Grunts of pain and screams of agony would fill the halls of the imperial palace for the rest of the day. Iroh knew this as he sat outside the room that contained the source of the noise that rolled through the palace. There was a sense of trepidation in the air for the prince of the fire nation. He couldn't help, but feel that today should be a happy day. It wasn't meant to be. His brother wasn't there. He wasn't surprised, yet the man should have been here for the birth of the child. Not for the first time that day Iroh contemplated why he decided to come back, instead of continuing his father's conquest. He could have been in the Earth kingdom, with his son, and away from the nearby resting place of his wife. He clawed at his padded pant leg nervously. He couldn't help but once again wish he weren't here. If only it weren't so depressing to be here. Not for the first time that day, did Iroh ask himself why he decided he should be here for the new princess. Maybe it was because he knew that his foolish little brother wouldn't be. Maybe it was because he felt sorry for the new princess. Maybe he wished to see the princess that he preferred over his own brother. Maybe he wanted to meet the child that he would come to call niece or nephew.

It didn't matter though. He was here. He would stay, if only for the day.

He wished he weren't here.

Time would fly by as Iroh; father of Lu ten, the General of the Fire nation, Dragon of the West, and crown prince of the Fire nation contemplated his thoughts and actions. So deeply did he think, that he didn't notice the nurse standing by the doorway politely. It wasn't her place to interrupt the prince no matter how dire the situation. "My prince, if you wish, you may come see the boy."

He nodded graciously.

He had a nephew. Maybe it will be a niece next time.

He entered the room ahead of the attendant to behold the tired look on princess Ursa's face. Despite her obvious exhaustion, she stared down at the buddle in her arms with a tender smile. Her eyes filled with the love only a mother could have for their child. His motion attracted her gaze. Her expression not changing from the small smile she held. She knew she wouldn't see her husband this day.

"Iroh, it's good to see you." She said hoarsely. He painted his patented grin upon his face once he saw her. "Come please, and meet your nephew."

Iroh stepped towards her to look at the newborn held gently in her arms.

The boy's face was round and his features soft, but he saw the subtle features the boy and Ursa shared.

"His name is Zuko" Ursa said.

Zuko, the son of Ursa, and prince to the Fire nation in everything but blood.

Iroh smiled despite the uneasy feeling in his chest, yet the man couldn't help but feel he had gained another son.

At that pinnacle moment, the gentle general would love the prince who was not his brother's son.


Grunts of pain and screams of agony would fill the halls of the imperial palace for the rest of the day. Ozai knew this as he paced outside the room that contained the source of the noise that rolled throughout the hall. There was a sense of anticipation in the air for the prince of the fire nation. He couldn't help himself. Today was a day worth rejoicing. It was meant to be. His child was here. He wasn't surprised, today was the reason he had married the woman he called wife. He didn't need to come today. Tradition dictated that he should, yet he wasn't here when his "first" was born. He could have dealt with the administration of the Fire nation and been away from the woman that he could barely tolerate. At least he preferred her over his brother. Best of all he could meet the child that he had waited patiently for. The strongest of all fire benders they had said.

His wife didn't matter. He would stay if only to meet this prodigy amongst prodigies.

He wished they would hurry.

Time would fly by as Ozai; Prince of the Fire nation, and right hand of the Fire Lord contemplated his thoughts and actions. So deeply did he think, that he didn't notice the nurse standing by the doorway politely. It wasn't her place to interrupt the prince no matter how dire the situation. "My prince, if you wish, you may come see the girl."

He nodded tersely.

He had a daughter. Maybe it will be a son next time, if there is a next time.

He entered the room ahead of the attendant to behold the tired look on princess Ursa's face. Despite her obvious exhaustion, she stared down at the buddle in her arms with a melancholy sense of disappointment. It didn't matter. She needn't love the child, like only a mother could. His motion attracted her gaze. Her expression morphed into a frown. She had wished she wouldn't see him today.

"Husband, "she said hoarsely. He painted his patented sneer upon his face once he saw her. "Meet your daughter."

Ozai stepped towards her to look at the newborn held gently in her arms.

The girls face was round and her features soft, but he saw the subtle features the girl and he shared.

"Her name is Azula." Ozai said.

Azula; the daughter of Ozai, and princess to the Fire Nation.

Ozai smirked at the the joy in his chest, his firstborn had finally arrived.

At that pinnacle moment, the two-year-old prince hiding in the hall behind the frame of the door, would forever love the girl who was destined never to be loved.

The child whose mother would call a monster.

The child the monster claimed as his own.

Thusly the children were born.

One born to be a master of fire like no other.

One born who was seemingly blessed by he who knew ten thousand things.

And perhaps the future won't be what it could have been.