Despite my petition and my dreams, I do not own ATLA. If only...anyway, enjoy. If anyone seems OOC, feel free to let me know and we can discuss. Yes, enjoy, forgot.

The Future is Bright

I still don't see why I have to do it. He was running around all day with Aang, Sokka, Katara, and Iroh. I think the last thing he wants is to be kept up by me.

"Oh shut up Zuko, of all the people in the world, who do you think he admires most?"

Uncle?

"No! you idiot...you."

I guess, but I still don't see wh-

"Go now, or i'm going straight to bed, alone..."

Ok ok Mai, i'm going.

Why she has me go, i'll never know. There's no way he can enjoy my company. Oh well, here goes nothing.

"Da-da"

Oh man little guy, why do you have to be so darn cute. Before you were barely scooting across the palace, now you're speaking. Slow down will you! I want to enjoy this before you start burning things down.

"silly da-da. stowee. I want stowee!"

How can I resist such a charmer, the girls are going to love you buddy.

Instead of a story, how about a song? It's kind of an interesting one.

"Hold peaz" as he reaches his little stubs out to me

Geez, I'm in here two seconds and you already want a hug huh? It's a good thing i'm not my father because I could hold you all day my little man.

"Stowee now!"

Is that a command or a request? Oh well,

As you wish my prince.

"I am a sojourner, a wanderer of sorts

Long I cruise the sea in hopes of a sacred land

It welcomes and sings to the passers of the night

My heart stirs at the thought of this place

Past the Glaciers of the north and their amazing lights

To the land of trembling earth and fierce spirits

Even past the land of the troubled past, where the air still flows

Onward I sale to the land of the rising Son

I can taste the delight of the land of the dragons

The exotic spices and the dancing glee

I have found a place to lay my head

No longer a traveler, I have made it home"

Didn't even make it to the second verse did you? Mai always said i could sing if i really tried. I guess it helps if its for you. Don't tell anyone but you are one of two handfuls of people I truly love in this world.

"That was beautiful Zuko. I know you don't think you're worth anything still, but you are so much different from Ozai and you will be the father to our son that Iroh was to you."

You're sneakier than Momo ambushing a moon peach ya know that. Thanks for not interrupting though. I know what you're saying. But I look at him and I see his whole life ahead of him. The joy, the pain, the pride, the responsibility. I know one day he will embrace it all but I just want him to be a little boy for as long as he can, and I want him to have the best of times with a loving family.

With you as his father, failure isn't even an option my love, now let's get to bed." She said with a slight wink

I'll be right in, I just have to do something real quick.

"Make it quick dear..."

I promise your future will be as bright as the sun that lights our skies and as full as the moon that calms the seas. You can be anything you want to be and you will walk with a pure heart. You have an enormous family that loves you from your mother and I and Iroh, to your crazier aunts and uncles. Iroh will teach you honor. Aang will teach you patience. Sokka will teach you wisdom. Toph will teach you courage, as well as determination I imagine. Katara will teach you kindness. Suki will teach you stealth; and as for your mother and I, well you'll just have to settle with learning to love. I'm kind of new to it myself.

Rest now my little prince. Dream of peace and the wonders of a child. For one day my winter shall come but with it you shall rise like the sun. Sleep well Ryu.

Now to go see what my crazy, insatiable wife is up to...