2 days, 12 hours, 4 minutes, 7 seconds since the world was saved

For the first time since he had left the North Pole Sokka could be happy without the nagging fear that he would soon be dead. People often fail to appreciate the absence of strife and life-threatening danger. The young water tribesman expected that he too would soon under appreciate the day-to-day mediocrity of the common man- like it should be.

For the moment Sokka was simply happy to be happy- even if it was eight million degrees, and despite the fact the air in the Fire Nation felt like a thick steamy fog all day and all night.

The water of the ocean felt warm compared with the icy arctic waters of his youth- but he had to admit it was far better suited to swimming. With a wide arc he skimmed the surface of the ocean. The hurtling cut of water hit his sister in the face- causing a look of amused fury that bubbled a forgotten joy deep within the boy.

His sister separated a stream of water from the ocean surrounding her. Using her secret mojo powers she flung the water towards him- but a miraculous clump of sand rose from the ocean floor to save him at the last second.

Toph had a smile filled with mischief which quickly turned to unrestrained laughter when her trusted non-bender ally blasted her with water from her unprotected flank. The betrayal caused the situation to erupt into a chaotic free for all- water flying everywhere as each of them laughed themselves breathless.

Mai sat on the beach alone- under a parasol that kept the burning sun from assaulting her. Her face was unsurprisingly neutral, but her breathing was slightly harder than one would expect. As she looked out and saw her allies frolicking and laughing she knew without a doubt that she had done the 'right' thing. As she looked out and saw her allies frolicking and laughing she knew without a doubt that she didn't belong.

---

3 days, 1 hour, 35 minutes, 11 seconds since the end of the war

The battle of good against evil is as old as time itself. Myths and fables tell tales of brave untainted and righteous men encountering vicious inhuman monsters- and their triumph using cunning, wit, strength and purity of soul.

Reality is never so clear cut. The monsters faced by true heroes often have human faces. The challenges they face do not test virtue but instead force them to choose between continued innocence and death- their own or of those they love.

In reality the heroes of one story can easily become the villains of the next. The major difference between true heroes and those of myths- the heroes of the world are forced to live on even after the story ends.

It had been five days since the young boy had killed Fire Lord Ozai- five days since he had become a killer. Aang had told himself that he had no choice- that it was kill or be killed- but after going over it again and again he had realized that he could have done things differently.

If he had been a bit faster, a bit better- taken more risks, pushed harder- kept his emotions under control- he could have disabled Ozai and ended the fight without anyone getting seriously hurt.

As an airbender he had been taught to dodge, to defend, to deflect. Aggression was supposed to be the last resort- to inflict physical harm on another was supposed to be reserved for the direst of circumstances. In his first major battle someone had died- he had failed his teachings and betrayed his long dead civilization.

From the moment Aang had emerged from the underground palace an invisible shadow hung just out of sight wherever he went. The air was stale, the wind was uneven- wet floors caused him to slip- birds went quiet wherever he drew near. His wounded foot still stung from the deep cut he had received while walking on the beach- Aang couldn't help but feel that it was becoming personal.

But the worst thing was the eyes. Everywhere he went the eyes followed him, filled with hidden glimpses of fear. Everyone he passed knew what he had done- knew that he was now a killer. Even Katara and Sokka were no different. Despite happy faces and cheery voices, their eyes still tracked him- still saw him covered in the blood of Fire Lord Ozai- eyes aflame.

For five days he'd avoided the eyes but it was getting increasingly harder to do so. Sokka and Toph had departed for the Earth Kingdom, but Katara was still wandering the halls. Attempts to distance himself from his friends had failed completely. They were no longer willing to let him out of their sight. They no longer trusted him. If he was totally honest... Aang no longer trusted himself either.

---

5 days, 13 hour, 52 minutes, 44 seconds since a war ended

"While we are endlessly appreciative to our Lord for freeing us from the undoubtedly tyrannical rule of our previous leader- we must insist that action be taken immediately to resolve this issue- the people demand it!" Councilor Sen Wi uttered the words with impressive conviction, a tone long practiced over his extensive career in Fire Nation politics.

Fire Lord Zuko had quickly built up an immunity to the apparent emotion of councilmen. In recent days he had seen too many speak passionately on one point only to speak with an equal passion on a separate point that completely contradicted the first. Zuko had begun to appreciate why previous Fire Lords had seen it fit to seek the annihilation of foreign civilizations- it would certainly serve as an outlet for frustration.

"She isn't a prisoner. I can't release someone who isn't actually a prisoner." Zuko uttered the words with detachment and annoyance; a tone long practiced over the extensive course of the meeting.

The Councilor seemed to consider this- his body language shifting to indicate the internal formation of a reasonable solution. "If you cannot release her then you must execute her."

Zuko's form changed from nonchalant to enraged- slamming his palms down upon the large table that stretched across the room. "You refuse to let her remain in the dungeon but you're okay with me chopping off her head?"

"Enemies of the Nation must be executed my Lord." Yan Sen Wi was suddenly confused; the young boy was becoming increasingly unpredictable.

"She's not an enemy of the nation." Zuko continued, unimpressed by the Councilors' apparent unease.

"Then she must be released." Yan accompanied the words with an idle flip of the hand, supposed to indicate that the matter was out of anyone's hands- inevitable.

"This meeting is over."

As the various heads of the Fire Nation upper-class exited the room Zuko became lost in thought.

It was just like Azula to put him in such a situation. At times, over the past few days, he had seriously considered having her killed just to teach her a lesson. It wasn't like she hadn't sought his death in the past.

However, at the end of it all she represented half of the remaining blood relatives he had left and that seemed to count for something. The young Fire Lord hoped that it always would.