Chapter 2: Count the Days
Aboard a rocking fire nation ship, seventeen-year-old Prince Zuko was tumbling his way into a restless sleep. It wasn't the constant motion of the ship that prevented him from slumber; it was his dreams. Zuko did not have many happy memories; most of his experiences in life ranged and proceeded from bad to worse. But it was not those times that now preoccupied his thoughts; it was accounts from a time long before that. Back when his days were filled with sunshine and laughter. He had a scattering of indistinct images from that summer spent on his uncle's private beach. The setting sun, sandcastles, clams, and a dark haired girl whose only features he could make out was those piercing eyes, and a smile unlike any other.
His dream sequence played those images over and over again along with muffled sounds of turning tides, and…laughter? A new sound took over- a scream that shot through him. And a feeling-fear-it suddenly gripped his mind and he jerked violently awake.
Prince Zuko sat up in his bed, wiping cold sweat from his forehead. Deciding the only way to relieve himself was meditation, he walked to the other side of his room, lit the proper candles and sat down. As he slowly drew in his breath, his mind drifted off once more to the very recollections that stalked his sleep. It had been this way for days now, images from when he was very young would be replayed in his dream state, then that scream would send those joyful memories spiraling downward, and he would jerk awake. Zuko was sick of it. The lack of sleep had taken its toll on him, he was more irritated than usual, less coordinated in his training, and worst of all, he had developed a constant empty feeling inside of him. Frustrated with everything, he exhaled and shut his eyes tightly, determined to find a center of peace. But his thoughts kept leading him back to that stretch of shore. That girl-he could no longer recall her name but he knew that somehow, she had given him something of the childhood innocence that he felt so deprived of. And try as he might, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had forgotten something very, very important. Click.
Zuko snapped out of his reverie and whipped a flame-ball at the opened door, nearly maiming a timid messenger boy. The prince stood up, walked over, and gave the best sleepy-intimidating stare he could muster to the small boy.
"Why did you disturb me?" He spoke slowly, warning in his voice. The boy squeaked and looked down, mumbling something.
" Speak up, I don't identify with gibberish." The irritable prince snapped.
" Sir, y-your Uncle wishes to speak with you."
Zuko blinked; what could his uncle possibly want with him at this hour? Nevertheless, he hid his curiosity, slipped a shirt on,and followed the boy to Iroh's quarters. Once inside, the boy bowed to his uncle and left, shutting the door lightly. Zuko turned his attention towards his Uncle, who was…sipping tea.
" What Uncle? Why have you called me here? Is there news about the Avatar?" Zuko demanded.
" Ah, young Prince, you are too hurried about life. Come sit down and relax; drink tea with me." Iroh spoke patiently as he gestured with his arm for Zuko to sit down.
" If it isn't about the Avatar then you shouldn't have disturbed me. Next time you want some company, go ask one of the soldiers instead of bothering my sleep." Zuko snapped, turning to walk out the door.
" It's not like you were sleeping anyways."
Zuko whirled around and stared at his uncle, who was looking at him pointedly. His jaw twitched as thoughts reeled around his head. His uncle couldn't have known about the dreams, could he? Had he screamed something in his sleep? Was his behavior different? Well, truth to be told, it was. But he hadn't thought it was so much of a change that his tea-obsessed uncle would notice. Was he thinking too loudly? His inward panic was momentarily cut through by a sigh from Iroh.
" Well nephew, if you must know, your father has sent me a letter." Iroh said as he pulled out the roll of parchment and waved it around. Zuko frowned and looked away. He had had enough of the letters that Lord Ozai sent to his uncle periodically. When he was first banished he looked forward to letters from his father, always hoping that somehow his honor was restored and he would be allowed to return home. But he had gotten none of that in the past three years. On top of recent things, he didn't need or want the disappointment.
" He wants you to come home." Uncle Iroh said half-smiling. It was like he had known those were there exact words Zuko both dreaded and hoped. Zuko mechanically turned his head to stare once again at Iroh. His mouth opened slightly and his eyes were glassy as he slowly moved toward his uncle; finally sort of falling into the chair opposite Iroh.
" Do not act so surprised nephew. It's been three years at sea, the natural thing is that your father would wish to see you."
Zuko remained in his frozen state of shock. Then he suddenly looked up and narrowed his eyes at Iroh.
" Are you playing with my head Uncle? Do you think it's funny? How can Father possibly want me back after all these years? How can you expect me to BELIEVE this?" Zuko spoke accusingly as he slammed a fist on the table in frustration.
" IF you do not believe me, look for yourself." His uncle gently tossed the letter to Zuko who grabbed it. He unrolled ferociously and scanned down the length of the page. Sure enough, it said plainly that Lord Ozai wished for his son to return to the Fire Nation.
" But, WHY? I have not done anything wondrous or heroic. The Avatar is still at large. I've been at sea for three years now," Zuko stared at the tea as he voiced the very thing he had wanted to deny for so long, " And if there's anything I've accomplished, it's shaming my country even more."
" Zuko, do you not remember? Your seventeenth birthday has just recently passed."
" Of course I remember." Zuko said quietly. He had spent the entire day locked up in his room. That day was simply a harsh reminder of how pathetic his existence was. And it was that night when he had begun to remember his past. " It doesn't make sense Uncle, why on my seventeenth birthday? I've had other birthdays since I left, why this one?"
" Think, nephew. What usually happens after the seventeenth birthday of a boy?"
" He finally becomes a man in the eyes of the Fire Nation?" Zuko questioned, obviously clueless.
" Yes Zuko, but there is also another thing."
" Like WHAT? Tell me Uncle!" The prince demanded.
" He can be legally married." Iroh stated matter-of-factly. " Your father wishes you to choose a bride."
" SAY WHAT?"
a/n: Again, sorry for the short chapter, and if it sounded a bit rushed. The good parts are yet to come. Please continue to read my story. I also appreciate any comments you may have. Again, please please please don't flame me.