Zuko walked down the long hallways of the boiling rock while thinking intensely. He was still surprised that Katara broke down like that; she usually acted so strong most of the time. He felt so bad that Katara had to go through some of what he had to go through—it was terrible losing your mother. It wasn't something you could easily get back.
'At least she had a loving father and brother,' Zuko though bitterly. His family had always been so messed up. His family caused him to lose his mother, his new friends, and they almost cost him his life.
"Azula always lies…" Zuko muttered under his breath. He was approaching his father's cell. He carefully put on an expressionless face. It wasn't that hard for him because he usually didn't show any emotion to people.
He took a deep breath and opened the door that would lead him to his father. He gave a soft grunt as he walked in. He was ashamed to be related to his father, and he had a feeling that his dislike would grow even stronger as he would have to rebuild everything his father and ancestors had destroyed.
Zuko shut the door behind him and walked toward the small, huddled shape of his father huddled in the corner.
Zuko could see his father's eyes flash toward him and look down in disappointment and maybe some shame.
Zuko looked back at his father with disgust. He really didn't want to be anywhere near this awful man right now—for that matter, he didn't ever want to be near him.
Ozai spoke up in a course voice, "I should count myself lucky. The new fire lord has graced me with his presence in my lowly prison cell."
Zuko wanted to throw everything he had at his father—he wanted to make him suffer. This man was responsible for almost ruining his life. Thank Agni he had gained some tolerance after he had met with those dragons. 'And after Katara came into my life I was more tolerant,' Zuko amended quietly to himself.
Zuko remained mad at his father though. "You should count yourself lucky the Avatar spared your life," Zuko retorted.
Ozai grunted. Zuko wanted to roll his eyes. Why was his father so prideful, even now after he had been in prison for a good number of days? Shouldn't he be a little more reasonable?
"Banishing me was the beat thing you could have done for my life," Zuko stated coldly, "It put me on the right path." Zuko paused and looked down at his father.
Evil or not, Aang was right. He was still a human being who needed love, just like Katara. He could almost physically feel his heart soften at the mere thought of her. She was so innocent and caring. He wanted to be like her because she was just so special. 'Well, I might as well show my father a little bit of hope,' Zuko thought.
"Perhaps your time in here could do the same for you," Zuko finished with the tiniest hint of care in his voice.
Ozai's eyes flashed to the wall as he asked, "Why are you really here?" His tone was like ice—hard and accusing.
Zuko took in a deep breath as he stooped to the ground to look into his father's cold, hard, and uncaring eyes. "Because you are going to tell me something. Where is my mother?" Zuko asked- his tone of voice was hard and demanding.
Zuko could see a smile creep across Ozai's face, and knew that it wasn't a good sign. "Why would I tell you Zuko? You haven't done me many favors lately. Perhaps I shall keep this bit of information to myself," he stated calmly.
"Father, I know that you must be mad at me, but please hear me out. I've scarcely been loved since mother went away. You never loved me-you were willing to kill me for Agni's sake! No, scratch that. You were going to kill me. Azula wouldn't have cared if I had died! She didn't care when she struck me with lightning and then almost killed Katara, and she certainly wouldn't have cared if you killed me. My mother was the only one to ever care at all for me other than Uncle Iroh. I'm sure that you had people doting over you your entire life, and I'm sure that there was someone out there that loved you. Other than Iroh, the only person that loved me was my mother. I'm not going to order you to tell me where she is. I am not here as the fire lord, but as your son who cares about your wife. Please tell me where she is," Zuko finished. He had actually managed to be civil toward his father and then sent a silent thanks to Yue who most likely helped him with that.
Ozai gave a cold chuckle. "Why would I ever deny you the pleasure of having to find her for yourself?" Ozai said cruelly.
"Fine, be cold hearted. I'm used to doing things myself anyway. So I take it she is alive?" Zuko asked with hope in his heart.
"I suppose I'll give you that. From the last time I heard, she was alive, but things can change very easily, especially when someone is surrounded by dangerous people." Ozai smiled evilly.
"What did you do to her? Or rather, what did she do to you? You have a bad tendency of hurting people who you're supposed to love," Zuko said accusingly.
"Does it look like I care?" Ozai asked in a bored monotone.
"I really hope that your time in here does you some good. Because right now, you are sick and being a real jerk," Zuko said disgustedly. He was about to say jerk bender, but stopped himself just in time. He would have to berate Sokka later for coming up with that stupid phrase.
"Goodbye father. I can't say that I hope to see you soon, but I'll probably come back anyway," Zuko said. And with that, Zuko turned around, and left his father's presence.