1Nothing to say here except that there are five more chapters after this.

2/4/08 EDIT: Yeah...I edited this chapter as well as chapter 19. You might want to reread these two chapters before continuing. Since I changed my mind, there will only be four more chapters.

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Chapter 21: Changes

One week before the comet, the nations' leaders had the day the comet arrives all planned out. Underground shelters were built all over the Fire and Eartrh nations. Every firebender was told to gide in those shelters overnight.

Zuko was addressing his subjects at the plaza. "I know a lot of you were looking forward to the comet. But please know that once the comet is gone...we can finally go back to where the Fire Nation used to be: peaceful and kind and civilized with other nations."

Zuko walked away from the balcony and headed back to the carriage that took him, Iroh, and Ursa back to the palace. Zuko addressed Iroh.

"What's new in town?"

"A lot of citizens are starting to grow on you." Iroh smiled. "You do know there will be some who will oppose you?"

"I'm aware of that." Zuko replied.

XXXXX

Katara smiled as she looked around her improved hometown. Master Pakku stood by on his promise to rebuild the Southern Water Tribe. There were more igloos and even small buildings. It was a small town with sidewalks, houses, a few restaurants and stores, and a play area for children. Sokka joked about putting a sign on a beach that said "Welcome to the new and improved South Pole!".

"Katara!" Aang called from a distance. He jogged toward the waterbender.

"Hi, Aang!" Katara greeted her boyfriend. "Well, what do you think?" She gestured around her at her neighborhood.

Aang looked around in amazement. "Wow. It looks great! The Northern waterbenders really went all out."

"They sure did." Katara agreed. "They're building a school now!"

"Really?" Aang's eyes widened.

Katara nodded. "I'm planning on teaching there in a few years."

"You'll be great." Aang replied.

"Thanks." Katara kissed Aang on the cheek. "Where's Toph?"

"She's in Gaoling visiting her parents." Aang answered. "Where are Sokka and Suki?"

"They're on Kyoshi Island. Suki's parents were imprisoned during the last ten years of the war, and they're home."

"Good for them!" Aang responded.

Katara chuckled. "Yeah. I'm interested about Suki's dad's reaction to his daughter already having a boyfriend."

Aang laughed. "Me too, actually. And Toph's parents."

"Mmm-hmm." Katara took Aang's hand. "Come on. I promised the little kids I'd let them know when you arrived. They're dying to see you again."

"Okay!" Aang let Katara drag him towards the play area.

XXXXX

Toph took a deep breath as she walked towards her parent's front door. It has been six months since she left home. She wondered if they received her letter. She knocked on the door three times and waited.

A servant opened the door. He looked surprised to see Toph. "Toph?"

Toph shrugged. "In the flesh. Are my parents home?"

"Yes, of course." The servant opened he door wider. "Come on in."

Toph walked into the foyer. The house still felt and smelt the same as the last time she was here. The servant led Toph to the sitting room.

"Mr. Bei Fong? Your daughter is here." Toph heard the servent tell them. There was a pause, then...

"Send her in."

Toph slowly walked in front of where her parent were sitting. "Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad."

"Toph!" As expectd, Toph's mother ran to her daughter and hugged her tightly. She pulled away. "You will not scare us like that again. Understood?"

Toph nodded. "Did you get my letter?"

"We did." Lao said. "You still need to explain yourself."

"Well, Dad...my explanation is simple: you don't accept me for who I am, so you chose to hide me from the world. So I ran away with the Avatar and his friends. I taught Aang earthbending, I traveled the world, and I helped save it." Toph said. "If I hadn't run away, Aang and his friends would have been pretty much screwed."

Toph waited. Her dad finally spoke. "I see. Go on."

"And...I accepted te fact that you can't accept me, and that's okay." Toph went on. "I'm fine on my own. If you want me to move back in, that's fine too, but only if you let me do whatever I please and stop hiding me or overprotecting me."

The Bei Fongs were silent for another minute.

"All right." Lao answered. "We will consider it."

Toph sighed and smiled in relief. "Great. I'll put my stuff in my room, then."

XXXX

Iroh walked to Zuko's throne room. His nephew has grown so much in his almost-seventeen years. He was proud of him. Iroh and Zuko talked quite a few times since the day Ozai and Azula died. But they never really talked.

"Uncle." Zuko greeted Iroh as he walked in. He smiled. "How's your tea shop?"

"Wonderful." Iroh replied. "Business is booming. I rn into your friend Jin a few days ago."

"I thought she went back to Ba Sing Se." Zuko thought aloud.

"She did. She was visiting with her boyfriend."

'Boyfriend?' Zuko thought. He sighed inwardly. 'Oh well. It's better that way. Her boyfriend doesn't have a dark secret...well, okay, mine wasn't that datk, but still...'

"That's good she found someone to be happy with." Zuko smiled.

"Are you happy?" Iroh asked.

Zuko sighed again. Typical Iroh... "Not entirely. I will be happier once the comet is dealt with."

"I'm sure a lot of people feel the same way." Iroh smiled. He paused. "We've been through so much together. You've grown up. I'm very proud of you."

Zuko smiled. "Thanks, Uncle. I'm proud of you, too." It was Zuko's turn to pauze. "You know...I was going to free you from your prison in the prison tower adfter the eclipse."

Iroh's eyes widened. "You were?"

Zuko nodded. "I guess I took too long to realize my father wasn't worth it."

Iroh laughed softly. "I guess I didn't wait long enough. Better late than never, I suppose."

"Yeah." Zuko nodded. "I'm sorry I took so long."

"You don't have to apologize, my nephew. It's in the past." Iroh said sincerely.

"Thanks. I'm glad." Zuko rep\lied. "Now, on a lighter note, what's this I hear about you dating Lo and Li?"

Iroh chuckled. "Well, they are quite cute. And excellent cooks!"

"Whatever." Zuko chuckled, shaking his head. "Just don't take them to the beach." He shuddered at the memory of seeing the twins in swimming suits.

Iroh chuckled. "Zuko...Fire Lord Zuko...what I really came here for was to tell you that I love you and I care about you. I should have told you this a long time ago. I also need you as much as you need me."

Zuko chuckled. "Well, better late than never." They both laughed. "I love you, too."

Zuko stepped down from his throne and hugged his uncle. The two heard footsteps.

"Ugh, please, no more sappiness." Mai joked and smiled as she walked into the room.

"I'll leave you two alone." Iroh said. He walked out.

"To what do I owe this honor?" Zuko asked politely/.

"Well...I came to tell you that I'm moving in with my parents." Mai replied. "I'm leaving tomorrow."

Zuko's face fell. "Oh. All right. Have fun."

"Thanks."

"I'll miss you."

Mai was silent for a minute. "Good-by, Zuko." She turned to leave./

Zuko walked after her. "Mai, wait!" He grabbed her hand gently and turned her around. "I love you."

Mai sighed. "Zuko, I can't. Expressing myself is useless. Every time I do, I just keep getting shot down."

"What?" Zuko was surprised. "Where is this coming from?"

"My parents! You know they hate it when I express myself!"

"Well, your parents suck then!" Mai gasped. Zuko cringed. "Mai, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound harsh. Seriously, though. What's stopping you from expressing yourself if your parents don't approve?"

Mai just shrugged. "I gotta go. I'm sorry."

Zuko watched as Mai walked out of the throne room. He sighed.

'Things will never be back to normal, will it?' He thought sadly.

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Hey, what's romance without drama? Seriously? Remember, there are five chapters left. Anything can happen!