All That Remains
Zuko waits outside the chamber as he hears the screams and curses of his wife as she struggles to bring their first child into the world.
He paces back and forth, his anxiety only worsening for Mai, in spite of the fact that their marriage is not what one would call a loving one. He is never truly happy, but there are days when he feels something like contentment with the way things are. He married Mai simply because it was what was expected of him. He had a duty to his country to take a wife, and produce heirs to secure the future of the Fire Nation.
When she told him she was with child, there was no laughter, no celebration at what should have been joyous news. She'd announced her pregnancy in her usual monotone voice, like she was talking about something as trivial as a trip to the market.
He was jerked back to the present when another scream erupted from the room, and Katara's words of encouragement.
He'd asked Katara to come and deliver his child as a personal favor. Since after the war had ended, she'd spent time in the North Pole to further her training as a waterbender under the training of Pakku and Yagoda. She'd become very proficient both in the healing and fighting arts, and her reputation as an excellent midwife became well known, and her skills were in high demand. Katara had always seemed endlessly busy, but she admitted that she loved bringing new lives into the world, and she someday hoped for children of her own. There was no one better to deliver the Fire Lord's child.
Zuko knew that it would likely be with Aang, and he couldn't help but feel a stab of envy.
Mai cried out again.
Sighing to himself, he leaned against the wall. It would be awhile yet.
Hours passed. Zuko was tempted to nod off, but forced himself to stay awake.
However, after awhile, there was only silence. He did not hear Mai, nor the cries of a newborn baby.
Zuko immediately came alert. He knew, something wasn't right.
Katara emerged then, covered in blood, exhausted, face drawn and weary, her expression grave.
The look in her eyes said it all.
Finally, she broke the awful, wretched silence, confirming his worst fears.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "They didn't make it. I did all I could…but there was so much blood, and it was a breach birth. I'm so sorry." Tears glistened in her eyes. She could feel her heart breaking for him, for what he'd lost.
Zuko only stood there, numb, the shock sinking it in. His mind struggled to process it, to take it all in. Mai and the baby were dead. He'd lost his wife to childbirth.
His legs suddenly felt weak, and he fell to his knees as if he'd had the breath knocked out of him.
Katara crouches before him, and suddenly embraces him. She said nothing, merely held him as the floodgates opened and he began to weep, and he clung to her like she was the last solid thing on earth.
A/N: This originally was going to be a much larger story, but I ultimately decided against it. Angsty and depressing, I know, but I figured I had to do something with it. I started this drabble anthology just so I could channel all those surplus Zutara ideas that I can't fit anywhere else. I never thought that the Avatar fandom would hook its claws into me as deeply as it has, but there you go.
I also want take a moment to thank those that have put this on story alert or put it on their favorites list. It's really encouraging, and I'm deeply flattered-you know who you are.
And remember, reviews are always welcomed! ^____^
And before I forget, a Happy (belated) Halloween/Blessed Samhain to you all! Hope you all had a fun one!