Chapter 1

Zuko

I swiftly signed my signature on the newest trading agreement presented by the Southern Water Tribe and stamped it with the official Fire Lord's seal, then placed it in the pile of others I had approved. My hand mechanically picking up a letter from the unread stack, I groaned when I seeing the Earth King's vibrant green seal.

It has been 7 years since Aang and I decided to leave the Fire Nation colonists in the Earth Kingdom. More and more people of every nationally flocked to the colonies over the years, so much so that I received a letter from Governor Yori requesting funds for expansion, to which I readily agreed. In the expansion land obviously was needed; Earth Kingdom land. That King Kiue seemed very unwilling to give, he turned down every proposal I or the Governor sent.

I unhurriedly broke the seal with the end of ink blackened brush, already anticipating the reply.

Fire Lord Zuko,

The land you requested for the enlargement of the colonies can simply not be spared.

Scoffing, I flung the useless parchment on the desk. Land cannot be spared? The Earth Kingdom has more territory that any other nation! With a heavy sigh, I began writing a letter to Aang, I hated to bother him right after his and Katara's honeymoon, but he did ask to be kept informed on the situation. When finished I rang the small bell on my desk and waited for a most trusted servant, she was the only one I allowed to handle any of my documents. The tall and slim, young woman, walked in, properly bowing low.

"Makoto, this letter needs to be sent to Avatar Aang by messenger hawk immediately." I held the envelope across the desk for her take.

"Will that be all, Your Highness?"

There was an air of sadness around the usually shy, but the friendly woman and I, unfortunately, knew the reason behind it. "Yes, that will be all. Makoto, is your Mother doing better?" I asked sympathetically.

"She is still very ill," Makoto replied sorrowfully, before forcing a small smile, "thank you for sending Physician Yasuo."

Though my personal physician kept me informed on the older woman's condition, I had still felt the need to ask in the hopes that maybe something had changed, but I know that the girl only has precious few days left with her mother. "After you send that letter, take the rest of the day off and the next 4 days."

I stared down the organized chaos that covered my desk, uncomfortable when her eyes began to look misty. "Thank you, Fire Lord Zuko." I fought to stop the wince at the sound of her voice breaking, only allowing myself to slouch in my seat when I heard the door slide shut. I was saddened that Makoto's mother was dying, as a child, she was one of the nurses who took care of me. It's a shame for she is a great lady. I was pulled out of my thoughts by a knock on the door, I immediately straightened my back. "Enter," I called despondently, already beginning to read a dispute complaint between nobles.

"Ah, the work of the Fire Lord is never done," my head snapped up in surprise, to see a heavy set bearded man entering my study.

"Uncle!" I shot up from my chair, striding across the room toward him, he pulled me into a tight embrace. "I thought you couldn't leave your tea shops until winter?"

"Well, I got the opportunity to leave early and took it. I hope your surprise is because you're happy to see an old man."

"You know I am, Uncle."

"It's about lunch time and you are not eating yours in your study. Come" Uncle, ushered me out the room, ignoring my halfhearted protest and complaints. It was long until Uncle remarked, "It's so quiet."

I shrugged, I have long ago become accustomed to the silence that at times I appreciated, but also hated. "Well, it's just me here. You know the nobles can only enter certain places in the palace and the servants and guards have always been discreet."

"Hmmm…." I glanced sideways at him for his lack response. "Any special young ladies?" There it is, that's more like it.

"Much to the council's and many of nobles' dismay, no."

Uncle deeply chuckled slapping my back, "They must have become insistent again now that Avatar Aang and Master Katara have surpassed you on the way to the alter."

I rolled my eyes and shook my head in irritation, "even more so than when Mai married." My relationship with her had deteriorated about halfway through my second year. That next year Mai married Prince Kenta, the nephew of Chief Arnook. There were no hard feelings between us, we finally just accepted the fact we were not suitable for each other and parted as friends. I was happy she found a man who could keep her smiling.

"I take the noblemen's daughters haven't appealed to you." I shot him a very dry look, it was enough to have him laughing boisterously.

Uncle's smile became bigger and bigger the closer we came to the dining room. Sliding the door open I, for the second time today, was shocked. My Mom, Ikem, and Kiyi were standing around the family dining table.

My mom wasted no time hugging me, whispering, "Zuko, you look so tired." Pulling away I shook my head giving her a slight smile to ease her worries.

"Whoa!" I caught my footing at the last minute when my energetic eleven-year-old little sister all but launched herself at me. "I take it you missed me."

"One week this summer wasn't enough!" she exclaimed before detaching herself from me and go to Uncle in the same fashion.

Straightening my heavy, formal robes, I walked over to Ikem, he gave a short bow. "Fire Lord Zuko, I hope our visit hasn't inconvenienced you in any way."

"Not at all, all of you are always welcome." I deeply respected my step-father for taking care of my mother and sister. He is a great Father to Kiyi. The kind of Father mine should have been.

"If you're not too busy maybe we can spar?" My lips tugged up at the corner with the prospect, Ikem was a self-taught swordsman, but still a worth component and it has been far too long since I have a sparring match with swords.

"Ikem!" Mom's usually soft tone becoming stern in much the same manner she usually reserved to keep Kiyi in line. "You have only just recently recovered from that strained muscle in your back!"

"Oh, Ursa, I'm fine." He said reassuringly, pulling out her chair for her.

Hiding my amusement, I took my seat at the head of the bountiful, food-filled table. Kiyi ran to sit on my left just as she always has done, I waited until Uncle had taken his seat on my right, before saying with a small hand gesture toward the awaiting food, "let us eat."

There was a short silence where everyone filled their plates before Kiyi giggled, "Zuko, you should have seen Dad when he hurt his back, he was trying to teach me some moves with a sword, it was kind of funny."

Mom, quickly acted as if she was wiping her mouth with her napkin, clearly to cover up her smile. While Ikem frowned, "Yes, only after that, does Kiyi tell me she didn't want to learn how to use the swords, she wants to learn archery."

"You do?" I questioned, intrigued, she has never shown a particular interest in weaponry, instead preferring to use her bending.

"Yeah!" Her olive green eyes brightened in her enthusiasm, a wide smile spread across her face. "Last month this girl came to our village and she was after this man, I'm not sure as to why, though. They fought right in the middle of the market. She was really kicking his butt!" I couldn't help but grin at the disapproving look Mom sent at Kiyi for her word choice. "But, he did land one good hit and she broke a clothing stall when she went down. Which gave him time to run away. Pretty interesting for our village, huh?" she said finally taking a breath.

"Very." I agreed, my brow dipping in concern, I would have to come back to in a minute. "But, how does she losing a fight, make you want to learn archery."

"Well, it was just a lucky a hit, she was distracted," Kiyi, waved her hand dismissively. "Anyway, she got up and instead of running after him she somehow climbed onto the nearest roof! By that time the man had already made it to the tree line and with her bow she shot him in the leg."

Astounded that such a fight occurred to where there was actual bloodshed, I looked to my Mom and Ikem. "Was she arrested?" I demanded.

"No, when the arrow was flying she jumped off the roof and just…. disappeared," Ikem explained after swallowing a mouthful of food.

"Disappeared How does she disappear in the middle of the market?" I shifted slightly in my chair when a few memories that reminded me that I was in fact capable of vanishing in a crowd.

"Well, it was almost dark and she was wearing all black, she must have just blended in, why her face was even covered," Ikem replied. "She definitely had training, that much was obvious."

"She was amazing!" Kiyi chimed in as if the girl was a hero. That didn't sit well with me. She shot an arrow through a man's leg.

"It was impressive that she hit the man at such a distance and in hardly any light at all," Ikem admitted reluctantly, the same unease showing in his expression. "What was strange was that the man was gone when we went to help him." I felt my eyes slightly widening, "I believe she wasn't working alone because she couldn't have reached him so quickly and he couldn't have gotten away that fast with an injury such as that. The men of the village searched the surrounding forest, but found not a trace."

"That is impressive…" I begrudgingly agreed, taking a sip of wine. I couldn't place it, but I felt I heard of her before or something similar at least. I resolved right then that I would be looking into it. Today.

"So, young lady you want to learn the fine and exquisite art of archery?" Uncle asked cheerfully, having been strangely quiet. It was strange for him not make any comment, especially after her such a tale as that.

"I want to so very much." Kiyi gazed pleadingly at her parents, her dark green eyes irresistibly large.

"Kiyi, we don't know any archers to teach you or we would." Mom said gently.

"How long are you staying?" I inquired, suddenly having an idea.

All eyes suspiciously shot in Uncle direction, whom nonchalantly shrugged, "I'm on no time table."

Mom hurriedly nodded in agreement, "Us either. We were hoping for a long visit, sweetie, if that's alright?"

"Of course, it's alright. Since you will be staying awhile, I'll look into finding Kiyi someone to teach her archery."

At my words, Kiyi was on the verge of almost bouncing in her seat from elation. "Thank you! You're the best brother ever!" I smiled, touched. She has said it numerous times before, but the happiness never faded from the fact that I had an actual close relationship with my sister. The only thing Azula had her ever felt for me was absolute contempt. "Just as long as no one will have any arrows shot at their legs." I tried to joke, really only half serious.

She laughed exuberantly "Of course not, silly." I smirked, she was about the only one in the whole nation, whom would dare to call the Fire Lord silly.

"Leave it to me, nephew," Uncle said confidently. "I know the perfect person for the job."

Many miles away in the fire nation village of Shujing...

A man in his forties, sat peacefully practicing the art of calligraphy, while a young woman relaxed reading in a nearby armchair. Both enjoying the comfortable sound of the crackling fire on the cool and windy autumn night. The only servant of the house quietly entered the room.

"A letter Master, it came by messenger hawk."

The young woman barely glanced up from her book, the older man carefully sat down his brush, "Thank you. It's late, I will send the return letter myself." With a bow, the servant left, retiring for the night.

The man raised a brow at the design of the seal; the same design that marked the entry wall to his estate. As he read; his mouth slowly curved into a smile. "How are you feeling?" He questioned his companion.

The young woman closed her book, "My ribs healed nicely." When the man made no reply, she felt the need to reassure. "Honestly, Dad it hardly even hurts."

The man nodded, "I believe you. Bruised ribs typically take about a month or a tad more to heal completely." The young woman waited patiently, knowing her father wasn't finished. Grinning he continued, "Well, Aya, it appears you have gained an admirer on your last mission."

Author's Note: Please review!