Chapter One:

Aftermath

ARRAINNE POV:

It has only been a week since Zuko's coronation and I've barely seen him. I can't complain, he's the Fire Lord now and he has things to do but the only times I've seen him he has to act like the Fire Lord. We haven't had the chance to be alone since the coronation. I gave Katara, Sokka, Suki and Toph Appa for the week so that they could go visit their family. Katara, Sokka and Suki were going to drop Toph at her home so she could see her parents again, and Katara, Sokka and Suki were going to the South Pole to see Sokka and Katara's grandmother. Hakoda joined them; he hasn't been home for years.

I stay in the Fire Nation with Zuko, we have to sit through meetings and councils all week. While someone important is talking I'll be struggling to keep my gaze fixed on the speaker and I can tell Zuko is struggling as well. Rarely we'll steal a glance at each other and give the other a pleading look. I hate the meetings and Zuko knows it. I reach up to pat Momo on the head; he's curled around my neck. It doesn't take much convincing to let Momo join me during the meetings, he doesn't disturb anyone; mostly he just sleeps. This meeting is supposed to be about what the Fire Nation is going to do next. With Ozai defeated, the government is in chaos. Some officials are having difficulties with a 16 year old assuming the throne. Personally—I think Zuko can handle it better than anyone.

The Fire Sages stand up, it's their turn. One turns to me and I make the effort to listen. They want me to speak to the high ranking firebenders about how to firebend without using hatred or pain, the new king of Ba Sing Se wants to meet with me, and citizens want to know what happened to Ozai and Azula. I groan internally, I'm ready to start my Avatar duties yet. I guess the world just doesn't understand that what I'd done to the Fire Lord was eating me up inside, I know he's a bad person; but does he really deserve to rot in jail the rest of his life? He can't bend anymore, he isn't harmful to anyone; but part of me is glad he's gone forever.

I know why people want to keep him under lock and key, because they're afraid of him. Even I'm afraid of him, but the way I'd been taught to respect all life makes me feel uncomfortable leaving him to die in there. I can't voice my opinions, I'm even afraid to talk about it with Zuko.

I simply nod to the Fire Sages and they unhappily took their seat, we haven't accomplished anything. I risk a glance at Zuko and he gives me a look that reads, 'Couldn't you at least try?" I avert my eyes, he doesn't understand either. As a general is about to stand up and give his report on how the military should act, Zuko abruptly stands up and announces, "Meeting adjourned. I think we've had enough for one day, we can continue tomorrow."

There is a silent rush of relief that sweeps across the room; we've been stuck in this room for three hours, the sunshine outside the only window taunting me from the very first minute. I stand up and stretch my legs, it takes everything I have not to flick my glider open and soar out the now open doors and disappear for a couple hours. If I do that, it would just prove I have no interest in these meetings at all; it won't sit well with my clean, so far, reputation. I have to remind myself that I'm the Avatar and this is what I do.

I see Zuko stand up from the intricate chair at the head of the room, he catches my eye and heads towards me; only to be stopped by the Fire Sages who spoke to me earlier, they looked displeased. I follow the crowd out the door and turn the opposite direction from the flow of people. I need space.

I go to the private courtyard that my bedroom shares with the Fire Lord's bedroom. My room is down the hall from it, it was previously where esteemed guests would stay; but it quickly became my permanent sleeping quarters. I sit cross legged in front of the pond where a family of turtleducks are pleasantly swimming. I have my eyes closed but can hear Momo splashing in the water trying to catch the dwarf koi fish. It's peaceful; the sounds all around me are calming.

I let the sounds of the turtleducks swimming cloud my mind, I just want to sit here and think about nothing. I'm so lost in thinking about nothing, that when Zuko lightly touches my shoulder I almost jump 10 feet in the air. When I turn to face him, he has both hands in the air, "I didn't mean to scare you," He explains.

I slow my breathing; he just caught me off guard. I hate how formal he always looks nowadays, he never looks like himself. I want to pull his hair out of the topknot and tell him to lose the heavy robes that drape around his shoulders. I lift myself off the ground with a small burst of air and immediately sink into his open arms. "I missed you," I sigh into his chest. I mean in the way that we never get to speak privately, it is always formally during meetings; though I see him during the meetings I never see him anywhere else.

He chuckles and holds me tighter, "I missed you too," He breathes. Now that the world is saved, there is still so much to do. Zuko has to rebuild the Fire Nation, straighten everything out, and on top of that somehow maintain the life he wants for himself. I have to convince the remainder of the world that the Fire Nation has changed, help Zuko in every way I can, keep the relationships I've built the last year and make sure I attend to the rest of the world's needs as well. I know it has always been a fantasy for him to become Fire Lord, but now that he is I can tell he doubts it. He pulls away, still holding me, and asks, "How are you?"

I want to laugh; I should be asking him that. He's been the one stuck in meetings, councils and hearings all week. I have been too, but I'm not questioned the entire time; I don't really have to think. Zuko has to listen to every word intently and decide on an answer to the issues; solely on his own. I shrug and answer, "I'm holding up, and you?" I see his eyes soften and I know he's dropping his guard.

He always has to act collected and calm around everyone else; he has to be the strong leader of the Fire Nation. Around me, however, he can be himself. A sixteen year old boy leading a nation and though he doesn't want to admit it, he's terrified he'll mess up. I know Zuko too well, he wants to be perfect and I have to remind him that isn't possible. He smiles weakly and replies, "I'm…" he searches for the right word, "Tired."

That's an understatement. I'm sure he's barely gotten any sleep the past week and frankly neither have I. We're both exhausted and it's starting to show. I look into his eyes and state, "Agreed." He smiles and hugs me. I let myself get lost in the embrace—his scent making me dizzy.

I realize how much I've missed him. There is a slight clearing of a throat from the archway into the courtyard and Zuko and I lift our heads. Immediately we push away from each other, the Fire Sages are standing with unhappy looks on their faces watching us. They aren't too fond of me and Zuko showing affection for each other in public; though the courtyard is hardly public. The head Fire Sage announces, "Fire Lord Zuko, you have a financial council in twenty minutes; you're expected early." He makes a point that it's time to leave.

Zuko looks over at me, I'm expected at this meeting as well but I don't know if I can stand three more hours sitting in that room. "Suddenly I'm not feeling so well," I say and attempt a cough. Zuko makes a face and the other Fire Sage's are glaring at me; they aren't pleased that I'm taking care of any of their wishes.

Zuko grabs my hand and kisses me lightly on the forehead, apparently he doesn't care the Fire Sages are here. Before he goes over to the Fire Sages he asks quietly, "Could you at least try and do one thing they ask? They're very annoyed." I grimace, that must have been what they were talking to him about after the meeting.

This seems like the perfect opportunity to do something I've been meaning to get done; I just haven't had the time since I've been here. "Get me out of this meeting, let me do something and you have a deal," I propose.

He sighs deeply, but I can tell it's forced. He acts like it was a big deal, but finally answers, "Fine." He joins the Fire Sages and I hear him say as they are walking down the hallway, "Avatar Arrainne is not feeling well, she won't be attending." I see the look of displeasure sweep through the group but I don't care. I'll start being the Avatar again tomorrow.

Once they're out of sight, I grab my glider and Momo perks his head up from the pond. He cocks his head and I ask, "You want to go flying Momo?" At the word flyinghe spreads his wings and flicks his tail, we haven't gone flying in what feels like ages. I laugh and in one swift motion I flick my glider open and spring into the air, seconds later I hear Momo's happy chattering next to me.

I fly over the palace wall and over the royal city, the building I'm looking for is all the way across the crater of the volcano but it only takes me minutes to get there. Below me I can see children tugging at their parents arms and pointing up at me, by the time they looked up I'm already gone.

I set down on the steps leading up to the deep red brick library and the few people that are milling around turned their heads to get a look at the Avatar before I disappear into the dimness of the library. The elderly man sitting at the front desk picks up his head and glances at me once before dropping his eyes back to his book, a few seconds later he jerks back up realizing who I am.

He stands up quickly to greet me with enthusiasm, but trips over his chair as he kicks it out behind him. He has to catch himself on the edge of the desk. He adjustes his glasses and peers at me again, "Avatar Arrainne, what a pleasure," he glances down at his messy desk and apologizes, "I'm sorry for the mess, if I'd know you were coming…"

He trails off at a loss for words and I hold back my laughter. I'm not laughing at him; it's just sometimes amusing how people act around me. I'm just a person, like everyone else. I smile and reply, "I'm honored, I've heard rumors about your vast collection; Librarian Kunyo, right?" He grins from ear to ear at the thought I know his name and have heard of his library before. He nods profusely.

"Is there any particular reason you've decided to visit today?" He asks, eager to help me with anything I need. I smile and ask him if he knows of a school with the logo I remember from my headband, he instantly knows which one I'm talking about and tells me how to get there; he doesn't even need to pull out a scroll. Hesitantly he asks, "May I ask why you're interested in the school?"

"I want to…" I don't quite know how to explain it, "Visit some old friends." I finally decide to answer. I only knew Elua, On Ji and Kaja barely two days when some guards thought I was playing hooky because of my undercover outfit, but I feel the urge to explain to them what happened. It's the perfect time because school will just be letting out when I get there and it's Friday; no doubt they'll all be going to Elua's house. Kunyo acknowledges my answer and I thank him for his help, quickly heading out the door. I hear him call that if I ever need anymore help he's willing, I'm sure I'll hold him to that in the future.

Once I'm outside, Momo is twitching on my shoulder; he wants to be airborne again and so do I. I pull my glider out and the moment I flick it open Momo leaps into the air and circles above waiting for me. As I jump into the air I hear a woman gasp and when I look down the people in the square are all pointing upwards. I think when I get back the first thing on my to-do list is talk to the citizens. I'm sick of being treated like a marvel to look at.

I fly fast and free, letting the winds whip my hair around and make my clothes snap. I skim the surface of the sea sending a spray into my face and occasionally I'll dip completely underwater and then burst back up through the waves. In a few seconds the air dries my clothes again. Though I know the four elements, air is still my favorite. Momo is chattering joyfully next to me the whole way, he loves it when I fly fast because that means he gets to fly fast as well. Sometimes he joins me when I dive into the water and other times he just flies through the spray.

To my despair, the island I'm searching for comes into view; the town fast approaching. The island is only ten minutes by boat from the mainland, but I got there in less than five. I easily find the school at the top of the hill, the schoolyard empty, and follow the same roads that they took me through to get to the house. I spot the familiar patch of two story buildings in a sea of flat roofs.

When I set my feet on the ground in front of Elua's house, the road is deserted except for a couple families returning from the market and a few straggling students just returning home. They are very surprised to see me, but I'm not here to see them. Taking a deep breath, I hesitate before knocking on the door; will they even remember me? I looked so different when I met them. I can hear a faint giggling from the upper bedroom; at least I know they're here.

I knock on the door and a couple minutes later a soft faced woman answers the door and lets out a small surprised gasp. She looks me up and down, notices Momo on my shoulder and my glider clutched in my hands; finally she asks, "Avatar Arrainne?"

I feel so awkward. "I'm, uh—here to see Elua, On Ji and Kaja…are they here?" She nods and steps out of the doorway motioning me to enter. She must remember me when I was here before with the name 'Alane'. She informs they're upstairs and I'm impressed to see how well she's handling herself. It isn't every day the Avatar comes to your front door and asks to see your daughter and her friends.

I climb the stairs and take another deep breath before knocking on Elua's door. "Come in," Elua says behind the door. This is it—the moment of truth. I open the door slowly and when the three of them look over at me; I can see the confusion. "Avatar Arrainne…?" Elua asks cautiously.

Smiling I reply, "Better known as 'Alane'."

On Ji suddenly stands up and exclaims, "I knew it!" She turns to Kaja and demands, "When we saw that poster of the Avatar didn't I say it looked like Alane? And you guys didn't believe me!" She then turns to me and throws her arms around me, "Wow it's so good to see you." When she pulls away she looks me up and down and tentatively touches the arrows on my hands and stares at the one on my head, "Amazing…" She trails off. This is a much better reaction than I expected, I thought they might hate me for lying to them.

Casually Kaja states, "So 'Alane' was just, like, a disguise so you could get closer to the Fire Lord?"

I shrug, "It was more like I accidently stole a school uniform and got caught by guards who thought I was playing hooky, and then I did it to learn about the present day Fire Nation."

"Nice," Elua praises me.

On Ji is now inspecting my glider, which is now closed and just looks like a staff, so with a shake it spreads open just barely fitting into the small room. On Ji strokes the wings and says, "The Avatar…right in front of us and we didn't even know it!" She pokes her head out from behind the wing and grins at me, "You're good." I take the compliment uneasily, it isn't a good thing I'm good at lying.

All of a sudden Elua inhales sharply, "That means," She looks around at her friends then back at me, "Unless it's just a rumor…"

"What Elua, just spit it out!" On Ji demands.

Kaja understood and murmurs to herself, "No way." On Ji glances at me desperately hoping I understand, but of course I don't. I'm just as eager to hear what Elua has to say, I'm sure it's something about me.

Sheepishly Elua turns her gaze downward and states, "We've heard rumors that the Avatar and the Fire Lord…"

Excitedly On Ji finally comprehends and interrupts her, "No way. NO WAY!" She sighs happily, "Tell us everything about him..." I'm still standing awkwardly halfway in the room and halfway in the doorway but Kaja grabs my arm and pulls me into a sitting position next to her on the floor. On Ji sprawls out on her stomach and Elua does the same, they're waiting for me to tell them.

I'm reluctant to open up about it, but finally I let the story flow. I tell them everything, not just about Zuko, but from the very beginning. It feels good to retell it and judging by the girls faces they don't mind. They listen especially well when the topic comes to Zuko. I tell them about when he saved me from Zhao and kissed me for the first time, but I'd pulled away. I told them how he let me go at the North Pole, I told them about the festival in Ba Sing Se and how he betrayed me in Ba Sing Se. I talked about my horror at learning that he'd taken credit for my death, On Ji apologizes for telling me that, but I don't mind; I would have found out sooner or later.

I speak about the failed invasion and how Zuko found himself and wanted to teach me firebending and how I hadn't let him at first; especially since he'd sent Combustion Man after me. Speaking about the more recent events is much more difficult, talking about my struggle to forgive Zuko makes my heart hurt like an old scar that is still healing. I open up for the first time about how after the Sun Warrior field trip Zuko and I made up; it's accompanied by simultaneous awws from the girls.

I talk about the Boiling Rock adventure, how Katara found the person who killed her mother and not taken revenge, the hilariousness about the Ember Island players, and the absolute terror of facing the Fire Lord. They're all amazed that I actually met a lionturtle, and they're completely speechless when I talk about my fight with the Fire Lord in detail. They say that nobody knows what really went down and it helps to clear things up. I also tell them that Zuko almost died and how he battled Azula and she shot him with lightning. It also feel necessary to include all the meetings I've been to since Zuko's coronation.

When I finally finished telling my literal life story, nobody says a word until On Ji slowly says, "And all this time I thought my history homework was stressful." I manage a smile; do they think I'm being ridiculously dramatic?

Elua breathes, "Your life could literally be a novel, romance and adventure, cliffhangers; it's got it all!" This time I actually smile, it could be a good read; though I doubt I want people reading all about my life.

"Though it sounded like a bumpy ride," Kaja startes, "It sounds like an adventure nobody will ever forget." That makes me think, when everyone of this age dies; will anyone remember my struggle—or the 100 year war for that matter? Nobody knows the complete story except for those who experienced it; maybe it would be worthwhile to put in a history scroll for those in the future to read.

On Ji scoots closer and asks, "I'm so jealous you actually get to talkto Fire Lord Zuko. While they swooned over actors and musicians I always dreamed about the story of the peasant girl and the Prince…" I almost feel bad that On Ji's dream life is now ruined by my hands, but on the contrary I can't feel that bad; I love Zuko. "Oh and you get to kisshim…wow…ugh. Is he good at it?" On Ji has come much to close for my comfort and Elua pushes her back as she apologizes, "Too much?" I smile and nod.

"You should come meet him sometime," I offer.

On Ji practically tackles me to the ground, but Kaja holds her as she exclaims, "You could do that?"

I nodded, amused at her excitement. It's different to be around girls who are normal, I'm so used to formality from the past week that it's a welcomed change. "She'll never leave him alone now," Kaja mocks and On Ji sticks her tongue out at her.

Elua's mother calls up the stairs that it's dinner time and I realize I've spent way too much time here. I inform them I can't stay for dinner and they escort me down the stairs to the door. On Ji tells me she lives a few houses away if I ever come and get her to meet Zuko and I promise her it'll be soon. I step out the door and flick my glider open, before leaping into the sunset colored sky I turn back to On Ji and say, "For the record—he is good at it." On Ji grins and I soar into the sky. Looking back at them, I see them gaping at me from below; with that I speed back towards the mainland.