A/N: I'm so excited about how this book is going! I love writing, and it means so much to have reviews from so many people! Thank you all. Anyways, this is kind of a filler chapter that I needed to put in for Ozai's absence. Also, for this chapter I did do some research about the Japanese Feudal Military Hierarchy, so check that out if you are interested. Please keep reviewing!

It was a sunny day in early spring when Ursa came to see him off. Ozai had asked her to come earlier than expected so he could speak to her. Her letters in response to his were growing more passionate and pronounced. Ever since she had opened up to him at the theater those many weeks ago, she was lighter around him. The tenseness and anxiety lifted from her shoulders and he liked seeing her that way. The only problem was that he didn't feel the same. It was if the nerves between them had shifted, then taking Ozai as their host. But his fears were not for the relationship or propriety, as hers was, they were all for his father. It made him anxious to think of war, definitely, but the prospect of disappointing his father was much more intimidating than death alone.

Ozai set down the scroll in his hands and pushed it aside. He always handed matters of the government and the military for his father; irksome tasks that were not trivial nor important enough to be desired by any of his father's officials. But Ozai was smart, and in all his twenty years he had never seen war, and so he made himself valuable in any way he could. It was one way in which Ozai prevailed over his brother and perhaps even the Firelord. Ozai was masterful when it came to issues of politics. But in the end, that never mattered. His father might have seen his prevalence in issues of the court, and indeed he did, but he did not particularly care. It was Iroh who was his pride, his joy. And it was always Iroh who was on the battlefield, it was always his eldest who returned home victorious, his enemies dead. What more could a Firelord want of his son?

There was a knock on the door of Ozai's office, and he blinked, coming out of his reverie.

"What is it?" Ozai asked, and a servant entered slightly.

"Lady Ursa of Hira'a is here to see you, Your Highness." After the servant finished with bowing, Ozai replied,

"Well, show her in." The servant only bowed again and disappeared around the corner.

Ursa came in several moments after, finding Ozai standing beside his desk, a hand resting on the dark wooden surface. She bowed gracefully, and her silky hair fell over her shoulders as she did so. She was radiant in a kimono made of black, gold, and red. Ozai smiled.

"Your Highness," she began, smiling faintly. Ozai chuckled at her mannerisms. She was a true lady, regardless of what she thought of herself.

"Lady Ursa," he replied in good humor, a sly smirk spreading across his face. He stepped closer to her, wishing that he could lean in and kiss her, but he didn't. He was giving her distance these past few weeks, as she wished. It was excruciating.

"I'm here to see you off," Ursa remarked, smiling. A moment of comfortable silence passed between them as the two simply looked at on another.

"I'm going to miss you so much." Ozai sighed gently.

"So will I," he remarked, taking her in. Ursa turned her head and smiled at him favorably.

"Can we go outside? It's beautiful." Ozai nodded, opening the door and ushering her out in front of him.

"I love your gardens," she spoke as soon as they walked together over the bridge. The cherry blossoms were just starting to bud, and soon the air would be filled with the beautiful, fragrant flowers. Ursa leaned over the covered bridge, looking out at the picturesque scene before her. The garden was immaculate. Every bush was tended, every tree was pruned. The grass was lush and vibrant, the relative effect of the volcanic soil in the caldera. The pond was accented by a small family of turtle ducks swimming in clumsy circles. Ursa leaned over the edge to watch them pass under the bridge. Ozai chuckled.

"Do you like them?" Ursa smiled again.

"Yes. I love animals," she explained. Ozai was standing next to her and his hand covered brushed hers on the rail. A shiver went through her at the contact. It had been weeks since she had felt his warmth against her. It was intoxicating when he finally took her hand in his.

"Maybe I'll give you a panda," he teased, "As an engagement present." He said this casually, but Ursa was in such a rush from his words that she dropped her hand from his. She was suddenly staring at him with wide eyes, her lips partly open. Her heart was beating already. She wondered if he was kidding. She took a moment and breathed, replacing her awed expression with a calmer one.

"An engagement present?" She asked quietly, trying not to sound expectant. Ozai only looked at her for a moment. The wind was blowing his dark hair back behind him and with his height and all his fineries he looked like a god. Ursa didn't know what to feel. But she did know that if he asked her she would most certainly say yes.

"Yes," he replied calmly, "Perhaps." He was quiet, and Ursa assumed he was still considering it. Considering her. She was wrong.

"Unless you would like something else, of course." He remarked, smirking. Ursa huffed and a smile broke out across her face. She laughed lightly. He was teasing her.

"Ozai," she chastised, and her eyes were alight with happiness. Ozai loved seeing her like that. The smile was still on her face when he drew her close and kissed her. The garden was empty and they were engaged anyway, she thought, and so she let him. She had been dreaming of this fire on her lips. Dreaming of him. As they continued he drew her even closer and she slid her hands up to his broad shoulders, and then she could feel his body pressed up against hers. A rush went through her as he slid his hands down her back. It felt amazing. When he finally broke the kiss they stayed for a while in the embrace, foreheads touching and her arms around his shoulders. She was breathing heavily and in their closeness Ozai kissed her one last time before he let her go. And then they were apart again, and Ursa hated it. She wanted to touch him again. To breathe fire again. But all she did was smile for him, as she was supposed to, and thought of the future. Ozai guided her with a hand on her back away from the bridge.

"We should be heading to the docks."

Ursa sat a the table, a perfect china doll. For once, she felt happy. Even though Ozai was gone, sailing far away from her at the speed of the eastern seas, she was happy. She sat perfectly still, eating slowly and delicately, a smile gracing her mouth.

"You certainly seem in good spirits today, dear," Rina commented, observing her daughter. Ursa only smiled wider at that, thinking of how her mother would rejoice when she shared the news that was waiting on the tip of her tongue.

"Yes, especially given that Prince Ozai departed today," Jinsuk agreed, minutely scowling as their servant poured him more tea. Ursa nodded silently, taking a sip of her tea. Her parents seemed to brush over her oddness and returned to their meals. And then, casually, as if she was discussing the weather, Ursa added,

"We're engaged."

Her parents both stilled. Her voice was nearly a mumble, and Rina wasn't sure if she had heard her right.

"What?" Rina asked, gasping.

"Ozai proposed. We're getting married," she repeated herself more loudly the second time. Rina gasped and clutched a hand over her heart as her father scowled in disbelief. She leaned forward,

"Are you in earnest?" Rina asked, out of breath at the idea.

"Yes."

Rina nearly screamed, pushing back from the table to embrace her daughter in a flurry of noise and excitement.

"Oh, gods!" she exclaimed, holding her daughter and laughing, "Engaged!" Even Jinsuk smiled, standing up from the table.

"I'm so happy for you darling!" She was ecstatic.

"I am as well darling," her father said as he embraced her, "Although I will undoubtedly be sad to lose you." Ursa smiled, her arms still around him.

"I love you, Papa," she said in a rare moment of verbal affection. He kissed her head.

"I love you too, Ursa," he replied.

"How did he do it?" Rina asked excitedly, her vigor for the idea of the marriage still intact. Ursa let go of her father.

"He took me out to the gardens- and proposed to me on the bridge." She said, biting her lip.

"Oh! How romantic," Rina said, "And right before he leaves for war." Ursa nodded.

"We'll have the engagement party when he returns from the front," Ursa explained, thinking of how long she would have to wait for his return.

"Wonderful, dear," Rina decided. She truly could not have been happier for her daughter. The marriage would be unifying and exalt their family name from out of the ashes of her father's treason. Roku had ruined their name for all she was concerned. But Ursa, her daughter, her lovely daughter, would save their family. She was sure of it.

"It is a long time," her father adds, "To wait so many months." Ursa looked at her father, thinking. Ozai would be so far away for so long, she knew. Conquering far off villages and kingdoms, tearing through the strong armies of the Earth Kingdom. But he would return, she knew it. His character was made of strength and independence, and surely he would not fail. He was a prince: untouchable. She would not fear for him. He would return, she was assured. And she could wait.

"Patience is a virtue, father."

A/N: Review please! It feeds the muse!