Ok peeps, I actually wrote this a long time ago and I'll post the next chapter or 'part' every other weekend. I know, this is before I really knew Avatar and some people are out of character but please give the younger me some slack thank you! Review!
The Blue Spirit Unmasked:
A Zuko Fan Fiction
Part One: Finding Zuko"Zuko, come here! I found a stream!"
"Be there in a moment Uncle!"
Zuko stopped climbing the pine. Now that a stream was found their lives would be easier. On the lowest branch he jumped to the ground with a soft thud.
"Uncle, is the stream far?"
"I'm standing right next to it!"
He followed Uncle Iroh's voice. He was getting closer.
"Are there fish?"
"Plenty of them Zuko! Just come here and see for yourself!"
Zuko stopped. There was a huge amount of bushes between him and his uncle's voice. Only one way through.
"Zuko, you coming?"
Zuko dived into the giant shrubs. Thorns scratched and irritated his skin. He saw a small light through the thorns. He pushed on.
"Zuko?"
The light was closer. He could get through. Almost there...
Whumph. He was out. Iroh was standing by the shrubs looking down upon him. Suddenly the scratches from the thorns started stinging like wasps. Zuko groaned.
"Some scratches you got there. You know there was an opening a little farther to your left."
Iroh offered his hand. Zuko clasped it and with all his strength pulled up. He just barely made it.
"You know I see a plant that would help those cuts heal faster and..." Zuko looked at Iroh nervously. " Ha ha ha ha!" Iroh chuckled, "Don't worry, I know this plant works! We won't visit Song anytime soon!"
Zuko sat down by the stream while Iroh collected the plants. He looked down at his reflection for a few moments but sadly turned away.
I'll never look normal. Fate is a cruel thing. Along with death.
At this thought Zuko closed his eyes trying not to cry. The pain, the shame, the death, it was all too much to handle. Running from his own father was bad enough, but add in death and physical abuse and you have...
The story of my life.
Iroh came back and started mashing up a bunch of dried up leaves.
"You know Zuko, living like this isn't so bad. I mean think of all the advantages!"
Ya, umm, nope my mind's a blank, Zuko thought in a fowl tone.
Iroh had ejected some green sap from the leaves. Slowly he started rubbing them on Zuko's wounds. Zuko cried out and shrank back.
"Unless you want infections I suggest you hold still. I know it is painful, but it helps."
Zuko held still, though he winced continuously. Soon his mind started wandering and he didn't think about the cuts as much as before. Soon each cut had been plastered. Zuko stood and made a bed on a pile of leaves. As he was making it he seemed to get more and more tired.
"Umm, Zuko just to let you know the sap makes you very..."
Zuko had fallen asleep atop his bed.
Iroh smiled. " Sleepy."
Zuko was chained to a wall in front of his father. Ozi was about to kill him.
"Please, Father, forgive me! I was foolish! Please don't kill me! Please!"
"You shamed me more than you shamed yourself! For that you must pay!" Ozi cried out.
Ozi took the flame from around his throne and aimed it straight towards Zuko. Next thing he knew he was surrounded by flames eating away at his face and then...
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!"
Zuko was lying on his leaf bed. He rubbed his eyes and saw Iroh making tea and fish for dinner. He laid back down and cleared his mind. Then he meditated.
"Zuko, dinner is ready." Iroh said just barely over a whisper.
Zuko walked to the table, sat and started feeding his famished stomach. They ate in silence.
Zuko awoke to a storm. Rain was pounding on his face like hammers, lightning streaked against the sky, seeming as if to cut it in half. The stream was restless, and started to overflow, only to wash away the food and fire they had.
Zuko looked desperately for Iroh. He checked the whole clearing to no avail. Zuko would not, could not believe that Iroh had abandoned him. That was not like his Uncle. Then Zuko realized one place he had not checked. The stream.
He rushed to the stream, getting soaked in the overflow of water. He slowly, carefully leaned his head so he could see down the stream.
There, holding on for dear life, was his Uncle grabbing a low branch.
In the half-second illumination of lightning, Iroh saw his nephew dive into the water to try and save him.
"Zuko! Grab something to steady yourself!"
Zuko was being pushed underwater by the crashing waves and did not hear his Uncle's cries to him. He was being suffocated; he could not get above water. A form in the water reached for him but the waves pushed him onward, down and down and down. He reached for air but every time he would come close he would be pushed down once more. Thunder echoed in the water, sounding like the beats of his heart dying, ever so slowly. Suddenly the stream turned and he was knocked into the edge of the stream. His lungs felt as though they were burning. Then Zuko noticed something. The stream was wider and it looked as though it curved downward. Then his dying brain brought up one word that terrified him the most. Waterfall.
Iroh let go of the branch. He could not let Zuko die. Zuko was like his son, and fathers don't let their sons die. Iroh had learned this lesson once before and was going to take a pop quiz now.
What do you do when the closest thing you have to a son is about to die?
A) Save yourself
B) Save him
C) Nothing
Iroh had failed before but he wouldn't go through with this again. He'd rather die. So he started swimming as best he could to catch up with Zuko. After the curve Iroh saw the same thing Zuko was seeing. He swam faster.
Zuko felt himself being grabbed and pushed back. A figure in front of him started going down the waterfall. He realized in his mind the figure was trying to save him as long as he could. Little did the figure know it was almost to late.
Zuko got out of the water. Only because he was going down a waterfall. He couldn't scream. He took in the air as best as he could before hitting the water. Then he blacked out.
Iroh hit the water in a belly flop. He struggled to stay conscious to be able to catch Zuko when he came down. But the first thing Iroh saw was Zuko hitting the water, head first. With all his strength Iroh swam and pulled Zuko ashore. Then Iroh lapsed into unconsciousness.
When Iroh awoke he saw that Zuko was still unconscious. He slowly got up and looked around. They had landed in a secret paradise. Mountains surrounded the whole area. That was a good thing. The Firenation wouldn't find them here.
The rain had stopped. All but a few clouds remained in the sky. It was early morning and the first rays of sunlight started weaving in-between the peaks. He observed the landscape. Green trees covered the sides of the mountains like a blanket on someone's stomach. The lake at the bottom of the cascading waterfall was crystal clear, and fish were abundant. Weeping Willows had provided their shelter from the rain that night, and they covered the lakes shore. Other than that it was an enormous clearing, with soft, green grass, almost like an ocean between mountains.
The sun had come up some more and Iroh could see everything. They could live here for a while with no trouble. It was the best thing since, since...
He looked at Zuko and his face darkened.
It's not even close to the best thing that's ever happened to us.
Zuko was shaking, his face pale, his forehead hot. He was sick from the storm and there was no one around who could possibly help.
"Katara get Appa ready to fly! I think we're being followed."
"O.K. Aang whatever you say."
Katara saddled up Appa, mad.
Ever since that Earthbender came here Aang has tossed me aside like chopped liver! I'm not a slave once Toph comes around and joins us! Uh, he makes me so mad!
"All set Aang."
"Good. We're leaving at noon. Sokka, please lead Toph to the stream. I believe she is thirsty."
"Yes Avatar." Sokka was just as mad at Aang as Katara was. He had been Toph's guide and she never said, "Thank you Sokka," or, "Sorry Aang's being such a jerk face who likes making fun of you and your boomerang."
Toph drank from the stream and grabbed Sokka's hand to lead back. The only problem was that Toph slipped and fell in the water.
"Toph! Katara get her out of there!"
"You know Waterbending! You do it!"
Aang, frustrated he wasn't getting his way like usual, got Toph out by himself.
"Now how hard was that, Aang? I mean really!"
Aang's eyes seemed to have fire inside.
"It wasn't as hard as this."
Aang took water from the stream and wrapped it around Katara so tightly she couldn't move anything but her head. He then froze it and pushed her in the stream.
"Katara! Aang how could you send my sister off like that?"
"Easy Sokka. Like this."
He did the same to Sokka and pushed him into the stream as well. Then Aang looked back at Toph.
"So Toph it's just you and me now. Let's leave. Appa, yip, yip!"
Aang and Toph took off, Toph saying nothing to Aang afraid of what would happen to her if she did.
Katara was floating down the stream, which just so happens to be the same stream Zuko and Iroh had gone down the night before. Katara tried using Waterbending but her arms were at her sides and she couldn't move. Behind her Sokka was hysterical. He was screaming back at Aang, even though he wasn't there, screaming of curses and revenge and of how he hurt his boomerang. Katara calmly watched ahead trying to maneuver the ice around rocks and plants that would send her spinning so that she couldn't see. After a while they hit a curve. Katara saw the downward curve. She tried screaming to Sokka but he was too loud. She seemed be at the top of the world, and then started falling.
Iroh saw what looked like two chunks of ice fall from the waterfall. When they went down they simply just floated back up. When they came back up they were screaming.
"Help us sir we're stuck! We can't move!"
Iroh hated to leave Zuko at a time like this but the ice blocks could possibly help him.
I must be going crazy. Talking ice, me thinking they'll have supplies! Might as well help them!
Iroh waded in and pulled the bottom of the first ice block. It looked like there were feet inside. Iroh shook his head. Imagination of course. But when the ice was out of the water he saw a girl's head sticking out. They both screamed.
It's that girl that's always with the Avatar!
It's that fat guy who likes tea! And he's always with Zuko!
Iroh and Katara looked at each other for a long time. The other ice block wasn't the Avatar; he knew it was this girl's brother by his voice. He went in and got the brother and there was equal surprise from the brother. But he didn't scream any more, thank goodness.
"What are you two doing here trapped in ice? I thought you were Waterbenders!"
"We are. Aang got mad, did this to us and pushed us in the stream. Now could you please free me and my brother? We're really cold."
"Sure, but promise not to fight alright?"
"Promise on our mother's grave."
"Ok I promise as long as Katara promises. And you won't hurt my boomerang?"
Iroh was confused. "Ok whatever. Now the only way I know how to do it is to heat you up. I'll try not to make it to warm for you."
Iroh took the flames from the fire he had made for tea and set the ice aflame. Then when it was getting close to the kids' bodies, he took it away. The kids were sweating but unharmed.
"Thank you, umm, uhh..."
"My name is Iroh and yours?"
"Katara, and this is my brother Sokka."
Iroh rushed back and set the fire up once more. He put a damp cloth inside then went into the Weeping Willow. Katara followed out of curiosity and found Iroh leaning over a figure. Iroh moved and went to get the damp cloth, slightly pushing Katara in his hurry. Katara moved closer to the figure and gasped.
It was Zuko.
She knelt beside him and felt his head. He was dangerously sick. Katara could heal him but she could be close to death in the process. Even though it was Zuko she felt pity. Running from your own father, and the scratches she could see looked painful. The scar most likely had its moments of pain. She felt sorry for what he had gone through not realizing it till now.
"He is very ill."
Katara jumped in surprise. Iroh was standing with tea in one hand and a damp cloth in the other. She stood.
"And I am a healer."
Iroh went and got the water as she instructed. This would be difficult but she could do it. She knew she could.
"Momma, why is there a war?"
"Zuko it is not good for one so young to know such things."
"Please Momma?"
"When your older Zuko."
Zuko and his mother were at a pond. Azula and her friends were playing in the field across from them. Ducks swam and ate the bread he threw to them.
"Momma, is the war going to end soon?"
"I don't know Zuko. I wouldn't ask if I were you."
"Why not Momma?"
"Just believe me Zuko."
Zuko threw a whole piece of bread to the pond. Ducks swarmed around it like bees and honey.
"Momma?"
"Yes Zuko?"
"When can I learn Firebending like Azula?"
"You are learning now, are you not?"
"Yes but," a duck came to the very edge of the pond and quacked for some bread. Zuko threw some then continued." I'm not as good. I want Father to be proud."
His mother laughed. Zuko loved his mother's laugh. It was like a bird's song.
"Zuko, as long as you do as your told your father is proud. Don't worry, you're still young."
That night came fast. His mother came to him and spoke in blurry muted words.
"I love you Zuko." was all he heard his mother say.
Zuko cried in his feverish sleep, in the Weeping Willow. Katara was watching sadly as he did. It gave her more courage to do it. She could heal him.
She took the water and placed it over Zuko. The healing process had begun. Katara healed him for almost an hour then collapsed beside him. Iroh went to her. There was a pulse, steady and alive. Zuko started stirring. His dreams had changed.
His mother was beside his bed speaking the slurred words. He couldn't understand. All he heard was," I love you" again. He heard a voice down the hall and his mother followed the voice.
"Momma, don't go."
His mother was but a shadow.
"Momma, don't go!"
He heard a door slam.
"Momma, don't go! Don't go!"
He heard a muffled yell, then the crackling of fire.
"MOMMA, DON'T GO!"
A small figure came down the hallway, holding hands with a larger figure. They turned into a room on the left speaking in quiet tones.
"MOMMA!"
The figures turned to him. They slowly closed his door. Their eyes burned red in the night.
"Momma?"
Zuko's fever wasn't entirely gone. But luckily, in the middle of the night, his fever broke. Zuko didn't wake up but the bad dreams were gone. He slept soundly the rest of the night.
Katara awoke beside Zuko, and at first she was scared and didn't know where she was. Then, slowly the previous night came back to her. Zuko's forehead was cool and calm. His pulse had slowed from the quick pace fever pulse. His cuts had vanished and all there was left was the green sap from two days ago. The crying had stopped and he seemed in a calming sleep. She relaxed. She decided to try and find some food.
When she exited the Weeping Willow she saw Iroh and Sokka eating some fish.
"Hey Katara try this fish Iroh made! It's delicious!"
Iroh smiled. Katara hated to burst his bubble.
"Sokka you say that about all meat. I could sit down and think it's horrible and rabies filled and you would still eat it!"
Iroh saddened a bit.
"Not saying it is Iroh but that is the truth with Sokka."
Iroh smiled again. They all remained in this cheery mood the entire breakfast. Katara and Sokka even put on happy faces when Iroh cursed the Avatar for the wretched luck of Zuko. Those were there feelings about Aang too.
"One question Iroh," Katara paused and waited till Iroh was done drinking his tea. When he was she continued," Why did Zuko want the Avatar so bad?"
At this Iroh's face darkened and he spoke in slow soft tones.
"Zuko wanted the Avatar to regain his honor. He shamed his father at a meeting, and to make him pay he had to catch the Avatar. It was nothing against you, or, you or Aang. It was to be back home.
Sadly we seemed to shame him more for now he wants to kill us to get us out of the way. Azula is his weapon this time. She is to get the Avatar and Zuko, both to kill.
I am here for one purpose and it is the same one Ozi told me. I must watch over him."
Zuko awoke at noon. He was so weak it was hard for him to stand. He was in a Weeping Willow and couldn't believe he survived. All he could remember was the water rushing up to meet him then nothing. Now he was under a tree. How could it be? He had seen who he thought to be Iroh go over the falls, wouldn't both of them drown?
Well I guess not because here I am. Underneath a tree.
He stood. He got very dizzy so fast that he fell back down. He tried again, more slowly this time and was able to stand leaning on the tree for support. He tried standing on his own after a while. Soon he was able to stand alone. He tried walking now. After what felt like a zillion tries he could walk five steps without falling. He walked out of the Weeping Willow and into the bright afternoon sun.
"Zuko!"
Katara ran to greet him, though she was almost as weak as he. Sokka looked up, raised a hand and continued eating. Iroh walked over and gave him a hug. Zuko was confused. Why were the Avatar's friends here? He could only think of one reason.
"Stand back Uncle. They're the Avatar's friends! Don't you recognize them?"
"Zuko, I wouldn't..."
It was too late. Zuko had released about as much flame as he could but missed his target completely. It hit the fish in Sokka's hands.
"Ahhh! Alright mister, that's it, your gonna..."
Zuko had used too much strength at once and fallen. Katara had rushed up to Zuko, forgetting her brother's singed hands.
"Zuko, are you alright?"
Zuko was once more confused. But he had no strength to so much lift a pinkie finger.
Iroh rushed to his side. "You know," he said, "they're here to help you Zuko. Aang has made them mad to. They hate him almost as much as we do now! Please be kind! I swore we wouldn't hurt them if they didn't hurt us! They might break the pact!"
"Don't be mad Iroh. Zuko simply was confused. It wasn't his fault. Don't you be mad at him either Sokka. As I said he didn't know what was going on."
Sokka walked away, fuming.
'He simply didn't know what was going on' ah phooey he didn't know what was going on! And what about my hands? Hmph. She's not just his nurse anymore.
Zuko had finally got the strength to stand. Katara held him up.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Because Aang was being a jerk to me and my brother Sokka. He trapped us in ice and pushed us into the stream."
Katara sat him down on a flat rock.
"What's your name? Everyone seems to know me of coarse and you said your brother's name is Sokka but I don't know yours."
"Katara, healer and Waterbender."
"So you put my in the Weeping Willow?"
"No. Your Uncle was conscious when you hit the water so he pulled you out and went inside. We came the next day."
Zuko nodded. It made sense.
"One last thing."
"Go ahead Zuko."
"Thank you for saving me from that horrible place."
Katara had no idea what Zuko was talking about. What place had she saved him from? Either way, he was thanking her and that seemed to signify to her that Zuko really wasn't evil. He was just sad.
"Your welcome Zuko."