Baatar waited at the deserted train station with the other parents. Kiara's train had been delayed in returning, there was mechanical problems. Kuvira wanted to come but one parent had to stay with their other kids.

Two weeks ago their third and final child had been born. They had another girl, who they named Mikazuki or Mika for short. Kuvira's labor was a lot longer than with the first two. She was a stubborn one and didn't want to come out. Mika was a combination of the two of them. She had Baatar's eye color only a shade darker and her mother's eyes shape and skin color. Rai was very thrilled to meet his new sister. It was hard for him to keep his voice down.

They had let him hold her for only five minutes both stayed very close. Rai as sat on the couch with pillows surrounding him. Kuvira and Baatar had a week to get accustomed to having two of their kids home. Now with Kiara returning, they hoped things would transition smoothly.

The sound of an incoming train sounded, Baatar shifted forward with the other parents. The crowd of parents waited for their kids. A sea of other passengers disembarked from the train first. Finally a group of kids and their mentors got off. The two adults said goodbye to their charges releasing them back to their parents.

Kiara tiredly made her way over to Baatar. He stooped down and hugged her. She smelled of the salt from the ocean. Pulling back, she had dark bags under her eyes and a sloppy bun.

"Have a good time?"

"Yeah I stayed up all night and today."

"No wonder, you must be exhausted. Let's get you home. I can't wait to hear all about your adventure." Baatar took her bag and they headed for the car. "So you have a new sister, her name is Mika. I know Rai is dying to see you and I bet your sister can't wait to meet you as well. Kiara?" He called when she didn't answer him. Looking in the rearview mirror, he saw she was fast asleep with her head against the window. He smiled, in silence he drove along the road.

Opening the opposite door, Baatar pulled his daughter out of the car. It was quiet in the house, Kuvira stood to meet them. He motioned her to stay quiet. Leading them into Kiara's room Kuvira pulled back the covers. She unlaced her shoes and undid the bun in her hair. Pressing a light kiss to her forehead Kuvira pushed back her hair. Kuvira and Baatar left the room all of her babies were home now.

"Are you ready for tomorrow? All three of our kids are here now." Baatar said leaning down on the pillows.

"Of course, I'm just glad they are all back under one roof." Kuvira said flicking the light off.

In the morning Kiara was gone. She had left a note saying she went to her bending class. Baatar half expected her to skip class and sleep in. It would have been understandable as she had just barely gotten home. Rai was in a grumpy mood this morning, Mika's cries had woke him up many times during the night. He was also really put out that Kiara wasn't home. While Kuvira made breakfast, Baatar went back out to the car retrieving Kiara's bag. Taking a dirty hamper, he sorted out her dirty clothes.

He set aside her notebooks and bag of sea shells and glass that had been gathered in her time away. Causally he flipped through the pages of one of her notebooks. Her neat handwriting filled many of the pages, along with diagrams of the oceans creatures. A folded up piece of paper fell from one of her note books.

Picking it up, Baatar unfolded it and read it, it made his eyes bug out of his head.

I really like you Kiara, you are really smart and pretty girl. Do you like me to?

If you do, do you want to be my girlfriend?

Han

Standing he went to Kuvira, "You have to read this," He waved the note in front of her face. Taking it, she read through the note. Her eyes narrowed at the words she read. Who was this Han and why was he writing her daughter a love note?

"Can you believe it, who does he think he is trying to get my…our little girl?" Baatar ranted.

"She's too young to get into a relationship, she's ten for spirits sakes."

"We should go interrogate this Han boy."

"Oh well Baatar we can't do that…" from the nursery Mika's cries could be heard. "Will you go get her? She needs a diaper change."

"But what should we do about this?" He took the note back.

"For now let it go now please go get Mika." Baatar stood there dumbly, Kuvira had to shove him to get moving. In the nursery he lifted Mika, changing her soiled diaper. He didn't want boys pining after his daughter.

Returning to the kitchen, he set Mika down in the play pen. Rai had already begun eating. Kuvira looked at Kiara's empty chair. Why did she have to go to bending class today? Kiara always kept a very organized calendar, rarely did she miss anything.

After breakfast Rai rifled through Kiara's bag of shells and glass. Kuvira sat with Mika nursing her and Baatar stood at the sink. Letting the water fill up to get the dirty dishes washed up. He wondered where Kiara was, her practice should have been over by now.

Folding the dish towel, Baatar grabbed the Satomobile keys. "Kuvira I'm going to go get Kiara." There was no reason to worry her just yet.

"Alright." Kuvira said bringing Mika up to her shoulder.

At the academy he was informed that her practiced had been cancelled due to many of the students were with her on the trip. As sense of dread filled him, Kiara had lied, where was she? Driving out to the beach, maybe she was there. Parking the car he jumped out scanning the shore line. There was no one down there running around Baatar came into view of the lone house.

Squinting he saw two people sitting out on the porch. Moving closer, Baatar could make out the form of his daughter and an old man. The old man sat behind his daughter pinning up her hair. Kiara never let anymore do her hair anymore not even her mom.

Baatar was super mad and relived at the same time. Stepping onto the porch Baatar briefly saw a look of guilt flash over Kiara's features.

As politely as he could he addressed the older man, "Hello sir, I am very sorry for my daughter disturbing you."

"Oh Kiara is no bother, I enjoy her company." So they knew each other as they were on a first name basis.

"Kiara, honey let's go home, you have pestered…" He looked to the other man he didn't know his name.

"Lee," The man supplied.

"…Lee long enough and your mom wants you home." He stretched out his hand for Kiara. Slowly she stood up waving goodbye to Lee.

Out of ear shot he scolded Kiara, "What the f*ck Kiara, how many time have your mother and I told you about talking with strangers young lady!" Baatar said angrily.

"Lee is not a stranger." Kiara shot back trying to pull away from his strong hold.

"Well he was when you met him, how long as this been going on for?" Baatar pushed her against the car crossing his arms.

"Two years ago I came here one day after practice and I saw him walking down the beach. I don't know okay we just started talking and it went from there."

"What two years are you kidding me? So you have been lying about where you are going after practice. How long do you spend with him?"

"Yes and only thirty minutes."

"Kiara do you have any idea how dangerous that was, you had no idea if he was a bad person." Baatar glared at his daughter.

"I didn't think that he…"

"That's right you didn't think." He went on to explain how young children were lured away thinking that the person was harmless. Baatar paused letting it all sink in. "Why'd you leave this morning if you didn't have practice?"

"I got woken up by crying and I couldn't go back to sleep." Kiara looked down remorsefully, "I'm sorry for lying I know you both have told me not talk to strangers. I'm sorry I didn't listen but it's not the first thing I…." A look of terror flashed through Kiara she had just said too much.

Baatar softened his expression, he titled her chin to meet his eyes. "Kiara what, what were you saying?" Now he was concerned his daughter had disobeyed them another time he didn't know when.

"N-nothing… I'm sorry." Kiara looked away from his gaze.

"I'm going to let this slide only this once. The next time you visit Lee I'm going to come with you. Now let's get you home Rai and your mother want to see you and you have a sister to meet."

Driving home, Baatar would have a talk with Kuvira about their daughter's activities later and what she had almost let slip. Baatar stopped Kiara outside the front door, "Kiara are you okay? You know that you can tell me or your mother anything right?"

"I know," She was saved as Rai tossed open the front door. He tightly hugged his sister she gave him a small pat in return. Kiara went over to her mother next.

"Kiara this is your new sister Mika," Kuvira said taking note how her hair was up. Kiara stood off to the side of her mom looking down at her sister. She barely kept her eyes on the infant. Her notebooks and bag caught her eyes.

"Oh my notebooks," Kiara moved going to reach for them. "I need to get started on that before it goes out the window." She gathered her notebooks in her arms and took her bag in hand. The note Baatar and Kuvira had read slipped out. Quickly she snatched it back up and stuffed it into her pocket.

Rai followed his sister to her room. Baatar and Kuvira shared a concerned look. They understood the first time why Kiara didn't seem excited but the second time? Baatar took a seat next to his wife taking their youngest into his arms. Quietly he told her about Kiara's expeditions after practice and about what Kiara had almost said. Kuvira got upset, they enforced the no talking to strangers time after time.

"Kuvira she looked scared when she almost let something slip, she's hiding something from us."

"Then we should have a private talk with her some time soon. Do you think she resents us?" Kuvira said readjusting Mika's sock.

"Why would you say that?"

"You saw her reaction to her sister and she never gave us a straight answer when we asked her about her new sibling."

"There shouldn't be any reason she should resent us. She is fine with Rai, give it time she'll come around" Baatar lightly bounced Mika on his lap. He knew that it was one of Kuvira's fears having their first child resent them.

All day Kiara stayed in her room working on her assignment. Rai would come and go with food. His angle was that if he hung around long enough maybe his sister would have him a sea shell or sea glass or better yet both.

Baatar stood in the doorway of Kiara's room, Sun light filtered in the room from her window. On the floor was sea shells and glass. In an array of colors, shades of clear, blue, green and purple. Rai sat on the floor moving them around. Kiara sat at her desk, her pen going a million miles an hour. He saw her rub her eye, she was burning herself out.

"Kiara, Rai dinner time." Rai left the room faster, Kiara was slower leaving. Dinner was a slow affair, Rai chatted away and Kiara barely ate. She was starting to nod off.

Going back to her room, she continued working she was so close to being done just a little longer. Rai followed her, she knew what his motives were.

The sun had set by the time she was finally done. Cleaning up Kiara gathered the shells and sea glass on her desk. Later she would find something to put them in. She caught Rai's hopefully eyes, "Go ahead pick out the ones you like the best." Rai flashed her broad smile.

Kiara changed into her pajamas and sat on her window seat undoing Lee's work. The metal flower spun casting colorful lights around her darkened room. Her black hair got tangled up in one of the pins. She tugged at the back of her hair trying to free it. Kiara felt as another set of hands at her knotted hair. She knew it was her mom.

"Here let me." Kuvira nudged Kiara's hands away. Her daughter scooted over for her mom to sit down. Kuvira untangled Kiara's hair from around the pin. Once it was out Kuvira took the brush and ran it through her wavy hair.

"Kiara I'm going to ask you a question and I want you to answer me truthfully. She gathered strands forming a French braid. "How do you feel about Mika?"

"Why does that matter?"

"Because you seem unhappy." She was half way done braiding, "As your mother it is my job to make sure all of my kids are happy." Kuvira tied a hair band at the end of the braid.

"I'm tired mom."

"I know you are…." She paused running a hand down Kiara's back just to assure herself that her bones weren't sticking out again. Obviously she wasn't going to get a straight answer from Kiara. "Your father told me where you went this morning and where you have been going after practice the last two years."

Kiara shuffled a little closer to the pillow, "I can't give a good reason why if that's what you're looking for."

"Tell me something, I know something is bothering you what were you about to say to your dad earlier?"

"There's nothing to say." Kiara said tightly clenching her jaw. Kuvira read her daughter's body langue, she was rigid and tight. She knew this well as she had done it herself. Her daughter was hiding something but she wasn't going to tell.

XXXX

Mika was a crier, she cried for long periods of time. It made everyone miserable and sleep deprived. Lack of sleep made Rai grumpy, he was constantly in a bad mood. It was Kiara that remained impassive for the longest time. She was as quiet as ever. But there was only so much that she could take. And one day she snapped.

Baatar was home with the kids. Rai locked himself away in his room to tune out Mika's cries. He had been happy with her at first but now not so much. Baatar sat trying to quell the squalling child. He didn't know what Mika wanted she was complaining. He was too busy with Mika that he failed to notice Kiara beginning to lose it.

His oldest stood at the sink washing up dishes as he had asked. Her hand went back into the warm water. The longer Mika cried the more she felt herself losing control. Her hand clenched around whatever was in the sink. With a violent shove she pushed the dry dishes down.

Startled Baatar turned to the sound. His daughter's dark eyes bore into him with fury. Just for a second it took him back to when they were uniting the Empire.

"Can't you shut that stupid thing up?" Her voice laced with coldness and anger.

Baatar was in a state of shock that he couldn't form words. His eyes went down to her hand. It was all bloody her left hand was clutching a knife. She did not feel as the sharp blade cut into her flesh or when it buried deeper in as her hand tightened around it.

"Kiara your hand." Was the only thing he managed to say. Angrily her gaze flicked to her bloody hand, blood dripped down onto the floor.

"I can't take this anymore," She half said to herself, dropping the knife she ran out of the house ignoring her father's call. Baatar wanted to chase after Kiara but he couldn't leave until Kuvira came home. He caught Rai's form from down the hall, how much of that had he seen? Oddly Kiara's outburst bad caused Mika to quiet down.

Kuvira made her way to Lee's house. They had deemed him okay after Baatar then Kuvira "talked" to him. Kiara sat on the porch with Lee they both lounged quietly. As soon as Lee saw Kuvira he ducked inside, he could guess that they need some private time.

"Kiara," Kuvira took a seat next to her daughter.

"Spare me the lecture mom I already know what I did was wrong." Kiara kept her eyes on the crashing waves.

"You're not in trouble I understand sweetie, we all are a bit tired." Kuvira caught sight of her bandaged hand blood was soaking through. She reached for it but Kiara folded her hand across her right leg away from her mom.

"About Mika…"

"Why do you care you so much about what I think about her?" Kiara whipped her head around to face her mom. Her eyebrows turned down.

"Because you're unhappy and I don't want you to be." Identical dark emerald eyes stared into each other.

"Can't always get what you want." Kiara stood going to the edge of the porch leaning against the side of the house. Her knees drawn up to her chest with her arms folded over the top.

Kuvira stared at her daughter's curled up form. It was the closest thing she was going to get to the truth. Mother and daughter sat apart in silence. When had this rift formed between them?

They sat on Lee's porch for a long time. The light breeze brushed through the loose strands of their hair. Kuvira moved from her spot next to her daughter.

"I get why you like coming here, it's peaceful and quiet unlike at home." Kuvira cast a look at Kiara. Her long dark eyelashes fluttered she remained still. "You know when you were baby, you never cried as much. You were always so content just to be in my arms or your father's. You taught us how much we would love being parents. So we thought one day you would want someone to play with. Then Rai came along and so did Mika. I just hope one day that you can be okay with her."

"The truth mom, is better left unsaid it would only make you upset." Kiara stood jumping off of the porch turning to the path that led home.

Kuvira stopped Kiara just before she was about to step onto the porch. She kneeled down to her height. Her hands tucked the long strand s of hair out of her face. Kuvira's eyes searched Kiara's for an answer. "Is everything alright?"

Kiara' turned her gaze to the horizon. Through the earth Kuvira felt her heart pace pick up. It was like when a person was about to spill a secret. Kuvira could tell her mind was working debating whether or not to tell. She held a bated breath the younger earthbender opened her mouth a tad.

But then her heart rate went back to normal. Kiara took a step back out of her mom's reach. "I lost my cool and I shouldn't have."

XXXX

Kiara was asleep after pushing herself so hard that last couple of weeks, her body had finally just collapsed. Her mother kept a vigil over her, grey clouds loomed overhead. The swell of the waves were becoming more intense.

Kiara had held an icy distance between her mom and dad ever since that one day she had lost her cool. She wouldn't really talk to them, she was a master of avoidance and deflection. A shriek in the distance made Kuvira turn her head to where her son and husband were.

Baatar was chasing Rai around, he had been acting out lately and they didn't know exactly why. Oddly it was Kiara that could rein him back in and her sister. Like Rai, Mika would stop crying when Kiara was in the room. Kiara possessed a calming effect on her siblings.

A rumble out on the horizon suggested that a storm might hit the land. Kuvira placed her hand on the back of Mika. She lay on her stomach staring intensely at her sleeping sister. Their third child was a lot needier than her sister and brother. She always wanted to be held or have some attention.

Baatar dropped onto the sand panting heavily.

"Where's Rai at?" Kuvira asked.

"Running around somewhere," He gestured swing his arm in the air.

"And you just left him alone?" She asked incredulously

"Hey if you want to chase after him again be my guest but, I need a break."

Kuvira scanned the landscape looking for her son, she didn't see him. Maybe they should get Kiara up she was sure to get Rai to behave.

"Kuvira maybe we should get," He pointed to their daughter. "Up."

"She needs her rest Baatar." Kuvira scooted Mika closer to her, her youngest gave a little squeak of protest. "No, no shhh don't cry sweetie." Kuvira gently bounced her on her legs. Mika's mouth opened the start of crying began. But it wasn't Mika that woke Kiara it was her brother.

Mika only squirmed in her mom's arms, then out of nowhere Rai came bursting onto the scene. They didn't know where he was hiding, it was just one moment he came flying to where they were. He landed right on his sisters back. Instantly it woke Kiara, she let out a cry of pain.

Gasping for air Kiara got on all fours, her mouth open trying to suck in a breath. His brother had knocked the wind out of her. Kuvira and Baatar saw the panic in her eyes as she couldn't breathe. Kiara made choking sounds trying to get air back into her lungs.

Baatar moved over to her taking her into his arms, her head rested on his shoulder. "It's okay just take a deep breath." Baatar stroked the back of her hair. It was a full minute before he heard Kiara suck in a breath of air. He rocked her gently, looking at Rai he was feeling guilty.

"I'm sorry," He said quiet bowing his head in shame.

"Rai when we get home you're going in time out." Kuvira said making him turn towards her.

"Yes mom."

Kuvira nodded at her son, shifting her eyes back to Baatar and Kiara. Holding Mika closer to her chest, she scooted closer. She placed a hand on Kiara's back causing her daughter to briefly open her eyes. Kuvira saw something flicker behind those dark eyes, she didn't know exactly what it was. It was only there for a brief second and was then gone. The oldest of the Beifong kids closed her eyes and turned her head back into her father's shoulder.

The remainder of their time was spent in silence. Rai sat quietly feeling guilt for what he had done and Kiara lounged peacefully against Baatar. A flash of lighting off in the distance struck the water. It was sign that it was time to go back home. Rai walked in between his mom and dad while both his sisters were carried.

Baatar deposited Kiara on the couch placing a blanket over her. Kuvira took Rai to his time out and set Mika down in the pen. Standing behind the couch Kuvira looked down at her daughter. Something was going on with her and Kuvira was going to get to the bottom of it.

An hour later Rai and had served out his punishment and was allowed back to the living room. Kiara had moved from the couch to her room. They hadn't heard a peep from her since. It was Kuvira that went to check on Kiara. Opening the door, Kuvira saw Kiara lying across the window seat. It was becoming her favorite place to lie about.

Her silent footsteps walked closer to her daughter. Kuvira was about to announce she was in the room but her words died on her tongue at what she saw Kiara doing. Kiara's left hand was moving in a series of motions, the meteorite she had gotten from Su was bending under her command.

Her finger circled the rounded space earth high and high it followed along the tip of her finger. Bending into a twisted ladder, then a six pointed star and a throwing star. When had this happened? Her daughter was bending metal and she and Baatar didn't know about it.

"Kiara?" Kuvira said letting her child know she was in the room, "When, how long have you been able to do that?"

Kiara's hand stopped in mid air, she bit her bottom lip. "The last two months."

"Two months?" Kuvira whispered to herself, "Why didn't you say anything?"

"I don't know it just didn't seem all that important." Kiara said sitting up making room for her mom.

"Not important? Of course it's important you a metalbender." She didn't understand why Kiara wouldn't….did she feel that they didn't have time for her with Mika? "Kiara your father and I will always have time for you."

"I know mom, it just didn't matter that much to me to bring up." Kiara turned the window. Outside of the house rain pelted at the ground, low hanging dark grey clouds loomed over. The flash of lightning lit up her eyes.

"Answer me Kiara please, what's wrong?" Kuvira placed a finger under her chin. "You can tell your father and me anything Kiara."

"If I tell you it will only just make you upset." She held her mother's stare.

"It doesn't matter no matter how harsh it may be. I have faced a lot worse."

"You say that now but, later on you'll come to regret, some things are just better left unsaid."

"Kiara you don't know that for sure sweetie…"

"I do," Kiara said bluntly averting her gaze.

"As your mother…"Kuvira caught her gaze again, "It's my duty and responsibly to protect you."

"You can't protect me forever." Kuvira saw that same flick she had seen down on the beach. Was it fear? She was slipping through their fingers.

"Is it about Mika?"

"Stop asking about that." Kiara said through clenched teeth.

"Then just answer me." Kuvira said sternly, "Tell me what's hurting you."

And it turned into a screaming match. Kuvira kept asking what was wrong and Kiara kept saying nothing. Their personalities so alike, both so stubborn and strong willed it got them nowhere. It brought Baatar though, he heard the screaming.

Barging in he saw his wife and daughter fighting. Kuvira had both of her hands on Kiara's cheeks. Kiara had her hands on her mom's wrist.

"Kuvira, Kiara stop it right now." Baatar went over to them pushing them apart. "What is this all about?" He was met with a silence neither caring to tell. "No? Well then okay then, Kiara go out to the living room and entertain your brother and sister."

"Now." He said sternly when she didn't move. Baatar waited until she was gone then turned on Kuvira. "What was that about?" He took the vacant spot where Kiara had just been. Baatar listened as Kuvira retold what happened only a few seconds ago.

"I can't keep on going pretending that nothing is wrong." Kuvira stated, she was going to lose sleep over this.

"Be patient Kuvira."

"How can you say that? I want answers and I want them now."

"I was patient with you and look how far we have come." Baatar pointed out.

"I can't wait that long Baatar she's….she's hiding something."

"Just give a few days to blow over and then maybe a few months. She's so much like you, she has to come to us. If we keep poking at her this is just going to happen again."

It was the silence that killed them, Kiara kept everything so under wrap. And for a while she avoided both of her parents like the plague. A stony mask had slipped over her face and it never faltered or cracked in front of her parents often. When had Kiara turned into Kuvira, when and why had all of this started? Kuvira and Baatar did their best to coax it out of her but, those walls had increased tenfold.

XXXXXX

Next chapter things cool down a little bit then things start going downhill fast.