Second Chances

by AnumOfTheMoon

Sequel to Where We Stand..revised summary...Katara is on the road to redemption but due to the ridicule she has face several years after Ozai's defeat, Katara spirals on a downward path into oblivion while the ever changing world produces a new villian.

46. Ozai & Kya Part One

A/N:

We have the final chapters of the five year story Arc! Ozai and Kya!

Chapter 39: Part one

Omashu Over the Next Five Years

Year One….

"Princess Kya, you sure have shown plenty of dedication to this newly found nation." A general said as they approached the young princess as she was preparing to leave from the meeting room.

Greeting them with a courteous smile, Kya expressed her gratitude for the general's flattery and told him she was delighted her father had such loyal men at his side. As she excused herself, Kya carried her work to her father's office and entered without prompt. He typically didn't care. She waltzed right up to his desk and laid the notes down in front of him. She, then, took a seat and allowed him to read over her notes.

"Hmm…" Ozai put on his spectacles to get a better reading of what his daughter had to report. "You think these five will be best to run those city-states?"

Nodding her head as she relayed to him the details of the city-states and how each of her chosen candidates would be able to easily govern them. Seemed his daughter had done plenty of research but that was to be expected. Kya was exceptionally thorough with her reviews and left not a signal detail unlisted. She wanted complete and utter perfection.

"I approve. Have them all in my office by noon tomorrow. I'll go over their assignments while you make preparations for them and their families to take their leave. I'm sure the governors' mansions are all ready for them." Her father said through his face mask.

Nodding her head, Kya left the room without further discussing anything else. She and her father were in an odd arrangement. Everyday she felt less and less like his daughter and more and more like his assistant or co-ruler or caretaker. If it was work related she was either assisting him or taking charge on her own as he'd leave her to deal with matters he felt were trivial. 'I have to rebuild this entire kingdom from the slums. I want not a single grain of sand not paved in gold.' It was his gold to make this kingdom into an empire fit for one such as him. And then when he was having his psychotic episodes from drugs and alcohol, she was his caretaker. He didn't trust anyone else to look after him...and neither did she.

Sighing as she rubbed her temples and returned to her chambers for the day, Kya dismissed her servants. Her father had never imposed servants on her before but now with their kingdom claiming more and more status in the world of power and hierarchy, he was hiring more servants to lessen their burden of the mundane so they could focus on governing.

"Have a good evening, Princess Kya." The servants all bowed in unison.

Kya rolled her eyes as she went to sit at her vanity, removing the accessories from her hair and undoing all the ties. Her wavy black hair fell around her. She hated how messy her hair was when it wasn't pinned up. She didn't know how her mother dealt with this sort of hair. It was so inconvenient.

As she took her brush and began flattening it for the evening, Kya's reflection smiled at her as the eyes glowed blue.

You should smile more. Her siren sole told her.

"I don't feel like smiling." Kya replied simply as she stared at herself in the mirror.

Shaking her head as she sighed and rested her chin in her hand, You're fifteen. A girl like us needs to get out and be free. Look at boys. Have girl friends. And be young!

"What for?"

Look sweetcheeks, you're literally wasting away here, okay? Between work and your daddy, you've got to be one lonely girly.

Kya shrugged. So what if she was lonely? She had other more important things to do. Sure, she wasn't like her father that enjoyed his isolation but what could she really do? There was work to be done and if she didn't do it then her father would literally fall apart since he was already barely functioning without his work in his face.

You have time now. It's just barely dusk. You're a waterbender so you'll be up for hours. How about we go for a stroll, hmm?

As much as she wanted to say no just because, Kya kind of wanted to get some air and it was a chilly night. Her favorite kind of night.

Having brushed her hair down and put on her light purple nightgown with a matching translucent robe, Kya walked through the almost empty halls. She greeted the guards kindly and waved at the servants. She believed they all played a vital part in this palace and her mother had taught her when she was young to always be kind to others no matter the roles they played.

"Going to the gardens again, your highness?" A young male servant stood at the gateway to the royal gardens with a tray of linen.

Giving what was barely a smile to the servant, Kya nodded.

"Should I let the guards know to patrol this area?"

Shaking her head.

The servant chuckled at the princess, "You are quite the wordless one, aren't you?"

Shrugging.

"Well, you take care of yourself, your highness. Though I do feel sorry for whatever moron tries to attack you." The servant said before bowing one last time and carrying his linen off.

Kya stared after the man in curiosity. That was the same servant from the last three times she's been out here. All nights of a waxing crescent. Did he track the lunar cycle too? Brushing it off as she wanted to get a good look at the moon tonight, the princess went to the middle of the garden and sat at the patio she had ordered months ago to be crafted. She pulled out the sketchbook that she left in various parts of the palace for her to draw in.

For a few hours, Kya sketched what she saw in the sky and what she saw in her mind. Her mother always seemed to come to mind. She always drew her mother as she had remembered her mother when she was younger. In Fire Nation garb and with a just barely smiling expression. She didn't know why when it came to her memories of her mother, that she chose the ones of her mother at her lowest to remember. Maybe it was because thinking of her mother in recent times and what happened to her was a much more painful thing to remember. At least back then, her mother wasn't disillusioned. Her mother didn't take risks or chances on her happiness. She either was or wasn't. And typically...she wasn't.

You are absolutely no fun. Her siren spoke up.

Rolling her eyes, "This is fun to me."

Well not to me. Maybe we just need to start discussing having a boyfriend.

"Not happening." Kya shook her head and continued her sketching. "I learned from the best that it is better to not love at all then to watch your heart be torn from your chest and shoved down your throat."

"Princess Kya?" A voice alerted the water siren. An actual voice.

Startled, Kya looked up to see where the voice came from and saw a man standing in the archway of this small private sector of the garden. The man was a bit confused. Not that he shouldn't be. He just caught her talking to herself. He looked about a few years younger than Zuko. Short hair that was black and fashioned the way Fire Nation men wore their hair. So he was not one of the Earth Kingdom residents.

"Is there someone else here with you?" The man asked as he looked around the little sanctuary she had made herself.

Standing up from her bench, Kya shook her head and rubbed the back of her neck in that awkward way her older brother seemed to do. "N-no...it's just me."

"Then who were you talking to just now?" The man continued looking around as he stepped forward into Kya's little domain.

Casting her gaze down, "I was talking to myself."

"Yourself?" He chuckled in a way that brought to life his gold eyes under the moonlight. "That seemed to be a bit dark to be telling yourself, don't you think?"

Looking up at him with wide eyes as she realized how that must sound to him. Kya stumbled over herself as she quickly tried to explain herself.

"I'm not crazy or anything. I-I I'm a siren and… we have this second soul or whatever and like um…it tells me stuff I don't like...so…-" Kya felt she was just sounding more nuts. "Look, I'm weird. I know that. So can you please not tell anyone you even saw me tonight? I'll have my father pay yo-"

"No need." The man told her as he approached her. "I won't tell. Seeing the cut and dry Princess Kya off guard and flustered is quite the sight to see. I'll keep this between you and me."

Flushing from the embarrassment, Kya pulled her hair behind her ear and tried not to make eye contact with him.

"Who would have thought the princess could be so cute?" He chuckled as he came a bit closer.

Kya quickly took her sketchbook and ran off.

Next day during a meeting that her father was present for, Kya announced the chosen governors of different city-states in need of leadership. They were hand selected by her and approved by her father. She was very confident that they would have no problem securing the safety and the loyalty of these areas.

Once that was settled, her father moved the meeting onto other matters. Her father's plan for finally marking the Southern Earth Kingdom with his brand. Establishing it as the Phoenix Empire. From the rubble and filth it had once been into something far greater. All members at the table were pleased with this. Even those of Earth Kingdom descent that his father maintained at court. His agenda was to keep his court and his counsel diverse to ensure that he pleased those of his people that were Fire Nation like him and those that were native to this side of the globe.

When the meeting adjourned, Ozai saw his daughter packing her notes up to begin working in her personal office on another project he bestowed onto her. He was going to give her an outline of what he wanted. He was strict about rubrics but fortunately, she was strict on details.

"Have this drafted up by the end of this week. I need to have it ready in time for the embassories from Bei Seng Sei." Ozai dropped a folder down beside her as he stood over her.

Kya glanced at the folder and opened it slightly to take a look inside. Her eyes skimmed over it as she looked up at her father. "Are you sure this is something you want to propose to them?"

"I've been ruling for a long time, Kya. And I've been doing well at it. Do not question me. Just get it done."

Nodding her head, Kya closed the folder and told her father that she would have it ready the day before the embassories arrived so he could review it.

"I'll see you at dinner." He said before turning his back to leave.

Should we even show up for dinner? Honestly, no. Dinner was just a formality that her father maintained with her. It was more to prove to one another that they were still family in one another's eyes but to be honest, it was a very painful exchange. Her father wouldn't touch his food and would just drink. And she'd watch, losing her appetite as the food began to taste bitter in her mouth. Once her father passed out drunk and she dragged him off to his chambers with the help of the guards, Kya would bare through listening to her intoxicated father talk about how much he hated being immortal. It was hard to swallow the bulk of his despair. Hard to see him like that.

Shaking her head, "He needs me." Kya told the siren.

You're going to drive yourself to be miserable.

"I can't be miserable if I've never been happy. There's nothing for me to mourn."

"Still talking to yourself?"

Kya jumped back as she heard the voice from last night in her ear.

"Oh sorry, to startle you again." The man said as he chuckled at her.

Staring wide-eyed at him before she began to relax and then scowl slightly at him. "Is there a particular reason you like sneaking up on me?"

The man tilted his head as if she were accusing him of trying to scare her. He quickly told her that last night was an accident and that this morning was him hoping to introduce himself. Kya wanted to blow him off. She was not the friendly type nor did she care for introductions outside of formalities.

Be nice for once! Jeez! You want to be alone like your father?!

I'm already alone like him.

Not my point! At least try to act like you care.

It was rare that Kya ever took her siren's advice but whenever she did, it was typically due to the fact that a part of her was wanting to as well.

"Introduce yourself." She said more like a command than simply asking.

Holding his hand out to her, "I'm Tozen Ichimaru. Head of the Ichimaru clan in the Fire Nation."

Kya eyed his hand.

"Oh," he retracted his hand. "I thought for sure that handshakes were Water Tribe custom for greetings."

"I was born in the Fire Nation, raised by my Fire Nation father, I don't follow Water Tribe customs." Kya told him in her stoically annoyed tone.

Ease up, will ya?!

Kya could see she had caused the man to be uneasy and while she wasn't very friendly, she didn't pride herself on being rude either.

"I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable but it's in your best interest not to bother with me."

Kya bowed apologetically and took off running.

….

The proposal was drafted up and placed on her father's desk. He looked it over and thanked her for her good work. She bowed and dismissed herself before he could. She preferred to beat him to the punch. Never lingering around long enough for him to be annoyed but long enough to allow her presence to make its mark.

As she had nothing much to do with all her work done for the week, Kya decided it was a perfect time to get a little training in. Even as a master waterbender she still needed to maintain her precision and abilities. She changed into her more casual training attire. A red sleeveless vest with gold trimming and matching loose-fitted pants. She also wore gold arm bands on her upper arm. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail with a gold hair pin of a phoenix feather.

The servants all greeted her to which she never missed a beat with greeting them back. She always went out of her way to be nice to them. They were all very kind individuals and they worked very hard and if there was anything Kya appreciated, it was good work ethics.

Her workout was about an hour in when she caught some staring at her. Typically, she'd brush it all off and continue but with that Tozen guy showing up around her, she wasn't able to write it off. Her gold eyes narrowed slightly as they looked up at the second level terrace that oversaw the courtyard. There, she saw a man, Fire Nation descent no doubt, staring down at her with that same look in his eyes that the other man from before. She stopped her bending workout and let the water splash down on the surface of the courtyard before storming off.

….

Ozai had been speaking with a small group of Fire Nation nobles visiting Omashu to get a look at the many changes and advancements they had made in recent times.

"At the moment I have a group in Goalu Mountain ridge setting up metal platforms that lead from here to the cape of Kyoshi." Ozai further explained the railroad system he had developed and was implementing with joint efforts of firebenders and earthbenders. The structure will be complete in less than a year as he was providing many jobs for those in areas where the railroad would be traveling through. He also went on to inform them that every major town, port town, and city in every city-state had airship docks as another form of quick travel in the Phoenix Empire.

"My, you sure have your work cut out for you here, Phoenix King Ozai. We hear plenty back home about the wealth long surpassing the Fire Nation's but to see all of this with our own eyes, it is truly something to behold." One of the former generals from his days as Fire Lord spoke as he stroked his beard as his eyes roamed the decked out halls and structures through the palace.

Smirking to himself as he listened to more praise from his guests, Ozai continued with his tour and answered a few more of their questions. Seemed most of them were interested in the aspects of his inhuman side as well as rumors they had heard. It was easy to answer them on the perks of his inhuman traits and immortality as well as his ambitions for his empire but the rumors were hard hitters.

"We heard talk of you and your former wife getting back together. They say there are legal documents confirming she is once again your legal wife." One of them brought up.

"She and I are legally wedded." Ozai said through his clenched teeth.

"Oh wonderful." Another spoke up joyfully. "She really surprised us all those years ago. Amazing Fire Lady. Though, I'm surprised that she isn't here by your side."

"Katara is currently serving time in prison. In the North Pole." Ozai begrudgingly stated. "Our union came with its set of consequences and in order for her to cut her ties with Chieftain Arnook, she has to serve time."

"Ah!" They all said in unison.

"Well that sure explains a lot. Rumors had said that your union was quite scandalous and that-"

Another noble nudged the one speaking, "I do believe, the Phoenix King misses his wife enough without us bringing it up."

Ozai was thankful someone caught onto the sudden shift in the atmosphere. He had been working very diligently on his anger issues. Last thing he wanted was to explode and there wasn't a lot anymore that made him overreact. But topics regarding Katara, did.

When they passed by the courtyard heading to another area of the palace, Ozai noticed one of the noblemen paused to look over the terrace. Knowing Kya was working out in her freetime, he raised his brow at the man and stopped himself, causing everyone else to do the same. They all turned to stare at the single nobleman that took interest in the girl down below.

"I didn't know you had other waterbenders aside from your wife."

Raising a brow, "I would have thought that would be common knowledge by now." And it was. Everyone in every kingdom knew that after his second wife, Ozai had a particular taste. Especially with Hama having served at his side for the time that Katara was absent.

Deciding to brush off the fact that the man was eyeing his daughter strangely, Ozai continued on.

…

Dinner was surprisingly not as uneventful as Kya had anticipated it to be. Her father seemed to have a lot to discuss with her and he hadn't even touched his glass of wine. Hell, he didn't even have a glass of wine. Just water and he ate his food. As if he were in a wonderful mood. Kya felt a bit of warmth and relief spark up in her chest. This was the side of her father she could live with.

"I meant to tell you that we're having guests from the Fire Nation staying here at court. Just a few heads of noble families close in bloodline." Ozai told his daughter as he ate.

Acknowledging her father, Kya asked him how long they would be here.

"Why do you ask?" he glanced up from his plate and eyed her.

Shrugging, "Two of your new guests have been eyeing me."

"So what?" He looked away from her. "You have your mother's good looks."

"Doesn't mean they have to stare."

"Then tell them to look away."

"What if they don't?"

Ozai dropped his chopsticks and eyed his daughter with annoyance. "What the hell do you want me to do about it?! Gorge their eyes out or something?! You're becoming a woman. Get used to it."

Kya shook her head and stood to leave.

Staring at her empty chair, Ozai suddenly lost his appetite. Why was it so hard to raise children? All of them had been difficult aside from Azula. They were all so damn needy and wanted him to figure things out for them. He had thought Kya was different but she was getting older and without Hama's help, she was becoming difficult to deal with. Though, he guessed he had only himself to blame.

Ozai sighed and ran his hand through his hair. Maybe it wasn't something wrong with his children. Maybe it was just him. Agni, he felt like he could do everything right as a leader. Acquire wealth with little to no effort. Gain the people's love and adoration. Women flocked to him. Men envied him. He always felt the desire to gloat and boast about his achievements but when it came to the people closest to him, he was utterly embarrassed at how much he failed at being what they needed him to be. His children especially. Just like Zuko, Zhiar wasn't at his side and was instead being raised elsewhere. Just like Azula, Kya remained at his side. The only difference was that he sincerely wished things were different this time around but he...he just didn't know how to not put his foot in his mouth as a father. Even more...he didn't know how to be a father.

Getting up from the table, Ozai sighed.

Kya was in her chambers sketching at her desk in her study when she heard a knock. Sighing as she glanced up as the doors opened, she saw her father enter. She was expecting him to be drunk or high off the opium or something. But to her surprise, he seemed normal. He took a seat in front of her and looked her dead in the eyes.

"I don't exactly know how to deal with other men looking at my daughter, so I'm sorry if I've been…" Searching for the word. "Indiff-"

"Insensitive." Kya folded her arms and raised a brow at him the same way her mother used to do to him when she was upset with him. "May I speak freely?"

Exhaling as he slouched in the chair across from her desk, Ozai rubbed his temple and permitted her to speak freely.

"I'm not asking you to do better or to be different. I know you care about me, us, in your own way and you suck at expressing it. But I...I just-" Kya's brows furrowed as her gaze dropped. "It's uncomfortable having men look at me and I'm not asking you to kill them but I guess…" Kya's eyes lifted to her father as she sighed. "I don't want to be seen as a woman. I don't think of myself that way and when men look at me, I feel like I'm going to throw up in my mouth or even soil myself. I really...I really don't want to be-"

Ozai didn't have to hear the rest of what she had to say. All he knew was that his daughter that was rarely ever phased had tears in her eyes and it angered him.

"If being a woman means they can look at me that way then I don't want to be one!" Kya flat out told him.

Inhaling deeply as he stood up and exhaled, Ozai stared down at his daughter while she sat at her desk and cried. "Then what do you want to be?" he asked her.

Sniffling, "I just want to be me."

…

"One of you fucks has been eyeing my daughter!" Ozai snarled in a meeting he had with the noblemen that were visiting.

Every man in the room stilled at the sudden outburst of the Phoenix King. Someone was looking at his daughter? And it was one of them? Oh dear Agni, save them. Every man in the room became stiff and swallowed hard.

"My daughter was in tears because she felt someone was looking at her in a less than innocent fashion."

The Phoenix King went onto address the issue of his daughter to the men, warning that if he catches any of them looking at her strangely or in a sexual way, he'd kill them on sight. No questions asked.

Going to check on his daughter, who had decided to train in the dojo instead of the courtyard, Ozai let her know that he handled it. If she saw anyone staring at her or tried to speak with her in a less than casual sense, she had permission to attack. Kya smiled at her father and ran up to hug him. Ozai fell stiff but did pet her head to show some form of affection.

"Thank you, dad." She looked up at him and smiled.

"You have to learn to deal with these things yourself." He pulled away from her and brushed himself off, becoming distant in his mannerism. "I can't protect you all the time. No one can. Only you. You've never been weak. Don't start going soft on me."

Kya nodded her head, still smiling. Regardless of the fact that her father always became awkward towards any of his children that expressed affection to him, she was just happy that he cared enough to have addressed the issue. She never doubted her father loved them...he just had his way of showing it.

…..

A week passed and Kya was back to training in the courtyard. She wore her usual workout clothes. She felt a little more safe knowing that her father had issued threats to his guests. Now, no one would dare sneak a glance at her.

As she focused on her bending for the better half of two hours, the teen noticed in the corner of her eyes was a man standing by the pillars staring at her. She turned her head completely and saw it was the man from last time who stared at her from the second floor terrace. Furrowing her brows as the man took her scowl as an invitation to approach her.

"Hello, water woman." He said with a smile, waving his hand in a friendly gesture.

She felt an instant annoyance fall over her. Didn't people know how to read facial expressions? Or was she not scowling hard enough?

"I'm harmless. I promise. No need to have your guard up." He chuckled as he stopped just a foot in front of her. "Names, Uhara Totomi. Head of the Totomi clan." Extending his hand to shake hers.

Kya looked the man up and down before looking him in the eyes, "Just because I bend water doesn't mean I'm from the Water Tribes."

"Oh!" He pulled his hand back in embarrassment. "Forgive me. It's just until the end of the war, the only waterbenders that we Fire Nation people had ever seen were either in the poles or the one that married Phoenix King Ozai."

Scoffing as she rolled her eyes and walked away from him without prompt.

"Ummm, miss, I didn't catch your name." The man followed behind her.

"My name?" Kya asked as she took her towel and wiped the sweat from her face. "What would you need something like that for?"

Uhara chuckled again. "So, I know who you are and what to call you, of course."

He made it sound like the most obvious thing when to her, her identity should already be the most obvious thing. Did the idiot seriously not know who she was or was he using that as an excuse to speak with her? Surely, he had to know.

A rare smirk pulled across her face as she stood with her back turned. Kya figured if this guy wasn't going to leave her alone then she was going to toy with him.

Turning around and offered him a small smile, "My name is Kikimaru but you can call me Kiki for short." Kya gave a short bow.

Returning the bow, Uhara smiled as he looked over the young water woman. "Sorry if I've made you feel uncomfortable, Kiki. Being from the Fire Nation, you don't get to see too many waterbenders bending."

Nodding her head, "Yes. I've noticed."

"So you've been to the Fire Nation?"

"Naturally."

"I guess so." Uhara rubbed his neck a bit as he became a little unsure. "So w-what are you to the Phoenix King?"

Tilting her head up at the man as she stared at him with her big eyes, "What am I to him?" Kya wasn't stupid. She knew what he meant but she figured from what she's watched from others and the things in the adult novels her father kept confiscating from her that men liked ignorant women. Women that didn't know much. The naive type. Ones they could fool and have their fun with.

"Like *cough into his fist* what is your role here." Uhara asked again.

Shrugging, "I'm not honestly sure. His majesty claims he cares for me but he never spends time with me. So I kind of just live here and stay out of his way, I guess." Kya feigned disappointment.

Uhara could see that the young woman was disheartened. He asked her if she would like some company and saw right away that her eyes lit up.

"You'd want to spend time with me?"

"Of course. You shouldn't have to feel lonely because the Phoenix King has lost interest in you. I hear he's a hard shell of a man. No one but his second wife could get through his tough exterior, so don't feel bad."

I want to barf. I say we make this man look like a fool. Kya grinned up at the man. I'm gamed.

….

Ozai was just finishing up with Zuko's unanticipated arrival. That bastard got his blood boiled. He had the audacity to show his face after what he had done. The damned idiot. However; he mentioned a few things that interest him. Set up? Well of course he was set up. Katara and he had their issues. But it was nothing they wouldn't have eventually worked out. Whatever took place that night, it came at the cost of their relationship and nothing else. Someone wanted this to happen. Someone did not want them together and it wasn't too hard to think of those that were involved.

As the Phoenix King figured he'd go do some sparring with his daughter as they hadn't had much time together outside of the work they put into the kingdom, Ozai figured he'd take the next few days off and do a better job at this 'dad' thing. But when he got to the training yard, he was not expecting to see his daughter running away from one of his guests.

"Kiki, please, comeback with that." Uhara called after the water woman in a playful fashion as he chased her.

"But I want to keep it." Kya laughed as she ran from him.

Eventually, Uhara caught up to her and grabbed her around her waist, lifting her off the ground.

"I do believe you have something of mine." Uhara said in a laughing manner.

"And I believe you have something of mine." Ozai growled as he stormed over to them. "PUT HER DOWN!"

Even Kya was a bit caught off guard by her father's tone. Uhara put the water woman back down on her feet and bowed down to the Phoenix King. Kya eyed her father cautiously as she stepped away from the man.

"Forgive me, your majesty. Kiki and I-"

"Kiki?! Who the fuck is Kiki?!" Ozai spat as he scowled down at the man. "I had one rule! One simple rule! One I know all of us men can understand to obey! KEEP AWAY FROM MY DAUGHTER!"

Daughter?! Uhara's eyes widened as he looked up and over to the water woman he had just been chasing around the training yard.

"I do not repeat myself!" Ozai's fists lit up in flames.

"Dad!" Kya stepped in front of the man. "It's not what it looks like!"

"Then what does it look like?! Because I see some thirty-something years old bastard picking up my fifteen year old daughter!" Ozai shouted.

Shaking her head, "He didn't know! I lied! Pretended to be one of your concubines!" Kya confessed. "He didn't know. I was making fun of him. This is my fault." She said in shame.

Ozai turned his scowl from the man to his daughter and slapped her.

Kya, holding her hand to her face, gaped up at her father. He had never once hit her. Never. Clenching her teeth as her eyes watered, she glared at him.

"Get out of my face before I throw you in a whore house in the desert!" Ozai snarled at her.

Uhara felt very uncomfortable having witnessed this exchange between father and daughter. He was just thankful that as soon as the princess was gone, the Phoenix King didn't say or do anything else, except walk away. Leaving him there on his knees.

…..

In her room, Kya laid in bed face down in a pillow. She couldn't believe it. Her father stood there and slapped her. And to make it all worse, he basically called her a whore. A whore for what?! Being playful?! She was just teasing the man. Nothing wrong with that. Plus, he was fun to tease. Especially when she didn't have anyone to interact with. She was literally talking to herself out loud because she knew nine times out of ten, no one would even be there to hear her.

The young teen heard her door open and lifted her head to see her father had welcomed himself into her room, shutting the door behind him. She sat up and crossed her leg underneath herself as she eyed him, rubbing the tears from her face.

Sniffling, "Ready to send me off to a whore house?" she asked in her monotone voice.

"You know I didn't mean that." Ozai said as he took a seat in a chair on the other side of her room. "I was upset. You told me that you didn't want any of the men around here looking at you. I took care of it and then, while on my way to spend time with you, I see you're playing around with one of those men. I'm confused."

Kya folded her arms and told him what happened. She was just going to prank the man and reveal later who she was. However; it was funny taking the man's wrist band. He literally fell over himself several times trying to get it back from her. In all honesty, despite him staring at her strangely at first, she could deal with him. Making fun of him made up for him eyeing her. Plus, she was bored and didn't have any friends. As long as the attention wasn't unwarranted, she could deal with it.

Even though for Kya, she meant this in a strictly platonic context it translated differently for her father and Ozai wasn't sure he was ready for this sort of conversation with his fifteen year old daughter. However; he trusted the bastard wouldn't be so dumb as to try anything with his daughter.

Standing up, Ozai simply told her that if she wanted a 'friend', she should try looking for someone her age, though Kya insisted that kids her age were stupid. Besides, older men were fun to make fun of. Ozai shook his head in disappointment as he never thought his daughter would turn out to be a tease. He'd have to keep an eye out for her. She might get herself into trouble.

…

Uhara was literally on edge all meeting. Though the Phoenix King had not sent anyone into the night to attack him in his sleep and he had not spoken a single word to him, it was very clear the man was still upset about finding him in the training yard with his daughter. The Phoenix King made constant eye contact with him the entire meeting. Even the others had noticed and wondered what had happened.

When the meeting was over, Uhara was thankful that the Phoenix King left abruptly. He was afraid the man would call him out in front the others.

"Lord Totomi, what was that?" One of the generals called for the man as he packed his things.

Shaking his head, "I saw a very cute waterbender the other day." Uhara explained. "I didn't realize she was the Phoenix King's daughter. She doesn't even look fifteen. Anyways, he nearly killed me in the training yard."

"Dear Agni, what is wrong with you?!" Another asked as they looked at him. "Never go after a man's daughter without his consent!"

"I know but I thought- I thought she was a…" Uhara whispered the rest.

"What?! I've seen the girl and she doesn't look like a concubine. She's obviously young. Looks a little like her mother with her father's eyes and cold expression. I don't know how you even got so close to her. Screw the fact that he'll kill you, she can do it herself." A nobleman said.

They all nodded their heads in agreement.

"Plus, if you had gotten a good look at her, she has gold eyes. The iris of a firebender."

"But she's a waterbender." Uhara said.

They all groaned.

"She's a duel bender."

It was Uhara's first time here in the Phoenix Empire. He didn't know much about Princess Kya other than she was the daughter of the former Fire Lord and the former water instructor of the Avatar. They all made her sound like a wild animal from the descriptions they gave him. She didn't seem all that bad. She glared at him for a bit but he figured she was just warding him off. After warming up to him, she was even cuter. It was really unfortunate that she was the Phoenix King's daughter.

As he had finished gathering his things and started to head back to his chambers, Uhara caught sight of the Phoenix Princess heading his way. He stiffened up when her gold eyes lifted up to see him. She sent him a courteous smile to which a servant literally ran into a pillar and a guard tripped over himself. Uhara freaked out and took off running. In the opposite direction.

Pausing, Kya stood there seeing that her smile alone caused an entire scene. Not only had Uhara fled but so did the other residents. Was there something wrong here?

You probably scared them all half to death.

"Is my smile really that ugly?" She began to wonder.

Ugly. Far from it. Terrifying. Most definitely.

Kya touched her face and mushed her cheeks together. Was she terrifying?

…..

At dinner, Kya saw that her father was once again not touching his wine. She guessed he wanted to talk tonight. The untouched glass was always a symbol of something being on his mind.

"I'm sending you to the South Pole just before your sixteenth birthday." Ozai told her. "You're young and should get to see more of the world. Get to learn more about your mother's heritage."

Kya lifted her eyes at her father and eyed him like he was up to something.

Raising his brow back at her, "What?"

"Mother's heritage?" Kya looked back down at her plate and toy with the veggies with her silverware. "This wouldn't have to do with everyone finding it strange that I am obviously a waterbender that's completely ignorant to my Water Tribe roots?"

Well, he didn't realize that others felt that way. He only knew that it was sort of odd to him that Kya referred to herself as a Fire Nation waterbender as if that wasn't completely farce. Then again...it was true. Ozai sighed to himself.

"I'm not saying I have a problem with going to the South Pole. I do want to see the rest of my family. Not to mention, I kind of want to get out of this palace." Kya said as she looked back to her father. "But tell me, is this business or personal."

Ozai rested his chin in his hand as he smirked at his daughter, "Business for me. Personal for you."

"How so?"

"I need you out of the palace for a while. I'd send you to the Fire Nation but your brothers and I aren't on the best terms."

"Does this have to do with Bei Seng Sei riding our asses about Princess Kikyo's death?"

Of course it did. Ozai had been dogged for months about the late princess's death. Due to whatever happened that night between Katara and the princess, led many to believe that he had actually carried out an affair with the girl. He was being seen as an accomplice as this wouldn't be the first time that a wife of his went down for murder that he commited. And even with that being said, Katara was still legally binded to him. She was legally his wife and he was held accountable for her actions.

When dinner ended, Kya walked to her chambers. It was getting late and the night servants were out. She greeted them as always and the guards, she knew all by name. The night staff were always her favorite. They didn't cringe or find her presence to be frightening unlike the day staff. If it weren't for her duties at court, she'd wake in the evening and befriend the night.

"Going to the gardens this evening, your highness?" The male servant from before asked as she spotted him in the halls.

Kya stopped to acknowledge him. "Perhaps." She spoke.

Beaming brightly at the princess, "I believe that's the first word you've ever spoken to me. I'm truly honored, Princess Kya."

Oh! Seems like someone has a crush on us. I say we get to know this lad.

Kya decided it was wise to ignore the siren as she didn't want to look crazy for talking to herself in front of someone. She sort of just stood there not knowing what to say or do in this situation. Her guard was caught off and she didn't know how to recover.

Fortunately, the servant found her current state of confusion to be concerning. He walked over to her and eyed her to see what was wrong.

"Your highness, are you okay?" He asked as he stood directly in front of her and pressed the back of his hand to her forehead.

Kya lifted her eyes gradually to look up at him and stared at him with curiosity. The servant was touching her. That was strictly against the rules for servants of the opposite sex. Didn't he fear her father killing him? Or had that gone out the window because he thought something was wrong with her?

When she saw that his eyes drop down to hers, Kya felt her breath catch in her throat and her face heat. Maybe there was something wrong with her. Because she suddenly felt very warm in her chest and her chest at the sight of his hazel eyes. They were mostly gold but there was a bit of green in them. The sight of them so close made her eyes widen. And then there was his tall lean physique standing over her with his hand only just now moving away from her forehead. Something in her chest fluttered as she stood away from him.

"I-I I'm fine." She said, staring at the man wide eyed as her cheek reddened.

The servant seemed unconvinced. "Let me go get the physician."

"No! No. No, I'm fine." Kya told him before taking off running.

Hurrying off to her chambers, Kya panted as she rushed to her bathroom mirror and splashed water in her face. The princess looked up at herself in the mirror and saw her cheeks were still red. What was this? Did this have to do with that servant? No. She shook her head. This might have to do with her firebending talent. She had mastered and practiced with her waterbending since she was very young but she never cultivated her firebending abilities. She completely ignored them. However; they seemed to no longer wish to be ignored. Maybe the heat was seeping up to her face because she had been suppressing that side of herself and focusing solely on her identity as a waterbender.

Sighing as she dropped her head and held boths sides of her sink counter, "I've always ever been a waterbender. How do I embrace also being a firebender?" She asked herself.

Actually...That's not all.

"What do you mean?" Kya looked up in the mirror at herself and saw her siren form smirking at her.

You're also a phoenix. The siren smirked. Sounds like daddy's genes are especially strong.

Furrowing her brows, Kya looked at herself and felt even worse than she had before. Now it just seemed she was so mixed up that it didn't make any sense at all. She really was starting to hate that her parents 'cross-bred' as her father liked to call it.

…..

"What?" Ozai raised a brow at his daughter as he sat at his desk going over the reports of the railroads.

"I want you to teach me firebending. Help me master it." Kya repeated again for her father, who seemed to be bewildered by her request.

"I thought you only wanted to be seen as a waterbender?"

"I do. I did." She looked away from him. "But last night when I was in the halls speaking with a night staff member. My face heated up and I felt a bit like I had a fever out of nowhere. I told him I was fine but I knew something was off. I believe it was the fire in me trying to reach the surface. So, I need to learn how to control it."

"Sweetheart," Ozai tried not to chuckle. "That's not the fire."

Tilting her head in confusion as she tilted her head at him. "It's not? Then what is it?"

Leaning forward as he was grinning from his failed attempt to not laugh, "Can you tell me exactly what happened when you felt this heat in your face?"

Kya recalled the entire incident to her father. She was particular about details and relaying information. So she left nothing out.

Unable to hold back his laughter, Ozai fell back into his chair and held his gut as his laughter bellowed through his office.

"It's not funny." Kya narrowed her eyes at him.

Trying to regain himself, Ozai wiped a tear from the corner of his eyes and looked at his daughter that was so used to being emotionless and indifferent that she couldn't even recognize she had a crush on some boy. Agni, if he didn't find this incredibly hilarious, he'd ask who the servant was and kill him.

"Kya, how about this? Hmm? Try being friendly for once." Ozai told her. "Try being more social or interacting with others outside of a professional setting. You're a teen. You should behave a little bit like one."

But Kya didn't know what that had to do with the heat in her body trying to escape. Why couldn't he just teach her firebending so she could control it? Why did he want her to socialize and be friendly?

"Try it. If it doesn't work, I'll teach you firebending."

"Okay." Kya agreed and left his office.

Ozai burst out laughing as soon as his daughter was gone. Agni, were all his children this clueless?! Must get it from their mothers'. Of course, he'd never admit that it was him that they inherited their cluelessness from.

….

Friendly? Socialize? How the hell am I supposed to do that and I don't have any friends? Kya thought to herself as she walked aimlessly around the palace.

How about making some friends? The siren told her.

"Who the hell would want to be friends with me?" Kya had tried being friends with some of the noble daughters and court girls and that didn't go well. She was sort of outcast from that group. Including the boys her age from the noble households. The aristocrats from both Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom lineage steered clear of her. The only people of the noble households that even spoke a word to her were the heads that attended the meetings and it was always professional. But father said in an unprofessional setting.

You've met two noblemen in an unprofessional setting. How about we try them?

While it wasn't the best advice that the siren had come up with, it was better than anything she could think of. So Kya decided she'd give it a try.

…

Searching the halls for the Fire Nation guests, the princess managed to hear them leaving from one of the lounges that they spent time conversing and mingling with others in their spare time. However; as she spotted the one she believed was named Tozen, she paused when she overheard their conversation.

"Listen, I just hope I don't get in trouble like Uhara did." Tozen said. "I ran into the princess a few nights before the Phoenix King said anything about staying away from his daughter. She was talking to herself or whatever. It was odd but then again, she's an odd girl. Other than being a pretty face and being stoic, what makes her any different from the former Princess Azula?"

Kya stepped back as the words stung her a bit. Usually she didn't care about courtly gossip or the things people said behind her back but somehow this time the words did penetrate. She furrowed her brows and pivoted,walking back in the opposite direction.

So Tozin Ichimaru is off the list. Least go about that Uhara guy. He was fun making an idiot out of.

Kya didn't know at this point. She did almost get the man killed. While she agreed, he was fun poking fun at because he was such an idiot man, she figured if Tozin felt that way about her then surely Uhara didn't feel that much different. Besides, he literally scurried off when she forced a smile at him.

Won't hurt to try.

A lot of things that didn't typically bother her was starting to bother her, so she wasn't too sure. But what else could she do now?

Finding Uhara in the library browsing through the books and scrolled, the little water siren held her hands behind her back as she approached him from his side.

"Mr. Totomi." She addressed him.

"Yes?" He answered before turning to look to his side. When he did, his eyes widened and he dropped the book in his hand as he backed away. "Princess Kya."

Eyeing the book that he dropped, Kya reached down to pick it up and held it out to him. "Your book."

Cautiously, Uhara reached to take the book from her and stepped away as she made direct eye contact with him like a doll would. It was a bit frightening.

"About the other day, Mr. Totomi, I-"

"I-it's fine, your highness. Think nothing of it. Now, I should be going." He bowed and quickly took off running.

Kya stared at the spot he had once been standing in and clenched her teeth as she was feeling very annoyed. What the fuck was going on here? Was she just straight up unapproachable?

Just as she was about to blow a fuse, she heard a voice chuckling behind her. Turning around to see who thought something was so damn funny, Kya saw the male servant that typically worked the night shift. She immediately felt her teeth unclench and her expression soften up.

"I see idiots like him find you frightening, your highness." The servant chuckled some more as he was putting books from a cart onto the bookshelf.

Kya walked over to him casually as her annoyance seemed fleeting and she was back to a more curious and light demeanor.

The servant noticed the princess had come over to him and so he stopped working to give her his undivided attention.

"Aren't you afraid of me too?" She asked him.

Smiling as he shook his head, "What is there to be afraid of? You're a quiet girl. Don't bother anyone. And you're kind to us lesser people. You're much less scarier than the rest of the highborns."

"Lesser people, you say?" Kya looked from him to the books on the cart and picked one up to open and skim through. "Mother always hated servants as lesser people. Says you should be called common folks since there is more of you than those of nobility and royalty."

Shrugging, "I guess she would be right."

"I know she is. My mother was a kind woman at heart and every common folk I've met has been kind to me. It's the highborns that I have issues with." Kya sighed as she closed the book and placed it back on the cart, looking back up to the servant. "Don't you work the night shift?"

Chuckling as he seemed to find everything she said to be funny, the servant went back to storing the books back on the shelf. "Yes, but as of late I've needed to make more coin for my mother. She's sick and her medicine is expensive. So I need to work both shifts if I can." He told her.

"Your mother is sick? Sick with what?" Kya was curious.

Seemed it was what they believed was cancer. It was terminal and they knew his mother would eventually pass but he wanted her to at least be able to give his mother a comfortable life before she passed on. Kya could understand that. Somethings were unavoidable and all one could do was lessen the pain.

"Maybe I could help." Kya offered.

The servant's eyes widened. "Oh no, your highness! You do not have to! I don't mind working! It's what I'm used to!"

Shaking her head, "Nonsense. I'm a healer. I can ease her pain. Take me to her." Kya ordered.

The servant sighed as he felt bad that he had even mentioned it. He wasn't one to accept charity. He was taught to always work hard for a living. And though the princess was a healer, he could pay for his own. He didn't need her to pity him. Just because he was 'common folk' as she put it, didn't mean he was helpless. He could afford his own healer. But she had ordered him and there was nothing he could say to stop her.

Kya ordered the palace guards to open the gates for her and the servant as they were going into the city. They attempted to question her about having her father's permission but she shot them down immediately.

"I've ordered you to open the gate, Lieutenant Han, out of respect for you and your men. I could just blow down the gate. You take your pick, lieutenant." Kya eyed him. Her tone wasn't callous or threatening. But she meant what she said.

The gate's doors opened and Kya gestured for the servant to show her the way to his home. He nodded and walked ahead of her.

Following behind the servant, Kya examined him a little. She noticed the low tie of his hair no longer fell over his shoulder like it typically did when she saw him walking casually around the palace. It was down his back as he walked with great strides to lead her to his home. She always noticed that he was tall. Not as tall as her father but close to her brother's height. Her gaze dropped to his hands and noticed he was clenching them. Was he upset? Did she upset him? Maybe. She displeased a few people as of late. However; simply thinking that she could have pissed off this nice man really made her a bit anxious. What was she supposed to do to make it better? Talk? Socializing? Be friendly?

Moving to walk beside him, Kya glanced up at the side of him and saw that his face wasn't scrunched up in anger, so that was good, right? But that didn't mean he wasn't still pissed at her somehow. What should she say?

"I never learned your name and yet, I see you all the time. Not to mention I'm on my way to help your mother. I do believe I should know your name." Kya hoped she didn't sound demanding or entitled.

"My name is Hirotoshi. But everyone calls me Toshi for short."

"Toshi, huh?" Kya tried the name out. She hadn't really called many people by their given name. Only her brothers and Hama. So it was nice to call someone that wasn't family by their name.

Seeing the look of amusement on the princess's face as she mouthed out his name to herself a few times. He grinned to himself and looked away. The princess was really just a cute girl. She didn't seem to be doing this out of pity. Maybe she was just curious. He figured that outside of her responsibilities at court and her family, she didn't have much experience with people. She was a little awkward in social situations but it was cute. And she was adorable.

Kya looked around and saw that the sun was beginning to set. She knew her father didn't care if she was outside of the palace but if she missed dinner, she'd be in trouble. Dinner was never negotiable. They were mandatory. If she didn't show, he'd be upset. However; in this case...maybe he'd make an exception.

"So, Toshi, I can call you that right?" Kya asked and saw him nod his head. "How old are you?"

"Seventeen."

"Oh, so you're two years older than me." Kya was surprised. He looked a little older than that but not too much older. Like nineteen or something. But it was nice to be speaking with someone close in age to her.

"My apartment is this way." Toshi told her as he turned to the street staircase and led her up them.

The princess found they stopped in front of an apartment not too far up the staircase. He knocked on the door and waited outside it with her until it finally opened. A bright ray of light peered from where the door opened and Kya shielded her eyes a little as she heard Toshi greet someone.

"Hey, dad, sorry. I know I'm home early but it'll be quick." He explained as he turned to look at the princess beside him that was slowly adjusting to the light. "This is Princ-"

"Kikimaru but you can call me Kiki." Kya quickly introduced herself as she bowed her head. "I'm a waterbender with the ability to heal. Toshi, here, hired me to provide his mother with some aid in her condition. May I come in?"

Toshi was surprised a little in the shift in her personality. It was like looking at a different person. He looked back to his father that looked at him with a grateful smile and allowed them both in.

Kya stepped into their humble home and saw that it was literally just a kitchen, dining room, and a single bed in one corner of the apartment. No doors besides the front door. There was a curtain to the back wall that looked to be what may be a bathroom. Her eyes went back to the bed and saw who was most likely his mother laying there. She was indeed sickly. Kya could smell it in the air. Death was something easy for inhumans like her to sniff out. And this woman had the scent all over her.

Swallowing hard, the princess allowed Toshi to show her to his mother and introduce them. Kya bowed to the sickly woman and gave her assistance without further ado. It wasn't much she could do besides subside her pain which the woman was very thankful for.

When they left to return to the palace, Toshi thanked the princess for not only helping his mother but also keeping her profile low. He didn't want to worry his parents, having them know he was getting help from the actual Phoenix Princess. Kya told him it was only natural that she, as a healer, help those in need. It was what her mother taught her. Never caring who it was and assisting all and any in need, it was the motto of a healer.

"Once again, thank you, your highness, for helping my mother." Toshi bowed his head as they arrived back in the palace.

"It's fine." Kya said as he stood up straight. "I'm just happy to help."

Smiling down at the princess, "Well, I better be on my way to do my chores." He was getting ready to turn to leave. "See you around, your highness."

"Wait!" Kya caught herself blurting out as Toshi turned around to leave.

Toshi stopped on command.

Running up to stand in front of him, Kya stared up at him and asked him if they were friends now. He chuckled and told her that if she wanted to be friends, then who was he to deny the princess.

"Then can I come see you outside of the palace one day?" Kya asked him.

"Are you sure?" He seemed a bit worried about the princess seeing him outside of the palace. She was safest here. Where her father and the guards could protect her.

Kya nodded her head.

"Then sure." Toshi chuckled as he placed his hand on her head and rustled her hair a little.

And suddenly the heat returned to her cheeks as she gazed up at the laughing servant. So her father was wrong. Socializing and being friendly didn't stop the heat but she was glad she did try it out. Now she had a friend.

….

On her way to explain to her father why she had been late, Kya ran into someone and apologized as she rubbed her head. When she looked up, she saw it was Mr. Totomi. He looked at her with that same frightening stare. But before he could leave, Kya stopped him.

"Could you allow me to apologize before you run away?" Kya said as she eyed her with disappointment.

Uhara looked at the girl and paused.

"I know everyone is afraid of me because I remind them of my older sister and my father is 'scary'. But I'm my own person, ya know? And I was only poking fun at you for staring at me. I didn't know my father would threaten you. I told him to leave you alone. So please don't be scared of me."

Relaxing a bit, Uhara felt a bit guilty for treating the girl so coldly. He didn't mean to. It was just, he didn't want to piss off her father because that was like asking to be killed. But if it had been why her father hadn't yet killed him then he guessed it was alright. Besides, the girl looked uncharacteristically pitiful to him. Like him running off had really bothered her. He apologized as well to her. He didn't have to make such a scene getting away from her.

"If my father has a problem with you being near me, I'll deal with him, okay?" she told him.

Uhara chuckled, "Then I guess I'm saved by your highness. Again."

Ozai was about to turn the corner in search of his daughter. That girl knew it was an hour past the time they were supposed to have had dinner. Missing dinner was unacceptable. What could she possibly be doing that caused her to miss dinner? Seemed he found the answer to that when he rounded the corner and saw her speaking with Lord Totomi. He narrowed his eyes.

"Tomorrow, would you like to join me for lunch?" Kya asked him.

Smiling, Lord Totomi agreed.

When he dismissed himself to retire for the evening, Kya's lips curled a little. She now had made two friends in one day.

….

Reaching her father's chambers to have a word with him, Kya found he was in his lounge nursing a glass of some alcoholic beverage. He was, of course, not wearing his face mask. She sighed to herself and came to kneel in front of him. She bowed her head to the floor and apologized for being late. When she lifted her head back up she saw that her father was eyeing her.

"What were you doing?" he asked her.

Getting up to her feet, "I was being friendly and socializing like you told me. But it didn't work. Can you teach me firebending now?"

Ozai looked away from her and sipped his glass, "Fine. Be up early tomorrow. We firebenders rise with the sun. So during your training, you'll need to abandon your waterbending side."

Kya nodded.

"Now get some sleep."

As Kya left, Ozai threw his glass across the room and hissed through his teeth. What the hell was his daughter thinking?! Getting involved with an older man?! He should have that damn Totomi noble killed for getting friendly with his daughter. But I have those Bei Seng Sei fucks on my ass! If he had another glass, he'd throw it across the room too.

Getting up to drag his feet to his bedroom, Ozai pulled the tie from his hair and undid his robes. He climbed into bed shirtless and laid on his back. Sleep never came with ease. He always had trouble falling asleep. When it was just him at night...he couldn't help but think of Katara. His eyes closed as his face contorted in frustration at the thought of the woman. He couldn't get the look on her face that day out of his head. She looked like she was actually going to kill him if she could. It was the look of agony and anger. She felt in her heart that he had truly betrayed her and he could see it. For months he had actually begun to believe that he might have done exactly what she said he had. He had been high off his ass that night. There was no telling. He beat himself up about it. Hated himself for ruining things again especially after all the work he put into getting them back together.

But after Zuko spoke to him, told him that someone played a part in this, his confusion turned to rage and despair. Rage at whoever caused this wedge between him and the waterbender. And despair for what he had lost because of this. Katara was more than his lover. She was his closest friend. Someone he had shared all of his secrets with. There was no one like her and there never would be. It was why he couldn't fathom seeing anyone else. Why he got rid of all his concubines. None of them were her and he only wanted her.

Rolling on his side, Ozai opened his eyes and stared at the empty space beside him. He didn't want anyone else laying beside him at night. He didn't trust anyone else. If it couldn't be her here with him, then it would be no one at all. And he didn't care if people started to catch onto the fact that he secluded himself to a life of celibacy. In his eyes and in the eyes of the law, Katara was his wife and he would be faithful even if she hated his guts right now. It wasn't her fault. Someone did this to them.

In the morning, Ozai woke up tired as always, never really getting any real sleep. He groaned as he rubbed his neck and went to the bathroom to wash up for the day. Staring at himself in the mirror as if he wanted nothing more to do than punch the glass, the Phoenix King brushed his teeth before strapping on his face mask and tying up his hair.

A knock came on his bathroom door and he turned to see Chiru, one of his council members standing in the doorway with a stack of papers.

"Your majesty, the governors and noblemen have more inquiries for you." Chiru informed him hesitantly.

Ozai stared at the stack of papers with a dead gaze. "They do know I'm still legally married?"

"Yes but your wife is a prisoner in the North Pole right now and we all recall last year's incident. Though many of us know you were not responsible, Lady Katara and those from Bei Seng Sei believe otherwise. Your marriage is doomed in many eyes, your majesty." Chiru cautiously explained.

Scoffing as he pushed past the man and the servants clustered around him to dress him in his new robes that he had designed for him now that he had fully established the Phoenix Empire. Maintaining the colors of gold and red, Ozai chose for there to be more gold than red in his elaborate robes. Trimmed and tapered in black. The crown placed on his topknot and secured was similar in resemblance to the Fire Nation crown but with the symbol of a phoenix instead of a flame. While he wanted his Fire Nation heritage to be maintained, he wanted to also express that he no longer saw himself as a Fire Nation man but the ruler of a new nation entirely.

Chiru lingered around as the Phoenix King was dressed and listened to the rest of what his sovereign had to say.

"My marriage is only doomed if I say so. A woman cannot divorce her husband without his consent. That's common practice anywhere. As soon as her sentence is served in the North Pole, I will bring her back here and she will be your queen. End of story." Ozai explained.

Swallowing hard as he seemed unsure of that plan, "But your majesty-"

"I don't care if I have to chain her up and lock her in a cell until she's ready to comply, Katara will be back here and she's the only woman I will have as my wife." Ozai side glanced at Chiru.

Bowing his head, "Understood, your majesty. But what about concubines?"

"I have no desire for any woman's company other than my wife's. I can get by." Ozai expressed as if it were a simple task.

"And if they weren't women?" Chiru suggested.

Ozai turned around as he was finished dressing and the servants all quickly fled out as they sensed the Phoenix King was not pleased with that comment.

"Councilman Chiru, I'm married. I know that doesn't mean much to men that don't love their wives but I love mine and I'm not going behind her back regardless of her believing I did." He said sternly.

Ozai didn't like explaining himself. He understood that it was hard for a lot of people to believe that despite being an Agni damn monarch and having his history of womanizing that he'd give it all up for one woman. But that was because most people missed out on their soulmate. And he almost did but he meant what he said, he'd bring Katara back in shackles and chains if he had to. Keep her in a bird cage in his bedroom if he had to. She wasn't getting away from him again. He would not allow it.

…..

Early that next morning, Ozai was in the dojo already in meditation position when his daughter finally showed up. Running in with her hair unbond and untamed. She was her mother all day. From the wild hair to the struggle to get up early. He eyed her as she tried patting her hair down while taking a seat beside him and crossing her legs. He heard her swear under her breath and he tried not to snicker at her frustration but her hair was worse than her mother's at the moment. She must have literally just crawled out of bed. So to help her out, Ozai removed the sash around his waist and used it to help her tie her hair up.

Kya kind of just sat there, a bit taken aback that her father was helping her tie her hair down before settling back down beside her. She glanced at him and saw he went on to shut his eyes, placing his fists together. She straightened out her posture some and mimicked him, wanting to make sure she had it right. Once she was confident that she was in the correct posture, the princess closed her eyes as well and let her father talk her through what she should be doing.

At the moment, Ozai wanted only to focus on meditation with her. She was a waterbender that could duel with the opposite element. He wasn't completely sure how things were for waterbenders. He had seen their bending and they were pretty flexible and moved swiftly with movements that mimicked their element. Unfortunately, he had never seen how waterbending worked when the waterbender didn't have the advantage of being a siren and broke the restrictive laws of waterbending. Maybe if he saw a normal waterbender bend, maybe he'd understand them a little better but from what he did know was that the styles of fire and water were very different.

And the most concerning issue he had was that fire was very destructive. One needed to have control first before they wielded their first flame. It was why meditation was the first lesson in firebending. Without control, one could hurt themselves or hurt others.

"Typically, I'd use a candle when meditating but since you can already manifest fire, I won't use one until you've gotten the discipline mastered." Ozai informed her.

Kya nodded and waited for further instruction.

"First, we will meditate in complete silence for 30 minutes to focus on our chakra."

"Which chakra?"

"Your 3rd chakra."

"And that's where?"

Ozai sighed as he slouched out of posture and opened his eyes. He went on to slap her stomach.

"There."

"Okay. As waterbenders we use the 2nd chakra."

"Yes, I know." He grumbled as he resumed his position.

"It might be hard switching between my 2nd and 3rd chakra. They feel somewhat the same." Kya explained.

"Shh, silence." He told her.

Kya did her very best trying to focus on the energy in her belly. It was circulating and pulsing all at once. She had to say it felt a bit chaotic. The energy that brewed there. Was it always supposed to be like that? Feeling a little tickle in her nose, the princess gasped a few times before sneezing fire and blowing herself into a wall.

Rubbing his temple as he kept his eyes shut, Ozai shook his head. I don't even want to know the extent of the damages. He told himself as he stood up and walked away with his eyes remaining shut.

…

Walking with his entourage of nobles and councilmen, the Phoenix King decided to pass the gardens where his daughter invited Nobleman Totomi for lunch. He was still not happy about his daughter seeing an older man. It was absurd and outrageous. However; he would soon have a word with his daughter and with Lord Totomi as well.

"No need, your highness. I understand." Ozai overheard Lord Totomi speaking to his daughter as he paused at the upstairs terrace. "You're lonely and it's plain to see. I'm sorry if I was cold to you. I just didn't want to disrespect your father."

Ozai's eyes went to his daughter, who was sitting across from the man on a cushion with a teacup in her hand, and he waited to hear what she had to say. However; she said nothing and gazed down at her cup. The Phoenix King watched the nobleman reach across the table to place his hand on hers.

I should just kill him and get this over with. If the man feared him so much, what made him think it was okay to touch his daughter so casually?

"I am lonely but it's not all that bad. I have to focus on more important things and look after my father. He won't admit it but he's not exactly taking my mother hating him so well." Kya pulled her hand from the nobleman and looked back up at him. "I love my father and lately, I've been concerned about him. I think once my father is in a good state, I'll try to make myself less lonely."

Furrowing his brows as he stared at his daughter, Ozai shook his head and pulled himself away from the terrace to continue leading his entourage to the meeting room. His brows were still furrowed but not in anger. He wasn't angry at what Kya said. He was just upset. Upset that his daughter placed responsibility on herself to see to it that he was fine as if that was her job at all. Maybe he was being too vulnerable around her. Children shouldn't have to look after their parents at so young an age. He needed to not be so obvious around her. Not give into his despair when she was around. He needed to have more of a facade with her.

Still in the gardens with Lord Totomi, Kya played with her food a bit as she noticed Lord Totomi was doing that staring thing he had done when she first met him. She glanced at him a few times to see if he had stopped but he didn't even pretend that he wasn't looking at her.

"Is there something on my face, Mr. Totomi?" She asked him in a soft tone.

Grinning at her as he shook his head, "No, you just leave me wondering, your highness."

"About?" She tilted her head.

"You're too beautiful a girl to be alone. I don't know how people here steer clear of you?" He chuckled as his eyes roamed her even more.

Feeling unphased by his comment and eye gesturing, Kya shrugged and told him she doesn't make herself very friendly. To which he took it as he was an exception and was flattered. But he really shouldn't be. Kya figured because she had gotten him into trouble that she owed it to him to be friendly. Not because he stood out to her.

When they had finished lunch and it was time to return to the meetings, Totomi asked her if he could see her again. Kya nodded and told him they could have lunch together after the meetings.

Uhara was delighted and took her hand, kissing the back of it. "It was a pleasure, your highness."

Slipping her hand from him with her typical impassive expression, "Walk me back?" She asked.

"Of course."

…..

A few mornings later, during their meditation training, Ozai noticed Kya had managed to have herself together and was prepared. He figured that maybe he should bring up what she had said to Lord Totomi after they were done here. It had been weighing on his mind at night. He didn't want his daughter feeling like it was her responsibility to see to his stability. It wasn't the place of a child. She needed to simply enjoy her youth and be merry. Not worry about her miserable father.

Feeling a hand lay itself on his knee, Ozai opened one eye and looked down at the hand, following it up to the source.

"What?"

"You've been spying on me?" Kya said as she removed her hand from his knee. "You don't like that I have lunch with Mr. Totomi."

Scoffing as he shut both his eyes, Ozai resumed his original posture and pretended he was unfazed. "He's too old for you."

"He is Zuko's age. I know. But me and Zuko are friends. Why can't I be friends with him?"

"Because Zuko is your brother." And that noble has less than friendly thoughts about you. But he wouldn't tell his daughter that. She seemed to still be oblivious to things of that topic. It was why he was here teaching her firebending because she believed it was her inner flames causing her to get warm cheeks and heated when around someone she liked. Poor girl. He didn't know how to tell a girl how to handle that. Times like these really made him miss Hama with Katara's absence.

Kya folded her arms and shut her arms as well, "I like Mr. Totomi. He's nice and he talks to me like anyone would talk to anyone. He's not afraid of me."

Sighing, "Fine but be careful. He's an older man and if he gets handsy with you, you know what to do." Ozai told her simply. Because the only advice he really knew how to give was advice about kicking the man's ass if need be.

When they finished the morning meditation, Ozai pulled his daughter into a hug and held her to him. She was a little caught off guard. Her father hadn't shown any real affection towards her since the incident with her mother. She had begun to believe that he found himself resenting her and her brother for looking like their mother in one way or another. But as she hugged him back, it seemed that he was just in pain this entire time.

"I don't want you worrying about me. Just be happy or whatever you kids do these days. I'll be fine. Got it?"

Nodding her head before nuzzling it to his chest, Kya smiled to herself. "You smell like jasmine tea."

Rubbing her back as he kissed the crown of her head, "I'm trying to give up the alcohol."

Kya pulled apart and smiled at him, "Good."

Ozai didn't get to see his daughter smile very often anymore but when he did, he couldn't help but smile. Caressing the side of her face, "I'm serious. I don't need to be looked after."

"You sure?" Kya held his hand to her face.

Nodding.

"Okay then. I'll go get ready for the meetings." Kya continued smiling as she pulled away from her father and went off to her chambers.

Ozai stared after his daughter and immediately felt melancholy. She had her mother's smile. The smile that reached her eyes and warmed his heart. Her eyes, big and wide like the moon. It was like looking into Katara's eyes, only they weren't blue like the seas. Agni, he hated how brief his time with that woman always ended up. Their time apart was always longer than their time together. He spent more years missing her than being able to hold her. It always left him wanting and yarning. Only this time, he couldn't bring himself to use distractions. He couldn't entertain the thought of anyone else.

"Your majesty!" Chiru rushed into the room.

The Phoenix King turned to his subject and raised his brow as the councilmember held out a scroll.

As he untied the blue ribbon from the scroll, Ozai was not surprised when the man said it was from the North Pole.

"From Chieftain Arnook." Chiru said as he watched his sovereign's eyes widened while reading the scroll. "Your majesty, what is it?"

Ozai lit the scroll on fire and his eyes shifted red as he balled his face up in rage. "That bastard! He-" Clenched his teeth as well as his fist. "He got my wife pregnant!"

….

A week later and Kya was preparing sweets to share with Lord Totomi for lunch. She figured he would appreciate them the same way she did when her mother made them for her. Hopefully, they tasted just as good. When it was all done, the princess noticed her friend Toshi was working in the kitchens and she decided to bother him for a moment.

"Toshi, can you carry this tray to the gardens for me?" She asked him as she tugged on his sleeve.

Smiling as he looked down at the princess, "Of course, your highness."

Toshi walked a foot behind the princess, watching her high ponytail swing back and forth. He didn't know why the princess was so friendly with him. She was always treating him like a friend rather than a servant. Over the last few days, she was in the library wanting to chat with him while he organized the bookshelves and she even asked him to entertain her on his night shift. Seemed because she was a waterbender, she spent many nights awake and alone.

Looking over her shoulder at Toshi, "I made some for you too, Toshi."

"You didn't have to, your highness." He said humbly.

"Nonsense. We're friends and you're kind to me." Kya said as she went back to facing forward. "Besides, I feel responsible for keeping you up last night."

Chuckling as he shook his head, "It was no problem. I enjoyed our card game last night."

A small curl of her lip formed as she glanced down and twiddled her fingers. It couldn't be helped that she was elated that Toshi enjoyed her company. She figured she liked him a little more than Mr. Totomi since he didn't stare so hard at her and she felt a little more comfortable around him. Plus, Toshi was what some would call cute. Cute was something she heard a lot of the residents at the palace refer to her as and she had heard Zuko call her that as well. And she figured Toshi was cute too.

When they arrived at the garden to set things up for her lunch appointment with Mr. Totomi, Toshi noticed the princess was humming to herself while setting things up. He had noticed with the more time he spent with the princess, the more she seemed to come out of her shell. Toshi simply smiled to himself as Kya helped with setting the table. Hopefully, he'd get to see more and more of her in the time to come.

"What is this?" Lord Totomi's voice sounded a bit off guard as the two looked up.

Uhara looked from the boy servant to the princess and raised his brow, "Why is the princess setting the table when it is the job of a servant?!" he furrowed that raised brow at the servant boy.

"My lord." Toshi bowed.

"I made sweets for you." Kya said as she rounded the other side of the table to stand between Toshi and Mr. Totomi. "It was supposed to be a surprise, so I wanted to get it done quickly."

Lord Totomi looked from the servant down to the princess and his gaze softened up entirely, "A surprise? What for?" He grinned.

Kya shrugged and told him that she wanted him to try out the sweets she baked. "My mother taught me her recipe and I wanted to see if you'd like it."

Reaching his hand to caress the princess from the top of her head to the side of her cheek, Lord Totomi smirked before looking back to the servant boy and eyeing him to leave. Kya noticed in the corner of her eyes that Toshi had taken off and she felt a little disheartened that he wouldn't stay to eat the sweets with her. Maybe he had other work to do.

….

Having finished up the last of her packing for the South Pole, Kya sighed and leaned against some of her luggage. Her father wanted her to take with her as much fur as possible and an entire suitcase with elixirs made by the palace physician in case she got sick. Her father was taking this all too seriously as if Hama wasn't already down there in the South Pole, so if she needed healing, she was covered. Not to mention, he literally stayed up all night going over how to use a dagger in case she had to use close range combat.

Sighing, the princess looked up at her father with folded arms and shook her head. "Dad, I'll be fine. You don't have to worry."

"I do have to worry. It's my job to worry. You're my daughter." He told her. "Besides, you're a female. Traveling to new places is not safe for you."

"I'm a master waterbender and a siren. I can take care of myself." Kya assured him.

Her mother was too and even she couldn't stop bad things from happening to her. And he was a phoenix and Zuko was a dragon. They were all inhumans and somehow fate had found a way to beat them all into the mud. He didn't want anything to happen to Kya. He already felt like a failure of a father but if he could just make sure that nothing bad happened to her, then maybe he wouldn't beat himself up so much.

"Continue working on meditating. Once you return, we'll learn stances for firebending." Ozai told his daughter as he held his hands in his sleeves and yawned, tired from staying up all night.

Kya nodded as the servants came in to take her luggage.

"Also, I've selected a few servants to accompany you. I don't care if the South Pole is not fond of hierarchies but you come from a civilized nation. You shouldn't have to grow accustomed to their ways."

Rolling her eyes, "You're racist, you know?"

Flicking her in the forehead.

"OW!"

"I'm not a racist, you brat. Now go, so I can miss you already."

Kya giggled and hugged her father warmly. "Love you, dad."

"Love you too." He said in a whisper as he patted her head.

…

With Kya gone, Ozai's demeanor completely shifted and his authoritative side kicked into high gear. The entire Palace was on edge and everyone walked on eggshells around the Phoenix King. It was all due to a group from Bei Seng Sei planning their arrival here at court that had the Phoenix King cracking down on everyone. And no one blamed him. These people had somehow managed to blame his wife, Lady Katara for the murder of Princess Kikyo. He had been making efforts every few months to bridge a peace between the Phoenix Empire and the Earth Kingdom but it wasn't much he could do to ease the brainwashed officials from Bei Seng Sei.

As he had the servants tity up his office while he, himself, tidied up his paperwork, a knock came at his office doors. Knowing that that must be his page boy with the representatives from Bei Seng Sei, Ozai sighed and prompted them to enter.

"Phoenix King Ozai, Minister Ling Fu and Minister Long Feng are both here to see you."

Ozai narrowed his eyes as the two men entered his office. One of them stood out to him. The one with the sly eyes and the posture of a man with controlled chaos up his sleeves.

"Long Feng." Ozai said the name aloud as he sat down at his desk and stroked his beard. "I see your Earth King is quite the forgiving type. You and your Dai Lee join amongst our ranks during the war and yet somehow, your sovereign welcomes you back. He even makes trash like you a minister."

Long Feng chuckles as he holds his arms in his sleeves and bows, "Your words are too kind. My King is very forgiving. Though not as forgiving as you. A woman costs you the war and you remarry her, she even sheds royal blood in your court and you clean up behind her. Our King could never show such forgiveness as you have, your majesty."

Scoffing as he rolled his eyes and kicked his feet up on the edge of his desk, "Enough small talk. You bastards didn't come here to butter me up, despite it being the driest butter I've ever had, no, you came here to do an investigation." Ozai narrowed his eyes as his lip twitched into a snarl as he gestured his hand out the door. "Then by all means, do what you came here for and leave."

The two ministers bowed.

"As you wish, Phoenix King Ozai." Long Feng grinned at him.

When the two ministers left, Ozai scoffed as he mocked Long Feng. He couldn't stand that cheeky bastard. He always looked like he was one step ahead of everyone and perhaps he was but to someone like Ozai, that meant very little. Long Feng was just a mortal with mortal ambitions. He would not be long for this world to desire more than fame and fortune. Honestly, Ozai couldn't wait to outlive a lot of these bastards.

Getting back to straightening up his desk, Ozai heard yet another knock and groaned for even the servants to hear.

"Come in." He practically growled.

And in waltz a nobleman. A Fire Nation Nobleman. The one he had been seeing around his daughter as of late. Lord Totomi. Eyeing the noble as he came over to his desk and knelt in front of him, bowing his head low. Ozai raised a brow at the man and waited for him to say something.

"Your majesty, I know this is forward of me to ask but I do believe you respect those who come right out with it rather than beat around the bush."

Like you're doing right now. Ozai fought the urge to rub his temples. What did this man want all of a sudden?

"Please, your majesty, allow me to have Princess Kya's hand in marriage?"

Oh, fuck no! Ozai's eyes widened in disbelief.

…

Arriving in the port town that resided just outside of the main village where her mother's family lived, Kya stood by her luggage as her servants and two guards surrounded her. She could see a lot of eyes were on her. Not a lot of individuals dressed as luxurious as her were around. Port towns weren't really the place for highborns like her. Just merchants, buyers, and settlers. She was just a special case. Her father might have been born of royalty but her mother was a part of the common folk class.

At the moment she was just waiting for her grandfather and great-grandfather to pick her up from here. Her father had written them both weeks in advance about her coming to visit around her sixteenth birthday. So they should be here shortly.

"Your highness, should we just find transportation to the main village?" Hirotoshi asked her as he and the other servants were freezing.

Kya looked at him and then to her other servants. She would have told him to wait a bit longer but the sun was starting to set and they were not accustomed to cold temperature. It would be selfish of her to not consider their feelings in this and Kya hated the idea of putting her status above their needs.

Nodding her head, "I remember the way there. Come." She told them as she picked up one of her bags.

However; Hirotoshi took it from her before she could swing it over her back. She looked up at him as he offered her a smile. Granting him a small one in return, Kya looked to everyone else and then nodded her head as if to tell them that they would be led to warmth soon.

"Sokka, hurry up with those melons!" Hama yelled at her good for nothing grandson as he was supposed to be carrying the melons he picked up in the port town.

Rolling his eyes as he made a comment under his breath to his wife, who was also carrying melons from the port town.

"I don't know why your father agreed to have this bebo live with us." Toph scoffed.

Just as annoyed as his wife, he didn't know why his gram-gram even thought it was a wise idea to ask. Hama was that crazy old crone from the woods but in the years that followed, Hama had been realized to have been in deep with Ozai since he was a child and she had been an influence over Katara. They honestly didn't care that she was his mother's mother making her his grandmother. Hama was bad news from the very first day they met in the woods of the Fire Nation.

Bringing the melons to Hama and setting them in the kitchen, both husband and wife left immediately. They had moved out of the main hut into their own not long after Hama moved in. Besides, it wasn't enough room for their four children, them, gram-gram, Hakoda, and Hama.

"Tell dad to remember to pick Kya up from the port town tomorrow morning." Sokka told Hama.

"Tomorrow?" Hama raised a brow as she picked up a knife to slice the melon. "Kya was coming today."

"Today?!" Sokka's eyes widened. "But it's nearly nightfall!"

Shrugging, "The girl might have checked into an inn or is walking here now." Hama said as if it were no big deal.

"Why didn't you say something sooner, Hama! Damn it!" Sokka shouted at her as he told his wife to head home to the kids while he went to go get his niece.

Toph shook her head as she watched Sokka jet off to go get his niece, "You good for nothing hag."

…

"Here, put this on." Kya told her servants as she had dug through her trunks to make sure they had something to keep them all warm. Once each other were wearing one of the many warm fur cloaks her father had packed for her, the princess proceeded to leave the empty trunks in the field of snow to press on. The servants and two guards were all thankful to her as they followed behind her.

The group continued on for another thirty minutes to see that there were two sleds with arctic wolves pulling them. They all stopped to watch the sleds make their way straight to them. Kya was able to see right away that it was her grandfather and uncle. She smiled as they stopped, yielding the slay dogs before rushing over to her. Her grandfather ran up to her and scooped her off her feet, swinging her around as she giggled.

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry! I didn't realize you'd be here today. I could have sworn it was for tomorrow." Hakoda apologized as he embraced his granddaughter.

Giggling as she hugged him back, Kya smiled and looked over his shoulder to her Uncle Sokka that looked slightly annoyed.

"Not happy to see me, Uncle Sokka?" Kya asked as Hakoda placed her down on her feet.

"Oh no, it's not you, Kya." Sokka changed his expression and went to hug his niece. "Hama didn't tell anyone that you'd be here today."

Hugging him back, "It's okay." Kya said as she pulled away from him to look over at her servants. "I'm fine but I am concerned about my servants. They're not accustomed to this weather and are all freezing. Can you carry them all on your sleds and I'll use my bending to keep up with you all?"

"Your highness, that is not-"

Shaking her head at one of her guards, "We're not in my father's palace. We're in the South Pole. Besides, think of this as free time for you all. Here your services are not required. Try to enjoy yourselves while we're here, okay?"

They all stared at her.

"Okay?" she repeated.

"Yes, your highness." They all bowed.

Nodding her head as she looked to her uncle and grandfather, who were a little unaccustomed to seeing Kya this way. They agreed and had the servants all split themselves along the two sleds. Kya used her bending to create ice on her boots while also bending the snow beneath her feet to propel her forward, moving much faster than the sleds themselves.

Reaching the main village, Kya stopped just in front of the archway that led into the village and waited for everyone to catch up to her. When they did, Hakoda placed his arms around Kya and showed her around as they entered. He seemed to be very excited that she was here again. Showing her off to everyone they passed. Kya simply waved and tried to be as pleasant as she could manage but she struggled. Friendly wasn't her forte.

Finally reaching the hut where her grandfather lived, Kya saw her grandmothers come outside to greet her.

"Oh, sweet Kiki!" Kanna cheered as she went over to the teen and hugged her tight, calling her by her nickname.

Hama folded her arms and scoffed, "Your father pawned you off on us. I'm assuming you finally cracked and slapped the taste out of his mouth."

Receiving a kiss on the cheek from her great gram-gram, Kya pulled away and eyed Hama. "You're just upset that he threw your stupid slut ass out of the palace." the princess retorted coldly at the woman. Both her family and servants were shocked to hear her talk this way.

Snickering as she snorted, "You must still hate me for sleeping with your father."

"I hate you for trying to replace my mother, Hama. There's a difference." Kya walked up to the older siren and glared at her. "You keep this one thing in mind while I'm here and we won't have any issues. You're not my caregiver, you're not my great-grandmother, you're a fired whore that serviced my father. Simple as that."

Hama smirked as she nodded her head, "I see your siren has finally manifested. You're dangerous now to someone like me that lost their siren soul. So I won't cause you any trouble on your visit."

With that, Hama turned and went into the house.

Everyone around her seemed taken aback with her approach with Hama. They knew she was never fond of the woman but she had never spoken to anyone that way.

"Well, let's get you settled in. A few of your travel companions can stay with us and the others can stay with Sokka." Hakoda told Kya.

Kya looked to her servants and they all seemed okay with this. Her eyes specifically went to Toshi and a smile crept on her face again. She hoped he got to stay in the hut with her and her grandfather. That way she could stay up talking to him. In the palace, she'd find him and they'd talk for hours in her sitting room. Drinking tea and playing board games. Toshi had become quite the friend to her and she was happy to finally have someone like him to call her friend.

…..

A/N: Kya is such a daddy's girl! Love it! I always love my father who happens to have reserved ways of expressing himself. Though he's not Ozai crazy or a substance user. Just a stoic lol One more chapter for the night coming up!