The speck in the sky was growing larger. Tazin watched it with nervous eyes and bated breath. He couldn't pinpoint how he felt. Scared? Excited?

For the first time in almost three years, Tazin had put on his old red robes. Though they were old, they felt new for having been untouched all these years. The gold symbol of his country was emblazoned on his chest, a symbol he hadn't dared wear for the feeling of failure it brought on. For the almost three full years he'd been living with Avatar Aang, Tazin had strictly worn borrowed clothes, the red clothes he'd come in tucked safely away in the closet of the bedroom he'd also borrowed.

The clothes felt stiff and unfamiliar. How had he worn these nearly every day for so long? They were so long and hot. His dark black hair, which Paloma had cut and done up for him, was in a top knot, the crown of the Fire Nation royal prince situated comfortably in it.

Aang sat next to him, and, sensing his anxiety, patted his shoulder.

They'd been in Republic City for a few days now. Tazin had already met so many important people from the Water tribes and the Earth Kingdom. Everyone was eager to see his face, to be assured that he existed and was not lost. Or building some army as the counselor at Aang's house had suggested. Everything had gone smoothly so far.

Tazin didn't really know what he'd been expecting anyways. Someone to ask him to prove he could bend on the spot? Of course not. So for now, he felt okay. He'd tried to remember all the things his father had taught him so many years ago. How to answer certain questions, how to stand, how to shake hands or bow, what to say, what not to say. He remembered it all better than he'd anticipated, which eased his nerves a little.

But as the dot in the sky grew bigger, a familiar sense of dread enveloped him. He'd imagined this moment, this reunion, numerous times in his head. Over and over on replay. Especially in the first few months after coming to Aang's. He, and everyone else, had thought it would happen much sooner than this. Tazin thought he'd be home and firebending within a few months. When a few months turned into a year, and one year into three, he stopped picturing meeting his father again.

And yet, here it was, forced upon him by the fates.

He sighed, trying to calm himself.

He looked down from the dragon that approached in the sky, his father's dragon Druk. Tazin could feel Aang's eyes on him.

"You must face him with confidence, Tazin. Not shame. He is your father above all."

Tazin couldn't think of words to say in reply, so he didn't. What would his father do? Stare at him. Shrug his shoulders and avoid his gaze. What son of his…what heir…could not bend?

Something welled inside of the prince, but he pushed it away. Was his mother coming too? His brother? Sister? Could he stand to see them all at once?

The sun beat down on them, but Tazin felt nothing. He was starting to forget what it used to feel like to be reenergized by the sun. Awakened. Brought back to life. Back to strength. How he missed it.

"Come," said Aang, and Tazin obeyed the Master, following him over to where the great beast was landing on an open lawn of grass outside the capital building.

He glanced up and saw two figures moving around on top of Druk. He looked away, tucked his hands into his sleeves, and followed behind the avatar. His heart beat fast in his chest.

Aang continued forward, but Tazin's feet suddenly stopped. He couldn't move them any more. They would not move. He froze.

He watched his father descend off the dragon. How well he knew that man. They'd trained together, worked together, laughed together. Tazin knew the way he moved, the way he walked, how his voice formed words. He knew that man better than anyone. Watching him step off the dragon was gut wrenching, because everything was wrong. This is not how this meeting was supposed to happen.

Tazin watched as Fire Lord Zuko quickly ran to Aang. He grasped the avatar's arms with his hands peering deeply into his eyes, asking a question. Though he couldn't hear them, Tazin knew what the question had been as soon as Aang pointed to where Tazin was standing. His heartbeat quickened when his father looked at him. Identical gold eyes met for the first time in years.

That familiar feeling welled up inside of him, and tears sprung to Tazin's eyes as he watched his father run to him. The Fire Lord's face was filled with wonder, amazement, sadness, happiness, love, relief, and joy as he ran to his oldest son.

Tears fell down both of their faces. The feeling of his father's familiar strong arms wrapping tightly around him for the first time in so, so long was one he'd never forget. Tazin's tears fell onto his father's shoulder, the place all tears should land.

"Oh, my son."

The tears fell faster. "Dad," he whispered, his voice hoarse. Tazin returned his father's embrace with equal strength and vigor.

The pair stood still a moment, the rest of the world disappearing.

Aang couldn't tear his eyes away from them, tears welling in his own gray eyes.

Zuko finally released the grown boy. He looked right into his eyes when he spoke, a strong hand gripping his shoulder. "I have missed you." His deep voice broke, and he shook with his next breath. "So very much."

Tazin smiled. "I've missed you too…but…I…" More tears fell. "I still–" he couldn't bring himself to say the words.

Zuko put his other hand on Tazin's other shoulder and shook his head. "It matters little."

Overcome, Tazin's head fell, and he looked at the ground, letting the tears come freely.

Zuko embraced the boy again, holding on to him tightly, as though scared he might lose him for three more years.

The second figure from the top of the dragon approached the group, and Aang greeted her. "Azula. It's nice to see you again."

The woman frowned. "Is it?"

Tazin looked up. "Aunt Azula?"

"Hey kid," she said with a small but genuine smile. He broke away fully from his dad and hugged her. He never thought he'd miss the crazy woman so much, but seeing anyone from home was soothing in a way he hadn't expected. He looked around at all of them.

"Did anyone else come?"

Zuko stood tall, speaking to both Aang and his son. "I'm afraid not. Katara and Yue have been in the North Pole since a few days ago. They left at the beginning of the month, but I have since received word that they made it safely." He turned to Tazin. "I'm sorry."

"And…" Tazin wiped his nose, collecting himself. "And Kai?"

Zuko smiled. "He's covering things back home," he said. "But he was…sad he could not come see you."

Tazin thought of Kai as he knew him three years ago, the one who cared very little about the workings of government and cared even less about their father. What must have changed for him to step up to such a task. How Tazin wished he could talk to him.

"I understand," said Tazin, his voice growing stronger. He took a final shaky breath, finally feeling like he'd regathered himself. His father's strong hand was still on his shoulder, and Tazin found he didn't mind if it never left.

Avatar Aang also regathered himself. "Come," he said, motioning to the adjacent building. "There is much I need to discuss with all of you."

The hand stayed on his shoulder all the way into the building.

. . .

Iroh hobbled into the Earth Kingdom palace. It was no fun being old anymore. A part of him wished he'd just go and be done with this frail life of his. Tea and grandchildren were his only joys. But he'd made every kind of tea there was, mastered every kind and type until he made it to perfection. And he hadn't seen his three grandchildren in years.

Perhaps it really was time for him to just go. He sighed.

But he was happy to serve tea to the Earth King. It was one of his most favorite times of year. They had a good, easy flowing relationship. The king rightfully understood that he sat on his throne because General Iroh had won his kingdom back for him.

Hunched over his cane, Iroh approached the large wooden doors of the Jade Palace, home of the Earth King and his family.

He waved a feeble hand to the guards who recognized him and acknowledged him with a smile. "General Iroh," they each said in turn with a small bow of respect.

"Gentleman," he replied, hobbling into the grand foyer. He was greeted by a few other noblemen, all dressed in similar green robes. The young boy that Iroh had brought to carry his tea things trailed behind him. "Keep up, son. We don't want to be late for a meeting with the king."

"Yes, sir," he stammered, almost dropping an expensive tea pot. Iroh chuckled.

Once inside, they descended down a grand, carpeted staircase. The large double doors at the bottom were already opened. They walked through them, Iroh hobbling, the boy clambering around with the trays and pots and tea cups he was trying to balance.

The king and queen were sitting against the far wall on regal, elaborate thrones.

The king, King Huran, stood and smiled. "Iroh! Dear friend." He descended down from his throne, walking to greet the old man. Meeting him, Haran gently patted the hunched man on the back. Iroh chuckled in a deep, throaty way. "Your Majesty, thank you for having me again. It is always such an honor to see you."

"Of course, of course," said the king. He was a tall man, older than Chief Hakoda, Fire Lord Zuko, Avatar Aang, and even Chief Hahn of the Northern tribe. He became king of the mighty Earth Kingdom after the previous king decided to retire early with his pet bear. He was not, however, older than Iroh. "You are always welcome." Iroh smiled at the greeting. "Please," said the king, motioning to the small table they would all be dining around. "Do whatever you need to to set up."

"Thank you," said Iroh, pointing his assistant to the table. The boy obeyed his master.

"Would you mind," started the king as his wife descended to join them. "If one of my advisors joins us?"

"Not at all," said the old general. "By all means."

So the king departed to fetch his advisor, and Iroh watched the boy set up the saucers and teacups, and the burner for the teapot.

Soon enough, Iroh, the king, queen and a counselor Iroh learned was Counselor Wu, were all knelt around the small tea table.

Iroh made the jasmine tea in front of them, stirring and steeping and heating as necessary and until he was satisfied. When he was finished, the boy poured them each a small cup of the fresh tea.

"Tell me," started King Huran. "Do you hear much from your nephew?"

Iroh chuckled internally, sipping his tea with a small smile. Anymore he felt people only talked to him to ask about his nephew. Of course, he was okay with that. He enjoyed talking about Zuko more than about himself, if it was for the right reasons. He set his teacup down on his saucer. "If I am being honest, Your Majesty, I do not hear from my nephew nearly as much as I should hope to. He is, I dare say, a very busy man."

"Yes," said Counselor Wu. "So we hear."

Iroh smiled, sensing but deciding not to acknowledge the double meaning in the counselor's statement. Iroh was old, but he wasn't slow.

"Well then," said the king. "Tell me. What did you hear in your last report? It's been so long since I have communicated with the Fire Lord. What is the latest news?"

Iroh took another sip of tea. "I've heard my grand niece is growing to become a feisty woman. Many compare her to her father's sister at the same age. My niece."

"Princess Azula?" asked the queen.

Iroh chuckled. "Yes, I'm afraid that's the one."

"I daresay," began King Huran. "That I hope the young princess is not becoming too much like her aunt."

"I wonder what you mean by that, Your Majesty?" Iroh asked, setting his tea down again.

The king cleared his throat. "Only…well…"

"You mean," said Iroh, his voice old and raspy, but purposeful and clear. "Is she becoming a bloodthirsty child with a lust for single-handedly conquering earth kingdom strongholds from the inside out?"

The boy who was attending them let out a laugh which he unsuccessfully disguised as a cough. He cleared his throat. Everyone at the table besides the old man was uncomfortable. Iroh smiled. "You know." He took another sip of tea. "I'm not really sure. They didn't get that specific in the letter."

Only silence followed his statement. The three others were staring at him. Iroh laughed. "That was a joke, Your Majesties. You can laugh."

The queen laughed nervously. "Of course," she said before taking an awkward sip of her own tea.

"It is interesting," said Counselor Wu. "I heard reports that the crown prince was living with the Avatar. But I actually visited with the Avatar a few weeks back in his home. The prince didn't appear to be living there."

"Hm," said Iroh. "Interesting." Another sip of tea. "But you know, Paloma makes the best soup. I hope you had the pleasure of enjoying some."

Counselor Wu flashed a tight-lipped smile. "No," he replied. "I didn't have the good fortune."

"So," the king tried again. "You don't know where the young prince is?"

"Whenever I'm there he's usually glued to his father's hip. I can't imagine he'd be anywhere else." Iroh called his service boy over to clear some of the cream and sugar tins away. "But I will say this. We must live in a funny world when so many people have become interested in the whereabouts of a twenty-something boy. I'm amazed how often I'm asked about young Tazin."

"The boy is hardly insignificant," said the king. "He is set to rule after Zuko afterall. Zuko has proven himself, but the boy hardly has. Many are concerned about what type of ruler he will be." He let out an easy laugh. "Nobody, of course, wants a repeat of–"

"You know," said Iroh, controlling his annoyance and anger easily. "Everyone professes to be interested in Tazin, but when I tell them that Tazin is a magnificent Pai Sho player, far better than his father ever managed to be, they don't ever care. So excuse me, Your Majesty, if I do not find your interest in my grand nephew to be genuine. Experience has disappointed me on this matter."

The king's face hardened, and he cut the obligatory kindness. "Where's the boy?"

Iroh laughed. "I did not lie to you. I have no clue where the boy is. But again, I don't understand why his whereabouts are so important to you, or to anyone!"

"He comes from a family of–"

"A family that deserves as much privacy as any, but one who is hardly ever bestowed it."

"Stop interrup–"

"I will not," Iroh replied with a wrinkly smile. "You're being quite rude now."

"Zuko's building an army, isn't he?" shot the Counselor.

Iroh sighed and stood. "I had so hoped this would go differently." The king slammed his hand on the table, rattling the delicate china. "Oh, dear," whispered the old general.

"You can clear his name now! Or at least clear your own."

"By what? Saying that my nephew is building an army to reconquer the world in the name of his father? Or by saying that he isn't? I have no idea if that's what Zuko's doing! Though I highly doubt it, and find it quite ridiculous that you have been led to believe such a rumor. You're blinded by fear and old prejudice, Your Majesty. The Fire Nation is no longer your enemy."

"How dare you speak to the king this way!" shouted Wu. The queen's face was fearful as she looked between all of the men.

"Perhaps you forget who made it possible for your king to sit on his throne, Counselor. The Earth Kingdom did not reconquer itself." Iroh's voice was soft, but sharp as a snake. His words could not be misunderstood.

The king spoke next. His eyes were slits. "Your avoidance of the question, Iroh, your inability to give a declaration that Zuko is not doing this has proven not only where your allegiance lies, but has affirmed in my mind all previous suspicions of Zuko's character. I could put you in jail for this, General."

Iroh swallowed his last sip of tea. He felt the flame it fed inside of him, that low burning inner fire he always had. Rarely did he use it anymore, but he never let it go out. Never. "Suspicions of Zuko's character?" The king seemed to realize he'd overstepped. "My inability to confirm or deny with any honesty the decisions and actions of my nephew somehow corroborate your pre-set, incorrect assumptions of his character?"

The king, queen, and counselor were silent. The boy finished gathering the china and soon the pair of them were ready to leave. "I see nothing that I've done which you could put me in jail for. So if you try, do not fool yourself into thinking that I will, as they say, 'come quietly.'"

The king stood, and then Wu. Both towered over the feeble, hunched old man. The tea boy watched with wide eyes. He didn't think his master quite had the skills or strength to back his threats up.

"Iroh, if you admit to me that he is, you'll be cleared from any blame or collusion charges."

"Zuko is not building an army."

"You're lying, which proves you're working with him."

Iroh laughed. "What a fallacy that is," observed the old man. Just then, thirty or forty Dai Lee agents appeared from behind columns, wall corners, and candle fixtures. Their eyes were hidden, their hands gloved. "Oh, my. I did not realize the Dai Lee was still in operation."

Wu glanced at the king out of the side of his eye. Iroh, who'd been standing next to his attending boy prepared to leave, handed him his cane. Though he already had very full hands, he took it.

"Wan, why don't you head back to the shop? The dishes will need to begin soaking. I'm going to continue speaking with the king. Would you leave a note for Ms. Bei Fong that I'll likely miss our meeting tomorrow. You can explain everything you've witnessed."

"Yes, sir," said the boy, clambering awkwardly out of the large throne room. He didn't have any desire to be there any longer than he needed to. He'd never seen warriors like the ones now standing all around them, and he didn't like it. The way he couldn't see their eyes, the rigid way they stood, hardly even seeming to breathe. When Wan had disappeared, the Dai Lee agents moved to block the exit.

Iroh turned back to the three people still seated at the small table. "Is this supposed to be a threat, Your Majesty?"

The king sighed. "I can't take risks, General. If Zuko is planning to reconquer, the Earth Kingdom must be strong. If you're working with him, then you're working against us."

"You know," started the old man, standing taller, stronger, out of his hunched position. "People used to have more sense. Used to not…ah…doesn't matter, I suppose," he said with a wave of his hand. Turning to Wu, he asked, "I assume you've discussed your concerns with Avatar Aang?"

"I tried. He refused to see reason as well. But our spies–"

"And," said Iroh. "Who is planning to represent the Earth Kingdom at the Council of Nations meeting at Republic City in the coming weeks?"

Wu seethed, hating having been interrupted after being asked a direct question. The king spoke up. "I'm going myself."

"Wonderful. Perhaps you can talk to my nephew directly."

With that, Iroh turned to leave. Now, however, he was no longer the hobbling old man he'd been coming in. Something changed. A younger version of himself had sprung free, and he moved with the strength and grace of a Master Firebender half his age.

At his first step, ten or so Dai Lee agents shot their gloves at him. Another five jumped near him, surrounding him. Iroh defended gracefully, not missing a shot or a step, his flame burning hot as fire from the heart of a volcano.

A few Dai Lee agents were taken down. Others jumped in to replace them. The old man dodged and stepped and ducked and parried like the master he was. The Dragon of the West. The thorne room was singed and burning in no time. The queen had squealed, her husband quickly commanding her to take cover in another part of the palace. She picked up her skirts and dashed out of the room. The king and his advisor stayed to watch.

For a one against forty fight, Iroh fared extremely well, the full extent of his firebending no match for anyone or any group.

When his path was cleared Iroh blasted himself out of the throne room, up the grand staircase and through the front doors.

"AFTER HIM!" yelled the king, but few of his warriors were left. He ran himself, but when he crossed the threshold of the palace, staring out onto the front stone patio, there was only a little bit of disturbed dust. General Iroh was gone.

. . .

The wind blew her hair around her soft face. Kai lifted a hand to brush it away, wanting to look closer at her eyes, her smile.

Naya laughed and the sight was beautiful. Kai watched the way her nose scrunched, the way her eyes crinkled when she closed them in a laugh.

And it burned inside of him, that love, devotion. How had he ever lived without her?

The leaves of the tree rustled in the cool autumn wind. It was October, and this was about as cold as it would get in the Fire Nation.

Kai relished it.

"Naya," he whispered, tucking a black strand behind her ear. She gazed at him, smiling a sad smile.

"I've missed you so much," she said with a sigh, lifting a hand to his face. Kai covered it with his own, holding it to him. Her skin was so soft…so warm.

"I–" His voice caught in his throat. He couldn't get the words out. Something about this was healing a wound inside of him. "I've missed you…more than you will ever know." He took a shaky breath, looking away. "And I'm so, so sorry, Naya…"

She shook her head earnestly. "No. This was not your fault. The world is cruel, and we were young. Innocent things get hurt the most in a world such as ours."

"I should've…" He wiped his eyes. "I didn't…It was my fault…"

"Stop," she said again. Bringing a second hand to the other side of his face, holding him completely. "Look at me."

He did. "I love you, Kai. I do. Even still. And I am with you…always."

Kai felt a tear fall. Was this real? Was he really here with her? How…how could it be possible?

She calmed him, wiping away his tears and pulling him closer to her. He let her, breathing in her smell. It was so painfully familiar. This had to be real. He could smell her.

Naya rubbed his back for a moment, then pulled away. "I need to tell you something."

Her voice was earnest, worried. Kai watched her. "What is it?"

"Your family is under attack. Your father and mother are unaware, but they are in danger. Yue and Tazin too."

"What?" Her words were not processing in his mind. "I don't understand."

Naya looked behind her, into the leaves of the tree they were sitting in, as though someone had called her name. She turned quickly back to him. "I don't have much time. You must listen to me."

"I don't–"

"There's a siege planned. On the palace."

"Here? This palace?"

Naya nodded. "Yes. They know your family is gone. This rebellion group has support from all nations outside of the Fire Nation. The Earth Kingdom, the Water Tribes. They have spies everywhere. You must–"

She stopped. Her figure was fading.

"Wait!" Kai reached out to her but she was a ghost. His skin touched nothing, his hand floated in the air.

Her hazy spirit smiled at him. "I love you," she said sadly.

Kai felt himself screaming out to her…screaming her name over and over.

The prince sat up in his bed with a sweat. He was breathing heavy, shoulders rising and falling with each breath. The sheets were damp from the sweat and stuck to his bare skin. He hurriedly untangled himself from them.

Naya's name was still on his lips, as though he'd really said it…as though he'd really been with her.

Kai looked around the room quickly, still breathing heavily. The room was empty except for a changing screen and messy desk. He stood, pacing the room, trying to recollect himself.

It was a dream…it was a dream, he told himself, running a hand through his brown shaggy hair.

But her words didn't leave his mind for the rest of the night.

. . .

Yue flew backwards as a blast from Korrek shot her towards the wall of the open-air arena. She landed on the hard ice painfully

She scrambled to her feet, gathering water around her to counter. But Korrek had run up along the wall. He jumped into the air, flipping and landing right in front of her.

Water dripped from her hair and clothes. Water droplets covered her face. She ducked a hit he threw her way and spun, pushing the water she'd gathered right towards him, using all the strength of her arms and legs.

He dodged easily though, taking control of the same water himself, freezing it, and sliding along it as though surfing.

As he circled her from the sheet of ice, he shot bullets of water towards her. Yue caught them in the air, separated them into ice spikes, and shot them back towards him.

Korrek was a moving target though, never giving her a good shot. He managed to avoid her spikes.

When he flurried his arms, Yue felt snow come up around her, lifting her into the air and hardening her arms to her sides. She yelped as it tightened. Her hair was caught behind her, and pulled her head back painfully.

Korrek slid towards her, holding a spear in his hand. He brought it right to her neck.

"Gotcha."

"Damn," she said to herself.

Yue bent the snow down until she was standing on her feet. Korrek lowered his spear. Her red and black tunic was ripped and wet. Moving her arms around, the water came off easily, leaving her dry but still cold. She was breathing heavy.

Spars with her mom lasted about the same amount of time every time. Yue didn't realize how used to them she'd been.

Though her mother was very technically skilled, Korrek was stronger, and could fight for much, much longer. Yue puttered out at around the same time every time she sparred with him. When that point came, her moves got sloppy, her feet got slower, her breath came heavier.

She had never realized this weakness in herself, and was annoyed to have discovered it now.

Yue and her mother had been in the North Pole for a few days now, which meant they'd been gone from home for almost three weeks. By this point on previous journeys to her mothers home tribe in the south, Yue itched to return to her own home. For some reason this trip was different. She didn't miss the heat, the sun, the sweat, the flowers, as much as she usually did. Though, she had to admit, she'd been missing the food since the first day they left.

"That was better," said the tall boy, his voice deep and heavy after the spar.

"Are you kidding? That was awful." Yue redid her braid, pulling back all the silver pieces that had fallen out during the fight. A few other benders milled about the arena, training and sparring.

Korrek laughed. "You have to stop being so hard on yourself, Yue."

"Why? I'll never improve otherwise."

"It's not a precision game," he said.

Yue thought of her mother during their training back home, the way she screamed at her to fix her wrists or her stance or this or that. She sighed, sitting down on the bench. Korrek watched her, the way she moved gracefully, yet with strength. His eyes slid from her face down to her waist, then…

"You keep saying that," said Yue, not oblivious to where Korrek's eyes had been. For some reason it made her think of Ryken. "But that just doesn't make sense to me."

Korrek sat down next to her, opening his mouth to begin to explain. But he was stopped when the chief himself entered the training arena.

A few of the other benders bowed, others left.

"There you are," he began to Korrek, his eyes shifting between them curiously. "I didn't realize you two had met."

"Yes," started Yue quickly. "By accident, after dinner one evening."

The chief gave a nod, then turned back to Korrek. "I'm leaving for Republic City in the morning. Seka is too sick to join me, so I thought it might be prudent if you came along instead."

"I don't want to go," said Korrek in a tone Yue had never heard from him. She looked closely at his face. His expression had changed. Only a moment ago it'd had that loose, content, care-free aspect to it that Yue had come to always expect from Korrek. But now, his jaw was set, his eyes thin, and his chin sharp. She saw his jaw clench. She'd never seen Korrek interact with the chief, she realized, and wondered if all of their interactions were this tense.

"Korrek."

"I won't." He looked away. "Not yet."

Then, Yue watched the chief do something she'd never seen him do to anyone else. It was the last thing she would've expected a man of his stature and position to do. Chief Hahn bowed to Korrek. "Yes. Of course."

Yue tried to imagine speaking to her own father the way Korrek had to the chief, but she couldn't. "Why…?" Korrek didn't look at her. "I hope you're not staying on my account. If your father needs you–"

"He's not my father," said Korrek kindly, understanding why she would think that.

Yue was stunned, her mouth opened slightly, eyes widened. "He's not?"

Korrek shook his head. "No."

The Fire Princess waited for an explanation, but received none. Curiosity burned within her. "Then why…"

Korrek sighed softly. He stood and began gathering his things. Yue followed suit and the two left the arena and strolled along the roads of the city. It was twilight now, and the sky was a soft pink. "The chief and his wife are what others might call…regents? I think that's the term."

"Like…stand ins?"

Korrek moved closer to her, moving them both out of the way of a large group of people who were walking towards them. He started to reply, but a few of the men and women in the passing crowd eyed Yue up and down, obviously perturbed by her Fire Nation attire. One yelled a slur, another called her a traitor.

Korrek, forgetting the conversation, turned to yell at them. Yue grabbed him. "Hey." He struggled. She gripped his arm harder, yanking him away as the group continued to walk away. "Hey!" He looked at her, remembering himself. "It's not worth it."

"But…" he pointed, his face confused and angry. "Does that happen often?"

"Honestly, I don't leave all that much. But it's happened a few times since I've been here."

Korrek shook his head. They continued walking. "I think the world is still more prejudiced than it seems."

"Yeah…" said Yue, folding her arms across herself. "I suppose that's true." They walked a few more steps. Then she looked at him again. "But you were saying?"

"Oh," he shook his head, brushing thoughts away. "Yeah." Then he paused, and looked as though he was deciding how to explain things. "Have you heard of Princess Yue? The previous one?"

"Actually I have," said Yue. "The chief mentioned her on our first day."

"Your parents never had before?"

"No," said Yue, trying not to be annoyed by that fact while also defending her parents to Korrek. "They probably didn't see a need to…"

"Well," he began. They continued up a small hill. The outer wall of the tribe was behind them. They were nearing the palace. "She was and set to be the chief of the tribe."

Yue looked over in surprise. "A woman chief?"

Korrek nodded. "Her father was Chief Arnook, and Yue was his only child." Yue tried to imagine the previous Princess Yue in her mind. What a strong, brave person she must have been. It couldn't have been easy. Surely there would have been objections to her inheriting the title of her father. "But," Korrek continued. "She died."

"How?"

Korrek's face went sad. "It was the day General Zhao of the Fire Nation laid siege on the tribe."

Yue swallowed. She hated thinking of the war. Hated studying it. Hated learning about it. All of it made her uncomfortable. She didn't say anything, but could feel Korrek's ice-blue eyes on the side of her face, studying her. She froze her face, put up all her walls so he wouldn't know she was bothered.

"When I was a kid, Hahn and Seka would talk of the black snow from that day. They'd only been a few years younger than me when it happened. I believe that was around when Hahn met your mom for the first time. And her brother." The moon was rising against the pink and purple sky. A pale orb in the sky, no longer full, but still bright. "People thought it would be over pretty fast, but the tribe was nearly destroyed in the first hour of the siege. After that, nobody thought we stood any chance." He paused. "Then…"

Yue looked up, hopeful, but Korrek's expression was still sad. "Seka used to describe it as a blood moon." The princess watched him. They'd paused their walk, standing on a deserted section of street. "The sky was red. And then…black."

"Black?"

"The moon disappeared, and everything went dark."

It was an unfathomable thought, the sky going dark, no light at all.

"Why?"

"General Zhao killed the moon spirit." Yue barely knew what that meant. Talk of spirits had not been common in her upbringing, and she knew little about them. "We knew the fight was over at that point. All our warriors lost their bending. But the avatar defended the tribe, and the Fire Nation ships left. Moments later, the moon came back."

"Aang brought the moon back?"

"No," said Korrek, shaking his head. "Yue did. That's how she died."

"But how?" asked Yue, holding on now to every word Korrek said.

"I'm not really sure. That's just how the story goes. Her sacrifice saved the tribe." He shrugged. Yue looked down, processing. "After she died Arnook was distraught beyond consolation, and his wife too. Yue had been their only child. There was no heir." They began walking again. The pink of the sky had disappeared, the light of the day was gone almost completely. Stars littered the sky now like a dotted blanket. "Arnook's brother stepped in to lead in his place, but Pahorak only had one daughter as well." Here, Korrek looked at Yue. "My mother."

"Which makes you…" Korrek nodded. "But I'm still confused," said Yue. "Where are your parents now then? Why aren't they leading?"

"They died at sea on a trip to Ba Sing Se. Hahn was appointed to step in until I was of age. "

Yue's face fell, and she looked away from him. The light of the moon shone down on them brightly. "I'm so sorry."

Korrek smiled sadly. "It's okay, it happened a long time ago."

"So Yue was your…"

"My mother's…cousin, I guess," he said lightly. Yue made a sound of understanding and they continued their moonlight walk. Yellow lights from the windows of the homes shone out onto the street. Families were lighting their hearths, tucking in for dinner and a quiet evening. "You sort of look like her, you know," said Korrek.

"My mother? Yeah, I know. Everyone is always–"

"No no," he interrupted. "Princess Yue."

Yue froze. "How so?"

Korrek turned towards her, stopping her pace. His hand went softly to her face, touching her hair softly. Yue's breath caught and she looked into his eyes. "Your hair." She swallowed. "There's a painting of her up at the palace. Her hair was just like this. Silver."

"What a coincidence."

Korrek looked at her earnestly. "Yue…"He whispered her name, as though about to ask her a question. Why did he not finish?

"What?" She moved closer to him, their faces only a few inches away now. She could feel his breath on her skin.

"I…" His eyes drifted to her lips, and Yue took that as the permission she'd been waiting for.

She kissed him fully and passionately, not wasting a single second's time. Korrek relaxed, as though he'd anticipated it. His arms were around her waist quickly, pulling her all the way against him. Yue's arms wrapped around his neck and she deepened the kiss, running hands through his shaggy brown hair.

It was another long moment before they broke apart for a breath. They stood still, the light of the moon freezing them in time. Yue breathed out a laugh. Korrek did too and Yue stepped back, looking down. She could feel her cheeks reddening and hated that. Though she felt it so rarely, embarrassment was one of her least favorite feelings.

They continued on, and the conversation went in a different direction. "I'm surprised your mother never told you any of this. I always heard that she and her brother were there with the avatar that day."

"Yeah, I bet they were," said Yue sarcastically. Then, more seriously, "My parents don't tell us much from those days."

"Why?"

She shrugged. "I'm not sure. Maybe because we don't ask? Tazin has heard a lot from my dad, but I've never asked much about it. From either of my parents."

"What's your dad like?"

Yue smiled. "Everyone's always so curious," she said, but sensing that this made Korrek feel bad for having asked, she said, "Not what you would expect, I suppose. I mean, he has a front, right? Like every leader. He has the Fire Lord side, and the dad side. Though the dad side has sort of disappeared in the last few years."

"Why is that?"

"Well, Tazin–" She caught herself. Speaking of Tazin was forbidden. That much had been drilled into her. She'd probably already said too much. Yue looked at Korrek, who was watching her. No. She couldn't even tell him. "Things have just gotten tough I suppose, just like for everyone."

"With your brother?"

"With all of us," she redirected again. "We've all got our own problems."

"What're yours?"

Should she share that her mother hated her? That she was a disappointing daughter? That her mother had wanted a sweet, obedient, quiet daughter but had gotten the exact opposite? Should she share how much that hurt her? To not be what someone wanted? No. "Probably that I'm a terrible waterbender," she decided.

Korrek laughed. "You're not a terrible waterbender!"

Yue punched him square in the gut, then pointed a finger right to his face. "You said the exact opposite straight to my face not even two days ago!" she accused with a smile.

He threw his head back, laughing harder, then he grabbed her hand. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Yue stalked ahead. "Hey come on! We were having such a great conversation."

He was pleased to see she was still smiling. Yue put her hands on her hips. Korrek stared at her. Hip popped, a strand of silver hair blowing in the soft breeze of the night. Her eyes were of the deepest blue, a stark contrast to the dark colors of her Fire Nation clothes. The moonlight softened her skin. Her hair seemed to shine brighter under the matching color of the moonlight. Unable to resist, he leaned in and took another kiss from her. She laughed a moment before falling into it herself.

He pulled away first. "What are your brothers like?"

"Are you seriously asking about my brothers right now," she asked, her arms still looped around his neck.

Korrek smiled. "I'm just curious. No one knows anything about them."

"Well they're a pair of hot-headed idiots."

Korrek laughed and dropped it. He wrapped his arms tighter around her and kissed her again, deeper. Meaningfully.

Something is Yue broke. Cracked. Some inner devotion she'd always felt to her country. Her home. With Korrek, it was like the part of her that'd always felt starved in the Fire Nation, the part she never acknowledged, was finally being fed and cared for. Here she matched. At home, despite her royalty and title, she was viewed as different. Here she wasn't.

As she kissed him, she remembered back to the night on the dark ocean, the way her hand had grazed the top of the water. The way she felt the tide pulling, far below her, deep in the depths of the water. She remembered the power of the wave, the way it turned in on itself. The white ripples of strength. She remembered how the current under the wave had grabbed her and tossed her, her own strength useless against the ceaseless, unending power of the water.

Here, with him, it felt the same, and she gave in completely.