Disclaimer: I own nothing of Avatar, I know, so sad. But, I do own my OC's, Ursa, Zukei, Iroh, and Maeko: )

Chapter 2

Part 2

Mai looked over at Zuko, whose face was contorted in such a way that he had to be remembering something horrid. "And you know, that after Zukei was born, the council said Ursa was suddenly 'fit' to rule. I still say they have no idea what they are doing." Mai said, quietly. Zuko's head snapped up suddenly. "Oh, yeah. That was a relief." He added distractedly. Mai leaned over and put her slender hand on top of his, silently telling him that she understood his pain. He looked up and met her eyes, knowing she understood. That day was the worst day of both of their lives.

The day had started of as any other day, Zuko was stuck in some kind of meeting, and Mai had taken four-year-old Ursa and three-year-old Zukei to the garden, their favorite place in the palace, after dinner. Mai sat under her favorite tree as she watched Ursa feed the new litter of turtleducklings. She was so patient and gentle, the exact opposite of her brother.

Her son was only a few feet from Ursa, trying to figure out the first form of firebending. The instructors to the prince insisted that he begin as early as possible. So, Zukei stood their, strugling to figure out how to manipulate the small flame in his hand.

Mai leaned her head back against the tree, its smooth bark supporting her tired head. She quietly wished for the meeting to be over soon. The meetings were usually long and boring, draining anybody who sat there of any fun they may have had that day. She had been to one of those meetings the first year. She never went to another one again.

"Ugh, I'll never get this!" A young Zukei screamed, throwing his hands down in defeat. As he did this though, the small flame shot from his hand, and hit his older sister in the arm."Ow!" She cried, holding her arm and running to the comfort of her mother. Mai was forced back to reality by a scream, and her daughter throwing herself into her mother's arms.

"Ursa, what's wrong?" Mai asked, a little startled. "Zuzu hit me with his fire." The four-year-old cried, burying her face into her mother's robe. Mai smiled. At four, Ursa was unable to say "Zukei", so she called him Zuzu. Zuko always hated that. Mai then began to stroke her daughter's black hair, and looked up at her son.

Zukei stood by the pond, his hands behind his back. Upon a second look, Mai could see that he was frozen with fear. Mai had to smile at his face though. If she hadn't known the child, she would have thought he was about to be executed.

Holding out her free hand, Mai motiomed for her son to come over. With obvious hesitation, the young prince slowly walked over to his mother. When he was close, Mai grabbed his hand and pulled him next to her, wrapping her arm around his shoulders.

"Zukei, did you hit your sister on purpose?" She asked, though she already could tell the answer. Zukei shook his head vigorously. Mai smiled a little. Leaning down so only he could hear, she whispered, "Why don't you tell your sister you're sorry." Zukei looked at his mother, then leaned over to his sister, and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sworry, Uhsa." He said, with the vocabulary of a three-year-old. Mai smiled to herself as she watched them get up and go play like nothing ever happened

About an hour later, Mai saw Zuko walk into the garden, emotionally drained. "Daddy!" The children cried, and ran towards their father. Zuko leaned down and caught both of them in his arms. He let a small smile crawl onto his face, one of his few he allowed only for his family.

Mai stood up and made her way towards him and the kids, a sarcastic grin on her face. "How was the meeting?" She asked, although she really didn't care. "Dull. I am getting tired of hearing how unstable this country is. There are other places even more unstable than us." He added. Mai nodded in agreement. "Zukei, Ursa, why don't you guys let go of your father and let him relax." Mai suggested. Reluctantly, the two let go of their father, and ran to finish the game they had started.

Mai grabbed Zuko's hand and led him over to the tree they she had been relaxing under earlier. Now it was Zuko's turn to recline his head against the tree in exhaustion. Mai said nothing, knowing he would speak any moment.

"You know, I think that Uncle gave me the crown to punish me for my stupidity as a teen." He said after a few moments. Mai had to smile at that. "Why do you say that?" She asked, regaining her composure. "Because, while I am dealing with annoying ambassadors who want their every demand met, he's off drinking tea!" He said, a little louder than he had planned. Once he relaxed, Mai laid her head on his chest and stared at the dimming sky. "You know what I think? I think he knew that only the right person could help this country, and that person was you." She tried to keep any emotion from her voice, but didn't succeed. Zuko looked down at her, and after a moment, the two shared a passionate kiss, in the garden of the Fire Palace, under the evening sun.

As the sun was lowering itself to the horizon, the prince of the Fire Nation had fallen asleep on his mother's lap, and the princess was lying near the pond, dipping her fingers in the water. This was another reason Mai loved taking her kids outside, they were always tired when they came back inside, and went to bed easily.

"Ursa, come on, it's time for bed," Zuko called to his daughter, his hand outstreched. Ursa pushed herself off the ground and ran to accept her father's hand. Mai simply swung her son upright, so his arms could wrap around her neck.

As they were exiting the garden, one of the servants stepped out. "Yes, Kuzai?" Zuko asked. At his side, Ursa yawned. "I am sorry milord, are you busy?" The servant asked. Zuko looked down at his sleepy daughter, then to Mai who held their sleeping son. "No, just putting the kids to bed." He answered truthfully. Kuzai nodded.

"Milord, there is an important message for you from Ba Sing Se." Zuko paused. He looked to Mai, who nodded understandingly. She took her daughter's hand and led them away to their bedrooms. Kuzai then handed Zuko the letter, and bowed respectfully to him before he left.

After Kuzai had disappeared around the corner, Zuko broke the seal and began to read the scroll.

Fire Lord Zuko,

I am deeply saddened to inform you that our

city has fallen to a raid by what appeared to be

Fire Nation rebels. Our city was able to defend

itself, however, 1,500 lives were lost. I am sorry

to say that included in that list was retired

General Iroh. He did die an honorable death,

leading a group of soldiers into battle. I would\

like to give my great sympathy to you and your

family during this horrible time.

Signed,

Earth King Kuei

Zuko instantly dropped the scroll. Uncle dead? It was impossible. He never troubled anyone. This wasn't happening, it wasn't possible. With a quick anguished cry, Zuko made his way to his room.

Mai waited patiently in bed for Zuko to return. Though she would never admit it, she had grown accustomed to going to bed with Zuko every night, and hated it when meetings made that impossible.

As the candle by her bed started to grow dim, Mai was about to blow it out when she heard a noise on the other side of the door. Before she could get up to investigate, the large double doors that were the designed throughout the palace, flew opened, and Zuko charged in.

Before Mai could comprehend the look on his face, he threw himself on their large bed, face first into a pillow. "Zuko, what's wrong?" She asked nonchalantly. However, when Zuko looked up and she could see his tear-stained face, she dropped her facade, and rushed to his aid.

"He's dead! He's dead!" He cried into the pillow. "Who?" Mai asked, wondering who in this world would mean this much to Zuko besides her and the kids. "Uncle. Uncle was killed in a raid on Ba Sing Se." He spoke quietly. Mai sat stunned. How could that be? Uncle never did anything to anybody. He was your happy, tea loving, uncle.

Once Zuko had regained his composure, he turned to look at his wife, whose face was stunned with tears trickling down it. Without thinking, he pulled Mai into a rare hug. Uncle had loved Mai as if she was his own daughter, and she knew.

"Oh Zuko, I am so sorry." She repeated. What can you say to comfort somebody when you're hurting just as much as they are? "I know." He whispered into her hair hoarsely. When they pulled apart, they looked into each others eyes. They both needed some kind of comfort, and tonight, none of them were thinking straight. Zuko laid Mai on her back, and turned to the candle, and blew it out.

The following week, Uncle's body arrived at the palace, for a proper burial. Zuko had had to go to Ba Sing Se and identify it, by far the hardest thing he had ever had to do in his life. Upon seeing Uncle Iroh, he made him a solemn vow. "I promise Uncle, I will find out who did this to you, and they will pay."

Telling the children that their sweet uncle was not going to visit them anymore, was the hardest thing Mai had ever had to do. How do you tell a four and three-year-old that their uncle was killed unjustly, and wasn't coming back? The other hard thing was answering their questions. "What happened?" Ursa had asked. "Why?" Zukei inquired. Wasn't Iroh the one who had said that Zukei would be a firebender? It seemed ages ago.

At the funeral, Zakor, the member of the Fire Council, conducted the ceremony. Zuko and Mai, along with their two kids, were dressed in white, while the rest of the audience wore a dark red. Zuko took some comfort knowing that his friends were there, but not much.

In the front row, Toph and Sokka sat. Sokka held their two-year-old son, while Toph had silent tears running down her face as she held her infant daughter. She had known Iroh very well, and loved him like a father. Although she would not admit it, she was hurting extremely bad, but was trying to stay strong.

Next to them sat Katara and Aang, both visibly shaken. Katara cried openly, her head being supported by Aang's shoulder. Even though Aang wasn't crying, he still had a stream of tears running down his face. In each of their arms, they held their one-year-old twin daughters. They had never met Iroh before, but to Zuko, their identical ocean eyes held just as much sorrow as their mother's did.

On the other side of them, Haru had his arm around Ty Lee, who was crying her eyes out. Besides Zuko and Mai, she had known Iroh the longest, she saw him every time she was at the palace. Haru held their two-year-old daughter, her green eyes holding much sorrow. Her brown hair resting in two braided pigtails. Ty Lee's right hand rested on her swollen belly, trying to find some comfort.

Zuko and his family sat behind the councilman, their eyes going between their friends and Uncle. "General Iroh was a humble man, but a brilliant military man." Zakor spoke. "He once seized and held Ba Sing Se for 600 days, but after the death of his son Lu Ten, He relinquished his control." There was some restling in the audience. The war only ended 5 years ago, and there was still some unease at the mention of it.

"It is with heavy hearts that we say good bye to you, General Iroh." And with that, Zakor walked over to the sarcophagus, and lit it. Everyone watched, letting their sorrow overtake them.

After the funeral, all their friends came up and paid their respects to Zuko and his family, except for Ty Lee, who even for a woman who was as pregnant as she was, flung herself into a tight embrace with Mai, crying still.

Toph put her free hand on Zuko's shoulder, while her other one cradled her daughter. "You alright, Princess?" She asked him, with genuine sincerity. Zuko only nodded, and watched as Aang and Katara joined them, a child in each of their arms. Haru simply stood off to the side, talking to his daughter.

When Mai had wrangled Ty Lee off of her, she made her way to Zuko. "Zuko, can I talk to you?" She asked, a sense of urgency in her voice. Zuko seemed to sense this too, because he handed Zukei, who he had been consoling, to Aang. They walked into one of the many palace guest rooms. "What is it?" He asked. Mai had to keep herself from allowing a small smile. "I saw the doctor earlier." She said. Zuko's face went pale. "You're alright, aren't you?" He asked, grabbing her by the shoulders. Mai could've laughed. "Yes, I am fine. But, we will have to fix up the nursery again." She waited for Zuko to get the point. His face went from total confusion, to extreme elation. "Are you serious?" He asked, after he released her from a massive embrace. Mai nodded, barely able to contain her own joy. They hadn't planned on having anymore kids, but this was going to be a new chapter in their lives.

Nine months after Iroh had died, a new life was born. Mai had been scared about delivering another child, after what happened with Zukei, but she felt that she had a gardian angel watching her that day, Iroh.

So at sunset on the Summer Solstice, a sign of good luck, Mai easily brought their third child into the world, a healthy baby boy. He had a head full of black hair, and deep, almost familiar golden eyes.

After a few moments, Zuko led in five-year-old Ursa and four-year-old Zukei. Ursa instantly jumped on her mother's bed, gazing upon the newborn in her arms. "He's beautiful." Ursa said. Zuko smiled, and nodded in agreement. "What's his name?" She asked. Mai looked from her daughter, to Zuko, then to the baby in her arms. "Iroh." She said, just above a whisper. Zuko's smile only grew, and Ursa began to chant the name in a melody.

Zukei stood in the corner, behind his father. "Zuzu, come see the baby!" Ursa called out, after she finished her melody. Zukei only shook his head. Zuko then leaned down, and picked him up. "It's just a baby, Zukei, see?" Zuko said, stroking Iroh's head. A small smile crossed the toddlers face as he mocked his father's action. Their family was complete again.

"I don't think you could get Zukei to admit that he was afraid of a baby today, though." Mai said. Zuko smiled. "No, I believe not." His face had lightened since before. Mai returned her gaze to the sleeping child in her arms, totally oblivious to her parents talking. "Now, Maeko was a complete accident." Zuko said. Mai nodded. "Yes, we just got a little to close on the wrong day." Zuko let out a short chuckle.

"Agni, look at the time!" He said, looking at the sundial by the window. Mai gazed over and saw it to. "Well, I don't believe there is time for nap, Maeko." She said to her daughter, gently awakening her. Maeko sat up in her mother's lap, and stretched, letting a small yawn go.

"I'll go get the kids washed for dinner." Mai said, getting up with Maeko's arms wrapped around her neck. Maeko was like a shadow, wherever Mai went, Maeko wanted to follow. And when Maeko wasn't allowed, she would attach herself to Ursa, who never seemed to mind. Zukei was the same way with Zuko. He would even go to some meetings with him, just to idolize him. Mai secretly thought that Zuko knew, and enjoyed the attention, but she never said anything.

"I'll escort you, Milady." Zuko said, holding out his hand. Mai accepted it, and followed Zuko as they left the study. However, they were soon cut off as a messenger stood at attention in the doorway. "An urgent message for Fire Lord Zuko." He said, staring off in another direction. "At ease, Kentaro." Zuko said, bowing. Mai stood off to the side, gently bouncing a fidgeting toddler.

Kentaro handed Zuko a scroll, then bowed as he left. Mai could see Zuko pause before opening it, remembering the last time. Finally, he broke the seal and unraveled it. Mai stood, waiting. The last time she left, she ended up with Iroh, she didn't want a fifth child to stress about.

After a moment of reading, Zuko dropped the scroll by his side, a grim expression replacing the once cheery one. "What is it?" Mai asked. Zuko looked at her, then spoke. "The Fire Nation rebels have gathered an army of 2,500, and claimed the northern tip of the Earth Kingdom." Mai let out a short, surprised gasp, catching the attention of young Maeko. Zuko looked back at the scroll. "They just declared war on the rest of the world." Mai looked at her husband, hoping he was kidding, but found nothing.

"You better go get the kids ready for dinner. I have to write to a few old friends." He said, turning back to his desk. Mai nodded grimly. There was no point in arguing, it would get nowhere. She turned and left to round the kids up for dinner, leaving Zuko at his desk.

As soon as she left, Zuko pulled out a clean piece of parchment. As he thought about what to say, he had to wonder, why? After 12 years of peace, the world was returning to normal. People had freedom again. Why would anyone want to ruin that?

And on that note, his his brush touched the paper, and he began to write: Avatar Aang...