Falling for the Enemy (Sun and Moon Book 1)

Chapter 55 - Time

Fire Nation Palace, Sozin, three years later

Zuko stretched his arms above his head, groaning softly as his muscles loosened and his back popped. Even after three years of RA pre-meetings, sitting still for eight hours still gave Zuko cramps.

It was worth it, though. The Rebuilding Association needed his support in order to keep going. Just like it needed Aang's support, and King Boomi's, and Chief Hakoda's, and-

"Sire. There are several messenger hawks awaiting your perusal." Zuko sighed and nodded to his secretary.

"Thank you, Kamil. Bring them in."

"Yes, Sire."

All Zuko wanted was ten minutes to take a nap. Ten minutes! But it wasn't going to happen, not with the annual RA convention coming up and Mai's marriage preparations, not to mention that Aang and the others should be arriving soon for the first day of the convention.

Kamil brought in a cage with three messenger hawks and set it down on Zuko's desk. Zuko smiled at him tiredly, then sent him out.

He took a hawk from the cage and pulled the message out. It bore a dark red ribbon with the Bei Fong flying boar crest embroidered on it. Zuko smiled. He always enjoyed Toph's letters, especially because they were always Uncle's letters, too.

He sliced off the seal and unfurled the paper, smiling at the familiar sight of Uncle's handwriting.

Sparky-

We've almost got all of the walls down, there's just a couple more and Ba Sing Se will be wall-free, except for the outer wall. The Earth King and Bosco send their hello's and thanks for the men you sent to help with that crime wave. You'll probably get a letter from them soon. How're the plans for Republic City coming? Aang says you're going to discuss it at the convention this year- here's hoping it works out. Have you talked to Sokka lately? Tai Lee was here a few days ago and she thinks something's up with him and Suki. Let me know how things go.

Toph Bei Fong.

Nephew-

How are you doing? Don't let Toph worry you- Sokka sent me a letter a few days ago asking for adivce on how to ask a woman to marry him! I think they will be very happy. The tea shop is doing well- I've discovered a new flavor! I'm calling it: Cinnamon Apple-Berry. What do you think? How are Mai's wedding plans coming? Has Kamil asked you to be his best man yet? He is nervous, so be nice to him. I was hoping to come in for the convention this year, but Toph needs my help with the walls and the Earth King has been asking my advice on plans for a new research division in the University. I'm afraid I can't get away, but perhaps you can come visit once the convention is over. Don't forget to mention the plans for reconstructing Jang Hui and getting rid of that factory. How are the renovations to your house on Ember Island coming?

Love, Uncle

Zuko chuckled and laid the letter aside, absently stroking the messenger hawk's feathers. Was Kamil really going to ask him to be the best man? Considering Zuko's history with Mai, Zuko wouldn't have guessed that. But Uncle wouldn't have mentioned it unless he was sure.

Poor Kamil. No wonder he'd seemed so formal lately. Zuko had thought it just pre-wedding jitters.

Any man marrying Mai would have a double case of those. Zuko shook his head and settled the messenger hawk back into the cage, extracting another one.

This letter bore the Earth King's seal- this would be the thank you letter for Zuko's help with the crime rise in Ba Sing Se. And probably a request for more fireflakes for Bosco- the bear was addicted to them.

Zuko thought that it was really the Earth King who was addicted to them, and he just used Bosco as an excuse.

He pulled the last letter from the last messenger hawk, and grinned. It was Sokka's Southern Water Tribe symbol. Sokka had become one of Zuko's closest friends, maybe because he was Katara's brother. They understood each other on a level that no one else seemed to get. Sokka thought it was because they'd both lost people really close to them- Katara for him and Zuko's mother on his end.

But Zuko knew it was more than that- it was because they'd both loved and lost Katara. In different ways, yes, but loved and lost all the same. Zuko often wondered if he should tell Sokka that his sister was alive, that they were married.

But Katara was gone without a trace, and Uncle agreed with Zuko that bringing it up now, nearly four years after Katara's 'death', would only make things worse.

So Zuko kept silent, and prayed that the spirits protect Katara, wherever she was. And he prayed, as he always did, that someday, someway, she would forgive him.

And she would come home.

______

Sooo... 0.o

It's been three years... since they last saw each other. And Zuko knows nothing of his daughter....

What is going to happen?!

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-Tess