Zuko

The day that Azula would be permanently released was fast approaching. We had sent messengers to Mom, her family and also Uncle Iroh. We asked them to come as soon as possible, and if they weren't able to make it, to let the messenger know. But I really hoped they would all be here. Not just for Azula but I wanted them to see Izumi. Mother came by once or twice a month to see Azula and would visit with Izumi but Uncle hadn't seen her since she was an infant. Mother, Noren and Kiyi arrived at the palace only a few days after the messenger was sent to them. We still hadn't heard anything from Uncle. They wanted to be here for Azula and also to visit with Sam, Izumi and myself.

Unfortunately, Sam and my responsibilities didn't stop because they were visiting. We still had to get work done, although we stopped working at lunch time to visit with them every day. That also gave them a chance to sleep in and relax in the morning. Sam came into the office and walked over to me to kiss me like she did every morning. I could tell she was exasperated after sending Izumi to school.

"She fight you on going to school again?" I asked. Sam looked at me and nodded.

"Yes, terribly today. She actually shouted at me." I looked up at her surprised. Izumi never acted that way. "I had to scold her and tell her if she keeps it up she would be in her room all evening - even with our guests here."

"Would you like me to have a talk with her? Maybe hearing it from her father will cement it into her mind."

"I think that would be a good idea, hunny. Thank you. This defiance just seems to keep escalating." She said, "although I don't blame her. I don't want to work with them here either. But I know if we don't work then we will get so far behind again. I'd rather work a little bit to get things done so we can take the whole day off when Azula is released."

We worked for the rest of the morning and broke for lunch. We eat in our normal dining room and, of course, the rest of our family joined us.

"So, how was your morning?" Mother asked Sam and I.

"It was productive. We got through a lot of scrolls and documents. Nothing groundbreaking which is nice once in a while." Sam said. "I think we will be in a good place when it comes to Azula's release."

I noticed that Kiyi averted her eyes when Sam mentioned Azula.

"Kiyi, she's your sister." Mother said to her.

"I know, Mom. But after she tried to kill-" Kiyi stopped herself when Mother shot her a sharp look.

"Kiyi!" she scolded.

"It's ok. She can say what she's thinking, Mom," I said. Kiyi looked at me and sighed.

"I just…after she tried to kill Sam and planned the whole thing out, do you really think it is safe to release her? She still scares me to this day."

"But, have you even seen her since you started coming back? I know you come but I never saw you go into the room with her. She has changed a lot." Sam defended Azula. "Even after she tried to kill me, I saw something in her that I thought she could find peace."

"But how? How can you be so…loving towards her?"

"Well, sometimes you have to see the forest for the trees." Sam said. Kiyi contemplated that then spoke.

"I understand. I just think it's risky is all."

"Kiyi, your brother is a wonderful and fair Fire Lord and I think, if you don't trust Azula, then you should at least trust him." Mother said. I blushed slightly at her compliment.

"I know." Kiyi looked at me sheepishly, "I'm sorry, Zuzu."

"Nothing to apologize for. I love it that you love Sam so much." I said taking Sam's hand into mine.

After lunch, we went out to the Turtleduck Garden. Kiyi and I sparred a bit while Mother and Sam talked. Noren never really said much. He wasn't a man of many words. Suddenly, Kiyi stopped firebending and focused on something past me. I turned around and there stood Uncle Iroh.

"Uncle! You made it! I wasn't sure if you would!"

"I wouldn't miss this for the world! I love my niece too and want what is best for her." I ran over and hugged him. Mother, Sam and Noren came over to greet him as well. Kiyi lingered behind me and I realized she hadn't seen Uncle since she was a little girl.

"Kiyi, you remember Uncle Iroh?" I invited her over. She came over and Iroh embraced her.

"It is an honor to see you, Kiyi. You have grown into a beautiful young lady." Uncle said bowing and kissing her hand. Kiyi blushed crimson.

Now that Uncle was here we could proceed with our plans to release Azula. But we would worry about those plans tomorrow. Today was for catching up. We sat in the Turtleduck Garden when I saw Sam look at the sky.

"Zuko, Izumi will be home any minute. We should go." Sam said and then looked at everyone but really said it for Iroh's benefit, "Zuko and I always make it a point to greet Izumi when she gets home and we don't want to break her routine. We will be back shortly." Sam and I walked out of the garden and down the halls to greet Izumi.

"I will take Izumi to our office and talk to her. I think it's best to do it right away rather than wait." I said to Sam.

"I think that is a good idea. Just don't lose your temper if she back talks. You don't want to scare her." I had never lost my temper with Izumi but Sam knew I had a short fuse and worried I would lose my cool with her.

"I won't, my Fire Lily. Don't worry." We arrived at the steps and waited. Sam let go of my hand and put her arm around the back of my waist and I put my arm around her shoulders. Finally, we saw Geshna approaching with Izumi in tow holding her hand.

"Zoom! Hunny, how was school?" Sam asked, kneeling down to her level.

"It was great, Mommy! We did a fun game with colors and shapes! And we learned about animals today!" Izumi loved animals - it was her favorite subject.

"That's great, Izumi! I'm glad you had a fun day." Sam said, kissing her forehead. She took her backpack from her and would take it to her room. Normally Izumi would take it to her room but since I was talking to her, Sam would do it for her. I stepped forward.

"I'm glad too. You will have to tell us all about it, Turtleduck." I said tousling her hair. I then regained a somewhat serious tone. "Izumi, what do you say you and I take a walk?" Izumi looked puzzled. This was the first time we would have a discussion like this but I realized this definitely wouldn't be our last. She walked over to me and took my hand. I turned around to Sam and winked. "We will meet you in the garden." I said. Sam nodded and watched us as we walked down the hallway. I could tell Izumi was a little nervous, not knowing what we were doing.

"Where are we going, Daddy?" she asked.

"We are going to go to our office." I stopped walking and leaned down to her. "Don't worry, you're not in trouble." I said, chucking her under her chin. We arrived at the door and she and I walked in and I closed the door. She was fidgeting again so I knew she was nervous. I picked her up and sat down on the chair with her in my lap. I wrapped my arms around her body in an effort to comfort her.

"So, Turtleduck, how have you felt about going to school these past few days?" I asked. She shrugged.

"I don't really want to go. Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Kiyi are here. I want to stay here and play with them." Izumi said.

"I see. Your mother did mention that you haven't been wanting to go to school. She also mentioned that you have been a bit naughty when getting ready." Izumi's eyes slid back down to her hands and she resumed her fidgeting. I laid my hand over both of hers and tried to calm her.

"I don't mean to be bad. I don't want to go but she makes me." Izumi admitted.

"Do you think that it isn't fair that she makes you?"

"Yeah. I miss everyone and I want to be here." Izumi said.

"You know, Mommy and I still have to work even though everyone is here. We don't want to, but we do because we have to." I explained. Izumi pondered for a moment.

"Really?"

"Mmhmm. We want to spend time with our family but we know that we have things we need to do. So we do and then when we are done, we can spend time with them. And going to school, even when you don't want to, is being a big girl." I explained. "Do you understand?'

"I think so. So, I should just go to school and then I can come home and play?" I nodded.

"Do you think you can do that for Mommy and I?" I asked her.

"Yes, Daddy. I will."

"Good girl. And I don't want to hear that you were giving Mommy a hard time and I certainly don't want to hear that you yelled at her anymore. You know that hurts Mommy's feelings and that isn't how good girls should act."

"I know. I'm sorry, Daddy." I drew her in for a hug and I gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"Good girl, but I think someone else deserves the apology. Do you know who that is?"

"Mommy?"

"Yes, Mommy. She loves you very much and she only wants what is best for you. Ok?" Izumi nodded.

"Ok, Daddy."

"Alright, now let's go see what everyone is up to." I said. I set her down on her feet and we left the office and headed for the garden. When we arrived, Sam was sitting on the picnic blanket. Izumi stopped when she saw Sam and looked up at me. I gave her a nod and Izumi slowly walked over to Sam. When she reached her, she gave her a hug around her neck and Sam hugged her back.

"Mommy, I'm sorry I yelled at you." I cleared my throat. She looked over at me and I raised my only eyebrow pointedly at her, "and I won't be naughty anymore when you send me to school." Sam looked up at me and I smiled. She kissed Izumi on the tip of her nose making her giggle.

"Apology accepted, my little angel. No go on and play." she said patting her bottom. Izumi got up and ran over to Kiyi to play.

I sat down next to Sam and kissed her in greeting. I looked around at everyone, "Everything is prepared for Azula's release. I think tomorrow is going to be the big day. What do you all say?" Everyone nodded and murmured in agreement.

"Alright. Perfect. I can't wait. Tomorrow will be a great day." I said. I looked at Sam and kissed her again. Then she leaned back, snuggling against me.

Tomorrow, Azula would be a free woman for the first time in almost ten years.