Ok I'm home for just a day so I have to make this a fast chapter. So this will be the last update for a while... at least until I get internet at my apartment. That and I have wedding plans I need to be taken care of. I'm proud of everyone who has read this and those who are keeping up. Leave me reviews and give me some of your ideas. This story isn't finished and I'm always open to new ideas. As for the story I know that a lot doesn't make sense just yet but it will. I still think this will be a Zuko/ Katara fic but my friend really doesn't want that but I like it more than making a main character love a character that someone just made up. So I think I'll take a poll. From now until the appropriate chapter of announcing the couple it will be. Now for anything that's confusing... If you need help understanding everything then keep reading or submit a review I'll explain. But now I guess I' ve rambled on enough so on with the show...

Chapter 4 Water and Fire

Zuko walked through the palace. His hands behind his back, and his head high. How could she? His thoughts revolved around Amora and what his father had just done to his uncle. Zuko couldn't believe this. It just couldn't be true. He approched his mother's garden and walked inside. It can't be true...

"Zuko, My son," the Firelord greeted.

The Fire King himself stood from his trone and walked to Zuko, his arms outstreched. The hug was quick and held little emotion. "Welcome home."

Several members of the court rose to welcome the prince back to his place of birth. They were hesitant but followed the Fire Lord's example. After the greetings were exchanged, Ozai took back his place on the throne. Zuko watched, his head spinning, knowing that he needed to find out the answer to his question. Ozai raised his hand and placed it on another smaller throne to his immidiate right. The young prince watched this action with confusion. "Come Zuko," The Fire Lord commanded, "Come here to your rightfull place."

The Fire prince felt a cold chill. But at the same time he felt excitement. For just a moment he forgot about Amora and took his spot. "Azula my daughter, my most trusted warrior here."

The Fire Lord indicated to his immidiate left as he acknowledged his daughter. She smiled and took up her favorite place in the Nation. Ozai stood from his spot and began to speak. "See this wonderous sight. Both the rightful heirs to this throne. My son and My daughter. They both have proven themselves worthy. Though we do not have the Avatar my children's action have encouraged me that he is broken."

With this news cheers erupted from the throne room. "And now I wish for the traitor to be brought forward," he commanded.

A small iron box was wheeled into the center of the room. It was opened and its contents spilled. Iroh fell upon the marble floor. "This piece of filth helped the Avatar escape."

There were shouts from the people in the audience. "We all know what happens to traitors don't we?" the Fire King asked.

Several cheers came from the crowd this time. "Fire Whip!" someone screamed.

"That's right," Ozai said maliciously, "We use the fire whip. And mark them as the weakness they are to us."

Zuko looked at his Uncle, unconcious on the floor. This is what happened to Amora, he said to himself. The Fire Lord waved his hand in front of himself creating the dreaded fire whip. It snapped across Iroh's back. He yelped in pain. More whips were administered to the poor man. Zuko couldn't stand to wath any longer. He rested his eyes on someone in the audience. Someone familiar. Someone who had the same look of horror on their face as he did. Someone who had watched this horrible scene before. Amora's brother Luk.

The Fire Lord finally subsided in the attack. He allowed his whip to disappear and turned back to his throne. "You can't keep doing this!" someone shouted.

Ozia turned to the voice. Luk had stepped out of the audience. "If you dare to speak against me again I will unleash on you what I did to your sister," the Fire King proclaimed.

Luk faded back into the crowd. Zuko thought for a moment. This was his chance. "Father?" he asked, "What of his sister?"

Ozai looked at his son. "She led a resistance against me. After you began your quest I sought to find those who had killed your mother."

Zuko was taken aback. No one had told him that his mother had died. She had just run away. Ozai began his tale again. "I found those with strong evidence against them to be guilty. The girl said there was no possible way that they could be guilty. She and several others broke into the dungeons and released all of the prisoners. Everyone got away except for her. I tried to be fair at her trial. I told her if she would reveal who helped her and where everyone was hiding I wouldn't punish her severely. But alas, she did not speak. So naturally I did what was expected of me as a Fire Lord ,as you will one day discover, I used the fire whip. Afterwards she was taken to be cleaned up and that is where she attacked my gaurds with water! WATER!!! She is a WATER BENDER!!! Her whore of a mother must have slept with one because she was a fire bender. But this girl no she's not a fire bender. It would have been better if she hadn't been a bender at all."

Zuko wandered to his room thinking about everything. Amora had released those his father had found guilty of killing his mother! She knew how important his mother was to him and that he would want the bastards that did it to be brought to justice. She was a traitor. She deserved what she got. Banished. If he had been Fire Lord she would have been sentenced to death. His father had been to merciful in banishing her. "Hello your Highness," a voice whispered from the dark.

Zuko bended the flames on the candles in his room higher. Mai was strowed across his bed her clothes unwrapped from her body. Zuko felt himself go hard. She stood up from his bed and walked towards him. He could smell her, and it made him harder. She was breathing on his neck. He was about to lose control and take her there and then but a knock at the door snapped him back. "Sire," a guard called, "The Fire Lord wishes for you and your sister to come to dinner immediatly."

Mai sighed and tied her robes back together. "I guess we'll have to start this another time." She left the room and Zuko alone. Zuko walked towards his dresser. In the bottom drawer he pulled out a picture that Amora and his mother had given him years ago. Both of them were laughing in the picture. His two favorite people. His mother and his betrothed. Putting the picture away Zuko thought. There has to be an explanation. "Guard," he called as he left his room.

"S... Sire?" the guard stuttered.

"Tell Luk that I wish to see him as soon as possible in the library."

"Yes sir," the guard replied.

Zuko continued walking to the Feasting Hall. He'd find out what Luk knew. Luk had to have been one of those who helped Amora in the dungeon break out.