Disclaimer: I own nothing of Avatar: The Last Airbender or any of the fanfictions and fanart mentioned at the end of the chapter. Not mine, but I love em to bits.

The Firelord's Holiday

I. Meeting

It is true that time heals most wounds, whether they be wounds inflicted by words or circumstances, or wounds inflicted by war. Under their new Firelord's guidance the Fire Nation was able to start to thrive in itself again and begin to repent for its past mistakes, something their leader was personally familiarised with. Zuko put his heart and soul into his country, happy to give it his all as he always had been. Every mouth that questioned his ability to rule the nation was silenced almost immediately; he was the best thing to happen to that nation in years, and they all knew it.

But pouring his entire being into his country meant that he had little time to meet with his friends. In the three years since the war had ended they had, of course, met with each other on some occasions, sometimes without guards and even other family members. Those times they had been entirely alone had benefited them greatly, for alone they could operate as the family they once had been. Those alone visits had drawn them, if it was possible, even closer together.

But the visits had become even fewer and farther in-between, and, missing them, they had all voiced the plan to get together to have a vacation of sorts away from everything but each other, as it had been before, yet without impeding doom in the near future. The plan had never been really looked at, however, until Ursa, who to Zuko's utter and complete delight was found and returned to the Fire Nation palace, found that her beloved son had not slept a full night in three months and that he had lost a total of five kilograms. She then threw herself into the task of making the idle talk a reality, not letting anything or anyone sway her from her planning.

Every member of the gaang had loved the idea, even though their families would be joining them instead of them being utterly alone as first planned. The parents of the respective gaang members, however, were far more uncertain. Hakoda expressed his fears in countless letters to Ursa that Katara really didn't like Fire Nation people after what happened to her own mother; a dislike that was still evident in his people. The Bei Fong's, too, were worried about the Fire Nation's presence, although their worry was more out of nervousness for themselves. They had, in the same letters that voiced their concerns, also asked if Ursa or Iroh knew of anybody called Sparky as, to their complete astonishment and confusion, Toph had declared that he was her older brother.

All the fears had been quailed, however, and even though neither Iroh nor Ursa had been able to find the mysterious Sparky, that matter was laid to rest too. And although Zuko had had to be literally dragged away from his paperwork, he was a hundred percent happy to be going to visit his old friends. Until he saw that, because her best friend was going to be there with all the rest of the Kyoshi Warriors, Mai was coming along too. Or, to be more precise, Mai and her fiancé were coming along too. The Firelord had remained stoic for an entire week after she'd left him for one of her father's friend's sons, but luckily it had happened only two weeks before he saw his friends the last time, and they had helped him through it better than his own uncle and mother could. When the news had come that she became engaged to the man, Zuko had merely politely congratulated Mai's father and left it at that. Although, Iroh remembered as he threw a glance in the woman's direction, the vigorous training Zuko had religiously taken part in every single night since the war had stopped had gone on for much longer the evening the news arrived.

Iroh sighed to himself as his gaze turned to his nephew. Even though his frame was hidden by his armour, he had seen Zuko without a shirt just that morning. Ursa was right; it was painfully obvious that Zuko had lost a lot of weight, even though, because of his nightly training, his muscles had become more pronounced instead of disappearing along with his flesh. Comparing himself to his nephew as they walked towards their holiday destination Iroh felt the burning desire to go on a diet; the contrast was almost alarming.

Ursa's hand squeezed his shoulder once as if she guessed what he was thinking. Her own eyes were tight as she looked at her son. He even walked as though he had the entire world's burdens slapped across his shoulders. His head was held high, of course, but he was too stiff, too ready to accept the next bit of paper, attend the next meeting, save the next farm… Her little boy was being forced to bite off more than he could properly chew, and it pained her. That was why she had made this vacation happen. Every time he came back from spending time with the Avatar and the rest of his friends she had noted Zuko seemed lighter, as if Aang had Airbended something into him. Neither her nor Iroh knew how he acted around the gaang, having never seen it, and so curiosity was a large part of their emotions as it was for the rest of the parents; the rest of the outsiders, in a sense. And they would remain outsiders on this vacation as the gaang had been given strict orders to behave like they would if none of the adults were present.

Finally the crevice that held the Western Air Temple came into view and Zuko seemed to walk straighter, as if sensing the relief his holiday would bring him. In front of them, perched on a rock she had undoubtedly created herself, was Toph. Her hair was still in the bun she had worn all those years ago, except now it was longer and loose pieces were allowed to frame her pretty face. She had grown into a stunningly attractive young lady, although guys did not stare at her unless they had a death wish.

She felt their footsteps and a typical Toph grin flashed across her face, her seafoam green eyes still as sightless as before.

"You're here!" she bellowed at the top of her voice, flinging herself down from the rock and ploughing into Zuko in a tackle hug.

When she was twelve Zuko had still been able to lift her up effortlessly but now it took more strain to pick her up. Not that it ever stopped him from doing it. He could feel her grin into his chest as she snuggled into him a bit.

"Toph why are you shrieking like a banshee?" Sokka's unmistakable voice called.

"Sparky's back!" she called to the Water Tribe man.

He emerged flanked by Toph's parents, who nearly fell over at the sight of the Firelord holding their daughter. Sokka did not seem to find this strange, though, as he grinned and greeted Zuko in a typical Water Tribe handshake. He had grown up, just like the rest, but his looks had not changed much. He was still Sokka in every way possible, except that his voice was deeper.

"Wh…" Mrs Bei Fong's eyes were wide. "Why is he allowed to hold you?" she asked, perplexed and slightly hurt as she had never been granted this privilege.

"Duh, Mom," Toph sighed. "'Cause he's my big brother." She paused and grinned. "And he gives great piggyback rides."

"Toph, you're fifteen years old. Way too big to be carried," Zuko argued, trying to sound stern.

Toph ignored him and clambered onto his back, promptly wrapping her legs around him and resting her chin on his shoulder.

"Yip, yip, Sparky," she said happily.

Zuko rolled his eyes but held her feet as he started walking. They could hear him half-heartedly complaining all the way around the corner as they were all frozen in silent shock.

"She gets the Firelord to…" Toph's father appeared unable to complete the sentence.

"Yip," Sokka replied easily, starting to walk back. "Anybody else who tries to pick her up, save Aang, gets a facefull of rock. And I don't think I need to tell you what Zuko will do to anybody else who tries to get onto his back. It's only for her that he lowers himself like that."

They all followed Sokka to the Western Air Temple where they found, to their surprise, that steps had been carved into the wall allowing easy access to the once isolated temple. They were led into a courtyard that had been turned into a general living and eating area with the place used as a kitchen just next door. Ty Lee, dressed in all her Kyoshi gear and still beaming from ear to ear, greeted them enthusiastically. She explained that the rest of the Warriors and Katara were gathering fruit for dinner but she had been tasked to be the Fire Nation party's guide of sorts; the person who explained everything to them.

"I don't think I need to introduce the Avatar," the happy girl grinned as Aang came into view, smiling.

He had grown up a lot from the kid he once was both physically and emotionally, but there was still an essence of pure child that lay in his grey eyes. He greeted the rest of the Fire Nation party first, formally bowing to each in turn. Then he did the same to Zuko, who bowed back as he had the first day he had been accepted into the gaang, in that very temple. But Iroh noticed that greeting when Zuko Aang was a lot tenser, and there was a hidden emotion on his face. The old general wondered with some surprise if Aang hadn't forgiven his nephew yet. That sounded impossible, but why else…?

Sokka also noticed Aang's awkwardness and the yearning on his face but he grinned at it.

"Aaaw, come on, Zuko. Can't you see the kid's dying here?"

Zuko looked impassively at Aang, who shot him a puppy-dog look. The Firelord sighed, knowing he was defeated.

"Ten seconds," he said sternly, and all awkwardness left Aang as he beamed…

…and then smacked into Zuko almost the exact same way Toph had, except he hugged from the side and he pinned Zuko's arms to his chest, making the Firebender unable to shake him off as he prattled at high speeds about Agni-knows-what. Finally he remembered that he was supposed to be helping gather the fruit and let go of Zuko, much to the older boy's evident relief. Toph and Sokka cracked up laughing when he glided away.

"I still remember your face the first time he did that," Sokka chuckled, holding his sides. "You looked about ready to drown yourself or something."

"He gets more eccentric each time," Zuko muttered. "The last time he at least kept his feet on the ground."

"It's just 'cause Toph's holding out on him," Sokka said wisely, causing the Earthbender to blush. "She's not hugging him so much anymore 'cause her parents are around and watching."

"Hey, Champ?" Toph turned in Zuko's general direction as he addressed her seriously. "Do me a favour and pay more attention to your boyfriend, please. I don't think I can handle him kissing me."

Ty Lee joined the other two in roaring with laughter at Zuko's fake seriousness.

"Aaaw, come on Zuko. What's a little shared saliva between Spirit Brothers?"

Zuko shuddered and Sokka laughed again. Toph, grinning, leaned with her elbow on Zuko's shoulder and then frowned.

"Why're you still taller than me?" she pouted.

"'Cause the rocks in your head weigh you down," Zuko replied with a grin.

Toph was about to reply sharply to this when her head turned and a grin played across her face.

"Here comes Suki. Nobody tell her Zuko's here; I wanna catch her reaction."

"Suki is the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors," Ty Lee explained dutifully. "She's also Sokka's long-time girlfriend. They're very happy together," she stated, almost as if she was reminding herself of the fact.

Suki appeared, looking very distracted, and searched the ground hurriedly.

"Sweetie, have you seen that new basket I brought along?" she asked Sokka vaguely.

Zuko, spotting it, picked it up and held it out to her.

"Oh thanks, Zuko," she said, still distracted as she took the basket and started towards the door.

She'd taken five steps before she froze, her abrupt stop making Toph start to snigger. For a second she stood there, and they could all guess the expression on her face and the thoughts in her head: Wait a second… She spun around, saw Zuko and let out a squeal. Tossing the basket aside mindlessly she crashed into him in a hug, which he returned with a grin. She fisted his shirt in her hands as she tightened the embrace and then stepped back.

"Why didn't you tell me you were here?" she scolded him lightly. "When did he get here?" she demanded of Sokka.

"About three minutes ago," her boyfriend calmed her.

Pacified she turned back to Zuko and smiled.

"It's really good to see you again. Oooh…" Her fingers stroked his hair, which wasn't an inch longer than it had been on the day of the invasion so long ago. "Your hair is gorgeous," she told him, then remembered she was in a rush and hurried off.

"She's never told me my hair is gorgeous before," Sokka said very sadly as he plucked at his own locks.

"That's 'cause she's too busy looking at other parts of your body," Toph said slyly.

Zuko flicked her lightly on the back of the head.

"The older you grow, the sicker your mind gets, little girl," he said, sounding half amused and half disgusted.

There were more footsteps and Katara appeared. At seventeen she was the picture of Water Tribe beauty, but Zuko could still see the fourteen-year-old girl in the gentleness of her actions. And, when she was angry, the fierceness of her eyes. She caught sight of Ursa and smiled to herself, as if the sight of Zuko's mother brought her some private joy. Then her face pulled into a frown as she saw the Firelord himself.

"Oh great, it's Prince Arrogant," she said flatly.

"Katara!" Her father was utterly shocked; he hadn't expected her to be so blunt. Besides, wasn't she friends with Zuko?

"Oh believe me, the disappointment is mutual, peasant," Zuko replied coldly.

Iroh opened his mouth but Katara beat the old general to it.

"Are you trying to 'slum it' now to gain popularity?" Her gaze did not waver from him for a second as they stood, a mere two meters apart.

"I'd never stoop this low, even for the respect of my people," Zuko sneered.

"Oh so we're here for your honour again, are we?" she taunted.

"No. I'm here to feel some of the hope of this place. And to help install hope for all the hopeless like a shining light. Of hope."

Katara burst out laughing and without warning she closed the distance between him and embraced him. His arms wrapped loosely around her waist and both of them closed their eyes for an unknown reason.

"You're still as assholic as always, Zuke," she mumbled lightly into his shoulder.

"As are you, Tara. As are you."

"Hey Katara, come help with the fruit!" Aang called, gliding in.

"Hey!" she protested without letting go of Zuko. "I'm kinda in the middle of saying hello to my best friend here! You know, the one I haven't seen in ages?"

Zuko chuckled softly and Aang grinned sheepishly. Then he brightened and with a call of "Team Avatar group hug!" flung himself at Zuko and Katara. Suki appeared again and linked in with Toph and Sokka around the other three. They all stayed there, grinning and resting on each other, the picture of pure peace.

CREDITS:

"Yip Yip, Sparky"- That line I stole from Stormbenders by Fandomme

"Zuke" and "Tara"- I first saw those nicknames used in Beyond The Rising Sun by justcallmefaye. I'm not saying she created them, I just know that's where I got my inspiration from.

I think everything else in this chapter is actually origional... Hmm... Better read through it jsut to make sure...