Zuko, Mai and their retinue left their chambers early that morning in preparation of a final meeting before the negotiations started. On the way to their appointed meeting room they encountered the Bride of Agni.

Zuko bowed low. "Please bless us, Svaha. We have a heavy task today."

Mai also bowed low and the others knelt down. The Bride raised her hands and spoke in a clear voice: "May Agni's face shine down on your efforts today." After that she continued on her way and Zuko and his retinue did the same.


"Welcome to our first meeting of many. I hope they will go all go well. Before we begin…"Aang looked around the table. "We are here to work towards peace… And to find the best way of rebuilding the world… We are not here to gain revenge on the Fire Nation… That will not be tolerated." More than one diplomat swallowed, remembering Aang's display of power from the day before.

Representatives from each nation were seated around the square table. Three sides were used by the Fire Nation, Earth Kingdom and Water Nation respectively. The fourth side was occupied by a tired Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph and Suki. Along the walls were seats for observers and various scribes.

"The first issue to be discussed is the extradition of the war prisoners to the Earth Kingdom and to the Water Tribes. During our talks in the Fire Nation we agreed on using the definition given in the treaty of Huang Dong. Also it was agreed that conscripts were not to be prosecuted, unless they could be directly tied to class two crimes. In exchange for this you have received access to the military archives. Have the lists been prepared?"

"We have our list here, Avatar Aang." General How pushed forward a small box with scrolls.

"This is our list." Chief Arnook also pushed forward a small box, followed by Hakoda.

A scribe went around the table and collected the boxes to hand them to Zuko. He handed them off to an aide standing ready. "Review them and get to work on drafting warrants." The scribe bowed and left the room. "I was already familiar with many names on the list. They have been under house arrest for quite a while to prevent them from fleeing."

Chief Arnook nodded. "We thank you for your diligence, Fire Lord Zuko."

"However, there is one war prisoner who still has be discussed. The most important one of all… Princess Azula. She will have to be put on trial." One of the councilors from Ba Sing Se spoke.

Katara saw Zuko and Aang pale at the same time. She took a deep breath and spoke. "I understand your wish to put Princess Azula on trial… But tell me, Councilor Zhou, how do you plan on doing this? And what would the demanded punishment be?"

"I do not understand your question, Lady Katara."

"Just answer the question, Councilor."

"She would be brought here and charged with the crimes we have discussed before. She would be given the change to plead guilty or not. Then the trial proceeds as usual. The demanded punishment would be the death penalty."

Katara saw Zuko pale even more and Mai discretely put her hand on his. "Then we have a couple of problems, Councilor." Katara replied calmly. "Princess Azula has been declared legally insane. The treaty of Huang Dong forbids the execution of the insane in case of war crimes. Avatar Hinotaka forbid the execution of insane people hundreds of years ago in any case. Now, the rules don't prevent someone who is insane from standing trial. But they have to be capable of pleading guilty or not. They have to be able to understand and answer questions. But Princess Azula is catatonic, completely unresponsive to the outside world. She is clearly not capable of standing trial. Unless there has been change in her condition recently?" Katara directed the last question in the direction of Zuko.

"There has been no change in her condition recently." Mai answered smoothly.

"Alright, the rules are clear then. But how do we know she is truly insane?" Nanuq spoke the question in everyone's mind. "How do we know she is not being protected by some sympathetic physician in the Fire Nation?"

"She was declared insane by a panel containing a healer from each of the three nations. Is this sufficient for you, Councilor Nanuq?"

"For now."

"Frankly, ladies and gentlemen, I think the issue is very simple." Suki spoke above all the muttering around the table. "At the moment Princess Azula is incapable of standing trial. But that may change in the future. I propose that a panel of healers like the first one evaluates her mental condition twice a year. When her condition has changed, we can see about arranging a trial." Suki saw some nods from the side of the Earth Kingdom and the Water Tribes. "Would this be an acceptable solution for you, Fire Lord Zuko?"

Zuko was still pale, but his voice was strong when he replied. "I accept the solution with one caveat. The healers on the panel will have to vetted by Master Toph. This prevents a sympathizer of Azula on the panel, but also someone bend on absolutely bringing her to trial before she is capable of it."

"I also think this solution is a good one." Aang finally spoke. "Are you willing to form a panel, Master Toph?"

Toph didn't reply, but just nodded.

"I wanted to make a suggestion. I examined Princess Azula myself and I gave my opinion to the panel that declared her insane." Katara explained. "But currently there is a water bender healer in Ba Sing Se who is far more experienced in those issues then I am. I suggest you ask Master Yugoda to participate in the panel."

Chief Arnook spoke before Nanuq could protest. "I will convey your request to Master Yugoda, Venerable Katara."

"Then a panel will be formed. Are there any other topics that needs to be discussed on the extradition of war prisoners?" Aang asked. "Then I declare the first meeting closed. We have all agreed to having our meetings in the mornings, so we will reconvene tomorrow morning to discuss the war reparations of the Fire Nation."


Sokka surveyed the ruins before him, watching various city workers check them for any more bodies. The wounded had long been evacuated to a nearby hospital. He felt someone come up behind his back, but didn't need to turn to see who it was. "I think this is a bit of an overdone form of resistance against the treaty of the talks… especially in what is supposed to be a time of peace."

"This is no resistance, Sokka." Came the calm voice of Master Piandao. "Resistance has a clear purpose and they try to sabotage military and strategic targets. This is pure terrorism. They picked a very vulnerable target without any thought for strategic importance. Their only purpose was create fear in the mind of the people and to sow suspicion."

"Some newspapers are claiming it was the Fire Nation, since someone dressed in red was seen nearby at the time of the collapse." Sokka scoffed. "Like there is no red clothing available in Ba Sing Se at all… And it looks like they are succeeding in the suspicion thing…"

"This isn't the work of a fire bender or anyone from the Fire Nation. It's the work of earth benders." Toph walked up next to them, keeping her voice fairly low. "The stones have markings I have only felt once before… where the Dai Li brought down the wall after Azula took over."

"So you are saying former Dai Li agents are responsible for this, Master Toph?" Piandao looked thoughtful.

"I would stake my reputation on it."


"What is the number of casualties at the moment?" Song fought to keep her voice level. She had been working in the hospital where the survivors had been brought all night and she was exhausted.

"The numbers of injured citizens still stands at seventy-five, Lady Song, but the death toll has risen to a hundred and twenty." One of her attendants reported.

Song sighed and turned to back to the ward where the most severe cases were kept.

"How are you holding up, Song?"

She turned around to see the compassionate face of Katara looking at her. Aang was standing just behind her. "I am alright, Katara. There is just so much to do."

Katara surveyed her with professional look and then turned to the attendant standing a few feet away. "Is there a place where we can speak privately?"

"The office of the head healer is over there, Lady Katara. I am sure she wouldn't mind if you used it."

"Thank you. Could be bring us a tray with something to drink to eat?"

"Of course, Lady Katara." The attendant hurried away and Katara forcefully escorted Song to the office.

"Sit down before you fall over."

Aang smiled faintly at Song's stunned look on her face. "If she gets like this, it is best just to do what she says." Then he looked worried as he took in her pale face. "You have been going at it without any rest or time to eat since we saw you last night, didn't you?"

Song smiled tiredly. "Me and every other healer here." Aang nodded and left the office.

"What is he going to do?" Song frowned.

"Summoning some other healers and making sure that you all will be relieved in a reasonable time." The attendant entered and sat down the tray on the table. "Now eat, Song. When you are done you can tell me how things are going here."

Song lifted a small bowl of rice from the tray. "You can say whatever you want Katara, but I rather work here then host a tea for all the ladies who accompanied the negotiators and now have nothing to do. I have no idea of where to begin."

Katara laughed. "I can imagine. Well, we will get Mai and then we can host a tea from all the Nations. Mai and I have done this stuff often enough. It's not hard… Sit, sip tea and simper…But first…Eat!"


Yugoda had laugh at the faces of her patients when the Avatar entered the small room. He went to the first bed and spoke with the occupant for just a few moments. He went from bed to bed, just giving a few encouraging words or asking how they were doing, but it seemed to cheer up the whole ward.

She looked to the side where Katara was watching her partner with a smile on her face. "He has quite the effect on people, hasn't he?" Katara remained oblivious. Yugoda reached out with her finger and tapped Katara on the arm.

Katara startled and looked to her old teacher. "Were you saying something, Yugoda?"

"I was saying that the Avatar has quite an effect on people." She said teasingly.

Katara blushed, but her voice was perfectly level as she said: "You are right."

"You have been here for three hours now, Katara, and I think I can handle things on my own. All the healers have been relieved. Aang should be finished with his rounds. It is time for you to return to the palace. I believe you all have plenty to prepare for tomorrow. You can drop of your little student one of these days and maybe we will have some time to chat then."

"She is right." Aang joined them. "We're supposed to meet up with Sokka and Toph… They should be finished by now…"

"Fine, fine… Let me just finish this…"


Aang walked through the hallways, lost in thought. He and Katara had just caught up with Toph and Sokka, sharing all their knowledge. Now he was trying to make sense of all the puzzle pieces that didn't fit. He paused at one of the courtyards where a group of children was running and playing around. His face brightened at the sight of their joy and spirit.

"Aang!" Suddenly a small figure crashed into him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Aang, please come and play with us…"

He looked down to find Miki staring at him with big eyes. She grabbed his hand and tugged him on to the courtyard. "Please Aang."

"Okay Miki, just for a bit. What were you doing?" Aang followed her into the mass of children, their ages varying from four till eleven or twelve. The eldest ones were staring at him with wide open eyes.

"We were playing tag." Miki surveyed her playmates and put her hands on her hips. Aang had to stifle his laughter at how much she looked like Katara in one of her indignant moods. "Stop gapping. We are going to play. Zhi, you were it."

The game started a little hesitant, most children avoiding Aang a bit. But then Miki became it and chased after Aang and managed to tag. The game was on…


"I'd not be so sure Fire Nation influence wasn't involved. Many agents of the Dai Li were loyal to Azula. Some still might be… I can think of many people who would take advantage of this and set up something like this." Zuko, dressed in a simple set of a red tunic and black pants commented as he listened to Sokka's report.

"You are thinking about the Phoenixes?" Sokka inquired, also dressed in a simple deep blue tunic and pants.

"That would be my first thought. I suggest you talk to Uncle Iroh. I know he has a man on the inside…"

Sokka nodded. "I will." He frowned when he heard loud yelling. "What is that?"

Zuko cocked his head to listen. "I comes from over there…" Both quickly hurried in that direction, only to stop in their tracks when they emerged in a courtyard. The sound they had heard were a group of children yipping and cheering as they chased after Aang, who just zoomed by an air scooter.

Sokka had to laugh at the sight. Besides him Zuko also grinned. "I'm guessing Aang hasn't changed that much, has he?"

"Luckily not."

Suddenly Miki dove from the crowd and grabbed Sokka's hand. "You can help us, Sokka. We can't catch Aang and you are faster than we are."

Sokka shook his head. "No Miki."

"Please Sokka." Miki pulled out the puppy eyes she had learned from Aang.

"Alright then. But only if Zuko also helps…" Sokka let Miki pull him into the crowd, grabbing Zuko's hand and dragging him along."

"Whoa… Sokka… What…" Zuko almost lost his balance.

"If I have to play with the kids, you're also gonna play."

"But…" In the end Zuko shrugged and let himself be dragged into the game.


"Why don't you just hire a secretary, Katara? If we had to do all of that ourselves, Zuko and I would go crazy." Mai had already given up on her own paperwork and sounded bored at Katara's complaining about request number thousand for Aang to cut a ribbon, to light a fire or some other ceremonial thing. She threw her third knife at target she had placed in the room.

Katara sighed. "You're right. But we like keeping a eye on things."

"These kind of messages can be easily managed by a secretary." Mai commented. "You don't need to keep an eye on that. You'll go crazy in the end."

Suddenly Suki burst out in laughter from where she was standing at the window. "Come look at this."

Katara eagerly pushed aside the scrolls, deciding to hand them off to a scribe since all had to be refused. "What's so funny?"

"Just look."

Katara looked out the window and burst out in laughter. In the courtyard beneath her not only Aang was being chased by the children, but now Sokka and Zuko were also valid victims.

Besides her Mai was fighting her smile. "Zuko can be such a dork."

"Ah come on Mai…" Suki giggled. "I bet that you're secretly wishing you could join him."

"Of course not…" Mai lifted her chin high, but her eyes were twinkling.

"Come on. Let's go watch downstairs. You can join them if you want to, Suki." Laughing the three women left their paperwork alone.


Next morning everyone was seated around the meeting table bright and early. Aang once more opened the meeting and briefly outlined the topic: war reparations. This time the room had one addition, namely a large map hanging on the wall.

Zuko was the first one to take the floor and he moved over to the map. "I would like to start with the Southern Water Tribe. Instead of gold I cede a part our territorial waters to you." He pointed out an area on the map.

"We accept this reparation as sufficient, Fire Lord Zuko. But our concern is this..." Hakoda stood and also moved towards the map. "This is originally Air Nomad territory."

"The waters have been sailed by the Fire Nation for a hundred years now, Chief Hakoda. And there are no more Air Nomads…I have no objections." Aang clarified.

"What about the inhabitants of the islands? I understand that there are few, but what is their opinion on this?" Kanna spoke up for the first time.

Instead of replying Aang gestured towards a man with a weathered face sitting along the walls. "Bailiff Gopan."

The man stood and bowed before the group. "Thank you, Avatar Aang. Chief Hakoda, my people are few. We are fishermen with a few farmers. Having lived on the islands for three generations, we have realized that we are of no nation. However, just before I left a set twins showed signs of being able to water bend and there might be more. The village elders decided to inquire if becoming a protectorate of the Southern Water Tribe is a possibility. We feel we have some worthy things to offer in exchange." With a bow, the man handed over a scroll.

"We are honored by request, Bailiff Gopan. This afternoon we have a meeting of the Southern Water Council. If you will join us …" At Gopan's nod, Hakoda turned to Zuko. "If the Southern Water Tribe and Bailiff Gopan can reach an agreement, we are agreed."

"Thank you, Chief Hakoda." Zuko resumed his seat. "As a war reparation to the Earth Kingdom we have already agreed on an amount of gold and that will be transported as soon as arrangements can be made. Furthermore, I have understood that there is a great shortage of man power to rebuild in the Earth Kingdom. I offer work crews for the durations of three years. They will be volunteers from the military of the Fire Nation with their upkeep and wages paid for by the Fire Nation."

Counselor Henei spoke: "I am assuming only those who are cleared of war crimes will be able to volunteer."

"Of course. They will also be screened for any overt sympathies to former Fire Lord Ozai and his ideology."

There was some quick consultation at one end of the table. General How finally spoke: "We will have to consider this offer. And the other request we made?"

"I assume you are referring to the release of classified knowledge about our scientific progress? You are ahead of me, General." Zuko accepted a scroll from one of his advisors. "This what we are willing to offer. You can select three topics on which you desire information and we will share it with you."

General How accepted the scroll with great dignity. "We will have to discuss this within the Council."

"Of course. I trust we can finish this discussion in a later meeting." Zuko spoke.

"The Northern Water Tribe… Chief Arnook, I have a formal apology from the family of Admiral Zhao for his actions towards the Spirits and the price it cost you." Zuko handed him a scroll. He coughed once and continued. "His family is very old and conservative… They believe very firmly in a life for a life. Therefore the patriarch has made the decision to send one of his granddaughters as a… peace offer… For them it was the only way to restore their families honor…" Zuko struggled to explain the world view behind

Chief Arnook shot up from his chair. "You mean they expect me to kill the girl?"

Zuko sighed, distaste clear on his face. "You can do with her whatever you wish."

The door suddenly opened and a harsh looking woman escorted in a girl of about twelve years old. Dressed in a simple red dress and her black hair in a long plait, she attempted to appear composed, but she couldn't hide her trembling nor the tears that sparkled in her deep grey eyes. Her escort pushed her in front of Arnook and left without a word. The girl fell to her knees and pressed her forehead to the ground. "My name is Jyoti, Chief Arnook. My life is in your hands."

Aang firmly took control. "I believe it is time for a break. We will continue in half an hour."


Almost everyone had left the chamber and only Arnook and the Gaang remained. The girl was still sobbing on the floor. Katara and Suki were kneeled next to her, coaxing her to stand up, but not having much success.

Arnook, Aang and Zuko held a heated debate on the other side of the table. "What was I supposed to do, Aang? They showed up with her just before the ship left. Yes, I could have refused to take her with me. But then she would been forced to commit suicide by her family to regain their honor. I brought her here in the hopes we would be able to find her a safe place. If Chief Arnook releases her, her family has absolutely no hold on her, even if they won't accept her back." Zuko turned to Chief Arnook. "To be honest, Chief Arnook, I find this most distasteful. But the patriarch made his decision and the family will not accept her back. I am truly sorry to involve you this way, Chief. But I did not wish for the her to be killed, even if it would be by her own hand."

Chief Arnook sighed. "I will release her. But I have no place for her in my tribe."

"That was all I was hoping for."

"You do not have to worry about that, Chief Arnook. We will find a place for her to stay." Aang assured him.

When Chief Arnook turned to the girl, Sokka came over and spoke in a low tone. "You did the right thing, Zuko. But next time give us a bit of heads up. This could have been handled a bit more… smoothly. For example… you could have warned Chief Arnook…"

"Jyoti, please stand up." When the girl did so hesitatingly, Arnook continued: "I release you. You are free to return to the Fire Nation or where ever you wish to go. The Avatar and his friends will assist you." Arnook left the room, still shaking his head.

Jyoti in the meantime was still sobbing. Katara simply wrapped an arm around the girls shoulder and pulled her to her. "You are safe now, Jyoti. Everything is going to be alright."

A few moments later, someone knocked on the door and Ty Lee entered after having been summoned by Suki. "What happened?" She asked Suki softly.

Suki explained it with a few quick words and Ty Lee nodded, heading to the sobbing girl. "Hello Jyoti, I am Ty Lee, the daughter of Lord Kohaku of the Fire Nation. Why don't you come with me?"

Katara gently transferred the girl in Ty Lee's care and whispered: "Have her checked over by the healers. I wouldn't be surprised if she was in shock."

Ty Lee nodded and guided the girl away.


"It is fairly simple, milord. Until the merchants from the Fire Nation and their business associates demonstrate a serious effort to align all of their operations with the standards of the Earth Kingdom..." Mai left her betrothed talking with the Master of the Merchants Guild in Ba Sing Se when she spotted Chief Arnook.

Moving effortlessly in her red floral print brocade kimono, edging with black silk and long swinging sleeves, she intercepted Arnook. "Excuse me, Chief Arnook. May I have a moment of your time?"

"Lady Mai. What can I do for you?" Arnook inclined his head politely.

"I merely wish to offer my apologies for the difficult position my betrothed put you in this morning. It was not his intention. He truly feared for Jyoti's life if he did not follow tradition."

"I understand, Lady Mai. A few moments of discomfort were worth a young girl's life. Have you heard how she is?"

"I was informed that she was resting comfortably in the infirmary, recovering from shock. I believe she will remain under the care of the Kyoshi Warriors until a satisfactory solution can be found."

"I am relieved to hear that."


Aang looked around with satisfaction. Though not necessary friendly, people of a three nations were interacting cordially at the reception. Some soft music played and in a corner was space to dance. Suddenly he blinked and looked once more.

"Do you have something in your eye?" Katara's laughing voice asked behind him.

Aang turned around to see Katara standing there in her ice blue ao dai, brocaded with flowers in a darker shade. With it she wore white satin pants and her circlet. "No, I was just surprised to see that. I'm curious what's going on." He gestured to a dancing Toph and Teo.

Katara smiled. "They're cute together, aren't they? I think they like each other..."

Aang gaped at her. "You knew?"

"I saw them in the garden together a few days ago. But I didn't want Toph to feel uneasy about this, so I said nothing."

"Am I seeing...? Toph is dancing with Teo?" Suki's surprised voice came from behind them.

"No way..." Sokka's reaction was pure shock.

Katara sighed.


The high tinkling of a fork striking a crystal cup filed the room and everyone looked around to see where the sound has come from. On the small stage in front of the room they saw the Mechanist, together with his Teo who was holding two set of large scrolls.

"Excuse me, I know this must be somewhat unusual. But I have an announcement to make." The Mechanist spoke somewhat hesitatingly. "We of the Northern Air Temple have a gift to make. For a long time our relations with the Fire Nation were not very... cordial... Neither were our relations with the Earth Kingdom In the hope of making a new start I have these designs to offer for Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom."

King Kuei and Fire Lord Zuko slowly moved forward to the stage and climbed it.

"I offer you the design schematic of a supply trucks and a steam shovel. Both will be very helpful in rebuilding this world as well as restarting your economy."

Both heads of state accepted a set of scrolls from Teo and thanked him with a few words while the din rose in the rest of the room.

Somewhere in the back Sokka shook his head. "Well played... very well played."

Suki frowned at him. "What are you talking about, Sokka?"

"If he just would have offered the designs in one of the meetings, everyone would have protested and more meetings would have been necessary. If he had offered now to only one of the nations, the other would have been offended. But by giving the designs to both the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation the Mechanist prevented that." Sokka lowered his voice. "This way no one can also be really offended when the Fire Nation gets them in production much quicker because they have the factories almost ready."

Aang nodded. "That was what Teo meant when he said he arranged things with his dad."


Zuko yawned so widely his jaw cracked. "I'm exhausted..."

Mai hid her smile behind her hand. "It must be so tiring to sit on a chair all day. O yes, you spent some time this afternoon training with Aang and your uncle."

Zuko pouted at her. "Not funny, Mai."

With trouble Mai arranged her face in her normal placid expression. "I will say whatever I want. But tell me, what else did you manage to load on our plate tonight? Katara already managed to get me in a ladies tea yesterday."

"Not that much, Mai." Zuko protested, rolling his eyes. "The only new thing is that we have, is a lunch with the King Kuei and Lady Song. They wish to talk about how your duties are structured in the Fire Nation, since they are working on a new to fill in the role of Earth Queen."

"I guess that used to be much like the old Fire Lady role in the Fire Nation?" Mai asked, loosening her obi and pulling of her kimono.

"Pretty much." Zuko changed into his sleeping pants. He watched as Mai also changed in her nightgown and loosened her hair. "Give me the brush." He accepted the brush and Mai took a seat.

"If I look at it, things are going very good." Mai watched Zuko's face in the mirror.

"I agree. Someone of the ministry of industry looked over the designs we received tonight. According to him it would easy to adapt the abandoned tank factories to produce both the trucks and the shovels. He estimates there will be enough of a demand for them to open several factories."

"Which would stimulate the economy and help people regain employment on places like Ashai Island." Mai finished for him. "That's good news indeed."

Zuko put the brush down and crawled in bed. Mai did the same from the other side and cuddled close. Zuko kissed his her temple and murmured: "I hope our good luck will hold up."


"Ouch! Argh! Dammit! Stupid cat!"

Miki, Katara and Yugoda looked up from the swirling water around their hands. "Someone sounds angry..." Miki observed.

"I know. Let's see what is going on." Katara bended the water surrounding her hands back in the bowl before her and stood up. Yugoda went back to questioning Miki as they manipulated the water on the practice dummy.

"Stupid papers." Came the annoyed growl from behind the door.

Katara poked her head in the hallway, spotting Zuko lying on the ground. "What are you doing there, Sparky?"

Zuko looked in her direction. "What does it look like, Katara? I'm studying the paintwork on the ceiling."

Katara glanced up. "Well, it looks fine to me. "She held out her hand and pulled him up. "You okay?"

"Just some bumps and bruises. Two bearded cats ran by and I didn't look where I was going." Zuko explained sheepishly, bending down to pick up the papers. "Ouch."

Katara shook her head and laughed. She bent down to help him to pick up the papers. When Zuko straightened up once more he growled once more. Katara eyed him with a bit of concern. "You sure you're okay?"

"I hit that pointy statue over there..." Zuko gestured. "It's just a bruise."

Rolling her eyes, Katara held open the door of the room. "Come on in. We have three healers here who can fix you up..."

"Katara, that isn't necessary..." Zuko protested.

"I am not gonna explain to Mai tonight why you're walking around with a giant bruise. Come in." Katara pulled out her determined face and pointed.

Zuko sighed, but entered the room, followed by Katara. "Hello Miki, Master Yugoda."

Miki's eyes widened. "You were the one yelling?"

"I tripped over a cat."

Miki struggled not to laugh, but Katara simply did. "I found us someone to practice on." Now not only Miki's eyes widened, but also Zuko's. "Only if you want too, Zuko." Katara said, still giggling.

Miki however still wasn't too keen on the idea. "But what if I..."

Katara knelt down next to Miki. "I know you can do this, Miki. Didn't Aang let you heal those scratches Momo made on his arms. Or when Sokka got another fishhook stuck in his thumb?"

Yugoda smiled gently. "Katara and I will help you if necessary, Miki. But I don't think you will need it..." The elder woman looked up at Zuko. "And of course only if the Fire Lord agrees..."

Zuko had relaxed when Katara mentioned Miki healing Aang and Sokka. "You can do it if you want, Miki."

Miki looked at Katara and Yugoda, who both nodded at her. She looked at Zuko, who smiled at her. "Where does it hurt?"

Zuko sat down on a mat before her and pointed out the spot just below his ribs on his left side. "Over here."

Miki knelt down beside him. "May I lift your shirt?" She asked politely.

"Sure Miki." Miki carefully lifted up his shirt to reveal a hand sized dark bruise.

Katara knelt down beside Miki and held up the shirt. "What do we now, Miki?"

"We form a glove with the water and we scan the chi paths around the place we need to heal." Miki recited. When she was finished, she formed the glove and gently put her hands on the bruise.

"What does it feel like?"

"Like a bunch of small knots..." Miki frowned. "No, it is a bigger knot with smaller knots all around it."

Katara nodded. "Very good. Now what do you do?"

"First the small knots, then the large knot." Katara nodded and Miki closed her eyes. The glow surrounding her hands brightened and after a few moments she lifted her hands and bended the water back in the bowl. She peered at the now healed skin and asked: "How does it feel?"

Zuko twisted his upper body and moved his arms. "Like new. Thank you, Miki."

Katara beamed at her. "You did very well..." Miki returned her smile, but before she could reply, there was an urgent knock on the door.

"Come in." Yugoda called.

A security officer entered the room and bowed. "My apologies, Lady Katara, Fire Lord Zuko. There has been another attack and your presence has been requested."

Katara and Zuko immediately stood up. Yugoda and Miki did the same. "I will make sure the little one arrives safely at her quarters."

"Thanks Yugoda." Katara spoke quickly before she hurried after Zuko and the security guard.


"What exactly happened, Chief Padong?" Sokka asked sharply. "You say there has been a fire, but you also say there hasn't been a fire at the same time?" General How, Aang, Katara, Zuko, Sokka, Toph and Suki were gathered around a large table.

"What I am saying, Lord Sokka, is that there was a fire, but that it was mysteriously stopped." Padong stroked his beard importantly.

Suki glanced at her boyfriend, spotting the signs of Sokka reaching his max. "Perhaps, Chief Padong, you should start from the beginning..."

"That sounds like an excellent idea, Commander Suki." The general glared at the Chief, who swallowed visibly.

"The targets were the storehouses where supplies were being kept for the refugees who would be leaving Ba Sing Se soon. It was arson. Oil was poured everywhere and there was the beginning of a fire, but when we arrived there was only some smoke and a small fire, that didn't seem to spread, despite plenty of flammable materials nearby."

Aang frowned. "Fire that did not spread while it should have? That sounds like a..."

"Fire bender." Zuko finished Aang's sentence. "And quite a powerful one. He must have been bending the flames back."

"How do you reach the conclusion that it must have been a powerful fire bender, Fire Lord Zuko?" General How asked with interest.

"Because bending flames back, certainly on the scale that Chief Padong describes, is a master level technique that is very difficult to master. In essence, you are fighting the nature of the fire, which is to spread. Yet that didn't happened."

"Were there any witnesses who saw something?" Sokka addressed Padong once more.

"No. But one of my men claims to have seen a spirit dressed in red who was keeping the fire contained by dancing..."

Aang frowned. "A spirit dressed in red? An elemental spirit, a salamander perhaps? That does not make any sense. And dancing?"

"You mean like the other elemental spirits, Aang? Like gnome, undine or sylph?" Katara asked, also frowning.

"Yes. But this does not exactly fit their normal behaviour. I will think about it, but a fire bender seems more logical..."

"Chief, would it be possible to visit the location of the fire?" Sokka asked, ignoring the talk about spirits.

"Of course, Lord Sokka."


"This still doesn't make any sense. They said it wasn't a human because the figure didn't have a face. But is also wasn't a spirit because they heard footsteps. And from what I know, spirits don't have footsteps." Sokka complained later that evening when he and Suki were preparing for bed.

"If they'd been wearing a mask, they still would have had a face, just not a human face…" Suki offered thoughtfully.

"Like Zuko when he was the Blue Spirit…" Sokka continued her line of thought.

"Of course, we've been so daft… What if it was someone pretending to be a spirit? We have been so focused on trying to prove it was either a human or spirit, that we forgot that it could be one trying to pretend to be the other. How difficult would it be to tie something before you face so that no can see it?"

Sokka hit his forehead. "You're totally right. That we didn't see this before."

"Have you ever seen the way a fire bender moves when they are bending back flames? The security guards told me that they never really had seen fire bending very well. But Zuko demonstrated some of the moves to me today and what the security guard described sounded very similar. The dancing was bending…"

"We got stuck so fast on the debate about it being a ghost or not, we totally forgot to go for the most logical option."

"That means there is a fire bender running around who must know when the terrorists are going to strike…" Suki quickly rang for a servant and wrote a note. When the servant appeared she quickly handed of the note with the order to take it to Chief Padong immediately.

"What was on the note?" Sokka asked, looking up for a moment from the papers he was digging trough.

"A note for Chief Padong to check the whereabouts of all known fire benders in a Ba Sing Se around the time of the fire… And what are you looking for?" Suki surveyed the mess on the desk.

"I am looking for a report from the building collapse. The two suspects, the possible Dai Li, that were captured had singed robes while there was no fire nearby. And they were knocked unconscious by chi blocking… Ty Lee and one of the water bending healers confirmed it…"

"And that is an art originating from the Fire Nation... You're thinking that the same person who controlled the fire must have taken out those men…"

"Exactly."

Another knock sounded on the door and Suki opened it, accepting the bowl that the servant was holding. "Sokka, it's late. We can explain our theory to everyone tomorrow morning… I had a bit of a surprise for you…"

Sokka looked up from his papers, immediately dropping them when he saw the expression on Suki's face. "What is in the bowl?" He asked, his eyes twinkling.

"I asked to the kitchen to send us a bowl of whipped cream." Suki winked.

"Whipped cream? Sounds… delicious…" With those words Sokka left his paper work alone and pulled Suki to the bed.


The negotiations about war reparations finished for the day, Zuko and Mai were escorted to a private parlor for the exclusive use to the Earth King. The monarch of the Earth Kingdom and his future consort were not present very often for the negotiations, instead focusing on the daily ruling of Ba Sing Se.

When the servant knocked, King Kuei and Song were already standing by the table. After greeting each other, they were quickly seated and servants brought in the first course.

"Thank you for being willing to discuss this with us." Kuei stated, picking up a meat filled dough ball. "It is not easy to find a new way if things have done in a certain way for a very long time."

"That is true." Zuko concurred. "I have encountered the same issue.

"It is a new time after the war. I think everyone, ruler or peasant, is wrestling with this issue at the moment." Song daintily took a bite. 'Lady Mai, I heard you are somewhat of a 'trail blazer' in the Fire Nation court with the amount of authority you have been given, even before you are officially married."

"There have been some old fashioned people who had a conniption, but that was not just about the amount of authority that I have. That was just one part of the package." Mai replied humbly. "But you told us you were looking for a different way to fill in the role of Earth Queen. What are her traditional duties?"

"Pretty much the same as your original duties, Lady Mai. Overseeing the household, acting as hostess and bearing heirs." Song summed up loosely.

"For us it was a little bit easier to change her position. Before Sozin a Fire Lady traditionally oversaw the Ministries of Education, Health and Culture, thus handling the administration of the schools, hospitals, orphanages, museums and artistic institutions among other things. Also she was his regent when the Fire Lord was incapacitated. What I did was just restoring this to the way they were before. From there we will see to change things further. Is there any kind of tradition like that in the Earth Kingdom?"

King Kuei frowned. "Not really. Most of the Earth Queens were active in charity, but nothing on an administrative level. And my regent is officially the Grand Secretariat, though we saw how that turned out with Long Feng."

"From what I understand, Lady Song, you are acting as an advisor on health care in the Lower Ring? I would suggest expanding on that. Another thing I suggest is to just start attending meetings. Listen and observe at first and then you can start offering your own opinion. The same goes for reading paper work. Perhaps offer to mediate on some small issues. Then it will not be a shock when you start handling some projects on your own and eventually when you take something over completely. This worked for me." Mai advised her.

"And if you do want to change your role formally, talk with the Avatar first. With his support behind you, it might be a little bit easier. He strongly believes in equality between men and women, also in ruling a nation." Zuko advised.

"We will keep this in mind." Song remained silent while servants removed the plates and brought in the next course of rice, lentils and a spicy curry. "What kind of issues are you currently handling, Lady Mai? And do you still oversee the household while doing those other duties?" She asked curiously .

Mai took a bite while she thought. "With education we are working on a reform of the history curriculum and teaching the students to form an opinion of their own, with healthcare the most difficult issue is arranging the appropriate medical care for returning veterans and on culture we are reviewing what our museums teach about other nations and our history. The household is most run by the major domo and the chatelaine, but I still have a meeting every morning of about an hour. It is important to have people who you trust to handle that issue."

"In a few days Lady Katara, the current Head of the Lower Ring Rebuilding Project and I are having a meeting with the Mechanist and his son about that ingenious chair on wheels and the replacement limbs they designed. Why don't you join us? I am guessing there will be people in the Fire Nation who could use those objects." Song invited Mai.

"I will. I personally know of several cases of people who have lost limbs or are suffering from paralysis."


At the end of the meal Zuko took Song to the side for a moment. "Lady Song, a few months ago I received the information regarding your father from you. I received this scroll yesterday morning. I am afraid that I have to tell you that your father passed away from wound fever in a work camp about half a year ago." Zuko handed her the scroll. "You have my sincere condolences. His ashes were buried on a small graveyard near the camp. If you wish, I will have the ashes exhumed and sent to you."

Song covered her mouth with her hand. She obviously had to struggle to keep her tears from escaping. "Thank you, Fire Lord Zuko, for your efforts. I will contact you when I have made a decision." She used formality to keep herself composed.

"I understand. I wish I could have given you better news." With those words Zuko and Mai quietly left the room, leaving Song to be comforted by her future betrothed.

ATLA knip

"Welcome this morning. Today we have to tackle on of the most difficult subject of the treaty, namely the Fire Nation Colonies in the Earth Kingdom. It was agreed upon that all colonies existing shorter than ten years would be evacuated this winter. Has this process been finished, Fire Lord Zuko?" Aang opened the meeting the next morning.

Zuko nodded. "The process is almost complete. There are only two or three small groups of colonists who have to be evacuated and I estimate we will be done at the end of this month."

"During the talks in the Fire Nation we agreed that the colonies who have been there between ten and twenty-five years will have to be evacuated also. But there are people there who have been born here and grew up there. We agreed to make a provision. What is the Earth Kingdom's offer?"

Councilor Longyan stood up and spoke: "We offer the people who have been born on what is technically Earth Kingdom territory or who have lived there for ten years before they turned sixteen the chance to apply for Earth Kingdom citizenship. Parents with children between six and sixteen who have been born here get the same chance. Exceptions to this are people who have served in the Fire Nation Military, who are fire benders or those who have committed crimes against Earth Kingdom citizens. They would undergo a background check and they have to swear their loyalty to the Earth Kingdom. This includes giving up their Fire Nation citizenship."

"Then you are excluding every man of sixteen or older, since they were conscripted in the Fire Nation Army or Navy." Mai commented. "Are you also including the women who served the army in a domestic capacity? Technically they weren't soldiers."

There was a brief moment of consultation at the Earth Kingdom side of the table. Councilor Longyan turned back. "The women are welcome to apply. We will have to discuss what to do about the conscripts at a later date. In return for this, we wish for the Fire Nation to protect the properties of wanton destruction by angry people who have to leave there houses."

Zuko nodded. "Military forces will be deployed to keep the peace among the colonists and people who are caught will be prosecuted as if they committed their crime in the Fire Nation. I also believe Avatar Aang and Lady Katara are planning on being in the area when the large scale evacuations are going to take place. Are there any other guarantees you desire, Councilor Longyan?"

"That will be sufficient for now. When do you think the evacuations of this category of villages will be completed?"

"I do not know. This are far more villages with far more inhabitants then the colonies evacuated last winter. I will give you an estimate a soon as possible, but it will not be before the end of summer as some desire. Unless you wish for a larger chance of disturbances or property damage…"

"Then we will table this discussion for now. I suggest our aides meet to work out some of the details."

"Then we have to deal with the colonies who have been there long then twenty-five years." Aang stated. "Some people have lived in these areas for two or three generations. I propose we find a solution that allows as many people as possible to stay. We do not wish for a mass migration."

"I concur." Zuko immediately agreed.

"We understand the sentiment, Avatar Aang, and we share your wish. The proposal of the Earth Kingdom is that everyone who has been born there will be allowed to apply for or who have lived there for ten years before they turned sixteen the chance to apply for Earth Kingdom citizenship. Parents with children between six and sixteen who have been born here get the same chance. All applications will be reviewed. Fire bending or serving as a conscript in the army will not be a cause for direct rejection. Also they would have to undergo a background check and have to swear loyalty to the Earth Kingdom."

"Those demands sound reasonable, but I will have to discuss them with my advisors." Zuko said.

"And the people who decide to leave voluntarily? They have worked there for generations." A Fire Nation advisor pointed out.

"We understand. To encourage colonists to return to the Fire Nation, we are willing to offer each family a small sum if they return voluntarily. How much will have to be discussed."

"That is most generous of you, Councilor." Zuko spoke, surprise still visible in his eyes. "I hope you do realize that it will be a few years before those colonies will be completely evacuated. The other colonies have priority."

"I understand. We do request something in exchange. During this summer a joint leadership between someone from the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom will be set up for each village,. Refugees willing to move to such a village will be allowed to."

"I think joint leadership is an excellent idea. But which law will prevail? Fire Nation or Earth Kingdom? I would suggest a combination of both. Our aides could compose a few examples which we can then discuss?" Zuko suggested.

"Excellent…"