The only thing I own is the plot on your screen. If you plan to take my ideas and put them into your own fanfic, claiming to be your own mind that thought them up, get a hobby. Plagiarism is wrong, don't do it!
A/N- For those who have this Fan Fiction on Story Alert, go back and read Chapter 20 before reading this chapter; my Author's Note was replaced by that. :) Thank you!
To our beloved daughter on her sixteenth birthday:
Look at how much you've grown. You have truly become
a beautiful and intelligent young woman, ready to make
life changing decisions. We have watched you grow
everyday, seeing you learn about the world with so much
interest and curiosity. We have witnessed everything
from your first word to your first love and have seen your
tears in times of distress. And now, our sweet Luna, we'll
see you take the crown as rightful heir to the Fire Nation
throne. It's a giant step that you have accepted, though a
little doubtful at first, and it makes us secure to know that
such a honest and loving person will take care of our
nation.
Please know that you are loved and never think that you
are worthless or weak. You have truly flourished into a
very powerful Firebender who in many occasions has
defeated the Fire Lord himself (and oh, how proud we
were).
You are constantly surrounded by friends who wish your
well-being and success. But be advised, our young
Princess, that looks may deceive. Do not trust those who
you have just met. Learn to look beyond their smiles and
into their eyes where their souls lie, ready to reveal their
truths.
We love you (despite how corny it may sound) and know
that we are always here to listen to you. Happy sixteenth
birthday, Luna, and may you have all the luck in the world,
you certainly deserve it.
Your parents,
Fire Lord Zuko and Lady Katara
The young Princess sighed and folded the letter, giving it a brief kiss before placing it in its original envelope. She got up from her bed and began walking to her white dresser where small porcelain dolls decorated its smooth top. She opened her top drawer and placed the letter inside of it beside the other letters that her parents had given her every birthday since she could read.
A soft knock penetrated the room's silence and Luna looked at the door, knowing exactly who was on the other side. "Come in."
The door swung open slowly, exposing a young teenage boy, about two years younger than the Princess herself. He wore an elegant outfit, armor to fit a Prince, really, but even more so, a handsome smile decorated his young face. His gold eyes gleamed in the dimming light; the sun was retreating for the day, being replaced by the beautiful moon in all her naked beauty.
"You coming?" he asked curiously and lit a small candle with the flick of a wrist and the snap of two fingers.
"In just a minute," Luna responded and walked over to her vanity mirror. "I need to pin the red blossom in my hair."
The boy rolled his eyes--much the way his father did sometimes--and crossed his arms. "Girls," he whispered knowingly and walked into the room. "C'mon, Mother can do it for you out there. Everyone is waiting for you, Luna."
"Here, help me," the Princess said, ignoring his comment, and held out the flower, almost desperately, towards the boy.
"I don't know how to--"
"Just help me, okay?" Her blue eyes locked onto his gold ones, almost pleading with him to stop her from going to that fake ceremony. Because that is what she thought of that coronation: fake.
The Prince furrowed his brow and gently grabbed the delicate flower. "Is something wrong?"
The Princess sat on the chair with a sigh and closed her eyes. "They expect so much out of me, Hue. I don't think I'll be able to do this."
"Do what?" he asked and walked over to her, the blossom sitting calmly on his palm.
"This!" she exclaimed spreading her arms out. "They want me to rule the Fire Nation like them. They want me to get married and have kids and--and I can't. I can't." Tears began to well-up, threatening to roll down her cheeks and ruin the makeup that took so much time to apply.
"Why?" Hue asked calmly and clipped the flower into her brown, curly hair -- the same way he'd seen his mother, the Lady, do it for many years. He smiled at his work and then frowned after thinking that men aren't supposed to help their sisters put up their hair, no matter how desperate they were.
She stood up and growled before turning around; her brow was furrowed and that calm expression that she had held was gone. "Look at me, Hue! I'm--I have Water Tribe blood in me."
"So do I," he reasoned and winced when a puff of smoke emitted from her nose.
"Yeah, but you don't look like it. You have dad's looks: gold eyes, pale skin, and black hair. You don't even have to rule this damned nation that put this world in misery for one hundred years." She looked in the mirror for just a moment and looked away in disgust upon catching her blue eyes looking back at her. "Everyone hates us, don't you see? They say they believe us, but I hear the distrust in their voices whenever they bow their heads to Father and Mother."
"You worry too much, Luna," Hue said simply and stood up. "So what if people hate us? We are royalty; we don't need their approval."
"Well, I can't rule a nation that hates me." She crossed her arms and sat on her large bed, a resolute expression on her pale face. "You can have the crown, Brother, I don't want it."
"Stop this." He grabbed her soft hand and pulled her upward. This was just ridiculous. "Just yesterday you were excited about your birthday. You even begged Father to let you skip firebending lessons today so you could enjoy the afternoon with your friends. And all of the sudden you decide that you don't want the crown and want to give it to me?"
Silence.
"Fine. Stay here and sulk. You can explain to our parents why--"
"I just don't think that I can do it, is all," she said at last, her voice much softer than before.
Hue smiled and patted her hand, much the way his grandfather did. "But you don't understand, Princess. You're not ruling yet, not until Mom and Dad retire from reign, which won't be until a long time from now. And when you do take charge, you're going to have me by your side." He let out a soft chuckle. "Besides, you're very brave, stubborn, and kind, and with the years there'll come experience."
The girl smiled. "How and when did you get so wise, Little brother?"
The Prince raised his eyebrows and smirked. "I, unlike you, actually listen to what Grandpa has to say."
Luna sighed and glanced at her mirror, this time not looking away in disgust. "I guess you're right. It's not like I'm actually taking over. I'll still be Princess and--"
"And we need to get out there, Luna," Hue urged, noticing that the sun had finished setting. "C'mon!"
The Princess sighed exasperatedly and shoved her brother playfully out the door. "Okay okay, let's go." Her hands reached up to examine her hair and smirked upon feeling the red blossom placed perfectly within her curls. "Ooh, thanks for doing my hair!" she exclaimed teasingly and laughed upon seeing her brother's gold eyes widen.
"Shut up."
End
Before I go into a little rant, I would like to thank my ever wonderful beta, Melodiee,because she is the best beta in the world. She is, don't contradict me,SHE IS. She made this Fan Fiction as error proof as possible and her suggestions made it what it is today. I LOVE YOU SO EFFING MUCH, MEL. I owe you my SOUL.
So everyone go over to her fic right now "Push and Pull" because it is an AWESOME ZUTARA Fan Fiction (that needs to be updated) that needs the love of everyone because...MEL IS THE BEST. -sigh-
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Last A/N- Amazing enough, the epilogue doesn't have Zuko and Katara in it. I decided in the last minute that it'd be over informative. I mean -- you already know that Zuko and Katara are married and happy. Let's have their kids have the spotlight for a change.
And OMG! I didn't make their second child a gold-eyed waterbender! Meh, I thought that was a tad overdone. Here, both are Firebenders and Hue looks exactly like pre-scar Prince Zuko. Luna looks Fire Nation except she has blue eyes and brown hair. (I made Firebending the Dominant Trait. Yay for Genetics!)
I'm taking a break from multi-chaptered fan fictions. Why? Because after a while, they start to feel like homework. No offense, but I'm so glad I'm done with this. It's very stressful.
I'll be back (eventually) and write another. Perhaps a drabble-fic, I don't know. Thanks for all your support and lovely words. It means a lot to have people liking what I write. It makes me feel special.
PLEASE REVIEW 'CAUSE I WORKED SO DAMN HARD MAKING THIS. :)