought you would be a traitor." 

"I'm doing what's right, Azula. Helping the Avatar is what is best for everyone." Azula scoffs at her words. Ryoko takes another step closer until there is only a few feet between them. She frowns, feeling the tightening in her chest hurt more. "I didn't realize until now that my destiny is helping the Avatar fight the fire nation, even if that makes me a traitor. You need to understand that, Azula." 

Hearing her name come from Ryoko's mouth now made Azula want to burn her there. How dare she speak to me? As if she was still a friend, Azula thought. Her fists heat up but she keeps her composure in front of her. 

"You really have changed. You betrayed your father, your nation... you even were able to abandon my brother." Ryoko hesitates, glancing away, making a mistake there. Realizing she struck a nerve, Azula smirks. She didn't have to fight Ryoko to keep her distracted. "You know, I saw Zuzu not so long ago." Azula chuckles, watching as Ryoko's face hardens. She had her.

___

A/N: Hey guys! Wow I know it's been a while. School has been a nightmare so updating has been rough. I'm trying to get back into it while I can so I'll have next chapter up sometime this weekend/ next week. Can't wait to write more with Ryoko and her old friends! 

ALSO fyi so Ryoko's hair if you know how Kyoshi's looks like, it is like that. 

Thanks for reading! Also sorry this isn't the best, I edited and wanted to update asap