CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Zuko's Dream

Kattara suddenly awoke from her sleep; she had heard a strange sound and even in her slumber

she could not ignore it. It didn't take her long to discover where the sound was coming from. It

was Zuko he was mumbling incoherently; upon further investigation he was talking in his sleep.

The others had heard him too and were watching him, too curious and stupefied to do anything

else. Zuko's mumbling suddenly turned into perfectly spoken words and sentences. It soon

became clear that in his dream he was having a conversation with somebody. "Those soldiers

love and defend this nation, how can you betray them like that?" Zuko began, it appeared that he

was objecting to some kind of military plan. Kattara remembered when Zuko had told her about

how he got his scar. That was bad enough, but it was nothing compared to listening to him relive

his worst experience in his entire life. Suddenly Zuko's voice changed, it was a horrible and

dangerous voice one that was filled with ice and fire at the same time. Kattara knew who the

voice must be, it must be Zuko's father Fire Lord Ozai.

The others had looks of fear and mystification on their faces. Hearing and watching Zuko

switch roles in his sleep was terrifying. "Prince Zuko" the new voice began "how dare you show

such blatant disrespect; and in my war room. There is only one way to settle this; you must duel

in an Agni Kai." The voice switched back to Zuko's "I am not afraid. I will fight." The voice

suddenly switched to Iroh's "Prince Zuko you promised me you would not speak out!" "I'm sorry

Uncle, but I just couldn't listen to that horrible plan." "I agree with you Prince Zuko, but you

should know better than to object in front of the Fire Lord." "Father is only following Protocol, I

will be just fine Uncle." "I hope so Prince Zuko, I really hope so." Zuko whispered sadly in his

Uncle's voice. Zuko's voice and face suddenly changed from confidence to terror. "Father please,

I only had the Fire Nation's best interests at heart I'm sorry I spoke out of turn." "You will fight

for your honor." "I am your loyal son, I meant you no disrespect." "Rise and fight Prince Zuko"

Tears were streaming down Zuko's face now; and he was sobbing loudly. "I will not fight you."

"You will learn respect and suffering shall be your teacher." Suddenly there came the most blood

curdling scream any of them had ever heard; it sounded as though Zuko was in horrific pain; and

he was.

Suddenly Zuko bolted upright the scream still on his lips. He looked around gasping and feeling his

face for the burn; but it wasn't there. Zuko finally realized that everybody was staring at him.

"What are you looking at?" he almost shouted. "You, obviously." Sokka shouted back. Zuko

stomped off. Kattara was afraid to go near him; but she felt like she had to be follow him.

To comfort him. Kattara waited ten minutes before she ventured near Zuko. "Zuko?" Kattara

asked tentatively. When Zuko didn't answer Kattara sighed sadly and was about to go when

Zuko spoke. "How could he do that to me? How could he turn away his only son?" Zuko asked

more to himself than Kattara. "I don't know why anybody would do that to their child." Kattara

answered. "And then on top of that he tricks me into believing that he actually wanted me back;

and that he was sorry for what he did to me. He sent Azula to apologize. And I believed her, that

power hungry bitch. Uncle was smart, he didn't trust my father. He tried to warn me, but I was

too happy to listen to his depressing words. I got upset and insulted him. He was my real father

even though I wasn't his son; but he treated me well even though I didn't always treat him with

the respect that he deserves."

"Kattara" Zuko began. "Yes Zuko?" Kattara answered. "I remember when you told me how you

lost your mother. I haven't told you this but I also know what it feels like to lose a mother."

Kattara listened intently while Zuko told her the story. Kattara was shocked when Zuko revealed

that Iroh was supposed to be the Fire Lord; and that Ozai had tried to convince his father to give

him the birth right. She was visibly upset when Zuko told her that his mother vanished but not

before saying goodbye and telling him "everything that I have done, I have done for you. Never

forget that I love you; and never forget who you are." And Kattara became angry when she heard

that Azula had taunted Zuko about their mother missing and that their grand father Fire Lord

Azulon was dead. Zuko's mother sacrificed herself for her son; could any mother have a love

greater than that. After the story Kattara could not speak for a few moments. When she finally

could the words were strained "I've always hated the Fire Nation for killing my mother; and for

slaughtering so many innocent people. It ---- it is an ironic tragedy that you have become a victim

of your own nation's warmongering. I lost my mother, but I still have a father who loves me and

my brother. We've got to fight back; and we've got to fight hard." "Believe me we will; and I will

not surrender to him this time." Zuko said bitterly.

After many moments of silence Zuko voiced a concern that he had for long time. "Kattara, what if

I become like my father and do that to my children?" "Zuko the fact that you are afraid of that

happening is proof that you are not going to be like your father. You are your own man, you are

not your father. Do you understand!" "Your right! I'm not like him." Zuko said more to himself

then to Kattara. "Of course your not! Now lets get some sleep." "I'm not tired" Zuko said. "Well

then what are you going to do?" Kattara asked. In answer Zuko grabbed Kattara, pulled her

close and kissed her passionately and aggressively on the lips. Kattara melted in his arms and

kissed just as passionately back. When they were done Zuko said "I no longer need my father's

love. I've got you, I've got my Uncle; and I still have my mother's memory. I've got everything I

need." "Well we don't have everything we need; we've still got to find Aang remember." "Your

right" Zuko said. "It's kind of funny actually." "What's funny?" Kattara asked. "I'm looking for the

Avatar and I don't intend to capture him." "I guess that is funny." Kattara said; and then they

kissed again.