"Good evening, my lord, the ships with the captured waterbenders has just arrived," the Fire Nation General said as she knelt before her Commander-in-Chief. "The prisoners, along with crates of literature, food, and textiles, come to a total of thirteen. Six men, seven women," Hotaru paused.
Ozai sat on his throne, the usual wall of fire that burned before him was out. He looked down at his comrade, an eyebrow raised expectantly while he waited for her to finish. Hotaru was not one to hesitate in any form. Her dark eyes met with his when she raised her head, "A baby, my lord. She's but a few months."
"I see," Ozai nodded. He pondered for a moment, then he asked a question he was sure he already knew the answer to, "And to whom does this child belong?"
"The Chief, sir. She is the Princess of the Water Tribes," the soldier replied, her confident and almost sharp tone held no hesitation this time. After all, this baby was still an enemy. The Fire Lord grinned to himself, for he had heard very recently of the twin princesses birth in the Northern Water Tribe. Ozai's little birds in the North had also mentioned that the older one had come close to not surviving her first night, but word was a couple of spirits restored life to the newborn.
Ozai suddenly had to take deep breaths to calm himself, he turned his head away slightly as he clenched his jaw. The thought of the spirits bestowing their power and greatness into such an unworthy savage was making his entire body heat up with rage. He would show them who was truly worthy of the spirits. Who would make them bend to their will.
He finally gathered himself enough to turn back to the woman who kneeled before him. He had to restrain himself from reacting too noticeably when he realized her eyes had never left him. His eyes landed on hers, and he made his decision. His cold, amber eyes flashed with regard for an instant, then they were back to their almost icy state.
It's likely that one wouldn't have even noticed such a small change in his gaze, but Hotaru saw it. She stood and felt the way his eyes raked over her, all in the span of less than a second.
"Keep the brat. You know what to do with the rest."
Hotaru had to stop herself from reacting too boldly, but she couldn't help herself. She lowered her head in the quick, more casual bow she usually gave him when they were alone. Then she looked up at him through lidded eyes and spoke so quietly he wouldn't have heard if not for the utter silence in the room, "Yes, my lord."
She unmistakably heard his breath hitch, but didn't look at him again as she turned and made her way out of the throne room.
Ozai had quickly recovered when he heard the soft footsteps of his toddler joining him. He let out a low chuckle as he stood and stepped down to pick up the two-year-old boy. Ursa, the Fire Lady, walked in not too long after her son.
"Darling," she greeted him before tenderly kissing him on the cheek. "I heard the prisoners from the Southern Water Tribe arrived this evening." Her husband nodded, not taking his eyes off the babbling toddler. Ozai was bouncing the baby gently on his hip as she continued, "Have you decided what is to be done?"
Ozai sighed heavily before letting his eyes rest on his wife. "Unfortunately, it seems their was a water scum infant among them. It will grow to be nothing more than a servant," Ozai said the last part with poorly hidden humor.
Ursa remained silent, but her face turned grave as she mourned the losses, and newly-captured life, of the people she was expected to hate.
"Oh, no, Katara!" cried Miki, the head chef of the palace kitchen. Miki picked up the four-year-old from the mess of flour on the kitchen floor, then placed the toddler on top of the counter, right next to the six-year-old Prince Zuko. The son of the Fire Lord offered Katara a cookie along with a shy smile, she happily accepted the treat.
"Now," Miki cleared her throat as she smoothed out any wrinkles on her apron. She made herself comfortable on a small wooden stool in front of the pair. "Does anyone know what day it is?"
"Story!" They both answered. Miki smiled warmly, she was always delighted to have them in her kitchen. The Fire Lord had made no effort to hide his disgust for the child, and made it very clear he did not want her socializing with the prince. But Ursa trusted Miki, and occasionally left the boy in her care. Another little secret the two would share. "Exactly! But today, I have a new story for you, my dear," she lovingly pinched the chubby cheek of the young waterbender. "Today, I am going to tell you the story of two princesses. Beautiful sisters from the Northern Water Tribe," Miki began. "When they were born, everyone was so happy, they celebrated for almost a whole week!"
"Yay, party!" Katara clapped happily.
"Yes!" Miki laughed, but then, her smile faltered, and her expression grew sadder. "But not long after they were born, the council decided it was time they helped their sister tribe. A lot has happened since," she paused to look around. When she determined no one was nearby, she dropped her voice. "Since the war started, the Southern Water Tribe has been hurt badly. So, they sent one of their princesses, along with Chief Hakoda and a few more waterbenders, to the Southern Water Tribe. They were going to help restore the nation to it's true glory!"
Miki stopped for a moment, her heart swelled with affection when her eyes landed on Katara's bright blue orbs. "What happened next, Miki? Did they help the Water Tribe?" she urged.
"A very bad man came to the South Pole. He was there before Chief Hakoda's ship even arrived, so they were captured. They left no survivors," her sullen face moved away for a moment. She lifted a napkin and dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a sniffle. When Miki turned back to the children, a smile adorned her face once again.
"But don't be sad, my moon and stars," she encouraged them both, the Fire Prince looked on the verge of tears as well. "They say there were no survivors, but that is not what we believe. We believe that the princess is alive. And one day, she will return home, and help this war end once and for all. Because of her and maybe even a few friends," she pinched Zuko's cheek. "We have hope."
