I curled up close to my dad when we got inside the ship. We sat in front of a fireplace in a chair to get the chill out of our bodies. I got along fine with both of my parents, but I still couldn't help but feel alone sometimes. Like when my mom plays with my half-sister, Kya I would stand at the door way and watch them while longing to be truly a part of a family instead of being torn between two. I love them all, and I know most of them love me, but I still wonder what would have happened if my mom married my dad instead of Avatar Aang.
"Zira, are you okay?" my dad asked me pulling me out of my thoughts.
"I'm fine," I answered.
"You're kind of quiet today," he added, "usually you tell me all what happened while you were with your mom."
"Oh," I said, "it's pretty much the same."
"Is Bumi still pulling pranks on you?" my dad asked raising an eyebrow but I sensed that he was hiding a smile.
"Yeah," I grumbled, "he still as annoying as ever too." We both laughed.
"Amy kept asking me when you were coming," he added. Amy was my other half-sister. She was Firelady Mai's daughter. She's two months older than me, but one of my closest friends. As for the Firelady, or my step-mom, she stayed by my dad's side even though she was beyond furious at him for almost a year after she found out about my mom being pregnant with me. I've earned her respect over the years but I think she never fully forgave my dad. She understands in a way that none of it was my fault and she treats me almost the same as Amy. However, I still think she resents me. Whenever I enter the room, she barely speaks and she looks in a different direction. I feel horrible being a constant reminder of infidelity. The Firelady has never once been cruel towards me, but she doesn't hug me as warmly as she does Amy. Her body stiffens against mine and I can't help but feel like it is forced.
"Really," I answered, "how's she doing?"
"I finally got her to master a bit of lightning, but she still needs to work on it," he told me," Mai has her working hard on the arrows and shuriken. Amy's gotten so good at it that she put all four shuriken in a bull's eye."
"Cool," I said closing my eyes and leaning my head against him. I was tired because I was up late last night packing my stuff knowing I wouldn't have got it done this morning.
I arrived at the Firenation after dark. We were escorted to the palace and, like my dad had predicted, Amy was waiting for me like a loyal puppy.
"Long time no see," she greeted hugging me.
"Where's your mom?" I asked.
"She went to bed early," Amy answered letting go of me, "she wasn't feeling well." That wasn't a surprise.
"What's wrong with her?" my dad asked growing worried. Amy shrugged. "I'll see you in the morning," my dad added turning to me, "I'm guessing you don't need a tour." I nodded and he hugged me.
Amy grabbed my hand and my attention turned to her. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. Knowing her, she would ask me to sleep in her room tonight so we could stay up late and catch up.
"Did you already eat?" she asked. "I can get the cook to make you something."
"No, I ate on the ship," I answered watching my dad walk away until he disappeared through the door.
"Are you excited to see your favorite guard?" she teased. I had a feeling she would bring my crush into this. However, it was always hard keeping a secret from her. About a year or so ago, I made friends with one of the guards, but it was near the end of my trip. I didn't even know his name.
I blushed. "Shut up."