Hey guys! Here's the next chapter, thanks to those of you who reviewed! Enjoy!
(Zuko)
You were exhausted, you couldn't sleep even though you and team avatar had ended the war, you're panicking not because your becoming the fire lord today but because Kana is lying unconscious in your bed. Kaito spent hours healing her before he finally collapsed late last night. As soon as he recovered this morning he continued healing her. So far there hasn't been a noticeable improvement.
"Zuko….Zuko!...Damn it Zuko!" Jet yelled as he shook your shoulders completely catching you off guard. You glared at him, but felt bad about it seconds later. "I know you're worried, but you need to get ready." You were about to protest when Jet cut you off, "Don't argue, do you really think kana would want you to miss your own coronation, your country needs you. Besides me, Kaito and the freedom fighters will be here with Kana, if anything changes we'll get you right away."
You sighed knowing he was right. You started to reluctantly head towards your wardrobe; it was still pretty weird being back in your room.
You suddenly turned back and looked at kana. She hadn't moved since you carried her here after yesterday's events. And by carried you held her as Jet and Longshot supported you and Kana because you could barely walk but refused to allow anyone else to carry her and Daisuke struggled to support the exhausted bear like water bender.
Kana was lying in the center of the bed with the blanket pulled up to her chest, she was still wearing yesterday's clothes. Early this morning Suki insisted on combing her hair. You frowned at the sight of the scars that marked her previously flawless skin knowing its because she saved you. Kaito was seated next her almost constantly healing or checking her vitals and keeping track of everything on scrolls. Longshot sat near the window, that kid is always on the look out. Smellerbee sat near the bed on the other side of Kana, the young girl was just staring absently. The Duke was on the floor playing, to young to understand the seriousness of the situation. Jet was wandering around the room, taking orders from Kaito, checking on the freedom fighters making sure that everyone has everything they need.
"You're still here," Jet said suddenly catching your attention. "You're gonna be late, I promise if anything changes I'll come get you myself"
You nodded thankfully, "can I have a minute alone?" you asked timidly.
Jet looked at Kaito who after a moment stretched and stood "Come one lets go find those healing herbs the fire sages told us about, something might help" Kaito headed towards the door, the 3 youngest freedom fighters following closely.
Jet hung back a moment, "I'll be outside the door, as soon as you walk out I'll be here" he awkwardly tried to comfort you knowing you didn't want to leave kana. "Someone will always be with her." The he swiftly left the room.
You instantly sat on the bed next to Kana and gently caressed her face. Maybe it was your imagination but you could have sworn she smiled a little.
"Kana I love you so much, please wake up soon," you whispered. Then you leaned down and kissed her forehead before leaving the room.
(Daisuke)
You were sitting against the palace wall with Aang. For the first time in your life you were extremely nervous, Aang and Zuko had asked you to make a speech about peace and harmony, well Aang asked, you knew what Zuko was thinking, Kana should be making that speech. You tired not to think about your baby sister and your exhausted brother, you trusted Kaito and his healing but even the bear like water bender was having trouble being optimistic about Kana's condition.
"Kana will be ok" Aang said suddenly catching your attention. You stayed silent so Aang continued, "trust me, I know she'll be ok, I can't explain It but I just have a feeling"
You smiled lightly for Aang's sake he was so optimistic. "Is it a spiritual avatar feeling or an optimistic gut feeling?" you asked.
"Definitely a spiritual avatar feeling" Aang laughed.
The two of you suddenly fell silent as Zuko approached.
"Almost time?" you asked. Zuko nodded. "I can't believe how different everything is" you found yourself saying.
"I can't believe a year ago my purpose in life was hunting you down, I hadn't even met Kana yet…" Zuko trailed off looking away.
"And now we're friends" Aang tried to change the subject for Zuko's sake.
"Yeah we are friends" Zuko absently replied as he pushed aside the curtain to look at the crowd outside
"I can't believe a year ago I had never left my island" you mused thinking about home.
"I can't believe a year ago I was still frozen in a block of ice," Aang laughed. "The world is so different now"
"And it's gonna be even more different, when we build it together"
You smiled as the soon to be fire lord and the avatar hugged, if theirs one thing you learned from team avatar it's that hugs are appropriate for all occasions. Then Zuko parted the curtains and the three of you headed outside. You took a deep breath becoming more nervous each passing second.
As Zuko approached the coronation platform the crowd cheered, finally quieting down when Zuko raised his arms and said "Please, the real hero is the Avatar" he gestured to Aang. Then he continued. "Today, the war is finally over. I promised my Uncle that I would restore the honor of the fire nation, and I will. The road ahead of us is challenging. A hundred years of fighting has left the world scarred and divided. But with the Avatar's help, we can get it back on the right path, and begin a new era of love and peace.
Then one of the fire sages approached Zuko holding the fire lord diadem. Zuko kneeled and bowed his head. The fire sage said "All hail Fire Lord Zuko" as he placed the diadem into Zuko's topknot. Zuko smiled briefly before standing and motioning for you to speak to the crowd.
As you stepped up the crowd fell silent in confusion. You nearly backed away and ran but faced your fear and spoke. You had no idea what you were going to say so you just said the first thing that came to mind. "Fire Lord Zuko and Avatar Aang asked me to speak to all of you, to show the world that peace is possible. I come from an island where people from all of the nations live together in peace in Harmony. I am Daisuke an earth bender, middle son of Saika of the Earth Kingdom and Nato of the Water Tribe. My older brother is Kaito; a water bending master and my little sister is…" you trailed off choking up.
You glanced at Aang he tried to silently encourage you. Zuko looked away trying to hide his emotions.
You took a deep breath and tried again, "And my li…little sister is…" You looked around you saw the foggy swamp benders, Katara and Sokka with their father, Toph with some of the fighters from Earth rumble. "she's…" You couldn't believe your eyes. "She's here"
Seconds later you heard the heavy footfalls of Zuko running to Kana who was at the other end of the coronation platform being supported by Jet and Longshot.
(Zuko)
For a moment you couldn't believe what you were seeing but your heart knew because you found yourself running to Kana not caring who saw. As you approached Kana smiled brightly even though you could tell she was in pain. Longshot backed away as Jet shifted Kana's weight to you as you neared.
"Awe I missed it! You already became the Fire Lord?" Kana pouted.
"Kana you're ok, I was so worried about..." you were cut off by Kana pressing a finger to your lips.
Kana just smiled as Kaito, Daisuke and Aang approached. "I love you" she said, "but I'm not sure how much longer I can stand"
"Baby sis I think you need to finish Daisuke's speech" Kaito said, Daisuke's face was red with embarrassment.
"I think we would all feel honored if you speak" Aang added.
By now you had wrapped an arm around Kana's waist to support her, "Do you think you're up to it?" you asked
Kana nodded as you helped her walk about halfway to the podium kana insisted on walking by herself, you reluctantly let her, to which she almost instantly stumbled. Thankfully you caught her. She smiled innocently. It amazed you how relaxed she is considering she almost died yesterday.
Once Kana was in place the crowd fell silent again. One of the fire sages motioned for you to let go of Kana, which you reluctantly did. Being Fire Lord apparently means having to do a lot of things you don't want to.
Then Kana spoke. "My name is Kana, I was born here in the Fire Nation, in this palace actually. My mother was one of Lady Ursa's servants and my father was the head of security for the royal family. When I was only a few months old my mother wanted to take me to the colonies to meet her family, My father could not leave his post so she went alone." She took a deep breath and continued. "We stopped for supplies on the island that would become my home. At the time fire nation citizens were not welcome. My mother and her companions were killed and I was left to drown in a river." By now Kaito and Daisuke stood on either side of Kana. "I was saved by Saika of the earth Kingdom and Nato of the water tribe. They raised me as their own and I am proud to call them my parents. These are my other brothers, " She gestured to each as she spoke, "Kaito a water bending master and Daisuke an earth bending master. My family has always been extremely supportive of me, even when I wanted to learn to master my fire bending. While others on the island disagreed my family always taught me to embrace my heritage just the same as they embraced theirs. The island elders wanted to send me away but my parents fought to keep me, and I became the first fire bender allowed on Wu Island. Since then the island has become a haven for anyone seeking peace regardless of the nation they were born to."
It always amazed you whenever Kana spoke, you were never good with words but Kana always knows exactly what to say. You found yourself smiling as you gazed at the women you get to call yours. Kana must have noticed you staring because she glanced at you and smiled before continuing.
"Peace between the nations is possible, my own family and my home are proof of that, but it won't be easy. It will take time and compromise but I believe the world will become a more peaceful place but first we have to try. One hundred years of war is more than enough, its time we bring in an era of peace" She paused a moment and looked at the crowd. "I'm willing to work for it, are you?" she asked.
Kana's lingering question was met with cheers. She smiled as she took a step back, her knees started to wobble, you were able to stop her from falling.
"I think I've had enough excitement today" Kana giggled.
"Fire Lord Zuko" One of the fire sages called you, motioning for you to address the crowd again.
"Go be the fire lord, I'll be there waiting for you when you're finished" Kana told you sensing your unasked question.
You reluctantly allowed Jet to help Kana back inside, they were followed by Kaito and Daisuke and the freedom fighters.
(Kana)
"Would it kill you to take it easy" Jet complained loudly.
"My angsty boyfriend just became the fire lord, I just wanted to see him" you replied innocently.
Jet sighed in frustration, "You could have let someone help you"
"I like my independence" you said simply as you stumbled again
"Will you at least rest until Zuko comes for you?" Jet asked as he opened the door to the room you woke up in.
"Fine," you mumbled, Jet rolled his eyes as he helped you onto the bed, you really hated having to rely this heavily on someone else. In annoyance you looked around the room, it reminded you of Zuko's room on the ship but way about a thousand times fancier. "Where are we?" you asked curiously.
"Zuko's bedroom" Jet replied. "So this is how the other half lives" He mused for a moment, "You know it makes me miss the tree house."
"I'm sure my parents won't mind if you build one when we go home" you replied pulling the blanket over yourself and cuddling into the pillows, they smelled like Zuko.
Jet sat in the chair next to the bed, "You know you don't have to do that" Jet sighed. You looked at him curiously so he continued, "give me a home, you don't have to do that"
You sat up and looked at him, usually Jet is so confident it's irritating but right now he seemed so vulnerable. "Jet, you're practically family" you replied softly, "Come on we escaped from the boiling rock, freed my brothers, took out half the fire nation army, you'll always have a place with my family" you smiled at him. Jet smiled back, he opened his mouth to say something but stopped himself. " Besides Daisuke and Kaito treat you like a brother and you and Zuko finally get along, now all of the important people in my life get along."
"Thank you" Jet said, just as the door opened and slammed shut almost instantly.
Zuko stood with his back against the door, his expression panicked. "You okay there Fire Lord Zuko?" you giggled.
"The fire sages are driving me crazy" Zuko replied finally relaxing a bit as he walked over to you. "And I'm not the fire lord to you" he mumbled as he sat on the bed next to you.
You instantly wrapped your arms around Zuko's waist and resting your head on his chest, he responded by pulling you closer.
"I'll take that as my cue to leave" Jet mumbled awkwardly as he stood.
"Jet thank you" Zuko told him sincerely, Jet nodded with a toothy grin before leaving the room.
"How's being the fire lord?" you asked quietly as you cuddled closer.
"I don't really feel any different" Zuko replied almost chuckling, he paused for a moment before saying, "Kana, I'm so happy you're ok"
You smiled lazily, as Zuko trailed his fingers down your arm, you didn't realize it at first but he was tracing your scars. For the first time you really looked at them. They seemed to follow your veins, the blue-purple scars traveled from your fingertips, up your arms, across your chest and back down to your fingertips. They were intricate and in a way beautiful but you couldn't help but feel self conscious for the first time in your life, frowning as you looked at them.
"What's wrong?" Zuko asked quietly as he pulled you close.
You looked at your scarred arm then up to Zuko's loving face. "I think I'm self-conscious," you mumbled in embarrassment. "Is this how you feel?" you asked softly referring to his scar as you used most of your strength to lightly trace his scar.
"I used to feel like that" he replied with a sigh, "but one day a beautiful girl told me she liked my scar, that it made me different." You blushed remembering that day. "Kana you have no reason to be self-conscious, you're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, the scars wont change that " Zuko traced his the finger along the blue-purple scars. "Does it hurt?" he asked softly.
"A little" you mumbled, "I feel pretty numb right now, Kaito said he used a herbs to act as a pain killer. Kaito was surprised that I seem to have a full range of motion."
Zuko sighed deeply and just held you tighter, you hated making him worry so much, but you knew he'd keep worrying until you feel better.
Zuko shifted so he was lying on his back but as he moved he pulled you ontop of him and wrapped his arms around you. You cuddled into his chest. You stayed like that for a few moments before turning to look at his face. Zuko was looking at you with the silliest grin on his face, you couldn't help but giggle as you looked away. Zuko lifted your chin until your lips met in a passionate kiss.