Disclaimer: Don't own any thing remotely Avatar. Xue Wei doesn't count, her I own. My orange glass is in the dish washer, though and I have discovered the wonderful world of Iced Chai. Unfortunately drinking a whole pitcher of that stuff has its repercussions. I am not sure how life is now…

A/N: this takes place a few days before

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I think that if all three would learn to work together, the Fire Nation will be unstoppable. But if the don't, it would divide the house, and a house divided, can not stand."- Uncle Iroh

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Prince Zuko leaned against a large intimidating column staring intently on the large equally intimidating doors that led into the war room. It was the room where his Uncle went in with all the other generals with a grim look to his countenance and where all the important decisions were made. It was also a domain where he had never been; it was forbidden for women and children to enter while the generals sat in conference. However, Zuko knew he would some day enter the war room when he had the title of Fire Lord. All he had to do was wait.

Unfortunately, Zuko was not a patient youth.

From behind him a pale almost boney hand snaked around his shoulder from behind. Instantly the prince stiffened and when his elder sister, Xue Wei, began to chant he scowled and twisted from her cruel embrace.

"Zuko, Zuko, where have you been? I went to the war room to see the king. Zuko, Zuko what did you do there? I got frightened by a mouse under the chai-"

"Shut up." He growled at her, "You know I hate that rhyme."

Xue Wei giggled delighted at the knowledge that her little brother was pissed. She always took delight in watching suffering of any kind. She would even go out of her way to inflict it. Her boney features would contort in delight and her gray eyes, inherited by her mother, would sparkle with ecstasy. Though she was too ill too often to be considered fair, Xue Wei had dozens of men on her rope and knew them quite well.

"I know, that's why I recite it. It is one of my favorites." She replied as Zuko lashed out, his hand finding its target at her neck.

"Give me one reason why I shouldn't torch you, Xue Wei." He demanded of her.

"Temper, temper, little brother." She whispered with an impish grin, " It just so happens that you have softened my heart with your perseverance- standing in front of the door like a lost mutt."

His grip tightened and he questioned, "You have a heart? Don't flatter yourself."

Xue Wei kept her impish grin and with applied pressure on his pressure point, Zuko let go. Once free of his constricting hand, she elaborated.

"Has it ever occurred to you that you could talk Uncle Iroh to sneak you in? Honestly, Zuko, your in a position of power, you need to start using it."

"But manipulate our Uncle?" Zuko questioned. As much as Iroh's talk of tea infuriated him, he still held the old general in great respect.

"And why not?" Xue Wei questioned leaving Zuko to his thoughts. A grin spread across her face, knowing that Zuko would blow his cover once he was in the room. Their father would be furious, and there was no telling how he would castigate Zuko.

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Ain't Xue Wei a piece of work? Please review. Cookies for all who do. Next chapter will probably be Azula centered. Ain't it funny how Iroh's word strike so true?