4-The Gang's Reunion
Zuko woke feeling groggy. He thought a nap would be good for him. During Mai's illness he barely got any sleep, and after she died, he just couldn't sleep. He thought he would wake feeling refreshed but it was quite the opposite, as if he had slept too much. But he didn't dwell on it.
He sat up in the bed and stretched, his vision adjusting to the room.
Oh that's right, he thought. He had forgotten he was in one of the guest bedrooms. He just couldn't find it in himself to sleep in the master bedroom anymore. That was the bed that he and Mai shared, the one they had made love in countless times, the one where she took her final breath.
That room was filled with too many painful memories. He couldn't sleep in there, not yet.
He got up from the bed, his feet feeling slightly chilled from the hardwood floor. That was one of the benefits of being a firebender; he could warm himself anywhere and anytime. But then many saw fire as destruction, rather than seeing its uses. He will never forgive his ancestors for tainting the meaning of fire.
He walked over to the mirror and looked at his reflection. His shaggy hair, his sullen face, his bleak golden eyes, and of course his signature scar. Anyone who saw his scar knew he was the legendary prince Zuko, now Firelord. No matter how much he wished this dark blemish was gone from his face, he was slightly proud it was there. That scar changed his life, made him figure out right from wrong, and helped him discover who he was. His life had been hard, but he wouldn't change any of it.
His appearance however was different. Right now he looked sloppy and unruly. His friends were coming soon, he had to change. He pulled out some robes, being careful to pick something that wasn't too formal. These were his friends after all; he didn't have to impress them.
He thought about pulling his hair into a top knot, then rethought the action. He had never done that around his friends before, no need to start now. Why was he spending so much time thinking about this? He felt so different after Mai's death. Not just lost or lonely, but like certain aspects of his personality had changed.
He was thinking too hard, he decided, and dismissed it, leaving the bed chamber and stepping out into the quiet hallway. He started down it, making a mental note to have some lights set up. Now that Mai was gone, every room did not need to be so dim.
Suddenly a door opening disrupted the silence. He turned his head to the direction of the noise, and saw Katara and Aang coming out of one of the bedrooms. They held each other and kissed, smiling at each other, real love reflected between them. The sight of them made Zuko's heart ache.
Katara spotted him and instantly broke away from Aang, as if ashamed. But Zuko knew she just felt disrespectful to him.
As she should, Zuko thought suddenly, a familiar fire stirring in his belly. How dare they have sex in my room, on my beds? Why was Aang here anyway?
"Hey, Zuko," she said, cheeks reddened a little. Zuko kept his composure, the fire subsiding as quickly as it came. Over time he had been learning to control his temper. Mai had taught him well.
"Hey. Aang, you're early."
"Yeah, I wanted to catch the funeral."
"Well you missed it. It was this morning."
"I know now," he approached Zuko now, his face completely serious and somber. "Zuko, I am so sorry for your loss. Mai was an incredible person; I was very fond of her."
Zuko stared at him, silent.
"I just want you know," Aang continued. "I completely understand your pain. I felt the same way when I found out about my people. When I saw the skeleton of Gyatso. If you ever need to talk to somebody, I'm here."
Wow he can give some speech, Zuko thought. Guess that just comes naturally with being the Avatar. But regardless, it was a sincere statement, and though he did not show it, Zuko appreciated it.
"Thank you, Aang." Zuko glanced over at Katara, her eyes beaming with affection for the Avatar.
"Well, I'm glad you're awake," she said. "Are you hungry?"
Actually, Zuko wasn't hungry. He hadn't had much of an appetite for a little over a year now, since Mai had fallen ill. But he would comply and try to eat anyway. Not just to please his friends but because he had probably become malnourished.
"Yeah," he said, playing the role and clutching his stomach as if it were growling. He followed his two friends out of the wing of the palace and downstairs to the kitchens. The smell of food wafted towards them as they approached, making Zuko's stomach actually growl.
The dining room gave off a beautiful glow. Zuko noticed that right away when they entered. The curtains were open allowing the setting sun to shine through, making everything in there sparkle. The plates were already set along the table. Many plates, as if they were expecting more than just three other people.
The three friends seated themselves at the long table, one of them unsuspecting of the surprise waiting. The dining room was oddly quiet. Even noise from the kitchen didn't seem to be heard.
"Why is it so quiet in here?" Zuko asked, but silence responded to him. He turned around to see his two friends gone. Zuko frowned, making his way to the door to check the hallway. Odd thing was he didn't even hear them leave.
He opened the door to see five smiling faces crowded around the doorway. He couldn't help smiling too at the long awaited return of his friends.
"Zuko! How are ya, buddy?" Sokka's voice rang loud and clear from the back, Katara's identical blue eyes gleaming. They all piled into the dining room, Toph giving him an "affectionate" punch on the arm, Suki smiling sweetly at him, and last Sokka attacking him with a hug. Hesitantly, he hugged the man back.
"It's so good to see you all," Zuko knew his voice must have sounded monotone, but he meant every word. He enjoyed having Katara here, but everyone else, together again, it was like a family reunion. A real family reunion. He didn't realize how much he missed them all.
Everyone sat down at the large table. There were many seats, enough for a small army, but everyone stayed together, migrating towards the middle of the table. A vacant seat was left next to Katara, and Zuko took it.
"So where's the food at?" Sokka asked loudly, his question directed at Zuko. He didn't need to respond; as if the cooks had heard him, they came out of the kitchen carrying trays of food.
"Now that's what Sokka's talking about!" Sokka said excitedly, rubbing his hands together. Zuko was glad that the years haven't changed him. He was still the fun, meat-loving guy and probably always would be.
Sokka didn't hesitate; as soon as the food was seated on the table, he dug in, filling his plate until it couldn't possibly hold anymore. The others did not do quite so much, they filled their plates to decent levels, Aang's being the lightest since he was a vegetarian. Zuko did not grab as much food as his companions; his appetite still at a low level.
Feeling a pair of eyes on him, he glanced at Katara; she stared at him in concern.
"You sure that's all you're going to have?"
"Yeah," Zuko said a little shortly.
"It's just that you haven't eaten much lately."
He stared straight into her eyes, hoping she would believe him when he said, "I'll be okay Katara." He would; he knew this for a fact. In any predicament, he managed to bounce back from whatever was thrown at him. He was strong; he would be okay.
The dinner went well; despite the fact that it was such a dreary day, the room was filled with cheer. At first his friends had smothered him with apologies and sympathy over the loss of Mai. But over time, chatter and laughter replaced the sadness, which Zuko was grateful for.
Zuko did not speak much, but then he didn't have to. He let his friends do all the talking, whether it was to reminisce about their past, or tell funny stories about their present. Zuko knew what they were trying to do. They were trying to keep his mind in a good place, and it was working, for the moment.
Eventually everyone's plates were clean, and courtesy of Sokka, so were most of the serving trays as well. Everyone looked content, ready for a good night's sleep, after such a filling meal. Zuko glanced down at his plate. He thought he had eaten a lot more, but he had merely picked at his food. He pushed his plate away and observed his friends.
The conversations were winding down as well, to a dull murmur. Toph was telling Aang and Katara about her newest adventures in the Earth Kingdom; Zuko paid no attention. Sokka and Suki were not as well, they were leaning against each other, speaking in low tones, smiles on their faces. Their love was so transparent, it made Zuko's heart ache. Forced past images of him and Mai into his brain.
Just looking at them made a tightness form in his throat. He had managed to keep himself from crying, for a long while now. But he felt like he couldn't stop it this time. He couldn't look at them anymore. He stood up and walked from the room, leaving questioning faces behind him.