Three days since Aang's absence and Zuko was having trouble with Ozai loyalists.
"This boy killed your father for agni sake!" one firebender cried out.
"Of course if he sided with the avatar, the traitor!" another snarled.
The Kyoshi warriors kept the fire nation citizens at bay. "People, people, I'm sure the new firelord will let you see Ozai when the funeral is ready."
The fire nation citizens walked away seething in rage at the injustice of their former leader. The Kyoshi warriors watched them leave then turned to Zuko.
"Thanks Suki," Zuko said gratefully despite being tired.
"No problem."
Zuko went back into the palace rubbing his temples to soothe the headache that was starting to rise.
"So the reason this is happening is because Aang killed Ozai?" Suki asked as she followed him.
"Yes. And some of them aren't thrilled about me being associated with Aang. And are even less than thrilled that the traitor prince is in power."
Zuko returned to his desk to sign papers for a peace treaty with the Earth Kingdom. It was already bad enough that he was wrestling with his grief and resentment but it was like his people were trying to get him to kill Aang.
"Can one of you take this to the Earth Kingdom for the earth king to sign?"
"Sure thing," one of the Kyoshi warriors replied.
Zuko made his way to his room to relax for a minute. He slid the pin out of the crown and lifted the crown from his head. His hair fell over his face. The firelord sat on his bed then rubbed his face in exhaustion.
"Great, the funeral's been paid for but what am I going to do with the Ozai loyalists?"
Knock knock knock knock knock!
"Who is it?" Zuko snapped exhausted.
"Iroh."
"I'm too tired to talk right now uncle."
"Just for a minute."
Zuko softly growled as the door opened. He sat up in the bed as his uncle closed the door then faced him as Iroh sat next to him.
"How's the firelord doing?"
"Terrible. I've been trying to prepare for this funeral for a while."
"Do you want some tea to calm your nerves?"
Zuko narrowed his eyes. "What are you really here for? Because it feels like you have an ulterior motive for this talk we're having."
"I just wanted to know if your okay. I know you're going through tough times but there are people who care about and love you."
"I know it's just that I don't want to ask them to come or help me with the funeral."
"Your missing the point my nephew."
Zuko's temper rose a little. "You do know that Aang is going to be more likely to be killed if he attends the funeral right? Just because I'm angry with him doesn't mean I want to see him killed."
Iroh remembered the riots and protests that happened over the last three days.
"Besides some of them are talking amongst themselves about whether or not the avatar should come here at all. I don't want to ban him but I don't want our subjects to try to kill him either."
"Why don't you just tell Aang what you want?"
"I already told you, I want him to find my mother or revive my father."
Iroh sighed at his nephew. "Do you remember the last time you saw Ozai?"
"I know uncle but you're literally the only adult relative I have left." Zuko remembered seeing his father's body with his naked eyes. "At times I try to remind myself how and why I got my scar; that my father, with no hesitation at all, tried to shoot lightning at me, and yet all I can see is his lifeless body. I just hate that even though I want him gone that a part of me still cares about him." The young firelord got up and paced near his bed. "Trust me, I hate acting this way towards Aang. I mean I really do but I need some time away from him so I won't lose control." He stopped to face Iroh.
"It's been three days Firelord Zuko."
"I'm aware of that. But what can he do? What can he say? 'Oh, sorry that I killed your father can we be friends again?' The people I rule over now are rioting uncle Iroh. Just yesterday I had to disband a group who were on their way to the temples to murder him." Zuko folded his arms across his chest. "I'm not ready to face him civilly yet. I need time to get my mind together."