Chapter 1 : A New Flame

Rumors had started to fly around like leaves in the wind. Zuko found that being fire lord was harder than he thought. He hadn't thought of the gossip and the mocking. I wish I could just kill them. If I just marry Mai, the rumors will stop. Wait no, they'll just find new ones.! Ugh. In the months after the overthrow of Ozai, things had changed dramatically. Suddenly he was the one making decisions, and telling generals what to do. Iroh was really the only one he could count on. That, and Mai had been there for him too. Getting thrown into the snake pit of courtiers, and generals was very hard to adjust to.

Mai. I wonder what she'll think when she walks in tonight. He had set up a party in honor of peace. He planned to officially court her and announce it. Her father would be there too, and he couldn't refuse the Fire lord to his face in the middle of a party. Zuko didn't know many things, but he knew how to manipulate.

This was the only pastime he liked, walking around the court yard. It gave him a chance to think. He looked all around and just remembered the ships he used to live on. None were as comfortable as this. It was good to be home.

He looked into a dark corner though, and saw his sister's and father's graves. He had ordered a trellis to be put around there so that the growing plants would cover the corner. They stood as an everlasting reminder of the dark era that had consumed the world. He didn't want to think of it again.

Suddenly Mai walked up. Perfect, I can escort her in.

"Mai, how are you?" he said as he smiled.

"Good, how are you sire?"

He grimaced and replied "Don't call me that"

"Why? I was just giving the courtesy.."

"Well you don't have to any more."

At that moment they walked in. The room was lit and a small band played in the corners. Tables in the back had food on them. People were all around the room talking and laughing. They stopped when they saw the fire lord enter. When he entered, they all got to their knees and bowed down. He nodded and motioned for them the stand up.

"Welcome friends, enjoy the party"

They started talking again after he had said this, mostly about Mai on his arm. Do you see? I told you he'd be with her…He just ignored the gossip and guided Mai to her father, it was customary for the father to see his daughter's date. When they walked up they saw him talking with another General. Zuko cleared his throat to announce his presence. Her father turned and motioned the other general away. He bowed. Zuko nodded and he bent back up.

"Well, Sire, I had no idea that my daughter would have the honor of being with you tonight, I whole heartedly approve her choice!" He smiled at this and gave his approval.

"Thank you, General Hiro."

After all the courtesies had been given, and the party had gone on for an hour, Zuko thought it was time. He got up on the podium and cleared his throat. By this time Mai was waiting below, unaware of what he was going to say. All turned to listen.

"Good evening friends, I hope the party is going well"

They all nodded.

"I have an announcement to make,"

All were in suspense.

"I plan on courting Mai Hiro."

There he said it. Even going as far as to use her father's name as her last name as custom.

"That is, of course, if General Hiro permits it"

The spot light shined on Hiro, he had him trapped now, just the way he wanted it.

"O-Of course! How could I reject you, sire?"

Good, as he had planned. Courting was another word for serious dating, and when it came to the fire lord, it was very serious.

"My lord- Zuko!" Mai looked up with a look of astonishment.

He came down from the podium and took Mai by the hand and led her to the dance floor.

"Shh, everything is going to be perfect"

Currently Aang was investigating new rumors about new air benders. He had heard wind of babies being able to make things float, a trademark sign of an air bender. He was so happy when he thought there might be hope of rebuilding the air benders. The world could go back to being 4 elements instead of 3. He longed to play with another air bender and play air games with them.

He got an answer to this rumor on the solstice. He had a vision of old avatars and air people.

"Aang, we have come to tell you something." Roku said.

"We know you have heard rumors about more air benders." Said Gyatso.

"And they are true."

Gyatso and Roku explained everything: "You see Aang, the spirit of the earth is now imbalanced, because there are only 3 elements instead of 4."

" Because of this, the spirits are giving the ability to any new child they choose."

"You will soon be joined at the temples by new children whose parents send them here."

"You must teach them the old ways."

"And, Aang. You can find more bison in the forests near the temples."

"They have hid for years, even after the destruction of their temples."

He woke up startled. More air benders meant more of his people. Life, back to normal.

At the same time, Aang was also searching desperately to find someone to court. All the world leaders were expected to be married, and he was short a wife.

He had thought about Katara, but did she still see him as a kid? Man, this is gonna be hard. He had grown a lot though. 2 years of traveling and fighting had made him older.

He was at his home temple, and no one was around. He needed advice but didn't know where to get it. He usually went to Katara or Sokka, but this matter involved them, it would be too delicate to ask them about. All who was left was Toph. She's a girl, she should know. He called Appa and loaded him with supplies.

"We're going to Toph's"

Appa just laid down silently and ate hay. After all the supplies were packed, Aang got on and said "Yip, yip!"

Sokka was almost in the same boat, he had no real idea what to do, Suki had no father he could ask. Guess that will make things easier. Even though he wasn't a leader, he would be one soon. His father was too tired from the war to rule for long, and he had already said Sokka would be the one to take over.

Sokka looked around at the new Southern water tribe, it was re-built to its former glory, as he had wanted. He looked around at all the new shops and homes, it was just as he remembered it as a child. Mom, if only you could see this. He had wanted Suki to see it when it was finished, to show her where he grew up. She'd be here soon, along with the other warriors.

He had already made himself and igloo and bought a spot of land for it. Katara had neatened it up a little with her water bending to make it feel like home. She had made a two bedroom igloo, an uncommon luxury in the Southern water tribe. Sokka just looked and imagined little kids running around, and Suki cooking dinner. This home would be a happy one.

Katara was about a mile from where Sokka was, fixing up some things around the village. They were expecting Northern water tribe brothers and sisters to arrive to help repopulate the island. All she could see was them being disappointed, the southern water tribe was nothing compared to the civilization up north. How do we impress these people? She had fun rebuilding her tribe, seeing all it was and would be was almost like seeing her mother again.

As soon as the war was over, she had gone to her mother's grave and created a mausoleum, a little ice house for her mother and her memory. Finally, a proper way of honoring you.

Toph was in her yard relaxing. Ever since she had returned home, her parents had been sort of bipolar.

On the first night of her return, they were angry, sad, and hurt.

Second night it was understanding and love.

Third it was ignoring because of hurt.

The list goes on. I'd wish they'd just realize I am not some piece of glass, I am not delicate. All she could do was wait until they finally got some sense. It shouldn't take long.

Suddenly she felt Appa and Aang land. She ran over to them in a hurry, either something bad had happened, or he was here for a visit.

"Aang, what are you doing here?"

"I need advice, and I can't go to Katara or Sokka"

"You think I am a doctor or something?"

"I think you could help-It's about girls"

Toph laughed.

"Well, I guess I can help you there, who do you mean?"

Aang stumbled, Toph knew Katara, he was afraid that Toph would break to him 'She doesn't like you' or 'You're too young for her' or, even worse yet 'She doesn't see you that way'.

"Ka-Katara"

"Oh! Well. Hmm"

"I don't know Aang."

"All I know is to be yourself and be sensitive, girls like that"

"Okay." "Ho-How do I ask/break it to her that I like her?"

"Be slow and don't let your true feelings be shown until the right moment, going on to strong would creep her out."

"Thanks Toph, I appreciate your help"

"Your Welcome, and don't say it that way, I am not some official, I am your friend."

Aang laughed "Okay."

Aang boarded Appa and yelled "Yip, Yip!"

All he could think about was how he could tell Katara, and how to make her understand

By this time, Zuko was having a perfect night. It couldn't be ruined. Here he was dancing with his girlfriend in a perfect mood setting and no one to spoil it. And, to top it all off, No Azula. All he could do was dream of the future and what it would bring. Its going to be perfect.

The party was over a few hours later. After he had waved everyone off, curtsied, bowed etc. he finally went back to Mai.

"Zuko, I can't believe it!"

"I know, I know. I just wanted it to be a surprise"

"And the most perfect surprise it was!"

She kissed him after that sentence and walked out with her father who had been waiting.

What a perfect night.

Zuko was thinking the exact same thing. He was the happiest he had been since his mom had been around. Oh, mom, would you be proud of me? Would you approve?

So many unanswered questions. He'd have to ask Iroh, he'd know.

Sokka had just finished tidying up when a horn sounded. Shit, shit! They're here already? Instinctively Sokka ran to grab his club. He pulled back at the last second and realized No, wait, the war is over. He ran out and saw two ships on the horizon. He ran and caught up with Katara.

"Two?"

"One's probably Suki, the other is the Northern water tribe."

"Ah." "You excited?"

"Yes, are you? I am sure seeing your girlfriend again must be exciting"

"Hey! She's not my girlfriend yet." "I haven't asked"

"Who are you going to ask?"

"I don't know."

The Northern water tribe ship arrived within thirty minutes, because of the water benders inside it. Katara ran to the deck. Even though Pakku was already here, more new Northerners was always fun.

"Hey, welcome to the Southern tribe!" She smiled.

12 people came off the ship. 6 boys and 6 girls. They looked excited too, but tired from the long ride.

"Set your bags here, we'll send someone to put them in your igloos"

They all looked around, not saying anything.

Katara spent the rest of the day learning their names and showing them around town. It was tiring, but she was happy.

Sokka still waited for the second ship. The ship would wait until the tide could bring it to shore. Suki.

Aang spent a couple of hours getting back home. Every flight was shorter, now that they didn't have to avoid anybody seeing them. He got back late and crawled back into bed. Home, I missed you.

AN:

I DID MEAN TO MAKE IT SEEM LIKE A CERTAIN SHIP.

Later, I am going to pull some twists and It will be the real ships.

Well, this is just sort of a filler chapter to help everybody catch up on whose where and what's happening to them. I have decided to change the ships around. I'll pull some fast ones on you later.

Again, comment! :D

Tell me mistakes, what you would like to see more of, and what you want or expect to see.

WARNING RATED T FOR SOME LEMON ACTION LATER AND LANGUAGE.