W o o ! Posting flurry! This story, "There's No Such Thing", "The Blue Storm" and "The Noble Truth" once my beta replies to me, and also something very very special. Well, maybe not that special, but it's just something I've had in mind.

N o w . I originally had a different chapter planned, but I saw New Year's coming up and figured, "Hey, why not.". So. Although it's not Chinese New Year's, I've applied some of the elements to this. Also, this is one of the chapters I was talking about, where my writing with Ozai and Azula's interactions have somewhat evolved. Perhaps you can tell.

O h . And I don't even understand what Ozai says at the end there, it just sounds like something he would say. Very Ozai-ish. Him and his mysteriousness of the whole series and all. Oh well. Maybe you can get him xD

Like Father, Like Daughter
By Nikkel
(c) to Nickelodeon, Michael Dante DiMartino, and Bryan Konietzko

Resolutions

Long after the celebrations were over, the air still smelled significantly of firework smoke. The parades and their colorful chains of dragons had retired after the clock struck twelve, the nine-day-long festival finally yawning and allowing the New Year to rest. People collapsed from the lively parties and wild events, wrapped in their yearly tradition, and embracing it like a child, filled with life, laughter, and the potential for a healthy future. Prayers and wishes had been made at Spirit altars for good luck and fortune.

It was the same for the royal family. Behind the palace they trepaised to their private shrine, weary from the month's events, but finally happy to see it come to a close and relax. Ozai led the train while Azula followed right behind him, nearly stepping on his robes, as Ursa followed behind her and carried a dozing Zuko. Unlike most of the commoners' shrines, within the imperial altar was quite a bit of floor space, enough for the family of four, to grab pillows and sit down on. Other than the entryway, obsidian gravestones aligned the walls of the small temple, filled with the ancient writing and names of ancestors passed. Incense and sugarcane burned, and the aroma of tea filled the air. Ozai poured each person a cup accordingly, handing it out as was the tradition. Somewhere a loud firecracker went off, and an excited whoop followed.

"I really don't see the point of being here," Azula complained. "Zuko's falling asleep anyways."

Zuko snapped his head up, suddenly wide awake. "Am not!"

"Children please, let's not fight this late. We're in a religious shrine, you don't want to upset the Spirits. Drink your tea," Ursa cut in tiredly. Zuko and Azula frowned, but complied appropriately.

"Now," Ozai began, taking charge. "We're here to discuss our resolutions. It's a part of our family tradition to be in this altar tonight. To fulfill our resolutions will prove ourselves better characters, symbols of the Fire Nation. The Spirits did not bear us for the purpose of letting them down."

Zuko raised his hand. "What's a resolution?"

"It's basically a promise to yourself," Ursa replied. "Who would like to start?"

"I would." Azula stood with her hands on her hips and tilted her nose into the air. "And my resolution is to be Fire Lord!"

"You can't be Fire Lord!" Zuko shouted immediately shouted. "Fire Lord Azulon's still alive, and then Uncle Iroh will be the next one! You're a girl anyways!"

"They'll be dead soon enough! I can be Fire Lord, can't I dad?"

"But that's not a resolution!"

"Your brother is right, Azula," Ozai stated, and Azula pouted and stuck her tongue out at her brother. "Sit down. Perhaps you can tell us something, Ursa."

"Certainly. My resolution is what it has always been—to continue to care for and love this family of mine."

"That's boring, mom." Azula sighed.

"Yeah, how does that have anything to do with New Year's if you've got the same resolution?" Zuko asked.

"Well, it's because it's true." Ursa smiled. "I do care for and love all of you. And anything that's true is something you should keep continual."

"So... does that mean if I keep my resolution as Fire Lord for a long time, I'll eventually be it?" Azula questioned hopefully.

"If you put it that way..." Ursa said slowly, now thinking about what she had just said. "I suppose. It's a little farfetched, but..."

"Ha!" Azula smugged at her brother. Zuko grunted and crossed his arms.

"Cheater," he muttered.

"Then if you're so picky about resolutions, what's yours?"

Zuko suddenly looked very nervous, bright red creeping to his cheeks as his neck shrunk in his shoulders. "I... I haven't really thought of one."

"Come on, honey. I'm certain you can think of something. It can be anything you like," Ursa said. Zuko's face screwed up in concentration.

"Well... I guess I could try to get better at my bending."

"That sounds like a good resolution, Zuko." Ursa tilted her tea cup at him, and then looked at her husband. "Don't you think so, dear?"

"Indeed," Ozai smirked, also tilting his cup. "I don't quite have a resolution either, but I have made a promise to myself."

His family looked curiously at him.

"I promised that I would light the fire and carry the flame of this family. From what I've seen, this has been done."

Ursa, Zuko, and Azula made glances at one another, unsure of what it meant. Only Ozai was the one smiling, knowing exactly what he meant by "fire" and "flame". He raised his tea and drank the rest, his family following, honoring the Spirits, who watched them. They could only bow their heads in shame for what the Prince had wished.