Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender or its characters
Pointers: 'italics' means that the character is thinking
Summary: He hadn't seen her since the day he was banished, but he could still remember the way the wind had drifted her away. Zuko x OC
Book 3: Fire
Avatar Aang & Life After
The war had finally came to an end, Aang had defeated the Fire Lord in a way that he could accept. He didn't kill him or inflicted much injury to him, but he had taken away something precious to the Fire Lord. His bending. Everyone had rejoiced when news swept over the land of the events of the heroes. When Zuko had appeared at Jiyuu family home, even though he had a bandaged torso, he held her and told her how Azula was defeated and it was time that she returned with him to their home. The Fire Nation capital. He would be crowned Fire Lord and it was about time that she had moved in with him there, she had said her goodbyes to her sister, father, mother, and little brothers before gathering her things and returning to the capital.
It was the next day and Zuko was putting on his outer robe with a little help of Jiyuu since his chest was still sore. "You never told me how you got injured like this, you didn't take my warning did you?"
"Well, it was originally for Katara and I did exactly as you said." He said with a weak smile, the pain in his chest still aching.
"So she was going after Katara during your fight and you jumped in front of the attack?" She asked as he nodded.
Zuko turned to face her, "But its all right. Everyone came back alive and that's all that matters, right? That's exactly what you wanted."
She nodded her head and then placed a hand on his cheek, "I'm just glad you're standing right here."
"And I'm glad you're standing right here and now going to live with me and rule beside me." He said as he cupped Jiyuu's hands.
"You need some guidance, a woman's touch around this place, and its about time someone helps with the décor in this place." The airbender said as she looked around, Zuko wanting to laugh but trying not to due to his injured chest.
"Let's get going, we can't keep the people waiting." He said as he adjusted the sleeves of his robe.
His girlfriend smiled, "All right, Fire Lord." She teased as she walked alongside him, her arm linked with his arm. Jiyuu was dressed for the occasion too. She wore a traditional Diyi which had long sleeves and was embroidered with long –tail pheasants and circular flowers, fire lilies. Her hair was out of its usual ponytails and hime-cut, but Lu Ten's flower pin was attached to her hair near her ear. Her lips were painted red as well as her nails.
They had walked alongside side each other and saw Aang at the end of the corridor of the coronation building. He was sitting beside the door, meditating in his new monk attire and necklace that was much like Monk Gyatso's. Zuko had stopped in front of the curtains and addressed Aang, Jiyuu unlinking her arms from him as Zuko spoke. "I can't believe a year ago my purpose in life was hunting you down, and now..."
"And now we're friends." Aang finished the sentence, a smile on his face.
"Yeah… we are friends." said the prince who was about to be crowned Fire Lord.
"I can't believe a year ago, " Aang said as he stands up and faces Zuko, "I was still frozen in a block of ice. The World's so different now."
Zuko walked towards Aang and places a hand on his shoulder, "And it's gonna be even more different, when we build it together." They hugged as Zuko then linked arms with his future wife.
Jiyuu had moved towards Aang and placed a kiss on his forehead, "Thank you for everything, Aang." She said as she had checked to see if there was any lip paint on his forehead but lucky there wasn't any. "I'm glad that my child who is gifted with the element of air, will have you as a teacher."
He smiled as Zuko then parted the curtains and walked through them with Jiyuu alongside him, Aang following shortly after. Everyone had bowed in respect as Zuko looked down at the cheering crowd, Jiyuu looking up at him in admiration. "Please, the real hero here," He then waved his arm over toward Aang, who was still walking up to them, "is the Avatar."
"Today, the war is finally over. I promised my Uncle that I would restore the honor of the Fire Nation, and I will. The road ahead of us is challenging. A hundred years of fighting has left the world scarred and divided. But with the Avatar's help, we can get it back on the right path, and begin a new era of love and peace." He said as Jiyuu unlinked his arms as Fire Sages, holding the Fire Lord diadem, had walked from behind him as he knelt down.
Everyone then bowed heavily, "All hail," the inserted the diadem into his top knot, "Fire Lord Zuko!"
The crowd cheers and Zuko lifts his head up as the Fire Sage dismisses himself, keeping his head bowed. Zuko stands up and walks closer towards the crowd on the stage, he gestured for both Jiyuu and Aang to join them as they stood beside him. "Today is also a harmonious day for the Fire Nation because," The Fire Lord gesture for a servant toward him as the brought over a small box and gave it to him. Jiyuu looked at the box curiously and then at Zuko, "Your future Fire Lady stands before you and she is not Fire Nation but she had lived here since she was a child. She is an airbender, born to an Earthbender and a nonbender, she is Jiyuu."
Many people in the crowd looked shocked, surprised at most as they stared at the woman beside him as she soon realized what the box was fore. "I have loved her for a long time even after my father tried to make everyone believe she was traitor. She was never a traitor, she had never dishonored my father. She had tried to make my father see how family is important and how people make mistakes and they should be forgiven and a father's love should be unconditional."
The girl tried to fight her tears as she stood next to him as he opened the small box, a pearl ring nested in the middle of it. "A Prince and Princess will be in the Kingdom soon, the future of the Fire Nation. One will be a firebender and the other an airbender." He continued on as Jiyuu held out her hand and he had slipped the ring through it. "Our world has grown, it has changed. There will be a time of love from all nationalities, of all bending abilities, will come together and that starts today in the Fire Nation. With Jiyuu taking the role as Fire Lady, my wife, and the mother of the future Prince and Princess of the Fire Nation."
The crowd cheered loudly, an array of items being throw in the air as the people cheered. Jiyuu stood beside her fiancé, tears finally falling as she looked out into the crowd and waved. They all had bowed before her in which she quickly stopped her waving and stood with a look of surprise and admiration.
Zuko and Aang both smiled at the teary-eyed brunette who found familiar faces in the crowd and smiled at them.
A few days later…
The Gaang was in the Earth Kingdom and inside the Jasmine Dragon. Iroh was wearing his tea shop outfit, playing the sungi horn, with Appa looking at him through the window. Zuko was also in his teashop outfit and handed everyone a cup of tea with a smile as Toph placed her feet on the table in her new Earth Kingdom attire. They were only celebrating because they were going to announce the harmony restoration movement and King Kuei was going to announce it to the rest of the Earth kingdom. The group was going to have their own little party first.
Aang was sitting next to Jiyuu, in his new monk attire, and Jiyuu in an Earth Kingdom attire as well. They were both manipulating a ball of air up and down, trying to see who could make a bigger one and do a better trick. But Momo was interfering in their game, trying to grab both of them.
Sokka was drawing something with a calligraphy brush while Katara and Suko were playing a game of Pai show. Zuko walked towards the game table and Katara picked up a cup from the tray.
"Zuko, stop moving!" Everyone had looked at Sokka with surprise, "I'm trying to capture the moment." He said in a serious manner as his face then softened and he continued on with his drawing, "to do a painting, so we always remember the good times together." He stuck his tongue out as his sister approached him.
"That's very thoughtful of you Sokka." Katara smiled as she looked down at the drawing and her smile changed into a deadpanned look. "Wait!" What was supposed to be Katara's hair loopies looked like floppy ears. Toph had looked like her wanted posted from back during her gambling days and when her parents were in search for her, and Zuko had long spiky hair. "Why did you give me Momo's ears?"
"Those are your hair loopies." Zuko, Suki, and Jiyuu walked over to him and all their faces were not happy."
"At least you don't look like a boarcupine." Zuko said as drawn next to him was what was supposed to be a pregnant Jiyuu, but she just looked plain…
"Why am I so big! I'm not that big!" She slapped the boy in the back of his head, as he gasped and tried to make sure that he didn't messed up the drawing.
"My hair is not that spiky!" Zuko also complained as Sokka depicted thrust his sword into the air behind Suki.
Suki was firebending with her free hand while her other hand is holding a fan. In the background, there's a drawing of Appa with Aang seated on his head. Further to the right, there's a drawing of a big and tall Iroh clutching his large belly. "And why did you paint me firebending?" The boy's girlfriend asked.
"I thought it looked more exciting that way."
Momo then made some noises, jumping up and down. "Oh, you," Sokka began as everyone turned to look at the lemur, "think you can do a better job, Momo?"
"I bet he could." Jiyuu commented as Sokka sighed, his pride hurt.
"My belly isn't that big anymore. I've really trimmed down." Iroh said as Jiyuu laughed and patted his stomach.
"You have." The female airbender smiled.
"Well, I think you all look perfect!" Toph said with her arms in the air.
Everyone smiled as Jiyuu placed her hand on her stomach, "I wish I had a fruit pie right about now."
"I thought the physician said you had to eat healthier." said a concerned Zuko as he watched his fiancée's face turn into a frown.
"I'm always still hungry! I don't want to keep eating all that stuff he keeps giving me." Jiyuu whined, stomping her feet as she threw her tantrum.
Iroh laughed at her childish antics, "You never changed, haven't you?"
The airbender female looked at him, a blush staining her cheeks from her embarrassment. "I-I have so. You guys are mean, I'm just hungry! I wanna eat!"
"I agree, I'm hungry as well." Sokka agreed, nodding his head and rubbing his stomach along with her.
Three Months Later…
Morning light had slipped past the dark curtains and the young brunette had woke up, her eyes adjusting after a long night's sleep. She looked over to her left and then realized that she was in her room, that's right. Even after three months of being unable to sleep next to Zuko, she still checked to see if he was there. It was mandatory that they slept in their own rooms until they were married. No matter how much Zuko tried to break the rules, they had been enforced. After sleeping alongside him for so long, it felt weird knowing her wasn't there. But that was all about to change anyway because today was the day they would be getting married. She made sure that she had sleep early last night, leaving everyone and pretending that she was feeling ill, which wasn't the best idea due to the fact she was pregnant. It only made everyone worry instead of leave her alone.
Still, she managed to get by them and go to bed just so she could wake up on time for a life long commitment. Before her feet could touch the floor, she had heard the door open and Sen and Hana had come in. They squealed when they saw her and ran over to her hug, gibberish filling her ears since they talked at the same time. Taki had late came in with a large kimono in her arms and a few servants came following behind her with other items for her attire.
"Girls, girls. Calm down." Taki said with a sigh as Sen and Hana then quickly gained their composure at the other servants left, leaving just them.
Jiyuu had looked at them with a smile on her face, "Thanks for being the calm one, Taki. But I have to admit, I'm just as giggly as they are but I can't act out my excitement. I'm seven months pregnant." She sighed as Taki nodded her head.
"I hope you don't mind the dark colors. They are one of the customary colors but I figured it would trim you down and make your stomach less attention grabbing."
A sigh of relief escaped the airbender, "Thank you. I was so scared I was going to look like a balloon this whole time." She wobbled over to them, touching the kimono and feeling the fabric. "It feels fantastic too. Have you got word from my friends? They should be awaking by now."
"Everyone is awake. Katara, Suki, and Toph went out to explore the capital while Aang and Sokka are with Fire Lord Zuko." Sen informed her, Jiyuu nodding as she soaked in the information.
"What about Uncle Iroh and the White Lotus members?" She asked as they all nodded their heads which meant they are here.
"How about-" Before she could list all the people she wanted to attend, the girls had already spoke.
"Everyone who is anyone that you invited is all here, Jiyuu." All three of them said simultaneously which caused her to laugh nervously, rubbing the back of her head.
"Alright, alright." The airbender said as she saw her sister, Junko, entering the room. "Junko!" Jiyuu felt her hands being taken by her sisters, the woman's eyes smiling. "I was almost afraid you couldn't make it."
"What else would I be doing and I wouldn't miss my sister's big day for the world, you know that." Junko pulled Jiyuu into a loose but warm embrace.
"I don't want to interrupt but we have to get you ready." Sen explained as Jiyuu turned to look at her.
"Right. Let's go then."
"Zuko is going to be tying the knot! I never would've guessed." Sokka stuffing another grape in his mouth as they all sat in Zuko's room, as he paced back and forth. Aang had been watching his friend, his face unsure, but his body language obviously read that he was beyond nervous. They were already dressed, Zuko stressing about how things had to be perfect before the crack of dawn. Iroh had a cup of tea in his hand as he also show concerned for Zuko's behavior, "Who would've thought that Zuko would be the first to get married before us?" The warrior continued on with a much full of fruit.
"What's wrong, Zuko? Aang finally asked as the Fire Lord.
The male stopped pacing and then looked at everyone, his stress evident. "I'm trying to see if I'm missing anything. This day has to be perfect, flawless. Nothing can be wrong. " He sighed, "It's the least I can do for her."
"Zuko, I don't think Jiyuu is worrying about the day being perfect." Iroh said as he placed the cup down on the coffee table in front of him, "She would marry you in the pouring rain. The only thing that matters to her is that she is marrying you. Someone she loves." The man said as his nephew's shoulders relaxed, his head moving in a nod.
"Right." Zuko mumbled as he looked at all three of them, "I'm really glad you guys could make it."
Aang smiled cheerfully, "We wouldn't miss it for the world, right Sokka?"
"Right!" The boy agreed, "Especially for the feast, I can't imagine all the food that's gonna be on that long table." He sighed, his eyes having a dreamy gaze.
Iroh chuckled, "You'll be in a for a great feast, my boy. They have everything." He patted his stomach twice.
"And they had food of all nationalities because of Jiyuu's request." Aang added as Sokka's eyes widen, he felt even giddier than he did earlier.
"Even watertribe food?!" He asked as Aang nodded his head.
"This gonna be so great. Can you guys hurry up and get married, I wanna eat." The wolf-tail boy patted his stomach twice, Iroh smiling at the boy's enthusiasm.
Zuko had a rather deadpanned expression, "I can't believe food is all you guys are excited about."
"That's not true. I'm happy for you and Jiyuu, I wish you both nothing but the best and to see you guys saying words of life-long devotion is a beautiful thing to see." The Avatar explained which made his firebending teacher smile.
"Thanks, Aang." Zuko said as Aang gave him a nod.
"The obi is a little tight, Taki. Could you loosen it?" Jiyuu looked over her shoulder at the servant as Sen placed a Kaiken in the pouch and a fan in her obi. Hana had slipped on the red and black geta on her feet, making sure that Jiyuu could walk in them due to her current condition. Her hair was styled in bunkin takashimada style which was a bridal topknot and adorned it was a bunch of combs, ornaments and accessories of flowers, bells, and sakura petals. The white hood-like cloth was also placed on and draped over her face and her lips painted red and her eyes outlined in black makeup. Since she wasn't a virgin, there was no need for her face to be covered in white powder.
"Jiyuu, you look beautiful!" Suki said as she entered the room with Katara and Toph.
The airbender smiled at them, "Really? I've been standing for like three hours and my feet are getting sore." The girl sighed as she saw her feet becoming swollen.
"We're almost done. Obi's are pretty hard to tie up, especially when you thought you did it right the first time." Taki pouted a little but she finally got it right and adjusted it. "All right, we're all done. Now don't do anything, don't sweat or nothing just sit. We have to make sure that everything is ready." Taki sighed as both Sen and Hana bowed to Jiyuu and her friends before walking out. Once the door was closed, the trio had took a seat.
"How do you feel?" Suki asked, "I can imagine that you feel like the most luckiest person in the world."
Katara smiled, "Even if it is Zuko."
Jiyuu laughed at the comment, the jingling of her ornaments filling the air along with her laughter. "I do feel that way but I also feel a bit nervous. I mean, what if things don't go right? I want this day to be perfect for him."
"For Sparky? I'm sure he isn't caring about that. He's probably trying to make it perfect for you." Toph said as she folded her arms, "The sooner, the better I say. I haven't worse a dress in so long and I had to fight them to not make me wear shoes."
The airbender frowned, "I'm sorry, Toph. If I had known-"
"Its all right, Ballerina. No need to get all worried and stuff, I'm fine. I'm just concerned about you. Today is your day and I want you to be happy." The blind earthbender said which made Jiyuu want to tear up.
"Don't cry, Jiyuu!" Katara flailed her arms, "Remember what they said? It'll ruin your makeup."
Nodding her head, she tried to blink away her tears. "Sorry, sorry. I forgot."
"I just can't believe you mixed all nationalites in your wedding. I mean you're not watertribe." Katara soon commented as Jiyuu grabbed the mocha skinned girl's hand.
"You are my best friend and this union is to show that everyone should come together. I really pushed for this, believe me. Half of the council had a heart attack, but I want this day to not be special for me and Zuko but for our friends and the world."
Katara had gave a squeeze to her friend's hand, "That's beautiful and selfless of you."
"I don't really care if I marry Zuko inside of a cave. As long as I am with him, married or night, I am happy." She explained, "And I'm sure you'll feel that way about, Aang."
"How did you…" Katara's cheeks had turned a pink color, her eyes widening.
Jiyuu laughed at her innocent expression, "Aang has been in love with you for a long time. He sees a future with you and I know you see it too."
The waterbender smiled and looked down shyly. Jiyuu then took Suki's hand with her free one, "And you and Sokka are a wonderful couple. You balance each other out really well."
"Thanks." The Kyoshi warrior smiled, "I hope we'll be in love and as happy as you are today."
"I think you will be." After letting go of both their hands, she looked over at Toph who had her akimbo as usual. "Toph…"
"Don't worry about me, Ballerina. I'm too busy in love with myself and soon I'll love somebody else, but I'm gonna teach some metal bending. That's my main goal!" The girl punched her fist in her open hand which made the airbender smile. Toph would always be Toph.
A knock came to the door before it was opened and a male guard appeared, "Everything is ready, Lady Jiyuu. Please come with us. You will be escorted and your friends will be escorted to their seats."
The airbender nodded her head and stood up and walked through the door, her three friends following behind her. The girl's step were cautious but steady, she didn't realize how hard it would to walk in geta while she was pregnant. She was use to walking in them any other time, but right now felt too much of a hassle. Still, she was determined to do this and nothing was going to waver it.
She arrived to a curtain and she turned to see that Katara, Toph, and Suki had already been taken a different route for their seating. The curtains were opened for her and she had seen the ceremonial plaza decorated with all sorts of hues of red, but every nation's flag was allowed up. She smiled at the sight of it and then slowly walked down the long pathway where she had seen her family on the left side of the stage and Zuko's family on the right.
It did make her sad to know that his father, his sister, and nor Ursa would be attending. It was just Uncle Iroh and other distant relatives on that side. And it made her wonder how he felt about that, but when she caught his face she didn't allow that to stress herself. Actually, she wanted to laugh at his expression. His eyes wide, his mouth nearly opened agape, as she grew nearer and nearer. There was no use in feeling pity, this was supposed to be the best day of their lives.
Once she was standing next to him, they both walked up the seven steps to the stage. Once they reached the center, they kneeled down just like their families were before the man who would be united them in marriage. A Fire Sage. "We are all gathered here today to unite Fire Lord Zuko and Lady Jiyuu of the Earth Kingdom in marriage." He began, Jiyuu's eyes closed and Zuko confidently looking ahead at the crowds of people that gathered from everywhere to watch their wedding.
"It is to our knowledge that both have came together out of love and out of commitment. Fire Lord, repeat after me: '"We have taken the Seven Steps. You have become mine forever. Yes, we have become partners. I have become yours. Hereafter, I cannot live without you. Do not live without me. Let us share the joys. We are word and meaning, united. You are thought and I am sound.'"
Zuko and Jiyuu then turned to face each other, Jiyuu's eyes looking at Zuko's gold ones. "We have taken the Seven Steps. You have become mine forever. Yes, we have become partners. I have become yours. Hereafter, I cannot live without you. Do not live without me. Let us share the joys. We are word and meaning, united. You are thought and I am sound. As the heavens are stable, as the earth is stable, as the mountains are stable, as the whole universe is stable, so may our union be permanently settled."
The Fire Sage nodded his head and then looked at Jiyuu. "Lady Jiyuu return the words of commitment."
Jiyuu smiled sweetly at Zuko, resisting the urge to grab onto his hands. "We have taken the Seven Steps. You have become mine forever. Yes, we have become partners. I have become yours. Hereafter, I cannot live without you. Do not live without me. Let us share the joys. We are word and meaning, united. You are thought and I am sound. As the heavens are stable, as the earth is stable, as the mountains are stable, as the whole universe is stable, so may our union be permanently settled." She repeated, tears finally slipping through the corner of her eyes.
The sage nodded once more as they turned to the small table in front of them. There was a small, round cup of drinks before them. Both of them picked up the cups and took one sip until a gong had been rung, they took another until the gong rang once more, and then the last one. They turned to face each other once more.
"In Agni, of all these we believe, gives his blessings to this union. This is not just a union for love, this is also a union of families. "Both families turned toward each other and bowed deeply, twice. "I hereby announce this unification complete. You and both, husband and wife." Both Jiyuu and Zuko stood up, he had taking her right hand with his left. The families stood and followed the couple as rice and petals of fire lilies were thrown at them.
Once they were back in the palace, Jiyuu was quickly taken away from her husband by servants for her to change. Zuko, still dressed in his attire, blinked a few times as his wife had been taken. "Don't worry, she'll be back. They are going to change her outfit for the reception." Iroh had quickly calmed down his nephew, who smiled and sighed of relief.
Once Jiyuu was changed to the Diyi, which was her usual wear, but now a hue of scarlet with firelilies design all over. The sleeves were long, past her hands and towards her knees, and it was loose instead of form fitting due to her stomach. They had taken off the red hat off her head and combed her hair so it was back in her hime-style and Lu Ten's flower pinned back into her hair. Her makeup was reapplied and she was escorted to the ballroom where everyone was waiting for her.
Everyone had clapped upon her arrival and she bowed slightly, smiling at them. Before Zuko could even walked towards her, everyone began surrounding her. "I am so happy for you, Jiyuu." Haru said as she had given him a hug since it was a while since she had last seen him. She heard a congratulations from his father, from Teo and the mechanist, and Hakoda as well as Bato. Bumi had told her that he had given her a lovely gift, Piandao said he made sure it didn't explode, Jeong Jeong joked about being a teacher to her firebender, and Pakku had congratulated her as well.
Soon Ty Lee and Mai, to her surprise, made their way over. "Congratulations, Jiyuu!" Ty Lee said in her usual hyper voice.
In an odd way, the female airbender could say that she had missed her and was happy to hear that from her . Jiyuu had given the acrobat a hug, in which was greatly returned.
Mai and Jiyuu had a stare off, "I guess I have to call you Fire Lady Jiyuu, huh?" Was the first sentence to come from her.
She seemed more gloomy than usual in Jiyuu's opinion, but she knew very well not to question it. "I'm afraid so, but I think rules can be broken. We can be friends."
"Friends? I thought you had no intention." Mai countered as both girls tensed up, the atmosphere around them taking a dramatic change.
"I was being nice." The brunette said through gritted teeth, but Katara had broken up and took Jiyuu off towards Sokka and Aang. "Thanks, Katara. Things were about to get real ugly."
"I could tell." The waterbender replied, "Aang said he wants to make a speech."
"He does?" Jiyuu blinked several times.
"Yeah!" The monk smiled, "You two are my friends and who better than the Avatar?"
Although touched, Jiyuu was slightly worried. "You sure about this Aang? I mean you really don't have to." She placed her hand on his shoulder.
"I'm definitely sure." The boy was too persistent and Jiyuu knew and who knows, he might give a great speech. She just nodded her head as everyone was taken to their tables. Jiyuu, Zuko, and their family were at the large table.
During their feast, speeches were given in which everyone had to stop eating and listen. "First to speak to the bride and groom is former General Iroh."
Both Jiyuu and Zuko looked at each other with a smile before looking at the man who sat beside Zuko. "I have known my nephew since the day he was born and there was one thing that I could see in the eyes of the infant was strength and stubbornness." He looked at the young couple, "I have also known Jiyuu when she was just an eight-year-old girl. Unsure about the world, but so sure of herself. She was confident, she was radiant, and she was even arrogant. She's even all those things today after seven years." Everyone laughed as Jiyuu gave Iroh a playful pout.
Iroh had continued on, "In life, you have to face many trials and not all of them are easy or as pretty. They will teach you, they will hurt you, and most of all they will change you even in the littlest of ways. Both my nephew and my niece-in-law, have faced are some difficult trials that others could not look in the eye. Jiyuu was far stronger than my nephew, my nephew had things he had to learn in which he did without my help. He relied on his own strength and the strength that Jiyuu had given him."
He then wiped a few tears of my own. "Both of them are like a son and daughter, not imaging how my life would have been without them. Even though they say they have learned so much from me, they have also taught this old dog new tricks." Jiyuu had wiped a few tears of her own, trying hard not to mess up her make up. "Before I keep rambling on, I would like to say that love comes in all shapes and all forms. At times, it may be in front of you and you might not even notice it, but if its alongside you. If it is constant, grab onto it and don't let it go. And I wish that you two will never let go of what you have found."
Everyone clapped as Zuko rubbed Jiyuu's back as she finally broken down in tears. "I'm sorry."
"There's no need to be sorry, my dear." Iroh then walked over as she hugged him.
"I love you so much, Uncle." She in his embrace.
"I love you as well, Jiyuu."
They soon her a tapping of a glass and everyone turned their attention to Aang as he stood up, albeit nervous. "Uhm, I would also like to say a speech to my friends Fire Lord Zuko and Fire Lady Jiyuu."
Zuko gave Aang a nod as permission to do so. Aang returned the nod and then cleared his throat but choked a little which cause everyone to giggle. Jiyuu managed to smile even though she was worried, "Zuko and I began as enemies." He began, "He wanted to take me to his father, former Fire Lord Ozai, so that he could regain his honor. Zuko didn't see how much the world needed me, he saw how much he needed me. I never realized that until later on, but there was a part of me back then that wanted to be his friend. In some aspects, he reminded me of my friend Kuzon. He was a firebender too and we were great friends. I wanted to find that in Zuko. It wasn't until later when Zuko realized his true destiny wasn't to fight me, but to fight alongside me. And I came to know as the avatar, I shouldn't be afraid of fire but to embrace it. We learned many things together and it deepened her friendship, we both knew how it felt to have inner turmoil."
Zuko smiled as Jiyuu rested her ahead on his shoulder in which he held her hand. "My friendship with Jiyuu had blossomed before I met Zuko. When I found out that she was an airbender, I was overjoyed. I felt like the best thing has ever happened to me. Someone like me was around. We're nothing alike though," chuckles filled the air, "Jiyuu was more passionate, more headstrong than I was when it came to the things she loved. Even though she had done things with much force, she handled things in a peaceful manner if you allowed her." Jiyuu pouted as Zuko laughed, "Still, she was kind and giving, she was persistent and she was strong. She knew me, Aang the airbender and not Aang the monk. She could read me like a book, she had tried to help me. She's like a big sister to me and I hope that bond never goes away."
"In all of what I really want to say is that, these two were made for each other. They are both close to me and I wouldn't want to lose them. I hope they stay happy together, grow stronger together, and their lives as husband and wife as well as mother and father to the future Prince and Princess is as strong as it was all those months ago. Cheers to the bridge and groom!" He lifted his cup of strawberry juice and everyone else had done the same.
One year later… Di 8, Yī yuè – Winter 100 ASC
The sound of a baby crying had rung through the air of the palace. "Hey! Jiyuu! Can you come over here? Isao won't stop crying!" Zuko said as he tried to bounce cradle the baby .
"Oh, okay! I'm coming." Jiyuu said as she tried to speed up her walk as she wore her usual Diyi and went out to the courtyard.
"Do you think there's something wrong with me? The moment you go away, the crying starts…" the father of the upset child said.
Jiyuu rolled her eyes as a smile appeared on her face. "You're just too rough, Zuko. Babies are fragile, you have to treat them gently."
"Yeah, but he's a man. Men aren't supposed to cry this much. How is he going to be future Fire Lord if he cries like this?" Her husband said in a matter-of-factly tone.
"Well he cries because you say stuff like that! Now can it, mister." Jiyuu's slender hand stroked and she said sweet whispers in his ear until Isao's crying had turned to small hiccups and then faded away entirely.
The boy had Zuko's dark brown hair atop of his head, but his eyes were hazel like his mother's. "With all this crying, I'm starting to wonder if he's really cut out for it the throne."
"He's still just a baby, Zuko. Don't you think it's a little early to be deciding what he'll be when he grows up? He might not even want to be Fire Lord."
"Yeah, the throne might want a woman instead of a man again." Zuko sighed, "She was born three minutes earlier than him anyway." Jiyuu smiled at the child cradled in his arms. "How is Li-hua? Is she sleep?"
Jiyuu nodded her head, "She just went to sleep earlier." A servant walk by the pathway in the courtyard then appeared, "Kana, can you please take Isao to the nursery. He's fallen asleep." She said as the woman bowed and exited through the small gate before gently taking the young prince out of the Fire Lord's arms.
Jiyuu then turned to face her husband, her expression now serious. "When are we going to discuss these dreams you have been having?"
Her husband looked at her curiously, "What dreams?"
"The ones you have been having these past days about an assassin in our home. What is that about? You woke me up and snapped on the guards even." She pointed out as he sighed.
He shook his head, "I know for a fact that someone's trying to kill me."
"How can you be so sure? How do you know you're not just being paranoid? And don't you think they would've done so by now?" She questioned and he had felt unable to answer.
With a hand on his head, he sighed heavily and then nodded his head. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I am just paranoid."
Placing both hands on his cheeks, she gave him a concerned look. "I'm worried about you and if you really feel that someone's after you then, maybe we should double up on security around our rooms and the twins, okay?"
Jiyuu: The Japanese name meaning "Freedom"
Isao: The Japanese name meaning "Honor; merit"
Li-hua: The Chinese name meaning "Pearl Blossom"
Yi yuè: January
Di 8: 8th
I told you I would be fast and thanks for the reviews. I plan to continue this story, but then I might now. Who knows really. But I mixed their wedding with a bunch of Asian traditions.
And the day of the twins, this was two days after their birth. So January 6th would be their birthday. :3