p class="MsoNormal"Sky's POV/p
p class="MsoNormal"The bathhouse was stretched over a wide river. Blossoming cherry trees surround us as Iroh laid on his front getting a massage from two men. Iroh contentedly, as he receives a massage from two attendants said, "Aaahhh... this is what I've been missing. Who knew floating on a piece of driftwood for three weeks with no food or water and sea vultures waiting to pluck out your liver could make one so tense?" Iroh said this as I sat next to Zuko who was sitting to the side, his face concealed by a wide-brimmed hat. I held his hand on his lap as I sat to the right of him, his right leg bent up and the other straight. Iroh cast a glance at Zuko and walked over and sat beside us on the floor. "I see. It's the anniversary, isn't it?" Iroh asked Zuko. Zuko replied dejectedly, "Three years ago today I was banished. I lost it all." He looked up suddenly. "I want it back. I want the Avatar, I want my honour, I want my throne. I want my father not to think I'm worthless."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal""You didn't loss it all. You still have Iroh and I. We don't think you are worthless like your father." I said softly to Zuko. Iron then added in with exaggerated optimism, "I'm sure he doesn't! Why would he banish you if he didn't care?" I faced palmed once he said that. Zuko got up, pulling me up with him and walked away. Pulling me away with him. Once we were away from Iroh, we sat under a cherry tree in it's shade. Zuko started to rub my five months baby bump with one hand and pull me by the waist, closer to him, with the other then said, "This isn't the life I want. For you and the baby. I want you to not have to worry about chasing the avatar. You should be pampered like the princess you are." I countered by saying, "I don't care about any of that. I'm happy where every you are. Home is where the heart is, and you are my heart." Zuko looked at me with admiration and love. He suddenly started to passionately kiss me. I kissed back with equal passion./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"~This time skip is brought to you by Aang becoming hyper and talking the Fire Lord to death~/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Still Sky's POV/p
p class="MsoNormal"Iroh, Zuko and I entered our room at the bathhouse. Once inside Iroh emptied a bag of seashells onto the table. He lifted a few, to inspecting them. "Look at these magnificent shells! I'll enjoy these keepsakes for years to come." Iroh admired. "We don't need any more useless things. You forget we have to carry everything ourselves now." Zuko stated. After that was said we heard, "Hello, brother. Lady Sky. Uncle." We turn to see Azula (Zuko's younger sister) sitting at a table in the room and in her hand was a seashell. Zuko and Iroh look surprised but soon became angry. Zuko stepped forward and said accusingly, "What are you doing here?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAzula seemed utterly unaffected by their glares. She toyed with the seashell in her hand. Azula answered arrogantly, "In my country, we exchange a pleasant 'hello' before asking questions." She got up and walked over to face Zuko. "Have you become uncivilized so soon, Zuzu?" This made Zuko clench his fists and say furiously, "Don't call me that!" Iroh interrupted the siblings by asking, "To what do we owe this honour?" Azula, who still holding the seashell answered, "Hmm... must be a family trait. Both of you so quick to get to the point." Azula shattered one of Iroh's shells with her sharp nails on this last word. This made Iroh's face darken. "I've come with a message from home. Father's changed his mind. Family is suddenly very important to him. He's heard rumours of plans to overthrow him—treacherous plots. Family are the only ones you can really trust." Her voice and face softened when saying the next part, "Father regrets your banishment. He wants you home." Azula looked at the window for a second when she said the last sentence./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Zuko pulled me by the waist to look out the window, bring his hand into mine, squeezing it lightly. "Did you hear me? You should be happy. Excited. Grateful." Azula's expression changed to a pleasant one when saying, "I just gave you great news." Iroh stepped forward a bit and said, "I'm sure your brother just needs a moment to—" Then Azula's act dropped and she interrupted him angrily, "Don't interrupt, Uncle!" Azula walked up beside Zuko and I to say, "I still haven't heard my thank you. I am not a messenger. I didn't have to come all this way." Zuko was stilled shocked and with quiet disbelief he closed then open his eyes slowly while saying, "Father regrets? He... wants me back?" I squeezed Zuko's hand lightly in reassurance. "I can see you need time to take this in. I'll come to call on you tomorrow. Good evening." Azula said before she walked out of the room. I hugged into Zuko. Praying that Azula didn't notice my growing baby bump. Spirits know what could happen if she ever found out she has even more competition for the throne. 'I won't let mean aunt Azula hurt you my little one. Never.'/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"~This time skip is brought to by Sokka cause Sokka has that type of face~/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Still Sky's POV/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"It now night time. Zuko and I were packing our things, but for different reasons, he was packing to go home while I was packing for running from it. It was nice to see Zuko so happy, even if it's only a trap. My thoughts were interrupted by Zuko talking to Iroh happily, "We're going home. After three long years. It's unbelievable." Zuko walked behind a thoughtful Iroh, carrying some folded clothing to pack. Iroh added sceptically, "It is unbelievable. I have never known my brother to regret anything." At first Zuko sounded surprised, and then got forceful when saying, "Did you listen to Azula? Father's realized how important family is to him. He cares about me!" Then suddenly Iroh raised his voice replying, "I care about you! And if Ozai wants you back... well, I think it may not be for the reasons you imagine."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanZuko turned his back to Iroh and defensively said to Iroh, "You don't know how my father feels about me." Zuko stiffened when saying, "You don't know anything." Iroh countered by saying gently, "Zuko, I only meant that in our family things are not always what they seem." Zuko whirled around angrily and faced Iroh, leaning in as he accused him and said nastily, "I think you are exactly what you seem: a lazy, mistrustful, shallow old man who has always been jealous of his brother." Zuko turned and walked away. Iroh looked on sadly, then closed his eyes. I walked over to him and brought him into a warm hug. "We have to let him make his own mistakes Iroh. And all we can do is be there for him when he sees them for what they truly are." Iroh just hugged me back gently before gently rubbing my baby bump./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"~This time skip is brought to you by a sleepy Sokka~/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Still Sky's POV/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanZuko and I were making our way down the stairway outside of the bathhouse quickly. Zuko had a bag over his shoulder, I hid my bag filled with things we will need in the forest near a stream. Zuko paused for a moment and looked down at the Fire Nation ship in the bay below, then turn to continued. Suddenly we hear Iroh calling out urgently, "Wait! Don't leave without me!" Zuko then turned to face Iroh and said happily surprised, "Uncle! You've changed your mind!" Iroh continued to climb down the stairs saying, "Family sticks together, right?" Iroh, now standing in front of Zuko, put a hand on his shoulder. Iroh smiled happily causing Zuko and I to smile in return. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThen we all turned to look down at the ship below. "We're finally going home." Zuko said before he continued to on, guiding me with him by my waist. But Iroh took a second glance at the ship. Iroh gave it a sceptical look./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"~This time skip is brought to you by Sokka kicking men in their privets to escape~/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Still Sky's POV/p
p class="MsoNormal"A group of Fire Nation soldiers formed two ranks along the path leading to the ship. Zuko, Iroh and I walked toward them. Azula was standing at the top of the stairs that was leading onto her ship, with a soldier on each side. As we walked between the soldiers, Zuko looked content, while Iroh eyed them suspiciously and I clung to Zuko's side. Once in front of the stairs Azula raised her arms in greeting and bowed to us saying, "Brother! Uncle!" We bowed back closing our eyes doing so but Iroh opened one eye slightly, to watching the soldiers beside him. "Welcome. I'm so glad you decided to come." The two files of soldiers closed in behind us. The Captain the asked Azula, "Are we ready to depart, Your Highness?" Azula replied pleasantly, "Set our course for home, Captain." Zuko wistfully repeated, "Home..." And hugged me into his side. We began to climb the stairs onto the ship, The Captain led the way. The Captain shouted out orders to the other men, "You heard the princess! Raise the anchors! We're taking the prisoners home." The Captain stopped abruptly, realizing his mistake./p
p class="MsoNormal"Zuko, Iroh and I stopped, Zuko and Iroh looking surprised and I had a perfect poker face. Azula looked enraged. The Captain with his eyes wide said mortified, "Your Highness... I..." Zuko eyes widened. Iroh, who looked to his left, then spanned around, backhanding a guard off from the ship and kicking another down the stairs. Another guard approached from his left. He elbowed him off the stairs. He punched another that approached from his right and grabbed another, spinning him around and tossing him. Zuko grabbed one guard and threw him off the stairs and into the water. He stalked up the stairs furious and said, "You lied to me!" Azula, who appeared confident said smugly, "Like I've never done that before." She turned and walked away, and two guards launched fire at Zuko, which brushed the fire aside and charged forward, screaming. I went down the stairs to hide in the forest and grab my things from my hidden place./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"~This time skip is brought to by Sokka knocking General Fong out in one go~/p
p class="MsoNormal"Still Sky's POV/p
p class="MsoNormal"Zuko and Iroh ran down the path and paused at a small body of water at the side of the river. They collapse onto their knees. "I think we're safe here." Iroh said. I walked into view they both looked at me, happy that the baby and I were safe with them. Zuko brought out a knife with some writing on the blade. He stared at it for a moment. Iroh nodded solemnly and turned to Zuko. Zuko took the knife and brought it behind his head and... cut off his pony tail. He passed the knife to Iroh, who does the same and then I cut my hair blondie-brown hair so that it's just above my shoulders. Zuko's hand released the pony tail, letting it fall into the water. Iroh and I do the same. We watch as the hair floated down the. I hugged into Zuko as we stared out into the distance./p
p class="MsoNormal"The bathhouse was stretched over a wide river. Blossoming cherry trees surround us as Iroh laid on his front getting a massage from two men. Iroh contentedly, as he receives a massage from two attendants said, "Aaahhh... this is what I've been missing. Who knew floating on a piece of driftwood for three weeks with no food or water and sea vultures waiting to pluck out your liver could make one so tense?" Iroh said this as I sat next to Zuko who was sitting to the side, his face concealed by a wide-brimmed hat. I held his hand on his lap as I sat to the right of him, his right leg bent up and the other straight. Iroh cast a glance at Zuko and walked over and sat beside us on the floor. "I see. It's the anniversary, isn't it?" Iroh asked Zuko. Zuko replied dejectedly, "Three years ago today I was banished. I lost it all." He looked up suddenly. "I want it back. I want the Avatar, I want my honour, I want my throne. I want my father not to think I'm worthless."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal""You didn't loss it all. You still have Iroh and I. We don't think you are worthless like your father." I said softly to Zuko. Iron then added in with exaggerated optimism, "I'm sure he doesn't! Why would he banish you if he didn't care?" I faced palmed once he said that. Zuko got up, pulling me up with him and walked away. Pulling me away with him. Once we were away from Iroh, we sat under a cherry tree in it's shade. Zuko started to rub my five months baby bump with one hand and pull me by the waist, closer to him, with the other then said, "This isn't the life I want. For you and the baby. I want you to not have to worry about chasing the avatar. You should be pampered like the princess you are." I countered by saying, "I don't care about any of that. I'm happy where every you are. Home is where the heart is, and you are my heart." Zuko looked at me with admiration and love. He suddenly started to passionately kiss me. I kissed back with equal passion./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"~This time skip is brought to you by Aang becoming hyper and talking the Fire Lord to death~/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Still Sky's POV/p
p class="MsoNormal"Iroh, Zuko and I entered our room at the bathhouse. Once inside Iroh emptied a bag of seashells onto the table. He lifted a few, to inspecting them. "Look at these magnificent shells! I'll enjoy these keepsakes for years to come." Iroh admired. "We don't need any more useless things. You forget we have to carry everything ourselves now." Zuko stated. After that was said we heard, "Hello, brother. Lady Sky. Uncle." We turn to see Azula (Zuko's younger sister) sitting at a table in the room and in her hand was a seashell. Zuko and Iroh look surprised but soon became angry. Zuko stepped forward and said accusingly, "What are you doing here?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAzula seemed utterly unaffected by their glares. She toyed with the seashell in her hand. Azula answered arrogantly, "In my country, we exchange a pleasant 'hello' before asking questions." She got up and walked over to face Zuko. "Have you become uncivilized so soon, Zuzu?" This made Zuko clench his fists and say furiously, "Don't call me that!" Iroh interrupted the siblings by asking, "To what do we owe this honour?" Azula, who still holding the seashell answered, "Hmm... must be a family trait. Both of you so quick to get to the point." Azula shattered one of Iroh's shells with her sharp nails on this last word. This made Iroh's face darken. "I've come with a message from home. Father's changed his mind. Family is suddenly very important to him. He's heard rumours of plans to overthrow him—treacherous plots. Family are the only ones you can really trust." Her voice and face softened when saying the next part, "Father regrets your banishment. He wants you home." Azula looked at the window for a second when she said the last sentence./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Zuko pulled me by the waist to look out the window, bring his hand into mine, squeezing it lightly. "Did you hear me? You should be happy. Excited. Grateful." Azula's expression changed to a pleasant one when saying, "I just gave you great news." Iroh stepped forward a bit and said, "I'm sure your brother just needs a moment to—" Then Azula's act dropped and she interrupted him angrily, "Don't interrupt, Uncle!" Azula walked up beside Zuko and I to say, "I still haven't heard my thank you. I am not a messenger. I didn't have to come all this way." Zuko was stilled shocked and with quiet disbelief he closed then open his eyes slowly while saying, "Father regrets? He... wants me back?" I squeezed Zuko's hand lightly in reassurance. "I can see you need time to take this in. I'll come to call on you tomorrow. Good evening." Azula said before she walked out of the room. I hugged into Zuko. Praying that Azula didn't notice my growing baby bump. Spirits know what could happen if she ever found out she has even more competition for the throne. 'I won't let mean aunt Azula hurt you my little one. Never.'/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"~This time skip is brought to by Sokka cause Sokka has that type of face~/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Still Sky's POV/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"It now night time. Zuko and I were packing our things, but for different reasons, he was packing to go home while I was packing for running from it. It was nice to see Zuko so happy, even if it's only a trap. My thoughts were interrupted by Zuko talking to Iroh happily, "We're going home. After three long years. It's unbelievable." Zuko walked behind a thoughtful Iroh, carrying some folded clothing to pack. Iroh added sceptically, "It is unbelievable. I have never known my brother to regret anything." At first Zuko sounded surprised, and then got forceful when saying, "Did you listen to Azula? Father's realized how important family is to him. He cares about me!" Then suddenly Iroh raised his voice replying, "I care about you! And if Ozai wants you back... well, I think it may not be for the reasons you imagine."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanZuko turned his back to Iroh and defensively said to Iroh, "You don't know how my father feels about me." Zuko stiffened when saying, "You don't know anything." Iroh countered by saying gently, "Zuko, I only meant that in our family things are not always what they seem." Zuko whirled around angrily and faced Iroh, leaning in as he accused him and said nastily, "I think you are exactly what you seem: a lazy, mistrustful, shallow old man who has always been jealous of his brother." Zuko turned and walked away. Iroh looked on sadly, then closed his eyes. I walked over to him and brought him into a warm hug. "We have to let him make his own mistakes Iroh. And all we can do is be there for him when he sees them for what they truly are." Iroh just hugged me back gently before gently rubbing my baby bump./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"~This time skip is brought to you by a sleepy Sokka~/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Still Sky's POV/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanZuko and I were making our way down the stairway outside of the bathhouse quickly. Zuko had a bag over his shoulder, I hid my bag filled with things we will need in the forest near a stream. Zuko paused for a moment and looked down at the Fire Nation ship in the bay below, then turn to continued. Suddenly we hear Iroh calling out urgently, "Wait! Don't leave without me!" Zuko then turned to face Iroh and said happily surprised, "Uncle! You've changed your mind!" Iroh continued to climb down the stairs saying, "Family sticks together, right?" Iroh, now standing in front of Zuko, put a hand on his shoulder. Iroh smiled happily causing Zuko and I to smile in return. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThen we all turned to look down at the ship below. "We're finally going home." Zuko said before he continued to on, guiding me with him by my waist. But Iroh took a second glance at the ship. Iroh gave it a sceptical look./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"~This time skip is brought to you by Sokka kicking men in their privets to escape~/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Still Sky's POV/p
p class="MsoNormal"A group of Fire Nation soldiers formed two ranks along the path leading to the ship. Zuko, Iroh and I walked toward them. Azula was standing at the top of the stairs that was leading onto her ship, with a soldier on each side. As we walked between the soldiers, Zuko looked content, while Iroh eyed them suspiciously and I clung to Zuko's side. Once in front of the stairs Azula raised her arms in greeting and bowed to us saying, "Brother! Uncle!" We bowed back closing our eyes doing so but Iroh opened one eye slightly, to watching the soldiers beside him. "Welcome. I'm so glad you decided to come." The two files of soldiers closed in behind us. The Captain the asked Azula, "Are we ready to depart, Your Highness?" Azula replied pleasantly, "Set our course for home, Captain." Zuko wistfully repeated, "Home..." And hugged me into his side. We began to climb the stairs onto the ship, The Captain led the way. The Captain shouted out orders to the other men, "You heard the princess! Raise the anchors! We're taking the prisoners home." The Captain stopped abruptly, realizing his mistake./p
p class="MsoNormal"Zuko, Iroh and I stopped, Zuko and Iroh looking surprised and I had a perfect poker face. Azula looked enraged. The Captain with his eyes wide said mortified, "Your Highness... I..." Zuko eyes widened. Iroh, who looked to his left, then spanned around, backhanding a guard off from the ship and kicking another down the stairs. Another guard approached from his left. He elbowed him off the stairs. He punched another that approached from his right and grabbed another, spinning him around and tossing him. Zuko grabbed one guard and threw him off the stairs and into the water. He stalked up the stairs furious and said, "You lied to me!" Azula, who appeared confident said smugly, "Like I've never done that before." She turned and walked away, and two guards launched fire at Zuko, which brushed the fire aside and charged forward, screaming. I went down the stairs to hide in the forest and grab my things from my hidden place./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"~This time skip is brought to by Sokka knocking General Fong out in one go~/p
p class="MsoNormal"Still Sky's POV/p
p class="MsoNormal"Zuko and Iroh ran down the path and paused at a small body of water at the side of the river. They collapse onto their knees. "I think we're safe here." Iroh said. I walked into view they both looked at me, happy that the baby and I were safe with them. Zuko brought out a knife with some writing on the blade. He stared at it for a moment. Iroh nodded solemnly and turned to Zuko. Zuko took the knife and brought it behind his head and... cut off his pony tail. He passed the knife to Iroh, who does the same and then I cut my hair blondie-brown hair so that it's just above my shoulders. Zuko's hand released the pony tail, letting it fall into the water. Iroh and I do the same. We watch as the hair floated down the. I hugged into Zuko as we stared out into the distance./p
