All right, sorry for the delay but I have fallen into a lot of schoolwork, volunteering, life and a brand new fanfic, called "Just the Girl" that I hope you will take up. Wow, over 500 reviews, I am not worthy! I never thought I'd get to this point and now, here I am. I look back over my work and I realize that there was so much I could have improved and in the future will fix. Thank you all so much for standing by me. Special huge thanks to Loveroftheflame, Spleef and everyone else. An especially big shout out to my friend Yesneia, missed ya, chica! Now, off you go to read. Warnings for sex, violence, and profanity.

Forsaken

I'm over it
You see I'm falling in a vast abyss
Clouded by memories of the past
At last I see-Korn

"Good morning, sunshine," the elder prince of the Earth Nation said softly, a predatory smile on his face. "You had a nice evening, no?"

Hotaru growled and tried to pull the covers off her body to wipe the smirk off that pervert's face before realizing she had nothing on. Wrapping a sheet around her with one deft motion, she was ready for battle. "I'll make this your last morning!" she hissed furiously.

"Not so fast," Kalyan smirked, his body moving into the rooted stances of his bending art. Hotaru's heart sank as ropes of sand seized her wrists and ankles. "You aren't going anywhere."

Hotaru's eyes moved to her lover, knowing in her heart that he would save her, alert her brother and stop this plot. Yet, Devdan was sitting on the side of the bed, having tied a robe around himself. He was staring at the floor with the air of a prisoner about to go to his execution. "Dev," she whispered, feeling herself begin to shake. Everything was starting to make terrible sense.

"Do you think my brother loved you? He was my tool, to get you to trust him. You fell for it, you stupid little slut," Kalyan laughed. "Nice job, little brother. You proved your worth after all."

"Hotaru, feel free to hate me. I hate me too," Devdan mumbled softly, still staring at the ground. "I had no choice."

"Of course you had a choice, you bastard!" Hotaru closed her eyes, filling with a murderous rage. She had loved him. She had given him her heart. She had believed him, even when he had angered her. She had fallen madly in love and fell into inane madness. "My brother will hang you by your own entrails," she spat. Zuko would rescue her. He had an army at his disposal. She would be gone a few hours and her relentless little brother would track her down. They were in her palace, a clear advantage. She would be saved and avenged within a short amount of time. How stupid could they be to attack the Fire Lord in his own home?

"You foolish little bitch. You think you are the only one captured? Every member of the royal family is now my prisoner. We had warriors being smuggled in ever since we came here. Extra slaves, maids, all of them trained warriors to bring you down. Of course, I could not have done it without lovely assistants. Kari, please come out and take a bow. "

Hotaru blanched even more as her former lady's maid came out. "What are you talking about?" she demanded. How could she have trusted that miserable wretch? She had seemed so kind and loyal! What a fool she had been?

"Who do you think spread sand in all the rooms of the palace, giving my underlings an effective medium to bend? Who arranged for poison powder in the food last night? What would I have done without her?" Kalyan said softly, kissing the maid's hand. His large brown eyes smoldered with savage delight.

"Finally, you get what you deserve," Kari spat, her pretty face contorted hatefully as she accepted the kiss. "I have waited years to see this moment. When you returned to the palace, I made sure that I was appointed your lady's maid. I listened to your evil thoughts, biding my time for when the time was right. Then my prayers were answered when Prince Kalyan came to free the Fire Nation from your family. I was his spy, making sure Devdan and you stuck to his plans."

"What are you talking about? I've never been anything but kind to you," Hotaru demanded through gritted teeth. She had purchased new clothing for the maid and had allowed her a few pieces of jewelry as a reward. She had never overworked her. What madness had come over the maid?

"You wouldn't know kindness if it bit you, you horrible murderous bitch. I know all about you. You are a pirate, a blood-sucking leech on the face of the world. By your hands, hundreds of people suffered. But what can I expect from the family of Sozin, a ruthless dictator who plunged his nation into a gory war and bleed the lives of our young men away on a worthless conquest?" Kari snapped, her eyes glaring poisonously at the princess.

"I had nothing to do with the war!" Hotaru protested. She had been banished at age eight; she had not been any part of Sozin's struggle.

"You are still one of them. Each generation, Sozin, Azulon, Ozai and now Zuko has done nothing but cause more misery. You all are a cancer on our fair land and you must pay for your crimes. Fire Nation needs to be rid of this royal family of dictators, autocrats, warmongers, fascists and tyrants and have you replaced with better, worthier leaders and rulers."

Hotaru seethed at the betrayal, but refused to give the traitor the satisfaction of hearing an answer. Kari was only too eager to continue. "My cousin Daisuke was stationed on Prince Zuko's ship. I know all about how he raped the water tribe girl, how you had a boy savagely beaten just for your own amusement. How dare you think you deserved to be loved? You deserve to get your heart broken. You deserve all the pain in the world."

"They are savages, my dearest Lady Kari. They hurt people. They hurt your family too, didn't they?" Kalyan urged, putting his arm around her gently.

"The prince is right. You sent my brothers off to war and it's your fault they are dead. Now, I'll see that the Earth Kingdom justly and severely punishes you and your followers and supporters. It will be wonderful to watch you suffer imprisonment and abuse, slavery, attempted rape, molestation, whipped 'till you are nearly dead and see how you like it," she said, her eyes glinting maniacally.

Hotaru knew all was lost, but at that, Kari had gone too far. "I'll kill you. I swear I will rip your black heart from your body and shove it…" Hotaru said before a gag muffled her. She was helpless to even spit at her captors.

"Now, now, that's not very ladylike talk from my property. Especially considering how I saved you. Everyone else has been poisoned but I made sure all your food was clean. I figured a girl who could turn my brother's head must be something special. I shall keep you as my concubine. You will come to me whenever I call you, and I will enjoy that very much. Whether you enjoy it or not is entirely your own affair... But I think you will," Kalyan said, standing over Hotaru's bound body.

Hotaru jerked violently. Poisoned? Her baby brother and her uncle needed her and she had been too busy screwing a traitor to notice that. Devdan was still sitting in the corner of his room, his head in his hands. "Haven't you done enough? We have the princess, we have everyone else. Stop torturing her," he pleaded. "You said you would order the release of my mother and siblings if I helped you."

"Shut it, Devvie. I said I'd reward you and I am a prince of my word. Once in a while, I'll let you have her. Poor fool, you still love her, don't you? The consummate professional, the man who seduced scores of helpless maidens, left them pregnant and alone and helpless," Kalyan sneered.

Devdan's shoulders slumped. "Why do we have to get into this?" he said softly, as he tugged the blanket to cover Hotaru more.

"I thought you were proud of your reputation. No stone wall could keep you out, you could seduce any maiden and leave her begging for more. I remember one drunken night, you deflowered five girls and said you still felt puckish. You said that no girl would ever be worth a second thought. And here you are, in love with a foreign slut," Kalyan sneered as he gently stroked Hotaru's hair. "My brother has good taste. You are so beautiful, even if you are dirty. My family likes acquiring beautiful things that help us rule better. We are going to take your kingdom from you. You will be mine, like my dog, or my horse, or my falcon, I shall treasure you more--and trust you less." Tears filled Hotaru's eyes. She only wished she had a knife to defend herself or end her life with dignity. "My guards will keep you safe till then while I check on your relatives."

------

Aiiro had always been an early riser. In the tribe, he had to rise early to complete his chores and to make the most of the day. When he had been captured, he had not been able to sleep without fearing worst disaster in the coming morning. Now that he was a prince, Aiiro liked to rise early because he liked to look around his room and remember that this world was not a dream. This place truly was his home.

Looking around the room, past the mahogany chests and the toy boxes Aiiro checked to make sure there were still two other futons. He had lost too many people to take anything for granted. One had the curled up form of Orli, Aiiro's best friend. Even if his father was a monster, Orli was a wonderful and fun person who Aiiro loved to be around. They always had a lot of trouble making together. Aiiro had saved him from his evil father and now the two would be seal brothers forever, playing games and getting presents.

Asleep on the other futon was the future Queen of the Fire Nation and Aiiro's foster mother. Princess Hotaru's maid had advised Mama Hyun that she should spend the night with the boys instead of traveling home. "I heard that his majesty has a special surprise waiting for you when you wake, so you should stay with the boys till then," Lady Kari amiably reminded them, bringing them sweets.

Aiiro liked when Mama Hyun slept over. She told excellent stories and she would cuddle with him until he fell asleep. He especially liked when she would sing to him and Orli. He would snuggle into the covers and rejoice in how happy he was. He had the best foster parents in the world, who loved and cared about him more than anything.
He had almost trusted that mean witch Yue. She had said so many kind things to him. Her blue eyes brought back so many good memories that Aiiro had begun to like her. Then she had shown she was a very bad person who did not like Master. She had the nerve to say that Aiiro should not obey Master. Besides the obvious punishment he would get, being locked up in his room like a pet bird; Master would be very upset with him. Aiiro knew that when Master was happy, everything was better. Yue was just trying to hurt him. Everyone tried to hurt him. He was only safe with Master.

It was dawn already. Master never slept enough and would be up by now. Aiiro launched out of bed, impatient to talk with his beloved guardian. They could have breakfast together and maybe even talk a walk in the garden. Aiiro didn't even bother to wake the servants to dress him. He merely slipped on a crimson silk dressing gown and ran outside, trying not to disturb his sleeping companions. "Good morning, Jahan," he chirped as he opened the door.

A hand grabbed his shirt. "Where do you think you are going, runt?" a gruff voice said, pulling Aiiro off the ground. Aiiro felt the terror resonate through his body as he opened his mouth to scream. This person was not Fire Nation, this person was a stranger! "HELP!" he finally managed to shout, before a hand covered his mouth. Before he could even alert anyone, he was dragged back inside in the hands of a smelly person dressed in dark clothing. He squirmed and kicked valiantly, feeling the now familiar icy hands of fear on his neck.

Mama Hyun had already gotten up, having heard his scream. "ARY" she called back, getting to her feet. Still clad only in her sleeping shift, she had curled her hands into position to strike out at the enemy. "Let go of my son or there won't be anything left of you for the Fire Lord to punish," she hissed. Orli was lying in bed, too frightened to move.

"Give up. No matter how fast you move, Lady, you will not be able to save him. Even if you kill me, you will still die without treatment," the intruder said in a deep gruff tone, squeezing Aiiro's body even harder.

"What are you talking about?" Mama Hyun said, stepping forward quickly, her arms ready to do some damage.

"You've all been poisoned. Check your skin. The pox is spreading already," the intruder sneered. Mama Hyun raised one hand slightly in the air. Green pustules had formed all over her arm. Aiiro looked down at one of his bare legs. The green eruptions were there too! "Your only hope for the antidote is to pray your Fire Lord surrenders quickly. So keep your hands above your head and this boy may live to receive the cure."

Aiiro did not understand what was happening but his heart sank even more as more black-clad figures sprung out of the stone walls. He wanted to scream but the hand was pressed too tightly over his mouth. He watched in horror as ropes of sand captured Mama Hyun, pulling her hands above her head. "All right. Take me. Just don't hurt him," she said, her voice firm and resolute even as her face paled in terror.

"Bind the brat in the bed and take him inside. Prince Kalyan wants us to work on him a bit. And take this one to Lord Zhao. He can deal with him himself," the gruff voice said, as the blood drained from Aiiro's face. He had feared Orli's father would seek revenge but now he knew it was all over. "Master," he prayed. Please let Master find him before Zhao did. For the fifth time in his life, ropes squeezed his happiness away.

-----

"So, you've poisoned me, kidnapped my entire family and plan to kill my nephew?" the general said, admiring another verdant pustule on his arm. He had been restrained with reinforced stone chains and was now calmly speaking to his captor with the air of a kindly old grandpa.

"Indeed. I hope you understand. It's nothing personal, just revenge for the wrongs you committed. You killed my father, you know in your little siege of Ba Xing Ce. Prince Kamadev," Kalyan said, trying to keep his voice level. He only wanted to take out his knife and slit the fat toad's throat, make him scream for mercy.

"Your father was a brave warrior. You have much reason to be proud. But this underhand scheme would not find favor in his eyes," the fat bastard said meditatively. "Though I must say it was very clever of you."

"Don't lie to me. My father was a worthless piece of crap who wouldn't know true value if it were standing before him, begging for his attention. Well, that's why he's dead and I am alive. I wanted to look you in the eyes before I destroy your world, just like you destroyed mine," Kalyan hissed, his voice unable to hide his hate.

"I am sorry for taking your father away from you, young man. But take it from an old soldier, you will not find satisfaction in the bloody road of vengeance. You will only find sadness and emptiness and loss. You will never find happiness unless you let go of your anger and hatred," the geezer explained.

"Don't you dare patronize me. I don't need your pity," Kalyan hissed, slapping the blaggard across the face. "Just shut up!" Kalyan had no anger. He was the future heir of Ba Xing Xe. He was a prince of two noble lines, unlike that bastard Devdan who was the son of a slave.

"Dev-Dev, I'm the big dragon and I am going to get you," Kalyan called, as he chased his little brother around the enormous nursery, under the eyes of their various stone dolls. Nurse Ahavaysh in the next room, preparing lunch for them. "You better run!"

"Kaly funny!" Devdan chirped. He was so funny with his fat little legs and his big green eyes.

Kalyan was a very smart boy. He knew to bow when Grandpapa came into the room. He knew not to bother Father when he was working. He knew that Mama didn't like Dev-Dev much. She said he was an evil "bastard" who made Mama very sick. Kalyan sure liked Dev-Dev a lot. He had been so happy to be allowed to play with him today instead of going to classes. Grandpapa had said they should stay put. "Got you!" he said, hugging his little brother.

"Brada, Brada!" Devdan cheered, throwing his arms around Kalyan's waist. "Dev-Dev love Brada."

"We are half-brothers, you silly goose. Which half are you?" Kalyan said. He tickled Devan's middle. "Are you this half?" he asked as the little toddler giggled. "Or are you this half?" he said, tickling the boy's neck.

Suddenly, there was a noise outside the room. "Fetch a healer. He's wounded!" someone was yelling. "Prince Kamadev needs a healer now!"

Kalyan could feel the pit of his stomach drop. "That's Father!" he said, terror rising in his bones.

"Fada?" Devdan whimpered, looking just as terrified. "Where Fada?" he asked, his eyes brimming with tears.

"You stay here, Dev-Dev. I'll find out what happened," Kalyan said softly, hugging his brother. He knew he was supposed to stay here and he was risking the ruler but he had to know what was going on.

"Dev-Dev come. Stay with Brada," Devdan pleaded, his lower lip trembling. "Kaly no go."

"Shhh. It will be fine. I'll be right back. I just need you to pretend we are playing hide-and-go seek? You pretend to look for me. That way, I won't get whacked. You got it?" Kalyan asked softly, trying to be gentle with his little brother.

"Come soon," Devdan sniffled, giving Kalyan a big hug. He then let go and stared at his shoes. "Very sad."

"Here, take Ducky. He'll keep you company till I get back," Kalyan said, shoving the painted wood turtle duck into his hands. It was Devdan's favorite toy and could always cheer him up.

As Devdan cooed over his toy, Kalyan choose that moment to leave. He crept through the halls, tiptoeing to remain out of sight. Everyone seemed too nervous even to notice him. He tiptoed quietly to his father's room, trying to keep himself calm. Father had to be all right.

As he peeked in the door, he felt his stomach hurt. Father was lying on the bed, blood everywhere. A huge arrow was in his shoulder, sticking out like an awful spike. The healers were standing around him, trying to wipe the blood away. "Devdan. Where is my son, Devdan?" Father kept asking. Why wasn't he asking for Kalyan?

"Father, Dev is back there, but I am here. Just get better, and we'll play with him together," Kalyan pleaded, running from his hiding spot to his father's bedside. He didn't care if he got whacked for this, he needed to see his father.

"Devdan…my little boy. So beautiful, so intelligent. He will make a fine king someday," Father kept mumbling. "Where is he? I wish to bless him. I wish to hold him one last time."

"Father, what about me?" Kalyan pleaded, tears streaming down his cheeks. Servants tried to pull him back, but Kalyan knelt by his father and grabbed his hand. "Father, why don't you see me?" he finally screamed, fear coursing through his veins. "I am your son! I'm Prince Kalyan, Madhavi's son!"

"Madhavi? She and her whelp will just usurp my throne. No, Devdan will take the throne in my place. He is a natural at earth-bending, he will rule uncorrupted. I give him my birthright," Father whispered, before his eyes closing.

"Father, NO!" Kalyan wept. "You can't mean that!" he sobbed. "Father, wake up. Please, wake up." He felt his insides torn apart, as a weight of sadness crushed his little body. What happened? He was so very confused.

Strong arms gathered him up. "Darling, what are you doing here?" a soft voice rumbled.

"Mama, Father is gone," Kalyan whimpered, burying his head into his mother's body.

"Of course he's gone. Your father went out to protect that little weed's mother. That disgusting little brat is the reason you don't have a father," Mama said, holding him against her soft chest. Her voice sounded very hollow.

"Dev-Dev is my brother," Kalyan protested. He was just a little squirt, he could not be such a bad person.

"Don't you contradict your mother. That little fool is not your brother. He is a thorn in your side. He has stolen your father and he will steal everything if we are not careful. Do you understand?" Mama said in a cold tone.

"But Mama," Kalyan sniffled, still unable to believe he would never see his father again.

"Hush, my baby. Has Mama ever steered you wrong? You heard what Father said, he didn't even say goodbye to you. He only cared about Devdan. Is that fair?" Mama asked, rubbing his back. "Aren't you the elder prince, the heir to the throne? Aren't you such a good boy?"

"No. That isn't fair," Kalyan agreed, as he wiped tears from his eyes. His father should have called out his name. His father should have seen him. Kalyan was bigger and smarter than Devdan any day.

"Of course it isn't. I have to take care of some matters here, my love. You go back to your room and rest. I will be around here soon. Your father is in a better place, one where he can't sin anymore. We should rejoice," Mama said in a cold voice, pushing him off her lap. "We must be grateful."

Kalyan did not remember how he got back to his room. Everything seemed to be in a fog of goo. He just felt so very sad and angry and hurt. He wanted to cry more but he was too confused. He only realized where he was when he felt a small hand tugging at his tunic. "Back. Brada!" the little brat said, his pathetic green eyes lighting up with such joy.

"Get away from me, you disgusting little brat," Kalyan snapped, slapping the upstart's fat cheeks. "I hate you!"

"Brada!" Devdan sniffled, a red mark forming on his face. The tears dribbled out of his eyes. "Why angry?"

"I said I hate you. You aren't my brother, you are just some weed Just leave me alone or else. Nursemaid, get him out of my sight," Kalyan said, finding tears in his own eyes. He hated Devdan for stealing his father away. Now he would never have him back. If Father had not gone to visit Devdan's Mama, everything would be fine.

"Your highness, how could you hurt your brother?" Nurse Ahavaysh asked, looking horrified.

"Silence, or I'll have my mother deal with you," Kalyan sneered, knowing he was in the right.

As the obedient nurse picked up the sobbing child, Kalyan saw the wooden duck that Devdan so loved lying on the floor. The little fool had dropped it. "Ducky!" Devdan called, reaching out his little hands.

Kalyan automatically reached down to pick up the toy before realizing that this was something Devdan wanted. Devdan had everything else, why should he be allowed to have more? "You want it?" he asked.

Devdan sniffled and nodded. "Want Ducky," he repeated, still holding out his hands.

"Well, you are not going to get him," Kalyan smirked, as he picked it up in his hands and held it up in front of the younger boy's face. With a satisfied smile, he crushed the fragile toy in front of the brat's horrified eyes. "Ducky's dead. Just like Father is dead,"

Devdan began to wail even harder. "Fada! Ducky!" he shrieked as he was transported out of the room. Kalyan almost felt terrible about what he had just done. He had almost regretted every single one of his action. Yet, he was filled with too much pain to care. He hated the Fire Nation for stealing his dad, he hated Devdan and Devdan's mama, he hated the whole world! As soon as the door closed, he threw himself on a pile of cushions and sobbed. "Father, why did you leave me?" He was all alone.

Kalyan shook his head, trying to rid himself of that memory. He did not care to relieve old wounds, he had new triumphs to revel in. "I can't wake to make you suffer," he hissed.

----------

Zhao smiled in his country estate, watching the sunrise over the mountain. He had waited for this day for so long. He would soon be Fire Lord Zhao, the greatest and most powerful monarch this nation had ever known. He would see his little Katannah a royal princess with jewels in her long hair. Orli would kneel before him and beg him for forgiveness, swearing eternal loyalty to his beloved father forever. Zhao would of course forgive him after having him cool his heels in lockdown for a few weeks. Then he would accept his humbled son back with open arms and train him to be the perfect heir to the throne, not like that infernal weakling Zuko. Yes, soon everything would be perfect.

After the death of the entire royal family, he would take control of the situation. He would immediately use Sozin's comet to betray the Earth kingdom and conquer them all in the name of Agni.

"There's a person here to see you, Father," Katannah whispered, tiptoeing into the room clad in her white nightgown. She looked so much like Zhao's late mother in the candlelight. If only she would have been born a boy, she'd have been the ideal child. "The noise woke me up. Who is it?"

"Excellent. Open the door and sit down, Tani. You are about to get a special treat. I know you will like it," Zhao said, motioning for her to approach.

"Thank you, Father. What is it?" Katannah asked, kneeling at his feet like a pampered pet. Perfectly obedient in his perfect plan.

"Now now, I would not want to spoil the surprise, Tani. Have patience and I promise, you will not be disappointed, my sweet little princess," Zhao said, patting her head gently as he heard footsteps approach.

A tall black clad man entered the room, with a bound figure under his arm. "Your reward, with Prince Kalyan's compliments," he said, tossing the figure to the floor with a loud thump. Katannah stiffened and looked horrified, obviously figuring out who the prisoner was.

Zhao motioned for his daughter to remain still. "Orli, welcome home. I've been waiting a long time to see you again," he said in a loud voice, gloating over his victory.

The captive stared up at Zhao, who quickly realized that he was seeing red. Actually, he was seeing blue, which made him see red. It was that blue-eyed Water brat! "Don't hurt me," the imbecile pleaded.

Zhao should have gotten used to seeing those horrible blue eyes before all hell broke loss. Zhao was speechless. Horror did not properly describe the amount of fear and terror now coursing through his veins. That boy would one day be the death of me, he knew it. Now everything was finished!

"That's my present? Father, who is this?" Katannah demanded, looking just as horrified. "I expected you would bring Orli back!"

Zhao growled, really needing a good drink of sake. "Be silent, girl. As for you, how could you confuse my son with this Water-brat?" he demanded. "My son has golden eyes, this boy is a blue-eyed mongrel?" he shouted. "I ordered you to kidnap my son, not do anything else!"

"His eyes are gold, aren't they?" the black clad man demanded, holding his hand out for payment.

"Tani, cover your eyes," Zhao hissed furiously. The darn bastard was color-blind. With a quick movement, he quickly snapped the man's neck with a satisfying crack. "That solves one problem."

Katannah was already in tears. "We're doomed," she whispered, crumbling into a heap of depression.

Zhao was inclined to agree with her. Two choices lay in front of him, both equally ghastly. He could remain at the sidelines, keeping his hands clean so he could take the throne with full support. That would mean sacrificing his only son on the altar of his ambition. Then he could risk his life to save him, hazarding being killed by the Earth kingdom or being exposed as a traitor and executed by the Fire Nation.

He supposed either way Orli would die. He could just chalk the boy's death up to his own folly and mourn him as a causality of war. He could sire more sons; he was a virile specimen of a man. He had no reason to risk everything and lose his chance to rule the world as its anointed lord and master.

Ozai had been strong. He had sacrificed everyone around him to achieve power. It was only Zuko who was weak, who had cared for others, who deserved to lose everyone. Zhao was strong!

"Nothing to worry about, Tani. Nothing has changed," Zhao said softly, turning his face away from his daughter so she could not see his shameful grimace of pain.

"Father, everything has changed. you are going to let my brother die. That's a big change," Katannah snapped, her voice chocked with tears.

"How dare you speak to your lord father this way?" Zhao demanded, raising his hand in the air unconsciously.

"Are you going to beat me too? Is that your plan? Beating up anyone who stands up to you? I'm not afraid of it, because you are about to hurt me a lot worse!" Katannah shouted, rising to her feet.

"You traitorous snake! To think I called you daughter," Zhao hissed, lowering his hand. Everything was fading to pieces. His perfect plan…ruined.

"Father, I have always been loyal to you. You missed out on every important event of my life and I obediently waited for you. I cared for your son, I managed your estate, I studied hard, I did everything you asked of me. I never gave you a moment's trouble. But Agni help me, if you let my brother die…if you could break my heart and take away my baby brother, then…"

A hard slap across her face had knocked his daughter to the ground. Zhao had risen to his feet, his eyes blazing. "What are you going to do, my girl? Challenge me to Agni Kai? Children today, so defiant and ungrateful. You are a disgrace to my name," Zhao shouted, towering over his child. "I am your lord, your master. I'll teach you some respect." Katannah was still weeping on the floor.

Zhao's eyes flickered to the trembling blue-eyed brat on the floor next to his own wounded child. Images flashed before his mind, of Zuko taking a beating for this unworthy Water scum. It had been stupid, foolish, dishonorable. Yet, Zuko had not cried out once. Any other man would have cursed the day he had been born. Yet, there was such…strength in his bearing.

He remembered kneeling before Zuko and begging to trade his life for the lives of his children. He had loved them…been willing to die for them. He had done everything for them and they had abandoned him.

"Father…please…I'm your loyal daughter, but don't take my brother from me," Katannah sobbed, prostrate at his feet. "Don't destroy me."

Please, father, I only had the fire nation's best interest at heart! I'm sorry I spoke out of turn! Zhao had thought him so pathetic and worthless. A son should never speak up before his father.
You will fight for your honor. Harsh fighting was all Zhao ever knew. Was it all he wanted to know?
I meant you no disrespect. I am your loyal son. Orli had once been his loyal son. Katannah had been his loyal daughter. Both of them had begged at his feet for mercy. He had refused them. He had no choice but to refuse them.
Rise and fight, Prince Zuko! Everything came down to it. Fit in or die. Obey or die. That was the way of the world.
I won't fight you. Zhao had thought it weak to love. Zuko had been punished for loving. Such feelings had to be crushed.
You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher. Suffering had only strengthened Zuko. Love had only made him more formidable. Ozai had ruled with a firm hand and had died alone. Zhao was about to make the same mistake. His daughter had a mark on his face. He had struck his own daughter for begging for the life of his son. That wasn't discipline, he had lost control. He was about to lose everything.
Zhao fell to his knees and pulled his daughter into his arms, where she would be safe and protected. "Soldier's daughters don't cry," he whispered. It had been the same words he had told her the day he had to tell a sad four year old why Daddy was going away to war. Soldier's daughters had to be strong. "Father will make it all better." That or he would die trying. "Tani, remember…my letters. No matter what, I always wrote them," Zhao said, hugging his daughter close. He had barely known the gift he had been granted, but he would not waste this chance.

"Father, thank you," Katannah said, burying her head in his shoulder. Zhao relished her touch. He prayed the Gods would grant him a chance to see Orli one last time.

"Untie the boy and keep him safe. He may prove helpful. Be strong, Tani. Be very strong and take care of your brother. Make me proud." He was going back. If he died, he would die with honor. If he lived, he would live with love. Let the Gods decree what they will.

AN-Three chapters left till the end! Stay tuned for some rescues, some romance, and the birth of the next Avatar! And some very special people return!