A/N: O so this is my first avatar fan fiction, yes I know his daughter's name is wrong but enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't not own the Avatar: The Last Air bender.

Zuko stood just inside the dark room watching the little girl sleep. The child that he had hidden from since her birth even against the wishes of his wife Mia; He did want her to see him and be frightened of him. He loved her and wanted only her happiness.

"My sweet girl, my sweet Maya." He whispered lightly touching her cheek. She snuggled her face into his hand. He smiled slightly, and then frowned. He would have to go soon he had work to do before he got on the boat for Republic City. He hated leaving her and Mia. He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

"Goodnight sweet girl"

"Good night daddy" Maya replied in her sleep. He pulled away and looked at her but she was fast asleep. He turned away and walked silently and quickly out of the room.

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"Well she is almost three now, Zuko isn't it time you introduced yourself?"Mia asked as they got ready for bed later that night.

"No, Mia she will run screaming from me and I... I couldn't take that." Zuko replied pulling off his fire Lord robes.

"She will not, Zuko, your uncle tells her too many great things about you," says Mia wrapping her arms around his waist. She lays her cheek against his chest.

"How could she be afraid of a hero?" Mia asks without looking at him.

"Easily when the hero is a monster," Zuko told her sadly.

XXXXXXX

The next morning Maya jumped out of bed early. She had heard rumors that the fire Lord was leaving for Republic City today. She could see the dock from her window. Her mother always saw him off. She watched as the sun began to rise and saw her mother walk down to the boat hand in hand with the fire Lord. She had never met him but knew he was her father. She had asked her mother why she hadn't met him her only reply was that he was busy.

"Maya what are you doing dear?" Her great uncle Iroh asked coming up next to her.

"Watching the Fire Lord leave, it's the only time I see him" Maya said matter-a-fact.

"Uncle, why does he not like me?" She asked raising her big gold eyes to meet his. Iroh frowned.

"What in spirits name would make you think he doesn't like you?" He asked kneeling to her level.

"He never comes to see me. I'm a good girl and do everything mama says but he never comes." She says with tears in her eyes. Iroh hated seeing his great niece so sad.

"Don't you have a birthday coming up?" Iroh asked. The young girl nodded.

"Well maybe we could make a special request for him to come and see you." He suggested. Maya smiled broadly. She noticed out the window that the fire Lord was getting on the boat. As with every time before, she waved toward the boat at him, like every time he frowned and turned away.

"Good bye!" She yelled

"Maya get down." Her mother scolded gently. Uncle Iroh not letting on the promise he had made to the young girl.

XXXXXXXX

Maya peaked around the corner to make sure the coast was clear. Her mother had been asked to the dress makers to get fitted for a dress for the festival in two weeks. Her uncle had gone back to ba sing sae since the fire lord's return. It was perfect for her to sneak out of her room and ask the fire lord for her birthday present. She tip toed out and down the hall watching for anyone who might report back to her mother. She was just peeking down a hall way when she ran straight in to a pair of legs. "Oof" she looked up to find the red and yellow robes of avatar Aang.

"Well hello there little one" he greeted with a gentle smile.

"Hello Avatar". She said with a curtsey. "Good bye" she ran off with another curtsey. Aang shook his head and continued walking toward Zuko's study. Sokka and Toph were already there.

"Sorry I'm late, everyone." He said then their meeting began.

XXXXX

After the meeting Zuko and Aang stayed to catch up.

"I had no idea they started children on etiquette so early." Aang said looking at the fire lord with eyebrows raised.

"So you met her." Zuko said sadly standing by the window with a drink in his hand.

"What is the problem Zuko?"Aang asked his troubled friend.

"Everyone has met her except me. I heard so many wonderful things about her from Mia..." Zuko says trailing off.

"But?"

"I can't bear to hear her call me a monster."
"You aren't a monster old friend, you are a great man and if what Mia and
Iroh tell me is true she worships you, and thinks you don't like her."

"Don't like her? I love my daughter." Zuko proclaimed.

"Then show her that" Aang said. Zuko stared out the window at the courtyard where Maya was playing.

A/N : So that's it for chapter one hope you liked it. Chapter two is coming soon.