Day 7: Soulmates

Before his death, there were a few things he still wanted to do. Travelling to the South Pole to see his old friend was one of them.

Upon Lord Zuko's arrival down there, he was met with worrying gazes, and no one seemed to want to look him in the eye. That was until Senna told him that Katara was ill, and didn't have long to live anymore. No healer could have done something.

Although his bones were old and used, he sprinted the path to her house as fast as he could.

"Lord Zuko!" Senna called, but he didn't care.

Storming into Katara's house, he noticed Pema and Jinora sitting in the living room. Both rose quickly from the sofa. "Lord Zuko!" they greeted, bowing.

He walked closer to them, out of breath, and with aching muscles and bones. "Is it true? Katara is ill?"

Pema laid a hand on Jinora's shoulder. "Yes. Tenzin and his siblings are with her in her room."

Zuko's heart constricted painfully, and he clenched his hands to fists. Why was this happening?

Pema took his arm, and lead him up the stairs. He walked in a stalking way, feeling stiff with fear.

"Please, go in. She'll be happy to see you again," Pema said, and squeezed his arms shortly.

Zuko blinked at her, feeling surprised, but nodded, trying to smile.

He knocked and opened the door.

Katara was lying in her bed, blankets up to her chest, and her children sat next to her on chairs.

Bumi was the first to notice him, and smiled immediately. He stood up to let Zuko see Katara's face.

Her eyes were closed, and she looked peaceful, as if she were asleep. For a moment he feared, she wouldn't be alive anymore, but the soft rising of her chest reassured him quickly.

Slowly, he stepped closer to them.

"Do you want some time alone with her?" Kya asked, her voice sounding compassionate and soft.

Zuko smiled. "No, it's okay. I didn't want to intrude. You have little time left with her and..."

"Zuko?" a raspy voice sounded.

He stared at Katara, whose eyes were open, slightly milky, but her gaze still settled on him.

"Are you here?"

"Yes."

Kya stood up, and made space for him to step closer. He looked uncertainly at her and her brothers, but they all just smiled at him.

Zuko sat down on the edge of the bed and took Katara's hand in his. "Hi," he said, swallowing.

"Lord Zuko?" Tenzin asked, and made Zuko turn around and frown at him.

"Tenzin, you silly boy. How often does he have to tell you just to call him Zuko?" Katara scolded, chuckling.

Tenzin's cheeks went a bit red, but he smiled at his mother. "My apologies. Zuko. We'll leave you alone for a few minutes."

"If anything happens, call me!" Kya said sternly, and reminded him a lot of Katara herself.

Smiling he nodded. "Yes, of course. Thank you."

When they were gone, Katara squeezed his hand slightly.

"It's good to see you," she said. "Why are you here?"

Wrapping his hands more firmly around hers, he smiled at her beautiful, blue eyes. "I came to see you. I didn't know you were ill. I was just informed."

"Oh," her voice seemed weak. "That is nice of you. I wish I had the strength to see all my friends one last time, before leaving. Thank you that you came to me."

"Anytime." He stroked her hand with his thumb, and smiled as he realised that he didn't feel any awkwardness or shyness about what he was going to say next. They were old, they had seen so much, so many lives and they understood more than they used to. "I came here to tell you something. We're old, and I thought that I should tell you, before I'm going to die."

She raised her eyebrows slightly in question, and then pushed herself up her pillow a bit. "What is it?"

"I love you, Katara. I have for a very, very long time."

She didn't look shocked, not even very much surprised. Only her soft smile appeared on her lips. "I know. I love you, too."

Zuko didn't ask what love she was talking about. If she was referring to their friendship or something deeper, but he didn't really care that much. Hearing those words, knowing he had some kind of love from her was enough now. His heart had seldom felt warmer, and the bond between his and Katara's soul didn't only feel stronger. It was glowing so brightly that he thought she had to notice it, too.

oOo

The next time Zuko feels such a thing is already in his next life, so he doesn't know about the last time.

Zuko is in a life that is quite similar to the last one he had. There are a few differences, of course, the most striking one probably the personality of his father.

Zuko's father is a good and just man. He seeks to help those who cannot help themselves, and he is very generous. He is a kind and compassionate man, and he loves all his children equally with the power of a thousand suns. He loves tea and peace.

Zuko feels safe with his father and knows that his father would rather die than letting any harm come to him.

Another difference would be Zuko's sister. He has two, this time. Two little sisters and one little brother. They can be annoying, sure, but they look up to Zuko, and Zuko would rather die than letting any harm come to them. When he grew up, he felt very protective of them, from the moment they were in his mother's belly.

His mother also raised him a bit differently. Of course, they have a strong bond, but his mother loves all of her children equally with the power of a thousand suns.

And because Zuko has been raised so differently from his last life, his character also changed.

He has become a confident young man, always being encouraged and praised by his father for his fighting skills, by his mother for his strategising, and by any old lady for his looks. He didn't want to believe them, at first, but when he hit puberty, he noticed how some girls at school would blush or giggle in his presence. His friends were jealous and liked to say that they were only searching for a rich guy to marry. And Zuko didn't care.

After the first girl managed to get his attention, he noticed that none of them were actually thinking about marriage yet, and he was pretty thankful for that. Zuko was still young, he wanted to have fun and be free for a while. His future has already too many rules.

Sometimes Zuko behaves like an arrogant jerk, having been spoiled and turned a bit into a snob. It is worse than in his last life.

Awkwardness doesn't overcome him in the social field. He knows how to treat friends, how to joke around.

And that's where the differences to his last life end.

Zuko's father is again a powerful firebender. He's also still Prince of the Fire Nation, although Crown Prince, this time.

Zuko's mother is again a descendant of an Avatar, General Bumi's daughter to be precise.

Zuko grew up in the same places than in his last life, and they spent the summers on Ember Island, sometimes meeting his aunt and uncle.

Zuko can't lie. He's not a good manipulator. He is mostly serious, and relaxing is difficult for him. His friends again help him to do so.

He has a dragon, although Trun is still a baby.

He has a temper. It's probably worse, though, due to his spoiled childhood.

And his name is Zuko. His father, Iroh II, thought it was nice to name his first born son after his beloved grandfather, and Zuko thinks he has to live up to this legacy. Which, of course, is impossible, if not a new war arises, but every world leader fights hard to maintain peace.

One hundred years after the end of the hundred year war, there is a peace summit held in Republic City. It's the place in which all benders and non-benders of every element can live peacefully and in harmony together. It's the place which was created by Avatar Aang and Fire Lord Zuko, two heroes of the hundred year war.

All heads of state are invited, high-ranking military officers, owners of factories which have worked hard to achieve peace, Avatar Korra and the heroes on her side, and all the descendants of the war heroes.

So Zuko is here for two reasons. His grandmother Izumi is a head of state and wanted to take Iroh and Zuko with her, and he's a descendant of a war hero. But since his mother is General Bumi's daughter, it makes all of them descendants of war heroes, which is why Zuko's whole family came along. It's quite annoying.

He doesn't know anyone here, and he'd rather talk to the cute girls serving champagne. He already has his third glass (and the third girl), as Akaya pulls at his sleeve.

Frowning, he turns around to look at his youngest sister. "What is it?"

"Daddy said he'll introduce us to all the cool people here. The war heroes's descendants and Avatar Korra!" Akaya shrieks, grabs his hand and pulls him towards their father.

The large golden hall is full with elegantly dressed people, jewels reflecting the light of the chandeliers here and there, and the floor is so clean that the whole scenery is mirrored in it.

"Akaya, wait! I don't want to meet these people!" he hisses, hoping no one will hear it.

Akaya stops and turns around, looking at him with wide eyes and her lower lip shoved forward. "Why not?"

Oh spirits help him against the cuteness of his sister.

"Well, I was just talking to a young, nice lady...," he turns his head to look at the spot he had left the waitress. She's gone. Zuko groans. "Okay, nevermind. I'll come with you."

"Yaayyyy!" Akaya grins and leads him further into the room.

Iroh seems a bit irritated, as they finally arrive. "Zuko! Where have you been?"

"Making conversation."

Iroh frowns at him, and Zuko cringes inwardly. His father has this ability to look deep into his soul and know exactly what's going through his mind.

"Great that you're finally here!" his mother says then, and pushes him a bit forward. "I was just talking to my father and aunt."

Zuko's gaze wanders to the old people his mother pushes him to, and he immediately bows in greeting. "General Bumi. Master Kya. It is a pleasure to see you again."

"Pft! What are you doing with this child, Lei?!" Kya scoldes his mother, chuckling, and before Zuko knows what's going on, he's pulled into a hug. "Silly boy. You're family. And family hugs!" Aunt Kya says, as she squeezes even a bit tighter.

Zuko hugs her back and tries not to smile. He's twenty-one, and he's still referred to as a boy?

"Wow, you've grown so much!" Bumi says when Kya lets him go, and pulls him into a hug, too. Out of the corner of his mouth he can see that Akaya is now hugged by Kya. Akaya grins and hugs her great aunt with all the strength her little arms can master.

Zuko feels like he's squashed, and all the air leaves his lungs.

"Yeah, thanks, grandpa!"

After Bumi lets him go, they all go on together to meet other descendants.

Iroh seems to know all of them quite well, Zuko cannot help but notice. He wonders if that will be expected of him, too.

Meeting Toph Beifong's descendants is... quite interesting. There are four crying children, three annoyed teenagers and five exhausted adults, four with their partners.

Opal's husband is Bolin, one of the heroes who fought alongside Avatar Korra. He's very funny and manages to calm his children down very fast.

Avatar Aang's and Master Katara's descendants are a bit strange, too. Some of them are very calm and focused, friendly and glare at the others, who are joking all the time, talking too loudly, and move too much around.

Meelo's five children are all performing something like a dance, all the while shouting loudly.

Ikki is just pregnant, and her husband doesn't stop doting on her, until she gets very red in her face and starts yelling at him.

Their oldest sister Jinora only rolls her eyes and sighs. Her daughter is behaving properly.

And here Zuko thought his family was crazy.

Kyoshi Warrior Suki's descendants seem to be the most normal people around here. They are funny, polite, kind and respectful.

Zuko feels relieved and wonders how crazy all their ancestors must have been, and how they could have possibly won the hundred year war. Although, he heard that his ancestors were pretty much fine. At least, Fire Lord Zuko was not crazy like his ancestors. Avatar Aang had a reputation for coming up with bizarre things, and Master Katara had a reputation for a very quick temper.

Maybe it isTenzin's fault. After all, Bumi's descendants are perfectly fine.

"The first normal people here, I can't believe it!" Zuko's eldest younger sister Yukira groans, after they bid goodbye to Suki's descendants.

Zuko grins at her words, but hopes the tour is over.

"Are there any descendants left?" he asks his father, trying to sound patient.

"I haven't introduced you to Avatar Korra yet," Iroh answers.

"But I already met her, like four times!"

"And you would do good to meet her again. There are a lot of things you could learn from her!"

Zuko gives his father a flat stare, but accompanies his family to Avatar Korra and her wife Asami.

Korra compliments him on being grown and handsome (and he doesn't flush, that's a confident grin!), then messes a bit with his siblings, fascinating Akaya and Runoko with water bending.

That's when Zuko feels it again for the first time.

Talking to one of the older teenage Beifong descendants, just behind Avatar Korra, is a girl.

A girl whose sight seems to burn his insides. It seems like he can feel any of her movements, like he knows what she's saying, although he can't hear it, and as if something warm and glowing inside of her tugs him closer.

"Excuse me for a second," he murmurs, and steps around his family and the Avatar to reach the brunette girl.

Damn, what was that Beifong's name again?

Ti-, no, Ty-, Ty Do!

"Hey, Ty Do. Wanna introduce me?" he asks and tries to seem casual.

Ty Do gives him a friendly look, and turns towards the girl.

Now Zuko can see her face and he feels struck by its... He doesn't even know what is is.

Her eyes are as blue as the ocean, her skin like mokka coffee with chocolate accents in her eyebrows. She has large almond shaped eyes, a small button nose, broad cheekbones and a red lower lip, contesting to the light brown of her upper lip.

"Sorry, but we were just talking about something pretty important, and you just interrupted us!" the girl says critically.

Zuko blinks and feels his heart beating faster. "Uh, I, uh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. I just wanted to, uh..." What the magma is going on? Why can't he articulate a normal sentence?

Besides, he can't say he wanted to know who she is, because he feels like she must be important to him.

And how can she talk to him like that? Doesn't she know who he is?

"Just... Who are you?" he asks then.

She narrows her eyes a little bit. "We can talk about that, after I'm done talking to Ty Do! Like I said, you interrupted us!"

Zuko swallows.

Why isn't he snarling at her for being so disrespectful? Why isn't he angry at her? Why does it feel like his soul is glowing, longing and knowing something he cannot comprehend?

"A-alright. I'll just... wait then," he says dumbly, feeling still taken aback.

Ty Do's jaw goes slack.

The girl, no, young woman turns away from him to the green eyed man and starts smiling, when she again whips her head around to him.

Zuko's heart almost stumbles in its beat.

"Could you please wait a few more steps away? We're not talking about something that is for everyone's ears," she asks, suddenly smiling sweetly, as if she hadn't looked at him like some piece of dirt before.

Her smile transforms her whole face, makes it soft and kind. He's reminded of a gentle swim in the ocean in summer, just lying on his back.

Getting a grip, Zuko quickly shakes his head a bit, then crosses his arms and smirks. "Sure, if you tell me your name, young lady."

Her smile disappears slowly, and the waves get bigger, as he can see the storm coming.

It doesn't stop him from smiling.

Her eyebrow twitches slightly in an irritated way. "I don't think so. Wait until I'm finished, or you won't find out."

"Then I guess I've got to keep calling you 'young lady'," Zuko answers, feeling in his gut that this woman will hate that.

She does. The storm rages on. "You just lost the right to know my name in any case, you know. Even if you would wait until we're done!"

"We can also probably later..." Ty Do starts with a nervous smile, as the woman shoots him a glare. He shuts up.

Zuko's grin grows wider, and he lowers his gaze a bit on the woman, looking where the blue fabric of her dress ends to reveal her décolleté. "That's a shame. Well, bye-bye, nameless young lady!"

Still grinning, he bows to say goodbye, but also out of mockery a bit.

The woman looks almost comically outrageous now, which actually is pretty funny and cute. Her hands are curled to fists, her face is completely red, and her nose very scrunched.

"Bye, Ty Do," he says to the other man, and turns around, heading to the bar.

Hm, that didn't go like he wanted it to. He shouldn't have provoked her, but the way she reacted just asked for it. Sighing, he wonders if he should try again later or even apologise.

Wait, didn't he already say 'sorry' for interrupting?

A scowl appears on his face, as he feels anger rise up inside of him. He did apologise, and she kept behaving like he was an impolite peasant!

What was with that woman?

Maybe she had her period.

Or she simply didn't want to talk to you.

Zuko almost crashes into someone else.

No! She would have talked to him, he's certain. No girl has ever not wanted to talk to him.

But they all knew that you're a prince, a voice whispers inside of him.

Two glasses of fire whiskey later, he feels confident and attractive again. Sighing in content, he leans against the rest of his stool and tries to ignore this aching, cold feeling he had since he walked away from the blue eyed woman.

She was definitely from the Water Tribe, but is she native to Republic City or to a Water Tribe?

He knows she is no daughter of one of the chiefs, he knows their families, but maybe part of their government?

Or her parents are important people here in Republic City?

Urgh, why is he still thinking about her?

Scowling he turns around to try and find another beautiful woman, who he can talk to, perhaps even have some fun with later.

That's when he notices the bartender in front of him is a young woman. Beautiful, and she keeps throwing glances at him.

He stops a grin from spreading on his lips, as he ponders what to order next. He cannot get that drunk, or he won't know what he's telling her.

"It's Katara," a confident voice says behind him.

The voice comes from too close to his ear, so he knows the person is talking to him.

Somehow, only her voice manages to ignite this strange fire inside of him again.

He only turns his head so wide that he can see her.

Her hands are still curled into fists, and she bites down on her lower lip, her gaze is still fierce. But she followed him.

"Katara?" he repeats. "After Master Katara?"

The woman nods. "Yes, I'm the great-granddaughter of Chief Sokka."

His eyebrows shoot up.

Oh shit, how related are they?

Sokka and Katara were siblings, both their great-grand-parents... Hm, that's still okay. There are three generations in between.

"What's your name?" Katara wants to know.

Zuko stands up to stand closely in front of her. Being this close to her, it feels like there's... and that sounds silly, but Zuko can feel it! There's a bond between their souls! And it's glowing with warm light!

Or he is drunker than he thought. Maybe it's just normal chemistry. Either way, he will so explore what's between them. "My name is Zuko."