Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar

A/N another commissioned story from yours truly! And boy, was this a doozey! It took me twice as long because the story itself is twice as long as I normally go! I had to break it up into two parts, but I'm posting them at the same time so no one is hanging off the edge of their seats for too long. Hope you guys enjoy and consider buying me a ko-fi so I can keep writing!

Part One

Izumi was always naturally observant, she knew this as long as she could remember. She could tell at the drop of a hat what type of tea her uncle drank at breakfast based off the smell of his breath during their mid-morning pai sho game, or what forms her father worked on that day based on how he walked to the dinner table. Izumi was certain her analytical skills would have been the most valuable asset in battle, should one ever arise. But ever since her father became Fire Lord long before she was born, there were no more battles to be fought. At least, not ones she could quite actively participate in yet.

Everyone got along now, and she was set to inherit a peaceful nation that worked with the other four around the world. But until then, she was determined to utilize her skill set to make the world an even better place. There was plenty for her to do in the Fire Nation, but when everything was being handled by the Fire Lord and unable to be passed off to her for now, she felt as if she had to find a use for her skills outside of her home.

So that's why she confronted her father about joining the United Forces during their afternoon lessons the day before the Harvest Festival.

His only eyebrow shot up and he frowned. "Are you sure? Military service is very serious."

Izumi nodded and replied, "I've thought it over and I know that I would be a great asset to the United Republic. I won't be Fire Lord for at least another thirty or forty years if you age as well as Uncle Iroh, so I think it would be a great way for me to help the people around the world."

Her father smiled and he took a sip of his tea. "If you are determined, I won't stop you."

"Thank you, Father!" she exclaimed as she bowed to him. When she left the room after their lessons were finished, her cursed observant nature didn't miss the way his face fell slightly before the door closed entirely.

Seika was certain her mother was going to kill her.

After all, she left without saying goodbye and her little note left on her mother's desk would not likely quell her ire. But Seika couldn't help herself; she wanted to join the United Forces despite her mother telling her numerous times that she couldn't. What else could she do as a waterbender in this world? Build ice huts and heal minor scratches for the rest of her life? Unlikely.

No matter what her mother insisted, it just didn't seem right to not go out an pave her own path. After all, she was the daughter of the most powerful waterbender in the world. Being denied a chance to make a name for herself without her mother's influence could change her whole life!

It started with the United Republic. As she sailed north to Republic City to sign up as a new recruit for the United Forces, Seika was sure she was on the right path. After all, this was where she could make a name for herself, where she could make a difference without the shadow of her mother looming over her. It was what she endured in the Southern Water Tribe as long as she could remember, and as much as she didn't want to admit it, the attention she received wasn't always positive.

Here, she could endure it because it would be of her own merit, not because the people that claimed to love her mother because they believed Seika was a bastard child and thought negatively about her mother because of it.

But she knew that wasn't the truth. When Seika asked at the age of fourteen, her mother sat her down and sighed, weariness showing on her tan face and in her dull blue eyes. She told Seika that she and Seika's father weren't allowed to be together, so she ran away before Seika's father knew that Seika existed. Though, she claimed that he would love Seika so much if he knew she existed, it was just his people wouldn't allow it.

Seika believed that in the United Republic, no one would care about that. Maybe there she would find her place. Maybe it would be where she finally belonged.

Izumi showed up to the registration early in the morning, one of the first people to arrive in order to sign up and officially join the United Forces. Many eyes were on her, pointing and whispering as she strode forward, her glasses and crown situated in her top knot catching the light as she walked with her two guards behind her. She quickly felt out of place - like she normally did no matter where she went - but she steeled herself as she climbed the stairs to the table where she would sign in as a new recruit.

The man at the table blinked a few times before standing and giving her a short bow. "Princess Izumi! It is an honor to meet you! How may I be of service to you today?"

"I'd like to register for the United Forces," she replied curtly, deciding to skip over the pleasantries.

The man's eyes bulged and the other people around started whispering louder. "R-really? Well, since you are of age you do not need parental permission, but we do ask that you relinquish all tokens of status. We are all equal on these planes."

Izumi nodded and quickly pulled her crown out of her topknot, then handed it carefully to one of her guards. "Where do I sign in?"

As the man showed her where she was to sign in and where she needed to go next, her guards retreated back to the carriage they rode in and they left her alone. This was part of the agreement, and she would stick with it. Her father was very protective of her, but she insisted that she did this alone. He said she needed guards, but she said this was the military, she wouldn't need them. So he conceded by saying they were to escort her to the registration table. After she relinquished her crown, they would leave.

And they followed his order.

Izumi signed the papers and was quickly showed to where she needed to go next, all while she lamented internally. Her father was always so protective because he was afraid he'd lose her, just like he lost her mother. Though he never said it outright, Izumi knew that was why. Her mother never was around, and Izumi never had any living memory of her. When she asked her father the day she turned fourteen, he looked so downtrodden as he looked out the window towards the seas beyond the caldera, and he told her that her mother left.

And that was it.

Unfortunately, Izumi couldn't glean any information out of Uncle Iroh or Aunt Azula - at least reliable information out of her. She would look at Izumi, almost always mutter something about water, then change the subject. It was frustrating that no matter who she asked, she could never get a clear answer to her heritage.

She sighed as she walked with the soldier towards the room where she was to wait and then be sworn in with the rest of the recruits. She sat where she was told, handed a packet of information with forms to fill out, then was told to read over the information and fill out the forms while she waited for everyone else. As she did, one by one people filed into the room and were handed their own packets. The room was quiet for the most part, filled only with the sounds of pens scratching against paper and an occasional sigh or cough. After a while, there were two people murmuring between themselves, causing Izumi to glance in their direction to find out what was so interesting that they had to break the silence.

One wearing Earth Kingdom green was murmuring to the other, who was staring at Izumi openly with wide golden eyes - although her Water Tribe clothing rose a few questions in Izumi's mind. There was something strangely familiar about her, from the slope of her nose to the way her lips parted with shock as she continued to stare. Her attention was enough to make Izumi squirm with discomfort at her lack of discretion, so she shot a glare at the girl and brought her gaze back to her files.

Before any more attention could be diverted to the rude Water Tribe girl, a General came into the room and began the swearing in process. All of the recruits stood, swore their oaths to the United Republic, and were then escorted to another room where they would be divided according to gender and prospective job, then get fitted for their uniforms for training. Izumi caught sight of the Water Tribe girl again from across the barracks, their eyes meeting again as they were measured and handed bundles of clothes and supplies that would last them through the four months they were to be staying there.

With a frown, Izumi made her way to an open bunk, mind running through as much of her life that she could remember for that Water Tribe girl's face. Unfortunately, all she could think of was her father and how that girl had the same kind eyes that he had.

Seika's heart was racing erratically. That girl - Princess Izumi of the Fire Nation, according to her new friend Lin - looked so similar to herself that it made her head hurt. Why did it seem like she already knew this girl despite never leaving the South Pole her entire life? And why did they look exactly alike?

She had to get to the bottom of it, and quick.

The first night of training, while everyone was supposed to be asleep, Seika snuck over to where she knew Izumi was sleeping in her bunk and quietly shook her awake. Izumi's eyes shot open and quickly a fist full of flames was a foot away from Seika's face.

She blinked a few times before grabbing her glasses and putting out her fire. "What do you want?"

"How do I know you?" Seika immediately said, deciding it was better not to beat around the bush. "You look like me. And I feel like I know you from somewhere."

Izumi's arched brow shot up skeptically and she laid back down in her bed, back turned to Seika as she said, "I have no idea what you're talking about. Now go back to bed before we get in trouble."

Seika grabbed the water from Izumi's glass beside her bed and whipped it at the back of her head. The princess shot back up and steam hissed out of her nose. Seika glared right back and replied, "There's something. Don't tell me you don't feel it, too, because you looked at me like you saw a ghost."

Izumi sat up again and huffed. "I have no idea."

"Are you kidding?"

The glare Izumi gave Seika reminded her so much of her mother that it made her skin crawl. "What do you expect me to say? That I remember crossing paths with you four years ago in Ba Sing Se?"

"That's not possible," Seika remarked instantly. "I've never been to Ba Sing Se. I've never even left the South Pole."

Izumi groaned and smacked her forehead before pinching her nose in irritation. "It was just an example. And I've never been to the South Pole."

Seika sighed with defeat and sagged against the pole of her bunk. There had to be something! Looking at Izumi was almost like looking in a mirror, minus the glasses and shorter hair. Seika had always had lighter skin than her mother and the rest of her family, and her golden eyes always stood out compared to the sea of blue that surrounded her. But Izumi, she and Seika would fit in together like -

"Sisters...?"

Seika blinked and looked right at Izumi, who's eyes had widened with shock and realization as she stared right at Seika.

"What did you just say?"

Izumi's eyes widened as she shook her head and murmured, "It's not possible. Father said that she was gone..."

"What on earth are you talking about?" Seika hissed. There was no possible way that they were sisters. Her mother had said her father couldn't be with them. That his people would not accept them being together so she had to run off without him knowing of Seika's existence! However, the thought of Izumi being her sister wasn't far off. They seemed to be the same age and were definitely identical in their appearances. That would have to mean -

"Twin sisters," Izumi muttered again as she leaned closer to Seika and deepened her frown.

"Stop cutting off my thoughts," Seika snapped as she leaned back. "What are you saying? That you and I are twin sisters?"

Izumi squinted and her lips formed into a pout. "What's your name?"

Seika scowled and replied, "You don't know it?"

"How could I when the first thing you said to me was 'how do I know you?'" Izumi snapped, her voice dripping sarcasm when she imitated Seika's earlier question. "You know mine, but that's a given because a lot of people do."

Seika's frown was deep when she folded her arms and replied, "It's Seika."

Izumi hummed and nodded her head. "Okay, Seika, on the count of three, we are going to say our birthdays. Okay?"

She blinked a few times at Izumi's abrupt order, but Seika nodded and took a deep breath. "One..."

Izumi's voice broke in nervousness. "Two... three-"

"The thirty-first of May."

"The thirty-first of May."

Seika's heart started racing and she scooted closer. "No way..."

"It makes sense," Izumi stated, mostly to herself under her breath. "Your appearance being similar to mine, despite your clear Water Tribe heritage. It would also explain my tanner skin compared to my family and my tendencies to enjoy being in the water. It would also explain why my mother isn't around, because she was with you."

Seika felt her breath get stolen from her lungs. It would also explain her golden eyes and her lighter skin, as well as her aversion to the cold despite growing up where it was freezing all the damn time. And why her father wasn't around. Because he couldn't. Not when he was the Fire Lord and her mother was not from the Fire Nation. It would explain why her mother said he couldn't instead of saying he wouldn't be with them. But why...

"You're still the Princess despite not having a Fire Nation mother..."

Izumi's eyes dropped and she opened her palm to reveal a bright flame. "I can firebend and am the daughter of the Fire Lord. There's nothing that can prevent the Fire Sages from revoking my status merely because the heritage of my mother is unknown. From what I can recall, my father has told the sages that my mother died during childbirth and he kept me a secret from his people because he wanted to focus on raising me without outside influence. He hates talking about her."

"Just like my mom hates talking about my dad," Seika mumbled, the realization crashing down on her. "It makes sense..."

"They wouldn't have been allowed to stay together eighteen years ago," Izumi stated evenly, as if she was reciting something from a book, "not when tensions from the war were still high. My father wouldn't have been allowed to be with a woman who was not of Fire Nation blood, not back then. Because the Fire Sages would have wanted him to ensure his line with a firebending heir."

Seika snatched Izumi's hands and held them tightly between hers. Izumi's eyes widened and she looked at Seika like she grew another head. "But now he can! Since you're alive, there's nothing stopping your fire dudes from preventing him from being with someone he loves! Has he remarried at all?"

Izumi shook her head and said, "There was one woman, Lady Mai, but she bailed when I was eleven. I never found out why, but I knew that she and my father were set to marry before the war was over. My mother got between them."

"Our mother," Seika corrected with a giddy grin. "And she's never been with someone else. According to Grandpa Hakoda, the Avatar wanted to be with her but she turned him down. And that was around the time she came back with me. I don't remember any of that, but her status of being unmarried with a child makes people look at us poorly."

Pity flitted across Izumi's features and her fingers squeezed Seika's. "I'm sorry... I feel like this is something I should fix."

Then, an idea formed in Seika's mind. Something devious and sinister, and - if it worked - genius. Izumi would probably be against it, but it was the only way Seika could meet her dad and probably bring him and her mom back together. Being apart had made them miserable enough, it was time to fix the wrongs of the past because of someone else's prejudice.

"Izumi," Seika stated with as much resolve she could, catching her twin's attention. "We should switch places."

Basic Training for the United Forces takes four months, so while they were training for their prospective positions, Izumi and Seika decided to learn everything there was to know about each other. Izumi had initially been reluctant - okay, outright adamant that they didn't do it, because honestly what if their parents didn't want to get back together? - but Seika was quick to convince her to agree to the plan. There was something about her twin sister that was sinister in her charm, in a way that reminded her of Aunt Azula. That in itself made her shiver and she chalked it up to familial resemblances.

As the months progressed, Izumi learned all that there was to know about Seika's life in the Southern Water Tribe, down to each and every family member, their habits, and her own preferences in food, music, and clothing. At the same time Izumi taught Seika everything about herself - which was a longer list due to her status as princess and her upbringing in the Royal Court - and warned Seika of their keen Uncle Iroh and the likely presence of Toph, the Avatar's old earthbending master and her dear friend. Toph always visited during the late spring and early summer months so she was more than likely going to be bothering her father to the end of the earth.

And speaking of the Fire Lord...

"Don't stare," Izumi ordered sternly. Seika tilted her head in confusion, so Izumi sighed and rubbed her temple. "Father has a scar. Given to him by his father. I know I am his daughter so he won't think much of it, but don't stare at him strangely because you've never seen it. It'll be a dead giveaway to your identity because it doesn't faze me anymore."

"Where is it?" Seika asked, her usual perky demeanor sobering up.

"His left eye."

Seika nodded with understanding and dropped her chin to her chest. "I suppose I didn't expect that... Mom doesn't ever talk about her old friends. The only people I know that were part of the group are Uncle Sokka and Aunt Suki."

"I've met Sokka once," Izumi responded, causing Seika to look up from her lap. "He came to the Fire Nation for a diplomatic trip back when I was eight. He was nice to me, but he yelled at my father that night in his study. I guess now I know why."

"You think he recognized you?"

Izumi nodded and pulled off her glasses to rub her eyes. "Since he knows you, he probably instantly realized who I was, and then who your father was by extension. Now that we know, it's not hard to connect the dots with all of the facts and circumstances. I'm surprised they kept it a secret for so long."

"I suppose that's what happens when you seclude yourselves at the end of the earth," Seika sighed, mostly to herself, and Izumi could see the blur of her body stiffen as she cursed under her breath.

"What?"

"Your glasses."

"What about my glasses?" Izumi asked as she put them back on.

Seika was staring at her with a thoughtful frown. "I don't wear them."

Izumi's stomach dropped and she cursed as well. "It'll be a dead giveaway if I wear them around mother and you don't wear them around father..."

Seika's thoughtful look screwed for a moment and it looked as if an idea crossed her mind. After all, Izumi knew that same look would cross hers when she struck gold.

"What if I heal you?"

Izumi's eyebrow shot up in skepticism. "What."

Seika pulled a tendril of water to her hands and grinned as it started to glow. "My mom is the best healer in the whole world, and she's taught me everything I know. You've seen me bend, so you know how good I am. And this includes healing. I can see if I can heal your eyes and then we won't have to worry about me wearing your glasses while you go without."

Izumi's lips pursed and she said, "So then how do you explain the lack of glasses to my father?"

"I can tell him that one of the medics healed my eyes while training because my glasses were in the way," Seika stated with pride. Izumi had to admit, she had it all figured out. "It wouldn't be a lie in the slightest. I just would have to neglect to tell him who the medic actually was."

"Alright," Izumi conceded after a long moment. "Do what you can. If it doesn't work, I can always tell mother that I got my eyes tested and they said I needed them."

Seika grinned as she brought her hands towards Izumi's face, ready to start. With a steeling sigh, Izumi closed her eyes and let the water encase her face.

There was no fancy ceremony for graduation. The new members of the United Forces were given their certificates, shook the hands of the officers that taught them, and were sent on their way. Each new soldier was permitted a month-long leave before reporting to their duty stations, which gave Izumi and Seika plenty of time to meet their parents and possibly convince them to meet each other again.

After the ceremony, Izumi and Seika met up in the bathroom outside the auditorium and quickly swapped identifying items. Seika took Izumi's gold bracelet and her bag, while Izumi took Seika's tribal necklace and her belongings. They both pulled their hair into the neutral styles of the United Forces, but could easily change the looks based on their new destinations.

Seika looked at Izumi - her twin - and saw her exact reflection. Seika had cut six inches off of her hair to match Izumi's length and Izumi no longer needed the glasses that separated truly them. When they turned to each other, Seika grinned.

"Ready?"

Izumi took a deep breath and said, "As ready as I'll ever be. Don't forget everything I taught you."

Seika pulled her into a hug, which was quickly reciprocated, and said, "Same for you. Let's bring them home, okay? We'll figure out the rest when we get there."

After pulling away, Izumi nodded and picked up Seika's bag off the floor. After one last hug goodbye, the girls left the bathroom separately and headed out. Seika watched Izumi head towards the Water Tribe Consulate in the northern part of Republic City, where she would be able to request a ship to take her back south to their mom. Seika was told to stay near the entrance of the United Forces compound, where two Imperial Firebenders would be meeting her to escort her back to the Fire Nation ship waiting for her.

As time ticked on, her hands started to sweat and her heart started to race. What if he didn't like her? What if he figured her out immediately and cast her out? After all, he didn't come running to meet her and be a part of her life. What if it was deliberate because he hated her? What if he really didn't know that she existed?

Seika swallowed the tears that already threatened to spill and she tightened her grip on her bag.

"Princess Izumi!"

Her head snapped up and she was greeted with two men striding towards her, one short and incredibly muscular and the other about the height of Grandpa Hakoda with sideburns that would likely stick out of his helmet if he had been wearing one. Instead, both were wearing more casual clothing for sailing than the armor Izumi described them to wear. The insignia on their chests told her that she wasn't to suspect them of being impostors, however.

"Hello!" she greeted as politely as she could. After spending four months in Izumi's company, she felt she could imitate her sister at the drop of a hat. So far, it proved to be working.

They both bowed at the waist when they reached her, and the taller one straightened first before saying, "It is good to see you, Princess. I'm sure you had a good experience?"

She nodded and gave them both a slight smile, humor threatening to spill out at the thought of what she learned. Channeling her inner-Izumi, Seika said, "I did. Are we ready to depart?"

The short one said, "Of course, Princess. Are you eager to go home?"

Seika was surprised with how friendly these guards were with her. Perhaps it was because the Fire Nation had truly changed in the past twenty years, or Izumi had established friendships with these men. Seika searched her mind for the answers among the many things Izumi had taught her and her eyes went to the taller one.

Captain Jee, Izumi told her of this one. He served under our father during his banishment. Very loyal and noble, would die for me. Close to retirement, but chooses to be the Princess's bodyguard. Unmarried, no children. But he's fine with that.

Seika looked to the shorter one.

Lieutenant Ling, she recalled. Newer to the Imperial Guard, but smart and honorable. Rose through the ranks quickly due to his diligence and intellect. Has a fiancée at home, will be taking a vacation at the end of the summer in order to marry her.

"I think I am," she declared. Soon, they were embarking towards the ship that would take her to the Fire Nation, and back to her father. The anticipation lodged itself in her throat and she swallowed before looking over her shoulder towards the direction Izumi had gone.

Oh, how she hoped things would go as smoothly for Izumi as it did for her...

Izumi reached the Water Tribe Consulate without much fuss. When she arrived inside, a man at the front desk noticed her and stood up.

"Seika!"

She blinked a few times before going towards him and saying, "Yes?"

The man settled into his chair with a relieved sigh before running his hands through his wolf tail. "The whole Water Tribe has been in a tizzy ever since you ran off."

Oh, right. Izumi cursed to herself. Seika had mentioned her rather hasty escape from her home, so Izumi was prepared for the fallout. With a deep breath, she said, "I apologize. I know I left a note, so I don't understand why there was such a fuss."

The man frowned and replied, "Master Katara was furious. No one could leave because the harbor froze over, so she couldn't chase you down and bring you back. What were you thinking?"

Right as Izumi was going to fib her way out of explaining herself, someone else called her 'name' from the other side of the atrium. She turned towards the speaker and her stomach instantly dropped. It was Sokka - or rather, Uncle Sokka since she was now Seika of the Water Tribes.

When he reached her, he towered over her exactly like her father would when she was younger and got in trouble. A disappointed frown was firm on his face and Izumi knew this was the time to act as if she was caught stealing cookies instead of defiantly staring him down like she would in her own home.

"Seika, look at me."

Izumi did as he said. When she did, she was surprised to see Sokka smiling fondly down at her. Before she could react, he was sweeping her into a spine-popping hug and cradling her head to his chest.

"You're reckless, kid," he murmured to the crown of her head. Sudden suffocating warmth filled Izumi's chest - reminding her of how she felt when Iroh would hug her or when Aunt Azula would give her praises - and she hugged him back. Sokka pulled out of the hug and gave her a wide grin. "Your mom is going to whoop your ass when you get home."

Izumi knew Seika would say it was easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, so she channeled her sister as best as she could and shrugged indifferently before grinning up at her uncle. "Yeah, I know. But you'll be there to bail me out, right?"

The look on Sokka's face was fond, and it made that tight warmth grow in Izumi's chest.

"Let's get on a ship back home," he declared with a Cheshire grin. "I've been waiting here for you to get out, since they wouldn't let me talk to you while you were training. So you and I are going to sail home with some of the best waterbenders in the United Republic so your mom doesn't freak out any more. Got it?"

Izumi nodded sheepishly and followed Sokka to his office, where he grabbed his bag and straightened up his things before closing the door and locking it soundly behind him. When he grinned at her and extended his elbow for her to grab, Izumi grinned back and took it gratefully. So far, this was going to be a piece of cake.

She was only hoping Seika was having as good of luck as she was.

When the ship arrived on the shores of the Fire Nation, Seika was made aware of two things: one, people were very respectful and cautious around her, and it was hot. Living in the South Pole and then spending the winter and early spring months in the United Republic didn't give Seika much opportunity to experience true heat. But even now, at the peak of spring, the air was moist and warm and she could only imagine how much hotter it would get during the summer months.

She already loved it.

There were more guards and a carriage waiting for her at the harbor, something else Izumi warned her would be there, and Seika politely nodded her thanks as she stepped inside. She knew all of the doting would become less awkward for her in time, but she would just have to deal until her month here was up.

As she rode in silence up the mountainside, Seika was keen to take in all of her surroundings. All her life, she only saw white, grey, and blue. But now, in the fields of the Fire Nation, explosions of colors met her eager eyes. Luscious green grass sprawling along the hills, pepperings of orange flowers along the road, vast arrays of red and gold decorating the buildings they passed...

It was unlike anything she had ever seen.

They reached the top of the mountain and Seika was stunned to see the vast city inside the caldera: the capital of the Fire Nation. In the center of the city was the palace, where her father was waiting for her. Well, waiting for Izumi. But he didn't need to know that it wouldn't be her arriving quite yet.

The descent was quick - probably due to Seika's nerves and her anticipation - and soon they were pulling through the iron gates of the palace. It was larger up close, and less intimidating than what she learned about in her classes. Perhaps what she was taught was outdated, or the palace had gone through some renovations in the twenty-three years since the end of the war.

Seika's eyes dropped to the grand staircase and standing there were three bodies, one she recognized as Master Toph based on her hair and the casual way she was standing, and the other two unfamiliar to her. One was short and with white hair and a long, bushy beard, a portly fellow with a wide grin. And the other was tall and completely formidable in his stature. Even from this distance, she could already see the gleaming gold flame that rested in his top knot, and the heavy mantle that rested on his shoulders.

As soon as her mind processed his identity, the carriage stopped.

"Presenting, Lieutenant Izumi of the United Forces, Princess of the Fire Nation."

Seika groaned and quickly straightened out her uniform top before climbing out of the carriage. The second her feet hit the cobblestones, the three figures on the stairs started descending towards her. When they were close enough, Seika put on her Izumi mask and bowed slightly to them.

"Master Toph, Uncle Iroh." She paused and glanced up at the man in the middle. "Father."

His smile was crooked, like Izumi said it would be, and his eyes were bright with joy. And just like Izumi told her, she did not stare. Though it was hard, she kept her focus on taking in his appearance. He was a whole head taller than her - about the same height as Uncle Sokka - and his black hair streaked with minute traces of silver, but even in his age he still radiated good health and strength.

Just like a leader should.

As she straightened up out of her bow, he took another step forward and, in a voice rough from use but still clear and calm, he stated, "Welcome home, my daughter."

Seika swallowed the butterflies that threatened to erupt out of her chest, and instead she smiled up at her father. Her impulsiveness overpowered her need to remain in character, and recklessly she jumped into his arms and hugged him tightly, causing his breath to rush out of his chest and a laugh to rumble against her ear. He quickly hugged her back, his arms wrapping around her shoulders and and pulling her close. She was enveloped with the smell of citrus and spice, something that vaguely tickled the back of her subconscious, and she breathed it in eagerly.

"You missed me that much?"

Seika could only nod as they ended their hug and he smiled widely at her. "Sorry."

"No need to apologize," he remarked before leaning down slightly and brushing his thumb against her cheek. She froze and her eyes went wide as he pulled away with a tear on the tip of his thumb. "I missed you, too. But I have to ask, where are your glasses?"

Seika swallowed and said, "They were getting in the way, so a waterbender I met offered to heal me. It worked."

She noticed Toph narrowed her sightless eyes, but she tried not to let slip her worry regarding it. After all, it was the truth. Though, she knew of Toph's prowess as a bender and how she could see through the earth. If she was worth her meddle, she would have been able to figure out Seika was not Izumi the moment her feet touched the ground.

"Fire Lord Zuko," Iroh piped in, causing Seika to finally break her eyes off of her estranged father. He did the same, smirking knowingly, and quietly beckoned Iroh to continue. The seasoned general merely smiled and said, "Why don't we bring this reunion inside? I'm sure the Princess has much to tell us about her journey the past few months."

"Yeah," Toph commented. "I'm sure she has lots to tell us."

Seika's fear of being ousted too early churned her stomach and she nervously nodded as her father made his way inside. The walk was mostly quiet, as assumed by what Izumi told her, and Seika nervously wrung her hands together as they made their way to a study where they could enjoy some tea.

A hand rested over hers and Seika snapped her head to the owner, who's milky eyes were looking right at her.

"Yes?"

"How'd you pull this off?"

Seika swallowed. "I'm sorry?"

Toph snickered and elbowed her in the ribs. "Come on, kiddo. You and I both know I know your secret already."

Seika sagged with defeat and glanced to her father, who was chatting with Iroh. Knowing they wouldn't be overheard, she whispered, "How did you figure it out?"

"Izumi has a lighter stride than you," Toph remarked casually. "And you walk exactly like your mother. Seems that you two met, then?"

Seika nodded and glanced at the two men again. "She's on her way to mom right now."

Toph hummed and hooked her arm with Seika's. "Well, let's hope that your dad doesn't catch on too quick. Who knows what would happen."

Seika looked up to her father again, who was now glancing over his shoulder at her and grinning before looking back to Iroh. With a sigh, Seika replied, "I hope so."

Sailing on a Water Tribe ship was nothing like sailing on a Fire Nation cruiser. The ship they were using was much smaller than she was used to, but it cut through the water just as fast. The waterbenders on board helped direct the currents that sped up their travels, and a trip that usually takes two to three weeks would now take only six days, plenty of time to practice her best Seika impression and cover stories.

After all, from what Seika told her, Sokka and Hakoda were both so very keen that any hole in a lie would be sniffed out before she could cover it up. Luckily for her, she grew up with Azula and occasionally Toph, and spent many years in the court where lying is second nature. She could handle some good lie-detectors for a month, no problem.

A knock on her door jarred her from her thoughts and Izumi went to open it. Outside was Sokka with two bowls in his hands.

"Time for supper!" he declared with a grin so gleaming she was sure she could see her reflection in it. "Can I come in? I'd like to catch up without everyone else breathing down our necks."

Izumi nodded and let him in, and soon they were sitting across from each other at her little table and digging into the stew that he brought. It was nothing like what she ate at the Fire Nation palace, but it was rich and hearty, exactly the type of food she knew the Water Tribe would need to eat in their extreme conditions. She ate is quietly, answering Sokka's questions about training between bites, and was about halfway done with her bowl when he pushed his empty one away and propped his elbows on the table.

"Okay, kiddo, something's up."

Her eyebrows shot up. "What?"

He frowned and the dim lighting made his blue eyes look sinister. "Look, I know that you're still mad at your mom, but you don't need to be short with me. I thought I was your favorite, no matter what."

Mad? Seika didn't tell her that she was mad at their mother! What should she say? Play along? Act dumb? Well, she was already doing that by not answering, so she quickly took another bite of her stew and pushed her bowl away as she chewed. Sokka was looking at her suspiciously now, and Izumi couldn't help but wonder if he was trying to test her. After all, she was an impostor. She had every right to be paranoid.

When she swallowed, she shrugged and said, "Sorry. I've done nothing but think about it for the last four months."

Sokka hummed and his fingernail dragged against the table absently. "She only wants what's best for you, kiddo. So when she said you couldn't go, she didn't mean that you couldn't leave at all."

Oh, Seika had mentioned this. "Well, there's more to life than freezing to death. I wanted to see the world."

"Which is what you told me before you snuck out," Sokka replied, causing Izumi to meet his eyes. He smiled and said, "You should understand where she's coming from. She's wiser than you give her credit for, and she's been through more than you can imagine. Just promise you won't shut her out when we get back?"

Izumi shook her head and sighed, "I promise."

"After all, you haven't seen her in a long time so I doubt you will," Sokka added, his tone almost hinting with that offhanded comment.

Izumi's eyebrows pinched together and she frowned. Why would he say it like that? "What?"

Sokka's smirk was knowing and he leaned forward on the table, his arms crossing on the wood as he said, "It's been a while. What, ten years, since I saw you? It's been longer for her."

Oh, no. "What are you talking about? I saw you before I left..."

"Come on, kid, I know you're smarter than that."

His expression screamed that he caught her, and she couldn't fight the disappointment that flooded her heart. Izumi dropped her head and gnashed her jaw together. How did he figure it out so quickly?

"Seika came to me the night she left," Sokka remarked, causing Izumi to lift her eyes to his, "and she told me that she wasn't mad at her mom anymore, but she wanted to leave regardless. So I let her take my ship."

"Oh."

"A simple difference, but enough to spoil your lie," he said as he narrowed his eyes. "Plus, Seika is not even half as polite as you are, so I figured you out almost immediately at the Consulate."

Izumi bit her lip and tried not to cry. The jig was up. She was found out before she even got home, and by the first person who actually knew Seika. How on earth would she convince her mother that she was the right child when she couldn't even do it for Sokka?

"I have half a mind to take you back to the Fire Nation and stop this little scheme," Sokka started, causing Izumi to snap her head up and start to argue. He silenced her with a sharp look, then relaxed before saying, "But I know how much Katara misses you. After I saw you in the Fire Nation back then, I knew something was up so I asked her. She told me everything, and I had half a mind to take her back to the Fire Nation and fix it, but she was adamant even as she cried about how much she wanted to be with you, too. She's always been so self-sacrificing, and if you and Seika didn't exist I'm sure she would have just done it with Aang. She never does what she wants, only what's right, or what she thinks is the right thing. So that's why I won't rat you out."

Her eyes widened. "Really? Why?"

He smiled and replied, "Because you're my niece, and my sister is an idiot. I want to see how long it will take for her to figure it out."

The ship arrived in the icy waters of the South Pole that evening, passing the cloudy mountains that housed the Southern Air Temple and through the ice flows that typically protected the Water Tribe from hostiles this time of year, and Izumi started to squirm. Sokka was understanding, after all he was now a willing accomplice in her and Seika's scheme, and he helped fill her in with what Seika couldn't.

Such as the fact that Chief Hakoda was out of the tribe for the next month or so in the North, so he was coming back to be interim Chieftain. He would have come back sooner, but he had duties to uphold in Republic City that he couldn't skimp on, plus he was trying to catch Seika before she disappeared again.

He only fished out the wrong twin.

They finally reached the harbor of the Southern Water Tribe the following morning, with bells from the watchtower ringing through the frigid air to signify their arrival. Sokka patted her on the shoulder and went below deck to grab their things, all while Izumi took in the new sights in front of her.

Nestled in the snow and up against the mountains was a city - not quite as large as her home, but comparable enough considering the almost-annihilation of the tribe for the past century. It was as sophisticated as the Northern Tribe, but with a homier feel that Izumi attributed to differences in culture. There was a large ice palace at the back of the city, right at the base of the mountains, and she assumed that's where she would be staying once they arrived at the docks.

Speaking of, there was one person standing in front of the crowd that had gathered there. Her arms were crossed and even at this distance, Izumi could see the frown on her face.

That could only be one person.

The ship was moored at the dock and the gangplank lowered, and Sokka headed down first as a buffer for his sister's ire. Right as his feet hit the dock, she came stomping over and opened her mouth to say something, but he silenced her with his hand up and said, "Look, Katara, don't yell at either of us. We're back, right?"

When he removed his hand, she huffed and glared at him before looking over his shoulder to Izumi, who was descending the gangplank. Her eyes were a stunning blue color, one neither she or Seika had. Her skin was dark and her hair thick and pulled into an even thicker braid. She still looked young, despite being almost forty. The only thing showing her age was the single strand of gray hair at her temple that was weaved into her braid. It was so short that it seemed like it only started growing as gray months ago.

Probably four, when Seika left.

Izumi swallowed and approached her. As she did, her mother's face softened and she finally smiled. The look stole Izumi's breath away.

"Welcome home, Seika."

"Hi, mom." She couldn't say much more when her heart threatened to burst from her chest.

"You're lucky I don't ground you for the few weeks you're here," Katara remarked as she took another step forward. "But you proved that my word doesn't do much with holding you back, pup."

Izumi couldn't help herself and laughed as she nodded. "I'm sorry, mom."

Katara swept her into a hug and Izumi immediately melted. Her whole body relaxed into her mother's arms, aching for this touch for her whole life. She clung on tight and took in every sensation: the cold air that was repelled by the warmth of her mother's arms, the smell of leather and wood smoke that seemed to cling to her and waif out with every breath, the way her chest swelled with an unnameable emotion and she instinctively squeezed her tighter.

"Whoa, pup, are you okay?"

She nodded and nuzzled her face into Katara's shoulder. "I missed you."

Katara's arms readjusted to a tighter grip and she whispered, "I missed you, too, sweetheart. Why don't we get back home and you can tell me all about your trip, okay?"

Izumi nodded and glanced over her mother's shoulder as they separated to see Sokka giving her a knowing smile. Together, they walked to the palace at the back of the village, greeting villagers that called out to her first and chatting about her training. It was easy to slip into the role of Seika, elaborating on what they learned and easily leaving out mentions of her sister or how she was, in fact, not Seika but instead the twin that was left with Fire Lord Zuko almost nineteen years ago.

For the next few days, Seika was thrilled to learn so much about her father. Despite the stories she heard of Fire Lord Zuko, he was not the intimidating man he was pegged to be in history lessons. In fact, he reminded her of a polar bear dog: big and ferocious, but also soft and caring when in the right circumstances. He was always like that with her, warm smiles and easy conversation. He asked about her time during training, where she would be stationed, if she made any friends...

It was easy to answer the first two, but when it came to the last question she had to artfully lie. Luckily, she could easily replace Izumi with Lin, but that also made it seem like she made only one friend the entire time she was there. If he thought it was strange, he never mentioned it.

Zuko was an attentive listener, always asking questions to elaborate and giving feedback. Seika didn't realize it, but with her desire to meet him, the man she imagined he would be like to be wasn't nearly as amazing as he truly was. He was kind and intelligent and awkward as hell, enough that any intimidating characteristics he had were quickly voided when she thought about him making bad jokes to ease her anxious mood. There were mannerisms of his that she saw in Izumi, and others she saw in herself - especially the way he bit his lower lip when he was deep in thought. That was something Seika always did without thinking about it.

It was more than amazing to spend this time with him, and Seika was cursing the day that they would have to part again.

But there was a plan, and she had to do her part. And it started with Iroh.

They met for tea after breakfast, and a pai sho board was waiting for her when she entered the study. Izumi had warned her that Iroh would want to play, and having only played with Uncle Sokka she was sure she would be able to keep her head level enough to get some answers.

Ginseng was the choice of tea for the day, and they were settled comfortably before the game started. Iroh made the first move, and Seika quickly followed with her own.

"Interesting," Iroh commented before he took another sip of tea. As he made is next move, he said, "I've never seen you use that strategy before, dear niece."

Seika almost panicked, but she knew how to lie out of this. "I played with a girl when we had free time. She taught me a lot of different strategies."

"Would she, by chance, be from the Water Tribes?"

This time, Seika did feel a little nervous. Iroh was looking at her over the rim of his cup, golden eyes sharp and bright as he stared her down, and she swallowed past the tightening in her throat. "Y-yes. She was very insightful with different methods of playing. She says she learned from some of the best strategists the Water Tribe had to offer."

"Is that so?" She noticed Iroh glanced into his cup before drinking.

"Mhm." Seika placed another piece down and quickly went to take a sip of her tea. As she reached down, she noticed the liquid inside her cup was starting to quiver.

Oh, no.

"Now," Iroh said as he set down his empty cup and folded his hand together in his sleeves. Seika met his eyes and he grinned. "Tell me how your mother is doing."

Her heart froze and she knew her jaw dropped. Him, too? How?

Iroh merely poured himself more tea and stated, "Give an old man more credit. I may be old, but I'm not stupid."

Seika opened her mouth, but he held up a hand to stop her. "And before you accuse her, Toph did not tell me anything. I first suspected you were not Izumi when you looked at your father like it was the first time you'd ever seen him. Then there were other things."

Seika hung her head in shame at being caught again and she murmured, "How?"

"You were just subconsciously bending our tea, so it became obvious," he said casually, causing her to cringe at her lack of control. "Also, when I realized you were without your glasses, I figured it out despite your explanation. Not many healers are capable of healing eyes, and the one that could happens to be Izumi's mother."

"I healed her," Seika stated as she pulled the tea out of her cup and held up with her bending. "After all, I learned from the best and we needed to be convincing."

Iroh hummed as she gracefully bent the tea back into her cup. After a beat of silence, Seika sighed and slumped her shoulders. "Are you mad?"

"Oh, my dear, of course not," Iroh sighed and he reached across to take the hand she had clenched near her teacup. The warmth of his skin instantly soothed her and she looked up to meet his smiling eyes. "I've always wanted to meet you. My nephew told me of his predicament back when your mother first informed him she was with child, or rather, children... This whole time, I've been waiting for you to come to us. He wonders about you and your mother all the time."

Seika inhaled unevenly, not realizing that she was starting to cry, and said, "He doesn't know yet. I don't know when I should tell him I'm Seika and not Izumi."

"When you feel it is right, dear niece," Iroh replied. "Only you can decide when it is the right time. Until then, enjoy the time you spend with him. Because I can be certain that the moment he finds out that you are not the princess, he will want answers."

"Do you think he'll want to switch us back?" Seika found herself asking quietly.

Iroh's hand squeezed hers and he said, "If my nephew had his way, he'd keep you here, haul your mother and Izumi back here himself, and smack some sense into all three of you. Then stay together as a family."

"That may or may not be part of the plan." Seika smiled and continued, "All I've wanted was to meet my dad. Izumi and I thought that we may be able to bring him and mom back together, but right now all I care about is knowing him and him getting to know me, not me disguising myself as Izumi. Mom coming back would just be a plus now that I've gotten to know him."

"Family is the most important thing to Zuko." Iroh removed his hand from Seika's and poured her some more tea. "All he ever wanted was the love and security of a family. Your mother leaving with both of you girls hurt him deeply. I would keep that in mind when trying to reunite them."

After they both took another drink of their tea, Iroh murmured over the lip of his cup, "It's about time this nonsense ends."

After a week, Izumi settled into Seika's routine pretty well. Since she was just visiting, there were no chores to be done and she spent a lot of time sitting in on meetings with Sokka and the council or watching Katara teach bending classes. Izumi was astonished at how easygoing her mother was, compared to how Seika would moan and groan about how strict she was or how she always was ruining Seika's fun. At night, when the day had settled down completely, Katara would sit with Izumi in front of the fire of their sitting room and ask her about her training or her friends, or they would talk about world matters that Seika would be involved with now that she was a lieutenant in the United Forces.

Izumi figured it was a divine intervention that they had picked the same job so she didn't have to make up what the position entailed.

"Do you know where you'll be stationed?"

Izumi nodded and sipped some tea. "I'll start in Republic City and get assigned to a ship. Most likely one that patrols the seas north of the archipelago, since there have been recent reports of pirate activity."

"Is that something the United Forces usually takes care of?" Katara asked as she set her cup down on the table. "I thought those were Fire Nation waters."

Izumi didn't miss the way her voice changed when she mentioned her father's country. She quickly brushed it aside and said, "Those waters are typically shared by the United Republic and the Fire Nation, but Fire Lord Zuko requested assistance from the United Forces for that sector because he's been dealing with more pirates in the waters south of the mainland, as well."

She also didn't miss how Katara's eyes flinched when Izumi directly mentioned the Fire Lord, or how she started fiddling with a ring on her left hand. Quickly, Katara tore her hands apart and clearly faked a yawn as she patted Izumi on the leg. "Sorry to cut the conversation short, but I'm going to head to bed, pup. Would you like to sit in on a lesson tomorrow? I'm certain the little ones would like to see you again."

Izumi smiled and nodded, then silently watched her mother stand and quickly shuffle to the hall that led to their bedrooms. Soon, her smile fell and she chewed on her lip. She thought casually mentioning the Fire Lord would have roused a bigger response, but she was unsuccessful. But she supposed it would take more than just mentioning his title to get her to finally speak.

The next morning when she arrived at the lesson, she was continuously bombarded with questions from the children that Katara taught. Izumi regaled stories from training - mostly exaggerated for effect - and grinned as the little kids ate up her stories like they were told by their hero. Perhaps Seika was that to them.

"Seika?"

Izumi lifted her head to her mother as she approached.

"Would you like to help me with a demonstration?" Katara suggested, causing the kids to spring up and cheer with excitement.

Izumi's stomach dropped and she felt her heart slam against her ribs in fear. She couldn't bend water - clearly - so she'd have to somehow lie about why she couldn't. Obviously telling her mother she just couldn't wouldn't suffice, but panicking wouldn't help her either.

Too bad she already was and had to think quick.

"Sorry, mom, but I'm not really feeling like it today."

Katara stopped and frowned as the students all protested in disappointment behind her. "Seika, you haven't bent in front of me since you got home. Are you sure you're alright?"

Izumi quickly nodded and stood. "Yeah, but just to be careful I'm going to go lie down for a bit, okay?"

Without waiting for her mother to reply, Izumi started jogging towards the palace. The second she was inside, she sped past Sokka and headed straight to the suite she shared with Katara. The door closed behind her and Izumi saw the fire in the hearth flickered with her anxious breathing.

"Get it together, Zumi!" she muttered to herself as she started pacing back and forth. She was aware of the floor hissing under her boots, so she moved to where the rug was and started pacing there instead. "You're making yourself seem suspicious with all this panicking and running away! You were taught how to lie with finesse! You can't just freak out and run away instead of standing your ground and being convincing! Just because she's your long-lost mother doesn't mean she can undo all of your training!"

She rubbed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Though we never went over what to say when someone asked us to bend. Now she's going to want me to prove it and I have no way - "

"You know, I know someone who would talk to himself like that all the time..."

Izumi spun on her heels to look at her mother standing in the doorway, and the fire behind her flare with her surprise. The blue eyes of her mother darted to it and she frowned before stepping into the room and closing the door behind her.

tbc.