If Only
Part Six
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar.
He was Fire Lord Zuko. Son. Brother. Nephew. Husband. Father. Master Firebender. Friend of the Avatar. Once he had been very different. Once he would not ever have imagined the path that he had created for himself. Not by anyone else's desires or demands.
This was a time of peace. It was a new world that for many years he had sought to help to create. It was with the help of many others, those unknown to him for the world is quite large, and those he did know, that had created it. Peace can only come by change. By the willingness to try, to understand, and to listen.
His uncle had taught him these things.
The Avatar had done this and had helped him to do the same. Aang was his friend and still quite kicking at the moment. His other friends…Katara….Sokka….Toph….Sukki…
They were all very much alive with their own grandchildren now. Every one of them had become like family to him…
Family…
Uncle…Uncle had died many years ago. He missed him all the time; especially when his grandson would do some quirky thing, reminding him of Iroh. Zuko was leaving his throne in the capable hands of his son. He had tried and liked to think that he had been a decent father. His children and grand-children had all entered already to say their tearful goodbyes. He would miss them dearly.
It was his beloved wife who sat next to him now, holding his hand with quiet love. Her narrow golden eyes were strained on him. Pained, but in control. She was always in control of her emotions, even with him. Leftovers from her childhood.
Zuko could not help but to reminiscence over the days of their early romance…of his youth and friendships. Those had been troubled times, but had lead to such a bright life for him.
….Family….
He had not ever found out the truth about his mother. His father had died before Iroh had, refusing even then to tell him what had happened. Zuko had always hoped that his father might be able to change, or even regret. But the man had not. Even at the end.
It….it was Azula who he had spoken of that day. Even in her insanity, fear, and hatred for their father, she had loved the man who had created her into a monster. Zuko had…hated him…
Yet when he thought of him now….he felt pity. His father had lost everything for power. Zuko realized that his grandfather and great-grandfather before him must have done something in each turn to make their sons the way they had become. How had uncle avoided such a fate…?
His respect for the man grew intensely with that realization. Zuko thought of Lu Ten for the first time in years. He…he would get to see his cousin again. The only memories he had of him were young childhood memories. Lu Ten had died because of the war.
The war was over.
It had been for years. Yet the scars could still be detected here and there.
He did not regret the life he had led. His past shames and mistakes were long ago and long ago redeemed. Zuko had led a life of healing and love. He could have all that he could have ever wanted.
There were only two things he dared to hope for….
His mother and sister.
His mother, dead or alive, he did not know. There was a vague hope that she would be there to greet him when he left. As for Azula…perhaps she could regain her sanity…
He always had held that futile hope for his baby sister. It was not her fault! If only…
Zuko opened his eyes to look at his wife. Mai gave him a pained smile. He smiled slowly in return. It was only her eyes that he could hold onto now. She had been Azula's friend once…
If only I could have saved her.
His eyes did not close when his grip on her hand fell. The flaxen eyes became nothing but reflections of the flickering torches in the room.
Fire Lord Zuko was dead.
Mai shut his eyes with silent tears.
A/N: It was rather short, but I hope it is good enough to review? (hint) Thanks for reading and please review. The next one will be the last one and is for Azula.