A/N: I've always imagined how Ursa and Ozai meet. Though I honestly believe they met formally, probably set up with an arranged marriage, here I offer a different approach. Hope you like it. I'd love to hear your opinion on it.

"Are you the kind that sees signs, that sees miracles? Or do you believe that people just get lucky?

Or, look at the question this way: Is it possible that there are no coincidences?" - Signs

Chapter 3 - Ember Island

13 years old

Ozai walked along the beach of Ember Island with his hands in his pockets, kicking pebbles randomly with his feet every few steps. The beach was crowded in the moons glow with fires burning sporadically across the sands. The Fire Lord had sent Ozai away to the island for a week, claiming his bending lacked concentration lately and perhaps a little fresh sea air would clear his mind. But Ozai saw through it and knew his father's concern was as delicate and unyielding as a Platypus-bear. Something was going on in the palace; something that clearly demanded all of the Fire Lord's attention. Ozai had overheard one of the Generals in passing mention his grandfather's name, but didn't hear more on the subject.

Maybe the late Fire Lord Sozin was irrelevant. But then again, maybe it wasn't. It was no secret that the late Fire Lord had wiped out the Air Nomads and started a war. Why he had done such a thing was unclear to Ozai, as no one saw fit to enlighten him. It was forbidden for any of the generals or soldiers to mention any detail of the Fire Lord's plan but rumors circulated through the palace faster than Iroh drank a pot of tea.

Of course, Iroh was deemed important enough on the matter and hadn't been sent away on this pointless vacation.

Lady Sanyu was therefore forced to bring the annoyed thirteen year old prince to Ember Island. No brother, no father; just him in this family sized home with his caretaker and about a dozen guards. It was more like a punishment really, than a vacation. So he was thirteen, why couldn't he still have been allowed to stay and hear what was going on at the palace? Wasn't he worthy enough?

Scoffing, Ozai kicked another pebble. He was too absorbed in his own bitterness that he missed the sound of someone approaching from behind.

"Excuse me?"

He jumped, turning around suddenly and falling into a fighting stance with two inflamed fists.

The owner of the voice held up her hands, her face partially hidden in the shadows of the night. Ozai could barely make out her long dark hair and flowing red garments that danced in the wind.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. I was just looking for my bird, Fai. Have you seen her?"

Her voice was soothing and gentle, sounding much like somebody older than he. But judging by her height, Ozai decided she must be around his age or younger for she was several inches shorter.

He immediately relaxed, feeling slightly stupid for overacting to a silly girl who was looking for her bird. A small blush of embarrassment formed on his face and this only made him angry. His chagrin turned into a glare.

"Well you shouldn't sneak up on people in the dark," he said irritably, trying to justify himself. "And no, I haven't seen any birds flying around in the dark."

The girl took a step forward and her face was illuminated by the fire she had just created in her stretched out palm. She smiled brightly at him, seeming unperturbed by the bite to his tongue.

"You're right, it was my fault. Thanks anyway though…I'm sure she'll turn up sooner or later." She looked down, kicking the stand lightly before glancing back up. "You're not from around here, are you?"

The genuine curiosity in her voice made it clear to Ozai that she didn't know who he was. Then again, his face was really only known in Caldera City and inside the palace walls and he wasn't wearing his formal attire or crown. Of course everyone knew Iroh's face; the face of the royal prodigy; the face of the heir to the throne. Why bother to know the face of the younger brother who lurked in the crowned prince's shadow and only existed in case something tragic happened to the heir?

'Prince Ozai' held an important title amongst the Fire Nation yet his face was still a ghost. People recognized Iroh by his presence; people recognized Ozai by his name. Somehow the idea that both of them were equal, both were titled with 'Prince,' still didn't settle well with Ozai.

Because they weren't equal; not in the eyes of their father. And never had been.

Glaring at the ground, Ozai returned to the present and the curious girl.

"No," he settled on saying, turning away and continuing down the beach away from the crowd.

It was well past dusk and soon Lady Sanyu would send out a search party if Ozai didn't return soon. The royal summer home was in a remote location on the island; somewhere residents couldn't exactly see, protected by a golden gate that was surrounded with guards. It was a good hike from his current location and soon he'd have to get a move on.

"What's your name?"

Ozai heard her question from a distance and after turning back around saw she hadn't moved from her spot in which he had left her. He frowned. Why was she talking to him?

"Why do you ask?" he called back, a slight annoyance in his voice. His gaze landed on the fire in her palm and he tilted his head slightly. The flame was still, weak even…compared to the untamed, wild flames he often commanded.

She smiled, glancing down and playing with the fire in her hands. "Usually when people meet, they exchange names."

"Usually people know my name."

The words had slipped from his mouth before he could stop him. He inwardly cursed himself for giving away information. He had wanted to remain low key on this visit. Often if his identity was given away, he was flocked with people. And Ozai was not social like his brother. He didn't like being around people, let alone around those who wanted to ask him a thousand questions. The palace was different; everyone inside treated him with respect and honored his privacy. But out of Caldera City, peasants and citizens alike would smother him to the point of insanity.

Maybe, just maybe, it was okay sometimes if people didn't recognize him by his face…

"Well I'm Ursa," said the girl pleasantly, continuing to play with the fire gently. "Most people outside Ember Island don't know my name so you should consider yourself lucky."

Ozai couldn't help stare at her. Something was…different about this girl.

Maybe it was her genuine nature? As his eyes dropped back to the flame in her palm he considered maybe it was the fire she controlled that intrigued him. How did she make it so still and calm? At first he thought it weak but now that he stared properly he could see it wasn't weak, but perfectly in control.

He knew he should say something but for some reason he found himself unsure what to say next. Should he tell her who he was? Would she gawk and pine over him while asking a thousand questions about his brother like almost everyone else did?

Before he could continue in their conversation, his mouth seemed to have taken over for he suddenly blurted,

"What kind of bird do you have?"

Ozai wanted to hit himself for his randomness. The girl named Ursa looked slightly surprised at the turn of their conversation but replied none the less. "A phoenix."

Secretly impressed, Ozai's brows shot up. "That's one of the four sacred animals and our national bird. Those are really rare. Where did you get one?"

"It's been in my family for as long as…well," – her face scrunched up as she considered this, her toes digging and twisting into the stand. She gave a slight laugh, apparently giving up on the thought – "a long time. They don't exactly die, you know. They're re—"

"Reborn from their ashes, I know."

Ozai didn't like being told things he already knew but the girl seemed un-phased by his attitude for she nodded and flashed a small smile.

"Well, I'll leave you to do whatever it is that you were doing, it's getting dark and I really should find Fai. Nice meeting you…?"

She let her sentence drop, obviously realizing she didn't know his name. She simply shrugged and Ozai watched the girl turn and leave, heading back to the crowded fires along the beach.

Probably to ask more people if they had seen her bird, he concluded. Not five seconds went by when he took a step forward, his voice acting on its own accord,

"Hey…wait!"

A/N: Hope you enjoyed it! Why aren't there more Urzai fics out there? =( I hope you can see a few Zuko traits in Ozai...that's intentional. ;)