Hey guys. First try at this so hope I did ok with it. It'll start slow but just stick with it. Enjoy

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar.

The Shadowbender

Chapter1: That Morning

Aang, Katara, Sokka, Suki 5d ASC (After Sozin's Comet)

Palace Room

It was like the sea before a storm. Peaceful. Aang breathed in the morning air, letting it fill him up. With a slow exhale he opened his eyes to observe his view from the Fire Nation palace.

They had returned from Ba Sing Se last night to begin rebuilding. There was plenty of work to be done around the world, but it needed to start here.

It all needs to start here Aang thought. He continued to breath in and out letting the cool, crisp air help him think of last nights events.

Zuko had done a good job of trying to leave without anyone's notice. But Toph with her radar sense had caught him in act of escape. He seemed to think that the rebuilding of the Fire Nation was his problem and his alone. He wanted to take care of it all himself, but Aang had refused point blank to that. He was the Avatar after all and fixing the world was just as much his problem as Zuko's. After arguing late into the night Zuko yielded and had brought everyone who wished back to the Fire Nation by boat a few days after preparing for their visit.

Aang also thought back to those past few days in Ba Sing Se. In Zuko's words, those had been the last days of bliss before the real world would be back, front and center.

He was right thought Aang grudgingly. Those days had been peaceful and enjoyable filled with laughter and, for the first time in a while, no daunting issues. Now the road for rebuilding was all that was in front of them and the rest of the world.

Well, that's what you get after a hundred year war. Aang sighed and dropped his hands to his sides. He continued to watch the shining sun and the sparkling sea for a while, silhouetting the Fire Nation building. It was a truly beautiful sight, and it gave Aang a much needed boost.

We'll be alright, as long as we stick together. He jumped down onto the window sill to examine his still sleeping friends. Sokka was in a comical position, arms and legs spread out and bent out of shape, and snoring with drool hanging from his mouth. Aang let out a small chuckle. Suki was sleeping closest to Sokka, facing him and smiling, as though as she had fallen asleep looking at the funny figure of her boyfriend.

And next to Aang discarded sheet was the most beautiful girl in the world in his opinion. Katara was sleeping, dreaming far away dreams, with a small smile on her face. Aang smiled at all his friends and felt a stab of sadness that there friend Toph was not there. The absence of her private rock tent was like a gaping hole in the group. She had ultimately decided to stay behind, assisting the returning Earth King with whatever duties needed to be done.

Right now though, Aang was especially happy Katara was here. She would help him get through anything and she loved him as much as he loved her. And if Aang was right he would need all the love and support he could get while trying to fix things. As though Aang's thought had reached out and shook Katara awake her eyes opened sleepily. She sat up and stretched out, yawning quietly. She immediately noticed Aang was not next to her and looked for him, smiling when she saw he was already wide awake.

"Good morning to you early bird," she said. She walked over to him and kissed him on his forehead.

"Good morning to you too," Aang replied. He hopped down and returned her kiss. They just stood there in each others arms to what seemed like forever to Aang, just the two of them. No troubles, worries, or problems to weigh them down. There was another loud yawn and an abrupt end to the snoring behind them.

"Hey, is it time for breakfast already?" Sokka asked sleepily. Aang and Katara both laughed.

"Is that all you ever think about?" Katara replied, still laughing.

"I was wondering the same thing," Suki, who had just woken up, said.

Sokka tapped his finger on his chin thinking hard, "Mmmmmmm…..no, I think about you."

Suki giggled at that and allowed Sokka to plant a kiss on both of her cheeks.

"Nice to know food isn't all that matters in your life," Katara giggled.

"Hey what is this gang up on Sokka day? I care about Suki, food, my boomerang, and my space sword…….." Sokka began.

"Not always in that order," laughed Aang. Everyone except Sokka laughed at that.

"Oh who asked all of you?" muttered Sokka. Everyone stood up still chuckling and yawning.

"Oh, alright Sokka, we can go get breakfast since I know you want to so bad," said Suki.

"OH, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!" Sokka yelled excitedly. He grabbed Suki by her hand and dragged her out of the room and down the hall. Aang and Katara shook their heads, laughing at their goofy little group. But we wouldn't have it any other way thought Aang. Still chuckling they followed them hand in hand.

Zuko, Mai, Iroh

Palace Dining Room

"Here you are Fire Lord Zuko, some fresh tea for you." Iroh placed the cup in front of his nephew.

"Thank you Uncle," Zuko said. He took a sip of his uncle's tea and, even with so much on his mind right now, couldn't help but be impressed with his uncle's tea skill.

"And some for you Ms. Mai," Mai nodded her head,

"Thank you General Iroh,"

Iroh lets out a booming laugh, "Oh no, no, you must also call me Uncle, General is much too formal." Zuko glances up form his papers, interested to see how this one would play out.

"Alright then…….Uncle," Mai complied, but the word sounded foreign in Mai's mouth.

Still chuckling Iroh left to take care of his tea pot.

"You handled that well," commented Zuko, unable to keep some amusement from his voice. Mai glared at him and Zuko quickly looked back down at his papers. Minutes passed in silence with Iroh taking a seat at the table, also sipping his tea. Iroh was the one to finally break the silence.

"Lord Zuko, since your birthday is tomorrow I believe its time to ask, what do you plan to do for your birthday party tomorrow?" Zuko looked up quickly.

"Party? What party? There's no party."

"Well no, not yet," Iroh said. "But I think that as a new Fire Lord you should show some hospitality to your supporters, and possibly win over some doubters."

"I don't know Uncle," muttered Zuko. "I'm not really one for parties……or people."

"Yes I am aware of that Zuko, but you must put that aside and show your people your grace. It would be a good relaxation before we went down the troubled road of recovery." Iroh said. Zuko sighed in defeat. As always Uncle Iroh's wisdom was sound.

"I guess your right Uncle."

"Good," smiled Iroh, "because I have already sent out invitations and the decorators been hard at work for a while now."

"Wait, WHAT?!! Who did you get?" Zuko demanded. He couldn't see how this had all been secret from him since it was his palace. His question was answered by a squeal from behind him.

"Zuko! Mai!" said the voice and he suddenly felt like he was in a vice grip from the hug he was in.

"Ty Lee? Is that you?" Zuko wheezed.

"YES, YES, YES!!!" she squealed, tightening her hold. "Ohhhhhhh, I've wanted to see you guys for so long but I couldn't because that would have ruined the surprise, but now you know so we can hang out and have so much fun, yay!!!"

"Ty Lee," Mai gasped, "your killing us!"

"Oh right sorry!" she said relinquishing her hold. They both gasped for breath and massaged their throats.

"How long have you been here?" asked Zuko.

"Oh since yesterday," said Ty Lee smiling, "Your uncle sent me a letter asking me to beat you guys here so I could start decoration. I thought it would the perfect thing to do to have some fun so here I am."

"How did you know that I'd say yes to all of this?" Zuko asked his uncle, eyebrows raised.

Iroh laughed, "Because I am your Uncle." There talk was interrupted by the arrival of Suki and Sokka.

"Zuko, please tell me you have food." Sokka pleaded. Zuko raised and eyebrow at Sokka.

"Is food all you ever think about?" he asked. Sokka frowned and looked hurt.

"See now, why does everyone always ask me that question? Its breakfast time I'm supposed to be hungry."

"Right," muttered Zuko motioning to his servants to bring food. Suki meanwhile had spotted Ty Lee.

"Ty Lee?"

"SUKI!!!!" Ty Lee squealed. She bounded over to her and bowed before catching her in a bear hug. "It's so good to see you again."

"Good to see you too. Where are the other Kyoshi warriors?" Suki asked looking for them.

"Oh, they came with me don't worry." Ty Lee explained, "All I had to do was convince them to come to the party. They seemed to like the idea of a few days off."

"What party? We're having a party?" asked Suki, looking confused. Before they had time to answer Aang and Katara walked in.

"Yeah what party?" asked Katara. Aang nodded toward the Fire Lord.

"Zuko," he said respectively.

"Aang," he returned.

"So what party is this?" Katara asked.

"Zuko's birthday party silly," Ty Lee laughed. "It's going to be great!" She threw her hands up as if to show how awesome it would be.

"I didn't know you where having a party," said Aang.

"Neither did I till five minutes ago," admitted Zuko.

"That will be fun I haven't been to party in a long time." said Katara dreamily swaying to a tune in her head. They where interrupted by the arrival of servants holding trays stacked with food.

"Oh sweet mother," groans Sokka and he immediately grabs as much food as possible. Suki rolls her eyes at him and turns back to Ty Lee.

"So where are the other warriors at?"

"They're probably still decorating," said Ty Lee. "They really started getting into it. The ball rooms gonna look so beautiful. You wanna come see it?"

"Oh I don't know…"

"Just come on silly," Ty Lee squealed and she grabbed Suki's hand. "I know they'll like to see you, too." Ty Lee then proceeded to drag Suki down the hall.

"I'll be back," Suki yelled back to the group.

"M'kay," Sokka grunts spraying food out of his mouth.

"You know if you keep eating like that I'm going to lose my appetite real fast," said Katara closing her eyes in disgust.

"Well then don't watch me," he said spraying Aang with food. "Oops…sorry Aang." Ty Lee stuck her head back in through the door.

"Hey guys I almost forgot to tell you. Someone came back with me for the party!"

"I didn't come back for the party!" cut in a cross voice from behind him.

"Hey I know that voice!" said Sokka.

"Look who it is," squealed Ty Lee. She threw open the double doors to reveal an annoyed Toph.

"I didn't come for that stupid party; I came to get out of that walled city. Jeez!"

"Right," said Ty Lee bubbly, "I'll leave you guys to catch up." She turned and left to join Suki and the others.

"Thanks for the grand entrance," muttered Toph angrily.

"Good to have you here Toph," said Aang excited at his friends arrival. "Now it can almost be like old times again."

"Yeah without the bubbly queen if you don't mind," said Toph, "You can only take so much of that."

"Tell me about it," muttered Mai.

"So Sparky's turning seventeen? Nice that you made it this far right?" laughed Toph punching Zuko where the scar from Azula's lightning bolt had struck.

Zuko let out a weak chuckle. "Yeah, kind of nice actually."

"Twinkle Toes and Sugar Queen," Toph said rounding on Aang and Katara, "You guys staying out of trouble?" Aang and Katara both blushed.

"Yeah." "Yeah, were good."

"Good," Toph smirked.

"What no hello for me?" demanded Sokka.

"Oh no, how could I forget you Blubber Brain," Toph mocked slugging Sokka in the shoulder.

"Owwwwww…" moaned Sokka, rubbing his shoulder. Toph smirked. She turned to Iroh next giving him the only respectful greeting.

"General," she said bowing. Iroh laughed,

"What is with you people calling me general? It's Uncle Iroh."

"Alright Uncle Iroh," smiled Toph. She simply nodded at Mai who nodded back. They all continued with breakfast, telling jokes and saying what had been going on for the past few days. Even Mai got in on a few conversations. After everyone finished Zuko broke the happy bubble, his face grim.

"You ready?" he asked Aang. Aang sighed, frustrated that their moment couldn't last any longer.

"I'm ready." he replied. The entire atmosphere at the table changed as politics where an incredibly touchy subject. Today Aang would be preparing for a meeting of nation leaders to decide where the most help would go to rebuild and to take care of rouge Fire Nation separatists. "What did you find out?" he addressed Zuko first.

"Obviously our problems aren't rebuilding as much as dealing with separatists that refuse to disarm now that the war is over. There is only one naval base on this main land that refuses to disarm. I suggest we take that back before we focus on the smaller islands." Aang thought with his eyes closed before nodding and turning to Toph.

"And things in the Earth Kingdom?"

Toph shrugged, "The Earth Kingdoms big so it's going to take a while. We have to rebuild all the cities that where burnt down and take back which ones couldn't escape the rouge soldiers. Most big cities like Ba Sing Se and Omashu are alright, but the countryside's are too big to cover all at once. Most small villages don't have a defense and their getting crushed.

Aang nodded again and turned to Katara. "What news did your dad have?"

Katara consulted a letter in her pocket, "He says that all quadrants are empty in the South Pole but the North Pole still has some 15 fire nation ships in its area. Chief Arnook fears that they will attack and try to fortify there."

Aang nodded a third time. He opened his eyes and studied his friends. "Alright nothing is official until the meeting, but this is how I think things are going to go. In rebuilding the Earth Kingdom does require the most help because it has suffered the most. Most of the relief will probably go to them. However, Toph makes a good point in saying that the Earth Kingdom is a lot of ground to cover, meaning that most relief soldiers will deal with the separatists in the Fire Nation and North Pole."

"So your just gonna leave us out to dry then?" demanded Toph.

"No, but I remember something Bumi once told me. Sometimes we need to wait and listen for the right moment to strike. I feel that sending to many troops in a wide countryside like that would be futile and cause more soldiers to go rouge." Toph didn't nod but she didn't object either. "So it's decided then." When no one said otherwise Aang smiled, "Good."

"So are you going to come with us then?" asked Zuko.

"Come where?" questioned Aang.

"Me and a group of soldiers are going to take back that Fire Nation naval base." Zuko replied.

"You're going now?" Aang asked confused.

Zuko raised an eyebrow, "Were going to a party tomorrow. You got a better time?"

Aang sighed, "I guess not," he stood grudgingly. Zuko turned to Mai.

"I'll be back soon," he muttered.

"Hurry," she whispered and gave him a kiss.

"I'll see you guys soon," said Aang waving to the others.

"Alright," Sokka grunted and then let out a satisfied burp.

"Take care Twinkle Toes," laughed Toph

Katara gave him a hug, "Be safe," she whispered.

"I will," replied Aang. He kissed her and hurried after Zuko. They watched them go and then sat in silence for a few seconds.

"You know I will never get used to you kissing him," Sokka suddenly said.

"Oh shut up Sokka," Katara said, shaking her head. What a morning she thought.

"Does anyone want to play pai sho?" asked Iroh.

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Yeah I know it's really slow. Every story has to start somewhere right? Well hope you enjoyed it anyway. I promise it gets better just keep reading. Give the criticism and critiques.