Disclaimer: I do not own any characters.

Kuvira watched as Su bid their visitors goodbye while silently fuming. She had bitten her tongue in front of the guests but could do so no longer. As soon as the door was closed, Kuvira was talking.

"Please reconsider, Su," Kuvira began. She could tell Su didn't want to hear any of it, and yet she continued. "The Earth Kingdom needs your guidance. They wouldn't have come if they didn't think you would be the best option."

Su looked at her angrily. "I made my opinion quite clear, Kuvira, and I would appreciate it if you didn't question me."

"You're going to turn your back on our nation!" Kuvira argued angrily.

Su glared at her, eyes narrowed. "I am doing what is best for my family and my city. I will not discuss this any further. Now I believe you have rounds to do." Kuvira stood in shocked silence for a moment. Then, she turned on her heel without another glance at Su and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. She couldn't believe Su wouldn't even discuss it.

Kuvira had never felt so angry as she left the study. She stalked down the hall, making her way to her room. She needed to cool off and to think to herself before her night shift. Crazy thoughts were racing through her head about what she should do.

She was just passing Baatar Jr.'s room when she heard an angry outburst. Kuvira stopped to listen. It was unlike Baatar to be angry, but she could sense his elevated heartbeat. He was upset about something just like her. She approached his room, her original plan forgotten, and pushed his door open quietly. He sat at his desk, papers strewn about like normal. But he wasn't working on a new project for his father. In fact, he had brushed most of the papers to the ground and was sitting in his chair, head in his hands.

Kuvira stepped into the room cautiously. "Baatar, is everything alright?" she asked. He looked up and met her gaze. Seeing her softened his furious expression slightly.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I wasn't trying to be loud."

"You weren't. I was just walking by," Kuvira began. Then she looked around at the messy state of the room. Baatar always kept his space tidy. "What's wrong?" she finally asked.

"I'm fine," Baatar said quickly.

Kuvira frowned. "You're obviously not." She sat down beside him on the desk. "You can tell me, Baatar. You and I both know that something's wrong."

Baatar looked at her briefly before looking down at his lap.

"It's always the same," Baatar said angrily. "Everyone else is their own person while I'm Baatar Jr., 'so much like his father.' I'm sick of it. They did it again when Tenzin and the President came. I am nothing more to them than that."

Kuvira placed a hand on his back gently. She didn't like to see him hurting, but she knew that this had always been a problem for him. It had never reached such an ugly state as this before.

"You're an amazing person, Baatar," Kuvira reassured him.

"Yeah because I'm Su Beifong's son who 'engineers all of her husband's projects.' That's not what I want to be known for," he argued. "I just want to make my own mark, show people I'm more than just their son. Everyone else has their own identity. Why can't I?"

Kuvira sat down next to him, contemplating her next words. She had been thinking about it since she had left Su's meeting with President Raiko and Tenzin. This seemed like a perfect time to voice her concerns.

"Then, let's do it," Kuvira said.

Baatar looked at her in confusion. "What?"

"Let's make our mark," she continued. "Your mother is doing nothing to help the Earth Kingdom, even when she has been asked by the President of Republic City himself. We can do it, Baatar. We can unite the Earth Kingdom. We don't have to live in this cage any longer."

"I don't know," Baatar said. Kuvira resisted the urge to roll her eyes. He was a lot of talk, but she knew that she could get him to agree with her. She had always had a knack for that.

"You can make your mark on the world and do something your mother is too weak to do. You can help build a city, no a nation, even greater than what your father has created. You can outshine them," Kuvira went on. These last words seemed to resonate with Baatar. The look in his eyes changed from apprehension to excitement.

"I can!" he said confidently. "I'll show them. They'll finally see that I'm not just their son. I will do amazing things."

Kuvira leaned forward, planting a small kiss on his cheek before turning toward the door. Baatar was blushing and looking at her shocked.

"We'll talk about it tomorrow," she said with a smile, turning and closing his door behind her.

She sighed. It had been a spur of the moment decision, but she didn't doubt she was doing the right thing. The Earth Kingdom needed a strong leader, and it would be her.

~AN~

Thanks to all who have been reading and reviewing. I really appreciate your support!

I don't think I have many drabbles written for young Kuvira so we're going to start getting into some that are around Book 3 and 4. Hope you enjoyed.

Until next week...