Disclaimer in chapter 1

Fire Lord Zuko was reading the mining reports for Uttra Island when he was interrupted by his assistant. He glanced up to acknowledge the man and waited.

"My Lord," the man started, then he paused, "Fire Lord Zuko, there is a Southern Water Tribe ship docked in the harbor."

That brought Zuko to his feet, "Why wasn't I informed of it's arrival?"

The man bowed lower, "It just appeared this morning my Lord, when the morning mist cleared it was moored to the pier; to the surprise of the entire port."

Zuko restrained his smile, "That is not welcome news Advisor," he hissed. "That a ship could suddenly appear in our midst, is unacceptable. We will have to re-evaluate the training of the Fire Navy." Inside he could kiss Katara for this stunt, he'd been in desperate need of a valid reason to comb through the Fire Navy for almost five years.

"What are your orders my Lord?" the man asked from almost the floor.

"Find out their purpose from their Captain, if they are here for more than emergency repairs they are to be escorted to the Palace, immediately." Zuko commanded.

"As my Lord commands," the man bowed out of the study, closing the door behind him.

Fire Lord Zuko smiled a real smile, one that reached into his golden eyes. Then the pleased glint died as questions came to the fore of his mind.

There was another furious knocking on the door to the study.

"Enter!" he called out as he shifted his intense gaze from his mother's garden to the door behind him.

"Fire Lord Zuko," the Warden of the nearest high security prison bowed deeply, "Princess Azula," the Warden paused. He took a deep breath then continued, "She was dead, when one of the guards delivered her morning meal."

Zuko stared at the aging man who had yet to raise to standing, "Is there any evidence of assassination?"

The Warden stood up strait, "No Fire Lord, it's as though she stopped breathing during the night. To be expected in one five times older, unexpected in one so young and physically healthy."

"Make certain Warden Huron, I want nothing over looked or assumed in Azula's death. Every other cause needs to be ruled out." Zuko replied in a cold hard voice.

The Warden bowed again and removed himself from the angry Fire Lord.

Zuko returned his gaze to his mother's garden, his golden eyes watching as the hatchlings followed their mother into the pond. His mind took twists and turns and after he could no longer stand his own thoughts, he stalked out of his study. Determined to hunt down his uncle.

Prince Iroh was enjoying a fine jasmine tea and a game of Pai-sho with Master Piandao. Their great tent was pitched in the soft grass area of the main courtyard. Iroh smiled at his opponent, they both found amusement in the comings and goings of the younger generations.

Piandao watched a young messenger burn passed their tent and into the palace proper, "I think today is going to be more interesting than yesterday." His tenor announced as he watched a battalion of royal guards march through the courtyard and out the main gate.

Iroh chuckled, "Perhaps," then he set down his volcano tile and waited for the master across from him to make his move.

Piandao laughed as he noted the tile of the master across from him, then glanced around the old general to watch Fire Lord Zuko stalk toward them. He moved a third cup from under their table and set it next to the tea pot.

Iroh's golden eyes glittered, "It is a fine day isn't it nephew?"

Zuko growled at his uncle, then dropped into the chair between the men, "That depends on your definition of fine, if you like surprises then yes it's a fine day."

Iroh grinned, "Nephew have you finally come to your senses and asked the Lady Mai to accept you?"

Zuko's eyes closed, he hadn't even thought of Mai since he'd heard about the ship, "No Uncle." Zuko sighed.

Iroh frowned, "Nephew, their needs to be an heir."

Zuko sighed, "Yes Uncle I know, I should have bred five already for you to spoil." He paused, "Azula is dead."

Iroh sat up in his chair.

"The Warden is investigating the death, I don't think he'll find any answers," he sighed.

Iroh glanced at the Fire Lord, "There is something else?"

Zuko nodded, "Yes, Uncle."

Iroh poured the young man tea and handed him the cup, surprised when he received it with thanks. "It has something to do with the Waterbender," he stated his opinion as fact rather than as a question.

Zuko narrowed his eyes at his Uncle, the golden orbs flared.

Iroh shook his head, "It is not that Fire Lord Zuko, it is something else."

"What? I didn't say anything," he frowned.

"You thanked me for the tea," Iroh grinned, "there has only been one person who has ever made you polite."

Zuko groaned, "Those water whip snaps to the back of the head hurt."

Master Piandao couldn't manage to keep the twinkle out of his amber eyes, though he did manage to not smile and restrain his laugh. He set the sea tile on the pai-sho board in response to Iroh's move.

Iroh glanced at the tile, then stared at it for a few moments longer, "I had not considered that," he replied as he glanced at his opponent.

Piandao arched a brow and inclined his head as though he wasn't smirking at the old general.

An hour and a half later, Iroh was still considering his best response to Piandao's last move when he heard the gates open.

Three sets of eyes moved to view the disturbance.

"I swear to Tui if you try separating us once more, you'll be eating through a reed." Katara snarled at the guard that attempted to separate the adults from the children. "We came to the palace with out a fuss, now distance yourself." Her voice an icy growl.

"Madam," the guard tried to interrupt.

"Master Katara to you, hothead leader or do I need to remind you once more boy." Katara growled at the young guard.

He moved quickly three steps away from the irritated water bender as his battalion ran shepard on the group of adults and children.

"Momma?" called out the young golden eyed boy.

Katara turned her icy glare from the guard and smiled at her son, "Yes my little penguin?"

"You wouldn't really make him eat through a reed would you?" his voice loud enough to carry to the guard.

Katara picked her boy up and carried him on her hip as she winked at him, "That depends, I would do worse to anyone who threatened to separate me from our family. Perhaps I should eliminate his ability to father children, would that be better?"

Miko sighed, "Momma, don't be mean. He has fire like me," his young voice carrying over the courtyard.

That stopped all the guards as one unit they turned and faced the water bender and her golden eyed boy child.

Sokka snorted from Suki's side and held out his hand, "Pay up darling."

Suki balled her fist and walloped Sokka in the arm, "Now is not the time."

Sokka growled at his wife, "That hurt."

Suki rolled her eyes, "That was the point, husband."

Bato kept his smirk to himself when he heard the muttered, "brave man" come from behind him. The Fire Nation soldiers really had no idea. He sighed slightly, Hakoda was going to be less than pleased with him for allowing this stunt. He glanced at the bouncing form of his wife and the little blue eyed boy in his arms, he wouldn't want it any other way.

Iroh and Piandao followed Zuko out into the courtyard proper after the child's announcement.

Zuko moved to face the group and paused as his eyes caught Ty Lee's sparkling amber ones. Just as he moved his head to look for the other child.

"Father!" Tara cried as she moved quickly through her family, around the guards and launched herself at Zuko.

A pair of Royal guards launched flames at the child as she rushed the Fire Lord.

Zuko didn't see the danger, all he saw was the beautiful little girl flying through the air toward him.

Katara pulled water from a near by fountain and froze the guard to her right, fire and all. The fire on her left, hit a barrier of ice and fizzled out. A heart beat later, the guard that set the fire was encased up to his nose in ice. Katara's blue eyes scanned the other guards, neither of the guards that had attacked had been the ones to escort them from the harbor.

Zuko swung little Tara around in the air as she giggled and hung on for dear life, "Hello little one," he smiled at her once he stopped twirling her around.

"Hello Father," Tara smiled again as she wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. "We found Momma, and Miko is a fire bender."

Zuko couldn't believe how much the girl had grown, he'd been there at her birth and cared for her from the moment she came into the world. He glanced at Katara who had her arms crossed and was glaring at him, hard enough to make him take a step back. He glanced to his left and his right to find two of his guards frozen, much like he'd been once upon a time. "You've gotten stronger," he said randomly.

Katara's blue eyes spit ice at the Fire Lord, "And you have grown complacent."

Zuko's golden eyes met hers in surprise.

"How difficult is it to say, 'Stand Down' or perhaps give your protectors," she growled the word, "a little notice and just what in the name of Agni did you mean by," she waved her hand around indicating the guards around them.

Zuko kept his chagrin from his face at Katara's tirade, her temper had gotten sharper in the past ten years. He smiled softly at her as she yelled at him, she'd always been beautiful when she was angry. He walked toward her Tara in his arms, then he transferred the girl to her mothers arms as he said, "You look stunning Katara, it's been too long since I've seen you last."

Katara's angry rant was cut short by Zuko's honest words as he handed Tara off to her. Katara let her daughter slide to the ground as she kissed her forehead, "Go stand with your Aunts and Kaya."

Tara smiled as she cartwheeled over to her aunts.

Miko looked up, from behind his mother as he stared at the strange man.

Katara lifted her son into her arms, "Miko this is your father, Fire Lord Zuko."

Iroh glanced at Piandao who was staring at the water bender's small party.

None of the guards made a sound.

The lead guard of the escorts winced, then took a deep breath, "Master Katara, the other guards?"

Katara's attention never wavered from Zuko's expressive eyes, she dismissed the ice and it flew back into the fountain. "Miko has fire, he needs a teacher."

Zuko smiled as he absently caressed the boy's head, "You came to me?"

Katara arched a brow, "Of course, you are their father. Is it not a mothers joy to teach her children the skills they require."

Zuko's smile faded, as he was going to speak Katara interrupted them.

"My children have only one father, Fire Lord Zuko. I came to you to open trade between our Nations, as Chief Hakoda's terms were met five years ago." She bowed, "I apologize for the delay in my arrival, I can only claim familial distraction as my excuse."

Zuko stared into the deep blue eyes, there was something private she was telling him, something that only he would…his internal thoughts paused, one father; she knew. "Do you forgive me?" he asked before his uncle, his guards and her family.

Katara reached out her free hand as she touched his scarred cheek, "How could I not."

His eyes closed for the briefest moment as he allowed the soothing cool of her touch to comfort him. He pulled her into his embrace and rested his head on the junction of her shoulder and neck, "Thank you." He whispered into her ear.

Katara smiled as she held her son in one arm and wrapped Zuko up in a comforting embrace in the other. She rested her head on his for a moment before she felt his body shudder.

Zuko relished the comfort that he had always found in Katara's embrace. A moment after he surrendered to it, pain exploded into his back and he cried out softly into her neck.

Katara's eyes snapped open as she heard the pain filled cry and before the Royal guards or her own family could contain the attacker, a single icy dagger pierced Mai's heart.

Mai glanced down at the freezing blade and slowly collapsed to her knees, then onto her back as ice filled her veins and her heart stopped beating.

"Mai!" Ty Lee called as she moved passed the stunned guards and her family. She fell to her knees next to her friend and held her body close as the last breath escaped her lips. Ty Lee wept over her friends body as she closed the amber eyes, she hated death. Everything about it was so final.

Zuko sagged against Katara, slowly taking the water bender to her knee's as she released her son and lay the Fire Lord across her lap. "Suki!" Katara called out to her sister.

Suki moved to Katara's side and with three quick and efficient movements removed the knives from Zuko's back.

Katara called the water to her once more and rested her glowing hands on the area around his spine. After the water soaked into the wound, the bleeding stopped and nothing but pink scars remained.

"Captain Hothead!" Katara called out.

The guard leader glanced at the seated water bender.

"Take Fire Lord Zuko to his chambers now. I will require at least five urns of water to continue healing him." Katara's blue eyes met and commanded amber ones, she relaxed a fraction when he bowed.

"Lady Katara?" Iroh asked from above her.

Katara smiled, "Hello Price Iroh, areas around the spine were pierced. The wounds closed easily, the nerves and chi will require more force than can be achieved in courtyard."

Iroh nodded, then glanced at the children, "These are Zuko's children?"

Katara nodded.

Once the guards removed the Fire Lord's body from her lap, she accepted a hand up from the old general, "I will introduce you as we return to the palace." She held out her hands for her children and smiled as they shyly considered the older man near them. "Prince Iroh, this beautiful girl is Tara and this little penguin is Miko. Children this is your Gran Iroh, you will obey his voice as though it was Gran Hakoda's."

Tara considered the white haired man, she smiled, "Hello Gran Iroh."

Bato knelt next to his wife, wrapping her delicate form up in his arms as she wept for her friend.

As Katara and Iroh passed, Katara kissed Ty Lee's head as she said softly, "I am sorry Ty Lee, I did't realize who it was until after the dagger struck."

Ty Lee continued to weep for her friend.

"Iroh," Katara asked, "Will you see that she is honored?"

Iroh nodded his head gravely, "Come my nephew needs you, I will care for our family while you attend to him." With a gentle but firm hand he guided her into the Fire Lord's chambers and left her to heal Zuko.

"Bring the Lady Katara's belonging's to the Fire Lady's chambers," he commanded the palace servants. "Her family is to be given access to her Chambers as well as the Fire Lords outer chamber, consult with Warrior Suki and her husband as to the sleeping arrangements of the children."

His orders given, he moved quietly back into Zuko's chamber. Unsurprised to find Zuko laying on his chest and Katara stripped down to her under things as she straddled his hips and the glowing water rested over Zuko's spine. He closed the door quickly when the first pain filled scream erupted out of his nephew. He turned to find himself facing Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe.

"Did you know about the children?" Sokka asked the old general.

Iroh shook his head, "I did not," he glanced at the room, "it is very important to our stability that they stay."

Sokka sighed, "He never married Mai, there are no other children are there?"

Iroh shook his head, "Now it is clear why."

Sokka's blue eyes glittered dangerously, "Katara never married either, despite many attempts by my father to arrange it."

"She is a most stubborn woman," Iroh replied with a slight smile.

"She's completely mule-fish headed," Sokka sighed, "I understand Tara, her age falls to a time after the comet. How did they conceive Miko?"

Iroh glanced at the door, "Do we know his age?"

"He has been Katara's for five years plus two seasons," Sokka paused, "She was late returning from Earth Kingdom, a year before that. Told our father that she spent time with the benders in the Foggy Bottom Swamp." He groaned, "it's only a three day ride to Omashu if you use the tunnel."

Iroh sighed, "Zuko also was in or near Omashu during that time, my brother was causing trouble on the coast and Lady Mai was visiting her family."

Sokka rubbed his face with his hands, "I should never have let her talk me into this."

Iroh grinned, then winced as another particularly piercing scream emanated from Zuko's chamber. "I must thank you Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe, I know not why Fire Lord Zuko sent his children to their mother but," he paused, "her ferocity for those she loves is well known." Iroh looked around the servants were busy doing his bidding.

Sokka walked next to the Fire Nation Prince as they retreated from the screams to the Fire Lady's quarters. He stopped suddenly as he noted the sudden change in décor. He glanced at Iroh.

Iroh had not been in these chambers since his own mother occupied them. He slowly took in the cool blue and white tones of the room. Everywhere he looked there were traces of Water Tribe influence, he moved slowly further into the chambers to find the sleeping chamber bedecked in blues the exact color of Katara's eyes. A large soaking tub in the bathroom and even bone colored towels resting patiently for a bather. Once he finished the tour of the rooms he moved back out into the reception chamber.

Sokka caught the General's eye, though neither man said anything to the other their thought was the same. 'How long had he been waiting for Katara?'

"Uncle Sokka?" asked Tara softly, "Can we have lunch now?" the girl rubbed her talking belly.

Sokka grinned, "Now I know you are my niece," he grinned at Iroh, "Is there a kitchen we can raid?"

Iroh shook his head, "Never surprise the palace kitchen staff, it's not good for meal time." Iroh glanced around, "Send for a cold lunch to be brought here."

The servant bowed, then disappeared.

Suki caught her husband's eye and nodded as she and Kaya disappeared in the same direction that the servant had.

Leeto, Kyo and Miko explored the chamber, giggling and climbing over everything that they could reach. Sokka watched his daughter and the boys as they worked their way around the room. When ever they were about to attempt a feat that would end in injury he cleared his throat or called out, "Frost-hares!"

Iroh sat near the golden eyed girl and smiled as she spoke of her life in the Southern Water Tribe, what she learned from Auntie Ty and Auntie Suki as well as the Fan Aunts on Kyoshi. As she had an adults attention all to herself she talked about everything, even how Nonni Kana taught her to make sea prunes.

Iroh watched his grandniece, pleased with her intelligence and her joy. It had been a very long time since he'd been exposed to children to whom joy was a natural condition. She rambled, was expressive and she loved her family. She'd confided in him that it had been Auntie Ty, and a woman whose face she couldn't remember who looked after her here at the palace. Then Miko came and father sent them to their Momma at the South Pole.

Then the food came at the same time as Auntie Ty and to their credit all the children rushed to the sad woman first then ravaged the food that the servant brought.

Ty Lee wrapped herself around her husband, resting her head on his chest and let the sound of his heart beat sooth her. She watched the children and smiled at their usual meal time antics. After they'd eaten their fill, she climbed out of Bato's lap and herded them all into the bedroom. Singing softly, she set all the young children to nap on the large bed. Letting them sprawl or snuggle together as they slowly fell asleep. Then she lay on the bed and watched them.

Bato opened the door to the bedchamber to find his wife asleep with all the children, he gently closed the door and nodded to the other adults.

"Let us go to the garden," Iroh suggested as the girls were starting to become irritable. He opened the doors to a small private garden with a fountain and shade trees. "My mother designed this garden," Iroh said softly, "She was very fond of the trees found in the washes of the Earth Kingdom."

Kaya and Tara promptly started climbing the trees and let the adults rest in the shade beneath them.

"You have come to trade?" Iroh asked Sokka.

Sokka nodded, "It's time for the Southern Water Tribe and the Fire Nation to join politically," he sighed. "What will this do to the peace of all nations?"

Iroh stroked his beard, "It will calm Omashu, King Yataru has been most discontent with the silence between our two nations. He fears the anger of the Southern Water Tribe. The choice of your Chief to accept no help from any other than Water Tribe, breeds unrest in Ba Sing Se. King Kuei trust's who you were, but the years of silence between our nations has cast shadows over his relations with Fire Lord Zuko."

Sokka nodded, "What of the Fire Nation?"

Iroh sighed, "We are still a nation divided, Ozai's supporters cause the most unrest, Azula's supporters are the most organized and those here that could support Fire Lord Zuko worry about succession."

"So the most trouble will be here in Fire Nation," Sokka sighed. He stretched back and rested his head against his hands and his back against the tree behind him. "Bato?"

Bato stared at the fountain, "Chief Hakoda will not be pleased with a political union, he could deny the suit of Fire Lord Zuko. We need a trade agreement," he stared at Iroh and Sokka, "One made to benefit both family and nation, before the connection of family is common news."

Sokka nodded, "Bind the Southern Water Tribe to their word, an agreement between families." He grinned, "Does Ty Lee have family here?"

Iroh considered the young man as he smiled, "Indeed, four of her five sisters reside in the capital."

Sokka glanced at Bato, "Does she speak of any of them?"

Bato shook his head, "She says only that they are copies of their parents."

"Can we get her parents?" Sokka enquired of the Fire Nation Prince.

Iroh smirked, "I can."

That night, Ty Lee sat next to her husband and Sokka, across from her parents and Prince Iroh. Bato had told her a brief outline of their plan and she had accepted it.

The older Lee's had been often welcome to the Palace under Aluzon, they were the same age as Iroh. They watched their youngest child with the two water tribe men and though her mother managed to control her vocal displeasure her pinched mouth gave no doubt as to their respect for their youngest daughter.

Sokka watched Ty Lee carefully during dinner, as her parents never spoke directly to her and spoke the minimum demanded by politeness to them. As the dinner wrapped up he glanced at Iroh and shook his head. There was no way he was going to force the acrobat to have relations with these prejudiced relics.

The dinner wrapped up and Iroh escorted the Lord and Lady Lee to their palanquin and let them leave.

"We'll try one of your sisters," Sokka said with a sigh, "there is no way either of those two stiff neck ice-snakes would ever be welcome at the South Pole."

Ty Lee glanced up from her plate and caught her husbands smiling eyes and launched herself into his arms, "Thank you, thank you!" She kissed his face all over before settling on his mouth and wrapping herself around him. "Please tell Iroh we retired Sokka!" Ty Lee giggled as Bato carried her to their chambers.

Sokka grinned as he waited for Iroh. Once the other man joined him he smiled, "If you would invite all sisters and their husbands if they have them to lunch tomorrow, we might be able to pull this off yet."

Iroh grinned as he glanced at the empty seats.

Sokka's smile was wide, "Ty Lee was a little relieved that her parents were a no go."

Iroh laughed as he slapped the younger man on the back, "Come a game of Pai-sho with your old master and tea with me."

Mid moon Katara woke from her exhaustion induced sleep to find herself trapped on the bed with Zuko. With a soft sigh, she moved out from under his arm and rolled him onto his stomach once more. Pulling more water from one of the urns at her disposal. Taking a deep breath she straddled his hips once more and pushed the healing water into his damaged tissue.

Zuko screamed as pain lanced through his system, still half asleep he whimpered, "Please, father, I am your loving son!"

Katara couldn't contain the tears the rolled down her cheeks, his voice had sounded so small. He had been so young when Ozai had marked him. The ice pulsated in her veins as she remembered watching the monster sink into the frozen water of her home. "Shhh," she leaned over and whispered, "he can never hurt you again."

Zuko whimpered once more.

"Heal Zuko, the creature that marked you fell to ice." Her voice a quiet breath in his ear. "Quiet," she purred, "rest now."

Zuko's shudders stopped as the most intense portion of this treatment settled into soothing coolness.

Katara returned to her up right position and focused only on the injury beneath her hands, slowly working the healing water into his systems.

Ty Lee watched her sisters and their husbands, it seems she had been the last to marry and one of the few to marry for love. The twins had married for love, Amiee married an archer and Iree married a former Fire Navy Lt. he'd barely escaped the Seige of the North with several of his former crewmen. She spoke with the others but they all married for position or some other material concern.

Iroh grinned when he saw their former Lt. Jee escorting one of Ty Lee's many sisters. He smiled at the man who looked relieved to drop into a bow, "General Iroh," Lt. Jee replied easily.

"You survived the Seige of the North," Iroh announced pleased, "That is good, nephew and I hoped that you escaped the destruction."

Jee bowed his head once more to hide his surprise, "Thank you Prince Iroh."

Iroh waved his hand, "Enjoy the lunch party, perhaps if your duties permit we can compare tales at a later time."

Jee smiled, "I am at your service General Iroh, I retired from the Fire Navy."

Iroh glanced at the younger woman, "Lady Jee, if I may be permitted to pull your husband from your side?"

Iree bowed to Prince Iroh as she smiled at her husband, she had enjoyed many tales of his travels with General Iroh and Prince Zuko.

The two men disappeared and she found herself speaking with the younger Water Tribe man. She was pleased to find that her youngest sister had become a beloved daughter of the tribe and that she had a nephew. That was how she found herself on the arm of the young man and led to the room where the children played. She was introduced to the man's wife, then to her nephew. To her delight Leeto had Ty Lee's coloring and his fathers light blue eyes. She found herself, enchanted and content to play with the children.

Suki watched Ty Lee's sister Iree play with all the children and nodded to her husband. Sokka slipped out of the Fire Lady's rooms and returned to the lunch party. He whispered in Bato's ear and with a chuckle the other water tribe man, clapped him on the back.

Iroh returned with former Lt. Jee after an hour or so. Jee trying to find his wife in the company of one of her sister's frowned then found himself speaking to Ty Lee's husband. The Water Tribe man was but a couple years younger than himself and he became distracted by talk of ships and sea travel.

Sokka had taken a liking to the other twin's husband, an archer named Wutzo. He'd been in the Fire Nation army since he turned fifteen. He'd traveled all over his home and the Earth Kingdom. After a couple of manly drinks, liberally applied by Sokka. He revealed that he'd never seen the superiority of the Fire Nation to all the other nations and that despite his commanding officers prejudiced ass, Fire Lord Zuko had done the right thing for his nation by deposing Ozai and promoting peace. They had two children, a daughter that was seven and a son that was three. He wanted them to know peace, not the war that he'd known for most of his life.

It was at this point when Aimee found them talking quietly together, she'd blushed furiously and bowed excessively in hopes that Sokka would keep his mouth shut. It reminded him of what Katara would do when he was being annoying.

So he'd simply smiled at her and asked her to join them and what where their children's names? He had two daughters of his own, which was why his own wife wasn't here to meet all of Ty Lee's family. Once the couple started talking about the exploits of their family, they were a unified and strong couple.

Sokka caught Iroh's eye and nodded at the general.

With out noticing that they had been separated from the rest of Ty Lee's family, the twins and their husbands remained.

Once Iroh was certain that all the others were clear of the gates, he sighed. Taking the long way through the palace he went to check on his nephew. Hearing nothing through the door he opened it to find Zuko wrapped around the water bender.

One golden eye opened at the sound of the door, but was dismissed as not a threat once he recognized Iroh.

Surprised and pleased at Zuko's apparent wakefulness he moved fully into the room and closed the door behind him.

"Quiet Uncle," Zuko whispered, "she just fell asleep."

Iroh moved silently over to his nephew's side of the bed, "You are well?"

Zuko shook his head, "I'm alive, I no longer bleed and I can stand with out support, though not for long." His golden eyes bright, "did she suffer?"

Iroh shook his head.

Zuko relaxed into embracing Katara, "She says it may be another four days, before I am strong enough for the funeral."

Iroh nodded, "I will make all the arrangements."

"What has been said?" Zuko asked tired.

"Only that there was an attack, Lady Mai was killed and you were injured. Currently being treated by a Master Healer of the Southern Water Tribe, one that came with the Chiefs son to open trade with the Fire Nation." Iroh replied softly as he sat on the bed near his uncle.

Zuko nodded once, his eyes started to close as the sleep his body craved to continue healing became a force he couldn't resist, "thank you Uncle."

"Of course my boy," Iroh sighed as his nephew slipped into sleep.

A moment later Katara opened her eyes and held out her hand for the older man.

Iroh smiled at the younger woman as he accepted her hand, "Rest Lady Katara, when you are able, your children are all with in your chambers."

Katara smiled as she squeezed the older man's fingers and sleep reclaimed her as well.

Iroh let himself out of the bedchamber, feeling much relieved. Zuko would live and if Katara had anything to say about it, with as little damage as possible. He walked quietly to the Fire Lady's chambers and smiled when the sounds of life reverberated all around him. He left the doors open and smiled, "Come now ladies and children, I think it is time for your lunch."

The children dashed out of the chamber and ran like a herd of stampeding ostrich-horses through the halls of the palace and into the families dining room. Several guards maintained their stoic expressions, most of the other's lost the battle with mirth. Though only their eyes danced in amusement as Prince Iroh accompanied the Lady Warrior and one of Lady Ty Lee's sisters, more sedately to the dining room.

Sokka grinned at his companions as he heard the children pass the hall and enter the room across from them, "Come meet my family," he invited the couple.

Bato slapped the other sailor on the back and grinned, "Come, your wife is across the hall."

By the time the moon rose Wutzo and Aimee had entered into a trade agreement with Sokka and Suki and Bato and Ty Lee had entered into one with Jee and Iree. Beginning official trade between the Southern Water Tribe and the Fire Nation. To Jee and Iree's surprise, Prince Iroh gifted them with their own ship as a thank you for Lt. Jee's years of service to Fire Lord Zuko and himself. Within the week, Bato, Ty Lee and Leeto would sail with Jee and Iree to present Chief Hakoda with their trade agreements as well as a letter from Sokka. Bringing with them the first of the trade goods that had been agreed upon in their agreements.

After Chief Hakoda acknowledged the agreement between the families, Sokka, Suki and Kyo would return to the South Pole accompanied by Wutzo, Amiee and their two children. Bringing the second delivery of trade goods that had been agreed upon.

After the Jee's vessel was loaded, it would return to the Fire Nation with Wutzo, Amiee and their children. They would then present the familial trade agreement to Fire Lord Zuko and the decade long silence between the two nations would be resolved. It was then up to the leaders to arrange more trade, or leave the arrangements to the families in question.

A day before the first ship was due to leave Fire Nation for the Southern Water Tribe, Fire Lord Zuko held Mai and Azula's funeral and wake. As he suspected, nothing was found to be suspicious and there was no trace of anything to indicate that Azula's death was anything but natural. The death of the Fire Nation Princess and that of the Fire Lords Consort, happening within a day of each other, was whispered about. Ozai assumed guilt in the deaths of both women.

Zuko had no intention of correcting this misconception. At mid day, after the Sages dedicated their souls to Agni, he was the one to set fire to both pyres. It took all of his strength to honor their memories by standing in the heat of the fires until the last of the pyres were ash. He had been relieved when Katara announced that he had to be strong enough to do this for himself and his nation, because she would not be standing beside him.

His golden eyes caught her blues and he understood, it had been her instinct that had ended Mai's life and it was not within her to usurp the place of the woman she'd killed.

He didn't understand why Mai had attacked him, but she had. He'd been surprised by the lack of guilt with in Katara at Mai's death. He hadn't had the energy to determine the depth of changes in Katara but from what he could tell, there was a reason her first response was now ice.

He and Iroh shared the family seats with Mai's parents and her brother Tom-Tom. Zuko returned to his chambers slowly, every muscle burned with exhaustion and fire. It was almost dawn and he ached for a cool touch and deep sleep. His guards opened the doors to his outer chamber, his servants to his inner chamber and he nearly wept when he saw Katara standing at the window.

"You waited," he gasped as his legs finally lost strength.

Katara smiled as she crossed the room quickly, "on the bed."

Zuko couldn't even sigh his relief. She sat him on the edge of his bed and stripped his outer robes, his tunic and his under tunic from his body. Then she removed his boots and pants, as she pushed him onto the bed then rolled him over. He sighed when her cool hands began kneading the tension out of his shoulders and down his spine. He was fully relaxed when the healing water set fire to his nerves once more. He didn't scream though he bit his lip to keep it from escaping his mouth. After a moment, the blessed cool flowed over him and he relaxed once more. Soon after she started her ministrations he was sleeping soundly and dreamlessly.