Hello my wonderfully patient fans! Don't worry, still alive here. I'm so sorry this too so long! So anyway, this is sort of like a sequel. This story will take place during the Avatar comic, "The Promise", but before we get started I need to fill in some info that will clarify a little bit. OK sooooo... After the war ended Nyikani left for the Fire Nation with Zuko, she relocated in Palace City and currently owns her own apartment and works in the Royal Palace carrying out information and other assorted duties. Yes, she works in the Palace, no, she does not live there. This chapter is sort of like a prologue, in a sense, and begins on the night of Kori's attempt to kill our favorite firebender. Now ON WITH THE STORY! Disclaimer?

Disclaimer: Ammypaint DOES NOT own A:TLAB or any characters depicted in the comic, just the oc's she has created.

Chapter One

Nyikani lay in bed; it was a clear night, judging by the bright moonlight infiltrating her window. It was terribly tempting to just get up and climb out into the night, especially knowing there were no Dai Li agents watching her; this was the Palace City after all. Nyikani stared at the window, but rolled over in her bed with a frown, she knew better than to run around during the night and then try to work the next morning; especially under the current circumstances. The Harmony Restoration Movement had begun well, people seemed to have no problem returning to their homelands, but as they got deeper into the older colonies the citizens started to resist, unwilling to leave the well-rooted villages. I can understand why…starting over's never easy. Nyikani thought, her own transfer to the Palace City had been a bit rough, although Zuko had helped her find somewhere to live and work. But these colonies had risen into protest as time went on; and now, a year later, the Restoration Movement was at a stalemate as Yu Dao and the other old colonies protested against the Firelord's and the Avatar's wishes to return to the Fire Nation; Yu Dao was protesting to stay, the Earth Kingdom was pushing them to leave, and Zuko's standpoint had led to much resentment in the colonies, protesters were going so far as to try and assassinate him in order to stop the relocation. Nyikani was doing her best to help, but there was only so much she could do. Next I'll address the royal guards…She decided, these "guards" had allowed three different assassins to slip by and attack Zuko, that would have to change; she had half a mind to guard Zuko herself. Suddenly an idea popped into her head; of course…it was brilliant! And tomorrow she would tell Zuko, Nyikani felt better as she attempted to actually sleep. Perhaps this confusing mess would resolve soon.

The Next Day…

The Royal Palace echoed with Nyikani's footsteps as she walked in, for some reason it didn't feel quite as…lively. Nyikani looked around, "Are there less people here?" She thought out loud, every time they entered the palace there was always some official to greet them; she looked down at Cado, who simply looked back, "Alright well let's go see Zuko." And with that Nyikani and Cado went to the throne room, only to find it empty, Zuko was not there, now she was a bit concerned. A palace servant caught Nyikani's eye, "Uh, excuse me?" She called.

The servant walked up and bowed, "Yes, miss? Is there somethi-"

"Where's Zuko?" Nyikani asked before he could finish.

The servant seemed a bit surprised, "You mean the Firelord?"

Nyikani's face frowned slightly, "Yes, the…Firelord." The word Firelord came out somewhat awkwardly; Zuko had been head of state for a year now, but Nyikani still couldn't get used to calling him that, it felt…weird, and way too formal.

"Firelord Zuko left this morning."

"He WHAT?" Nyikani asked in shock, Zuko left? And didn't even tell her?! Slowly her disbelief melted into anger, Zuko was doing it again, he was acting drastically and then leaving her in the dark, but there was one person who could enlighten her on the situation. Quickly Nyikani headed out of the throne room and down a corridor with Cado trotting behind.

In a small room there was a man at a desk, he wore a small smile as he peacefully went about his work, this was Mao, the head scribe. Suddenly his door slammed open, which startled Mao and sent his papers everywhere.

"Mao!" An angry voice shouted.

Mao slumped in his seat, "Oh spirits, it's her." He muttered quietly before standing up to face the assailant. "Yes, miss Nyikani?" Nyikani, Firelord Zuko's significant other; she was loyal and good-hearted, but she could be a bit…rough.

Nyikani stalked up to Mao, "What's this about Zuko leaving all of a sudden? And why am I just hearing about now? And where did you go?"

"Uh well, it was decided last night..." Mao cautiously and slowly began.

Nyikani frowned, Mao was being evasive, and she didn't like that. "Don't play games with me, Mao, spit it out."

"He left for the colony in Yu Dao." Mao answered.

"Ok, why?" Nyikani asked, "Has the protesting stopped or something?"

Mao shrank a little, "Well, you see…there was…um well…"

Nyikani was losing her patience, "There was what, Mao?"

"There was an assassin here during the night that came from Yu Dao that assaulted the Firelord!" Mao's words came out like a torrential downpour.

Nyikani's eyes widened, "There was another attack? Is there anything else I haven't been notified about?" She asked, anger rising in her voice.

Mao had managed to regain some of his composure, "That is all." Mao told her, "Is there anything else you need, Miss Nyikani?"

"Yeah, you don't have to call me 'miss', it's just Nyikani." Nyikani told him with a half-smile.

Mao dipped his head, "Very well, Miss Nyikani."

Nyikani sighed, "…Thanks, Mao. So how long will Zuko be in Yu Dao?"

"That is undecided."

"…Great." Nyikani huffed, "Is there anything I can take care of while he's gone?

"Nothing outside of you regular duties."

"Alright then, let's get to work. Come on, Cado." And with that Nyikani and Cado left Mao's office.

As the duo walked down the corridor Cado looked up at his master, who was clearly not happy about the situation. Zuko was doing pretty well with his Firelord duties, but every so often the stress got to him, and when it did it seemed like he closed himself off to everyone, to Mao, to his royal guards, even to Nyikani, often she would have to find out the secrets he would keep, and it upset her. Not like I'm any better… As irritated as Nyikani was, she realized she didn't have much room to scold him. Zuko wasn't the only one hiding something, and Nyikani had a big secret indeed.

And what would that secret be? MWAHAHAHAHAAAAA! Ah it's good to be back... But anyway the secret shall remain secret...for now... I know this chapter's a bit short, like I said it's a bit more like a prologue, but I'll work hard on making a good story out of this. Read and review please! And thank you all for being so patient, I hope you like this one!

P.S.: I have a MOMENTOUS story idea, and I wanted to know what you guys thought of it, ready? Ok here's a pretty obvious hint, what do you think happened to Nyikani's mother?