A quality of loss

Affecting our Content

As Trade had suddenly encroached

Upon a Sacrament.

Fire Lord Zuko listened carefully as the elder sages gave their usual speeches as they prepared for the annual summit, hosted by the Fire Nation this year. As usual, the rest of the "The GAang," absent Toph, was there and completely uninterested in the ramblings. Sokka and Suki wrote flirtatious notes on the summit brochures while Aang made tiny sculptures out of the complementary tea, making Katara, who was normally a respectful, avid listener, giggle softly and whisper sweet nothings in his ears.

Zuko rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to concentrate on the man's words. He felt truly incompetent and inferior to the "mature" leaders in attendance from every nation except Air, of course.

"Your thoughts, Fire Lord?"

"Huh?" Asked Zuko, missing his cue to speak…again. "Um, apologies could you repeat the question?" The room was silent as eyes bored holes into the insecure ruler.

"It wasn't a question, Zuko. The fire sages are holding an election for the next avatar's masters," whispered Avatar Aang. "It's kind of bleak to think about," he admitted, "But the new avatar needs training and protection as soon as he or she is discovered after I…ya' know, kick the bucket. Katara has been nominated already and I would be honored if you would consider a nomination too?"

Zuko blushed, sinking down into his seat. "I don't know Aang…I'm still learning, myself. Plus, I have the Fire Nation to worry about already. Maybe someone else should, but Jeong Jeong will probably, ya' know, not be around then".

Hearing the whispers, Suki suddenly broke in, giving Sokka a thump on his nose that sent his head flying backwards so that she could meet the eyes of fire lord. "Well, if I may, Lord Zuko. Ty Lee and I agreed to help protect the new avatar in whichever Water Tribe they are born and I think your Chief Military Officer should be considered. You know, since I'll have Sokka," she noted, kissing her lover on the temple as he rubbed his nose.

Mouth agape, Fire Lord Zuko gasped aloud before thinking. "Azula? Why would Ty-"

"Very well, My Lord," misconstrued the ancient Fire Sage presiding of the meeting. "Let the records show Chief Military Officer and Crowned Princess of the Fire Nation Azula of the Sozin Dynasty-".

"No, no, no!" Cried Zuko, standing to his feet, grasping the edge of the U-shaped red table.

"-has been nominated as firebending master for the succeeding avatar," finished the elderly man.

Fire Lord Zuko smacked his forehead with his palm, falling back into his chair in defeat.

#

Zuko waved the Imperial Firebenders away upon entering his throne room, alone. The fire lord took his seat, not bothering to light the throne to its usual blazing presentation. Instead, the 29-year-old stared at his hands as if they were detached from his body. Despite his best efforts to request a re-vote, the council unanimously voted for Azula to train the future, Water Tribe avatar as the firebending representative.

His stomach rolled at the idea that the council was too convinced of Azula's so-called transformation. Though, his sister had indeed worked hard to reestablish order using her knowledge of the Dai Li's policies in the Impenetrable City to maintain a distant though, commanding martial presence that made the Fire Nation's citizens feel secure in their daily lives, resulting in little to no crime for the past 10 years.

And while he vacationed with his wife and now, eight-year-old daughter, Izumi, he could rest easily, knowing his nation's borders were also well-protected by the largest, highly trained coalition of staunch loyalist naval forces in all of the intact nations.

Also thanks to joint efforts with Toph Beifong, who sent her affirmation only a day after the announced candidates, Republic City, now hosted an entire division of elite, Fire Nation police, honed in their homeland before joining the earth kingdom's forces, all masterminded by his prodigal sister.

His sister's sudden change seemed unbelievable. Of course, she was still her usual, arrogant self, yet freer and…happier? Zuko still could not understand what the word meant to his sister. He knew former Fire Lord Ozai's release and deportation to the colonies was part of it.

Ozai's encounter with The Mother of Faces was wholly unexpected, yet Azula had negotiated the deal in exchange for his freedom completely alone, solidifying the abolishment of The New Ozai Society and the current fire lord's reign in one swoop.

The fire lord continued replaying the events of the past ten years in his mind. Sighing, he realized, his sister deserved the honor, plain and simple. Who was he to come between her and her destiny?

"Daddy, Daddy!"

A smile crossed his face as Izumi rushed into the throne room always unannounced tugging her aunt's wrist.

"Apologies, My Lord, are you planning to retire soon? It's getting late," remarked Azula, smoothly wrenching free of her niece's grasp.

Fire Lord Zuko raised an eyebrow at the familiar words. "You will be the new avatar's firebending master, Azula," he announced. "Congratulations, Sis. You've earned it. I will give my consent if you are in agreement".

Blinking several times, Azula looked to her niece, practicing fire katas. The little girl tripped over her feet, pouting when she landed on her belly.

"Show your father the dance of the dragons, Izumi," commanded Azula, crossing her arms, refusing to come to the child's aid in helping her off the floor. "If you do it correctly, you can ride on Chinatsu with Ty Lee and me. She's way better than your father's dragon, Druk, her brother, being female and all," she added with a smirk at her royal brother.

Izumi excitedly executed the form, perfectly to her father's pride. "How? Do you know how long it took me to figure that out?" He asked with a grin.

"Hopefully, the next avatar is female as well. If so, she will be the greatest of all time, of course," Azula remarked confidently. "She'll certainly have a better firebending teacher".

Zuko rolled his eyes. "So your answer?"

"Sure," said Azula with a shrug. "Whatever makes the world happy, Zuzu".

"What does happiness look like to you?" The fire lord could not help asking.

Azula was about to answer when a flash of pink somersaulted into the room, happily.

"Azula! I'm so proud of you!" Squealed the princess's loyal acrobatic friend, cartwheeling past the guards until she was stopped by the prodigy's hands capturing her waist from behind. As if no one else was in the room. Ty Lee snaked a toned arm around the woman's neck and kissed her passionately. Zuko found his chin near the floor when his sister actually leaned into it! Confirming the rumors that he'd heard, but Azula would never confirm or deny.

A chuckle made Zuko snap awake shooting a glance at his wife emerging with her mother-in-law at her side to take Izumi to bed.

"That's so wonderful," whispered Lady Ursa proudly, though she and Azula were still a long way from their own amends.

"Too bad they're getting shipped away to the Water Tribes sooner or later. Two of my favorite lunatics in love would freeze the capital over," added Mai.

Zuko coughed as he recovered from his shock making the girls pull away reluctantly. "Apologies, My Lord," stated the firebending master licking her lips, though her eyes did not bother to look to the throne or anywhere else but at the woman in her arms. "To answer your question, this is what happiness looks like to me, finally".