So much could happen in five years. Five cycles of the seasons, all passing listlessly one after the other.

Slowly, the formerly disputed city of Yu Dao and other Fire Nation colonies in the western coast of the Earth Kingdom are being redirected into a new state, a united republic. Through numerous negotiations, summits and dealings with the Earth King, Fire Lord, Water Tribe Chief, the White Lotus and Avatar Aang, these group of colonies would eventually become the United Republic of Nations.

Numerous inventions were brought to life with acknowledgement to the Fire Nation's ever-advancing expertise in technology, as well as Earth Kingdom's well-endowed resources for raw materials and manpower. Inclusivity was promoted as even non-benders were given the knowledge and opportunity to operate such machinery that formerly can only be done by specific benders.

Toph Beifong's Metalbending Academy played a crucial part in such advancements. Hundreds to thousands of earthbenders from all-across the Earth Kingdom came to the Avatar's earthbending master and her disciples to learn this new subset of earthbending.

The Southern Water Tribe soon caught up with its sister-tribe in terms of developments. The previously small village of igloos soon had bustling markets, sturdier houses, a city hall, and several establishments that proved their path on progress and stability.

This progress was everywhere one would look. Change was indeed inevitable. Yet, some people remain the same.


Chiyo smiled back at the mirror while combing Fire Lord Zuko's long dark hair, her eyes twinkling merrily as she ran the wooden comb through his locks.

"What is my beautiful girlfriend smiling at?" Fire Lord Zuko grinned triumphantly. "Remembering last night?"

She tugged a portion of his hair to reproach him, earning a startled gasp from the man. "You have handmaidens to do this for you. I have a scheduled performance in Yu Dao tomorrow and I have to leave later."

"That's why I'm having you do it, love..." He leaned back with a pout. "Why can't they just send someone else to perform? Why can't I just pay the troupe a week's worth of your visits, hmm?"

Chiyo had gathered the upper half of his hair in a bun and carefully tied it in place. The smile had faded, and in its place, an unreadable expression.

For the past five years after the ceremony that declared her a full-fledged entertainer, the Fire Lord has given constant imbursement to the Salinja Troupe for Chiyo's companionship. No matter how much a noble or merchant offered for her, the Fire Lord doubled the amount.

Even her performances and work have been limited further. An average entertainer can garner up to a dozen bookings a year, even more so depending on the woman's fame and talent. Yet Chiyo was only able to perform twice in a year, once during the Fire Lord's birthday, and another during a festival of her choosing.

This garnered her a very notorious reputation, not only in the Fire Nation, but across all the other nations. In poems, in songs, in stories told from one gossipmonger to another, she was labeled as this elusive treasure that many coveted but can only be viewed from afar.

Zuko stood up from where he was seated and slowly dressed himself in the thick red and black robes and pants, clasping the golden belt in place. "I'll be arriving a day late from you. I still have to take care of some reports regarding the search for Azula and her allies."

"Are there any new leads?"

He shook his head with a deep sigh. "Only the same as last year. A couple of sightings in the Earth Kingdom and on the border colonies."

Chiyo prepared his boots and his armor on the bed. Zuko watched her with hawk-like eyes, trying to see, trying to read and understand what she was thinking at the moment.

"We'll find her, Chiyo."

"What happens then? After you find her?"

The long silence that ensued after Chiyo's question was interrupted by three sharp knocks on the chamber doors. "Fire Lord Zuko, our envoys from the Earth Kingdom have arrived."

Chiyo carefully helped him into the armor with ease. This has become quite a routine for the last five years. She spent almost every day and night in the Fire Nation palace with Zuko; with the exception of only a handful of occasions.

Zuko placed a gloved hand at the back of Chiyo's waist and pulled her flush against his armored chest. He leaned down and his lips sought refuge against the spot on her neck below her right ear, nibbling gently while whispering. "I don't want to leave right now..."

She chuckled lightly, her head cocking sideways involuntarily. "It's amazing how you're still not sick of me—AHH!"

He had bitten down at the juncture where her neck met her shoulder, not enough for it to bleed, but enough to leave out a mark that was uniquely his. "Never." He whispered, almost harshly, contrasting to the gentle kisses and licks he lavished against her skin. "I will never tire of you."

Zuko pulled back and smirked, seeing her breathless expression, her heat-filled gaze and parted lips. A gorgeous sight he had grown accustomed to, yet still yearned to see every night they were together. He gave in to her unspoken call and kissed her once more, lips demanding dominance and affection.

"Fire Lord Zuko?" The knocks from the bedroom doors were insistent. "The... the envoys?"


Chiyo returned to the troupe with a discrete escort from the palace guards. From the outside, it was the same troupe quarters that it had been for decades since its establishment. Inside was a different story altogether.

The landscape in the middle of the quarters was completely redone. Rare and stunning flowers, as well as exquisite niwaki trees were placed to set the scene, to delight anyone's eyes and to compliment the women among them. The faded wood of the entertainer's rooms were replaced by new combinations of wood, stone, paper, and even flat shells that reflected the sun as it shines through the tiled roofs.

Every woman and child inside the troupe never feared hunger or poverty ever again. Every day, they had food to eat, clothes to wear, clients to entertain, and money to buy anything they want. No one needed to say it, they knew they owe it all to Chiyo and the Fire Lord's faithful devotion to her.

The minute she stepped inside, everyone stopped their lessons, their chores and their discussions. They stepped out of their rooms to greet Chiyo with low bows and spirited greetings. "Welcome back, sister!"

"Lady Chiyo!"

"Are you staying for the night?"

"Is the Fire Lord with you?"

"It's been too long since we last saw you, Lady Chiyo!"

After greeting the elder entertainers and her teachers, she headed straight for the last room at the end of the hall. Lady Vira's room.

As usual she was seated in her lounge, surrounded by the evidence of her corruption and greed, smoking the pipe the Chiyo wished would already kill her.

"Ah! Our little celebrity is back!" Her grin deepened the lines of aging that had made her all the more sinister. "Our gorgeous and divine money-maker—"

"I'm just stopping by before I head out to Yu Dao." Chiyo replied coldly, refusing the tea and seat she was offered. "I will be representing this troupe and the Fire Nation after all. I need a couple of escorts."

"You can take some of the older ones with you. They haven't been bringing in business lately." The woman scoffed as she brought out a book of accounts. "Perhaps your Auntie Lee and your Auntie Anita would like to join you."

The anger was slowly boiling in her gut. "Auntie Lee is taking care of Auntie Anita... She injured her hip last week because of you—!"

"Any proof of that, little one?" Lady Vira's chilling laughter made the dark room seem colder. "You even asked her in person, and what did she tell you? It was a small accident!"

Chiyo was ready to lunge at the elder woman.

"Tut, tut, remember what I told you, Chiyo. If I die, every single one of them dies as well... And their blood will be in your hands. So... play nice, dearest. Take anyone you like, I don't care."


The once busy city of Yu Dao had been completely overhauled, as was the case of the its neighboring colonies into a singular large territory in the Western Earth Kingdom. People from all walks of life, of every nationality, be it Fire Nation, Earth Kingdom, or Water Tribe, benders or non-bemders, came to the official inauguration of the United Republic of Nations.

Innovation was rampant in all parts of this new territory, especially in its capital, Republic City. Machinery of construction and of transport, though still crude, are already in use on paved, cemented roads. The aesthetic of the establishments no longer reflected only culture but also modernization and extravagance compared to the traditional look of the past.

In this celebration, all the monarchs and important leaders will be in attendance. A council will also be elected to represent a governing body for this new republic. This move will prove to be a salute towards the end of the strict division between the nations, a new era of peace fostered by the leaders, and led by Avatar Aang.

"Can you believe it?! They named a whole island after me!" Aang showed Chiyo around Republic City with so much excitement.

"Well, you are the Avatar!" She laughed at the obvious eagerness of the airbender, pointing out across the bay towards a man-made island still in the earlier phases of construction.

Aang took her to a local eatery where the owner gave them each a big bowl of rice noodles for free. As they were eating, Aang finally caught up with all that has happened in the Fire Nation.

"Say, where's your girlfriend, Aang?"

His eyes twinkled at the mention of his sweetie and he immediately set down his chopsticks to answer. "Sweetie and Sokka are with Appa. They're fetching Toph back at the academy, along with this guy named Kanto."

"Kanto? Who's that?"

Aang shrugged. "Probably her assistant or something." He pushed the bowl of soft buns towards her. "You should eat more. You're getting skinnier every time I see you."

She laughed. "You see me like, once a year, Aang."

"Exactly my point!"

She indulged him anyway and took one bun and bit into it. "I have to watch what I eat because I will be performing later at the banquet."

"Oh right! I heard from the others. You've gotten quite famous over the years, too!" Aang picked up his bowl for a huge swig of vegetable broth. "How's your boyfriend been dealing with that?"

"Well," Chiyo tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Zuko's still Zuko..."

"That's a good thing, isn't it?"


Entertainer and Avatar exited the eatery with huge praises for the owner, wishing them luck and prosperity before walking the rest of the way back to the city hall.

Unknown to them, a stranger in black followed them, his tall figure was cloaked despite the warm climate of the Republic.

"Hey, Aang! Do you think Sokka and Suki would like a couple bracelet like this?" He watched as the entertainer laughed while scanning through an array of accessories sold by an artisan shop. "I should get them and the others some gifts!"

The stranger smiled mischievously from afar, his red-amber eyes watching the girl and the Avatar with undisguised curiosity.


Cousin D: So... you ran out of ideas?

Author-nim: Yep.

D: So... you decided to fast forward five years into the future?

A: Yep.

D: And you decided to throw yet another OC into the mix, while that bitch is still alive?!

A: *grins* Yep.

D: How many running plots are you trying to maintain in this story?!

A: About fifty or so. *hurhurhur*

Author's Notes, idk I give up.

Anyways! I haven't gone back to the usual uploading rate because I have been sick lately, but thankfully, I tested negative for COVID-19 (despite having fevers, sore throat, and severe craving for sans rival, idk). I'm still on the recovery bed watching Vin Zhang's dramas on repeat.

I'm gonna thicken up my face and just plug it here, BUY ME A CUP OF COFFEE!

ko - fi thegreatestconwoman

It's not compulsary or anything, it's just something I wanted to throw out here. huehuehue

*hides in shame*

If you have any questions and/or violent reactions, throw them HERE! 3

-TheGreatestConWoman-