Dedicated to the people mentioned below! A huge thanks to SarahNev for her fantastic birthday gift, see her adorable illustration! No point reading an author's note when you can read…
A Finale to Tears in Heaven
Would you hold my hand if I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand if I saw you in heaven?
I'll find my way through night and day,
'Cause I know I just can't stay here in heaven.
----Eric Clapton "Tears In Heaven"
There were crows everywhere, waiting to be fed. Their black shapes were everywhere, hungry and merciless. They lingered, calling for the sacrifice. They would not have long to wait. Zuko felt as if he lived his entire life in a dark dungeon. Now, he would finally leave, even if it is the worst way possible.
Zuko lowered his head as he was walked through the crowds up to the scaffold, guards forcing him along. He could feel the heavy chains biting into his wrists and ankles. His head had been shaved and he was dressed in thin white clothing. The neck of his robe had been cut low, not to impede the ax. This chilled him on both a physical and mental level. He was going to die a dishonored traitor. He could smell the excitement in the air, people yearning to take out their own misery on others.
Zuko felt so dirty. Rotten vegetables and eggs kept being thrown at him. Zuko could not raise his hands to protect himself. He could hear the angry mob calling for his blood. "Failure." A shudder went down his spine. "Traitor."
He loved his people so much, why did they hate him? Zuko numbly looked around him, past the bloodthirsty crowds. He was finally at the top of the platform. A large block was waiting for him. Next to it was a long ax which to sever his head. He was pushed to his knees before his father. "Please, I'm your son. I've devoted my whole life to being your slave! Have mercy on me!" he heard himself beg.
"Mercy is for the weak." A girl stood by his father's side, dressed in Zuko's favorite robes, with a flame crown in her hair. She cuddled against the Fire Lord's arm. "Goodbye, big brother. I'm the child Father always wanted," she sneered as she pointed to the side.
Heavily guarded by soldiers were more prisoners, being subjected to public abuse. Dirty and disheveled, Uncle, Mother, and Aiiro were in chains and cangues. Their hands were trapped by the wheels also imprisoning their heads, they were helpless and at the non-existent mercy of the Fire Lord. The Blood of Sozen being treated like common slaves! A crowd had pelted them with refuse and they too were powerless to stop it. They were innocent of everything, their only crime was caring for him!
From the corner of his eye, he saw Hotaru standing with Zhao and his family. She seemed broken and weak, too beaten down to fight back. Her spirit was completely broken.
Zuko shuddered, yearning to run to his beloved family, but the chains held him back. He had failed them! Agni have mercy, they were doomed and he had not been able to protect them. "Execute them," he heard his father say.
Zuko was almost relieved to be dragged over to the block to lay his head down. He could not bear seeing any more pain. One stroke and it would all be over. He felt the shadow of a person across his back. He closed his eyes, waiting for the end. His only comfort was that he would see his loved ones again in the next world.
"Zuko, what's wrong?" a high voice suddenly asked.
"I'm about to die, my family is suffering and I'm a failure. Is that enough for you?" Zuko retorted, opening his eyes to see the Avatar.
"Not anymore. I died, so you don't have to," the Avatar said, touching Zuko's chains. Zuko gaped as the manacles melted away. "I have given my life so this future will not happen," he murmured comfortingly.
"Why?" Zuko said, as he rose to face the Avatar. The jeers had stopped and there was a deafening silence in the air. What had happened to the crowds?
He could not understand what was going on. "Why? Because I had to save the world. It was my duty," the Avatar reminded him.
"Why did you save me? I have been so cruel to you. I deserve to die. I am a disappointment. I failed everyone." The crowds had disappeared and so had the prisoners. Zuko was all alone with the boy he had tormented. He had always believed himself taller then the Avatar, yet the small boy towered over him.
"I forgive you, Zuko. Lay down your sadness and your pain, it is all over. All your grief is behind you now," Aang reassured him. Zuko's lip began to tremble. "It's all right to cry, you are free to be yourself now."
Zuko finally did something he had bit back for so many years. He burst into tears and cried. He cried for the humiliation and grief for he had endured. He had been through so much and he had forced himself to be so stoic. He had been so strong for so long. He was tired now. He just wanted to rest. "Thank you," he whispered as he tried to get a hold of himself.
"The chains Ozai kept on you are broken. The hatred and cruelty he has marked you with is now replaced with love and forgiveness. Because of my death, you have been given a second chance at life. I only brought you here to tell you that the future is now in your hands."
"What do you want me to do?" Zuko asked, as he wiped away his tears. He kneeled before the Avatar. "Command me and I shall obey you. Let me regain my honor."
"You have your honor, Zuko. You sacrificed your well-being for others, no one has more honor then you. You have learned kindness, mercy, wisdom and strength. What more do you need?" the Avatar asked, looking far older then his few years.
"I don't know what I need. I am afraid," Zuko pleaded. "Tell me what I need to do!"
" I have restored your place on the throne and allowed others to see your true strength. The rest is up to you. Go in peace. Bring happiness to others. Be a good leader. You have the heart, mind and soul of a great king and a great warrior. Make your kingdom happy. They need you. You have people who love you waiting for you to return. They need you too. Go in peace, Zuko," the Avatar said, as a blinding flash of light enveloped them both.
Zuko opened his eyes. He thought he saw faces looking down on him. He blinked a few times and saw all his family was around him. Uncle, Mother, Hotaru and Aiiro, had all been watching him sleep. They weren't prisoners! They were safe!
"Master, you are awake!" Aiiro squealed, squeezing his hand excitedly. The little boy was sitting next to him, cuddled up like a pet cat. His body felt warm. He was alive.
"I'm alive…" Zuko whispered. He was so grateful to be alive and safe. Uncle was pale but all right. Everything was perfect. "Uncle! You…look well," he mumbled, wondering how undignified it would be to hug him.
"Yes, Nephew. I am happy to see you finally got a good rest," Uncle said, putting his hand on Zuko's shoulder. "Good to see you again."
"Was I sleeping?" Zuko yawned. He looked around him. He was far away from prisons and angry mobs. In fact, he was in the Fire Lord's private bedchamber. He remembered this room. This was the Dragon Turret, private apartments of the sovereign. Hotaru and Zuko had sometimes sneaked in to visit when they missed their mother. Yes, he remembered the red silk hangings, the golden walls, the elaborate furniture. Could it be? He was in his country! He had missed this palace for two long years and now he was back home! The Avatar had sent him to the place Zuko had dreamed of.
"You fell into a trance for hours. No one knew what to do. Hotaru carried you here and kept order till we arrived. She was the one who ordered the blockade to let us in. She had messengers waiting for us by the dock, telling us that Ozai was dead but that you were hurt. You were unconscious for so many hours. Your energy levels are extremely low. We were worried about you, " Mother said, her voice trembling.
"I'm quite sure you weren't, Captain," Zuko informed his mother quietly. He had gone through enough in the last few days. He did not need any more heartbreak. He had a second chance and he would allow no one to embitter it. "You had the child you valued more safe. I am sure you were quite fine."
"You have every right to hate me. I had no right to hurt you the way I did. I knew I would not be there to help you grow up, so I broke your heart to try and make you strong. It was the only way I knew I could insure you would survive in the world. I broke your heart out of love," Mother said paradoxically.
"After a while, it got easier to pretend to hate you because I missed you so much.I figured Ozai would turn you into a version of him, someone incapable of love. Why bother to miss someone who would someday hurt me?"
"I hope you can see that I am nothing like Ozai," Zuko retorted proudly, trying to sit up so he could face his mother. He had broken the chains, just as Aang said. "I am my own man."
"I was wrong to do that to you. Yet, I am happy to see it made you strong. Your crew told me how you were willing to give your life for your sister," Mother said softly, her voice steady.
"You still had no right to play with my emotions like that," Zuko muttered, turning his eyes away.
"I understand. I will leave the Fire Nation immediately." Mother rose to her feet. "Hotaru will stay with you, of course." There was something stoic in her pain; she would always remain a warrior.
"Don't leave. You can't go till I get some answers. Besides, I am tired of all this self-pity and asking for forgiveness. You did make me strong and frankly, I am not letting you walk out on me again. We all get a second chance." That was as close ameliorating the fight as he would have now. The tiniest smile tinged at Mother's lips, a smile shared by nearly everyone in the room. "I have other matters to consider. Are we alone?" Zuko demanded, propping himself up in bed. "I have sensitive questions to ask."
The three royals and the young Water bender nodded. "We all wanted to be alone, with just the ones we can trust." Hotaru said. There was a pain in her eyes that Zuko did not dare pry into. He would talk to her later.
"Who is my father?" Zuko demanded. "Who am I?" Subtlety was never one of his strengths.
Hotaru's eyes widened. "What is going on here?" she asked softly. "I didn't like our dearly departed dad any more then you did, but he's dead now. You can forget him now. Right, Mother?"
Mother and Uncle exchanged looks. "Hotaru, it's not as simple as that. We don't know who Zuko's father was. You were born without the ability to fire bend. That means one of your parents lacked the ability to pass on the fire-bending gene," Mother explained.
Uncle continued. "Your father believed that he could pass on the Fire bending gift because he believed Kishi was his son. Ozai fell in love with Lady Akiko when she was still married to a cousin of ours, Colonel Hoshina. "
"Hoshina was sent off to the frontlines and died within a week. Ozai married the 'grieving widow' Akiko a few days after her husband's death. Kishi was born eight months later."
"Akiko passed it off as Ozai's child and no one dared question them. Ozai was a better person then and doted on his family. When they died, Ozai knew it was his duty to get an heir. That is when the problems started. Ozai had two other children out of wedlock. Both of them lacked the ability to fire-bend as well. They…disappeared."
"Ozai and my father arranged for me to be the next royal wife, as I came from a good family and was Iroh's best student. I respected my husband, even if he was quite cold. But after Hotaru was born, I feared what Ozai might do if I bore him another child who he considered useless. So one night, I asked Iroh to help me. Then I returned to Ozai's side." Zuko and Hotaru's jaw had dropped already and Aiiro was looking confused.
"Nine months later, Zuko was born. Since he can fire-bend…it's possible that…" Iroh trailed off.
"Then…I am not the Fire-Lord's son…Father," Zuko said, bowing his head. Zuko always used the name "Father" with the utmost fear and anger. "Dad." That did not seem proper at all. "Sir." That was not appropriate.
"Well, you are right about that. You are not the Fire-Lord's son. You are the Fire Lord himself," said Zuko's father figure.
"I can't be Fire Lord. You are next in line," Zuko protested. He was illegitimate, he had no right to the throne. He expected to feel crushed by that thought, but he was strangely numb to it. He would not mind seeing the man he thought was his uncle on the throne.
"Come now, my dear boy. There is no definite proof to your parentage and the…punishment for adultery is rather harsh. For the sake of your poor mother and myself, perhaps we can keep this our little secret," his beloved guardian answered with a twinkle in his eyes. "Besides, I am too old to be a leader. I am too tired. Don't worry, I have a feeling I won't be far from the seat of power."
Zuko nodded, bowing to the wisdom of his beloved protector. "Yes Uncle," he said. The word "uncle" was the best title for him; it was the title of someone he loved without ever feeling terror.
"Brother, I need to ask for your forgiveness…" Hotaru began, just as her mother was about to continue apologizing.
Zuko growled and threw a pillow at them both. "As my first act as Fire Lord, I put the past behind this royal family. No more apologizing! Today, we all start fresh," he said. Life was a precious gift and Zuko was not going to waste a second of it. "No more thoughts of the past. We have a nation to lead." Yesterday, he had been the lowest of the low. He had been raised to new heights! It really was a miracle.
"As you command, my brother," Hotaru said, bowing her head slightly. A bit of fire had returned to her eyes.
"You have your family back!" Aiiro whispered brightly, who had clearly understood none of the conversation. Zuko could not help but pat his little friend's head. "I am so happy for you!" Zuko nodded. He was happy too. Everything was perfect, just like a dream. He was almost afraid this was a dream. He could still feel the bruises though from being Zhao's prisoner. No, this was wonderfully real.
"So, how would you like to spend your first day as Fire Lord Designate?" Mother asked. "Enjoying the palace again? Resting?"
Zuko closed his eyes for a moment, debating continuing his nap. Yet, he still had that restless feeling. He had been marched through the streets as a prisoner and he could still feel the after-affects of his near-death experience. "Have the servants get me dressed. I need to get myself a council, get to know all the politics and issues facing the nation, regroup position in the palace, give orders to the troops, handle the budget, appoint people to positions, deal with war issues, plan the next few military campaigns and plan the coronation," Zuko directed, trying to throw the covers off. He needed to keep busy to forget the terror and pain of yesterday. He needed to forge his new path.
Uncle sighed. "Are you sure, Lord Zuko? A man needs his rest," he said worriedly. "You are still a bit drained."
Zuko nodded. "I'm the Fire Lord now, not just some prince. I have a responsibility to my people," he said firmly. Nothing was going to stop him from serving them. He had to reclaim himself in their eyes. They could not keep seeing him as a prisoner, when Agni had made him a king.
"But you didn't rest when you were the Prince!" Uncle reminded. Zuko scowled and ignored that comment, however true it might have been.
"Your first day, you should take it slowly. You won't make a good Fire Lord if you faint," Hotaru reminded, taking his hand. "I would die if anything happened to you." The haunted look in her eyes was started to scare Zuko. If Zhao was responsible for this, Zuko planned to punish him in a manner even Ozai would find overly graphic.
"I'm fine." He squeezed her hand, vowing that Hotaru never know another moment of pain again. "You better be all right too."
"I am." Hotaru's voice shuddered a bit. "I've just been worried about you. Zhao was torturing you and there was nothing I could have done to stop it. I was weak, not you."
"I'm safe now. You don't have to worry," Zuko informed her. "Zhao didn't torture me," he lied.
"Yes, he did. Zhao was going to hurt me, but Master told them to hurt him instead. They beat him so badly, General!" Aiiro piped up, cuddling into Zuko's arm. "But Master wasn't afraid at all!"
Zuko reddened slightly. "It was not so bad," he muttered. He did not want to remember those moments. In fact, he did not want to remember very much from his old life. Yet, the scars still remained. He could feel the fear radiating from poor Aiiro. Mother and Hotaru had so badly mistreated him, yet Aiiro had remained at his side.
He looked at his family. There was the father figure he had always loved, the mother he had grieved over and the sister he had longed for. They were Fire Nation, they were strong people who had conquered so many people. Under their hands, thousands had died. This was the family he had been born into.
He had a battle-thirsty country to rule, who would expect him to continue this war. They had spared him their wrath and for that, he would serve them forever. He did not want more people to die in a war but he could not betray his country with shameful weakness. He had to end the war properly or risk the safety of the country he loved more then his own life.
He also had a foster-ling who he had promised himself to raise. A child from the tribes, a child as innocent and pure as the water he could control. Aiiro was a child of the enemy and Zuko did not want him growing up in a world of war. He did not want Aiiro to know the pain of seeing friends and neighbors going off to the war, of living in fear.
He was so grateful to the Avatar. Aang had given Zuko this second chance at life. Because of his sacrifice, Zuko was surrounded by the people he loved most. The Avatar had given him hope for a bright new future. Zuko had always knew that Aang would be the key to his happiness but he never realized that it would be his friendship, not his captivity that saved the day. Aang was now free from his burdens, resting in the Spirit world till he was reborn. Zuko thanked him for the wonderful gift.
He would not let Aang's sacrifice go in vain. As the new Fire Lord, Zuko would make a better world for everyone. "All right, all right. I'll only lead a few meetings today. Uncle, call together a meeting in the War chamber." Zuko felt the moment of his triumph should be in the place where he had lost his honor. Zuko liked poetic irony.
"I wish to address the high ranking officials. Hotaru, Mother, find some proper clothing and make up; I want you both at my side. Between the three of you, no one knows more about running a country and an army. We need to look formal and in control if we want to assure the people everything is all right," he commanded, pulling a bell for service. He needed a bath, a hair cut and a perfuming, as well as new royal robes. He would need to erase the image of prisoner in their mind. The clothes did make the man after all.
"What about breakfast?" Uncle enquired. Some might see that as gluttony but Zuko knew his uncle was only worried about him. Zuko often forgot meals when he was working hard.
"Have the servants provide you breakfast in your rooms before the meeting. The servants are here, get busy," he ordered imperiously as the other members of the members of the royal family left to their own coiffure treatment.
Zuko looked down at Aiiro as the room became crowded with servants, who all fell to their knees before their new lord. If the little boy's eyes got any wider, they'd fall out of his head. "Honor us, your majesty with a command," said one servant deferentially.
"I require couture. Come along Aiiro, you need a bath too," Zuko commanded. Zhao's dungeon had not been very sanitary and he did not want to think about the dirt and grime covering him. He forced himself to block out all those memories.
"What's going to happen to me, Master?" Aiiro asked as servants helped Zuko out of bed.
"I already told you. You will be staying here with me. Now come on, we both need baths. Go with the servants, they'll find you some of my old childhood robes to wear," he directed, before turning to a plump young lady. "This is Aiiro, my ward. He's…"
How would Zuko explain keeping a Water Child here? The only time foreign children were brought in was when they were outside royalty, who would be fostered to train them in loyalty to their host. Perfect. "He's the future leader of the Southern Tribe so I expect you to treat him accordingly." Aiiro's eyes widened but he said nothing. Zuko would raise him to become the ideal ruler of the Water tribe, one completely loyal to him. It was so brilliant. "I am making you his chatelaine. See to it that the room next to mine is filled with the furniture from the Red Room in the second turret. I want it made appropriate for it's new occupant," he directed. "You may serve us both breakfast in Aiiro's room. Also, have a Fire Sage brought to me."
"As your majesty wishes. Come along, young master," the servant said, bowing deeply.
Aiiro looked up fearfully at Zuko. "Master!" he pleaded, unwilling to be parted from his beloved guardian.
"You'll be back soon. Don't be a child, Aiiro. You are only going to the baths, no one will hurt you. The sooner you bath, the sooner we can eat," Zuko directed, giving his ward an encouraging nod.
"Please don't leave me. They'll hurt me," Aiiro begged, holding onto Zuko's cloak.
"Aiiro. This people all would die for me. They will not hurt you. I swear, you will only be next door. If you scream, I will hear you. Don't worry," Zuko said as he walked the boy outside on his way to the baths. "It will only take a few moments."
Aiiro nodded resignedly and followed the servant out. "I'll be back soon, Master."
An hour later, Zuko had been blissfully soaked, scrubbed, cleaned and perfumed in his private bathing chamber. Layers of dirt and depression had been stripped away from him. No longer was he an abused servant of the Fire Lord, no longer was he an exile or a prisoner. He felt like a new person.
This had been the first time in two years that he had ever enjoyed a bath, without worrying that he was wasting time for his Avatar hunt. Today he luxuriated in hot water and the excellent massage he had received. His bruises felt much less sore now that a gifted slave girl had applied some salve. Zuko would have to remember her name; her hands were gifts from Agni.
The time had only gotten better. He had been dressed in traditional silken Fire Lord robes and trousers, ornately embroidered and heavy. Over that came the enormous cloak with points at the shoulders, which placed around his shoulders. Heavy pointed golden boots had been placed onto his feet. He had decided against wearing armor, he was appearing as the Father of his country today. A father before the age of seventeen, that was quite amusing.
Zuko's hair had been fixed into the ceremonial knot of manhood and a lesser diadem had been placed on his head. He would have to wait till his seventeenth birthday till he was fully crowned. A ceremonial jewel-encrusted sword was then tied to his belt. Zuko could not describe the feeling of euphoria as he was dressed in these ancient garments that marked him as the Son of Agni, the Sun King! How many years had he dreamed of this moment?
He longed to see himself in the mirror but he knew the scar would mar his visage. Ozai had left one last permanent reminder of his cruelty on Zuko's face. He would never again be seen without that reminder of his punishment. People would always remember how he had been publicly degraded by the Fire Lord and banished. He was forever marked by battle and sadness. He bit his lip and decided to ignore what he could not change. He choked down any upsetting thought and decided to go see Aiiro.
Zuko was pleased to see that his orders had been completed. Zuko's childhood room had been recreated, with plenty of toys scattered about the floor and a large library of scrolls. Nearby were two cushions and a table. Plates of steaming food had been prepared, delicious aromas filling the room with a warm, spicy scent. A large bed, perfect for jumping on was nestled in a corner, along with plenty of cushions for pillow fights. So many memories of happy times with Hotaru. Now the room would be filled with children's laughter again.
Aiiro was sitting on the bed. His blue parka and pants had been taken away and now he wore a scarlet trousers and tunic, with a dark crimson over-robe and pointy boots. His hair had been slicked back in a traditional Fire Nation queue. Had it not been for his blue eyes, he would have looked exactly like Zuko did at his age. "Do you like it?" Zuko asked. Why did Aiiro look so sad? Wouldn't any child be overjoyed to have such a beautiful room?
"Everything is so…red." Aiiro had not looked up at him. He stared out the window, worriedly.
"Of course it's red. Red is the color of the Fire Nation, your new home. Why aren't you playing with any of your toys? Why haven't you eaten yet?" Zuko continued, stepping inside.
"Such high walls. So much metal." Aiiro turned around and paled a bit. He dropped to his knees and bowed his head to the floor. "I'm sorry for complaining, Master…your majesty," he said fearfully.
Zuko did not understand Aiiro's strange behavior till he realized how he must have looked in full royal regalia to the little boy. He was pleased to look so different but he did not want to scare the little mite. "I'm still the same Master I was an hour ago," he said. "Get up. You only have to genuflect in public. Now, what don't you like about the room?" he demanded, kneeling down and pulling Aiiro up by the hand.
Aiiro reluctantly agreed. "Master, it's a beautiful room. The toys, the clothing, they are wonderful. I…it's just not what home should be like. Home should have furs and ice, not so much metal and silk. It feels so strange," he mumbled sadly as he leaned against his bed.
"Well, it will take you a bit of time to get used to your new home. You aren't a Water Tribe peasant anymore, you are the ward of the Fire Lord. You are part of the Royal Family now."
"Master, may I tell you something?" Aiiro asked. Before Zuko could answer, Aiiro wrapped his arms around him. "I love you, Master. I'm so happy you are alive."
Zuko gingerly hugged the little boy. "I…care about you too," he said, wishing he could actually say the word love. He would have to work on that.
"When they took you away, I prayed to the Gods and the spirits to let you live and make a miracle. They already took away my entire family. My mother, my father, my older brother and sisters are all dead. You were all I had left."
"I'm sorry that you suffered so, Aiiro," Zuko whispered, smoothing back Aiiro's hair.
"But now you are safe and I am happy. You are the only one who can protect me from all the people outside the palace who hate me." Fear was still burning in those bright blue eyes. "Master…why do they dislike me and throw things at me?"
Zuko winced. "Aiiro, those people were cruel you because the Fire Lord told lies about me. They hated you because you were with me. The Fire Lord said that caring for others is a bad thing. He taught the people to hate. But I have proven the Fire Lord wrong and people will listen to me. I am their Lord now and I will teach them the truth. They will care about you as much as I do. Trust me," Zuko said softly.
"You are the best, Master!" Aiiro said, a bit of fear draining from his face. "You will make everything all right."
"You know, I am not very good. It was my family that hurt your family so much. I know you must dislike my mother, my sister for capturing you," he sighed, trying to fight the bad memories. He had to tell Aiiro the truth.
"Lady Hotaru isn't so bad. I cried when you fainted and she held me. I didn't want her to touch me, but she promised that she would never hurt me again. She said she was sorry for being so mean. She was crying so hard over you, pleading for you to wake up." Zuko looked away, touched by his sister's love for him.
"She carried you to bed. I helped take care of you. Then the Pirate captain and the General came. They also cried a lot over you. I tried to hide when I saw the pirate lady but Lady Hotaru and the general said she'd be nice to me. I'm still scared of her, but you'll protect me now. You can protect me, you care about me and you keep me from harm," Aiiro informed him.
"You know I'll look after you. My mother did some horrible things but she's going to change. She will be much nicer now. So will my people. Everything is going to change for the better," Zuko assured him.
"Are we going to be happy?" Aiiro asked innocently.
"Yes, very happy. This is your new home. In a few days, you won't believe you ever lived anywhere else. This is your new life now, some changes will have to happen," Zuko explained as he led Aiiro over to the table.
"Yes Master," Aiiro said softly. Zuko patted his head and motioned for his little ward to sit.
"I've decided that you will not be allowed to be bored. You require a proper education. It will help you accustom yourself to your new life here. I'll be hiring some teachers for you," Zuko explained, sitting down next him. Aiiro would need to get his mind off the past.
"Yes Master," Aiiro repeated, clearly overwhelmed by the changes all around him.
"You will be instructed in martial arts, weaponry, reading, calligraphy, Fire Nation history, literature, political theory, military strategy, mathematics, science, everything a young Fire Nation noble should know," Zuko informed him proudly.
"That's a lot of subjects, Master," Aiiro mentioned worriedly, his mind most likely still filled with the pain of the last month.
"Your studies are going to make you a whole new person. Isn't this place beautiful?" he asked, taking in the Paradise it had taken him two years to earn back. Every inch seemed even more gorgeous then he remembered.
"Yes Master," Aiiro mumbled, staring at the food. He tugged uncomfortably at his clothing before grabbing a piece of bread.
"Aiiro, we don't eat with our hands. We aren't savages," Zuko scolded him, holding up his ivory chopsticks.
Aiiro picked up his own chopsticks and stared at them. "Why not eat with your hands? It's quicker," he asked.
"It's not refined. You aren't a peasant boy anymore," Zuko directed. Aiiro tried to spear a rice ball, but was not doing very well. He kept dropping bits of pastries and rice into his lap. At this rate, Aiiro would have more food on his clothing then in his stomach!
"I'm sorry, Master. I just want to please you," Aiiro whimpered, as he tried to finagle the chopsticks.
Zuko exhaled loudly. He really should not be so sharp with Aiiro. He just wanted everything to be pleasant. He wanted to forget what had happened yesterday and relish in his royal station. He wondered how Aiiro was dealing with this. He did look haggard and pale. That poor child had seen far too much, he needed comfort.
Zuko motioned for Aiiro to sit on his lap. When Aiiro was comfortably seated, Zuko used his own chopsticks and procured a piece of fruit, then fed it to Aiiro. "You do please me. You know that," he said as he placed more food into his ward's mouth. "Now eat, you need to keep your strength up."
The two sat in silence, Zuko feeding his little ward and pondering his future responsibilities and Aiiro dutifully eating. Suddenly, Aiiro let out a small giggle. "What's so funny?" Zuko asked.
"You are like a Mama penguin, feeding me," Aiiro piped up, his mouth full of rice. Zuko rolled his eyes as he placed some more food into Aiiro's mouth. The most powerful man in the world was being compared to a fat bird. Well, he supposed it was good that Aiiro was showing some good humor.
"Just eat," he muttered. He was in Ozai's study, spoon-feeding a child of the water tribe. He had a feeling that the previous Fire lord would not have approved. Zuko smiled to himself, things were going to be run quite differently. "How's the food?" he asked softly.
"Yummy, Master. You are a good cook!" Aiiro said, his cheeks bulging with food.
Zuko chuckled slightly at the little provincial. "I didn't cook it. I have servants to do that. I'm not a prince anymore, you know. I'm the Fire Lord now," he informed him.
"You are also a Mama Penguin," Aiiro teased, obviously feeling silly as he cuddled into Zuko's shoulder.
"Quiet, little chick," Zuko chuckled slightly and put down his chopsticks. He gently ticked under Aiiro's chin, just as Uncle used to do it him. Aiiro giggled, nearly knocking over the table. Now he understood why. It had been Uncle who made sure he remembered how to be happy. Zuko needed to hear Aiiro laugh; he needed to make him forget the horrors of the past.
"Your most august majesty?" said a cold voice. Zuko looked up to see a middle-aged Fire sage and a pretty young lady kneeling by the door. Those must be the new teachers for Aiiro. They had the distinct pleasure of seeing their almighty Lord Despot sitting with a child in his lap, tickling him. There went any chances of looking dignified. Zuko had to admit, he feared Fire Sages. He had eleven years under their instruction and very little of it had been pleasant. Yet, these were the teachers of nobility.
Zuko nudged Aiiro to his feet and rose himself. "Ah yes, I asked that you come. This is Prince Aiiro of the Water Tribe, my ward." Aiiro blinked again, but said nothing to his new royal title. "I am afraid his education has been lacking but he is eager and willing to learn," he said, trying to keep his voice level and dignified. "Aiiro, please meet your teachers."
"Your Majesty's and your highness's most humble servant. It will be my honor to instruct the Prince. I am Fukida of the clan Akzari, Sage of the temple of Agni's Surya," the sage said in a cold, intimidating tone. His slate gray eyes were definitely frightening, but Zuko had faced down worse and survived.
"Your majesty's most humble servant, Hyun of the House of Yhi. I am an archivist of the Palace Libraries," the girl murmured in a dignified tone, not raising her eyes. "Sage Fukida's assistant."
"If the young Prince would follow us, we may begin his studies," the sage said, in an impatient tone, rising to his feet. He obviously had little patience for small talk.
"Master, I do not wish to go. Let me stay with you," Aiiro pleaded, holding on to Zuko's cape.
"I'll see you soon. You are going to be fine," Zuko said, pushing him towards his new teachers. Aiiro was not moving, the poor boy was trembling. Perhaps Zuko should give him a day to rest before starting class.
"Your highness, your sovereign lord has just given you a command. Your wish is irrelevant, you will do as you are told," the sage informed the young boy. "Now, come along." Aiiro's lower lip was quivering, along with the rest of him. He looked back at Zuko, who nodded encouragingly.
Lowering his head sadly, the little boy followed his new teacher out of the door. Zuko watched sadly, wishing he knew if he was doing the right thing. He knew that the only way for Aiiro to acclimate himself to the Fire Nation was to resume a normal life, but he didn't like the new teacher.
With a small smile, Zuko noticed the assistant pat Aiiro on the head as she walked alongside him. She seemed nice; she would balance the harsh taskmaster.
Zuko returned to the meal, feeling much better. As he relished in the delicious food and wonderful surroundings, he realized he was happy. Aiiro was on the road to recovery, his family was finally united and Zuko was Fire Lord. He was sure from now on; everything was going to be all right. As he munched on a won-ton, he looked up at the sky. "Thank you, Aang."
Come with me, where chains will never bind you
All your grief, at last, at last behind you.
Take my hand and lead me to salvation.
Take my love, for love is everlasting.
For the wretched of the earth
There is a flame that never dies.
Even the darkest night will end
And the sun will rise.
---Les Miserables Finale (Edited)
AN/I'll started class so I'll be a lot busier and updates will come less frequently. I'll still be writing though! I have big plans, just because Aang is gone doesn't mean things will be easy. Next chapter is Zhao's trial and Zuko takes control of the Fire Nation.
It seems like the winner of the favorite OC is Hotaru. I am pleased to see she is well liked. She thanks you for your support and promises not to raid your homes. She adores your support for beating up Sokka, she enjoyed that.
Special thanks to Mou for all the weirdly cool reviews. Wow, over 200 reviews, I am very well pleased. I also want to thank Badgrl74, Evilfuzzy67, CelticGoddess1986, Mei, Firebend, Dragonfaeriex. Scarylady,Cala Akina Morushiku, IceStar4621, Kishi, Jordancatgirl7, me-obviously, Reblaw and Sukia Fire! I thank you personally for your contributions to my story!
My review question is: What do you want to see in the next few chapters? Also, what does everyone think of my Zuko?