Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender, but in this story I do create my own characters within the Avatar world. These characters are mine and are a product of my overactive imagination. So no touchy! Thank you and enjoy.

Chapter 1: Story Time

After a full day of training with Aang, Toph and Katara, Zuko was exhausted, but the work wasn't done yet. He helped collect wood for the fire, pitched up the tents for the night and went hunting with Sokka for suitable food. Agni only knew that if Zuko let the knuckle head go hunting alone, they'd be eating nothing but nuts and rocks that looked like nuts.

While he was stalking through the brush, Sokka lumbering noisily somewhere to Zuko's left, Zuko thought about the impending fight in a few weeks. The scheduled invasion day was drawing near and Zuko wasn't sure whether or not Aang was ready to face his father.

The boy was simply that, a boy. He was goofy, kind hearted, fair, and a well on his way to becoming a master bender, but when the time came to fight the Fire Lord, Zuko knew that the Air bender didn't have it in him to finish off Ozai. He only hoped that all of them made it through the war alive.

When he and Sokka got back to the campsite, Sokka was covered in mud with a small bag in his hand that looked lumpy, with Zuko could only assume was an assortment of nuts. Zuko however, held a couple of fat Meadow Vole's in his hand. He handed them over to Katara, and went to sit against a log, stretching out his long legs.

Toph was sitting across from him, the light from the fire dancing across her pale face. A couple of fist size rocks were floating in front of her face, circling. Suki was comforting her 'overworked warrior' and massaging Sokka's shoulders. Katara was bent over the little iron pot, stewing the broth inside. Aang was playing with Momo, the pointy eared lemur running all over the Avatar, chattering nosily.

He smiled as he surveyed everyone in the Gaang. When he had been a prince, he'd never felt as comfortable as he did with this mismatched group of outcasts. Probably because he was an outcast himself.

Katara announced that dinner was finally ready and bended the stew from the pot into bowls for everyone. Zuko accepted the hearty meal and drank it down. He sighed quietly as the warmth of the food was added to the fire in his belly. It sat there comfortably, and he asked Katara for seconds.

After everyone had finished eating, everyone relaxed around the fire. Suddenly Aang perked up and said, "You know, we should tell stories!"

"That's a good idea," Katare said smiling. She looked around the story. "What kind of story should we have?"

"Love story!"

"A fighting story!"

"A funny story!"

Katara thought for a minute. Her blue eyes lit up as she came to an idea. "How about, we each tell a story that revolves around our perspective nation? Aang can tell one about Air bender history, me and Sokka can tell one of Water bender history, and so on and so forth. That way, we can learn while being entertained!"

A collective groan arose from the circle of friends.

Katara frowned and pinned everyone with her blue eyed stared. Her gaze fell on Zuko, who was staring blankly into the camp fire.

"Zuko!"

Jerking to attention, Zuko looked over at Katara, his good eyebrow raised in question.

Katara smiled sweetly at him, which gave Zuko the goosebumps.

"Zuko, I'm sure the Fire Nation has some very interesting stories. Why don't you tell us one?"

Zuko frowned. "All the stories that are told in the Fire Nation are changed to make the Fire Nation look better to the general populace. There is no point in me telling you stories."

Katara fumed. She opened her mouth to retort back at Zuko, when he spoke again, "Although, there is one that is only known to the royal family. I suppose…"

"Ooo, royal secrets. Do tell Flame Boy," Toph said dryly.

Zuko sighed and relented. "Alright."

Aang cheered and wrapped his arms around his knees, his gray eyes shining with excitement. The others made themselves more comfortable and waited for Zuko to start.

Zuko took a deep breath and began, "As you all know, the tradition of Agni Kai is very old. What most people don't know about it is how it started. This knowledge has been passed down through the royal family through generations. My mother told me this story a long time ago when I was still very young. The story itself comes from the combined journals of my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather and his wife. It was over five hundred years ago that this happened."

"That's older than me!" Aang piped up.

Ignoring him, Zuko continued, "The story is about a young Fire prince that falls in love with an Earth Kingdom princess-"

Wistful sighs came from Katara and Suki.

Zuko rolled his eyes. "Yes, well let's begin. The story starts in the Fire Nation…"