I'm sorry for how abominably late this chapter was. It's been a pretty busy few weeks. I had to face the reality that i do, in fact, have summer assignments, then my cousin's wedding reception and my aunt's birthday. To top it all off, I somehow lost about twenty files worth of writing from my flash drive and had a small mental breakdown. I managed to get it all back, but I was basically useless for a while after I raelized what had happened.

Two people faced down across the room, panting and dripping sweat. The girl drew two blades, twirling them easily, while the boy drew two blades as well, his substantially thicker than hers.

They charged each other head-long, both sprinting as fast as possible. The girl dropped suddenly, skidding along the ground and taking the boy in the ankle. He tumbled, hit the ground, rolled, and popped back up, blades darting dizzyingly to block the girl's slashes. He spun into a powerful back-handed chop which she blocked with both blades.

"I thought you'd lost some of your muscle," Kyuri said with a smirk.

"You wish," Zuko smirked back.

He spun into another chop. Kyuri jumped over it and came down inside his arms, looping hers over his and locking them tight, chest to chest. To prevent any serious injury, both of them immediately dropped their blades. Zuko let his knees buckle, his superior weight dragging Kyuri down. He fell on top of her, pinning her to the ground tightly. She squirmed and thrashed under him, Zuko's eyes widening as her hips thrust against his.

"Okay," Kyuri gasped. "I think if we've been reduced to you squishing me, then this sparring session is over."

"You may be right," Zuko said, planting a swift kiss on her jaw before jumping up, giving her a hand to help her to her feet. Kyuri stretched, arms over her head, and her back popped loudly.

"Oh," she said with a wince. "I think I need a bath and then bed."

"We're leaving tomorrow, aren't we?"

"At noon," Kyuri nodded. Zuko nodded and there was a moment of silence as they processed that, as of tomorrow, they were marching to war on the Fire Nation.

It was broken as Kyuri shook her head to clear it and walked behind the screen hiding the bath.

"What's still left to do?" Zuko asked, simply stripping off his shirt and collapsing into bed. He'd take a bath in the morning while Kyuri packed her weapons.

"I have to retrieve our armor," Kyuri said as she slipped into the water. "The armorer fixed that crack in Sangilak's chest piece just in time."

"I still don't know why dragons wear armor," Zuko said, shaking his head. "Don't they have some built in?"

"This way they're even less-likely to get hurt," Kyuri said as she stretched again, dipping under the water to wash the soap off. She emerged and toweled off, dressing in loose cotton pajamas that had been waiting in her room. Like everything in the room, they were ice blue silk. She never thought she'd say his, but Kyuri was actually getting tired of that icy blue color.

"Could you?" Kyuri asked, gesturing to her sopping hair. Zuko flicked his hand and warm air blasted her, drying out her sopping locks.

Shivering as the heat vanished and was replaced with the cold air of her cavernous room, Kyuri darted to the bed and slid under the covers, scrunching up against Zuko's side. He looked over at her in surprise.

"Look who's in a snuggling mood," he said, slightly surprised.

"I'm cold," Kyuri mumbled, nuzzling against his ribs. Zuko smiled at her and slipped further under the sheets.

"Come here," he said, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her face to his chest. Kyuri snuggled willingly, tracing patterns on his chest with her fingers absently. She fit one calf between his own and sighed happily.

"You're so warm," she said, pleased.

"Thanks," Zuko chuckled. "You're freezing."

"I know. That's why I'm cuddling."

Zuko chuckled again and shook his head against the pillow.

"Go to sleep."

Kyuri mumbled an agreement and soon drifted off, Zuko following.

Zuko woke up the next morning to the sound of clanking metal. He opened his eyes and his first impression was off Sangilak, clad in silver armor. The dragon was threatening on any day, but all decked out in battle gear, Zuko had to remind himself that Sangilak wasn't going to roast him where he lay.

Interlocking plates fit over Sangilak's neck, another plate hooking down over his head, leaving his jaw free to open and close. A spiked plate was strapped to the end of Sangilak's tail. Nothing covered his wings, but armor encircled his legs. On his back between the spikes where Kyuri usually sat, a molded saddle, complete with intricate knotted stirrups sat, waiting. In front of that, bandoliers containing dozens upon dozens of knives were strapped over his shoulders.

Kyuri herself was tightening the girth of the saddle when Zuko saw her. He sucked in a breath.

She was dressed in her armor. It consisted of loose black cotton pants that were taped at the calf, high, black, armored boots over top. On top she wore another loose black cotton shirt, but none of it was visible. It was covered by the largest piece of her armor, a long-sleeved mid-calf length tunic split to her hips on both sides, a black leather belt holding her swords at her hips. The tunic was special because the entire thing was armored, not with metal, but with some of Sangilak's shed scales. Kyuri glimmered and shone like a dragon as she moved, the ends of her tunic swishing around her legs as she moved.

Kyuri turned to look at him and saw that her blue face paint was back for the first time in days, making her look vicious. But then she gave him a small smile, eyes softening, and she was his Kyuri again.

"Morning, sleepyhead," she said with a laugh.

"Morning," Zuko said, pulling himself from the bed and going to her side. He kissed her softly and ruffled his hair, moving towards the bath. He cleaned himself off quickly and dressed, hooking his swords over his shoulder. He emerged from the screen to see Kyuri standing beside Sangilak, frozen, her head cocked curiously and a small frown on her face.

"Is something wrong?" Zuko asked worriedly, coming towards her. Kyuri turned to him in a rush ad leapt at him, one hand fisting in his hair as she kissed him fiercely. Zuko, though stunned, was not displeased, and kissed her back happily.

"What was that for?" he asked when she pulled away, cheeks red.

"I suppose," Kyuri began softly as he folded her against his chest, "it just hit me that I could very easily die today. Of course, I've fought soldiers before, and they would have happily killed me, but…"

Zuko pushed her back, looking at her sternly. "Don't you dare think like that, Kyuri. Don't you dare."

Kyuri gave him a small smile. "Sorry. I just… I don't know," she said, frowning. "I feel odd. Almost like I'm expecting to die today."

"Don't," Zuko said jerkily. "Don't even joke about that. That's… just don't."

"Alright," Kyuri nodded as she went to Sangilak's side and lifted herself into the saddle. Zuko pulled himself up behind her and they rode out of the room, joining the flow of Dragora moving through the halls to the surface of the island, their glimmering Dragora seeming to blend in with them, making one creature.

The top of the island was crowded as they emerged. They were some of the last. A few had come up as early as the night before to claim their spots in their respective troops. Zuko saw that they were laid out in two rows of troops, seven in each, with Zhenzhu atop her dragon at the head of the columns.

There was little noise as Kyuri took her at the head of the 11th Wing. Chay gave her a glare as she took her place, but Kyuri remained tall and proud in her seat, Zuko behind her.

Finally, Hua roared, spraying the sky with fire. Everyone turned to the front where Zhenzhu sat, the fire dissipating around her.

"Today, we go to battle," she said solemnly. "We go to reclaim the reputation the Dragora once held, as great protectors and scholars, instead of the thugs of the Fire Nation. We go now to the Fire Nation capitol, and we will show them what fire really is. We will burn them to the ground and show them that we may have faded into the background, but we still exist, and we are a force to be reckoned with! Into the sky, to win or die!" Zhenzhu roared.

"Into the sky, to win or die!" the Dragora screamed, and the dragons roared, spraying the sky with fire. It was like a wave as the Matriarch took off first with her guard, and then the dragons behind her, and so on, to the back.

"How long until we reach the capitol?" Zuko asked Kyuri as they flew.

"A matter of hours," Kyuri said. "The dragons are itching to fight. They're moving fast."

From the back of the procession, a hum began, soft at first, and then rising in volume. Zuko twisted in his seat and looked back to see many Dragora exchanging glances and smiling, joining in with the hum. It spread through the ranks, all the way up to the front.

"What's going on?" Zuko asked Kyuri, who glanced at him over her shoulder and smiled, eyes sparking.

"You'll see," she said, and Zhenzhu began to sing, the others joining in quickly.

"Maiden, Warrior, Mother, Crone,
Help us keep this land our own
Rover, Guardian, Hunter, Guide,
With us now forever ride!

Gold the down-sun spreads his wings
Follow where the East-wind sings
Dragons, sisters, side by side,
To defend our home we ride!

Eyes of Hawks the borders see
Watchers, guard it carefully
Let no stranger pass it by
Daughters of the Dragon, now fly!

Maiden, Warrior, Mother, Crone,
Help us keep this land our own
Rover, Guardian, Hunter, Guide,
With us now forever ride!

Speed of Deer, oh grant of these
Swift to warn of enemies,
Fleeter far then any foe
Deer-child, to the border go!

Cunning as the Wolf-pack now,
To no overlord we bow!
Lest some lord our freedom blight,
Daughters of the Dragon now fight!

Maiden, Warrior, Mother, Crone,
Help us keep this land our own
Rover, Guardian, Hunter, Guide,
With us now forever ride!

Brave, the great Cat guards her lair,
Teeth to rend and claws to tear
Lead the battle, first to last,
Daughter of the Dragon, hold fast!

Hawk and Cat and Wolf and Deer,
Keep the Plains now save from fear,
Dragons, sisters, side by side,
To defend our home, we ride!"

"A war song," Zuko realized. Kyuri nodded in affirmation and lifted her voice, adding to the song.

The Dragora kept the song going as they flew, repeating it over and over. Zuko soon joined in, caught up in the excitement built by the song and the prospect of battle. He held Kyuri tightly and she pressed against him willingly, tossing her head back and crowing the words as they went.

The Dragora were still singing when they soared over the capitol. On the ground, heads of both sides raised as they began to hear the words. Words were followed by roars, followed by gigantic, scaled beasts that cut through the air high overhead in formation. At some unspoken command, they peeled off and began to barrage those below. One group peeled off, fire flying from riders and dragons as they passed over lines of tanks, melting metal and cooking those inside.

"The Dragora," Katara breathed.

"Kyuri," Sokka realized as he saw a familiar figure soar overhead on an ice-blue dragon.

"Way to go, Icicle," Toph grinned as she heard the roars.

Kyuri dove for the ground, depositing Zuko amongst the fighters to do his work on the ground. She sent a barrage or knives at the group of Fire Nation soldiers who rushed at him, taking them down easily. Sangilak grabbed a komodo rhino in his back feet and dragged it into the air, regardless of the screaming solder on its back. When they were high enough he released, and the thing crashed to the ground on top of another komodo rhino.

"Chay, take two others and go after that group of tanks," Kyuri roared as she flew past them. Chay didn't bother to give a dirty look as she pointed to two of her friends and they dove.

Some commands were given in voice, but most were given through thought. The Dragora were a remarkably silent force as they tore through the Fire Nation forces below. As the soldiers in red began to panic, those in blue and green raised their voices in cheers, driving forwards relentlessly.

In the air, Kyuri kept a half an eye on Zuko and began reaching out to a few other Dragora through Sangilak.

"Qin, can you send Fang's son to Aang? Tell him to guide him to Ozai. He deserves a little justice too for his father's death."

The head of the 4th Wing responded with a curt affirmative and gave the order. Kyuri breathed a sigh of relief as she watched a red dragon peel off from the fight and streak off to the east. Her eye caught on a group of three dragons on the ground. One was downed, its rider on the ground with her head tilted at a sickening angle showing that her neck was broken. The dragon was sporting a broken wing and being tended to by two healers, their dragons trying to guard against advancing attacks. However, they'd become pinned in place against a wall by four tanks circling them.

"Sangilak, down!" Kyuri ordered, sending out her location to the rest of her troop in case they needed her and telling the healers she was coming to their aid.

Sangilak swooped with a roar, slamming a shoulder into one tank and sending it skidding against the wall and partially up it. He bathed it in flame and slammed another with his tail, the metal spikes digging into the walls. Kyuri slid off his back and drew her swords, leaping to the top of one of the tanks. She opened the hatch and dropped inside.

It was dark and sweltering, the smell of coal and sweat filling the small space. Fire burst from a corner to her right and Kyuri ducked under it, rolling along the ground and hamstringing the one who had attacked her. She turned to a group of two Firebenders who were advancing on her and sheathed her swords, reaching out with her hands as she froze the sweat around their necks, pinning them to the wall behind them. She held them there, squeezing the ice and keeping it in shape as they tried to melt it. They both slumped soon after, unconscious.

Kyuri cried out as a spear point glanced off the back of her tunic, tossing her forwards to the ground. She wasn't cut, but she would definitely have a bruise across her back. Kyuri rocked to her feet and pulled a knife, sending it flying. It dug into the meaty part of the soldier's upper arm and he howled, dropping his spear. Kyuri swung forwards and seized him, striking up his other arm to make it limp as well.

That done, she leapt out of the tank and caught Sangilak's tail when he flew overhead. He was helping the two healers and their dragons carry the downed dragon a safe distance away. the dead Dragora's body was still lolling in her saddle, strapped in by her legs.

Kyuri shook her head sadly at the sight as they deposited the dragon on the beach near the submarines the invasion had used to get into town. It had already been turned into a make-shift hospital, several healers having left the air to tend to the wounded and other standing guard against any soldiers who should come down.

With a nod to the healers she had helped, Kyuri took to the air, heading to the main battle again.

"Took you long enough," Chay shouted to her as they passed and Kyuri shook her head, scoffing.

"Chay, take a group of three over to the north and help the Foggy Swamp benders."

Chay responded affirmatively and Kyuri began to do sweeps, gathering nearby members of the 11th Wing to her when she found knots of Fire Nation soldiers that they could roast before sending them off to the aid of a few others.

Aang was caught by surprise when a red dragon soared out of the clouds overhead and swooped around him to come up beneath, coaxing him onto his back. Aang closed his glider and clung to the spike in front of him like he'd seen Kyuri do countless times.

"Who are you?" he called to the dragon. A growling male voice responded.

"I am Claw, son of Fang, slain by Sozin. I have come at the behest of Dragora Kyuri to guide you to the Fire Lord."

"You can take me to him?" Aang demanded happily, thrilled by this turn, and mentally thanking Kyuri. He should have known she'd send a dragon to his aid. He had no way of knowing that she'd brought much more than just one dragon to help his fight.

"I can feel his mind," Claw responded. "I can sense it as clearly as if he stood right in front of me."

"Then lead on!" Aang cheered.

Kyuri panted as the rolled away from an attack. She'd come down to the ground to help another group of healers being harried by tanks, only to be separated from Sang when a group of tanks ran into him, tossing him away. Soldiers had come at her, fencing her into a corner.

"Look at the little Dragora," one of the soldiers taunted. "You're not much without that dragon, are you?"

"Shows what you know about Dragora," Kyuri huffed, flicking hair dripping with sweat out of her eyes. One soldier to the right lunged at her and Kyuri took him down with a few quick slices from her swords, effectively disabling both his legs and arms by severing muscles. Another came at her with a blast of fire. Kyuri ducked under it, gathering her own sweat and forcing it upwards, making the fire glance off towards a third soldier. She popped up and came at the Firebender hard, pressing him back with her blades until he was the one in the corner. She made sure to stay close, preventing him from using any Firebending.

Kyuri kicked him in the chest when she judged he was lined up appropriately. He slammed back into the corner, his shoulder colliding with the wall. He cried out in pain as it popped out of socket. Kyuri spun and her eyes widened. She simply collapsed under the fire that had been so close to taking her in the face. Her elbow cracked painfully against the stone, filling her arm with pins and needles. Kyuri forced herself to ignore it as she twisted on the ground so that she was facing her attacked, coiled her feet under herself, and lunged, tackling him ungracefully to the ground. She seized his helmet and ripped it off before grabbing his head between her hands and slamming it back against the ground. He went limp, knocked out.

Sangilak smashed through the line of tanks as the dragon he had been guarding flew off with its bandaged Dragora, escorted by the healers. Kyuri swung onto her saddle and they took off over the fight, Kyuri directing a group of three Dragora she'd noticed working well together towards the group of tanks.

Pausing for a small breather in the air, Kyuri scanned the ground below for any sign of Zuko. She'd lost sight of him fairly early on and it was making her edgy, having no idea where he was.

Azula crumpled on the ground, clutching her blackened leg with sobs racking her body. She'd been so confident she could win when Zuko appeared out of nowhere and challenged her to an Agni Kai. She knew her older brother. He was all power and no finesse, whereas she had the best of both. But he was like a different fighter, moving calculatingly through moves and trapping her time and time again.

"How?" Azula screamed at him around her tears. "How did you do it?"

"Because now," Zuko said calmly, looking down at his fallen sister, in blood if not in name, "I have someone to protect."

"Who?" Azula choked out. "Who could make you that determined?"

Zuko smiled slightly. "You think I'm determined? You should meet her."

The battle suddenly froze. It didn't matter what side or how close you were to a killing strike, everyone froze as the choked roar, a sound of ultimate suffering, rent the air. As one, all heads turned towards the center of the fight where a huge purple dragon was rearing and thrashing its head, the roar fading to a whimper. Between its front feet was a crumpled form in a purple tunic, iron grey bun dyed red with blood that leaked from around the dagger buried to the hilt in the center of her throat.

"The Matriarch."

The whisper echoed around the still yard from the lips of many Dragora.

The fight was suddenly bathed in red light as countless sets of eyes burned with blood red light. Snarling faces turned on their opponents viciously, and no mercy was given.

"Sangilak," Kyuri reached out for his power.

"Gladly."

Her eyes flooded with red and Sangilak dove to the ground, slamming into a group of soldiers, crushing some of them and bathing even more in flame. Kyuri dropped and waded into the fight, power flooding through her as her arms slashed and hacked. Around her, many Dragora were doing the same, feeding off of the debilitating grief Hua emitted and channeling it into rage that they poured out against their enemies.

"You don't know what you've done," Kyuri growled at the soldier she quickly dispatched.

"Don't we?" whispered a voice in Kyuri's ear, and pain ripped through her stomach. It was cold and searing as it tore through her. Kyuri collapsed into the ground. A foot twisted under her ribs and kicked her over. Kyuri screamed in pain, her hands going to her stomach. Hot, red blood gushed around her fingertips as she felt the wound in her stomach. He must have known how to get through her armor, to find a chink between the dragon scales. Her eyesight blurred as she looked up to see a soldier standing over her with a sword dripping red with blood. Her blood.

Kyuri's mind snapped back to that night in her home when she had last seen a weapon drip with her blood. Her hand reached out and her own blood responded to her command, forming an icicle that shot from the ground, impaling the man through the chest. Kyuri's hand shook, dipped, and then dropped to the ground, her head following. Her eyes fluttered weakly, and then closed as she thought faintly.

I had a feeling I was going to die today.

I guess I was right.

The last thing she heard was an infuriated roar from Sangilak before everything faded from around he and Kyuri slipped away.

The song is adapted from Shin'a'in Warsong by Mercedes Lackey. You should seriously listen to it, it's really good at getting that whole 'we're marching to battle now, don't screw with us,' vibe across.