As their new son grew bigger by the day, Katara grew stronger. She was happy for her new baby and he loved all of the attention he was adorned with. Occasionally she would stop by the Firelord's study if for nothing else than to entertain him with his new son. She did this with all the children and he gladly put everything down to play with them. The world was at peace, as it should be.
"Zuko! Look who I brought with me today." Two heads popped out from behind the door their eyes regarding his curiously. His son strode through the room like the fire prince he was, his sister Rina trailing after them. Maya on the other hand was more independent like her brother and wobbled on her stubby legs to her father's side. Just like Lee both his firebending children had always warmed up to him, literally. Rina was happy to follow her brother's every move so it was inevitable that she would end up beside her father as well.
Katara moved in closer as they sat down on the cushioned bench by the window in his study. She still wore loose dresses to hide her healing girth. Although she was no longer pregnant she still held some baby fat and considered it a courtesy for everyone if they didn't have to see. Zuko never thought she was more ravishing. In her arms their new son cuddled shifting quietly in his mother's embrace. He seemed to be more even tempered and quiet than his other children. Rina had been loud because her brother had been loud and Maya had just wanted attention, but Tenu was content to sit and watch everything in fascination. It allowed for both Zuko and Katara to retrieve a good night's sleep for once. He was a month old now so they had gotten over the most trying phase, so far.
"Dad, grandpa taught me a new move today. Let me show you." The boy was like Zuko in many ways and he looked exactly like his father. People found it interesting because he knew for the first time they were able to guess what their Fire Lord would have looked like without a scar. He rustled his son's hair enthusiastically as he got into his stance.
"You can show me tomorrow when we're outside training." His son's shoulders slumped already growing impatient.
"Oh come on dad. Please I want to show it to you!" His father's gaze narrowed dangerously. Lee knew better than to backtalk his father. He had heard the horror stories.
"No, son. Firebending is for outside. You wouldn't want to hurt anyone." The boy pouted and straightened his back out of pride. Oh yes, he was definitely Zuko's son.
"So what have you been doing all day Zuko?" He looked up at Katara's kind smile.
"Looking over reports from the provinces." He said dryly.
"Oh? Anything interesting going on?"
"There was another uprising in that eastern village over trade again. I just can't seem to make them satisfied. I think I should go there again to see what's going on." Her eyes darted to his quickly the memories quieting their minds.
"Zuko, maybe you should stay here."
"I've been outside the city, Katara. It's what I do. Besides maybe it's about time I asserted my authority a little more." Her lips thinned at the word. She knew that although her son was small he was listening attentively. Whenever it came to Fire Nation matters he wanted to be the first to know. Her eyes flicked to her son and Zuko understood. They would speak of it later.
"Dad, can I come with you? I want to go where you go!" His little sister chimed in her agreement in the background.
"Zuko maybe its best we leave, you look busy. Come on children, let's leave Daddy alone." Her son stood motionless and looked back at his mother.
"No I want to know what's going on. Dad where are you going? I want to go too! Please? I'll behave, I promise…"
"I want to go too Mama! If Lee gets to go I want to go…"
"No children you need to stay here." With that her son stomped his foot and let out an angry cry.
"You always say that Mama! I'm a big boy now I can take care of myself." Lee screamed.
"Me too!" Rina added.
"Shut up you little copy cat!" Lee yelled at his little sister.
"Now that's enough out of both of you I don't want to hear another word." Katara's voice rose as she directed it at her children, mainly her son.
"It's all your fault Rina, if you didn't follow me around so much I wouldn't have to stay here all the time. I wanna go on adventures but you're too much of a baby!" Rina's eyes began to swell with tears and she let out loud whimpers to gain sympathy from her mother.
"Shut up you big cry baby. We both know you're not really crying." Lee shoved his sister and he eyed her wearily. She shoved him back n imitation mocking him. Lee suddenly dove in but was caught by the collar. He was lifted into the air by strong hands and set back. He didn't even bother finding out whose hands they were and charged pass to strike his sister.
"Lee!" his mother yelled.
"Mama!" Rina screamed and the accumulation of screaming from Rina had made Maya join in as well and then eventually Tenu awoke from his peaceful slumber. Zuko stood up.
"Enough!" He yelled. The fire burned at his palms and the brightness of the room increased. Instantly his three eldest stopped crying without hesitation. Katara watched him wearily judging him almost.
"If you're going to act like babies then maybe you should stay in the nursery with your brother. Lee I want no more argument out of you. I want you doing bending basics for the next week! Now apologize to your sister!" Rina glared at him and Lee looked resentfully at his father.
"But I…" His father's eyes narrowed and before Zuko could say another word Lee turned to his sister and bowed saying his apology. His sister sniffled and wiped her snot from her nose on to her hand.
"Now if you will please allow me to get back to my work…" Zuko trailed off. Katara had picked up her crying baby and had begun to soothe him. She grabbed hold of Maya's hand and called to her other children to follow.
"Not you Lee. Stay." It was a direct order and Lee gulped. Rina turned her head back towards him and gave him a sympathetic look. She held on tightly to her waterbending doll and walked away.
When the door closed Lee waited, his heart racing and head pounding. His father watched him wearily not blinking as he considered his son. Lee gulped and sat in one of the chairs opposite of his father. He knew why people feared his father. He could kill without the slightest hesitation and he was quick and powerful. He was intimidating to be around with his looming height and broad shoulders. His fit body dared any to transgress him. Of course no one did.
"What have I told you about being mean to your sister?" Lee looked down and away not wanting to meet his father's stern gaze.
"But I…" Zuko cut him off.
"No excuses. That is not how a prince is supposed to act. If your sister bothers you, you must learn to handle it in your own way. I don't want to hear of you fighting anymore, is that clear?" Lee nodded ashamed. His father was quiet for a moment and then dismissed him.
Zuko put his face in his hands and sat still for a moment as his son left. He heard a quiet knock on his door and sat up straight and pretended he had been doing something of importance.
"Nephew, could you spare a moment?" Zuko relaxed a bit and then regarded his uncle carefully. He seemed to always know when he was needed.
"What is it uncle? I have a lot of work to do."
"What has got you so upset?" Zuko fell back against his chair and put the reports forward. His uncle looked at the reports and his brows furrowed.
"These are serious Zuko. Have you told Katara yet?" Zuko frowned.
"I've told her what she needs to know. There is unease among the village and I should go to settle my authority."
"This is far more serious than a small uprising. Someone is desecrating your name and spreading rumors. An anti-monarchy faction is beginning to rise. If you go down there, you will only fuel their anger."
"The uprising has begun to come closer. There have been sightings more inland causing unease among the loyal towns and cities. If it continues it will make itself to the palace and I can't have that. They have been attacking my people I can't sit back and do nothing. I'm going to leave in a few days time." His uncle nodded seeing that unwavering determined look in his nephew's eyes.
After a long day he went into his room where his wife and Tenu were resting. She still did not have the energy for the whole day and as he did every night he wrapped his arms around her. She snuggled closer to him and opened her eyes.
"You weren't too hard on Lee were you?" She asked and he growled in her ear.
"I didn't burn his face if that's what you mean." She turned to him.
"You know that's not what I mean." She traced her fingers delicately over his scarred skin.
"No I don't. Just because we don't want to hurt them doesn't mean we shouldn't be strict and fair. He needs to learn his place if he is to be the future Fire Lord." She sighed and he stared at her.
"Oh Zuko, he's just a child. He has plenty of time to worry about being Fire Lord later." Zuko regarded her seriously.
"What if something were to happen to me? What then? He needs to be prepared." Katara sat up straight and hugged him close to her.
"Zuko, nothing is going to happen to you. I'll make sure of it."
"I'm leaving in a few days. We can take care of this when I get back."
"Where are you going?"
"Out into the kingdom. The people should be able to see their Fire Lord every once in a while as a man instead of a god."
"Zuko you're lying to me, what's wrong?" He sighed and put a finger into one curly strand of her hair.
"Don't worry about it Katara, you just take care of the children while I'm away." He didn't mean for it to sound condescending but she took it that way.
"You forget Fire Lord that I am your Fire Lady. I am not just your personal baby machine. I am entitled to know what is going on in my kingdom too." Oddly she found him laughing at her antics. He ran his finger through her curls.
"You're the only Fire Lady who has ever been given the privilege to participate in the Fire Lord's actions and committees. And you are a lot more precious to me than as a baby machine. Although the way things are looking it seems that will be your title until Tenu is weaned." She laid back against the bed her head resting on the soft pillow.
"Promise me you'll come back to me, Zuko? I can't do this without you." He wrapped his arms around her and promised her, but secretly he wasn't sure if he could keep his promise.
