AN: Merry Christmas everyone! Whether you celebrate Christmas or some other holiday around this time, I hope you are blessed and get to spend a wonderful time with friends and family. Thank you for your constant support and be safe. Love y'all!
Chapter 10: Reunion
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC.
Night has fallen over Hira'a; Zuko and Liling walk around the side of a house, where a yellowish light shines from a propped-open window, spilling into the alley.
"It's so quiet," Zuko notes as he laps around the perimeter.
"Too quiet," Liling adds as the two of them creep along the side of the house towards the front door.
Zuko stares through the window before a sudden look of shock crosses his face. He moves to the wall of the house, his head next to the window as he looks through more succinctly.
After a moment, Liling impatiently asks, "Zuko, what's going on in there?"
With a relieved smile, Zuko replies, "No. They're fine. They're eating dinner." Smiling, Zuko adds, "Good thing Misu's shortcut worked!"
"So. . . that's really your mom? Really my aunt?" Liling asks tentatively, peering through the window as well and staring at Noriko as though for the first time. After her own mother had died, Ursa had become less of an aunt or more of a second mother to Liling, that was until her disappearance. Liling had never expected to see her again so knowing she was incredibly close to her now was nearly mystifying.
His eyes closed, Zuko replies, "That's her." He begins walking away from the two of them, around the side of the house. "Listen. I'm going inside. Liling, can you stay here and keep a watch for Azula?"
"Sure. Anything you need, Zuko." Liling promises with a nod.
Looking through the window once again, Zuko heaves a heavy sigh before saying, "Wish me luck." He then walks to the closed front door in the darkness and knocks twice. The door opens, revealing Noren on the other side. "Noren," Zuko bows his head in greeting. "I know it's late, but-"
Standing aside to let him inside, Noren says, "I had a feeling you would return."
Somewhat taken aback, Zuko inquires, "What do you mean?"
As Noren turns to glance back into the house, a piercing shriek cuts the relative silence. "You came back! You came back because we're best friends!" She slams into Zuko's waist, hugging him.
"Kiyi! It's good to see you again!" Zuko exclaims as Kiyi lets go of him at last.
Once she's hugged him, Kiyi drags him inside by the sleeve and implores, "Come eat dinner with us!"
Exchanging an anxious glance with Noren, Zuko trails off, "I don't know if. . ."
Closing the door, Noren says, "No, please. Join us, it would be our honor."
Seeing that he had no other option, Zuko sits down at the table. As soon as he did so, he was passed a bowl full of udon. Despite it being one of his favorite dishes, Zuko was too nervous to even look at the bowl, let alone eat any of its contents.
"You haven't touched your food yet. Is something wrong?" Noriko asks Zuko in a kind voice.
Blinking, Zuko asks, "Do you do this every night?"
Giggling, Kiyi inquires, "What, eat dinner? Doesn't everybody eat dinner every night?"
Shaking his head, Zuko elucidates, "No, I meant to eat dinner together. Like this."
Her arm resting on Noren's shoulder, Noriko replies, "Yes, of course. That's why we're eating so late. I insisted we wait until Noren came back."
"So what brings you back this way? Looking for more details on the Hira'a acting troupe?" Noren inquires, exchanging a loving look with his wife.
"No. I came to find-" Zuko begins but upon looking at Noriko, he can't bring herself to finish. "Tell me, Noriko. Are you happy?" he asks instead.
Taken aback, Noriko cries, "What an odd thing to ask!"
Desperation starting to show in his face, Zuko says, "Just answer the question. Please."
Responding happily and gesturing with her arms, Noriko replies, "Yes. Of course. I'm where I belong."
Hearing this, the corners of Zuko's mouth upturn in a tiny smile. He gets to his feet, speaking, "We've bothered you folks enough. Have a good evening."
"No. Stop," Noren says, standing to his feet again. Looking down at his wife, Noren adds, "Noriko, I knew this moment would come sooner or later."
Blinking in confusion, Noriko asks, "What's going on?"
Lowering his head, Noren then looks up at Zuko and says, "Go ahead, young man. Do what you came to do. Tell her you haven't forgotten who you are."
Zuko pauses for a moment before turning to Noriko and speaking, "My name is Zuko. I am Lord of the Fire Nation, and I am your son."
Lifting his eyes to Zuko's, Noren breaks the silence by saying, "When I saw you in the crowd, I immediately recognized you because of your scar. I had learned all I could about Ursa's life in the royal palace. I knew it would come back to haunt us someday. Forgive me for not confessing the whole truth when you and your friends were here, Fire Lord. I had hoped to give you enough information to satisfy you, yet still protect my home here with Ursa."
"'Ursa'... .?" Noriko asks, trailing off in confusion as to the turn the evening had taken.
"That was your old name, my love, from your old life. You were once a princess of the Fire Nation. You had two children, one of whom grew up to be the Fire Lord." Noren explains, unable to meet Noriko's eyes.
Confused, Kiyi asks, "Mommy? What's Daddy talking about?"
"You don't remember any of this because a powerful spirit altered your memories. I also have an old name. I used to be known as Ikem." Noren confesses.
His eyes widening, Zuko cries, "Ikem! Then. . . then maybe this is where I belong too." He sits down at the table again. "With my mother, my sister, and my. . . father."