"Hello, Uncle Iroh. I was wondering what was taking Zuko so long to return from the meeting," Katara said, her voice soft as ever.
"No need to fret, Lady Katara. Zuko and I were just enjoying a nice Pai Sho game and some Ginseng tea," Iroh said with a bright smile.
"Pai Sho?" Katara raised a brow, turning towards Zuko. "I thought you were bad at it."
Zuko huffed, crossing his arms over his chest, stubbornly raising his nose into the air with the small smirk still on his face. Katara giggled, walking towards the Fire Lord and former General, the baby in her hands squealing as she began reaching out towards Zuko. The usual stubborn Fire Nation ruler lowered his head, extending his arms and taking the baby girl in his arms, smiling down at it.
"Have you two decided on a name for her, yet?" Iroh spoke up.
"Yes, we have. Actually, it was Zuko's idea," Katara as she sat next to Zuko, resting her hand on his shoulder.
"We have named her Kysa," Zuko spoke up.
"Ah, the name of the two bravest women I have ever heard of. Such a wonderful name," Iroh beamed at the husband and wife.
Iroh eyes stayed on Zuko and Katara, his grin becoming a small smile. The memories of the last eight years flooded his mind. He remembered the angry, broken Zuko that was on that flagship. The never ending pain that amounted in Zuko's heart for the entire year after they had found the Avatar. He could see how Zuko had begun changing after meeting Katara. They were the opposites of one another. Yin and Yang. Iroh knew from the beginning, that Katara was the one to truly save Zuko from himself.
"Something wrong, uncle?" Zuko broke the former General out of his reverie.
"Oh, it is nothing, dear nephew. Just an old man and his daydreaming."
"How was the meeting, by the way?" Katara turned her attention back to Zuko.
The Fire Lord handed Kysa back to Katara, resting his hands back in his lap. He looked from Iroh to Katara, looking down at his pale hands as he began telling Katara what he had just told Iroh a few minutes ago. The way the rebels had killed an acting governor. The idea that Bandon proposed of the rebels slowly making their way towards the Capital.
"What are we going to do if they do reach here, Zuko?" Katara asked.
"I will fight. This is my home, and I've done too much to see another conflict tear this country apart," Zuko said. "As for the colonies, Councilman Jee gave me the idea of having the Kyoshi Warriors act as a mediator between the two sides."
From the corner of his eye, he could see Katara's face light up. He knew that it would mean Sokka would return. Ever since their marriage, Sokka had gone back to the South Pole to help his father rebuild the tribes. It was either he was down there, or at the Kyoshi Islands with Suki and Ty Lee and the other warriors.
"Zuko, you do know that I will fight by your side if the rebels reach here. This is my home also, and I want the citizens to know I will stand by them."
"They already do," Zuko turned towards Katara. "You are my Fire Lady."
Iroh gave a low chuckle that went unnoticed by Zuko and Katara.
"Despite that, I feel like I haven't proven myself enough. Anyways," Katara waved off the political banter. "Have you written to Sokka or Suki yet?"
"No, actually," Zuko let a smirk flicker on his lips again. "I was hoping you would want to write to your brother."
Katara beamed, leaning over and kissing Zuko softly on the lips. He could feel his cheeks burning red as he looked down at Kysa, who was giggling as she reached up to Katara's hair. That was usually the sign that she wanted to sleep. Zuko and Katara both caught this, the Fire Lord just nodding towards Katara.
"I'll write the letters after I put her to sleep," Katara gave Zuko another kiss. "I love you."
"I love you too."
Zuko and Iroh both watched as Katara stood and walked away, the two personal guards quickly walking down the hall a few feet away from her.
"She is a strong Fire Lady, Zuko. You made an excellent choice," Iroh said, pouring himself another cup of tea.
"I'm aware of that. Uncle," Zuko started. "We will need to write Toph, as well as… Aang."
"Ah, yes, the young Miss Bei Fong. She was a regular at the Jasmine Dragon for a while after the war. But what concerns you about the young Avatar?"
"He hasn't spoken to me since my wedding. That was four years ago. Do you think he still hates me? I mean, Katara and him did start something after the violence was over," Zuko mumbled.
"She chose you, Zuko. Whatever resentment Aang has, he will soon have to let it go. He is the Avatar. Earthly attachments are something that he cannot have. Give it time, and he will forgive you. He has before, hasn't he?" Iroh took another sip of tea.
"Yes, something I never expected."
"Let us forget the past, for it is the past. Now, come, let us have a good family meal with Lady Katara," Iroh smiled, his stomach growling as if on cue.