Several weeks had passed since the Agni Kai. Prince Zuko stayed in his room, letting only his Uncle Iroh enter.

"You've been in here too long." Iroh sounded concerned for his nephew. "Lets go outside. I'll stay with you."

Zuko said nothing, then nodded stonily. He walked with Iroh past one of the palace's courtyards. Azula, Ty Lee, and Mai sat under a tree talking together. Ty Lee and Mai had not seen the Agni Kai, but they like everyone else in the Fire Nation knew what happened. The girls stopped talked when he passed. Azula glared daggers at her brother. Her friends gave him sympathetic looks then cast their eyes downward.

Zuko didnt see his father at all, and he was grateful. How could he face his father now? All he had now was Iroh.

"If mother was alive, none of this would have happened." The saddened prince thought. The two re-entered the palace, and passed a group of servants in the hall. The women began to chatter as soon as Zuko passed. He wanted to run away, leave the Fire Nation. Maybe Azula was right. He was better off with a nice little Earth Kingdom family. At least they'd care for him.

"I have an idea! How about some firebending? We'll practice, just you and I." Iroh piped up. Zuko didn't reply, he simply separated from his uncle and returned to his room. Iroh didnt go after him, instead to the throne room. He wanted to speak with his brother.

The guards let Iroh pass into the large, airy room where the Fire Lord sat.

"What do you want?" Ozai spat at his brother.

"Do you realize what you are putting your son through?" Iroh spoke calmly, holding back his fury.

"That boy got what he deserved."

"He did nothing wrong! What he said was true, you know." the older sibling argued. "You've destroyed Zuko, I dont think he's ever going to firebend again!"

"He is a disgrace to firebenders everywhere. I'm glad I have Azula, at least..."

"You cant favor your children!" Iroh unleashed his anger.

"You dont understand."

"I do! If I were to have a child, let alone two, I'd love both unconditionally." He thought of his son past, Lu Ten.

"This is different." Before Iroh could respond he finished it. "I am banishing Zuko, from the Fire Nation."