Disclaimer: I don't own ATLAB! Due to constant requests, I'm starting a sequel to my old story, Ripples in the Water. It's called Bring Me Home… Same storyline starts off where the last chapter left off!

Zuko walked through his palace quickly, occasionally spotting a servant or two running through the halls. He burst into the war chamber, nodded to all the men and women seated within. Mai sat a few chairs down from him and Ty Lee was besides her, fiddling with her braid. Iroh sat on his right side, studying scrolls and waved to his nephew as he came in.

"Alright, what's going on?"

"Firelord Zuko, we have news from the Boiling Rock and The Fire Mental Facility. It's about your sister and father." Zuko's heart plummeted and he waited for the man to continued. He swallowed nervously, eyeing the young Firelord, hoping he wasn't prone to bursts of violence like his father.

"Your sister and father—they've escaped," he whispered. Zuko's good eye widened. An audible gasp resounded throughout the room.

"When?"

"Last night, during the guard change. Three men were killed in their getaway. You father got across the tram and then cut the lines. Shortly after, we lost sight of him. Azula disappeared a few moments later."

"Who else knows?"

"No one."

"Good," he sighed, pitching the bridge of his nose. "Keep it that way. Let's try to deal with this quietly, okay?" The man bowed and seated himself once more. Zuko turned to his uncle, who's normally jolly face was somber and pale.

"Uncle, what do you suggest we do?"

"I'm not sure, Nephew. If Azula and my brother have escaped, they want revenge, and they will wait for a very long time to get it. I recommend focusing all you efforts on finding them and getting rid of them. Permanently," he replied solemnly. Zuko nodded with agreement and turned to face his generals.

"We'll focus on capturing them. Send out scout but keep it quiet. We don't want to scare the people or alert any allies they might still have that they escaped. We'll meet again in exactly one week with progress reports. Dismissed," he instructed. Zuko rose quickly, and waited for everyone to leave the room and turned to his uncle once more.

"She will go after the Avatar and Katara."

"I know," he sighed. Iroh shrugged, tucking his arms into each sleeve.

"I suggest inviting them to stay for a few weeks, just to keep an eye on them until this business cools down?" Iroh suggested. Zuko nodded and beckoned for the messenger standing in the hallway.

"Send a message to the Avatar. He is invited to spend a few weeks in the Fire Palace. Say we insisted," Zuko said. The messenger nodded and scurried away, disappearing in the dim hallway. Zuko parted from his uncle and returned to his rooms pulling off his royal robes and dressed in comfortable day clothing from when he traveled with the Avatar.

"Jin?" he called. The short woman approaching, bowing deeply.

"Yes, my Lord?"

"If anyone is looking for me, I'll be in the training area," he said. She nodded and walked away. Zuko stretching his arms over his head and walked out of the palace, reaching the large sandy area they used to train soldiers in no time. A small troop was sparring and stopped when they sighted Zuko. They all bowed and waited.

"Continue!" he called. They bowed once more and began. He watched intently for a few moments, delighted with the elaborate fire display and intricate movements executed almost perfectly by each guard. Zuko walked into the area, drawing murmurs and whispers from the people around them. It was not customary for the Firelord to train in the same place as his troops, but Zuko was inclined in changing this. The alienation between leader and subjects led to the friction and anger that caused the war. He wanted to know and befriend his men, having them loyal to him.

"Your Majesty? How may I assist you?" a tall, muscular trainer asked.

"Have anyone I can spar with?"

"Of course. Any skill level request?" he asked. Zuko shrugged, smirking. The trainer turned and barked at someone behind him. A slender man stepped forward, his clothing drenched in sweat, but he looked calm and easy. They walked away from the group of men and squared off against one another.

After bowing to one another, the men launched themselves at one another. Zuko flipped over his opponent's head, shooting a blast from his fist, knocking him over.

The man rolled away and leapt to his feet, responding with a series of short lashes of fire. The fighting continued, getting more and more intricate and hot. Zuko felt

his face drip with sweat and his muscles begin to tire.

Spending the entire day inside the palace, going to meetings and talking to politicians took a toll on his body. He no longer spent the majority of his time training Aang

or running around. He definitely needed to come out here more often. The man grinned, throwing the fire harder and faster, noting the Firelord's slacking pace. Zuko

gritted his teeth and fought back.

Zuko grinned as his opponent made a fatal mistake, opening his chest to a blow. He too, noticed this mistake but it was too late. Zuko shot forward, using a wave of

fire to distract him and slammed the heel of his palm into the man's chest. He grunted and flew backwards, groaning as he landed heavily on his back a few feet

away.

"Yield?"

"Yes," the man replied. Zuko stretched out a hand and lifted the man to his feet.

"It's been an honor, Your Majesty," he said, bowing deeply. Zuko nodded and bowed in return. The man turned away and rejoined his troop.

"Firelord Zuko?"

"Yes?" he said, turning around to face a man dressed in messenger's clothing.

"You have a guest waiting for you in your chambers," he said. Zuko raised an eyebrow at him. He wasn't expecting any guest. Katara and Aang wouldn't have gotten the message yet, and if they had, it would've taken days to get here from where they were.

"Who?"

"They told me not to say, only that it's an old friend." Zuko frowned and walked back in the direction of his rooms. The only person he could think of was—

Note: Duh dunh dunh! Who could come visit Zuko?