The Trouble with Fire

Ch.17: Fang's Decision Pt. 1

Zuko X OC

disclaimer: I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender. I own my OC


Fang stood in front of the mirror, examining her short hair. Her fingertips glided along the jagged ends of her black hair. She was beginning to like it though she still missed her long beautiful hair that everyone had always praised her for.

She could smell Iroh cooking jook again for breakfast though she didn't mind. She actually liked the taste however, if their budget had permitted, it would have been great to have meat and vegetables. Her eyes widened when she heard Zuko's voice.

She quickly poked her head out of the doorway to the bathroom, leaning her body against the doorway. "What's that smell?", he asked his Uncle. "It's jook... I don't think you would like it.", Iroh said, frowning a little. Zuko leaned over the pot and took the aroma in once again.

"Actually.. it smells delicious. I would love a bowl, Uncle.", Zuko answered, making Fang stare at him. "Now that your fever is gone... you seem different somehow?, Iroh said, spooning some of the jook into a bowl for him.

"Are you feeling alright?", Iroh asked him, raising an eyebrow. "It's a new day. We've got a new apartment, new furniture, and today's the grand opening of your new tea shop. Fang is happy here and we're going to start a family. Things are looking up, Uncle.", Zuko said, kneeling down near the table.

She slowly walked over and grabbed the bowl from him and sat next to Zuko. Zuko leaned over and gave Fang a kiss on the cheek but not before whispering "We could start right now.", into her ear, making her blush a little.

She was interested to see how long Zuko's good attitude was going to last but decided she wouldn't over think it too much and just enjoy it while it lasted. He was right though, Iroh's new tea shop was ready to open and she was quite happy with how she had decorated the place.

Large round wooden tables that would seat at least four people and large handwoven dragon rugs. She was happy to know that she could assist Iroh with one of his biggest dreams. The smile on the older mans face was priceless.

She was going to act as one of the servers from time to time, hoping to meet new people that she could one day call a friend. After all if they were going to make a life here.. they were going to need friends. She didn't know where life was going to take her but she knew for certain, The Jasmine Dragon was going to be the best tea shop in the city!

They had even been invited to serve tea for the Earth King. It seemed like so much negativity in their lives was finally looking up. It was almost too good to be true. She could see Iroh was little nervous but at the same time very excited to meet Earth Kingdom royalty.


A carriage came for them the next morning. Fang had dressed herself in a traditional Earth Kingdom dress, with a gold hair ornament. Zuko had been in a good mood all day and it seemed that today was going to be the same.

He smiled and leaned over her, kissing her softly as they waited for Iroh to come into the carriage. "You look beautiful.", Zuko whispered to her making her smile. "Thank you, My Prince.", she whispered back, kissing him again.

If Zuko was going to continue with this positive attitude then she was ready to start a family. Zuko's hand wrapped around hers and held it tightly. "My Prince?", she asked, looking up at him. Zuko played with the tips of her hair. "Hmm?", he answers her, his eyes not leaving hers.

"I'm ready to start a family.", she smiled big, caressing the side of his face. Zuko smiled, genuinely happy and kissed her again, a kiss filled with love and happiness that Fang couldn't help but smile into the kiss. Iroh opened the door to the carriage making them have to break away from each other.

"I can't believe we're heading to the Earth Kingdom Palace!", he exclaimed as he climbed in next to Zuko. The carriage pulled them along till they got to the Earth Kindgom Palace. Guards greeted as they stepped out of the carriage.

Zuko reach out his hand for Fang's, making her smile as she took it. "Many times I imagined myself here.. but I always thought I would be here as a conqueror. Instead we are guests." Destiny is a funny thing.", Iroh mused, making Fang look down at the older man.

They were brought into a large room with green walls and a large gold rug. A single table was in the middle of the room where they would pour the tea. On the other side of the table was a large throne where presumably the Earth King would sit.

Large vases stood in each corner of the room that must have cost more money then their new home. They waited for a little while but there was no sign of the Earth King. Fang frown, beginning to get worried. Why hadn't the Earth King come out yet?

"What's taking so long?", Zuko said, crossing his arms. Fang looked around, scanning the room. Something was wrong. "Maybe the Earth King overslept?", Iroh, suggested. Fang turned her direction to a group of man that walked out from one of the side entrances, the Dai Li.

Fang frowned, something's definitely not right. The Dai Li surrounded the three guests. "It's tea time.", a very familiar voice spoke. Fang knew that voice all too well. Azula. Zuko stood up quickly. "Have you met the Dai Li? They're Earth Benders but they have a killer instinct that's so Fire Bender. I just love it.", Aluza said, smirking.

"Did I ever tell you how I got the nickname, "The Dragon of the West"?, Iroh asked. "I'm not interested in a lengthy history lesson, Uncle", Azula said, looking at her nails. "It's more of a demonstration really.", he answered her back.

Iroh took a sip of tea, Fang could feel Zuko's hand on her back. They were going to have to run quickly. Iroh blew fire at all of the Dai Li agents, they backed away not expecting Iroh to attack them. Fang felt Zuko push her hard toward the door.

Not missing a step she moved as quickly as she could in her dress out the door. She dodged a few stray boulders from the Dai Li. Iroh shot a sting of lightning toward the wall, blasting a hole into it. It wasn't a long way down but they certainly weren't on the first floor.

Iroh jumped down first, he landed with a thud making Fang wince. Fang turned to look at her husband who pushed her a little. Iroh held out his hands to catch Fang so he could break her fall. "Jump.", Zuko ordered, pushing her toward the edge of the building.

Fang nodded her head, took a deep breath and jumped, she closed her eyes, not wanting to see the ground rushing toward her. Strong arms broke her fall as she opened her eyes. Iroh bent down a little, letting her step down onto the ground, safely. "Come on, jump.", Iroh yelled up at Zuko.

"No! I'm tired of running! It's time I faced Azula.", Zuko announced. Fang's eyes widened as she took a step to run back in the building. Iroh shook his head and quickly grabbed her hand. "Come on. We have to let him.", he said, pulling her alongside the palace walls. "He's going to get himself captured!", Fang exclaimed looking around to see Dai Li agents were everywhere.

Iroh quickly shot another string of lightning at one of the outer walls allowing them to escape into a dark alley. She could hear the Dai Li running around outside looking for them. "My nephew does not think these things through…", Iroh whispered, looking at the ground. Fang paused and sighed. "What do we do now?", she asked, panting slightly to catch her breath. Iroh shook his head and slumped down on the floor. They needed to come up with a plan and fast.


"Do I have the plan right?", Fang asked. Iroh nodded. "The only way we're going to know where my nephew is being held… is to have you be captured as well. We can only hope that they put you in the same cell and you're both able to break out. I trust your instincts Fang and you are more than good enough to take on Azula.

I will alert the Avatar and beg him for his assistance.", Iroh stated making Fang smile. "Okay..", she whispered. Fang slowly walked out of the hallway and made her way back toward the palace. She had ripped her dress when they made their getaway but at least it made it easier to move around.

She slicked back through the hole that they had escaped through and saw some Dai Li agents standing outside. Fang tried to listen to what they were saying but all she could hear was mumbling. Fang held her hands together, making a ball of fire between her palms.

She shot it toward one purposely, missing the other. The other quickly shot a hand made of earth toward her, hitting her in the arm and clamping tight. She winced and tried to struggle out of it but was hit by another before she could get out of the other.

A smile spread across her face as she was pushed down on the ground by another Dai Li. She yelped as one yanked at her hair to pull her back up to a sitting position. She bit the man's hand as hard as she could, she would do anything to have this man take her to where her husband was being held.

"We've brought you some company.", the Dai Li soldier said as he threw Fang into a deep hole. She yelped as her shoulder hit the hard ground. Is this where they were keeping Zuko? She shook her head to move some of the hair out of her eyes. Her red eyes looked up to see the water tribe girl.

"You.", the girl whispered back. Fang quickly sat up and looked around. "Is my husband with you?", she asked urgently. The young girl shook her head making Fang frown. Where we they keeping him? "Why are you here?", the girl asked, very puzzled. Fang brushed herself off and sighed.

"My sister-in-law is not very found of me.", she answered, smiling a little. "Sister-in-law?.. Wait, Zuko's your husband?!", the water tribe girl asked astonished. Fang smiled and nodded her head. "Why are you helping us then? That day at the South Pole… you let us escape.".

Fang ran her fingers through her hair, getting the strands of hair that were tickling her nose. "I desire peace. Whether my husband likes it or not… the Avatar is our only hope for peace." Fang answered, as the girls facial expression stayed puzzled.

"Because I do not want the the Firelord to have control over the world. There must be balance. There must be. Without balance the world will crumble. The four elements must coincide.". Katara slowly nodded and realized that Fang was with them. She was on their side. "What is your name?", Fang asked, to break the silence.

"Katara, of the Southern Water Tribe", she answered. Fang smiled and bowed her head a little. "Fang, exiled Princess of the Fire Nation.". Katara seemed a little taken aback. "It's very nice to meet you Katara.", Fang said, bowing her head a little making the girl blush.

"I only ask of one thing in return for my act of kindness.", Fang whispered. Katara cocked her head to the side. "Sure?" Fang looked directly into Katara's blue eyes. "Never tell Zuko what I did that day. I would be imprisoned for treason.", she said. Katara frowned. "But you're his-" but she was cut off by Fang again.

"It does not matter what I am to him. I may be his wife but if I am branded as a trader then he has no choice but to imprison me. It is the will of the Fire Nation. Do not speak of what I did, I beg of you.", Fang pleaded. Her tone was harsh but eager. Katara had to agree to do it.

She owed a debt to this woman."W-we should find a way to get out of here.", Katara said, waving her hand to play it off. Fang smiled and nodded. "My husband's uncle has gone to look for the Avatar and beg him for his assistance. The girl seemed to keep a great distance between them. "Are you scared of me, Katara?", Fang asked, taking a step forward.

The Water Tribe girl seemed very uncomfortable and about to jump at even the slightest noise. "I've just... never met another person from the Fire Nation who wasn't trying to kill me. Fang smiled. "You will learn that we're all not bad people, Katara.", she stated, closing her red eyes.

There was a rumbling from the distance that made the woman stop talking. "What is that-?"..Fang started to say but was interrupted by a large boulder that fell from above. The next to follow was the Avatar and Iroh.

"Katara!", the young boy yelled and ran to her. "Fang! Are you alright?", Iroh asked, trotting up to her. Fang smiled and nodded. "Where is my nephew?", he asked, peering around the bright green crystals that scattered around the tunnel.

"They must be holding him in a different cell.", Fang answered. Fang's eyes turned to the Avatar who smiled shyly. Fang smiled back and bowed her head again. "Young Avatar, I desire peace between all the nations. Please.. you must defeat my Father-in-law.", Fang said.

He seemed taken aback but smiled and nodded. "I'm going to protect everyone. The whole world is counting on me.", he said, standing tall. For such a young child he seemed like an adult at times. "You can call me Aang by the way.", he said, smiling big.

Fang smiled back at him. "Fang, exiled Princess of the Fire Nation. I'm afraid I must selfishly ask for your help.", she whispered. Aang nodded and crossed his arms over his chest, listening intently to what she had to say.

"My husband is being held somewhere nearby. He was captured before me and I have to find him before he is taken back to the Fire Nation to be executed. I'm sorry Zuko has chased you around the world but he is confused on what his destiny holds. Please... help me.", she pleaded.

Aang could see the pain in her eyes a little as she talked about her husband. He was going to help her even if that meant helping Zuko. He vowed to save everyone and that included his enemy.


The Avatar broke through another wall. Where on earth had they taken her husband? They must have been looking for about an hour now. Another tunnel. Nothing. Fang was becoming more and more worried. Another tunnel. Nothing. Had they kept him in the palace? Another tunnel.

As the dust cleared from the moved rocks, Fang could see they were in a bigger room once again. Crystals lined the cave giving everything a green glow. Her eyes fixed on her husband who was leaning against the wall. "Zuko!", Iroh yells as he races forward towards his nephew. Fang quickly followed after him leaving Katara and the Avatar behind.

She watches as Zuko's eyes fall on the Avatar and didn't move. Iroh hugged Zuko before letting him go with a big grin on his face. Fang smiled at her husband, happy to see him. She reached with one hand, caressing his cheek and then placed a kiss on his lips and then let her hand fall to his shoulder. Zuko frowned as he looked from Fang to his uncle.

"I don't understand. What are you doing with the Avatar?". The Avatar seemed to get annoyed with this comment. "Saving you, that's what!", he said with an attitude. Zuko lunged forward but was held back by Iroh putting a hand over Zuko's chest.

"No Zuko! It's time we talked.", Iroh commanded. Fang felt so nervous as she watched her husband's eyes fall to the ground. How was he going to respond to this? She only hoped it would be the way she imagined. She wanted to start a family and to live here with Zuko. They would grow old together and watch their children grow up and start a family of their own.

Iroh turned and smiled at The Avatar. "Go on ahead and meet your other friends and we'll catch up with you.", Iroh stated. The Avatar and Katara seemed a little unsure of themselves but still leave back through the tunnels. Zuko's eyes fell on Fang.

"Why…?", he whispered, not believing what he just witnessed. Iroh sighed and spoke up before Fang could. "You are not the man you used to be a few weeks ago, you are stronger, freer and wiser than ever before and now you have come to the crossroads of your destiny. It's time for you to make a choice.", Iroh stated.

Fang frowned, she only hoped that Zuko would make the right choice. Silence fell over all three of them. "Please understand..", Fang whispered to him making him turn to her. She had a pleading look in her eye, she meant it with her heart. This is what she truly wanted.

Just as Zuko was about to answer the green crystals shot out and completely entrapped Iroh and Fang. She struggled to get her hand away from the grasp of the cold hardened earth but it wouldn't budge.

An all too familiar voice spoke again. "I expected this kind of treachery from you two but not my own brother. Zuko. Prince Zuko. You're a lot of things but you're not a traitor.". Fang's eyes looked up to see Azula standing before them.


End of Ch.17