Quietly: "That must have been difficult. I'm proud of you."

"I let her go," she says softly.

"As I said."

It's been years since Zuko asked for a hug.

She kind of wants one.

She gives one! 

Yeah. Much needed.

Her Aunt Iroh still provides very good hugs.

She really does.

"Do you want to stop hunting her?" she asks, carefully. 

"I don't know."

"It isn't a decision you have to make right away. And it's one I can help you work through."

"Yeah."

"Thanks."

"It's no problem."

Not yet, anyway.

Zuko still doesn't feel like getting up and doing things.

Iroh can take over for the day - and can go ahead and get them out of the port before Zhao comes looking for someone to be angry at. 

That would be good.

She'll go do that, then. 

Zuko... should probably start trying to pull herself together, now that it seems like her life won't be imploding immediately. Meditate, or something.

No one interrupts her. 

Maybe she'll make some progress on sorting out her head.

It's a mess in there.

She gets time - they don't quite manage to catch the Avatar, even if Zuko keeps trying. She doesn't even need to commit anymore treason to not catch the Avatar, actually. The Avatar's really good at escaping - and the amount that random people like her and will refuse to report on her keeps increasing. Everywhere Zuko goes, she hears stories of how much good the Avatar has done for people, regardless of wealth, status, or even nation - rumors of how the Avatar and her team will save a Fire Nation colony from Earth terrorists as readily as they'll protect conquered Earth Kingdom villages from harsh taxes levied by exploitive governors. How the Avatar will act as a neutral arbitrator in disputes, and somehow leave everyone at least satisfied. How the Avatar brokers peace between angry spirits and desperate humans. 

Admiral Zhao's star continues to rise in the background, too. He continues to make as many problems for Zuko as he can - though at least he doesn't capture the Avatar a second time. (No one captures the Avatar a second time.)

And then, one day, as rumors of war with the Northern Water Tribe are growing - as it becomes clear the Avatar will soon reach the Northern Water Tribe and presumably a bending teacher - 

There's a familiar face waiting for her on the dock, the flame crown of the Fire Lord's heir gracing her top-knot, her crimson and golden armor well polished, her hand on her hip. She doesn't seem to have any attendants with her, and the dockworkers are keeping their heads down as they pass in a way that suggests she's been standing there, waiting, for some time.

Zuko's not ready for this meeting. In truth, she's been purposefully not-thinking about what would happen the next time she saw Azula ever since her exile. There's just... too many complicated feelings.

She'd hide in her cabin and feign sickness, but that wouldn't even help. And Azula will have seen her already. So.

Nothing for it. She'll just have to face whatever this turns into.

She strides confidently aboard as soon as the gangway is lowered. "Sister. I need to speak to you - in private." The way her gaze cuts to Iroh fairly clearly communicates 'without our Aunt.'