Author's Note :: Another fanfic...amazing, I know. It's not Zutara, but it will follow the ATLA plotline, don't worry. So, it's more or less a Zuko x OC story starting off when Zuko is seven. Woo! Anyway, Read and Review and I really hope you guys like it!

Disclaimer :: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender nor any of it's characters. I only own the stories I write and the characters I create myself.

Fire in the Skies

-- Your New Friend --

"Prince Zuko, Fire Lady Ursa has requested you join her at the turtle-duck pond."

"When?"

"Lady Ursa said it was preferred now, Prince Zuko."

"Alright, alright…I'm coming." The seven year old prince stated, his golden eyes tearing away from the scroll he had been reading. He quickly turned away from the direction in which the messenger had set out in. He made his way towards the turtle-duck pond from there, taking various turns to find the courtyard. He could see the back of his mother's head, her long black hair flowing in the slight breeze that came from the middle of this day.

He grinned softly as he approached her, the black hair that emanated from his pony tail floating behind him. The prince was dressed in classic fire nation wear, with red slacks trimmed with gold, black boots, and the classic red tunic trimmed in gold. His golden eyes caught sight of another figure sitting with his mother, a young girl around the age of Zuko, however, she looked to be maybe a year or two older than him. He entered his mother's and the girl's field of vision and he bowed to them both, a small smile upon his face as he surfaced from said bow. His mother smiled in return and the girl bowed her head. The older woman's pale hand patted a patch of grass beside her, her golden eyes gazing up at her son with love and affection. Truly Zuko's mother favored him over his little sister, Azula. Their father, Fire Prince Ozai, favored the princess more for her skilled abilities in fire-bending. But Zuko had their mother and that was really who mattered to him the most.

Zuko followed suit and sat down at a forty-five degree angle in front of his mother, smiling up at her. He could feel the girl's eyes upon him as his mother's mouth opened to introduce the pair.

"Zuko, this is Kaida. Kaida, this is my son, Zuko."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Prince Zuko." Her voice was soft, like that of a loose petal or feather floating down upon the breeze. However, it still held confidence in it that was hidden somewhere within that soft drone. It was enchanting, really.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, as well, Kaida" Zuko responded, getting a smile from the girl in front of him. His eyes darted towards his mother, wondering who exactly this girl was, though he was all manners in front of her.

"Kaida has come to live with us. Her mother was a good friend of mine and has recently passed. Her father passed a few years back…"

"I have no where else to go. And Ursa has always shown the utmost kindness to me and my family."

"Of course, you have always been welcome into my life, dearest " Ursa smiled down at the girl, this…Kaida, who was smiling softly as she watched the turtle-ducks in the pond before her.

"So…does that mean she's my new sister…?" Zuko asked, a tad confused.

"Oh no. Not at all. She'll simply be living with us. Her parents were members of the Fire Nation Court, after all…"

"I don't want a new family…just a place to stay." She stated, nodding quietly.

"Oh. Right." He stated as he watched her, wondering where she hailed from. He had never heard of her nor any of her parents in the court. Then again, he wasn't allowed into the court meetings. Especially since he was only seven years old. A messenger came up to the group of three once again, the same one who had summoned Zuko a bit ago. He had a note for his mother from his father. She took it and read over it, something about being requested in the court again with Zuko's grandfather. She nodded and handed the parchment back to the man before she stood, her Fire Nation robes falling down to the grass with a soft rustle.

"Fire Lord Azulon requests my presence. I will get back to you two later." She stated, spinning on her heels with a flare of robes and hair. Zuko's golden eyes watched her go while Kaida simply continued to watch the little flock of turtle-ducks swimming in the pond.

When he could no longer see his mother, he turned back to the girl. Kaida had pulled out a roll from a pocket in her robes and was tearing it apart for the animals in front of her.

"So, how old are you, Prince Zuko?" She asked, holding out a torn piece for the mother of the little family of them.

"Just call me Zuko, please. And I'm seven." He stated, smiling proudly.

"Fun. I remember being seven…" She stated, her voice trailing off into the distance as she continued to feed the animals that were currently clambering over her legs.

"How old are you, Kaida?" He asked, tilting his head slightly in question.

"Nine. I'll be turning Ten in just a few months, though."

"Really? I'm turning eight next month."

"Wonderful." She stated, smiling at him even though her attention was spent on the turtle-ducks.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here? Little ZuZu got himself a girlfriend? I thought you were saving yourself for Mai." Another female voice could be heard. T'was the voice of little six year old Azula. Both Kaida and Zuko looked up at the mocking girl.

"She's not my girlfriend, Azula!" He stated, blushing fiercely.

"Oh? Then what is she? A slave? You know how father doesn't like it when you mingle with the slaves, ZuZu." She stated, still mocking the pair as Kaida finished feeding the bread to the ducklings. She smiled and leaned back, listening to their conversation and yet still managing to ignore every word the princess was saying.

"No. She's not. Her mom was a friend of -"

"Right, I don't care. Anyway, Dad is holding a council with Dad today. It's about becoming Fire Lord. Interested?"

"No, Azula. You know Uncle Iroh is supposed to be Fire Lord next."

"Yes, well. Since his son Lu Ten died so tragically in the war, the old bat is coming home. And Dad doesn't think it should be that way with no heirs." Her voice was filled with a mock sarcastic poison as she spoke of their father's elder brother.

"Princess Azula, why are you concerning yourself with such matters when you are not the one who will get to rule the throne. You will never be able to do so, will you? So why speak of such treason?" Kaida spoke up, looking up at the three year younger princess with sterling green eyes. Azula stepped back when the calm voice of the older girl began to sound, furrowing her brows with defeat. The princess flipped her bangs away from her face with a pale hand before huffing and turning on her heels to storm off. Zuko turned to Kaida, a look of awe upon his face.

"How…how did you do that?"

"She's your younger sister, right?"

"Um…yeah…?"

"Shouldn't you be standing up for yourself, then?"

"Oh…um…I guess…" Zuko stated, blushing slightly as Kaida made movements to get up.

"And besides, I did it by not letting her get to me. That's something you do way to easily…"

"Oh…um…right."

"Well, I'm off. Have fun avoiding your sister." She stated, and with one swift movement, she did a quick spin to get into a standing position. From there, she turned on her heel and headed back towards the palace, a small smile upon her quiet features.