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.

47. Ozai & Kya Part Two

A/N:

Sorry guys! I'm late on this chapter but I will be back next week with more! Hope you guys enjoy!

Chapter 39: Part Two

Year Two….

Kya was laughing so hard that she could barely breathe. Her cousins, her, and the servants had all gone penguin sledding down a steep hill. They were all wanting to race and place bets on who would win. Her male cousins Jiao and Kotoru were pretty good at this game seeing as they had lived in this icy tundra all their lives. As for her younger female cousins, Lin and Sue, they kept count of everyone's place in winning. So far Kya was doing pretty well but not better than Jiao and Kotoru. However; she tried finally getting the best of them but they caused her to tumble off of her penguin and slide face first down the hill. Toshi went chasing after her and as they both reached the bottom, Kya was in such a fit of laughter, he had begun to laugh too.

"Oh spirits! That was so much fun! Let's do it again!" Kya yelled in tremendous glee. These last few weeks had been a blast. She really didn't want to go back home just yet.

"Your highness, let's get you all warmed up before you do that again." Toshi told her as he helped her to her feet.

Kya smiled up at him and reached up to cup his cheeks. She watched as his eyes widened at her as heat warmed his face.

"I thought you were a waterb-"

"I'm a duel-bender. So I can waterbend and firebend." Kya told him. "But don't tell anyone, okay? It's a secret."

Toshi smiled at her as he placed his hands on her face and saw her eyes widened as well. "I'll keep yours if you keep mine."

Smiling up at him, Kya nodded her head and told him that they had a deal.

"Ewww! Kya and Hirotoshi are gonna kiss!" Kotoru shouted as he reached the bottom, puckering up his lips at her.

"Kya and Toshi sitting in a tree...K. I. S. S. I. N. G!" Jiao mocked kissing noises at them.

Kya and Toshi pulled apart, both blushing at the comments. Feeling a little more flushed than she had been before, Kya grabbed a clump of snow and threw it at them both. Knocking them both out with one snowball.

"Kiss that, you morons!" Kya laughed as she shook her head and Toshi laughed at the two boys that weren't much younger than the princess.

The two headed into the hut to see Kanna and Hama cooking while Hakoda and Pakku were talking at the table about tribe stuff. She pulled Toshi's hand and tugged him behind her as she ran past them. All four of them eyed the two as they headed to Kya's room. Pakku was about to get up and see what was going on when Hakoda stopped him and shook his head.

"She's been playing around with that boy the entire trip." Hama scoffed as she paused with her gutting of the fish.

Grinning as she sighed, "He's a kind young man and Kya is a sweet little girl." Kanna stated. "Besides, I'm just happy to see the girl smiling."

"Not to mention the letter her father sent for her." Hakoda scoffed.

Pakku shook his head, "I say the girl marry someone in the tribe. He's just marrying her off to some Fire Nation bastard with a fetish for tribeswomen."

Hakoda agreed. "Katara won't be happy to hear this."

Kanna gave both her son and husband a look. "Don't either of you dare tell Katara anything. She's going through enough right now. Last thing she needs is to worry over her children. Plus, I don't think for a second that Ozai will just marry his daughter off so easily. There has to be more to the story here."

Pakku scoffed and got up to go check on the kids outside. Hakoda looked to his mother and told her that they needn't worry too much as Kya would be fine either way. He didn't want to go into details about the young teen's capabilities as a bender and inhuman. He knew her duelbending was supposed to remain a family secret among only the members that had witnessed her firebend firsthand. Even though he did notice many of the residences in Omashu were aware of Kya's gift, Ozai had silenced them all and swore them to secrecy.

"Well, whatever it is Ozai is planning for her future, it's pretty obvious she likes that servant boy." Hama snorted. "Those two are glued at the hip. I've even seen Kya and the boy sleep in the living room in sleeping bags just inches apart instead of in their own rooms."

Yeah, well they all saw that but the other servants were also present and Kya did make it known that she wanted them to feel at home too. Hakoda didn't think much of it. He could see his granddaughter was interested in the boy but he didn't think that Kya looked at boys like that. She was different. Not your typical adolescence.

Later that night as Hama couldn't help herself and went to visit the young siren. She slipped into Kya's room and saw the girl was up combing her hair before bed.

"If you braid it in a fishtail, it's easier to manage in the morning to comb." Hama pointed out to the girl.

Kya glanced over her shoulder and then gazed down before thanking her for the advice.

Hama walked over to the bed of fur where her great granddaughter sat and looked over her raven head. "How is your father?"

Shutting her eyes as she was braiding her hair, "He's okay."

"I know that's a lie. Your parents were forced apart by a setup and I know your father. He hates being without your mother." Hama rolled her eyes as she tucked her hair behind her ear. "I just hope you're not looking after him as if he were your child instead."

Kya reopened her eyes and looked over at Hama with a look of disdain. "I look out for my father because who else will? Mother is in prison and you're here. If I don't make sure he's okay, then what?"

"Then he gets help. There are plenty of those that specialize in personal counsel. Your father needs that. Not his daughter worrying herself sick over him."

"I don't worry myself sic-"

"You do and I've seen you do it while I was there. So I can only imagine how much worse you've gotten." Hama folded her arms. "Besides, you're sixteen now. You should be focusing more on yourself."

Kya really wanted to say something back to Hama but her grandfather told her not to be so cruel towards the woman. So out of respect for him, she was biting her tongue. However; Hama was just asking for it now. She always felt like she was supposed to have a say in everything as if it were all her business.

Seeing the teen was annoyed, "I'm just saying, you're at an age where men are gonna look at you. Especially with you being surrounded by the noble-classes all the time. You're a young and beautiful girl with royal blood and something that's rare in any woman and that's eternal beauty. You have to be careful." Hama warned.

If Kya didn't hate Hama so much, she might have heard the deep concern in her voice as she spoke. But she didn't want to deal with Hama much more and kicked her out of her room.

…

Ozai nearly toppled over when his daughter jumped in his arms and shrieked as she nuzzled her head against his face.

"Dear Agni, what's gotten into you, girl?" Her father had to pull her off of him as she was smothering him.

Giggling as she flipped her hair that she decided not to tie up but leave it how Hama had styled it for her. A single fishtail braid that swung down her back. Kya beamed up at her father. "Sorry, dad. I just missed you, is all."

Eyeing her strangely, "My daughter doesn't shriek nor does she giggle like that. Who the fuck are you?" He chuckled.

Rolling her eyes as she playfully hit him, "Whatever, dad."

Ozai found his spirit lifted from the good mood his daughter seemed to be in. At first he was believing that she would be upset or concerned about his letter to the South Pole. But seeing she was behaving in the happiest he had ever seen her, maybe he made the right call. He did see that she spent almost every one of her lunches with Lord Totomi. Maybe she did like him in that sense.

Taking her to his office, Ozai told his daughter to have a seat so that they could discuss a few things with the new changes taking place. She sat across from him as he took a seat behind his desk and gestured his hand at a servant to allow someone in. Kya looked over her shoulder to see Mr. Totomi and smiled as she stood up.

"Mr. Totomi, what are you doing here?" She was happily curious.

Smiling back at her, "Why wouldn't I be here, your highness? We have important things to discuss."

"We do?" Kya whirled around and looked at her father to see he was smiling but looked a bit uneasy. She took a seat as Mr. Totomi sat down in the chair beside her.

"From now on, Kya, your time spent with Lord Totomi will be supervised by a chaperon as the two of you court."

"Court?" Are we missing something here?

"Yes before the two of you can marry, you will need to court." Ozai explained to his daughter.

Marry?! Kya's eyes widened as she had the utter look of horror on her face.

The entire time her father and Mr. Totomi spoke, Kya could only hear the voice of the Siren swearing and saying all sorts of absurdities. Obviously, this was not something either of them wanted. All she could do was stare blankly with her eyes wide and though she felt like screaming on the inside, Kya didn't say a single word and pretended like she knew what the hell was going on here.

Towards the end of the conversation, Kya finally could hear what they were saying and noticed Mr. Totomi had taken her hand. She looked at him with her wide eyes and swallowed hard as he smiled at her.

"You'll court until you're seventeen where you two will be engaged, giving me enough time to plan the wedding by your eighteenth birthday. Until then…" Ozai laced his fingers together and eyed Lord Totomi. "My daughter's honor is not to be touched, got it?" he said sternly.

Uhara nodded his head.

"Good. Now, Kya, you should probably go unpack and get some rest. Agni knows you didn't sleep the entire journey back." Ozai smiled at his daughter.

Feeling like she'd be ruining the good mood her father was in, Kya forced a smile and nodded her head. She slipped her hand out of Mr. Totomi's hand and stood to bow to her father before hurrying off.

Ozai eyed her strangely, "Did she look alright to you?"

"One thing I've noticed is that she responds to things differently from most."

She does but…- Ozai figured Kya was pretty honest, to the point that it was brutal, so if there was something wrong, he knew she would tell him.

….

"AHHHHHHHHH! SOMEBODY KILL ME!" Kya screamed as soon as her chamber doors shut.

How the hell did her father let this happen? He, of all people, should not have let this happen. He had arranged for them to marry all while she was away? Why? Why would he- Suddenly, she remembered what Hama told her.

Furrowing her brows as she sat on the floor and stare pitifully at it, Mr. Totomi...did you ask my father to marry me? He definitely did! You've seen the way he looks at you! That bastard is disgusting! And it made her feel disgusting. Did she give him the wrong idea? She was just being friendly. But could he have thought otherwise? And her father, spirits bless his heart but he was a total moron if he thought this was something she wanted. She had never ever expressed liking anyone in that context.

"UGH!"

Later that night when it was time for dinner, Kya sluggishly drugged herself into the dining room and took her seat across from where her father sat.

"Kya, come sit beside me." Ozai told her as he entered the room and sat in his usual spot.

As Kya got up to sit to his right, he told her that Lord Totomi would be joining them, only he used the man's first name and the familiarity sent a shiver up her entire body.

"Dad, I-"

"Your majesty, thank you for inviting me for dinner." Uhara showed up.

Kya felt her stomach tighten up when Mr. Totomi looked at her and she finally noticed the way he had been looking at her. You never were my friend, were you?

"Your highness." He greeted her.

Barely able to open her mouth as she felt so sick to her stomach that the words struggled to roll off her tongue, "M-Mr. To-to-"

"Don't be so formal with the man." Ozai laughed as he patted his daughter on her back causing her to nearly choke on her own saliva. "You can call him by his given name."

Kya visibly shivered and shook her head as she knew she would not be able to speak much the rest of the night. When dinner finally ended, Kya quickly excused herself and walked out before either of them could say anything.

…

Next morning, Kya got up early for her firebending lesson and continued to wear her hair as she had in the South Pole. Down her back in a fishtail as she wore the strands freely out in the front. When she entered the dojo, she saw her father was already present as always. She walked over to him to take a seat beside him and before she could sit, his foot stretched out from his crossed-leg position and tripped her. Kya fell flat on her face and didn't even flinch.

"I know something is up." Ozai said as he folded his arms. "Start talking."

Kya pushed herself up and turned her head to her father, "I'm fine."

"So you've finally lied to me, huh? My little girl is really growing up."

"I'm not lying."

"Well, you're not being honest either."

Kya furrowed her brows as she sat crossed legged in front of him, "I don't understand why I have to court and then marry, Mr. Totomi."

"Because you like him, don't you?"

"I do. He's a nice guy, I guess."

"Then I don't see why you wouldn't want to marry him. He's nice, you like him, and I've seen you two on lunches together. When he asked me I thought I was giving you what you wanted." Ozai furrowed his brows together and his eyes studied the floor.

Did he fuck up again? Damn it, every fucking time he thought he was doing something right, he just fucked shit up again.

Seeing her father looked upset and no longer in his good mood, Kya felt guilty. He had looked the happiest she had ever seen him when he was telling her the news. Like he thought this would please her. She sighed and rubbed her temples on both sides.

"I'm not upset. I'm happy that you've allowed this. Thank you." Kya asked, hating every word that left her mouth. "But I don't know what I'm supposed to do."

Raising his brow, "What do you mean? Just do whatever you typically do with him."

"What if he wants to kiss me? Or what if he wants to have se-"

"LIKE HELL HE WILL!" Her father became infuriated and started going on a tangent about remaining a virgin until she was thirty, possibly forty.

Kya couldn't help but laugh at her father and how upset he was. She tried to tell him she was just kidding but he wouldn't budge. The princess simply continued laughing until she fell over on her side holding her stomach.

Seeing his daughter found humor in his rant, Ozai went over to her and plucked her in the forehead as he stared down at her.

"You're still my little girl. Don't go thinking because I agreed to this that I'm letting him have his way with you. If he does anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, kick him in his groin. Got that?" He waved his finger around in her face.

Still giggling at her crazy father, Kya nodded.

Pulling her up on her feet, "Now, let's get back to our lessons. I want you to master firebending before the year is over."

…...

Things with Lord Totomi weren't much different than they had been before. Except, when he greeted her, he hugged her. And when he said goodbye, he kissed her forehead. When they walked, he held her hand or she clung to his arm. Kya figured this was perhaps how most couples interacted. She had seen her parents do it and the other couples at court do it too. She guessed that it was the physical form of being close but was it the kind of closeness that she noticed her parents had even when apart? Maybe if she tried harder, maybe she would know.

During the meetings while taking a recess for the day, Kya saw from the corner of her eyes as she was wrapping up the last of her notes that Lord Totomi had come over to her. He smiled and placed his hand on the back of her chair and leaned forward to look closely at her notes.

"Detailed as ever." He commented as he looked from her notes to her face with a smile. "I just spoke with your father about you coming to the Fire Nation with me for a few weeks. He agreed since he plans on making you his ambassador."

Startled by this, Kya looked up at him with wide eyes.

"We're leaving tomorrow morning. So, get you some rest tonight, okay?" Lord Totomi kissed her cheek and pulled away from her to go greet his friends.

Kya's eyes followed after him as he went to socialize with his fellow nobles. She clenched her fist, breaking her quill in the process as she tried to keep from expressing how displeased she was with this.

Going directly to her father's office, Kya entered without prompt and waltzed right up to his desk, slamming her hand on it.

Lifting his eyes, Ozai was a little confused here. His daughter never slammed her hand on his desk like that. That was her mother's and brothers' move.

"You're sending me to the Fire Nation?" Kya bit out almost as if it was causing her physical pain not to raise her voice.

Noticing that his daughter looked upset, "Yes. He has business there. An entire clan of people to oversee and look after. He'll only be there for a short time before returning back. I thought it would be good for you to go. You need to get out of the palace a little more." Ozai explained.

And while she agreed that getting out was definitely something she needed to do. She didn't like the idea of going to the Fire Nation with Lord Totomi by herself. However; her father went on to mention that he planned on having her become his ambassador and wanted her to get better acquainted with traveling. That sort of sweetened the deal for her but she was still not so sure.

"Then can I stay with Zuko and Zhiar while he takes care of business?" Kya asked him.

"Absolutely not. Don't even make them aware that you're there. Zuko will only pester you about seeing Lord Totomi." Ozai told her. "The Totomi household has not been very friendly towards your brother. However; in recent times, with my claim as Phoenix King and building the Phoenix Empire, they maintain face. But your brother is still not liked by them."

Sighing as she figured there wasn't much she could do to escape this. Sure, there was telling her father that she didn't want to be with Lord Totomi that way but it would dampen his mood and her father was just starting to get better these days.

…..

You're a coward you know that? "Of course, you don't understand my position." Kya said as she was brushing her hair for bed. What is there to understand? Your father is a wreck but you don't have to force yourself into a loveless marriage for his sake. Rolling her eyes in the mirror, Kya was really annoyed by her siren. Why didn't her mother tell her that once she came of age these things would be so damn annoying?

Hearing a knock on her door, Kya asked for whoever that was there to enter. When her bedroom door opened, she glanced up and saw Lord Totomi enter with her chaperon escorting him. She was thankful that he hadn't come alone. It was late and she really didn't want to be alone with him even with the sun up.

"Kya, I have something I want you to wear for our departure tomorrow morning." He said as he approached her at her vanity.

Turning slightly to face him, Kya sat there as Lord Totomi knelt down in front of her and held a box to her. Opening it, she saw it was a pair of red ruby earrings and a necklace to match. He told her they were the jewels that the head lady of his clan wore. Since she would one day be marrying him, he wanted to introduce her to his family as such.

"I know it's too soon to say but I'd appreciate it if you would wear them tomorrow and the day we arrive at my estate." Uhara said as he saw Kya's eyes look over the jewelry.

It was flattering. Very much so. SO much so, that she felt guilty that he truly saw her as his wife-to-be and she was miserable at the thought of their union. It wasn't his fau- well, no. This was entirely his fault. Who told him she liked him?! Cool it! Don't let your angry face show.

Kya swallowed hard and looked from the jewelry to Lord Totomi.

"Thank you." She forced herself to sound grateful though all of this felt like another burden to place on her mantle of pleasing others. "I will wear it."

Smiling at her, Lord Totomi closed the box back and set it on her vanity.

"I am happy to hear that." He stood to his feet and pulled Kya's to hers.

Unable to look him in the eyes, Kya stared down at the floor, hoping he would leave soon. She really just wanted to be left alone. But Lord Totomi reached down and kissed her cheek as he always did.

"I'll see you in the morning."

Kya swallowed hard and nodded.

…

"It'll only be a month." Ozai told his daughter as he saw her standing at the steps of the palace with a melancholy cloud hovering over her head.

Holding her arms in her sleeves, Kya glanced at her father. "Will you be alright?"

"What kind of question is that?"

"You know what I mean?" Kya turned to face him. "I rather stay here with you than go to the Fire Nation with Lord Totomi. I will worry that you're not taking care of yourself."

Ozai looked down at his daughter and narrowed his eyes, "Kya, that is not your place."

"Doesn't matter. If I don't worry, you'll just go back to drinking all the time and whatever else." Her brows kneaded as she felt tears prickle her eye beds. "Lord Totomi can go by himself. You need me."

"I do not!"

Everyone nearby was startled by the Phoenix King raising his voice at his daughter. No one had ever heard him do so before. He and his daughter always had a good relationship. It was not like them to argue like that. Getting closer to her, Ozai pulled her to his chest and leaned his head down to further speak with her since everyone was taking notice.

"What I choose to do and how I choose to live is not your concern. Understand?" he bit out for her and Kya reluctantly nodded her head. "Now, you go down these steps and you worry yourself with a man that will soon be your responsibility. Because I am not. Do I make myself clear?"

Shutting her eyes as her father pulled away, "Yes." Kya shed a tear.

Ozai tried not to pay attention to the fact that his daughter was crying. He simply kissed her forehead and turned to leave.

Kya re-opened her eyes and made her way down the steps. As she did, Lord Totomi was coming down right beside her and quickly took her arm as she nearly stumbled.

"Kya, are you alright?" he asked her.

Looking up at him, "I had an argument with my father. It was nothing." Kya wrote it off.

The two then took the carriage all the way to the other end of the city where the airship docks were. Boarding their airship, Kya was led to their cabin and there, Lord Totomi informed her they would be sharing the cabin together but at his estate, he had her own rooms prepared for her. Even so, Kya felt hesitant. She didn't want to share a space with a man. The trip from here to the Fire Nation capital was a full day. They would be here overnight.

Feeling a whole new level of discomfort, Kya went into the bathroom and locked the door behind her. She didn't care that her betrothed was left with confusion when she disappeared behind the door. If she was going to have to suffer through this man's company, he'd have to suffer through hers. And she felt as sour as green grapes before they ripened.

….

That night when it was time to go to bed, Kya stared at the bed and then at Lord Totomi. She held a pillow to her chest that covered the bottom half of her face. Only one of them was sleeping in this bed and she didn't care who as long as the other wasn't in bed with them.

"I can sleep on the sofa." Kya offered.

"There is no way I'm letting you sleep on a sofa, Kya." Lord Totomi told her.

Her eyes travel from his eyes down to his boots back to his eyes, "And there is no way I'm sharing a bed with you." She said flatly. "So either you let me take the sofa or you can have it. I'm not that kind of girl, Lord Totomi."

As beautiful and sweet the princess was, Lord Totomi could tell her father spoiled her. It hadn't been so blatantly obvious until this morning in the carriage when he saw she had not worn the jewels that he had asked her to wear last night. Then when she locked herself in the bathroom for four hours with her back pressed to the door. Dinner was no better, she didn't eat a single thing on her plate and didn't say as much as a word to him. Now, she was having some funky attitude with him about bed arrangements. What did she think would happen when they were married?

Trying to keep his cool, Uhara walked around the side of the bed where Kya stood and took her pillow from her. "We're going to bed now, Kya. And we're going to bed together, in the bed. It's one night. Tomorrow, you can go back to sleeping alone. Okay?"

"I need to use the restroom." She said and went into the bathroom again. This time slamming the door behind her.

It was another four hours later when Kya emerged from the bathroom. She went to the sofa and laid herself down on it. Who was Lord Totomi to tell her to do?

In the morning, the air was very tense between the two. Neither bothered to say a word. And Kya refused to make any eye contact. Uhara had clearly forgotten who the girl's mother was. A sassy waterbender with enough balls to fight the Fire Lord in an Agni Kai match. Her mother had enough balls to cheat on her husband for her ex-husband and then willingly accepted becoming a prisoner for her affair. He had always viewed Kya as her father's daughter but it would seem she had her mother in her too. But that was fine. Phoenix King Ozai might have a thing for fiery women but that was not a commonly desired trait amongst those in the Fire Nation.

When they arrived in the Fire Nation, Uhara was still getting dressed when he noticed Kya was fully clothed but still was not wearing his family's jewelry. It was symbolic for a woman that the Head of the household was bringing home to wear them. He wanted his family to see her and know she would be his wife someday.

"Kya." He said as he walked over to the princess. "You told me you'd wear my family's heirloom."

Kya glanced up at the man from her sitting posture, "I don't even wear earrings and the necklace is too heavy."

"Then you should have said something." Lord Totomi scowled at her.

"It slipped my mind." Kya said as she got up and walked over to the door of the cabin to leave.

In the carriage heading to his estate within the city, Uhara watched Kya gaze with indifference out the window. She didn't seem to care about being back in the Fire Nation. Even though this is where she was born, the princess seemed disinterested. Though, that was to be expected. Uhara knew the Phoenix Empire was thriving in a way that put even the Fire Nation to shame. Couldn't be helped that she looked at the place with little to no intrigue in her eyes.

The carriage stopped after about a thirty minute ride from the airship docks. Uhara decided that since Kya was a bit moody and he was about to introduce her to his family, he wanted to talk to her first.

"Kya, this is just my city estate but many from my family have come from our home province to meet you. They're quite excited, so please, whatever has you upset, disregard it for the moment." Uhara explained to her.

If he was asking her to be friendly, that wasn't going to happen. She could barely be friendly at her own court. But what she could do is deal with his family as she had dealt with the council, her father's generals, and ranking ministers and officials. There was a professional approach she would have while also trying to mimic what she had seen around court. Sure, her situation was miserable but she wasn't going to embarrass the man. She wasn't so cruel. She was just indifferent and there was a huge difference.

Lord Totomi got out of the carriage first and offered Kya his hand to help her down to the ground. She took it. Once on her feet, Kya saw the large entrance way of the estate and looked to Lord Totomi.

"My mood is poor and has been since we departed. Forgive me." Kya apologized. "I do not wish to embarrass you in front of your family but I fear I might do so without intending. Hopefully, in our time here, you can teach me so that I can better fit in."

Hearing this had made Uhara feel entirely better. He was fearful that Kya would continue to act moody in front of his family. He feared that while she might be a princess, they would not accept her as a member of the family. However; she may have just been nervous this whole time and he could understand that.

Happily taking her arm into his, "Don't worry, Kya. You're a princess and while you live differently than most, you could do very little to embarrass me." He smiled at her and cupped the side of her face.

Kya's eyes fell from his as keeping eye contact was something she only did as an intimidation method for her and not something she did in light situations like these. She felt his lips press to her forehead as he caressed the side of her face, running his hand over her earlobe.

"You'll do fine."

Nodding her head.

Walking her up the short flight of steps to the gate, the guards nodded to the Head of the Totomi household and opened the doors. Kya swallowed hard as she saw from the sliver of light coming from the crack in the door that she would be greeting quite a few people. You'd think with all the people she had to deal with at her father's court, the Fire Nation residents and the Earth Kingdom ones, that she'd be used to this sort of thing but no. Absolutely not. She could maintain an air of distance and aloofness at her home court. People would see her and know right away that there was an invisible barrier between her and them. Thus, they left her alone. But here, at this moment, in this situation, she had to let her protective barrier down. And never in her life had she felt so bare and vulnerable.

"Welcome home, Lord Uhara." They all greeted him in unison and bowed.

Standing at his side with her arm looped into his, Kya clung to it a little tighter than before. It earned her a soft chuckle as Uhara placed his hand down on hers and looked to the courtyard filled with members of his family.

"Thank you all for coming to greet me." He spoke over them. "I do believe you all are aware that I brought with me a young woman that I will take as my wife soon."

They all lifted from their bows to take a look at the girl on his arm. All of them were stunned. She was beautiful. Absolutely so. However; they noticed she was a bit exotic. Exotic even for Earth Kingdom standards. She had gold eyes. Bright ones that shined in the light of the sun. But her skin was brown, a shade or two darker than bronze. Her waist was small but she was still curvy. And she had such a poised and elegant grace to her that they couldn't see her being from the Water Tribes.

Looking over to Kya, who was still clinging to his arm, "Everyone, this is Princess Kya, daughter of Phoenix King Ozai and his second wife, Lady Katara."

And suddenly, Kya watched and heard them all react in astonishment and praises. Sometimes she forgot how people typically reacted to royalty. At home they all kept their distance from her and her father as they were very aloof people that didn't want to be bothered. So this was sort of a surprise for her as well.

"Phoenix King Ozai is allowing me to court his daughter so that when she comes of age we can be married right away. Please, do treat her as if she were already a member of this family. She's a bit shy but you will all learn to love her." Lord Totomi said as he smiled down at his bride-to-be. "Princess Kya is a very sweet girl and I hope you will all look after her while she is here."

They all bowed. "As you wish, Lord Uhara."

"Thank you. Now, the two of us are going to settle down and rest a little. You all can introduce yourselves this evening." He informed them.

Kya was grateful that he cut things short for them. She was tired from not resting well last night. Plus, she was a bit nervous meeting everyone right now and she felt she could vomit.

Escorting her to his domain of the estate, Lord Totomi gave her a mini-tour of the place so she could see where the gardens were. He knew she liked to spend most of her time in the gardens back home. And while his could never compare, he knew she would appreciate having a garden or five to pick from.

Bringing her to where his suites were and showed her that hers were just across the courtyard from his. So in the morning they could have breakfast together.

Walking her up to her suites, Uhara introduced her to the two servants that would be waiting on her hand and foot. "They will dress you in attire better suited for the woman of the clan's leader." He continued smiling at her.

Kya nodded as she let go of his arm and looked to the two servants.

"I'll come by to see you before tonight's event."

When Lord Totomi walked away, Kya sighed and entered her suites. She just hoped that she survived the anxiety building up in her.

…..

"My, my, my, you've come back with quite the catch, my dear grandson." Uhara was sitting at a low table in one of the courtyards with his grandmother and older cousin. She seemed very pleased in his choice of wife but then again, who could complain about legitimate royalty joining their line? This was the highest honor a member of any noble household could receive.

Nodding his head as he carefully set his teacup down, Uhara grinned. "Yes, I had not expected that in my travels to the Phoenix Empire to pay my respects to the Phoenix King that I'd be granted such a privilege. Princess Kya had approached me herself on many occasions to spend time with me and offered me her affection. I thought it was only right to ask for her hand."

Both his grandmother and older cousin looked at him in surprise.

"You asked the Phoenix King, himself, for her hand?" His grandmother gaped.

"I'll admit, I was frightened of the man. He had made a threat towards me once when he found his daughter and I being playful in one of the gardens there. However; she stood up to her father right there in front of me. I knew the only way to get this man's respect was to approach him myself."

"You could have been killed!" His grandmother pointed out. "You do not know the kind of man, the Phoenix King is. He is a dangerous man and though we all, here, revere him as a fearsome leader and one that we all take pride in, he is not to take lightly in any sense."

Also agreeing with their grandmother, his older cousin reminded him of what happened to the Phoenix King's own son.

But Uhara shook his head and explained that he found the Phoenix King to be far less frightening than before. Informing them that Phoenix King Ozai often invites him for dinner and has had him join him in his lounge for drinks. He had been made to feel like a son-in-law already. He didn't doubt for a moment that the man was dangerous and shouldn't be taken lightly. But their families were about to be joined fairly soon and they would be seen differently by the Phoenix King.

"We are in his good grace, grandmother and Cousin Sota. Otherwise; why would he allow me to bring his daughter all the way here? She is his most prized and precious possession. Anyone that even looks at her can be killed. Yet, I alone, have been given her hand. Does that not speak volume to what he thinks of our clan?"

Both his grandmother and Cousin chuckled and nodded. This was excellent. Now they had something to brag about to Lord Otohiko. He thought so highly of himself for having Jin Su be involved with Phoenix King Ozai's son, Zhiar. But as far as they or anyone could see, the boy was banished not unlike his own disgraced older brother, Fire Lord Zuko. What did it matter if Jin Su had a disgraced royal as his son-in-law? Plus, Jin Su wasn't even his daughter. She was adopted. The honor wouldn't go to him anyways. But they had a beautiful princess, loved dearly by her formidable father. Not to mention, they had heard plenty about the princess, she was in proxy of her father at times. Meaning that she often held the same weight in the Phoenix Empire as her father. She had power of her own. Which was fantastic in the sense that they'd be able to acquire more power through her. However…

Looking at her grandson, "Uhara, tell me, how is the princess? Is she more like her father or that feisty mother of hers?"

Uhara knew his family had mixed feelings about the Phoenix King's second wife. Lady Katara was revered as the only individual that could go toe to toe with the Phoenix King and also provided him the gift of immortality. She was seen as his one true lover. Something he witnessed with his own eyes and had seen the way the Phoenix King recalled the water woman. Lady Katara was perhaps the Phoenix King's one true weakness and for that, many despised her for it. The water woman wasn't very popular anywhere. It couldn't be helped that everyone had something bad to say. She had pissed off a lot of people. Even her own allies.

However; because of his feelings for Kya, he would not speak poorly of her mother to his family.

"Kya has a little of both her parents in her but all in all, she's her own person entirely." Uhara told them. "She's very shy and doesn't do well interacting with others. Most of the time she spends it alone and to herself. I think that has a lot to do with how people fear her due to her parentage. But I promise you, Princess Kya is very kind and sweet. Treat her accordingly."

Beaming at her grandson, "I'm pleased to hear this. May I go see her now? I simply can't wait to give her a warm welcome."

"I will allow this but remember, she is very shy."

Chuckling, "Dear cousin, you worry too much. I'll accompany grandmother to meet this bride of yours. I must say, we're all excited for this union. It's about time you settled down."

…..

Kya was dressed from the clothes she wore from Omashu into much lighter fabrics that helped keep cool in the Fire Nation climate. She had thought for sure they'd have her draped in reds to match the overall color Fire Nation people wore. However; it was a soft blue hanfu dress with pinks and greens adding an accent to it. They tied her raven hair up into a traditional Fire Nation style. A bun in the back with ornaments decorating it, leaving a lock of hair out on both sides to frame her face. It wasn't often that Kya ever wore any makeup and typically, her father only allowed her to use soft colors that were barely noticeable on her darker skin. But the servants insisted that she have her lips painted a deep red like many young women and have black liner line her eye beds with a touch of peach eye shadow.

Looking in the mirror, Kya barely recognized herself. This makeup that they placed on her made her think she was looking at someone else. She would have taken more time getting used to the look if not for the knock on her panel door.

One of her servants went to answer the door while the other helped her to her feet.

"Lady Shu. Lord Sota." The servant bowed as an elderly woman entered with a middle aged man.

Kya eyed the two as they looked to her with pleasant expressions. She knew she was supposed to return one in order to show herself friendly but she felt it would look forced on her face. She hadn't had enough time practicing the expression with her new makeup.

"Oh my, dear. You are just incredibly beautiful." The old woman said as she came up to Kya and placed her hands on either side of her shoulders, looking her over with marvel. "I'm sure you have plenty of rivals back home."

Shrugging her shoulders, "I wouldn't know." Kya averted her eyes from the woman.

"Awww, Sota, she really is a shy girl like Uhara said." Lady Shu seemed to like this very specific detail and hugged Kya to her.

Kya's eyes widened as the old woman embraced her.

Patting his grandmother on the back as he chuckled, Sota apologized to the princess as his grandmother finally let go of her. The girl was clearly frightened by the sudden gesture of affection.

"Forgive her, she's just a crazy old woman." Sota explained with a smile.

Reaching up to pinch his cheek, "Don't call me crazy! I'm just happy to finally have a granddaughter-in-law! You and Uhara have waited far too long for my taste." Lady Shu let go of him and fixed her face to stare lovingly at the princess. "Oh, I just know with such a beautiful wife at his side, my grandson will never want you out of his sight."

"Or his bed." Sota chuckled.

Both Lady Shu and Kya eyed Sota coldly.

"Anyways," Lady Shu went back to what she was saying. "I'm very happy to have you become part of the family and I know you will make my grandson Uhara a very happy man."

That sudden feeling of guilt she felt that night before departure had settled back into her stomach and Kya stumbled a little to the side as she held her hand to her head.

"Your highness!" Lady Shu called her name as a servant had to catch her before she fell. "Sota, go get the family physician!"

….

Pacing back and forth waiting for the physician to finish, Lady Shu saw her grandson had just shown up. He looked concerned as he walked up to her. She took his hands into hers and looked up at him.

"Not to worry. The Physician is with her now but so far, he believes it was the heat that has made her faint."

Uhara furrowed his brows in concern, "She fainted?"

Lady Shu nodded. She figured maybe the heat and all the excitement got to her. The princess was a very petite and small girl. Too much of anything could easily overwhelm her.

"How about you stay here and wait for the physician to finish up. I'll leave you to look after her." His grandmother told him.

Nodding his head, "Inform the others that we'll have to reschedule the welcome party."

"Of course." She told him and smiled up at him. "Take good care of her. She looks like a sweet girl."

When his grandmother left, Uhara went to where Kya's bedroom was and saw that the door was slid open. The physician was taking her pulse when he saw that Kya was awake in bed asking what was wrong with her.

"When was your last cycle?" The physician asked.

"A few years ago." Kya stated. "I was twelve or thirteen. My grandmother told me it would mean I could bear children but I never had one again. My father informed me that I was like this because of him and my mother 'cross breeding'."

The physician was confused and so was Lord Totomi.

"Neither of my parents are 'just' human. My twin brother and I may have inherited their inhuman abilities and traits but we are sterile because of it. The palace physician that served under my father and delivered me and my brother can confirm this." Kya explained. "I can never have children."

The physician sighed and told her that all he could see was that she was faint from the heat. Extra precaution would need to be taken to insure that she would not grow ill from the heat.

When the Physician was getting ready to leave, Uhara made his presence known and entered the room. "How is she?"

"Good, my lord. She's just exhausted from her travels and unable to adjust to the heat." The Physician explained.

Nodding, Uhara paid the physician handsomely and dismissed him.

When alone, Kya saw Lord Totomi walk over to her and sit on the edge of her bed.

"I'm sorry to have caused a bunch of commotion." Kya dropped her gaze to the bed sheets she was under.

Shaking his head, Uhara chuckled at her. "There is nothing for you to apologize about. You might have been born here but you've been away for some time. The rest of my family can wait to meet you. Just take it easy on yourself until you are feeling better." He took her hands in his.

Kya's eyes stared at her hands that were in his and roamed up to his eyes. Even though she didn't like him the way he liked her. He wasn't a horrible man. Maybe he mistook her kindness for affection. From the way his grandmother was all over her with joy, maybe he didn't have much luck with women in the past. That or maybe he was like her brother. Alone by choice.

"Why was your grandmother so happy to see me?" Kya tilted her head, curious to know.

Smiling at her as he moved her fringes from the side of her face, "Because she's wanted me to get married for a long time."

"Then why did you keep her waiting? You're a year older than my mother and she's been married three times."

Chuckling at the girl's comment, Uhara shook his head. "I assure you that that is not very typical but I'm sure your mother's situation is a unique one." he started off. "I simply haven't had the interest in settling down until recently. My parents passed when I was young and being their only son, I inherited the role of being the head of the household. My life was filled with many responsibilities and I had an entire family depending on me. I didn't have the time to think of anything else. However; with my family thriving again and taking on ambitions outside of the Fire Nation, I find that I can make the time for a woman to be in my life. To tell you the truth, I never thought for a second your father would agree to let me court you but I'm very happy he did."

Kya averted her eyes.

"And you don't have to fool me, Kya. I know you don't feel the same way about me." Uhara's voice became like a whisper.

"How did you figure me out?"

Well, when a girl goes from being warm and bubbly to being cold towards you, it becomes very obvious. But he didn't want to tell her that. "I can just tell. You used to look me in the eyes and address me with that pet name, Mr. but now, you only refer to me formally. Not to mention on the way here I felt you resented me for bringing you here." Uhara told her.

Feeling guilty but not wanting to lie, Kya told him the truth of what happened. That she was just trying to befriend him and when he misinterpreted that, she was angry at him. However; her father was in a better mood and wasn't sulking anymore, so she played along.

"I didn't wear your family's heirloom because I didn't want to be disrespectful to your clan." Kya explained. "And I've felt guilty ever since you offered for me to wear them."

The air between the two of them became somber.

"Does this mean you won't be seeing this courtship through?" He asked her carefully.

"I will try." She told him. "I just don't think myself capable of those kinds of feelings towards anyone."

Well, that wasn't completely bad. Usually at this point it would mean the end. But she said she would try and that's all he could hope for at this point.

"But I must be honest, even if you do decide to leave this courtship, I don't think I would give up on you." He confessed. "You are something that will never be found elsewhere at any point in time. It's worth waiting for you to come around."

…

The next few days were pleasant despite Kya having confessed to not sharing Uhara's feelings. He was still kind to her and tried to get her more accustomed to his family dynamic. She seemed to like how close he was with his grandmother. Kya thought the old lady reminded her of her great-grandmother Kanna. Sweet and meddlesome but always had good intentions. His grandmother kept her company while he was busy taking care of matters related to the family.

One day, Kya was given a tray of tea and snacks to take to Uhara. His grandmother said that a way to a man's heart was his stomach.

Walking to Uhara's office, Kya knelt down as she was told to do and laid the tray aside before sliding the panel door open. "I have snacks." she told him.

Glancing over his shoulder, Uhara saw Kya and smiled as she entered with a tray of treats. He set his quill down and watched as the princess came over to his desk with the tray. She then took both cups and placed one down in front of him. It warmed his heart a bit to see her pour his tea and prepare his snack for him. She was poised and graceful in simply her technique of preparation. But that was to be expected. He had seen her in Omashu when it came to working diligently. No detail was too small to ignore and she had a calm composure when handling any little thing.

"I see you and grandmother have been getting along." Uhara said as he picked up his tea cup to drink from it.

Nodding her head as she smiled a little, "Your grandmother is kind and so is the rest of your family. I wish mines were like this." She told him.

"Every family is different, Kya. We all have our issues." He told her.

Snorting as she drank her tea, "But no family has issues like mines."

"Thank Agni for that." Uhara chuckled. "But at least there's never a dull moment."

Rolling her eyes playfully, "I'd give anything for a dull moment." She giggled and told him how everyone in her family liked to fight each other. Her father fought with her brothers and her mother. Her brothers fought each other and their father. She fought her twin brother. Her grandmothers fought with her father. All in all everyone wanted to fight each other.

"Maybe it's a fire and water thing?" Uhara snickered the suggestion.

Shaking her head, she doubted that. It was mostly her father's doing. He kind of set the dynamics for everyone.

"He's an asshole. Thinks he's funny. Everyone thinks he's such a supreme man or evil or whatever. But he's just really goofy." Kya couldn't help but smile. "Like a depressed, drunken, awkward mess of a goofball. But I love when he's being his awkward self. My dad, he's really a unique person. I see why my mom fell in love with him."

Uhara could tell Kya really cared about her father. It was why she was doing all of this and why she was so upset when her and her father had gotten into an argument.

Sighing as she bit one of the cookies, "I want him to be happy. I want that for both of my parents. Whether they find that together or apart. Either way. They should be happy."

Shifting his gaze from her to his cup, "What about you, Kya? Don't you want to be happy?"

Kya paused for a moment. Happy? Her be happy? That wasn't something she had ever given thought to. She figured if her parents were happy then it would make her happy and that was her focus. But it wasn't like she was sad or anything. But she knew for a fact this wasn't happiness. Contempt would be a better word.

"I don't know." She answered simply. "I never thought about it."

….

The next day was a bit of a surprise. Zuko and her Uncle Iroh showed up at Lord Totomi's manor. She was so happy to see them both that a bubbly sensation watched over her. She hadn't seen Zuko since before the incident between her parents and she missed him so much. Zuko was her favorite even though you aren't supposed to have any favorites. Seeing him really cheered her up. However; she noticed her brother was concerned for her. Concerned to the point where she felt it was a bit invasive but she didn't give him a hard time about it. It just set her on edge.

At dinner things were fine for the most part. Zhiar was his typical twerp-self and to her surprise, he had a girlfriend. What girl would even want her idiot brother? But it would seem he felt the same way about her and made a comment. His girlfriend didn't seem to like his remark which made her a pretty cool girl in Kya's book. But when she wanted to make a remark back at her brother, Uhara told her otherwise and so she didn't.

It kind of spoiled her mood for the night. Not that Uhara was wrong because he was right. However; Kya felt bothered by this. She was just sixteen and sure, she was pretty mature for her age. She had always been. But that didn't mean she didn't want to be childish at times. And there weren't many people her age that she interacted with that weren't family. Not to mention, Zhiar and Zuko looked like they were having a blast out here. They seemed so relaxed and carefree. She felt a little envious.

But she didn't tell Zuko that. He just seemed to think something was up with her and Uhara. But Uhara was a good man. If she were a little older and a little more opened to the idea of getting married, she'd appreciate Uhara more. But after he asked that question to her about her own happiness, there had been a lot on her mind. She had pondered on what it meant for her to be happy because it was becoming more and more obvious as she thought about it that she was far from happy. And seeing how Uhara's family was, it sort of made her jealous a bit. Everyone was so carefree and happy and they all joked. Joining a family like this would be nice. It would be what she would want but…

Making it back home, Kya was greeted by her father and saw that he held his hands in his sleeves waiting for her at the top of the staircase. She broke from Uhara's arm and ran into her father's. Burying her face into him as she hugged her arms around his middle. Kya squeezed her eyes shut as she teared up.

"I missed you, dad." She whispered to him.

Patting her head, Ozai sighed and looked to Uhara as he came up the steps with a pleasant expression.

"I assume the trip went well." Ozai raised a questioning brow at him.

"It went exceptionally well, your majesty. Seems Kya got along with my entire family and they adored her." Uhara informed him.

Looking from the nobleman to his daughter that pulled away to rub her eyes, Ozai shook his head. "Then what are you crying for?" He asked her.

Sniffling, "I just missed you is all." Kya told him.

Offering her his arm, Ozai told her to tell him about her trip to the Fire Nation. She smiled and took her father's arm as Uhara walked beside them, telling him about her trip.

…

As the three had dinner together, Kya received a look from Uhara as a prompt to speak with her father about what they discussed on the way back. The nobleman was really a good man and confessed that he truly wanted her to become his wife once she was of age to marry. However; he knew she didn't share his feelings at all and so he wouldn't force her to remain in the courtship. She thanked him and the two of them decided they would remain acquainted in the event Kya changed her mind when she was older.

Swallowing hard, Kya looked from Uhara to her father, who seemed to notice the exchange between the two.

"Dad," Kya cleared her throat nervously. "There's something Uhara and I wanted to tell you."

Her father's brow raised immediately.

Oh sweetheart, that is not how you start a conversation with your father after returning from a month long trip with another man.

"Tell me what?" Ozai bit out as if he was about to hear news that was going to piss him off. That bastard had better not have touched my little girl!

"Ummm...well, Uhara and I had talked about this and we both agree that this courtship is not what we wanted." Kya says.

Noticing her father didn't quite understand what she was saying, Uhara decided to take over from here. "Kya needs to focus on her own happiness right now, your majesty. She's sixteen and has many years ahead of her. Marriage is the last thing on her mind."

Furrowing his brows, Ozai looked to his daughter. "Is this what you want, Kya?"

Kya nodded. "Lord Totomi is a good man and in the future, if I am ready, I could see no one else being better suited to be my husband than him. But I haven't really gotten the chance to live life enough to settle down."

"I think Kya is a wonderful person, your majesty. So, I can wait until she's ready for marriage. It's not a problem at all." Uhara smiled at Kya.

The Phoenix King looked between his daughter and the nobleman. He was confused here.

When dinner ended, Kya went to lay in bed she saw something laying on her vanity. Lifting her head her, she narrowed her eyes to get a better look at the item. It was a vile. A strange one. She threw the covers off of her self and made her way over to the vanity. Looming over it, Kya picked it up and looked it over. It looked quite odd. A blue mercury substance but she was too tired to look further.

Returning to bed, Kya laid on her side and fell asleep. Little did she know that the substance of the vile had been poured into her water satchel. She didn't notice the presence in her room or feel the breeze that came into her room.

…

Next morning, Kya showed up at the dojo to train with her father like she had before going to the Fire Nation. She figured mastery of fire was important to her as a duel bender. It would play a key part later on once her father finally decided to confront their enemies. However; when she showed up for practice, her father was meditating with a candle and she could feel the tension in the room.

"Tell me what really happened on that trip, Kya." Ozai tilted his head up at her.

Kya sat down in front of him and crossed her legs, "It was a good trip. I did really enjoy Lord Totomi's family. They were really friendly and treated me like one of their own." She began. "But I never shared Lord Totomi's feelings. I only agreed to be with him because I thought that's what you would want from me."

Furrowing his brows, "I only wanted this because I thought he was the person you were telling me about. The one that caused your face to get hot."

Tilting her head as she raised an eyebrow. What was he talking about? Her face was hot because of her lack of firebending.

"I saw you with him almost everyday. You even told him you were lonely, I thought for sure-"

"I'm lonely because my mother is in prison, my brothers live together in a different country, and my father is a miserable drunk. I don't know how else I wouldn't be with all those factors in place." She explained to him.

Not liking what his daughter was telling him, Ozai stood up and bended the flame from the candle. "Your lessons are over for the day." He told her sternly before turning around.

Kya jumped to her feet, "Why?! Why can't I talk to you about these things?! Why won't you listen?!"

"I told you, Kya, I'm not your concern."

"Well how can you not be when you're always drinking?! Always doing some kind of drug the common folk use! I used to sit at the table dying to hear you say something to me!" Kya shouted. "I'd go to bed hating that I could think up all the things I wanted to say to you at the table but the words never came out! I'm always afraid if I say something and I'm wrong, you're going to turn your back on me like you're doing right now!"

Balling his fists at his sides.

"I went to the Fire Nation and saw Uhara's family and I was jealous that I didn't have what he did! Because his family loved each other and they didn't fight. Even Zuko and Zhiar, Uhara and I had dinner with them, looked so happy! I hated it!" Kya rubbed her fists over her eyes as she cried. "I just want you to be better!"

And somehow, hearing his daughter tell him to be better triggered him. Ozai turned around and did a swirling kick of fire, sending it her way. Kya gasped and quickly blocked him but still slid back from the impact.

"Dad! What are you-"

"Shut up, Katara! You're always talking down to me!" He sent several fire punches at her causing her to act quicker than she had ever before. "I'm the one that gave you everything you have! You were nothing before me! You ungrateful bitch!"

Kya was forced to use her siren abilities to fight off her father that was now attacking with lightning. She realized that he might have actually snapped. He wasn't actually referring to her but instead, her mother. Raising a wall of ice, Kya stood behind it and continued reinforcing it as her father started punching his fists directly into the ice.

"You wouldn't even listen to me! I told you I didn't do anything to hurt you! And you wouldn't believe me! You're supposed to know I wouldn't do that!" Ozai growled as his eyes turned red and his final punch shattered the ice.

Kya tried taking off running but her father grabbed her by her hair, yanking her to him as she tried getting him to let go.

"Dad! Stop it!" She yelled as he dragged her.

"Why can't you just love me like I love you?! You never did! I always had to fight you to give a fuck about me! And you even treat me like a basket case! I'm not crazy! You're crazy!" Ozai growled and yanked Kya by her hair on the floor.

Back slammed onto the floor, Kya spun and kicked her father in the mouth. Her eyes were glowing as she watched him back off, holding his hand over his mouth.

"Wait till I get my hands on you!" Ozai charged at her.

Kya quickly summoned the water from her satchel and formed an ice dagger, lodging it directly into his head. Her father collapsed immediately. Gasping as she backed away, Kya saw her father lay face first on the ground, his hand reaching up to try and grab her.

"You keep breaking my heart, Katara! Why?!" She heard him cry out and her hands went over her mouth as she backed away even further. "You didn't listen to me when I tried winning the war to protect our family! You didn't listen to me when I told you to leave the Fire Nation with me before you ran off with Arnook! And you still didn't hear me when I tried to tell you I would never do something like that to you! You just won't listen!"

"Dad-"

"I promise you! As soon as I get my hands on you, I'm locking your stupid ass in a fucking cell and chaining you up! You don't get to leave me again!" Ozai managed to get back to his feet.

Kya wasn't going to stand around and fight her insane father. She was getting out of here.

…

"Hama, please, for the love of Tui and La, don't add spice to the meat tonight." Hakoda told his mother-in-law as the elderly woman was in the kitchen fixing dinner.

Glaring over at the man, Hama gave him the finger and immediately reached for the spice she had already selected for the night's dinner. "I told you, boy, we're having a guest."

"A guest? Who?"

Hama smirked as they both saw Sokka run into their hut with an urgent look on his face, "Dad, Kya is here!"

"Kya?!" Hakoda looked from his son to the old siren.

Smirking as she went back to cooking, "Our guest is here."

Hakoda really couldn't scratch the fact that this woman was creepy. He could deal with her much better when she was in her younger form but lately, she was sporting the old crone look.

Going outside to see his granddaughter, Hakoda saw his mother was getting a good look at the girl. She looked to be crying as she explained what had happened.

"She says Ozai snapped and attacked her, thinking she was her mother." Sokka informed his father.

"Attacked her?!" Hakoda listened to Kya speak to his mother and explain more of what happened. She looked very shaken up. Mostly because she had to fight back. Obviously, she didn't want to hurt her father. It was not her desire.

"He wouldn't stop when I called his name. He just kept thinking I was mom." Kya sobbed.

Coming up to her, Hakoda placed his hand on his granddaughter's back and rubbed it. "It'll be fine. Stay with us for a little while and we'll reach out to your father once you've had some time to get yourself together. Okay?"

Nodding her head as she sniffled and let her grandfather pull her on with him. Kanna sighed and shook her head as Sokka came up beside her.

"I knew that bastard was nuts. He's lucky Kya was able to keep him from hurting her or I would have-"

"You'd have died, my dear grandson." Kanna chuckled as she went on to follow her son and great-granddaughter into their hut.

….

Hours after they fed the teenage girl and let her rest in a soft fur bed to hopefully help her get her thoughts together. Hama told them it was best not to speak with Ozai directly but to reach out to Zuko first since he was the only one that could cross paths with his father and live. But before they even could reach out to the Fire Lord, Sokka came back into the hut to let them know that Zuko had shown up.

Coming to greet the Fire Lord warmly with a hug, Hakoda noticed that Zuko froze like his father had and he couldn't help but chuckle. "We're family, Fire Lord. You fathered my grandson, Ryu. Not to mention you've always looked out for my daughter. Besides, if I see your father as family then surely, I can't not see you as family too."

Chuckling awkwardly as he scratched his neck, "Well...speaking of family. My father showed up in the Fire Nation causing a scene over Kya. I don't know much of what happened and was hoping to talk to Kya about things while my father receives medical attention from my physicians."

Hakoda nodded and showed Zuko to where Kya was resting in the guest rooms. He peeked his head in to see Kya lying in the fur blankets.

"Kya, sweetheart. Your brother is here." Hakoda shook the girl gently and saw her stir.

Rubbing her puffy eyes, Kya looked up at her grandfather and then looked over to the door. Her eyes widened as she threw the covers off of herself and jumped out of bed, running up to her older brother.

"Zuko!" She breathed into his shoulder as she wrapped her arms around him tightly.

Hugging her back, Zuko shut his eyes and rubbed her back as Hakoda left them to talk.

"What happened, Kya?" He murmured against her hair as it was in his face.

After spending some time telling Zuko everything from the time she and Uhara arrive back home, Kya, being her usual detail oriented self, didn't miss a single detail of information. Very thorough in her explanation. And much of what Kya had to tell her older brother, she could see he was not okay with what he was hearing. Zuko had always felt responsible for her and Zhiar and anytime their father did something out of the way, he always took the lead role to protect them to the best of his ability.

"It was like he had snapped and didn't realize it was me. He just kept trying to attack me as if I were mom." Kya told him. "He's angry with her for not believing him."

Sitting beside her on her fur bed, Zuko sighed and told her that their father was heart broken and she didn't need to take it personally. However; she no longer needed to deal with their father alone. He was mentally unstable if he was able to snap like that out of nowhere.

"I'm not ready to go home, Zuko." She told him. "Grandfather said I can stay here until father is better."

Kya really didn't want to return home at the moment. Her father frightened her and she didn't know when he'd accidentally turn on her. Maybe it was because she was starting to look more like her mother as time went on. Or that she sounded like her mother a little more. Whatever it was, she triggered her father without meaning to. It wasn't safe for her to see him anytime soon.

….

A few days later, Kya was sitting outside at the firepit with her grandfather and great-grandfather deboning a large catch they had caught while her uncle scaled the other fish they caught. She turned out to be really good at fishing and hunting. Her grandfather pointed out that it was in her blood. The tribal side of her that knew how to survive and knew what it took to make it outside a palace. She might have gotten her killer instincts from her father but she had her mother's survival instincts as well.

"Like this, dear." Hakoda smiled as he showed Kya how to stake the fish and place it close to the fire for cooking. She did a few herself and received an approving look from both her grandfathers while her uncle tried to sneak one of the half cooked fish.

The three of them ganged up on him to protect the fish while Kanna and Hama came outside with home brewed ale and sides to eat with their fish.

"Hey, Uncle Sokka, where's Aunt Toph and my cousins?" Kya asked. She had been looking for Jiao, Kotoru, Lin, and Sue since being here but they weren't here.

Sokka tried not to make things obvious, "Oh, they're all in the Earth Kingd- Phoenix Empire. I forgot that territory is under your father's rule. Yeah, they're just visiting Toph's parents. Gives them all the chance to live in a milder climate for a change."

The group started to dig in and enjoy the food and ale. Kya was allowed to drink the ale as she was considered old enough. Not to mention, the cold climate called for ale to keep them warm. She laughed at her uncle's jokes and listened closely to her grandfather explain what life was like during the war. Her great-grandfather told her about how her mother fought him to learn waterbending. Kya had a good time with her family. She really loved how laid back everything was here and how open and honest everyone was. Sure, they all had their fair share of chores but she'd rather do these chores than be at a desk all day talking with old men and navigating politics.

"Did you need anything else, dear?" Kanna asked Kya after helping her into a long night gown and tying up her hair.

Shaking her head, "No, I'm fine. But thank you for letting me stay with you all."

Kanna smiled and hugged her great-granddaughter tight. "You don't have to thank anyone. We're family, dear. And we love you so much. We'll always want you to come to us whenever you need. That's what family is for."

Kissing Kya goodnight, Kanna tucked the teen in bed and shut the door behind her.

"How is she?" Hakoda asked.

Kanna assured her son that the girl would be fine. She was just dealing with a lot. Between her mother being in prison and her father being a basket case, she had a lot on her plate. She would be fine once she had more time to get herself together.

"Just making sure." Hakoda sighed. "I'll go let Ozai know. Hopefully, it'll keep him from showing up before Kya is ready to see him again."

The elderly woman didn't understand why the idiot man didn't just leave and let Kya stay for a few months. He had practically emotionally scarred the girl. Attacking her like that. The man was nuts. She would go speak with that moron in the morning.

…..

Ozai had been staying in the port town outside of the village for a few weeks after recovering in the Fire Nation. He had originally gone straight to the village to see Kya but Hakoda and Katara's former waterbending teacher stopped him. Under normal circumstances, Ozai would have set them on fire and stepped over their burning corpses. However; this was different. He attacked his daughter in a fit of rage that was directed at her mother. He literally snapped. And he was afraid that he might have hurt her. The last thing he wanted to do was make things worse. So he decided to keep his distance. Hakoda would visit occasionally and tell him how Kya was doing. Honestly, Ozai felt like perhaps Kya was better off here than coming back with him.

Drying out his hair after having taken a shower, Ozai went to the door and answered it. His gold eyes fell on a pair of blue eyes.

"Hello there, Ozai." A woman said with an amused look on her face.

Raising a brow at the tribeswoman that he did not recognize, Ozai watched her barge into his room with a basket in her hands and set it down on the low table in his inn room.

"Who the hell are you?" He asked as he shut the door.

Sighing as she removed the gloves from her hands and slapped them down on the table, shifting her gaze back to him. "We've met before. You came to the village about seventeen years ago with my granddaughter as your forced bride and tongue kissed her in front of me and her father. He wanted to kill you. I wanted to kill you. You disrespected her in front of her people and the world." The woman spoke scornfully. "I've hated you all these years. Even when you showed your face some years later to allow us to finally see the children. I thought maybe I could hate you less but I find myself right back where we started, Ozai. Tell me why are you here if not to continue the cycle of you fire bastards hurting our young girls?"

Undone by the woman's words, Ozai didn't look at her as he took his towel from his head and he sat on the edge of his bed.

"What do you want?"

Flipping her hair over her shoulders as she scoffed and started unpacking the basket she had brought, "I might hate you but my son and grandson say you're a different man. They won't let me starve you. So I bring sweets. I hear you like your fair share of them." The woman told him.

Glancing over at the woman as he hung his head, "Kanna." He said her name.

"So you remembered my name." Kanna snorted as she brought him over a napkin of pastries and placed them beside him on the bed. "Should I feel honored, your majesty?"

Lifting his eyes to the woman as she stood in front of him, Ozai could tell now that all along this woman had been a siren. No wonder Katara turned out to be one. Her grandmothers on both sides were. Even more, Hama wasn't the only person his waterbender got her snappy attitude from. OR maybe tribeswomen were just snappy. Who knew? All he knew was every tribeswoman he met had a terrible attitude and gave no fucks of who he was. They said what was on their minds and dared him to challenge them. He had been a fool before and took them up on it but now...he knew better. These women were animals.

Seeing the man was studying her, Kanna smirked. "I see why my granddaughter fell for you. You're a beautiful man, Ozai. If I weren't married, I'd jump you." She took a lock of hair and examined it. "I'd ride you into the next era and pull your hair. You could learn a thing or two from me, you pretty fire bastard."

Scoffing as he pulled his hair from her and glared at her, "Is it common for you tribeswomen to make advances on men?"

Chuckling, "Why should men have all the fun? Besides, it's a siren thing that makes us so bold. But then again…" Kanna moved in closer to the Phoenix King and moved her arms to wrap around his neck as he sat there on the edge of the bed, eyeing her. "Men as handsome as you do make us even bolder."

"Not interested." Ozai growled.

"And neither am I." Kanna smiled and poked her finger on his nose. "You're handsome, face scarred and all but we're in-laws now. Family."

Even more confused than before, "Then what do you w-"

Kanna flicked her wrist and Ozai was unable to get any words out. He literally could move his lips but not a single word left them.

"You talk all too much for a man that doesn't like to talk, Ozai." Kanna raised her hand and he stood from the bed. She lowered it and he was on the floor, kneeling. While she wasn't a waterbender or a bloodbender, her talent as a siren was still always at use to her. "Now listen up, handsome. I want your word that my sweet little Kiki will be better taken care of when she returns home. You have a duty to your empire but your duty to your children comes first. And you already failed three of them. Now do better with this one."

That last part made Ozai's eye twitch. Something about hearing 'do better' it was the phrase Katara used with him in the argument before the incident took place. Hearing it literally caused him to feel anger boil in him. However; Kanna noticed this and crouched in front of him to get a glimpse of his eyes as they turned red.

"Do better." She told him and saw him clench his teeth as he strained to get out of his invisible bindings. "What's wrong, Ozai? Hate it when someone doesn't believe you gave it your best?" Smirking as she tapped his jaw. "Well, you haven't. You worthless excuse for a father, for a man and you wonder why Katara didn't believe you. How can she when you fail at everything but be a ruler? And what's a ruler when his own family despises him?"

"I already told you, that this is as good as I get, Katara! I'm not cut out for this!" Ozai growled viciously.

Kanna sighed and shook her head, "So you have snapped?"

The elder siren listened to the man rant as if he were speaking to Katara. Obviously, the two had a fight before the incident and the phrase 'do better' triggered him.

"I'm trying to do what I can! And you just keep talking down to me! Every chance you get! You think I don't know I'm worthless?! I knew that before I met you!"

Stepping away from the man as it looked like her hold on him was breaking and he was about to attack her. Kanna's eyes widened once he was able to break through her invisible tethers and approached her with the look of murder in his eyes. He grabbed her and pulled her to his chest, squeezing her as she was lifted off her feet. Kanna gasped as the air was being knocked out of her.

"I never thought you should be anything other than what you are! I never asked you to change for me!"

Hitting him to get him to let her go, Kanna begged him to let go as he squeezed her tighter.

"Is that what you want?!"

"Let me go, Ozai!" Kanna cried with her very last breaths.

The woman was dropped onto the floor and she gasped for the air that wouldn't come fast enough into her lungs. Dear Tui and La, this fire bastard nearly crushed her. He really has lost his mind. She notices the man falling on his knees and grabbing at his face.

"Fine! I'll let you go! I don't need you anyway! You've only caused me more grief than I can bear!"

Kanna heard the man cry and her eyes widened.

"I don't care how much I love you, Katara! I'm not going to keep letting you do this to me!" He punched his fist on the floor.

Seeing actual tears hit the wooden floorboard, Kanna backed away. "Oza-"

"Leave! That's what you're trying to do, isn't it?! LEAVE!"

…

Returning to the village, Kanna told Hakoda and Hama the incident that took place at the inn.

"He's really lost it." Kanna said in a shaky tone. Really disturbed by the man's meltdown. Maybe it wasn't wise of her to leave him there. He was a firebender with very destructive power. He could hurt someone without meaning to.

Sighing as he sat at the table clenching his fists, "We can't send Kya back to him." Hakoda shook his head.

"That girl isn't going to be kept away from her father." Hama said with her arms folded. "She's just shaken up right now but once, she's calmed, she'll go to him."

Kanna knew that would be the case. The girl was her mother's daughter. She felt responsible for Ozai. even if he was her father, Kya seemed to believe it was her duty as a daughter to look after him. Honestly, if that was the case, there was nothing any of them could do.

And there was nothing that could be done. After about another week, Kya decided she wanted to return to her father and Hakoda went into the port town to see if Ozai was in the right mental space before bringing him to the village to see Kya.

Kya was outside the village archway with Sokka and Pakku waiting for her father. When she saw her grandfather walking just ahead of her father, the teen took steps towards them. Her eyes watered as she saw her father with his hair completely down. Face mask over his mouth to hide his scars. His eyes were silver and she could see a listlessness in them. It hurt seeing him like that. It was better to deal with him being an asshole or a jerk, at least then he didn't look like his very existence was killing him. But Kya's steps soon turned into strides as she ran to him.

Both Hakoda and Ozai stopped as Kya was dashing towards them. Hakoda watched the girl jump into her father's arms and cling to him tightly.

"Dad, I'm sorry!" She cried. "I'm sorry I hurt you! I was just scared!"

Holding his daughter to him, Ozai shut his eyes and wished she would stop apologizing. This wasn't her fault. It was his. He had been losing his wits and giving her things to worry about that she shouldn't have to. Not to mention, Hakoda told him what happened with Kanna's visit. He was losing his mind. He was falling apart. And he was hurting his daughter in the process.

"It's not your fault, Kya. It's mine. I'm sorry...I did this." He held her tighter and squeezed his eyes even tighter, not wanting to have his tears fall again. As much as he hated being so vulnerable in front of people, he couldn't help it. There were a lot of things over the course of his life that he suppressed and bottled up. Things that he didn't face. That he pretended never happened. That he selectively forgot. And now, he was reliving them in his head. He couldn't suppress them any longer. It was time to face them. Otherwise; he wasn't going to get any better and he'd just keep hurting those he cared about. Maybe Katara was right all along...maybe that's why she tried to get him to talk about his past. She wanted him to confront it. Deal with what's happened to him. So he could stop hurting. So he could stop hurting others.

Maybe then I won't be such a terrible father.

….

A/N:

Wonder how things go the duo now that Kya is interested in her own happiness and Ozai realizes he's been hurting his family by not getting help.