Zuko felt like it was his and Azula's Agni Kai all over again—the deep, burning pain in his heart and the inability to protect Chiara from his sister's incoming assault. The blinding explosion of the bolt as it crashed into its target prevented him from advancing further. He was nearly tackled by the airborne body of one of the guerrillas that had been thrown back by the blast. Unshielding his eyes, he saw other bodies littering the ground, some unconscious, many concussed, and none were Chiara. His eyes searched anxiously for her. Through the settling cloud of dust, Zuko finally spotted his wife as she disabled her last standing opponent. The lightning had landed in the center of a small group of insurgents who had been preparing to join their comrades in attacking her. Zuko turned to see his sister striking the rebel next to her sending him to his knees.

The man's wide eyes were staring up at her. "P-princess, I-I don't understand," he stammered. "I thought you would want your father back as Fire Lord."

"Again, what you thought was clearly wrong." She grabbed his shirt and scowled at him. "Whatever Ozai was, he was not a father." A sharp flame extended from her fingertip, and she slashed the mask from his face. Her eyes narrowed. "Ukano," she said deeply. "Let me guess...upset at the loss of Omashu?"

"The Fire Nation won't stand for this," he dared to say, though his eyes still showed fear.

"You and your rebels are not the Fire Nation," she sneered.

"RETR...!"

She stuffed his mask into his mouth before he could call for his men to withdraw.

"You are causing unnecessary division in our country," she scolded him deeply. "You may think Fire Lord Iroh is weak, but he will not tolerate this insurrection, especially when you attack his family." She leaned close to him, her eyes boring into his. "And I won't tolerate it either," she threatened.

Ukano was near trembling, and before he knew what was happening, Azula had him face down in the dirt and was binding his hands with his own red sash. After their leader was restrained, Azula sent a few well-aimed blue missiles towards the rebels who were attempting to run off. As the battle wound down, the guards began restraining the insurgents who were not badly injured, and many who managed to run away did not get far when they encountered the squadron of cavalry that had just arrived.

Zuko, Chiara's hand in his as he pulled her along, ran up to Azula.

"Are you okay?" Chiara asked her.

"Of course," she smirked at them. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Zuko was gaping at her, still shocked that she did not betray them.

"What's wrong, Brother? You didn't trust my aim?"

His lip curled in a sheepish expression. "I...I actually did trust your aim."

She giggled.

"Thank you, Azula," he said softly, relieved she had not targeted his wife and had actually helped her.

She rolled her eyes. "You're insufferable enough as it is, Zuzu," she said in her best condescending tone. "I certainly wouldn't want to deal with you if something happened to Chiara..."

"Princess!" called Nai anxiously, running towards them. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," said Chiara.

"Prince Zuko..." Kaito was hurrying over. "Is everyone all right?"

"Yes, Kaito."

"The flair was seen from the city gate, and they sent the cavalry," he said. "They're busy collecting the insurgents, and the Fire Lord has been informed of the attack."

Zuko nodded.

"Ukano was their leader." Azula indicated the bound man nearby struggling with his restraints.

"Ukano?" asked Zuko. "Wasn't he the governor when they took over Omashu?"

"He was," she affirmed. "And now he leads the New Ozai Society."

Zuko scoffed at the name.

"I wonder how many got away and how many more there might be," he said.

"I'm not sure how many got away, but from what Ukano told me, I believe it was a majority of the group directly involved in the attack. They want to reinstall Ozai as Fire Lord."

"Of course Ozai's going to have men loyal to him," said Zuko, sounding disappointed.

Azula was frowning at Ukano. "Only the ones who profited the most under him."

Chiara turned to Kaito. "Were any of the guards injured?"

"A few minor injuries, Princess."

Before she could step away to assist the wounded, Nai knelt on her left knee before her.

"Princess, I'm so sorry I failed in my duty." Her voice was filled with remorse and worry. "I never should've let you go near him..."

"Nai, it's all right," she assured her. "As soon as I realized he wasn't injured I was prepared..."

"But...but if he had attacked before you knew..."

"I take full responsibility," said Kaito. "I should have been more thorough when I checked him."

"Nai, Kaito," started Zuko, "we're fine. And now we know what to look for in the future. At least, that's one trick they won't get away with again." He was scowling at the insurgents as they were being gathered and restrained. He was furious that their plot was based on taking advantage of his wife's compassion.

Chiara went to assist their wounded guards with Nai by her side this time. When Azula turned to go back inside the carriage, Zuko gently placed his hand on her arm.

"Azula..."

She turned back to him.

"Thank you...," he started.

She gave him a playful eyeroll. "You already thanked me, Brother."

"I know, but I want you to know how much I mean it."

She turned away from him almost ashamed to admit her feelings. "I didn't do it for you," she said softly. "I owed it to her."

She opened the door of the carriage and climbed inside.

"Azula" Ursa leaned forward anxiously scanning her daughter for any visible injuries. "Are you all right?"

"Yes. Everything's taken care of."

"What happened? Is Chiara okay, and Zuko?"

"They're fine," she answered. "Apparently, a group of idiots want uncle off the throne."

She spotted the worry in her mother's expression when Ursa's eyes widened over the fear of an insurrection.

"Don't worry, Mother," she assured her. "It's nothing we can't handle."

Ursa tried to take comfort in her daughter's confident reassurance, and she sat back in her seat waiting for the others.

"Did you beat the group of idiots up?" came Kiyi's young voice.

"Kiyi," her mother admonished her lightly.

Azula turned her eyes on her little sister and could not help a small giggle at the girl's query. "Of course we did," she shrugged as if there could be no other answer to that question.

ooo

Zuko with Kaito by his side approached the group of insurgents who had been collected and bound by the cavalrymen. All their masks had been removed from their faces revealing their identities, but Ukano stood out among them all as his mask was still crammed in his mouth where Azula shoved it. The prince stopped before their leader.

"You made a mistake attacking us," Zuko spoke deeply.

Ukano glared at him until Kaito pulled the man's mask from his mouth upon the prince's signal.

"We will do what we have to to protect the Fire Nation," spat Ukano.

"How is ending the war not protecting our Nation?" asked Zuko.

"Iroh compromised our strength," he said. "He cares more about appeasing the Avatar than defending his people."

"Our people were being sent into battle by Ozai," growled Zuko deeply. "How many were needlessly killed in order to conquer a kingdom that we had no right to?" He would never forget the 41st Division, and he wondered how many countless others had been sacrificed with similar indifference by their leaders.

Ukano's angry glare darkened. "But what about the colonies? The Fire Nation citizens who live there no longer have any control over their lives..."

"They've been given freedom to govern themselves," countered the prince. "And those who didn't wish to remain in the colonies were welcome to return to the homeland."

"Yes, they were forced to give up their lives and homes if they didn't want to comply with their new overlords."

Zuko's eyes narrowed. "Self-governance is not equivalent to overlord rule..."

"Tell that to those who will be forced to follow laws made by earthbenders..."

"Have you ever met with those families in the colonies, Ukano?" Zuko asked growing annoyed with the man's obstinance.

"I was governor of New Ozai..."

"Omashu," stressed Zuko, "was recently conquered by the Fire Nation. Our oldest colonies, like Yu Dao, have long been established. I met with those families. The Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom had been working together there for decades. They wanted their freedom."

Ukano scowled at the prince. "As long as Iroh's on the throne we will never be safe. And you'll be as weak as he is."

"The only one compromising your safety is you and your rebels. But that ends today..."

"There will be others," said Ukano. Zuko signaled Kaito as Ukano went on, "The people won't stand for th..." Kaito shoved the mask back into his mouth.

"You don't speak for the people of the Fire Nation," said the prince before turning away from him.

ooo

When Chiara finished healing the injuries suffered by the members of their security escort and the cavalry, she walked over to Zuko who was standing with the cavalry captain.

"May I, Prince Zuko?" she asked holding up her water skin.

He sighed. He was expecting her to offer her gift even to their attackers just as much as he expected he would not be able to resist her request.

"They don't deserve it," he grumbled crossing his arms in an attempt to be stubborn. "Especially after targeting you the way they did."

"You're right. They don't deserve it," she said to his surprise. "But we're not animals. We can show them mercy."

"They won't see it as mercy, just weakness," he argued.

"Only those with the hardest hearts," she countered. "And their perception doesn't change the truth."

He huffed. "Fine, but I'm going to stand over them and scowl and be as intimidating as possible, so don't expect many to accept your generous offer."

She giggled at his threat. Even Kaito turned his face away to hide his soft chuckle at the couple's 'argument.'

Zuko took her hand. "We'll start over here," he said leading her before the guarded insurgents. "Princess Chiara of the Fire Nation is a healer," he announced to them. "And despite your cruel and traitorous attack on her, in her mercy she is willing to offer you relief from any injuries you may have suffered. If you choose to forgo her merciful gift, you will receive treatment in the prison which I promise you will not be as healing or as painless as her ministrations."

No one spoke up. Zuko wondered if it was due to his intimidating scowl like he hoped or if the group was just that stubborn and prejudiced.

One of the guards approached them and bowed. "Your Highness, there's a young man who's too injured to request aid."

Zuko nodded and they followed the guard to the wounded rebel. He lay on the ground unconscious, wounds covering the entire front of his body. The injuries to his face were severe, even damaging his right eye. Zuko and Chiara were both struck by his youthfulness. He looked to be even younger than they were.

She immediately knelt down by his side while Nai knelt opposite her. "How did this happen to him?" the princess asked. "These aren't burns."

Nobody seemed to know until a voice spoke up from the other rebels. "It was the princess's lightning."

They all looked at the shackled man nearby who was suffering from similar injuries, but nowhere near severe as the young man lying before them.

"We were struck with gravel and rock from her lightning," he clarified.

Chiara pulled out an orb of water and held it over the boy's head. The rebels who could see were awestruck as they eyed the luminous water. She detected hemorrhaging within his skull which kept him unconscious. It was obvious to her that whatever struck him must have struck hard for it to cause such severe damage. She would have preferred to leave him unconscious while she tended his other injuries first, but she knew it was trauma that had to be dealt with immediately, and she now regretted not triaging the wounded on both sides at the same time. While she was working quickly and delicately, the boy began moving. Nai tensed up ready to stop him from any aggressive move he might make.

"Wha...what happened?" he asked. He cringed as soon as he went to open his injured eye.

"Hold still," said the princess. "You're hurt. We're trying to mend your wounds."

Satisfied that his head wound was healed, she moved onto his eye. He was relieved to feel the pain leave his eye, but he immediately grew nervous when he focused on who it was that was over him. He tensed up and moved to back away from her. Flashes of the fight went through his mind. He recalled the princess throwing fire, but she was now holding water. There was the blinding flash of lightning before everything went black.

"You have other internal injuries," she said making no move to stop him from squirming away from her.

"He's alive and awake now, Chiara," said the prince standing behind her. "If he doesn't want his other injuries healed, then he can suffer. He should be grateful you returned his eyesight."

"I can fix them for you," said Chiara, her eyes still on the boy.

He winced when he tried to move again, but shook his head.

"I...I wouldn't say no to your treatment." The timid words were spoken by a rebel nearby who had watched her heal his comrade.

Chiara moved to kneel next to him while Nai remained right by her side despite the restraints that would keep the prisoner from making any offensive strikes at the princess.

"Your arm is fractured," she said as the glowing water searched for trauma.

"That would explain that pain," he spoke his thoughts aloud.

It was pain that was fading away as the water glowed brighter.

"Thank you, Princess," he said softly, bowing his head to her.

She nodded. Before she could get to her feet, other rebels requested her treatment, many having suffered non-fatal sword wounds by the princess herself. When she finished with all who were willing to accept her healing touch, she stood up. Zuko took her hand and was about to lead her back to the carriage.

"I would like your help," came a soft voice.

They turned to the young boy she had started with. She was relieved he asked for her. There was a sense of unfinished work when she was unable to heal all the injuries of a patient.

"Thank you," he said in a near-whisper when she relieved him of all his pain.

Ukano and a few others refused her gift, including the one who had initially attacked the princess, but those that accepted her healing touch were stunned not only by the curative power of waterbending, but also to see the princess bend another element after having fought her or having seen her fight with fire.

ooo

Ursa was relieved to see the couple return safe and uninjured. After resuming their trek to Capital City, now with half the cavalry escorting them, the carriage soon stopped in front of the palace where they all climbed out.

"Well, that was...uh...quite a dramatic trip," said Noren taking Kiyi's hand.

"What's the big deal?" asked Kiyi. "I knew my brother and sisters would keep us safe the whole time! I just wish I could've seen them beating up the bad guys."

Azula smirked at Zuko. "She's definitely got some fight in her blood."

He was chuckling. "I can't imagine which side she gets that from," he said with a grin.

Ursa stood next to Noren. She took a deep breath when she looked up at the palace doors. Zuko picked up on her apprehension and turned to her.

"It's okay, Mom. It's nothing like when Azulon or Ozai was here."

Ursa did not mean to smile so weakly. She trusted her children, but she was finding it difficult to overcome her anxiety, especially with the recent attack and cries of "Free Fire Lord Ozai" still echoing in her head. "I know," she said softly.

"Don't worry, Mom," said Azula stepping between them. "We won't let anything happen to you."

Zuko's lip curled upon hearing his sister's protective words to their mother.

"You've already proven that, my dear," she said to her daughter.

When they entered the palace, they were greeted by Ezih.

"Prince Zuko," he bowed, "the Fire Lord has received word of the attack. I'm pleased to see that you are all safe."

Zuko nodded. "Thanks goes to our escorts who fought bravely to defend us."

Azula suppressed an eyeroll over Zuko's modesty, especially considering he and Chiara had handled a majority of the insurgents.

"They will be commended for their bravery," said Ezih. "For now, Fire Lord Iroh wishes to have tea with you and the princess."

"Of course."

"He has also provided accommodations in the Royal Wing for Lady Ursa and her family. He thought they might want to settle in before meeting with him, especially after the...ordeal."

Zuko had not expected his uncle to provide a room for his mother in the family wing, but he was grateful for his generosity. "Thank you, Ezih." He turned to Ursa. "Mom, we're going to talk to Uncle, but we'll check on you afterwards."

"Of course, Zuko," she responded.

"Shin will take you to your room," said Ezih.

Ursa, Azula, Noren, and Kiyi followed Shin while Zuko and Chiara walked with Ezih to meet with Iroh.

ooo

Arriving in the Fire Lord's office, they greeted Iroh with a bow as he immediately stood up from his desk.

"Nephew, Daughter," he said hurrying over to them and wrapping them each in a hug a bit tighter than usual. "I heard about the attack. You are both okay?" He took a step back to look at them.

"We're fine, Uncle, but it was a close call for Chiara." He was still seething over the possibilities. "They took advantage of her compassion, and it could've killed her."

"I'm afraid I don't understand," he said directing them to the table.

"There was a man lying in the road who appeared injured," Zuko started as he knelt on a cushion. "When Chiara attempted to heal him, he attacked her."

He saw no wounds on his daughter, but it did not completely alleviate his worry since she was a target of the attack. "What did he do?" he asked her.

"When I realized he wasn't really hurt, I...I knew we were being set up," she said. "As soon as he moved, I just automatically raised a fire shield, and his fire blast backfired."

Iroh was impressed by her quick defense but livid that it was necessary. "To attack you with fire...," he said deeply, a puff of smoke emanating from his breath. "And at close range...it is dishonorable. We will put an end to this terrorist group."

"Azula said their leader is Ukano, the former governor of Omashu," said Zuko. "They call themselves the New Ozai Society."

Iroh's eyes darkened at the name. "Hmm...I've been informed of a group of Ozai loyalists, but they've been difficult to infiltrate."

"We may have gotten most of them. Azula seemed to think the whole group attacked. She also said they planned on kidnapping Chiara and me to try and force you to resign, even if they had to kill us."

The darkness in the Fire Lord's eyes deepened at the thought. "Using my family against me...that is a very dangerous game," threatened the Dragon of the West. "And how did Azula learn this information?" His voice had softened with his enquiry.

"She's the one that took down Ukano," said Zuko. "And...and she stood by us. She didn't have to. She could've joined the insurgents, but she didn't."

"She fought quite honorably," added Chiara. "She even helped me out during the fight."

"You and Chiara were right about her, Uncle," said Zuko. "She's been really different...for the better."

"And Aunt Ursa's been right there with her," she said. "I think that's helped more than anything."

"I am overjoyed to hear it," smiled Iroh. "She deserves peace of mind. Thank you, Ezih."

Ezih set their tea on the table before bowing to his Fire Lord.

"As for this new organization," he continued, "we will investigate them further. And extra protection will be provided outside the palace grounds."

Chiara let out a small groan. She would continue visiting the hospital on Heiwa Island as well as other clinics throughout Capital Island, and they planned to eventually embark on a tour of all the islands of the Fire Nation to bring reassurance and healing to their people. A large armed escort would be cumbersome.

Iroh smiled wryly at her show of disappointment. "We cannot let anything happen to you, Daughter."

"I know," she said truthfully. As much as she dreaded it, she understood the inconvenience of having more guards was necessary. "It was just so much easier working in the tea shop."

"I agree," he said as he and Zuko both chuckled. He started pouring the tea into the three cups on the tray. "I was delighted to get your message, Nephew. I want to hear all about your adventure in Hira'a."

They sipped on their tea while Zuko and Chiara recounted how they found Ursa, how they had met her once before without knowing who she was, and how she had come to be hidden there.

"...and thank you for giving them a room in the family wing, Uncle."

"Of course, Prince Zuko. Lady Ursa is family after all. She and Noren may even have one of the family manors if they choose," he said. "But they are also welcome to stay in the Royal Wing indefinitely."

"Wait 'til you meet Kiyi," said Chiara. "She's the sweetest little girl."

He chuckled. "I can't wait. It will be wonderful having the palace filled with children again." His eyes slowly dropped down to the table. "Of course...it is customary for the Fire Lord's children to move into one of the manors once they are married," he added softly. "You may even have mine if you desire. I know you've always admired the garden." His eyes were on Chiara.

Zuko's and Chiara's eyes met. They both knew where they wanted to live.

"If it's all the same to you, Uncle, we really want to stay here with you in the palace."

Iroh's amber eyes lit up with his grin. There was no hiding the joy he felt that they preferred to remain in the palace allowing him to be close to his grandchild and future grandchildren. "I was hoping you would."

"And I think my mom'll want to stay here, too, to be close to us and Azula, and the baby."

"Oh, Lady Ursa must be so excited about her grandchild."

"She is," said Zuko still reeling from the happiness of having found his mother. Even if his mother had chosen to stay in Hira'a, having closure on what had happened to her was a relief. Not knowing if she was alive or dead was a weight that he no longer carried. "Uncle...," he started hesitantly, "...about Ozai...since he's responsible for Azulon's death, will...will he be punished?"

Iroh thoughtfully stroked his beard. "His punishment for such a grave offense would be execution."

"I know." The only sympathy Zuko felt for Ozai was that he had never repented of his crimes, and he was sure the man never would. He knew execution was justified, and not just for murdering the former Fire Lord, but for other murders and acts of cruelty he committed, ordered, and attempted to commit against countless people. He had expected the Avatar to exact that punishment, but Aang found a different way, and the new Fire Lord respected that decision. Now, however, faced with proof of this newly revealed crime, the Fire Nation could carry out Ozai's execution.

"There will be no further charges brought against Ozai," said Iroh with a tone of finality.

The prince gaped at his decision. "But...but he killed the Fire Lord—his own father..."

"To have Ozai charged with patricide and regicide, the only witness would have to admit to having provided him with the poison used in the murder."

He stared at his uncle, the meaning of his words sinking in.

"I will not take the chance of charges being brought against her," Iroh said softly. "I believe she was perfectly justified in her actions, but I cannot say that the court will believe the same. Even if I choose to overrule any court sentence, it may prove more trouble than its worth, especially if there are other groups besides the New Ozai Society who are loyal to him."

Zuko's eyes softened. "Thank you, Uncle."

Iroh stared gravely at his teacup. "If what Azulon demanded of Ozai is true, I might have offered him some special tea," he said darkly. He glanced up to see Zuko and Chiara staring at him open-mouthed. "Albeit for different reasons," he added. They were still gaping at him. "What kind of man would ask that of his own child and grandchild? If he demanded such a sacrifice from me, I might have struck him dead right then."

Despite the gruesome image of patricide, Zuko and Chiara could not help but be grateful for Iroh's devotion to those he loved.

"Moving on to more pleasant business," he started lightly, "I believe it is time to officially announce our newest family member."

"That's great, Uncle," grinned Zuko.

"And along with the announcement, in honor of the new prince or princess, I am declaring a National Tea Appreciation Day."

Chiara's eyes lit up. "It's about time. That's definitely a holiday long overdue."

"Yes, it is," smiled Iroh.

Zuko chuckled at the two of them. "I'm surprised you haven't created a special new blend for the baby," he said in a playfully wry tone.

Iroh grinned at him. "As a matter of fact, Nephew, I have, but it will only be revealed on National Tea Appreciation Day."

They spent the next hour going over their plans for the royal announcement and the new national holiday and only stopped when they were interrupted by a frantic Amiku when she learned that Chiara had not eaten anything since lunch shortly before the ship had arrived in the harbor.

ooo

After Chiara and Zuko left the Fire Lord's office to head towards the gardens where Amiku insisted a meal would be brought to them, Iroh sent for Azula.

When she entered his office, she bowed respectfully to him where he was still reclining at the table.

"Ah, Princess Azula, please sit," he motioned towards a cushion opposite him. "Have some tea."

"Thank you, Uncle," she said kneeling at the table.

"First, I wish to thank you for the aid you provided in the incident earlier." He pushed a cup he had just filled towards her. "I was told you fought quite bravely."

"Yes...well, it was just a well-placed bolt and a few fire blasts really." Unlike her brother's modesty in downplaying his extended battle, Azula was convinced her simple attack was just child's play.

Iroh chuckled jovially. "Nevertheless, your help was greatly appreciated, and it seems you were able to get some information on the New Ozai Society."

"Yes, Uncle. Ukano, the former governor of former New Ozai, is their leader. Their plan involved capturing Zuko and Chiara with the intention of forcing you to abdicate in favor of Ozai."

Azula could see the fire in her uncle's eyes at the threat to his children.

"Honestly, I personally believe those two would've been more trouble for the society than it was worth," she continued.

He raised an eyebrow at her admission.

"After what my brother did at Boiling Rock, I doubt some ragtag group of malcontents would be able to handle them."

Her observation elicited a laugh from Iroh. "Yes, I believe you're right. He did cause quite a bit of trouble at the prison."

"Ukano is merely a weak fool, himself, who always had his nose up Ozai's..." She hesitated as she glanced at her uncle. "...well...you know."

He softly chuckled. "Yes, I'm familiar with Ukano's Ozai-worship."

The princess sipped her tea.

"I wish to offer my congratulations on finding your mother," he said.

"Thank you, Uncle." She looked down at her cup. "It...it was a relief to learn the truth...about a lot of things."

"It must be exciting to find you have a little sister too."

She cocked her head slightly, not sure if she found the idea 'exciting.' "It was definitely surprising," she said softly. "But it's good to see Mother happy."

Iroh noticed the small grin on his niece's face. He had seen the damage caused by Ozai. His brother's own hatred used to reflect in her eyes. He was delighted that Chiara was able to heal some of that damage allowing the girl to find a sense of peace. "Yes," he said. "It is always a joy when we find happiness in our family."

A/N: The title of this chapter is a line from Godfather III (misspelled to fit).

The final chapter count is 106, so only 2 left.