A/N: This story is dedicated to Syeira and Vanille Strawberry who requested that I write this sequel. This was also influenced by Wicked which I just saw recently (a birthday gift from my hubby) and it is my new addiction. I apologize to those reading Love is Blind. I've hit another block, but am trying to get past it. For this story, Aya(earthbender, Toph and Zuko's daughter) is 16. Iroh(firebender, Toph and Zuko's son) and Hakoda and Kana (swordman and waterbender, Suki and Sokka's kids) are 15. And Kuzon (airbender, Aang and Katara's son) is 14. Thank you everyone. Read, enjoy and please don't forget to review!
Disclaimer: Don't own Avatar, just the kiddies!
A Dream Remembered
Chapter 1
Aya felt the proceedings with dread. She had been dressed in a lovely ball gown by the maids and they had straightened her hair and applied makeup to her face, but she still thought it was pointless. I can't see it, so why should I care about it, she thought as she leaned against the railing of her balcony. She felt footsteps approach and smiled as she felt her father enter her room after a gentle knock and then join her at the railing.
"It's a beautiful day," he said.
"Yeah," Aya sighed. "I guess it could be."
She felt the warmth of the sun on her, and could feel the servants and other people scurrying around the palace, but she couldn't see the day. She was blind, just like her mother, and though she could feel just about every person in the building and knew where every person, plant and animal was, she still felt lonely.
"Aya, what's wrong? It's your birthday, your sixteenth birthday. You should be happy," her father said.
Aya sighed and turned her face to her father. She knew he was worried about her. She gave him a wry smile and punched his shoulder gently, just like her mom did. "I don't know. Maybe it's all the pitiful boys who have been clamoring for my attention."
Her father chuckled lightly and Aya smiled more. "You're just like your mother," he said with a smile in his tone. "But I know you," he said, moving closer to her and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "What's really wrong?"
Aya sighed. She could never hide anything from her father. Her mother could, and no one except her father could hide anything from the great Fire Lady Toph. And though Aya could keep things from her friends and sometimes her brother, her parents could still read her like a book.
"I guess I'm just thinking," Aya told her father in a sad tone. "About you, mom, Uncle Aang, Aunt Katara and even Uncle Sokka and Aunt Suki. You guys did so much by the time you were my age. You even traveled through time and saved us when you were my age. I guess…I guess I feel sad that I haven't had the chance to experience some of those things."
She felt her father tense a little and he squeezed her shoulder in a hug. "Aya, I'm glad you didn't have to experience the things we did. We lived in a time of war. I know you lived through a little bit of war yourself, but the one thing all of us hoped for was that our children, you and your brother and friends, that you would live in peace. I know it's not nearly as exciting as our lives seemed to have been, but there's peace now."
Aya sighed again and sagged as depression started to sink in. "Yeah, but even when we were in danger a few years ago, you were there, watching out for us and protecting us. I just don't know how you did it. How you managed to be so strong when you were so young."
Zuko turned Aya to face him and she was sure her father was searching her expression and eyes.
"Aya, listen to me," Zuko stated firmly. "I don't remember much about that time, just hints that come and go, but I know this. The only reason I was able to get through that and get you kids to safety was because of you. You were the strong one, the one who would do anything to protect the others and you gave me the strength and confidence I needed to get through it."
Aya felt her jaw drop in shock. She could feel his heartbeat through the ground and knew he was speaking the truth. His tone and grip softened.
"I wanted to stay, because of you, but couldn't. Now, I wouldn't have it any other way. You are stronger than you give yourself credit for, and I don't want you beating yourself up just because you don't get enough action in your life. Be thankful for the peace, as I am. I'm glad that I got the chance to be a part of your life when I was younger."
He wrapped her in a hug and Aya hugged her father back. She knew it was rare for her father, Fire Lord Zuko, to show affection like this, and treasured it. They both enjoyed the hug, but the hurried feet of servants heading their way let Aya know that it couldn't last.
"Thanks, Dad," she whispered and knew he was smiling when he pulled back. He reached for something and Aya was confused until he placed that something in her hand.
"A birthday gift, from me," Zuko said softly. "Your grandfather gave it to me when I was very young, and I think you should have it."
Aya nodded slightly as she felt the hilt and sheath of her father's knife and took the knife out, feeling the inscription as she had so many times in the past.
"Never give up without a fight," she murmured under her breath before she broke out into a smile and hugged her father again. "Thank you, Dad. This means a lot to me. I thought you'd give it to Iroh."
Zuko hugged her back and chuckled again. "I was, but I thought you'd like it better. Don't tell him, but Iroh will get Dao swords on his next birthday. But, we've been dawdling and I promised your mother I would get you to your birthday party."
Aya smiled and nodded, hooking her arm through her fathers after tucking the knife into a hidden pocket in her sleeve. They walked out just as a few servants hurried into the room, looking for them, and the servants bowed as the Fire Lord and princess walked out.
"Dad, are you sure I have to do this?" Aya asked as they walked towards the gardens where the festivities were set up.
"Aya, you're a princess," Zuko said with a smile. "And that means you have certain obligations."
"I know," Aya sighed and turned innocent eyes onto her father. "But can I at least send the boys who bug me away?"
Zuko chuckled and reached to squeeze her hand gently. "You're just like your mother when we started going out. She hated the formality as well. You shouldn't treat the young men that way, you know better."
Aya let her face fall and her father laughed again. "But," he said with a hint of mischief, "If they're too bad, the pond is close by and you can retreat to your brother and friends."
Aya nodded but continued to frown slightly. "What if my friends are the ones that bug me?"
Zuko turned silent and Aya knew he knew about the crush her friend Kuzon had had on her for years.
"They can take care of themselves," Zuko said with a smile and Aya smiled as well until she felt one of her father's bodyguards and friends hurrying towards them.
"My, Princess Aya, you look lovely today," The Duke said with a smile.
Aya blushed slightly and nodded. "Thanks Uncle Duke."
"Is everything all right?" Zuko asked his friend.
Aya let her arm drop from her father's arm as The Duke made a motion and waited while both men walked a little ways away.
"The rebel band has attacked another caravan outside of Ba Sing Sae," she heard The Duke say to her father.
"Should we change the plans?" Zuko asked.
"No, maybe more guards though," the Duke responded.
"And you should go too," Zuko said. "I'll feel better about it if someone I know is along for the ride."
"You know they can take care of themselves," The Duke said with pride in his tone and Aya smiled at that. The Duke had taught her hand to hand combat and a few moves to protect herself, and she and her brother and friends were nearly masters of their elements.
"I know," Zuko said. "But I still worry."
Aya felt The Duke nod and bow his head and her father returned to her side.
"Making extra accommodations for me?" Aya asked her father with a slight tease as they started walking again.
"Yes, I don't want to underestimate these rebels, these thieves," Zuko stated firmly. "But I know you guys will be ok. Just don't kill Kuzon and Hakoda on the trip and no sneaking off."
"Aw, you have to ruin my fun?" Aya asked her father.
She knew Zuko was just smiling when she felt the doors open for them leading out to the gardens and they were announced. Aya reluctantly let go of her father's arm and curtsied to the guests. She knew there were dignitaries, nobles and even some royalty from the water tribes. But the only thing that mattered was the young men around her age and her friends. Feeling several sons of dignitaries and nobles heading her way, Aya quickly moved to her brother and best friend, Kana.
"What, can't take on a few guys?" Iroh asked with a smirk as she wedged herself between him and Kana as they talked with Kuzon and Hakoda.
She game him a dirty look which made the others laugh lightly.
"I think quite a few are handsome," Kana said slyly, to which Aya could feel Iroh's pulse speed up as he got jealous.
Aya just smiled, knowing about the crush her brother had on her best friend and vice versa. Too bad neither of them had acted on it, and after many failed attempts on hers and Hakoda's part to get them together over the past two years, she had given up. If they wanted to be together, they would find a way, just like their parents had found it.
"Well, I can't tell who's handsome or not," Aya said "All I know is that they want to court me because I'm a princess. They hate that I'm blind and think I need someone to look out for me."
She heard Kuzon and Hakoda stifle laughs at her lame blind joke. "Well, we all know you can look out for yourself," Iroh stated to more laughs while Aya felt Kuzon's little sister, Arianna, chasing Kana's younger sisters, ten year old Shanna and eight year old Kya. The girls were squealing and flinging air and water back and forth until they were stopped by Katara and Toph walking towards the group of teens.
"Not here, kids," Katara said with a smile before she sent the younger kids towards the pond to play before she and Toph approached Aya. "Happy birthday, Aya," Katara said sweetly and Aya smiled and hugged the waterbender.
"Thanks Aunt Katara," Aya replied before turning to her mother.
"So you made it to the big one six without losing your heart," Toph smirked and Aya smirked back until both were laughing and hugged each other.
"Hi to you too, Mom," Aya said.
"Aya, I need to speak to you," Toph said in a low, stern voice as the two hugged and Aya nodded, letting her mother lead her away.
"Yes, Mom?" Aya asked once they both knew they were alone.
"Aya, I'm proud of you, but your father told me of the conversation you two had before you came out here," Toph stated and Aya bowed her head slightly. "I know you feel as if you haven't done a lot in your life compared to us, but I don't want you to go looking for trouble."
"I know, Mom," Aya said humbly. "It's not all it's cracked up to be. Trust me, I learned that lesson when I was eight in the North Pole."
Toph just laughed lightly. "I know. And I'm sure you heard your father and The Duke talking. I know you kids are going to be fine, but be careful. Ba Sing Sae can be dangerous, but I'm more worried about the rumors of these rebels. Watch out for your brother and friends, ok?"
"I will," Aya said with a smile.
"Good, because your father won't be able to travel through time to save you again if you do get into trouble," Toph said with a smirk and Aya laughed.
"I wouldn't expect him to."
"Good, now get out there and enjoy the party. There's a line of young men waiting to dance with you with Kuzon and Hakoda in the lead," Toph said before starting to push Aya out towards the crowd.
Aya sighed in despair, but went out and enjoyed the party. After hours of dancing and mingling with the guests and her friends, Aya went to bed, feeling tired, but happy. The plans were in place for the next few months. Kana, Hakoda, Kuzon, Iroh and her would all head by boat and then join up with a trade caravan to Ba Sing Sae. There, they would learn about politics and be there as goodwill ambassadors while they visited Ty Lee, Haru, Teo and his wife, Song. They would stay there for a month and attend the university before heading south to visit Omashu and Iroh and Aya's grandparents in Gaoling. They couldn't ride on Appa because the bison was busy.
Kuzon had blushed when he told the group that the reason he and his family had arrived by boat was that Aang had found a small colony of wild flying bison and they only had one old male. Knowing Appa had missed his own kind for years, and wanting to repopulate the sky bison as Aang and Katara were slowly repopulating the Air Nomads, the Avatar had left Appa in the company of the sky bisons for a vacation. Kana and Aya had teased Kuzon about his blush, but they blushed as well as they thought of all the little sky bisons Appa could father.
The next morning, the adults all walked with the teens to the boat and said their goodbyes with many hugs and a few tears from Katara, Suki and Kana. Aya and Toph just laughed with each other as they said their goodbyes, but Aya could tell her father was having a hard time saying goodbye to her and her brother. She understood. The last time they had all left was when they were sent to the North Pole before it was taken by Azula eight years before.
"Don't worry, we'll be fine," Aya told her father as she hugged him goodbye.
"I know, but I still worry," Zuko said softly, bending down to hug Aya.
"You know if there was going to be a ton of trouble, you would have been there before," Aya smirked, causing Zuko to laugh lightly, though he hugged her even more tightly for a second.
"Try not to get into trouble," Zuko said, withdrawing and holding onto Aya's arms.
"That's your talent, not hers," Toph said with a smirk, coming up to stand beside the Fire Lord.
"I'll be careful, Dad," Aya said with a smile before she hurried onto the boat after her brother and friends. The Duke joined them and then the boat shipped out. Aya could tell the others were waving goodbye to their parents, but she was just thankful they were on a metal boat so she could see a little. Pulling her stash of ginger candy out, Aya popped one into her mouth and smiled as it started to settle her stomach when Kana joined her at the railing.
"Got your secret candy working already?" Kana asked.
Aya just smiled and held out the bag to her friend, but Kana passed. "I've been on boats since before I could walk. I love this, but your earthbending and Kuzon's air scooter? For those I'll need that candy."
Both girls giggled and just talked for a bit about everything, catching up since they hadn't had much time before and during Aya's birthday party. Aya learned that Hakoda had already done his ice dodging and Kana was nearly a master waterbender, though she was better at healing than at waterbending. Her little sister, Shyanna, and youngest brother, Lee were also waterbenders, and Kya had surprised everyone by being an earthbender. Their parents, Sokka and Suki, hadn't known about it until they had visited Kyoshi Island when Kya and Lee turned five.
"Are you sure Aunt Suki won't have any more kids?" Aya asked with a grin as the two girls talked about the three sets of twins.
"Yeah, Mom said no more after Lee and Kya. She runs around way too much and Dad doesn't help out as much as he used to now that he's taking over running the tribe more from Grandpa Hakoda," Kana said. "But you should be careful about Aunt Katara and Uncle Aang. They might be going above the half dozen mark."
Aya laughed with her friend as they counted off Katara and Aang's kids. There was fourteen year old Kuzon, then ten year old Arianna, eight year old Bumi, seven year old Gyatso, and then five year old twins Katiana and Tatiana. All were airbenders to Kana and Aya's knowledge and Aya had known that Katara had felt heavier at her birthday party.
"Well, you know Uncle Aang is always talking about balance," Kana said with a giggle when Aya mentioned that Katara had felt heavier than normal and the lack of waterbenders in Aang and Katara's children. "They know that they're the only way airbenders are going to come back."
"I guess," Aya sighed.
"Hey, why didn't your parents have any more kids after Iroh?" Kana asked.
Aya shrugged. "I asked my mom that once, and she said she tried, but having Iroh was really hard on her. My dad thought it might be best that there were only two of us, and Iroh being the only firebender. I guess he doesn't want anyone to challenge Iroh for the throne. But besides that, when are you going to step up your relationship with my brother?"
She knew Kana was blushing, even through the metal, and smirked.
"I dunno," Kana said in a shy voice. "I think he should do it. I mean, my dad started the relationship with my mom, and rescued her from prison. Uncle Aang kissed Aunt Katara first and even your dad kissed your mom first after they defeated Ozai."
"Yeah, after he woke up from being hurt, from being with us," Aya muttered. Her thoughts turned to her memories of Li in the North Pole when the young warrior had saved them from the renegade Azula. She hadn't known it was her dad being forced to travel through time until they had been back at the palace and had then heard the story of how Zuko had redirected the lightning that would have killed Aang and almost died. Toph had once told her daughter that Zuko had died, for a second, but then the gods had used him to protect Aya and her friends when the North Pole had fallen to Azula.
Aya missed the teenager that was a young version of her father and whenever she felt lonely, or unsettled, she just thought of Li and how he had been so strong, protecting them against the renegades, even when he didn't know why he was there or anything about his past. What her father had told her before her birthday had surprised her, that she was the reason he was so strong then. Aya had asked Zuko how he survived through so much before he met her or her mother while he led her through a dance during the party, and he had laughed, saying he was too stubborn and determined to go down without a fight. But that as soon as he met Toph, his life had become better, even though he had burned her feet when they first met and become her personal servant for a while.
"You're thinking about Li again, aren't you?" Kana asked, startling Aya out of her thoughts.
"And if I am?" Aya asked her friend with a smirk.
"Aya, it was your dad. You know you'll never find him again. I know you had a huge crush on him while we were surviving up there, but you have to get over it."
"I know," Aya sighed. "I guess I'll have to find someone even more mysterious."
Both girls laughed and started talking of other subjects as the boat continued on. The boat ride passed without incident. Iroh, Kana and Kuzon practiced their bending every day while Hakoda sparred with The Duke and the guards. Aya just watched her brother and friends with her limited bending as she tried to stay centered and kept popping her ginger candy into her mouth. She played with the small meteorite bracelet her mother had given her and practiced her metalbending during the trip. Soon, but not soon enough for Aya, they landed just a two day ride outside of Ba Sing Sae. Iroh and Kana laughed as Aya almost kissed the ground, being the first off when they landed, but she didn't care.
The Duke hurried everyone into a carriage with the guards riding ostrich horses around the caravan, most of the fifteen guards surrounding the carriage that held the five teens. Aya sighed as she was cut off from her element again and continued to play with her bracelet. Kuzon and Hakoda were seated next to each other, with Kuzon being between Aya and Hakoda and though Aya could tell that her friend was being shy being so close to her, she kept most of her attention on the other two. She had made sure to sit with the boys, forcing Iroh and Kana to sit together. They were both silent and were making awkward movements, and Aya smiled whenever she heard Iroh turn towards her, sure he was sending dark looks her way. Once when he did it, she waved a hand over her useless eyes and heard Kuzon and Hakoda laugh after Iroh sighed.
They had stopped for lunch, but The Duke had hurried them onwards, saying they had to pass through a section of unfriendly forest before they stopped for the night. Aya knew they were close to the edge of the forest from the small amount of warm sunlight that filtered in through the window. The Duke stopped by her window, checking on everyone and he seemed to be relaxing before all hell broke loose. Aya heard screams and shouts and didn't know what was going on. The carriage stopped suddenly and she heard yelling and swords clashing against swords.
"Iroh, Hakoda, break the floor," Aya said to the two young men.
Both nodded and went into action, Iroh kneeling and heating the floor slowly to weaken it before he moved back and Hakoda punched through it with his sword. Kuzon blasted the last of the floor away with airbending as Aya heard people running towards the carriage. She jumped down, bending the ground to create a tunnel and hurried everyone through it. Kana jumped in just as the door was pulled open and Aya jumped after her friend as she heard shouts of "Wait!" and "Stop!" She didn't care, but knew they would need air soon. Feeling an empty area nearby the fighting, Aya shifted the tunnel that way and led the way. She stopped the boys before she made the exit, feeling around with only a breathing hole for a few minutes. She felt The Duke hurrying their way and made the exit.
"No, Aya, stop!" The Duke yelled, but it was too late. The teens were already exiting the tunnel when twenty people dropped down around them. Hakoda was about to clash steel with a sword wielder near him when Aya felt small metal objects flying through the air at them. She cried out and heard everyone else do the same as the metal hit them. Fighting the numbness that was setting in, she pulled out a small dart from her side and felt it before she fell into the depths of sleep.