A/N: So, i've been thinking about making this the last chapter and having a sequel, from Zuko's point of view. But idk if i should make it a part of this sotry or start a whole new one...idk read this and let me know!
Chapter 25:The search for Lady Ursa.
Toph, Zuko and I saddled up on Appa. We were preparing to first go the prison where Zuko's father was held. We needed to figure out where his mother was first in order to find her.
Zuko sat upon Appa's head, holding the reins and I hugged Sokka and Suki good bye.
"When do you think you'll be back?" Suki asked, sounding sad.
"I don't know. It may take weeks." I said frowning. I keep forgetting that Sokka and Suki are trying to get married as soon as possible. They both frowned.
"Well, promise me you'll be careful." Sokka said.
"Of course," I said, forcing a smile. Going on my honey moon was the longest I had been from Sokka in my whole life. This was going to be worse.
"I'll miss you," I said, hugging Sokka and Suki both again.
I turned to get on Appa as Sokka held Suki at her waist. I smiled and noticed Toph and Aang. They kissed, How cute, I thought.
Toph earth bended herself on Appa's saddled and got situated as I did.
"I'm not sure when we'll be back…" Zuko said, "But keep my country safe. That means you Aang," Zuko smiled playfully and everyone laughed.
"Bye everyone!" We said, waving.
"Yip, yip!" Zuko said, flicking the reins for Appa to fly. Appa roared and we sailed off into the sky.
When we reached the prison we landed Appa nearby and made our way to the prison. Zuko held me close as Toph walked casually besides us.
We walked on, guards letting us pass as Zuko announced he was "Going in for a visit."
We reached his father's cell and he lay limp on the floor. Pale, dirty, and depressed. Ozai's eyes slid over to us and he mumbled, "What do you want?"
"You know what I'm here for," Zuko said sternly, holding me close.
"Remind me again of what that was."
"Don't play games. I know you know where she is." Zuko growled.
"Who's she?" Ozai was just playing with him.
"My mother!" Zuko shouted.
"Ah yes. Fire Lady Ursa or should I say former Fire Lady. Am I in the presence of the new Fire Lady?"
"Yes," Zuko snapped, "And you don't bring anything about my wife into this just tell me where she is." Ozai sighed.
"If you must know she was banished to the Earth Kingdom. Probably in Ba Sing Se where she knows I couldn't find her." Ozai smiled evilly.
"She was better off without you." Zuko mumbled.
"Hmph."
"So…are you sure she's in Ba Sing Se? Shouldn't you get reports on her whereabouts? Surely you'd want to know where your wife is."
"Fine. Yes. Well I did before I was locked up. She's in Ba Sing Se. From what I'm told she's living in the lower ring. A lowly refugee." Zuko turned to Toph, "Is he telling the truth?" Toph nodded, "He's obviously not very happy about it but he is telling the truth."
Zuko glared at his father, "We'll be going now," Zuko led me out the door and we made our way back out to Appa.
We all climbed onto to Appa when Toph asked, "So what's the plan?"
"Its easy," Zuko said, "We'll just fly into the Earth kingdom and I told Aang we'd be just about here," Zuko pointed to a part of the map that was the tip of the side of the Earth kingdom next to the last of Fire Nation islands, "Then we'll cut straight across and take the ferry away from the Serpents pass to Ba Sing Se. When Aang's sends the messenger hawk we'll send it to Ba Sing Se alerting them of our arrival and to find Ursa, my mother."
"Sounds easy," Toph said.
"It will be easy! Yip yip!" We soared though the air and Zuko finished with, "And besides I'm the Fire Lord! Everything will be fine."
We've just received the messenger hawk from Aang.
He's reported that everything is fine in the palace and misses Toph terribly. I think that had made her day.
Zuko took out a piece of paper and his brush and ink. He wrote to the Earth kingdom that the Fire Lord would be arriving in search for his mother, former Fire Lady Ursa. He slipped the rolled up paper in the small tube upon the hawk and moved his arm as a motion for it to take off.
The bird flew off of Zuko's bare arm and flew off into the sky. Zuko turned to Toph and I, "We'll stay one more night then head out early tomorrow morning."
"But don't we have to wait for the messenger hawk to return?" Toph asked, staring at the ground.
"No, it will track back to us. Plus we'll be in the air so we won't be to hard to miss."
"Ok." We both replied.
"We should probably get ready for the night. I'll go out and get some more fire wood. Katara set up the tent and Toph…just do your thing."
"Ok, easy enough for me," Toph said, "I'll just set up my "tent" and wait till you cook up the food" She said, strolling over a blank spot in the earth, whistling. She sat and stretched out her arms toward the ground make her walls then lifting her arms up to close the "door."
I turned to see Zuko setting off into the woods to find fire wood. I climbed onto Appa and found our tent wrapped up in a small bag.
I climbed off of Appa and began to set up the tent. I took out the tent and the little poles to hold it up and set it up near the fire pit. Once I was done I gathered supplies for dinner. They packed us enough food so I found some fish in a wrapped package and found three in it. Perfect I thought.
I set them down next to me and sat with arms wrapped around my knees which I rested my chin on. I stared at the fire pit and thought about mine and Zuko's special nights together. I kept wanting more but I knew I didn't want to get pregnant. Not now that is.
I knew I'd have to produce an heir to Zuko's throne. It would be a long time till Zuko retires so its not like we'd have to have a baby now. But I am still afraid that if we're not safe I will have a baby soon.
I placed a hand on my stomach, "I hope its not too soon…" Suddenly Toph's earth tent door flew down, "Are you talking to yourself again Sugar queen?"
"Um…well…" I sighed, "Yes," Toph walked over to me and sat and stared at the fire pit. I wrapped my arms around my knees and stared at the ground.
"So what do you keep talking to yourself for?" Toph asked.
"I'm worried." I replied.
"About what?" She asks.
"That I might get pregnant."
"But you're not pregnant…are you?"
"No, I know I'm not. But what if I do get pregnant? I'm much too young."
"You won't. trust me." She said confidently.
"How do you know?"
"I just know." I looked at Toph, confused.
"Ok then…" She placed her hand on the ground and simply said, "Zuko's back."
I looked over by the tree line and heard bushes rustling and Zuko came out with an arm full of wood chunks and twigs. He dropped them on the fire pit and began to set them up in a precise way.
I studied Zuko closely. I noticed every curve in his body. I noticed how his muscles would tense then release as he moved the heavier wood to the fire pit. I also noticed how much more and more I wanted him; how I wanted his body.
I gulped and noticed my throat was dry. Yes he was my husband but I shouldn't obsesses over him, or his body. I fidgeted around on the ground and noticed my heart rate became increasingly fast. Toph was definitely going to question me about this later.
Zuko finally finished placing the wood and shot it with a flame from his rather large hands. The wood burst into flames and we had our own little fire. Just in time too. It was already dusk.
I picked up the package of fish and placed it in a pan and began to fry the fish.
Zuko and Toph sat quietly, across from each other around the fire. Toph sat back supporting herself with her arms on the ground, legs stretched out. Zuko just sat with his legs crossed, staring at the flames intently. I figured he was probably thinking about his mother and his father.
I just kept cooking the fish glancing back and forth between the two. Finally when it was done it found plates in our supply bad and served the two and myself. I sat close to Zuko as we ate our food.
Either we were all really hungry or we just didn't have anything to talk about. Everyone was silent. I could feel the tension rising but I had no idea what so say. I chewed my food slowly, looking at Toph and Zuko. Zuko caught me looking and smiled. I smiled back. He winked, my heart rate rose.
Toph finished her food and announced, "I'm hittin' the hay," and retreated to her rock tent.
Zuko and I both finished up our fish and he leaned in for a kiss. I kissed back like every time but I pulled away.
"What's wrong?" He asked, worried.
"I'm worried."
"About what?"
"That I might get pregnant…"
"You're pregnant?" He almost yelled. I calmed him down, "No, no, no. But what if do get pregnant? We're not ready to take care of a child!"
"But we're careful," He pointed out.
"Yes but…I don't know why I'm so worried."
"So should we stop…you know…having sex?" I blushed at the sound of him saying that.
"No, well I don't know, Zuko. But I want you so badly," I said. He smiled.
"Should we retire to the tent?" He said coyly. I smiled, "I think we should," I said pulling him closer.
Our lips met, yet again. We shared a passionate kiss when we finally made our way to the tent for another amazing night.
I woke up in the arms of m love. He was peacefully sleeping but I knew I'd have to wake him up. I lightly shook him, "Zuko," I whispered, "Get up. We have to go. We have a mission remember?" He stirred in his sleep then slowly opened his eyes, "Huh? Wha-? Oh yeah." he yawned, sitting up, "Yeah, we have to get ready."
We both sat up and searched for our clothes, which were all over in the tent. We got dressed and the cramped room and we finally made our way out and Toph was sitting on Appa's saddle, "So I heard you guys had some 'fun' last night," she had a playful smile. Zuko rubbed the back of his neck and I quickly turned away to get our stuff as I wildly blushed.
I took down the tent and got our sleeping bags and threw them onto Appa, hitting Toph a few times. She cursed every time I did I just yelled, "Sorry!"
We finally packed everything on Appa and I climbed on his saddle with Toph and Zuko took control of the reins, "Yip, yip!" and we soared off into the sky.
We had been flying for about 2 hours when we spotted the messenger hawk. It landed at the tip of Appa's saddle and Zuko took the rolled up parchment from the tube upon the hawk's back and un rolled it.
He read it out loud, "Dear Fire Lord Zuko, We are very pleased to hear that you are coming to visit our dear city after you have declared peace. And as soon as you arrive we will do everything in our power to find your long lost mother. We await for your arrival. Your's truly, The Earth King. See? I told you this will be easy."
"Yeah it should be," I agreed, "They have files on everyone in the city it shouldn't be too hard to find your mother." Toph groaned, "Ugh, I can't believe we have to go back to the retched city!"
"But Toph, they've probably shut down the Di Lee's evil plans. It's probably a lot better there!"
"I guess so…I'm going to take a nap because SOME PEOPLE kept me up all night!" Toph said, lying backwards. Zuko and I looked at each other and blushed.
"It will be a few more hours until we reach the serpent's pass,"
"Wait, you said we'll take the Ferry…why not fly on Appa?"
"Appa is going to be tired isn't he? Plus I can probably get us our own privet Ferry so there will be room for him."
"Hmm…I never thought of that. Way to think ahead."
Zuko got onto Appa's saddle and sat next to me. He put his arm around me and I snuggled up against his chest.
"I can't believe I'm finally going to see my mother…" Zuko said, staring off into the clouds. I saw a tear roll down his scared cheek. I whipped it away and stared into his golden eyes. They were full of tears and I felt sadness, and happiness.
The sadness was because we have both been kept away from our mother's for so long. The happiness was because he's be able to see his again, but not me.
The Fire Lord had power, but he didn't have the power to bring my mother back. A tear rolled down my cheek, which turned to sobs. I burrowed my face into his chest as he stroked me hair, comforting me as we shared the biggest want: to be with our mother's again.
• • •
About 2 weeks passed. We made it to the Ferry and took it across the river then we flew to Ba Sing Se.
We are currently on the train to the palace. They had a place made up for Appa, where he wouldn't be chained up in a lake under ground, so we wouldn't have to worry about him.
Zuko and I sat, his hand on mine and Toph next to me, starring at the floor. I looked out the windows, remembering our adventures in the city just two years ago. It seemed like yesterday I saved Aang's life. Now I was married Zuko, I would have never expected it…
We finally reached our stop and we made our way to the palace. We were welcomed by the new Earth King, since the last went to travel the world.
He was tall, dark hair in a braid, like everyone else in the city, and a beard and mustache, also dark colored. He spoke with a deep voice as he said, "Welcome! Fire Lord Zuko! Fire Lady Katara. And Toph Bei Fong. It is an honor to have you in our humble city. I'm Earth King Michio." He bowed at us.
Zuko bowed back so I did too, "It's my pleasure," he said, "But I'm here for a very important reason's I'd like us to attend to." Zuko said, firmly.
"Ah yes, the search for your mother. Please, come with me."
The Earth King led us into the palace, into a huge room with tons of scrolls and parchments and books.
"Here, in Ba Sing Se, we keep files on everyone in the city. Lucky for you, my servants already found your mother's file." He handed Zuko a scroll that had all the information of his mother, no picture though.
Zuko stared at the paper and found the address, "She lives in the lower ring?" He asked.
"I'm afraid so. We of course had no idea she was the Fire Lady. We will send a party to find her at once."
"No," Zuko said, "I only want the help of my wife and my friend to find my mother. I just needed to know where she was."
"I understand," The Earth King said, "but if you change your mind, you know where to find me." he smiled.
Zuko bowed, "We must be going now." The three of us walked away, "Good luck!" The king called. Zuko ignored him and we sped walked away.
We are now standing at what was supposed to be Zuko's mother home. Seems like we didn't need Toph after all but she didn't mind being here.
Zuko took a deep breath, I squeezed his hand, he slowly lifted up his hand but hesitated, "I can't believe I'm going to see my mother. It's been son long-"
"Knock on the door already!" Toph said, ruining Zuko's moment. I punched her in the shoulder but she just smiled. He glared at her but softy knocked on the door.
"Ursa?" Zuko asked. He probably didn't want to say 'mom' in case it wasn't her.
We heard stirring and foot steps till someone opened the door. She had light pale skin, gold eyes, and long brown hair.
"Mom?"
"Zuko?" Ursa asked. Zuko had found his mother.
A/N: MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH CLIFF HANGER! :D So the next one is defiantly going to be in Zuko's POV and for the rest of the story but what should i do? start a new story or stay with this one just change it to Zuzu's POV?
i kind of wanna stick with this story...idk tell me what you think!
Oh and for all you readers who don't review you better review! i don't get that many tory alerts then no reviews so review plz and tell me what i should do!
I know what i'm going to do with the story over all but i need to know if i should have separate books or not. (this one is 132 pages in the document! :D)
But just...R&R!