It took the three several hours to reach the Palace and Aang had the chance to meditate alongside Ozai who was reluctant and with good reason as all his feelings and thoughts became known to the young Avatar. To his merit, Aang kept this information to himself and Ozai relaxed visibly, even taking a small nap until they reached their destination.

"Do you want to greet the people?" Zuko asked but his father surprisingly refused.

"That was never something I liked to do," he said.

"Could have fooled me," Zuko said.

"Are you serious? I became Firelord and then I only had to meet with a select few," he replied.

"Is that why you did it?"

"No, I wanted to rule the world," he said, opening his arms much like he had done the day he became the Phoenix King but laughed at himself, "that was only one of the perks." He winked and Zuko looked at him surprised, prompting more laughter.

"I have called for your attendants. If you don't mind, I've given you the same chambers that you had before becoming the Firelord," Zuko said and Ozai turned to him.

"What about your mother?"

"She didn't want them so they are now on the other wing," he answered, pointing towards the other side of the corridor.

"I don't mind, my son," he said and seeing that they were alone he patted his back softly.

"Come with me," Zuko said and led him to his own chambers. He sent away the wet nurse and picked up his daughter before passing her to Ozai. Ozai had never held someone so carefully before. He was holding his granddaughter as well as his breath, lest the mere breeze woke her up and he teared up, this time with happiness. "Hello Izumi!" he said softly and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Oh Agni, she smells so nice," he said but jerked when the door opened and Mai walked in. They talked amicably until the baby woke up. Zuko feared his father's reaction towards a non-bending offspring but Ozai placed a soft kiss on the crying baby before he passed her to her mother.

"I think I should retire," Ozai said and left them to rest before returning to his chambers. His feet took him there without realising but when he found himself alone he didn't feel tranquil. Instead he just felt loneliness. He missed life in the countryside already. He knew that Taeyang would be probably cooking dinner and she would eat it in the garden with Ozi. He sat down and penned two letters, one for them and one for his brother that he sent through his attendants. He knew that someone would probably read them first but he didn't mind.

The first week passed in a blur with everyone talking to him. He was the newcomer at this point and they were all interested in his change. He felt as if he was paraded and his days became duller and duller. He avoided getting out of his chambers unless it was for an official business. He did indulge in a few walks through the gardens but they felt empty and lifeless. It was during one of these walks that he stopped to feed the turtle ducks and without realising he picked a few fruits from the peach tree and cleaned a bush off the dried leaves before he was apprehended by a fearful gardener and his attendants and was brought back to his chambers. He had been so attentive and focused to the plants that he completely missed a shocked Ursa that was passing by and she sought an audience with her son to ask about her ex-husband's strange behaviour.

Not two weeks had passed and Ozai wished to leave the palace once and for all. He was writing to Taeyang almost daily and her encouraging words meant the world to him. His attendants were thinking that he was in need of more company, a notion that they shared with Zuko and a few select members of the court but Ozai didn't wish to spend more time that it was strictly necessary with them. He preferred his own company. He would play music and draw portraits, mainly of Taeyang. It was due to one of them that prompted a more respected attendant to advise him to seek the company of a woman thinking that this was what ailed the ex-Firelord. Ozai tried to ignore him but after a few discussions the attendant had all the information he needed to seek a woman that would be pleasing to Ozai. Not two days later and after a particularly taxing council there was knock on his door. Ozai rushed to open it, hoping it would be a letter. Instead he saw a very young, green eyed woman who blushed and lowered her head before whispering that she was sent to keep him company. She seemed tense and he asked her to leave but she refused saying that she had already been paid.

"I am sure that you're lovely but tell whoever sent you that they should think before they send me another girl at my late daughter's age."

Ozai felt truly displeased and had a mighty tell off with his attenand but instead of leaving him alone he redoubled his effort to find him company. He even talked with Zuko's attendant to arrange a family meal that would include Ozai as a guest too. When Ozai was invited he didn't think anything of it but made an effort to avoid the meddlesome attendant and even requested that he would be changed to someone less bothersome.

Ozai met with the tailor for a new set of robes for the meal and was walking down the corridor towards the garden holding a book. He met a couple of people that were walking towards their jobs and nodded at them absentmindedly until someone called his name.

"Ozai?" a voice sounded and he turned to see Ursa holding a girl in her arms.

"Ursa! How are you?" he asked and she smiled.

"I am well, Ozai. How have you been?"

"Can't complain...And who are you?" he asked, turning to Kiyi who blushed and tried to hide behind her mother.

"My daughter, Kiyi," she said.

"And the father?" he said motioning to Kiyi.

"Ikem," she whispered without making eye contact.

"Ikem, good."

"Good?"

"Yes, you should be with someone that loves you," he said and for a moment she felt a pang of guilt.

"Your eyes look different."

"Different?"

"Kinder…" she said and he smiled. "Will you be attending the family dinner?" At this point Kiyi was trying to get off her mother's arms but Ursa didn't want to let go of her yet.

"Yes, I was invited but if you'd rather I didn't, I would understand."

"No, there is no need. I will see you there then," she said, still trying to hold onto the girl who slipped and pulled Ozai's beard in the process.

Ursa gasped in fear but was stunned when Ozai just stroked his beard and laughed.

"Does Ikem have a beard? If so, tell him to shave.. Your daughter is a natural beard puller," he joked and left them to go to the garden.

That day, his letter from Taeyang contained a drawing from Ozi that depicted them both roaring. He had written on the back that he was missing him but that he was getting better with his bending and promised to not annoy him with training if that was what kept him away. He felt sad that he would be unable to observe Ozi at his festival but decided to send him a present. He gave the task to his attendant but warned him that he should be the one to choose the gift. On the day of the festival, a group of firebenders reached the small island with a letter for Taeyang. They helped setting up the stage for the festival and prepared a firework show for a grand finale. That night, Ozai was escorted to the Firelord's chambers to dine with the rest of the family. He was quiet and rather self-conscious and preferred to listen to the others' conversations until the food arrived and half a chicken was placed before him. He sighed in disappointment but as he raised his head he saw that everyone was looking at him expectantly.

"What?" he said and started to check on his robe for a mark or dirt.

"No, your robes are fine," Zuko said looking at his reaction. "We would like to officially welcome you back," he said and Ozai smiled.

"Thank you, I am glad to be with you again," he said.

They started eating and he opted for the side dishes instead of the meat. They were all polite with each other and he appreciated the calm atmosphere until Zujo turned to him and asked.

"Is something wrong with your food?"

"No, it's fine, I just don't like chicken," he answered smiling.

"What?" Zuko asked and Ursa continued "I thought this was your favourite food."

"Erm… No, actually it never was."

"How is that possible?"

"When I was really young, one of the attendants gave me some of her own food. I instantly liked it but when my father learned that I was given 'peasant food' he sent her away."

"Your mother did not help you?" Zuko asked, knowing that Ursa would have probably sneaked a snack even if it was not appropriate.

"Sure, because that's what was missing from her life. The excitement of lying to the Firelord," Ozai said sarcastically and Zuko understood that he had not enlisted his mother in order to protect her from any backlash.

"It was just a food," Ursa said.

"And dancing was just art," Ozai said. "That didn't stop my father from banning it."

"You liked to dance?" Zuko asked.

"No, Iroh does. I like to draw," he admitted, "but that would have been the same like telling my father that I was interested in men."

"Erm…" Zuko said, looking uncomfortable. "About that…"

Ozai looked around. Was that the reason that the Fire Lady had not joined them?

"Agni! Please just tell me it's not the Avatar boy...I am not telling your father's wife. If you're planning to come out you'll have to do it yourself."

"What? No! I am not… I was just thinking of retracting that ruling," he said and exhaled deeply.

"Are you sure? Iroh told me about a girl that was interested in you and you thought she was a spy."

"You and Azula were out to get me, I had to be careful," Zuko said blushing furiously.

"Be reasonable. If I wanted to get you she would have been my spy," he said and laughed dramatically.

"You should have been an actor," Ikem said and Ozai felt his own cheeks blush. Ursa was feeling uncomfortable with how the conversation was going so she tried to bring it back to the food issue.

"He wasn't always as easy going as you see him, my love," Ursa said but then turned to Ozai and asked: "All that is well but why didn't you just ask for what you wanted to eat after becoming the Firelord?"

"I did ask for it a few times but then I had to threaten the attendants with banishment to keep it a secret and even then, I had to hide in order to enjoy it, with the whole Nation watching," he said.

"Exactly what was it that you wanted to eat?" Zuko asked, curious as to what would have been so decadent to cause such trouble. The whole table turned to look at Ozai who felt too uncomfortable.

"If you don't mind, Firelord, I would like to keep that to myself," he said. He knew that Zuko would have tried to bring fish to the table for his sake but he didn't want his son to face the same curious looks from his attendants.

"Fine, but if it is jook I can even make it for you," Zuko whispered conspiratorially and Ozai laughed but shook his head.

"I don't have a fancy for sick food," he said while laughing until he felt a light tug on his beard and turned to look at Kiyi's mischievous eyes.

"Kiyi!" Ursa gasped but Ozai stopped her.

"It's fine," he said and motioned to Ikem's clean shaven face. "Children are inherently curious." He allowed Kiyi to play with his beard but she became drowsy from all the food and instead of pulling she ended up tickling him until she fell asleep in his arms while they adults talked about one thing or another.

"We're going to visit the Royal theatre tonight," Ikem said at some point asking Ozai to join them.

"Thank you but I will have to decline," he said as he passed him his sleeping daughter who mumbled that he smelled like candy.

Ozai returned to his room swiftly. He practically threw the door open and sat on his desk to write a letter, not realising that he was not alone.

Xian was lying on his bed but jerked slightly when he entered the room. She expected him to acknowledge her but when that did not come she turned and saw him sitting on his desk.

"Prince Ozai?" her voice was low and smooth but made Ozai turn as if he was zapped. He had unconsciously taken a defensive stance and two small yet intense flames danced on his hands. She smiled slyly and took a step closer to her, "Oh, I surrender," she said, putting her hands up, allowing her robe to loosen a bit.

Ozai straightened and asked "Who are you? How did you get in here?"

"I am Xian and I was let in by your attendant," she said and approached him, lowering her hands to his chest. "To keep you company…" she whispered to his ear as she started caressing him. Ozai exhaled deeply. He craved company, only it was Taeyang's company that he wanted. This woman although, very beautiful, seemed too canny and he couldn't shake the feeling that she was sent to spy on him.

"Fine, how about you start with some tea then?" he said and sat on his desk again. While Xian had left to bring the tea, Ozai finished his letter to Taeyang. He enclosed a drawing of his granddaughter as well as his thoughts on being able to handle such a young child for the first time. He missed them both terribly and so he issued her an open invitation should she ever wanted to visit with Ozi. He would have preferred to go to her instead but he couldn't see a way to achieve that any time soon. Life in the Palace could never be described as tranquil. It had been only three weeks but it was enough time for him to realise that everything was still the same. The same behaviours, the same mindsets. He closed the letter and sighed as he looked out of the window. Xian returned with the tea and approached him, "Ah, young love," she said as she pointed at a young woman sitting on a bench, looking around for someone. Ozai knew better, she was the daughter of one of the generals and she was there to spy on the Earth Kingdom Ambassador that had arrived earlier with his family. Xian served the tea and joined him on one of the couches. She sang to him while sitting on his lap and he subtly covered her exposed leg with her robe, showing her that he preferred a more companionable afternoon than his attendant had in mind. He asked her if she knew to play music. She nodded, revealed her erhu and played a few songs before she moved closer to him and started massaging his head. Ozai appreciated the attentiveness, even if she was too voluptuous for his tastes so before she left he gave her an elegant comb for her hair. Xian left his room content that her job was done satisfactorily. The next morning however, Ozai called his attendant and after thanking him for his effort he dispatched him to work for the Fire Nation Ambassador to the Northern Water Tribe. "The cold weather might take your mind off my personal life," he said.

"My Prince, I- "

"You... should go. The Ambassadors are to depart in a few days and you should be ready by then," Ozai said and closed the door to his face.

Taeyang had been very surprised with Ozai's present for the festival. The fireworks lit up the sky in a beautiful display of colours and even though the whole island knew that the show was sponsored by him none cared anymore. News of his reinstatement had reached them and most of the people commended Taeyang for her part in his progress even though they had been sceptical when he had first arrived. Later the same day, a letter arrived inviting them to the Palace. Taeyang was very apprehensive and even though Ozi seemed excited at the opportunity, she thanked him but did not make any promises to visit him. Ozai knew how different their worlds were and how difficult it would have been for Ozi to acclimate to his lifestyle.

As the days passed, Ozai felt more and more excluded from councils or discussions that he should have been part of. He requested a meeting with his son in order to advise him but Zuko had been overwhelmed and postponed it twice leading him to write him a letter instead. In the letter he tried to warn Zuko of the perils of his position. He was making mistakes that gave his opponents ample ammunition against him. 'Nothing has changed since the time I was Firelord. You have to be more careful with the ones you allow in your presence.' His letter was extensive. He wasn't naming names but he hoped that Zuko, being the Firelord for three years already would have the required insight to understand. Several days passed without him receiving a reply or even acknowledgement from his son and he was getting a bit frustrated. Mai had invited him to the house in Ember Island where she would go with Ursa's family for some much needed vacation but he had refused hoping that there might be a need for him. Then almost a week after that, there was a commotion outside the palace and the alarm sounded as a full blown riot erupted on the streets. The full measure of the palace guard rushed to assist the overwhelmed street guards and Ozai found himself rushed towards the underground bunker that he had used on the day of Black Sun. He could see and hear that there was some kind of confrontation in the corridors between him and his destination but only when he saw a ray of lightning striking the wall, he realised the severity of the situation. He ran towards the fighting and saw that a full blown battle had erupted in the corridors between benders and non- benders alike. Zuko was thankfully surrounded by his guards who were doing their best to protect him as his fire swirled around him. Seeing his opponent however shocked him to his very core as it was none other than Azula. When the assasination attempt had failed, she had tried to escape but all the routes were blocked by Zuko's guards that rushed to assist him. Azula however, was not one to back down from a challenge and even at this point she was trying to defeat Zuko, especially as more people on her side arrived to assist her.

"You should have left with the rest of the Royal family, as my daughter asked you," a familiar voice sounded from behind him.

"Governor Ukano?! What is the meaning of this?" he asked. "Your daughter is the Firelady, what more could you possibly want?"

"I really wanted it to be you," he said. "But you escaped Zhao and the bounty hunter and left us with no other choice. Now she will bring back the order we crave," he said and motioned towards Azula."Seize him," he yelled at the Fire Warriors that Azula had trained.

Azula moved her hand in a well-known circular motion but when she released her lightning Zuko redirected it towards one of the men that were closing on his father. Ozai spotted a few men from the guard appearing behind his pursuers and raised a massive wall of fire that reached the high ceiling, actively blocking them from him and his children. Azula was about to release a second ray but his lightning bending was faster than anyone else's and he striked Azula's hand before she got the chance. Azula's body jerked violently and she fell backwards before the guards rushed to immobilise her.

"Father! How could you? Was I not your favourite? Did I not obey your every command? Why? Why do you choose Zuko over me now? You could have been the Firelord again!" she screamed hysterically. For a brief moment, Ozai regretted being in such a state of awareness that he now was. Her words struck him like knives and he lowered his head.

"Father!" Zuko exclaimed but Ozai spared a disappointed glance at his children before he retired in his room. His daughter was alive and had attacked his son. He knew it had been his fault. He should have been more careful while they were growing up. Zuko sent for him after half an hour and they sat together much like they had done the day Zuko had told him that Azula was dead.

"Azula was taken to the prison," Zuko said. "Along with Ukano and the rest of the members that attacked us. They are trying to learn who else might be involved," Ozai nodded but remained silent. "Father, I fear Azula is beyond redemption but what pains me most is that Mai was also a part of this.

"I would advise you to talk to her before sending the troupes to apprehend her," he said but Zuko shook his head.

"It's a bit too late for that. The men should be already at our house in Ember Island to bring everyone back."

"Oh Zuko, you cannot bring your wife back in chains and expect it won't cause a murmur."

"It won't," Zuko said icily.

"Are you going to execute them?" he asked shocked but Zuko shook his head.

"No, I will banish Mai for not telling me and incarcerate the actual members. As for Azula, I will contact Aang. Perhaps removing her powers will be as beneficial to her as it was to you," he said and he seemed genuinely concerned.

"I hope you're not planning to burden Taeyang with your sister as well…" he said. They discussed it until Zuko relaxed. Ozai tweaked his plan in order to spare his son most of the political backlash and advised him to speak with his mother asking for her opinion as she could perhaps understand Mai's point of view better than anyone else. When he returned to his room, he felt exhausted as if all the energy had left from his body as well as the will to go on. He sighed audibly when he heard his door being knocked but his mood was not altered when he saw Xian.

"My Prince, I heard you've had a vexing day…" her milky voice caressed his ears.

"You are very well informed," he said, allowing her access.

"Only a learned woman can please a learned man," she said and took his hands in hers, leading him to sit on the sofa. She started massaging his shoulders "I can't imagine how frightened I would have been had I been here earlier," she said and he hummed.

"Few people wouldn't be," he said.

"Courageous people like you?" she asked, trying to make him talk more.

"Stupid people without common sense," he said, chastisingly and she lowered her head.

"Forgive me, my Prince, I am not well versed in actual fighting, only in the sonnets and haikus for our Nation's warriors," she said. Xian did not like Ozai one bit. He seemed unimpressed with her as opposed to her other patrons who showered her with compliments and gifts. Even his son had sent for her a few times when he entertained more "difficult" ambassadors. So why was it that this man ignored her? Why was he not vying for her? He turned to look at her and she smiled, disheartened with his reaction but did not give up. Her hands moved upwards and started massaging his temples. Ozai exhaled deeply and his body started becoming lax in her hands but his mind was still occupied with Azula's accusations and he jerked tensely startling her to the point that she stood and looked at him fearfully. Taeyang would have hugged me, he thought as he looked at the woman before him.

Ozai laughed at her shocked expression and made her stand, "How about we take a walk?" he said but in his mind the wheels started turning as he formed an elaborate plan on how to leave the palace without a trace. He took a few of his possessions with him in a small bag and removed the Fire Prince's headpiece, leaving it on the desk for Zuko to find the next day. They were walking slowly towards the stables when he turned and smiled at her. "I require a distraction," he said motioning in the distance to a lone guard that was standing before the gates. Xian tensed and looked at him almost betrayed. "Do this for me and you'll not find yourself wanting," he whispered in her ear while he presented her with the key to his drawer. She shuddered but nodded. "Good," he said as they moved closer to the building. "If you ever find yourself craving some peace and quiet. I hear the Jasmine Dragon in Ba Sing Se is an excellent establishment to unwind. The owner will take care of you."

Xian distracted the guard long enough for Ozai to saddle one of the Mongoose lizards and exit undetected, taking a uniform with him as well. He used the most secure routes and under the cover or night and the fact that most guards were now inside the palace he left the Capital.

He rode until his legs could hold him no more and slept in an inn, keeping his face partly covered by a bandage to cover his identity. The next day he ate and bought some food for the road before mounting the lizard and riding away. He knew that he would reach her house a bit after lunch but both times he had traveled to and from that location, he had flown so it was only natural that he got lost and instead of reaching the side of the port by midday, he reached a nearby village and had to take one of the rafts across while the sun was setting. The portmaster advised him to wait until the next morning because the weather was turning but he refused. He loaded the lizard on the raft and departed while the last rays of the sun coloured the sky. He was almost halfway to the island when the storm broke out but he was lucky since the lizard could travel over water for a short distance. He tried staying on the raft for as long as he could but in the end he abandoned it and reached the shore while riding the lizard. The rain was getting stronger and stronger and he rushed to Taeyang's door, tying the lizard under a shed. It was late, he didn't know what time exactly but he did know that Ozi would be either asleep or getting ready to sleep. He looked at his hands, he was drenched and looked ridiculous. His heart was fluttering and he took a deep breath before knocking on her door.