once again, thank all of you for the reviews, faves, and alerts! you guys are sooooo frickin awesome!

mkay, this chapter has one of my FAVORITE scenes in it (it would be the ending part...). idk why, it's just odd and not romantic in normal matters (which is a big step for me!) haha.

have fun reading! please review. :)

-TSA

Chapter 4:

"Men are made stronger on realization that the helping hand they need is at the end of their own arm." ~Sidney J. Phillips

"I don't think about her, Uncle!"

Zuko furiously tried to generate lightning, but once more was thrown into the dirt. He cried out in frustration before stumbling to his feet and holding a hand to his aching back that was tired of being tossed around relentlessly.

"What I'm saying is that maybe you can use her as a way to find that peace of mind." Iroh sighed as Zuko failed again, "You have too much inner turmoil."

Zuko turned on him, eyes blazing, "She just makes things worse!"

Iroh was amused by the blush in his nephew's cheeks, "And how does she do that?"

"She's manipulative!" Zuko threw his hands up in the air while pacing back and forth, "She acts like she's so far above everyone! I won't obey the orders of a princess! It's not like she's a queen! She just thinks she is." He shot his uncle a glare when he heard him laughing, "Not to mention that she's always trying to pry her way into my life. She doesn't understand that I want nothing to do with her!"

"How could you want nothing to do with a blooming cherry blossom…?" Iroh mused.

"Because I don't like thorns in my flowers!" He wrinkled his nose and crossed his arms, "I don't think it's her generosity that's allowing us to stay with her."

"I think you're looking too deep into this-"

"I think you're too relaxed because you've been flirting with her aunt." Zuko shook his head, "I don't want to stay here much longer. She's trouble." He shot his uncle a glare again, "And you can't convince me otherwise!"

Iroh watched as Zuko went about trying to generate lightning, muttering, "Maybe she's trouble because you have things in common…?"

. . . .

Briar sat patiently as her aunt hemmed the bottom of her new gown. It was practically suffocating, but she was comfortable enough to wear it. It would be a fair replacement for her other one that was worn and torn from years of use. She remembered being questioned about why she would wear a dress in combat- she found a beauty in the twirl of her skirt when she would earth bend. Wiggling her toes, she began imagining the elegance of the art that her father had taught her.

"Quit that, you're making the floor shake," Hikaru murmured.

Briar giggled, staring at herself in the mirror, "I haven't bothered to practice in awhile."

"That's because you're so preoccupied with Prince Zuko."

"He's not a prince." Briar's eyes narrowed as she huffed, "He's nothing but an outcast."

Hikaru rolled her eyes, intentionally poking Briar's ankle with her needle, earning a scowl, "Speaking of princes…Have you bothered to accept an audience with Prince Chronos?" Briar pretended to not hear her aunt and began humming loudly, "I take that as a 'no'."

"I don't have time for princes and marriage." Briar stepped down from her platform and began strolling around her chambers, so vast, yet so empty, "I want to experience the world first."

"If you ever expect to be coroneted, you had better start accepting your future husband."

Briar spun around, mouth agape, "I don't need a husband in order to rule my kingdom-"

"You will if you expect them to obey you. It's hard enough for them to suffer in poverty while their princess enjoys lavish meals," Hikaru snapped.

"I can't do anything when our ports are flooded with Fire Nation ships!" Briar shouted.

"The least you can do is extend a helping hand!"

Briar rolled her eyes and stormed from the room, slamming the door behind her, which left an ugly echo in her chambers.

Hikaru shook her head while her hands went to her hips. She figured that she had overstepped her boundaries with her temperamental niece. With her sister dying in childbirth, Briar hadn't often experienced the softness a mother brought into a household. Her brother-in-law was no help on the matter as he had wished he had had a son to train as a mighty earth bender, though he took that approach with Briar. Laughing to herself, Hikaru imagined that was why suitors had been few and far between.

. . . .

Tea was a complicated matter if one didn't know how to brew it correctly. There were thousands of different herbs that could be used, though one needed to be wise with the mixtures made. Contrary to Briar's belief, it was not just leaves in hot water. Hikaru was a fan of so many blends, but nothing beat the sweetness of raspberry and jasmine. The teapot was steaming through its top with a gentle whistle, though for her that wasn't hot enough.

Stealing a couple cakes from a tray, the whistle grew to a high pitched screeching that startled her. She almost dropped one of the pastries, but managed to recover it while rushing back over to the stove. Pouring herself a cup, she turned off the flame and made her way toward the library where she had been skimming over the recent letters sent from Prince Chronos and his advisers. She wasn't pleased by his incessantness, but he offered the most with his skill in earth bending and his immense wealth.

She bit into a pastry while skimming over the prince's second letter, disgusted with his lack of romantic intentions. He wrote with a monotone voice that was putting her to sleep, though he offered an opportunity to help her kingdom. All he would gain from their marriage was her vast amount of land as he only ruled a city. Not to mention, a temperamental wife, but that would be a surprise. Tossing the note aside, she took a sip from her hot tea, a slight tingling coming from her tongue at the temperature, but it was eased by a second sip.

Her mind was so far gone from her small argument with her niece. Though few words were truly spoken, it was those little things that opened fresh wounds. She wondered so often what would have come of accepting her responsibility as Queen Amaterasu, but even her parents had known that she wasn't apt to rule. She was too brash. As she continually looked back once her sister passed away, she began to think that maybe she had made the wrong choice?

Hearing the doors to the library open, she looked up in alarm to find Iroh walking in, a look of defeat across his face. She rose from her seat and approached him, quickly making note that Zuko was not with him, "What's wrong?"

Iroh shook his head, "Isn't it terrible when you feel responsible for the younger generation's actions?"

Hikaru pushed all her letters aside while beckoning him into a seat, "I feel that way quite often." She pushed her partially drank tea toward him, "Where's Prince Zuko?"

"Out in the mountains I suppose…" Iroh shrugged, "I try not to worry about him."

"I've tried that with Briar, but I always fail." Hikaru sighed affectionately, "It's the price we pay when their real parents aren't involved in their lives."

"Prince Zuko does not see that his father will never welcome him back. I know my brother well…"

"False hope is dangerous." Hikaru saw Iroh's eyes scan over the letters that were pushed to the side, "They're from Prince Chronos."

"Who is he?" Iroh asked.

"He's a prince from a small city in the Earth Kingdom. From his letters, it seems that he has no romantic aspirations. He's just looking for a larger kingdom to rule over." Hikaru folded the letters up, "Briar has already been promised to him."

This seemed to perplex Iroh, "Why would they choose a man who won't care for her?"

"Those things don't matter. Unfortunately, Briar is in line for the throne while her kingdom is in trouble. Her marriage can't be out of love, but out of what benefits her people." Hikaru sighed, "I always hate that the dirty work falls in my hands."

"She's too free spirited." He began to chuckle, "And too strong for any normal fellow."

Hikaru laughed while he offered her the rest of the tea, which she gratefully accepted. Cradling the cup in her palms, she allowed the moments to pass by just watching Iroh's expressions as he drifted into deep thought. She loved how attentive his features were, especially how his eyes would focus on the distance, though nothing was there.

"I'm glad you've come into my life." Hikaru stood up and leaned down to him to press a gentle kiss to his cheek. Nodding her head as a goodbye, she left the library with such grace that she felt like she was twenty years younger again. With a smile, she whispered to herself, "Thank you, Iroh."

Iroh was smiling as she slowly disappeared from view, the train of her kimono fluttering behind her lively steps. He glanced over at the empty cup of tea while his happy thoughts grew distant like the raging storm that Zuko insisted chasing. Closing his eyes for a moment, he heard a pair of feet tiptoeing across the marble floors.

"I wasn't expecting Her Majesty's presence," Iroh said.

Briar laughed a little while he opened his eyes, sliding into the seat across from him. She rested her elbows on the table and held her chin in the heels of her palms. Her green eyes were still cold as stone though her features had softened, "I'm not a queen yet…"

"But you are still royalty." Iroh flashed a smile, "What brings you here?"

"Curiosity." She bit at her bottom lip, "I wanted to know what has been keeping Zuko and you out of the palace."

"I am resuming his training," Iroh replied.

"I must admit that I'm not comfortable with the two of you being out of my sights for so long and so often."

Iroh chuckled, "You must like having a chokehold on your guests."

Briar held her head higher, her hands dropping to hide in her sleeves, "I am housing two fire benders. Can you blame me for keeping you so close?"

"Are you threatened by us?"

Briar narrowed her eyes, her features sharpening as he challenged her stare with the amusement in his eyes. She balled her hands into fists, "Threatened is too bold a word-"

"Though not for a warrior princess," he chimed.

"I ask that you hold your tongue, Sir." She ran her fingers through her hair, breathing deeply, "I am concerned, is all." She cast her eyes to the floor, "I noticed that Zuko hasn't returned."

"He needs to be alone." Iroh mused on that thought, "Sometimes it is what's best for him."

"Where is he?" she asked.

"He'll come back-"

"That's not what I asked." She stood up and placed her hands on her hips, "I'm ordering you to tell me where he is."

"Unfortunately, your title does not make me submit to your demands." He nodded, "Please, allow him this one moment."

Briar's eyes lost their ferocity, replaced by a deep concern that wrinkled her brow, "I just want to know that he'll be ok."

"He's a strong boy. He's made it this far," Iroh replied.

She bowed her head, "I wouldn't normally resort to this, but…" She walked over to him and knelt at his feet, hands in her lap while she sat back on her legs, "…I beg you tell me where he is."

Iroh was taken aback by her gesture. Taking her hands, he brought her to her feet, though she kept her head bowed until he tapped her on the nose, "You needn't beg. Though I must ask you something before I tell you." Briar nodded her head, "Why do you show such concern for my nephew?"

Briar didn't need much time to make her response, "It's in my best interest."

Iroh smirked, "He's out in the mountains, though I can't give you an exact location. He's in search of lightning."

She left in a hurry, holding up her skirt so she could extend her legs further in her strides. Shouting an order for her horse to be brought to her, she grabbed a cloak that was handed to her by a servant. She flipped the hood up as she burst outside and made her way to the stables. Her heart was thundering so loud that she couldn't hear the stable boy asking her why she wanted to leave during a storm. Riding out over the desert that ached for a drink of water, she kept her eyes on the mountains in the distance where lightning was cracking furiously.

Her legs were aching from gripping the sides of her horse as they wound around the mountainside. Reaching the top, she dismounted and slipped between the boulders in search of Zuko. She jolted as a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, striking behind her. Stumbling forward, she caught herself by forcing up a wall of rock from the ground. When she regained her staggered breathing, she heard the sound of yelling. She peeked out from behind her wall to see Zuko crumble to his knees.

Her breath was swept from her chest as she heard his sobs, words staggering from his lips. She covered her mouth to keep from gasping, feeling his tears streak down her now pallid cheeks. Heart weighing heavily in her chest, she glanced back over at him to watch as he covered his face with his hands while he trembled in the chilling rain. Deciding that she had been wrong to pursue him, she rushed back over to her horse and bolted down the mountainside in shame of having wanted so badly to understand him.

Arriving home was miserable. Drenched from the rain, she was trailing puddles through the main chamber until her servants took her soaked cloak and made her discard her new dress. With a towel in her hair and a robe draped around her shoulders, she kept her head lowered as she was ushered into the dining chamber. Seeing Iroh there made her wish she had just stayed out in the rain.

"Did you see what you wanted to see?" Iroh asked, sipping on a steaming cup of tea.

She bit her bottom lip hard, drawing the faintest trace of blood, "I-I'm s-so-sorry…"

"Here, take a seat, Princess." Iroh offered her a cup of tea, "This should warm you up."

"I didn't know-"

"Why don't you just focus on drinking your tea and I will tell you a little something." Iroh smiled as she fixed herself onto a seat of cushions and took the cup from him, "Prince Zuko was banished for refusing to face his father in an Agni Kai. The scar on his face is a result of this." He waited to see if Briar interrupted him, but she remained silent, "His quest was to find and capture the Avatar so that he may regain his honor. But he hasn't realized that his honor was never taken away from him."

"I've always wondered what the story of the 'Banished Prince' was…" She turned her eyes to the wall, "Is he still searching for the Avatar?"

"I'm not sure he knows what he's doing now." Iroh filled his empty cup with more ginseng tea, "He is very lost." He reached a hand out to her and touched her chin, bringing her attention to him, "Maybe he needs a gentle hand to lead him?"

Briar shook her head, "Lead him where?"

"Wherever his destiny chooses to take him."

"I don't think I'm that person." Briar rose from her seat, "I've never been gentle. I'm Briar, the thorn-"

She spun around in alarm as the chamber doors opened and Zuko stumbled in. He was drenched from head to toe, his head bowed while his hands trembled. She hesitated taking a step toward him, but he offered her little time to consider that.

"I'm sorry, Uncle," Zuko muttered while giving him a bow before rushing off down the hallway.

"Do not worry, Princess." Iroh placed a hand on her shoulder, "He will come around."

. . . .

At least he wasn't upset anymore as far as she could tell. He was complacent, eating in the welcoming silence that would be broken by the mild conversation between Iroh and Hikaru. She found herself more occupied with watching him instead of eating her dinner. She twirled her chopsticks in the pile of noodles in her bowl while debating if she was going to speak. What purpose would she have in not communicating with him?

"Where are you heading to?" Briar whispered.

Iroh was quick to answer, "We are on our way to Ba Sing Se."

Her eyes lit up, "Take me with you-"

Zuko slammed his hands on the table, "Stay out of it!"

Her brow furrowed and this time she didn't try to uphold her arrogant demeanor, "I don't appreciate your tone-"

"I don't care about what you don't appreciate." Zuko looked ready to come across the table, "Stop trying to pry your way into my life!"

"You're so ignorant that you don't bother to understand why I ask this of you." She drew in a deep breath glancing over at her aunt then back at him, "My people are suffering. I have sent requests to the Earth King about an audience on this matter and I have been given a response that states he will be of no help to me. I ask to join you in your travels so that I may force the Earth King to hear me out."

It wasn't truth, but it was good enough.

Zuko sighed, glancing over at his uncle, who was drinking his tea, "What is your angle?"

"I have opened my hospitality towards you. I think this is a fair way to repay that," she responded, holding her palms out to him to show that they were clean.

"We're fire benders. You're only getting yourself in trouble-"

"Do you despise me so much?" she interrupted.

Zuko caught her green eyed stare, "What do you mean?"

"Does my presence evoke a burning hatred inside of you?" she replied.

Zuko thought hard on her question. Just the sight of her stone cold eyes made him frustrated. Her demanding of everything was irritating. The fluidity of her walking and the grace of her gestures reminded him so much of the life he used to have. Yes, there was a burning hatred for her that fueled the fires of rage that had been the source of his fire bending for years.

"He has no need to answer that," Iroh interjected.

Briar turned her eyes to him, "What do you say to allowing me to accompany you?"

"I see it as a splendid idea!" Zuko smacked himself on the forehead while his uncle smiled, "A woman's touch would be greatly appreciated in our new home."

"She's not staying with us," Zuko snapped.

"Even if it's only for a little while it's better than nothing!"

Briar let that be the final word on the matter. Though she smiled, she could feel the displeased glare of her aunt on the back of her neck. She chose not to glance over at her while finally beginning to eat. She would ever so often look up at Zuko, but he never turned his eyes to hers. She was sure he was angry about the matter, but part of her wanted to know his answer to her question. In the back of her mind, she wanted him to hate her.

After dinner, Briar followed Zuko out into the hallway as he bid his uncle goodnight and went toward his quarters. Slinking up beside him, she gave him a little push to gain his attention. He grabbed her by the shoulders and slammed her against the wall, only the tinniest gasp leaving her lips. His eyes kept her quiet while his grip tensed, nails digging into the thin cloth of her robe. That smirk danced over her pink lips, freezing his body while his heart furiously pounded.

"I'm very curious about your answer to my question," she whispered.

"You're nothing but a troublemaker-"

She shoved him backward, her hands pressed against his chest as he hit the wall across the hall, "Does my presence evoke a burning hatred inside of you?"

He shivered while her hands slowly, agonizingly slid down his chest until they fell at her sides. He wasn't sure why, but he seized her by her hips and yanked her up against himself. His chest was tight at the inexperience in her eyes and the thrilling beat of his heart. He had no idea where he was going with his actions, but he liked when she wasn't in control. His hands tightened on the skirt folds of her dress and he could feel the goose bumps crawling up her skin.

"I hate you." He closed his eyes, pressing his forehead against hers, "I hate your arrogant smirk, your demanding tones, your all-powerful demeanor." His hands moved along the rise and fall of her curves until they came to her shoulders, "I hate your ignorance of your peoples' pain, your spoiled nature, your insisting of locking me inside your palace." One hand moved behind her neck while he leaned away from her. His eyes were clouded with confusion, "I hate your prying into my life, your incessant questioning, your befriending of my uncle."

Briar pushed herself away from him, pressing her back up against the opposite wall. She gasped as he closed the distance between them with just a couple steps, his arms resting above her head while he leaned over her. His lips were pursed as he thought over his next words, and Briar was tempted just to smack him to make him stop. She had asked a question that's answer was becoming too much.

"I even hate the curl of your hair…" He sighed while twirling his finger in one long strand, "…your stone cold stare, your expressionless youth." Briar shivered, closing her eyes while he gently stroked her cheek, "You wanted the answer and I've given it to you. Does your presence evoke a burning hatred inside of me?" His hand snaked around the back of her neck and she opened her eyes, "I hate everything about you."

Briar cast her eyes to the ground as he retreated from her, turning his back to walk down the hallway.

Deep in the back of Zuko's mind, he knew his hatred toward her was the source of his fire bending despite that it disappointed his uncle. Yes, he thought about her. But she would never be able to ease the turmoil of his mind. She'd only make things worse.

yay! chapter over. :/

there's plenty more to come...and now we're on our way to Ba Sing Se! Woohoo. Hikaru is gonna disappear for awhile, but she won't be gone for too long. :) (honestly, she's one of my fave characters. she's got attitude!)

ok. enough of my ranting. stay tuned!

-TSA