DISCLAIMER!!!!!!! : I do not own, have never owned, will never owned, and am not associated in any way with the owners of Avatar, except through obsession and premeditated stalking.
Author's Note: This is not supposed to be too long, just a few chapters about how Zuko really is a good person. Ling is an OC, and this was not originally a romance, but we'll see. Oh, and review please! Thanks!
THE GIFT
Zuko breathed heavily. He was being called for a private meeting with his father. He had just recently restored his honor and been welcomed home, and he did not want to give his father any reason to distrust him. Fire Lord Ozai believed that Zuko had slain the Avatar, but how long would the glory of that last? Starting fresh was the best way to ensure the throne.
He walked through the doorway dignifiedly to find a small group of soldiers kneeling at his father's feet. He bowed, and Ozai motioned for him to sit, which he quickly obliged.
The head soldier stood and spoke. "My lord, the town of Gong Bei has, as you commanded, been successfully demolished, and their resources are being transported as we speak to support the Fire Nation. Also," he paused, and looked at Zuko, "we have a gift for your son, Prince Zuko. Your highness," he bowed to the scarred prince, "please accept this sign of gratitude. For your pleasure, we have captured this thing. It tried to sneak disgusting little children out of the village, but thankfully we were able to catch it." He turned, and a couple soldiers entered with something that made Zuko's eyes grow wide and his mouth go sour. There, thrown on the floor like a dirty rag, was a young woman, no older than Zuko.
Her hair was covering her face, and her green dress was torn and dirty, stained with blood. Her arms which feebly tried to keep her face off the ground, were red with bleeding and whipping. A pang of regret pulsed through Zuko, and he gasped when his father started laughing, cruelly and maliciously. The other soldiers also joined in his laughter, and a couple even kicked at her like an animal.
Zuko sat there, shocked and horrified that his own nation could do something so... barbaric.
Ozai suddenly seized the laughter. "So, send it to Prince Zuko's quarters immediately. You are all dismissed."
Zuko, horrified, quickly bowed to his father and then looked at the girl as she was pulled off the ground and dragged out the door. He saw her face, not clearly, but still enough to see that tears ran down it steadily.