Author's Note: Hello my wonderful readers! I'm so sorry for the long delay but sometimes life gets in the way. I want to give those of you who reviewed and sent me messages reminding me of the love you all have for this story. Enjoy the story!

Chapter 19

Zuko tapped his finger on the desk as Azula daintily sipped from her teacup. "Stop that Zuzu, it's bad manners."

She smirked at the scowl on his face. Her brother never was one for patience. Aang, on the other hand, was full of patience.

There was a heavy knock on the door. "Good, we can finally get started." Zuko was surprised to find Adil walking through his study. He shot Azula a curious look but she ignored him. "Agent Adil, please take a seat."

Adil bowed before sitting next to the princess. "Fire Lord, Princess Azula, I am humbled by this honor. I am your loyal servant. Avatar Aang, it is an honor."

"Agent Adil, your report," Azula commanded.

"Of course. A meeting between the Fire Lord and New Hope Army leader has been arranged. They will be ready in three weeks, as you requested."

"What are their expectations?" Zuko asked.

Adil frowned, "They hope you will grant the colonies their independence but they knew they will be denied."

"Then why are they agreeing?" Aang was puzzled.

"The same reason the Fire Lord is meeting them, to show the people they tried to do this peacefully." Adil clarified.

"Agent Adil, thank you for your loyal service." Zuko said dismissing him. Adil bowed before leaving.

"Now what?" Zuko asked his sister.

"We prepare for the meeting," Azula answered smartly.

Zuko sighed and turned to Aang, "You haven't given your opinion."

"This is the Harmony Restoration Movement all over again." Aang sighed.

"Except this time they want independence." Zuko reminded him.

"I need to clear my head." Amber eyes watched his retreating back before turning to one another.

"Don't worry about him. We have much to get done." Azula drew Zuko's attention back.

"There will be a war meeting next week. The generals need time to set up strategies." Zuko handed a formal invitation to Azula.

"I see my husband's name is not on the invitation."

"It's better if he remains neutral." Zuko explained.

She smiled coldly, "Agreed."

He yawned widely as he stretched.

"Don't fall asleep Daddy." Airi chided.

He gave her a lopsided grin, "I won't. Let's try the an air shield." He bended small pebbles as Airi threw up an air shield.

"Ow! " She rubbed her shoulder.

"Are you okay?" Aang sprinted over to her inspecting her shoulder.

Airi sighed, "I'm fine. I just can't keep the shield up."

"You aren't freeing yourself Airi. You have to find the path of least resistance. Some meditation will help."

Airi groaned as she sat down. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Slowly she felt herself relaxing but she couldn't empty her mind. She thought of Tenzin and how even though he was younger, he was one with their element. She knew how much her air bending meant to her father.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed but she felt a gentle nudge, "Did you fall asleep?"

She looked into her father's amused eyes. "No, I just couldn't empty my mind."

"Want to talk about it?"

"What if I never master air bending?" She asked in a soft voice.

Aang took his daughter into his arms, "Airi you will. You just need to practice and spend more time on your meditation."

She nodded, "Okay." She took her father's hand as he led her to their suite.

Zuko was finding it hard to meditate. He didn't understand how relaxed Azula could be in regards to the New Hope Army. He gave up on meditation and walked into his bedroom. Mai was reading in bed.

She looked up at the Fire Lord as he threw himself on their bed. "Is something bothering you?" She asked dryly.

He shot her a dirty look, "Why would you think that?"

"Your subtle attitude gives little away."

Zuko laughed as he moved next to her, drawing her into his lap. "I'm just nervous about this Fire Colonies mess."

Mai let him run his fingers through her hair. "Nervous? Azula said everything was under control."

"Azula is preparing for a battle. I want to keep this nonviolent but I don't know if I have much of a choice."

"What would happen if the Fire Colonies governed themselves?" Mai asked.

Zuko sighed, too tired to answer.

"We've studied Agent Adil's most recent maps. Two battalions could easily defeat this ragtag army." General Yao pointed to the large map laid out on the conference table.

Azula's face was stone. "Good. Make sure they quietly arrive a day before the Fire Lord does."

Zuko made an effort to not rub his head in frustration. He had tried to find a compromise but Azula would hear none of it. He could hear the generals strategizing but it was background noise to him. It wasn't until he heard silence that he realized the meeting was over and they were awaiting his dismissal. He waved his hands mumbling thanks as his generals and advisors left.

"That was very unbecoming of a Fire Lord, Zuzu." Azula pushed a warm cup of tea into his hands.

"Thanks." He drank deeply, recognizing Iroh's special green tea blend. He looked up into identical golden eyes.

"This has gone on long enough Zuko. Mai is worried and soon the children will ask questions. I won't warn you again," Azula commanded.

"And who are you to tell me what to do?" Zuko didn't hide the annoyance in his voice.

Azula laughed as she walked out of his office.

He shook his head, letting her words sink in. She was right; he needed to get a grip.

"You need one more Kanbe, to make it fair." Tenzin handed his older cousin a red clad solider toy.

"Do I have enough?" Aki asked. Tenzin nodded.

"Wait Tenzin who am I again?" Airi was confused. Monster battle wasn't her favorite game but it was one of the few Tenzin ever got excited about so everyone agreed to play.

"You're the Fire Nation, I'm the Earth Kingdom, Kanbe is the Air Nation and Aki is the Water Tribe." He explained again.

"And we're fighting who?" Kanbe asked as he arranged the figurines into position.

"We are fighting the sea monsters. They want to eat the sun."

"Why can't I be the Fire Nation?" Aki pouted.

"Because you're Fire Nation in real life."

"So are Airi, and Kanbe, and you." Aki pointed out.

"Can we just get started?" Airi asked hiding her thinning patience.

Tenzin used his air bending to make the sea monsters attack. Kanbe and the girls moved their soldiers blending the nations as they defeated the monsters.

They were unaware of the Fire Lord's presence. He smiled to himself as he walked back into the palace.

Azula was rarely taken by surprise, but she could not deny the small hint of it creeping up when she saw the multitude of letters piled on the small desk. "Do you know the nature of these letters?"

"We assume most are requests to live in the Air Temple or an invitation for the Avatar to visit fan clubs." Dulin answered amused.

"This is getting out of hand," Aang commented as he opened a letter at random.

"The Council wanted to address the matter with you Avatar Aang. It might be time to open another Air Temple. Even with just the residents it's beginning to overcrowd."

"We will consider an appropriate solution Dulin." Aang said neutrally.

"Of course. If you'll excuse me, I promised your children a game of earth soccer." Dulin bowed respectfully leaving the Avatar and his wife alone.

"You don't have to sort through all of this right now." Azula gently removed the letter from his hand.

Aang wrapped his arms around her, "Then what do you suggest I do?"

Her lips glided down his neck leaving a crimson trail, "I have a few ideas."

Aang earth bended the door shut as he lifted Azula onto the nearby desk, knocking the letters onto the floor.

Mai's nimble fingers were turning Zuko into putty. He could feel his stress melting away. "The royal spa masseuses don't compare to you."

"I'm glad you're finally relaxing."

"Not relaxing exactly, but I'm feeling better about the Yu Dao situation." Zuko closed his eyes.

"Really?" Mai asked absent mindedly.

"Before Azula and Aang left for the Air Temple I saw the kids playing an interesting game. They used toy soldiers to represent the four nations. Their mission was to battle sea monsters. Kanbe said it's a game Tenzin came up with."

"Sea monsters? It does sound interesting." Mai moved her fingers from his shoulders to his back.

"When I was their age, my toys were battling the Earth Kingdom. But there they were, princes and princesses of the Fire Nation battling sea monsters." Zuko reminisced.

Mai smiled, "I must have been nice to see."

"It was." They were quiet; Zuko's even breaths filling the room.

"When Uncle and I lived in the lower ring of Ba Sing Se, I thought it was the cesspool of society. Although I wasn't able to really look past the grime, the blending of the nations did not escape me.

Remember a few nights ago when you asked what would happen if the colonies governed themselves?" Zuko turned to face Mai. She nodded. "Well what if we had a nation that combined the four nations? Instead of an island of just Fire and Earth Kingdom, it could a place for all four nations."

Mai looked at him skeptically, "That's a bold idea Zuko."

"It's just in the works but I'm serious about this. I want to leave an amazing legacy for Kanbe. By the time he takes the throne I don't want the war to follow him. My great grandfather divided the world. I want to help unite it."

Mai gently pressed her lips to his, "I support you, Fire Lord Zuko."

"We can't ignore the issue for long, Avatar." Azula chided her husband.

"They understand the gravity of the situation. Once we have dealt with the New Hope Army I can address the opening of a new Air Temple." Aang reminded her.

Azula huffed as she finished packing their suitcases. "As you wish."

Airi burst into the room. Aang smiled at how his oldest resembled Azula, especially when she was pouting. "Something bothering you Airi?"

"Do we have to go so soon?" Airi asked.

"We have business in Yu Dao." Azula reminded her.

"I know but couldn't the twins and me stay here?" Airi pleaded.

"Don't be silly, Airi. You will stay with your Aunt Mai and Uncle Iroh." Azula continued her packing.

"Don't you miss home?" Aang asked.

"I guess. I just like having a vacation." Airi twirled a raven lock.

Azula bent down to be at eye level with her daughter. "Once your father and I work out the mess in Yu Dao, we will take a vacation to Ember Island."

Airi's small arms squeezed Azula's neck. "Thank you, Mother."

Azula hugged Airi close.

Author's Note: Thank you for reading! Please please review!