A/N I have several more chapters written for important story before our favorite couple are reunited. Don't worry though, I'm working on all kinds of fluffy, dramatic lovey stuff right now. I can't wait for you to read it, I love hearing what you think!

Chapter 19

Ozai hadn't slept in days. Every Time he tried he was plagued with dreams of his sons burned face smiling absurdly as he killed him a dozen different ways. One night Zuko would raise the sea and drown him in his palace. Ozai could not swim in the leaden waves and his fire only boiled the water that pressed him down. Another night the earth rose around him and buried him to his neck leaving only his head. Ants would bite his cheeks and birds would peck at his eyes while his son stood by, always watching. The most recent terror had him waking in the night clawing at his throat as the air was stolen from his lungs. So it went for the last two weeks.

Ozai grew increasingly paranoid and obsessed with news of his son. He devoted increasing amounts of resources towards finding him. His council grew wary he was neglecting his other responsibilities but as far as he was concerned this was his most pressing issue. Lei promised him that she had the problem of an heir well in hand, even if it was much too soon to know. Though even she had started to make comments about his single mindedness. It did not matter. They were all of them fools if they could not understand why this was of such importance.

That was why he found himself locked in his study, keeping his own council as he debated the merits of joining the hunt for Zuko himself. None of the mercenaries or assassins had had any luck. Realistically he knew that it had only been 6 weeks since Zuko escaped the capital but he was impatient. He could admit to himself that it may have been the nightmares urging him on. Until all threats to his rule were dealt with he could not rest.

A knock at his door revealed a nervous looking female servant, Ping something? Ming? Just a servant girl. When he bid her enter she bowed low and kept her eyes on the floor.

"My Lord, there is a man here to see you. He says he has news of the disgraced prince. What should I say to him?" Ozai's brows rose higher with every word, by the time she had finished he was standing directly in front of her.

"What news? Did he say?" He gripped her shoulders, shaking her in his fervor.

"I do not know my Lord, he refused to say until he'd seen you. Should I send him to the throne room?"

"Yes. Go now." He released her and practically shoved her out the door. Combing his hands through his hair, he retied his top knot and slid in his crown. Hopefully whomever this man was he would have his son's head in a lacquered box.

Gliding into the room and erupting the flames before his throne, Ozai got his first view of the empty handed mercenary. While he did not in fact have Zuko's head, he did claim to have something nearly as good. The man, a mercenary called Jiang, had come from the Earth kingdom seeking a reward.

"I have killed your traitorous son Fire Lord Ozai. As you can see-" he gestured at himself -"it cost me dearly. Not only was I grievously injured, my two partners were killed before I managed to subdue him. I want what I am owed."

Not for the first time, Ozai was glad of the wall of fire between himself and his audience. It would be unseemly for this man to see his astonishment. Zuko, his son, was dead! Could it be so simple? Had he not just been agonizing over this very thing? Now that he actually might be dead, he found himself experiencing conflicting emotions he had not expected. No matter, he was the Fire Lord and therefore not ruled by such things. Ozai schooled his features and observed his guest anew. For his trouble, the man did look terrible. His bald head was badly burned and so were his arms. Whatever happened, he had barely escaped with his own life. However, one did not remain the most powerful man in the world by trusting others blindly.

"If my son is dead as you say, where is his body? How can you prove this to me? Why should I believe you, a man I do not know, when the reward is so tempting?" Jiang clenched his fists and frowned. It was obvious he had little restraint left over his temper after his ordeal but but knew better than to lash out at his lord.

"My Lord, I do not have a body to show you because it was burned to so much ash in the great forest three days north of Omashu. He was traveling with some scrawny water tribe kid and came into the bar my partners and I frequent. It seemed like either his traveling companion was stupid, or they were looking for a fight because he made a scene. Loudly and obnoxiously toasting your death."

Interesting.

"We had to fend off some… competition once your son was recognized. As you say, my Lord, the reward you have offered has captivated everyone in my line of work. After we'd dealt with that my partners and I followed Prince Zuko and his friend into the woods outside of town. I am a master firebender my Lord and it shames me to admit that they gave us a tough fight. The brats managed to take down one of my comrades before the water tribe kid was nearly ripped in half. When his friend went down your son to stop fighting to help him. As he knelt beside his friend I struck. He burned along with anything else in that dry forest for a square mile. I assure you Fire Lord Ozai, he is dead."

Something whispered at Ozai that there was more to this story then Jiang was sharing. That he had faced his son he had no doubt. His burns were fresh and the reward was not great enough to fake such disfigurement. It was the details... His son was a firebender, and much improved he'd grudgingly had to admit since he had managed to defeat Azula. Was this mercenary so powerful? Was his fire hot enough to burn his son alive? Though, yes the more he thought on it the more perfect it seemed. Zuko may have defeated his sister in combat but he would forever be weak and ruled by his emotions. He would leave himself vulnerable to aide a friend, it was just like him. So soft hearted like his mother. Burned to death. How disgustingly fitting. He silenced the doubting whispers as he'd done the uncomfortable emotions and returned his thoughts to the man before him.

How to deal with Jiang… Should he kill him or brand him a national hero. He preferred the first option. He was feeling particularly bloodthirsty just then despite the overwhelming relief. However it would make for better propaganda if he had a killer to laude about along with his story.

"If this tale is true, you are indeed owed a great deal. Tell me Jiang, how would you like your payment?"

The mercenary paid and tucked away for later use, the Fire Lord summoned his council. They gathered in his throne room, none successful at concealing their annoyance. He had spoken of nothing but finding his son for nearly three weeks and they were growing increasingly restless. A dark smile twisted his face as he imagined their imminent shock.

"At long last I have received the news that has kept me so preoccupied these past weeks. An assassin from the colonies arrived earlier today claiming to have defeated Prince Zuko outside of a village north of Omashu. Though he brought no body, his story and his injuries are proof enough for me." The Fire Lord observed his generals and councilors closely as they reacted to his words. Several appeared relieved, some skeptical though unwilling to question him. He wondered idly if this obvious placation should be tolerated but quickly dismissed the thought as he listened to their murmured chatter. One of his generals bowed low and spoke for the group.

"Fire Lord Ozai, if this man's word is sufficient for you then we shall celebrate the purging of Ursa's failed line with you. Perhaps now though we can address other pressing matters my Lord?"

Ozai's face fell into a sneer. "Unless you have had word from those ships I sent to the South Pole a month ago I am not through with this just yet general." After the general shook his head he continued. "You recall there are those, like my senile brother, who had hoped to displace me with my son. Certainly no one here shared in this desire?" He searched for any sign of disloyalty in their faces before he continued. "I want news of his death to spread like the fire that killed him. I want it to reach Iroh in Ba Sing Se. I want it to reach every one of his allies to crush what little hope they may have had left after I slew the Avatar. The assassin, Jiang his name is, I have installed him in the guest rooms here while I decide how best to use him. Send a scribe to take down his account to be published. The world will know. There is only one Fire Lord and his name is Ozai!"

Standing, the flames before his throne erupted dramatically. He dismissed them then, leaving them to squabble amongst themselves. His step felt light as he strode towards his private rooms and somehow he knew his sleep would be peaceful that night. Perhaps he would find his bride before retiring and share this good news personally.