-1the Memory of Your Fire keeps my Soul Warm, Prologue

In a dark, secluded room, deep under the Royal Fire Nation Palace, a meeting is being held. A few torches lining the circular walls provide the only light, adding a sense of omniscience to the already overbearing atmosphere. Seats climbed the walls like those of an amphitheater, in a semi-circle around the low-seated Head Council's bench. Three people sat at the bench, their faces hidden by dark hoods. At least a hundred people sat in the stadium, each face covered by similar hoods.

"Xu Shinri, you have a mission of utmost importance," a light voice called from the shadows of the council's bench.

A hooded figure stood. "What is the Rebellion's wish that I am to carry out in the name of freedom and honor?" the figure replied in perfect fashion.

"You are to deliver a message to the Fire Lord under the ruse of an assassination attempt. You will be tortured. There is a great chance you will die. You can back out if you so desire."

The figure remained silent for a moment, but only a moment. "I can think of no death I would prefer to one in the service of my country. I accept the mission with great joy and anticipation."

----

"Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why do you want to learn?" He looked deep into her eyes, making her blush slightly from his blatent attitude. No one else around the citadel acted like him. They were all full of false sympathy and enthusiasm. Most of the time he acted angry at the world, what little words they had shared were far between but weren't forced like when she tried to talk to anyone else.

"Because…I want to become stronger. So I can help my father become more respected."

"Yeah, you're an only child, right? Lucky…" he grimaced thinking about Azula.

"Well, when considering the experience you've had with siblings, I'd probably say the same thing. She scares me sometimes." He started chuckling, but it grew into loud guffaws. "Wha-what's so funny?"

"N-nothing, hahahah, it's just…No one else has ever said that about her, they're all too afraid she'll find out." His laughter was so infectious and unexpected, soon she was giggling uncontrollably as well.

----

Zuko woke from the dream of a memory. He wondered if she had been married off yet, as was often the tradition back home. Back home…I wonder if that phrase has any real meaning anymore. He was jerked from his thoughts by the sound of feet scurrying outside of the abandoned barn he'd spent the night in. He stayed still, thinking that by the light way the steps fell, it had to be a small child, maybe even a turtle duck. The scurrying sounds stopped outside the barn, and he could imagine a kid opening up an old barn door and walking around inside, just to prove he wasn't chicken. He knew what that felt like, believing you had to prove your worth to your peers.

"Hello? Stranger man?" came the voice of a young girl. "I-I know you're in there. Mommy said you could stay here if you like. Maybe we could be friends, and maybe…" Her fearful footsteps came closer, and Zuko stood up slowly, his back turned towards her. "Eek! You're taller than I'd thought! That's a good thing though," Zuko turned around, and looked at her, a tiny girl with short mussed up brown hair and soft green eyes, "Mao likes tall guys!"

What's this all about? "I don't think it'd be a good idea if I stayed here. There are bad people after me, and you wouldn't want-"

"My name's Tochin, what's yours?" she interrupted, the news that he was being hunted by murderers not phasing her one bit. She walked up closer to him, at the perfect angle to see all of his scar. He noticed she was wearing long sleeves unlike all the other children he'd seen in the peaceful earth village he'd passed through yesterday. Stranger though, she didn't flinch when she saw the mottled skin surrounding his left eye.

"It's…Teno." He'd been changing names since that last incident involving Lee and his family.

"That's a weird name," she responded nonchalantly. "Are you hungry? My sister's a bad cook, but mom thinks she needs to learn, so she's always cooking for us." She stuck out her tongue to show her disgust.

More footsteps approached outside of the barn. Flinching instinctively, Zuko knelt down to grab his scabbard. The door opened, and another girl entered. Her hair was short like Tochin's, but her eyes were sharper and more vibrant. "Tochin? You in here?"

"Yes!" the girl sang. "Here I am!" She ran up to her sister giggling. "I found a husband for you !" She grabbed the girl's hand and pointed at Zuko with her other. "He's tall, right?"

The sister started when she noticed him. "Oh, so there was someone in here after all. I assumed she was just telling another one of her stories." She walked towards him with her hand outstretched. "I'm Mao, pleased to meet you." She, like Tochin, hadn't seemed to be affected by his scar like everyone else he'd encountered.

He shook her hand, noticing how it was rough, probably from farm work. "I'm Teno, but I should be moving on." He turned to gather his things but Mao had already grabbed on to the reins of his ostrich horse.

"Nonsense, at least stay for breakfast. Mother loves having guests, she can actually get my littlest sister to put on some clothes then!" Zuko grimaced, the thought of dirty little kids running around him in screaming circles sounding none too appealing, but followed the sisters anyway, the thought of a free warm meal enticing him more.