Fireflies
By Lina Halim
Chapter 2: Someday
Another day another rejected request to enter the war chambers by Uncle Iroh. Zuko was getting aggravated. How in the world is he going to take over throne of Fire Lord if he doesn't know war strategies? He thought.
Frustrated, Zuko proceeded to his room.
"Denied entry again, Zuko?" Zula asked, standing in front of the door to his room.
Zuko took a deep breath and exhaled. Wasting his energy on his little sister was something he didn't really like to do. Plus, his mother and Uncle Iroh had told him not to be provoked by whatever Zula said.
"She only acts like this because father favors her more." Zuko thought to himself. "Just wait Zula… One day I will show you who is the heir of the throne of the Fire Lord."
"Just… leave me alone, alright?" said Zuko. It took a lot of strength to beat Zula in a spar. It took a lot MORE strength to hold in the desire to incinerate her there and then.
Of course, Father wouldn't like that. Oh no he won't. She was, after all, her father's favorite child.
Fire Nation customs do not allow women to take over the throne as a Fire Lord. Nations like this see women as mere consorts and concubines, not even eligible to be included in the court. Zuko was already in line for the heir of the throne.
Ozai was aware of this. So was Zuko.
"Are you still angry that I kicked your ass at yesterday's practice?"
"Zula. Would you just shut up and get out of my face?"
"Afraid that I'll whip you again?"
Zuko groaned and shot fire out of his hands. He took a step forward with his fist high up in the air to hit Zula.
"Children!" said a voice. Zuko stopped.
The two siblings turned and saw their mother and her lady in waiting approaching them. Zuko felt relieved. Seeing his mother's soft features had always soothed him. He understood why his Uncle had fallen in love with her before she became Ozai's consort.
"What did I tell you about fighting in the hallways?" their mother asked.
"It is not done," they answered in unison. They turned their heads and face each other. Both scowled.
Their mother laughed politely. She kneeled down in front of her children and took their hands. "You two are a lot similar than you think. Why can't you two just get along?"
"With a pompous failure? Never," said Zula.
"With a bigheaded ego maniac? Never," said Zuko.
Their mother sighed. She let go of their hands. She placed one hand on their heads and pushed them towards each other, causing them to knock into each other hard. Both dropped down to their knees, hands on their heads, groaning in pain. Their mother placed her hands on her sides and looked down on them.
"Honestly, the two of you. Would you EVER learn to get along?" she fumed. She turned and began walking. She stopped. Without turning around, she said, "Zula, stop taunting your brother. Zuko, don't be easily provoked. The heir to the throne must be patient." She walked away.
Zula shot a dirty look at Zuko, "Mom's always on your side. You're such a momma's boy."
"What's it to you, daddy's little girl? You're the one to talk."
Zula stood up and shot another dirty look at Zuko. The little prodigy stuck her tongue out at Zuko before turning to leave. When she turned her back at Zuko, he fired a small ball of fire at her ponytail, slightly burning it and ran into his room, closing the door just in time for Zula's attack.
Zuko leaned on the door and stared at the ceiling.
Don't be easily provoked.
Easy for her to say. Keeping his cool was the hardest thing to do for Zuko, as it was in his nature to be brash and impatient.
There was a knock on the door.
"GO AWAY, ZULA. I'M IN NO MOOD TO LISTEN TO ANYMORE OF YOUR GLOATING," Zuko shouted.
"It's me, Prince Zuko," said a familiar voice of his uncle.
Zuko unlocked the door and let his uncle in. Iroh closed the door behind him while Zuko proceeded to the edge of his bed and sat down. Iroh sat down next to him.
"I saw what your mother did to you. She has always been the feisty one." A smile appeared on Iroh's face. The smile disappeared when Iroh turned to look at Zuko again, "And I saw you burn your sister's hair, nephew. I must say that was not very nice."
Zuko tried hard to suppress the laughter remembering the burned lock of hair. "Yes, uncle… I … know…" he said behind gritted teeth.
Iroh laughed watching his nephew. There's no denying that even if Zuko is the heir to his father's throne and Zula is a firebending prodigy, both of them were still children and siblings. He remembered the time when he and Ozai had their own share of silly sibling rivalries.
"Uncle… Can I ask you something?" Zuko chirped.
"What is it, Zuko?"
"Why am I not allowed into father's war chamber?"
"It's simply not your time yet, my dear nephew."
"When will it be my time, uncle? When? When I'm 16? 18? 20? When will it be my time?"
"Patience is the key, Zuko. Be patient, and you will soon get what you wish for."
Iroh got up and left. Zuko leaned back and fell onto his bed. He stared at the ceiling and sighed heavily.
"Patience, huh…"