It felt like Iroh had come back too late. Disinherited and without an heir, it felt like he had limped back to the Fire Nation, a shadow of what he once was. Rikka had grown a bit since then, her stubbornness and attitude began to show more and more. With Ursa gone, Zuko had become more isolated from the rest of the Fire Nation royal family, and it felt he was becoming more of an outcast than Rikka was. There was one difference between Rikka and Zuko though, their blood still divided them.

Zuko had been allowed to enter the War Chamber, attended by Iroh. But it would've been too far to allow Rikka, a girl from the Earth Kingdom, into such an important meeting. The guard who stood by the entrance watched Rikka pace back-and-forth, his eyes unfocused. Rikka was sure she could sneak pass him, but doubted she would do much by the time she got in. Rikka tried to push down the part of her that was so curious as she paced, she paused and stared at the door in frustration. She looked up at the guard in annoyance.

"Do you know what's happening?" The guard glanced at her, before turning away disinterested. Rikka huffed, and almost as if on que the hall erupted as men of high ranking left the room. Rikka kept her eyes peeled, waiting for the familiar face of Zuko, spotting Iroh first. Rikka rushed over, but she still couldn't see Zuko, not even beside his uncle. Iroh locked onto her, his amber eyes meeting her green and she knew that she wasn't to come up to him. Stopping, Rikka turned on her heels, following the flow of men that poured into the hall.

Rikka skirted around them, going unnoticed by the vast majority, she was nobody important, she was only a child playing in the halls of the Palace. She found her way to one of the side doors that led into a large open corridor that had arches to her left. Now on her own, Rikka strutted across the grassy area, away from the stone path and towards the turtle duck pond. The tree she had met Zuko under still shadowed the ground, and Rikka found herself under the familiar spot under the tree, her head resting against the trunk.

"I know you're hiding," she spoke ever so softly, her eyes closing slowly as she took fistfuls of grass out of the ground. "Was it that bad?" She heard the soft thump of someone falling out of the branches, landing gently beside her. Rikka didn't bother to open her eyes, she kept herself in the same position. She heard the noise of someone sitting beside her, and the heat of someone's hand stopping her from tugging out the grass.

"I've made a big mistake." The voice was Zuko's, soft and lulling. She could picture Zuko, his knees tucked up to his chest and his pony tail brushing just against his shoulders, his gentle eyes watching her. "I''ve challenged one of the Generals to an Agni Kai." Rikka's hand paused mid fist, her eyes opening slowly, she focused on Zuko. It wasn't that he was a bad firebender, she had always looked up to him, and thought he was one of the best she had ever seen. He had always had the best of training, and was amazing to watch. But he had always been too gentle to duel before. She remembered the look Iroh had given her, the not just now, Rikka. He'd hardly ever given her that look, but he had when he'd left the war meeting.

"What do you mean you've challenged someone to an Agni Kai? Zuko, what did you do?" Rikka's eyes were like saucers. She was staring at Zuko like she had never seen him before. "What were you thinking?" She had moved position now, so she was kneeling in front of him, her eyes alight with worry.

"I didn't mean it! Besides, Rikka they were sending our men off to slaughter, just to lure in the Earth Kingdom army-"

"So you thought you'd just challenge him to an Agni Kai?" Rikka tried not to yell, but it took all she could to keep it in. Zuko shook his own head.

"Will you listen, Rik! No, I didn't challenge him, not for the Agni Kai, but I did challenge his plan. It just, it can't be settled any other way." He seemed to sit up then, acting a little cocky. "Besides, the General has to let me win, I'm a prince of the Fire Nation, the heir." Zuko seemed to blow his own trumpet, but his face fell when he saw Rikka's glare.

"Don't act cocky, you idiot." She his arm then, watching with vague satisfaction as he flinched. "There, I hurt you." With that she stood, watching as he rubbed his arm, pouting. Rikka rolled her pretty green eyes.

"Where are you going?" Zuko asked, he sounded annoyed, but couldn't hide the slight smile from his face. Rikka shrugged and held out her hand.

"I'm going to train, coming, pretty boy?"

Xxx

Rikka walked side by side with Iroh, his armour made him more imposing than his regular robes. She could still see the general that had taken her away from her home so many years ago. He towered over her, but he ensured she still dressed like she was in as just a powerful rank as he was. Rikka kept pace with him easily.

"He's such an idiot, how could he challenge a General to an Agni Kai? How could you let him?" Rikka snapped, still annoyed with the whole thing. Iroh didn't bother to answer, he just smiled slightly. Rikka felt him place a hand on her shoulder, patting it gently.

"We will not be able to support Zuko if neither of us are willing to stay positive. It will be over shortly." Iroh spoke calmly, but it did nothing to calm Rikka's frayed nerves, and neither did the large crowd that was beginning to form around the podium. Iroh, again, didn't seem as concerned, or perhaps that was just how he was. The crowd seemed to split for him, and Rikka followed him as the crowd closed in behind her.

"It seems we aren't the only ones to show our support," Iroh muttered as he moved. Rikka looked around the rowdy crowd.

"But who are they here to support?" Rikka asked the now silent general. He walked slowly, nearly the front of the stage, and being stopped by a very familiar face. Azula seemed to be standing on her own, in Fire Nation armour, a cruel curve to her pretty lips.

"Uncle, Rikka." She greeted almost cooly, her gold eyes fixed on them. "It is nice to see people with some standing in this hideous crowd. I saved you some form of spot, really, I couldn't stand anyone standing near me." Iroh smiled at his niece, but Rikka could see something vague in his eyes.

"That is very kind of you, Azula." Iroh thanked, standing slightly behind Azula, Rikka staying near him. The crowd fell quiet as the two challengers took to the stage and Rikka froze. She could see Zuko, his back to his opponent, his hair brushing against his red shoulder garment. He didn't seem to be paying attention to the crowd that looked up at him, but Rikka's eyes didn't focus on Zuko. Her eyes fell on his opponent. Fire Lord Ozai had his back to his son. A towering mass of muscle, if he didn't burn his son he could crush him. He was older, but he was fascinating, she had never seen Ozai look so empowering before, she'd never been so scared of him.

When they turned, she noticed that Zuko felt the same way, fear flooded his amber eyes and his stance began to falter, his father, no, the Fire Lord towered over him with no fear, with no repentance. As Zuko began to shake and fall, Ozai walked toward him, he didn't waver when facing his son. Rikka watched as Zuko fell to his knees, almost automatically bowing down to his father, his palms flat against the floor. She could see his lips moving, tears rolling down his cheeks. An Agni Kai can mean your death, Iroh had once said. Rikka knew what Zuko was doing, he was begging for his life. Almost instinctively, Rikka gripped onto Iroh's arm, almost to keep her up.

"You will learn respect," Rikka could hear Ozai spit at his son as he towered over Zuko. "And suffering will be your teacher!" Rikka watched as her body began to stiffen, Zuko was looking up at his father, pleading him to not go through with this and stop this madness.

"Iroh," Rikka barely gasped out as flames shot from Ozai's closed fist. She watched in fear as the flames hit Zuko's face, the burning flesh filling her nostrils. She watched Zuko stagger back on his knees, ripping to the side as he grasped his face. Rikka watched as Ozai took a step back, straightening himself.

"This is what happens to those who disrespect me." Ozai gestured to his son, "no traitor is spared, no failure is accepted!" He yelled so that the crowd would hear them. To Rikka's astonishment they cheered, loud enough to drown out Zuko's screams of pain. But Rikka stayed focus on Ozai, she could see him moving into a different form. His muscles twitched as he moved, his palm out. She remembered this form just once in her life, and hit seemed almost instinctive. Her body moved on its own, she could feel Iroh reach out for her, but miss her. For once, Rikka was thankful for her small form, slipping through the crowd seemed easy, but her eyes were only on Zuko. Her mind racing as she leapt up. Rikka felt her feet thump on the platform.

It was like a dream, her feet moved to steady her, her face began to feel hot as the flames closed in on her. Rikka pushed her hands forward, her body becoming one with the flames, Ozai's flames becoming hers. The flames were hot, powerful, and forceful. Rikka felt fear run through her, but she felt the fire move around her, splitting to make room for her in the middle of them. It was like a she was a rock in the middle of a river. The flames moved around her.

When she no longer felt the fire, Rikka fell onto one knew in front of Zuko, her body shielding his broken form. She could hear the quietness of the crowd, eyes focusing solely on her, And Rikka knew what she had done was a mistake. Her breathing felt heavy, like she was forcing her breaths, her heart beating replaced the sound of the roaring flames. Mistakes, she knew, had been made. And like Zuko, she wouldn't walk away from this unscathed. She was bowing, almost automatically, to her Fire Lord. She could see the anger in his eyes, and knew what she had done was unforgivable.

"Rikka," he spat out her name, disgusted by it. "What do I owe this pleasure? You cannot fight on my son's behalf, that isn't the rules." She flinched at his words, it felt like he was talking down to Rikka, like she was a small child and not someone that had just blocked his own flames.

"Not at all, My Lord." Rikka pushed down her anger and fear, trying not to shake. What had happened to Zuko could easily happen to her. She wasn't important. "I just thought that, perhaps another punishment might be safer. If you do not show your son mercy, you could be without a male heir." She felt the glares that Azula threw in her direction, and gulped down. "What I mean, Fire Lord Ozai, is that what lessons can a dead man learn?" Rikka kept her eyes on Ozai, watching him mull over what he said. She then watched as a cruel smile crossed his lips. His arms swinging out as he addressed the crowd.

"Young Rikka joined our family many years ago, she was cared for by brother and mentored along with my children. Her loyalty to her prince will not be forgotten!" The crowd cheered, but Rikka could hear the malice in his voice. "She will be rewarded for this, with her Prince's life. I was spare my son!" Rikka heard the crowd then boo. Sparing your opponent in an Agni Kai was a sign of weakness, and Rikka felt her heart tighten. "Don't worry, he will still be punished, but he will live to see his punishment first hand." He then nodded to Rikka, the duel was over and she was safe to go.

Keeping her eyes on Ozai, Rikka stood straight and took a few steps back before turning around quickly, and gently taking one of Zuko's hands from his face. She could see the burn and took a deep breath. She couldn't cry or panic, not while Zuko was like this. Very carefully, she placed one of his arms around her shoulder, and with all the strength she could muster, she tugged him up so he was standing. His head lulled against her shoulder, and Rikka knew that he was far more hurt than what he appeared to be. Ozai looked her up and down as Rikka struggled to keep his son upright. He looked almost impressed.

"My Rikka, look how strong you are." He mocked her, Ozai, a man who had just mutilated his son was mocking her. Rikka glared at him, but very carefully smiled.

"Well, you know what they say about Earth Kingdom girls, we're stronger than we look."