CHAPTER 21

ZUKOS POV

It was well into the night but barely a sliver of the moon was visible in the sky as Zuko crossed his arms over his chest to block the blast sent his way. His bare feet slid across the dirt as he was pushed backwards from the force. He countered it with even more precision sending a whip of fire forward that caught Ozai on the shoulder. The older man hissed in surprise becoming sloppy in his attacks. It was clear who had become the better fighter. They had been battling for what seemed like an hour, and they both were showing signs of fatigue.

"Where's Katara?" he demanded before sending arches of fire at him through his feet.

Ozai began laughing hysterically as he barely blocked Zuko's onslaught of attacks.

"WHERE IS SHE?" Zuko growled fisting fire in quick succession while simultaneously coming closer and closer.

They were now almost close enough for hand to hand combat forced to use more martial arts, which Zuko knew he was stronger at. He used Ozai's balance against him, dodging blows and using his weight to counter attacks. The heat between them caused their bodies to become slick with sweat, blows that landed on skin skating off.

"You really want to know where your whore of a wife is?" he sneered. Zuko began to see red, Ozai's insult stoking his rage. He formed a fire dagger and slashed Ozai in the chest with it. His father's eyes widened as he looked down at his bleeding pectoral. He recovered quickly, sending more fire punches at him in retaliation.

"I killed her" he bit out.

Zuko's heart stuttered, his vision flashing to Druk's for a millisecond.

Clouds beat at his face.

"You…" he stammered as he struggled to block Ozai's kick.

"She's quite the screamer" he leered "she begged for you the entire time as she burned"

"You're lying!" he cried. Zuko's stance faltered for a moment. It was enough time for Ozai to kick his feet from under him landing the Prince on his back.

"I would've waited until she gave birth but she was too hard to control. What a waste of beauty. They both could've been my slaves" he said as he straddled him punching Zuko square across the jaw. Zuko's vision flashed to Druk's again, the pain reverberating through his skull.

He was in the sky flying north in Zuko's direction, zipping through the clouds. He felt the strength of his wings.

The Fire Prince lifted his hands up in protection, shielding himself from the second blow. His blood boiled in his veins.

No matter how this would end his father had won. Ozai won. He killed her. The one thing important to him in this world.

Zuko began to shake as his father sent punch after punch on top of him. The Fire Lord finally ignited his fists.

"And now it's time for you to join her!" he laughed maniacally. Zuko's vision and body was once again taken over by Druk.

He felt a rumbling in his chest. A fire burned deep there, the heat threatening to bubble from within him.

'Feel the sun Zuko…it's still there' Druk said to him softly 'It's still there'

Druk opened his mouth in an extraordinary roar fire erupting from his throat

Zuko roared finally uncovering his face. Just before Ozai was able to land a flaming punch to his jaw fire erupted from Zuko's lips blasting his father in the face.

Ozai screamed in pain and shock as Zuko continued to roar, flames ejecting straight onto him melting his eyes and skin with each passing second. Ozai attempted to shield his face from the onslaught of fire but failed, the stream too strong. Zuko sat up as Ozai tried defending himself before completely collapsing backwards. Ozai's screams of pain were muffled, his lips burnt shut.

"I used to want to be just like you. I hated myself for being like mom" he breathed heavily as he slowly stood over Ozai's flailing body.

"But now I see that had been my strength all along. What good is ruling when the entire world despises you?" he seethed, his eyes glowing gold as he watched his father struggle.

"Mmmm! Mmmm!" he squirmed his face completely melted and undistinguishable. Chunks of flesh sluffed from his cheeks his blood spilling on the hard packed dirt. The Prince wished he could say the sight satisfied him, but the victory felt empty.

"I should leave you like this to suffer… for what you did to her. For what you did to me" he wiped the tears quickly from his cheeks drawing his sword from his side.

"But even now, after everything you've done I will still show you mercy. That compassion you were so offended by is finally working in your favor… I'll see you in Agni's hell Ozai" he growled before slashing his sword across his neck in a single sweep. Blood shot from his throat and across Zuko's bare chest. He looked down at his father's prone body in disgust.

Everything was over now…the war, as well as Zuko's will to live.

He thought about just slitting his own wrists right then and there. No one was there to stop him. His Uncle could take his rightful place as Fire Lord, and the world could go on without him. He had done his part. He could die now knowing he had rid the world of its most vile monster. He could die a hero. His entire future had been robbed of him. He would not take another wife.

How dare he have hope? How dare someone like him think that his life could have had a happy ending?

He looked down at his bloodied sword. It dangled heavily in his hand, the weight of his entire life seeming to hang within it. He dropped to his knees holding the point of the blade to his heart. He closed his eyes, his face upturned to the night sky and his hot tears streaming down his face. He hoped that he could see his love, Katara, in the spirit world. He prayed that his death would be swift and not so painful. But anything would be less excruciating than the reality of losing her.

He gripped the sword hilt, mustering up the last strand of courage he had left.

"Just do it Zuko…you can see her again" he whimpered.

Before he could pierce his heart he felt the ground shake subtly, the air around him shifting with another being's presence. Hot air drifted across his face ruffling his loosened hair and cradling him in its embrace. Zuko opened his eyes, a pair of glowing golden one's staring back at him.

'If you die I will surely die too' Druk said softly. Zuko's tears were relentless, his nose running despite himself.

'I do not wish to live without her Druk…I cannot see a way…'

'I won't stop you. But this isn't what she would want'

'Our baby…I-' Zuko collapsed burying his face in his dragon's chest as Druk curled his large body around him. His sword dropped to the ground with a clank as the Prince sobbed into the night.

KATARAS POV

"All cleaned up!" May cooed as she held the new born baby boy in her arms. The child was swaddled in a white blanket, his tiny body no more than the size of a melon. Katara sagged against the bed in exhaustion yet she found the strength to lift her arms to reach for her baby.

"Katara you should heal yourself first" May scolded as she helped her to sit up with her other arm.

"Give him to me" Katara said ignoring her. May huffed tucking her blond hair behind her ear before handing her the bundle. Katara stared down in disbelief at the perfection lying in her arms. Her baby's eyes were not open, yet she could see Zuko's features clear as day. The narrow slope of his nose, his shock of inky sleek hair, his dark straight brows. The only thing Katara could see that were her features was the hint of brown in his skin. She gently moved the blanket aside with her finger finding the tips of his ears colored a deep brown like her own skin, promising that he would get darker with time. She silently thanked the spirits that he looked so much like her husband. She had something tangible on this earth that was left of him.

"My sweet boy…born to the world through fire" she whispered as she stroked the side of his cheek. His skin was so soft and new. His features were so perfect. He was perfect.

"Have you decided on a name?" May asked from across the room.

"Salai" Katara answered quietly. It was a water tribe name that meant sunlight. It was the only way that she could honor his heritage without giving him a Fire Nation name.

"Salai…that's beautiful" May said sweetly as she crossed the room to sit beside her on the bed. Katara felt her friend watching her closely in concern.

"What?" she asked tearing her gaze from her newborn.

"I'm just…worried about you that's all"

"Don't worry" Katara sighed.

"Do you have a plan?"

Katara brought her baby to her lips, kissing his forehead in reverence.

"I want to go home" she declared against Salai's forehead.

"Home?" May questioned in confusion "the Southern Water Tribe?"

"No…Zuko's farm."

She returned Salai back to her lap just in time to see his eyes open blearily. They were as golden as fresh honey, just like his father's.

ZUKO'S POV

Zuko woke with the sun like he always did. As his mind returned to consciousness he could vaguely make out the sound of buzzing flies around him. It was loud.

His eyes cracked open, the subtle rays of morning light filtering through his vision. He was on his back, the hard ground beneath him. He felt Druk's warm body shielding him from the mild spring winds. He sat up, his gaze following the insistent buzzing sound.

He saw Ozai's body, his face a pile of burnt flesh and blood, his throat slashed open. The flies had gotten to his corpse already, devouring what was left of his face. The Prince stood up slowly gathering and putting his armor back on. He tore his undershirt in half creating a long strip. He tied the fabric around Ozai's gaping neck, using it as a leash to drag his dead body onto Druk's back.

'We need to find the others'

'I can fly us over the city, we're bound to see someone'

'Let's go' Zuko returned with a nod.

It didn't take them long to find everyone. All the soldiers who had survived the battle were seen standing at the top of the palace's steps amongst the rubble that was left. Zuko landed Druk at the base of the steps, locking eyes with the Avatar who stood at the top in front of everyone. Behind him stood King Bumi, Sokka, Suki, Toph, Uncle, and the rest of the water, earth, air, and Kyoshi soldiers. Druk's entrance had stollen everyone's attention, and they all stared forward as he got ready to dismount. He reached behind him to grab the cloth noose around Ozai's neck before fire bending his way to the ground. Ozai's body hit the ground with a loud thud, the only sound amongst the silence. The Fire Prince squared his shoulders as he walked slowly up the marbled steps, dragging his father's heavy corpse behind him.

"Nooo! Father!" he heard a screech from behind the Avatar. Zuko looked over to find Azula in cuffs behind Aang being restrained in hand and neck chains by a water soldier. She broke down in hysterical sobs, dropping to the ground. Zuko ignored her, pressing on as he approached. He eventually reached the top throwing Ozai's mangled body in a heap at the Avatar's feet.

Aang's steel grey eyes regarded Zuko with a deep respect. He had done what no one else could do.

Aang tapped the staff in his hand on the ground twice before his voice billowed out across the silent morning.

"ALL HAIL FIRE LORD ZUKO!" Aang cried before bending his knee before him.

"ALL HAIL FIRE LORD ZUKO! ALL HAIL FIRE LORD ZUKO" everyone cried in unison. They all bowed to him. Hundreds of soldiers cheering his name should have sent a thrum through his heart. But it only made him feel more empty and alone. He gave one last stare into the ruin that was left of the palace and the soldiers he had laid down his life beside yesterday. Zuko turned his back to them retreating back down the steps in silence.

"Zuko!" he heard his Uncle call from behind him. He didn't slow his pace, yet the old man eventually caught up to him.

"Zuko please stop for one second" Iroh panted. Zuko turned to him once they got to the base of the steps.

"We must fly to Caldera at once to have you coronated. The crown is vulnerable-"

"Fuck the crown" Zuko hissed turning to walk away again. He knew his Uncle was right, but he didn't care. He barely cared about his own life let alone any of his new subjects. He mounted Druk in haste.

"We sent a search party out for Princess Katara!" Iroh called up to him.

"It's no use…we were too late" he returned before taking off towards the inner wing's wall. He wanted to be far enough away from the palace to not be bothered, but not cross over into the residential middle ring where Druk may scare the emerging citizens. The part of him that still had a fraction of hope yearned for them to find Katara alive. But the bigger half of him, and the logical half knew that his father had not been lying. He had killed her.

He landed on the wall itself, not expecting the carnage that lay waiting for him there. Scattered along the wall were about ten dead soldiers in various states of injury most of them burned. He dropped from Druk to walk amongst them just in case there had been any survivors.

"They must have run into Ozai…" he mused to himself as he counted the number of burials that would need to take place. Something caught the corner of his eye as he walked; a figure not dressed in green armor lying motionless. It looked like a woman. He approached the body slowly, letting out a wisp of air when he got close enough to make out her face.

"Oh June…" he whispered, kneeling down beside her. He reached out to grip her cold stiffened hand guilt ravishing him violently. The flies had gotten to her too, and he swatted them away violently. His other hand thumbed her hair line as he took in her state, the arrow that killed her still lodged in her slender throat. He couldn't control the tears that slipped past his eye gates but he refused to cry out, biting his lip nearly drawing blood.

"I'm so sorry" he whispered.

His eyes traveled over her in sorrow before they caught on a piece of parchment hanging out the pocket of her trousers. He took it out gingerly, unfolding the thin paper.

My love,

I can't imagine a life without you. I am so excited to become your wife today.

Our family begins now.

See you at sunset

~Your Love, Kat

Zuko's fist balled at his sides as he stared at the blood stained letter. He fought the urge to burn it to ash, but he knew he'd regret that decision later. He thanked June for keeping her word, and attempting to save his Kat…even though she had paid the ultimate price just for the mission to be fruitless. He traced June's brows with his thumbs before getting up to mount Druk again. He could not stay another second in the Earth Kingdom if these were the things he would find amongst the rubble and aftermath.

'Uncle was right…we need to go to Caldera at once. There's nothing left for us here' he said. Druk bowed his head in understanding, ready to go wherever Zuko asked him.

KATARAS POV

It had been a week since she'd given birth and she had to admit that she had become one of those obsessive mothers. Maybe it was the trauma she had experienced fueling her paranoia but Katara could not go a single second without keeping her eyes on Salai. He had become much more curious over the past few days, opening his eyes more and looking around to see the world. She marveled at his almond golden eyes, so much like his fathers, as she nursed him. He had changed so much even in just seven days. He had put on more weight, his small cheeks filling out, and his expressions had become increasingly more alert.

Katara was currently seated in a low wagon, cushions surrounding her, pulled by Haru's horse.

"Doing alright back there?" the green eyed earth bender called behind him.

"Just peachy" Katara returned. May was sitting across from her in the wagon, watching her feed Salai intently.

"Are you sure you want to do this? You can always stay with Haru and I" May tried to reason for the hundredth time "it's still not safe! If the war was lost it's only a matter of time before the Fire Nation spreads itself across the Earth Kingdom."

"For the last time May I can't. You and Haru don't have room for an extra two people…besides…this will make me feel closer to Zuko" she said, trying to plaster on a realistic smile. As they pulled up to the farm Salai popped from her breast with a yawn prompting her to recover herself. She burped him tenderly before cradling him back into her arms as he dosed off. They rode past the stables and to the front door.

"The farm hands Zuko hired are off today, but they should be returning in the morning. They usually work for half the day then return home" Haru explained. She was so grateful that their friends had saw to tending the farm in their absence. The grounds had been kept in immaculate condition.

"Thank you guys for keeping up with things while we were away" Katara said softly.

"It's the least we could do. You two left to risk your lives protecting our wall…we'll always be in debt to you for that" Haru smiled as he held his hand out for her to step out of the wagon. She grasped his forearm gladly taking in the fresh air around her. Katara clutched Salai close to her chest as they ascended up the cobbled entryway. Nothing prepared her for the flood of memories that punched her gut as they stepped through the door. It nearly knocked her backward. May placed a hand at the small of her back as she witnessed Katara's hesitation.

"You don't have to stay here Tara…" May repeated in a whisper. The water bender shook her head deciding to take a deep breath instead and walk further in.

Everything looked the same, down to the kitchen towel hanging on the stove. A memory flashed through her mind unbidden.

Katara smiled as she finished placing her cake in the oven. She had finally figured out how to use the flint stone to make a fire under the grate and therefore didn't need Zuko's help anymore. Suddenly she heard the door unlock and swing open. She didn't look up as she heard his boots and coat come off. As she continued mixing the icing she felt a warm hand snake around her throat gently but firmly, pulling her back against a hard chest. Her heart lurched and her stomach did a flip as he flexed his hand slightly and placed a firm kiss on the top of her head.

"How was work?" she asked breathlessly as her small frame sunk into his larger one. His other hand traveled down her side before resting at her hip. She arched into him.

"It was work" he rasped into her ear as he bent to kiss her shoulder tenderly. Katara turned in his arms causing his hand to fall from her neck. She wrapped her arms around his neck kissing his lips hungrily.

He groaned into her mouth gripped her hips tightly and bringing her flush against him. His hands began traveling to her rear giving Katara a generous squeeze. This elicited a moan from deep within her, which only fueled Zuko's dominance further. He bent to pick her up and perch her on the counter. His favorite thing to do seemed to be filling the space between her thighs as his heat quickly consumed her.

"How many kids do you want Kitten?" he asked against her lips. His hands skated their way to her abdomen during the silence that hung between them. His thumbs pressed into her squeezing a moan from her lips.

"However many you give me" she sighed. He ground against her before sinking his teeth into her neck. She could tell her answer had excited him by the way his traveling hands always found their way to her belly as he ravished her neck.

"But not now though…" he whispered after a while. He sounded genuinely disappointed, which made Katara's belly flip inside. This was their first time really breaching this topic since they had become boyfriend and girlfriend.

"No...not now…" she agreed hesitantly. Their futures weren't safe enough for babies with war looming above their heads. They could only wish and fantasize about a better tomorrow.

"That's the last box" Haru announced as he lugged the last of Katara's borrowed belongings into the house. Katara had come to them in the night with nothing but the clothes on her back. May had been nice enough to loan her three dresses and enough fabric and yarn to sew more clothes for Salai. The blond had even packed two additional boxes of toiletries and groceries. Katara had everything she needed to survive including a hefty amount of Zuko's left over savings. She smiled at the couple in appreciation.

"Thank you guys so much…for everything. Go on home, I can take care of the rest" Katara insisted inching slowly towards the door. Salai began to fuss in her arms, likely ready to be changed.

"Are you sure you don't want our help unpacking?" May asked, her brows creased in worry.

"It's not much to unpack. Don't worry May I'll be fine" Katara tried reassuring her. Her friend finally relented grabbing Haru's hand and moving out the door.

"I'll be back to check on you tomorrow" she bolstered her. Katara chuckled dryly bidding them goodbye before shutting the door. She heard the hooves of their horse retreat from the cottage finally blanketing the space in silence. She looked around the empty room, a sinking feeling in her chest. Salai suddenly began to wail, drenching the house's silence with his cries.

ZUKOS POV

"Fire Lord Zuko, detectives Mako and Kage request an urgent audience with you" the elder advisor spoke as his head remained bowed. Zuko looked down at the man from the throne, his eyes blank and unreadable.

"Bring them in" he said shortly. The man bowed deeper before he turned away and out of the opulent throne room. Although Zuko's face was a mask of unwavering stoicism behind the façade he was cracking, the best parts of him slipping out and spilling onto the floor. He had only been Fire Lord for a week but his world hadn't stopped turning ever sense. Zuko had been coronated following his arrival to Caldera shortly after showing the bodily evidence of his father's defeat. The people that had gathered to see his ascension to the throne were relieved. They cheered on their new King, in the hopes that things would get better. They shouted his name, thinking that he could be their savior. He was tasked now with repairing all the damage his father had done.

Just after his crowning Azula had paid the ultimate price for her war crime of blowing up the Earth Palace. After a formal trial had been given her bending was taken away by the Avatar; a level trade for wiping such a historical monument from the world. She would now rot in the deepest bowels of the Fire Nation prisons.

Every day after that was merely a blur to Zuko. He felt like an alien in his own skin, a demon amongst ordinary people. The darkest parts of his heart had been torn open and exposed. He had won the battle but lost the war. He had truly lost everything.

"Your Grace" detective Kage called bowing alongside his partner Mako.

"Rise gentlemen" Zuko answered, his face still stony. Both men stood straight dressed in the ways of the Fire Nation military.

Mako cleared his throat appearing nervous beneath his Lord's scrutiny.

"Permission to speak freely sir? We have some…grave news I'm afraid"

"No more grave than I'm used to" Zuko assured "permission granted."

"We uh…we found Lady Katara's remains your Grace…she-" he cleared his throat again.

"Speak plainly" Zuko barked, impatience lacing his tone now.

"I'm sorry your Grace we…we found her in a remote forest south east of the Earth Capital, we believe it to be where Ozai docked right before the battle at the wall. It appears that he burnt her at the stake my Lord…" he struggled to get out. Stillness covered the room, the fire around the throne pulsing at a rate that looked like vibrations.

"How did you identify that it's her? How can you be sure?" his voice threatened to break.

"She was wearing this" Kage interjected pulling an item from his pocket covered in cloth. He stepped up the dais to hand it to Zuko hesitantly. The Fire Lord opened it quickly, uncovering his wife's wedding ring. He clutched it hastily into his fist, turning his head before his men could see him tear up.

"Leave me" he rasped out, barely above a whisper. They both bowed swiftly turning to leave.

"Uh-your Grace?" Mako called cautiously.

"Yes?"

"They…they found another skeleton amongst her remains sir…they believe she was with child. The morticians would like to know if you want them cremated together or separately"

It was now Zuko's turn to clear his throat, his knuckles turning white as he fisted the ring.

"I said leave!" Zuko roared. Both men scurried from the throne room before the fire could consumed them.

'she begged for you the entire time as she burned'

Ozai's taunts swam through his mind as his brain conjured up the most horrific visuals. He felt sick even thinking about her being subjected to such torture, that her final moments had been filled with such pain and fear. It should've been him.

The next day remained uneventful. After a full night of no sleep he dragged his feet into his council room for his first meeting of the day. All ten of his advisors stood up as he entered the room; one of them was his Uncle, the other nine hand selected by the fire sages. His advisors were all from different walks of life, some influential politicians, others high ranking military generals. He had insisted that the head of all the school districts be on his team as well, as Zuko believed that the children were their future.

"You may be seated" he announced as he himself sat at the head of the table. All men bowed before sitting in their respective seats.

"My Lord, first on the agenda today is discussing the funeral arrangements for Lady Katara. Her remains were brought to our shores this morning and they have been wrapped and prepared for cremation" general Koji said plainly "we think it best to hold the ceremony tonight."

Zuko's head spun. This was not what he expected to be discussing this morning. His Uncle looked to him in sympathy, his brows creased in worry. Zuko cleared his throat, slipping his mask of indifference back on.

"Why so soon?" he asked.

"Your Grace, with all due respect, after the funeral is held your marriage will officially be annulled and we can begin the process of finding a new wife for-"

"I will not take another wife" Zuko interrupted calmly. He was about five seconds from exploding, but he decided it best to hear them out first.

"Fire Lord Zuko please, we must be realistic about this. I know you loved Lady Katara but she is no longer here with us. Our nation needs a solidified heir otherwise the crown is vulnerable" his other advisor Namiko piped in. He knew that these reasons were logical, but he didn't much care for logic at this stage in his life.

"I said I will not take another wife" Zuko seethed.

"Lord Zuko-" his Uncle tried.

"No!" Zuko stood from his seat his face mask slipping into deeply seeded anger "I haven't even cremated my wife and child yet and you people are trying to marry me off? I'll name one of my distant cousins heir since you need one so badly. Do not push me" he grit out with finality. And with that he removed himself from the table and walked out of the room. He didn't give a damn what else was on the agenda.

His feet seemed to travel on their own accord through the halls of his childhood home. He had grown up here, and yet the palace felt cold and unfamiliar. Everything was decorated with the finest silks and golds. It was ironic that anything he could possibly want was now at his fingertips, yet the one thing he wanted most was gone from this earth.

He found himself going downstairs into the basement of the south wing, where the morticians usually worked. Sconces lined the winding stair case as he traveled deeper into the depths of the palace. The air was dark and stale down there and the atmosphere gloomy.

"Fire Lord Zuko" the palace mortician bowed deeply as he reached the bottom of the stairs and approached her. She was dressed in an a simple white tunic, with her face and hair covered by a veil.

"I wish to see them" he stated simply. She nodded before taking out her key ring and unlocking a wooden door behind her. Zuko stepped forward walking into the large room his eyes adjusting to the darkness. A single candle was lit in the corner and the smell of incense hung heavy in the air. He took a deep breath approaching the long table in the center of the room. On that table lied Katara's body, wrapped tightly from head to toe in white linen sheets. His knees felt weak as he stood over her, his mind not being able to fathom that this was Katara. His hand came to rest on her face, trying to feel her through the linen. It felt like bones.

"Oh Kat…I'm so sorry" he cried, his tears now falling freely. Next to her lied what looked like a tiny human silhouette, also wrapped in linen. He picked it up gingerly, cradling it in his arms.

"My son" he whispered, holding the wrapped corpse tight to his chest.

Zuko stayed there with them for hours. He talked to Katara, catching her up on everything that she had missed. He spoke to his son as well, the tiny prince never having gotten to experience his first breath.

"I couldn't protect you two from the worst…the worst thing imaginable. How can I protect an entire nation?" he whispered. He was now seated on the floor at the foot of the table, still holding his dead son in his arms when the door swung open revealing his Uncle.

"I thought I'd find you here."

He stared up at his Uncle as he approached, weary that he would try to remove them from him.

"Don't take them away" he whimpered clutching his son closer, no longer posing as the put together Fire Lord in the presence of his father figure. Uncle looked at him in worry sitting down on the floor next to him.

"This is your boy?" Uncle asked tenderly. Zuko nodded his head, his lip quivering as he looked down at the tiny body wrapped in white.

"This is my boy…"

"Does he have a name?"

Zuko would never admit it but he had thought of the boy's name the moment he had discovered Katara's pregnancy.

"Akuzo" he breathed, never having said the name out loud. There was power in speaking it. The traditional name meant 'first born' in fire script.

"May I?" Uncle asked, his hands outstretched. Zuko hesitantly placed the baby in his hands. Iroh's gruff voice began to hum, a tune familiar to him before the lyrics left his lips.

Leaves from the vine
Falling so slow
Like fragile tiny shells
Drifting in the foam
Little soldier boy
Come marching home
Brave soldier boy
Comes marching home

"There are two days in my life that will forever stick with me. The day my wife lost her battle with sickness…and the day my son died on the front lines. You have the rare tragedy of experiencing both at once. I do not envy your position. I cannot tell you that the pain gets better, only more manageable. The only solace comes from living a life that they could be proud of" Iroh said softly.

Zuko shook his head.

"I don't think I want to live anymore Uncle. I failed them. They haunt my dreams at night. I can hear Katara screaming for me" Zuko's face fell into his hands.

"The funeral is in one hour Zuko…this is your chance to let them go. Let their spirits rest my son"

"I can't…."

"You will…because there is no other choice. They are not coming back" Iroh stood to place the small bundle back on the table next to Katara.

"Sokka and her father Hakoda are already here."

Zuko's heart thudded in his chest, feeling like the walls were closing in on him. Iroh grabbed him, lifting him up into a tight embrace. Zuko sagged against his Uncle, even though the old man was much shorter than him. His shoulders shook as Iroh held him up. His uncle sang to him quietly, never letting go, not even for a second.

Leaves from the vine
Falling so slow
Like fragile tiny shells
Drifting in the foam
Little soldier boy
Come marching home
Brave soldier boy
Comes marching home

END CHAPTER 21