Heyyyy all!
Sorry this is a little late... I've had assignments coming out my ears... Not fun.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Accept it.
"Rise and shine."
"No." It was an automatic response, issued from the warm comfort of her pillow. Jin buried herself further into her bed, the blankets quickly pulled back up to her nose. She heard her mother sigh, a low sound of annoyance, and gasped as Shan yanked sharply at the sheets, pulling them off of her daughter and casting them on the floor. Jin groaned, curling up into a tighter ball to preserve her body heat.
"Oh, come on." The woman muttered, tugging at the pillow next. Jin yelped as it too was pulled away, and buried her face in the mattress, mumbling incoherently. "Jin, get up. You have to be at work in half an hour."
"Noo..." Jin moaned. "I'm tired."
"Then you shouldn't have stayed up all hours of the night, running around with boys." There was very little sympathy in Shan's voice as she walked towards her daughters' little clothing rack, taking one of her work dresses and throwing it on the bed. "Get up. I'm taking breakfast off the table in ten minutes."
"Ugh..." Jin rolled over onto her back. "It's too cold to get up." She groped for her blankets.
"It's nice and warm in the lounge." Shan paused in the doorway. "I stocked the stove up good and heavy before I went to bed, and it's still going. Now hurry up, or you'll be late and they'll dock your pay again."
"All right." Heaving a long sigh, Jin pushed herself into a sitting position. Eyes only half-opened, she groped blindly for her dress, before pulling it over her head. A simple, borderline shapeless outfit, of a rather drab shade of olive, trimmed in a soft yellowish-green. It was ugly, with a capital 'U', but who ever saw it, apart from those she worked with? And besides, the fabric was sturdy and the colour masked the dirt well. With a long sigh, Jin stood up, letting the material fall mid-calf before tying the sash tightly about her waist, in a classic attempt to look thinner than she really was. Still foggy with sleep – or rather, a lack of – Jin padded silently into the living room, making sure to keep her footsteps light as she passed her brothers' door, afraid to rouse her younger siblings.
"Morning." Jiro glanced up from a bowl of gruel, looking rather peaky. Jin mumbled a soft response before kneeling at her place before the low table, unable to look her father in the eye.
"I thought I told you." Here it came. Jin accepted her breakfast silently from her mother, keeping her eyes down. "To be home by eleven, no later. I hear you didn't get in until after midnight."
"Yes." Jin winced, nodding. "I ran into a bit of trouble." She saw her father tense in the corner of her eye. "Not with the authorities!" She added quickly. "Just with a... Friend." She accepted a small spoonful of the thin meal, her stomach knotted uncomfortably.
"Friend." Renshu snorted. "I was not born yesterday, Jin. Don't lie about what you've been up to."
"I didn't do anything you're insinuating." Jiro froze, spoon halfway to his mouth, and Shan busied herself with the stove.
"I've heard that before." Was the curt response, eliciting an uncomfortable cough from the woman.
"You better get going, dear." Shan jumped in quickly. "You're working on the western side today, aren't you? It's a bit of a walk."
"Yes... All right." The man shot his only daughter a stony look – This isn't over young lady - before standing up. He nodded to Jiro, embracing his wife quickly, before stepping into his shoes, making his way out the front door.
"Oooh, lucky." Jiro smirked. "You almost got it good, Jin."
"Shut up." She growled in response. "You're the one who said I should go out. This is your fault."
"Yeah, I said come out and have fun, not- Ow!" Jiro rubbed the back of his head with a scowl as a piece of the brickwork wall came into sharp contact with his skull. He got the message though, and shut up, returning to his plate with a glare. Jin sighed, and with a wave of her hand, the small piece of stone was returned.
"I want you home the moment you finish work, Jin." Shan said crisply. "I have a lot of work to do. I need you to scrub the floors, wash the bedsheets, prepare dinner, give Chang a bath, and empty the stove."
"What?" Jin was aghast, as her twin chuckled. "Ma! Why?"
"Because, young lady," Was the firm reply. "It's called punishment. Perhaps you'll think twice before wandering out all hours of the night with boys I haven't met before."
"That's not fair!" She argued. "Jiro was-"
"At home on time, just as he promised." Shan scolded. "He didn't risk his life and liberty as you did! What if you were ambushed by a cutthroat, or mugged? Or worse? You know what happens to young girls out alone, Jin."
"Anyone comes near me; I'll crush them with a boulder." Her daughter retaliated. "You don't have to-"
"What about the Dai Li?" Her voice rose, the tone tightening. "Good grief Jin, you would think that after Meng-" The woman broke off with a choked sob. Jin swallowed, guilt quickly rushing up in her chest.
"Ma, I didn't-"
"Go to work." She said. "The both of you. Please. You don't want to be late." They didn't argue. Although Jin still hadn't done her hair, and Jiro needed to wash his face after getting food on it, they slipped out of the house quietly, giving each other a sombre look before Jiro closed the front door behind him. Alone, Shan gripped the edge of the metal basin tightly, trying to hold her composure, but failing miserably, as the memories of her eldest child were painfully brought to the surface.
"We shouldn't-"
"Leave it." He muttered, starting to walk down the dark, narrow staircase "Look, she hates crying in front of us. But she's got a point-"
"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow. "You can't talk. How many warnings have you had from the Dai Li now?"
"Just, two, like you." Was the short response. "Look, I can fight. At least, enough to hold them off long enough to escape. I do it all the time with the guys. Well, a lot. But Jin, you-"
"I what?" Her reply was venomous. "Can't fight? I'm not a brilliant earthbender like you?" They walked down the steps, Jin tugging at her hair, trying to force the uncombed locks into a braid.
"You're a good bender." Jiro sighed. "Don't be a jerk, you know you are. But you, by yourself, aren't a mach for a Dai Li agent. The gang and I? We can take one or two."
"Yeah, all right." She sighed. "Whatever. But still, the floors? Dinner? Bathing Chang? Do you know how damn hard that is? He hates being clean! I'll be chasing him all around Ba Sing Se!" And I wanted to track down Zuko today? How on earth can I do that if I have to do these stupid chores? Ugh!
"You're a girl; you have to know how to do it." Jiro said teasingly, the pair stepping into the street "If you don't know how to cook and clean, you'll never find a good husband."
"Oh, shut up." She tripped him up with a stamp of her foot, a dislodged cobblestone shifting under his foot. You'd think he'd be better at defending himself from that by now. "I don't want to find a husband who only wants me to cook and clean!" Amongst other things.
"And you were with Riku why?" He shook his head, scowling a little as he straightened up. "This Lee guy is messing you up, Jin. Seriously."
"I know." Instead of the angered response he expected, Jin sounded soft, and sad. "I think I am cracking up. I can't sleep right, keep my head straight, concentrate at work... Nothing."
"Sounds like you're in love." Jiro was teasing her again, but the short sentence sent an icy trickle down Jins' spine.
"Oh, don't be stupid." She snapped. "He's just a boy."
"Ah, but you have to settle down soon." Jiro jammed his hands in his pockets, looking up for a moment at the grey sky, edged with an icy white. "Sixteen now, you're a big girl. Already older than Ma when she got married."
"I'm not getting married for a while yet." She muttered. "I have things I wanna do first, before I become a stupid housewife. What about you, huh?" Jin could tease as well, if that's how Jiro wanted to play. "You think you can get a wife by shovelling coal for the rest of your life?"
"Oh, ha, ha." He sneered. "Look, you know that's not forever. The moment I turn seventeen, I'm joining the army. Become a tough soldier and help beat this stinking Fire Nation. Then when I come back, I'll be an officer, real high rank, and the girls'll be falling at my feet."
"Suure." Jin rolled her eyes, having heard this fantasy a thousand times before. "And I'm going to sprout wings and fly."
"Oh, shut up." He knew she was joking about, but it still hurt. "You're still latching onto that stupid idea of 'exploring the world'. When's that gonna happen, huh?" Jin opened her mouth to retaliate, but closed it again, lips pressed together. He was right. She was right.
"So we're just a couple of grubby peasant kids with stupid dreams." Jin kicked at a rock despondently.
"We've always been just a couple of grubby peasant kids with stupid dreams." They pulled up short in their walk, Jin having to turn left towards the laundry, while Jiro had to go to the machinery factory straight ahead. "See you later, Jin."
"Yeah." She smiled, giving him a wave before beginning her walk down the still-quiet street, her mind still ticking over. Damnit! Why today? How the heck am I going to get Zuko if I have to do that stupid housework? She doesn't have work of her own, she just wants to punish me. And fair enough, I guess. But still!
All right, I'll just get them done as soon as I can, and then perhaps I might be able to get in before the store closes. Yeah, that shouldn't be too hard. And I'm only on ironing today. She remembered with a sigh of relief. Nothing too hard and stressful.
Eventually, Jin was standing outside the laundry, a low, squat building, very ugly. Taking in a breath, she joined the trickle of workers who filed through the front door, and was about to head into the steamy lower room, when a broad hand planted itself firmly on her shoulder.
"Jin!" The girl gasped. "You'll do." Jin spun around to find Mrs. Chan, and a thin woman she had never seen before. "This is Cila. She's new here. Show her around, and explain everything she needs to know. Lien can do work for two until you're done."
"Sure." Jin nodded, giving a short bow to her supervisor, who walked off without further greeting. "All right." She flashed a smile. "I'm Jin. What brings you here, Cila?"
"Oh... I'm new in Ba Sing Se." The woman sounded strangely nervous, and Jin thought she could sense an undercurrent of sadness in her tone. "I just moved here with my son Li."
"Well, you'll... learn to love it." She said. "The people are usually friendly, disease and plague is not very common, we get grain all year around, and the nightlife can be enjoyable." Jin flashed a smile, trying to cheer up the woman. She knew where Cila came from. It was evident in her ragged clothing, her naturally slumped posture, and downcast eyes. Refugee. "This is where the clothes get dumped after sorting." Jin paused beside six massive metal vats, wide and shallow, at least ten feet across. Steam furled from the water, which swirled with acrid salts and chemicals. There were several women bent over the tubs, wielding long metal poles, to prod the clothes through the water. "This job is easy. Just make sure the clothes don't get tangled. This is heavy duty, usually just reserved for sheets and stained clothing. Most clothes get washed with soap in the next room over." Cila nodded. "After the clothes have been soaked for two hours, they take them out, stick them in those carts," Jin gestured. "And roll them into this next room here."
"Wow." The woman looked a little overwhelmed. "It's so hot in here, too..."
"Oh, yeah. Good thing you have short sleeves." Jin led Cila into the next room. "This is where the clothing's rinsed in cold water." These basins were smaller, as each item had to be individually handled, and there were a couple of dozen in uniform lines along the room. "So," She turned to Cila. "Are you in Ba Sing Se by yourself, or did you come with family?"
"My nine-year-old son..." Cila murmured. "Li."
"Oh, cool." Jin purposely kept her tone light. Husband died in the war, she judged instantly. "My little cousins Mao and Chun are eight and nine. If Li is looking for new friends, we should set up a play date."
"That... Might be a good idea." Cila said softly. "Li hasn't had friends his own age in a while."
"Awesome." She flashed another smile. "Well, in here is the box-mangling." The revulsion in her voice was clear. "This is the worst." Further explanation wasn't needed. Cila eyed one of the machines as they walked past, Jin pausing near the other exit. "Anyways, this door here leads into the hot room." Jin pointed to the handle of a vast metal door. "That's where the clothes are dried. The doors' locked while the clothes are drying, so nobody can get in. There's been a few deaths, people getting roasted alive in there and stuff." Jin winced. "Not pretty."
"It gets that hot in there?" Cila blinked. Jin nodded. "Wow..."
"Yeah." Jin tried to be tactful. "So... Where did you and Li live before you came here?"
"A tiny farming village in the southwest." Was Cila's soft reply. "Near the desert."
"Neat. So Ba Sing Se must seem really different in comparison." Jin tried to encourage conversation. Cila nodded silently. "Well, in here is the least laborious job, but it's no doubt the most tedious. Reserved for like, robes and stuff. You have to make sure there's not a single crease, or you'll get it from Mrs. Chan." Jin shivered. "And you don't want that to happen."
"She seems a little frightening." Cila said quietly.
"She is." Jin sighed. "So, do you finish at midday, or are you an all-day worker?"
"All day." Cila responded. "Why?"
"Cos I'll have to show you where you eat and stuff. You'll get half an hour off to each lunch, and most go outside to take in the air." She started to walk back through the commercial laundry. "So Cila, what brings you to Ba Sing Se?" She looked over at the woman, who had lowered her eyes to the ground.
"I lost my husband and eldest son." She sounded blank. "I couldn't run the farm alone, and there aren't any other safe places left."
"Oh." Jin said sympathetically. "I'm so sorry."
"Thank you." Cila brushed rapidly at her eyes. "It's hard, without a doubt. But every night, I thank the spirits I have my Li... We weren't in any immediate danger, but it still wasn't safe for us to stay."
"Were there..." Jin looked around quickly, making sure no one was eavesdropping. "Fire Nation troops in your village?"
"Oh, no." Cila shook her head. "But we had an Earth Kingdom Guard... Complete thugs, they loot and plunder and claim it for the 'war effort'... No, the only person from the Fire Nation that ever passed through our village was Prince Zuko."
What.
Jin was aware of something icy lurching horribly in her stomach, knees weakening. She was able to keep her step, thankfully, although her flushed face rapidly paled. PrinceZuko? No...
"Prince Zuko?" She squeaked, trying to keep her voice offhand, yet slightly curious.
"Yes..." Cila sounded either troubled, or deep in thought. "My husband didn't know he was the Prince of the Fire Nation was when he offered him a place to sleep, obviously. My son found him hungry in the village, getting hassled by the Guard."
"Did he cause trouble for you?" Jin tried to keep a tremor out of her voice. It might not be... I mean... Zuko could be a common, popular name, right? I don't even know...
Jin felt sick. He said it was complicated... He said they would hate me if they knew... He didn't just mean that he was a firebender, he...
"Oh, no." Jin swung her full attention to Cila. "Actually, he rescued my son from the soldiers. He didn't need to, he'd already begun travelling again, but when I found him and explained what happened, he was there in a heartbeat to help." She looked despondent. "I half wish that I could have thanked him."
"Wow." Jin said faintly. "What's the Prince of the Fire Nation doing in the heart of the Earth Kingdom if troops haven't even made their way there yet?"
"You don't get any outside information in Ba Sing Se." Cila commented. "He was banished, years ago, and for some reason, he's become a major fugitive of the Fire Nation. His wanted poster is in every town from here to Chin village."
"Oh." Her voice cracked, much to her annoyance. What did he do? "That's strange. So whose side is he on then?"
"Not ours!" Cila was alarmed. "Good grief, are you insane?"
"But he saved your son-"
"I don't care. He could save the entire city of Ba Sing Se and I wouldn't want him anywhere near Li ever again." Jin inwardly cringed. "Li and I passed through a few villages under Fire Nation control on our journey. They're filth. And I don't want any of them close to my son."
"Here's the outside area!" Jin forced a smile on her face, despite her fiercely thudding heart. Cila followed the girl into the little high-walled courtyard. There were a few tables and chairs, but it was still in an obvious state of disarray, the grass sprouting between the cracked cobblestones, the ground littered with bits of paper and rubbish. Cila's eyes widened as she took in the scene, her tension obvious.
"It's... very different to the farm." She finally choked out. "It..."
"I know." Jin said sympathetically. "But I mean, all you do is sit down and eat, right? It doesn't have to be fancy." She turned away from the little courtyard. "We should get back to Mrs. Chan." Jin said quickly, her stomach still feeling weak. "She doesn't like people standing around."
"I noticed." Cila murmured, falling into step beside the girl. "So... How long have you been working here?"
"Four years." Jin sighed. "Six days a week, every week of the year. It could be worse, I know, but that doesn't mean I have to enjoy it."
"But..." Cila looked her up and down. "How old are you?" She gave Jin a frown.
"Oh, I turn seventeen in autumn." She frowned. "Why?"
"So... You were twelve?" The woman murmured. "That's... young."
"Some here are like, ten." Jin shrugged. "It's normal. I bet you made Li work pretty hard on the farm, right?"
"Well, yes, especially after..." She swallowed. "But it wasn't anything formal."
"See? No difference." Jin forced a smile. "So, where are you staying at the moment?"
"An apartment south-east from here." Cila responded. "It's not much, but with a wage like this..."
"I know, right?" Jin agreed. "My father, brother, and I all work, and we struggle to get by. It's all the refugees, coming in and taking out jo..." Jin trailed off, realising what she had said. "O-Oh... S-sorry." She stammered, flushing bright red. "I... I didn't mean..."
"It's okay." Cila waved it off. "I understand, it must be frustrating for long-time citizens to have to cope with all the new migrants."
"I don't have a grudge against any refugees." Jin pleaded. "I swear, I mean, I understand that they – you – have nowhere else to go, and of course you'd rather be at home. I didn't mean-"
"It's fine." Cila shook her head. "Really. But you would think that the government would do something, some sort of program, to create more work."
"Ha!" Jin rolled her eyes. "All the Earth King cares about is his palace and his parties and balls. Why do you think he's ignoring the war? Because he doesn't want to give up his life of luxury. Trust me, he doesn't care a jot for anyone in the lower ring one bit."
"I'm sure that's not entirely true." Cila said. "I'm sure he cares."
"I heard he never even left his palace, not once in his life." Jin sighed. "What kind of leader is that?"
"I don't know." Cila conceded. "But it's better to be silent than outright violence against the people you're supposed to be governing." The thought of the malicious Guard, responsible for the relocation of her decimated family, flashed through her mind.
"I guess." They were in the ironing room, Jin peering around through the gloom for Mrs. Chan. "Hey, did you want to come to my place for dinner tonight?"
"What?" Cila blinked. "What do you..."
"My mother always cooks too much." Jin elaborated. "Force of habit, I guess. I mean, we eat it all, but there's always room for a guest. I just thought... You probably don't know many people in the city and who doesn't want a good free dinner? My little brothers aren't exactly Li's age, but they'll still get along."
"All right." Cila nodded. "Thank you very much, Jin."
"No problem." Jin was about to explain further, when she felt her shoulder being struck for the second time that morning. "Mrs. Chan!" The girl jumped. "We were just about to get you."
"I'm sure." She gave Jin a hard-eyed look. "You go to your post. Cila, come with me. Ning decided not to show up today, so you can cover her in the rinsing."
"All right." Jin gave Cila a wave. "I'll find you when I've finished and give you my address." She gave the woman another smile, the expression fading as she turned away, hardening into a frown.
Zuko... Prince of the Fire Nation? She rubbed at her eyes. I just can't see it. I can't.
It's a mistake. Jin thought. It has to be. I mean... There's no way my Zuko is the same as Prince Zuko.
My Zuko? A magnificent red blush spread across her cheeks. Did I just... refer to him as... mine? I didn't mean it in that sense. Just as a form of distinguishing him... Jin coughed uncomfortably as she walked into the gloom ironing room, making her way to the back tables, where Lien was hunched over, trying to iron a perfectly straight crease into a silken robe.
"Have fun?" She spared Jin a glance, before returning to her work. Lien froze, and set down the heavy metal iron, regarding the girl somewhat suspiciously. "What's wrong?"
"What?" Jin pushed her hair behind her ears, taking the thick wad of linen that had been folded for her. "Nothing, why do you say that?"
"... No reason." Lien backed down, returning her gaze to her work. She wasn't stupid. But if Jin wanted to be secretive, then whatever. Wrapping the thick cloth around her hand, so the red-hot handle of the iron wouldn't burn her, Jin let out a long breath, trying to recollect herself. "So how was it with Riku last night?"
"Ah!" Jin gasped as she dropped the iron with a clang, shooting Lien a filthy glare. Her heart hammering in her throat, Jin ignored the younger girl, taking the iron again, stepping over to the low table, where a pretty green robe was laid out waiting for her.
"That bad, huh?" Lien gave the girl a sidelong look, the corner of her lip twitching in a smirk.
"You could say that." Jin muttered. "It's just..."
"It's what?" Lin pressed her colleague eagerly, her smile fading as Jin straightened her back, the iron dangling carelessly from one hand. With the other, Jin wiped her sweaty forehead, before biting on the knuckle, clearly looking distressed. "Jin?"
"... I can't." Jin pressed the iron to the fabric again, keeping her eyes determinedly fixed on her work. "You wouldn't understand, Lien."
"... Fine." Lien shrugged, clearly hurt. "If that's how you wanna be, then fine." She returned her full attention back to her work, jaw set in a scowl.
I'm sorry. Jin mentally apologized. But I can't. I really, really can't. There's no way that you could ever understand, and I don't want you to hate me.
I have to find out more. Jin bit gently on the tip of her tongue in concentration. I have to know if Zuko is the Prince of the Fire Nation. And I have to find out why he's here. Why he's banished, and where he got that scar.
Then I can figure out what to do. She sighed. I want to see him again. Of course I do. He's so sweet and awkward and I don't wanna let him go. Even if he is a Prince... I don't think I care. I know I don't care. I'm not going down that stupid ignorant road again.
All right. She was hardened with resolution. I'll find out. Everything. If Cila won't talk, then I'll go to the taverns. One of the refugee's should loosen their tongues for a few drinks. Should? Of course they will. It was less than honest, Jin knew, but desperate times called for desperate measures, right?
Who knew that shy Lee the tea-serving boy could cause so much damn trouble? She would have laughed, were it not so frustrating and painful. Instead, she gritted her teeth tightly, feeling the hot sting of moisture gather in the corner of her eyes.
"You're mine now."
Zuko's hands tightened on the Dao swords as he watched the bison roar, stamping its' feel in obvious distress. Unable to quell the surge of emotions in his heart, Zuko's lips curled upwardsin a smile. This is it. I did it. I have the bison. I'm finally going to capture the Avatar. I'm going to restore my honour. I'm going to return to my rightful place at my fathers' side. Azula will finally feel the shame that has plagued me for so many years. No more indulging this stupid facade that my Uncle insists upon. No more... His jaw tightened. No more false identities. Now, all I have to do is take it out of here and-
Zuko stilled at the grating sound of the opening door behind him. Tightening his grip on the swords, the teenager spun on his heel, expecting to see a Dai Li agent behind him, or, with luck, perhaps even the Avatar himself.
Iroh stood calmly in the doorway of the large stone room, hands at his sides. Zuko blinked, trying to both comprehend why the man was there and what the expression on his face meant.
"Uncle?" His shock was evident in his face. Iroh only raised an eyebrow, for a split second, a humorous glint in his eye.
"So, the Blue Spirit? I wonder who could be behind that mask?" With a sigh, Zuko pulled the blue mask away from his face, eyes lowered.
"What are you doing here?" He muttered. Why? You can't stop me Uncle! You can't and won't! I'm not going to let you ruin my last chance!
"I was just about to ask you the same thing." Iroh's tone rose. "What do you plan to do now that you've found the avatars bison? Keep it locked in our new apartment? Should I go put on a pot of tea for him?" There was a bite in his voice, an undercurrent of anger, and it set Zuko on edge.
"First I have to get it out here." He managed to choke, his voice thankfully remaining steady.
"And then what!" Zuko winced. He's angry. "You never think these things through! This is exactly what happened when you captured the avatar at the North Pole. You had him, and then you had nowhere to go!"
"I would have figured something out!" Zuko shot back defensively, a fresh hurt stabbing at his chest as the memories of the North Pole were dragged to the surface. His failure.
"No!" Iroh shouted in reply. Zuko was stunned. He had never seen his Uncle like this before. It was unsettling – beyond so. "His friends hadn't have found you, you would have frozen to death!" It was true. It was disgustingly true, a testament to Zuko's weakness, his failure. That no matter what happened, he'd never be able to succeed. Well, not his time. I'm going to win. I'm going to regain my honour! I'm going to have what is mine returned to me!
"I know my own destiny, Uncle!" Zuko retaliated, hands shaking in anger.
"Is it your own destiny?" Iroh was quick to return fire. "Or a destiny someone has tried to force on you!"
"Stop it Uncle." Zuko turned away, his voice shaking. Why don't you understand! What is wrong with you! This is my destiny! Here! Capturing the Avatar is my duty! "I have to do this!"
"I'm begging you Prince Zuko!" Iroh's voice rang through the stone chamber, Appa uncharacteristically quiet. "It's time for you to look inward, and begin asking yourself the big questions. Who are you? And what do you want?"
Who am I? I'm Prince Zuko! I'm the one who will bring the Avatar to Father! I'm the one that's going to stop the last thing standing in his way! I want my honour, my destiny, my throne! I want everything that I've lost! I want to be happy again!
Zuko threw his swords to the ground, the mask clattering alongside. I want to stop hating myself! I want to stop being angry. I want to be able to walk with my head held high. I want everything I deserve! He sank to his knees, trembling violently. I want my childhood back. I want things to be how they were!
But... They never will be. He closed his eyes, aching.
Mother...
I don't need her to be happy! Zuko tried to convince herself. I would have Fathers' pride, his love...
But he can't love. It was a terrible blow to the teenager. No matter how much I impressed him, he would demand more. Like he does to Azula. I don't want to become like her. Evil.
But I wouldn't! I'm not like her, we're not even close to being similar! I wouldn't end up like her, I wouldn't be a monster! I'd be at home and I'd be happy, for the first time in nearly four damn years!
Happy... Zuko's head was in his hands. I wasn't happy at home for a while. I was on edge for years. Ever since Mother...
But I would have Uncle. I miss her but I don't need her. As long as I had Uncle, it would be all right. As long as he complied with what I did here, he'll be restored, like me...
But if I go against him like this, why would he want to be near me? Why would he stay? Without him, and without Mother... I'd be alone...
What am I saying? He gritted his teeth. When have I been happy here? What has made me smile? When have I thought that this place wasn't a complete prison?
A rounded, curious face with almond-shaped eyes of hazel flashed through Zuko's mind. Hastily, he pushed the image down.
I'm being ridiculous! I can't think... I can't begin to consider that perhaps...
I'd be happier...
What is destiny...
If my destiny was to capture the Avatar...
Then why... Does he keep escaping impossible situations?
If it was destiny... Wouldn't I have had him before it came to this?
I can't...
I'm not...
A gentle hand on his shoulder jerked Zuko hastily out of his torpor. With a gasp, he he looked into the face of his uncle for a brief second, before returning his gaze to the stone floor, his tremors as strong as ever.
"Uncle..." Zuko breathed, his voice sounding creaky, disused. He winced, and tried to clear his throat, but failed.
"Yes, my nephew?" The hand on his shoulder tightened comfortingly. Zuko drew in a ragged breath, feeling oddly numb.
"...Help me release the bison." He whispered, closing his eyes. Somewhere, deep in the bowels of the labyrinth under Lake Laogai, something clanged, probably something had been dropped or shifted, but to Zuko, it sounded like the closing of a door. The closing of a future. He'd kissed it goodbye. His last chance at regaining his honour. It was the right thing, oh, he knew that well. But that didn't stop Zuko from feeling as though he were about to either throw up, or break down completely.
I can never go home again.
There. I hoped that cleared up some continuity problems... At least for now, bwahaha.
Okay, but on a side note, WHO IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOVIE!?
Dev Patel! Aasif Mandvi! Shoun Toab! Cliff Curtis! CLIFF FUCKING CURTIS!!!
Anwar, Aasif, Farhad, and Uncle Rangi! WOOHOO!
Yeah... It's going to suck.
Cliff Curtis -snickers- He CAN'T do a villian. If they wanted a Maori, they should have gotten Temuera Morrison. Get him go 'Jake the Muss' on the joint.
That aside, R&R?