My father is dead. My sister was taken off to prison, and Mai and Ty lee were released. I know I should be happy, I should be crying for joy right about now, I know I should be, like everyone else is. But all I can think about is becoming Fire Lord. I really don't want to become the Fire Lord. I have made so many mistakes, I have made so many wrong turns.
I must have been thinking too loudly, because Uncle has just asked what's wrong. What do I tell him? I don't want to restore peace to the world?
"You are very troubled, Zuko," Uncle says sitting beside me. I look wearily over at him and I nod my head very slowly, looking back at the water that is scattered with the remains of the war, ships, hot air balloons, and some blood. It just makes me even more depressed. I grimace and look back at my friends who are lifting Toph and Aang into the air; they are the real ones who did so much.
"Zuko, look at me, please," Uncle says in a calm voice. I turn slowly to him, my face looking very tired and dirty. My Uncle looks older, wiser, and stronger since I last saw him. But he lets off an aura of someone of true happiness. Even if his brother is dead, I never really thought her liked his brother any way.
"You are in a hard place, aren't you?"
"Yes," I say, feeling very weak.
"Just think of all the good you can do after your father's very big slip up."
"I know," I say, looking over at my friends who are cheering and raising Sokka and Suki into the air while they steal a victory kiss. I want to join in, to feel their happiness, to be lifted up, to have my own victory kiss. Even Mai is in the mix of people, I want to hold her, but I really don't have those kinds of feelings any more. I don't think I ever will.
"Go be with your family, it will be better," Uncle says standing up, looking both sad and happy.
It's strange, I feel happy. Happier then I have ever been in my life with my friends, who I can truly call family now. Sokka raps me in a hug, and hug him back and Aang high fives me, and Toph hits me hard on the back. And then, and then I feel myself kissing somebody. All breath Is gone from my surroundings, and I have no idea who I am kissing. But it feels better then when I kissed Mai. Truth be told, I love it, but this was different.
Finally I look down at the person and see brown hair. I hold Katara tight.