Hey guys! Quick update! Yay! I just wanted to get this posted before I got busy with my essay!

"Father…" Kasai started to add to her argument, then stopped. "What?"

"I understand your restless nature Kasai. You have always had it, and have always shown great strength in keeping it under control. I am relieved that I do not have to tell you your duty and I am willing to make that exchange with you." He was serious. Kasai stood and showed a rare moment of reaction that came through in an improper squeak. Without thinking she went and hugged her father. She caught herself and backed off and bowed.

"My apologies. I forgot my place for a moment." She was still smiling, she saw her father's mouth was slightly turned to a smiled as well, as he offered her a hand up.

"It gives me pleasure as a father to make you happy my daughter, when will you be leaving?"

"Today, if possible." She was still trying to keep herself level.

"Fine. I will have a royal procession ready as well as a royal naval ship."

"Actually father, I think a procession would cause an air that I don't want to project." Kasai spoke evenly. "I think money, a pack and myself is what I need… to really see our nation, and for my people to really see me."

"That is dangerous-"

"Fear cannot be the only currency of the realm father." She breathed. "There must also be loyalty, because fear is not permanent. I made my promise to succeed you to spare Zuko's life. I plan to keep the promise I have made, but you must let me be my own ruler. To earn the loyalty of my people, because Zuko has promoted fear enough for all nations in his search. I hear tell he has recently torn into the southern watertribe village. Their sister tribe is quit powerful… and untouchable." Ozai's amber eyes stared emotionless into his daughter's equally empty eyes.

"You're right… as always. But you must recognize that you are both my heir and my daughter," Kasai noted the placement of the label of heir first, "And I want your safety."

"I mastered firebending, advanced and ancient forms, by the age of eleven father. Pronounced a prodigy, as you reminded me this morning, at an even younger age. I believe in my ability to keep myself safe." She smiled.

"Very well."

"I'll begin packing…" she turned to leave, then pivoted back. "Do make sure Azula learns the ancient forms, won't you?"

"She has not mastered them yet?" Ozai lifted his brow.

"She has not begun them… they are 'impossible' she tells me." Kasai smirks.

"She will learn them." Her father nodded.

"Thank you father." And she left. She practically ran to her room and found Li was already packing for her. "How do you always seem to know what I am up to?"

"I have been her highness' loyal servant for many years, and I can determine her tells." He glances up at Kasai, who had knitted her brow. "And a cook in the kitchen told me."

"Ahh…" she chuckled and Li let out a breath of a laugh. She looked at what he was packing her. "All black? Who am I, Mei? These… aren't royal clothes."

"You are going into Earth Kingdom Territory alone. I'm packing you lights, heavies and some essentials. That should leave enough for foods." Then he cleared his throat. "Your father also has your passage to the colonies with Commander Zhao."

"As he would." Kasai muttered. "Asshole."

"The firelord is good and just, Princess." Li responded robotically, Kasai turned the corners of her mouth.

"I was speaking of Zhao…" she laughed, "But if you think the shoe fits my father, Li…"

"You are going to get me executed." His mouth formed a thin line.

"I would never do that to you…" she touched his shoulder, "I promise." And like a proper fire nation man he flinched away.

"I planned on accompanying you on your cross journey. I do not trust you alone with the Commander." He changed the subject,

"Are you suggesting Zhao would commit treason?"

"I believe Zhao would do what many a man in history have done. Which is everything for power." Lee spoke with a seriousness.

"It will take a while to get to the colonies, it would be nice to have someone to talk to." Kasai conceded to him. "But I want to do this journey alone."

"Of course, my Princess." He bowed out of the room, no doubt to get more supplies. Li came back two hours later, telling her Zhao was leaving at her will. Within that hour she was on the Palace steps, her father and sister were waiting for her.

"Father? I did not expect the honor of you sending me off." She bowed slightly.

"You are my daughter, it would reflect badly if I did not." of course, on him. Kasai thought but turned the corners of her mouth, feigning joy.

"Hopefully you don't become prey out there, sister." Azula smirked.

"Never, little sister. That would be a dishonor on our nation and our father, and neither of us are hoping for that." Kasai smirked wider as her father shot a glare sideways at his youngest daughter for suggesting such a thing. Azula did not like being outwitted by her sister. A palanquin was waiting and Kasai climbed in. She watched Li walking beside her with her pack over his shoulder. After a few minutes she ordered the bearers to stop and she climbed off of the mobile throne and stood next to Li.

"Princess, it is not a Princess' place to walk…" Li started.

"Head back to the Palace." She ordered the bearers, they looked at the Princess as if she was testing them, but a stern look from the fire princess assured them that it was not. Li sighed, and motioned for them to walk. "I shall take my pack now, Li."

"I'm afraid not, Princess."

"How am I supposed to be like a normal person if you won't even let me carry my own pack?"

"I am treating you like a normal person. Princess or not your highness, I am still a gentleman." He nodded to her. She shook her head. She looked around her and noticed that people were staring at her. She had never been this far out of the Palace out of a palanquin before. She wracked her brain and noticed, besides the occasional summer at the summer palace when she was younger, she had never really been outside of the palace.

"Why are they staring?" she whispered to Li.

"You're their Princess, and you're walking. Honestly, most of the people have never been this close to you.

"Oh…" she looked around at the people… her people. They almost looked afraid of her, she bit her lip. She saw a little girl playing with a doll, but stop as the little figured looked at Kasai with awe. Then a boy came by and snatched the doll and playfully held it above the girl's head.

"Give it back! Mrs. Pretty and I were looking at the Princess!" the girl shouted, the boy laughed and held the doll higher. Kasai remembered when Zuko used to do that to her. She smiled and walked over to the quarreling children, the slight crowd parting as she went.

"Ahem." She cleared her throat, both children looked up at her. "Now… is that any way to treat your sister?" she lifted her eye brow.

"No Princess." The boy's eyes grew wide, Kasai giggled.

"Don't worry, all boys do it. Give it back to her, please? And" she leaned in to whisper, "maybe apologize, eh?" the boy hung his head and gave the doll back and hugged his sister, mumbling something like an apology.

"Thank you, Princess!" the girl smiled. "He always does that." She pouted.

"My brother did too. And my little sister has a tendency to steal my clothes." Kasai gave the girl a knowing look. "So… if I heard right, this is Mrs. Pretty? And she wanted to meet me?"

"Yes!" the girl squealed.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Kasai told the doll. "And your name?"

"Everyone calls me Kiki!"

"And you?" she asked the boy.

"He's Kiko!" the girl giggled. "We're twins!"

"Well Kiko and Kiki… it was very nice to meet you… maybe when I get back from visiting the colonies, we could have tea?"

"Your highness." The mother gasped and bowed low. "It would be the honor of the century."

"It's nothing. Bye now." She waved and turned, then pivoted, "Oh and Kiko… be nice to your sister." She winked and walked on.

"Very nicely done, Princess."

I love Li! :D travel time! To the colonies!