The Dagger
Zuko was very busy at work for the past two years. He's been going from colony to colony, and from island to island. He even had to check remote areas in the Fire Nation. He made frequent visits to the Earth Kingdom to have talks with the Earth King and drop by his uncle's tea shop. He's been signing papers, pacts, and treaties with other nations. He visited Aang and his family at Air Temple Island to ask for help and reports. He made sure things are doing well in the growing metropolis named Republic City.
He had just arrived from all the work. It feels like he hadn't been home in two years, but it was true.
"You're finally home." His wife's voice entered the room. "It's been two years."
"Mai," He started.
"Have you read the letters that we've been sending?" She raised an eyebrow.
"I don't need your daily blah." He shook his head.
"Does that mean you haven't opened at least one?" She laid a hand on the table.
"What do you think?" He stood up from the chair he was sitting on. "Do you think I need the same news every day, from you?"
"Those letters weren't from me, almighty Fire Lord." She was twirling a knife between her fingers.
"Who are they from, then?" Zuko's voice lowered.
"Who else?" She threw the knife, just centimeters away from her husband's head and stuck to the wall behind him. "Your five-year-old daughter, your one and only sweetheart, she would send you drawings or letters every day. Do you even remember her name?"
"Ursa," He said softly.
"One day, she might forget about you." Mai poked his chest. "You've missed the first day she firebended and her fourth birthday. She wrote a letter to you that she was able to finally produce fire."
"I-I—"
"You promised her you'd be there the day she would make her first burst of flame. You promised you'd be home on her birthdays." Mai made him feel guilty. "Do you even know what day is it today?"
"It's a Wednesday!" He exclaimed.
"You've forgotten your own daughter's birthday!" She shouted.
It hit him like lightning. It was Ursa's birthday. He didn't have a gift or card or anything for her.
He slumped down in his chair. "Where is she?"
"What any regular five-year-old would be doing at this time of night, sleeping." The Fire Lady crossed her arms. "Maybe she could be having a nightmare about you. She could be wondering why you haven't been replying to any of her letters."
"Did you have a celebration?" He removed his armor.
"Yes, her friends from the Academy, some of my relatives, your uncle, and some of our old friends were there." She grabbed the knife back from the wall.
"Is Uncle here?" He massaged his temples.
"He's staying for a week and so is Ty Lee." Mai stated.
"Do you know where I could find him?" Zuko stood up.
"In one of the guest rooms, he's still awake, his candle's still lit." She left his office.
The Fire Lord went out of the office and went looking for his uncle's room. He was walking in the corridor of guest rooms and found a room with the door slightly open and the candlelight was present.
"Uncle," He knocked on the door. "Are you there?"
"Come in, Zuko." Iroh welcomed him.
Zuko went inside his room and took a seat on the floor.
"You know, Ursa was awaiting you arrival ever since she woke up this morning." His uncle handed him a cup of tea.
"I don't have anything prepared for her." The Fire Lord confessed.
"Do you still have that pearl-handled dagger with you?" The former general refilled his own cup of tea.
"Are you suggesting I start an heirloom?" He unsheathed the dagger from his side.
"Do you want to pass on a legacy onto your descendants?" Iroh smiled.
"But this dagger has been my companion for years." Zuko looked at the dagger.
"Give it to her, she'll appreciate it." Iroh patted his back.
His nephew made a long sigh. "Good night, Uncle."
"Good night, Zuko."
The Fire Lord went looking for his daughter's bedroom. He felt like he didn't have the guts to face his daughter. He opened the door to Ursa's room slowly. When he finally made it inside, he kept his head down. He heard muffled sobs from a distance. He looked up and saw his daughter hugging her legs and looking out of the window. She was mumbling words to herself and at the same time crying. Zuko felt like crying himself. He imagined how many promises he had broken, promises to his own daughter. He slowly walked over to his daughter's bed and sat on it.
"Mom, I don't think Dad will be coming home—ever." She said sadly and cried loudly.
That statement broke the Fire Lord's heart. For two years, she's been waiting for him to come home and he hasn't been reading any of the notes that he'd been sending her.
"Ursa, Daddy's home, sweetheart." He said, about to break into tears.
"I must be hearing things." She said to herself.
"No, it's real, sweetheart. Daddy is home." Zuko was afraid she wouldn't believe him.
"Dad?" She turned around and saw her father. "Dad!" She hugged him tightly.
"I'm home and I won't be gone for a long time ever again. If I need to, I'll be bringing you." He whispered.
"Really?" Her voice was cracking.
"Yes." He reassured her. He put the dagger in her hands.
"What's this for?" She asked.
"Happy birthday, my dear Ursa." The Fire Lord hugged his daughter tighter than ever.