Part III- Reuniting Friends

"Is it just me or is this place bigger then the last time?" Sokka asked, gaping at the Fire Nation palace.

"You just forgot what it looks like," Katara replied, stretching as she landed on the ground.

"Ah the guests have arrived!" boomed a familiar, jolly voice.

"Iroh!" Toph grinned, giving the general a hug.

"It's very good to see you all again," Iroh beamed. "Please take the Avatar's bison to the stables and find someone to tend to him," he said to a nearby servant, who bowed and did what he had been asked.

"How are things here?" Aang asked him.

"They could be a lot worse," the retired General replied, still cheerful. "We have some problems with a certain group of people but otherwise everyone is happy to be at peace again."

"So they're still accepting their new leader?" Sokka grinned.

"Oh yes," Iroh chuckled. "Zuko is quite popular."

Katara smiled, glad to hear that. Zuko had been through so much to try and get his throne back; he deserved to rule. Suddenly there was a loud commotion of blowing trumpets and all the servants in the entrance courtyard bowed and made way for Zuko.

"I wish they didn't always blow those things," he muttered, casting a look at the trumpets distastefully. Then he turned back to the group and bowed formally. "Welcome to the Fire Nation. It is a honour to have you here."

The group all bowed back.

"It's good to be here," Suki smiled at Zuko.

"Nice robes and hairdo," Sokka commented. "Very manly."

"Hmm," Zuko agreed. "As manly as your face paint and tuft."

"Touché," Sokka grinned.

A group of ostrich-horses passed them pulling a red carriage.

"Isn't that Mai?" Katara asked in surprise.

"Who's that guy next to her?" Aang asked.

"Her fiancé," Zuko replied calmly, pretending not to notice their faces as they stared at him in shock. "They were just stopping by for some food on their journey east."

"Speaking about food, you must be hungry," Iroh stepped in, ending the prior conversation.

"Boy am I!" Sokka said brightly.

"You're always hungry," Suki sighed, a fond smile on her face.

"So do you have a feast waiting for us?" Toph asked, knowing how the formal life worked.

"Of course," Iroh beamed.

"Excellent!"

-x-x-x-

The food was spectacular and the tea, made by Iroh himself, was even better. All in all it was a wonderful occasion filled with a lot of teasing and laughter. Zuko felt some of the stress from the past weeks melt out of him. He was able to relax, something he hadn't done in ages. It felt good being with the group again, even if he wouldn't admit it out loud. As the feast was finally coming to a close one of the servants came and whispered something in Iroh's ear.

"Oh dear…" Iroh sighed.

"What is it?" Zuko asked at once, ready to leap into the next situation.

"I was hoping the guest rooms would have been repaired by now but unfortunately we got a bit behind and they are still very much incomplete."

"Repaired?" Katara asked.

"You remember I told you we were having some trouble from a certain group of people? They are Ozai supporters and they do as much as they can to make our lives unpleasant. For example, destroying most of our guest bedrooms. I'm afraid you will have to double up." He gave them all a very apologetic look.

They all assured him quickly that they didn't mind at all.

"Then Sokka and Aang can take room one and Katara, Toph and Suki can have room three, which has a double and a single bed in."

"Uhm actually, sir," the servant said nervously. "Room three was also damaged. There's only room one and two left and both only have one big bed."

Iroh blinked

"I guess that means that Suki will be sleeping in Zuko's room," Toph sniggered.

Zuko and Suki gaped in horror at each other and Sokka started choking.

"I'm afraid it's the only way." Iroh sounded very apologetic. "Unfortunately I must leave you. I have an appointment with an old friend for a game of Pi Sho. I hope you all sleep… well."

As he left they could have sworn he chuckled. As they all stood up Sokka walked over to Zuko.

"Hey… Uh, Zuko… I was… uhm wondering…" He scratched the back of his neck nervously.

"You want to swap bedroom buddies?"

"Please!" Sokka looked rather pleading.

"Whatever," Zuko shrugged, more then ok with the exchange. "On one condition."

"Name it!" Sokka said eagerly.

"I don't want any mini-Sokka's running around, ok?"

He smirked as the Water Tribe boy's entire face went a bright red. He was more than sure that if he weren't the Firelord Sokka would have hit him.

-x-x-x-

"Woa! Nice room!" Aang's eyes were wide as he looked over it.

"Thanks," Zuko smirked slightly.

As both of them pulled on their sleeping clothes Zuko kept looking over at his bed. It seemed much smaller then he remembered and the thought of sharing it with Aang was slightly uncomfortable. He could tell the Airbender felt the same way. And try as he might, he couldn't get the comment Toph had made when she had found out about the exchange.

"Jeesh, what a change around! A few months ago you wanted to kill him and now you two are sleeping together."

He scowled and shuddered as he heard her words again in his head. One of these days her mouth was going to get her into trouble… In the end, he found it easier than he had anticipated. The many sleepless nights he had endured had made him so tired that he fell in a deep sleep just moments after he had out his head on the pillow. Aang didn't find it that easy and he lay awake for a while, occasionally checking to see if Zuko was still breathing as the teen was sleeping so silently. Eventually he too dropped off to sleep.