Yue loved her white hair; it reminded her of the snow surrounding Agna Qel'a.

"Hey, Mom..."

Sometimes, though, she wondered why her hair was white when she saw the people of Agna Qel'a look at her with wide eyes and whisper about Tui's blessings. Yue had failed to find anyone else in the entire northern Water Tribe with the same head of hair as her; even older people had more grayish hair than her pure white locks.

"Why is my hair white?"

Yue asked with a slight furrow of her brows, her head resting on her mother's lap as Luna chuckled softly at her daughter's antics. The night sky of the Northern Water Tribe peeked through the ice palace windows as Luna finished brushing her daughter's snow-white hair and began telling her a story.

"When you were tiny..."

It was Luna's favorite story by far.

"The moon spirit, Tui, blessed you."

It was the story of how the moon spirit allowed her daughter to cling to life, and she could tell her daughter was already entranced by it. Her daughter's sky-blue eyes widened with curiosity as Luna ran her hands through her daughter's straight hair and spoke with a soft smile, her tone littered with gratitude she couldn't even begin to express.

"She saved your life, and your hair became white when she did."

Luna owed her daughter's life to the moon spirit.

"It's a sign that she loved you."

It was only suitable to tell her daughter what the moon had done for her, and it seemed to have taken the desired effect. Yue's eyes widened, and her mouth fell slightly agape as she let out a small breath, her eyes flicking over to the window and towards the moon, resting silently overhead as she murmured under her breath, "Really?"

"Yes, Yue, really," Luna said with a slight chuckle, watching her daughter's mind, which was already quick for her age, try to figure out how the moon blessed her when it was so far away. The fastest answer that came to mind was nearly getting another chuckle out of Luna.

"Was it the moonlight?"

"Yes and no."

"What does that mean?"

"I'll tell you when you're older."

Luna said with a slight grin as she put her bone comb to the side of her daughter's bed, ignoring the pout on Yue's lips as she pulled back the fur-lined covers of the bed and tucked her in. One day, she would tell Yue about the Oasis, but the Northern Water Tribe's most extraordinary secret was reserved for those who were a little bit older than six.

"Now, what story do you want to hear before you go to bed, love," Luna said with a slight smile as her daughter snuggled into the bed, watching Yue close her eyes as if in deep concentration. A second passed before Yue spoke with a small smile, "Tell me about Tui."

"But I just did?"

"...can I hear another one? Please?"

Yue silently pleaded with her mom, who shook her head playfully, internally thinking about which tale of Tui she should tell before the door slowly clicked open. A man with long black hair and a beard poked his head in with a small smile, "Am I interrupting something?"

"Dad!"

"Hello, little Tiger Seal."

Arnook said with a smile, walking into the small room with a quiet step that hid his tiredness. The Fire Nation had been looking towards Omashu, and rumors of the Southern Raiders returning to commission had run rampant through the Northern Water Tribe. It had taken Arnook hours to get everyone on the council situated, but he wouldn't be the chief if he couldn't hide his utter exhaustion, so he gave a simple smile as he sat next to his wife and daughter.

"So, what were my lovely wife and daughter talking about?"

He could tell immediately that it fooled his daughter but didn't fool his wife, who narrowed her eyes at him. Luna opened her mouth to tell Arnook he should rest before Yue spoke eagerly, "Mom was telling me about how Tui saved my life."

"Oh?" Arnook said, glancing inquisitively at his wife, who shrugged in response.

"She got curious."

That was all there was to it, and Arnook found he didn't mind it. He had wanted to wait a little while to tell his daughter; he hadn't wanted to scare Yue with the knowledge that she almost died when she was born, but she seemed to be taking it well. Much better than when they told her about the Fire Nation, she had been scared to sleep alone for days afterward. She still had the habit of looking under her head for the fire-breathing monsters that burned houses and snatched children who misbehaved.

"Well then..."

Then again, Arnook could see how having a close call with death was less scary than those Ash makers.

"Why don't I tell her a bit about Tui."

Arnook didn't even blame her if he was being honest.

"I was there when Yue was blessed, after all."

Arnook said with a slightly pleading glance at his wife, who seemed less than pleased that he was avoiding the sleep he probably desperately needed. Her mouth was open and ready to deny Arnook's request before Yue cut in and saved his hide, "Can he, Mom?"

Yue might have been playing favorites, but her dad was rarely around to tell her stories. He was busy working and running the Northern Water Tribe, so her mom usually tucked her in and told her stories, "I want to know about the spirit that saved my life."

Yue wanted to spend a little more time with her dad.

A few minutes later, after Arnook, with the help of his daughter, convinced Luna to go to bed early, he could sit next to Yue, who was wrapped in the fur-laced covers of her bed. Her eyes were wide and twinkling with eagerness as she looked at him expectantly.

"All right, little Tiger Seal..."

Arnook couldn't disappoint his little girl.

"Let me tell you the story of Tui and La."

So he told her of the beginning.

"A long time ago, when humanity had first learned to live in the wide world, there was a time of struggle."

Arnook told her of the time when bending was just a thing of myth and mystery.

"Our people, the people of the poles, had it the worst."

It was an ancient tale, passed by word of mouth in bedtime stories and lullabies.

"Ice caps shattered our boats, and frozen blizzards threatened every winter. Hunting was near impossible, and starvation was common. In time, our people may have gone extinct."

Yet it was the tale passed down from generation to generation in the Northern Water Tribe.

"So Tui, who saw the struggles of our people, left her brother Agni and came down to teach our ancestors how to bend the water and survive in these icy lands."

This is the story of how Tui, taking pity on the ancient peoples of the Water Tribes, came down and taught them how to bend water and shape their frozen environment, which was as beautiful as deadly.

"Hearing of this, La, who prides himself on being harsh and unforgiving to all, confronted the moon spirit who taught humans how to survive in his harsh waters."

It was the story of La, who sought out Tui once she descended from the realm of spirits to bless the world of man.

"La fell in love, as did Tui, and instead of returning to the spirit world as Tui originally intended, she stayed."

It was the story of eternal lovers destined to dance with the waves and kiss with the tides.

"Ever since, Tui and La have been in an eternal dance. It is said that no matter how long the world turns, they will always keep dancing."

It was a story that greatly intrigued his daughter, and when he finished, she had already come up with a list of questions that flew from her mouth at a lightning-fast pace.

"Did Tui teach everyone bending?"

"No, only water benders."

"Who taught the other nations bending?"

"I am unsure, but I have heard stories of Moles in the Earth Kingdom."

"Did La ever want to see the spirit world?"

"I'm unsure... but maybe?"

"How do they see each other if they're the ocean and the moon?"

"They see each other every night," Arnook said with a smile, holding his hand to the sky. "When the moon is brightest in the sky, the tides rise, and the ocean reaches for his lover." Arnook smirked as he lowered his hand, leveling it to show the distance, "And when the moon sets, the tides lower, as La strives to stay far away from Agni's watchful gaze."

That explanation, in particular, piqued his daughter's interest, and the gears in her head flew as she asked, inquisitively, "Because La kept Tui from returning to the spirit world?"

"Exactly, Agni hates La, and La hates Agni. That's the way it has always been and always will be."

Arnook finished his statement with a tired yawn and a small smile, patting Yue's head as he stood up. "Now get to bed. It's getting late, even for Tui."

Arnook saw his daughter give a slightly thoughtful frown before nodding, turning in her bed, and closing her eyes. Arnook turned to the door and made his way out before he heard her ask one last question, one that stalled him in his tracks because he'd never thought of it before.

"Do you think Agni is lonely?"

Arnook's footsteps stopped, and his eyes flickered back to see Yue peeking through her eyelids at the open window. Her eyes on the night sky littered with stars, and the moonlight petered through the icy opening.

"I'm unsure..."

Arnook had never really thought about it. Agni was for Fire Benders, and the less he thought about them, the better. So he gave a slight shrug and glanced out the window with his curious daughter, glimpsing a bit of the moon that had saved Yue before providing the only honest answer he could come up with regarding Tui's wayward brother.

"I hope he is."

Any spirit that gave those Ash Makers power deserved far worse than loneliness.

Zuko hated his tattoo, or birthmark, by technicality.

It was a golden flower with blooming petals reminiscent of the sun's rays. It took up the left side of his face, right over his left eye, and some of his cheek. Objectively, it looked nice, but Zuko hated it for different reasons.

"Pitiful grandson..."

Everyone looked at him like he was supposed to do something meaningful with it.

"Already six years of age..."

Disappointed murmurs and whispers about 'Agni's blessing' followed him everywhere. It didn't take much to figure out that Agni had something to do with his birthmark, but he didn't know what.

"And to still lack a spark..."

They said he was blessed whenever he asked the servants but never elaborated on why or how. On the other hand, any time he asked his mother, she would dance around the topic and tell him she would explain it to him when he was older.

"What a disappointment."

His father was probably the worst person to ask about it; he just got mad, usually calling him 'Agni's disgrace' before ignoring his existence.

"Get out of my sight."

His grandfather was a different case altogether; he seemed interested in his birthmark, as per the reason Zuko was called to the throne room... again, but his grandfather also seemed disappointed every time he laid eyes on the golden tattoo.

"Yes, grandfather."

It was annoying, and Zuko didn't like it, but he knew better than to get on his grandfather's bad side, so he bowed and left with a quick step. He quietly walked toward the palace gardens to see his mom, who was probably feeding the turtle ducks again.

Why does everyone keep calling me Agni's blessing...

Zuko thought the dragons were Agni's blessings before they became hunted, and now, because of Sozin, the Fire Benders were considered Agni's blessings. He didn't understand why everyone seemed so keen to keep labeling him by that label in particular.

Is it because I still can't bend yet?

Zuko tilted his head at the thought, which was starting to make more sense as he mulled it over before a tiny hand grabbed his shoulder and pulled him into one of the off-shooting corridors. Zuko gave a surprised yelp before he glimpsed the assailant with his own eyes and quietly exclaimed, "Zula!?"

It was his four-year-old sister who was talented enough to spit flickers of orange flame as soon as she was born and strong enough to drag him through the labyrinth of the palace halls even though she was two years younger than him, giving him a backward glare as she put her finger to her lips, "Shush Zuzu, you're gonna give us away."

"I wasn't even yelling."

"No, Zuzu, but your little whimpers will alert the servants," Azula said with a roll of her eyes, letting go of her dumb brother, who pouted and rubbed his shoulder. He gave her a slight, wounded glance before he caved and followed her like the good puppy he was.

"Where are we even going?"

Azula would have to remember to get him a treat for his obedience; she'd have one of the servants make him a snack or something.

"To the training grounds," Azula said with a slight smirk, her eyes alight with excitement as she began quickly navigating the halls. Her steps were quiet as Zuko followed, clumsily stalling when she raised her hand to let a pair of servants pass before continuing. Zuko waited until they were far away from the servants to ask, "Why are we going to the training grounds?"

Zuko watched as Azula seemed even more excited, practically skipping on her toes as they approached the training hall.

"Dad said something about Grandpa ordering another raid on those savages in the South."

"The cannibals?"

"Yeah, Zuzu, who else," Azula said with a roll of her eyes, her fingers restlessly tapping her arm as she saw the door to the training grounds at the end of the hall. The dull thump of action echoed through the gallery and behind a grand ivory door, closed shut so no one disturbed the men training inside. The sounds only made Azula hasten her steps as a viciously excited grin overtook her tiny face, "This is our chance to see how soldiers get ready for war!"

"...You seem too excited for this."

"You're just jealous cuz I'll learn some bending from this, and you won't," Azula said without a second glance back, her grin wide as they got to the door, and she creaked it gently open. Allowing the slightest sliver so she could peek at the interior while Zuko put his big head next to her a second later with his own muttered rebuttal, "I'm not jealous."

"Liar."

"I'm not a liar, and scoot over, I can't see."

"You scoot over. I was here first."

A small shoving contest ensued, which Azula won because nothing else was new before Zuko settled with crouching down to peek through the lower portion of the door. His eye got to the peephole right as a blast of fire flew through the air, and they saw a troop of masked Fire Nation soldiers, elite soldiers, training. They performed katas and exercises that boiled inside the room, letting the heat waft out to the two children watching with wide eyes.

"HYAH!"

It was a coordinated display of power and precision. Each strike came with a yell and roar of orange flames. Every stance was solid and quick, viciously executed with perfect margins.

"HYAH!"

They went on for a while, with Zuko and Azula silently watching from the hallway until they called for a break. The two children pulled their heads away simultaneously as they closed the door gently and moved to the side of the empty hall.

"Zuzu..."

Azula was the first to speak, and her voice was littered with excitement.

"That was Sozin's Style! Did you see it!?"

Zuko could only nod, a bit of surprise still in his hushed expression since he had recognized Sozin Style. Everyone in the Fire Nation recognized it; it was the style Sozin used to defeat the air nomads and their army around 100 years ago.

"What do you think, Zuzu..."

It was more...

"Should I ask Dad about it later in training? I bet he'd say yes."

Brutal than Zuko had thought it would be.

"Zuzu?"

Zuko was pulled out of his thoughts as a sharp finger jabbed into his side, prompting a pained hiss from his lips as he glanced at his little sister, who had her arms crossed in annoyance, "You ignored me. Give me one reason not to have you executed."

"Mom might make you pick up my Tsungi Horn lessons if I die."

"Ugh."

Azula couldn't stop herself from groaning at the thought. She had barely gotten out of learning mother's favorite pastime the first seven times the woman asked. If Zuko died, she would be forced to pick up his slack. "Alright, Zuzu. I've decided to spare you."

"Thanks," Zuko replied dryly, his shoulders stiffening along with Azula's as the door to the training room clicked open. The two siblings acted quickly as they dove behind an ivory pillar. Masked soldiers filed out of the room after their practice, with Zuko and Azula catching snippets of their conversations.

"That was hell..."

"Gonna be worse when we get to the field..."

"Yon Rha is a slave driver..."

"Damn, savages..."

"Those dirt eaters are gonna be ruthless..."

"I just want the war to end soon..."

One conversation with a soldier with more ties to the palace's inner workings than others caught Zuko's ears more than any others.

"The war might be ending soon. One of the old guards told me about it before he was sent to the front lines..."

It was a slight surprise for Zuko to learn it that way, but he figured it was only a matter of time.

"Ozai's son nearly died when he was born; something about his body being too weak..."

To be blessed by Agni wasn't just about being a fire bender.

"Agni saved his life."

Agni had taken a personal interest in Zuko.

"What else could that be besides Agni's way of telling us the war will end soon."

Zuko could see why it was such a big deal now.

Azula didn't see what the big deal was.

So her brother got blessed by a dumb spirit, big deal. She was still stronger than him and was Dad's favorite, so what difference did it make? She didn't see why he was making a big fuss about it, touching his face like it was a curse after the soldiers left. Only coming out of his daze once she started teasing him a bit like the gracious sister she was, "Oh, quit moping, Zuzu. Your precious Agni is going to be so disappointed."

Azula watched with a smirk as Zuko glared at her, a frown on his spiritually tattooed face, "Not funny, Zula."

"It's hilarious."

"You're the worst."

"Yeah, and you're spiritual," Azula said with a mocking wave of her hands, a coy smile on her face as she started walking to the empty training room with a skip in her step. "Hey Zuzu, do you think Agni can bless me? I'll be one of the strongest warriors in the Fire Nation one day, so it's only fair."

"That's not how it works."

"Oh yeah, guess I'd have to be weak to be blessed; what a pity," Azula said with a shrug and a sarcastic drawl, stepping into the room with a purpose as she saw the scorch marks and scattered weapons that littered the floor. Flexing her hands, she turned to Zuko, who walked behind her with an annoyed expression, "I'm not weak."

"Liar."

"I'm not!"

Zuko said heatedly, his eyes narrowing as Azula turned and gave him a sly grin. She stepped into the training ground and planted her legs like she'd witnessed the soldiers do: "Oh yeah..."

It was a beginner move, a part of the elite soldiers' training warmups, but Azula shouldn't have been able to do it. Yet she jumped and performed an arcing kick that trailed with fire. Azula's eyes were alight with pride as she landed with only a slight stumble before straightening her posture and shooting Zuko a smug grin.

"Try to do that then, Zuzu."

It was annoying; Zuko was annoyed that Azula was so much better at him at everything; if anything, she should have been called Agni's blessing, not him.

"Fine."

Zuko stubbornly grumbled and stepped up to the plate, trying his kick with no fire and zero percent of the grace that Azula had, and ultimately fell on his butt. His stinging butt and small yelp followed swiftly by Azula's roaring laughter, "You jump like a turtle duck, Zuzu!"

Zuko found it annoying; Agni must have blessed the wrong person, but as he huffed and muttered under his breath, "Whatever Zula..."

He could admit he didn't hate it.

"I'll get it right the next time."

Zuko didn't hate that Azula didn't seem to expect anything from him.