The Trouble with Fire

Ch.22: The Final Respite

Zuko X OC

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


Fang slowly fluttered her eyes open. It had been a long day training with their new learned skills from the Sun Warriors. Zuko was sleeping next to her, his face at peace while he slept. She reached over and brushed some of the hair out of his eyes and smiled at him. He had really changed since they were last at the palace.

Just a month ago, she didn't know if their marriage would last. Fang suddenly felt a jolt from the earth below her. What was that? An earthquake? Her view focused as she watched Aang airbend something away from their camp. As it flew away from them it exploded in the air with a loud bang. The noise was loud enough to startle everyone awake. Small bits of rock fell from above them as she quickly got up.

Gray Firenation air balloons rose up to their camp. How had they found them? Had they been followed? Larger pieces of the ceiling started to fall down, they had to get out of here soon. Toph quickly started earthbending an escape tunnel as Aang tried to get Appa to go into the tunnel. The bison would not budge. He groaned as the reins around his antlers were tugged upon.

Fang was too busy helping the others get through the tunnel to notice that Zuko was walking toward the air balloons. "What are you doing?", Aang asked, still trying to get the bison into the tunnel. "Go, I'll hold them off!", Zuko yelled back. Fang frowned and stopped in her tracks. If Zuko was going to stay then she was going to too.

"Come on! We have to get out of here!", Sokka yelled. She quickly ran past him in Aang. "Fang!", they yelled out her name as she ran past them toward Zuko. She had figured out why he was staying, these war balloons must be Azula's. He shot a fireball at one of them as Azula stood proudly on it's nose.

She smirked down at both of them, a smile that seemed out of control. Fang eyed her sister-in-law. Something was not right with her, she seemed.. off somehow. "What are you doing here?", Zuko demanded from his sister. Her smile grew wider.

"You mean it's not obvious?! I am about to celebrate becoming an only child!", Azula yelled. She leaped forward and shot a a blast of blue electrical fire at both of them. They both dodged to the side, nearly missing the blast as they both ran toward the balloon, landing on either side of Azula. A furry of blue and orange fire erupted between the three of them.

Azula had indeed improved her skills, she was completely blocking both Zuko's and her oncoming attacks. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Appa soaring through the sky. They hadn't been able to get him through the tunnel it seemed. Fang dodged another strike from Azula.

Before she could react to step back Azula and Zuko collided blasts. The explosion reacted and caused an explosion that sent the three of them back across the balloon. Fang gripped her nails into the balloon but the blast was too strong that it sent all of them flying off the balloon. She winced as her nails tried desperately to stop her body from plummeting off the side. Anything to stop her descent to the Earth.

Her eyes fell on Zuko who had been caught by Appa, they circled back around toward her as quickly as they could. She felt a strong arm wrap around her and pull her down into the saddle. The wind was knocked out of her as she landed against Zuko who had pulled her in. She coughed a few times and took in oxygen as she looked up at him. He placed his hand on her back as she rapidly took air back into her lungs.

His eyes, however, were focused on something else. Her eyes gazed up to Azula still falling down. Her body falling like a limp doll. She wasn't going to try to save herself? Just as the thought crossed Fang's eyes Azula stuck her feet out and shot a blast of blue electrical fire to propel her to a nearby wall. She stabbed a knife into the wall as she slowed her fall. An uncontrollable smile spread across her face again.

What on earth was going on with her? Azula was going crazy it seemed.


Night descended on them as they made camp. A new camp now that their home was taken from them yet again by the Firenation. Fang unfolded Zuko's sleeping bag and spread it out next to hers. Silent. Contemplating. "You're quiet.", Zuko's voice spoke. Fang turned and looked at him as she frowned. "Was just thinking about earlier today..", she whispered as she knelt down and placed his pillow down gently.

"What do you mean?", he asked, as he kneeling down on his sleeping bag. "I mean Azula... there was something not right.", she whispered, frowning. Zuko sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "So you noticed it too... I think my sister's going crazy", he admitted. Fang frowned and closed her eyes.

Azula had never showed any signs of any problems such as mental illnesses as a child but she was starting to show them now. Yes, she had a natural cruelness for everyone and everything but still... this was more. "Let's not talk about it right now.", Zuko whispered and brought Fang into his lap, pulling her into a long kiss.

Fang melted into his arms as she reached up to touch his cheek and pull him closer. Her red eyes looked up at his orange ones. He seemed sad but also just happy to be alive after today. "What are we going to do, Zuko?", she whispered to him not just referring to Azula.

This war would be coming to an end very soon and she wanted to think about life after the war. What were they going to do? Where would they live? Would they stay friends with the Avatar? If the Avatar really did kill Zuko's father... would Zuko assume the throne? Zuko looked past Fang and out toward the ocean view.

"We'll find a village to settle down in.. and I promise this time.. we'll start a family. We'll just live peacefully together. No past, no problems, just us.", he whispered back to her. Fang smiled and pressed her lips to his. That's all she wanted for both of them.

She didn't want to live extravagantly anymore, she just wanted to live with her husband in a quiet place, raise their children and grow old together.


As morning broke they decided to head back to Zuko's abandoned home on Ember Island. They would stay at the Firelord's home and lay low there. Ironically it would be the last place he would look. Fang continued to make watermelon water with Katara as Zuko continued to train Aang in Firebending.

From what Fang could see, Aang wasn't being as fierce-some as he could be. She knew the Avatar was against violence but he was going to at least have to be somewhat aggressive. She continued to hollow out some of the watermelon and mix water in it. She was sure after their training, Zuko and Aang would be thirsty.

"Angrier!", she heard Zuko yell. Fang frowned and looked at Katara who just smiled and decided to interrupt them anyway. "Who wants a nice cold glass of watermelon juice?", she asked, a bright smile on her voice. The Avatar quickly turned toward their direction.

"Me! Me! Me!", Aang yelled as he started running toward their direction. He was stopped by a hand on his robe. "Where do you think you're going? Your lesson's not over yet!", Zuko yelled. "Come on Zuko.. just take a break.", Suki said, laying back on the steps and stretching her arms over her head.

Zuko finally let Aang go. "Fine. If you just want to laze around like a bunch of snails all day then go ahead.", Zuko said, walking off into the thick jungle brush. "Maybe so.. but I know just the thing to change that.", Sokka said as he started to undo his robe. "Beach Party!", he yelled and ran toward the beach. The others followed leaving Fang alone. She sighed softly and ran her fingers through her hair. Zuko was not going to be happy about this.

Fang quickly followed after Zuko who was pushing past some of the rough jungle brush. When she was closer to him, she reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't, Fang.", he whispered, already knowing what she was going to say. Fang smiled. "I think you're in the right.", she said, making him turned around a little surprised.

"That... would be a first.", he said, making her smile and laugh a little. He hadn't heard her laugh in quite a long time. "I do have bad news however...", she said, biting her lip a little. "What is it?", he asked. Fang sighed and shrugged her shoulders a little. "Sokka thought it would be a good idea to have a beach party.", she stated. "WHAT!? This is crazy! He needs to training not building sand castles and swimming in the ocean. If he thinks he's going to be able to defeat my father without a lot of training, he's crazy!", Zuko yelled.

"I know... I'm worried too, Zuko.", she said frowning a little. "He needs to be taught a lesson.", Zuko said under his breathe as he moved passed Fang and headed toward the beach area. Fang quickly followed after him. As they got closer she watched as Zuko leaped over a cliff and shot fireballs and all of the sand castles the rest of the team had built.

"What are you doing!?", Aang yelled at him. "Teaching you a lesson.", Zuko retorted back as he shot another fireball at him. Aang quickly jumped up into a tree and leaped across the palms from tree to tree. "What is going on!? How Zuko gone crazy!?", Katara yelled as she tried to make her way after them, Sokka Suki and Toph not far behind her.

"No.", Fang said, holding her arms out to stop them. "Let them fight this. They both need it. Zuko is not trying to hurt Aang. He's just trying to show him the importance of training. We're fighting a war and as the day draws closer.. a beach party is something that could have waited.", Fang explained to them looking at them all from the corner of her eye.

Sokka frowned and walked passed her. "You're both too serious.", he said, rolling his eyes a little. "We're serious because we've both seen the Firelords power in person... none of you have.", she whispered making Sokka stop in his tracks. Fang's red eyes met Katara's attempting to get her point across. "You have no idea how powerful this man is... Aang isn't ready."

Her eyes scanned for Zuko and Aang who had disappeared. For now... we should check on the boys.", she said, referring to Aang and Zuko. She didn't want to go into detail on how, at the Avatar's current bending level, well he was going to do.

Fang broke into a run back toward the house so she could find them. The group made it just in time to see Zuko fly out one of the windows. Katara was the first to speak. "What's wrong with you!? You could have hurt Aang.", she yelled.

"What's wrong with me!? What's wrong with all of you!? How can you sit around having beach parties when Sozin's comet is only three days away!", Zuko retorted back. Fang walked over and stood by her husband, wanting to give support as the others just stared at him like he was speaking another language.

"Um.. about Sozin's comet... I was actually going to wait to fight the Firelord after it came.", Aang stated. "After?", Zuko clarified, a little shocked. This was also news to Fang. No one had told her of the plan to wait till after.

"Yes, after. I'm not ready. I need more time to master firebending.", Aang said, his eyes trailing to the ground. "And frankly, your earthbending could use a little work too.", Toph interjected. "So... you all knew that Aang was going to wait?", Zuko asked.

"The whole point of defeating the Firelord before Sozin's comet was to stop the Firenation from winning the war but.. they pretty much won it when they captured Ba Sing Se. Things can't get much worse.", Katara said. Zuko frowned. "You're wrong... things could get much worse.", he answered. Katara raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?", she asked.

"The day before the eclipse, my father asked me to attend an important war meeting. It was what I dreamed and wanted for so many years.. my father had finally accepted me back. We discussed what to do about the rebels in Ba Sing Se... my father determined that he would burn the land of Ba Sing Se to the ground. He wants to wipe out the earthbenders, permanently. I wanted to speak out against his horrifying plan... but I'm ashamed to say that I didn't.", Zuko stated.

Fang's mouth fell open a little. She could not believe that her father in law could be so evil. Kill all the earthbenders? For what purpose?! Why hadn't Zuko told her this before? Aang fell to his knees. "What am I going to do? This is bad... really really bad.", he asked. Fang's red eyes fell on him.

His face looked helpless as he stared at the ground. Zuko took a step forward. "I know you're scared.. and I know you're not ready to save the world but if you don't defeat the Firelord before the comet comes... there won't be a world to save anymore.", Zuko stated. Even though this was harsh news to all of them.. it was something that they needed to hear.

"I think you should use the next few days to train, Aang. And remember.. you don't have to do this alone. You are surrounded by friends who love you very much. I too am ready to help. The Firenation has taken many things from me.. my own country betrayed me.. and I will see that it turns a new leaf. I'm sure Zuko agrees with me.", Fang advised as the young Avatar nodded.

"We have one problem though... I don't think I can kill the Firelord.", Aang said, making everyone frown. Fang dropped her glass, it clattered to the floor as everyone stared at the young boy in shock. "...What?", Fang asked, completely shocked. "It just... I don't feel like myself when I think about it. There has to be another way.", Aang stated, turning his back toward everyone. "Like what?!", Zuko said, anger in his tone.

"This goes against everything that I learned from the Monks. I can't just go wiping out people that I don't like!", Aang said, frustrated. "Sure you can! You're the Avatar and if it's the name of keeping balance then it's second nature. I'm pretty sure the universe will forgive you.", Sokka said, trying to brighten the mood.

"This isn't a joke Sokka! None of you understands the position I'm in!", Aang yelled. "Aang, we do understand! We just-", Katara started to say but was interrupted by Aang. "Just what?!", he yelled back. "We're trying to help.", she finished.

"Well when you all think of a way to defeat the Firelord without taking his life then talk to me!", Aang yelled, storming off to another part of the house. Fang frowned. It seemed that the Avatar had reached his breaking point. This was a lot for a twelve year old boy to take in and she couldn't imagine the pressure he must have been feeling.

Fang sighed softly, bending down to pick up her glass. "I think... we should all rest for tonight. Tensions are high and we need to prepare for tomorrow and get packing.", she whispered, casting her eyes downward. The rest of the team nodded and made their way to their respected rooms, pulling supplies out of Appa's saddle.

Katara seemed very upset as she walked off to her room, her eyes a little cloudy with tears. Fang's eyes watched her. Was that the first time the young lovers had a fight? Or the first time that Aang had ever raised his voice to her? It seemed so as Katara looked completely heartbroken and walked toward the door. Fang quickly followed after her, grabbing her wrist before she could disappear into her room.

"Katara.", Fang called out to her making her stop in her tracks. "Don't worry about him. He needs to find the answer within himself. We cannot help him with this.", she spoke softly. The two women were away from the rest of the group and for once, could speak a little more freely. Katara turned and nodded slowly. "I know... but I want to help.", she answered, feeling dejected. Fang smiled. "Listen to me.", she instructed and glanced at where Zuko was to make sure he didn't hear.

"It took many years for Zuko to see what his father was truly like. No matter what I said... I could never change his opinion. He had to find the answer within himself and only then did he find peace. Only then did our relationship become what it is today. Aang needs to do the same.", Fang stated. "I... never thought of it that way.", Katara said, nodding a little.

"Try to sleep and don't worry. You need to rest. If we're stressed that will only make Aang more uncomfortable.", Fang said, placing a hand on her shoulder. Out of the corner of her eye, Fang could see Zuko approaching. "Goodnight Katara and have some tea. It will relax you. This is our final respite before the big day.", Fang advised as Zuko took Fangs hand and led her down a corridor that was vaguely familiar.

"I want to show you something... do you remember this?", he asked her softly. Fang looked around at the bamboo walls and red furniture. "Didn't... we play here together as a child?", Fang asked, walking around the room, remembering some of the trinkets that were collecting dust on the table. Zuko smiled. "Yes, it's also where I kissed you for the first time.", he said, making Fang turn around a little shocked.

"I... I don't remember.", she stated, frowning a little that she couldn't recall. She wished she could remember. "It was shortly after my mom had told us that we would be husband and wife. I didn't really understand what it entailed but I uh.. knew that kissing was something that married couples did.. so I.. wanted to try. Not sure how I worked up the courage to do it. I was really nervous.", Zuko said, making Fang smile a lot.

"That's... very cute.", she said, placing a kiss on his cheek. "Now... I do remember when your mother told me. She did it in the most gentle way. 'Zuko and you are going to be partners forever.' I had thought she meant we would always be on the same team when it came to playing with the other kids.", Fang imitated, reaching out to touch the mirror, wiping some of the dust with her fingertip. "I didn't particularly understood what those words entailed but I was just happy that we would be friends for life at the time.", Fang admitted.

"Same for me... even as a kid... I was scared to lose you.", Zuko whispered making Fang smile. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed. "You wouldn't lose me.", she reassured him. Her eyes looked up to meet his. "Do you remember the time when we sat here and I gave you that pretty stone?", he asked. Fang closed her eyes slightly remembering her past.

"Vaguely.", she answered. "I gave that gift to you in hopes that you would give me a hug.", Zuko said, shaking his head at how shy he used to be around Fang. They had come quite a long way in their relationship. "Two more days... and then we can be a normal family.", she whispered, trying to keep her hope alive. Zuko nodded and wrapped his arm around her, kissing the shell of her ear.

"We can go wherever you want. I will follow you anywhere.", he whispered. Fang smiled and lifted her head off of his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his neck. This was the man that she had married. Kind, caring, strong and determined. He was perfect as he was now, she wouldn't change anything about him.

Her heart fluttered a little as she tightened her hold on him. "You have become such a different person.", she said, smiling up at him. "I have changed a lot.", Zuko agreed, his eyes meeting hers. "I haven't seen you this happy since our wedding day.", she whispered, smiling at him. "I'm just glad to have you back. I pushed you away so far... I thought I would never get you back."


End of Ch.22