“But, Sokka-”

“No, Dad. We've decided.” Beside him, Suki nods, once. Dad shakes his head, looking confused.

“But what about all your friends who are at the South Pole right now, waiting-”

“It's just Zuko and Iroh who aren't here, and we sent them letters already. Iroh hasn't written back yet but Zuko says he can't come because there's important business in the Fire Nation.”

“But what about Hare and Smellerbee and-”

“We've decided. They'll understand- we'll send them gift baskets or something, okay? We don't want to wait anymore.”

“Yeah. This whole thing with Hama just proves how quickly things can change. And the Kyoshi Officials keep asking me to stay there- if I go back again without any other obligations they might do something rash, like make me the mayor or something. We're going to get married here. We've already talked to Chief Arnook about it.”

Dad's getting a stubborn look in his eyes, and I decide it's time for me to step in.

“I think it's a great idea. And even if I didn't, it's not my business or yours, Dad. If Sokka and Suki want to get married here, that's their choice. It's their wedding! And I'm sure the others will be fine with it.”

And it's better this way, anyway. It doesn't risk me running into Zuko. Hopefully Iroh declines, too. It's mean to think that, I know, what with them being friends of Sokka's and the others. But I can't risk it, and I can't risk Lia.

“Katara's right. Besides, we didn't want a huge wedding, anyway, Hakoda.”

Dad finally relents and sighs. “Oh, all right. But that doesn't mean I like it.”

**__**

Zuko sat at the edge of the turtle duck pond, pulling little pieces of bread from a loaf and tossing it to the small creatures. They warbled at him gratefully and snapped up the bread.

They were so cute, and Zuko had to smile.

Laughter echoed around the small garden, and Zuko looked toward the doorway. Mai and Kamil walked in, arm in arm, smiling and practically glowing. Zuko smiled at them and called out.

They headed over, both of them looking so happy that Zuko fought a surge of rising anger. He remembered what that felt like. It wasn't fair.

It had never been fair.

But he shook it off, knowing that his relationship troubles weren't his friends' fault.

“Hey, Zuko.” Mai smiled and Zuko stood, and all three of them stood staring out over the turtle duck pond, watching them.

Finally, Kamil spoke.

“Zuko, are you sure- oof!”

Kamil had become a lot friendlier since his wedding, which Zuko thought was ironic since the man was married to Mai. But then again, Mai had loosened up a lot as well, since she and Kamil had started dating two years ago.

Zuko glanced at them to see Mai smiling sweetly and Kamil holding his stomach.

“You were saying?”

Mai's smile disappeared, and her eyes shot daggers at them both.

Kamil straightened.

“Are you sure that we shouldn't go to the North Pole for Sokka and Suki's wedding?”

Zuko nodded. “I'm sure.”

He had wanted to go. When he'd gotten the letter he'd started planning the trip, already calling Kamil to gather a traveling party- until he got halfway through the letter, and found out that they'd found Katara.

Found her and convinced her to come with them to the North Pole, where she was now.

So she did have her memory back. And she was with her family- that was good. Zuko told himself that he didn't care.

That it didn't matter.

But he had told Kamil not to bother with the traveling plans, and he had burned the letter to a crisp. He had told Aang in his letter that he and the others couldn't leave the Fire Nation yet, but the truth was that what with the whole city celebrating the name change and the convention over, there was nothing for Zuko to do.

There were the usual duties, of course, but Jeong Jeong could handle those.

Ursa was a peaceful city, like its new namesake.

And his nation, too, was at peace.

“But, perhaps-”

“No, Kamil. That's the end of it.”

Zuko left the garden, then, and headed for the training circles.

He had some inner demons to burn out, and he didn't want to take it out on his friends.

_____

So I've finished writing the book! There are only going to be three more chappies, and then it's done. Yaay! :)

Anywho, COMMENT, five if you want me to update, you know the drill, guys. :) 

-Tess