AN: Ok so this is my first fanfic, please be gentle. I'm trying my hardest to make the chapters longer. I hope you enjoy my story of Avatar. Please review and Betas are welcome. (:
A Dragon is Born
Daddy
She peered into his room and saw him sitting on his bed, charcoal hair graying at the roots as his face laid in his hands, his shoulders hunched over and shaking as whimpers escaped every breath he made. She tip-toed over to him, attempting to not be noticed; his fighting instincts were water-downed by his sorrow as she crawled over to him. The child placed her fingers on the man's right thigh as her eyes pierced through his hands; he looked up at her and placed his tear-soaked palm on her fragile fingers. An encouraging smile dripped through his tears as he engulfed her into a hug. It was then that the door opened.
Her mother strolled into the general's room and placed a hand on the man's back. It was just last night she had seen two people in this state, tears streaming down red and swollen cheeks as they attempted to smile off what was making them sad. This scene was no different as grandpa put his hand on her mother's, they shared a look that puzzled the child and she turned her head to the side, right into grandpa's shoulder. He looked down at her and smiled once more with sadness.
"You must be so confused Sen. I'm sorry."
"Why are you sorry, grandpa Iroh?" she looked up at his face as he sighed and turned towards the child's mother. Mom blinked very slowly then nodded grandpa grabbed the little girl and placed her on his lap. She wiggled to get comfortable and he grunted as she rested her head on his tea-filled belly.
"Ok Sen," her mother paused and took a long breath, trying to figure out the best way to tell her daughter," Your father, Lu Ten, went to war a few months ago. You remember that right?"
"Yes, he promised me a ferret when he got back, also he said we would go to plays and walk all around the new fire nation territory." Sen stretched her arms out as long as they would go trying to simulate how big she believed the new land would be.
"Yes I know well-"
"Also I told daddy that when he got back I would give him great big hugs and kisses like I was a dragon, because dragons are big. Did you know Grandpa Iroh killed a dragon?"
"Sen listen to me ok?" her mother tried to regain her attention as grandpa let out a quieted sob.
"But mommy why are we talking about daddy? He's going to be back in a week. Just like his letter said." Sen tried to get down and run to grab the letter but Iroh held on to her tightly.
"Sen, darling, daddy isn't going to be back in a week."
The little girl gasped and held her hand to her mouth," daddy lied! So he's going to be back in two weeks?"
"No,"
"Three?"
"Sen, enough questions, its hard enough telling you this as it is without your questions."
"Okay, I'm sorry mommy."
Mommy winced as she tried to find the words to speak," ok, so daddy isn't going to be back in a week. Daddy was killed in the war sweety."
"Killed? What does that word mean?"
"It means he's dead. He can't come see you anymore." the girl's molten eyes began to swell with tears and she grew angry with her mother.
"Why can't he come see me? He's my daddy! They can't have him!"
"He can't come see you because he doesn't have the ability to." tears streamed down her mother's cheeks as Sen tried to reach out to her but she was once again engulfed into a massive hug.
Sen could feel a chilly hand rest on her left exposed shoulder, she look and saw her daddy standing there, tears streaming down his eyes. He leaned down and gave her a kiss then walked out the door. She cried as she tried to wiggle out of the hug, she had to follow him and tell him to come back so he can say bye to grandpa and mommy; but by the time she ran and opened the door the hallway was empty, daddy was gone.
