A disclaimer that says I don't own Avatar is probably in order but I think that goes without saying. On the subject of pairings, I won't reveal them right away, although you can probably figure it out just from reading.

"Look! The mighty Fire Lord finally takes time out of his busy schedule to visit his friends! How kind of you Your Highness!" Sokka shouted with both glee and sarcasm.

"Yeah Sparky, it's about time!" Toph hollered when she felt him coming.

"I'm glad I could come too," he told the small throng of friends currently sitting about in the courtyard. "And that's Fire Lord Sparky to you!" They all laughed at his joke, which he appreciated since they weren't doing it out of politeness like all his advisors. He was shocked that he wasn't tired after his little adventure the night before; in fact he hadn't slept that well in months. This could actually wind up being a good day, he thought. He shook hands politely with Suki, who was pregnant again with Sokka's third child, then bowed out of mock reverence to Toph Bei Fong, Master Earthbender. He continued to shake hands with Haru and Teo, and when he tried to do so with Sokka he was neither pleased nor surprised when the big idiot enveloped him in a hug. Katara also hugged him tightly for a moment and then let go, glad he could actually make it. But something was missing; something that he didn't want to be there, but he knew should be anyway.

"Where's Aang?" he asked. It was addressed to everyone but he was looking at Katara. If anyone could shed some light on the matter, it was her. She sighed and began to speak.

"We had a fight and he won't come out of his room."

"I'm sorry to hear that." That was a lie. That little bastard deserved every moment of the pain he was feeling for making Zuko kill his father. Well, he wasn't so little anymore. In the four years after the War ended, the Avatar had hit his growth spurt. He was still a few inches shorter than Zuko, but it wasn't as noticeable as it had been when they first met. Although he had never taken his vow of celibacy, Aang had still kept his head shaved in the traditional style of the monks. This change of appearance had not signaled a change in behavior, however. He was still as immature as he was at the end of the War, at least up until recently. In Zuko's opinion, defeating Ozai without killing him had sheltered the Avatar. It had allowed him to keep his juvenile delusions about how the world worked. Perhaps it was the former Fire Lord's execution that had jarred him out of it, Zuko didn't know. But what he did know was that if the brat wasn't his normal cheery self, he doubted he could enjoy what little time he had with his friends.

"I'll go talk to him," Zuko said as he walked briskly towards Aang's room.

"Zuko, are you sure that's a good idea?" Katara asked him. "I mean I couldn't even—"

"It'll just take a second." Zuko opened the door to Aang's room and walked inside. The Avatar was sitting on his bed with his head in his hands. He wasn't crying, but it was fairly obvious that he was depressed.

"Hey, I heard you and Katara had a fight." Zuko called into the room.

"It wasn't anything important, Katara and I fight all the time."

"I don't need to feel your heartbeat to tell that you're lying. It was about the execution, wasn't it?"

"Go away. I don't want to talk to you." Not only did Aang look depressed, but he sounded like it too.

"Well then you'll just have to listen." Zuko cleared his throat. This wasn't going to be easy.

"Look, Aang…I understand that you had a problem with killing my father. At the time you thought you were doing the right thing, I realize that. What I'm mad about is that you didn't have the foresight to see his execution coming. You're the Avatar, at some point you'll probably have to kill someone. Had you started with my father then it would have all been a lot easier…I mean, for me anyway. Well…what I'm trying to say is that I…I…I forgive you."

"Really?" Aang was overwhelmed with joy.

"No." The Avatar sighed and let his face slump back into his hands when he heard this. "At least not yet. But hey, I'll get over it eventually, and you moping around won't make that go any faster. C'mon, the sooner you're back to you're goofy self the sooner things get back to normal between us." Aang reluctantly climbed off the bed and exited the room with Zuko. If this would make it easier for Zuko to forgive him, Aang would do it. Zuko was just shocked that he had comforted someone. He would make a mental note to avoid such situations in the future.

When they came back into the courtyard everyone was glad to see them. Aang's presence put everyone at ease and they talked for quite a while, relaxing and reminiscing about old times. Eventually the conversation turned to Zuko.

"So," Sokka began. "The Fire Lord seems awfully happy today, did you just miss us or did something happen recently?" Sokka raised his eyebrows a few times, causing Suki to elbow him in the stomach.

"You're such a pig sometimes, you know that?"

"Maybe, but I'm your pig." Sokka leaned in and kissed his wife.

"Actually I've taken up a hobby." Zuko interjected to break up the sentimental moment.

"Really, what is it?" Toph was the one who asked. She wanted to see whether it was true or not.

"I'm sure you'll hear about it soon enough." Damn! She couldn't work with an evasive answer.

"Well, speak of The Fire God!" Katara said as a messenger hawk flew down and landed on Zuko's shoulder. He gave Katara a frown to show his disapproval for speaking of Agni in such a derogatory manner.

"Feel free to insult the state religion of the Fire Nation in front of its ruler everyone." Zuko added sarcastically as he opened the letter attached to the bird's foot.

"Lemme see!" shouted Aang as he snatched the letter away from Zuko and read it aloud in a pompous voice designed solely to mock a courtier.

Your Royal Highness,

We are pleased to inform you that an assassination plot against your most important person has been foiled the infamous rogue commonly known as the Blue Spirit. The man who orchestrated the assassination attempt, one General Zheng, brother-in-law of the deceased Admiral Zhao, is dead, and his accomplice, The Lady Xia, was put under arrest when she was found tied to a chair with an unofficial wanted poster of Your Royal Highness and a forged document declaring her your bride to be. We are all sincerely glad that no harm has befallen you, and we wish you to reign for many more years.

Your Faithful Servants,

The Palace Guard

"Wow. So is this Blue Spirit guy taking out all your assassins before they can get to you?" Haru asked, completely unaware of why just about everyone except for him and Teo had knowing smiles on their faces.

"You might say that. I already knew what the Blue Spirit had done before this letter came, and in much more detail too."

"Why am I not surprised?" Katara grinned.

"Well c'mon, tell us about it!" Teo shouted. Everone leaned in to listen to him. This was going to be good.

"Well if you insist." Zuko couldn't help himself:

"A few hours after midnight the room was dark and foreboding. General Zheng looked out the window from where he stood behind his desk, clearly getting a good look at the vibrant nightlife of the Capital City, with deep hatred of the Great and Merciful Fire Lord Zuko. A beautiful woman was standing on the other side of the desk, watching him with interest. She was stunning, her rosy cheeks and fair skin looked marvelous in the moonlight, and suffice it to say she had a variety of other things going for her as well. I…I mean the Blue Spirit was sorry to see a pretty face like her had ever gotten mixed up in this business at all. He dropped down from his hiding place on the chandelier in perfect silence, and wasn't noticed by either the general or the girl until he walked up to the desk and slammed a piece of paper down on it. It was a fake wanted poster with a picture of me dressed like a small child on it, calling me "The Boy King" and demanding my head for the alleged crimes of High Treason and the death of my father. General Zheng turned to face m...the Blue Spirit! He turned to face the Blue Spirit, and gave him a stern, angry look.

"'Ah, the infamous Blue Spirit,' Zheng said with a grin. 'My brother-in-law told me all about you. He said you were a formidable warrior. But he also said you were a traitor. What are you doing here?' The Blue Spirit pointed to the wanted poster down on Zheng's desk. Zheng could only grin.

"'So you've switched sides, have you? Care to tell me why?' As always, the Blue Spirit didn't say a word. 'Of course you wouldn't,' Zheng continued, 'Maybe you've had a change of heart, maybe you just like working for the underdog, I won't pretend to understand your reasoning. But there is something that you need to understand. You are not needed here. The plan to assassinate the Fire Lord is already complete.' It didn't take a brilliant mastermind like the Blue Spirit to realize that Zheng was a fool. I turned to leave. Lady Xia, who up until that time had been unable to take her gorgeous eyes off The Blue Spirit's muscled physique, spoke up.

"'Would you like to know what it is?' she asked. The Blue Spirit turned and nodded. Of course he wanted to know! At first Zheng wasn't sure it was a good idea, but Xia convinced him otherwise. She has that effect on men.

"'Well,' she continued, 'Since The Fire Lord has announced that he will choose his bride in three months—"

"Wait a minute! You never said anything about choosing a—"

"Just shut up and let him finish the story, Sugar Queen!"

"Anyway, their whole plan was to have Xia romance me to the point where she could get me alone, murder me, and then produce a forged will that would say that I wanted her crowned Fire Lady even though I had died, and then she would marry Zheng and start a new dynasty." Gasps could be heard from Suki and Teo. Toph rolled her eyes. When he was satisfied that they had gotten the shock out of their systems, Zuko went on.

"'Well now you know too much,' Zheng told me, 'So now I'm afraid you have to die.' With that he shot a large ball of fire at the Blue Spirit, but I dodged it with ease. Then I leapt onto Zheng's desk, and then leapt up again as a jet of fire shot out from his foot. Doing a back flip over his head the Blue Spirit pulled out one of the broadswords he always had slung over his back and decapitated him with ease in midair. He then turned to Lady Xia, who was batting her eyes at him. She walked over to the Blue Spirit, but he held out his sword at her, warning her to keep her distance. She moved gracefully around it and was soon so close to me that he could feel her hot breath through one of the air holes in the mask.

"'Please,' she begged, 'let me see your face.' Xia began to slowly lift his mask away, but the Spirit stopped her, so it only revealed the lower half of his face.

"'That's okay,' she cooed, gently stroking his chin, 'I only need to see your lips.' With that she pressed her full, voluptuous lips against mine…I mean his, against his. However she made the mistake of wrapping her arms around the Blue Spirit, and he felt the dagger hidden in her sleeve. Before she had a chance to use it he jabbed her in the back with the butt of his broadsword, knocking her out and causing the dagger to fall out of her sleeve and clatter to the floor. After searching her for more weapons, I tied her to the chair and then the Blue Spirit was off."

"Are you sure that's how it really happened, Sparky?"
"Positive, Toph. I have no reason to doubt the Blue Spirit and neither do you."

"But I thought the Blue Spirit didn't kill anybody." Aang added.

"He isn't the same person he was when you met him Aang."

"Aang, did you really meet the Blue Spirit?" Teo couldn't hide his fascination.

"Well, yeah, I mean he's right—" Toph covered his mouth with her hand before he could finish his sentence. Zuko glanced at the sundial and his eyes widened in horror.

"Well I've gotta go, it's getting late and I'm behind on my paperwork. Goodbye!" Zuko got up and began walking out of the garden. He smiled as everyone waved to him, almost wishing Mai was there. No, she hated his friends.

"The way Zuko told that story it was like he was there himself!" Haru exclaimed. He looked around confusedly when he saw everyone laugh. "What's so funny?" he asked.

When Zuko finally got back to his study, he was dismayed to discover a flock of messenger hawks had decided to roost there. He knew what this was about. Getting out several pieces of parchment along with a brush and an inkpot, he began to read each letter, writing down the important parts on the parchment. They all read the same. Dear Fire Lord Zuko…coming to stay in the city for three months…lovely daughter(s)…come visit…nobleman's signature. He was regretting his decision already. A few hours into it (Zuko couldn't believe there were that many) he heard a knock on the door.

"What is it?!" he shouted to the butler on the other side of the door.

"My Lord, the Water Tribe Peasant to see you."

"Send her in."

"How did you know it was me and not my brother?" Katara inquired when she heard Zuko say "her".

"Because," Zuko replied, "the servants have cruel nicknames for all of you, Sokka's is different."

"What is it?"

"You don't want to know." Katara giggled at that.

"Well, anyway," she paused for a moment before continuing, "I was wondering If I could stay a little longer, you know, after everyone else has left."

"Sure, no problem. I have a bad feeling that the guest wing is going to be crowded, so would it be alright if I set you up with a room in the family wing of the palace? I'd be right there if you needed anything."

"Yeah, that sounds great."

"Good. Any reason you want to stay longer?" There was nothing in his voice but curiosity.

"Well, it's just…right after you left Aang and I got in another fight, and I kinda wanna take a break from traveling with him all the time."

"You guys got in a fight again? What was it about this time?"

"I'd rather not say."

"Okay then, I guess just ask the butler to—" at that very moment the butler bust into the room, panting and sputtering.

"I'm sorry, Milord. I don't know how she got past the guards. I tried to stop her, Your Highness, I really did, but she just barged on that monster of hers!" Zuko and Katara rushed out of the study and didn't believe what they saw.

There, sitting atop the mole that had been used to track the Avatar on a number of occasions, was Jun. She was every bit as beautiful as Zuko remembered. Her jet black hair gleamed brightly in the sun, and as she crawled down from the beast she was riding she showed her long, bare legs. Her toned midriff was exposed as usual and her eyes held their usual provocative stare. She gazed at Zuko and put one of her delicate-looking hands (which in reality were anything but) on her broad hips. When she parted her full, voluptuous lips to speak, Zuko remembered why he hated her so much.

"So, am I interrupting quality time with your girlfriend?"

"SHE'S NOT MY GIRLFRIEND!" Zuko shouted back at her. Katara had yelled something to the same effect about Zuko, but he had drowned her out.

"Okay, Okay, sheesh. I get the point. Now where am I sleeping?"

"Outside the palace."

"But if I have to sleep outside the palace I'll be really uncomfortable," she moaned. "And if I'm uncomfortable, I might do something you'll regret."

"Like?"

"Like tell everyone about you and your girlfriend."

"SHE'S NOT MY—"

"I know that, and you know that, but does everyone in your country know that? Think of the scandal when they find out their ruler has been sleeping with some random peasant." Katara was furious when she heard that, and she was about to say something until Zuko cut her off.

"What'll it take? I'm in no mood for games."

"A room at the palace, for now. We can talk about the terms later. Oh yeah, and she paid me to reintroduce her." Jun pointed to the previously unnoticed girl that slid down from the beast she had been riding. Zuko gasped.

"Jin." This was going to be the most agonizing three months of his life.

have three chapters down and an unspecified number to go. I can't wait till Mai finds out. I may not update over the weekend, sorry. Now go forth and review!