a/n Thank you for reading! Whether you just started or have been following the story from early on. I know I've grown so much as a writer since the start and I thank you again for putting up with me. Haha!

So there were a lot of ups and downs in the last chapter and now Ikem will answer our burning questions. How will Zuko react? Let's find out.

Chapter 34 ~Ikem~

-Zuko-

"We're back," Katara said to the sleeping figure by the fire. She and Zuko stood hand in hand looking down at Ikem.
"What?" Ikem asked sitting up abruptly, "Oh, yes. Of course." He nodded as he took in his surroundings. Zuko couldn't help but notice how the man shied away from Katara a little. I wonder what she did to him. The thought made him smile slightly. "That's quite the girl you've got there, your majesty." Ikem said as if reading Zuko's thoughts.
"Hmm," Zuko grunted in agreement.
"I imagine you have a few questions." That was an understatement.
"Yes," he replied. He felt a tug on his arm and turned his attention to Katara who was trying to extract her hand from his.
"I should let you two-" she said, starting to pull away, but he interrupted her.
"No. Stay." He tightened his grip on her, "Please?" He wasn't sure if he could face whatever Ikem would say without her by his side. She smiled slightly, nodded, and they both sat down.
"What do you want to know?" Ikem asked, propping his head up with his hands.
"Everything. Tell me everything." Zuko said. "You said you were her childhood friend?" Ikem nodded.
"Ursa and I were best friends growing up." His eyes glazed slightly, remembering, "Her father became a politician and quickly rose to magistrate; yet, her mother Rina was the one who held everything together. It was rumored that Rina was the daughter of Avatar Roku… Growing up, I always loved acting. In fact, your mother was the one who convinced me to join the Hira'a Acting Troupe; of course, later she joined the troupe also. I think I was always in love with her, but it wasn't until she played my love interest in a play that I had my chance to kiss her." Ikem smiled at the memory.
"When was this?" Zuko asked.
"Not long after she came of marrying age." Ikem's expression darkened, "It was not long before she left." Neither Zuko nor Katara spoke. Ikem sighed and locked his eyes on the dirt in front of him before continuing. "We were so in love. She was compassionate, smart, and not to mention very beautiful. I was so happy when she agreed to marry me. The day I proposed was the same day Ozai and Azulon came. When she went home to tell her parents our exciting news the royal scum were already there." Ikem looked up at Zuko, "Sorry. No offence."
"None taken. Go on."
"When she never returned to me I ran to find her. Her father had told me what had happened and he seemed very pleased with the match. I went home and fetched my only weapons, two wooden swords. I waited for the royal procession and started fighting with the guards. I…I admit I never considered myself a brave man, but I would have done anything for Ursa." He paused, "I should have died then. The only reason I'm here is because she saved me. She exited the carriage and the soldiers stopped fighting. She looked so sad. I begged her to run away with me, but she shook her head. I will never forget what she said next…" He closed his eyes and spoke softly, "She said 'I'm sorry. I love you Ikem, but I have to do this. So go home before you get yourself killed.' Then she turned and left." So man years later, it was obvious the memory still hurt. Zuko realized Ikem had truly loved Ursa.

"I," Ikem cleared his throat, "I didn't see her again for several years. After she left I moved around a bit, traveling from one city to the next. I tried to quit acting…but I couldn't. She had always encouraged my career so I couldn't… But still I… Well now, you're going to think I'm a jerk." Zuko opened his mouth to speak, but Katara beat him to it.
"No, we're not," she said reassuringly, "What is it?"
"I tried to forget her." Ikem admitted in a whisper. It was weird to see a grown man so close to tears. Yet, Zuko knew how truelove could bring any man to tears. "But no matter how hard I tried, I'd always find myself back in Hira'a. I guess, deep down, I hoped she'd come back…and one day she did." Ikem's smile returned. "It was very early in the morning when she found me at the theater. I was so happy, yet so confused to see her again. I still loved her, but I didn't understand why she came back. I tried to get her to tell me, but she wouldn't. She was eerily calm about the whole thing. She said she needed to disappear, start over. I knew she had two children and I knew she wouldn't have left them unless she had to, so I mentioned you and your sister. She said she couldn't return to you, that it was impossible. I asked her for more of an explanation but all she would say is she left to protect you."
"Did you ever find out what she did?" Katara asked. Why was she asking him this? She and Zuko knew why she was banished already.
"No, she wouldn't say another word on the subject… But I think it had something to do with the Fire Lord's sudden death."
"Yes," Zuko said, his voice sounding harsh even to his own ears. Anger boiled up inside him, but he didn't understand it. He didn't know at whom he was angry. "She killed Azulon so Ozai wouldn't kill me and all because my father wanted to become Fire Lord." Who was he angry at? Ozai? His mother? No, she was dead. It wouldn't be right for him to be mad at her, but he was. Why though?
"I understand that you're still angry at her," Ikem said softly, "and it's okay." What? Even Zuko didn't understand it and he was pretty sure it wasn't 'okay,' but either way his anger dissipated. He stared at the man. Ikem was so different from Ozai. Ikem was calm, gentle, and patient. It was weird to see the contrast between the man his mother had wanted to marry and the man she had been forced to marry. "When Ursa returned I had to tell her that her father was dead. At first she was sad, but then almost annoyed, as if the timing of his death was a last jab at her. A way for him to ignore everything she wanted to discuss with him." Was that why? Was he upset that she hadn't lived long enough to tell him in person what she'd done and why she'd done it? Zuko couldn't help but see the cruel irony of it all. Ursa had done what she did to protect him from Ozai, but Zuko was banished two years later. If only he had known his mother was alive and out there. Maybe he would have never hunted down the Avatar… maybe she'd still be alive. This raised the most important question. It was the one he desperately needed to know, even if he was afraid of the answer.
"How did she die?" Zuko asked, interrupting Ikem who had continued talking even after Zuko phased out. Ikem's mouth hung open for a moment before he shut it and remained silent. "How did she die?" Zuko asked more forcefully. "I deserve to know."
"She died in childbirth almost two years ago."

-Katara-

She gasped and gripped Zuko's hand. She looked over at him. He sat there completely still, as if he were frozen.
"Zuko?" she asked gently.
"Was it…yours?" he asked, addressing Ikem.
"Yes." Ikem whispered in reply. She watched Zuko swallow hard before speaking again.
"And…and the child?" Katara knew what the answer was before Ikem responded. It was something he had said earlier, 'If I ever had a daughter.' There were also unshed tears in his eyes.
"She died as well."
"I'm so sorry," Katara consoled. The poor man. Not only did he lose his truelove, but also his child.
"Thank you Katara. It means a lot to me." his voice was thick with emotion. Then he smiled weakly, "At least I have Ning."
"'Ning?'" she asked, confused.
"My son."
"You have a son!?" Katara exclaimed.
"Yes, he's five now." Katara's mouth hung open in shock until Zuko's voice brought her out of her stupor.
"Is he…?" Zuko started to ask, but his voice died.
"Yes," Ikem nodded, "He is your half-brother." Silence. No one spoke. The campfire was starting to die, its light and warmth receding. She found herself staring at the shrinking flames. She couldn't help but imagine this little boy, whose name was Ning apparently. It made her wonder how Zuko would have turned out If Ozai hadn't been his father. She hoped Zuko would want to meet Ning. It'd be good for both of them.

-Zuko-

He had a little brother. Granted it was a half-brother, but that didn't matter much to Zuko. If Ning had been Ozai's son… that could be bad; however, Zuko knew that no matter how many concubines Ozai had, he always made sure they drank a special tea to keep them from having a child.
"Ursa named him. Ning means 'peaceful' and 'tranquil.'" Ikem said softly, "She said that peace and tranquility were two of her wishes for him. I think she wished for all of her children to have that…and happiness."
"Did she ever mention me or Azula?" Zuko asked.
"I'm sorry, but no she never spoke of either of you." He felt crushed. Had his mother forgotten him so easily? "But twice a year she'd go off for the day by herself."
"What were the two days?"
"Yours and Azula's birthdays, I think." Zuko closed his eyes and concentrated on holding back his tears. At last, he took a deep breath and reopened his eyes. Katara was looking at him, concerned.
"I'll be fine," he said and smiled weakly. He wanted so say he was fine, but that'd be a lie and somehow her blue eyes could pierce his soul and tell when he was lying. So he stuck with the truth. Although he wasn't okay at the moment, he knew he would be okay in the end. Thanks to her.

"It's late," Katara said, breaking the silence. "We should go to bed." Always so motherly, he couldn't help but think.
"Could I trouble you for some furs for the night?" Ikem asked. Katara opened her mouth to speak, but paused and glanced over at Zuko. He raised an eyebrow. Do you want me to decide? She nodded ever so slightly.
"Uhm…sure, yeah," Zuko agreed. Katara and Ikem smiled.

It didn't look like rain, so Ikem set some furs down outside of the canopy, on the other side of the smoldering fire. Zuko couldn't help but sigh as he lay down and pulled Katara into his arms. He was so tired. She hummed an agreeable sound as she snuggled in.
"Thank you," he whispered into her hair.
"For what?" she asked, trying to twist to face but he held her too securely.
"For being here…for being…you."
"You don'-" she started to say, but stopped herself. "You're welcome." He was glad she understood. He knew he didn't have to thank her, but he wanted to. He wanted her to know just how grateful he was to have her. "I love you." she added. He smiled and breathed in her wonderful scent.
"I love you too." He closed his eyes, but just before he could drift away, she spoke.
"Does Azula know?" she asked, softly.
"Hmm?"
"Does Azula know that we were searching for Ursa?" He opened his eyes and groaned slightly.
"No."
"You're going to tell her, right?"
"Of course."
"When?" Why was she being so insistent?
"I don't know Katara."
"She deserves to know." He sighed wearily.
"You're right. I know. I'll tell her when she's better."
"And what if she doesn't get better?"
"Agni Katara!" he swore louder than he meant to and he felt her flinch. Calm down. He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry." He apologized softly, "I don't know what I'll do if she doesn't get better. Agni I'm not even sure what I'll do if she does get better."
"We'll figure it out." She said soothingly and put her hand atop of his, "Together."
"Together." He agreed.

-Katara-

She was so tired. But as much as she wanted to sleep, her ears registered people speaking. She didn't want to open her eyes yet, so she remained still and listened.
"Where is your son now?" she heard Zuko ask.
"He's staying with his grandmother, Rina." Ikem responded.
"Is that…?"
"Yes, she's Ursa's mother. So I guess she's your grandmother too…" There was silence an awkward silence. "Do you want to meet him?"
"Yes." Zuko responded immediately. "But uhm… Have you…Does he know about me?"
"No, not yet."
"Oh. I think I should wait then."
"Why? I could introduce you as a friend if you'd rather."
"No," she could picture him shaking his head, eyes resolved, "I want to meet him as his brother. Not as your friend …or the Fire Lord."
"Okay." It was quiet again, before conversation continued.
"So what's he like?" Zuko asked.
"Ning? Well, I guess he's all right for a five year-old. He's a bender too." Katara could hear the pride in Ikem's voice.
"What does he look like?"
"He's tall for his age with dark hair and Ursa's eyes; but he has my complexion with lighter skin than yours or Ursa's. As for what he's like… He's smart and kindhearted and brave, but not reckless."
"You said he's a bender?"
"Yeah, he's a firebender."
"Is he any good?"
"I can't say. He doesn't like it, won't use it." There was a long silence before Ikem spoke again. "Does she always sleep so late?" Katara frowned indignantly. As much as she wanted to prove Ikem wrong and spring out of bed, she was curious to what Zuko would say.
"Yes," she could hear the smile in his voice. Honestly. She thought sarcastically. "But I don't mind." She smiled slightly now, "If you weren't here I'd probably be asleep with her."
"It is custom for firebenders to be early risers? Because Ning is up with the sun and I'm not sure if it's because he's five or a bender." Zuko chuckled.
"Yes, the sun pulls most firebenders out of bed. I sometimes find myself awake before Katara." She never knew that. "But when I do, I get to see her sleep. I know, it sounds crazy, but there's something so peaceful about her asleep next to me. She's so untroubled in her sleep and it's so calming. If I am awake, I quickly fall back to sleep. Sounds crazy, right?"
"No, not at all, it sounds like love." Ikem replied. Katara could hear the smile on his face. A few times, she had admired Zuko in his sleep and found similar results. His presence was always comforting.

-Zuko-

When Katara awoke, she was surprisingly cheery. Zuko took this as confirmation that she had been awake and listening because usually she wasn't this awake until after she had her tea. He smiled to himself. It's not as if he minded that she had been eavesdropping. Ikem and he hadn't been discussing anything Zuko wouldn't share with Katara anyways. What had first tipped him off that she was awake was how still she 'slept.' He'd found that normally she moved around a bit if he wasn't in bed with her. He liked to think that even in her sleep she missed him.

After she bended water into a small teapot, he heat the water for tea. Always prepared, Katara had packed an extra cup, which she then handed to Ikem.
"So," Katara said sitting down beside Zuko, "what's the plan for today?"
"Well…I uhm…" he started. He had already thought about this, but didn't know if she'd agree. "I thought we could travel to the Eastern Air Temple. Maybe when we get to a big town I can send a messenger hawk there. Aang and Toph should be there and maybe they can come get us on Appa. Also if Guru Pathik agreed to work with Azula…"
"That's where she'll be." She said, completing his sentence. He nodded. "And perhaps Yugoda will already be there." She was really just thinking aloud at this point. Her voice had drifted off and her stare was unfocused. "And if Yugoda's there…" This last thought confused him. He wanted his sister to get better, but why did it matter so much if Yugoda was already there?
"What about Yugoda? Katara?" her daze broke and he had her attention "What about Yugoda?" Katara glanced sideways and Zuko followed her gaze. Ikem sat, sipping his tea nonchalantly. He didn't even look up at them.
"Yugoda can heal you." Katara whispered and lightly touched the fabric that covered his heart.
"Oh, right." He had kind of forgotten about that. "I'm fi-"
"You're not fine." She interrupted and laid a hand to his forehead. "Even now you're warmer than usual."
"You didn't say anything earlier."
"I didn't want to worry you or distract you from finding out what happened to your mother. But now that we're going to where Yugoda might be…You're going to get healed." There was nothing to question in her statement, so he agreed.
"As for me," Ikem said, breaking the silence, "I need to return to Ning in Hira'a."
"When will we see you again?" Katara asked.
"You can stop in on your way back, if you'd like."
"Will that be enough time to explain…me to him?" Zuko asked.
"Yes, plenty of time."
"You're not going to tell him I'm the Fire Lord, right?"
"If that's what you want." It was. Zuko didn't want any of that added business when it came to meeting his 5-year-old brother.
"Will you make sure his grandmother doesn't tell him either?"
"Of course," Ikem reassured him. "I think he'll be very excited to learn he has an older brother." That reminded Zuko of something.
"Oh yeah, uhm… Can you wait to tell him about Azula? If she never gets better…"
"Yes, I understand."
"It's just; I'd hate to see him hurt." Zuko didn't want the small boy to get his hopes up about Azula.
"Me too," Ikem agreed.

They said their goodbye's to Ikem and started to pack up camp. Zuko couldn't help but think about the new sibling he had gained. This also made him think about the sibling he was headed towards. He hoped she could get better. On the day of the comet, she was more beast than person. Then he wondered IF she did get better, what would she think about their new brother and his father? Zuko suddenly stopped rolling up the furs. He had come to terms with his mother's death and welcomed the idea of a brother, but had he inadvertently gained a father and even a grandmother? The realization was unexpected, but not scary. Ikem seemed like a good man. A man Zuko might not mind calling 'father.'

a/n So Ursa died during the birth of what would have been her second child with Ikem. (A girl no less.) Too much feels? At least there's Ning! and he sounds adorable. At least... I hope he sounds adorable to you. What do you think about the chapter? Let me know in a review. Thanks for reading!