Disclaimer: I do not own any characters. All rights go to the original owners.

It was moments like these where Suyin did not feel like a proper leader of her as she stood at the base of a set of stairs leading into a building she had never even paid attention to. And yet, she and her future husband had made the plans to build it all those years ago, before marriage, children, and responsibilities that came with creating a large city from the ground up. It was exhausting work but fulfilling all the same. She couldn't imagine what her life would be without Zaofu; her sister would probably say that she would be in prison. But that is a different story for a different time.

Suyin was standing in front of Zaofu's orphanage, a pristine building that, like everything else, was made of metal. It was not large like some of the other buildings in the city, but it was built as a precaution, something there in case it was needed for dire emergencies.

Only three children occupied the halls of the orphanage. Two were victims of accidents in small rural towns in the Earth Kingdom, sent to Zaofu for medical treatments for injuries beyond their control. Once treated, they would be sent back to their hometowns where they will hopefully be reunited with family members who love them. The last child was a young girl, abandoned by her parents when she was a baby. Suyin had not known this until just last week when the director of the orphanage had asked for a meeting with her. Had she known sooner, maybe this girl could have grown up in a loving home. Suyin shook the thought away; it was not too late for that, and that was why she was here.

"Oh, Mrs. Beifong."

The door opened, revealing the director, a middle aged woman that a very embarrassed Su could not remember the name of. She was a kind woman, though Suyin wondered how much of this was a front put up for Su's benefit. She had no idea what this woman was like, especially with so few kids to care for.

"I'm so happy to see you here," the director continued as she ushered Su into the building. Closing the door behind her, she continued, "She will be so happy as well of course. Her room is right down the hall. Let me show you."

Su held up a hand, happy to have gotten the woman to stop talking.

"I think it might be better if I speak with her alone," Su explained. "It might make her feel a little more comfortable."

The woman nodded, indicating which door was to the girl's room. Su thanked her before making her way down the hallway.

This girl's name was Kuvira. She was eight years old and very quiet and respectful according to the director. But the real reason Su was alerted about this girl was her skills. She was quite adept at earthbending and could even show some signs of metalbending, impressive at such a young age and with no instruction. The director of the orphanage had approached Su more from the approach of taking Kuvira on as her student. However, Su could not stand the thought of this girl without a family. After a brief talk with Baatar it was decided: Kuvira would come live with them.

Su paused outside the door, for a moment thinking about what would happen once she knocked. Family was important to Su, and with five children already taking on another would be a challenge. She would not do anything to jeopardize the wellbeing of her family. She took a deep breath and knocked. This girl deserved a family just as much as her own biological children did.

"Come in," a voice called quietly, so quietly that if Su had not been standing in a remarkably silent hallway she would have missed her invitation.

Su pushed open the door to find Kuvira sitting on her bed, which was pushed against one of the metal walls. The room was quite bare: a small set of drawers, the bed, and a desk that had very few things on it.

"Hi, Kuvira," Su said with a smile. The girl did not make eye contact. Su could tell she was nervous.

"My name is Su. I hope you were told that I was coming," Su went on. She took another step into the room. She didn't want to make Kuvira feel any more nervous than she was already feeling.

"I hear you are a great earthbender," Su said. Play to the ego, gain her trust.

"Not as great as you," Kuvira finally said.

Su couldn't help but chuckle. It was no surprise that this girl would know who she was. But that these were the first words she said to Su made her laugh.

"Well, I've had very good instruction and a lot more experience," Su explained. "With good instruction, I'm sure you will be as good a bender as me, perhaps even better." She had made it across from the bed and decided to lean against the desk.

"She said that you were going to be my teacher," Kuvira said referring to the director. She said it timidly, as if saying it would make it untrue.

"I want to be more than that," Su said. "I want you to come live with my family at our home." She paused. "But only if you would like. I don't want to force you to leave if you won't be comfortable."

But before Su could even finish her statement, Kuvira had sprung from the bed and had wrapped her arms around the woman's waist.

"You want to take me in?" Kuvira asked in disbelief.

But, as quickly as she had gotten up, Kuvira stepped back. Her cheeks were bright red as she bowed politely.

"I'm sorry," she said. "Thank you, Mrs. Beifong."

Su smiled and left the girl to pack up her things. She couldn't lie; the hug had been a surprise, but it had been nice. It reminded her of why she loved being a mother.

~AN~

I would like to thank you for reading the first chapter of what I hope will continue for a time. I haven't written fan fiction in a while so getting back into it feels good. Hopefully more chapter will be posted soon. I have been writing them in between classes so stay tuned. They will all be little drabbles like this one focusing on Kuvira and the Beifong metal clan. Some will be sad and some will be happy :)

Thank you again for reading and feel free to leave me a review with your thoughts or send me a PM. I always try to respond when I have time!