He was hardly in Yu Dao for a day and a night before another assassin tried to take his life. But this attempt led him down another path. One he hadn't expected.

It was clear that the young, female assassin was against the Harmony Restoration Movement. That was clear. But Zuko had been sure that it was more about not wanting to leave her life of luxury that she had grown to know. He was, however, very wrong. And now, he had to explain to Aang why the Harmony Restoration Movement was suddenly not his top priority. In fact, he wanted out of it.

"Fire Lord Ozai had many faults, but he was never a coward. He was never a traitor." The mayor insulted Zuko.

 "You'll regret saying that, Old Man!" Zuko yelled at the mayor "Guards, seize him!"

Suddenly, however, a rock tower came between the guards and the mayor. Zuko turned to see a female earthbender in a defensive stance.

"Fire Lord, please! Forgive my husband's foolishness! I've told him time and time again to control his tongue, but he never does!"

"You're Mayor Morishita's wife?! An earthbender...?"

"Yes, I'm an earthbender. As is our daughter."

And people are okay with that?... No one... Thinks poorly of it here? Mixing of the benders? Zuko was immediately intrigued. If it's okay here... Maybe I could use that. I could use that as an example of how I could have YN. Yu Dao is much older than we are. Their ways might be right. Why not adopt some of them...

As he thought, the daughter spoke.

"I may be an Earthbender, but through my father's bloodline I am a Fire Nation citizen! My taught me to always be loyal to the Fire Nation, to my people. Something you obviously never learned from your father."

"Would your majesty be willing to stay in Yu Dao for a few days? It would be an honor for us to show the Fire Lord our way of life."

"Actually..." He began. "I think I may know more about it than you believe. Let us discuss."

"So," Zuko explained to Aang, "I stayed. I saw what my people created here. I saw what the Harmony Restoration Movement would destroy; my chance with YN and my--" He stopped himself short, not ready to give up that secret. "I changed my mind. Ever since my coronation, I've had trouble finding peace. Now, I think I've finally figured out why. I'd forgotten about my people. How accepting they can be. How human they are. I know you defeated the Fire Nation, Aang, but my people still deserve respect!"

"I defeated the Fire Nation?! You mean we defeated the Fire Lord!"

"It'd be disrespectful to take from them a life they spent generations building! I won't let you do it!" Zuko raised his voice.

"Harmony requires four separate nations to balance each other out! You can't have balance if one nation occupies another!" Aang raised his voice back.

"Maybe... Yu Dao can be an exception..." Katara spoke out.

"What?!" Aang looked at her.

"It's just a thought." She said. "There's mixed families here that would be split up... people fall in love from different nations... I mean, look at Zuko. He's in love with a Swamp Girl."

Zuko blushed and looked away as he spoke. He was more than in love. He was the father of a half-swamp baby.

"Exceptions should be made for all the remaining colonies. Most of them have been around for well over a century. They're older than you, Aang!"

"You have got to be joking. That would make peace impossible!" Aang complained.

"Well, regardless, the Earth King needs to be a part of whatever happens next. If Aang and I can arrange a meeting, will you be there, Zuko?"

"I'll be there." Zuko nodded.

"Talking's good. I guess." Aang admitted.