A/N:

Chapter 38 ⅔:

Year Three…

"You've improved a lot in just a few years, Zhiar, and in just a few months you've impressed our court and me as well. I want everyone else to see how well you're doing." Zuko told his brother as Zhiar stood in front of his desk while he spoke. "So, I'm bringing you with me to this year's summit in the North Pole."

Zhiar's eyes widened as he was completely stoked. Finally, his brother was giving him the recognition he deserved. It had been tough and Zuko was a lot more strict than he expected but he knew his brother meant well. But he was totally excited to be going to the summits. Even more so because this year it was being held in the North Pole which meant he would get to see his mother.

Seeing that his brother was thrilled to hear this news, Zuko felt it was only right that he go over a few rules with Zhiar first. He knew the first thing Zhiar was going to want to do was see his mother but he needed to remember that he had a duty to fulfill and that his mother would be right where she was when he was done with his responsibilities. Also, there was the chance that Arnook would not allow them to see Katara, Zhiar needed not to make a scene as he was now a representative of the Fire Nation. His younger brother agreed to follow the rules and protect the image of the Fire Nation.

"Also, you may bring Jin Su. It would look better if at least one of us came with a 'friendly' guest." Zuko sighed as he shuffled his papers around and laid them back down.

"Awesome!" Zhiar cheered.

"Just keep in mind that you want to behave in a decent manner while we're out on business. So, if you two are going to be messing around, mind your surroundings."

Rubbing the back of his head, "Well...you see, Jin Su and I aren't doing that yet. Her escort won't leave us alone."

Snorting, Zuko asked him if he was getting along well with his hand to which Zhiar told him that he's not as acquainted with it as he is.

Later that day, Zhiar went to go visit his girlfriend in the city. She was staying with another noble family since her family had been disbanded. When he arrived in the carriage, fixing his topknot, he saw the head of the household that Jin Su had been adopted by. The man was old and wise looking. He held his cane as his back was upright.

"Your highness has been quite busy with the Annual Summits coming up, I had feared you lost interest in Lady Jin Su." Lord Otohiko rasped as he walked up to the young prince and grinned.

Chuckling as he greeted Lord Otohiko and let the man escort him into the manor.

"How's Jin Su been?" Zhiar asked.

Glancing up at the young man, "She is well, your highness, but I do have a question to ask you?"

"Yes, Lord Otohiko?"

"Why would you want anything to do with a daughter of a disgraced clan? Her brothers specifically targeted the Fire Lord, your brother, not long after you and your mother left the Fire Nation." Lord Otohiko brought up.

Offering a soft smile, Zhiar reminded the old lord that his father had fallen from the throne and his mother was a Water Tribe peasant that was currently in prison. He had no room to judge Jin Su for actions that weren't her own.

"Understandable but your father is now the Phoenix King of a nation he forged himself. I hear the Phoenix Empire is quite grand and more advanced than even us here in the Fire Nation. As for your mother, I hear she's in prison for running back into your father's arms. I don't see how that's a crime. Your father never truly died, so in the eyes of many here, they're still married. Your parents are strange and there's never been anyone in history like them, yes, but they are not disgraced. Not to mention your own merits. You're a fine young man. You're going to need a woman fit for your family name to stand by your side. Someone worthy of being your wife." Lord Otohiko went on to lecture Zhiar on finding his perfect match.

But honestly, Zhiar didn't care about any of that sort of stuff. Besides, Zhiar felt the man was trying to push one of his own daughters onto him. It was such an obvious tactic and with him just turning seventeen, all the nobles were tossing their daughters his way. Everyone wanted to be related to a royal. It was annoying but now, he understood why Zuko wasn't interested in anyone from court. It was all about ambition and politics.

When Lord Otohiko brought him to Jin Su's quarters, Zhiar entered without prompt to see Jin Su applying soft pink lip paint to her lips while the servant's tied up her hair. He smiled and walked over to them and saw her gold eyes light up at the sight of him.

"Zhiar!" She said gleefully. "You're here early."

"Yeah, I've got some really exciting news. I couldn't wait to tell you." Zhiar came up to her side and knelt down on the floor. "Jin Su, my brother is letting me go to the Summit with him."

Surprised, Jin Su gasped and placed her hand over her mouth. "Zhiar, that's wonderful!"

Smiling even wider as he moved to place his hands on her lap, "What's even better is he told me to invite you as well."

Jin Su jumped up and pushed the servants away to throw her arms around Zhiar. He held her and twirled her around. When he stopped and placed her back on her feet, Jin Su stared up at him and brushed his wavy black fringes from his face.

"Zhiar, I can't believe this." She beamed up at him.

Smirking as he cupped the side of her face, "Well, you better believe it." He said before leaning forward to kiss her.

But the sound of Lord Otohiko clearing his throat interrupted them. Jin Su pulled apart from Zhiar and bowed her head to the head of the household.

"Sorry, Lord Otohiko. Zhiar was just sharing some good news with me and I got a little too excited."

Lord Otohiko scowled at Jin Su and reminded her of her chastity. Telling her that her family had enough disgrace to them and didn't need more.

The comment was unsavory and Zhiar didn't like it a bit. He waited for Lord Otohiko to leave before he turned to Jin Su and asked her to have dinner with him and his brother. She gladly accepted and Zhiar allowed her time to get ready before he returned to his carriage to wait upon her.

Jin Su arrived not too long after and slipped into the seat across from her boyfriend. She noticed he was staring at her with deep concern and when asked her if she was okay, she simply nodded her head, forcing a smile.

When dinner ended and Zhiar had sent Jin Su home with her escort, the Fire Prince went to his brother's chambers immediately afterwards.

"The answer is 'no', Zhiar." Zuko flat out said for the seventh time as his brother had even stooped so low as to drop to his knees and beg him for the same thing.

Holding to his brother's robes, Zhiar yanked some more and continued begging. "Please, Zuko, you didn't see what I saw! Lord Otohiko was nothing but cruel to her! We can't just let her stay with him!"

Shaking his head, Zuko refused once again to allow his brother's girlfriend to come stay with them in the palace. He knew his brother saw him as more of a mentor than a parent but Zuko was not going to let his brother just have his way all the time. Sure, he understood the concern his brother must have after hearing Lord Otohiko address Jin Su so indecently but there were rules at the end of the day. If Zhiar wanted Jin Su to move to the palace, he would have to marry her and as it stood the two were too young. Unless, that was the case here...Jin Su wasn't moving in.

"Are you prepared to be a husband, Zhiar?" Zuko asked with his arms folded over his chest while in his night robe.

Making that signature face of his that always indicated that he wasn't too sure but still considering, "Well, mayb...I guess I have to thin-...I mean-"

"Just stop." Zuko sighed and shook his head before pinching his brows together. "How about this? We go to the Summit, deal with that first, then we'll discuss this arrangement afterwards."

"So you'll at least think about it?!" Zhiar asked with excitement.

"Go to bed, Zhiar. We leave early in the morning if we want to make it to the summit on time." Zuko was so done for the night.

….

The trip from the Fire Nation to the North Pole was only three days by airship. They were greeted warmly by the Northern Palace servants and escorted to the guest chambers they would be staying in. Zuko was about to tell his brother and Jin Su that they were allowed to share a room if they would like but Jin Su quickly asked to have the bedroom across from Zhiar. As Jin Su went to her bedroom to unpack, Zuko eyed his brother before telling him to get changed so they could go meet with the others.

Having gotten dressed up and all, Zhiar was about to go meet up with his brother in the lobby of their guest chambers but paused when he heard a familiar voice.

"Fire Lord Zuko, this is my new wife, Lady Ahan'a, and our daughter, Malan."

Zukoo looked between Chieftain Arnook and the Northern woman holding the baby. His brow raised as he looked at the little girl in the woman's arms.

"How is Katara?" Zuko asked abruptly as he continued to stare at the baby girl.

Clearing his throat as he became uncomfortable due to his wife's scowling at the Fire Lord at the mention of his ex-wife.

"Umm, Katara is well. She's-"

"You had better be very careful in how you treat Katara. Regardless of what took place in Omashu, I'm not opposed to coming to her aid if need be. Understood?"

Zhiar had never heard his brother talk so venomously to anyone. Sure, he'd get angry and yell but he never had such poison laced in his words. Not that he had ever heard before. He almost sounded like their father.

Looking at the Chieftain's wife, Zuko smiled. "I picture this is how Katara looked as a little girl."

Mailan beamed at the scarred Fire Lord and reached her hands up to him as he went to touch her. He wanted to see if he was in fact right about this child. This was Katara's daughter. The one she was pregnant with when he last saw her.

Pulling away, Lady Ahan'a expressed that she felt insulted that he would dare compare her child to the likes of a treacherous whore and then took her leave. Chieftain Arnook shook his head at the Fire Lord as he, too, scowled.

"Why mention my ex-wife's name in front of my current? Are you here to cause trouble, Fire Lord Zuko?"

"Do I need to?" Zuko's eyes glowed as he clenched his teeth.

Arnook scoffed and said something about his father was enough trouble and that he did not desire anymore. They would just have to agree to disagree on things and leave well enough alone. Zuko, fairly, agreed to this and shut the door in the man's face.

Catching his breath as he was about to vent, Zuko turned around and saw his brother eyeing him.

"What?" Zuko bit out in frustration.

Folding his arms, "I thought we're supposed to be better than dad but I could have sworn I thought I was hearing dad's voice just now." Zhiar furrowed his brows.

Scoffing as he shook his head and began walking away, Zuko didn't need to be lectured on how to deal with Arnook. He hadn't told his brother what he had stumbled upon when he visited. He didn't tell his brother what Arnook was doing to his mother. He didn't tell anyone but his uncle, who advised him to continue to keep the information to himself.

"Zuko, we came here to be peaceful. I get you feel some kind of way towards Arnook but my mom cheated on him, okay? She sort of put herself in this position." Zhiar followed behind his brother but stopped when Zuko whirled around.

"She did not! Don't you remember you heard Arnook talking about?! He set your mother up! He didn't marry her because he loved her or wanted to be with her! He was working with our enemies!"

Sighing as he could see his mother was as sensitive a topic for his older brother as she was for their father. "I know that Arnook is not our ally but mom, she told me that it's less about what people do to us and more about what we do to others."

Clenching his fists, "Go ahead and get to the assembly. I need a minute." Zuko told his brother.

"Okay, I'll save you a seat."

….

On his way to the assembly, Zhiar saw his father and Kya. He was a bit surprised to see them. They both looked so different. Kya was much taller than when he last saw her and his father's face seemed to have healed completely. His father wore his hair completely up in a high ponytail that hung down his back with a new head piece where his hair was tied. It was similar to the crown that Zuko wore but in place of the flame was a phoenix bird with a tail of fire. As for Kya, she looked much older than she actually was. They were twins and now she looked like she was older than him. It might be her make-up that she was now sporting. The black eyeliner and smokey eye shadow. Red lip paint. Her black hair tied high with a crown nestled in it. A small emblem of a phoenix with its tail of flames was on it. Her gold eyes shifted to him as he walked by and lit up.

"Zhiar!" She said gleefully as she walked over to him.

A little nervous about seeing his sister look so brightly at him for the first time in all their lives, Zhiar stiffened when she hugged him. "Hey, Kya." He muttered as she squeezed him tight.

"How are you, brother?" She pulled away and looked him over.

"I'm well."

"You look good. Zuko's been telling me how well you've been doing. I'm not surprised he finally brought you along to the summit." Kya said as she fixed her brother's hair as she had accidentally disheveled it. As she sorted it out, she realized how long her brother's hair was and turned him around to see a long single braid of hair going down his back. "Your hair has gotten quite long."

Turning himself back around, Zhiar felt a little embarrassed at how physically strong Kya was to be able to turn him around against his resistance. "I guess I have dad to blame for this. His hair is even longer than mom's."

Chuckling as she took her brother's arm in hers, Kya walked them over to their father and Zhiar saw the man was eyeing him the entire time as they approached. He tried offering his father a smile of some sort but the man's expression stayed the same.

"Hello, father." Zhiar grinned awkwardly.

"Dad, Zuko's finally brought Zhiar to the summits. I told you he's been doing well in the Fire Nation." Kya told her father.

"What's your role at court?" Ozai asked his son.

Nervously clearing his throat, "I'm on the council but Zuko's preparing me to be a member on the council."

"Well, it's good you're not just wasting away out there. You'd be an insult to the dynasty."

"Yeah, Zuko always mentions that." Zhiar rubbed his neck.

As the three continued talking some more, Zhiar noticed his brother finally caught up and when he did, he saw his sister run straight into his arms. Hugging him tightly. He didn't know what changed in Kya recently but she seemed to be in a far better mood than she had been in her entire life.

Kissing Kya's forehead, Zuko smiled as he looked up at their father that still towered over all of them.

"You look back to normal." Zuko said.

Scoffing as he rolled his eyes, "No thanks to you, you little fuck." Ozai hissed. "My face isn't healed. I had some cosmetic earthbender mold an artificial skin graft for my face. I have to peel and replace it every two weeks. Better than wearing that fucking mask all the time."

Chuckling as he shook his head, "Well I hope we are past all of that. I do miss your company when drinking. You know uncle isn't big on drinking."

Mocking laughter and going back to his stoic expression, "Your uncle isn't big on anything that isn't tea. That's why I spiked his tea pot. Damn bastard didn't even realize he was drunk."

Zuko was pleased to hear his father and uncle had been in contact in recent years. With all that had been going on and had happened, it was good that they all were trying to keep the peace amongst themselves.

"Come, let's go before someone sees us all together and think we're plotting some take over shit." Ozai groaned as he pulled a flask out of his sleeve and took a shot.

Zhiar and Zuko eyed their father as he went out to head to the assembly, looking to their sister for explanation. Kya shrugged and said if it keeps him afloat and out of trouble, leave it alone. She was doing the talking during the meeting on his behalf anyways to keep him from being inappropriate as he seemed to love being.

When they joined up with all the other's during the assembly, Zuko and Zhiar took a seat by the Fire Nation delegates that had accompanied them. Each nation had their own section to sit and Zhiar gave a friendly nod to them all and received one in return. Zuko grinned at the fact that his brother was being courteous all on his own. He was really proud of him and glad that he could show him off for the other's to see.

Beside them was the Southern Water Tribe. Sokka and Hakoda were present. Despite Hakoda having passed on his responsibilities to his son, he still was considered the chieftain. They were sort of co-chieftains. Which was understandable. Sokka handled more of the foreign affairs while his father took care of the domestic ones. The younger chieftain smirked as he side glanced at his Fire Lord friend.

In a low whisper Zuko hear's Sokka trying to get his attention, "I see you've brought my nephew finally."

"He's earned it." Zuko said proudly as he faced forward. "He's come a long way and I couldn't be more proud."

Sokka looked over to his nephew and saw the young man taking out his quill and paper for notes. Zuko was definitely right.

"I suppose it wasn't easy." Sokka whispered. "He has his father in him."

Scoffing, "That part was easy. It's his mother's side of him that was the challenge."

Sokka burst out laughing, "I believe you."

As the assembly commenced, each nation had to report their growth in the last year so that everyone could have an idea of what was going on in the world. Sometimes if a nation was struggling, the others could offer support or if a nation was thriving, they would loan some of their wealth to the others to share. Of course, every year so far, the Phoenix Empire was on the rise and the Phoenix King was more than generous, but no one would let their pride go and accept his donations. Not that they could be blamed. Zuko knew that while his father had proven time and time again that he could be a team player, the people would never trust him. His past would haunt him until everyone in this lifetime had passed on. Even with Kya speaking on his behalf, it was hard for anyone to really respond to his offer.

When it came time for the Fire Nation to give their report, Zuko allowed Zhiar to do so on his behalf and he wore a pleasant smile the entire time. He could see everyone was very engaged with what his brother had to report. And many had questions to ask when it came to the current state of the Fire Nation. He really seemed to outdo himself. His brother had the gift of charisma and that was something one had, it couldn't be taught.

"You are quite well spoken, Fire Prince Zhiar, and your temperament is very soothing. Nothing like the rest of your family." A Bei Seng Sei official commented.

Trying not to be offended by the backhanded compliment, "It would seem that the water side of my heritage has something to do with it." Zhiar smiled courteously before getting ready to sit back down as he was done with his report.

The official snickered, "So you have your murderous mother's demeanor?"

"Excuse me, Official Ling?" Zhiar raised a brow.

"I'm sorry, I meant to call her a whore too."

Before Zhiar could say anything back, Zuko stopped him and glared at the official.

"You insult my brother's mother?"

"So she's just your brother's mother? Or is she also the mother of that little runt you call your son back home?" The Official barked.

Zuko balled his fists, "You watch your mouth! Don't go spreading rumors!"

"Rumors? Fire Lord Zuko, it's not a rumor if it's true. I'm told that your son has Water Tribe features, what other Water Tribe harlot do we all know likes to play with fire? I know she's that boy's mother."

The Fire Lord was about to say something but Sokka backed him up.

"My sister hasn't been able to give birth since her twins. The last child she was pregnant with was still-born. Am I right, Chieftain Arnook?" Sokka eyed the man from across the table.

Arnook bit his tongue and nodded. Obviously, he didn't want any trouble with the Fire Nation or the Southern Water Tribe.

Zuko was enraged but didn't want to further add fuel to the fire. His brother tried to calm him down while dealing with the Bei Seng Sei representative in a calm fashion.

"Official Ling, we are here for the sake of peace between our nations. I know my mother's transgressions and while I have my own opinion of them, please refrain from getting off topic. If you would like to discuss my mother another time, you are welcome to come by our chambers anytime." Zhiar offered a dangerous smile.

The meeting ended soon after the little squabble and Zuko was quick to leave as he needed to vent. Zhiar saw his sister rush past him to go after Zuko. As he waited by the meeting hall entrance hoping to speak with Chieftain Arnook, Zhiar felt a hand come down on his shoulder. He turned to see his grandfather and uncle both happy to see him. The young Fire Prince didn't hesitate to hug both of them.

"You've really turned into a fine young man, Zhiar." Hakoda said as he looked his grandson over. "Your brother has done a great job with you."

Sokka chuckled, "Done better with you than he has with himself."

Shaking his head, to his brother's defense, Official Ling was way out of line and his remarks were enough to cause a fight had the setting been different. "I try not to even mention mom around him. He was upset a few hours ago when I did. I think something happened and he's not telling me."

Sokka and Hakoda tried cheering the young man up as his demeanor fell. However, as Chieftain Arnook left the assembly hall, Zhiar perked up and told them he would speak with them later. He wanted to see Arnook first.

….

Trying to cooldown, Zuko meditated with his younger sister in the living room while his father and the co-chieftains of the South Pole chatted.

"That official is lucky I didn't punch his face in." Sokka punched his fist into his hand.

Hakoda chuckled as he nursed a glass of arctic whiskey in his hand, "I don't know where you and your sister get this violent trait from. I never taught you all this and your mother was the calmest person I've ever met."

The Phoenix King scoffed saying it sounds like his wife might not have been all that faithful if that was the case. Hakoda and Sokka glared at him.

"I'm simply saying, even when I met Katara, I always thought she had to be mixed with Fire Nation. She was just too hot headed not to be."

"No, she's not!" Sokka said in his sister's defence.

Zuko opened his eyes and raised a brow at Sokka, "You remember when Toph and Aang pulled that prank on her at the beach house with the crab-spider?"

Sokka shivered as he remembered how Katara was about to drown them all.

"Also that time mom attacked Zuko at the summit after she woke up." Kya brought up.

"Yeah, that was pretty ugly." Sokka scratched his beard.

"She nearly broke my jaw." Zuko rubbed his face.

"Before you all showed up to invade the palace, Katara was in the middle of an Agni Kai match that she declared on me. I tried to talk her out of it." Ozai shrugged. "But you know she gets to a point where she can't hear you anymore."

Everything was true and Hakoda furrowed his brows in a concerned manner. Did his wife cheat on him?

"Dad, ignore them. They're just messing with you."

"It's true. I already looked into it. She's just an angry Water Tribe woman." Ozai told them.

Hakoda raised his brow, did they really think Katara was that bad?

As the subject changed, they all saw Zhiar walk in and take a seat on the sofa beside his father and sigh.

Bringing his glass to his lips, "You sure handled that official earlier very nicely." Ozai glanced at his son.

Nodding his head, "Thanks. I just didn't want it to escalate." he replied.

Hakoda looked to his grandson and saw that he looked a bit out of it. "Is everything okay? I saw you go over to speak with Arnook."

Zuko and Ozai looked his way.

"Yes, I asked him to give something to my mom. I got her a present last year and I was hoping he'd give it to her."

Scoffing, Zuko got up and gave his brother a dirty look. "Will you leave well enough alone? Didn't I tell you he's our enemy?"

"He's right, Zhiar. You shouldn't make contact with Arnook." Hakoda said seldomly. "We all heard what he had to say. He was using your mother from the beginning."

"Plus, Zhiar, we know what happened in Omashu wasn't dad's doing. He was set up and who else would be responsible?" Kya chimed in.

"You've always had a soft spot for Arnook." Ozai scoffed.

Zhiar was about to say something to all of them when he suddenly saw his girlfriend enter the room. Everyone looked up to see the meek teen peek into the room. Jin Su bashfully placed her curled fist to her face as she blushed.

"Who's she?" Sokka looked the Fire Nation girl over.

"Finally dating again, Zuko?" Ozai asked his eldest son.

Scrunching up his face, "I'm thirty-eight years old. Why would I be dating someone my siblings' ages?"

Shrugging, "I was forty when I married their mother, I don't see the problem with asking?"

Zhiar and Kya cringed.

"No, this is Zhiar's girlfriend, Jin Su." Zuko told them as Zhiar stood up and went over to her.

Zhiar took her hand and looked her over, asking her if she was okay. She smiled at him and nodded, telling him that she was just really tired from the travels. He caressed her face and smiled back. However; someone tapped on the back of his shoulder. When he turned around he saw his nosy uncle eyeing him funny.

"Are you going to introduce us?"

Awkwardly shrinking from his uncle to stand beside his girlfriend, "Umm...Jin Su this is my uncle, Sokka. He's from my mother's side."

"Nice to meet you, Jin Su." Sokka put his hand out to her.

Jin Su eyed him strangely.

"It's called a handshake. The Water Tribes greet one another like this." Zhiar told her.

Taking his hand, Jin Su was a bit startled when he shook her hand and quickly pulled her hand back. Zhiar went on to introduce her to his grandfather, Hakoda and then re-introduce her to his sister, who blew a kiss at her and winked. He really didn't know what was going on with Kya but she was acting real funny.

"And last but not least, that is my father, Phoenix King Ozai." Zhiar swallowed hard as he feared his father was going to say something inappropriate.

And as if he jinxed himself, Zhiar's father made a comment that gave everyone in the room second-hand embarrassment.

"So one of my son's is finally getting his dick wet. About time!" Ozai laughed.

Cringing, Zhiar then had to hear his girlfriend confirm that they were in fact not being intimate with one another which caused Ozai to laugh even louder and make another remark about how Zuko's making him pledge his life to being a virgin.

"I'm going to bed." Zuko said as he got up off the floor and skulked out of the lounge as his father's laughter only grew. "Agni, you're annoying."

Jin Su pulled on Zhiar's wrist as she became uncomfortable.

"Dad, can you like not be yourself for like five minutes?"

Kya scoffed, "That's like asking a fish to breathe outside of water. It's impossible."

Sokka snorted something along the same lines as Hakoda tried to get Ozai to stop laughing so damn much. It wasn't that funny.

"Oh my Agni!" Ozai cried in laughter as he fell on the floor, "My sons' are fucking celibent! Dear, fucking gods!"

…..

That very same night, Zhiar sat with Jin Su in her bedroom. He talked with her and told her how the meetings went. How an official from Bei Seng Sei had called his mother a whore and tried to bring up the parentage of Ryu.

"Wow, I don't know how you deal with all of this, Zhiar. It seems like a lot." Jin Su told him as she rubbed her hand over his. "Not to mention, your family is a little unorthodox."

"A little?" Zhiar raised his brow.

Jin Su giggled and nodded, "Well, everyone else seems normal or at least nice. Your brother, especially. But your father is definitely-"

"Insane? Bat shit? Crazy as all hell? Yeah, everyone that meets him thinks that." Zhiar rolled his eyes as he laid back on her bed.

He really was embarrassed with how his father spoke to Jin Su, even more, because his father mocked him for being a virgin. Which technically he wasn't but he couldn't tell Jin Su that he cheated on her...more than once. But that wasn't totally his fault. Jin Su wasn't interested in being intimate with him at all and he was a man after all, a young one, but a man no less. He had certain desires and he couldn't just wait around forever for her. Until she was ready, there were a few servant girls at court who took care of his needs.

Gazing down at him, Jin Su swept his hair from his face and smiled. "Well enough about your father. What about your mom? Did you get to see her?"

Zhiar shook his head. No, he didn't get to see her but he got to speak with Arnook. So, hopefully Arnook gave her the gift he got her.

The Fire Prince said goodnight to his girlfriend as he was feeling a little tired and needed to go to bed. As he walked across the hall to his bedroom, Zhiar heard chatter coming from his brother's room and he couldn't help but eavesdrop. Sometimes that was the only way to find anything out from his older brother. Zuko was so tight-lipped about everything.

"Uncle, I'm telling you, something isn't right and I don't know what it is." Zuko said as he spoke into the flames of his fireplace.

Iroh spoke back with grave concern in his voice, "For your siblings sake and your son's sake, you need to find out what happened to her."

"Do you think she died?" Zuko choked on those words.

Giving a hearty laugh, "No, I doubt she's dead but something is off and if you feel in your gut that something is wrong, you need to find what's going on as soon as possible."

"I will." Zuko said in a somber voice. "I've just been worried about her ever since I last saw her."

"Just be careful, Zuko. You can't afford to get in trouble with our enemies."

"Yes, uncle. I'll be more than careful."

"Good. Let me know what you find out."

"Okay, goodnight."

"Night to you, my dear nephew."

When the flame dispersed, Zuko sighed and stood up with his fists clenched. Zhiar watched his brother walk off to his bed and flop on it. Grabbing the pillow and bringing to him as he curled up on the bed. Zhiar sighed and pulled away. He really wished his brother would get over his mother. Zuko was only hurting himself at this point.

…

The next few weeks had gone by pretty fast. Zhiar was working nonstop during the assemblies and filling in for his brother. Apparently, Zuko wasn't feeling very well and was absent for many of the meetings. He tried checking on his brother in between meetings but his older brother didn't want to be bothered. Zhiar felt it was less of a physical illness and more of his brother just not being in a good place mentally. He hadn't seen Zuko like this in a long time. His brother had always been on top of things back home and took everything with great stride. He worked hard and endlessly sometimes, encouraging him to do the same but since getting here...Zuko wasn't himself. Whatever he had discussed with Iroh, it must be seriously bothering him.

One day while gathering his notes he took for the meeting, Zhiar was approached by his father and Kya. He greeted them and was asked where Zuko was. Careful to be as discreet as possible, he told them about Zuko's conversation with Iroh and how he thinks Zuko was unwell ever since.

Seemed his father agreed that something felt off ever since they arrived here. Kya told Zhiar that they had gone straight to the prison where their mother was supposed to be held, she asked the guards if they could allow her to pay a visit to their mother but they acted like they didn't even know the name and shooed her off. Not to mention, she couldn't locate their mother the entire time she had been here. It was unusual and it didn't sit right with any of them.

Returning to his chambers, Zhiar saw Jin Su urging the delegates they had brought with them to be at ease until Zhiar returned. It looked like they were wanting to see Zuko right away.

"Is there something wrong?" Zhiar gathered their attention.

"Zhiar, thank Agni you're here. They've been trying to speak with your brother and I dare not bother him right now." Jin Su sounded a bit flustered.

Taking over from his girlfriend who was clearly not doing well handling the pestering council, advisors, and ranking officials, Zhiar told them to come with him to the lounge. He would speak to them on behalf of his brother until he recovered.

Once they were all done venting their concern for the Fire Lord and Zhiar put them at ease, they left. Finally. Seemed they were easily convinced by the Fire Prince that the Fire Lord had over exerted himself which was easy to believe as Zuko worked around the clock nonstop a lot of the time. Zhiar told them his age was catching up to him despite his longevity.

Jin Su came up to him, a little embarrassed about how terribly she handled them. "I'm sorry. I know I must have made a fool of myself."

Chuckling as he shook his head and cupped her face, "It's fine. They're annoying for even me to deal with."

"I know but if we're going to be together in the future, I have to learn, don't I?" She looked him in his eyes.

Zhiar smirked and kissed her lips, pulling her in his arm. She chastely returned his kiss and pulled from his arms. But he wanted to hold her longer. However; it didn't seem she wanted to be held. He let go of her and saw her step back, staring at him in fear.

"I'm sorry." He told her as he looked down in shame. "I wasn't trying to do anything. I just got really happy when you said 'being together in the future'."

Holding her arms around herself, "It's fine, Zhiar. It-it's just...I know you mess around with the servants. Lord Otohiko told me as much and sometimes I smell another woman's perfume on you. I'm not mad or anything," She quickly said as she backed away some more. "I just need to keep my chastity until I'm married. It's all I have now until I marry, so...I'm just being careful."

Though she said she wasn't mad, he could see she was bothered when she spoke of him being with other women. She sniffled and turned her back to him, telling him she needed to rest.

Feeling like an utter jerk, Zhiar groaned and flopped backwards on a sofa with his hands over his face. He laid there until he heard the chamber doors open and looked up to see who had left but to his surprise it was Zuko coming back in.

"Oh," Zuko was stunned. "You're back early." He was caught off guard.

"Umm, yeah, it's five in the evening." Zhiar pointed it out as if it were obvious. "Where the hell have you been? Were you even in bed sick this whole time?" He stood up with an accusing tone.

Not like it one bit, Zuko stood his ground and furrowed his brows as he looked at his brother. "I don't think what I do is any of your business, Zhiar."

"Ugh, it is when you leave me to do your work for the last two weeks and lie about being sick to everyone." Zhiar folded his arms and made an expression that reminded Zuko of Katara.

Suddenly feeling the weight of his actions, Zuko cast his gaze low and apologized. He told his brother the truth. Well, some of the truth. He simply said he was looking for Katara but couldn't find her. The prison didn't have her and he could barely smell her here. Every time he followed his nose, he was led to a dead end. There was nothing but servants cleaning and maintaining the halls and palace.

"Zuko, I know you're like desperately in love with my mom but you are going to make yourself sick, which you kind of already are."

Sure, Zuko had loved Katara immensely but he didn't need her to return his feelings, he just needed her to be alright. He was fine with his holding to his unrequited feelings. He planned to eventually, in time, find someone who would return his feelings. But Katara...he just wanted her to be safe and sound. That was all he wanted.

"I'm going to lay down and once I'm back up, I'll go over today's notes with you." Zuko said as he skulked off to his bedroom.

Later that night, Zuko went over the notes with his brother and rustled his hair as he couldn't believe his idea was denied. How could they possibly pass that up? Even Aang voted against his idea. Zhiar tried to tell him that it was hard to convince a group of people that the Fire Nation had pure intentions when it came to a global project that would take place in Fire Nation territory. Even with him trying to label it as an independent zone with its own government.

"UGH!" Zuko groaned. "I work my ass off to prove I'm not like my forefathers and it's not enough!"

Shrugging, "Maybe it's the scar." Zhiar said.

"My scar?" Zuko touched his face.

Zhiar nodded.

"It's permanent. I can't get rid of it." His tone became stoney as he removed his hand from his face and took one of the sheets of paper in his hand to look over.

Zhiar eyed his brother wondering if he could get his brother out of this funk he had sunking into. Maybe if he brought up the problems he was having with his girlfriend, maybe that'll help. Sometimes thinking about things unrelated to your problems helped.

"So, Jin Su found out I'm messing around with the servant girls." Zhiar confessed as he rubbed his neck.

Zuko dropped the paper that was in his face and eyed his brother with furrowed brows, "You're messing around with the servants?" he bit out.

"Yeah," He began to look away from his brother. "I know you told me not to be with anyone but who I'm seeing but servants are just servants. They're not lovers or anything. They just...serve, I guess, so it's their job. And-"

"Whoa! Time out!" Zuko put his hands up to slow his brother down. "Their jobs are chore related! Not to be exploited for their bodies!"

"Well, technically, working them like that is...exploitation. But besides, I never force them. Sometimes they'd walk in on me, ya know, and I'd ask them if they wanted to assist. I mean, who's going to turn down a prince?" Zhiar boasted.

Ticked off by how cocky Zhiar was being, "Exactly, who's stupid enough to turn down a prince?! They might have felt pressured because of your status!"

"Not my fault, they should speak up!" Zhiar shot back.

Scowling at his brother as he shook his head and cast his gaze away in disappointment. "Using people for your own gratification is not becoming of anyone, least of all a prince. You're suspended from Summit duties." Zuko said.

"Wait! What?! You can't do that!"

Giving a stern cold look, "I can and I will. I told you before that I didn't approve of this and I'm telling you now. You can do whatever in your spare time but you're not allowed to attend the summit meetings for the remainder of the trip."

The young Fire Prince was not at all happy about this. He threw a fit and called his brother a few names, nothing Zuko hadn't heard before. He kicked Zhiar out of his bedroom and kept his notes. Zhiar needed to learn and while he had been doing a great job at his role in court and moving up, he needed to also work on his moral compass. Achievements and success was great to have but one needed to be humble and respect others as they wanted to be respected. He would have to teach his brother this through punishment.

….

Returning to the assembly meetings the next morning, Fire Lord Zuko was greeted by his sister as everyone was only just starting to show up. She kissed his cheek and smiled as she nuzzled her head against his chest.

"Kya, that's not an appropriate way to greet your brother." Ozai said as he grabbed Kya's arm and pulled her from Zuko.

Zuko wasn't going to lie, Kya was being a little too affectionate towards him but he didn't know if that was his childhood trauma talking or not.

When it came time for the meeting to commence and everyone got onto discussing the next order of business. A few had been curious about the Fire Prince's absence as he had really made an impression on them. The Fire Lord informed them that his brother was allowing his position to cause him to behave immorally in private and therefore he was banned from the meetings until he could humble himself and correct his behavior.

"What did he do now?" Ozai asked as he lit his pipe and stood by a pillar while gazing out at the city after the meetings ended for the day.

Standing beside his father, Zuko told him what Zhiar confessed to doing and how he tried justifying it.

Scoffing as he smoked his pipe and blew the smoke into the arctic air, "I'd be lying if I said I had a problem with it but I'll play along since you've done well with him so far."

Folding his arms, "I just expect better."

"You only do because you try to see his mother in him but you fail to realize that even she has her faults." Ozai leaned onto the pillar and gestured out to the Northern city in front of them. "I should have burned this entire place down to the very last snowflake, captured all their women, and slaughtered their men. Nearly twenty years later and I still think about doing it. But that's because I can't turn an Agni damn corner without hearing some feeble-minded tribesperson mentioning her name in some negative connotation. Though, I can't fault them for everything they say." He brought his pipe back to his lips, "Some of the shit is true."

"What?!" Zuko turned his head quickly to his father in offense.

Unphased, "They sometimes call her a bitch, foul tempered, unruly, and so on. Many of which I agree with." Ozai shrugged.

"She isn't any of those things!" Zuko yelled.

Scoffing, "As beautiful as she may be...Katara was never a saint. I think that's why she chose me over you. I was never blind to who she really was unlike you that has this unrealistic image of her."

"No I don't!"

Ozai turned to him and smirked, "Your favorite little waterbender literally likes to be fucked in the ass while she fucks her pussy with a dildo she makes of ice."

Not wanting to have heard that, Zuko still tried to defend Katara's character.

"She wanted to fuck me with her ice dildo after she found out I sometimes deal with men. She's forcibly sat on my face. I can recall a few times where….." Ozai barked in laughter as he watched his son cringe at every line he had to say, only continuing to tell him all the freaky shit Katara liked to do. "Face it, your precious Katara is a freak."

That was more than he wanted to know about Katara's private relation with his father.

"Look, Zuko. Zhiar is going to be the best and the worse of me and his mother. You can punish him for whatever, I don't really care but stop expecting him to be the good in Katara and the worst of me. It's insulting to us both as if we both don't have our moments."

Zuko didn't understand why his father couldn't have just said that. Why did he have to tell him all that shit he wasn't trying to hear? Obviously, his father still wanted to be a dick and just ruin a person's whole day. He was going to seriously be thinking about all of that while he was trying to go to sleep tonight.

…..

When he returned to his chambers, wanting to go talk with Zhiar straight away, Zuko heard his brother and Jin Su talking in the lounge area.

"You don't know how much it's meant to me to be here with you and since your brother has given you time away from work, I'd like it if you'd show me around the city. This place is really beautiful and I'd like to see more." Jin Su said as she sat with Zhiar.

Zhiar agreed to take her out into the city tomorrow as for tonight, he just wanted to lay in her lap.

Zuko peeked his head in to see his brother laying his head in his girlfriend's lap as she combed her hand through his hair.

"What do you want, your majesty?" Zhiar glared at his brother.

"I need to speak with you." Zuko said. "Both of you."

Zhiar sat up as Jin Su perked up, both surprised that he wanted to speak with them both.

The Fire Lord took a seat and sighed as he clasped his hands together. Before he got started, he wanted to make sure that Jin Su knew everything from Zhiar first and when she confirmed that he told her everything, Zuko went on to explain to them both why he removed Zhiar from his duties. He had big plans for Zhiar in the near future and wanted his brother to be noble and honorable. There were plans that Zuko was preparing to make and wanted his brother to do the right thing. Not just when it benefitted him but also, when it was not in his favor. It was the principle of things that Zuko was teaching him. So until Zhiar could learn this, he would not be returning to any duties when they returned to the Fire Nation.

Right when Zhiar was about to fuss at his brother, Zuko stopped him to finish what he was going to say.

"You asked me if Jin Su could stay with us in the palace." Zuko started. "Well, once I talk it over with Lord Otohiko and she agrees, I'll allow it."

"What?! Really?!"

"Whoa, Zhiar." Jin Su said as she stood up. "You asked if I could stay in the palace with you?"

Zhiar looked from his brother to Jin Su who had tears in her eyes. Both he and his brother were caught off guard.

"I'm not moving there until you marry me! I'm not one of those servants you toy with!" She yelled and took off running to her room.

They both flinched as the door slammed shut.

…

On the day where they all had time to spare, Zuko decided to return to his search for Katara. She had to be around here somewhere. He could smell her scent almost everywhere. She was definitely here and alive. He just feared for what condition she might be in.

As he roamed the corridors in search of his water friend, he saw his sister was also doing the same. They teamed up but still could find nothing.

"You were the one to see her last, Zuko." Kya said as she felt she was at another dead end. "Was she alright?"

Zuko could see he wasn't the only one desperate to know where Katara was. His sister explained the condition their father was in. How he was going to sleep with her mother's necklace on the pillow beside him. He hadn't touched a single woman since her mother's been gone. Talks to himself as if her mother was there.

"He looks hurt everytime he looks at me." Kya furrowed her brows in mourning as she touched the side of her face. "So all I can do sometimes is keep my head down so he doesn't see my face or just hug him when he stares spacing out. But at least, he's not drinking so badly anymore."

Sometimes it was hard to see that his father experienced things like heartache and pain. Their father was so much of an asshole sometimes and acted like everything was fine or may light even of his own feelings. It was hard to imagine that their father was like this behind closed doors. At least, he let his guard down around Kya. Zuko hugged his sister, knowing it was probably hard to keep their father under control after all this time but he thanked her.

Kya clung to her brother as she sobbed into his shoulder, "I got to find her...for dad...for me...for us."

Holding his sister tightly to his chest, "I'll find her, okay? Go make sure dad's alright. I'll find her."

His sister nodded her head and kissed his cheek before pulling away. Zuko sighed as he watched Kya head off to look after their unstable father. Dear Agni, where are you, Katara?

And then, just like that, Zuko heard a voice. The voice was singing a song he remembered. Katara used to sing that song to him. His eyes widened as his feet moved on their own, leading him to the directions of that voice. He felt his heart race in his chase as if his feet weren't moving fast enough for him. They weren't getting him closer to the voice. It was frustrating and frightening. The song, those lyrics, and that voice. It had to be Katara. It had to be. But as the voice grew louder and he grew closer, Zuko turned the corner knowing it had to be Katara...but only to find a servant with her bucket, scrubbing the floor.

Though he felt defeated once again, Zuko figured that the song might be something Water Tribe people sing. Maybe the servant knew where Katara was. Maybe she had some information she could offer him. However; upon speaking with the servant, the Fire Lord couldn't tell if she was incredibly shy or just plain rude. She acted as if she couldn't spare him a single moment. How typical of these foreigners. They obviously still had fear and hatred in their hearts for the Fire Nation, why did he even bother?

But then... the servant said his name. When he realized who this was, she tried taking off and when she tried to stop her, she fell back with her bucket of water. This didn't slow the servant down as she took off running.

Zuko stood there with his brows furrowed, Katara?

….

After speaking with Arnook, Zuko returned to his chambers to see his brother trying his best to get Jin Su to forgive him. He sighed and figured he should help his brother since this was sort of his fault. However; Zhiar had given up and Zuko took him to his room to sit by the fireplace.

As they sat, Zuko poured two glasses of whiskey and handed one to his brother.

"Here." He said as he handed his younger brother a glass.

Zhiar eyed him strangely. "Umm…"

"You're going to need it for what I need to discuss with you."

"Say no more." Zhiar said and bottomed the glass immediately as his brother took a seat.

Zuko sipped from his glass and gazed off to the side as he sighed. "I found your mother."

About ten minutes into Zuko telling him what had really been going on, Zhiar took off running to go find Arnook and punch his face in. But fortunately, the younger man walked right into his father and knocked them both over. Zhiar was shoved off as his father collected himself from the floor and dusted himself off.

"Where are you so eager to be that you don't even watch where you're going?" Ozai helped his youngest son up onto his feet.

Trying not to burst into flames, Zhiar pushed his father and took off running.

"Stop him!" Zuko yelled at his father.

Ozai looked from Zuko to Zhiar, who had sped down the hall. Zuko watched his father shapeshift into a black flame and go after Zhiar. It wasn't long before a wall of black flames rose and out stepped his father, holding Zhiar in a bear hug.

"Let go! I'm going to kick Arnook's ass!" Zhiar screamed.

"Oh shut up, Zhiar." Ozai said as he threw him to his brother. "You can't even hold your liquor much less run without bumping into people. You'll kick your own ass by accident."

Zhiar growled and was about to lounge at his father when Zuko grabbed him and held him back. Ozai looked to his eldest son as if for him to tell him what the hell was going on. He and Zhiar had been getting along fine, what was the sudden shift.

Once again Zuko explained the situation and Ozai was not happy. Of course, he wouldn't be. Despite Katara claiming his father had betrayed her, his father actually hadn't and was still very much heartbroken over her false accusation. At first he was angry with her and cursed her name but now, it seemed he had mixed feelings about Katara.

Standing to his feet as he glared at Zuko, "There isn't much in this world that Katara cares about. Not a coin or a gem that would capture her eye. No wealth and no power will impress her or buy her loyalty. The one thing she gives a damn about are her children and that bastard knows it, we all know it. You should have said something, Zuko!"

"HOW?!" Zuko stood up defensively. "The moment I tell any of you, you idiots want to fight someone!"

"Because every time it's someone that we need to fight!" Zhiar yelled. "What Arnook is doing to my mom is not okay, Zuko!"

"He's purposely tormenting her!" Ozai growled. "He's using the one thing she gives a damn about to control her!"

"Hmmm, sounds familiar. I wonder who else had the same fucking idea nearly twenty fucking years ago?!" Zuko shouted back at his father.

"Oh shut the fuck up, Zuko! Every time you want to get mad at me for getting mad at something else, you fucking bring that shit up!"

"Because you're a hypocrite!"

"I've changed!"

"When?!"

"When I didn't kill you for stabbing Katara and causing us to lose our child! When I didn't fucking beat the fuck out of you for all the times you've been thinking you can say whatever the fuck you want to me like I'm not your father!"

"Because you're not my father! Remember! Your words not mine! My mother fucked every man from the palace to the damn slums!"

Zuko watched his father's eyes go from enraged to a dull, empty gaze. The man took a deep breath and scoffed as he shook his head, sitting back down. He simply eyed Zuko with a hint of malice.

"I am your father, Zuko. Unfortunate as it may be, you are my blood." Ozai tilted his head as he intertwined his fingers. "I know you think I didn't love your mother-"

"You didn't!"

"I did!" Ozai barked. "Now, shut up so I can speak! Fuck, you get on my nerves, boy!"

Zhiar rolled his eyes. His older brother and father really annoyed him when they fought like this and they only ever fought like this over his mother or their past. The youngest of the three men sat there and listened to their father tell his older brother that he cared for his mother but his mother was a bitch among all bitches. A gay one too. Their father was in a contractual agreement with his first wife that made their relationship purely give and take. Ursa was a cold callous woman and in the end after their father killed their grandfather, she gladly took the fall in order to leave the palace. Supposedly, their father asked her to take their children with her but she declined without hesitation. She wanted nothing to do with any of them.

"That can't be true! My mother-"

"Your mother doesn't give a fuck about you, Zuko. If she did, she would have come to see you once you won the war. But she didn't. She gives no fucks about you whatsoever." Ozai pulled out his pipe from his sleeves and started to stuff it with opium before lighting it.

Zuko glared at his father as the man blew smoke out from his mouth.

"Now, that we're done discussing your dreadful mother let's discuss the mother of my youngest children, shall we?" Both Zuko and Zhiar watched their father's gold eyes shift grey. "What's stopping me from commanding my men from attacking the chieftain and snatching my woman from this Agni forsaken place?"

After debating it long enough, they all agreed that the first order of business was to uncover Lao's plot and find who Atsuo was, the man that framed their father. Once this was all discovered, they could take Katara from here and return to their lives with her in it. Of course, Zhiar complained that he didn't want to see his mother suffer but his brother and father assured him that their mother was a friend of suffering. Not that that's any consolation to the young man.

Zuko left with his brother back to their chambers for the night. When they got back, they saw that Jin Su was pacing back and forth, twiddling her fingers. Seemed she was thinking heavily about something. Zhiar rushed over to her to see what was wrong while Zuko headed off to bed.

….

The next day during the assembly, Zuko saw his sister sitting alone and decided he'd go sit beside her before the meeting started up. Seemed she was looking a bit annoyed and even anxious like something was bothering her a lot. He asked her what was wrong but she simply shook her head.

For the rest of the meetings, Zuko watched his sister go into her normal stoic mannerism and shut out just about everyone around her. He was starting to become concerned. Kya had been very bubbly as of late and while it was a bit strange from how she used to behave, he liked to see his sister smile but today, her new found happiness was gone.

When the meetings concluded for lunch, Zuko rushed up to her as she was about to leave. He saw her side glance him as she stowed away her materials into a briefcase.

"I don't want to talk about it." Kya told him before he could get too close.

"I was going to ask where dad was." Zuko lied.

Kya flashed her gold eyes up at him, "You do know if I touch your hand, I can tell what you really want to know." She said almost as if it were a threat.

Cracking a small smile, "You're my sister, I care about you a lot, I just wanted to know how you were doing. You seemed down today." Zuko tried to lighten up the mood.

But his sister was a thick grey storm cloud and no sunlight was going to get through her, "I appreciate you caring about me, Zuko. I truly do. But I'm not a little girl anymore and you don't have to keep looking out for me. I'm fine."

"Are you?" He asked unconvinced.

Kya shot him a dirty look, "Don't you have to go brood in a corner over my mom or something?"

Chuckling as his sister grabbed her things and stormed off, Zuko rubbed the back of his neck as he just seemed never to have good luck with women. Never. Not his mother, sisters, or girlfriends.

Returning to his chambers for lunch, the Fire Lord went to check on his brother and Jin Su and found they were in her room with the door slightly cracked. He entered without prompt and immediately regretted it.

"GET THE FUCK OUT, ZUKO!" Zhiar yelled as he threw a pillow at his brother that shielded his eyes while Jin Su hurried to cover up.

"Sorry, I didn't kn-"

"FUCKING COCKBLOCK! GO!"

Slamming the door behind him, Zuko's cheeks flushed. He did not want to have had witnessed that and as he lingered on the other side of the door to regain himself, he heard Zhiar say what he always liked to say.

"Just because he's not getting laid doesn't mean he has to ruin it for the rest of us!"

Agni, just kill me already!

….

The following week, the banquet ball was hosted and all guests were invited to dress their best to attend. Zuko waited on his brother and Jin Su to get ready. They were taking so long and it really annoyed him. Everyone was already in attendance and it was embarrassing as the Fire Lord to be late. His brother was trying to make a fool of him.

When they finally were ready, Zhiar came up with his arm around the waist of Jin Su. They looked good, Zuko had to admit. Jin Su was dressed in a beautifully simple red hanfu dress with gold trimming to it. Her hair was styled up with a few accessories placed in it. Her makeup with light. Nothing too heavy. Not that she needed any. As for his brother, he wore his hair in a topknot with the rest trailing down his back and his bangs brushed to the side of his face. His attire was similar to Zuko's, though not as grand. He was just a prince afterall.

"You both look good but you've made us all late." Zuko told them.

"Well at least we'll be fashionably late." Zhiar joked to which his girlfriend yanked his arm telling him to hush.

Rolling his eyes as he took the lead to leave, Zuko told them to hurry along.

Finally arriving at the ball, the three disbursed as Jin Su wanted Zhiar to dance with her and Zuko wanted to find a safe corner to tuck himself away and not be bothered. However; only one of them got to do what they wanted as their father approached Zuko.

Ozai placed his arm around Zuko and pulled him along.

"Talked to Kya recently?" He asked.

Shaking his head, "She won't speak to me. Believes my concern for her is unwarranted."

"It is but you've never cared about that sort of thing." Ozai told him as they spoke casually. "So, I'll tell you myself."

Zuko raised a brow at his father as they stopped by the pillars to speak.

"Your sister is involved with a servant from back home." Ozai sighed. "I only recently discovered this and she's very upset that I told her to break things off."

Confused, Zuko wanted to know why his father would care so much about that.

"She can dump a nobleman of a wealthy and prosperous bloodline but take up in the arms of a lowly servant. As if I'd ever allow it." Ozai adjusted his collar as he scowled out at the sea of guests enjoying the party he had never had any interest in.

"I didn't know you cared about that sort of thing." Zuko was truly surprised.

"Why not? I'm the bloody Phoenix King and come from a long line of Fire Lords, why would I allow my daughter to be with anyone beneath her?"

"Umm... maybe because her mother is one of those people you consider beneath you." Zuko pointed out.

"I'm aware but we're supposed to want better for our children." Ozai retorted.

"I'm assuming your feelings towards Katara are mixed."

"I'm not sure how they're not supposed to be. She declared her loathe of me and left. I've been miserable ever since. Even if someone had plotted to separate us, she should have trusted I'd never betray her. Now, she's no different from your mother. Another bitch that leaves me."

Zuko saw his father clench his fists and asked what happened once they discovered those that plotted against them and he proved to Katara that he was innocent.

"I don't know." His father answered honestly. "I can't just pretend that her cold cruelty towards me didn't sting all these years. We were supposed to have everything together. She's the one that turned her back. Not me. So even if everything is brought to light, I doubt I'll receive her the same way I did before."

To hear his father say that, Zuko knew that what took place in Omashu three years ago must have really wounded him. There was only one person in this world that his father never spoke cruelly about and that was Katara. And for him to say he wasn't going to take her back so easily, sounded as if he was truly broken by their altercation. He even admitted to being miserable.

"Is it safe to assume that you're done with her?" Zuko raised a brow.

His father scoffed with a chuckle, "I can't say for sure so I wont say anything at all."

Oh but of course. Zuko rolled his eyes. His father was upset with Katara, no doubt, but he wasn't going to give her up that easily. He just wasn't that sort of man.

"I saw her the other day for myself. She was working as a servant just as you said. I couldn't see her face but I know if I did, I would be going against my better judgement. As much as I can't pardon her transgressions against me, I can't forget what time we did have together."

Same here. Zuko struggled after Katara re-awoke, especially because she couldn't remember anything. He wanted to hug her and hold her after seven years of being apart. He loved her but she hurt him. So, he didn't blame his father. Things were as they say...complicated. But when had they not been? He and his father had been fighting over the same woman for years, but were able to manage a casual relationship as father and son. They had they're disagreements and their fights but it was all complicated.

Sighing as a servant came over to offer them wine, Zuko took a glass as did his father and they looked over to Zhiar. He was slow dancing with his girlfriend along with others. His father praised Zuko for doing a better job at raising Zhiar than he would have. It came as a bit of a shock to the Fire Lord, his father was not the type to hand out praise so easily and definitely not to him.

"Seeing anyone?" Zuko asked.

Sipping his wine, "I don't have the time."

"Same."

"At least one of us is getting our dick wet." Ozai laughed as he looked over to his youngest son.

Zuko snickered as a woman dressed in an extravagant emerald green dress approached them. She wore heavy eye makeup and jewels all in her hair and jewelry along her hands and wrists. From what he could tell by one of the ornaments in her hair, she was of a princess status.

The woman stepped in front of them and then bowed as she greeted them both. Her eyes shifting to his father as his father rolled his and looked away.

"Phoenix King Ozai, could I have a word with you?"

Exchanging looks with his father, Zuko saw him reluctantly agree with the woman and offered her his arm as they walked away. Honestly, Zuko had no idea what was up with that but obviously, his father was not interested in the woman and looked annoyed. His father was sometimes too easy to read.

As he stood there nursing his wine glass, Zuko smiled as he saw his friends all approach him. Aang, Suki, Jee, Toph, and Sokka came over with smiles on their faces. They did some catching up and he was pleased to see they all looked good for their ages since he had stopped aging in his late twenties. They did some catching up, Aang wanted to speak with him once the summit was over about his plan for that independent zone. Sokka and Toph asked their invasive questions about his personal life. He hated to burst their little bubble but his personal life was as barren as the desert.

…

All Zuko could hear was the blood rushing in his eyes as he watched Arnook take Katara off and away from them. He didn't hear Sokka yelling swears as he demanded to know what was going on. He didn't hear his sister crying as his brother held her back but he did hear the remark his father made. And he was damn sure if he heard it, everyone else did too.

"She's only getting what she asked for. Why make a fuss? Besides, she comes from nothing, she is nothing."

His father said as he turned around and as he was about to walk off, Zuko didn't let him. He ran up behind him and punched him in the side of his face, knocking him down onto the ground. The two fought as Zhiar watched his uncle and grandfather try to break them up. Jin Su was in shock as her boyfriend tried pulling her away from the sight and told her that this was normal. Because it was. Zuko and their father were always at odds. Always. Sometimes they got along and sometimes they were reminded why they hated each other. It was the purest definition of a love hate relationship between a father and son. He just wished they wouldn't make a scene in front of everyone. It was embarrassing.

When Sokka managed to pull Zuko away from Ozai, the tribesman tried talking some sense into his buddy. Clearly, he was stressed and reacted on impulse to his father's comment due to what just happened with Katara. He understood his buddy's frustration but he had to remember he was a public figure. Acting out like this would make others look down on him.

"You stay the fuck away from her when her sentence is up!" Zuko shouted at his father. "Don't you dare go near her! You did this! All of this is your fault!"

Ozai spat out blood to the side and glared at his son, "It takes two to dance, Zuko. She's just as responsible as I am." He said coldly.

"Bullshit! You seduced her! I watched you convince her to do what she wouldn't do herself! You got in her head and fucked her up! Just like you did to me, Azula, and now Kya! Thank Agni, Zhiar gets the chance to not be influenced by the likes of you!"

Zhiar took Jin Su away to head to the docks for the airships. He didn't want to hear anymore as his brother and father argued on and on. He had had enough. They were really getting on his nerves at this point. Both of them felt they had a right to his mother. A right to determine the kind of person she was. And to be honest, neither of them were right in his eyes.

Going to his cabin aboard the airship, Zhiar saw his girlfriend had entered with him and wrapped her arms around him from behind, pressing her face into his back.

"I'm sorry about your mother." She whispered.

Gazing down at the floor as he placed his hand on hers, "Once she's served her sentence, I'm going to take care of her. Make sure no one ever hurts her again."

Jin Su sighed and nuzzled her face to his back, "I can't wait to formally meet her."

"She'll love you. I promise."

…..

A/N: Part 3 will be uploaded tomorrow. A little too tired to continue proofreading the last part of Zuko and Zhiar's story arc. But thanks for reading.