Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar

I own Tyren and Xu

Chapter 2: Family Matters

Zuko15 years ASC (After Sozin's Comet)

Royal Palace

Zuko walked down the halls of his home, the Fire Nation Royal Palace.

Actually he didn't walk, he strutted.

The Fire Lord was in an uncharacteristically good mood today, epically after the results of the meeting he had just left.

A meeting finished in record time no less Zuko thought to himself.

So now he strutted around the halls of the palace; the sun seeming to be brighter, the birds cawing softly as they flew around, and an air of ease taking over everyone in the palace.

Zuko's mind was worry free for the first time in a long time.

The meeting he had just left had informed him that, besides a few remaining stubborn separatists hold ups, there wasn't really that much wrong with the Fire Nation.

"Just continue to push them back they can't hold on forever," Zuko had told the general reporting to him about the separatists.

"As you wish My Lord," the general had said.

"My Lord, what will you have me tell the Earth Kingdom? They have just informed me they would like more man power to fight off some stubborn rebels on their southern borders," another general had asked.

"Remember general we are in quite a bit of debt to the world," Zuko had said, standing by the policy he had chosen some time ago. "Give the Earth Kingdom what they need to fix what we have broken."

"Yes My Lord," the general had bowed and sat down.

Everyone else looked at each other expectantly but no one else stood up.

"I guess we're done then," Zuko had said with raised eyebrows.

But now his spirits were raised, no longer being cooped up in the war room.

Maybe attaining some peace wouldn't be so hard after all…

"Come, come, now Master Tyrus you must concentrate," came a squeaky voice form the courtyard a little ways in front of Zuko.

"Yeah Tyrus, concentrate," snorted the voice of a boy. Zuko recognized the voice to belong to his oldest Roku.

"Get stuffed Roku," snapped back another boy. Tyrus...Zuko thought, wary of his son's tone. Zuko new Tyrus' temper was just as fiery as his had been at that age.

"Master Tyrus we mustn't talk like this," chided their teacher.

"But he…," began Tyrus.

"Shhhhh…," cut across his teacher. "Ignore him and try again."

Zuko watched from the shadowed overhang has his son took a firebending stance.

"Go!" commanded the teacher.

Tyrus moved side to side quickly, mimicking dodging around somebody, and then sent two quick punches at his imaginary target. With a look of complete concentration he jumped into the air and one…two kicked both his feet, sending an inferno out.

The inferno was not in Tyrus' complete control, however, and some of it smashed a nearby potted plant.

Roku roared with laugher while their teacher tsked again.

"Control, Master Tyrus, control is key," their teacher said in his squeaky voice. "If you can not control your bending then nothing good can come of it."

"And you Master Roku," said the teacher, rounding on the sniggering brother. "You would do well not to patronize your brother. You must control yourself as well. Do you understand?"

"Yes Master," Roku and Tyrus muttered together.

"Very good," said their teacher curtly. "I believe that is enough for now. Good day Prince Roku and Prince Tyrus."

"Good day Master," they answered dully. The teacher shuffled out of the clearing.

"Nice going Tyrannosaurus," muttered Roku when their teacher was out of ear shot.

"Don't call me Tyrannosaurus," growled Tyrus.

"Well I might as well," Roku grinned. "Your bending was about as graceful and controlled as a Tyrannosaurus."

"Shut up!" shouted Tyrus.

Zuko debated in his head if he should get involved. If he didn't Tyrus just might rip Roku's head off…but if he did his oldest son was likely to just try again later…

"You need some grace to be a master firebender," Roku went on. "And you Tyrannosaurus…well your just lacking."

"If you call me that one more time I'm going to…." grumbled Tyrus.

"What are you going to do Tyrannosaurus? Growl at me?" mocked Roku.

Tyrus did growl and went after his older brother.

"Woah watch the hair," said Roku, ducking Tyrus' fireball. Roku gingerly touched the top of his black pony tail to make sure no lasting damage had occurred. Then he stood to his full height, a grin and spark at his brother's challenge winking in his amber eyes.

Tyrus bent his knees slightly, his golden eyes glaring at his older brother.

They stood there, staring each other down, unknowing that their father was watching.

"Go," said Roku, mocking his teacher.

Tyrus immediately jumped forward, and went to knock his brother's feet out from under him.

Roku jumped the attack and when he landed he slid his foot out as his own attack. He also crouched down low, anticipating Tyrus' attack.

"Too easy Tyrannosaurus," mocked Roku. "You give firebending a bad name."

Tyrus just grunted and began firing away with his fists.

Roku easily blocked all of his attacks, a confident grin on his face.

"Come on now, you are better than that right? I mean my brother isn't this…"

Roku was cut off when Tyrus' foot barely missed his face. Tyrus had moved up methodically and come very close to catching his brother unawares.

Roku did have time to bring up his own foot and catch Tyrus in the stomach.

If it hurt Tyrus did a good job of disguising it, instead pushing Roku's food back and smashing his own foot into Roku's other leg.

His leg coming out from under him, Roku's fireball was off target. It came very close to hitting Tyrus in the face…

Zuko began to move forward, seeing enough when someone else beat him to it.

"Boys!" Mai snapped angrily. "Enough!"

Roku and Tyrus immediately stopped but still glared daggers at each other.

"I think having one member of this family scarred is bad enough," the boys and Zuko winced, "And I would rather you two not tear each other apart."

"He started it," muttered Tyrus.

"You're just too sensitive Tyrannosaurus," muttered Roku back.

"SHUT-!"

"Enough!" cut across Mai again.

"Roku, Tyrus, rooms," she commanded. "I'll talk to you both in a second."

The two children went to their rooms, taking separate routes.

"Don't think I don't see you over there," Mai growled.

Zuko stepped into the light, smiling sheepishly.

"Mai…," Zuko began.

"Just give me a reason why you decided to watch your children try and tear each other apart," Mai cut across, her arms folded across her chest.

"Mai, if I had stepped in now they probably would be trying to beat each other up now," defended Zuko. "Boys will be boys. They don't realize they like each other until their adults."

Mai just raised an eyebrow.

"Please don't be mad," said Zuko gently, unfolding Mai's arms and putting his own around her. "I'm in too good a mood to be mad."

"Well your mood better keep up," muttered Mai. "You do remember what tomorrow is right?"

Zuko stopped and thought hard. Tomorrow was…

"Where are we going that we have planned out for months now?" Mai sighed rolling her eyes.

"We're going to…oh," Zuko palmed his face. "We're going to celebrate the anniversary of the end of the war."

"Thank you he does have a brain," Mai said, exasperated.

"Don't worry we'll leave for Ember Island right on time," promised Zuko. "It is our party after all."

"Really its everybody's party its been so long. This is also like a reunion." Mai said.

"Yeah, how long has it been?" asked Zuko.

"We saw Aang and Katara…three years ago," recalled Mai. "We saw Suki and Sokka then too, it was Suk's birthday party. Toph showed up late but she was there…so we haven't seen anyone in three years."

"Except Xu, he's always around," pointed out Zuko.

"That's what happens when you're a general," muttered Mai.

They looked up at the clear blue sky above them, Zuko lost in thought of the old gang.

"Do you think he will be there?" Mai asked quietly.

Zuko felt his high sprits sink and settle somewhere around his naval.

"No," he muttered dully. "He probably won't."

Mai looked closely at him. "Do you want him…?"

"Of course I want him to but I don't think he will," cut across Zuko.

The couple looked at each other and decided not to continue on the subject.

"Come on," said Ma. "Let's make sure this family knows what is expected for this trip."

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Aang

Aang was watching the sun sink down in the clear blue sky.

The once silent and unoccupied Western Air Temple now echoed with the laughter of children and chatter of adults; refuges who didn't want to go back to their regular nations, setting up new lives in the Air Temples.

But Aang was far away from all the talk.

He sat outside his house, feet dangling over the ledge that led a very long way down to solid rock. It was also far away from the other citizens so it was the perfect place to enjoy some quiet.

That is until you hear little giggles coming from behind you.

"I'm going to do it," giggled the voice of a little boy.

"Gyatso you're such a child," muttered a girl, though she still sounded amused.

"Oh you aren't so grown up," laughed the boy. "Have some fun."

"Gyatso…," muttered the girl.

Aang looked behind him to see his daughter Kya talking to someone standing behind the wall of the house.

Kya saw her father look over and waved innocently over.

"Are you two behaving over there?" Aang called out.

"I am," answered Kya. "But Gyatso…"

Aang snorted and looked back over the scenery. Kya was sometime so grown up. He hoped that she didn't try and grow up too fast. Childhood was supposed to be fun…

"BOO!" shouted a little boy, suddenly appearing over the cliff edge.

Aang feinted surprise and fell back as the little boy landed on top of him.

"I got you daddy," giggled Gyatso.

"Yeah I guess you did," laughed Aang. "But now I got you."

Aang threw Gyatso up into the air, using airbending to get him a little higher up than normal.

Gyatso laughed out loud and used his own airbending to slow down enough for his father to catch him.

"I swear one day you are going to seriously get hurt," commented Katara from behind them.

Aang and Gyatso looked at Katara, who was standing next to Kya sheepishly. Funnily enough Kya and Katara had the same expression and crossed their arms in the same way.

Gyatso and Aang thought this was funny and began to laugh again.

Katara just sighed and looked at her daughter.

"What are we going to do with them?"

"Ship them off," answered Kya immediately.

Katara laughed.

"We're just having a little fun," defended Aang.

"After the incident, I don't know if that can be considered fun," muttered Katara.

Aang rolled his eyes. His wife always loved bringing up "the incident".

Before they had known that Gyatso was an airbender they had let him roam free with little supervision, unless he was around the cliff side. Then one normal day Gyatso had gotten a big sneeze. But when he sneezed he went flying twenty feet into the air.

Katara had immediately begun freaking out, screaming for Aang to get out here and save their baby. However, Gyatso had come down into Aang's arms nice and easily, giggling the whole way down out of the sky.

Ever since then Katara had become slightly more…protective.

"Mom…," groaned Gyatso. "I'm not a baby anymore."

"But last I checked you aren't indestructible," Katara said forcefully.

"Yes mom," grumbled Gyatso.

"Are both of you packed up for the trip tomorrow?" Katara asked both her children.

"What trip?" asked Kya, perking up.

"We're going to see your uncle and the Zuko's family tomorrow, remember?" Katara reminded her children.

"Oh," Kya made a face.

"Yay, we get to see uncle Sokka!" grinned Gyatso.

"Didn't we just see uncle Sokka?" grumbled Kya.

"That was like a year ago," Katara said, eyebrows raised.

"Oh…," muttered Kya.

"And it's been even longer for Zuko and remember Toph," Aang adds.

"Ok I'll go get packed," muttered Kya. She went inside, followed closely by her exuberant brother.

Aang sighed and stood in his wife's arms.

"Sometimes I think that girl is growing up way too fast," he muttered, his voice muffled by Katara's hair.

"She just wants to be a grown up already," shrugged Katara. "What can you do?"

"I just hope she forgets that she needs friends," Aang sighed. "We had the best of friends."

"Yes we did," smiled Katara softly. The couple kissed each other lightly.

"I wonder if…," Katara began.

"I hope so," muttered Aang, already knowing where his wife was going with the conversation.

"You don't think…?"

"I always hope he comes," said Aang softly.

Katara smiled softly.

"Well then we'll just both hope."

"And with you hoping we'll be set," smiled Aang, and he leaned in close to kiss his wife again.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sokka, Suki, and family

Sokka yawned from his spot at the table, the sleep still not fully out of his eyes.

The whole family was awake and between Jie, Suki, and Suk talking he was starting to get a headache.

In fact Tri was the only one not talking; although Tri really did rarely talk anyway.

"So do you think we could do that?" Suki asked.

"What?" muttered Sokka, forgetting what his wife had been saying.

"I said that the Kyoshi warriors wanted us to run a training session with them today. Do you think you're up for that?" Suki rolled her eyes at her husbands less than tentative mood.

Mornings were always hard for him.

"I don't know…," Sokka said sleepily. "I'm kind of tired and…"

Suki moved the plate of mashed potatoes closer to Sokka's face.

"Sure whatever you say honey," Sokka said, his eyes lighting up at the smell of food.

"Thank you," Suki said sweetly.

"Hey where is are food at?" demanded Jie.

"You be nice to mommy," squealed Suk.

"You be nice to mommy," mocked Jie. "Go play with your dolls Suk."

"Mommy," whined Suk.

"Jie, stop making fun of your sister and your food is coming!" Suki said, exasperated. Sometime Jie could be too much like his old man.

Tri just sat there quietly staring outside at the trees blowing in the wind. Suki found it impossible to guess what her daughter was thinking.

"Here you go darling," said Suki, giving Tri some of her favorite fruit.

"Thanks mom," said Tri. Her voice was like the wind, quiet and refined.

The rest of the meal went as it normally did.

Jie, Sokka, Suki, and Suki all talked in raised voices, over some other screaming child, and Tri kept to herself, only putting her sense in when she thought was best.

"I'm going to go get packed," said Tri after she was finished with her meal. She always finished before anyone else.

"For what?" asked Sokka, fork halfway to his mouth.

"Well I heard you and mom talking about us going to Ember Island tomorrow to see Aunt Katara and Uncle Aang and Zuko," said Tri quietly. "So I figured I better get packed."

Suki did remember telling Sokka about the plan but failed to remember if Tri had been in the room.

"That's right," muttered Sokka. "I had almost forgotten."

"We get to go see uncle Aang? Alright!" Jie pumped his fist into the air.

"Yay, Auntie Katara," Suk clapped her hands together in excitement.

"Why don't you guys clean up and go get packed," Suki suggested.

The two kids did so and filed out of the room.

"It will be nice for the kids to get to see everybody again…," said Suki, now alone at the table with her husband.

"Yeah, I'm hoping they want to see each other more often," Sokka said, mouth full of ham.

"Should be interesting seeing Zuko again," said Suki.

"Yeah I hear the little monsters are growing up just fine," said Sokka.

"And Toph and…" Suki stopped herself.

Sokka looked sharply back up at Suki and their eyes locked for awhile.

"I'm still not sure about that," Sokka said slowly.

"Hey, if he keeps up like he has been we have nothing to worry about," said Suki easily.

"That's what I'm hoping for," said Sokka.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Xu, Ty Lee, Ling

"How do I look daddy?" asked the beautiful twelve year old girl in a new white dress.

Xu looked up from his paperwork at his daughter.

She looked so much like her mother…and the only word for Ling and her mother was…

"Beautiful darling," answered Xu. "Your mother knows how to pick out good dresses for you."

"Are you almost done?" asked Ling. "I want to hear more of your stories."

Xu smiled at his daughter and put down his quill.

"Alright, you go practice your dancing for ten more minutes while I finish up, and then I'll tell you another one of my stories."

"Yay!!" clapped Ling and she cart wheeled out of the room.

Xu laughed to himself. Ling was too much like her mother, she didn't even realize it. They were both always so happy and fun…

But this paper work was not fun.

Xu tried unsuccessfully to focus on the paper work about nearby Separatist movement, but the words seemed to just blur more the harder he tried to concentrate.

Finally he gave the work up as a dead end for tonight.

When he got into the family room he found his daughter and wife talking in the parlor.

"Did you remember daddy," asked Ling, positively skipping with joy. "We're going to see the Avatar and your friends tomorrow!"

Xu kicked himself mentally. How could he have forgotten the reunion? He may have not been the best of buddies with the Avatar but his wife was and he was respected by the Fire Lord.

"That's right honey. I do remember reading our invitation."

"Are you going to come this time daddy?" asked Ling. Under her smile Xu saw some sadness in his daughter's eyes. It put a hole in his heart to see that.

"Of course I will sweetie," said Xu. "Why don't you go get packed?"

"Ok," beamed Ling, and she jumped, rolled, and spun her way out of the room.

Ty Lee looked over her husband.

"You weren't going to come were you?" she asked.

"I'm not as good of friends with them as you are," muttered Xu.

"Come on Xu, Zuko speaks very highly of you. And you just need to give everyone else a chance," Ty Lee said, putting her arms around Xu.

"Alright, alright," Xu complied, unable to resist his wife's gaze. "I'll try to make the most of it."

"Good," said Ty Lee, smiling. She planted a kiss on Xu's lips. "And you never know…,"

"No," said Xu flatly. "Don't even go there."

"Come on Xu," pleaded Ty Lee. "Why can't you at least admit you care…?"

"I don't," said Xu sharply. "He doesn't care so why should I? I don't want to talk about it any more," said Xu forcefully stopping his wife. "Just drop it please."

Ty Lee didn't like it but she did.

And she went to get ready for the trip herself.

So, that's how the families are working out. I'm sure you saw a few similarities to other characters in there, and possibly some of you with brothers and sisters are going "that is exactly what my brothers/sisters are like!" Well I have a lot of brothers and sisters so they get the credit for influencing this chapter. Hope you liked. R&R.