Prompt #29- All rest and no play. Post S3 of ATLA as Zuko begins to figure life out as Fire Lord. I read a couple of the comics but it's been a while so this is probably AU-ish.

Zuko eyed the stack of papers an attendant had left on his bedroom desk. The meeting with his advisors had run three hours over and had done little to accomplish anything. About half of the members still held to Ozai's vision for the Fire Nation, even if they hadn't liked the man himself. One Hundred years of war dogma and propaganda didn't go away overnight. . . or away in three months.

'Still-' Zuko resisted the urge to groan. Aang showed more common sense than the room put together. His vision went blurry, and Zuko rubbed his eyes. Fatigue crashed over him in waves. When was the last time he'd gotten a decent night's sleep? Before his mom disappeared probably. Sighing, Zuko ignored his bed and grabbed the top sheet.

GENERAL JIAN requesting Fire Lord Zuko to reconsider the relocation of troop 874 from the Earth Kingdom. . .

Zuko shoved back his chair, barely resisting the urge to crumple the paper. How many times was this going to be repeated? Growling under his breath Zuko drafted a missive stating, again, that no he was not changing his mind, and yes all Fire Nation military was being recalled. He could write these in his sleep at this point. Zuko set down his quill and quelled the urge to burn the paper. No matter how many times Zuko reiterated the point, another commander dug their heels in at obeying the order.

A glimmer of bitterness rose with the thought that Ozai hadn't dealt with men back talking like this. However, If any commander dared question Ozai's orders, they would have been stripped of their rank at best, executed at worst. Zuko himself served as living proof. With that in mind guilt flooded through Zuko. He didn't want to mirror any of Ozai's barbaric practices. Unfortunately, that meant dealing with a lot of insubordination attempts.

A stiff knock broke Zuko from his thoughts. "Enter."

Suki strode in wearing her Kyoshi uniform. "Nothing abnormal noted today. I'm taking point tonight."

Zuko figured as much but appreciated her update. "Thank you, Suki." Instead of exiting, she gave Zuko an appraising look. Zuko fought to avoid squirming. "What?"

"When was the last time you slept?" she held up a hand at Zuko's spluttering protests. "Like really slept?"

Zuko snapped his jaw shut. The silence dragged out between them.

"That's what I thought. Zuko," they'd been through too much history for Zuko to feel comfortable with Suki using any honorifics, "how can you take care of a nation if you're not taking care of yourself?"

Anger crackled up Zuko's spine. "As you said, I have a nation to rule. Too long my family has taken care of itself rather than look to the needs of the people. My sleep is of little consequence."

'I've gone longer on less sleep,' he didn't say aloud. Granted at the time the fall out would have only been on his own head- or the small crew of the Wani- not several hundred thousand people.

Instead of rising to the bait Suki only sighed. "All I'm saying is it's okay to look at your own needs too. And you don't have to do everything on your own." Rather than wait for him to respond she marched out the room, closing the door behind her.

Groaning silently, Zuko slumped back in his chair. Suki had good points, but that didn't make it easy. The only Fire Nation official he implicitly trusted had chosen to remain in Ba Sing Se, though the two sent letters back and forth often enough. However, it wasn't the same as having Uncle with him.

Beyond Uncle, the rest of the Gaang had dispersed; Katara and Sokka traveling back to the Southern Water Tribe for their Gran Gran's wedding, Aang doing some monk things at the Air Temples before heading to the South Pole, and Toph. . . well Zuko wasn't quite sure what she was doing, but she'd gone back to the Earth Kingdom for the time being.'Quit whining, they all deserve their peace.' Zuko forced himself to push down his emotions.

He eyed the stack of papers again. 'Five more.' Then he'd go to bed. Maybe. Zuko grabbed the next paper and went back to the needs (demands) of his people.

Zuko snapped to awareness, unsure where he was or what had disturbed him. He held still, his mind sluggishly providing he half lay across a desk. So he had fallen asleep while working in his room, but what had woken him?

A soft rustle of cloth on concrete came from somewhere behind him. Mai wouldn't come to his room at this hour and any of the Kyoshi Warriors would wait for him to grant them entrance- at the door just to his left. Not coming from the window located directly behind the desk.

The scrape of metal on metal had Zuko vaulting from his seat and spinning around, fire blazing in his fists. A black clothed and hooded figure crouched on his window sill, dagger shining in the moonlight. Zuko launched a fireball at the assassin. The figure dove into the room, ducking beneath the fire's path. The action highlighted the attacker's brawny body, who neatly rolled into a fighting stance. Another well trained assassin, great. The only minimal silver lining was the assassin didn't seem to be a bender.

Grabbing his Dao blades from their place on the wall, Zuko gave the assassin no time to launch an attack. Metal on metal shattered the quiet night. Dimly Zuko heard shouts getting closer. The assassin growled. Something silver flashed in Zuko's vision. On instinct he ducked. A heavy thunk sounded on the wall behind him.

Zuko gritted his teeth, this needed to end. Adrenaline kept him moving as he drove the assassin toward the window, but Zuko could feel his strength ebbing. Maybe Suki had a point about his needing rest.

The door to Zuko's room burst open. Zuko threw flames at the assassin and risked a glance over his shoulder. To his relief four Kyoshi Warriors, led by Suki, ran toward the assassin. The man fell back on his heels, his eyes darting between Zuko and the Warriors. His gaze sharpened on Zuko.

Three knives flew toward the group. As they ducked the man darted back toward the window. A flurry of green sailed through the window and within seconds the man lay in a paralyzed heap on the ground. Despite the skirt, Ty Lee backbended her way across the room.

"That felt good!"

The other Kyoshi Warriors laughed at Ty Lee's words as they set about securing the man in irons. While Zuko appreciated seeing the acrobat use her chi blocking for his benefit, he couldn't drudge up any amusement. That was the fourth assassination attempt in as many weeks of being crowned Fire Lord.

Pain flared in Zuko's left bicep. He looked down, surprised to see blood dripping from beneath his ruined sleeve. When did something hit him?

"Zuko!"

He waved away Ty Lee's concern. "I'm fine. Just a graze. Thank you for catching him."

Ty Lee practically glowed at Zuko's words, but Suki frowned.

"You still need to be checked by the healers," she ran a critical eye around the room. Behind them a knife stuck in the wall, Zuko's blood dripping off the blade. Carefully she drew it out and examined the blade. "As far as I can tell it's not poisoned, but I could be missing something. Adah, take two others and secure the prisoner in the dungeon. We'll question him when he regains movement."

The Kyoshi Warrior closest to the prisoner nodded. As she went about moving the man, Zuko studied the would-be assassin. His mask had been removed, but his features didn't immediately jar any memory. Zuko didn't recognize him, but he was distinctly Fire Nation.

Zuko stifled a sigh. More paperwork. And more of his own people who wanted him dead. Well, if he were dead he wouldn't have to deal with the paperwork anymore. Zuko hid a wince at the thought. That wouldn't be the best for his people, even if some of his subjects wished for it.

"Come on, Zuko."

He let Suki lead him from the room. They walked in silence toward the healer's quarters. As they neared the suite, Zuko fought to keep his breath from hitching. Katara had been on hand to heal him from injuries from Azula, and none of the previous assassination attempts had drawn blood. The last time he'd been in this wing was after the Agni Kai with his fa- with Ozai. His scalp prickled from Suki's gaze.

"Do you feel lightheaded or dizzy?" Yes, but not from blood loss or poison. Mutely, Zuko shook his head. "Any burning spreading through your arm?"

Focusing on the pain for a moment, Zuko didn't think so. "It's just a cut."

"Maybe, but it's not worth risking your life."

It could have been a completely political rationale, but Suki regarded Zuko with a softened look in her eyes. Zuko looked away. Even after everything he'd done on Kyoshi Island Suki and the rest of the Warriors had so many reasons to hate him, scorn him. Instead they'd accepted his apology and worked to help him take his country back. He didn't deserve their service or their friendship, but they'd offered it anyway. And it was due to them he was only mildly injured at the moment.

"Thank you, Suki."

She gave him a half smile. "Doing my duty. . . and I don't think Sokka would appreciate it if I let his best Fire Nation friend croak under my watch."

Zuko snorted at the thought of how dramatic Sokka's reaction to that would be. Then it struck him how he had more people than just Uncle who'd mourn him. After his grandfather, father, and sister tried to murder him, it took him aback that he had friends that cared like that.

Before Zuko could figure out a response, they arrived at the healer's door. It swung open as Suki raised her fist to knock. Healer Shoji regarded the two, the lines on his wizened face deepening when he saw the blood dripping down Zuko's arm.

"Come in. With the commotion I anticipated being needed."

Stiffly, Zuko entered the room. In the four or so years since he'd been in these chambers it looked like nothing had changed. Several cots were stationed across the center of the room, the walls lined with shelves containing herbs, jars, books and scrolls.

After giving the room a quick security check, Suki backed toward the entrance. "I'll keep watch, Fire Lord." Suki's smile quirked as she said Zuko's title, yet at the same time it held a respectful weight. Her expression sobered. "Rest, no one will enter before morning."

Contrary to what he expected, Zuko felt nothing but relief and gratitude at Suki's pronouncement. "Thank you."

There was so much he wanted to say, but didn't have the words. Her smile told him she understood. She bowed in the Fire Nation manner, before sweeping out and closing the door behind her.

Shoji directed Zuko toward the cot furthest from the door. "Sit. Remove your shirt please, so I can see the arm."

Zuko complied, doing his best to hide his discomfort. A quick examination all but confirmed Zuko's suspicion it wasn't poisoned, but the healer still lanced the wound and cleaned it thoroughly. With practiced hands he tied a bandage around Zuko's bicep. Then, despite Zuko's protests, he examined Zuko for any other injuries. Nothing else caught his attention.

"I will need to look at your arm every two hours to ensure no infection develops. Or if there isn't some long acting poison that may be lying dormant. As your guard indicated this will be the best place for you to stay the rest of the night."

Biting back an impulse to argue, Zuko nodded. The struggle with the assassin had been more difficult than it should have been. Plus, sleep sounded really enticing at the moment.

"Presuming no infection occurs, you'll be free to resume your duties tomorrow."

"Thank you."

The healer's posture softened minutely. "Sleep, Fire Lord. Your body requires it to heal."

From his banishment Zuko had endured many similar injuries and continued about his business with mild impediment, but he appreciated what the healer was doing. So he simply dipped his head. Shoji brought out an extra blanket then went about dimming the lamps.

"I will remain here if you need me in the night." Shoji claimed the cot on the far side of the room, giving as much privacy and space as only a healer did.

Zuko found himself not minding. He nodded his head again and lay on the cot. Unlike the last time Zuko knew he had friends watching over him, and he knew he wasn't about to be sent away from his home. Still, his heart rate remained elevated. After several minutes Zuko slipped into his meditative breathing patterns, the lamps in the room gently flaring in rhythm with his breath. Soon the action lulled him into his first restful sleep in a very long time.