(a/n: Holy Fire Flakes! Thank you guys for waiting for the latest chapter. I was busy for three weeks with a class which required I leave the US and go to Mexico for a week, then had a week of training for a job. I'm going to try and come up with a system soon of updating once a week, but until then keep eyes open. A special thanks to EmilyM93, . , loveisthewayforme, King's farm for plot bunnies, NachoBeats823, Angel Micheal, Silverwolf1978, and The Curse Of Fates for following and favoriting the story. (And to my anonymous reader for her comment.) It scares me that right now there are 11 of you guys who really like my work and thought you'd want to read more. As always, feel free to give the story a comment as well. While I am doing a grand amount of research for this story I'm not going to deny mistakes (example: last chapter Hiranya stated she and Enakshi would come for her after dinner, but instead they were in Kisara's room waiting). If you do notice anything or simply just want to say something, don't be afraid. Your comments motivate me as much as re-watching Avatar does.

Also I do not own Avatar and am not getting any profit from this. I also don't own the song Sailor's Boots. That's by a musician named Frank Turner who I highly recommend. It just made me think of Kisara and helped motivate me to write this chapter so I gave it a cameo. I hope you guys enjoy, and I apologize if any of this seems filler to you. I'm just making time for what's going to happen 2 chapters from now. ))

The next day after Lunch Kisara headed out to meet with her brother for a walk around Caldera City just outside of the palace. While the two of them walked side by side, Enakshi and Hiranya followed shortly after. The two could claim it was family time, but they both knew it was more for the fact of protection. Fortunately enough he had gotten her letter, something small and rather ridiculous to test the ladies. In the game she had to play, it was hit or miss, and if her time with her father taught her anything, it was to keep friends near by, but enemies close enough you could burn them by just a graze of the finger tips. Considering he showed her the same letter and claimed he had received it in the condition it was in she had it, things seemed alright. For now the three would be safe.

The reason why they had gone out to shop was for the matters of the night before. Outside of the palace had a lack of guards and spies which meant she felt safe walking about. A small bag of flamey-bears in one hand and a basket of goodies in another. Unlike the robes she was dressed in the night before, Kisara was wearing something more comfortable to her which was a short sleeved deep red Qipao which passed just a few inches below her knees that had slits on the side for easy access to weaponry, and some simple black pants she had stuffed into her boots, however Swara warned her she would have to dress nicer later.

"So we're far away enough from them now. What did you want so bad you couldn't say it over letter," Enzi stole one of her bears and tossed it back, causing Kisara to give a childish pout. "I half thought you were drunk when you sent me a letter asking if we could get these!"

"I only had two glasses of wine, you know I've got more of a tolerance than that," shaking her head the two headed into a shop. She had told her ladies they were buying their father a few things that they'd send to him later. "No. It has to do with a certain matter of the dinner. Enzi... I'm worried about dad." Her brother gave her a baffled look, almost the mirror image of their father's.

"Dad has this," he swatted his hand as if deflecting the words. "he's plotted this for years, calculated every possible outcome and prepared for any scenario. The Northern Water Tribe will be on their knees begging not to be burnt by the Navy's flames."

"But Enzi," she took a deep breath, "now I do need to worry. He can't lose, his failure would be ours," catching her by surprise, Enzi grabbed his sister's shoulders and gave her a shake.

"You don't think I haven't thought of that also Kisara! The night we got told the news, before the Blue Spirit arrived dad and I went out drinking to celebrate the promotion. Kissie, he shared with me the fears you are now. Dad's not failing," Enzi paused, smirked, and kissed his sister's forehead. "You worry yourself too much."

"I suppose you are right," she sighed, nodding to the merchant something quickly caught her eyes, a cloak with their country's sigil on the back. "Here, try this on." Grinning with approval at the item once it was on she scanned him over once more. "You know... Dad's right. If you grow out your sideburns you look like him. Not how he looks now but... When we were younger."

"So I look like I'm in my early 30s," Enzi inquired as he removed the object and paid the merchant for it. Kisara chuckled at his comment.

"A smidgen. You know, I think mom still has his old uniforms. We could commission an artist to draw you in one of them and send it to dad."

"Kisara, I am not putting on dad's old uniforms. It was cute when we were kids but now," Enzi sighed, "I understand the importance of them. A uniform isn't a costume for games of princess or whatever," putting the folded up cloak in Kisara's basket, it was his sister's turn to sigh.

"I suppose you're right. I know you and father both worked hard to gain them."

"Yeah. Not all of us are lucky and can marry up," and there was the eye roll, the one that Kisara always seemed to have when her brother made some sarcastic comment.

"Father just got lucky with me. He found his ways to make sure the Alagaratnam's aren't forgotten," the two finally exited the shop, Enakshi and Hiranya waiting for them. "Fetch my sedan please, I think I would like to return to the palace." The women did so, running off to get the desired object. Really Kisara would have been happy walking but if the royal family insisted. With the silence of her brother giving it permission, once sat in the sedan she was greeted by thoughts of what would happen in the evening.

The palace rarely had it's ball room used. At her age she had seen it used for 3 reasons: Birthdays, a Coronation, and now to celebrate her engagement. It was in this ballroom where she had shared a first kiss with her previous betrothed.

Zuko had just turned 13 and the two decided to spend a day together. Since his mother had left, the found comfort in spending time together. They enjoyed a morning in Caldera City, and then in the afternoon stayed idle around the palace talking about nothing and everything at the same time. Eventually the two had wandered into the ball room where Zuko held his arms out and declared once he was 16 he would make her his bride in this room. Deeming his actions adorable she gave him the kiss, claiming the same.

She's be lucky if she received anything close from her new betrothed. In many ways she compared her relationship with the banished crown prince to any other love lorned child. At that age, just as she had, it was easy to throw the word Love around. Soon it loses all meaning and all a love a person could have is wasted. That being said, she felt some feeling for him, if not as a lover than as her friend. It would be odd to become his step mother and feel a romantic inclination to him.

When he had been banished she had half the heart to runaway with him. In the two hour gap he had between the Agni Kai and having to board the ship which would be his home provided to him for packing and getting the burn treated, the young Kisara had gone from demand her father do something to help Zuko, to bawling her eyes out, and finally after being yelled at to stop crying declared she would go with Zuko. From her father's reaction she had a feeling he'd let her. Declaring if she wanted to go out to sea that much he'd be more than willing to cut her hair and enlist her in the Navy. After receiving a slap across the face he permitted her to see the prince off as long as she stayed by his side.

Knowing it would be safe for her to do so, Kisara dug a hand into her boot and pulled out a black piece of cloth. He had given it to her before the Agni Kai, and the maiden had an issue with parting with it. Some nights when she was younger she'd stroke the gold stitching of the Prince's name and former title (HRH Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation) praying to the spirits that they would protect him.

Now wasn't one of those moments, but being back where so many memories had been made was enough for her to miss him. They had been fortunate to meet up very briefly when by coincidence Zuko's ship came in for a much needed repair at her father's harbor. He and his uncle Iroh stopped on their ship for some tea while waiting. The then commander demanded his daughter stay away, but that hadn't stopped her. She had simply walked in, asked her father some frivolous question, pretended she hadn't known they had guests and after being offered tea by the Dragon of the West claimed she had important studying to do. Hours later when it was announced Zuko was to battle her father in an Agni Kai, Zhao granted her permission to watch. Secretly during the battle she clutched onto the handkerchief and smirked when the prince had been victorious.

Shaking the memories away Kisara put the cloth back in her boots and exited the Sedan once it was lowered for her. Greeted by Swara the four men who had carried her to the palace were dismissed, the four women heading back to Kisara's room with Enzi trailing behind this time. Upon entering Kisara's chambers, the oldest of Kisara's ladies handed her a scroll. Carefully the 17 year old scanned it over to make sure it was in it's original state.

"It arrived for you while you were out. I was told to deliver it to you and only you," Swara commented, noting her mistress' caution.

"Thank you Swara," taking a seat at her desk, Kisara cut the seal and unraveled it. "It's from some of the men accompanying my father. A simple letter stating how they miss Enzi and me, hoping we got here safely and what not." She rolled it back up and put it down, grabbing a fresh scroll and her ink. "Enakshi, do you know Sailor's Boots?" The deer eyed woman nodded. "Sing it for me while I write. One of the men brought up the song and now it's stuck in my head."

"As you wish my lady," clearing her throat Enakshi began to sing. "If I had been born 200 years ago, well I would have been a sailor, and a-sailing I would go, I'd sail across the capes, the 7 seas and then back home, if I had been born 200 years ago." Kisara hummed along as Enakshi continued singing. She and Enzi would hear their father sing it to them every so often, but only when they had been extra good. Once they turned 7 however and were "too old to be tucked in" to quote her father the singing stopped. She continued to adore the song however and would sing it every so often as she wandered around the ships. Before the disappearance of Zuko's mother, the prince had also quite the talent for the Tsungi Horn. Because of this, the two would often duet, taking advantage of the fact that the arts in their country was a privilege.

"But the ocean is still out there, magnificent and wide, She's got open arms to hold me, and endless space to hide, and the only things that hold me back are things I hold inside. Oh the ocean is still out there, magnificent and wide," Kisara joined in for the last verse. "I'm glad you know it. Very few do now-a-days. Many of the men were only really familiar with Little Soldier Boy."

"As Her Royal Highness said yesterday, we are both well versed in our nations spirit tales, music, instruments and what not. If you have specific requests, do not be afraid to ask for it," Hiranya spoke up. "It's required for any lady in waiting working in the royal courts." Kisara nodded and finished writing her response to the letter, used her hand to dry the ink, and sealed it.

"Excellent. Now, Swara," standing from her seat it was time to get down to business. "I think we have a party to be getting ready for."

Something Kisara learned quickly was a child was how seriously the Fire Nation took their weddings. In her father's words they were good for morale, showing the extravagant lives people were able to reward themselves with for hard work and dedication to their homeland. Dear Agni, even her father could perform marriage ceremonies since he was a military official (he had done very few though, most of them being in a drunken stupor where one of his men decided marriage to a stranger was a good idea.)

That being said, she was common with the formal traditions, and the party would be one of them. In many ways, the engagement ceremony was a wedding in itself and thus many chose to skip it. However, as this would be a royal wedding it seemed they would have to go full out. Her hair was done in an intricate style full of braids and decorated by flowers and a pin meant to look like a dragon, was put into a fancy gown like the one the night before, and now she was just waiting. Gold eyes fixated themselves on a window as she stared out at the moon.

"Kisara," Zarrafien stepped up to her, taking her daughter's arm. The young woman stolen from the thoughts she was having, "Let's get going."

Usually for the engagement ceremony it would be both parents by her side, however since Zhao was out at sea, Enzi would have to take his place. Doors opened and the guests silenced as mother, son and daughter made their way to the other side of the room. There she was released of her family and knelt before the Fire Sage. Maybe 2 months ago during the solstice her father had gotten them in trouble, laying the blame for the destruction of the temple on Crescent Island. It looked like the Sage recognized her as he scanned her up and down.

"Lady Kisara Usha Alagaratnam. Daughter of Admiral Zhao Vidur Alagaratnam and Lady Zarrafien Manju Alagaratnam, Sister of Ensign Enzi Abhaya Alagaratnam. Please rise," she did as ordered, keeping her eyes focused as she heard the doors again. The crowd was still as she sensed someone coming behind her. Kisara's heart pounded as things were becoming real to her. "Fire Lord Ozai Qiang Zhuang of the Fire Nation, son of the late Fire Lord Azulon Wu Zhuang and the late Fire Lady Ilah Chunzi Zhuang. Brother of General Iroh Jin Zhuang, father of Crown Princess Azula Xiu Zhuang of the Fire Nation and the banished Prince Zuko Hui Zhuang. Please rise." Kisara took a deep breath as she was finally allowed to look the other over. It was a mouthful stating all those titles. Ozai stepped to her side and kept focused on the Fire Sage, "Lady Kisara, will you make your vows."

"I, Kisara Usha Alagaratnam, swear upon this day my engagement to Fire Lord Ozai Qiang Zhuang of the Fire Nation." she cleared her throat.

"Excellent," The Sage nodded to her, Kisara using her bending to light a candle placed in front of her. The sage then turned to Ozai. "My Fire Lord."

"I, Fire Lord Ozai Qiang Zhuang of the Fire Nation, swear upon this day my engagement to Lady Kisara Usha Alagaratnam." As he said that, the sage had Azula and Enzi bring over two candles with their family seals on them. Thanking them, the sage then placed the proper candle before them in two holders.

"These candles you light tonight represent your families. By the end of the night they shall have run out and turned to wax which shall be used for a candle you shall light the day of your wedding," Kisara summoned a small flame and lit hers. Looking up for approval the Sage looked down to her with a smile. "May Agni bless you both, and ensure you safety until your wedding day." The sage turned to walk away. While it was already being said, it had now been made official. She was engaged to the Fire Lord. Hopefully the ceremony would aid her if there was something that would challenge that. For now it was probably best she enjoyed her night.

Somewhere north of the Capital, the banished prince held a scroll given to him by bird. The symbol on the seal being one he had been too used to. Breaking it Zuko scanned over it's contents.

Z,

I applaud you for sending a message to the palace without fully knowing if I was here or not. If your letter had gotten into the wrong hands I dare not think of what would have happened to us. However, as your message successfully got to me, you deserve the truth.

What you had heard is true- I am at the palace and am engaged again. Father had used me as in a trade in order to get a promotion. For this reason I hope you understand why I think it best we end our correspondence. While the time we have spent writing since we met up again when you stepped into my father's harbor has been fantastic, I shouldn't put you in the danger which would come from me contacting you.

This is why I must also ask of a favor- I know that you and my father have not been on the best of terms, but my engagement relies on him. I cannot tell you his plan but you'll know when the time is right. I am not asking you to join his side, only make sure that he is safe.

Yours Truly,
K