Whoah! It's been a while since I updated. Sorry! I've been caught up in a new fandom. But I haven't let go of this story! Thank you very much to Whirlwind912, TheEscapeFromReality, GalanthaDreams and (as ever) to Anonymous Rex for following, favoriting and/or for your reviews! Thank you! Sorry, kind of filler chapter, but I just needed to get the ball rolling again. Please do let me know what you think.
The Fire Nation's presence receded gradually.
The majority of the local garrison left immediately. But they had been there a long time.
Many of the occupiers had married locally, or started business ventures on the side. One soldier was Song's best supplier for soothing balms. Firebending was the secret ingredient, she said.
Song had never imagined a world without them, or the War.
Not much really changed.
Fewer taxes. More bureaucracy. The Earth King was finally looking beyond the walls of his Capital. So said the disgusted merchants.
Town seemed empty.
Nothing changed.
Until, one hot day, the prisoners returned.