Broken Family
Zuko opened his eyes and smiled as he looked down at Katara. It was something he enjoyed. Katara rested with her back against his chest with his arms wrapped tightly around her. The young prince thought back to the night before. He could have sworn he woke up to see Brenda closing the door. However, it was late and he was tired. There was no way to confirm if it was a dream or not and he really didn't care. All he cared about was the fact that Brenda and Iroh were sitting on his bed. He slowly turned a glare to them and it only caused Brenda to smirk while Iroh laughed. His laughter woke up Katara. Blinking wearily, she looked at the two confused and annoyed.
"Can I help you?" She asked before Zuko could, a tired note in her voice. Iroh smiled brightly down at Katara while Brenda spoke.
"Iroh has so graciously agreed with me that you, Zuko, need to have some time with your aunt." Zuko opened his mouth to argue but Brenda cut him off. "And no buts. I got you two alone time while the Avatar was here, did I not?" Reluctantly, Zuko nodded. Sighing, he let go of Katara and sat up with Katara sitting up too. Brenda and Iroh stood up. "Well, we'll leave you two to change."
- - - - -
"What did you want to talk about Admiral?" The two stood on the deck of the small ship Zuko had called home for the past two years. Brenda smiled weakly as she looked at Zuko. He was standing beside the female admiral, staring at her.
"Why do you call me 'aunt' only every once in awhile. You call Iroh 'uncle' all the time." Zuko looked at her, slightly startled at her question. Brenda rested her hand on her sword's hilt as she stared over the railing at the sea water. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. "Answer me truthfully."
"I . . . I don't know." Brenda sighed and looked back at Zuko with a distant look in her eyes.
"Is it because you don't know me? That I was too busy fighting this damn war to come and play with my nephew." She turned and faced him completely. "I am guilty of putting the war in front of my family, just like Ozai is." Sighing once more, Brenda reached up and covered his scar, surprising Zuko again. He stiffened as she did this but he refused to back away. He would not show her that it unnerved him when someone touched the scar. He still had a hard time seeing himself as anything more than a monster. "What would you look like, my dear prince? Had Ozai not scarred you, I wonder what you would look like." Zuko reached up and pushed her hand away from his face.
"Don't." He whispered quietly. "Don't pity me. Don't touch it. And don't pretend that you care." Closing her eyes, Brenda frowned.
"I care. I am just . . . . detached . . . from my emotions." Opening her eyes, she saw that Zuko was staring at her, confused. "I . . . to be a good tactician, one must weigh all options before making a choice. Many times those choices led to the death of many soldiers. In a sense, I play god." She reached up and stroked his scar free cheek, yet again surprising the prince. ". . . . and because of that, I cannot show my feelings. I cannot let them control my actions." Zuko stepped back, out of Brenda's reach, causing the woman to sigh.
"What do you want Admiral?" Her frown deepened.
"I . . . . I want to fix out broken family. I want to be your aunt. I want you to come to me for advice. But mostly," Brenda smiled faintly. "I want you to be happy." Zuko narrowed his eyes.
"Are you trying to get in good with me now that I will be taking back my place on the throne?" He didn't have time to react. Her hand flew forward, lightening fast, and struck him across the face. He looked up at her, surprised once more by her actions. He didn't think she had it in him to slap the Prince of the Fire Nation. Zuko froze when he saw her cold, uncaring eyes. He stared into the face of the Black Rose of the West. Everything about her seemed to have changed. Her mouth was set in a firm line, her eyes watched his every move like a hawk, waiting to strike. Nothing about her seemed in the least bit friendly.
"Don't," She hissed darkly. "ever think that I am anything like your father's yes men. I do not pretend to care. I do not pretend to be anything I am not." The wind picked up as Zuko glared back at her. After a moment she closed her eyes and spoke to him calmly as she realized what she had done. "I am sorry for hitting you . . . Prince Zuko." Opening her eyes, she saw his eyes soften slightly.
". . . . I am sorry for thinking your feelings to be false . . . aunt Brenda." Her eyes widened for a moment before she smiled.
". . . . perhaps there is a chance to mend our broken family." Zuko crossed his arms and looked out over the sea.
"I doubt my father would permit it." A sad look passed over Brenda's eyes, one that Zuko caught. "What? What's wrong?" Bowing her head slightly, Brenda stared at the metal floor as she debated whether or not to tell him. "Aunt, please tell me." Hearing him call her that, Brenda felt her heart warm slightly as she decided to tell him. He deserved to know.
". . . . last night, Iroh and I talked. The fact that there are a lot of power hungry people in the world was brought up. My precious prince . . . we think Ceres will kill Ozai soon." Zuko stared at his aunt, the realization of what she was saying slapped him in the face like freezing water.
"My father would never fall to Ceres." Zuko looked at the sea, trying to drown out memories of his father's treatment towards him.
". . . . I know that you would find it difficult to-"
"No!" Zuko snapped, turning an icy stare towards his aunt. "My father is a powerful man. He can crush Ceres with ease." Brenda fought back another sigh as she turned her eyes towards the horizon and pointed out to it.
"What do you see, my dear nephew?" She asked softly.
". . . . water . . . . the sky, clouds . . . why?" She smiled bitterly.
"You see things for what they are, Zuko." She turned her golden eyes to Zuko. Zuko stared at her once more. He couldn't recall her addressing him to casually before. Before he could contemplate why she would address him without his title, she continued. "But I am a ruthless Fire Nation Admiral. Like your father, I see what I can conquer. I do not see the sky and water . . . . I see what has not been conquered. That is how Ozai sees things. He does not see things for what they are, but whether or not they are his." She moved forward and pulled Zuko into a hug. Squeezing her eyes closed, Brenda held him tightly as she spoke. "He will not see Ceres for what it is. He will see Ceres as a beautiful woman entering his court. He will only see the demon after it has slain him." Zuko tried to pull out of her hug but she held him close to her. "Do not make the same mistake your father made. See things for what they really are." Finally, she let go of him. Staring at her bewildered nephew, Brenda gave him a sad smile. "I promised your mother that I would make sure that you live your life without being blind. I will do my best to make it so."
"What are you talking about aunt?" Brenda felt her shoulders relax alittle when he called her aunt but other than that, she ignored his address of her. She had no time to smile when she had such an important message to deliver.
"Zuko, you cannot be blind. Don't let illusions trick. That is what she wants for you. She wants you to see the truth. I promised her that I would do my best to make you see the truth, even if you did not want to see it. I . . . . I haven't been doing that good a job of it, but now I will make sure you see through illusions." Zuko could only look at her confused.
"You talk in riddles, aunt Brenda." Once more Brenda smiled bitterly.
"What I am trying to say is that . . . do not be deceived by Ceres." Brenda looked over her shoulder and smirked as she saw Katara and Iroh coming out onto the deck. "Now, go be Prince Charming."
- - - - -
"So, what did you talk about?" Brenda looked up, surprised. Currently she was standing on the deck of her ship. She didn't except Iroh to come on board. After a moment of surprise she answered his question with a question of her own.
"What do you mean?" Iroh sent her a wry glare.
"You know what I mean. What did you talk about with Zuko?" She looked away from her brother's gaze. "Brenda." Iroh's tone was one of warning. His patience with Brenda was wearing thin.
"I . . . told him that Ozai might be dead." Iroh's eyes widened.
"Brenda!"
"He deserves to know!" She snapped, crossing her arms. Iroh watched her warily before asking her another question.
"Was that all?" Silence was his only answer. "Don't make me repeat myself, sister." Iroh growled, startling his sister. She looked to her normally calm brother and frowned when she realized that she shouldn't push his patience. Now was not the time to play games. Too much was at stake.
". . . Leila made be promise before she died that Zuko would not live his life filled with illusions. I told him that." Iroh was silent fore a moment before he spoke to her. He had read between the lines with ease.
". . . in other words, you were telling him that he shouldn't be tricked by Ceres." Brenda gave him a curt nod with her back to him. "You don't think he and Katara have much longer, do you?" The admiral shook her head. "Why?" She turned back to him as she answered.
"Ceres has been biding its time. Even though this ship has been on the move . . . . Katara is Ceres's prey. And Ceres is an expert hunter. I have no doubt that Ceres will come for Katara, in one form or another." Iroh sighed heavily.
"Yes . . . I think you may be right." Iroh looked over the railing to see Katara and Zuko talking as they walked around the deck while Zuko checked with the soldiers to make sure the ship was running properly. ". . . . I hope the young avatar can master the elements before Sozen's comet. Prince Zuko deserves happiness." Brenda nodded as she leaned on the railing and watched the two teenagers. Zuko had just looked around while Katara was looking at the water. Quickly, he gave her a small peck on the cheek, thinking no one would see him. Brenda couldn't help but smirk at her somewhat shy nephew.
"Leila is watching over Zuko. But . . . whenever the solstice comes around, you can see her, can't you?" She looked back to see her brother surprised. Standing up straight, Brenda petted her braid. "You can't fool me brother, you've always been more in tune with the spirit world than most humans. You can see spirits during the solstice." Iroh sighed once more and sent her a dry look.
"Perhaps. But I prefer not to talk about it. After all, many people would simply write me off as insane." Raising an eyebrow, Iroh questioned his sister. "How did you know that I could see spirits during the solstice?" Brenda smirked and rested a hand on her older brother's shoulder.
"I remember when I was little you had talked to thin air, but only on the solstice. I thought you insane myself, but never brought myself to speak of it to anyone else. It wasn't until I was older and understood the solstice. It was then that I figured you could merely see the spirits during that time." It was her turn to raise an eyebrow and question him. "But what I wonder is; why you wouldn't tell Prince Zuko about this?" Iroh fought back a sigh and shrugged his shoulders.
"I am an old man. When old men talk of seeing spirits it is either their time to go or they are simply becoming senile. I did not want our nephew to think either." Brenda nodded, understanding him. The admiral was silent as she stared at the ground.
"Iroh . . ." The old man looked at his little sister. ". . . I don't know Zuko. I only know Prince Zuko." Iroh rose an eyebrow in confusion.
"What are you talking about, Brenda?" Sighing, Brenda turned and faced Iroh.
"I . . . he is not comfortable around me like he is around you. I know him not as his aunt, but as a soldier, awaiting his command. Nothing more." Iroh shook his head.
"That's not completely true. You know that he loves Katara." The older sibling argued.
"Anyone can see that." Brenda muttered as she crossed her arms. "I . . . I've been to preoccupied with this damn war to take notice of my own nephew."
"What are you going to do about it?" Iroh asked as he watched Zuko's hand brush by the back of Katara's.
". . . . with Leila gone, in the spirit world . . . Zuko needs someone to watch over him in the world of the living." Iroh turned his attention back to Brenda.
"What are you saying, little sister?" Brenda smirked and shook her head.
"Nothing . . . just nonsense . . . ."
"Brenda . . ." Iroh warned. Brenda tilted her head to the side slightly before she spoke.
"Don't worry, big brother. I won't do anything you wouldn't do."
"What are you planing, Brenda?" Iroh demanded, causing Brenda to frown slightly.
". . . . nothing. I'm just going to help him, that's all." Raising an eyebrow, Iroh questioned her further.
"What are you planning Brenda?" A delicate smirk danced over her lips.
"Why, I'm not planing anything." She turned and walked away from Iroh.
- - - - -
Brenda knelt down in front of her meditation stand. Unlike Zuko, her meditation room was connected to her own by a simple door, hidden behind the changing screen. In her meditation room, her stand was in front of a small sculpture, attached to the wall. It was long, thin black dragon with flames painted around it. Black dried roses were spread throughout the room. The admiral had placed her belt with the sword and it sheath to the side. Unclasping the cape, she allowed it to fall to the ground while she freed her hair from its braid. A dozen white candles sat in front of her, all unlit. She closed her eyes and raised her hand. Wisps of flames snaked out and lit the dozen candles. Brenda pulled her hand back and was about to set it in her lap when she stared at her pale hand before closing it into a fist.
"Leila . . . I should have been there . . ." Closing her eyes, Brenda sighed. "I'm sorry Leila. Had I been there that day, like I had planned to, then the assassination attempt would not have cost you so much." Her eyes opened, narrowed as anger flashed in them. "I shouldn't have put my training ahead of you and Zuko." She muttered as the flames around her grew. Closing her eyes once more, she breathed in and the candles grew more in size. Exhaling, the candles shrank. She continued this, her hands folded neatly in her lap as she sat on her legs, for nearly a hour. Finally, she opened her eyes and narrowed them once more. "How long do you intend to stand there?" Brenda turned her head and looked over her shoulder at Iroh.
"Just long enough to ask you to join Prince Zuko, Katara, and I for dinner." Brenda nodded and reached for her sword and cape when Iroh's voice stopped her. "Not as an admiral." She sent him a questioning look. "If you are truthful about wanting to fix our broken family, then come as Lady Brenda, aunt of Prince Zuko." Her hand hovered over her sword before she closed it into a fist. Closing her eyes once more, Brenda nodded.
"Very well. Then . . . what will be appropriate, brother?" Iroh smiled.
"It is informal. Wear clothes you are comfortable in." Brenda looked up at him with her eyes annoyed.
"Very well. Leave so I may change." She watched him leave before she stood up and left the meditation room. She began to pull off her armor as she did so, until she stood in her underwear in front of her closet. With a frown she looked over all her clothes. ". . . are any of these comfortable and informal?" She muttered to herself as she dug through her closet. After what seemed like an eternity, she pulled out a red blouse and black pants. Quickly, Brenda changed into those items. The red blouse had a square cut and only covered three quarters of her arm. The pants fit her perfectly. Sighing, Brenda looked down at herself and bit her lip. Realizing what she was doing, she scowled. "What am I, the Black Rose of the West, so worried about?" She demanded of the thin air.
'Nothing . . . just that you might ruin the only chance to put your family back together.' Brenda thought angrily in answer to her demand. She reached into her closet and pushed back the clothes to reveal belts on the back wall. Brenda quickly snatched the golden chain belt and wrapped it around her waist. With an annoyed sigh, Brenda reached in once more and pulled out a pair of black boots. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she slipped them on and tied them. Brenda stood and walked over to vanity, taking a brush and combing her hair quickly. Once that was done, she braided it quite fast and neatly. She walked out of her room, trying a small ribbon around her hair to keep it in a braid. With hurried steps, she made her way to the railing and smirked.
"Too easy." She muttered. Before anyone could bother lowering the plank, Brenda flipped over the railing. Twisting and turning in the air, she landed on her feet. The crew that had been walking by on her ship merely rolled their eyes at her desire to show off while the crew of Zuko's ship stepped back in surprise when she landed. Without stopping, Brenda continued to make her way towards the dinning room.
- - - - -
Alright, when I sat the latest episode of Avatar, I was like, yes! Proof that Katara will end up with Zuko. Now, I know what you're thinking; it was basically a KataraxAang thing. Not true. Aang had no love life in his future while Katara had a power bending waiting for her. And who do we know that is a powerful bender? Zuko! Er . . . when he keeps his temper in line, I mean. Anyway, Katara wants him to be tall. Who do we know that is a powerful bender and tall? Zuko! So that's my theory on how that episode could be a ZukoxKatara thing. However, I was slightly peeved that there was no Zuko in that episode. But moving on, I wish that they give us the next episode soon. And I hope it has Zuko in it. Well, other than my bad grammar, how did I do?