Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender or its characters

Pointers: 'italics' means that the character is thinking

Summary: Lien never felt at home in the Fire Nation. She was always alone and continued to live her life that way, but that was all until a certain Princess had taken her as a friend and a Prince mended her lonely heart. Zuko x OC

Author's Note: So DreamsInMyHeart16 asked me could I do a new rendition of Winter's Flame. I loved the idea and I hope this story goes well!


Book 0:

Along the lines


"I've believe you completed mastering the song, Lien." Bo bowed to his student, her face had lit up. She had done it? She couldn't believe it. For the past couple of weeks she had been training hard and she was even promised to go to Ember Island in the summer if she had done well in the concert.

"Thank you for all your help, Sifu Bo." She bowed in return, feeling so happy and relieved. After those four weeks of hardwork, lack of sleep, and dedication she had finally mastered the song and even memorized the name of the strings of the Koto. Now she could learn how to play other songs without much practice.

And with that said, Lien stepped outside of the music room and began strolling down the hall. She could hear a bunch of chattering and even though she was curious of what was being said, she had continued on until the voices had gotten louder. The girl slowed down and then pressed her back against the corner wall, trying to listen in but hiding as well. "Did you hear about Prince Ozai?"

"No, what happened?" The other voice asked in which Lien deduced it was probably servants gossiping about the royals. Even though she didn't think it was right, it didn't stop her from listening on.

"He's going to make his son get engaged just to please his father." The first voice said, a gasping coming about.

Another voice then spoke, "Do you know who?"

"No, not yet but I heard him speaking about it earlier with Prince Iroh… Sssh, ssh. Someone's coming." Quickly, she heard shuffling feet and Lien got off from the wall, she walked forward and Zuko standing there with a curious look on his face.

Lien, although wanting to ask about his engagement, did not say anything. She simply looked at him and then away, unsure of what to say. I mean it had to be horrible to be in an arranged marriage from this age, right? Especially when Zuko didn't know the girl, or so she thought. "You finished early?" He asked, acting as if everything was perfectly fine.

The girl looked up at him and then nodded her head, "I finished mastering the song and I learned how to read notes. I'm on my way to being a professional!" She said happily, trying to make light of the situation. There was no use feeling sorry for him, he seemed fine.

The boy did a half smile in which she had caught, her azure eyes soaking in the mental image. Even though it wasn't a full smile, something she had never seen him do, it was still something. Something she figured he wouldn't allow her to see much. "That's great."

Wait, what? He was being extremely nice wasn't he? Lien opened her mouth but then closed it, her hand moving up to tuck a lock of hair behind her usual, right ear. The boy arched a brow, wondering what seemed to be bothering her. "What's wrong? You're being unusually quiet today."

"Well, it's because…" Lien's eyes immediately looked away, unsure what to say really. Sorry you're engage? Congratulations? Maybe just bringing it up wouldn't do him any good. Finally, she looked him in the eyes and spoke, "because I'm going to miss Sifu Bo. He was a really nice man and he was patient with me."

Accepting the answer, Zuko gave her an understanding nod. "Oh, by the way, my mom said that we'll be able to attend the winter concert. We'll get to see you play."

Lien's eyes widened, "Really? That's great!" Her voice rose due to her excitement, she felt like she wanted to jump up in the air but she kept her feet glued to the ground. There was no use in getting excited over something so small.

"Yeah but that means don't mess up, you wouldn't want to embarrass yourself." He teased, nudging her side as she felt like she wanted to pout but kept it in.

She nodded, agreeing, and then said. "Well, Azula said I can't embarrass her so… I'll try to be flawless."

Somehow, what she said didn't settle with the boy. He gave her an odd gaze, in which left her confused and somewhat scared. "What do you see in her that is worth being her friend? She's such a liar and so mean." The boy folded his arms.

Ah, that was right. The two didn't get along at all. Even though Azula was on the mean side, stubborn, and pretty much got a kick out of everyone's mistakes and failures. She wasn't all that bad in Lien's book, "Well, she's kind of nice to me."

"Whatever. That's because you haven't seen her true colors yet." Zuko let out a scoff, keeping his arma akimbo as he looked away from Lien as if he was appalled by her words. All the young girl could do was shrug, not knowing what to say. I mean, Azula was nice in some ways to her and maybe he was right, he was her brother after all.

"…Well, okay." There wasn't much she could say, she then walked forward a little.

"Where are you going?" Zuko asked as she turned and looked back at him, ceasing from going forward.

"I'm going home, why?" The boy furrowed his brows a bit and then stood still as if he was struggling to do something or thinking.

Lien waited, unsure of what was going to happen. "Why don't you stay and come out in the courtyard? We can… uhm, play a game or something." It was as if he didn't have the courage to ask her to play with him. All the blue-eyed girl could do smile and gave a curt nod.

"Okay." She answered and then walked over toward him, waiting for him to lead the way. He turned away from her and started walking, she quickly followed behind. Even if Zuko was a little short-tempered and a little on the difficult side, she didn't mind him.

The walk towards the courtyard was silent but it felt comfortable in Lien's opinion. Zuko was too afraid to say anything, unsure if he would just begin an unnecessary conversation. And so, he just occasionally glanced at her from time to time. He noticed how long Lien's hair was, the black hair that reached to her hips, and in a coiffure that she had recently adapted to. She usually had it in pigtails but for some reason, she now had it out with bangs covering her forehead and her eyebrows. There would be two shoulder-length locks of her that rested on her shoulders.

Her skin was pale, very pale and he hadn't noticed that either. You would figure the girl was the walking dead if you were up close. But the dark contrast of her hair had made her seem other worldly and the azure-blue of her eyes had been the most defining feature.

Zuko wasn't one to intake someone's looks but he could say that Lien was beautiful in her own, odd way. Her footsteps were light, the way she walked had almost looked like she was gliding. If he hadn't known her, he would've thought she was a ghost or some sort of spirit.

Lien soon looked up at Zuko after feeling him staring at her, he quickly looked away and she furrowed her brows. She then placed her hand on her face, wondering if something was on her but quickly dismissed it since they were outside and off the pathway, now on the beautiful green grass. Zuko then walked over toward the small lake and took shade under the tree, Lien followed suit and then pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. "This is where I first met you, isn't it?"

Her question had startled him since they had been so silent for so long. "Oh, yeah it is." He finally spoke as she had looked out at the lake water. The turtle ducks, in which Zuko was hoping for, weren't there today.

"Can I ask you something, Zuko?" She asked, not turning to look at him. The boy looked at her however, but he kept a calm expression.

"It better not be stupid." He said as she nodded her head, promising that it wasn't silly.

"Do you think I'm an abomination?" She asked as he looked at her with surprise. He hadn't expected for her to ask something like that. It came out of the blue in his opinion.

He wanted to ask what brought about the question, but he felt like answering it would be the better decision. "No, I don't think you are."

He thought she would be happy by his answer but she instead had a very neutral look. She was neither sad nor happy; she just stared blankly at the lake without a peep coming out of her. "That's good." She finally spoke, relieving sigh escaping her as she closed her eyes.

"Zuko seems very fond of her, don't you agree?" Iroh said as he and Ursa were gazing from the windows no too far away.

The woman beside him had nodded a smile on her face. "Zuko isn't so rough with her as he is with Azula and the other two. I believe it's because Lien is a bit on the kind side."

"Lien is a gentle one, her name suits her. However, I wonder if she will allow herself others to manipulate her." The General said.

Ursa looked at him curiously, "What do you mean?"

"I feel as though Lien has a hard time discussing her feelings and she would rather please others than herself. I can forsee that her relationship with Azula will not last if Lien should ever find the strength to speak her mind." The answer had worried Ursa, how would Azula behave after being crossed? The thought worried her.

Seeing his sister-in-law's concern, Iroh placed a hand on her shoulder. "Do not fret, Ursa. I am sure things will come out fine. We have to believe in them."

"That's easier said than done, Iroh."

Zuko had watched as Lien opened her eyes and then looked at him, "Have you ever felt like an outsider before? I know I'm asking a lot of things but since we're friends, its better we talk about how we feel." She watched as he looked away from her and then at the lake, "Maybe I'm just being a bit silly, but… I never had a friend where I could talk about my feelings with. Azula wouldn't understand much of my feelings."

The thought made her chuckle, her being so open like this with Azula. The thought of the firebender even listening to her without commenting and saying what she was feeling was either stupid or nonsensical. Ty Lee was more of a relatable person, but being with Ty Lee alone was a very scary thought. "Jeez, what do you think I am? A girl? Aren't girls supposed to talk about their feelings with each other? I told you, Azula isn't a great friend."

Lien narrowed her eyes at him, feeling the want to tell him off but she just sighed. "All you had to say was that you didn't want to. Sorry for even asking." Her reply had made him feel bad or at least, he wondered if he had struck a nerve.

The girl was obviously trying her hardest not to sulk, her eyes becoming glass as she sat there with no intention at looking at him or talking again. He frowned as she sniffled a little and then stood up, "What are you doing?"

"I'm going home!" Lien's voice rose, she took note of it and then clamped her hand over her mouth. Well, that was embarrassing. She removed her hand from her mouth, "I'm sorry for yelling. I didn't mean to."

He had to admit that the action was surprising but why was she apologizing for it? It was normal to yell when upset but why did she seem so shocked and guilty over it? He watched as she tuck some hair behind her ear and then bit her lip. "Its f-"

"I'm really sorry and I'm going to go." She bowed quickly and then turned away from him, but he had grabbed her wrist. She stood there wide eyed and then followed his hand to her wrist.

Zuko continued to look at the lake, "Stay." Lien was surprised that he actually wanted her to stay. Why would he? She raised her voice at him knowing her place, her class was lower than him. Shouldn't he be offended? Demanding she be punished for her actions? The girl just nodded and did as he said, sitting back down with her legs now laid out in front of her. He let go of her wrist, but she could still the warmth of his hand wrapped around her arm. His grip was strong but it was also gentle. She knew he wasn't being too rough, but anything gentle coming from Zuko was still hard to imagine. "I feel like an outsider when I'm around my father, my grandfather, and Azula."

The young girl blinked twice, surprised by his admission. She sat there silently as she observed him, seeing the faintest glint of sadness in those amber irises of his. "But why?"

"Because…" He was hesitant to answer; Lien noted that maybe questioning him about it was being intruding to his personal life.

Lien then placed her hand over his, giving it a gentle squeeze. The boy was shocked by her actions and even more surprised at her words, "You don't have to answer if you don't want to. Just knowing I'm not the only one is enough."

Zuko watched as the wind whipped across her face, the gentle breeze flowing through her hair. She was smiling, a real warm one, and it was probably the only one she gave him throughout the whole time they met. She always smiled, she was a happy person, but this smile was as if she was smiling because she felt relieved or maybe something deeper. He wasn't sure but he knew that this smile was a rare occurrence. "But you don't know, how can you relate?"

"You understand how it feels like you don't belong in your own home. That's all I really need to know whether you want to tell me or not is up to you. I'm just telling you that you don't have to because I have felt it, I know it. That's all that matters." She explained as she then let go of his hand and looked at the lake. She felt nervous to look at him, grabbing his hand was probably the boldest thing she had ever done but she felt like she had to do it. Suppressing her blush was hard enough.

Zuko still appeared shocked but soon, as she what she deemed was impossible, he had smiled. Lien caught her breath as she had seen him smile at her. He was actually smiling, a really genuine one. In fact, it made her feel special in a way.


Today was the day of the winter concert and the whole school was preparing for it. Lien was dolled up, her hair tied up in a neat bun with a cherry blossom decorative ornament and a few others in her hair. Her lips were painted red, her eyelids covered with dark coal, and her eyes outlined. She wore a warm, crimson cheongsam with gold at the hems and gold stitching of dragons. The buttons at the top were gold as well. On her feet were simple red slippers. Lien had stood backstage, her eyes watching the current performance of girls dancing in fake snow and fans.

Her azure eyes then turned to the crowd and she had seen the Fire Nation Royal family in a box seat. In the other was Ty Lee and Mai family. When Zuko said that his mother would allow them to go, she didn't know that the Fire Lord would show. No matter why people were dancing so hard, sweating, and were nearly stumbling back here and trying to act flaws on stage. She felt completely nervous and she felt unsure about her performance. She was so confident a few minutes ago and now she felt like it would end in disaster.

Luckily, two acts were before her and it gave her enough time to regain her composure. She sat backstage, watching others who were talking with their friends and others crying over the tiniest mistakes in their performance. She pretty much felt like an outsider here, but it all changed when she had seen Zuko.

Her eyes widened as everyone gasped, looking at her and then at the royalty who walked towards her. She immediately stood and bowed, "Lien, I…" He paused when he saw her expression, it looked as if she was about to cry, "..Lien?"

The girl fought back tears, she didn't want to ruin her makeup or go out there with red, puffy eyes. She inhaled deeply and then blinked away her tears. "I'm sorry, I'm just happy you came back here to see me. Did you want to wish me luck?"

Zuko, albeit proud, had rolled his eyes but then gave a nod. "Yeah, something like that." He tried to play cool, which Lu Ten taught him was the easier way to gain a girl's attention. Lu Ten, in his own way, was trying to teach Zuko how to treat Lien. Even though Zuko acted like what his cousin was saying was gibberish, Zuko had listened to every word.

"I'm so glad!" She nearly jumped but tried to remain calm. "I-I don't even feel scared anymore."

Zuko watched as she looked towards the stage, a confident look on her face. It brought about a smile on his face as well. "I should be going, you'll be on soon." He patted her back, which caused her to look at him as he then did a slight wave and she waved back.

Once he was out of sigh, a bunch of girls had circled her. "You're friends with Prince Zuko?" One girl asked as Lien nodded her head.

"Yeah, he's one of my good friends." It felt odd to be the center of attention like this considering how everyone pre-friendship with Azula had ignored her as if she was nothing to acknowledge.

"Is it because your friends with Princess Azula now?" One girl asked and everyone turned their attention to her. Lien nearly narrowed her eyes upon the sight of the girl who spoken, she was Xiaofan. Xiaofan was considered the second most popular girl other than Azula, she had chin-length, straight black hair and dark gold eyes. She was tall and petite.

"What do you mean by that Xiaofan?" Lien asked, curious of what the girl was was trying to say.

Xiaofan folded her arms and leaned against the wall, every few seconds looking at her long and manicured nails. "You're only friends with him because you became friends with Azula. Its obvious you used her just to get close to him."

"Is that true?" One girl asked as the group of girls looked at her. Lien immediately shook her head.

"No! Why would I do that?! Azula is my friend and I would never use her!" Lien quickly defended herself and her friendship, "Just because he is my friend that doesn't mean I had to use people to get to him. That's not me."

"Coming on stage to perform the song 'Viewing of the four season' is our student Yeon, Lien." Lien immediately moved her way through the crowd and grabbed the instrument and made her way towards the stage. There was a pillow there for her to sit on as she placed the instrument in front of it and bowed to the crowd. She knelt down and sat down, her eyes looking down at the instrument.

Lien felt completely nervous but for some reason, her fingers had touched the zithers (strings) and began playing away. Each strum, plush, and stroke had came out naturally as she kept her eyes on them. She told herself that she would never look up, the instrument was just in front of her or she would feel like stop.

Fire Lord Azulon had turned his attention to Zuko, who appeared to be smiling at Lien. His eyes soon moved to his son Ozai, who was also looking at Zuko. "My, she's very talented. It takes hard work to learn such a song."

Zuko immediately looked at his grandfather, "She practiced every day." He said as Ursa smiled at Zuko, "Even when she messed up she kept trying."

Azula looked at her brother, somewhat irritated. "I guess you would know since you kept following her like a lost pup."

The boy furrowed his brows but held off the insult once he felt his mother's hard gaze. She always told him don't egg her own and that's exactly what he would be doing if he had said something. "How come General Nianzu and his wife did not sit with us, Grandfather?" Azula asked.

"They wanted to be close to their daughter." He explained as the song soon came to an end, Lien looked up at the audience for the second time she came on the stage. Everyone clapped and cheered, Azulon standing and clapping as well. The box seat of the royal family stood up and clapped.

Lien smiled at her parents and then looked at Azula and Zuko, she smiled at them as well and then bowed to the audience before picking up the instrument and exiting off the stage.

"That was great Lien." One girl said as Lien nodded her head and smiled.

"Sounded pretty amateurish to me." Xiaofan commented, the blue-eyed girl frowned.

Lien didn't stay anything in reply but she walked off, but the girl was persistent and walked in front of her. "Why are you doing this Lien?"

"Because I can." Xiaofan answered.

"I don't know why you're mad at me b-" Before she could finish her sentence, she was pushed down to the floor and the instrument fell next to her. The blue-eyed girl winced as she looked up at Xiaofan who was standing over her.

"Get one thing straight, Lien. Someone like you doesn't belong here and that's that. I won't tolerate you trying to get close to Zuko when there are many girls that are Fire Nation enough from him. You're an abomination, you're lower than us. No matter how ranked your father is, you are nothing." Xiaofan spat and then turned leaving Lien lying on the floor. The other girls had looked at Lien and turned away, obviously agreeing with what was said.

The blue-eyed girl felt her eyes well up with tears as she then sat up, her hands touching the Koto beside her. One tear managed to slip down as she slowly stood and then made her way out of backstage and then towards the hallway of the school, she had seen her father and mother as well as Jiang walk up to her. Their smiles quickly went away when they saw her crying her face, she was unable to hold back her tears. "Lien, what's wrong? What happened?" Doli asked as her father knelt down and removed his daughter's hands from her face.

"I just want to go home." She whimpered as Nianzu soon picked the girl up, her face buried in the cook of her father's neck. "Please take me home."

Doli frowned as Nianzu turned to look at his wife, "Let's go in the carriage."

Nianzu had walked ahead and Doli stayed behind, "I'm sure Fire Lord Azulon wanted to speak to her. I'll just tell them that she's fell sick."

Jiang nodded his head, "I'll be waiting near the doors to escort you back to the carriage." Doli gave him a nod as the Royal Family had soon walked up to her just as Jiang left. "I am so sorry," she bowed, "Lien fell ill and collapsed. My husband had to carry her back to the carriage."

Ursa placed her hand atop of her mouth, concerned. "She looked just fine on stage."

"Yes, but she's been working herself hard and caught herself a cold. I apologize because she really hoped to hear that you liked her performance." The Fire Lord gave her a nod, Zuko and Azula looking at each other with question.

"I'm sure she will not be going to school for a few days will she?" Iroh then asked.

Doli shook her head, "We're going to excuse her from school tomorrow. I'm sure she'll be better to attend the next day."

"If she does not get better, I will be sure to take her to the finest doctor." Azulon spoke up as Doli nodded her head.

"Thank you, Fire Lord. You are a most kind man." Doli then said, "Excuse me, but I must tend to my daughter." And with another bow, she had turned and walked towards Jiang who was waiting by the school entrance.

"Can I visit her tomorrow?" Zuko then asked as his father then patted the boy's shoulder.

"No, you'll be putting yourself in danger of getting sick. Wait until she is better."

Two days later…

Lien had came back to school and met up with Mai and Ty Lee who were at their usual waiting place. The acrobat gave her an excruciating tight hug and pulled Mai into it. "We're so glad you're back, Lien! We missed you."

"I'm sorry I worried you guys." Lien apologized as all three of them began their walk towards the school gates. "I didn't imagine I would be getting sick so fast, but hopefully I won't get sick the rest of this winter."

Mai then spoke up, "They say it might snow tonight."

"Really?" Lien said with a smile, "I would like to see that."

"Snow is bothersome." Mai sighed, "Its going to be harder to walk in it and yet alone deal with it."

How Mai seemed to be pessimistic about everything really made Lien laugh. Mai could be realistic sometimes and sometimes she could be doom and gloom, but for one thing Lien loved how she was herself and it was either take it or leave it. "But then we'll get to play in it!" Ty Lee added as both girls turned to look at her.

"How nice." Mai said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"You have to admit, it is fun." Ty Lee grinned as Lien agreed, both girls giggled at the audible sigh that came from their friend.

Azula then exited out of her palanquin and looked to see the three girls now standing before her. "I see you're feeling well." She said to Lien, who immediately nodded her head.

Lien felt bad, she wanted to tell the truth. "To be honest, I wasn't really sick."

Ty Lee gasped as Mai arched a brow, "Then why did you lie?" Azula asked as Lien looked down at her feet.

"Well, Xiaofan had pushed me and said some horrible things and I was upset. I didn't want you all to see me crying about it." She confessed.

"Xiaofan? General Ying's daughter? Now why would she mess with you?" Azula tried to put two and two together, her arms folded as she seemed to be thinking.

"She doesn't seem to like my friendship with Zuko." Lien said as Mai's eyes slightly widened, the firebender then looked at Mai who seemed to be a little more interested in the conversation. "He came back stage to wish me luck on my performance and that's why she started being mean to me."

Ty Lee and Azula were looking at Mai, who seemed to look away from everyone. "That doesn't give her the right. I'm going to talk to her and see if she has the same courage she had that night."

Lien looked up Azula, wondering what she was going to do. "You're not going to hurt her, are you?"

"If she doesn't take my words into consideration then that's next." The girl smiled and then turned, walking inside the school with all three of them following, Mai seemingly far behind the three.

When it came to recess, Ty Lee had looked for Lien to tell her that Azula had found Xiaofan. Both girls immediately ran outside to see all the girls in a group. They ran over and then moved their way through so that they were in front, "I don't like when people insult my friends." Azula spoke first, "If you have a problem with them then you must address me. If I hear you're doing something else you can believe I will handle things first before allowing my grandfather to handle you next. You wouldn't want your father to be demoted now do you."

Xiaofan's eyes widened as she then abased herself on the floor, "I am so sorry. Please, forgive me."

Even though Lien thought she would've been happen, she didn't. She felt sorry that Azula had gave her such a serious threat even though Azula wouldn't do it unless Xiaofan crossed the line again. "Now why don't you turn and apologize to Lien." Azula pointed to her as Xiaofan quickly sat up and moved herself to face Lien.

It was clear on her face that she was struggling to do it. She then pressed her head to the floor, "I am sorry I offended you, Lien."

Ty Lee and Azula as well as the rest of the girls looked at the blue-eyed girl. "It's all right."

Azula smirked as she then looked at the crowd, "Shows over." The crowd dispersed and everyone went about their usual way, Xiaofan glared at Lien once she stood and stormed off, but it was clear she was still embarrassed by the redness of her cheeks.


"You wanna go to the festival with me?" Lien pointed to herself, blinking several times as Zuko had stood there with his arms crossed. "But I thought Lady Ursa said that you usually went as a family and not only that, isn't it dangerous?" She asked as her eyes were a bit wide with shock.

The boy threw his arms in the air, obviously annoyed by the girl's lack of common sense when it came to things like this. "My mother and father will be attending just like your parents will be but our guards will be there too." Zuko tried to explain as the female now found herself understanding what he meant now, nodding her head as she had come to terms what he had meant.

She smiled and nodded in agreement, "Then yes, I'll go to the festival with you. Although, I don't know how Azula and the others will feel about that." Lien found herself lost in thought even though she was a bit excited.

"They'll get over it." The two rarely had time for each other. Azula was always making sure that Lien was away from him.

Noticing his anger, she immediately frowned. "I'm sorry." Her eyes looked down at the ground, her hands filled with the fabric of her skirt as she felt herself growing a bit embarrassed.

"Stop being sorry over every little thing." Zuko said as she looked at him and then frowned, deeply. Soon, footsteps could be heard coming from behind them and it made them both turn. Ursa stood there with a smile on her face. "Hey mom, I was going to ask you could Lien come to the festival with us."

The woman kept her smile, "What a coincidence. Her father has business in the colonies and Lady Doli will be joining him. Her mother already asked will she be allowed to stay in the palace for a few days."

Lien then remembered that her father did speak of leaving, but she was surprised that her mother went as well. "What about Jiang?" She asked.

"He will be staying guard here." Ursa answered. Soon Azula came running over towards them, Lien smiled at her meanwhile Zuko frowned.

Azula then approached them, "Lien lets go play."

Lien looked at Zuko, who seemed unenthused. Azula frowned at this, for the past few months it had seemed that Lien and Zuko had gotten closer and that Lien was more reluctant to hang out with her and Ty Lee and Mai nowadays. "Mom, can you make Zuko play with us? We need more people for the game." Lien was surprised by the question and she could see that it only irritated her brother more.

Zuko frowned, "I am not cartwheeling." His voice was quite apthetic as he made it clear he did not want to play.

"You won't have to. Cartwheeling's not a game," The younger girl then muttered something under her breath, "dum-dum."

"I don't care. I don't want to play with you." Lien could tell by Ursa's expression that she did not approve of this.

"We are brother and sister." The tone in her voice became what was supposed to be sweet, but it sounded even more evil to Zuko. "It's important for us to spend time together. Don't you think so, mom?"

Azula had her mother hooked and now all she had to do was reel her in. "Yes darling," turning toward Zuko, Ursa had looked at him with what Zuko declared as the "Please do this for me" is expression. "I think it's a good idea to play with your sister. Go on now," She fluffed her son's head a few times, "just for a little while."

The woman walked off, leaving Zuko and Lien who had seen Azula smile in victory and lead them to the other side of the courtyard where Ty Lee and Mai was waiting. Two looked at each other as Mai looked Zuko shyly as Azula picked an apple that was hanging from a tree. "Here's the way it goes." She started to explain as she then placed the apple on Mai's head. "Now what you do is try to knock the apple off the other person's head. Like this." Mai's smile quickly turned upside down as her friend fired a blast of fire at the apple, whose stem catches on fire. She looked surprised as Lien gasped, about to move but Zuko sprung into action to save Mai by tackling her into what appeared to be a fountain. Lien walked over towards them as Azula turned to Ty Lee. "See, I told you it would work."

"Aw, they're so cute together." Ty Lee cooed as Lien tilted her head to reveal her confusion. What did they mean by that?

The knocked over kids got up, but Zuko stomped off. While Mai voiced her frustration, "You two are such… ugh!" Her tone was quite heated as Lien tried to wring the water out of Mai's clothes. "How come you didn't stop them?" She asked her.

Lien appeared be confused, "How was I supposed to know this was going to happen?" Lien explained as her friend was still dripping wet.

A few days had past and Zuko had been flashing around the knife that Iroh had sent him from Ba Sing Se. Lien didn't quite understand his enthusiasm about a weapon, but she was glad to see him happy about it. "Isn't it neat?" He asked her as she nodded her head. "I can't believe my Uncle was able to get it. He's really great!"

"Iroh is really strong." Lien said in reply, a smile still adorning her face as they heard someone coming closer to them.

They looked to see it was Azula, her expression quite smug as usual. "You waste all your time playing with knives. You're not even good."

Lien turned to look at Zuko as he got up, from pretending to be dead, with flaming cheeks. "Put an apple on your head and we'll see how good I am." He said as she sat down, but she seemed to get right back up after what he had said.

"By the way, Uncle's coming home." Both Lien and Zuko appeared to be shocked.

"We won the war then?" Lien asked as Zuko thought the same thing.

Azula then answered, "No. It mean's my Uncle's a quitter and a loser."

"What are you talking about? Uncle's not a quitter!" The boy defended his beloved Uncle while Lien remained confused. What did she mean by that?

Before she could think on it more, the firebending prodigy decided to clear the air. "Oh yes, he is. He found out his son died and he just fell apart." A gasped escaped Lien, surprised to hear of Lu Ten's death. Azula leaned against a nearby pillar, "A real general would stay and burn Ba Sing Se to the ground, not lose the battle and come home crying."

Zuko was angry at her words whereas Lien was shocked to hear Azula say them, "How do you know what he should do?" He then looked down rather sadly. "He's probably just said his only kid is gone… forever."

At the chamber entrance, a shadow appeared in what looked like to be the outline of Ursa. They looked up at her as she then spoke, "Your father has requested an audience with Fire Lord Azulon. Best clothes, hurry up."

Lien knew that meant she couldn't tag along and so she stayed in her seat. Azula then mocked her kind mother, "Fire Lord Azulon. Can't you just call him "Grandfather"? He's not exactly the powerful Fire Lord he used to be. Someone will probably end up taking his place soon."

To her surprise, Lien had then seen Ursa speak rather crossly. "Young lady! Not, another, word." She watched her daughter run past as she mumbled to herself, "What is wrong with that child?" She turned to see Lien looking at her. "You should go to your guestroom Lien, it'll probably take a while until the meeting is over."

With a nod of her head, Lien had left to the guest room in which she was staying in and took a rather long nap.


It was nighttime when Lien had awoken, it looked like it had to be at least twelve at night. Rubbing her eyes, she decided that she would get a glass of water from the kitchen. When she had reached the halls, she had not seen one soul. Not even the guards were out and that had proved to be quite strange. Slowly, her small feet had led her down the hall in hopes of seeing at least one instead of feeling so alone in the large palace. And that's when she heard muffled voices.

She walked to wear she heard them, light coming from a room that she had found out to be Ozai and Ursa's quarters. She pressed her ear against the door as she heard clearly of what was being said. "You can't kill him, Ozai! He is our son!"

"And what do you want me to do, Ursa? You want me to disobey my father and have us all exiled?" Lien's eyes widened. Why would Azulon want Zuko dead? Just what had happened in that meeting earlier? "There is one way we can save him." For some reason, Lien could imaging the man smirking at he suggested the idea.

Ursa's voice had sounded desperate. "What is it? We have to save our son."

"We'll have to kill my father." Lien placed her hand over her mouth to suppress a gasp as she had heard Ursa done one of her own.

The young girl pulled away from the door and ran back to her room. She wanted to act like she didn't hear anything.

That morning, the announcement of Fire Lord Azulon's death had been announced to the Fire Nation. Many people weeped, others showed fear, and others wondered how their Fire Lord had died. They would all find out in the afternoon where they would be given a ceremony of what has become of him.


In the palace, a ceremonial plaza was decorated for the funeral. It was packed with people which included Lien, who was with her mother, sister, and father while the royal family stood near Azulon's sarcophagus. All Lien's eyes could lay on was Zuko's as he had a very lifeless look on his face. In a way, she felt quite guilty since she had known some of the truth but all he could see was that his grandfather was gone and his mother missing.

The Fire Sage began to speak as they stood on the dais where the sarcophagus of Azulon with the royal family, dressed in white, stood around it. "Azulon, Fire Lord to our nation for 23 years. You were our fearless leader in the battle of Gar Sai. Our matchless conqueror of the Hu Sin provinces. You were father of Iroh. Father of Ozai. Husband of Ila, now passed. Grandfather of Lu Ten, now passed. Grandfather of Zuko and Azula." The man approached the sarcophagus. He reached in and took the Fire Lord diadem and Ozai walked forward. "We lay you to rest." The man continued on as he holds the diadem above his head as two firebenders on the left and right light fire to the sarcophagus. With the fire of the funeral pyre burning behind him, the Fire Sage crowns the new Fire Lord. "As was your dying wish, you are now succeeded by your second son." He puts the diadem on Ozai's head, "Hail Fire Lord Ozai!"

The new Fire Lord had stood from being crowned and as tradition made it, the audience bowed lowed. He looked out over the enormous field below, filled with his subjects that he now had control over. Both Zuko and Azula had bowed to their father as his sister had her usual cruel grin while the boy looked at her in fear and then looked ahead.

After the ceremony, Lien had went to look for Zuko and saw him sitting under a tree near the lake. She sat next to him, "I'm sorry for your lost, Zuko." She found herself saying, she wanting to tell him what she had heard the night that Azulon had died.

"Thanks." She could feel her heart sting at his words.

"I also have to tell you something." Lien pressed her knees to her chest as he looked at her curiously, "The night your grandfather died, I heard Lady Ursa and Princ- Fire Lord Ozai talking."

He seemed to stiffen up, "What did they say?"

"They were wondering what they were going to do about your grandfather. I think that he was going to make your father kill you." The boy looked like his heart just drop then and there, his face was pale, his jaw dropping and all.

He placed his hands on his head, "Azula was right…" He clenched his teeth and then stood, a yell escaping him and he threw his fist and a fireball came flying out.

The blue-eyed girl had looked down, wondering if she had done the right thing. He had every right to know, but she hated to see him like this. The cherry blossoms from the tree had fell slowly, but despite the beauty of the pink petals falling, all she could do was look at her hurt friend. She walked over to him and then moved in front of him, tears were falling down his face.

Slowly, she placed her hands on his face and allowed her thumbs to wipe away the tears. She didn't know what to say so instead, she removed her hands from his face and then pulled him into a hug. After a few minutes, she felt his arms around neck loosely and he began to cry.


Lien: The Chinese name meaning "Lotus"

Doli: The Native American name meaning "bluebird"

Nianzu: The Chinese name meaning "thinking of ancestors"

Xiaofan: The Chinese name meaning "little ordinary"

Yuki-onna: Yuki-onna appears on snowy nights as a tall, beautiful woman with long black hair and blue lips. Her inhumanly pale or even transparent skin makes her blend into the snowy Despite her inhuman beauty, her eyes can strike terror into mortals. She floats across the snow, leaving no footprints and she can transform into a cloud of mist or snow if threatened.

I hope the chappie was good! R & R

Oh and if you are confused about ages:

Azula is 7

Ty Lee is 7

Lien is 7

Mai is 8

Zuko is 9

Xiaofan is 8