Well this chapter is going to be a bit different from the others...it's going to be told from other points of view...I know this is unusual but I'll only do this in important chapters...

Also I made a slight mistake with the ages...I've calculated out that Sozin died when he was 117 making him roughly 46 when the commet came and roughly 32 when he had the little chat with Roku and 25 when he had the first chat with him.

First book- Maeko 15-18

Second book- Maeko 24-33

Third book- Maeko 37-44

Fire is the element of power. The people of the Fire Nation have desire and will, and the energy and drive to achieve what they want. Earth is the element of substance. The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring.

Iroh- Bitter Work

Fire: Will

Earth: Enduring

22nd of July

Fire Lord Taishi 25

Year of the Sun

Three hours before Noon

A burning sensation filled her throat as well as the foul taste of bile. Her breathes came in gasps but she somehow managed to stand up to catch her pale reflection in the mirror.

Cold golden eyes peered back from her reflection. Her skin had went from a healthy china colour to as white as snow...her black hair was bushy and bunched and her nightgown hung limply off her stout frame.

Mielia Sactomoea never did like boats very much. To her they were a nuisence...the way they rocked from side to side...the way the waves crashed against the hard metal...no boats where not her favourite pass time. The first time she'd stepped on one she'd instantly been sick...she swore from then onwards to avoid the wretched things as much as possible but fate hadn't agreed.

She cursed as she ran more bath water.

No fate hadn't agreed at all...fate had taken it's revenge in the form of her stern cold Aunt. A formidible woman who wanted desperately to uphold the family money...or as she put it "honour," by marrying her only niece of to some foreign nobility- why? Because the Bei Fongs were rich...and of course all of her Aunts social friends would simper around her Aunt and congratualte her on what an excellent job she'd done raising the rebellious niece.

Mielia sighed as she touched the surface of her bathwater splashing around enjoying the feel of the warm temperature.

She was never known for being a pushover...she wasn't one of those girls who would sit back and let someone decide their life for them. No...she was known by her friends as stubborn, proud, rebellious and loyal...she was known by her aunt as a rebellious little brat who should know her place in life.

Mielia was never the type of person to agree to marry a man she didn't like.

Yet fate had cursed her again. Her Aunt had demanded that Mielia go to the Earth Kingdom for a short holiday...apparently to visit one of her Aunt's friends. Mielia had lavished on the oppertunity...she'd been quite happy to stay in the hot climate and enjoy the sunshine while talking to Maeko or Sul or Jun or anyone of her friends...but of course especially Maeko.

They'd been in the Bei-Fong estate for barely a week when her Aunt announced her true intentions...

"What? What do you mean charm him? There is no way I am marrying him! I don't care what you say...I am not marrying him!" Yelled Mielia.

"If you don't then I'll disown you! You little brat...you should be greatful! He is a fine man...many girls would kill for this chance yet you...you were always a stupid girl!" Shouted her Aunt.

"Then go ahead! Like I want people to know I'm related to a horrible old witch like you! I'm going home..."

Her aunt smiled slyly.

"You'll never see the Fire Nation again! Or any of your friends! I make it so that you'll never leave this place...do you want that? To be trapped here forever without any of your friends? Grow up Mielia and enter the real world!"

Mielia had eventually agreed...her desire to see home again had won through...but it all came at a price and sometimes Mielia wondered whiether she'd made the right choice...maybe things could have worked out for the better...

She hated the estate she lived on. On the outside it seemed beautiful and perfect but she knew better...it was just a giant cadge trapping her in...sucking her hope away bit by bit.

She hated her new husband.

It wasn't that he was unkind or violent. He tried to please her but he was pompous and he embodied all of Mielia's frustration. When he made to touch her, her skin shivered...no...no she couldn't think of it...it churned her stomach...she refused to remember what had happened.

Yet everyday she was feeling it's presence. It would be stupid to ignore it forever...pretty soon people were going to notice.

She undressed and climbed into the bathtub and began to wash herself furiously.

Today she would forget...today it was Maeko's day...her coming of age.

Mielia only hoped that it wouldn't end up like hers.

Fire: Desire and Power

Eight hours after noon

Prince Sozin oberved quietly taking the occasional sip from his wine glass as the celebration banquet continued. He could see her at the other end of the table...sitting at his opposite- a seat usually reserved for the important but since it was her coming of age she was allowed that right.

He couldn't help but smile as she laughed pretending to box her brother ears.

He couldn't put his finger on it but there was something about her that made him want to smile and laugh. She wasn't like most girls- she didn't run after him or bow to his will like most. She fought back...she stood up to him...she was intelligent and a good fighter...

He wanted to laugh when she got angry but he thought better of it...the last thing he needed was his hair singed off by a hot-headed girl.

It also annoyed him. She frustrated him too. The way she tip-toed around him...the way she levelled with him. Her stupid stubborness and immaturity...and the way she kept secrets.

"Your Highness, I believe you should perhaps make a toast to the Lady's health?" Suggested one of his fathers old advisors.

He glanced down the table...she looked like a lady in the golden silk Kimono and her hair laying out. She wasn't a made up beauty like Princess Mayleen...she wasn't perfect but she seemed to have a natural kind of beauty.

He could see a small mark of pink on her cheek...a scar.

It didn't take much to know whom had given it to her. Her words at the ball had been enough to tell him that.

"Prince?"

He sighed as he stood up to face her. He could see her eyes stray to him in an expression of annoyance and dislike...he would claim her...

To Lady Maeko's good health. May the next sixteen years be as kind as the first he said raising his glass.

He watched as the others followed his suit.

Lady Maeko...I will know your mind...someday...

Air: Freedom

Lee waited silently on deck.

Of course ordinary common people like him were not invited to the banquet. Still he didn't want to be below deck...he prefered it out here with the wind and stars...they reminded him of her.

"Waiting for me?"

He jumped and turned around. Standing behind him was her robed in gold and looking the vision of beauty...or at least to him anyway although she could wear a rag and still look lovely. He liked her becuase she was smart...her liked everything about her.

"Hi" he said breahtlessly.

"Don't give me that look...where's my gift? She asked smiling slyly"

His cheeks flushed...now he was here maybe it wasn't such a good idea...what if she went mad? What if she burned him to a crisp?

"Lee? It can't be that bad can it?" She asked teasingly.

"Um...Maeko...you...look very nice" he said running a hand through his black hair.

"Thanks...er...so do you" said Maeko glancing at his tattered green tunic.

Just do it and run!

"Lee?" She asked softly.

He gazed into her eyes...gold...like pools of fire or a glowing star.

He leaned in...

He kissed her gently...when they broke apart he could see the look of surprise on her face...then he ran, not caring if he got burned...it didn't matter...it was worth it.