Zuko and Azula returned to the Fire Nation capital with their friends and it had been a few weeks since they'd come home. Mizu didn't really speak anymore. Zuko found himself missing her voice. Zuko missed her smile. But Zuko did get to spend more time with Mei. Almost every minute of everyday. And everytime Mizu would come around while Mei and Zuko she'd simply say what she had to and excused herself. Like she was afraid to stay in the room. Like she might do something she'd regret.
"Zuko, what's wrong?" Mei asked nuzzled into his chest.
Zuko sighed, stroking her hair,"Nothing. Mei, I have something to talk to you about. But I want to talk at dinner tonight with my sister and father. Your parents should come, too. This is very serious."
"Okay," Mei nodded. This must be pretty bad.
So, that night Zuko sat at the dinner table with his father, sister, Mei, and her parents. Zuko looked around. He caught sight of Mizu outside near the small koi fish pond they had. Just like the night of the homecoming celebration. Zuko remembered that night well. He'd gotten so close to kissing her softly painted lips. Zuko stared at her gently. Mizu was feeding ducks in the pond. That made Zuko smile. It was a childish thing to do. Feeding ducks. But Mizu looked so perfect. . . Well, almost perfect. There was no smile on her delicate face. Zuko sighed then noticed Mizu look at him. His golden eyes met her silver ones. She was so beautiful. And zuko's heart ached, seeing those eyes so full of agony. Zuko wanted to hold Mizu close to him and tell her everything would be okay.
Zuko wanted to kiss her lips and make her tears disappear. Zuko wanted give Mizu everything she needed, to give her him. To make lo- WOAH! Zuko hit himself mentally. His thoughts were getting dangerous! The last time Zuko had touched Mizu he'd hit her! And before that on the ship she'd freaked out and broke down crying! Aside from that, Mizu was not his to comfort. Zuko loved Mei. MEI! Not Mizu. Mizu was just a friend.
"Zuko!" Ozai said. Zuko looked at him. "What is it that you needed us here to hear?"
"Oh. Right," Zuko stood up. "Father, I know I'm going to be Fire Lord soon. . . And I think I should stop screwing around and get serious now. . ."
"Serious about what, Zuko?" Azula asked.
"About this," Zuko walked over to Mei and pulled out a ring box. Zuko opened it to reveal a golden ring with a diamond in the middle. Rather large diamond with small rubies embeded in the band. "Mei, I love you. Please, marry me?"
Mei stared at Zuko and then the ring. Then her eyes returned to Zuko,"YES!" She yiped and threw her arms around Zuko. "Oh yes, Zuko! I'll marry you! I love you, Zuko!"
Azula stared in shock. Mei was enthusiastic? Scary. "Congradulations, Mei." Tai-Lee appeared out of nowhere and hugged Mei tightly. Azula walked over with a smile on her face. Zuko smiled then saw Mizu still outside. Zuko walked out.
"Mizu?" Zuko asked gently as he stood behind her.
"Congradulations, Prince Zuko. I know Mei will make you immensely happy," Mizu said without looking at him.
"Mizu, please look at me," Zuko said. Mizu turned to him, her eyes filled with tears. "Why are you crying again?" Zuko asked worriedly,"Tell me whats wrong." Zuko knelt down on one knee.
"Nothing is wrong,"
"Liar. You're crying. Something is obviously wrong," Zuko touched her face gently. Mizu nuzzled into his touch. Zuko was so warm. "Still cold like the ocean."
"Still hot like a wildfire," Mizu countered.
"Yeah. Most people are," Zuko smiled.
"Not me," Mizu tore her cheek away from him gently. "Never me." Mizu pulled her knees to her chest. Zuko remembered her doing that the night she'd run away from him on the ship. And that reminded him. . .
"Mizu. . May I ask you a question?"
"I believe you just did,"
"You know what I mean,"
"Yes, you may,"
"Why did you freak out on the ship? That night that I uhm. . . . The night you were singing. . ."
"Oh that. . ." Mizu hesitated. "I. . ." Mizu took a breath,"I was raped a few years back. . ." Mizu replied. "No big deal. . ."
"What?! By who?! And yes it is a big deal!" Zuko said fiercely.
Mizu looked away,"By a fire nation soldier. . ." Mizu burried her face in her arms,"Wanna know the irony of it all?"
Zuko nodded,"Sure. Tell me."
"A fire nation soldier raped me. . . And now I'm in love with a fire nation soldier. . ." Mizu felt the tears building up.
Zuko stared at her,"One of my men raped you?" Zuko gulped. His hands shook in fury. "Tell me who. . ." Zuko muttered through clenched teeth. "I'll have them exe-" Mizu cut Zuko off.
"No! Don't. He may not pay for his crimes right now but I don't ever want to see him again. He will be judged by the Gods and Godesses. Let them decide his fate," Mizu said.
"But Mizu, don't you want revenge?" Zuko asked.
"What would revenge do? Make him experience pain? If I did that I could never say I was any better than him," Mizu said. "Revenge is not my way."
"Mizu. . . . . I want to let you know something. . ." Zuko said in a more calm tone. "I've had thoughts about you many times that were less than pure thoughts but also. . . . I've thought of making you my queen. When you told me you loved another I decided to just go completely for Mei. And now I'm glad I did. Mei and I are getting married. . . I want to thank you. I had shut myself off from everything. . . You opened my heart. Without you I never would've gotten the chance to love Mei as much as I do," Zuko touched her shoulder.
Mizu started to cry softly,"Don't. . . Don't say that. . ."
"Mizu? Mizu, whats wrong?" Zuko asked.
Mizu looked at him sadly,"Zuko. . . . I don't love a different soldier. . . . I love YOU. I always have. . ." Mizu got up and ran off. Zuko stared at the spot where Mizu had sat. Had that truly just happened? Had Mizu just admitted to Zuko that she loved him? But how could that be? Mizu couldn't love Zuko. For a while Zuko sat there then decided to go to bed. And the next morning when he decided to talk to Mizu about this. . . He couldn't find her. Zuko went to the room he'd given Mizu and found that none of her very few belongings were there.
"Where could she have gone?" Zuko asked himself aloud.
"She left. Went home to the northern water tribe," Azula was in the doorway. "She said something about not being able to stay here like this any longer. So, she left early this morning. Said to tell you goodbye for her," Azula sighed.
"Goodbye? But. . . No. . ." Zuko felt his heart sinking. Mizu was gone? No. She couldn't be. "Where did she go?"
"To the harbor. . . Zuko. . . . I know the 'nice sister' isn't really my thing but. . ." Azula sighed and looked at her brother,"Go find her. And tell her you love her. Tell her how you feel."
"Azula? Are you. . . . Giving me advice?"
"Don't get used to it." Azula looked away,"And you might want to hurry."
"Why?"
". . . . Father sent guards after her."
"WHAT?! WHY?!"
"Because he found out who she really was. The daughter of a water tribe elder. I'm sorry. . . . They're supposed to kill her," Azula moved out of the way as Zuko went running by as fast as he could.
Zuko ran at his top speed to the Fire Nation harbor. Mizu was going to die if he didn't hurry. Mizu. . . His sweetest Mizu. . . The most beautiful, caring, and incredible person Zuko had ever known. Mizu didn't have a malicious cell in her entire body. She was the only person that Zuko had ever known that was like that. Even against a man who raped her--who took what no man had the right to--she wished no revenge on him. She left it all in the hands of the Gods and Goddesses.
Memories of Mizu filled his mind as he ran.
Mizu sat with Zuko on his bed inside the Ba Sing Se teahouse that Iro ran with Zuko and Mizu's help. Zuko and Mizu had become fast friends. Which was very odd. Zuko was very closed off but Mizu opened him up. Mizu told Zuko everything and in return Zuko did the same for her and now at night in his room they sat together, the moon shining into the room. It was warm at night in the Earth Kingdom. It reminded Zuko of his home in the Fire Nation palace. "Tell me what's wrong, Zuko," Mizu said softly as she hugged him from behind.
"Nothing,"
"Liar. . . . You're thinking of your mother again. . . . And about your scar. . ."
"My proof of my complete and utter imperfection and failure," Zuko touched the scar.
We're the best of friends
And we share our secrets
She knows everything that is on my mind
But lately somethings changed
As I lie awake in my bed
A voice here inside my head
Softly says. . . .
Mizu lifted Zuko's chin so he looked into her silver eyes, the moonlight making the metalic irises shimmer. Mizu touched the scar softly,"No. Proof of what a good and honorable man you are. A mark you recieved because you wanted to save the lives of faithful soldiers. . ." Zuko's heart raced a bit, looking into her eyes. "You are perfect Zuko. And you have succeeded in gaining honor that not even your father has." Zuko stared at her softly.
Why don't you kiss her?
Why don't you tell her?
Why don't you let her see
The feelings that you hide?
Cuz she'll never know
If you never show
The way you feel inside. . .
The next memory was of the night on the ship that Mizu had been singing. She looked so beautiful. He watched her long hair blow in the breeze. Her eyes reflecting the moonlight beautifully again, full of gentleness and a softness Zuko had only seen once before. Shimmering like stars. Zuko was completely and utterly lost in those eyes. Her skin was so pale but so lovely. White silk underneath long black dresses, concealing elegance and warmth underneat the soft fabrics.
Zuko wanted to reach out and hold Mizu. Though her eyes were gentle they hid a deep sorrow that pierced Zuko. Going straight to his core until the sorrow enveloped him completely and made his heart throb. Zuko's hand inched toward her hesitantly.
Oh I'm so afraid to make that first move
Just a touch and we
Could cross the line
And everytime she's near
I wanna never let her go
Confess to her what my heart knows
Hold her close. . .
Zuko saw her lips moving. She was speaking. Her voice was such a gentle chime like sound. With every word that she spoke Zuko yearned to lean over just capture her lips with his and never stop. Not for anything. To hold her against him and keep her there in his arms. To never let go and always have her with him.
Why don't you kiss her?
Why don't you tell her?
Why don't you let her see
The feelings that you hide?
Cuz she'll never know
If you never show
The way you feel inside. . . .
Then he thought of the night of the homecoming ball. Mizu had been even more exquisite than ever. Her silver hair looked like divinely woven silk that matched the precious silver eyes she gazed at him with. As they talked to one another Mizu spoke of being in love and Zuko could only think of how much he desired her. How much joy it would bring him to be the one Mizu loved. The one who she had eyes for. But Zuko had thought back then it could never happen.
What would she say?
I wonder would she just turn away?
Or would she promise me
That she's here to stay?
It hurts me to wait
I keep asking myself. . .
Why don't you kiss her?
Why don't you tell her?
Why don't you let her see
The feelings that you hide?
Cuz she'll never know
If you never show
The way u feel inside
Zuko was close to the harbor now. And he did see Mizu. His heart leapt in joy but then he saw guards coming toward her,"Stop!" Zuko ordered but the guards ignored him. "MIZU!"
Mizu turned. "Zuko?" Mizu asked in confusion. Her eyes were wide in shock. Zuko noticed something quite odd. Instead of firebenders those guards were armed with new weapons. Guns. Guns?! Why would Zuko's father EVER give the soldiers those horrible things?! Why not rely on fire? Zuko could at least bend the fire away from Mizu.
"Mizu!" Zuko ran closer.
Mizu came toward Zuko, not even noticing the guards. "Zuko. . Zuko!" Mizu smiled. He came after her! Zuko must care about her if he came after her. Mizu felt tears in her eyes. She was so happy it was almost indescribable. Zuko made it over to Mizu and held her close to him.
"Mizu, we have to go now!" Zuko said desperately.
"Zuko. . You came for me? Oh, Zuko. . I lo-" Mizu stopped as her eyes widened. Zuko's ears rang as the sound of a shot being fired reached him. Zuko looked into Mizu's eyes and Zuko's eyes widened in horror. Mizu tried to hold onto Zuko's arms but she slumped to the ground slowly.
Zuko just watched her. "No. . ." He breathed. Zuko watched the blood pool around Mizu. "NO!" Zuko dropped to his knees and held Mizu close. "Mizu wake up! You must wake up! Mizu don't do this! After everything I can't lose you!"
"Zuko. . ." Mizu murmured weakly.
"Mizu? Mizu, c'mon," Zuko picked her up and started to walk away. "We'll get you a doctor."
"Zuko. . ." Mizu weakly touched his cheek. "I love you. Only you. Forever."
Zuko looked at her,"I. . . I. . . Stop it! Stop sounding like you're saying goodbye to me!"
"Only you. . ." Mizu smiled and the light in her eyes started to fade.
Zuko got down on his knees again and set her down gently but still supporting her. He shook her,"Don't do that, Mizu. . . Don't say goodbye to me!" Zuko felt tears fill his eyes. "Mizu. . I love you. . . I have always loved you. . . . I don't want anyone but you to know how it feels to be truly loved by me. . . Mizu, please. . . I need you. . . Please don't die. . . Not now. . ." Zuko stroked her cheek,"Speak to me again. . . Mizu?" Zuko shook her gently then put an ear to her lips. No breath came from her mouth. "Mizu. . . I love you. . ."
Why don't you kiss her? (tell her you love her)
Why don't u tell her? (tell her you need her)
Why don't you let her see
The feelings that you hide?
Cuz she'll never know
If you never show
The way you feel inside...
"I love you. . ." Zuko breathed and kissed her lips softly. . . .
The End!