Final Author Message...
Thank you for reading!
This is just a story I created because I was bored, but in my opinion it turned out so great! I went back and cleaned up some earlier chapters if your wondering.
Also VERY IMPORTANT. When I upload the Epilogue Part 1.
I don't think an email notification was sent out. Please read Part 1 first!
Epilogue Part 2
Zuko
5 years later
"Fire Lord" now in his early 40th Zuko had been sitting outside in his mother's garden near the pond feeding the new ducklings that recently hatched. The warm Fire Nation air matched the generous sunshine cutting through the white plump clouds.
"Yes" Fire Lord Zuko answered his new servant Jeo, who was young and practicing to eventually replace Ikah.
"Your niece, Yu-Jie has just returned with her fiancé."
Standing up Zuko looked over to the young man shaking his head in amazement. Standing next to Jeo facing the opposite direction, Jeo became nervous as he continued looking towards the garden.
"Jeo" Zuko spoke softly. "You bow with your opposite arm."
Rushing to the front gate I was delighted to see Yu-Jie. In the last three years, Yu-Jie decided to travel the world. Beginning in the Southern Water Tribe, she journeyed to the Earth Kingdom soon after the Republic City. From her letters, it seems Yu-Jie had met quite a few of her mother's old friends along the way. But what truly surprised LuTen and I was the engagement she and Shuro entered last fall.
"Uncle!" Yu-Jie exclaimed running up the outside stairs to Zuko.
Zuko couldn't help but feel a rush of bliss seeing Yu-Jie after so long. She matched her mother in height. Although her skin was fair her eyes were bright. A soft amber color glowed the closer she got, and her brilliant white smile reflected the sunlight.
Hugging the young woman in front of him Zuko's hand rubbed her hair feeling the texture of the silk.
"Yu-Jie!" Zuko exclaimed. "I'm so excited you've returned." Pulling away Zuko held out his hand wanting to direct Yu-Jie inside the palace, eager to hear of her travels. "Come we have much to talk about. I can't wait to hear about your journey."
*hehe* "Uncle! You remember Shuro don't you?" Looking down the long stairs Shuro waited nervously for the Fire lord's permission to move.
"Yes Shuro, please join us."
Rushing up the stairs Shuro bowed deep to the Fire Lord still nervous to be in his presence. "Thank you Fire Lord".
Yu-Jie
"Honestly, I don't know why you still get so nervous around my Uncle. Not to mention Father." Yu-Jie scolded her fiancé Shuro in their chamber as she undid her mother's necklace she had remade.
"He's the Fire Lord." Shuro reminded his soon-to-be wife placing the large bags down. "Maybe we shouldn't share a room," Shuro spoke to himself.
"Oh, my spirits!" Yu-Jie gloated walking up to Shuro. "you're so paranoid" she laughed wrapping her delicate arms around his waist. "They're not stupid! They must know we shared a bed many times before-"
Quickly placing his hand over Yu-Jie's mouth Shuro's eyes opened wide with fear. "Shshhhhh" Shuro scolded. "What if they hear you!"
Yu-Jie couldn't contain her delight in watching her soon-to-be husband so paranoid. Son of the top war minister shaking in his boots. "I'm sure they know we fuck before." Yu-Jie reminded him removing her hand from her mouth.
But like a metal spring, Shuro's hand shot back up. "Shhhhhh! You're supposed to be a virgin! Not only will the Fire Lord burn me alive but your Uncle of the water tribe will use me as tribal hunting practice. Spirits only know how your father would feel!"
Giggling Yu-Jie pulled away kissing Shuro's cheek and finding all the things he feared amusing. Feeling the calming sense only Yu-Jie could give him Shuro shook his head as a soft chuckle came out. "I'm going to have grey hair because of you."
"Did you want to start discovering them tonight?" Yu-Jie teased as she pulled away from Shuro. Her fingers gracefully undid her red kimono. The fabric slid down her back as her bright amber eyes look to her soon-to-be husband. Giving him a wink she walked into the connecting bathroom awaiting him to follow.
The next day
*Giggling* "Shuro come here!" Yu-Jie laughs protesting as she raced behind her future husband in one of the hallways of the Fire Nation palace.
"We're going to get caught!" Shuro replied quickly turning around and opening his arms to catch Yu-Jie.
Holding his future wife in his arm Shuro smirked looking at her. "You're not going to catch me slipping today"
"Ha! You must have forgotten about last night!" Yu-Jie teased.
"Hey!" Shuro reacted shocked and nervous. Covering Yu-Jie's mouth with his hand right hand Shuro moved backward to the wall.
*TEARRrrrrrrrrr!*
The laughter and joy soon removed themselves from the pair's faces as they felt the slash of a wall behind them. Shuro stumbling back nearly fell into the unknown location.
"Is that a hole?" Yu-Jie asked unsurely.
"Oh, my spirits! If your father didn't like me before he differently won't now."
Ignoring Shuro's comment Yu-Jie broke free of his arms pushing against what she thought was a wall. "Mmm, there's no daylight coming in. Weird."
"We should report it" Shuro insisted wanting to leave.
"Where is your sense of adventure?" Yu-Jie asked looking over her shoulder.
"Outside the palace," Shuro answered sarcastically with his arms folded.
"you're marrying me which means you are involved in my less-than-best choices."
*Thump!* with a final push a larger amount of the wall gave out as the bricks thumbed over. "It's... It's just a hallway?"
"Ok adventure over!" Shuro blurted out trying to pull his soon-to-be wife away.
"Shuro stop." Squinting her eyes to adjust to the darkness, Yu-Jie's eyes caught a golden doorknob.
"I think there's a door. Come on!" Yu-Jie excitedly declared pulling away from Shuro and stepping inside the concealed hallway. Using her bending Yu-Jie lit a small flame, just enough to see ahead.
"Look at all the cobwebs" Yu-Jie commented.
"Let's just hurry up," Shuro added suddenly taking Yu-Jie's hand causing her to put out the flame as he produced one in his opposite hand.
"Strange there's just one door." Yu-Jie noticed standing inside the unused hallway.
"Wait. Stand behind me." Shuro ordered before Yu-Jie could open the door.
"Why?"
"Because you don't know what demon-thing is behind that door." Shuro scolded moving Yu-Jie to the side.
*click click* *tump!* The door soon swung open relieving a strange sight to the couple.
"The water tribe?" Yu-Jie commented peeking over Shuro's shoulder.
"Strange" Shuro responded. Walking into the room the couple fan out in different directions. Shuro's eyes connected with a large blue and white tapestry of WaterTribe heritage hanging on the wall across from the bed.
"You think this was your Uncle's room? Your Uncle Sokka I mean?"
"It would make sense, Shuro," Yu-Jie said as her fingers touch the long deep blue rectangular dresser with a grand mirror covered with a white border. "But my Uncle and Aunt are supposed to be arriving today for the wedding. Wouldn't Uncle Zuko have ordered for this room to be ready days ago?"
Letting go of the tapestry a thought crossed Shuro's mind. "What if it's your mom's?" Looking across the room at Yu-Jie, she could see he wasn't joking.
"My mother never lived in the palace. Only visited. It doesn't make sense for a whole chamber to be her's."
Looking away Shuro didn't want to comment further. He remembered all the swirling rumors that were said by the upper class concerning the Fire Lord and Katara. Until the Fire Lord made it clear whispers of that would be met with severe punishment. "Only a guess," Shuro answered innocently.
Lighting an old candle in the room Shuro held the base close to Yu-Jie as she began to open the drawers.
"A book?" Yu-Jie said pulling out the leather book. Sitting on the bed Yu-Jie mindlessly began to flip through the pages.
"Day 67 of catching the Avatar..."Yu-Jie read. "This is Uncle Zuko's journal," Yu-Jie announces closing the book. Standing up quickly the book fell from her hands onto the floor opening to a page that baffled the two.
Yu-Jie and Shuro looked at the drawing closely and confusedly. "it's.. It's...my mother?" Never had Yu-Jie seen a picture of her mother in such a natural setting.
It was only a sketch, but this sketch felt more like her than any photo Yu-Jie was given. Her dark brown hair lay wildly around her body, the shorter hairs framed her soft features. The artist took care in showing the Ao Dai dress she had worn clinging to each curve as she lay down.
Shuro looked at the picture blinking a few times amazed at what he saw. "What?" Yu-Jie commented realizing he saw something she didn't.
"It's just this was created by ..well a lover." Shuro simply answered who had an interest in the art himself.
"What gives you that impression?"
"If you forget the fact she sleeping in an unaware state. It's the strokes of ink that gave it away. The person carefully detailed her facial features. The way her hair frames not only her face but her body. This was drawn by someone more than just in love with her."
Looking at the picture herself, Yu-Jie could see what he meant. She could feel the deep love that was created in this simple drawing. As her mind raced over everything her father had given her, every story he ever told, his words has never matched this great emotion. But someone else did.
"Who do you see in me." Yu-Jie hesitantly asked looking up at Shuro.
Shuro paused for a moment seeing the unsureness in his fiance's eyes ans knew what she was asking. "We can just put this back. leave. Pretend to have never seen it."
Yu-Jie
In the great hall, Zuko and LuTen had gathered to greet Sokka, Suki, and Kenos, who just arrived from the Southern Water Tribe.
*THUMP!* Pushing open the large doors to the Great Hall Yu-Jie forced her way in as Shuro rushed in trying to pull her back.
"I need to talk to you. All of you." Yu-Jie hissed as everyone stared.
"Sweetie, what's wrong?" My father greeted me in a rather good mood. "You haven't welcomed your Uncle, Aunt, or cousin yet."
My eyes looked over Auntie Suki, Uncle Sokka, Uncle Zuko, and my father. I didn't have time for sweet hellos or reminiscing conversations with my cousin. "My mother was from the southern water tribe.. correct?"
"Yes," Uncle Sokka answered. "Why else would we come to the Fire Nation of all places?"
"Sokka!" Suki scolded elbowing her husband, sensing Yu-Jie's sensitiveness. All three men looked at the young woman and her fiance, clueless as to what she was getting at.
"And my mother died a few days after giving birth to me. Correct? That's the reason she died, right?"
"Yes dear, I've told you that before. Are you suddenly nervous?" My father asked taking one step forward towards me with his arm out.
"Wait, father," I ordered closing my eyes and taking a step back, clutching my hand into a fist at my side I took in a deep breath.
"You also said my mother visited the southern water tribe shortly before passing." Taking a deep breath Suki gasped in her throat as her hand gripped Sokka's forearm, which was still clueless.
"Yea" Sokka answered.
Opening my eyes I already knew the truth, and a wave of anger washed over me. My eyes watered and turned red. "Then why is it a whole hallway blocked off back there!" All eyebrows raised, but only LuTen and Zuko knew what she meant.
"Why was there a locked room with all southern water tribe items in it!?Why is there a draw of letters from my mother to the Fire Lord!?" Yu-Jie shouted pointing to him.
"And why is my mother calling you Zuko when by Fire Nation law no one is permitted to call you by your first name!? Your own wife doesn't even call you that! There's even a drawing of her in your journal!"
"..." Zuko was stunned. This secret he expected to go to his grave with was now out in the open. "Let me explain-"
"And most importantly!" Yu-Jie said cutting the Fire Lord off. "Why is this letter specifically posted 2 days before my mother's death!" Yu-Jie yelled throwing the letter on the ground between her and her family.
For the first time in years, Zuko was stunned. Almost 15 years ago Zuko had sealed off that part of the palace hoping to never see it again. He had spent the first few months after Katara's death aimlessly sitting in that room. Wanting to die every time he read those letters. Feeling disgusted with himself knowing where he was when she was dying.
"Honey wait. Don't jump to a conclusion," My father said walking closer, trying to calm me as tears rained down my cheeks.
Pulling back I could only see in a blurry vision, but the rage was clear. "NO!" I shouted.
"Did my mother really die because she gave birth to me!?" Everyone fell silent as I looked in front of me. No one dare to speak as I searched for an answer.
"In grade school when the kids were bullying me…. They were right…"
"No!" Uncle Zuko sternly declared. "She was NEVER what those brats said."
"Then what was she?! Who am I!? Don't you think I should have known about this before my wedding! " Looking up at my father and Uncle I could see them exchanging doubtful looks. Neither one wanted to answer.
Finally having enough I turned around storming out of the room. Leaving my fiancé alone with them. Rushing down the long walkway, my body burst through the garden door. Deeply needing the fresh scent of silage.
Sitting on the grass near the pond in the private garden, my brain went numb for a while. Not truly hearing a thing around me, laying down on the crisp green grass I watched as the clouds drift across the sky and my eyes began to dry.
"You know," Zoryu said walking towards me before he sat down folding his legs. "Even though you were like my best friend growing up… there was a time I had wished to see you in this much pain," Zoryu admitted.
"What?" Sitting up I looked toward Zoryu unable to believe what he had said.
"When we were younger I heard my mother venting to the maids in her chamber about you. The similarities you shared with their father were much too noticeable for her to ignore.
"Are you said you knew Uncle was my father since we were children? " Yu-Jie questioned.
"I had my suspicion after I learned how the headmaster treated you and the way father reacted."
Unexpectedly I remembered the terrible headmaster who whiped the back of my caves when I forgot my history book again during my first month living in the capital. was supposed to pick me up however the headmaster demanded father come to get me, not allowing me to leave. That same day Father had a date and Ms. Lotus couldn't find him anywhere in the capital. Hours had passed and Ms. Lotus begged the guards to allow her to speak to the Fire Lord. Noone listen. Bravely she barge in the Fire Lord's throne room demanding he come with her to the school. Once Uncle Zuko made it to the headmaster's office his aura changed seeing the blood from my skin as I was forced to stand there being struck. "Why are you now telling me this if you knew." I questioned.
"…Father has always been so loving and generous towards you, lenited even when he's around. Had you found out the truth and Uncle LuTen was forced to leave the palace you would have been stuck with my mother. My mother hates you and it's because father never wanted her… he wanted your mother. Father was always harsh towards me, but he wasn't around as often as mother was."
"I hadn't thought about that," I honestly confessed.
"Ironically a father's love is like Fire. Stern. Strict even... easily could burn you on the outside but still protect you from threats… A Mother's love is like water. soft. Mild. Understanding. She is effective and more involved... If I had told you and father ordered uncle LuTen away, you wouldn't have had anyone. Father isn't here all the time. And mother wouldn't have treated you kindly. At least with Uncle LuTen and Ms. Lotus you had some sense of unconditional love."
Yu-Jie's head tilted to the side as if she was still a child listening to Zoryu.
"Look... I always hated the fact father treated you so much better than me. But I understood why after the incident at school. He was trying to protect you from what he failed to protect your mother from."
"Yu-Jie your here!" I heard father yell out rushing towards me as Uncle Zuko followed.
"I'll let you talk it out with them," Zoryu said looking back at me. Nodding toward him I watched as he stood up and left.
"We're sorry Yu-Jie we should have told you the truth a long time ago." Father began sitting next to me as he held me in his arms for a hug.
"My mind has put together bits and pieces but I want to hear it from you first," I said truthfully pulling away.
LuTen and Zuko looked at each other in the private family garden, wondering who should start. "The truth is.." Zuko began sitting next to Yu-Jie. "Your mother should have never trusted me. I was young and it was a confusing time... Azula got inside the Great Wall where she found me and needed my help to defeat the Avatar and his group."
"Mother's group," I asked.
"Yes.. she was part of that group.. Azula shot the Avatar in the air and he came falling out of the sky. Your mother summoned an ocean-like wave underground just to catch him. I always regretted the sorrowful look in her eyes that day. My Uncle Iroh helped her escape with the avatar body. My sister too eager to let them get away sent a war balloon after them. Your mother bravely jumped off the Avatar flying beast into the ocean and sent ice drags high into the sky, damaging the war balloon so they couldn't follow her brother or friends."
"It's still one of the bravest things I've seen in my lifetime," Sokka said coming into the garden with Suki. Sitting down the two joined as Sokka relived that night.
"But the Avatar is alive?"
"Your mother, the last southern waterbender of the time was incredibly gifted. Her master gifted her water from the northern water tribe spirit pond and somehow brought the Avatar back to life. His scar glowed bright then his tattoos lit up in white and he open his eyes."
"Wow…. I never knew she was so powerful."
"She was strong to…" Suki added. "Katara went through a lot in her childhood, then the first few years stuck in the Fire Nation. I don't know how she handled it all."
"I know she lost her mother young… but how did she end up here."
"After we had to separate, Katara made it to land. She was soon captured by a guard and forced… to clean for his great aunt." Sokka said wanting to spear Yu-Jie the sour details.
"Clean? I don't understand she couldn't have been more than 16."
"14." Zuko cleared up.
"She was 14.. and your right she should have been sent to an orphanage." Suki added.
"Then why didn't he send her?!" Yu-Jie asked confused.
"Yu-Jie you're not a child anymore." LuTen began. "Katara was beautiful-"
"Extremely beautiful" Zuko corrected once again cutting my father off.
"Yes… extremely beautiful and that guard wanted her to himself when she turned of age."
"That's disgusting!"
"Thankfully that never took place. However, she was sent to a brothel at 18 to be sold off. Too bad for them that never happened either, she found the man who killed her mother. Katara bloodbended him stabbing him repeatedly with ice daggers."
"Oh, my spirits" she did that. Smirking Yu-Jie felt a sense of pride at how much of a badass her mother was. "Wait. So I was right? That's why I am so easily able to heat bend people?"
"Yes," my father confirmed. "It is a mixture of your two heritage. Although you are a fire bender your mother's strength runs through your veins allowing you to cross-bend easily. You can sense the temperature in the human body resulting in your ability the heat bend their body to your will."
"What happened afterward?" I questioned looking up at my Uncle Zuko.
"The following day, " Zuko continued. "She stepped into my courtroom... I didn't recognize her at first.. but quickly did the moment I got a good look at her. I eventually had the charges drop and released her to the palace."
"Why didn't you send her back home? You said you knew who she was. So why didn't you?"
Zuko turned his head in the opposite direction for a moment remembering the white laced outfit she had worn. Now in his early 40s, he understood that was one of his biggest shame he could never deny. The way Katara captured his attention that evening. "Because I couldn't. It was all selfishly my will. I couldn't watch her leave."
"Then I don't understand why I wasn't born here. In the Fire Nation Palace, I mean."
"Your mother and I traveled to the southern water tribe where we had.."
"Great time," Uncle Sokka said smiling at me with a sad look, trying his best to mask it.
"Yes.. a great time.." Zuko continued without fighting the details. "We came back to the Fire Nation and were going to finally be together.. but it quickly became apparent to Katara the court wouldn't accept her and she pushed for me to marry someone else."
"….she wanted you to marry someone else.." Yu-Jie concluded not able to imagine that kind of pain as her arm rested on her forehead.
"she wanted me to marry Mai and then informed me she would be marrying LuTen.."
"What?! That makes no sense- wait when was this?" Yu-Jie demanded to know as she looked at her father.
"She was about three months pregnant with you when she reached out to me for help," LuTen admitted.
"There was an attempt made on her life a few days before and she understood something I didn't… your life was more important. I suppose it all clicked for her. The crown, our relationship, even you" Zuko told Yu-Jie justifying Katara's actions.
"You're telling me my mother left the palace to protect me? That's crazy!"
"That's exactly what we are telling you," LuTen answered.
"What you don't understand is Mai was the daughter of a high-ranking governor. She could get away with so much… maybe even the murder of an illegitimate child. The court would have never accepted Katara even if we married back then. With the attempt on her life…. I think it was just too much for Katara to handle."
"So she left…" Yu-Jie said as a tear fell from her amber eyes. "Why didn't you send me away?" I asked my father turning my attention to him.
"Because I loved you the moment I watch you enter into this world," LuTen answered truthfully. " I promise Katara I will always protect you."
"She made the best choice," Zuko said speaking up. "LuTen has done the most amazing job raising you, better than I would have been able to do," he admitted truthfully.
"Did mother love you?" Yu-Jie asked looking back at her father.
"Your mother and I loved each other very much… but she could never love me the way she did for Zuko …I understood that when we agreed to marry."
"That's not what I asked," I said looking down and shaking my head from side to side. "You never really speak of her to me. Today I realized it was only ever Uncle Zuko who had."
Taking a deep breath LuTen lifted his head back trying to find the answers. There were a few times in their youth LuTen recalled seeing a blush on Katara's cheeks when speaking to him. "If we had met first… perhaps."
Sitting on the grass surrounded by her family, Yu-Jie bought her knees into her chest. "What was the real reason she died..." Yu-Jie asked out loud.
LuTen and Zuko looked at each other scared to tell her. "I was the reason," Zuko said speaking up.
Looking at my Uncle Zuko I could hear the remorse in his throat. And so could everyone else. Uncle Sokka's hand touched Zuko's shoulder patting it softly understanding the pain he felt, feeling the same way himself at the North Pole.
"I had received a letter but didn't open it due to my pride. Not too long after the first one came another. I was told Lotus handed it off at the gate, whom I wasn't a fan of at the time. Spirits I didn't know it was from Katara. She waited all night in the rain under the great willow tree only for me to never show."
"It's not entirely Zuko's fault," LuTen confessed to speaking up. "An assassin broke into my estate who was quickly dealt with, katara never knew. I was so comfortable thinking nothing else would happen. The day of her baby shower Lotus was creating I foolishly took Katara on a walk where another assassin was waiting and shot her with an arrow. The arrow was laced and caused Katara to go into labor. Being caught in the rain just pushed her health over the limit her body couldn't have handled."
"Still" Zuko added not able to pass off the guilt he felt for the last 20 years. "Had I not been so prideful, there's a possibility she could still be here."
Yu-Jie remain silent as tears ran down her cheeks. The warm Fire Nation air passed along her cheek. In the near distance, Yu-Jie looked at the memorial of her mother. As a child she never thought to question why her mother remains, remained in the palace, never thought to ask why Uncle Zuko wanted them to move to the palace.
Zuko
Later that night
I watched as Shuro stood looking at the pond in the gardens. His fingers toying with some small connecting beads. Yu-Jie was nowhere to be found and yet Shuro was distracted.
*creek*
"Oh Fire Lord!" Shuro yelped jumping back a little when he saw the Fire Lord's glowing eyes from the shadows.
"Forgive me I didn't know you were here."
"Yes of course" Zuko replied stepping out from the shadows. Zuko's jet black hair had dulled with age now incorporating fine grey to the mix. The pressures of ruling a nation began to take it's toll. "You're out here alone."
"Yes. I find myself unsure how to comfort Yu-Jie at this time." Shuro expressed.
"Understandable," Zuko answered looking beyond the pond. "Today has been a rather emotional day for her." The noise of crickets playing dominated the air as the two men stood there quietly.
"Shuro, I want you to answer me truthfully," Zuko said breaking the silence.
"Of course, Fire Lord."
"You grew up in the upper class. I'm sure you heard rumors of me in my youth-"
"I dare not believe them, your grace." Shuro instantly confessed shaking his head from side to side.
"Thank you for that." Zuko acknowledged. Thinking for a moment Zuko's eyes focused as he looked over to Shuro. "They are all true."
Shocked Shuro eyes bulged out not sure if the Fire Lord truly meant what he said. "No your grace, there were talks of punishment, abuse-"
"All true." Zuko reannounce calmly. "I could admit that now. But I've lost Katara forever." Unsure of what to say Shuro stood there quietly feeling the weight of the Fire Lord's sorrow.
"I was broken for a very long time" Zuko admitted. "The day I learned of Yu-Jie's existence you couldn't imagine how I felt." Looking to Shuro eyes Zuko's vision began to glow amber. A sick look of death was written in his gaze. "The day someone destroys that I will rain hellfire upon them."
Shuro stepped back seeing the serious look on the Fire Lord's face. When he and Yu-Jie were caught kissing at his party he remembered an angry look in LuTen's eyes, but not the Fire Lords. This was the first time he felt genuinely threatened by the Fire Lord. Looking away Zuko's demeanor softened. "If you want to run this would be your only opportunity to do so. No one will hold you responsible and Yu-Jie will eventually move on."
"I didn't lie when I said I loved Yu-Jie, sir," Shuro answered stepping forward. "I will not abandon her."
A Few Days Later
"I'm so nervous Lotus," Yu-Jie admitted sitting in front of the mirror as Lotus combed her hair.
"There's nothing to fear." Lotus gently reminded her. Fixing her hair Lotus added in several hairpins holding precious gems in.
"What if he doesn't show?"
"He'll be stuiped." Lotus quickly snapped back.
Sitting in the chair in front of the grand mirror where Lotus stood behind her putting the final touches, Yu-Jie got a frighting thought. "What he grows bored of me and leaves?."
Lotus finished with Yu-Jie hair and smirked seeing how nervous she was. "Then we'll ship him to the South Pole to freeze!"
*knock knock!* Before I could say a word the door flew open and I saw my Aunt suki walking in.
"Yu-Jie!" Aunt Suki began as her eyes welled with water. "You look so beautiful!" Tears ran down her cheeks as Suki reached out to touch Yu-Jie's soft face. "You look so much like Katara!"
Taking her Aunt's hands in her Yu-Jie amber eyes began to pick up tears. "Aunt Suki. Please stop your going to make me cry"
"I'm sorry I just can't help it. My baby niece is all grown up!" Suki balled out.
Zuko
Eagerly I sat near the front of the balcony on the aisle anticipating Yu-Jie's entrance. My eyes looked to LuTen who waited for the large doors to open. We shared a nod of approval. Since our secrets came to light, the tension between us has died down. There was suddenly no more who had done what but how could we come together as a family. I didn't want Yu-Jie's life to change, to keep her safe LuTen will always be her father. The history scrolls will write about whom I married and the one son I had. It would say I studied my nation law into my elder age. Committing my life to my country. It will speak about the former crown prince LuTen who help healed the Fire Nation scars with his public services. Who earned the hand of the Avatar water-bending teacher, Master Katara. The scrolls will mention how much the Fire Lord favored his dear niece...
*BANG BANG*
*BANG BANG*
The two guards on both sides of the large doors began banging their large thick metal rods to the floor.
*BANG BANG BANG*
The other guards lined down the halls and joined in, then the wedding crowd heard the echoing throughout the whole palace beginning to join in as the noise echoed louder, and louder matching the bride's breathing.
We could feel the balcony floor shaking, every sense was deepening and the noise only increased.
*SILENTS* The guards stop banging as on cue, the large Red doors open to the sunlight. Hiding in the dark shadows of the palace, Yu-Jie heard songbirds chirping and flying around. She could see outside guests had stood up awaiting for her entrance. The soft music coming from a Pipa began playing.
Breath Yu-Jie told herself. Taking her first step out from the shadows into the light. She continued to remind herself to breathe. Yu-Jie could feel the warmth of the sun touch her leg as the rest of her body followed under the sun's rays.
*gasp* The guest all looked stunned seeing what beauty began to walk down the aisle. Her long dark hair had been pinned up with many hair ornaments danging around. Her dress made from the finest silk was dyed in ox blood red. Many golden treads were sown, creating elaborate patterns.
Zuko waited for the bride to pass him by but didn't anticipate when she did how he would feel. His little girl was all grown up. Feeling sudden wetness in his eyes, he felt joy knowing he got to be a part of her life.
The warm daylight glistened off Yu-Jie's eyes, the yellow rays complementing her warm undertone skin. The hot cement floor line with white fabric landed at the altar, with the addition of red pedals, blanketing every step she took.
A smile crept up on his face, seeing how Yu-Jie's beauty was enhanced by the small additions of hairs framing her face. As the music played every eye watched Yu-Jie walk towards the altar, no man nor woman was able to turn from her beauty.
For Shuro it seemed the laws of time cursed him, time and physics didn't work correctly on his wedding day. It moved so slowly before he was granted the opportunity to touch her.
The moment Yu-Jie and Shuro united at the altar the crowd sat. Hearing a sniffle. Zuko looked over to his left wondering about the sound he heard since his son and wife sat in front of him. There was an empty seat just as he originally thought. Almost turning away to look at the altar once more, a beaming sunlight broke free from the cloud illuminating the empty seat.
Blinking twice Zuko was speechless. An image of Katara sat next to him looking at the altar. Looking up and down Zuko saw no defining bottom legs, only a spirit floating on a seat. Looking at him, her spirit smiled and he knew it truly was Katara In this moment of time.
20years Later
"Great Uncle Zuko!"
I heard from outside my study chamber door. Barging in was Yu-Jie two young children. Both boys with lots of energy.
"Boys!" Zuko said delightedly and surpised. "I thought you where leaving yo meet your father in the east region?"
"Sorry Uncle," Yu-Jie said rushing in out of breath from her large belly. "We're not leaving until tomorrow. Actually we were on our way to bed and the boys decided to run in here."
"My dear Yu-Jie," Zuko in his tender age said standing up. "How are you feeling? Do you need to see the physician?"
"Uncle I'm only pregnant." Yu-Jie reminded him. "I'm not dying." She teased.
"I know sweety," Zuko said kissing Yu-Jie on her forehead. "Still you must eat a lot of protein and don't forget to wear a hat. It's the winter season now."
"Uncle we still live in the Fire Nation." Yu-Jie reminded him sarcastically.
"I know dear, I know you're an adult now with children but I still worry about you."
"I know Uncle." Yu-Jie admited. "I'm going to round up the boys and take them to bed."
"Do you need assistance?" Zuko questioned.
"Absolutely not. Its late for you to Uncle." Yu-Jie scolded. "Don't stay up too late. Come on boys let's go to bed."
"Ooh! I want a story." One of Yu-Jie's boys yelled as he bounced up and down the Fire Lord couch.
"Can it be of Avatar Kyoshi and how she made that island!" the second son yelled.
"Not if you two don't hurry.!" Yu-Jie reinforced. Like pings, the two boys ran out of the room flying down the hall.
"Good night. Uncle" Yu-Jie said addressing him, keeping the promise she made so long ago to leave things the way they are.
"Good night princess" Zuko whispered as Yu-Jie closed the door.
Later that night Zuko felt his body grow tired from the last few days. It was a tired he never experienced before. Now in his 60s, Zuko felt the ache in his bones. The tenderness in his flesh somedays where overwhelming. Most days he wondered what happen to that youth version of himself, seeing how quick time changes.
Pulling back the blankets he felt his body weigh heavy, struggling to find strength. Finally able, Zuko laid down on the silk sheets taking a deep breath as he buried himself under his blanket. Breathing deeply he felt his eyes grow heavy until they finally closed.
My image went black and I could feel myself being transported somewhere else. But instead of fear, it felt familiar. Shortly there was an unnatural grass field on a small island that floated in nothing. No great ocean around us and no natural sky above us. Just a lake that ended where another world began. Looking at myself I was dressed head to toe in my regal ornate robe. Only this time it was white. In the lake reflection, I touched my face surprised. The places I had received liver spots, began to fade. The wrinkles reversed themselves into my skin. I was young again. I couldn't believe it, it was as if I had entered a different world.
Suddenly another figure appeared in the water. To my right stood Katara like the day I remembered her in her white Han-Fu dress and long dark hair. Smiling at me I instantly grabbed her in my arm spinning on the grass as I lifted her into my arms.
"Zuko." her tender peach lips said.
"You're finally speaking to me." I blurted out over joyfully putting her down.
Standing up Katara's mesmerizing blue eyes looked into my soul as her soft hands touched my jaw. "Human spirits can't speak to the living."
"Looks like you can't get rid of me now." I teased as my hand touched her waistline pulling her in close.