I'll Follow You Home – A Zutara Story.
Meeoko
Summary : Sequel to 'Eventualities Are Inevitable'. After being captured by a group of Fire Nation radicals and uncovering a secret plot to destroy the Avatar Cycle, Zuko and Katara must work together to find a way to stop the Sila Vatra before Sozin's Comet arrives.
Spoilers : Puppet Master, Day Of Black Sun part 1 and 2, Western Air Temple, Fire Bending Masters and Boiling Rock part 1 and 2.
Author's Note : Hey guys. I am so so sooo sorry that this has taken so long to post. Real life got in the way, big time. I'm moving into my boyfriends flat and everything has been a little crazy as I get things sorted. Then I had to go to a funeral and there was a birthday party and blah...
Speaking of which, this is a message to the particularly rude and stupid email I got from one reviewer (who shall remain unnamed).
No, I don't live to serve your every waking need. I'm terribly sorry that I'm not constantly churning out chapters for someone who obviously doesn't have the courtesy to wait patiently like everybody else. I do have a life outside the Internet you know, mate! I don't just live on here to serve you! If you're so desperate to entertain yourself, I suggest that you go and bring your own bloody fic and see if you can keep up with all the demands for updates, finish college work, keep down a job, make time for your friends and family and run a normal life!! Asshole.
Anyway, now that the unpleasant part has been sorted, just sit back and enjoy the chapter.
Ooh, and I forgot!
Some people were actually rather nice about me taking so long to update and put their point forward with some good natured jokes instead of complaining or moaning. My good friend and faithful reviewer, Rooeru, did a little piece of joke art about it all on her DA account. The link is in my profile under Fan Art if you want to check it out. And if you have a DA account, go and say hello!
The sun filtered gently through the windows. Zuko took in a gentle breath, letting the warmth of the sun calm him. He found it difficult to believe that the world could be in such turmoil on days much like these. It was as if there was no hardship, no cruelty or death.
No Azula. And no Ozai. Just sunlight and peaceful silence.
I better enjoy it while I can.
It was only that morning that he had woken up. Although his throat had scratched and burnt like liquid fire, Zuko had always been a fast healer. He was tired of sleeping. Tired of seeing Ozai's piercing, hateful eyes boring down on him with that same desperate need to kill. It no longer terrified him, as it used to. It simply filled him with an overwhelming loathing. The thoughts of mirrors and reflections still clouded his mind.
When he had been hunting the Avatar, when he had been terrorising people in their homes and bringing destruction to families – had he shown those same hateful, maniacal, uncaring eyes? When Katara had looked upon him all those months ago, had she just seen Ozai?
I'd rather die than see myself become him.
Unable to simply sit inside the hospital ward any longer, Zuko decided to test the strength in his legs. Letting out a pained grunt as he rose from his chair, he tried to keep his head held straight and avoid over-working the muscles in his throat and neck. It hurt to turn his head and he wanted to avoid any unnecessary pain.
Though he had barely been able to remember his exact conversation with Katara before (Was it been last night? The day before? How long was I asleep?), Zuko had no trouble remembering her words.
Zuko had awaited those words so desperately. He had needed to know the answer like a physical longing for food and water. He had needed to hear them.
Tentatively, Zuko reached careful fingers to touch the burning spot on his neck.
He hasn't scarred me. Not this time. Not again.
Despite coming to within an inch of death and suffering insurmountable amounts of pain, Zuko couldn't help but feel himself lucky. Really, apart from sore limbs, he had only sustained two injuries whilst being held prisoner in the palace. If anything, Zuko had expected far worse from his hateful family.
He had woken that morning from fitful nightmares. He had dreamt the same dream he had whilst in the prisons of the Fire Nation Palace, the dream about the white dragon that was poisoned by green tea. Though he had panicked upon waking up, he soon calmed down after noticing something he certainly hadn't expected. As his body had slowly began to slow itself down, Zuko had become conscious of a pressure on top of his chest and a dull warmth beside him. Something was tickling his ear.
Though he had winced and grit his teeth as he turned his head, it had quickly been replaced by a smile when he saw Katara lying beside him, fast asleep. For a moment, he simply watched her breathing deeply, her chest rising and falling with each relaxing breath. He could recall the same words he himself had said to her, not long ago.
"You watch me sleep? That's kinda creepy."
But Zuko smiled gently, ignoring his past words. Katara was breathing softly, but deeply, clearly in the lulling embraces of sleep, with lips parted and a look of peace on her face. Her arm was loosely draped over his chest, the other tucked underneath herself, her cheek cradled in the palm. Her hair had escaped from its braid and splayed out over the pillow and over the side of the cot. A single strand had fallen over her face, swinging gently against her lips as she breathed in and out.
I love it when she wears her hair down.
Ignoring the stabbing pain that shot through the tender muscles of his neck, Zuko had placed his hand on Katara's cheek, moving the loose strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers remained on her smooth skin for a little longer than he intended, unable to pull away from her cool and delicate skin. Katara's brow twitched for a moment, as if something in her dreams had bothered her, but it passed and she let out a slow and contented sigh as she slept.
Just like when we were travelling in the woods together.
Taking his fingers away from her face, Zuko carefully took Katara's hand in his own and gently guided it back to her own side of the cot. He could have sworn that he felt her fingers twitch for a moment, as if she were reluctant to let him go.
Zuko felt himself smile, if only slightly.
Despite his shock and pain, he still found it difficult not to feel a small spark of happiness temporarily ignite his inner fire. He realised, as he walked down the empty morning halls that he wanted to wake up to that very feeling every day. He wanted to wake up to Katara every day.
Maybe when this is all over someday, I'll tell her...
Turning a corner and pushing aside a lengthy wooden door, Zuko stepped out into the fresh air. He squinted, allowing time for his eyes to adjust to the sunlight, basking in the tender embrace of the morning sun. Greedily, he sucked up the air. It was clean and refreshing, entirely unlike the dingy dirty smells of the capital.
Where am I?
For almost a full minute, Zuko simply stared. He hadn't been aware that they had moved away from the capital, though it certainly made sense. Why would they want to stay hidden in the capital, where no doubt, Sila Vatra agents and fire Nation soldiers were searching for them? He wondered exactly how they had transported him here.
But his questions were momentarily forgotten as Zuko stared down at the beautiful view beneath him.
Rolling fields of gold and greens spread out beneath him, stretching seemingly for hundreds of miles, each host to incredibly tall tree's, branching out in all directions and bursting with an abundance of differently coloured leaves. A herd of wild emu-horses ran through one of the roiling plains, leaving behind the smallest trail of dust, barely visible in the distance. A lengthy, generous river ran directly through each and every separate field, weaving in and out between the tree's and scattered rocks.
That's...that's incredible.
It was truly a breath-taking sight. Zuko welcomed it happily, conscious of the fact that he had never been truly inspired by beauty before – at least, until he had been stuck, alone in the middle of nowhere with Katara.
"It is a stunning view, is it not, Prince Zuko?"
Ignoring a sharp twinge in his neck as he turned around, Zuko bowed his head low, upon seeing that it was his Uncle Iroh standing behind him. He was surprised that he hadn't heard him sooner.
I'm getting rusty. How long has it been since I practiced or stretched properly?
"Yeah. I guess it is." Zuko replied quietly as Iroh walked slowly over to him, to stand by his side.
Upon first seeing his Uncle inside the palace prison, Zuko had tried incredibly hard not to laugh. He, in his deluded and weakened state, had believed it to be his 'Reasonable Conscience – Imaginary Iroh'. But when his Uncle had cut him loose from his bonds and half dragged, half carried him away from the explosions and the noise, Zuko had began to finally understand that he was no longer hallucinating.
If anything, he still found it hard to believe, even as Iroh stood before him.
Guilt and shame churned in Zuko's stomach. For weeks, he had practiced what he was going to say to Iroh, once they were reunited. He had gone through every single movement, speech and emotion possible, preparing for it. He had even had the approval of the frog living above the Western Air Temple. And that frog was usually pretty hard to impress...
But now, Zuko found that the words simply wouldn't come to him. It was as if everything he had planned or memorised had simply fallen out of his head!
Uncle...How can I tell him that I'm sorry? What can I say to him to make him understand? Will he even forgive me?
Zuko shuffled his feet awkwardly as both men stood side by side, facing the open plains ahead of them.
"You look far better, Prince Zuko." Iroh said with a small smile, never letting his gaze leave the scenery. "Miss Katara has done a wonderful job."
"Uh, yeah. I feel better." Zuko could feel his cheeks burning. He felt like a fool.
Why is he even talking to me? I thought he'd hate me...
"Look, Uncle." Biting down his awkwardness, Zuko turned to face his Uncle. He felt like a disgrace and unworthy to even stand next to Iroh, but that didn't mean he wouldn't try to make it right. "I'm sorry for what I did, okay? In Ba Sing Se – I never should have betrayed you like I did! You're the only one who's ever looked out for me...loved me. And I betrayed you!"
Iroh looked back at him calmly, with his palms resting inside the billowing sleeves of his robe. Zuko felt himself tightening like a coil. His practiced, careful speech certainly wasn't turning out as he had practiced with the frog.
"I went crawling back to Ozai, thinking that it would restore my honour. But I know now just what kind of monster he is! He never loved me. He never even liked me! You were more of a father to me than he ever was! I beg your forgiveness, Uncle, for everything I've done!"
Zuko didn't notice that he had raised his voice. He wasn't angry at Iroh. He was angry at himself and his actions. And yelling seemed to be something that Zuko was rather good at.
"How can you even look at me right now, Uncle? You must hate me!"
For a moment, the two men held each others gaze. Zuko could feel himself trembling. With rage, shame or sadness, he didn't know. Perhaps it was all three. He looked over at his Uncle, who's calm expression was suddenly betrayed as his eyes fell to the floor.
Zuko felt himself physically deflate.
He won't forgive me...
"I could never hate you."
Iroh's voice was barely audible. He sounded as if something inside him had died. Zuko couldn't quite understand how the cheerful, tea-loving Uncle he knew could sound so defeated.
Did he just say what I think he said?
"You are like a son to me, Zuko." Iroh continued. His eyes still lingered on the ground. "I would never hate you for making mistakes. It has been something that you have needed to do for yourself. To help you discover who you are."
Looking up at him, Iroh placed a firm hand on Zuko's arm. His eyes shone with unshed tears. Zuko could feel his spirits soaring. He tried hard not to laugh out loud in happiness.
He...he's forgiven me. He doesn't hate me!
Iroh continued. He looked grave and solemn, though Zuko couldn't quite understand why.
"I am glad, Zuko. I am glad that you have found your way. But that simply makes what I am about to tell you hurt so-"
Iroh was cut off as Zuko embraced him, wincing at the pain in his muscles and not caring. He hugged the old man tightly, no longer held back by his honour, his obligations or his pride. He no longer cared. Zuko had waited so long to hear those words and it filled him with unimaginable joy! Iroh returned his hug after a few seconds, clutching at him as if it were the first and last time he would be able to.
"Uncle." Zuko said quietly, feeling himself smiling. "Thank you so much, Uncle. For everything."
They both stood there for a moment, wrapped in a desperate hug. The wind picked up and carried the scent of pine needles.
"I'm sorry, Zuko." Iroh whispered sadly over his shoulder as they each pulled apart.
What? Why is he sorry?
Zuko raised a cautious eyebrow. Despite their unofficial 'apology', his Uncle still wouldn't smile. If anything, he looked as if it was he who had done the betraying.
"Uncle?"
Iroh sighed heavily, his large shoulders sagging. Zuko might have been wrong, but it seemed as if his Uncle had lost a few pounds.
Iroh rubbed the bridge of his nose, massaging his brow. Zuko had only ever seen his Uncle do this when he felt either angry and hopeless. Neither of which happened very often.
What's wrong with him? Is he still angry with me?
"Zuko, I must tell you something." Iroh's face was impassive as he looked over at Zuko. His mouth seemed to be tense and rigid. "And I fear it is something that you shall not welcome."
Rubbing at the back of his neck, Zuko swallowed painfully. His mouth opened only slightly. He wanted to tell his Uncle that there was nothing he could say that would be a worse crime than his own. Or at least, he hoped so. He quickly closed his mouth again and looked his Uncle squarely in the face.
What is he talking about?
"Zuko." Iroh began, sensing Zuko's silence as a sign to continue. "Do you know how we escaped from the palace?"
Zuko blinked, his brow crinkling slightly as he tried to remember. Everything had been so hazy during their escape. It was difficult for him to remember quite what had happened. Fragmented images and sounds continually popped up and he had trouble distinguishing one from another.
"You...you took me through the tunnels." Zuko replied. "The tunnel from the palace, leading down to the Black Column."
Iroh nodded.
"Do you know why that tunnel was made, Prince Zuko?"
Where's he going with this?
"For the Sila Vatra." Zuko replied slowly, frowning. "But it wasn't Azula. She said so herself. So it must be Ozai. He must be leading them."
Iroh's face was grave. His sturdy shoulders sagged and he lowered his head.
"No, my boy. It is neither Ozai or Azula. They were aware of its presence, but never truly have they had cause to use it. That tunnel has not been used for many, many years until recently. "
He looked up at Zuko, his face seemingly frozen into place. It was the same look that Zuko had seen in Ba Sing Sewhen he had betrayed him. He didn't like that look.
"That tunnel was made many years ago by your great grandfather, Sozin." Iroh continued. "He was the founder of the Sila Vatra, as you already know. But as they grew in power, so did the Fire Nation. Sozin encouraged your grandfather, Azulon to take up his mantle and join the Sila Vatra. To do so would prove your loyalty and devotion to the Fire Nation. To do otherwise, would result in banishment or death. It was to prove your honour and your strength, much like the tradition of hunting dragons..."
Zuko touched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes, letting out a sigh. Surely his Uncle wasn't saying what he thought he was! Surely it was just some sort of horrible coincidence!
"Uncle, stop..."
No. He can't mean that. No. Not that!
"No Zuko." Iroh continued, his voice wavering slightly. "You must hear this.I cannot keep this from you anymore. It brings shame upon me, upon you and upon your cause."
Zuko's eyes sprang open.
"No. No! Tell me I've got it all wrong, Uncle! Tell me this is just a big lie!"
Zuko hadn't realised that he had begun to shout again. He clenched his fists and turned away from Iroh, ignoring the stabbing pain in his neck as he did so. He didn't believe it. He wouldn't believe it! His Uncle Iroh would never let himself be tainted like that!
He wasn't that kind of person. He was a good person!
"No, Zuko." Iroh said sadly, shaking his head. "You know it to be the truth. As Fire Lord Azulon's first born son, it was I who had to carry the burden. I was young and reckless, Zuko. You must understand that I had no choice. I had to abide his wishes or face the penalty. Death."
Zuko felt his good eye begin to prick. He clenched his teeth and shut his eyes tightly. He wanted it to be a lie. He didn't want to have to believe what his Uncle was telling him. His kind and caring Uncle, who had always been there for him and acted as his mentor, his teacher, his friend. And his father.
Aang's voice rang inside his head. The conversation that they had shared all those weeks ago at the Sun Warrior's temple.
"But I thought your Uncle was, you know...good."
"He had a complicated past."
"How can you tell me this?" Zuko shouted, spinning back around to face Iroh. "Do you know what those men do? Do you know how many innocent people they've murdered? How much pain they've caused? How can you expect me to believe that you could ever be a part of somethinglike that? I'll never believe it! You're the only thing left in this family with worth and honour! I know you'd never do something like that! You can't! You're a fool if you think that I'll ever-"
"Enough!"
Zuko stopped short at his Uncle's outburst. He had never heard Iroh raise his voice before. He had never lost his temper.
"Enough." Iroh repeated quietly, bowing his head.
Zuko felt the tears falling fresh over his face. He looked over at Iroh desperately, willing it to be a lie. He could feel his body trembling. His throat was dry and pain shot through it after he had screamed at his Uncle.
Not him. Why did they have to get to him? Why did it have to be him?
"I am sorry, Zuko." Iroh said sadly. He bowed his head to hide the single tear running down his face. "I never wanted you to have to make the same mistake. When you turned eighteen, you too would have been placed in the same situation. I am only grateful that you have been spared the decision. I would not want that for you."
I...Ozai would have given me the same order? Serve them and kill...or die?
Turning away from Zuko, Iroh pushed away his lengthy mane of hair away from his neck. Underneath, Zuko could see it. Borne into the back of his neck, hidden like a dirty secret, but as clear as the message that accompanied it. The black tattoo. The black, piercing eye staring back at him like a curse.
"No..." the tears fell from Zuko's cheek and he shut his eyes tightly, away from the sight. "No..."
Iroh let his white hair fall back over the tattoo, but did not turn back around to face him. Zuko clenched his fists tightly and bit his lip, wishing that he wouldn't have to hear anymore. The wind blew past, making the tears on his cheek turn icy. He tasted blood in his mouth as he bit down hard on his lip. But he didn't care. He was past caring.
"It was never something that I wanted." Iroh whispered. "I have done many things that I am not proud of, Zuko. But killing innocent people...I was never a part of it. I never allowed it to escalate that far. Never. Within two years, I washed my hands of them completely. I am free from their influence, but the mark I carry will forever be my burden."
Just like my own...
He repeated the old mantra over and over again inside his head, willing it to be true not only of him, but of his Uncle.
Reflections can lie. Reflections can lie and so can ink...
A dry wind blew past them, carrying past yellow leaves. Zuko's hair stuck to his wet face. He wiped away the tears with the back of his hand angrily. Iroh remained with his back to him, looking out over the view below. Zuko was glad. He didn't think that he would be able to speak his own words if his Uncle were to look at him.
"You were part of them. Part of those monsters." Zuko said quietly, with head bowed. "They captured us, Uncle. They tortured us. They took away our bending. They hurt Katara."
Turning around to leave, Zuko left his Uncle standing on the cliff top with his final words.
"I'll forgive you, Uncle, as you forgave me. But not now. Not until I see them gone. Not until I finish this."
Walking away from Iroh and wiping at his face, Zuko opened the door to their safe house and stepped inside. He finally understood the meaning of his dream. He finally understood the poisoning of the White Dragon.
Zuko felt numb. Spooning the rice into his mouth, he bit back a grimace as he swallowed. His throat always seemed to be dry and sore, no matter how much water he drank. Katara had assured him that it would heal, so he didn't worry. It would just take some time.
He had been unable to meditate, though he had tried. There were just too many things running through his head. Too many thoughts and feelings. Eventually, Zuko found that he couldn't distinguish one from the other. He felt nothing. He couldn't think anything. It was if everything that he was feeling had simply built up and blocked each other like a plug, so that nothing else could get through.
He was one of them. He was one of them.
He repeated the mantra over and over again in his head, the words unable to mean anything to him. Zuko couldn't quite comprehend what had happened. What his Uncle had told him. His Uncle Iroh, that was always so peaceful and kind. His Uncle Iroh, who always did the right thing.
But he was like you were once. What about you, Zuko? You didn't do the right thing, did you? Too blinded by your lost honour to care. At least you didn't have a death threat hanging over your head like he did. You still had your life.
Zuko batted away the voice of reason. He knew that it spoke the truth, but he just wasn't ready to accept it yet. He felt hurt and betrayed, though he knew that it was never Iroh's fault. And what scared him the most was that the burden would have also fallen to him, as soon as he turned eighteen. He would have had to make the very same choice – service and useless killing, or death.
I was right in more ways than one when I told Ozai that banishing me was the best thing he ever did.
He didn't want to believe it. He still found it difficult to even comprehend. But he had seen it. The very proof, right there, borne into the back of his Uncle's neck. Zuko scolded himself when a voice in his head repeated the very same words he had thought only a few weeks ago when he had seen Chan's tattoo.
"I hope it hurt."
"Zuko?"
It took a moment for the voice to really register in Zuko's mind. He felt a dull, cold calm sweeping over him and it took quite a while before it melted away and allowed him to raise his head from the bowl of rice he was eating. Back to reality.
"I didn't expect you to be out of the hospital ward just yet. But your Uncle told me that you were a fast healer."
It was Hakoda who addressed him. The Water Tribe Chieftain stood in the doorway, looking tired, but relieved. He had thrown away his Fire Nation clothing and changed back into his Water Tribe attire. It suited him far better. Zuko could remember exactly how out of place and awkward he had looked in his Fire Nation disguise. He noticed that Hakoda carried his sword ready at the hilt, strapped to his hip, despite being in the middle of nowhere and inside the house. He obviously wasn't taking any chances.
Zuko nodded to him, but found that words eluded him. His mouth didn't seem to want to work and neither did his mind.
"How are you feeling?" Hakoda asked, sitting down at the table, across from Zuko.
Zuko picked at his rice with his chopsticks, letting a lengthy, exhausted sigh escape him. He had to physically force his mouth to form words.
"I've been better."
The Chieftain looked a little worried, but said nothing of it. Zuko was immensely glad that Hakoda had accepted him so well into the group. He had a fondness for Katara's father. He seemed like a loyal, hard working man. All qualities that Zuko admired.
Most of all, I like the fact that he's not trying to kill me for being the Fire Lord's son...
"I suppose that Iroh has told you of his secret then. He has been worrying about it for nearly three days now, though with good reason, I suppose."
Zuko looked up at Hakoda, frowning slightly. No matter what the situation or how hard he tried to hide it, it seemed as if the Water tribe Chief always knew exactly what he was thinking.
"You knew?" Zuko asked him, the tones of his voice flat.
Hakoda nodded, rubbing at his temples.
"I knew. He has come clean to nearly everyone. He has been waiting for you to wake up so that he can tell you as well. He wasn't happy about it, but he didn't want to keep on lying to you any longer. He wasn't sure that he'd live long enough in this war to tell you some other time and explain it to you fully. I think that really, he wanted to make certain that there were no secrets between you in case...in case he didn't make it."
Zuko frowned, letting out a confused puff of air. The clouds surrounding his thoughts seemed to part momentarily.
"He said that?" Zuko asked. "Why...why does he think that he won't make it back? What's he going to do?"
Hakoda picked at his own bowl of rice, placing a prawn in his mouth and chewing it thoughtfully.
"He plans to assemble the White Lotus Society and take back Ba Sing Se during the arrival of the comet."
"The White Lotus Society..." Zuko repeated to himself, trying very hard not to think about what could go wrong. Hakoda continued between mouthfulls.
"When he told us about his past mistake, I was sceptical. But I do not question the mans worth or loyalty. Your uncle is a fine man, Zuko. He has paid the price for his past mistakes."
Haven't we all...
"But how could you trust him so easily?" Zuko asked, not caring how careless his question might be. "After you have experienced it yourself? When you only just met him?"
To Zuko's surprise, Hakoda smiled.
"You'll find that as people get older, Zuko, they get wiser. I'm a good judge of character and your uncle passed the test. He saved my life, after all."
Zuko's eyebrow flew up underneath his hairline. He rubbed at his temple, picking at the single pieces of rice that had fallen onto the table with his fingers.
"He did? When?"
Hakoda stretched himself, rubbing at the back of his neck. Zuko realised just how early it was. At least, early for everybody else. Fire Bender's rose with the sun. Other's did not. And it was only an hour or so past dawn. It was likely that Hakoda had a soldier's sleeping pattern, as did Zuko.
"How do you think that we got you here safely?" Hakoda replied, his voice now serious. "Your uncle met up with us in the tunnels are we made our escape from the palace. We had to come out of the tunnels before we reached the Black Collumn, in case we were caught. The Earth bender's with us helped us to get inside, because the tunnel had been blocked off, and then again outside, into the city. Your uncle and I were the last to get out of the tunnel. Before we could, a group of Sila Vatra came running at us from the opposite end of the tunnel. The Fire Lord must have alerted them of our attack."
Hakoda's face was impassive as he replied. Instead, he tapped the wooden surface of the table with a strong finger, obviously deep in thought.
"We knew that we didn't have much time to get out." he continued. "And you were only minutes away from death. We tried to fend them off. We put up a good fight until one of them came at us with lightning. It was obvious that he was highly ranked among the Sila Vatra because of the command he had over his men. And he seemed to know you somehow. He was threatening us and demanding that we hand you over to him."
The Warden...
"He also recognised your uncle, calling him a coward and a disgrace. He questioned his honour and his worth, but Iroh wouldn't fall to his baiting. When Iroh refused to hand you over to him, he shot lightning directly at me."
Zuko looked up at Hakoda, his mouth open. He had no idea that Chun Sau was powerful enough to generate lightning. He only knew three people that could do it, and they were all of royal blood! It worried Zuko.
This could really be a problem.
"But your uncle dived in front of me. I don't know what it was he did. I thought it had hit him for a moment, but then something strange happened. The current seemed to just...flow through him and he shot it up at the cave wall! There was a cave-in and we got out of there as quickly as we could. As to whether the other man survived, I don't know."
I'm sure that won't be the last we'll see of him...
Zuko sighed, unbelieving. He rubbed at his forehead. There were so many things to consider. Nothing was simple anymore, like it once was.
Before, his goal had just been to capture the Avatar, go home with his honour and reclaim his throne. Then it had changed. Help the Avatar defeat Ozai, return home with his honour and reclaim the throne.
Now Zuko wasn't at all certain what he was supposed to do.
"I can't believe he did that." Zuko said quietly to his bowl of rice. "He put his life in danger for all of us, for me, when he didn't even need to. I don't even know how he found us!"
"I'm sure that you probably know all about the White Lotus Society?" Hakoda asked. "Iroh has probably told you much about it.
Zuko nodded. He had once experienced the White Lotus society before, when he and his uncle had been fugitives in the Earth Kingdom.
I don't know a lot about it. I don't think that anybody does...
"And as you know, Master Piando is in fact a member of the same society, which is how we got in touch with him in the first place, thanks to you." Hakoda continued. "It was he that contacted Iroh. He's been trying to reach him since we first arrived. It's a shame that Iroh only arrived a little too late..."
The two men sat in silence for a moment. The call of a bird sang from outside the walls and Zuko absentmindedly picked at the grains of rice with his chopsticks.
"Zuko." Hakoda broke the silence. There was something in his voice that made Zuko look up at him. His eyes were hard and piercing, as if he was searching for the truth inside Zuko's head.
"Zuko. Do you wish to marry Katara? Do you want to marry my daughter?"
Time to come clean, Zuko...
Returning the Water Tribe Chief's gaze, Zuko kept his face serious. He swallowed, feeling nervous to finally admit to his feelings. To finally say them out loud.
"Yes, I do. More than anything."
"Sparky!"
Toph's piercing cry broke through the quiet. Hakoda smiled gently and crossed his arms as Toph bolted over to Zuko from the doorway, wrapping her small arms around his shoulders in a desperate hug.
"Sparky! You're awake!"
Zuko couldn't help but smirk. Though his arms were pinned to his sides by the ecstatic Earth Bender, he still reached up to place a hand on her little shoulder in greeting. It was good to see his little friend so happy again.
"It's good to see you too, Toph."
Thank Agni she's okay! I thought she'd gotten captured too...
When Toph pulled away, she punched him on the forearm. Very hard.
Zuko winced, but smiled. The young girl really did have quite a punch. She wasn't as small as she looked. He'd been on the other end of one of her Earth Bending attacks, after all.
"Sparky, will you stop getting killed, already?" Toph barked. "It's really pretty annoying. Not everyone's going to be looking out for you like I am, ya know. I'm starting to think that you're just a big wuss!"
Zuko tried to avoid laughing, to spare his throat. He picked up his chopsticks and began to pick at his rice again. In a way, he was glad for the interruption. Who knew what Hakoda might have said to him?
I wonder if there's some sort of Water Tribe initiation you have to go through before marriage...I bet Sokka would make me eat Turtle-Seal blubber or something.
"Okay, Monkey Face." Zuko replied to Toph, sighing happily. "I promise that I'll stop dying. Beside's, you're the only girl around here who's allowed to knock me down."
He tried not to laugh again when he saw Toph blushing. She tried to hide it, sitting down next to him and turning her head.
"How's Sokka doing?" Zuko asked Hakoda. "Have you seen him this morning?"
Zuko had been shocked to see that Sokka had also been in the hospital ward along with him that same morning. Though he had looked peaceful as he slept, snoring gently, Zuko still worried. He had no idea what had happened to Sokka, but he hoped that it was minimal.
"He's fine." Hakoda replied, looking a little sad. "He's just resting now. Katara says that he's taking advantage of all the sleep and people waiting on him hand and foot. I wouldn't be surprised if that were true. Apparently, you heal much faster than he does."
Zuko smiled to himself. It certainly sounded like something that Sokka would do.
"So, I guess we've just gotta wait for Snoozles to get up and then..." Toph looked over at Hakoda, cocking her head. "...and then what? What are we going to do now?"
Zuko found himself also looking over at Hakoda. He didn't know what they were supposed to do either, and hadn't really thought anything of it until now. He counted down in his mind, thinking of the exact amount of time that they had already wasted.
No! Surely the comet isn't that close? How has this all gone so fast?
"We only have four days until the arrival of the comet." Zuko said gravely, feeling his smile fade away. "Four days until judgement."
Hakoda nodded, looking just as solemn. He rubbed at his temples with one hand and stroked his beard with the other. Zuko could see that his eyes had returned to their diamond blue colour.
"I've thought of that too and from what Katara has told me, we only have one option."
I really hope he's not going to say what I think he's going to...
"Don't tell me." Toph said dryly. "We've gotta take a field trip to the Spirit World?"
Hakoda nodded. Zuko could feel his shoulders physically sagging.
Why did he have to say that?
"I'm afraid so." Hakoda continued. "We've already contacted Aang by messenger hawk, to see if he can find out exactly what's going on. Unfortunately, Aang appears to...be having trouble."
Zuko frowned.
"Trouble?"
"It seems that something is blocking Aang's connection to the Spirit World." Hakoda replied. "And to any of his past lives. It must be something that the Sila Vatra have done. So, I'm afraid that we're on our own."
"Think it has anything to do with that necklace?" Toph asked, leaning her elbow on the table and resting her head in her hand. "The one that belonged to your grandma?"
The Chieftain seemed to consider this for a long moment. It seemed that nobody fully understood the stone's history – even its own people.
I still want to know how it ended up in the Earth Kingdom.
"I think so." Hakoda's voice was grim. He looked angry at the mention of the stolen Water Tribe relic. "Nobody truly understands the power of the stone, nor of the blade. That is why I gave it to you, Zuko. I thought that at some point, it would be able to help you. But it seems as if our own relics have been turned against us."
Zuko felt for the blade at his hip, gripping the hilt reassuringly. Hakoda stood up from the table, looking down at both of them.
"No. I'm afraid that if we are going to help Aang when he has to face the Fire Lord, then we will have to fight this at its source. I'm afraid that I'm going to have to ask you all to help us one last time. It's going to be dangerous, but I don't see how we have any other choice. The rest of us are going to have to stay here to prepare for the comet."
Zuko sighed. He wondered if there was ever going to be a time when his actions didn't define history.
"The Fire Sage's Temple."
Hakoda nodded. Walking over to a small cabinet in the corner of the room, he began to pull out assorted glasses and bottles. Zuko tried not to utter a laugh when he realised that it was alcohol.
"I am going to need to send you both, along with Katara and Suki to the temple. The rest of us are needed here, to prepare the forces for the comet. There may still be a slight chance that this could be a trap or a hoax to keep us preoccupied during the comet, so if I send you all, we won't be losing too many. However," Hakoda placed three small glasses onto the table and began pouring the dark red liquid into each of them. "if this is real and there really is a threat to the Avatar's Reincarnation Cycle, it will be up to all of you to put a stop to it. If something goes wrong or happens to Aang during the comet, then we're all done for. This is our last chance."
"No pressure, then." Toph scoffed, taking her glass from Hakoda.
Hakoda sighed, but managed a grim smile.
"No pressure."
He handed Zuko his own glass of red liquid. It had the same consistency and colour of blood and was known in the Fire Nation as a highly potent alcoholic beverage.
Dragon's Blood. Where did they get this?
"We've arranged transport for you already. You leave before nightfall."
Hakoda raised his glass, his face looking grim.
"Good luck."
Zuko raised his own and clinked the two glasses. Placing his hand on Toph's wrist, he guided her own glass to Hakoda's and his own and they each knocked the red liquid back like water.
"Good luck to us all." Zuko repeated.
Author's Note : Whew! Lots of dialogue in this chapter! Well, there you have it. Iroh's dirty little secret. Congrats to anybody that made the connection to the White Dragon dreams, you all get cookies. If you don't like the Iroh revelation, then sorry, but that's how it it. Iroh probably got just as bullied by his Psychopath father as Zuko does by Ozai.
And sorry for anybody who was expecting Zuko and Katara to tell each other their feelings in this chapter. I was going to, but just couldn't fit it in. Don't worry – it's definitely going to happen in later chapters. And there were some small fuzzies in there to make up for it anyway (even though Katara wasn't directly involved).
Once again, I am so so sooo sorry that this took so long to update and I hope that this chapter answers some of your questions.