And we'll rise right before their eyes
On wings that fill the sky
Like a phoenix rising
Like a phoenix rising

Guilt had aged the fire lord by at least ten years, though it had only been six months since his nephew's funeral. He, along with Sokka and Aang worked tirelessly to cover up the scandal so that his sister could not possibly sniff out the deceit. The grieving mother had no way of knowing her only child was alive and well with his father's air acolyte groupies on Air Temple Island. Katara was likewise kept in the dark about the matter and all was well as far as anyone outside of the trio knew.

Despite his efforts to help her cope, the fire lord could not stop his sister from resigning from her post as general, however. As expected, the moment his sister left the fire nation to travel the world, the uprisings began anew. Zuko found it difficult to stretch his command and protect his own heir with is sister out of the picture and Aang dealing with the establishment of Republic City.

"Let them have your head, My Lord," Ozai suggested from his lowly prison cell. "Or your sister's for her treachery".

Talking to Ozai was still no good and after counseling with his mother and uncle, Zuko decided it was best to seek out Azula. His sister could have learned the truth and very well could be the reason he had to banish most of his guards. Out of fear for his family, he was once again solely dependent on the Kyoshi Warriors for protection as his own men made it clear that their loyalty to Azula was very different than their loyalty to the fire lord.

#

Aang stretched his limbs, placing a kiss atop the dark head woman against his chest. Yawning, he eased from the silk sheets, personally ordered by Azula for their bedroom. The scent of Southern Water Tribe tea tickled his nostrils. He followed the smell after putting on his orange trousers, absent a shirt. His chest pounded with love at the sight of his son, giggling into chestnut brown hair. Blue and green eyes caught him the moment he walked into the kitchenette. He smiled warmly at them.

"Good morning," said the avatar. "Should I take him to his mother?"

Katara finished off her tea and kissed the baby's cheek. "No, I'll take him. A messenger hawk just flew in from the fire nation". With that she left with the growing baby in tow for the bedroom.

Aang retrieved the message only making it past the first sentence when an energetic Bumi and Kya with Tenzin on her hip burst into the room.

"Dad, a fire nation airship is here!" Squealed Bumi. "Is it Uncle Zuzu?"

That was the last person Aang wanted to see, though his children made it no secret they were happy the fire lord had arrived. Aang donned a brown tunic from a nearby air acolyte servant.

"Go to the gardens behind the house, Kids. I'll greet your uncle," he said, grasping his staff and a hat.

The two men stopped when they spotted the other, Aang at the top of the steps, Zuko at the bottom. Their expressions were the same, mutual understanding in their gaze.

"Aang," began the fire lord, his eyes darting around the island that looked as though it was paradise with its lush greenery and pleasant air.

Despite not being a royal descendant, Aang groupies or "air acolytes" served the avatar out of free will and unwavering loyalty. The man was a king, though he never asked to be.

"Fire Lord," greeted Aang, descending the steps of his home. "What a surprise. We weren't expecting you".

Zuko waited until they were an arm's length apart, the avatar towering over him by nearly six more inches.

"So, that's how it is, now? We address one another as titles?" He asked before breaking into a smirk, outstretching his arms. "Hug me, Brother".

Aang was hesitant at first before finally leaning in to hug his old friend. When they parted, Zuko followed him up the steps, looking about in awe of Air Temple Island.

"It's great here. Next time, I should bring Mai and Izumi," he commented offhandedly.

Aang retrieved a cup from the cabinet, waving away an acolyte and poured the steaming liquid to give to Zuko. "Why are you here?" He asked, his tone flat and foreign. "We had an arrangement". He reminded the man.

Zuko sipped the tea from where he stood in the doorway of the kitchen. "We did, but that was until Azula decided to disappear," he informed the man. "The minute she left, we had at least twenty coups. Five attempts on my life and my family. It's like they're getting closer".

Aang raised an eyebrow, but said nothing as Zuko continued to vent.

"Before long, they'll succeed. That's why I need to go back on our agreement. If my sister is behind this, I can use my nephew-"

Aang's eyes twinkled, though not in a good way. From the top of his cup, he said low and dangerous. "My son".

Zuko's nostrils flared. "Yes, if she knew he's alive, she would stop this madness".

"I doubt your sister had anything to do with that, Zuko".

"How do you know? Have you seen her?"

His question was answered when two pairs of bare-feet could be heard, followed by two women dressed in red and blue bed-robes. The fact that the women were not destroying the other, but in fact, interlocked at the elbow made Zuko cough uncontrollably on his drink.

"Water, Fire Lord?" A squeaky-voiced air acolyte offered.

Zuko snatched the cup, gulping down the liquid as Aang stood and walked to the women, locking lips with Azula first before turning to Katara. Turning back to Zuko, he waited for the fire lord to finally explode.

"My wife has been with me since we married months ago," he explained, his arms around both women.

"But the child? Katara?" The fire lord felt lightheaded.

Katara chuckled, looking to Azula around their husband.

"Honesty is the best policy, Brother," Azula answered with a smirk. "Luckily my new husband and wife convinced me not to burn your good side for that little prank you pulled with my son".

Husband? Wife? Zuko mouthed watching Aang kiss both women's foreheads.

"I think Zuko and I need to take a trip to the gardens," he suggested.

Last post for the album mini-story. I decided to end on a happier note, and lead into another realm of mini-stories. Modern, polyamorous Kazulaang. Get it? Let me know what you think and I am also still accepting prompts. Hope you enjoyed! QTZ