When everyone finally met at the boat at dawn, there were small words of shock and awe at Yuri's appearance, so regal and proper. She smiled at them in turn, but only slightly, as they all bowed and said "Princess." She felt uncomfortable at first, but after the treatment she'd received the night before at Setto's family table, Yuri knew she would have to get used to being gawked at.

Now, sitting in a small room provided for her own privacy and for private conversations, Princess Yuri thought about the journey ahead. The last time she had been on one this distance had been when she was born, in a small dingy floating out to sea. The changes in her life had been drastic, but she was now as she had been then and always would be; a Princess of the Northern Water Tribe. As had been expected, she had made a speech to all who surrounded her, after being assured the men behind Suka would fight with all their strength to defend the island until their return.

Standing tall and proud before the boat, she raised her voice loud enough to echo through the streets, full of not only men and her companions, but their wives and children, all watching her, all expecting something great. For once, Yuri wasn't sure if she could live up to the goals she'd set up for herself.

"Today we set sail for the Northern Water Tribe to request the help of my father, the chief in support of Kyoshi Island." Her throat almost closed up with nerves even as she spoke, but she swallowed and regained her confidence. "His land is safe for now, the Navy being severely damaged after their first attack hasn't the strength to attack there again. But if even half that number shows on this island, without the Kyoshi Warriors, it could be lost. This place has been my home for sixteen years, and I will not see it lay to ruin. I swear to all of you by the royal blood in my veins, we will return with the strength of the Water Tribe!"

The cheers that followed flushed her with pride in her home. Though she was born in the North Pole, she was terrified of the place she'd never lived in. Kyoshi Island was her pride and her life, her history, and held the love of friends and family. Leaving it behind, even temporarily, meant to Yuri leaving behind her childhood for her life as a Princess in a strange land. But Suki had done it, and if her best friend could leave her home to risk her life, Yuri could accept her duty and her destiny.

A knock at her door made Yuri jump out of her skin. She cleared her throat and asked who it was. Without answering, Kalen walked right in.

"Excuse me?" The girl said, slightly irritated at his lack of manners. "I could have been dressing, you know."

Kalen looked at her, smirking. "I knocked, that's all the politeness you're going to get from me, 'princess.' I'm not here to be one of your subjects, like that boy Setto and his family."

"But you are here under my employ, and you will treat me with respect." Snapped Yuri. "I'm not saying this as a princess, I will not have men bursting into my room without my permission."

Kalen's face was grim. "You will if the ship is attacked in the middle of the night. Dressed or not, if not I or Setto, then it will be men of the Fire Nation, after destroying the rest of us, looking for prisoners."

Fear shot through Yuri as a cold and live thing. She tried to hide the shiver, but the look in the man's eyes told her he saw. "What did you come to talk about Kalen? You didn't come in here just to keep me on my toes."

"You know what is at risk here, other than the lives you hold on this ship."

The girl nodded. "If I'm not accepted as the heir, and the chief doesn't extend help to Kyoshi Island on top of that, I will have to return as the only defence from the North Pole, or else I will return to be shunned for being a fraud and a failure."

"Are you prepared for the consequences of failure?" Kalen asked seriously.

"I am. But I can't let Setto or anyone else believe I'm not sure of myself. Even if I'm shunned from the North Pole, and from my home on Kyoshi Island, I will stay even in exile to defend the village with my life."

The assassin shook his head. "You would defend those who turn on you in hate, for what?"

"For Suki and for Hanna."

"For a woman long dead and a girl in a prison where she might be even now?"

Yuri stood. "I have the right to do as I wish. You have already made it clear that you think my plans are insane, but you are stuck with me in any case." Then her eyes flashed. "And believe that if you betray me, or I see any disloyalty while you are in my employ, I will not hesitate to kill you." With that, she gestured him out the door.

Kalen shrugged, unimpressed by the threat on his life. "Not that I doubt you would do it," He said. "I've seen you kill already, not just with your bending, but with the blades hidden inside your kimono. You've tasted spilt blood, and part of you hungers for it. To kill Fire Nation soldiers, doesn't it?" He bowed then, and walked out.

The girl wasn't surprised by his insight. It had been obvious enough to him her hatred for the Fire Nation that had killed her Aunt and imprisoned Suki, and she had made no attempt at hiding the seething anger always inside her. Lately it had been a living thing inside her, growing and no longer hiding behind her casual demeanour. Ever since fighting the pirates it was a constant companion for Yuri, whispering into her ear.

Part of what it said was directed at Kalen, the rest told her ways to practise her bending even while on the ship. Trying to ignore it only made the voice louder, and hurt her head. So she listened carefully, storing the information as if taking notes, but she didn't plan on using any of it unless it was absolutely necessary.

The long days North towards their destination crept along with restlessness for all, and Setto's family tried to keep moods up with games and music in the evening when chores didn't keep them all busy. Everyone not already equipped with weapons were supplied with wares Setto's father hadn't been able to sell, and the ship was cleaned from top to bottom on the inside every day, and the deck was made to sparkle, just to keep everyone busy. Meals were prepared and extra wares packed and made ready for either storage or more trade later in the year.

"I feel like a housekeeper instead of an assassin." Yuri heard Kalen mumble as her helped her make beds in the other rooms.

The girl had smiled, feeling relieved that she'd been expected to help too. If Setto's mother had insisted she rest, Yuri would have surely gone insane.

Suddenly her smile was wiped off by a sudden lurch of the boat, and shouts above deck. Panicked, Yuri shot up and ran for the deck. The moment she got out the door, Kalen's hand grabbed the back of her dress and pulled her back inside. "Listen!" He hissed into her ear.

She obeyed, only because he held her too close to his body for her to knock him out. After a minute, the shouts above were more clear in their tone, and she realized they had probably run into another merchant ship, or some other friends from the sound of the laughing and cheering above.

"Why doesn't Setto call me above to introduce me?" Yuri whispered, not noticing she'd voiced her thoughts out loud. Then she felt the heat of Kalen's body shift uncomfortably.

"He can't introduce you in your rags, cleaning the beds and try to convince those people you're the princess of the North Pole." He whispered back. "You're going to have to get dressed properly to meet them, if they stay on the ship for dinner. If not, then you'll meet them another time."

Feeling upset and left out, Yuri leaned against the man, pouting slightly. She felt him move again, this time because he was laughing. "Don't worry Yuri, soon enough you'll meet enough people to make your head spin."

The visitors didn't stay for the evening meal, but Yuri heard enough about them to know that their appearance was no danger, and in fact brought good news.

"The heir for the North hasn't been announced yet, and the Chief even seems unsure of his first choice's abilities." Setto said at the table, smiling. "If he's unsure, he might be more persuaded to name you as heir, whether or not you marry."

Yuri felt slightly relieved, but didn't show it, and instead just smiled back. "I am his daughter, I can only hope he isn't too overwhelmed by my appearance to mistake me for my sister. It might make him think he's hallucinating."

"We should be at the North Pole in a couple of days." Said Suka, "and have time to address the Chief in private to avoid public embarrassment on any party."

Yuri was surprised the woman she'd seen as a mother most of her life seemed so interested in the politics of this mission. Suka had always been a mother and wife first, and a warrior second. There was very little intrigue on the island she lived on, and no reason to get involved in it.

Kalen didn't say a word throughout dinner, and left just as silently. Curious, Yuri asked to be excused and followed him down the hallway. She watched him turn a corner but when she got there, he'd disappeared. Deciding he must have gone to the bathroom, she turned back around to find his wide body blocking her way.

"It's not like you to sneak around, Princess." He sneered, scowling.

Yuri snapped defensively. "And it's too like you to act suspicious around me. What's going on with you tonight? You're being surlier than usual."

"I can't go with you into the Palace." He said simply. "Even if you convince them I'm under your employ, they won't trust any Fire Nation enough to allow me there. And if I stay in town I'll spend the next few times getting into fights because people hate my kind. You shouldn't have brought me here."

"No. I couldn't have left you at Kyoshi Island, and I need you to come with me and Setto so my father knows I am well protected. Otherwise he may assign a stranger to watch me, either as a baby sitter or as a proposed husband. I can't allow that no matter what. If I rule, I rule on my own, without my husband ruling through me."

"You're pretty against marriage." Kalen observed. "Or do you have someone already in mind, and don't want the Chief choosing someone different for your side?"

The girl stared him in the eyes, frustrated that she had to lift her head to do so. "I won't be ruled by a man; I never have been and don't plan to be. And I don't need anyone trying to figure out my plans for my own life."

"I have enjoyed these little talks Yuri. You're much stronger than Suki said you were. She was worried you might not be able to handle the things hanging over you. I'm glad to discover she was wrong." Then the man left, and the footsteps Yuri heard turned out to be Setto, looking for her.

"Princess, are you all right? You left dinner early, and I was worried you were ill."

She smiled warmly at her friend. "I'm fine, I just felt a little restless and in need of a walk. Do you want to join me back to my room? We could play a game for a while."

The boy nodded enthusiastically, and Yuri despaired that he might be falling for her too hard. The disaster that would result in him asking her father for her hand would ruin her. He would of course refuse, and insist on an engagement to a soldier of his choice immediately to discourage any more ridiculous proposals. Still, his loyalty made her feel secure, and as much as Kalen frustrated and made her suspicious, he was the perfect foil for the over-eager service Setto promised.

Over the last two days of their trip, Yuri stayed as close as she could to both Setto and Kalen, silently announcing to everyone that these two were to be her escort to the Palace. Setto's father would bring them into the palace, but it was Setto who would have to procure an audience with the Chief, and Yuri herself who would have to hold his attention.

Kalen was there to show strength and Yuri's ability to gain loyalty from anyone, and he was to announce he had pledged his life to her and would protect her until his last breath if that's what it came down to. It wasn't exactly a lie, and would help convince her father he wasn't with the Fire Nation.

Still, as Yuri stood on the deck, fully dressed in her kimono and her hair done up, she was afraid to see the great walls of the city's entrance. This is your nation, your city. It is your home, and one day you will rule. There is no way your father can reject you for his own flesh and blood. You have all the evidence you need on your person. The words she spoke to herself were little comfort, but they kept her strength up as she rode a raft to the palace, listening to the whispers and questions flying all around her. She sat in the back with her two "body guards" in front, looking calm and as regal as possible.

They approached the Palace doors and Setto helped his princess out of the raft, with all the ceremony in the world. He announced himself first, then Kalen—only by name, no title added—"escorting the Princess Yuri of the North Pole!" he finished loudly.

The title given shocked Yuri, since she hadn't told him to mention who she was until they were in the privacy of the Palace. The doors opened however, and Yuri had to swallow her fear and step inside, back between the two men and into the palace she was born in.