A/N: Hello everyone. Get ready for your favorite Fire Lord to make his appearance. Thank you for reading, and I look forward to your thoughts on this chapter.

Chapter II:

Return to the Fire Nation

"You sure you don't want to stay one more night?" Sokka asked as he watched Raya fasten a bag of supplies onto Rai Jin's saddle.

"I really can't," she insisted, turning toward her companions.

"Tell that knuckle headed Lord of yours he should come around more often. He should see the city he helped create," the sixteen year old Republic City Chief of police said with her usual callous tone and crossed arms. Toph Beifong was easily one of the strongest people Raya had ever met. Her unbending will had made her the obvious candidate to be the chief of police for the rapidly expanding city, even though she was just sixteen. Aang had initially met some resistance about his choice, due to her age, but the tenacity of the young metal bender spoke for itself.

In the three years that Raya had been in the Earth Kingdom, she had only been to Republic City four times. Each time, the city got a little bigger. The harbor was bustling daily with the traffic of hundreds of sailors and merchants, coming from every corner of the globe in order to trade, buy, and sell in the city. There were several districts in the city, including those that represented one of each of the four nations, as well as a district that was home mostly to non-benders.

During her overnight stay there, Sokka and Toph had shown the Demitar all of the new additions, as well as the major buildings. They even took her to see Air Temple Island. There was nothing there yet, but Aang had decided to have plans drawn up for a nomad sanctuary that would be placed on the island. It would house not only him and Katara in the future, but the many air acolytes that had accrued over the years. Yu Dao had transformed from a war occupied town, to a flourishing utopia where anyone of any creed could begin life anew.

"I'll pass the message on," Raya said with a smile. Toph's face softened ever so slightly and she gave the Demitar an affectionate punch on the arm. Raya winced and glanced over to see Sokka repressing a laugh. "I guess this is goodbye."

"I guess it is. Send us a fire hawk once in a while, will ya?" Sokka said as he gave the Demitar one of his signature bear hugs. Raya nodded and mounted the large white dragon at her back. She smiled down at both of them, and with a small wave set off for the Fire Nation. As the wind whipped around her, tossing her hair around her shoulders and face, she swore she heard, "And send fire flakes!"

X

The journey didn't take long. The once town of Yu Dao, first place to become occupied by Sozin's hundred year war, was as close as one could get to the Fire Nation without actually being in its territory. It only took a few hours in the air for the small signature volcanic islands of the Fire Nation to come into view. This caused the Demitar's stomach to become a swarm of anxious buzzing.

She had longed for years to return to the palace – to see Zuko; to be with him. There had been a mutual understanding between them that they were both important people, and their responsibilities had to lie elsewhere. She thought this moment would bring her volleys of joy, but instead, she was afraid. It was a strange feeling to admit. Anxious, worried, excited; all of these would have made more sense in this moment, but she knew they were not the proper adjectives to describe her mood.

She wondered then why she felt this way. Perhaps it was the lack of communication over the years that had her feeling uncertain. It had taken Aang's urging to get him to agree to have Raya come to the Fire Nation at all. It wasn't even by his own volition that the Demitar would be returning to her home land. Did he want her there at all? Or was he just appeasing the nagging of the Avatar.

Of all the questions swirling around in her head, none hit her harder that the last one: Did he want her at all? She pushed it away from the forefront of her mind. There were too many things to consider as she arrived to be dwelling on such trivial issues. And that's all they were in this moment; trivial issues that she had to put aside, because first and foremost, she was the Demitar. She focused on her duty, attempting to mask the chaotic torrent of questions running through her mind.

It was a good thing too, because the main land had been passing below the dragon and Demitar for some time while she thought, and the Fire Nation palace began to appear in the distance. The moment of truth was upon her as she took a steadying breath, and directed the dragon into the mouth of the extinct volcano that housed the capital city of the Fire Nation.

As Rai Jin flew over the palace gates, a few guards sounded small horns to alert others of the Demitar's arrival. She could see people scurrying about beneath her and the dragon as he slowed to a hover and touched down on the cool stone that preceded the main entryway of the royal palace. She slid down from her saddle and looked around herself, watching as a few guards approached her.

"Demitar Raya," one of them said as they bowed to her. She gave them a small bow in return. "Please follow us." She obliged, and they lead her up the stone steps that gave way to the large double doors. Their solid wooden mass began to slide open as servants pulled at them from the inside. She glanced behind her to see a few guards exchanging questioning glances about what to do with the dragon.

"Demitar Raya, what an honor." The guards halted, then separated at the top of the steps, leaving a path for the Demitar to continue up the rest of the way. The man who spoke to her now was a short man with a bit of age on him. His beard and mustache were white with age, and his attire was simple yet elegant. She bowed to him.

"Forgive me, but I don't know your name," she said, unsure of how to properly greet the man.

"I am HanLee, Fire Lord Zuko's advisor," the man said with a genuine smile. "Now you must forgive me; we were not expecting your arrival."

"What? I received a letter from the Fire Lord last week. He asked me to come here," Raya began to explain as she watched HanLee with confusion.

"I assure you, Demitar Raya, we knew nothing of your arrival," HanLee insisted.

"Let me speak with him," Raya requested as she followed the advisor into the foyer of the palace. The place had not changed at all since the last time she had been inside. It was as grandiose as it had always been, with Fire Nation emblems hung at intervals along the available wall space between marble pillars.

"He has been informed of your arrival, I'm sure he will be with us shortly-"

"Move!" The voice that interrupted HanLee's just then was one the Demitar recognized as plainly as if she had heard it only the day before. It was a voice she would never forget, and even in anger as it seemed to be now, it made her heart give a measurable thud against the wall of her sternum. As her heart began to quicken its pace, her amber eyes searched for the face she longed to see.

She was not kept waiting long, as a tall man stepped into view and began making his way down the corridor towards them. His dark hair was down to his shoulders now, and was fixed on top of his head with the royal ornament of the Fire Lord. The scar that forever branded him was still just as prominent as ever across the left side of his face, but that face was now leaner; sharper. His face had become more angled, much like Raya's, and age had done much to eradicate the softness of adolescence. She couldn't tell much in the way of muscle, as he flowing robes obscured much of those features, but his shoulders had definitely become broader.

Raya was so wrapped up in his transformation into adulthood that she had failed to see the frustration written across his face. And the fact that that face was immeasurably tired looking. She realized that an unconscious smile was resting across her pale lips at the sight of him, but it vanished the moment he spoke.

"What are you doing here?" He had come to stand a few paces before hew now, and while she had expected a myriad of outcomes, this was not one of them. Her face became a lost stare, and she tried grasping at words, but none would come forth.

"I sent for her." A gentle voice joined them, and it was vastly gentler than Zuko's. "Welcome, Demitar Raya." Raya turned to see that Ursa, Zuko's mother, had joined them in the Foyer. She was smiling kindly at the Demitar, and seemed to be the only one expecting her, let alone happy to see her.

"You had no right," Zuko snapped at his mother, and the harshness of his tone caused Raya to flinch.

"Calm down, Zuko," his mother said with the tone of firm affection only a mother could produce. Raya watched as Zuko's fists clenched.

"You can't stay here," he said with finality, deciding not to argue with his mother for the moment. Raya looked flabbergasted all over again as she looked in to his amber eyes. She searched them for anything other than frustration. She thought perhaps she saw a glimmer of some other emotion flash across his face at her obvious confusion and hurt, but he didn't let it last long enough for her to decide.

"She's come all this way," Ursa demanded, stepping up to fight for the Demitar, since she didn't seem to have the capacity to do so herself. "The least you can do is give her the night. Let her rest, feed her dragon, and then – if you still wish it – in the morning she will leave." Ursa stood with all the grace of a Fire Lady, and Raya wondered how she survived so many years at Ozai's side. He was a complete monster, and Ursa was everything he wasn't.

"Fine," Zuko said suddenly, and she could see that he had reached his limit for argument today. His answer was clipped and short, his face betraying no other emotion than agitation. He didn't even stay long enough to exchange a single word more. He had turned, his robes flying around him, and begun his journey into other parts of the palace, away from the commotion.

Raya blinked, her eyes wide with confusion. She looked at the ground, and tried to compose herself. What had just happened? She couldn't even begin to process what had just transpired between her and the members of the royal family; especially with so many eyes on her. Before she had time to collect herself fully, she felt Ursa take her arm in her own.

The slender woman began to lead the Demitar away from the foyer, down the grand corridor that Zuko had already long since disappeared into. Raya looked over, and admired the beauty she saw there. The once Fire Lady was, even at this age, so lovely that it made the Demitar feel a bit inferior. Her heart shaped face was soft around the edges, and her eyes were a deep brown that reminded Raya of dark, liquid topaz. Her hair was beginning to gray at the temples, but the rest of her head was covered by thick silken brown locks. She moved with the kind of poise that made it seem as though she were floating across the floor, instead of walking on two feet.

"I apologize for the less than warm welcome, Raya. I'm going to get this sorted out," Ursa said as they came to a stop. Raya looked up around herself, taking in her new surroundings, and realized they must be deep within the confines of the palace. There were chamber doors along the corridor they stood in, and the one they stood closest to was pulled open by a young servant. Raya wondered when the girl had joined them, or if she had simply been waiting there the whole time. "In the mean-time, please make yourself at home."

"Zuko . . ." was all Raya managed to say, but what she had wanted to say went more like, 'Why does he suddenly seem to hate me?'

"I will explain everything soon." With that promise, the Fire Lady was off down the corridor before Raya could even muster a full sentence. She looked after her, her brow furrowing in discontent, before she turned to the young girl. When her eyes landed on the youth, she bowed deeply and remained that way.

"You don't have to do that," Raya finally said as she moved into the room. The girl straightened and watched Raya make her entrance. The Demitar sat her bag slowly onto the elegant duvet that covered the bed she would be staying in, at least for the night. Its intricate sewing detailed the fire nation symbol and two dragons. She ran her hand over the silk absently as her mind raced.

Across the room she raised her eyes to the balcony that seemed to overlook one of the many gardens the palace was home to. She moved around the bed, and stepped out into the light of the dying sun. The horizon was alive with bright oranges and swaths of red, bathing the surrounding area in fiery hues. She gripped the stone railing at the edge of her balcony and looked down into the courtyard below her without really seeing it.

Unwelcome tears blurred the vision of her amber eyes and she shut them tightly. Her hands clenched over the stone beneath them and she felt the heat of each tear slide slowly down her pale cheeks. The overwhelming feelings of the moment that had transpired seemed to overtake her now, crashing into her with delay. She took a deep breath and felt the prodding of the Avatar in her mind; her fleeting moment of raw emotion had opened her connection unintentionally.

Aang . . .

I take it you made it to the Fire Nation in one piece.

Feel more like pieces . . .

What happened?

I . . . I don't know. Zuko told me I can't stay here. It was Ursa, Aang. Ursa has been writing you. She's the one who brought me here.

So something is wrong, and he's not reaching out to us.

I think you're right, but –

"Demitar Raya, Fire Lord Zuko requests permission to enter." Raya's head snapped around and she saw the young girl standing behind her. She hadn't realized that the young servant was meant to accompany her so closely. Raya would have to speak with someone about it, not that it would matter for long. She looked toward the door then, and only after she let go of the railing did she realize how tightly she had been holding on. She felt frozen to the spot, as though a water bender had iced her feet in place. "Demitar Raya . . .?" the young girl prodded again, and Raya's face became set in a blank stare.

"Okay," was all she could muster, and the servant moved to the door as Raya quickly dabbed the remains of her tears from her face.

Is everything okay?

Zuko is about to pay me a personal visit.

The door swung open then to reveal a disgruntled Fire Lord. Zuko stepped into the room swiftly and commanded the girl to close the door behind him. She did so, only this time she closed herself out of the room. Raya looked at Zuko steadily, keeping her mind blank and calm. She thought that Aang may have been feeding her positive energy through their connection, because her heart was hammering even though the tempest of her mind was now a sea of calm.

"You can't stay here," Zuko said decidedly. She searched his face for any sign of emotion, but instead found herself lost in the lines she found there. He was still just as handsome as the last time she had seen him. Things about him had changed, but all for the better. Except for his temper, she noted, which seemed to have grown under the pressure of his job title.

"Why?" Raya said, her eyes holding his gaze. Her face became impassable and she realized she was beginning to mirror his agitation. Aggression and anger were not things that came easily to her, and after her training with the nomads, she had become someone who avoided confrontation. To be passive and gentle was her way, but now that she found herself turning her hurt into anger, she couldn't stop. Was this the fire in her blood finally making its presence known? Would it refuse to take a back seat to her air spirit any longer?

"I don't want you here," he countered, meeting her unwavering gaze with his own.

"You . . . Don't want me here?" she said slowly, her breath lingering on every word.

The pause between her question and the Fire Lords answer grew until she felt like she was going to burst. She wanted to scream, and felt the unrelenting power of her fire at her fingertips. It was like a prickling sensation that was building beneath her skin, seeking an exit; any exit. She finally faltered in her stare and her eyes turned to the ground. Her mind loomed over the words 'I don't want you' specifically, over and over.

"No," she finally heard from across the room.

"You told me once, that I would always have a home here," she said finally, trying not to let the hurt she felt seep into every letter of every word. When he didn't speak right away, she looked up to see he had turned away from her, making only a profile view of his face visible. She couldn't tell from the angle what might be going through his head, but her words seemed to have sparked something within him.

"I know . . ." he said finally.

"If something's wrong – Zuko I'm here to help you."

"I don't need your help, or Aangs, or anyone's," Zuko snapped at her, turning to face her again. His eyes were fiery once more as he spoke. Whatever softness she had managed to elicit from him was consumed by his frustration.

"Ursa seems to think you do," she snapped in return.

"My mother isn't the Fire Lord – I am." He said quickly with practiced authority. She turned her eyes down once again and felt the sting of tears behind her eyes. She was growing tired of their persistence, and the fact that Zuko was their reason for coming forth. She blinked them back, determined not to spill a single in his presence. He must have taken note of her being on the precipice of tears, however, because he became suddenly less tense and the anger evaporated from his face.

"Stay, if it really means that much to you," he said, his back now to her. He was turned toward the door. "But I'd rather you didn't."

"I'm staying," she said defiantly, something her passive nature never allowed her to be.

"Fine. You can't leave the palace grounds," he said in a clipped tone.

"Fine."

Before Raya could even process her next move, Zuko was a whirl of robes through the door; the resulting bang a highlight of the atmosphere left within the room. She let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding then, and stared down at the ground blankly.

Are you alright?

No . . .

Two small drops bloomed against the deep crimson carpet.

X

"This was one of Zuko's favorite places as a child."

Raya opened her eyes slowly as Ursa made her presence known. Raya, in her anger, hurt, and confusion, had gone to the only place she had ever known peace in the Fire Nation palace. The main courtyard housed a small pond that was home to several turtle-ducks. A fire maple, like the one she had known as a child before she was taken from her home, rested very near the water, and she sat beneath it in mediation.

It had taken her fifteen minutes to convince the Avatar that his presence was not needed there. He assured her that if anything went wrong, he could be there in less than a day's time, as he had left the Southern Pole for Republic City. She thanked him, and promised to keep him updated on the situation in the Fire Nation. He was needed elsewhere, and she could handle the problems here.

She just needed to figure out what those problems were. Personal problems aside, there were things transpiring in the Fire Nation that Zuko didn't feel he could share with her. She felt a fresh pit of anger begin to boil in her stomach at the thought. She was the Demitar; the one who's very birthright was to inherit the problems of others. Did he not trust her? She'd sought meditation to help clear her mind of these questions, but it only served to fill her with more.

"Lady Ursa. Forgive me, I didn't realize you were standing there," Raya offered as she relaxed her meditative position and made to stand.

"He would always come here when he was troubled. If I ever needed to find him, this was the first place I would look." Ursa moved toward the water and knelt there, her face a mask of reverie. She was clearly lost in another time that was filled with both the sweetest and bitterest memories of her life. "Please, don't be angry with him."

"I . . . I'm not. I just don't understand . . ." Raya said, trying to figure out how she wanted her words to come forth.

"I owe you an explanation," Ursa said, effectively silencing the confused Demitar. Ursa took a seat beside her and touched a light finger to the water, creating an endless cycle of ripples. The rings expanded outward into the water until they eventually dissipated. "Everything has an effect on everything else . . . I called you here because I'm afraid for Zuko."

"He does seem . . . different," Raya said searching for the word she wanted.

"Being the Fire Lord has taken its toll on him, but it's more than that. The Fire Nation has been at odds with itself since the end of the war. There are still those who are very loyal to Ozai. They believe that Zuko is weak for working with the other nations to bring peace to the world. The group has gained a lot of steam in the last few years, and an attempt was made on his life."

Raya was lost for words. So this was what was eating at him. He wanted to prove to the world that he was strong enough to hold everyone up on his shoulders. She knew that he was never the kind of person to reach out for help, but she had witnessed great change in him once. It was astounding to her that she had come to the Fire Nation to be met with a man who had completely regressed. What would Uncle have to say? She was suddenly determined to stay, now that she had a grasp on what she was needed for. Once she put the rebellious group to rest, she could leave, and the Fire Lord could go back to ruling his nation alone. She regretted the thought the second it was complete, but the sting of their earlier exchange still lingered.

"I won't leave until this is put to an end," Raya promised, her eyes fierce with determination.

"Thank you," Ursa said, looking away from Raya and back into the water. Raya couldn't help but feel that there was something she wasn't telling her. She pushed the concern aside and chalked it up to the fact that Ursa was immensely worried for her son. Raya could sympathize; what would she have done if she'd been arriving here for a funeral instead of a stay.

A/N: Well? For those of you wanting more romance between Zuko and Raya, it will come. Every good story needs friction, and Zuko is the perfect character for it. This is the set-up for the main plot of this book, and I'm eager to see your reactions as everything unfolds in the nation notorious for its secrets.