That night Zhau-Li sighed deeply as he looked out of the window in the hotel room the team was right now using as their hang out spot.
They had just all gotten home from sneaking out that night so they could go to a more local down to earth tavern and listen to some music and stories while eating more regular food and just having a funny evening in town.
Zhau-Li though had been very quiet this evening and downcast. Which confused the hell out of Sokka and many of the others.
"You're going to go visit your parents tomorrow right?" Sokka finally asked and the others looked up.
"Yeah… I suppose that was the plan." Zhau-Li muttered.
"Then why the droopy face?!" Sokka asked. "It's your parents."
Zhau-Li closed his eyes. "I haven't seen my parents for over three years." he reminded them.
"But…. You did write to them right?" Katara asked.
"I did but… I haven't gotten a reply." Zhau-Li sighed. "It was probably also a pretty messed up letter. I didn't know what to say!"
"Dude. You played a key part in saving the world!" Sokka reminded him. "And now works directly under the fire lord who also considers you his personal and close friend!"
Zuko nodded, but glanced away.
"It's not that…" Zhau-Li sighed. "One of the things I remember from my childhood. My mom had this portrait of fire lord Ozai as a mantle piece and we were supposed to give thanks every evening. I'm the only fire bender in my entire family and they were so proud! When I conscripted to the military they were so proud of me! They told me I was meant for more than what they could give me. Mom even apologized to me that she hadn't been able to give me more! Then they scraped together every little copper to throw me this farewell party! And buy me new clothes and boots so I could look presentable while in training! And my mom apologized again that it's all they could give!" he said. "And then…. When I was finally on the field. Ready to make them proud. I couldn't do it! I just couldn't! I couldn't follow orders! I deserted the army, I became a refuge, I worked against Fire Lord Ozai…. And… I don't really regret any of it but… " He squinted his eyes. "What is mom and dad going to say? I tried to explain the letter, but apparently I didn't do it well enough. I don't know."
There was quiet around them then Toph spoke up.
"Well there was this wise guy who ones told me, that when your parents obviously love you like that, even if they are misguided. You still owe it to them to try."
Zuko turned his head away as his cheeks blushed red.
"Sounds to me like your parents loves you a lot." Aang finally said. "I think they'll be really happy to see you."
"Yeah I… hope so." Zhau-Li nodded.
The next morning Zhau-Li was standing ready in his civilian clothes. It was very nice new clothes though, his new salary didn't lack anything.
Which also provided Zhau-Li with the heavy pouch filled with coins in his shoulder bag he had all the intentions of giving to his parents.
Zhau-Li inhaled a deep breath and was just about to step out as a young fire lord came running. How-ever looking at him he didn't look like a fire lord at all.
Comfortable civilian clothes, his hair loose and covering the left side of his face so his scar wasn't visible. And a bag over his shoulder.
"Lord Zuko?" Zhau-Li asked.
"Lee." Zuko corrected him. As true enough when Zuko was dressed like that and they snook out, they tended to address him as Lee. "I just…I could need some time away from the others. And I would like to meet your parents too."
"Oh." Zhau-Li blinked.
"Is that all right?" Zuko asked.
"Of course… I mean. I'm just surprised." Zhau-Li admitted. "Will you be making it in time for Lu?" he asked.
"Sure." Zuko said. "It's the day after tomorrow. I'll just go back here by evening while you stay with your parents."
"Oh… Okay." Zhau-li said.
Zuko tilted his head. "If you're not comfortable with it."
"No I… My childhood home. It's just… You know." Zhau-Li halted. "Kind of…. Poor."
Zuko blinked. "Yeah. So?" he asked.
"Right. Sorry. I guess I'm just nervous." Zhau-Li smiled apologetically.
"It's okay." Zuko chuckled. "I suppose we better get going." And Zhau-Li nodded as they both headed out.
Together they had to walk for a few kilometers but then finally reached fields were people were working with their crops and animals. Zhau-Li gasped by the sight of those very fields.
"You recognise them?" Zuko asked.
"They are still mainly planting radishes." Zhau-Li chuckled. "Best radishes in the fire nation though! And look! Woolen sheep goats!" he pointed. "Those belong to Mr Takashi. He sells the wool."
Zuko smirked.
"I remember that tree!" Zhau-Li pointed in front of them. "I used to climb it all the time when I was a kid!"
Just then a man came from behind them riding on a khomodo dragon as he reached beside them he looked down and frowned. "Strangers." he commented. "It sure is unusual to see strangers here. Are you headed somewhere."
Zhau-Li gaped as he looked up at the man. "Mr Takashi." he gasped.
The man blinked.
"Mr Takashi it's me! Zhau-Li!" Zhau-Li exclaimed. "I used to help carrying crates of wool!"
The man halted. His eyes widened. "Zhau-Li?" he asked.
And Zhau-Li nodded as he grinned. Immediately Takashi jumped off the khomodo rhino and gasped. "You… You're alive!" he gasped. "And you grown! I'm sorry I just… I can't."
Zhau-Li blinked. "Of course I'm alive. Didn't my parents get my letter?" he asked.
"Last I heard they got a message from the military that you had fallen in combat." Takashi informed. "And that was over two years ago."
"What?" Zhau-Li asked and Zukos eyes widened. "They told me parents that I… That I died?" he asked.
Zuko covered his mouth in shock.
"But… Why?" Zhau-Li asked.
Painfully Zuko looked at Zhau-Li. "If I am to guess. Because you deserted the army. Instead of admitting that's even possible they would rather erase your existence."
"Mom." Zhau-Li gasped. "Dad…" and then he turned and started to run.
Zuko didn't even hesitate as he followed his friend and they both started to run as fast as they could until the reached a tiny village that was just a cluster of wooden houses. "MOM! DAD!" Zhau-Li shouted as he took the turns he was obviously familiar with and finally reached a small house at the edge of the village. Then he tore open the sliding door in front as he yelled. "Mom! Dad! Are you home? MOM! DAD!"
Zuko swallowed as Zhau-Li stopped.
"They are not home." Zhau-Li swallowed clearly disappointed. "Where could they be?" he asked as he turned to Zuko.
"I suppose… working?" Zuko suggested. Then he turned his head to suddenly see a middle aged woman coming towards them carrying a whole basket of laundry. It looked like she had just come from the river.
The woman stopped by the sight of her, her amber eyes going wide.
"Erhm… Zhau-Li." Zuko tried. "Is this someone you know?" he asked.
Zhau-Li turned around and by the sight of her his eyes widened. "Mom." he gasped.
The woman gasped and suddenly she dropped her laundry basket as she covered her mouth, the clothes fell across the dirt undoing the washing. But it looked like all of that was completely forgotten at this moment.
"Mom." Zhau-Li stepped forward. "Mom you're okay… Mom I.." he tried. "I'm not dead! Look. I'm not dead." he swallowed as his eyes grew wet. "I missed you so much… Mom."
then the woman sniffed and then she screamed as she ran forward straight into Zhau-Li and hugged him tight. "MY BABY!" she cried loudly squishing all the air out of Zhau-Li. And that was in spite of this woman only going Zhau-Li to his chest.
And he embraced her as well as he cried. "Mom!"
Zuko smiled lightly as he shuffled backwards while the two were a mess of tears.
"It's going to be okay mom. It's going to be okay." Zhau-Li swallowed as they rocked back and forth. "I'm here mom. I'm okay."
And as the two clung to each other Zuko moved towards the laundry that had been left on the ground and quietly started to pick it up, filling the basket and then as he was done Zuko hesitated as he just awkwardly stood there with the basket of dirty laundry.
"Oh erhm Mom." Zhau-Li managed to let go of her. "This is Lee. He's a friend from… erh…."
"Oh no. Please forgive me." Zhau-Lis mother kept wiping her tears. "Please come in. Both of you… I… I'll make some tea. Are you hungry? I… I…"
"We're fine mom." Zhau-Li assured. "Tea sounds nice… I… I got a lot to tell you." he admitted. "Erhm… When is dad coming home?"
His mother swallowed. "In the afternoon but… He should know. I mean you're here! You." she chocked. "I… I'll put that tea over. Forgive me." and she rushed to the kitchen tea falling from her eyes.
Zhau-Li as well bowed his head as he wiped his tears away.
"She seems really nice." Zuko whispered.
Zhau-Li nodded as he squinted his eyes. "She is." he choked. And Zuko put a hand on his shoulder.
"So-Sorry." Zhau-Li swallowed.
"I'm just here as your friend." Zuko smiled. "You've been there for me as my friend plenty of times."
"Heh." Zhau-Li smirked. "You do pay me." he pointed out. "Lee."
"Even if I didn't I doubt I could get rid of you." Zuko smirked.
And Zhau-Li nodded. "True." he had to admit.