The Tale of Fire and Sun | Zuko x OC

Chapter 30

Yara's POV:

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, despite the bitter cold. Meanwhile, my mind raced with the possible outcomes I could face.

I was about to do something I should've done years ago. I was scared... as hell. As long as I could remember, I did everything I could to gain father's approval.

I trained hard, studied tirelessly, sacrificed my childhood just for one compliment from father. I desperately hoped he'd love me as every parent would. It never came though.

As years passed, I slowly started to realise I was losing myself on the process to satisfy father. Mother was with me in every step of the way. She helped me find my own way... find happiness.

Things took a drastic turn after I met Zuko. I started doing things the way I wanted... the way I like, much to mother's happiness and father's dismay.

But there was still a huge part of me that hoped and longed for father's love. It still often overthrew my own-self just for a "I'm proud of you, daughter."

I've never heard father say that in my sixteen years of life.

But I was determined to put an end to that part. Father would never be satisfied. I had to deal with that and choose my path. I wanted to live on my own terms... live freely

And then, I saw him...

Father was running through a narrow pathway at the top of a building. I scoffed at the thought that he was the one running away now but called me a coward. Well, here goes nothing...

I took the katana Zuko got for me from its sheath and channeled my energy through it. "Father!" I roared with everything I had and with one swing, I sent a line of fire towards him. I was surprised at the intensity of my voice. I'm really my father's daughter...

I aimed not to hit him but to make him aware of my presence. And it worked. The blow made him stumble and jump down on an icy bridge above the waterway.

I jumped after him, still armed with the katana as his back faced me. Father turned to my direction once he regained his balance, his eyes widened in shock.

It was soon replaced by his signature smirk. If it were someone else, they wouldn't have noticed the shock he exhibited. But I knew him too well to catch that look...

Father stared at me for a moment, his smirk intact but his eyes gave away how angry he was, "Ah... I see you learned a new skill..."

The feelings I've bottled up for years screamed to burst out and I let it. It was about damn time I did...

"Why. Would. You. Do. It?" I screamed, sending a wave of fire with my katana at him with each word I uttered.

Father quite easily dodged my strike as he drawled, "Well, care to specify?". He flashed a smile that I knew too well. The smile that showed he was well aware that he broke me...

The fear of not being the perfect daughter came rushing back but I was not going to let him win this time.

"I've always felt proud of being your daughter, despite the terrible things you've done. But do you even think of this as a victory? An accomplishment?"

Father kept a straight face, gazing into my eyes like he could see straight through me. I fought the fear in me as he snapped, his voice filled with anger I've never seen.

"Don't you dare raise your voice against me. Hmph... if you can't see what good I just did, you're no fit for the Fire Nation, you foolish girl"

I scoffed at his accusation. Well, he was half-right...