1Thanks, guys!

2/04/08 EDIT: Yeah...I reread the Lost Scrolls book, and Sozin's comet was a PASSING comet like you guys said, so I edited out the comet...plan thingy.

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Chapter 19: Engagements and Parties

"My Lord, the Earth King, King Bumi, and both Water Chiefs have arrived."

Zuko smiled. "Send them in."

The four world leaders came into the war room and sat around the table. Aang ran in a few minutes later.

"Sorry I'm late." Aang apologized. "There was a riot I had to deal with on Ember Island."

"What happened there?" Zuko asked.

"Some people are a bit...skeptical about you." Aang answered carefully. "They don't think you'll make a great Fire Lord."

Zuko groaned inwardly. 'Crap. They don't the whole party-trashing thing against me, do they?' "Well, I've only been Fire Lord for a few weeks. They'll get used to me."

"Now that's the spirit!" Chief Arnook commented. "When I became chief of the North Pole, some people doubted I'd make a good chief. I was a...wild child growing up. The people soon realized that I was a different man then. I became a great leader. I am sure the Fire Nation will think the same of you, Lord Zuko."

"Thank you." Zuko replied. "Now, let's get down to business. The comet."

"Ah, yes." Hakoda said. "King Bumi, you were there a hundred years ago when the first comet hit. What was it like?"

"Ah, the first comet. I remember it like it was yesterday." King Bumi responded, closing his eyes and smiling. "I was a young prince then. It came an hour after sunset. The comet was just passing over. From what I heard, Fire Lord Sozin had every single Firebender he could find. Rumor had it that if a firebender is exposed to the comet, he or she would be unstoppable."

Both Zuko and Aang sighed inwardly. They were thinking the same thing sarcastically: 'Damn, Sozin was a big show-off, wasn't he? Or maybe he was just crazy...'

"So we just need to make sure none of the firerbenders are exposed to it?" Asked the Earth King.

"That sounds about right." Chief Arnook answered.

"How are we going hide every single firebender that night?" Asked Aang.

Hakoda, who was stroking his chin in thought spoke up. "How many can fit in that bunker of yours?"

"Roughly a thousand." Zuko answered. "But there are about a million firebenders total."

"We could hide them in the catacombs of old Ba Sing Se." The Earth King suggested.

"Nd there are still underground resistance shelters in Omashu." Bumi put in.

"That still leaves us 100,000 more." Arnook said.

"We can build underground shelters." Aang suggested. "Earthbenders can build them all over the Fire Nation and Fire Nation villages in the Earth Kingdom."

"That might actually work." Chief Arnook said. Hakoda, Bumi, the Earth King, and Zuko all nodded in agreement.

"Then it's settled." Zuko announced. "I'll have every firebender know of the plan by the night before the comet arrives. King Bumi and the Earth King, you'll have Earthbenders ready, right?"

They both nodded.

"Excellent." Zuko said. "I think this concludes our meeting, gentlemen. Good luck."

Everyone left the room. Zuko headed to the throne room to meet with the governor. He took a deep breath and sat on his throne. The governor came in and kneeled before him.

"My Lord." The governor said humbly.

"Hello, Governor." Zuko said pleasantly. "You may have realized since Omashu was given back to the Earth Kingdom, you'll need a new job."

The governor stiffened. He gupled. "My Lord, I've worked so hard to accomplish and strengthen my political career-"

"You misunderstood me." Zuko interrupted. "I'm not firing you. I'm transferring you to a city here in the Fire Nation."

The governor sighed in relief. "What city?"

"Kirachu Island." Zuko answered. "Their governor stepped down about a month ago."

"Yes, my Lord." The governor replied. "I will start right away."

"Good." Zuko smiled. He paused. "There is another matter I'd like to discuss with you."

"My Lord?"

"I would like to ask your daughter to marry me." Zuko said in what he hoped wasn't nervousness.

The governor stared in shock. "Why? Why choose my daughter?"

"Mai was there for me at a time when no one else was." Zuko replied. "She cares about me and I care about her. She makes me happy."

Rthe governor stayed quiet for a minute. His daughter. As Fire Lady. That would do wonders for his career. He smiled. "Yes. You have my permission."

XXXXXX

Ursa walked around a corner of the palace. She accidentally bumped into Hakoda. "Oh! Sorry. I didn't see you."

"It's all right." Hakoda said. He smiled as he recognized Ursa. "Have we met?"

Ursa smiled back. "Why yes we have, Chief Hakoda."

"How are you, Ursa?" Hakoda asked.

"I'm fine." Ursa replied. "You?"

"Perfect." Hakoda answered, staring at her. He regained his composure. "I was just heading out. I'm going back to the South Pole with Katara and Sokka. We're visiting my mother-in-law."

"Oh." Urdsa replied, sounding slightly disappointed.

"But before I go, would you like to have lunch with me?" Hakoda asked.

Ursa smiled. "I'd love to. But first, I'm meeting with my son for about a half hour."

"Then I shall wait." Hakoda responded.

"Okay." Ursa said. "Meet me at the Jasmine Dragon in an hour."

"I'll be there."

XXXXX

"He's a wonderful man, Zuko" Ursa was telling Zuko about Hakoda.

Zuko smiled. ""I think Chief Hakoda is a wonderful man, too. A great leader, compassionate, caring, loving...you like him, don't you?"

Ursa chuckled. "Is it that obvious?"

"Dreadfully." Zuko laughed. "I'm really happy for you, Mom."

Ursa smiled up at her son. "I'm glad to hear that."

"I'm guessing that wasn't the only thing you came to me about. Was it?" Zuko asked.

"Actually, no." Ursa replied. "Ang tells me that his birthday is the week after the comet. The same day as your birthday.. I thought it would be fun if we celebrated yours and Aang's birthday along with the war ending."

Zuko thought for a moment. He hadn't had a birthday party for as long as he could remember. Having one might be...fun. "I think it will be fun." Zuko replied. "Have you talked to Aang about it?"

"Yes. He's excited about it." Ursa replied. "He suggested a dance party, and I told him I'd check with you first."

Zuko laughed. 'What is it with Aang and dance parties?' He asked, remembering hearing about Aang's dance party earlier that summer. "I think it will be fine. You know what would be more fun? A kareoke party."

"As in singing?" Ursa asked, a little surprised. "I didn't know you liked to sing!"

"Well, I don't sing a lot. Just in the shower." Zuko responded. "Uncle caught me singing or humming to myself a few times during my banishment."

"A kareoke dance party." Ursa mused. "It could work! I'll tell Aang about it later. I need to get ready for my date with Hakoda."

Zuko raised his eyebrw. "Date?"

Ursa nodded and smiled., "I'll see you later, my Lord son."

Zuko smiled and shook his head as he watched his mother leave the throne room. Ursa used to call Ozai her Lord husband before she got banished.

XXXXXXXX

Zuko headed towards Mai's house to pick her up for their date. Katara ran to him.

"Hey, Zuko, have you seen my dad?" Katara asked.,

"Yeah. He's at the Jasmine Dragon with my mom." Zuko answered.

Katara smiled. "Oh. You know, it's good that we're all starting to get along. Now people from the Water Tribe and Fire Nation are becoming friends."

"Yeah. Some are even falling in love with each other." Zuko smiled at his half-joke.

Katara chuckled. "Yeah. I'm glad your mom and my dad are becoming friends."

"More like boyfriend/girlfriend." Zuko commented. "They're on a date right now."

Katara stared. "What?"

"Didn't...didn't your dad tell you?" Zuko asked.

"No, he didn't tell me."

"Oh." Zuko replied embarrassed. "Well, I better go pick Mai up. I'm going to propose to her."

"Really? Congratulations!"

"Well, she hasn't said yes yet." Zuko chuckled. "But thanks."

"You're welcome."

XXXXX

Katara headed to the Jasmine Dragon. Aang was coming out of the building as Katara approached.

"Hey." Aang greeted. "I wouldn't go in there..."

"I know, Aang." Katara responded. "I know my dad is on a date with Zuko's mom."

"Oh. How did you know?"

"Zuko told me."

Aang nodded. "Your dad wanted to tell both you and Sokka...after he returned."

Katara sighed. "Is he happy?"

"Come see for yourself." Aang took Katara's hand. They stood at a corner and watched Hakoda and Ursa talk and giggle. Katara's eyes stung with tears. She swallowed hard. "You know, I haven't seen my dad this happy since he was with my mom."

"They've been through so much during the war." Aang said in a low voice.. "I mean, Ursa got banished and imprisoned by her husband, her husband and her daughter both died the same day. Your dad lost his wife in a Fire Nation raid...and you know, both you and Sokka had a few near-death incidents."

Katara rolled her eyes. "Haha."

"My point is..." Aang responded. "Don't you think they deserve happiness?"

Katara smiled. "Yeah...they really do."

Aang smiled back. "So, should we tell Sokka?"

"Nah. I think it would be better if only one of us kids know."

"Yeah, good point." Aang laughed.

"Aang...your voice is getting deeper." Katara noticed.

Aang's eyes widened. "I must be starting puberty."

Katara smiled. Aang is growing up.

XXXXXXX

Teo wheeled over to where Toph was practicing her earthbending. He smiled at the girl. Aside from her toughness, Toph was the most amazing girl Teo ever met. And prettiest.

"I can see you, you know." Toph called to Teo.

Teo laughed softly. "Sorry. I couldn't help watching you."

"Well, I didn't say it was a bad thing." Toph answered. "What's up?"

Teo sighed. "Nothing much. I'm seeing a lot of love going on."

"Well, what did you expect? The war's over now." Toph said, rolling her eyes.

"I know. I guess I'm a little jealous." Teo admitted. "I mean, my dad definately loves me."

"But you wish someone romantically loves you." Toph guessed.

"Yeah."

Toph was quiet for a minute. Teo was charming and funny to be around. It's surprising he doesn't have a girlfriend. She smiled.

"Can I try something?" Asked Toph.

Teo looked a bit nervous. "Should I be worried?"

Toph chuckled. "No." She walked over to where Teo was and kneeled down. Toph felt Teo's shoulders, then his hair, then his face. Teo smiled. He gently took Toph's shoulders and pulled her into a kiss.,

"Teo?!" Toph said in a muffled voice. She pulled away. "What the hell was that?"

Teo blushed. "I'm sorry if I offended you. I just...you're pretty. And funny, and smart..."

Now it was Toph's turn to blush. "No, no. I was just...surprised."

"Really? It wasn't bad?" Teo asked, hopefully.

"No, it wasn't." Toph smiled. "But if you tell anyone we kissed, I'll earthbend the shit out of you."

"Ok, deal." Teo raised his hands.

XXXXXXXXXX

Later, Zuko and Mai were enjoying another sunset picnic.

"I still think orange is an awful color." Mai commented.

Zuko smiled. "Have I mentioned you look beautiful today?"

"Yes, about a million times." Mai said in mock annoyance. "But it's still good to hear."

"I'll keep that in mind." Zuko replied. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

Zuko inhaled and exhaled slowly. He stood up, pulling Mai with him.

"What's wrong?" Mai asked.

"Nothing." Zuko smiled. "Mai...we've been together a long time. We love each other. You're the most amazing girl I've ever met and so much more."

"What are you saying?" Mai asked again.

"Mai..." Zuko got down on one knee. "Will you marry me?"

Mai stared in surprise. She wasn't ready yet. The legal age of marriage is sixteen. She wouldn't be sixteen for another nine months. Even though Mai loved Zuko, she couldn't marry him yet. She looked at him, her eyes pleading for him to understand.

"No."

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DON'T KILL ME! -runs and hides- XD Don't worry, she'll say yes eventually.