Amnesia Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I don't own the show, Avatar: The Last Airbender. I also don't own the song, "Amnesia" by 5 Seconds of Summer (which was the inspiration for my story).

"Mom!" Zuko yelled out, running to his mother without thinking. Quickly following after, Katara and Lao Sho scuttled behind him.

"Zuko! I've missed you!" Ursa exclaimed, hugging her son. "You're so grown up now."

"I've missed you, too," Zuko quietly said with a laugh as all his anger suddenly dissipated.

"Come on, son. Let's all sit down," Ursa softly said with a smile. Looking at Katara and Lao Sho, she led them to a small table.

"Yes, let's talk," Zuko agreed as the corner of his lips tugged up.

As all of them took a seat, Ursa quickly started the conversation.

"How did you find me? You ran into Lao Sho, I assume?" Ursa cheerfully began, taking a quick look at Lao Sho. He slowly waved back awkwardly.

"Yes. You see, Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, has been helping me on my search to find you. Along the way, we just happened to meet Mr. Lao Sho," Zuko explained, gesturing to Katara and Lao Sho.

"No need for formalities, boy. You can just call me Grandpa Lao-Lao," Lao Sho cut in with an honest smile.

"Yes, Grandpa Lao-Lao," Zuko agreed, slightly embarrassed. What eighteen-year old calls their grandfather that?

"And Katara is your girlfriend, right?" Ursa assumed as she smiled supportively at Katara.

Suddenly spitting out the water in her mouth, Katara blushed deeply. Reciprocating Katara's blush, Zuko coughed awkwardly.

"Um, she's not my girlfriend," Zuko quickly mumbled.

"Yeah, I'm not his girlfriend," Katara backed him up nervously.

"So, wife?" Ursa asked, keeping a straight face. She already knew the answer, but she wanted to keep playing around with the idea a little longer. It was fun. Across the table, Lao Sho bit his lower lip to keep from laughing.

Again? Really? Before it was June, now her? Zuko and Katara both thought in unison.

"No, mom. She's not my girlfriend or wife. She's just a friend. Our other friends were too busy to bother, so we went on the search alone," Zuko steadily stated, setting the facts straight.

"Yes, Zuko and I are stictly platonic," Katara assured with an unconvincing smile.

"Okay, then. So, how has it been in the Fire Nation? How's Ozai and Azula doing? And Uncle Iroh holding your Fire Lord position?" Ursa asked well-manneredly.

"I haven't been in the Fire Nation lately, so I don't know too much. Uncle Iroh and I trade back letters, but it's still not enough to know about the Fire Nation's current state. My...father is in jail, while Azula's in a rehabilitation center. And I know you might think that I'm ignoring my responsibilities, but I'm not! I just went out to look out for you first. Look—" Zuko started to ramble on with anxiety.

"Zuko, calm down! I was just teasing. I know about all of that. Word spreads around quickly around here," Ursa cut him off with a reassuring smile.

"Yes, Zuzu. It surely does," Lao Sho further teasing, letting out the laughter caught in his voice.

"Haha, Zuzu! That nickname never gets old," Katara burst out laughing.

Soon, everyone started laughing, caught into their own random trances. Zuko looked at every single one of them thinking, So this is what a real family is like. It's pretty crazy...but I like it.

Eventually all of them started chuckling with laughter. A few moments were given before they took deep breaths, bringing them back into reality.

"I just have one more question to ask: Who's with Azula?" Ursa asked, her cheerful demeanor changing to icy seriousness.

"Uncle Iroh is there in the Fire Nation to check up on Azula. They've never really had a good relationship, so she must feel really alone. She's another reason why I came. She needs you," Zuko answered solemnly.

"Yes, I think she does," Ursa replied, tears welling up in her eyes. "And Zuko?"

"Yes, mom?" Zuko echoed back carefully.

"I'm really sorry for leaving you two. It was either I left and let peace linger for the remaining, or I stayed and let all chaos run loose. I know either way you two would get hurt, but I took the option that was less troublesome. For all of us," Ursa explained, hoping Zuko would understand.

"I understand. You had to do what you thought was best. However, I feel like things would have been better if you were with us," Zuko honestly expressed.

"I really am sorry, Zuko. At least I can be here for you now," Ursa conveyed apologetically.

"Yeah, especially for Azula. I think you should go to her as soon as possible. She needs you more than anyone," Zuko said bittersweetly.

Even if Azula wasn't necessarily the best sister, Zuko still cared about her. And knowing his mother, she'd do whatever it takes to be by Azula's side.

"Yes, I'll set out on a trip to the Fire Nation starting tomorrow. Papa Lao-Lao, will you come with me?" Ursa asked, looking at Lao Sho.

"I'm sorry, María. I have a busy bakery to take care of. I can't leave. But do visit your papa when you ever have the time," Lao Sho answered bittersweetly.

He's spent so much time with "María. It's hard to let go of your own daughter when you've gone through so much. But it was for the best.

"Thank you, Papa Lao-Lao. For everything," Ursa innocently expressed, getting up from her chair to give Lao Sho a hug. "Come here, you two," she gestured to Zuko and Katara.

All of them grouped together, giving each other hugs. Tears and smile pasted on their faces. Eventually they broke apart, standing next to the door-way.

"Take care with the bakery, Lao Sho! And good luck on your trip to the Fire Nation, Ursa!" Katara exclaimed, waving to the two.

"You can just call us Grandpa Lao-Lao and Auntie Ursa," Lao Sho corrected with a smile.

"Ok, I will," Katara smiled honestly.

"And Zuko?" Ursa called one last time.

"Yes?" Zuko echoed back.

"I'll meet you in the Fire Nation later. And keep Katara close. She's a keeper," Ursa whispered into Zuko's ear.

"Yes, I'll meet you then," Zuko stated with a straight face, while he blushed. "Love you, mom."

"I love you, too. Take care of yourself. You're becoming a fine, young man," Ursa finally said, giving him a hug.

"Bye!" Zuko and Katara called out to them outside the door.

"Good-bye, kids!" Ursa and Lao Sho yelled back, frantically waving.

"So...you finally reunited with your mom. How does it feel?" Katara asked, walking over a small bridge, entering a different district.

"It feels...good. Like a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. I'm glad that she can help Azula," Zuko expressed with a small smile.

"Yeah. I feel like coming here with you has changed me, too. Your mother and grandpa are such good people. I think Azula will do fine," Katara agreed.

"I hope so," Zuko simply said.

"So what do we do now? Are you going back to the Fire Nation with her?" Katara asked a bit dissapointedly.

Katara knew it wasn't going to last forever. But she didn't know the search would only last a day. What are the chances of that? I guess fate just planned it all from the beginning.

"Actually...no, I'm not. At least, not yet. Being Fire Lord is a huge responsibility to take. And if I'm here in Ba Sing Se, I might as well stay and enjoy a little, right? To prepare?" Zuko answered with a smirk.

"Huh? Wha—?" Katara stammered awkwardly. "What do you mean?"

"You'll find out," Zuko bantered, still keeping that smirk on his face. Taking Katara's hand, he set off running to who knows where.

A/N: Thank you for reading the story this far! It means a lot. I originally planned for this story to only be 3 chapters, but through twists and turns, it ended up being longer. So instead, Amnesia might be 5 or 6 chapters long. Hope you'll enjoy the short ride!