A/N: I never learned you should stop loving fire because you got burned. Love and be loved. Read… and review!

"Not Mine."

[Spring 129 AG]

One lesson that Ganzaya learned long ago is that blood and bone do not hone the blade. His longsword and his dagger are not refined by cutting down his enemies in the heat of battle. Only iron sharpens iron, and he is beginning to believe that he can whet his blade upon the stone of a powerful woman. Over his many years The Watchkeeper had come to believe that no successor would ever come to save Lonlhai. In his mind, his darkest fear was that Lonlhai would fall and join the ranks of the old Air Nomad temples. As a boy the horror stories of the air bender genocide had stuck with him and haunted his dreams. He's spent his life in service of guarding his homeland from the same fate. As the years have worn on him, his blades have dulled. A few months ago though a woman of immense power arrived and now she sharpens his blade with her own. At this precise moment, he does exactly that; he runs his dagger against a stone in rhythmic, even strokes.

A fourth moon now dawns since the Day of Burning Rock. It had been declared that name by the ever faithful villagers, who believe the Spirits had led them out of their desperate situation. The story of how Miki and Aklaq had found On Jin near-death on the side of the road, saved her, and then she turned around and saved the village twice in a few days became an instant legend. Her speech at the bonfire that night only cemented it in the deep lore of Lonlhai Village for all-time, The Guardian accepting her place among them.

In the aftermath of becoming the protector, On Jin had asked the villagers in private to not speak of her blue fire and lightning abilities to those outside of the village. She warned them that spreading the story too far could invite greater dangers. They listened and agreed with solemn reference, especially with the Guru backing her in all of these conversations.

Over the last four months, the village has been rebuilding. Working to repair the damage, both physical and interpersonal. One such person not doing anything to assist with the efforts in either regard is Lonlhai's Warden, Thaki. He has been grouchy about The Guardian and her "partner," The Ghost, since their arrival. It may be best to describe their relationship as 'prickly'; Thaki acts like a prick, and Rangi refers to him as one. Right now, The Guardian, the Ghost, and the Guru walk through the village together, headed to Achak and Ganzaya's home after making some rounds. They are discussing their much maligned Warden.

"I just simply can't believe it to be true."

"Believe it, Achak." On Jin tries to convince him.

"I've known that boy since he was born. I was 12 at that time and now I am 66. Most of my life, and all of his. And I simply can't believe that he would-"

"Talk shit about gender betrayers?" Rangi finishes his sentence.

Annoyed, the Guru replies, "It just does not befit someone of his station. At a public village festival no less? With all the wandering ears? Knowing the treacherous state we're in right now? And besides, you both passed the Ice Dodging last week. You're not even considered 'outsiders' anymore!"

They arrive back at the hut, where standing just outside, off to the side, The Watchkeeper sharpens his dagger. On Jin comes to a halt when she spots him. Rangi and Achak proceed indoors, not realizing that On Jin had stopped. She moves forward and approaches to watch him work. Azula stays there for a few moments just watching the rhythmic work and listening to the satisfying sounds of steel sliding against steel. The sharpening of his cutthroat dagger, a practice fitting for a man who has spent his life preparing for the next fight.

"That's a good blade." She comments.

The Watchkeeper stops and stares down at it. Beside him his longsword is lodged into the snowy ground. He holds it in his hand and turns it over. It has an ornate handle, the shape of a dragon's open maw producing the blade itself. It is a reminder to himself of his lineage dating back to the Fire Nation, even if he himself is from Lonlhai.

In his classic slowed speech he replies, "Strong ore, very old. From a mountain on the island. It's name is 'Eclipse.'"

Azula nods. "Dragon on the end?"

"My mother was from the colonies," he tells her. "Wanted a new life. Came here."

"Have you ever been? To the Fire Nation?"

He turns briefly and waves a hand at his longsword, "I trained under the greatest swordsman who's ever lived."

"Piando?" She asks, remembering both that Zuko trained under the man, as well as the stories she heard throughout her life.

"Only time I left here," he labors through saying. Azula's eyes turn to his longsword. He continues, "My blade and myself were forged by the fires of his training."

He steps away from the whetting stone. He holsters Eclipse into its scabbard at his hip, then dislodges his longsword from the ground. He walks slightly away, into an open space for training.

"Moon's Veil and The Watchkeeper have defended Lonlhai since the day I returned with her."

Without further comment he launches into practice swings. He has to use both hands to lift Moon's Veil up off of the ground and slicing through the air. He is slow and labored. Azula cannot imagine how he would go about fighting others. She wonders if the longsword serves as a weighted training for the dagger. It's all fascinating to watch as he dances and parries with a dozen invisible foes. Azula realizes that they may not be imaginary enemies but rather previous ones, those who had come to kill the Watchkeeper and met with their own end instead. Perhaps, she thinks, one day she could ask him to train her in the ways of the blade. For now, it begs a question that Azula has been curious about for a long time with The Watchkeeper. Given that they aren't exactly close, she decides to take this moment to ask.

"Why do you keep fighting?"

He pauses his practice swings to look at her. She presses on.

"Sharpening your blades? Preparing? Fighting for this place when your enemies are stronger?"

He puts his sword into the ground and places both hands on the pommel. He thinks for a few seconds, shrugs, then furrows his brow as his golden eyes meet with hers.

"Long ago I swore an oath to protect."

She shifts the weight of her feet and digs deep.

"Don't you feel like," she pauses. "Like an immortal soldier? Going from one fight to the next, forever?"

Ganzaya sees much of himself in this woman. He does not do a good job relaying his feeling of connection. Instead he shares his thoughts on this matter which he has gathered over his many, many years. Though he struggles to talk, these words are important to him so he shares them all.

"There is no glory in stepping aside as the battle unfolds," he tells her. "The glory belongs to the one who is on the battlefield; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; and even who dies, because there is no living without eventual death."

The Guardian and The Watchkeeper stand in solemn silent understanding. She nods her head in acknowledgement and he continues.

"At best, the soldier on the field knows great success and peace, and at worst finds peace after life. But who goes to their grave knowing they dared greatly, so that their soul will never know the cold and lonely place of those who never fought at all."

She chuckles a bit at this last line.

"Those who never fought at all? You mean like the Warden?"

"Do you worry about him?"

Now it is Azula who shrugs. "I've heard rumors that he's going to try and oust me and Rangi."

"The Ghost?"

"Indeed. The Ghost."

"Why?"

She lifts her hands up with open palms, unsure of how to answer. She offers her opinion, "I think he's been unchallenged for so long. Now we show up and are changing this place. I believe he fears us."

"He will not act."

"And if he does?"

"Worry not, Guardian," he wretches Moon's Veil from the ground to resume his training. "Thaki has never been a soldier on the field."

The full moon shines brightly down upon Republic City. It's been over a year since Yakone was arrested and approaching a year since his bending was taken away. Various factions of gangs and mobsters have tried to fill the void, but their efforts are cannibalistic, feeding on each other in an endless loop of trying to stay on top. It is violence in its most raw form. Toph and the RCPD have a field day cleaning up the streets, keeping things at a tolerable level of turbulence.

Amongst the chaos, in the dark corners of the underground world, there are whispers. The most faithful of believers speak sweet nothings to those who will listen that their once proud leader will rise again. They believe beyond measure that Yakone will return to them, as he foretold when he made his daring escape from City Hall. True his bending was removed by the Avatar, but if anyone could return it and resume their place atop Republic City's underworld, it would be the man who dominated it for fifteen years.

"Ugh, please!" A woman struggles to breathe, underneath a pier by the Yue Bay. She is not held down by strong arms or an iron-like grip. She levitates off the ground and fears dying as a young boy moves his hands to keep her afloat. "I swear! I…don't know!"

"You were supposed to be the best of them." Kallik spits at her. "All the others said you would know!"

The young blood bender squeezes her tighter and she tries to cry out. She gasps and searches for air while trying to tell him, "He went…North…Pole. That's all…I was allowed to know!"

Suddenly, she falls to the ground and crashes into the wet sand and rushing sea water. She coughs and tries to catch her breath, afraid for her life and afraid of the young boy before her.

"The North Pole, hmm? So they were right. You did prove worthy." He starts as she huffs for air. Another voice in his mind speaks to him. He tells her, "Now that you've served your purpose, we're done here."

He raises his hands up.

"Wait, no-!"

He moves swiftly and her head spins around on her neck, snapping loudly. The water splashes and crashes into her body again and again. The water bender feels no remorse, he simply walks away from his latest victim. He whets the blade of his blood bending skills on the rock of Republic City's darkest souls. He finally has a direction to go in finding his mentor and teacher.

As a child, Kallik had survived death.

As an adult, he creates it.

It's shortly before high noon when Suki and Lomin arrive at their destination. A battered little Earth Kingdom village nearly fading out of existence lies before them. It was nearly a third of a day's travel for them, significantly cutting down on what should've been half a day's travel. They acquired mongoose lizards and a speed boat to make the trip much shorter than anticipated. Now they arrive before an endangered town known as Huwan.

"Alright, so how do we play this, Suk'?" Lomin asks her old leader and mentor.

"The adults will hide the truth, if it's real. The children won't know any better. Try asking them."

"Cards close to the chest."

"Do we know how to play it any other way?" Suki quips.

Lomin smiles, exhilarated to be back on the beat with Suki. She laughs and begins walking towards the town as she replies, "No we do not."

Suki had left an indelible mark on Lin and his life with her endless pursuit and rescue of him through the criminal labyrinth of Republic City. So when he arrived at her door, just after the turn of the new year, she was not surprised. What was surprising was the hand-written message from Azula that he brought her. It detailed the events she endured in Huwan and how 'The Unbroken' was actually 'the last Kemurikage.'

"I thought she was the last Kemurikage!? What do you mean there's another one!" Suki recalls yelling at Lin, although moreso yelling at the letter than the man himself.

At the time, Suki's daughter had just been born. She was only a few months old, so Suki refused to partake in such a dangerous exhibition. Now that it's been a few more months, she has asked Lomin to join her on this trip, as a personal favor. One of those 'don't ask me why, but I need you to do something with me' type favors. This was not a common occurrence for Suki, so Lomin obliged without hesitation. The plan was to come and poke around for a few hours and see what they could dig up, but Suki was hellbent on leaving by next morning to limit her time away to a maximum of a day and a half. Now that they've arrived they begin the research portion of their escapade.

"So, one last time, we don't tell them that we're Kyoshi Warriors, correct?" Lomin asks for confirmation.

"Right. We can say we're from Kyoshi Island, but I think if our contact finds out that we're Warriors, then they may go into the wind."

"And I shouldn't fear this 'Unbroken' that we're searching for?"

"From what's been relayed to me, she's not a bender nor a very good fighter. But she is dangerous."

"Approximately mid-40's in age?"

"That's right."

"With a possible facial scar?"

"Maybe. We'll see."

They approach the closest civilians and begin their search.

Katara reshapes the attack from her water bending opponent into a slope of ice and rides alongside of it. She moves too fast for her opponent, reforming it to swing behind them. By the time the woman can get her torso turned around, Katara is already flying in behind her. She delivers a soft blow to the back of the neck.

"Yaaah!" The girl screams as she falls to her knees.

Katara bends the ice around her feet so it finishes spinning around and she ends up standing directly above her defeated opponent.

"Had enough?" She gloats over the girl kneeling before her.

"That hurt, Mom!" Kya yells.

The soon to be teenager looks up and her teal eyes puncturing her mother with their anger and frustration at being defeated yet again.

"Don't take it so personally, Kya. You're much further along than others your age." Katara comforts with the platitude, offering a helping hand.

Disgruntled but not too proud to ask for help, Kya grabs the hand and is helped to her feet by her mother. They step away from their training grounds on Air Temple Island and walk off to the side where the waterskins await. They take some time to catch their breath and relax. Kya's water bending training had progressed into advanced lessons, with Katara only holding back slightly. If asked to give an honest assessment of her daughter's abilities, Katara would say she is competent and even strong in some areas, but not impressive either. She wouldn't dare say this to the young brunette, but Kya feels the pressure all the same.

"I'm not as good as you were."

Katara reaches a hand out and touches Kya's shoulder. She replies, "Just focus on yourself, Kya. Not what I was like at your age."

"You were a self-taught water bending master! Then you went and taught Dad! How could I ever live up to that?"

Katara sits up straight and tries a different approach. "You're right. I was strong. But that's because we were constantly fighting. We were in the middle of a world war, Kya. You don't have to be like me or your Dad, worried about Fire Nation Princes and Princesses coming to kill you. You can be your full self, without having to worry."

There is much truth in Katara's words. She was strong and she did help end the war. But over the years, her life has not been what she thought it would be. That's not to say she's disappointed, as it has given her and her children a glorious opportunity she was not afforded. She is blessed and knows it and she does not take it for granted.

All the same though, a nagging voice reaches out to her over these many years, telling her that she was meant for something more. She was once the most powerful being on earth, the greatest healer and a prodigy waterbender; she was a formidable soldier and the Avatar's significant other. She is not on the battlefield any more. Now her front is the field of motherhood. She is the reason the Air Nomads have not gone extinct and have another chance at life. No one would mistake her path as easy or unburdened. But it is not what she thought her path would be.

"Are you sure?" A pair of pleading, searching, teal eyes appeal to her.

She is not.

"Absolutely."

After an hour or so of failed attempts and blackballing by the townsfolk, Lomin finally is ready to take a break. They come to a stop somewhere in the center of town and huddle up. A young girl with jet black hair sits in front of a small tent, the kind the homeless or very low income in the village seem to inhabit. There's an empty chair beside her and she listens as the strangers stop in front of her 'home.'

Lomin mutters, "Well, I'm starving so I'll go ask around for a watering hole and see what I can gather in rumors along the way."

"Sounds good." Suki replies and Lomin is off.

When the Lomin's bushel of black hair disappears around the corner, Suki stands and feels very annoyed by the whole thing. She wonders if the whole village will just shut them out before they run out of time. As if a gift from Kyoshi herself, the young girl sitting a few feet away speaks to her.

"Hello stranger. Care to rest your feet?" She asks while waving a hand to the open seat beside her.

Suki considers the seat as well as the opportunity. Before she can answer though she notices in the tent behind the girl is the shape of a motionless body. She chases this lead first.

"Perhaps?" She replies. "Do you mind if I talk to whomever is inside first?"

"Hmm?" The young girl looks over her shoulder as if forgetting someone was in there. "Oh, no. Please come back later if you wish you speak to them. My host is a brittle old woman, and she's had the worst headache bothering her for the last two and a half days. She's finally getting some rest, I'd hate to disturb her."

Suki is empathetic to this, suffering from her own headache as they speak, although hers is more likely from dehydration. She gestures to the chair.

"Understandable. Can I still have a seat?"

"Please!" The young woman answers.

As Suki sits down she asks, "So your host? Is she not your mother?"

"No. No. Not mine. She's just a kind old lady, who's allowing me to stay with her, but she's not my mother."

"I see." Suki nods as she sinks further into the chair and feels the warmth of the sun sinking into her skin. From the seated position she finally notices the young girl is beautiful. Her jet black hair marvelously frames her thin, pointed face, and giant emerald eyes. She wears a golden pin to hold back the part in her hair. If Suki had to guess her age she'd say the girl was a pre-teen.

"Well, my name is Suki. It's nice to meet you -" she trails off, waiting for the girl to fill in the blank with her name.

"Oh! Sorry. My name is Yasuko."

"Yasuko. Very pretty name. Well, a pleasure." She reaches out a hand and Yasuko reaches back to shake.

Suki doesn't remember being at a wedding with this girl, because she was a toddler at the time. For the same reason, Yasuko doesn't remember the odd, quiet brunette woman at such event. At present, Suki makes light conversation while she soaks up the sun, "So, you're not from around here?"

"No, no. I'm from out East. Far to the east." The young girl explains.

"Yeah?" Suki considers asking where exactly, but the girl is probably not saying where on purpose. She shifts, "So what brings you to Huwan?"

Yasuko thinks, 'Rumors of a woman with blue fire.' What she says though is, "Well, I'm looking for someone."

"You don't say?" Suki asks, her interest piqued. "Me too."

"Yes. My Dad died a few months ago-"

"Oh no. I'm, I'm so-"

"Yeah. I miss him a lot. The healer said something was wrong with his heart."

"Oh goodness. What about your Mom?"

She averts her eyes as she tries to explain, "She died giving birth to me."

Suki sits up, her heart breaking for this Earth Kingdom girl. "My dear, what are you doing here?"

"There was a woman who was like a mother to me. I was traveling to the Dreaming City and then I heard she might be here."

"The Dreaming City? Like Republic City?"

"Yeah. Sorry, when I was younger I always called it the Dreaming City. It's where the Avatar lives and it's the land of opportunity and such. It's a dream just to live there."

"Well, I take it the woman isn't here?"

"No. But the people here have taken me in. Which, I'm really lucky to have. They weren't letting anyone in for a bit because of some incident. But they let me stay."

Suki feels like she has a pretty good idea what 'incident' she's referring to, but she plays it cool. This poor girl could be vital to unlock the secrets of Huwan. She prods the girl.

"I mentioned earlier that I'm looking for someone too."

"You did!" She smiles.

"When you arrived and were welcome into town, did you get to meet The Unbroken?"

"'The Unbroken?'" Yasuko asks, a puzzling look on her face. "Who would that be?"

Now Suki is the one who is puzzled. "There wasn't any kind of initiation or process involving someone? A leader in the town? Maybe a woman?"

Yasuko shakes her head with certainty. "No. None of that. I heard that due to the incident someone left town in a hurry. But I haven't really gotten many details besides that."

"Hmm."

"I also haven't asked for too much information. They're giving me a roof over my head. It's not my place to ask questions."

"That's smart. You seem very wise and capable for your age. How old are you exactly?"

"Thank you. I recently turned 13, and the women and people in my hometown who helped raise me were great role models. They taught me to never fear the wrath of fire."

Suki smirks at this phrase. She thinks about how it sounds like something Azula would say. Just then Lomin appears from around a corner, looking excited. She smiles widely at her partner.

"Hey! I found a place for lunch. C'mon."

"Alright, I'm right behind you." Suki tells her.

Suki turns and looks at Yasuko. Her own blue eyes meet with the green of the girl across from her. While Yasuko could not help her to locate the last Kemurikage that Azula spoke of, she nonetheless gave her valuable information and a heart wrenching story.

"Well, Yasuko, me and my friend are off to look for our person some more. Thank you for what you shared."

"It was my pleasure to chat with you, however brief." The beauty smiles. "Perhaps we can do it again later?"

"Ah. I'm afraid we aren't here for you long. I have my own daughter that I need to get home."

"Oh! How wonderful. What's her name? How old is she?"

"She's a newborn, about half a year old now. And her name is Hana."

"Well, enjoy your meal. And may the Avatar protect you in your journey!"

"Thank you. And if you ever decide to head to the Dreaming City, stop by Kyoshi Island on your way."

"Why? All I know about Kyoshi Island is that it is a dangerous and scary place."

Suki combats this notion, one she has heard for many years after The Decimation by Koh's Disciples.

"Well maybe you should stop by sometime and I can help show you the beauty of my home."

Yasuko flashes a bright smile as Suki gets up. Suki extends a hand and they shake. The young girl replies, "Thank you, Suki. I'll keep that in mind!"

With one last bright eyed glance, Suki takes off to follow Lomin. She had just had the most delightful conversation with the girl, filled with hope for the future world, even when personal tragedies interrupted life. She has a lead that the Unbroken, who was looking increasingly like the last Kemurikage, had skipped town after their duel with Azula. As she disappears around the corner, the smile fades from Yasuko's face.

"What did they want?" A woman's voice asks from the bed inside the tent, very much awake and not at all nursing a difficult headache.

"Don't worry about them," Yasuko answers without removing her eyes from the place where Suki disappeared to. "I led them astray. They won't be back."

The Guardian and The Ghost are passing through the center of town when a man comes to stand before them. His skin is as dark as night and his eyes a shiny blue. On Jin recognizes him as one of the water benders whose family is in a dire situation after the Day of Burning Rock. They realize too late that he is moving to stand in front of them. He swiftly uncorks a water skin and moves his body so the water flows out and into a whip above him.

Rangi asks him, "Ronam? What's this about?"

"Sorry, Ghost. But a man's gotta do what's necessary to provide."

On Jin steps forward, raising a hand not to attack, but to diffuse. She replies, "Hold on, Ronam. What's this about? Provide? How?"

"Just know it ain't personal." He replies.

Azula grows agitated, "What isn't personal?"

"This."

Striding up to them is Thaki, The Warden of Lonlhai. He is a small man, with his own set of blue eyes and dark skin. His hands are soft and smooth from never working a hard day's labor. He's ruled Lonlhai for eighteen some odd years now, after the King of Faces killed the last Warden. He smiles with all of the devious intention of a man who believes he's won the game already.

"You're reign of terror over Lonlhai is over, Guardian."

"Her reign of terror?" Ty Lee laughs. "I think you need to look in a mirror, Thaki."

"Are we really going to go this way, Thaki?" Azula challenges. "Paying Ronam to fight for you? You're just going to get him hurt."

"Ronam here might get hurt, yes," he concedes. "But he's not alone."

Now six more men make their presence known, appearing out of hiding nearby and stepping up to form a semicircle around the two women. Two earth benders and the rest are water benders, they all prepare their various elements and take aim at the pair across from them. All of them are desperate men who need the coin, even if they really believe in The Guardian and The Ghost and have come to like On Jin and Rangi. Thaki takes this opportunity to make a show of them, publicly denouncing the women.

"This pair of gender betrayers, are disastrous for our home!" He shouts as the villagers begin to gather. "They have brought with them nothing but trouble and despair. Had it not been for them, The Children of the Fifth Nation would've taken their offering and we would have never faced The Day of Burning Rock."

He smiles gleefully, his voice filled with joy, his chest swelling with pride.

"Anyone who has followed them to this point, I offer you an opportunity. Step back from their sacrilegious path, rejoin us, and you will be welcomed with open arms."

His voice now changes, his hands waving all about. He is hostile and filled with indignation.

"Or remain at their side, and brace for a premature meeting with Yue herself."

It is a difficult predicament for Azula and Ty Lee to be in, as they must disarm and defeat their opponents without lethal force. They dig their heels in and brace for a fight, waiting for the first move. Nerves build, anxiety spikes, and fear is present amongst everyone, a potential bloodbath about to ensue.

"Enough!" A loud, strained voice calls from behind Azula.

Everyone turns their attention to the old soldier striding up behind the Guardian and the Ghost. He comes to a stop and stands in between the girls, the benders, and Thaki. He lodges Moon's Veil into the ground, quite literally staking his claim on the plot of land between the assailants and the married women behind him. He strides up to the Warden and stops before him. His dagger is holstered, as always, in the scabbard on his right hip, his left hand resting on the pommel. A colossal showdown decades in the making now unfolds.

Staring with venom and a menacing tone in his voice, Thaki tells him, "This is my village!"

The Watchkeeper does not hesitate. His words are as sharp as his blade, his voice as strong as his longsword. His famous slow and deliberate delivery further driving home the point.

"Not anymore."

"HAHAHAHA!" The Warden laughs at him openly. It is boisterous and obnoxious on purpose, indicating the incredulousness of it all. In the background, Azula and Ty Lee remain ready for a street fight. They do not know what to expect next. The village gathers in mass to watch the showdown of a lifetime between the two biggest figures in the history of Lonlhai.

"Are those really going to be your last words, boy?"

In a moment that happens quicker than a strike of lightning, Ganzaya steps forward and unsheathes his dagger. Eclipse flies sideways through the air and then remains still, the shiny metal glistening in the sun. Up above, some birds flutter away when the gathered crowd gasps in collective shock.

Eclipse runs red with blood.

Thaki falls to his knees, grasping his slit throat, trying to halt the bleeding. He gurgles for air, looks up at his longtime nemesis. Ganzaya looks down at him with pity, and that is the last thing The Warden sees before collapsing to the ground. His crimson blood stains the immaculate white of the snowy ground.

"Not mine. Yours."

A/N: This chapter's OST is "Through the Valley" by Ashley Johnson.

Love always. Tyzula forever.

Notorious