a flame in his heart | zuko

chapter one

She watches his face burn by the hands of his father. She sat in the audience, lucky enough to be in beautiful makeup and a kimono on. How could a father be so rude to one's child? She wanted to go up on that stage and stop the Firelord from burning his son's face. But... she was weak. If Prince Zuko, someone who was better than her at firebending, couldn't stop the firelord, neither could she.

So she sat there. And did nothing like the useless little girl she was.

She was only thirteen. And so was he.

-

"I hereby banish Prince Zuko from the fire nation for showing shameful weakness. He will only be welcomed back if he has successfully captured the Avatar. Only then, will he regain his honor." Firelord Ozai announced to the higher-ups, General Iroh, Prince Zuko, and the head of the Fujioka clan including their firstborn from the main family branch.

Prince Zuko had just gotten out of the hospital and has bandages wrapped around his left side of his face. Zuko and everyone else's expressions widen as they hear what the firelord had to say.

You glanced at Zuko. What a tragic moment you had to witness. Worry and sorrow was on your face.

"Firelord Ozai. If I must say, and in all due respect, don't you think this is too harsh of a punishment for the young Prince? Prince Zuko only-"

"Are you opposing me?!" Firelord Ozai yelled as the flames around his throne flared even more.

The old higher up bowed his head in shame, "N-No, my lord... I am terribly sorry, I was out of line."

The Firelord seemed to have calmed down as so did his flames. "Does anyone else like to oppose?" he asked.

"If I may, Firelord Ozai..." your father started to speak, "Prince Zuko is only thirteen and no one in the past 100 years were able to find the Avatar. This mission is impossible. You're simply just sending him away to a mission that can never be completed. Who will take after the throne if he is banished and never finds the Avatar?"

The Firelord looked down at your father then a you so you stared at him back with a blank expression to show him that you're not happy or scared.

"Sokhom Seang. You have gone against me in great disrespect and talked out of line just like Prince Zuko. But I do not wish to do another Agni Kai, so I must punish you another way. One, that will forever keep you in line to never disrespect me. I hereby banish Y/N Seang from the Fire Nation and can only come back if she bares a child." the Firelord said.

That day, you felt the same emotion and pain as Prince Zuko. You were both banished.

Your eyes were widened in feared and disbelief. You were in so much shock that you weren't paying attention to anything around you as you heard the head of the Seang clan, your father, arguing with the Firelord and many higher-ups talking.

Why was I born in such a cruel time? You thought.

It all happened so fast. You were still in a kimono and had your makeup and hair done, but none of that mattered as you saw many soldiers load up the ship that you would be on for many years of your life.

Your father put a hand on your shoulder a kneeled down in front of you. "Y/N, I am terribly sorry for all that has happened. This is the best we can do to you considering what the Firelord has done. Please just bare a few years and come back to us." your father said.

You were still in shock and was scared so you couldn't even respond.

Now you were on the metal ship, setting off into the sea. Prince Zuko was made commander and captain of the ship while you and some other guy were made vice captain.

It was late at night so you stared out into the sea and watched as the fire nation land got smaller and smaller and farther and farther. Your eyes started to water. You were only thirteen. You will never experience anything a true girl was suppose to.

"Look," Zuko's raspy voice broke your reverie. You looked at him as he stared out at the sea. "I will be doing all the work. You just sit back and don't get into my way." He then turned his head and glared at you. "Got it?"

You looked into his eye. It was like how it used to look like whenever you saw them occasionally. They were full of hatred and rage with a hint of fear in them.

You only looked at him, obviously not hiding the fact you were scared. "I wasn't planning on doing anything anyways." you said and walked away.

Zuko only watched as you walked into the ship and turned his view back to the sea.

You entered your room, sat down criss-crossed in front of the mirror, and wiped off your makeup and took your hair out. Your hair was long and thick. You decided that that's how it was going to look everyday. There's no need to look presentable anymore if you're on a ship searching for the Avatar.

There was a knock on your metal door. "Come in." you announced and the door opened to reveal retired General Iroh. "General Iroh."

"Oh, please, just call me Iroh or uncle." he said with a smile and sat down in front of you as you turned your body away from the mirror and faced him. "I see you have settled in. How do you like it so far on the ship?" he asked.

"It's... okay... I don't really wish to be here though, no offense." you said.

"None taken. I am only here to support my nephew Zuko. In times of turmoil, he needs someone to support him." Iroh said.

"Oh... I see. I'm assuming you're the vice-captain?" you asked.

"Yes, I am." Iroh said. "Anyways, I came here to discuss something with you, Y/N. I do not think it is wise to have a child. I understand the needs my brother has but please wait a few more years until you want to bare a child-"

"I'm sorry, Iroh." you cut him off. "But I'm not planning on having a child anytime soon. I want to be away from the Fire Nation as long as I can."

Iroh looked at you with surprise before giving you a soft smile. "I am glad to hear that."

-

It's been three years. You're now sixteen. And so is Zuko. You've been through everything together. You searched all the Air temples. Searched high and wide but no Avatar.

You wore a red and black kimono with your long thick hair down as the wind of the South Pole blew in your face. It was quite cold to be in just a kimono.

As the years went on, Zuko got taller, he got muscular, and he shaved his head with only a ponytail remaining.

You got older too. You got taller, more feminine, and mature. Whenever Zuko got hurt, you healed him and the other soldiers on the ship. You used your fire bending powers almost once a month.

You knew you'd be on this trip forever. The Avatar is nowhere to be found. As you thought about that, a powerful beam shot up in the South Pole.

"Finally." Zuko said.

The Avatar.