We all know the story of Avatar (and love it), but one thing that always bothered me is that Ursa left after Azulon died. I thought to myself, what if she insisted on staying and not leave her children?

This is my attempt at that story. Since I am a true romantic at heart, it is 100% going to be a Zutara adventure.

I do not own anything avatar related and no one in their right mind would pay me for it. Trust me

News of Azulon's death carried throughout the Fire Nation the morning after. Citizens were shocked to learn he died as they watched Ozai crowned Fire Lord with his wife and children by his side. Everyone knew that Ozai was stronger than Iroh emotionally after the death of Lu Ten and rumors flew as to the exact reason a second born would be crowned.

As time moved on, the Fire Lord and Lady spent less time together and the resident concubines in the palace grew. Both heirs were required to have aggressive training in fire bending along with hand to hand combat as mandated by their father. It was suggested and hinted at that Ozai would have them fight for the crown when the time came to name his own successor.

Their mother also had demands of other training including reading and writing poetry plus donating their time to humanitarian efforts. The staff within the palace secretly agreed that when Azula spent time with her mother, she came back nicer and less hard. This was not unnoticed by the Fire Lord who grew suspicious to his wife's motives.

No one in all of the fire nation could understand the Fire Lady. She was quiet and always supported her husband openly as the perfect wife in any public and formal setting, this of course was expected. However, whispers spoke of another woman entirely. One that refused to share the Fire Lords bed anymore, one that in the privacy of closed doors could change the Fire Lords mind and control more of the nation than thought possible. These rumors where never spoken openly with fear the Fire Lord would hear them and punishment would be given.

Once a concubine spoke brazenly to the Fire Lady hinting that she would be replaced soon by a younger and more attractive woman. The poor girl in question was thrown out of the palace so fast and her family shamed to the point of moving out of Caldera City. The Fire Lord refused to talk about the matter but instead told each remaining girls that to speak against the Fire Lady was to speak against him directly. His words carried the weight of the Fire Lord and a man who was married. This was even more confusing to the girls as it was the first and last time the Fire Lord spoke of his wife to them.

The war against the other nations still raged on with aggressive battles. In the war council meetings, it was confirmed that the last waterbender of the south was finally 'put down' while town and cities near the water front in the earth kingdom were claimed in the glory of the Fire nation. When Zuko was 13 he insisted on joining the meeting of the counsel to show his father his strength and hopefully move ahead of his sister in his father's eyes.

After speaking out against a general, his father forced Agni Kai and struck his son down. The Fire Lady refused to leave her son's side for the rest of the day while she cared for his bandages and held her son never crying as a pillar of strength. It was mentioned that she only left his side once during the entire first week to have dinner with her husband in his antechamber. That bit of news was fast forgotten when the Oazi was found dead by a concubine that weekend. The girl in question was found raving that he died in hysterics holding a sheet around her body. She insisted that he seemed to be having heart trouble and fell asleep on top of her after their 'coupling' but didn't seem dead. She could not push him off and she became so tired so hoping to not anger him she fell asleep as well. It was the first time a concubine had ever slept in the Fire Lords room which was suspicious but the girl was clearly distraught. Was it possible that the stress of the job got to him?

After the funeral, Ursa was declared as Fire Lady and ruler until such time that Zuko could take over at age 18. With Ursa in charge and guided by Iroh, within 3 months it was announced that the war would be ending and peace would be offered to everyone. Shock rippled through the nations and disbelief caused all parties to be wary. Slowly, Fire Nation ships and soldiers were called home. Letters of peace were sent to all corners of the world while offerings accompanied the news.

Soon, people were returning home and hugging loved ones. Hakoda saw his children for the first time in years, embracing the news with tears in his eyes. The Southern Waterr Tribe started to rebuild as slowly prisoners of war came back and where held close by loved ones. A traveler named Hama came back to the south bringing teachings of water bending to Katara. The teachings were kept private and secluded as the only two benders of the tribe where protective of their secret for the first few years.

Zuko became isolated to his room and refused interaction with anyone outside the royal family for the entire first year after his father's death. His mother attempted many times for him to socialize and become the beacon of the future but he resisted. No one would love or listen to a scarred man he reasoned. His anger was felt by all the staff as he refused all but a small amount of people to assist him for many years even after he would come out of his room. After the first few years of peace, Ursa sent Iroh along with Azula on a campaign to meet others and invite each nation to join them in the capital for the first peace treaty. Knowing that all nations would have fear this was an elaborate trick, Iroh invited 1 member of each nation to join the traveling them as the white lotus made themselves known.

Peace was not always welcomed as distrust and malice met the group in many places. Iroh, Pakku, Bumi and others tried to explain the idea of balance and the need for all elements working in harmony. Azula spent so much time with the old men that she worried she would die of boredom during the trip. She had softened around the edges and was less crazy as time went on without her father's influence but still had the mind of a general looking for the weakness everywhere she went.

The Southern Water Tribe met the group at the front of the city with Hakoda and Bato in the lead. Hama and Katara stood directly behind both men prepared to defend their home at the first sign of treachery. Kanna watched from the side, curious to see what would happen along with Sokka. When Iroh came down the plank he was followed by Pakku first hoping that a sister water tribe associate would help bridge the gap of distrust. Azula followed him and came to a stop standing directly in front of Katara sizing her up.

Both girls refused to acknowledge the men as they continued to evaluate the scene and each other. Once introductions were made and the invite for dinner was given, everyone started to walk to the main house. Azula and Katara walked side by side refusing to let the other girl out of their sight. "So… is this also like the Northern Water Tribe where you are not allowed to fight but instead show some sort of feminine ability to bat your eyes at men?" Azula was fishing as she guessed that Katara could possibly be a bender based on her stance.

Katara's back straightened and without a pause responded, "Our women are treated as equals and can defend against anything just as much as a man could, if not better. Only the strong can survive here. Don't worry, I can protect you if you are fearful of a little snow." Azula smiled at this. Finally, FINALLY she has someone her age that is willing to fight and not sit knitting in a corner.

"Tell me, do you have any fears against losing against someone from the fire nation in a friendly match? That is, if you can even bend." Azul asked while walking as the princess she was. Katara's eyes sparkled with determination as her lips slowly slid into a smile when she responded to meet on the training grounds after dinner.

By the end of the week long visit, Azula and Katara became somewhat friends. Azula was shocked to learn that there was in fact a waterbender in the south while Katara lost some of her prejudice towards the fire nation in general. Azula was strong and cunning as well as wickedly smart and easy to taunt. Iroh was a kind man who loved tea and it surprised her to learn he was the famous dragon of the west. She still had some hate in her heart for the military which was expected. The girls had insisted on meeting and fighting as much as possible during the week opting out of the meetings where they would not be allowed to speak anyways. This led to a dead even score with 5 going to Katara and 5 going to Azula once they parted and Azula was set to leave. Both girls swore to continue the match at another time. The girls where not the only one to make a connection as Pakku reunited with his old love Kanna and promised to come back to her instead of going back north at the end of the trip. Hakoda relented after the visit and agreed to join the peace treaty discussions in the Fire Nation capital set to happen in the next winter with a wary response. He would make sure to bring his best warriors as a precaution.

Zuko, now 17, joins his family for dinner one last time before dignitaries and delegate's start to arrive for the upcoming peace treaty. Ursa and Iroh start to discuss plans and last minute house keeping items about everyone showing up. When it is mentioned that the Southern Water Tribe will be showing up with Pakku and Hakoda tomorrow early, Azula perks up for the first time since sitting down.

"Will… Will Hakoda be bringing BOTH of his children to the summit?"

Zuko eyes his sister critically. Azula has never shown an interest in visitors before and it is suspicious she is going to start now. Uncle interrupts his thoughts by sharing, "Why yes my dear, I believe that he is bringing both of them along with a handful of counsel. I am truly shocked on how much they have accomplished within the 4 years from the war. Sokka is actually joining in the counsel meetings now according to Pakku. Zuko, my boy, Sokka is around the same age as you. You should spend time with him sparring when they get here. I hear that his is great with a sword."

Zuko nods his head and goes back to eating. It would be nice to spar with someone who wasn't a firebender and servant for practice. If Zuko was being honest with himself, he didn't have many friends. Ok, he didn't have any friends unless you counted Azula and she was…. Always complicated. Sure, after father died she has been better and sometimes she is almost nice but mostly she was still a little sister and annoying even on her good days. Her bad days? Well… someone would always get hurt on her bad days, either emotionally or physically. And her friends were the worst, almost like having a group of hen chickens running around. Though he had not seen Ty Lee and Mai in years. Both girls were taking advantage of the peace traveling and doing their own thing.

Zuko starts to remember the poor new guard who failed to prevent Azula from walking into a puddle in her new dress she was forced to wear. The man will have those burn marks for the rest of his life. Mother made Azula apologize but of course the damage was too late.

Now that he thinks about it, he wonders if this means that Azula has a crush on one of Hakoda's children or she wants to torture one of them. Why else would she care?

Before dinner ends, Lady Ursa gives Zuko a pointed stare and he knows something is coming. This is her 'how do I approach this conversation' face with him when it is something he will not want to hear. He is already preparing himself for a difficult conversation.

"Zuko, my darling. I would like to talk to you about becoming FireLord." At this, his ears perked up. Right after Ozai died his mother had come to him and disused when he would be old enough to take over ruling. It was set to happen when he turned 18 in a few short months. Did she want to change the plan now? Would he be allowed to object? Instead of saying anything he turned his attention to her.

"Actually, your Uncle and I were talking about it. It is important for the world to see the Fire nation as strong but also able to…. Show loyalty to the cause of peace. You are my son…. but also your father's child and some of the ambassadors coming are fearful of that. We feel it would be in the best interest if you where to start to…. Court outside the fire nation."

Zuko slowly looked from his mother to his Uncle. He wasn't even Firelord yet and they were trying to pick out a WIFE. On top of that, he is supposed to find out outside the fire nation with how HE looks? No matter what, he will only find a snake Fire Lady who wants the title and doesn't love him. His jaw starts to clench in anger.

"You are making Zuzu find a wife? Hahahaha… he doesn't even KNOW how to talk to ladies mother!" Azula's giggles are echoing off the walls while she fakes holding her hand over her mouth as if she will stop laughing.

"Azula, stop it. Zuko, the choice of your wife will still be yours. I do not want to continue on the route of arranging marriages anymore. That did not always work out of the fire nation in the past." No one misses the shudder that runs through Ursa as she is speaking. "I am simply asking that you agree to get to know prospects during gatherings and tea parties. You will need to marry eventually to produce an heir anyways. Someone from the water tribes might even be fun considering how opposites attract? All I am asking is that you consider it. We need to show as committed to the cause and marrying outside the fire nation is the best way to go about that."

Zuko sighs but nods his head. Wonderful, he has to woo a woman into being Fire Lady who he won't even love. The peace talks are going to be the death of him.