AN: I just had to do a sequel to Blind Are Our Children! I felt like I wanted to develop what could possibly happen between Kai and Hikari. Not to mention Kato still has no love life/love interest. And what about Zara's little brother Razo? And don't Aang's kids get some screen time too? See…I just had to do it.

Also, I understand that the actual North Pole does not have sunrise and sunset every day, but during the first season of ATLA they had nights and days in the Northern Water Tribes, so I'm just going to go with the flow.

Blind Are We All

THE COLD WIND rustled through her clothes and hair, and she barely managed to suppress a shiver. She was hardly accustomed to such cold weather, and she wondered vaguely if she could ever adapt to it. As she gazed to her companions, she noticed that they were unaffected by such cold temperatures, and seemed to, in fact, welcome it.

Well, easy for them! They'd spent all of their lives up here! She, on the other hand, enjoyed the heat of the Fire Nation, and had never seen snow even once in her life. And now she was journeying to a land that had it all year round. What had she been thinking when she accepted the invitation extended to her to come here?

Truth was, she hadn't been. She'd been too mesmerized by twin orbs of sky blue. And so she was obligated to endure to harsh climate. But it wouldn't be too difficult, as long as he was there with her.

"Hikari, you okay?" a strong voice interrupted her thoughts, and she turned to see the man who possessed such enchanting eyes. Was he even aware of the power he possessed? From his arrogance and boldness, she figured he was.

She gave him a shy smile before turning back to face the ocean. "I'm fine, Kai." She murmured in response. She rested her gloved hands on the railing of the elegant ship that carried them further and further north. Icebergs became larger as they continued their journey. And she could swear she saw an enormous whale-squid pass underneath the boat.

He stepped over to join her. "I know its cold…are you sure you're going to be okay?" his blue eyes studied her face, and she fought a blush, hoping he'd assume it was from the cold. This man…she liked him, even though she had known him for less than a month. Even though he was arrogant, prideful, and grating to the nerves.

Huh, kind of like her belated brother…she swallowed the pain, ignored it. It wouldn't do to cry. She shouldn't have to. And besides, she couldn't cry to Kai. He'd been the one to kill her brother in the first place. But she didn't begrudge him for it. Kuro had deserved it. And a piece of her brother lived on; in herself and in her friend Azura's baby.

"Hikari?" she'd neglected to respond, having been too caught up in her own thoughts and she jumped in surprised.

"Yes?" she swallowed nervously, and her brown-gray eyes met his beautiful ocean ones. She fought the urge to sigh. Strange, just two weeks ago she'd been in love with Tao…but he was with Azura now, and they would be marrying the moment they reached Gaoling. And she was alright with it, happy for them even. And she wasn't even jealous. True, Kai's eyes were not Tao's hazel, but they were special in their own way. And she liked them.

"You're acting strange." He slipped one of his gloves off and pressed a hand to her forehead. "Are you catching fever?" his genuine concern made her blush deeper, and he blinked. "You're very warm."

"I know." She managed to croak. She shied from his touch and looked back to the ocean. "It's so…vast." She murmured in a feeble attempt to change the subject.

His face turned to face the sea as well and he nodded in agreement. "In the palace you can see the ocean for miles and miles. And you can observe the sunrise and sunset in the horizon. It's very beautiful, and the ice looks as if it's on fire." There was a tinge of nostalgia in his voice, and longing as well.

"You've missed it." Hikari remarked, studying Kai's handsome tanned face.

He nodded in affirmation. "Yes. I haven't seen my home in almost a year." He grinned softly. He pulled his glove back onto his bare hand, then proceeded to rest his chin in his palm. "I wonder if Hojiru remembers me."

Hikari blinked and felt a surge of disappointment. Did Kai have a girl back home in the Northern Water Tribe that he liked? "Hojiru?" she questioned reluctantly.

He nodded and sighed wistfully. "Yeah. She's my arctic fox-ferret." He drummed his fingers against the railing of the ship. "She's beautiful. Her fur is snowy white, but she has a gray streak around her right paw. It's like she's wearing a bracelet. And her eyes are this beautiful blue."

Hikari sighed in relief. She was glad it was a pet and not some pretty girl instead. "Oh." She nodded.

Kai regarded her curiously. "You've never had a pet?"

Hikari shook her head. "No. Azura and I tried to sneak phoenix-falcons in our rooms once, but Kuro ratted us out and we had to let them go." She sighed softly at the memory, and wondered why she still felt a tinge of disappointment after almost a decade afterwards.

"What did you name yours?" Kai asked. He tilted his head in question, and seemed genuinely interested.

Hikari bit her lip, then giggled softly. "Fuki. She was brown, but when the sun hit her wings they gleamed with red. And she had a gold crest and stomach." She sighed, melancholy. "My childhood wasn't very happy." She admitted.

Kai blinked, recalling his own childhood that had been filled with fun, family, and friends. He even remembered all of the trouble he got into, especially the unagi incident… He couldn't begin to imagine what Hikari had to deal with. "What happened?" he blurted, then covered his mouth with a gloved hand. "I'm sorry; you don't have to if you don't want to." He corrected himself.

Hikari blinked, her brown-gray eyes regarding Kai with wonderment. "No, it's okay." She offered a kind smile, and tapped his glove covered mouth. "You can always be honest with me. And say whatever you want." Honesty and sincerity were things she craved. She was so tired of deception and malice. She didn't like having to be on her toes constantly. She hoped it'd never have to be that way again.

"Okay…so…what happened?" Kai timidly inquired. He bit his lip and watched Hikari expectantly.

She looked away, unable to bear his crystalline gaze. "My father left my mother. He was sick of her loyalty to Azula instead of her own husband. I was only six, but…it really hurt." Her throat tightened with tears, and she wondered why it hurt her so much. She hadn't allowed herself to think of her father for years…

"I know. It hurts." Kai replied, his voice hoarse. He turned away, unwilling to allow Hikari to see the tears that stung at his eyes. His own father had been gone for less than two weeks…but he had to be strong. For his mother, for his younger brother…but it didn't stop him from crying himself to sleep every night. He cringed, ashamed of himself. Was he really so weak?

"I'm so sorry, Kai." Hikari tasted the guilt like bile in the back of her throat. It was her own mother that had been responsible for Kai's father's demise. And her own brother had viciously killed one of Kai's friends. And had nearly killed Kai's cousin Jie too. Her family was responsible for all of the pain and hurt…and she was one of them.

He frowned, facing her suddenly. "How many times do I have to tell you it's not your fault?" anger laced through his words, and he clenched his hands into fists. Hikari would probably blame herself for all of an eternity. And it was so unnecessary. Foolish girl.

She flinched, as if expecting a harsh physical blow, but it did not come. She cautiously opened her eyes to see Kai's seething expression. "I know, but I feel so…responsible…" she whispered. Tears stung at her eyes and she closed them in an attempt to will them away.

His hands touched her shoulders, large and strong. It was as if he were holding her up so tat she could face this new, strange life that was ahead of her. Never had she expected to be here, on a boat, heading to the Northern Water Tribe. She opened her eyes, his face only inches from her own.

"It's not your fault. Hikari, I see so much good in you." He murmured softly, his eyes searching hers. He wondered if he could get through to this emotionally damaged girl. "I was there when you told Tao you'd help him to set us free. It must have taken so much courage on your part to betray everything you've ever known. I admire that in you."

His words echoed everything she grieved for in her heart, and tears trailed down her face. Embarrassed she looked down. "I know we barely know one another, but it means a lot to me that you…you recognize these things." She said meekly.

For the second time, Kai removed his glove and he wiped Hikari's tears away. "Hikari…" he longed to confide in her all of his anguish over his father's death, his fears about becoming Chief of the Northern Water Tribe, his relief that she, someone who could understand all of the pain and torment he'd endured, was here by his side…but he couldn't. Not just yet. Maybe not ever. He had to be strong, he had to be.

"Ah, smell that fresh air?" a voice exuberantly chirped. In an instant Kai and Hikari pulled away form one another and looked to the source of the intrusion: Kato. He blinked and eyed them curiously. "What?"

Kai snorted derisively. "Nothing." He rolled his eyes and left the deck. Kato didn't realize what he'd interrupted, and didn't deserve the lash of Kai's temper. Nor did Hikari deserve to witness it.

Hikari blushed and her eyes followed Kai's retreating form. What had just happened…? What did it mean? She looked at Kato and blinked. "Hey…there…" she laughed sheepishly.

Kato grinned. "We're almost home. You should pack up your belongings." He advised.

Hikari shrugged slightly. "Alright." Truth be told, she didn't have many. The only memories she wanted to keep from the Fire Nation were in her heart. She didn't need any trinkets hanging around. She took the opportunity to leave the ship's deck and retreated into the warm recesses of her cabin. And she couldn't help but wonder what might have happened if Kato hadn't inadvertently interrupted.

WHEN THEY ARRIVED at the Northern Water Tribe, they were greeted solemnly. Not only had their King been killed during the Fire Nation uproar, but they had also lost many soldiers. The bodies were carried respectfully into the haven of the Tribe and preparations were made for funeral rites that would be carried out that evening.

"Let us build our father's boat together." Kai suggested gently to his younger brother. He glanced sidelong at his mother, who choked up from getting a glimpse of Kuval's still form. Kato wordlessly agreed and the two boys set about constructing a small boat that they would cast their father's body out to sea in. Hikari merely observed and said nothing.

That evening the entire tribe adorned themselves in black robes and held the funeral rites. Kai did his best to soothe his grieving mother, but it seemed nothing was enough. He and Kato gently rested their father's body into the small boat they built.

"Wait." Katara urged her sons. The boys looked towards their mother, who removed her betrothal necklace that Kuval had carved for her nearly twenty years ago. She placed it gingerly in Kuval's clasped hands, and she sobbed softly as she assisted her sons in pushing the small boat out to sea.

"I pray to the Spirits of the Moon and Ocean…please guide my father safely to the Spirit World." Kai murmured loud enough for his mother and brother to hear. Katara collapsed to her knees at the icy shore, sobbing uncontrollably. Kai knelt beside his mother, clasping his hands on her frail shoulders. "Mother, he'll be waiting patiently for you." He whispered soothingly. She only sobbed harder.

Kato bowed his head, reluctant to let his brother or the other villagers see the tears coursing down his face. He felt so weak compared to his older brother Kai. Kai was so strong, not shedding a single tear. Their father would have been so proud of him for taking care of their mother this way. He had been utterly useless. He fell to his knees and doubled over, his body wracking with sobs. Daddy…

Hikari merely observed, silent tears trailing down her porcelain face. A face that was alien in this group of people. Here she was, a noble daughter of the Fire Nation, witnessing such a private and intense moment. She had no right to be here…but she also needed to be. For perhaps her mere presence could offer a small dose of comfort for this broken family and bleeding Tribe.

THE FOLLOWING MORNING the entire Northern Water Tribe woke early. Today, as the sun rose, Kai was to be crowned as the new Chief of the Northern Water Tribe. Kai paced nervously about his room, his arctic fox-ferret watching his movements intently with her blue eyes. Kai ignored her, glancing in his mirror to see if he was presentable. He grimaced at his reflection, for he was pale with grief, and there were dark circles under his eyes from the lack of sleep.

How could he have slept last night? He had once again cried him hoarse, the grief of his father's funeral rites overwhelming to him. He felt so very alone, despite Hojiru's presence, and longed to have someone hold him tight and whisper that it was alright. But no, he had to be strong. He had to hold his mother. He had to tell his brother it was alright. Damn you Mai, damn you to the Spirit World for taking my father from me.

As the tears subsided the evening before, the realization dawned that on the morrow he would have to become his Tribe's Chief. And that was something utterly terrifying as well. He had not even reached his sixteenth birthday yet. Although he'd passed the Ice Dodging ritual with flying colors, he hardly felt ready for such a responsibility. How could he?

It wasn't supposed to be this way, he reasoned. My father was supposed to personally hand me his crown in another year or so. Once I was ready, and he was here to do it. But no, now he had to reach out and take it from his father's cold, dead hands. And it killed Kai to have to do it.

A soft knock at his door startled him from his thoughts, and he jumped, as did Hojiru. "Yes?" he inquired anxiously. He clenched the fabric of his ornate blue robes, and forced his beating heart to calm itself.

"It's me, Hikari." The soft, feminine voice announced from behind his door. He sighed softly in relief. Good, it wasn't time for the crowning ceremony yet. He dreaded the entire ordeal, both physically and emotionally. It was far too early for any sort of throne usurping. But this was the customs of his tribe, and he fully intended to follow them.

"Come in." he urged her. He rose as she entered, and scoffed when she bowed. "What on the icecaps are you doing?" he demanded, irritated. And even though he was miffed by her behavior, he took note of how lovely she looked in ornate robes of royal blue. Surprising, considering she was a daughter of the Fire Nation.

She straightened from her bow and looked him straight in the eye. "Showing the future King of the Northern Water Tribe the respect he deserves." She answered mildly. She sensed the inner turmoil roiling throughout Kai, and remembered that Azura had gone through a similar experience. Spirits, it felt as though it had been eons ago since Azura's crowning ceremony.

Kai fought the urge to scream. "First of all, it's Chief, not King. Secondly, I'm the same person I was before. Don't get distant with me." He responded harshly. Was Hikari really the type of person to affected so deeply by mere titles? Hadn't her brother been destined to marry Azura, making her royalty by marriage? Hadn't her best friend been the Fire Lady?

Hikari nodded. "I'm sorry." She studied, and noticed he didn't look well, but she said nothing. She shifted uncomfortably, looking about Kai's bedchambers. They weren't obnoxiously lavish, although his bed looked very comfortable covered in various furs and skins of animals. Hmm, a simple man. So very like Kuro had been…although…not. She saw Kai's pet sitting comfortably on his bed and the corners of her mouth twitched.

"Apology accepted." He also fidgeted, and watched her take in the surroundings of his room. It had been cleaned recently by the servants who anticipated his arrival after his year's absence. It smelled of fresh salt air and was decorated with his various weapons and trappings. Plain, but masculine. Just the way he liked it.

Hikari stepped over to Kai's bed, raising a cautious hand to pet Hojiru. The Arctic fox-ferret sniffed her hand curiously before squealing with delight and nuzzling Hikari's hand affectionately. She blinked in surprise, then smiled and pet the furry critter. "She's wonderful." Hikari commented.

Kai blinked at the tender scene and fought his own grin. "She is." He agreed before walking over to scoop the small creature up into his arms. Hojiru lovingly nuzzled her owner, purring with content. "You've missed Daddy, haven't you?" he cooed to his pet.

Hikari stifled a small giggle which drew Kai's attention away from his furry friend. Honestly, who would have thought that serious, arrogant Kai had a soft spot for animals? And that he'd baby-talk with them?

Oblivious as to why Hikari was so amused, Kai tilted his head towards her. "What?" he blinked. Hojiru also eyed Hikari curiously, tilting her snowy white head.

"Nothing…you just sound hilarious." Hikari managed to admit between snorts and snickers. Oh, this was priceless!

Kai scowled, hugging Hojiru protectively to his chest. "Hey, stop it. She's my baby." He protested, annoyed.

Hikari laughed once more before coughing and straightening her features. "You're right. She's your furry love child." Hikari broke down into another giggle fit. And even though she was laughing, she found it endearing that Kai was so tender with a small animal. A female one no less. Weren't boys supposed to want a boy pet?

Kai sighed heavily, petting Hojiru's head absently. "Don't listen to her, baby. Daddy loves you no matter what." He sing songed. It would be best if he just acted as though Hikari's poking fun at him didn't bother him. If he reacted at all, she'd take it a step further and just keep going.

"Sorry, sorry." Hikari regained her composure, smoothing down her royal blue robes. Such a rich color, one she was unaccustomed to wearing. But she found she liked it. And the material was so luxurious...

Kai placed his pet back on his lush bed, sitting down beside her. "So…" he trailed off, unsure of what to say now that Hikari's amusement had passed. It was rather annoying that she found his affections amusing, but…she was Fire Nation. Maybe she just didn't understand. No, that was wrong. He couldn't allow himself to think that way. Hikari was his honored guest. She was like him. She understood…

"The sun will be rising soon…" Hikari noted as she gazed out of Kai's window. The horizon tinted with pink, and already she knew the sunrise would be a lovely sight to see. It would be her first sunrise at the Northern Water Tribe ever, and she was rather looking forward to it. Although she assumed Kai wasn't.

"Yes. It will." Unable to keep the despair from his voice, he bowed his head. As much as he knew Hikari was looking forward to witnessing her first sunrise here, Kai longed to avoid ever seeing another one again. This sunrise would be his first as King. A position he didn't want just yet. But he had to…

Funny, he'd never look at the sunrise the same again. He'd always feel that tinge of guilt, regret, grief…his own crowning ceremony would forever adulterate the beauty of the sunrise for him. And, the sunset, for that matter. His father's funeral rites had occurred at sunset, signaling the end of his life. Never again could he observe the sun sinking in the sky without wanting to weep for the injustice of it all.

Hikari stood before him, and without warning, wrapped her arms around him. His head was nestled so securely at her stomach, and he could smell her unique scent of sun and smoke. He wondered if her smell would change, now that she no longer lived in the Fire Nation around Firebenders. He would miss the scent if it did change. He closed his eyes, feeling so weary suddenly. Spirits, if only he could rest, could stay here, safe in his own room, forever.

"I know you feel unsure, and don't feel ready for this, but you were born for this, Kai. This is your destiny. You'll become a great Chief, and you'll serve your people well. You're strong, brave, self assured. You have everything required of a great leader." Her voice, soft and true, poured into him and eased every insecurity. Had Hikari spoken to Azura this way when her throne had been thrust upon her? If she had, Azura probably felt hundreds of times better after Hikari's kind words.

He pressed his face into her robes, and heaved a great sigh. Tears stung at his eyes, and he felt so tired, but so soothed. "Thank you." He muffled into her stomach, bringing his arms up to wrap them around her. He hardly knew this girl, but yet he did. He knew her pure heart, her strong nature that she had yet to realize of herself. No, he didn't know her favorite color, her hobbies, her likes and dislikes. But he'd know them soon enough, as time marched on. And that was good enough.

Her slim fingers smoothed his hair, pausing only to finger specific braids or beads, before resting at the nape of his neck. As if they possessed a mind of their own, they began to gently knead and massage the tension away. Funny, she had done this with Kuro, but it had never felt like this…this was different. This was out of desire, not obligation. She wanted to soothe Kai's unvoiced anxieties.

She gazed through Kai's window, noticing that the sun was peeking slightly at the horizon, higher than it had been previously. She gently tapped the nape of Kai's neck. "C'mon, it's time." She gently urged him.

He pulled away from the delightful embrace, doing his best to rouse himself out of his sleepy stupor. How long had he rested in Hikari's arms? Why didn't he want to leave? He rubbed his tired eyes, than nodded. "Let's go."

Hikari took his hand, and together they walked to the ceremony, and Kai's destiny.

KAI GRIMACED AS he regarded his stack of forms that sat primly on his desk. The forms consisted of requests, such as construction, festivals, events, military, and the like. The pile was rather tall, and rather unfinished. And he really wasn't looking forward to rifling through them, reading each one, and then determining what to do about each one.

He scowled, staring down the forms, hoping that maybe if he could intimidate them, they'd go away, and he could go sleep, or Waterbend, or…well, something that didn't involve reading boring documents.

Since he'd been crowned two months ago, his life seemed to become bogged down with his duties as Chief. He had to be aware of everything going on in his Tribe at all times. He had to know how the upper class was handling their affairs, as well as the lower class. He had to keep both happy, while being fair and just. He had endless meetings involving laws, zoning, Tribe events, and the such.

Kai was grateful he'd paid some attention to his tutors before he'd left for his crazy adventure, because otherwise he wouldn't know what to do with all of it. And now that he was so busy with his Tribe duties, that crazy year long adventure with his friends seemed almost like a vacation. Although the Fire Nation's prison was hardly a resort.

But being a Chief had its perks. He was able to communicate with Fire Lady Zara and Fire Lord Lian with ease, and soon learned that they were expecting their first child. He also wrote Jie and Daichi frequently, and learned that they were happily married and had decided to settle in Kyoshi Island, and that Daichi's parents, Haru and Song, had also relocated to Kyoshi Island. When Kai wrote to Aang, he got enthusiastic responses from his children, asking to come visit the Northern Water Tribe. He replied that of course, they could come anytime. Aang informed him that he would stop by soon.

But, enough, he had to finish this papers, since they would finish themselves. He fought the urge to freeze them to the desk, or perhaps Waterbend them until they were soggy bits of mangled parchment. As he entertained the idea, someone quickly entered his office. He raised his he to see his young brother standing before him, and he smiled with relief. "Hey you." He greeted his younger brother.

"Hey." He sat in the chair that was propped in front of Kai's desk. He took the first parchment from Kai's pile and inspected it. "Ah, the New Moon festival…" he grinned at the memories of the monthly small festival the entire Northern Water Tribe celebrated.

"It's just the generic monthly promissory notice." Kai said with a shrug. But he smile, for Kato's company was something he enjoyed immensely. Since they had returned to their home, Kato seemed to have the life he had prior to their year long adventure. It consisted of rigorous studying both in Chiefdom and in healing. He loved healing as much as he had before, and was very adept at it. He also seemed less shy and more social, and on several occasions some new friends of his came calling to the palace.

But, Kato would often join Kai when he was handling meetings or paperwork. He would remain silent and merely observe, but every so often, he would offer suggestions or speak up whenever he felt something wasn't fair. Kato was a good judge of what was right and wrong, especially when it came to the lower class or to women's rights.

What Kai enjoyed the most was when Kato joined him in his office, and they went through the paperwork together. It was a calm, quiet time that they could enjoyed one another's company while being productive. And it didn't hurt for Kato to learn how to become a Chief. If anything ever happened to Kai, he didn't want Kato to feel unprepared as he had.

"Well, sign off on it then." Kato handed the paper to his brother and took another from the pile. "The Fire Nation is hosting a banquet?" he blinked, then grinned, waving the paper in front of Kai's face. "Great, we can see Zara and Lian again!"

Kai didn't even look up from the paper he was notarizing. "Is it eight months from now?" he questioned dully. He dipped his pen in his squid-ink and finished his signature before grabbing the next paper from his stack.

Kato blinked, checking the anticipated date for the banquet. "Yes, just about. How did you know?" he turned his sky blue gaze back to his hunched over brother.

Kai looked to his brother, scoffing slightly. "Because that's around the time that Zara's baby is due." He answered. He really couldn't be mad at Kato for not knowing; he hadn't told him, or his mother for that matter.

Kato blinked with surprise, then whooped with delight. "Wow, we're going to have a little baby second-cousin!" he was thrilled for Lian and Zara, they deserved this, especially after all they had been through with the whole Fire Nation fiasco.

Kai rolled his eyes. "Yes. I know." How could he be excited when Zara should have…could have…no. Not while Lian was alive. She'd never be his while Lian still had a breath in his body. And his didn't wish death on his own cousin. Lian, who was more like a brother to him. His own flesh and blood.

"Why're you so miffed?" Kato furrowed his brows, studying his brother's ill elated expression. He knew that Kai had a small thing for Zara, but honestly, she was happily married with a baby one the way. How could he begrudge her this?

"You know me." Kai replied softly, clasping his hands together and looking down. Kato was so young and innocent, how could he possibly understand a man's desires? His younger brother got up, walking around the desk to lay a hand on his shoulder. The hand was larger than he remembered, and as Kai looked up into his younger brother's face, he realized that he too, was becoming a man. Spirits, he was almost fourteen…

"I know you liked her, but it's time to move on. Find someone who was meant for you and you alone." Kato advised mildly, his voice strong and firm. He wished that Kai could find happiness in the arms of another. He deserved that much for all he'd been through. Kato smiled gently, his admiration for his strong brother shinning in his eyes.

"I know." Kai bit his lip, raising a hand to cover Kato's. The two shared a moment of silence together, before Kato clapped his other hand on Kai's remaining shoulder. "Ah! What?" Kai glanced up at his brother inquiringly.

"What about Hikari? She's very pretty." Kato suggested boldly. He couldn't help but beam at his own cleverness. Hikari was suffering from a broken heart as well, so she and Kai would be perfect for one another. Right?

"Mother would never approve. Once she starts pestering me to find a bride, she has to be a Water Tribe noble." Kai responded. And, besides, their mother would be hurt to have him marrying the daughter of the woman who had slain his father. Wouldn't she?

"Oh…right." Kato sighed disappointedly. He was so certain that it'd be a good match…and he really wanted to see Kai happy.

Kai shoved him playfully. "What were you thinking trying to hook me up with her anyway?" he teased, his fingers reaching out to tickle his younger brother. Kato shrieked and attempted to evade his elder brother's 'attack', but he failed miserably and crashed to the floor. Kai tackled him, tickling Kato mercilessly. "C'mon, tell me, tell me!"

The two boys laughed and wrestled until the heard a cough. They turned to see their mother standing over them, her arms crossed indignantly. "Just what do you two think you're doing?" she inquired suspiciously.

Kai felt very juvenile at the moment as he laughed sheepishly and helped his brother off of the ground. "Uh, nothing Mom. We were just…uh…playing?" Spirits, it even sounded stupid to his own ears, so he knew it didn't look good to his mother.

Katara studied her sons carefully before chuckling herself. "It's good to see you two fighting nice." She wiped tears of mirth from her eyes, then regarded Kato. "Some of your friends are here. A very lovely young lady in particular." She sing songed.

Kato blushed beet red as Kai regarded him curiously. "Oooh, is someone in love?" he teased. Could Kato possibly have some sort of lover girl? Now he was definitely curious.

Kato noel blushed a deeper red and shoved his brother. "Shut up." But as he retreated from Kai's study, he couldn't help but smile foolishly. And there was a slight skip to his step.

Katara and Kai watched Kato's retreating form, then turned to one another. "And you." Katara menacingly regarded her elder son. She pointed a finger to her son's broad chest, poking him ever so gently.

Kai gulped nervously. "Yes?" he squeaked. Even now that he was Chief of the Northern Water Tribe and had fought valiantly in the Fire Nation skirmish, his mother still evoked fear ad dread in his soul. Spirits forbid if he crossed her…

"Go have some fun of your own. You've been working too hard." Katara gently told her son. She sat Kai's chair and took some of the paperwork.

"But Mom-" Kato weakly protested.

"No 'But Mom' anything. Go." She gave her son a gentle nudge, and he leaned over to press a kiss to her brow. "Go." She murmured softly as she returned a kiss to his cheek. And he reluctantly left her to do his paperwork. She didn't think Kai realized how proud she was of him…

AS KAI WALKED the halls of the palace, unsure of what to do with himself, he came across Hikari. She was dressed in one of her nicer robes he'd provided for her. "Where are you going dressed so nicely?" he questioned, fingering the fine material of her clothes.

Hikari grinned secretively. "Do you really want to know?" she queried coyly. She searched the curiosity in Kai's handsome face and fought a knowing smirk. She took his hands, guiding him to her destination.

"What-" he protested gently, attempting to tug his hands from her grasp. He wasn't quite sure what Hikari was doing.

Hikari turned and gazed at Kai. "I thought you wanted to know where I was going!" she reiterated impatiently. Honestly, Kai must be stupid after reading all of those papers for so long.

Kai studied her. "Well, yes, but-"

"Then come on." Hikari took his hands again, and continued dragging him to her destination. They left the palace, and weaved through the complex streets of the Tribe. Any protests that Kai voiced were immediately shushed by Hikari, and soon enough they reached their destination: an open square.

People were gathered, most of them young and of the lower and middle class. They were all dancing and laughing. There was a small band in the corner that belted out tunes, and a small shop that had remained open to serve refreshments and snacks. In the group of people dancing, Kai thought he spotted his brother. But he couldn't be sure, since the dance square was crowded, and the energy of the crowd was so vibrant.

"Wow." Was all he managed to say. He turned to gaze into Hikari's brown-gray eyes that glimmered with excitement. "Is this what you've been doing while I've been cooped up in my office?" he queried.

Hikari grinned. "Sometimes. Kato and I have been bored without you around." She replied, than tugged on his hands. "Come on, let's go dance." She pleaded. She recalled the swooning feelings she had felt when she and Kai shared a dance at Zara and Lian's wedding reception. She longed to recapture that moment with Kai.

Kai grinned. "Okay." He ran with her to join the crowd, and allowed himself to be swept up by the lively tempo. Soon enough they discarded their parkas and were dressed only in their house clothes. And Kai felt more alive here and now than he had in the past two months.

The musicians took a break after a few songs to eat something, and Hikari and Kai took the opportunity to do the same. And, to Kai's surprise, he ran straight into Kato. "Hey!" he exclaimed with delight.

Kato grinned, and the girl by his side blinked, tilting her head at the two newcomers. "Who is this, Kato?" she questioned boldly. Her hair was long, and braided decoratively. She was dressed in ocean blue robes, and their quality was no where near as nice as Kato's. She was obviously of the middle class, and had no real social decorum that noble girls seemed to posses.

Kato blushed slightly, his ears even tinting pink. "This is my brother, Kai. And our good friend Hikari. She's a guest from the Fire Nation." He blinked as the girl scowled at Hikari distrustfully. "Kai, Hikari, this is Kayuki."

Kai nodded respectively, as did Hikari. "It's nice to meet the girl that my brother likes so much." Kato shied away slightly, mortified that his brother had said such a thing so openly. Kai smirked softly, figuring it was all in a day's work as a big brother. What was your purpose of being a big brother if you weren't allowed to humiliate your younger sibling?

"Oh…I see…" Kayuki smirked slightly, turning to Kato. She took his hand, leaning in closer to him. "I had no idea you liked me so much." She prodded gently. Her breath was only a hair width from Kato's ear. Kato did his best to suppress a shiver.

Kato laughed sheepishly. "Kayuki…about that…" he turned red once more as Kayuki cuddled up closer to him. What could he say? He did like her.

Kai laughed, deciding it was best to leave the two teens alone, and walked up to the shop to make a food order. He studied the menu carefully; unsure of what exactly it was he wanted. "What would you like?" he asked Hikari.

She bit her lip, looking thoughtful. "I kind of like sea prunes and arctic hen…" she answered thoughtfully. Her brown-gray eyes met his blue, and she nodded in affirmation. "Sea prunes and arctic hen."

Kai grinned and made the orders. "Go pick a table." He directed her. Hikari left to pick a table and he watched her retreating figure. Despite the heavy parka, she still appeared slim and tall. Lovely and graceful…and his thoughts were broken by the chef announcing his dishes were ready. He paid for them and he carried them over to join Hikari.

"You look happy." Hikari commented as she took her dish. She happily dove in, eating to her heart's content. It had taken a bit of getting used to, but now she really enjoyed the Northern Water Tribe's dishes. And she really enjoyed the person she was sharing them with.

"Heck yeah. It's my first free night in almost two months." He replied, heartily digging into his own dish. He'd decided on the squid and seaweed dish. He fought the urge to kick his legs like a happy child. When was the last time he and Hikari had shared a dinner together? He'd been so busy being Chief they hadn't had much time to talk.

Hikari watched him, and looked thoughtful. "So, how did you know that Kato liked Kayuki?" she questioned. She wanted to see how well Kai truly knew his little brother. She knew they were close, but this would be a good test.

Kai laughed. "Because I was there when my mother informed him that she'd come to call. You should have seen how excited he got." He replied, taking a hearty bite of squid. He was happy for his brother, he was usually so shy with girls…but it seemed Kayuki was aggressive enough for the both of them. He liked that in a girl. It reminded him of…no. Don't think of Zara.

Hikari took her own bite of arctic hen and chewed slowly. She swallowed, then washed it down with a cup of ale. "He's always dancing with her. No other. He does like her." She confirmed.

Kai smiled victoriously. "I knew it." Kato always got giddy when it came to things he liked. Kai just got territorial, jealous, and moody. But, he digressed.

"Yeah, but you probably shouldn't have embarrassed him like that." Hikari said. She lightly kicked Kai from beneath the table they were at.

He lightly kicked back. "Why not? He would have been an old man with a cane before she even knew anything otherwise." He defended himself.

Hikari sighed. "You're probably right. Kato is a bit shy…" she trailed off, the image of the younger Prince blushing coming to mind.

"And quiet." Kai added. He took another bite of his dish, relishing the hot, fresh taste on his tongue. The dancing had been so fun, and he'd really worked up the appetite for this dish. He wondered why he felt so optimistic, but then summed it up to having a night off for himself.

"That too." Hikari agreed. They shared a laugh and continued eating together and enjoying their night.

THAT EVENING, WHEN the moon was high in the sky, they walked back to the palace together in a comfortable silence. Kai even walked Hikari to her bedroom door. They stood together before it, facing one another.

"Well…thanks for coming tonight. It was fun." Hikari beamed. Her cheeks were still flushed from the dancing and the cold. Kai thought she looked beautiful. But he would never admit it aloud.

Kai nodded. "It was." he had truly enjoyed himself and Hikari's company. He found that he had missed her, since each passing week since his crowning he'd gained more and more of his responsibilities as his mother eased out of them.

Although they didn't speak that often when they were together, their comfortable silence and her enjoyable company was something he relished. She often would listen to him voice his concerns. She always had a wise anecdote, or a kind word, or she just simply understood. He had come to value her mind and opinions as much as he had any of his other friends.

Hikari studied Kai's face, finding him handsome when he was lost in his thoughts. "Well," she began tentatively, "I'm going to bed now. Good night Kai." And with that, she leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to Kai's cheek. Before he could see her blush, she opened her door and slipped into her bedroom.

Kai blinked, pressing his ungloved fingers to his cheek where Hikari's lips had been just moments before. He gazed at the door she had just passed through, wondering what had possessed her to kiss him like that. Not that it was a bad thing, just unexpected. And, truth be told, he had liked it.

He turned and trudged to his bedroom, feeling weary from the long day of Cheif-ly work and the long night of dancing. He wondered what Hikari thought of him. She was always friendly, though sometimes shy. But tonight she had teased him a bit, and even scolded him. She was starting to open up to him, it seemed.

She seemed content here, and was even participating in social events with his brother. That meant that she liked staying in the Northern Water Tribe, right? Kai didn't even want to think of her leaving. He enjoyed the quiet breakfasts he had with her every so often, or the lunches filled with debates that were even ewer and further in between.

Come to think of it, any time he had spent with her just didn't feel like it was enough. Even tonight wasn't enough. He had missed her, whether he'd acknowledged it or not. As he entered his room and was greeted by Hojiru, he wondered what he thought of Hikari. He knew he still liked Zara, but Zara was married and pregnant…

It was a lost cause, something he shouldn't give anymore thought to, or even try to pursue. But Hikari…she was here. She was available…and she was totally off limits because of his title. He groaned and sank into his bed. Hojiru nuzzled him affectionately, and he wondered if his thought process had just opened up a can of worms.