Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender or its characters

Pointers: 'italics' means that the character is thinking

Summary: Lien never felt at home in the Fire Nation. She was always alone and continued to live her life that way, but that was all until a certain Princess had taken her as a friend and a Prince mended her lonely heart. Zuko x OC

Author's Note: So DreamsInMyHeart16 asked me could I do a new rendition of Winter's Flame. I loved the idea and I hope this story goes well!

Book 0:

Different

Have you ever questioned why in a place called home, you feel like an outsider? I have felt that way for years. My life was normal, I guess. Not the everyday normal, but the kind of normal where nothing special ever happened. I went to school, I went home, and I had done the usual. Read a book or do something to occupy my time after dinner and before my bedtime. I mean maybe it's because I don't feel special and it's not my parents fault, mind you. But its because I'm a non-bender. Just a regular ole' person. Benders had exciting lives, able to manipulate an element at whim and could use for however they wished to use it. Meanwhile I, a nonbender, just pined away wondering why I was never that special. Benders were special and nonbenders, like myself, were boring. I guess what I'm saying is kind of mean. Its not like I'm not grateful to the life I have, which I do, but I just wish… it had little more meaning.

Anyway, it was about time I stopped pondering anyway. I have school. I attend the Fire Nation Academy for Girls, where the prestigious go. My dad is a high-ranking general in the Fire Nation army. He has many titles and many badges, Azulon favors him a lot. My mother is just a regular, nonbender like myself. I kind of wonder why I never became a firebender like my dad, which is odd if you ask me, but I guess not everyone gets the bender gene. And so, here I was heading to school with my head up in the clouds and my legs moving me forward.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention my name. My name is Lien, odd for a Fire Nation girl, right? Anyway, that's what I was named the day I was born and I have never questioned it or thought otherwise about it. I mean how could I ask without being so offensive? But I like my name. It makes me feel special. Did you know I have a Koi fish name Lee? Oh wait, I got off topic didn't I? Well, I like my nam- Oh wait, I'm going to be late for class!

The sound of small feet hitting the floor had echoed down the hallway, she was just about to be the only one out there until she slid into a halt and gracefully entered the classroom. She was lucky, most people were getting their things together while other people like Princess Azula and her friends Mai as well as Ty Lee were sitting there, back straights, and eyes forward. How were they always on time and perfect like that? I mean Azula obviously, but her friends too? Lien merely shrugged her shoulders and took a seat as the teacher came into the room in which everyone got out of their seats and bowed to the teacher and greeted her a good morning. She bowed as well, greeted them and return, and everyone got ready to say the Fire Nation pledge as instructed.

"My life, I give to my country. With my hands, I fight for Fire Lord Azulon and our forefathers before him. With my mind, I seek ways to better my country, and with my feet I march on until the world is under it. So long live Azulon, so long live prosperity. I fight my country because my country is a part of me."

After the pledge, everyone had taken their seats and the lesson had begun. Mrs. Dong was telling them the geography of the world, the names of oceans, and the names of countries and their capitals. Of course, everything she had said everyone was writing down. The woman was famous her pop quizzes, which were really surprise. You never know when they were coming. What was even harder was that each test was on what she discussed last time in class. If there was anyone who got straight A's it was Azula. The girl was practically flawless.

Once it was recess, Lien was standing and leaning against a wall. She didn't have many friends. Most people thought she was a little on the weird side. She was to herself, unsure how to act around others, and she was pretty prideful. What was weird about her? Her skin was about unusual pale skin and her eyes, her eyes were a bright, azure blue. At first, people question what she was and she simply replied she was born and raised in the Fire Nation. Which was the truth after all, but her eyes were of watertribe so they never believed her words. Still, Lien only knew about the Fire Nation and neither parent had made any indication of being or knowing anything about the watertribe. She knew for a fact that her father was a firebender because she had done it himself. She was a nonbender like her mother. Why people just didn't understand that?

And so, as usual, she had watched others play. There was no need for her to participate when she felt like she didn't belong. It was until Princess Azula had approached her, arms akimbo, and a fake smile on her face. Of course, Lien didn't know the deception of the smile for she was too busy surprised by the emotion. "Uh, Princess Azula." She bowed before standing straight and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "How may I help you?" The blue-eyed girl asked, still unsure of why Azula and her friends had approached her.

Ty Lee, whose smile was more on the genuine side, had looked at Mai and then at Azula who was now speaking. "We want to play dodgeball and we need another person in the group. We're uneven." The explanation was short and definitely to the point. Lien looked both left and then right, unsure if the girl was really talking to her. Why would they ask her to join? There were other kids who would more than likely want to play, right? "Are you playing or not?" The princess leaned forward, her eyes more menacing.

Lien had a rather shocked expression, "Uh… Uhm, well, okay!" She threw her arms in the air as sign that she gave in, Ty Lee squealed and jumped up and down while the dark-haired girl had remained non-plussed. Azula smiled, nodding her head. "Uh, did I miss something?"

"People are usually scared to play dodgeball with Azula." Ty Lee then explained as Lien seemed to stiffen up, her eyes revealing her fear.

"W-Why would they be afraid?" She stuttered, gulping nervously as she pulled her collar loosely.

Mai sighed, "Because Azula is the best at it."

"It's only natural that I be. The game is about dominance and accuracy. Who better to win than a Princess?" Azula boasted, her smirk a rather cocky one.

The blue-eyed female nodded her head, going along with the flow of agreeing with Azula. "Of course, you are the best at everything." Lien said, fiddling with her hands and looking down at the ground.

The young girl before her let out arrogant humph before bouncing the red ball up and down in her hands. "I like you. You know your place. You must be General Nianzu's kid, right?"

Lien quickly nodded her head, "Yes. He's my father."

"You shouldn't be by yourself. Your father is one of the highest ranked general of the Fire Nation. He's even catching up to Azula's uncle and he's called the Dragon of the West." Ty Lee enthused.

The young blue-eyed girl merely shook her head, "Well, other people don't care about that. I've been alone since I've stepped foot in this school."

"That's because you have eyes of those water barbarians." Azula pointed at the girl's eyes, Lien staring at the girl's long, sharply manicured finger.

"But I'm not a bender at all." She countered, feeling a bit defensive.

"But someone from your family is from the watertribe. I've seen your mother and she looks exactly like them." Azula pointed out in which Lien bawled up her fist as if she was growing angry, but before she could fire off an insult she had watched Ty Lee come between them. The aspiring acrobat had smiled at Lien, her eye's pleading to stop whatever she had planned to do. The girl's face softened and she unbawled her fist. "What were you going to say?" Azula then moved Ty Lee to the side so that she could look at the girl before her.

"I was about to say maybe you're right Azula. I mean, you're always right." Lien bowed respectfully, a forced smile on her face.

The Princess smirked and then shrugged her shoulders, brushing the whole thing off. Lien as well as the other two knew that Azula had known that wasn't the truth. "I like your attitude even though you're an abomination." The compliment surprised Mai and Ty Lee then it surprised Lien.

"W-What?" The girl stuttered confused.

The azure-flamed bender rolled her eyes, "I'm not repeating myself." Her voice was etching with irritation, but a playful smile still adorned her face. The blue-eyed nonbender wasn't sure what to say but she smiled as a response. "Recess is about to end and I can believe I spent it on this. Oh well, same place and same time, Lien?"

Quickly nodding her head, Lien bowed again. "It would be an honor, Princess Azula." She said as the three girls walked ahead, leaving a confused Lien behind. After seeing the other kids running towards the building, she walked her way towards the school and back into the classroom. If it wasn't for the fact one kid nearly pushed her in, she probably would've been late by a few seconds.

The day went by as it usually did, but Lien sat in her seat dumbfounded by the fact Azula said she was an abomination. What did that mean and why did she feel so insulted by it? She couldn't fathom how anything about herself had caught the girl's attention other than her odd looks. Maybe that was it, wasn't it always?

When the school day was finally over, Lien had sat up from her seat and gathered her things. She placed all her books into her carrying bag but stopped when she felt three people in front of her. The girl looked up to see a smiling Ty Lee, a confused Mai, and a smirking Azula. "Uhm…"

"Why don't you come to the palace after school with us. I have a game I want to play." Azula answered.

"And you need teams?" She asked now seeing if the girl wanted things even. Of course, she was hoping she was on a team with Ty Lee since she was the friendlier one of the three.

"Of course." The royal answered in which Lien's eyes lowered, "Are you in or are you out, Lien?"

The blue-eyed girl looked at Azula and then down at her smooth, wooden desk. "Sure, I just have to go home first and tell them where I'll be." Lien explained as Azula nodded her head understanding.

"Be at the gates at three. No later than that." And with that said, Azula spun and left with both Mai and Ty Lee following behind.

"You're going to the palace?" Her mother's voice revealed her surprise. The blue-eyed woman then had her hand on her cheek, obviously worried. Just about everyone knew about Lien's origin than her own daughter. She figured that the question would never come up again after her daughter asked her that one time. She had acted like everything was fine, but now this? Now the Princess of the Fire Nation wanted to befriend Lien? She wasn't sure if it was out of her own benefits or because she generally wanted to play with her.

"Yeah, Princess Azula wants me to play with her and her friends." Lien said as she fixed her hair that was usual in pigtails. She had took the ribbons out of them and placed them back in, making sure they were tied neater and tighter. "Oh and what's an abomination?"

The woman narrowed her eyes, "Why do you asked, darling?"

Her daughter let her arms fall to her side as she checked herself in the mirror again before turning to look at her mother. "Princess Azula called me that. What does it mean?"

"Its… Its nothing." A frown appeared on the woman's face as she walked over toward her daughter, patting her back. "You don't want to be late."

With a nod of her head, Lien had walked towards the door and slipped on her red, pointed shoes. "Are the guards going to escort me to the Palace gates?"

"Of course." Doli said to her daughter as the young girl turned to look at her again, a smile appearing on her face before opening the door. "Be home before eight."

"I will!" Lien said before walking out of the door and closing it behind her. Immediately, her guards had stood there waiting and bowed to her at sight. She smiled at them and skipped her way over, this was the most merriest they had seen her.

"Where are you off to today, Miss Lien?" One guard asked as she took hold of his hand since he was her favorite.

"To the palace. I'm going to be visiting Princess Azula, we have to hurry though." She said as the man did a double take at her. Princess Azula? The Palace?

He turned to look at the others who were just as surprised. They just shrugged their shoulders and began leading the way, Lien still skipping alongside the guard. "This is rather unexpected."

"I know, Jiang. But she was really nice to me." Lien nodded her head after saying so, her azure eyes looking up at him as he continued to look ahead. "Besides, I don't have any friends… so its nice."

The yellow-eyed man then looked down at the short girl, his words having some effect on him. It was true, most people tended to avoid her and she didn't even know why. She was different from everyone else. Even he was reluctant himself in protecting her, but when he saw her and held her when she was an infant, he couldn't help but fall in love with her. She was just like any other child, his nationalist behavior causing him to outcast a child.

Just because she wasn't full Fire Nation didn't mean she didn't have feelings. Other people didn't care about that, when they looked at her they saw what should never be meant to be. "Jiang." Lien called his name, his mind now out of his thoughts and now focusing on her.

"Yes?" He said as he looked down, her eyes staring up at his.

"What's an abomination?" He stopped walking as if he was frozen in spot. She continued to look at him, her eyes wide and inquisitive. Why did everyone not want to answer her question? "Jiang?" She called out to him, shaking his hand.

"An abomination is something that is disgusting." He answered as the girl's eyes widened and for a second, he thought he saw something flash in those eyes of hers.

Instead, the dark-haired girl had lowered her head and didn't say anything as they continued to make their way towards the palace gates. When they had made it there, Lien had looked to see Azula leaning on the gates with her arms folded. Upon the sight of Lien, she had snapped her fingers and the gates opened. Lien then let go of Jiang's hand and waved to him, "Bye Jiang! See you later." Even though she made it seem like she was fine, Jiang knew that she was obviously upset upon hearing the definition of the word.

Lien and Azula had walked alongside each other towards the entrance doors, "I'm glad you came on time. Not even a second late." Azula spoke, Lien wasn't sure if it was praise or something else.

"Oh, well, I didn't want to be late. You invited me after all, nobody should be late for a Princess." The girl forced a smile, Azula giving her one of her own.

Once they were inside, Lien was in awe of the place. Her eyes couldn't settle on one thing, it just stared from one thing and to the next. Everything was so expensive, way more expensive than her home. She couldn't imagine breaking anything, it might cost her entire home including everything inside of it. Azula began explaining some of the interior design, what each thing meant and such. Lien acted as if she was paying attention, but she was too busy 'oohing' and 'ahhing' everything she saw.

"And that's Fire Lord Azulon in perfection in this painting. It was right after he-" She stopped when she notice someone walking their way. Lien looked away from the painting and towards the boy who stood before them. He was taller than them and obviously older. His dark, brown hair was in a ponytail and his amber eyes were on them, a frown was on his face, and he wore the usual Fire Nation royal armor.

The girl, after staring at him, immediately bowed. "This is my brother, Zuzu , or as you should call him Prince Zuko."

The boy tightened his fist upon his sister's nickname, he did a nod of acknowledgement towards Lien before giving his sibling all of his attention. "Have you seen mom?" He asked.

The girl sighed and folded her arms, "No, I haven't. What am I? Mom-watcher? Why don't you go play with others like a regular person?"

The boy growled slightly, his bawled up fists shaking again. Afraid, Lien took a step closer to Azula even though that wasn't much of a difference. The Princess looked at the girl form the corner of her eyes and let out a 'hmph'. "Dum-dum is nothing to be afraid of. Come on, Ty Lee and Mai are waiting." She then grabbed the girl's wrist and lead to the court yard.

As they were walking the young non-bender than began to question, "Your brother doesn't have any friends?" She asked, now curious.

"Nope. He's such a loser." Azula answered straightforwardly, not even bothering to show some sympathy.

The girl looked back at Zuko, who was turning away and heading towards the direction in which he came from. "Why don't you let him play with us?"

"Are you stupid?" The Princess asked, "He's no fun."

"Oh, sorry for asking." Lien now looked ahead as they were walking on a pathway outside and saw Ty Lee showing off a new trick she had learned. Mai was the first to notice them and pointed them out to Ty Lee, who effortlessly moved her feet towards the ground and lifted her upper body up to stand upright. "

She smiled at Lien brightly, placing the girl in a hug once Azula let go of the girl's wrist. "Hey Lien! Its nice to see you again."

The blue-eyed girl smiled at the hug and returned it. "Its nice to see you too, Ty Lee."

Ty Lee then let go of her and took a step back as all four girls were huddled in a circle, "So what's the game, Azula?" Mai asked.

The Princess smiled, "I'm glad you asked. Let's play tag."

"Tag? What's that?" Lien asked as all three girls looked at her with question.

"Are you dumb?" Azula asked, sighing. "You've never played tag?"

The blue-eyed girl shook her head, "No."

"It's a game where you chase a person who is it and once they touch you, you are it and you have to chase them or someone else to make them 'it'." Mai tried to explain as Lien nodded her head, understanding the concept of the game.

"And your it!" Ty Lee chimed as she did a slight push to Lien's right shoulder. The girl blinked several times as the three girls ran away from her. She opened her mouth, her hand reaching out but then she stopped herself. Instead, she started running in the direction that Ty Lee went. She figured it would be easier to tag her, but yet she was wrong. The girl was so flexible and fast that Lien could barely keep up with her. "You can't get me!" The girl teased as Lien puffed up her cheeks.

After letting the acrobat get some more feet away from her, Lien stopped running and placed her hands on her knees as she panted. She haven't ran this hard for so long that she couldn't even remember when it was the last time she seriously did so. Wiping her forehead from the perspiration that shined on it, she then started running again.

Unbeknownst to her, she tripped over somewhat and landed face first. "Ow, ow, ow, ow." The girl repeated as she pushed her hands against the ground and lifted herself up, she turned to see the boy from earlier sitting there with an angry look on his face. "P-Prince Zuko, I'm s-"

"Watch where you're going!" He shouted as she cringed, her head lowered and her eyes staring down at the ground. Immediately she placed her hands on the ground and moved them upwards as her forehead touching the floor. It was a deep bow, something she tried to do as an apology for him and hoping that she had done it correctly. The boy was surprised by her deep bow; he then let out a sigh. "Its fine. You don't have to do all that."

Lien then sat up straight and placed her hands on her lap. "I'm sorry against, Prince Zuko."

"I thought you were playing with my sister?" He asked as he looked around not seeing either one of his sister's friend or her, herself.

The blue-eyed girl then let out a sigh, "Well, they taught me tag and I'm supposed to be chasing them but I can't find them and I'm not really good at it." She explained, "You see, this is my first time playing with others."

"You mean you don't have any friends?" He asked as she shook her head.

"Well, I guess Princess Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee are my friends now so I guess I don't have to say that anymore." She smiled as the boy rolled his eyes.

"Some friend my sister is." He said as he watched the girl tilt her head to the side, confused.

The girl then tucked some hair behind of her ear and then looked at the small lake next to them. "Well, I heard you don't have any friends either. A-And… And I don't mind being your friend." She continued to not look at him, too embarrassed.

The amber-eyed boy looked at her, with a first surprise, and then it change to something unreadable. "I don't need any friends."

Lien jut nodded her head, realizing she couldn't force herself to do it. She stood up and then turned away, "Okay. But if you ever need one, I don't mind." And with that said, she ran away. Zuko looked at her until she was out of his sight.

"Lien! There you are!" Ty Lee threw her arms in the air as she had seen the girl running towards her. "We were worried you got lost." She wrapped her arms around the girl, showing genuine concern.

For the second time today, Lien was awkward with the hug. She patted the girl's back and then smiled, "I'm sorry. I tripped and lost track of you all, I'm not really good at this tag."

"Its okay." Ty Lee said as she then took the girl's hand and led her to where the other two were.

Soon Azula and Mai were in sight, "What happened?" Mai asked, her eyes looking at Lien.

"I tripped and lost track of you all. I'm sorry if you were worried." The girl bowed halfway, feeling a bit upset that she had them concerned.

"Its all right. Ty Lee never catches us either." Azula explained, waving her hand dismissing it. "But you're not bad."

"I'm not?" Lien said with wide eyes, "So does that mean… I can be your friend?"

The acrobat's face lit up and Mai had a small smile. They both looked at Azula for confirmation, "I don't see why not." She looked away as Ty Lee cheered, jumping up and down.

The blue-eyed non-bender smiled, tears falling from the corner of her eyes. "I'm glad that I have friends now."

Lien: The Chinese name meaning "Lotus"

Doli: The Native American name meaning "bluebird"

Huang: The Chinese name meaning "imperial, august, majestic"

Yuki-onna: Yuki-onna appears on snowy nights as a tall, beautiful woman with long black hair and blue lips. Her inhumanly pale or even transparent skin makes her blend into the snowy Despite her inhuman beauty, her eyes can strike terror into mortals. She floats across the snow, leaving no footprints and she can transform into a cloud of mist or snow if threatened.