VALOR || SOKKA

THREE || DISTAIN

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Naomi would often recount her years of life, each and every moment that was significant enough to bring her to this moment in time. It helped her feel grounded, human. Not like a well oiled machine built for the Fire Nation, or their perfectly groomed ex crown princess. Just Naomi.

Completely disregarding the great losses of her life she also looked upon her many social interactions with distain. There was the girls in her academy that either wished to befriend her to climb the social ranks or to try and get with Zuko because he was a grade below them. The boys just wanted to be Fire Consort. Or even get their dad to climb up the military ranks under her father.

Then there was also her time spent at Ember Island where she'd either be doted on and papered or sneered at by the other kids. Azula called her pathetic for not having friends. Even Zuko had his friends. Lu Ten had lots of friends who only liked having her around because she was 'adorable'. She never had any of her own.

There was also her arranged marriage scare when she was ten. Iroh was away winning battles, but Ozai had almost convinced Azulon to send a marriage proposal to the Prince of Ba Sing Se in order to gain political sway. Iroh put an end to that once he did return home, but it was a big deal to the preteen. It made her realize just how expendable she was to the Fire Nation. They were willing to ship her off and marry her for their own gain. And she was supposed to go along with it for the sake of her country. She was expected to sacrifice everything for her nation just because she was a princess.

There were countless other embarrassing moments as well as other memories that still leave a sour taste in her mouth. Unfortunately they still made her human. A pathetic, lonely, weak human. Naomi huffs at her reflection. Small puffs of steam blow out of her nose. The closest to fire she'd had in a while. "Naomi." Her father interrupts her train of thought.

"Yes, what is the matter father?" Iroh smiles at her.

"It is nothing too important. We've just docked the ship for repairs. Would you like to join Zuko and I?" Iroh knew how she felt about her cousin, but he really did want them to grow closer. Or at least tolerate each other more. Zuko had his flaws, that was obvious, but Naomi was as stubborn as they come. A trait similar to her mother's. He knew the two would never really be close. Especially after everything that's happened. Iroh just hoped that maybe they could get along for his sake. Zuko would never replace Lu Ten, but he needed him like his son did.

Naomi smiles at Iroh and nods. She carefully and quietly pushes in the chair she was using and follows her father and cousin off the ship. Zuko says nothing to her before turning forward and rolling his eyes. To Zuko, Naomi was nothing more than insurance. He was threatened by her, but not in the ways it counted. He wasn't scared she'd take his throne, Zuko was scared that one day she'd turn on him. Without her bending she was still a threat. Just not as formidable as she was before she lost her spark.

Zuko marches ahead anyways, still not worried about the girl trailing behind him. "Uncle, I want the repairs made as quickly as possible. I don't want to stay too long and risk losing his trail."

"You mean the Avatar?" Iroh responds calmly before Zuko angrily turns on a heel and snaps at the man. Naomi instinctively steps in front of Iroh creating a buffer between Zuko and her father. She wasn't scared of him hurting Iroh, she wanted him to check his tone. Especially as the exiled prince, he was no one special anymore.

His face showing clear agitation while he whispers. "Don't mention his name on these docks. Once word gets out that he's alive, every firebender will be out looking for him and I don't want anyone getting in the way."