The next morning, they returned to the beach, Azara standing beside Katara as they stared up at the Water Tribe ship. "This ship is sentimental to me. It was built by my father," Bato explained, resting a hand on the hull.

"Is this the boat he took you ice dodging in?" Sokka asked, stepping forwards to inspect the ship.

"Yep! It's got the scar to prove it," Bato chuckled, patting the ship. "How about you Sokka? Must have some great stories from your first time ice dodging."

"He never got to go. Dad left before he was old enough," Katara explained as Sokka stared at the sand sadly.

"What's ice dodging?" Azara questioned, looking between Sokka and Bato.

"It's a rite of passage for young Water Tribe members. When you turn fourteen, your dad takes you . . ." Turning to Sokka, Bato place a hand on his shoulder. ". . . You know what, you're about to find out," Bato smiled, causing Sokka to instantly perk up.

Azara stood nervously by the mast as Sokka, Bato, and Katara took the boat off the shore, sailing down the current. Ice dodging certainly implied the chance that they would hit something and sink the ship. She did not want to be on a sinking ship.

"Ice dodging is a ceremonial test of wisdom, bravery, and trust. In our village, ice dodging was done by waving a boat through a field of icebergs," Bato stated as he walked to the front of the ship.

"How are we supposed to dodge ice without ice?" Sokka questioned, looking concerned.

"You'll be dodging those," Bato replied, pointing at a set of jagged rocks ahead of them.

"And it gets worse," Azara sighed as Bato walked around, handing out jobs to the four teenagers. Gripping the line Bato had handed her, Azara looked nervous as the rocks moved closer.

"For this to be done right, I cannot help. You pass or fail on your own," Bato spoke, sitting at the front of the ship with his back turned to the rocks. Azara had to give the man credit for calmly and willingly trusting the ship to them. Sokka started barking out orders as they moved through the rock field.

"Azara, helm to lee! Helm to lee!" Sokka shouted at her, but the firebender stared back at him.

"What does that even mean?" she shouted, yanking on the rope. With a few close calls, they managed to make their way safely through the rock field. Before they could rejoice, however, they spotted rocks blocking the entire river.

"There's no way through!" Katara warned as Bato stood up.

"We can make it," Sokka replied firmly, a determined look in his eye.

"Sokka, you've already proven yourself. Maybe we should—" Bato reasoned, but Sokka shook his head before turning to Aang and Katara.

"Aang, I'm going to need air in that sail! Katara, I want you to bend as much water as you can between us and the rocks! Now!" Sokka yelled, causing Aang and Katara to jump into action. Azara watched nervously as the rocks inched closer. But, with the help of Aang and Katara's bending, they sailed over the rocks without a problem.

"You did it," Azara smiled, resting a hand on Sokka's shoulder.

"We did it," he replied as they cheered. They sailed the ship back to the original beach as Bato prepared for the ceremony.

Azara stood in between Katara and Aang as Bato approached with a bowl of paint. He painted an arc and dot on Sokka's forehead. "For Sokka, the Mark of the Wise. The same mark your father earned." 

Bato moved to stand in front of Katara, who beamed as he painted a crescent moon on her forehead. "For Katara, the Mark of the Brave. Your courage inspires us." 

Bato then walked in front of Azara and Aang. Drawing an arc on each of their foreheads, Bato smiled encouragingly. "And for Aang and Azara, the Mark of the Trusted. You are now honorary members of the Water Tribe."

"Thank you, I'm truly grateful for this honor," Azara bowed respectfully as Aang recoiled, wiping the paint from his forehead as everyone turned to him in confusion.

"I can't accept this, you can't trust me," he sighed, backing away.

"What do you mean we can't trust you?" Katara asked, concern dripping from her voice. Aang pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from his shirt and handed it to Katara.

"A messenger gave this to me for Bato," Aang explained as Katara opened the crumpled paper. She gasped once she realized that the paper was the map to her father, covering her mouth with a hand. "You have to understand. I was afraid you would—"

"—This is the map to our father! You had it the whole time! How could you?" Sokka yelled, causing Aang and Azara to flinch. Sokka was seething. "Well, have fun going to the North Pole alone, I'm going to find Dad." As Sokka stormed back to the abbey, Bato stepped forwards.

"Well, Sokka. I think you should—" Bato tried, but Sokka was too angry.

"—Katara, are you with me?" Sokka asked, turning around.

"I'm with you Sokka," she sighed after a moment, following after her angry brother. The Water Tribe members walked away as Azara remained standing by Aang. Turning to the crestfallen airbender, Azara placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Aang, why did you do that?" she inquired softly as Aang looked up at her.

"I thought they would leave, if they had the map to their dad," Aang explained, his voice quiet. Azara could see the regret clear in his features and sighed.

"You were afraid of being abandoned . . . again," Azara supplied as Aang nodded his head. "It's going to be okay, Aang. We'll get to the North Pole and you'll learn waterbending—"

"—But it won't be the same," Aang replied, causing Azara to sigh and nod.

"It won't be the same," Azara agreed as they walked quietly back to the abbey. Azara watched as Sokka and Katara packed their things, pulled on their packs, and prepared to leave. Katara walked off to talk to Aang as Sokka approached Azara. 

"So, you're staying with him?"

"I left the Fire Nation to help train Aang in firebending and stop my father. My mission has yet to be completed, so I'm staying," Azara nodded, clasping her hands together in front of her. "But, good luck with finding your dad. I'm happy for you guys, really."

"Thanks," Sokka sighed as he looked over at Katara and Aang.

"I know it was wrong of Aang to do that, and I'm not criticizing you at all . . . but remember that we're the only family he has left," Azara spoke softly as Sokka turned back to her.

"It doesn't—"

"—I'm not saying it justifies his actions. I'm just saying . . . feeling alone, being abandoned is one of the worst feelings in the world." Azara sighed, looking to the ground before looking back up at Sokka. His face had softened at her comment, but he turned away from her. "Maybe we can catch up in the Earth Kingdom at some point? We'll have to return to find Aang an earthbending teacher." 

"I'd like that," Sokka nodded, turning to Azara. The two stepped forwards, a quick and tight hug between them, before stepping back. "Take care of yourself, Azara. And stay safe."

"You too. See you later, Sokka," Azara replied, a sad smile on her face, before walking away. Standing next to Appa, Azara watched with Aang as Bato, Sokka, and Katara disappeared into the woods. "We should probably head out soon."

"I just need some time alone, then we can go," Aang sighed, pulling Appa's reins.

"Just come find me whenever you're ready, Aang," Azara nodded, knowing how much the guilt was eating at him. While she waited, Azara talked with the sisters about their perfumes. A loud thumping caused her to jump up, looking around for the source of the noise. A shirshu suddenly leapt over the wall of the abbey, terrifying the sisters as it sniffed around.

Growling at the sight of her brother, Azara jumped forwards, sending fire blasts at the animal. Zuko sent some of his own as the animal charged. Diving out of the way, Azara managed to avoid the beast, except for its sharp tongue. A barb on its tongue cut her arm, paralyzing her. Azara dropped to the ground, trying to move her limbs, and grumbling in frustration when they did not. 

Zuko slid off the back of the shirshu and approached her, his signature glare on his face. "Zuko, how could you do that to your own sister?" Uncle sighed, shaking his head

"She's not my sister, she's a traitor," Zuko spat, picking her up by the back of her shirt. "Where is the Avatar?"

"And why would I tell you?" Azara replied in a bored tone, knowingly irking her brother.

"Tell me!" he demanded, shaking her. Azara simply smirked at her brother, her mouth remaining closed. In frustration, Zuko placed her roughly on the back of the shirshu before the woman whipped the beast back into action. Azara looked concerned as the shirshu ran down the path that Sokka and Katara had walked down minutes before.

"So, how have you been, Azara?" Uncle smiled, holding onto Zuko as the shirshu jumped over a fallen tree.

"Today was alright. Up until Zuko showed up and paralyzed me," Azara spat, glaring at the back of Zuko's head.

"Stop talking," Zuko hissed as they reached Sokka and Katara. The beast sniffed at Katara as Sokka placed an arm protectively in front of his sister.

"So, this is your girlfriend. No wonder she left, she's way too pretty for you," June commented as Zuko jumped down from the shirshu's back.

"Not to mention his personality," Azara added, as Zuko ignored her.

"Where is he, where's the Avatar?" Zuko growled out, looking between Sokka and Katara.

"We split up, he's long gone," Sokka replied, glancing worriedly up at Azara.

"How stupid do you think I am?" Zuko snapped as Sokka smirked.

"Pretty stupid. Run!" Sokka shouted, pushing Katara in front of him. They didn't get far before the shirshu's tongue paralyzed them as well. As Zuko walked over to them, the shirshu sniffed the map on Sokka's back.

"It's seeking a different scent. Perhaps something the Avatar held," June explained as Zuko loaded Sokka and Katara onto the back of the beast.

"Hey guys, long time no see," Azara smiled, her upbeat tone grinding on Zuko's nerves.

"Shut up!" Zuko hissed he hopped up as well, June whipping the beast into action once more.

"Oh, that's right, you guys haven't been formally introduced. Guys, this is my grumpy older brother Zuzu—" Azara continued, causing Sokka and Katara to chuckle.

"—Don't call me that!" Zuko shouted, glaring back at his sister. Azara smirked at her brother as they returned to the abbey, the shirshu walking in circles at the center of the courtyard. "What's it doing? It's just going in a circle."

Azara looked up as Aang swung down on his glider, causing the shirshu to stand up on its hind legs to try and paralyze Aang. "Aang!" Katara yelled out. They were thrown off the back of the shirshu. Azara groaned as she laid on the floor, still unable to move her limbs. Some of the sisters hurried forwards, pulling Azara, Katara, and Sokka to the side as Aang and Zuko fought.

"I'm . . . starting to get some feeling back," Sokka spoke, his arm starting to twitch, before a pile of rubble fell on top of him. "Ow."

"How long is this supposed to last?" Azara growled, getting more feeling back in her feet, but still unable to move. She looked up as Mother Superior appeared, a vial of perfume in her hand. Azara felt her muscles relax after sniffing the perfume, Sokka and Katara groaning as they were able to move. Shaking out her arms, Azara charged at her brother.

Sending a fire kick at him, Azara gained Zuko's attention away from Aang. "How did you do that?" Zuko snapped, sending a fire blast at his sister, who expertly dodged.

"Perfume. Ever heard of it? Probably not, considering—" Azara shot back as Zuko growled out in anger, chasing after his sister. Azara ran, rolling forwards as Zuko aimed a blast at her head. Standing up, she shot fire blasts back at him when she spotted the shirshu stumbling around, confused from the perfume Katara had bathed it in.

"Azara, look out!" Sokka called as the beast started whipping its tongue around. Azara slid away as the shirshu lashed its tongue at the siblings, catching Zuko and June. With a last few stumbles, the shirshu jumped over the wall of the abbey and was gone.

"Azara, come on!" Katara yelled as Azara stared at her brother. Opening her mouth to say something, Azara sighed, clenching her eyes shut, before running to Appa. The abbey was soon behind them as Appa flew north.

"So . . . where do we go?" Aang asked after a few moments of silence.

"We're getting you to the North Pole," Katara stated, an encouraging smile on her face.

"Yeah, we've lost too much time as it is," Sokka added, causing Aang to whip around in surprise.

"Don't you want to see your father?"

"Of course, we do, Aang. But, you're our family, too. And right now, you need us more," Sokka explained as Aang fiddled with something in his sleeve.

"And we need you," Katara continued, the interaction warming Azara's heart.

"I wish I could give you a little piece of home, Katara. Something to remind you . . . maybe something like this?" Aang smiled, revealing Katara's necklace.

"How'd you get that?" Katara gasped, grabbing the necklace from Aang's hand.

"Zuko asked me to make sure I got it to you," Aang joked, a content smile on his face.

"Aw, that's so sweet of Zuko. Could you give him a kiss for me when you see him?" Katara teased, leaning in, and giving Aang a kiss on the cheek. The airbender blushed as red as the Fire Nation insignia.

"Well isn't that cute," Azara smirked, leaning back on her hands as Aang blushed further. The group laughed as Appa flew into the sunset.

A.N. Thank you all for reading/commenting/voting on this story! The next chapters will focus on the Deserter episode and Azara's bending and past more, so stay tuned!