hey guys! heres the second to last chapter, it was originally suppose to end at this chapter but there were a few scenes i wanted to write so i ended up with one more chapter after this one.
Staring out into the clear blue ocean brought back a familiar sense of de-ja-vu. You turned and leaned against the railing as you glanced around the deck. Daisuke was sparing with Jet, Kaito was laying out basking in the sun, Longshot, Smellerbee, and The Duke were liberating food from the cook- you rolled your eyes, some things never change. Iroh was playing pai sho with lt. Jee.
You recognized most of Zuko's old crew. While some were killed during the attacked on the northern water tribe, most of them lived. One of Zuko's first actions as Fire Lord was to find his old crew and make them the imperial navy, a fitting reward to those who helped him while he was banished.
You finally found Zuko, yelling orders at everyone who passed. You couldn't help but giggle. Zuko caught you staring at him and smiled as he walked over to you.
"Ready to go home?" he asked as he pulled you into his arms.
"I'm already home" you replied kissing his cheek. Zuko gave you a curious look so you continued, " home is where ever the people I care about are, I've got you," you said as you poked him in the chest. "I have my brothers back, we have Iroh back, along the way we gained the freedom fighters…" at that very moment Jet landed at you're a Zuko's feet after a particularly harsh kick from Daisuke.
"I'm ruining a moment aren't I?" Jet asked with a grin as you stood up. Zuko pulled you closer as Jet made a face. "Get a room you two" Jet mumbled as he turned away
"Gladly" Zuko smirked as he tried to kiss your neck.
"Not now Zuko" you told him pulling away. "Besides look!" you point to your island.
"Prepare to dock the ship" Zuko called to the crew, and then turned back to you "We'll finish that later"
"Whatever you say Fire Lord Zuko" you laughed. Zuko rolled his eyes about to speak when you cut him off "I know, I know don't call you Fire Lord." The two of you smiled at each other.
Everyone lined up against the railing looking out at your island. You could see the town and the forest and what looked like most of the population waiting for your ship to dock. Suddenly you felt a tug at your hand, you looked down to see Smellerbee with an apprehensive look on her face.
"Is this really going to be home?" she asked.
"As long as you want it to be, " you said with a smile, "You're part of the family now, you'll always have a place here." The young freedom fighter smiled before returning to her place in between Longshot and the Duke
When the ship was finally safely docked you felt Kaito and Daisuke pulled you out of Zuko's arms and towards the gangplank. "You can have her back later Zuko" Kaito laughed. The three of you stood with you in the middle and your bother on either side.
"You ready?" Daisuke asked. You nodded as Kaito said. "Lets go home."
As the three of you officially set foot on your island you were greeted by most of the inhabitants. Most were proud, saying how they saw you grow up and now you helped save the world. Some were amazed that the Fire Lord is here, while others were looking at the newest residents curiously. You caught sight of the yahigo, ike and domon waving trying to keep the crowd under control.
You finally managed to slip away from the crowd and found yourself at Zuko's side.
"I don't remember it being like this the last time I was here," Zuko told you.
"They're just excited the new Fire Lord is here" you replied wrapping your arms around his waist.
Zuko gave you a playful look, "Or it's because of the hero's welcome for you and your brothers."
You blushed; it didn't feel like you helped saved the world. Aang learned soul bending, that was a feat deserving of a hero's welcome. You just found your brothers and fell in love. You did what you needed to. Feeling embarrassed you changed the subject. "I think the freedom fighters will like it here"
Zuko nodded in agreement, 'this is island is never gonna know what hit it"
Realization dawned on you, "I swear if they try to liberate anything," You and Zuko laughed.
Your brothers and the freedom fighters approached as you and Zuko pulled away from each other.
"Last one home has to do everyone else's chores" Kaito yelled as he took off running. You and Daisuke looked at each other before taking off running. As you easily pasted Kaito you could hear him yell "That means you too Freedom fighters, you're part of the family now!"
"You might want to start running Zuko, just because you're the fire lord doesn't mean mom won't make you do chores!" Daisuke added. You turned just in time to see Jet and Zuko pushing each other to get ahead of the other.
You ran ahead of everyone easily losing them as you headed towards your house. Over the past year you never realized how much you missed just going a run. You happened to be running along the same path you ran away from Zuko on.
You slowed down as you approached your house, everything look exactly the same as when you left except for the large tree house that had a rope bridge that connected it to the second floor of your house.
"You're home" a voice said from behind you.
"Mom!" you turned and ran to your mom hugging her.
She gently pet your hair as you pulled away. "Is everyone here?" she asked.
"Everyone except team Avatar, They're rebuilding the southern water tribe right now" You said with excitement, "Jet and the kids are gonna love the tree house"
"I hope so, you're father has been working on it none stop since we got home" She replied.
As if on cue your dad walked out of the house tools in hand. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw you. "You're home" he stated with a smile.
You nodded with a smile, "We're all home, they're just a little slower" you laughed.
Your dad pulled you and your mom into a hug. " I'm so proud of you" he told you.
The three of you stood in silence for a few moments until your dad spoke. "So how long are you staying?" your dad asked.
You sighed, you knew you couldn't avoid this conversation; you just thought kaito and Daisuke would be here too.
"A few weeks" You replied. "I've agreed to be the fire nation ambassador. I'm going to be helping Zuko fix relations between the other nations."
"And your brothers?" your mom asked.
"Daisuke agreed to help King Bumi rebuild Omashu and I think he and Toph wanted to teach other earthbenders how to metal bend. And kaito has been talking with the leaders in the Northern water tribe, they want to unify all of the scattered waterbenders" you answered.
"What about Jet and the freedom fighters?" Your dad asked.
The downside to being faster than everyone else is having this conversation by yourself.
"The freedom fighters are staying here and being kids. I'm not sure what Jet wants to do yet. Zuko asked him to be one of his advisors but he hasn't answered anyone yet"
Your parents looked away sadly. They just got their kids back but now its like they're losing everyone all over again. You frowned. You hated seeing them like this.
"Mom, Dad, we'll always be your kids, this is our home, and we'll always know exactly where to come back to" You looked at their reactions. "We're not leaving forever, we'll be home for birthdays, holidays, everything and anytime you want to you can come with us, visit. We're still a family. Me, kaito and Daisuke just want to make the world a better place."
They were silent for a few moments, before your mom spoke "The world is a better place thanks to you and your friends, you'll all do great things, and we'll always be here to support all of you"
You released a breath you didn't realize you were holding. "Thank you" you smiled as your parents pulled you into another hug.
As you pulled away you heard everyone else approaching. You looked towards them then the direction of your cherry blossom tree.
Your dad put a hand on your shoulder. "Go, just be home for dinner"
You nodded and smiled once more before running off. As you left you heard Jet and Zuko fighting about who is last.
Running along this familiar trail brought back memories of the day your island was invaded and you chose to leave with Zuko. The last time you saw your cherry blossom tree, it was on fire, but you had to see what everything looked like, even if it's not what you want to see.
When you finally reached the clearing you looked around, it was different than the last time you saw it, the ground was no longer overturned, you smiled, looks like your mom did some work to fix up your favorite place. A few of the trees around still had scorch marks on them but for the most part it look almost normal. The worst by far was your cherry blossom tree, the branches were bare and parts of the bark were chared but you could see some green places where the leaves were beginning to grow again. You sighed, it would be years before it would bloom again but it will, one day.
You felt familiar arms circle around your waist as Zuko rested his chin on your shoulder.
"I'm sorry" Zuko mumbled referring to your tree.
"Its ok" You replied, "See its still alive, " you pointed to the small green leaves on some of the branches. "It will bloom again one day, like the world it just needs some time" you replied.
"You're starting to sound like Uncle and his proverbs"
You giggled, "I don't know about that." Zuko gave you a look, "Alright maybe a little."
"You're great with words, you always know what to say. When I talk I usually make things worse" Zuko sighed.
You turned around in his arms so you were facing him. "Zuko, you don't need to be good with words, it's your actions that matter."
"All that matters is that I have you"
Zuko pulled you close resting his hands on your hips, you tangled your fingers in his hair as your lips met in a passionate kiss.