Epilogue

Part 1


10 years later

"Father! Why not?!" Yu-Jie roared sitting across from her father in the great dining hall of the Fire Nation palace.

In the grand dining hall, LuTen Lotus and Yu-Jie were having dinner as they have done since Katara passing. Moving to the palace when Yu-Jie was only six years old allowed her the luxuries of a princess. Now 15years old Yu-Jie had grown into her mother's beautiful traits covered in amber eyes and pitch black hair. But what LuTen saw and feared was his little girl beginning to turn grown men's heads.

"It isn't safe for you to go out this late unaccompanied. And to a party no less. Boys that age only want one thing." LuTen said with an iron fist. Picking up a plump dumpling with his chopsticks, LuTen shook his head side to side being done with the conversation.

"But-"

"No buts Yu-Jie," LuTen asserted quickly cutting her off. "I forbid it. You are too young and immature."

Sitting next to Yu-Jie, Lotus saw the tender hurt in Yu-Jie eyes. "LuTen perhaps if she is dropped off by the royal-"

"Absolutely not Lotus." LuTen shook his head not willing to budge. The once-calm bachelor with honey eyes had become a stirn father always fearing the worst, creating lines of worry on his face.

"LuTen" Lotus pleaded from across the dinner table once more. "Yu-Jie is 15 now. You have to let her explore the world."

"I've already decided on the matter." LuTen reminded them both as he continued eating.

"URGH!" Slamming her hands down Yu-Jie stood up from the dining table, storming out of the great dining hall.

"Hey-"not bothering to acknowledge her favorite Uncle Zuko who was walking further in the dining hall. Zuko's eyes narrowed in confusion, bearly dodging the teenager storming past him.

"LuTen you can't keep her locked away forever." Lotus began trying to reason with him. "She's a great student. Excellent grades. A good mannered child."

"What's wrong with her?" Zuko asked as he sat down at the head of the table. Rolling his eyes LuTen shook his head from side to side avoiding answering.

"I'll tell you." Lotus volunteered. "Yu-Jie wants to go to a party tonight that the kids from the Royal Fire Academy are throwing.

"Must be that same party Zoryu asked Mai to attend." Zuko mindlessly said as a servant placed food in front of him.

"Are you letting him attend?" Lotus asked.

"I allow the boy's mother the make those decisions." Zuko unapologetically answered taking a sip of dark red wine.

"LuTen has forbidden Yu-Jie from attending," Lotus noted to Zuko. "Yu-Jie is a good girl. You have to let her live a little."

"Yu-Jie is a good girl but LuTen is right in this matter. She shouldn't go. It isn't safe for her." Zuko agreed nodding.

"Do you two expect her to stay in these walls her whole life?" Lotus barked slamming her drink down looking back and forth to the Fire Lord and LuTen.

Looking over his shoulder Zuko watched the servant exit the dining hall before turning his attention to Lotus. "You asked for my opinion and I gave it. I believe LuTen is correct."

"I don't need your permission" LuTen hissed.

Standing up Zuko pushed his drink back understanding LuTen needed space. "I wasn't giving you my permission. Only support your decision as a father."
Looking to Lotus and then LuTen, Zuko slightly bowed before leaving the hall.

"You don't need to keep doing that either" Lotus judged from across the table.

"Doing what?"

"You know what," Lotus interjected. "The Fire Lord isn't interested in Yu-Jie learning he is her real father, you can stop with the passive-aggressive behavior towards him."

"He isn't her real father. I've been the one there for Yu-Jie's whole life. I'm the one who was there when Katara died in my arms not him."

"And the Fire Lord has acknowledge that many times. He doesn't want to make things harder on Yu-Jie. You know as well as I that he was eternally grateful the day we moved to the capital. He even made peace with me!" Yu-Jie acknowledged.

"He hasn't with me-"

"You're the one fighting it." Yu-Jie declared standing up. "Yu-Jie isn't going to leave you! Stop acting as if she a porcelain doll!"

"She is MY DAUGHTER! Do you understand?! She isn't Zuko's daughter and definitely isn't yours!"

Taking a step back Lotus felt the weight of her lung collapse in her chest. Of course, she understood Yu-Jie would never be her biological child, but she was always there for her. Unable to speak Lotus's eyes blinked rapidly until they welled up with sadness.

"Excuse me". Was all she managed to say before leaving in a hurry to her chambers. Leaving LuTen shaking his head knowing he made a huge mistake.


Zuko

*knock knock*

"Go away!" Yu-Jie shouted from her closed chamber door.

*knock knock*

Opening the door quickly, Yu-Jie eyes were red and upset.
"I do not want to talk father- oh uncle Zuko!" Yu-Jie quickly composed herself by lowering her voice.
"I'm sorry I didn't realize it was you."

"I know" Zuko gloated remembering Katara's similar temper. "Can I come in?"

"Of course Uncle."

Stepping inside Zuko looked around his daughter's room. The day LuTen agreed to bring her to the capital, Zuko made sure she had every design option she could ever want. Zuko's eyes glance at her bed and noticed a photo he had seen a few times throughout the years.

"When you are upset you always find this? Don't you?" Zuko asked picking up the photo. An image of Katara and Yu-Jie when she was a baby. The same day Katara passed away. Looking at this picture always gave Zuko anxiety, he could easily see the life drained from Katara's eyes and face. Eternally painning him knowing now what she went through.

"I just think if mom was alive she would make my dad stop being so overprotective."

"Your dad has good reason." Zuko mindless said. Knowing if Yu-Jie knew the truth he would never let her go either. Placing the photo back on Yu-Jie's bed Zuko turned his attention back to her. "Of course, you don't think so."

"Does he have to be that way all the time? There's no way mom was ever like that!" Yu-Jie added.

Smirking Zuko could see the same spirit Katara had. "Oh no? You think your mother was like you?"

"Perhaps.." Yu-Jie said thinking of her mother. Touching her moonstone necklace Yu-Jie's lips felt warm with a smile. "It would be a way of knowing her."

Looking at Yu-Jie, it amazed Zuko how many little things she did that reminded him of Katara. "You are so much like your mother." Zuko slipped out saying.

"You must have known my mother well when you were trying to catch the avatar."

"Why did you say that?" Zuko questioned.

"You always tell me things like that. Father hardly speaks of her, I always thought he found it painful."

Letting out a quick breath Zuko smiled as he look at his daughter, he loved the sprinkle in her eyes, they reminded him so much of Katara.

"I knew her well." Turning around Zuko said beginning to change the conversation. "It's a school night and you do have bending class first thing in the morning. It's time to go to bed."

"Yes, Uncle Zuko." Zuko heard from behind him. Facing the door Zuko quickly saw through the mirror in the corner an outfit much too inappropriate. Smirking to himself he already knew what Yu-Jie was planning on doing.


Lotus

Pacing back and forth in her chamber Lotus's heart was broken by LuTen's words. Never had she missed a play from school or a doctor's appointment. She even willingly moved back to the capital when LuTen was nervous to do so.

Even the time Yu-Jie had her first cycle, LuTen or the Fire Lord had no clue what to do when they saw the pre-teen raw raging emotions. Only sending the girl trays of chocolate from the other side of the palace, trying to avoid her hoping it would calm her raging monster.

For him to say Yu-Jie wasn't her child cut deep.

*knock knock*

"Lotus." she heard from her door knocking. But she didn't answer.

*knock knock*

"I'm not going to go away till you answer" LuTen continued.

Suddenly LuTen felt a swift wind on his face as the door opened quickly. "What?" Lotus barked.

Looking at Lotus, LuTen saw the dry tear trails on her cheeks. "Were you crying?"

"What do you want."

"I'm sorry," LuTen said walking into Lotus chambers as if he had been invited. "I shouldn't have said that. You were there from the moment Yu-Jie was born."

"..." Lotus didn't speak as she coldly rolled her eyes.

" Please say something." LuTen pleaded.

"What do you want me to say? How dare you? That I was always there for you and Yu-Jie? That I've always loved her as if she was my own child? That I help birth her!" Lotus roared.

"I know. I know. I was out of line." LuTen pleaded. "I'm sorry for not taking your feelings into account."

"If that's it then you can leave." Lotus lashed out holding the door open for LuTen to leave.

Walking to Lotus, LuTen stood just inches from her as he looked into her sad eyes.

"I am sorry." he pleaded as his hand rested on her jawline.

A moment paused between the two as their eyes locked fully. Unsure and a bit frightened LuTen inched closer. His lips were seconds from hers. Lotus felt the rush of helplessness the closer LuTen got.

Of course, she thought of them being together more than once just like he did. Although the timing was never right. He would date others as she has, no one understanding their relationship or need for each other.

LuTen kissed her gently, carefully, but it wasn't gentleness she wanted, not now, not after all this time. Gripping his shirt her hand became a fist, pulling him harder against her. LuTen groaned softly, low in his throat, and then his arms circled her, gathering her against him.


Zuko

"It's funny" Zuko spoke to himself in the dead of night. "This is the exact spot I sat looking at your carriage leave the palace." Zuko continue to speak as if Katara was sitting next to him.
"Now I'm sitting here waiting to see if my hunch is correct."

Looking up to the sky Zuko saw a crest moon and many stars. That night he sat here he couldn't recall the light in the sky. There was only darkness.

"She's just like you," Zuko said feeling the need to speak.

"Yu-Jie is kind, smart, beautiful." Looking into his hands Zuko thought he could feel the touch of another. But there was no one there. Only him the moon, the stars, and the wind.

"In some ways, I'm glad LuTen is the father she has" Zuko confessed.

"Uncle Iroh was always the best father figure to me. He indeed raised LuTen to be a family man."

Looking up to the sky Zuko felt his eyes wanting to expand with tears. "I allow Mai to raise Zoryu how she sees fit with no comment from me. All because I hated the day he was conceived. Even when she asks I ignore her. I haven't even been affectionate towards the boy since birth. Only showing him what's necessary for the throne."

Taking a deep breath Zuko rolled his neck around. "At least Yu-Jie has a father who loves her. And I get to play the part of an uncle she can confide in."

*THUMP!*

Looking down from the roof Zuko spotted a slender figure running against the lower roof line. Even with a black cloth over the figure's head, Zuko already knew who it was.


Inside the Palace

*knock knock*

"Oh Fire Lord?" Lotus hesitantly said clenching her wrinkled clothing.

"Please don't be alarmed," Zuko said turning his head to the side, and looking down the hall.

"I'm here to see LuTen."

"He's not.. uhm. Here he isn't." Lotus said as her head bowed slightly shaking side to side.

"I have eyes," Zuko smirked. "It's not life-threatening or anything. Just concerns Yu-Jie-"

"What is it!" LuTen said concerned opening the door wider to reveal himself in only pants.

Laughing Zuko couldn't help but admire the failed attempt in covering up their action. "It seems Yu-Jie has left for the party."


Yu-Jie

"Here drink this!" Toya said passing me a cup of dark liquid.

"Arghh!" Yu-Jie screamed out nearly spitting out what she drank. "What is this?"

"Liquor palace girl!" Toya, Yu-Jie's longest friend from the Fire Nation said as she laughed.

"It tastes like grass!" Yu-Jie said shaking her head from side to side, passing the cup back.

As Yu-Jie looked around the room she noticed the music beginning to get louder as all the people attending headed to the dance floor.

"So you came," Zoryu said next to Yu-Jie. "Your father let you?"

Looking next to her side, Yu-Jie noticed Zoryu her cousin standing next to her with his friend Cheeji.

"No, I had to sneak out," Yu-Jie admitted.

Zoryu was tall and fit with dark black hair. His skin was almost as pale as the Fire Lady but his jawline was as defined as his father's.

Since Yu-Jie's arrival in the Fire Nation, the two cousins quickly learned to avoid each other in the palace due to the Fire Lady's temper. Only ever speaking outside. Even in front of the Fire Lord Zoryu quickly realized his father did not want him to have a close relationship with his cousin.

"What are you drinking?" Zoryu asks snatching the cup from Yu-Jie. Bring it to his nose Zoryu could smell the alcohol perfuming from the cup.

"Liquor." Yu-Jie innocently answered.

"I don't think so." Pouring out the cup onto the carpet Zoryu threw the cup onto the floor.

"That's kind of rude."

"I don't care. Your half dressed and new to these parties. Let's not make a scandal of the royal family tonight" Zoryu teased.

Rolling her eyes Yu-Jie stood in her red crop top with gold sheer fabric covering her arm. Her breast pressed against the fabric of the red top. Her skirt sat on her hip loosely with an extremely high slit on her right leg. Her long black hair was tied high above her head with many gold hanging pieces.

"I could say the same for you." Yu-Jie fired back in a joking way looking at Cheeji. Cheeji was perfectly tan with white teeth, utterly fit and a model in the Fire Nation.

Looking at Yu-Jie, Cheeji smirked as he rested his hand on Zoryu's shoulder.

"Ok ok." Zoryu surrendered. "Just make sure not to get into trouble."

"Yu-Jie come and dance with us." Being pulled by her friend to the dance floor Yu-Jie's vision was soon covered by many people dancing around her. Many laughed and while some yelled to their friends across the room.

No long after she noticed she was alone in a sea of people. Pushing her way out of the dancing coward Yu-Jie made her way to the outside of a high balcony. Walking further outside she stared at the view finding it interesting to see the palace from here.

"Great view of the palace isn't it?" Yu-Jie heard a voice say walking up behind her. Turning around the voice instantly recognize the person he was speaking to. "Oh forgive me I didn't realize it was you."

"Who me?" Yu-Jie said nearly laughing. "I'm not anyone special."

"Are you kidding me? Your practically the princess of the Fire Nation."

"Ha! I'm definitely not the princess." Yu-Jie laughed turning back and looking at the palace before her.

Joining her the young man stood next to her sharing the same view. "Your father was the former crown prince. Your uncle is the Fire Lord and your cousin is the crown prince. Did I miss the part where your not a princess?"

"My mother was a waterbender. There would be no way I would ever be the princess." Yu-Jie shooked her head.

After a moment of silence, the young man looked over at Yu-Jie. "Master waterbender. You forgot Master."

Smiling to herself Yu-Jie looked to her side captivated. The young man towered over her a bit. His skin was warm with a hint of peach. Dark black hair combed into a low-man bun. His facial features were made to be serious but not at this moment.

"Who are you," Yu-Jie asked.

"Shuro Lee" The young man answered bowing. "My father is the head war minister. I actually met you a few weeks ago.."

"Lee Ministery, yes I remember Uncle bringing cousin and I there not too long ago," Yu-Jie answered. "What grade are you in?"

"Just a year above you " Shuro admitted.

Looking up into Shuro's golden eyes Yu-Jie felt a spark the longer she looked. Her heart was warm and feverish as her cheeks heated up.

"That explained how you know so much about me," Yu-Jie said raising her eyebrow.

"Can I get to know you better?"


LuTen

"I can't believe Yu-Jie left the palace in the middle of the night no less" LuTen yelled inside the back of the royal carriage.

In the dark sky, Zuko had left the palace with LuTen. Fuming with anger LuTen became fearful of all the senseless things that could happen to Yu-Jie.

"You seem to forget we did the same thing many times when Uncle Iroh was still crown prince." Zuko chuckled remembering the few good times they shared.

"That different." LuTen asserted with his hand gesture looking out the window. "She's only 15. There's nothing but trouble out there."

"She'll be fine." Zuko emitted.

"Fine? Have you no worry for her?" LuTen smartly asked raising an eyebrow as he looked at Zuko.

"Of course I do!" Zuko rebutted angrily. "Just understand at her age we were both far from home. She only wants the same."

*THUMPTHUMPTHUMP*

Stopping in front of the well-manicured manor, Zuko and LuTen were beyond baffled hearing the loud musical beats leaking from the house. A high tempo shook the ground as the carriage stopped.

Inside the house went quiet at the sight of the Fire Lord. All of whom were scared. Zoryu who was near the back stood terrified seeing his father but anxiety took place causing him to dropping Cheeji hand from his in a matter of seconds.

Looking back and forth in the room LuTen couldn't see his daughter in either direction. Panicking on the inside LuTen felt a fear he haven't in a long time for the safety of his beloved young daughter.

"Yu-Jie-" LuTen began to yell. He was surprisingly cut off by all who stood in that room, whose fingers pointed to the balcony.

"Party over." Fire Lord Zuko announced. In a mere 30 seconds, the room had been empty. Vacant stolen bottles of liquor remained on the floor. The rug had been kicked up and over throughout the living room.

Zuko and LuTen looked at each other waiting for the other to move first. Both are afraid to find Yu-Jie in a compromised position.


Yu-Jie

*Giggle*

Looking up to this new stranger I meet today released a flew butterflies I never knew I had.

Suddenly I heard silence as Shuro and I looked deeper into each other eyes. No one had ever looked at me this way. His eyes were a large pot of honey staring back. Moving closer Shuro touched my jawline gently rubbing his thumb across my flesh.

"Can I ask you something?" Shuro asked as his hand touched my waist pulling me closer.

"Yes," I spoke giving off fake Confidence as I gulped the saliva in the back of my throat. Never had a boy touched me so freely.

"Can I kiss you?" he bravely asked.

"Yes," I said once more.

Slowly he approached with lips inching closer to mine. Slightly parting my mouth I didn't know what to expect.

Would I need to breathe?

Should I till my head?

Will he tilt his head?

Do I moan?

Do I say silence?

Without a further warning, our lips touched and my mind went blank. My body took over and I felt my lips move naturally with his. Suddenly he gripped me harder on my waist and I felt myself wanting to melt with him. My chest felt a zap I couldn't explain. It was only something that could be felt.

Gradually pulling back our eyes locked as they open neither of us knowing what that spark truly meant but we knew what we felt.

"Yu-Jie!"

Suddenly I heard my father scream as Shuro and I turn to the balcony door. All parties were stunned. Like wild animals caught in a clever trap Shuro and I blinked confusedly.

"Father. Uncle." I said as my voice cracked. "Uhm what are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question!" LuTen barked. Realizing Shuro was as shocked as I was he hadn't removed his hand from my waist yet.

"Do you mind removing your hand from my niece." Zuko barked.

"Of course sir! I mean Fire Lord!" Jumping ten feet away Shuro distanced himself from me as he bowed instantly to Uncle.

"We're leaving!"


In the Palace

"How could you do this!" LuTen roared in Yu-Jie's chambers as she sat on her bed.

Both her Uncle and father had been quiet on the ride home. The moment the carriage stopped in front of the palace Lotus ran outside freshly showered with soaking wet hair. In a panic, Lotus rushed to Yu-Jie frighten for the worst, relieved when Yu-Jie stepped out of the carriage untouched.

"This is unacceptable! Do you know the dangers you put yourself in!" LuTen continued pacing back and forth in the room.

"I think she understands LuTen," Lotus said standing across from Yu-Jie trying to somewhat shield her from her father's wrath.

"No, she doesn't!" LuTen exclaimed. "What if someone kidnapped you!? What if you were drugged! And now your kissing boys?! You are just 15! Are you active?! Do I need to make an appointment with the physician?"

"Ew, dad. Don't" Yu-Jie sconed to say as her mouth pucked to throw up.

"I need to ask now!" LuTen snapped back.

"Oh, my spirits!" Lotus leaped happily closer to Yu-Jie. "Your first kiss! Is he cute? Tall? Is he a part of a street-bender team!?"

"Lotus!" Zuko yelled out.

"This isn't the time for that." LuTen spoke up agreeing with Zuko.

Looking at Lotus, Yu-Jie smiled and whispered. "He's so cute"

Giggling out loud Lotus clapped her hands together excitedly. "We have to meet his family LuTen!"

"You've got to be joking," Zuko said from the corner of the chamber.

"Actually uncle you've met him already." Yu-Jie said happily.

"What!" LuTen yelled.

"What?" Zuko answered confused.

"He is the son of Lee Ministery. Remember you took cousin and I there to see the future of the Fire Nation." Yu-Jie reminded.

"Let Yu-Jie go, LuTen." LuTen began to quote what Zuko told him a few weeks ago. "It's educational for her to see what the royal family is doing" LuTen finished saying sarcastically.

"How was I supposed to know what would happen?" Zuko defended.

"Regardless" Lotus spoke up. "We should invite them over!"