Walking in the palace gardens was one of the simple pleasures that the Fire Lord Zuko still enjoyed throughout his long life. It was very nostalgic of those few happy childhood days when he still had his mother.

He sat down on one of the stone benches that were scattered throughout the vicinity, the habit of sitting in the grass long forced out of him since he became a sovereign. After all, things were different than when he was a Prince, he simply could not get grass stains on his imperial robes.

A gentle wind blew and the creak of the branches from the tree behind him reminded Zuko of the creak of his bones whenever he moved.

It frustrated him to no end, too used to the days of intense physical training. He sometimes envied his and Mai's son, as he watched him train, who was in the prime of his youth.

But I suppose I'm luckier than most…unconsciously his mind wandered to a certain Airbender. And that ache in his chest, the one that appeared only after the final battle, after he began to bring back the honor of the Fire Nation, that doctors kept saying was nothing, began to act up again. Phantom pain they said, the wound from his sister's lightning attack was fully healed they said. Which is ridiculous. I'm the Fire Lord and if I say that I have pains in my chest, then I have pains in my chest!

It had only been four years since Avatar's death, but to the old sovereign it might as well have been an eternity. To him, Aang was the first real friend besides his Uncle that he ever made, Appa didn't count, and he missed him so.

He closed his eyes and tried to remember the features of his deceased friend. Those wide, innocent eyes, that bald, arrow-tattooed head, and that wide infectious grin. Even though Aang had reached a decent number in years, it was still hard for Zuko to imagine him as anything but that twelve-year-old who he had foolishly tried to capture all those years ago. Maybe it was because as the Avatar's body changed, his demeanor did not.

The ache began to grow during his continued reminiscence that he actually had to clutch his chest.

"Hey Mister, are you alright?"

"What in the-" eyes snapped open to reveal a small child, perhaps four or five years old, standing in front of him. "Who are? How did you get in here?!" Zuko demanded in a stern tone. Not particularly angry at the child, his presence did distract from the pain, but rather his royal guards. I have been in serious danger of assassination all these years if a child is able to out-maneuver my guards.

A brief flashback of a red and "impenetrable" fortress, a blue and cold city, and green caves underneath a lake passed through his mind. But that was different, not only was I a teenager, but I had a stealth outfit and everything.

Realizing that the weird old man was not paying attention to him anymore enough to even hear his answer, the child did what any normal person would do. "Helllllooooooooo?" he said as he waved his hand back and forth in front of the guy-wearing-a-dress' face.

Zuko snapped back into attention. That never happened when I was young he internally grumbled. "These are the imperial gardens. Only royalty is permitted. What are you doing here?"

A pair of blue eyes blinked. "My Mom and I have just moved to the Fire Nation" was all that he said as if that explained everything.

"How nice for you, welcome to the Fire Nation, now what are you doing here?"

"Talking with you."

A twitch. "Why are you here"

A shrug. "I dunno."

"…"

"…"

"…How did you get in here?"

"Through the gates."

"Yes but-"

"What happened to you're eye, Mister?"

Ugh! The Fire Lord closed his eyes in frustration. It was official. This kid was driving Zuko nuts, but it was an easy thing to do. Despite the "true-heart" his uncle said he possessed, he was never that good with kids. Perhaps dealing with a young Azula had put him off the idea of getting along with children.

All of a sudden Zuko felt a soft touch of lips against his own.

"What in the world are you doing??" he yelled, still mindful of his language around a child, as he quickly pulled his face away. But seriously, Zuko thought as he frantically looked around the gardens, making sure there were no other persons nearby I've been through enough in my life, I do NOT need pedophilia charges against me now.

He breathed a sigh of relief when certain that no one had witnessed that little transgression. He glared at the child unable to hold it when the brat simply grinned in response. I must be getting soft in my old age.

Another sigh and a shake of the head, Zuko closed his tired eyes. "Kid, just what were you thinking?" he repeated, not really expecting any answer. Children were crazy after all.

"I was thinking…that I've wanted to do that for a long time Zuko."

Zuko's eyes flashed open; there was something familiar about the way his name was said, and instead of cobalt blue ones meeting them, a pair of gray stared back along with a long missed smile.

"Aang…"

A distant but clear call shattered the illusion and the child stood before him once more.

"I gotta go now, Mister. My mom's calling me." With that the intruder disappeared as quickly as he appeared.

Minutes after the departure, Zuko was still in a state of shock. Not sure whether or not the whole incident was just an old man's mind playing tricks on him. But the sudden disappearance of that annoying ache for some reason made him think otherwise.

"Blue eyes, hmm. The Water Tribe?" he chuckled to himself. Slowly he one again closed his eyes and leaned on the tree behind him.

Hours later, the Fire Lord was found on the garden bench, and if the small smile that graced his features was any indication, he had passed peacefully.

Only days after Zuko's death, a Fire Nation mother greeted her newborn child that had eyes remarkably similar to the recently passed ruler.