Disclaimer: In case you forgot, I still don't own any part of Avatar: The Last Airbender

Chapter 1

Fire Lord Zuko did everything in his power to stifle another yawn. These peace talks had been going on all week and it seemed so far that nothing had really been accomplished. It seemed as though he'd been sitting in the same place for hours. Every once in a while when he was certain nothing important was being said he'd let his mind wander.

He missed Mai, the short break between the morning session and afternoon meetings just wasn't enough time together. They had so much to catch up on after all the time that he'd been away. It seemed they had only just gotten back together and already they were split apart. In contrast, he frowned slightly as he gazed as the Avatar sitting, well more squirming from boredom, next to Katara. The poor boy was just itching to get outside and play. Katara's face held a somber expression as she sat tall next to her father trying her best to stay focused. Next to her, Sokka's head bobbed up in down as he fought sleep and Suki kept poking him in the side in an attempt to help the situation. Zuko couldn't tell what Toph was thinking as she just stared straight ahead, a slight smirk on her face. He'd give anything to be sitting with them to jostle and whisper like the children they'd been denied the chance to be by his father's war. Instead he sat alone at the head of the throne room, his uncle, his only ally listening at his right.

The Order of the White Lotus had taken it upon themselves to serve as his council and had invited the kings and representatives of all the nations to participate in this project for world peace. And everyone agreed upon wanting peace but no one could agree on the terms and conditions. Zuko had agreed to relinquish the lands that had been conquered from the other nations only the many territories had been conquered so long ago they began to squabble over how much belonged to which group. Then there was the issue of reparations. They couldn't decide what to do to soothe the distrust and anger between the fire nation and remaining kingdoms. The repairs for the damages to the many destroyed and ransacked cities would cost large sums of money but who should pay. Zuko had again tried to be lenient and offered to send men, supplies, and money to help the other nations. They would harbor refugees and do whatever they could but hurt feelings had caused some of the more difficult attendees to demand outrageous sums of money, a spread of man power that the fire nation did not have, and more supplies than Zuko could afford to give without leaving his people helpless. The White Lotus members were trying to be reasonable and sway the opinions of those who chose to be disagreeable but it was to no avail. Many of the Earth Kingdom representatives were more interested in revenge and making the fire nation suffer than seeking peace. With the help of Hakoda and Pakku, Chief Arnook was a little easier to deal with. However, the loss of his daughter had hardened his heart and at times even, he was inclined to be difficult.

Zuko's wandering mind was snapped back to attention as a fist slammed down onto one of the sturdy oak tables. A general of the Earth Kingdom was standing red faced and looking highly irritated. Zuko's gaze wandered briefly over to his uncle who looked slightly tired but overall, calm as usual.

"This is ridiculous, the Earth Kingdom has every right to more land. When your brother reigned, he plundered our lands taking as much as he pleased, but now that he's gone, it's the new Fire Lord's duty to relinquish it all back to us." The general growled.

"I have every intention to return your land to you, however, I'm sure we did not take that much." Zuko explained as calmly as possible. He'd been working on his temper, trying out stupid tricks such as counting to ten or thinking of happy things. They helped some but his patience was wearing thin with this whole stupid peace treaty idea. Why don't they just get over the past and coexist so he could go see his girlfriend.

"Even if it isn't the exact amount, the Earth Kingdom is growing and expects to flourish in this time of peace we will need the lands for our people and for food." The general bit back.

"We all expect to grow and flourish that doesn't mean we need to demand land that isn't ours." King Bumi interjected.

"Precisely, and as far as food goes, we've all agreed to open up a network of trade. Whatever crops you feel you don't have we will supply you with." Zuko agreed.

"At a price?" The general snapped.

"Well, of course at a price. That is the very idea of trade." Zuko explained.

"You'd rob the Earth Kingdom blind if you had the chance wouldn't you." The general snorted.

"That's just ridiculous. No one's robbing anyone." Chief Arnook jumped in.

"So then you weren't robbed of years watching your daughter grow as we were robbed of land and lives." The general cried out.

"Oh no." Zuko groaned under his breath as the entire room exploded into commotion. Whenever, Chief Arnook seemed to be relenting to the ideas of the Fire Nation someone just had to bring up his daughter again and set the whole room off. Sokka was suddenly very awake, Suki looked cross between sad and annoyed. Katara was arguing that the Earth Kingdom general had gone too far. Pakku and Hakoda were trying to talk sense in Chief Arnook the Earth Kingdom was arguing amongst themselves trying to decide if they agreed or if the general should be punished for insubordination. Aang head was whipping from side to side trying to keep up with everything going on around him. Even Toph had gotten involved, probably just adding fuel to the fire.

"That is ENOUGH!" Iroh's voice thundered across the meeting hall, effectively silencing the whole room. The whole room except for that detestable general.

"In fact it is enough, we will be silent no longer. You had no right to abuse the other nations. You have caused pain and suffering to everyone you have come into contact with. While your father…" The general was cut off as Zuko leapt from his chair enraged.

"MY FATHER, MY FATHER! IS THAT ALL YOU CAN THINK ABOUT! HIS TREACHERY IS HIS OWN, I WASN'T FIRE LORD THEN…" And now even Zuko was cut off and no one could speak as they watched the two rage on.

"BUT YOU ARE HIS SON! TRY AS YOU MIGHT OZAI'S BLOOD STILL RUNS IN YOUR VEINS AND I WILL NEVER TRUST IT. Everyone here knows you have struggled with doing the right thing in the past. Why should we believe you now. Because you helped us win the war? Ha! You just helped yourself to the throne. You could have been planning this all along. Now's the time to strike isn't it. You've got the power. We should probably even start checking our food whose to say you aren't going to poison us all and claim supremacy over…"

"HOW DARE YOU!!" The sudden out burst drew all eyes. One would have expected Zuko to have been the one to snap back but in fact it was Katara now who stood, eyes blazing, fists balled. "YOU BITTER INCOMPETENT MAN! How dare you make such accusations. You have no idea what he's been through. You have no idea what any of us have been through. He's suffered too, you know. How on earth can you hold him accountable for who his family is? He may have Ozai's blood but he's trying to do the right thing and that's far more than I can say for you. You are nothing but an instigator and have no interest in peace. We all lost something or someone in this war but that doesn't mean we point fingers like children, this is bigger than us, this is about the future of the world. So why don't you just, JUST GROW UP!"

Katara's cheeks were flushed with rage and she fought bitterly against the tear that threatened to fall. She didn't know why she was so affected by the cruel things that general had thrown at Zuko but they had hurt her feelings too. She'd had trouble accepting Zuko in the past but if she could do it, if his uncle could forgive him, then so should they. 'How dare anyone be so, so rude!' Her mind was ablaze with fury. She'd given him a rough enough time and now it was time to move on and stop dwelling on the past.

Silence hung in the air. Animosity and shame filled the room like a pungent odor. Heads were hung, eyes averted. Well, except for Katara and the general who were exchanging such fierce glares that Aang was glad looks couldn't kill or they'd have two bodies to worry about on top of everything else.

"Hmm, well I think that's enough for today." King Bumi suddenly piped in with a queer grin across his face. Everyone else stood silently for a moment wanting to leave but refusing to be the first to back down. It wasn't until Zuko's irritation got the best of him and he stormed out, harshly casting aside a chair that had dared to be in his way.

Katara's face softened as she watched him go. Looking around the room, everyone suddenly looked drained. Sokka and Suki were the next to go, and with Aang tugging on her hand, she eventually followed.

A/N: Once again, reviews, suggestions, and ideas are always appreciated. If you have a tendency to flame, I'll take constructive criticism but I'll warn you I'm short tempered so if it's an unnecessary comment, just keep it to yourself.