Kyoshi and Rangi were incredibly enthusiastic regarding this approaching Friday. It'd be exactly one year since they'd adopted Obsidiana as their daughter. But unfortunately, due to their daughter's trauma, she no longer remembered her actual birthday.

Therefore, Kyoshi and Rangi decided to celebrate it on the day when they became a family. Even Obsidiana's grandmother Hei Ran was thrilled at the thought of celebrating her granddaughter's birthday.

Hei Ran insisted on making the cake for the small celebration they were having for Obsidiana. However, Rangi wasn't too keen on the idea. After all, her mother had been a hardcore firebending instructor.

This past year, her mother had gradually exhibited a more thoughtful, less intimidating side. Also, Hei Ran had never baked before in her life! Not even on Rangi's past birthdays! The family had gone to the marketplace to pick sweets to celebrate with.

Yet, the new grandmother took a firm stand she'd be the one to do it. So neither Kyoshi nor Rangi disputed with her. Instead, they sent invitations to their companions in the Flying Opera Company. Plus, few more friends they had made over the last couple of years.

Obsidiana didn't entirely understand that her 'birthday' was coming up. The adorable little girl remained predominantly mute. She'd gradually started to speak more yet remained silent 90% of the time. However, her health had improved significantly. She'd even grown two and a half inches!

Despite being adopted, she did strongly resemble both of her mommies. She had Kyoshi's tan skin and wore identical attire. She'd even picked up rapidly how to fight with her own set of war fans!

Her short pitch-black hair was styled similarly to Rangi's. In contrast, she didn't have a topknot—alternatively, a small bun with a headpiece. The headpiece was golden flames with a sizable emerald in the center. The vibrant green gemstone was shaped like the Earth Kingdom symbol.

Obsidiana was outside doing her training exercises. Kyoshi was sitting nearby, keeping an eye out. Rangi and her mother were inside. Rangi was taking a much-needed bubble bath. Meanwhile, Hei Ran was in the kitchen. She'd assembled all the ingredients for the cake from a recipe book she'd found hidden in the kitchen.

So she sent a quick prayer to Agni, hoping she didn't mess up her granddaughter's birthday cake. The cake she'd found in the recipe book was for a dense spiced cake with plum jam inside it. It sounded pretty delicious, and the illustration itself looked gorgeous. Therefore, she slowly began to bake her first-ever birthday cake.

Obsidiana finished her exercises before running over to her mother. "How did I do, Mommy?" she asked quietly. She still wasn't very well practiced in speaking yet. First, the fierce Avatar lowered herself to her child's height. Then beaming happily, she gently replied, "You're doing an outstanding job, my precious. I couldn't be prouder then I already am!" as she embraced her child tightly.

Her daughter's grin grew at her mother's praise. Then, hugging her mother tightly, she squealed, "Thanks, Mommy!" Kyoshi removed herself from her daughter. She gently swept aside her daughter's bangs, "You're welcome, sweetie. Now how about we head inside? I'm sure you feel like doing some drawing, am I right?"

The almost six-year-old started jumping up and down in excitement! "Yes! Let's go!" she took her mother's hand as they went inside. Once inside, Obsidiana quickly went to her craft table and began sketching. Kyoshi smiled once before going to uncover Rangi.

She found Rangi steam-drying herself after her bath. "If it was only that easy to dry Obsidiana off," chuckled Kyoshi, to which her lover looked up in shock. Rangi couldn't help but pull her towel tighter around her body. "Kyoshi! It would be best if you didn't walk into a bathroom unannounced!" she admonished her lover.

Kyoshi grinned playfully, "Why? I'm sorry we missed showering together. I think it'd be a bit fun if we had a steam bath together, don't you?" as she inched closer. Rangi slowly backed away from the taller woman. Yet, she didn't look frightened at all. Instead, Kyoshi sent a small air blast shutting the door. Then the room got steamy in more the one way.

However, fifteen minutes later, there was a loud bang on the bathroom door. The lovers scarcely had time to cover themselves. They asked who it was, to which their daughter replied she needed to use the bathroom.

The young lovers quickly got themselves and the bathroom in order. Then, they quickly left the bathroom so their daughter could use it before her bladder burst. Both women were crimson from their little escapade.

Rangi quickly went to her bedroom to dress properly while Kyoshi went to see if Hei Ran required help with the cake. "How goes the baking, Hei Ran?" Kyoshi asked politely. The elder firebender looked up from the mixing bowl in surprise, "Kyoshi! I'm surprised someone of your size can sneak up on someone!"

"I think I only accomplished that because you're up to your elbows in dough. So again, how goes the baking?"

"It's coming along. Yet I don't believe I purchased enough plum jam for the filling. From my estimation, the cake will be larger then initially imagined. So do you think you could go into the village and fetch some more jam?"

"Not a problem. Anything else you need?"

"Lots of sugar to make the icing with."

"Okay, I'll be back in half an hour," as Kyoshi departed to the nearby marketplace. Everyone she encountered while shopping gave her smiles. It was a significant change from when they abused her as a child.

When she eventually got to the booth where the preservers were peddled, she was shocked that three enormous jars of plum jam were waiting for her. "Hello, Kyoshi. How is everything coming along for your daughter's birthday?" the elderly female shopkeeper questioned her warmly. Her pearly gray eyes sparkled with curiosity. Her smile seemed genuine as well.

Kyoshi looked taken aback. "I wasn't aware the village even bothered to know my daughter's birthday is coming up in a few days," she replied slightly harshly. Again, they treated her like filth as a child. So why did they even care if her child's birthday was coming up?

The silver-haired lady sighed sadly before replying, "Everyone in the village agrees we're long overdue for apologizing for how we treated you as a child, Avatar Kyoshi. It wasn't right how anyone around here treated you. You deserved much more respect, even if you weren't the Avatar," as she plucked a panda lily from a nearby green celadon vase.

She handed it to Kyoshi before finishing, "It's why the village wants to do everything it can to make your little girl's birthday the best," She slid the jars over to her. "There is no charge. So please consider my apology and gift for your daughter's birthday."

Kyoshi eventually managed to get out a thank you. Over the next three days, the village went out of its way to help make her daughter's birthday the best. The party was a huge success which Kyoshi felt was the greatest gift she could give her precious daughter.

Rangi: Kelly Marie Tran: Raya from Raya and the Last Dragon.

Hei Ran: Lisa Ann Beley: Sesshomaru's mother.

Obsidiana: Brenna O' Brain: Rin Inuyasha.

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.

Oprah Winfrey

A Birthday is a new beginning -

A birthday is the first day of another lovely year,

A year of new tomorrows that is shining, bright, and clear,

A year of possibilities as endless as the sky and a chance to meet the challenges in everything you try.

Author Unknown

"Don't just count your years. Make your years count."

George Meredith

"In other words, live vicariously, beautifully, and excitingly, discover, love, dare and act as if there is nothing to lose."

Andy Hertz, Life, The Best Birthday Gift

"There are two great days in a person's life - the day we are born, and the day we discover why."

William Barclay

"Your birthday is my pleasure. You are my sweetest treasure."

Danny Demeersseman, More than 300 Wishes for Birthday Greetings