Zuko glanced as his surroundings, relieved to be alone for a while. As he stood, he pondered his current situation.

It's so different now. So beautiful…

Since he had left the Earth kingdom capital of Ba Sing Se three years ago, major changes had occurred in the city. An aura of pure happiness now radiated off of everyone and everything. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, Zuko would've had a hard time believing just how different things were. But then again, things were changing quickly everywhere.

The war was over. The avatar had defeated his father – he hated calling Ozai that—and now his uncle, his real father, was the king of the Fire nation. He was glad, proud, that he had been able to leave Ozai. It was the first thing that had gone right for him.

The Fire Nation was a hierarchy of corruption and schemes. Power and control within it depended on lies and brute force. If you lacked either, you were doomed. His scar proved that…..

Zuko looked out at the people bustling through the streets. People wandered about, and the energy levels everywhere were high due to anticipation of the avatar-festival. It felt good to see the city in which he himself had been reborn, come back to life. No more fear. No more hate.

And the avatar had finally mastered all four elements. At 15 he was still the youngest avatar to learn all the four elements. Slowly, peace had settled back in, and the nations had begun to cooperate, work in harmony.

Zuko snapped out of his ponderings as he felt another presence behind him. He turned around.

"What are you doing here?"

The woman standing before him was dressed in Fire nation attire that resembled him own. She looked at him, and chuckled mockingly.

"Well, well, if it isn't my charming older brother… I didn't know you were one for daydreaming."

"Azula," Zuko's acknowledgement was cold. "You do realize that you are not supposed to be here, and that I can have you arrested for showing up."

"My, my, overreacting aren't we Zuzu? I was just going for a stroll. But really, Zuko." Azula's lips curved into a sneer. "Even if you wanted to, do you really think you could do anything? Remember, this used to be my kingdom. After three years, you should've learned by now… You can put me in jail as many times as you want, but I'll always be here. Free. Bars can't keep me from the world and neither can you."

"I'm telling you Azula. Leave or I won't hesitate to settle this the hard way." Zuko's voice was firm.

Azula snorted. "Awwwww…. Does little Zuzu want to fight? Don't worry…. I'm twice as ready as you'll ever be."

"I don't need to fight you Azula. I could make you fight the entire fire nation army if I wanted to."

"Really? Did you pick up some new chores since we last met? In that case, call the army. I'm ready for it."

"Forget it Azula, I have better things to do."

He turned around and walked away with a smirk on his face, knowing she couldn't do anything about it. As the Fire nation ambassador in Ba Sing Se, he had utmost protection and care….fighting him here would be suicidal.

Just one of the offside benefits to the being an ambassador in Ba Sing Se