Zuko stood on the balcony of his empire watching over the night sky. The cool breeze beat against his sweating skin making him feel better. Nightmares kept him up late into the night. Haunting him. The cool air made him feel better always.
He leaned against the archway thinking about when he was younger and came into his parent's room, that very room, and pretending to be the fire lord. He would stand on the balcony proud and watch his kingdom grow and take over. Fire Lord Zuko feared by any one not in the fire nation. His mother would put her hands on his shoulder and tell him that it won't be like that. That he will be a good king. Loved by many.
He shook hi head. It didn't matter now. He was the fire lord but worked for his uncle at Iroh's tea shop. He smiled at the memory of a few days earlier. All his friends together laughing and having a good time.
A friend with the one person that could restore his honor, the avatar, but instead showed him friendship was more important.
Now he stood there, Fire Lord Zuko, restoring the balance in the 4 nations.
As the sun rose over the mountains, he thought of the last mission that might break the friends apart.
He walked into his uncle's tea shop, thinking about what his father said.
You mother is not part of us any more.
What did it mean? He knew who to ask. He saw Avatar Aang painting something.
"Hey, Aang I have to ask you something" He said walking up from behind him.
Aang just kept painting. Zuko put his hand on his shoulder, and Aang jumped.
"Zuko! You scared me" Aang looked sadly down at the painting with a mark of paint over it.
"Sorry about that." Zuko looked around. Only Sokka and Suki sat together giggling over something. "Can I talk to you outside?"
"Sure" Aang got up and they walk outside.
Zuko sighed and looked at Aang. "It's about my mother. A few days ago I went to see Ozai, and he said that she's not part of us and more. I don't know what it means." He passed around "I have been thinking none stop about this. I haven't eaten or slept. And with all this thinking I've gotten no where! Can you help me?"
Aang looked at Zuko the out at the town and sighed "No I can't help you sorry"
Zuko looked at him "Your lying!"
"I wish I was but I'm sorry"
"Sorry is not good enough!" Zuko force fire out of the palm of his hand at Aang.
Aang took his glider out and spinned it to blocking the blow. "Zuko! What the hell is your problem?"
Zuko looked and got on hi knees. "I'm so sorry Aang. Please, please forgive me."
Aang nodded. He let and moment of silence pass and got on his knees next to Zuko. "When I was taking the power form Ozai, there was a woman. She helped me. With out her I would have never finished with out killing my self. But as we took his power she whispered 'Tell my son that I love him'" Aang looked at Zuko "Your mother trapped in the spirit world."