Asahi watched as Ran, Shaw and Pyro tangled together in a raw, animalistic greeting, and her heart lightened up at the sight of them. Her foster parents had accepted their son and thus acknowledged her way of raising him. She was overjoyed and wanted to tell Zuko but fell silent when she found him staring at her.

"Wh-what?" She blushed.

"…Nothing…"

She was about to say something else, but was cut short when Ran approached her rapidly. The red Dragon curled up around her and Asahi leaned against the warm creature as Ran greeted her.

Hello, Little. Ran's voice was warm and kind, like a mother's. How have you been?

"I've been doing fine, thank you." Asahi answered quietly. Her heart filled with a great, unwavering love.

That's good, then. Well, now, shall we attend to our other guest? The Dragon turned her attention towards Zuko and Asahi followed.

Fiery Prince, how are you?

Too embarrassed to use his nickname, Asahi roughly translated:

"Ran asks how you are."

"Um, I'm fine, thank you." He murmured, seemingly overpowered by their presence. Asahi could slightly connect to the feeling. When she had returned from her solo travels she had suddenly felt an awe for Ran and Shaw that she had lacked as a younger child.

Asa-mama, Asa-mama! Pyro came flying towards her, full of energy and happiness. Look, my dragon-mama and dragon-papa! He spun around her in joy.

"Yes, didn't I tell you?" She asked and chuckled.

Young one, do show some dignity. Now even Shaw had lowered himself from the ceiling and Asahi found herself and Zuko engulfed in Dragons.

Pyro stared at his father, then lowered his head. Yes, Father. He said and Asahi felt a little pang in her chest, wondering if her role in Pyro's life had just been diminished.

Little, the Fiery Prince is staring. Ran nudged her shoulder gently with her snout and Asahi turned towards Zuko. Indeed he was staring at them wide-eyed, seemingly unable to say anything of consequence; or really anything at all.

"What's up, Zuko, nervous?" Asahi asked mischievously. Of course he was, but as always she found it fun to tease him.

"N-no, not really!" He denied his feelings and blushed lightly. At the sight of this, Asahi smiled gently, approaching him slowly.

"That's okay, they are impressive, after all." She said and put a hand on his arm. "But it's fine, really. They have accepted you long before and now they are very pleased with how Pyro turned out." She explained.

Scared of us, eh? Well, he'd better be. Shaw commented. A Fiery Prince like him can be happy that we granted him the honor of raising our child.

"Shaw!" Asahi reprimanded him "Don't be mean. Also, stop calling him that!"

"Stop calling me what?" Zuko asked, curious.

"Ah, nothing, really!" Asahi said, trying to wiggle her way out of it. "Nothing of consequence." But this time, he didn't let her get away.

"Calling me what?" He asked again. Asahi looked down, blushing and felt like a little girl that had just been embarrassed by her overprotective parents. She sighed and mumbled:

"They call you the Fiery Prince." She peeked up and saw Zuko's expression changing from surprised to annoyed to angry.

"What?!" He asked, enraged.

"Well, you were still a prince when they met you and you are hotheaded!" She tried defending the Dragons. Somehow, that made her feel silly, considering the difference in size. She sighed once more, then put on some puppy dog eyes and said:

"Oh, come on Zuko, don't be angry. They don't really mean it and besides – I never called you that, now, did I?" Immediately, she could feel him respond in a much more pleasant manner as his face relaxed and he shrugged.

"Maybe they're right." He admitted.

…

After the first, rocky conversation was managed, Zuko, Pyro and Asahi spent a very enjoyable evening with the two great Masters. Zuko found they were great company, wise and noble, yet witty and wild.

"We're glad things turned out the way they did." Asahi translated Shaw. "We would have worried for mankind, had you and the Avatar not joined forces and won the war."

The evening had gotten on and their conversation had turned to more serious matters.

"And I am grateful to have received the gift of Fire from the Masters." Zuko responded. "I would never have rediscovered my Bending without you."

"Oh, but your flame is always within you, Fiery Prince." That must have been Ran. The red dragon seemed a bit more mischievous than the blue one and could not be convinced to drop his silly nickname.

"Zu-papa, you're a great Firebender." Asahi translated the solemnness in Pyro's voice perfectly.

"Still, I doubt the war would have been won but for your help." Zuko insisted.

"It's good you're humble. But always remember, the Firebenders learned their ancient arts from us Dragons and thus you must never forget your dignity and self-confidence as it is those traits that truly make your flames marvelous." The blue dragon looked at him with a serious expression.

As the hours went on, Asahi seemed to grow ever more tired and while she was still translating she slipped off into a deep sleep in the middle of a sentence.

"Asahi?" Zuko whispered, but the Dragonlord just turned around, nestled between Ran's claws. The red Dragon lowered her head, but, obviously, Zuko could not converse properly with her anymore. He could try and guess, though.

"Are you trying to tell me to let her sleep?" He asked. In answer, Ran nudged his forehead with her snout and suddenly, Zuko felt all warm. He closed his eyes and smiled, suddenly in awe of his situation. He was travelling with the Gaang, slowly finding inner peace, reconnecting with his roots, raising a dragon and spending time with two great dragons and all of it thanks to one small girl.

"Great Masters, my I take her to the temple's sleeping quarters?" He asked "I think Asahi has deserved a quiet good nights' sleep in a proper bed."

In answer, Shaw wrapped his tongue around the sleeping Asahi, carefully raising her from the ground and dropping her into Zuko's outstretched arms.

"Thank you." He murmured as her studied her peaceful, sleeping face.

"Great Masters, I thank you for this wonderful evening. I thank you for assigning me with Pyro. And, most of all, I thank you for connecting me with Asahi. I shall take my leave now. Pyro, you can spend the night here, if you like, or you can accompany us. Just as you like." The dragon looked at him, then at his birthparents and cuddled up beside them. Zuko wasn't angry at him; on the contrary, he could understand Pyro for wanting to spend time with Ran and Shaw.

Somehow, and he was totally unaware how, he was able to make his way out of the cave and back into the clear and bright night sky. The afternoon's storm had completely cleared up and he felt just as calm as the night around him as he carefully put Asahi into the bed of the chamber she had shown him earlier. He cast her a last, long glance, the turned away and went to sleep himself.

…

Asahi could feel a slight rocking and to warm, strong arms carrying her around, but she was too tired to open her eyes and look up. But she thought that she could tell who was carrying her anyway, as it was a warmth so familiar to her that it most likely belonged to one person only.

"Papa." She whispered as she slipped back into the land of dreams.