Author's Note: While this is normally something I wouldn't really do, I had several requests to not kill Zuko, which I in fact did. Due to requests, I decided to write an alternate Epilogue for my readers. I will be honest, I don't really like the ending where he lives. I think it's a bit more meaningful and appropriate for his death. However, I did decided to indulge my readers.

I hope you like the way the alternate ending turned out. Enjoy the bonus chapter, and don't forget to leave me a review to let me know which ending you like better. [On a side note, my personal favorite is the original epilogue. Something about it captures more than the alternate. Personal opinion, though!]

Alternate Epilogue

The war ended several months after Fire Lord Azula fell. Like the Order of the Lotus, the other allies of the Avatar had joined the fight at the North Pole. With the waterbending strategies Master Paku had formed, the Northern Water Tribe had been managing to keep the fleet at bay during daylight, so that the ships couldn't land and attack full-force. It was only after the others had arrived that the battle left the stalemate. Teo's father had designed some real bombs – not just sludge and stink – that caused substantial damage. Katara, Sokka, Suki, and Toph had been the ones to face Ozai; they were less merciful than Aang had wanted to be.

Upon his demise, the troops surrendered, and the war was finally over.

It had been a year since then.

Now, fragrant cherry blossoms bloomed on the Isle of the Lotus. They always bloomed this time of year. The remote island remained populated by the friends – the family – that they had gained through this journey. Katara and Sokka had decided to stay, though most of the other members of the Southern Water Tribe had returned home. They'd left for a while to visit their grandmother, but only a month later returned. After all, Katara and Sokka had found their own family in their friends.

Many had decided to stay on the Isle of White Lotus. Jet and his Freedom Fighters had stayed behind, along with families and refugees with no home to return to. Haru and his father returned to their village, grateful to be going home to a free village, and Teo had returned to the Air Temple with his Father. The elders of the Order of the White Lotus had returned to their homelands, too. After all, they would be the ones to begin rebuilding the fallen cities. The Kyoshi Warriors had decided to return to their island, too, though Suki had decided to stay behind with Sokka. Ty Lee had gone with them, deciding to renounce her life prior to betraying Azula. Despite her history, the girls seemed pleased that she had been passed leadership. As for Mai, well…she supposed she would return…one day.

Toph had a home to go, but no desire to return. True, she had been back to see her parents since…things had settled. But they still didn't get it. A breath drew in, heavy with a floral perfume. She was still just a helpless child to them. Despite that she had helped finally bring down the Fire Nation. A sigh escaped into the cool summer breeze as Toph crossed the stone path and headed up the hill. She had come to live with her family – the one that really did understand her, and accept her.

Quietly, she sat beneath the shade of the cherry blossom tree. The wind brushed her cheek, the fragrant breeze tickling her nose as it wafted passed. Fingers dug into the grass anxiously, twisting silky blades as she pulled them from the ground. Nearby, dirt shuffled, and she smile to herself as she felt him approaching. It wasn't unlike him to follow her up here; after all, she thought of him like the older brother she never had.

"It's a beautiful day," he said, eyes gazing over the landscape. Tall strands of grass danced in the breeze like the waves of the sea that rushed over pale sand at the base of the hill. She smiled to herself, closing her eyes as she took in a deep breath of sea salt. He sat beside her, dirt shifting and rocks scraping as he eased himself down. He winced, hissing quietly to himself, and Toph frowned.

"It's still bothering you, isn't it?" she asked as he settled. She could feel his eyes studying her and could tell he was contemplating his answer; but he'd learned better than to try to lie to her.

"…I have my bad days," he replied distantly, placing a hand over his chest. But the truth was, the bad days had become much fewer. He should have died. The injuries he had sustained…it was nothing short of a miracle.

"Have you told Katara?" she queried nosily, knowing well that even she wouldn't tell Katara if she were in the other's position. "…I can't blame you," she replied when there was no answer.

"It's gotten better," he protested, wincing again as the pain settled over him.

"But…it's still hurting, isn't it?" she argued quietly.

"…There's only so much healing powers can do," he replied quietly.

"Yeah, it saved Aang when he was almost dead," she mumbled. They both fell silent at the mention of the fallen Avatar – the last airbender. Quietly, she wondered if the next Avatar had been found, or if the cycle would be broken now that the airbenders had died off.

"…I'll be going home soon," he changed the subject. An ache stabbed at her heart, and she blinked back the stinging tears that bit at her eyes.

"…So you're leaving?" she asked grumpily, and he chuckled.

"Not really," he said. Her brows furrowed as she listened to his heartbeat and the words that fell lazily onto the passing breeze. "I have to rebuild the Fire Nation…we've…we've fallen so far…"

"Have to, or want to?"

"…Want to," he confirmed. "My ancestors are the ones that brought on the war, and the misery its caused. I…I want to be the one to fix it. All of the mistakes my family made…all the mistakes I made…I don't want them to be in vein."

"…Your Uncle would be proud," she said quietly and eyes studied her silently. Toph felt a trickle down her cheek, and quickly wiped the teardrop away. She smiled, standing from the shade and stepped into the sunlight. Her cheeks felt warm with the morning sun, the chilly breeze only faintly lingering. For the first time in her life, Toph wished she could see. See the sun rising over the tree line, painting the sky warm pastels. See the gold-lined clouds that glowed with the sunlight. See how eyes glimmered in that light. …And his face, smiling back at her – eyes bright with the radiant new dawn, only obscured by chocolate locks as they caught the breeze.

"Just don't be a stranger, Zuko," she added as she walked toward the beach. Eyes lingered over her, amber studying the mature youth as she walked down the hill. He leaned against the tree, running a rough hand through dark locks as wind swept over him.

He closed his eyes; she was right…he probably would be. A dull pain echoed against his ribcage, and he winced; for a moment, he wondered if it was the remnants of his injuries or just painful memories. Zuko inhaled; the fragrance of sweet cherry blossoms and sea salt swept past, and the leaves rustled quietly. A silence surrounded him, and Zuko let his breath escape with the fading breeze.

Breathe in…breathe out…