After their altercation with General Fong, Aang had taken Katara, Sokka and Sikumi towards Omashu, though they met with trouble flying there and were forced to take an underground route with a group of travellers. Though the Airbender wasn't as aggravated by the travellers as Sokka the group eventually found their way out and were surprised to see Omashu under Fire Nation control.

Through some careful manoeuvring and usage of rather nasty sewage systems the group made their way into the city and managed to scare off a pair of Fire Nation sentries though clever usage of a fake disease they called Pentapox.

Meanwhile Azula, under the advisement of Li and Lo had decided to create a small, elite team of fighters if she wanted to ensure the capture of Zuko and her uncle Iroh. Though, to ensure that everything went perfectly she'd need to visit a certain headquarters run by her brother.

In Omashu there were numerous guards patrolling the area, making it hard for the four to move a bout unseen. Ironically it was Sikumi, with her spirit vision that allowed her to sense people nearby, quietly alerting the group whenever an unseen foe came nearby.

"Let's find Bumi and get out of here." Katara murmured.

"Where would they be keeping him?" Sokka questioned.

"Somewhere he can't earthbend. Somewhere made of metal." Aang confirmed, looking around with a grim expression.

"If you ask me, we should just leave him there." Sikumi grumbled, the first time she'd spoken her opinion since leaving General Fong's base.

Katara and Sokka gasped whilst Aang looked at her with a hurt expression.

"How can you say such a thing?" Katara asked, "Bumi is our friend."

"Sure, he may be nice with you," Sikumi grumbled, "but in my….to me they're all just like Fong, stubborn, aggressive and full of it."

"Not all Earthbenders are like General Fong." Sokka tried to reasonably say, "We just got unlucky."#

"Unlucky!?" Sikumi almost growled, "Was it unlucky when the Earth Kingdom ruined my home, forced my parents to abandon their village when they were kids? Was it unlucky that the only kindness I've received from other Nations was only the Fire Nation? Was it unlucky that every time I try to defend our home I get hurt?"

Sokka looked away, he noticed that Sikumi wanted to cry but no tears would flow from the damaged orifices that used to be her eyes, even if they were bandaged up. Katara too was deeply disturbed, never in her life had she heard another Water Tribe member feel so much hatred to someone other than the Fire Nation. Aang, perhaps in all the things he'd experienced, actually understood her pain, but he too was forced to look away as he struggled to think of something to say.

For several moments no one spoke, an awkward silence gripped the four as Sikumi calmed down. But eventually she spoke in a low and menacing voice that shocked them further.

"As much as I appreciate all you've done for me…..if you insist on helping the Earth Kingdom like this than I'm leaving."

Without another word she left, using her hand to gradually feel her way forwards away from the group. The trio looked at each other for a moment, contemplating going after her but they knew nothing they said would change her mind.

Sikumi, struggling to avoid the shop stalls and obstacles on the road, was forced to a slower pace as the lights that made up Katara, Sokka and Aang slowly faded into the distance of her vision. The young Waterbender produced a handkerchief, wove with the stamp of the Fire Lord and Tadashi's personal insignia too. This red silk was soft to touch and felt cool against her skin. Apart from looking nice, it was a sign that was recognisable by any native Fire Nation citizen, denoting the holder as a subordinate of a member of the Royal Family. The practice had been conducted for hundreds of years, though it was mostly popular amongst the nobles and royal factions when showing off the close relations between two parties.

Thinking back to the day that Tadashi had given her the handkerchief, he had taught her a lot about Fire Nation royalty, the etiquette expected of a subordinate and even how to use it. There were subtle differences that captains and generals were trained to spot, signals that either signalled their trouble as the handkerchief wielder or ratted them out as a false bearers. To her it was almost ironic how Tadashi was so well versed in the inner workings of the upper class society, for one the boy was almost the opposite of what he described. He'd be rash and courageous most of the time, but lacked the subtlety of a noble as he described it. From what she'd learnt he was quick to get rid of his top-knot the moment he'd been at sea, reluctantly putting it back for official meetings.

Finding amusement in her memories Sikumi almost ran into a pair of guards as she stifled her laughter.

"Hey you! What are you doing out at this time?" One of the guards asked as the other clutched his spear in preparation for any resistance.

Sikumi quickly reorganised her memories and clutched the handkerchief in her right hand, one corner gripped between her thumb and index finger and the opposite corner between her pinkie and ring finger. The dark red emblem of the Fire Lord served as a background for the golden embroidered insignia of Tadashi's name.

"Oh, pardon the cumbersome chance meeting but I do require assistance." Sikumi said in the nicest and gentlest voice she could muster.

The guards looked at each other for a moment, recognising the handkerchief but looking confused as to the girl's appearance, the water tribe clothing an odd sight for those working under Fire Nation royalty. It took a moment to realise that she was blind, the way that Sikumi would gradually tap the area with her left hand and the slow way she'd move her head as someone spoke a clear indicator of

"Uh….sure, I think you need to speak with our captain." One of the guards said as they approached Sikumi to give her a hand.

The young girl stepped back, giving the guards a curt nod but also shaking her head.

"It's okay, as long as you walk in front of me I can follow."

The two guards shrugged, fine with the easy development and started walking along, barely registering Sikumi's presence. After a while one of the guards in his boredom of silence spoke out, spouting one of the rumours he'd heard.

"Hey, did you hear that during the Invasion of the North…." The guard stopped for a moment and glanced at Sikumi who didn't look disturbed at all, "well….um, did you hear about the officer that was left behind?"

"Do you mean Admiral Zhao?" the other guard asked.

"No, I'm talking about the officer that risked their life to ensure the Fire Nation prospers. Hear this, from what the rumours are saying, Zhao was planning a method of attack that would have ruined the seas forever. That was why Fire Nation Intelligence stepped in and took him out, during the confrontation one of the officers was injured and was held capture by the Norther Water Tribe as the others escaped."

"Wow," the other man spoke out in awe, "that's amazing!"

"Yeah, they're a real national hero. Prince Tadashi said so himself when he suggested they go back for the officer."

Sikumi gasped, just loud enough for the two guards to hear and turn around.

"What is it?" one of them asked.

"Well…..it's just that I never expected news of that event to spread so quickly." Sikumi admitted, charmed that Tadashi still cared for her wellbeing. "If the Director still considers me an ally like that I can't help but want to fight under him again."

"Director….the Prince? Wait….you mean you're the officer!?" both guards exclaimed.

"I suppose I am." Sikumi nodded, "Special Undercover Native Officer Si…." The girl stumbled, remembering that she wasn't to give her name to just anyone.

She remembered her full title from the day Aki had bestowed it upon her, the word Sun suddenly having a new meaning for her.

"I….I….didn't know I was in the presence of a hero." The first guard saluted, feeling guilty for his cumbersome display earlier.

"Forgive us," the other said too, bowing.

Sikumi chuckled. It was a fake laugh that hid her disdain for those that were fake. She could see in their very spirits that the two were chancers who would use any opportunity to climb up the social ladder. The very same sort of person that bred a person like Zhao.

"That's quite alright." Sikumi said, "Though if you could take me towards the person in charge I'd highly appreciate it."

"Ahh, you mean the governor? We can take you to him immediately."

Sikumi nodded as the two hastened, careful not to lead Sikumi astray. Those that crossed their paths were told that someone important had come, but nothing more, a clear indication to the selfish intensions of the two.

By the time that Sikumi reached the governors house a lot had happened.

"So, the resistance has kidnapped my son. Everything so clever, so tricky. Just like their King Bumi." The governor spoke as a guard from behind him stepped forwards.

"What do you want us to do, sir?" he asked, sympathetic to the governor's wife you was crying her eyes out.

The man himself shook his head and sighed, wondering what he should do. At that same moment a guard burst into the room, trying to hold back a smile.

"Sir, a Fire Nation Intelligence Officer is outside. She's the one who was captured by the North."

The governor but aside his grief for a moment and looked at the guard in disbelief before telling him to bring the officer in. All heads in the room turned as Sikumi walked in, her confidence despite her blindness was certainly intriguing. The governor noticed the handkerchief that Sikumi still held, its symbols, the way she held it and the posture she kept whilst displaying it properly.

"And what honour do we give to the Hero Officer of the North, a subordinate of Prince Tadashi no less?" the governor asked, his voice somewhat grim.

Mai, who had been in the room the whole time, raised her eyebrow at the mention of Prince Tadashi. Although the two were hardly close they had been on good standing with each other in their childhood.

"You're a subordinate of Tadashi?" Mai asked.

"Yes ma'am, I've worked with Director Tadashi from Kyoshi Island to the Northern Water Tribe, I got stranded during our last encounter…..due to complications."

"Interesting," the director spoke, "I suppose I should introduce myself, I am Governor Ukano, the ruler of Omashu."

"I suppose it's better than those Earthbenders." Sikumi muttered, even though everyone in the room heard.

"Yes indeed," Ukano nodded, "Though I'm afraid that now isn't the time for pleasantries. My son has been kidnapped by those scheming rebellious Earthbenders."

Sikumi nodded, noting the grim and depressed nature of the woman who had been quietly crying this whole time. She looked at everyone as she sensed the mood, a barrage of sad emotions that bathed her senses and chilled her bones.

"As bad as situations get this isn't the worst," she said shocking everyone but getting a smirk from Mai, "Your son won't be hurt, though we can ensure this by sending a message to the opposition with a trade….perhaps for an important prisoner if you have any."

"Yes, we can trade King Bumi." Ukano pondered, nodding at the idea as her wife's eyes lit up for a second.

As the adults in the room set out to go and get working, Mai and Sikumi were left in the room alone, the almost emotionless girl waited patiently for Sikumi to do something, her presence unusual and interesting.

"If I may," Sikumi started saying, "could you point me towards the Director?"

"You want me to help you find Tadashi?" Mai asked.

"Yes, though any information alone would be more than helpful." Sikumi glanced away, looking in the direction she could feel a faint breeze.

"For a blind person you certainly can move normally."

Sikumi flinched slightly though laughed at the girl's straight forward statement.

"I suppose I do, though that only happens when I'm around people or lots of water." Sikumi admitted, "I can feel the area around me with water."

"Water? As in a Waterbender?"

"Yes."

"That's certainly interesting." Mai said with a small smirk, "It seems we have quite a bit to talk about."

The next day a royal palanquin had been carried into Governor Umako's house. Azula was seated within as Ty Lee walked alongside, meeting a duo of Sikumi and Mai. The two waiting bowed, interesting Azula who didn't expect Sikumi's presence.

"Please tell me you're here to kill me." Mai said to the approaching Azula.

The two stared at each other as Mai gave a small smirk before both laughed at each other.

"It's great to see you, Mai." Azula said with a rare smile.

Ty Lee also rushed forwards, giving Mai a hug. Though to Mai's credit she partly reciprocated the feeling by patting the hyper girls back with her left hand.

"I thought you ran off and joined the circus. You said it was your calling." Mai asked as Ty Lee released her.

"Well, Azula called a little louder." Ty Lee shrugged, giving the Princess an appreciative glance.

"I have a mission and I need you both." She placed her arm around the two, a wicked smile growing on her face.

The three nodded in unison before Mai glanced to the side and motioned towards Sikumi's direction.

"I suppose you'll want to hear this but one of your brothers' officers is with us." Mai noted.

Azula let go of her friends and approached Sikumi, standing before her with a hand on her hip. She looked the girl up and down, noticing the cloth wrapped around her eyes and the way she stood despite not being able to see.

"And you are?" Azula asked, her tone a mixture of scepticism and arrogance.

Sikumi took a small towards Azula before bowing.

"This is one of Tadashi's underlings. Coincidentally the hero of the North." Mai explained in her usual drab tone.

"Oh?" Azula exclaimed in wonder.

In the past the princess had not been able to witness the Fire Nation Military Intelligence at work, which meant that apart from her brother this person was the first she'd met in that organisation. This also meant that helping the blinded girl in front of her would gain a huge advantage over Tadashi in the future, meaning he's owe her big time.

"So, it seems that the rumours were true. A lone soldier sacrificed their eyes for the good of the world. Honestly, if the Fire Nation didn't have anything to gain from that I would have called it a foolish decision but the past is just that….the past. Though that brings me to ask, what is it with your darker skin and dreadful taste in clothing? Mai, why didn't you give her something more…pleasing to wear?"

Azula, being the kind of person she was, didn't hesitate to question the happenings around her. Of course she could tell that Sikumi couldn't possibly be of Fire Nation descent but that didn't mean she still couldn't be of use.

"Well since the Avatar has my brother I thought that'd be of the most importance."

"The Avatar?" Azula asked, slightly shocked.

"Yes," Mai nodded, "Sikumi used them to come into the city, though from what she says they are only here for King Bumi."

Mai went on to explain exactly what had transpired, including the letter sent and the rebels and Earth Kingdom citizens that had escaped the city the night before. The next hour was spent planning and preparing for an inevitable battle, Sikumi had been given standard Fire Nation clothing, much to her displeasure and was to go with the three since she could identify the three with ease. The moments leading up to the confrontation were tense, both Mai and Ty Lee ready for battle but Azula herself had many things that occupied her mind.

"Why are you so quick to help me?" She asked, "Although I am the Fire Nation Princess and I'm your best bet to getting back to my brother, it still seems rather suspicious."

Sikumi chuckled, shocking the three especially Azula who didn't know whether to be insulted or confused.

"It's because of your brother that I'm so quick to help. He always talked about how talented you were, the way you'd do great things in the future and I guess it's those words that drove me to help you so readily. Even now, I bet he'd be happiest when in your company, something we among the Intelligence Crew envy."

Azula didn't know what to say. Of course she knew how Tadashi felt and it pleased her to have someone that she wouldn't even need to manipulate, but even her companions could sense the faint embarrassment that surfaced. Those feelings that fluttered about momentarily were quickly silenced as Azula centred her thoughts.

"Envy? Well of course that's natural, but I suppose your reasoning is normal." Azula quipped, putting the point across that this line of talk was over.

Sikumi herself was puzzled. This was of course the first time she met Azula but she couldn't help but shake the feeling that she's known her for a long time, almost as long as Tadashi. When looking at the trio she couldn't help but see the differences in them all. Mai gave off a sullen aura, murky reds with the occasional spark of passion. Ty Lee was the complete opposite, a warm and bright red that would rarely fade. Azula on the other hand she couldn't put down, at least not until she put her eyes on the Avatar himself, then it became apparent to her.

She was almost identical to Tadashi in nature, or at least what she thought he'd be like.