2 days later...

"Commander?"

Y/n heard the voice say behind her closed door followed by a knock.

She sighed and got up to open the door, "you're interrupting my meditating" she said, which was true.

When her and Zuko took there bending class together when they were young, they were taught the breathing was key to controlling fire. Breathe slow, deep, and tranquil, then the fire is calm and still. Quick and short breath and the fire is weak.

Brisket breath is the best for a fast pace combat, its powerful and controllable, one can feel the fire throughout the body, keeping a good stance, and one can feel the rhythm of the fight.

'Rhythmic Breathing' is what fire bender learn.

Meditating helped fire benders with that.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt Commander, but we're running low on fuel" he bowed his head.

She took in a deep breath and let it out, pulling on her robe, "show me where we are"

The crew member bowed and they both quickly made there way up to the wheelhouse, where he showed Y/n a map.

"Ah, easy" she exclaimed with a smile, "head here" she tapped a point on the map, "the shipyard, the fire nation's supply of coal! Perfect, we'll stop for fuel, wave at The Warden and the earth benders and then we'll be back on track!"

"If by 'back on track' you mean aimlessly heading North, then yeah easy, just smile and wave at the earth benders!" Zuko said coming into the cabin.

Y/n's smile dropped down to a frown, "it's the best we can do for now ok?" She said, "look if it makes you feel better, then I'll ask the Warden if he's seen the Avatar"

"Won't you get in trouble?" He asked, then added in a mumble, "for coming with me?"

Y/n stared at him with her e/c eyes, it's the first time(since she join him) that she's heard him worry about anything else besides the Avatar.

"No, and I don't care, but if you do" she said, "then I'll ask if he's seen a little bald monk around, ok? I won't mention he's the Avatar"

Zuko nodded in agreement and left the wheelhouse as Iroh entered.

"Y/n! Glad to see you in here!" He said with a happy smile, "A game of Pai Sho and tea?"

"Sure, but just one quick game, Iroh " she shrugged sitting crossed legged on a red cushion, "knowing the Warden, I'll have to get all dressed up, if I want to get any information out of him"

In the past 3 years, Y/n quickly learned that being a girl in the army wasn't easy. This was probably the reason why she was so bossy and demanding, so that people take her seriously.

Another reason she would like to become General, was to show that girls can do anything boys do, and maybe even better.

She's read up about the Kyoshi warriors. There a female group, and at times she wished she could join the group, or create her own. But leading an army of men was going to have to do for now.

"A girl can do this job to ya know!"

But that didn't mean she had to look like a total slop while yelling out orders. She liked to look decent and presentable in order to get respect.

And if that didn't work, well that's where her trusty spear came in handy.

She was like a rose with thorns, pretty but deadly.
××××××××
The sun was setting by the time they got to the shipyard and they were running on fumes.

By dressing up, Y/n meant just adding a couple gold accessories like rings, and bracelets to her uniform. Her h/l, h/c hair had golden clips holding it back and out of her face. A little make up here and there, and viola!

She handed her telescope to the solider besides her, Y/n's eyebrows furrowed at the shipyard, she signaled for her spear and joined Prince Zuko at the ramp, "place looks different than I remember"

"What kinda of different?" Zuko asked as they felt the ship stop.

"Like somethings missing" she said as the crew set the ramp, "Search the place" Y/n ordered as they walked down the ramp.

Walking into the metal isle it did have something missing, the people. No guards were outside, no Warden to welcome them.

"Well this place is a bust" Y/n said slowly looking around the destroyed area, stepping over rocks and pieces of metal.

The walls and floor were burnt and  dusted black from coal, bits of coal and scraps of metal covered the floor. There were no ships either, everything was gone. Everyone spread out looking over and under the pieces of rubble.

"Wonder what happened here" she said out loud looking over at the Prince, he looked down at something he held in his hand.

"find something Zuko?" She asked walking over to him.

"They were here" he said looking at the sun set, "this necklace" he held it up. 

Y/n took it in her hands, it was a blue necklace with a carving in the center, "hmm, not my style but I'll take it"

Zuko raised his voice, "It belongs to the water bender that's traveling with the Avatar!"

"How observent of you," she said holding it up to her neck, "I didn't even notice there was a water bender with him, looks like ZuZu's got a crush"

She smirked and he gave her a side ways glare.

"It's just a little tease, Zuko" she laughed.

But Zuko wasn't amused.

"Ok, ok, I'll be serious now," she said
before calling out orders "my telescope! Quickly now!" A solider scurried off, she looked at Zuko, "I'll try and see if they're still near by, before it gets too dark" she looked back, the solider run forward with her telescope, "get the ship ready! Get the fuel and we're leaving" then she added, "The Warden isn't around so I guess it's a free for all"