Once again couldn't find a picture for this chapter so here is a picture of Noble! -Golden

Lea's POV

I smiled triumphantly when I finished cutting Azula's hair, glad that I fixed it to the best of my abilities. I even gave her a little trim so her hair wouldn't give her neck much strain anymore which I knew she was grateful for. I placed the scissors in my pocket, nodding at Azula

"There, all done. How does it feel?" I asked her as she examined her bangs, grabbing them with one hand

"Different. But I'm surprised that you even knew how to cut hair."

"Well, I have been cutting my own these past few years since Shinya was no help at all so I only have a little bit of experience in cutting hair." I explained to her before a knock sounded from the metal door, 4 knocks I counted stating that my time was up on my visit with her. I sighed, really not wanting to leave now but I knew I could always visit her tomorrow. I stood up, dusting myself off

"My time's up sadly, but I will come visit you tomorrow okay?" Azula nodded, gesturing for me to leave subtly

"See you tomorrow."

"See you."

I walked out of the cell, knocked on the metal door to let the guard know that I was ready. He opened the door letting me through but walked over to the door to Azula's cell, closing and locking it with his key

"Come Phoenix Princess. It's time for you to get back." I nodded, letting him lead me out of the tower to the point of where I can walk back on my own. I began walking to the doors that led into the palace, opening them and walking to my room, unclamping my hand covers that connected to the sleeves of my dress. I walked passed the guards standing guard outside of my room, nodding at them in dismissal

"You may leave, no harm shall come to me tonight." I dismissed them, the guards nodding before walking away from me, not questioning me or holding eye contact. I opened the door to my room, walking through the door way before closing the door shut, locking it only I hear Kai squawk happily at the sight of me. I smiled at her, walking over to her and smoothed out her feathers lovingly.

I walked over to my dressing area and undressed myself, stripping off my dress and taking out my hair along with my crown. I stared at the crown in my hands, noting of the jagged edges that represented the fee nation emblem only there was two outbursts of flames on each side. The colors of gold and sapphire red. Squinting my eyes, I noticed the small writing encrusted onto the crown, as tiny as an ant and unreadable if you didn't have a finding glass. Setting my crown down, I changed into my pajamas before heading over to my bed, laying down on it and stared up at the ceiling.

(Time Skip)

I yawned tiredly, unable to sleep. I got out of my bed rubbing my eyes and walked out of my room, knowing everyone else was sound asleep, even the guards no matter how hard they tried to stay awake. Carrying my crown with me in my hand, I walked into the garden where the Turtleducks were. I walked over to the small pond, my bare feet padding against the grass before sitting down on my knees and just stared at the water and my reflection, studying my every abnormal feature. Red hair, dark blue eyes with small flecks of gold in them. Light tan skin with large eyes and tiny nose, pouty lips the color of salmon pink. I looked down at my crown, the moonlight shining off of it.

Was I really ready for this? Am I ready to be the Phoenix Princess? I left this nation for my own selfish needs, not caring what would have happened after I left as long as I was safe. Selfish thing of me to do, but there is no going back now, what is done is done. You can't change the past, no reason to beat yourself up over it.

"Lea?" I whipped my head around towards the direction of the voice, eyes widening when I saw Shinya

"What are you doing up so late?" I asked him bluntly, my voice wavering a little bit

"Can't sleep."

"Same." Shinya walked over to me, smiling down at me

"May I sit here with you for a little while?" I nodded, letting him sit next to me. He sat down Indian style, running a hand through his messy brown hair

"So how are you feeling? You look drained and deathly pale, paler than usual." Shinya asked me after a few moments passed. I shrugged, not really knowing how to explain the emotions I was feeling

"It's nothing to worry about Shinya, I'm fine."

"I'm fine upside down and backwards actually says 'help me' you know?" I sighed, dipping my hand into the pond's water, enjoying the refreshing feeling of the water

"You know you can tell me anything, Lea. Anything, we have both made an oath many years ago to never keep secrets from each other, help one another no matter what." I wiped my hand on my night dress, staring down at my reflection in the water

"It's odd, it really is. But I just feel like I have nothing to contribute to towards anything ever since the war ended, ever since then I have been trying to convince myself that I would help heal this nation, all nations, heck the whole world from my family's destructive past. But now, I'm having second thoughts, what if I'm not strong enough, what if I only make things worse, deepen the scars that my family has already created. I just don't know anymore Shinya." I confessed to him with a sigh, feeling as if a weight has been lifted off of my chest

"I don't really know how to comfort you or give you advice on this matter, but I do know that you aren't alone, there is Zuko, Katara, Sokka, Suki, Toph, Iroh, Aang, and me. We are all here for you, to talk to, help out in anyway possible. You aren't alone in this, Lea." Shinya told me, swinging his arm around my shoulders before bringing me into a hug. I nodded, snuggling into his warmth

"Thank you, I really needed that." Feeling relieved and not so down anymore, I slowly dozed off to sleep without any interruptions.

Shinya's POV (OH MY GOD SHINYA'S POV!)

A few moments later, I could hear Lea's soft snores reach my ears, indicating she has fallen asleep against me. I smiled down at her sleeping form, kissing the top of her head. No matter what, I will always be there for her, even in death I will be there. And it isn't because I love her as my best friend, but as a lover.

To Be continued