Scarlet Regia

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/47887411.

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions Of Violence
Category: F/M
Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Relationships: Zuko (Avatar)/Original Female Character(s), Zuko (Avatar)/Reader,
Aang/Katara (Avatar), Aang & Zuko (Avatar), Sokka/Suki (Avatar), The
Gaang & Zuko (Avatar), The Gaang (Avatar) & Original Character(s),
The Gaang (Avatar) & Reader, Mai/Ty Lee (Avatar)
Characters: Zuko (Avatar), Original Characters, Aang (Avatar), Katara (Avatar),
Sokka (Avatar), Suki (Avatar), Azula (Avatar), Mai (Avatar), Ty Lee
(Avatar), Iroh (Avatar), Ozai (Avatar), June (Avatar)
Additional Tags: Fire Nation Royal Family, Firebending & Firebenders, Minor Original
Character(s), Reader-Insert, can be reader insert, Canon-Typical
Violence, Mostly Canon Compliant, some more graphic violence than
canon, more like korra violence, Zuko is an Awkward Turtleduck,
Hurt/Comfort, Angst, It Gets Worse Before It Gets Better, Iroh is a Good
Uncle (Avatar), no canon changes till episode 15 of book 1, Episode:
s01e15 Bato of the Water Tribe (Last Airbender), Bounty Hunters,
Tattoos, Moral Ambiguity, Rating May Change, Other Additional Tags
to Be Added, Zuko (Avatar) Needs a Hug, Swearing, Character afab with
female pronouns
Language: English
Stats: Published: 2023-06-15 Words: 5,087 Chapters: 1/5
 Scarlet Regia
by kailiu (Rinaity)

Summary

Zuko lost so much. His mother, friend, his home - his honour. He needed to restore it and find
his place at home again. It was his dream, no, his destiny. He'd take back what he could from
him old life, no matter the cost, and remember what he couldn't. Kano lost everything. Her
home, family, even her name. You can't live only what is given to you, but what you take.

My summaries suck.

Notes

Hi! This is really self indulgent lol, but oc can be reader if u want, she goes by another name
later on anyway so i think it would still work.
Each chapter is titled after a song that matches the most important moment of the chapter, so
thats fun. (title also inspired by a song)

TW: final scene of this chapter has violence, starting where the family is in the carriage in the
colony. I tried not to be too descript, but feel free to skip it since its pretty heavy emotionally,
what happens will be referred to so dw you'll know what happens.

This chapters song is dawn chorus by thom yorke

The rare days when his father wasn’t breathing down his mother’s neck and allowed her to
take the children out of the palace were some of his fondest. His mother had taken Zuko with
her to visit another noble woman and her family, Azula staying behind to play with Ty Lee
and Mai in the palace.

They exited the palanquin, “Mother? I don’t recognize this house, who are we visiting?” He
asked. They were still in the well-established part of the fire nation capital where politicians
lived, only a short way away from the royal palace.

“A friend of mine from home. She married an official here before I met your father. She has a
daughter who’s a little younger than you.” His mother replied gently. He didn’t notice the
shift tone when she mentioned his father.

The large dark doors opened to the family’s home and a tall slender woman embraced his
mother, her jewelry decorated hands holding her back tightly, he nails were long and painted
black. “Lady Ursa! So wonderful of you to visit us, come in, please!” the woman pulled away
and smiled brightly at his mother and then at him, “And hello to you also, Prince Zuko,”

His mother laid her hand against his back, soothing nerves he didn’t know he had. “Please
Seara, there’s no need for such formalities. I hope you don’t mind me bringing Zuko along.”

The woman, Seara, laughed lightly still smiling, “Of course not! The royal children will
always be welcome here too. My daughter just finished her lessons for today, so unless he’d
like to join us for tea, perhaps they could play?”

She stood aside to allow them both in and his mother nodded, pushing his back gently. Zuko
looked around in awe. The house was decorated nothing like the palace, the walls a similar
red but instead of darkness was light from the screen windows and candles reflecting off of
the draping of fabrics. On the walls were ink painted scrolls, with large plants on both sides
of the entrance room. Zuko looked to his mother while she talked with her friend.

He was guided through the house to a garden in the center of the courtyard, wide enough to
allow the sun to fill the space despite the second level to the house. Lanterns decorated the
walkway around it, wisteria grew delicately up the pillars, wisping their way to the upper-
level railway and a fire maple tree in the far corner. The stone walkway surrounded a small
seating area and a water fountain.

“You must miss the desserts from home – spirits know I do – so I asked the staff to make us
some egg tarts! Would you like some jasmine tea? We have quite a few types, even Kano has
taken a liking to it can you believe it? Barely six and requesting ginseng tea…” Seara took a
moment, looking the right side of the terrace, “Ah speaking of, Kano my dear how were your
lessons?”

She walked closer as a small girl ran into her arms, “Hi Mama!” They hugged tightly, Zuko
making note of how outwardly affectionate the family was, a far cry to how it was at home
but shoved those feelings away for later. “I had my fire completely under control today, so
Master Ranjiro said we’d be moving onto new forms soon.”
The young girl smiled proudly at her mother who smoothed her daughter’s hair. “That’s
amazing, you’ll need to show your father and I later. For now,” Seara stood up, resting her
hand on Kano’s shoulder. “Welcome our guests, Lady Ursa and Prince Zuko.”

Kano’s cheeks reddened in embarrassment, eyes blown wide as she rapidly glanced between
Zuko and his mother panic rising on her face. She let out the air she was holding, closing her
eyes before they snapped wide again. Taking a quick deep inhale, her body snapped forward
bowing.

“Good afternoon, Lady Ursa and Prince Zuko! Please excuse me!” Zuko held in a laugh,
covering his mouth with his hand as the girl near shouted at them before marching stiffly out
of the courtyard. He could hear her steps turn into a run once the sliding door closed.

Seara sighed, “My apologies, she reacts so strangely when I don’t warn her of things. Please
excuse her, she takes after her father in that regard…”

His mother laughed gently, “No worries, it was quite endearing actually.” Zuko couldn’t help
his smile. Not sure about the endearing part but found the girl amusing nonetheless.

His mother and Seara sat down, talking over tea while Zuko sat under the fire maple tree. It
had been around 15 minutes when Kano returned, dressed in a yellow orange flowy dress
with gold trim and a white flower pattern, with a golden sash tied in a bow at her waist. Her
face poised and far too serious for her age as she walked to their mothers.

Zuko could see Seara barely hold in her laughter as her daughter approached and bowed,
more softly than before. “Hello Lady Ursa, mother. I asked the staff to bring out some of the
nicest shincha tea I’ve had the pleasure of trying recently. It is very tasty.”

Both women nodded, only his mother holding her composure. Seara’s face was red stifling
her laughter. The girl took no notice and walked in his direction. “Prince Zuko, I apologise
for earlier. It’s a pleasure to make your aqwan, erhem, ack, aqwin,” she paused, eyes closed,
and brows furrowed.

Seara called out from behind, “acquaintance, Kano!”

The girl’s eyes opened and nodded vigorously, “Yes! Acquaintance!”

Zuko stood and bowed slightly, “Nice to meet you too, miss Kano.” He said awkwardly, not
sure how to react.

“Kano, why don’t you show Zuko around the house? He hasn’t visited us before.” Her
mother suggested.

“Good idea mother. Prince Zuko, please follow me.” Kano stated, not asking. She turned and
walked onto the terrace, opening a door motioning for him.

“Uh, sure?” he replied, shooting a glance to Ursa who smiled at him, motioning to go. He
shrugged, following Kano.
She led him around the corridors gesturing to different rooms. “This is where we eat, and our
staff live just down that hallway. Our library is here, probably not as large as the palace
library but still really good I promise!” she said excitedly as she turned to face him. Her eyes
widened at her own behaviour, “ah er, my apologies Prince Zuko,”

She continued on, Zuko in tow. “Miss Kano? Can we leave the formalities? I’d prefer you
treat me how your mother does…”

Kano stopped. “You’d prefer that? You don’t even know me yet.” she asked quietly.

“Uh, yea, I can tell you’re forcing it.” He stated bluntly folding his arms.

The girl huffed, picking up her skirt to turn around quickly before pointing at him, “Ok Zuko!
Next time you’re here you’re going to practice firebending with me! I already got changed
today and I won’t wear another outfit before bed.” She exclaimed while grinning.

Zuko took a small step backwards at her change in demeanour, raising an eyebrow, “You
want to firebend with me?”

“Yes!”

He stared her down, “why? Azula is better than me.”

Kano’s smile continued, “I know, her bending is scary I don’t like practicing with her. That’s
why we should train!” she closed her eyes nodding. Genius idea on her part, she thought.

Zuko sighed. He could understand the apprehension of practicing with Azula, he avoided it at
times too… Maybe this wouldn’t be an awful idea. “Fine, we can practice.”

Ursa took a sip of tea. “How’s business going? I adored the dress you last sent me.” Seara
sighed, leaning on the table.

“It’s been better, taking up most of my time. Currently I’m designing wedding garments for
Lady Miyara and Lord Qizan… She’s fussy but it’s good for business. Especially since
Kazuko is still away in the earth kingdom colonies, I have to manage the house alone too, I
hardly have any time to paint anymore. But last time he went he saw things he wished he
hadn’t, made me question if we should stay here…” Seara took a small bite of the pastry. “I
know he’s your father-in-law, but you also know how this war is going.”

Ursa frowned. “I know. I’m not proud of it however I have no say, I just hope my children get
to see a brighter future one day.” She thought for a moment. “Kazuko is unlikely to get
conscripted, however I worry about Kano when she’s older. You say she’s a strong firebender
but slowing her training won’t keep her away from the fighting.” she said solemnly.

Seara looked at her friend, considering her words. “I know, I know…”

Ursa reached across the table, placing a comforting hand on Seara's. "We can only do our best
to protect them and guide them in the right direction. The world is changing, and we must
prepare our children for the challenges they may face."
Seara nodded, a mix of determination and worry in her eyes. "You're right, Ursa, you’re right.
Hey, perhaps they will be the ones to bring about the changes we need here!” she smiled
however it didn’t reach her eyes. The fire nation wasn’t one of compassion anymore, and
Seara couldn’t help but fear how it would shape her daughter. All she could do was guide her
on the best path she could.

“Mama! Can Prince Zuko visit us again?” her child asked as she ran into the courtyard, Zuko
being pulled along with her.

“Hmm, we’d need to ask Lady Ursa about that one! Has Prince Zuko agreed to play with you
again?” she asked sincerely.

Kano nodded, “Yep! And he agreed to practice firebending with me!”

Zuko nodded beside her. “If its ok with Lady Seara, could we visit again mother?”

Seara had worry etched onto her features, Ursa noticed, removing her hand and nodding. “If
we can find time that works with both schedules I see no issue.”

The Fire Lady looked her friend in the eyes, communicating silent words. She’d find a way to
ensure the girls safety, and a friendship with Zuko may benefit both the children.

Kano and Zuko over the following year grew closer often visiting one another in their spare
time. Zuko showed her more experienced firebending techniques, and she showed him some
of the more lost practices of their nation.

Her golden-brown eyes twinkled as they stood in her bedroom, “you need to be light on your
feet! Dancing is about flow, not your rigid bending forms.” She walked behind him, tapping
his sides with her fingers delicately, “Loosen up or you’ll fall over. You won’t be able to
balance your weight as you move.”

The flowy red silks followed her movements as she returned to face him, and if she decided
to ignore the growing rose dusting his cheeks or didn’t notice, Zuko didn’t know. “This is the
most elegant dance I know; we need to be in sync when we move like floating embers! Let’s
try it again.”

She grabbed his hands, placing one on her waist and holding the other. Her other hand found
its way to his shoulder.

“Floating embers… got it.” Zuko mumbled as he followed her lead, dipping and swaying as
he tried to focus more on staying loose than her soft have lidded smile. He had to focus; he
was a prince of the fire nation! He wouldn’t let a silly dance triumph over him, he would
conquer it!

He spun Kano around, leading to their final pose one of their hands joined with the other
outstretched, ready to bow.
A hum radiated as they both caught their breaths. “Much better Zuko! I knew you could do
it.” He smiled at her affirmation.

Sitting on the plush comforter on her bed, he smiled. “Thanks. Where did you learn that?”

Kano continued spinning slowly, watching her dress flow around her. Her mother had
designed it to have ribbons lacing her arms that would spin like fire around her. “Mama and
Papa. They did it at their wedding. I think its important to know these things, never know
when a ball may finally happen.”

He watched her movements, blushing at the mention of a wedding. Was she teaching him a
romantic dance?! He never admitted anything to her! Maybe she was more perceptive… he
thought. Was she teasing me...?

A hand waved in front of his eyes, “earth to Zuko? Hellloooo?” he blinked, feeling her finger
smooth out his brow. “Y’know, you always get these lines between your eyebrows when
you’re thinking too hard. Do it often enough and they’ll be permanent like Papa’s!”

He swatted her hand away, leaning backwards.

“You gonna tell me mister grump?” she asked in a singsong.

Zuko sighed, “no.”

“Eh? Why not!”

He shook his head, “It’s a secret.”

Kano flopped onto the bed arms wide. “You always tell me that…”

A few moments paced, neither saying anything. He lay back on the bed, laying his head
perpendicular to hers. He crossed his hands over his chest, enjoying the silence. Zuko had no
intention of telling her of his crush. Not yet at least. He’d wait till he was a teenager, he
decided. If he still liked her of course!

The girl sighed, “I need to go with my parents to the Earth Kingdom in two days. Papa has
work.”

Zuko tilted his head back on the bed to look at her face, she was frowning. He reached his
hand over to smooth it out. “Hey, I thought I was going to be the one with lines.”

She smiled slightly. “You’re right. And when I’m back you need to teach me the next set you
learnt!”

They sat there for a moment or two longer, or at least as long as a seven and six year could.
They pair got up shortly after, since the prince needed to return home. Kano led the prince
out of her room and through the hallways to the front door.

She pulled him into a brisk hug, “I’ll see you in two weeks,”
Zuko awkwardly hugged her back, “have a safe trip. Bye Kano,” he said with a smile as he
walked to his mother and the palanquin.

The two weeks without his friend were rather uneventful, he trained and focused on
schooling. Aside from Azula being a menace and plotting to embarrass him and Mair, the
time passed by without any issue, he even got a letter from his uncle Iroh!

When Kano returned, she told him about the colonies, even bringing him a book.

“There weren’t many other kids, but one of the generals’ daughters was super friendly!” She
said excitedly as they are some snacks under the fire maple. “What did you get up to while I
was gone? Anything fun?”

He laughed, “not much, just school and training. I did get a letter from my uncle Iroh! He’s
leading the siege on Ba Sing Se, he sent me a cool knife from one of the generals. Mother
said I couldn’t bring it, so I’ll show you next time you’re in the palace.”

The girl nodded, leaning against the trunk. “I’m still sleepy from being on the boat yesterday,
so you can show me the fire ending techniques next time. Can we relax today?” She closed
her eyes as she basked in the sun, feeling it radiate through her.

Zuko nodded, leaning against the tree with her, mirroring her actions. “Yea sure.”

The growths of childhood ticked the time by relentlessly. Lu Ten’s passing shook the palace
and the family, and Iroh returned from the war in the Earth Kingdom. Zuko had just ran to his
room from the meeting of his family and the Fire lord, tucked under his covers.

“Dad’s going to kill you, really, he is.” Azula sang, smirking as she leaned against his
doorway.

“Ha ha Azula, nice try…” he grumbled to her.

“Fine. Don’t believe me.” Azula walked towards his bed, “But I heard everything,
grandfather said dad’s punishment should fit his crime.”

Azula marched back and forth, imitating Azulon, “You must know the pain of losing a first-
born son, by sacrificing your own.”

Zuko frowned, gripping the sheets, “Liar!”

“I’m only telling you for your own good… I know!” Azula smiled sitting at the edge of his
bed taunting him. “Maybe you could find a nice earth kingdom family to adopt you!”

“…Stop it, you’re lying, dad would never do that to me.” Zuko snapped, holding the red
sheets closer to him.
“Your father would never do what to you. What is going on here?” their mother interrupted,
walking into the room staring at Azula, who feigned innocence.

“I don’t know,”

Ursa frowned, pulling Azula off of the bed, “it’s time for a talk.”

As they left the room, Zuko mumbled to himself to find comfort. She wasn’t telling the truth,
his father wouldn’t! …Would he? Laying back down with eyes shut, he kept reminding
himself, “Azula always lies.” Before drifting away to sleep.

After a few days of that meeting, Azulon passed away. His dying wish for Ozai to be Fire
Lord instead of the first-born Iroh which shocked him and most of the nation. More
shockingly however, his mother had disappeared. He received no answers when asking his
father, Azula and Iroh were none the wiser. On his next visit to Kano, he decided to ask Seara
if she knew.

When he arrived, the lady was the one to great him, “Prince Zuko, dear, come here…” she
whispered solemnly upon seeing him, pulling him into a hug, “We were so sorry to hear
about Azulon, we hope everyone is holding up ok in the palace.” She pulled away, resting her
hands on his shoulders.

“Is Lady Ursa here with you by chance?”

He stared at her quizzically, “You don’t know? I wanted to ask if you knew anything about
where she is…”

Seara’s face sank, “I’m sorry Zuko, I didn’t know… Would you like to stay for dinner
tonight?”

He shook his head, “I can’t, sorry, I’d need to check with father.”

She smiled, leading him into the house, “No worries, please don’t hesitate to let us know if
you’d ever like to.” He nodded, mumbling a small thanks.

Zuko tapped his knuckles on Kano’s bedroom door twice. “Ah!” he heard a loud thump,
followed by a reply, “uh, just one second!”

So, stand in front of her door he did. Awkwardly rubbing his arm as he heard rustling before
she opened the door. Her long brown hair was disheveled, and she wore a casual dress he
hadn’t seen before.

“Zuko! You’re early! Sorry, sorry, come in, please don’t mind some of the mess…” Kano
mumbled the last part as she caught her breath. On his way passed her Zuko noticed a light
blush.

“Are, you ok?” he asked, concerned. Her eighth birthday had passed recently, making her just
a year younger than him and a year older than Azula.
She laughed nervously, adjusting the collar of her dress, “I’m fine! No need to worry.” Her
face shifted, “how’re you?”

He sighed, “Father is stricter now, if you can believe it, but he’s the fire lord. I don’t know if I
can visit you as often, being crown prince and everything… Mother went missing as well. No
one seems to know anything about it.”

Kano’s face shifted to shock to confusion to sadness, pulling him into a hug. “I’m sorry,
Zuko. Let’s go to the courtyard. I’ll get the staff to bring jasmine tea and some snacks, and
we can just relax in the last of the sun, ok?”

He nodded meekly.

The next two years were difficult. Between the realisation he was going to be the Fire Lord
after his father and all his studies, losing his mother and having only Iroh to confide in when
he was in the palace, all while dealing with Azula and her taunting nature, it was hard. The
palace felt that little bit colder, that little bit darker now. Even Kano was busier, so he saw her
less.

One warm afternoon, he sat on her bed as she was painting. The door to her balcony was
open allowing the remaining light to simmer in, glimmering off of the draped fabric hanging
off her golden four poster bed.

“And then Ty Lee, somehow attracted the attention of one guy, who turned out to be a son of
a general, but he was thirteen! Three years older than me! We had to awkwardly excuse
ourselves from him as we walked to Mai’s house… It was so weird!” she exasperated as she
leaned on her small table making eye contact with Zuko who shrugged. “And now, I can’t
even get this painting right. Mama has been teaching me when she’s free, but my brush
strokes aren’t nearly as elegant as hers…”

She slumped backwords gaining a laugh from the prince. “You’re being too hard on yourself,
you only started painting recently.” He looked at the painting, fire maple leaves drifting down
a stream.

“I guess, I just really want to finish this before we leave in a few days…” Kano grumbled and
began putting away the inks and brushes.

Zuko raised an eyebrow, “You’re leaving soon? Another trip to the Earth Kingdom?” she
nodded.

“Yep.”

He hummed, leaning back on the bed. He had asked his father if he could have dinner with
the family, which he allowed. Seara had taken to him as if he were her own over the years,
which he welcomed. That night they had fire blossom stir fry with tofu, and egg tarts for
dessert with jasmine tea.
Standing at their front door, he bid farewell to Seara and her husband, “Don’t be a stranger,
ok Prince Zuko?” she said, giving him a small hug. He smiled and nodded.

Kano stood beside him, walking him down to the palanquin. “So, you’ll be back in two
weeks?” he asked.

She nodded, “that’s the plan. Hopefully we don’t get caught up like last time. I’ll send a
messenger for you when I’m back.”

The pair turned to face each other. Zuko noticed her cheeks were red, but maybe it was his
eyes playing tricks on him in the late hours of the sun. She shuffled awkwardly, clearing her
throat. “Okay, I’ll see you soon, Prince Zuko.”

He raised an eyebrow slightly. She quickly pulled him into a hug, brief but tight. He hardly
had time to hug her back before she pulled away and ran back up the steps to her house. The
brunette waved, smiling at him as he entered the palanquin.

Zuko returned to the palace in good spirits. After all these years, his silly crush still burned.
Be when they danced or were firebending with each other (sometimes combining the two), or
just in each other’s company. He smiled to himself thinking about it on his way to his room.

“Well Zuzu, something has you in a good mood, do share!” Azula cheered, rounding a pillar.

His smile faded, “It’s nothing Azula, just a nice day.”

She smirked, “just a nice day? I see, so it has nothing to do with a certain firebending friend
of yours, would it? You should spend more time with me and the girls, I know Mai would
enjoy it.”

Zuko kept walking, not wanting to be taunted or teased by her. “Who says it did? I’ll decide
who I spend time with.”

Reaching his bedroom door, he noticed she followed him all the way there. “Goodnight,
Azula.” He said, entering his room without waiting for a response. Azula only shrugged, not
getting what she wanted from him which was a confession. She guessed Mai will have to
wait and find out for herself as she sauntered away.

Two days later, just after his lessons, a servant approached Zuko. “Prince Zuko,” he said as
he bowed, “A parcel arrived for you.” The servant held out a long cylindrical object wrapped
in red silks and red twine. A top it rested a letter addressed to him.

“Thank you,” Zuko replied, taking the objects from him. He opened the letter as he walked to
the garden.

‘To Zuko,
I know I just saw you a day ago, but I finished the painting yesterday! I had nowhere to put it,
I already have Mama’s paintings in my room, and I like those, so I thought I’d give it to you!
It’s not the best but the thought still counts that it’s from a friend, right?

Anyway, I’ll see you when I’m home!

Kano.’

He sat by under the tree in the garden overlooking the pond where the turtleducks lived.
Folding the letter away again, he gently opened the parcel to see the painting. It was a
relatively tall painting, he had to hold it higher to see the full thing. In the top, a fire maple
tree shedding its leaves into a stream of water with clouds. The stream carried one red leaf to
the bottom into some rocks. He rolled the scroll again; he’d have to tell her it was pretty
good! Some strokes were more confident than he had last seen them.

Zuko continued about his day, bringing the gift to his room.

Kano and her family sat in an ostrich horse drawn carriage as the ventured to the heart of the
town in the fire nation colony. Her father worked with the banks and need to visit in person
every so often. She leaned against her mother, close to dosing to sleep as her parents
discussed the plans for the next few days.

“Kazuko, you can’t start work tonight, we just got here you must be tired. It can wait till
morning.” Seara insisted, running her hand down her daughter’s head smoothing her growing
hair.

He shook his head, “I know, but the whole reason I needed to come was to assess the
situation and strengthen the security. Bandits have been raging the towns here, I wouldn’t be
surprised if they targeted the bank next.” He huffed, looking out the window. He squinted,
before gasping. “Seara get down low and cover Kano.”

Seara’s eyes widened, “What? Why?”

“Just do it!” he whisper-yelled as she crouched lower keeping Kano in her arms.

“Mama…? What’s happening?” Kano mumbled as she awoke, holding tightly to her mother’s
arms.

She smiled, caressing her daughter’s face. “It’s alright dear, just go back to sleep.”

A scream shook through the carriage, and the panicked noise from the ostrich horses ensued.
Kano could smell smoke. Outside from what she could see glowed orange instead of the dark
blue of night. Fear struck her. She looked to her mother. “Mama? What-“

She was cut off by the door slamming open and people shouting. Her heart was racing as she
clung tighter to Seara. Her ears started ringing. Kano could see her father talking to the
people who pulled them out and were now searching their luggage, tossing anything to the
dusty ground beneath them. Things were burning, the ostrich horses had started to run away.
Embers flickered in the air, dancing with the stars above her. Her eyes were covered as she
heard her mother scream shrilly. When she could see, her father was on the ground. But
wasn’t he talking to them? Why is he there? She thought. Her mother was pulled away from
her. Without her stabilising her balance, Kano fell to the ground on her knees. She watched
her mother be pulled away before something hit her in the back of the head, falling fully to
the ground unconscious.

When she awoke it was still dark and the flames still burning. Her face was scratched from
the earth. Mind racing, she groggily pulled herself onto her legs and began looking around
the scene.

Both parents lay unmoving on the ground. “No…” she whispered, vision going cloudy, “no
no no no no! NO!”

Kano screamed, running to her mother, cupping her face in her hands. “No please… You
can’t be gone!” she screamed, tears running down her face, dropping onto her mother’s
unmoving body. The smoke from the flames around her clogged her lungs as she coughed.
“Please come back…”

She made the mistake of looking up, only to see her father laying motionless too. There was
so much red. Crimson on the ground. Vermillion in the air, the dancing flames. Scarlet on her
hands as she lifted them.

Her screams were guttural. Her head turned to the sky, an endless stream of tears. With each
wail, the flames breathed with her, rising and falling. She didn’t even hear someone
approaching.

“Crap… I got here too late, they’re already gone.” June sighed, sliding off of Nala. She eyed
the girl weeping, connecting the dots. She sighed again. Nothing she could do now about the
bandits.

June walked over, touching the girl’s shoulder. Kano screeched, falling backwards and
crawling away from her, face twisted in fear and agony. “Easy kid. I’ll give you once chance,
you can stay here and cry or come with me and stay alive.” June stated, putting her weight to
one side as she held out a hand.

Kano sniffled, eyes darting between the woman’s hand, her face, and the scene around her.
“Will… Will they pay for this…?” she asked meekly, wiping away her running nose on her
hand.

June smiled slightly, liking the way she thought. “Yea. They’ll pay.”

She hated this.

Gripping the woman’s hand, she was pulled up onto her feet, and walked to the shirshu. She
had nowhere to go. How would she get home? Maybe she could save enough money with
this woman to get back to the Fire Nation or find a general to take her home.

She’d figure it out.

June watched the girl as she sniffled, shoving her rage and anguish down. Atop of Nala, June
pulled her and sat Kano in front of her. “Sleep for now kid, we won’t find them tonight.”
She’d put the mission on hold. Despite the girl being from the Fire Nation, she just had her
parents torn away by the same people June did.

June sighed. This wasn’t like her. She looked down at the girl falling asleep against her chest
and decided she couldn’t leave her behind. Maybe the firebender could come in handy.

Or cause her a world of trouble. Who knows for sure yet.

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