Change of Hearts (Zuko X Reader) Book 2

Chapter 52

Previously on Chapter 51

"I love her... I LOVE Y/N. As a matter of fact. Y/N and I are officially together" I said. "No way... Y/N. Y/N's dating you??" She said. I nod my head. "Yes. Yes she is... and I love her so much. I wouldn't hurt her. At all" I said. I look away from her and it turns silent. I just told someone... of Y/N's gang that we are dating. I wonder if Y/N did the same with any of them. Did she tell anyone at all?

-Rescuing Mission-

Y/N P.O.V

We are currently on a location where we think the Crystal Catacombs is located. "Well, what'd you know? There is an ancient city down there. But it's deep" Toph said. She stand straight and create a tunnel.

"We should split up. Aang, Y/N, you go with Iroh to look for Katara and the angry jerk, no offense" Sokka said while placing a hand on Iroh's shoulder. Iroh shrugs his shoulders. "None taken" he said.

"And I'll go with Toph to warn the Earth King of Azula's coup" he said. He turns around and leaves with Toph to warn the Earth King of the threat among us.

Aang and I take turns in creating the tunnel. Iroh creates fire to shine through the darkness of the cave. I create the tunnel and we start walking.

"So, Toph thinks you give pretty good advice, and great tea!" Aang said, breaking the silence. "Oh... I assure you, brother. He's really good at giving good advices..." I said. Iroh just let out a soft chuckle at what I said.

"The key to both is proper aging. What's on your mind?" He said. Aang uses his bending to create the tunnel again. "Well, I met with this guru who was supposed to help me master the Avatar State and control this great power, but to do it, I had to let go of someone I love. And I just couldn't" he said, as he stops walking.

"Perfection and power are overrated. I think you were very wise to choose happiness and love" Iroh said. I use my bending and create another tunnel. "What happens if we can't save anyone and beat Azula? Without the Avatar State, what if we're not powerful enough?" I said.

"I don't know the answer. Sometimes, life is like this dark tunnel. You can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving..." Iroh said. Aang use his bending to create the tunnel one last time, which leads to an opening. "You will come to a better place" Iroh finishes.

Zuko P.O.V

"I'm sorry I yelled at you..." she said. I look away from her. "It doesn't matter" I said. "It's just that for so long now, whenever I would imagine the face of the enemy, it was your face" she said. I lift my hand and gently place it on my cheek. "My face? I see..." I said.

"No, no, that's-that's not what I mean" she said. I just give her a tight smile. "It's okay. I used to think this scar marked me. The mark of the banished prince, cursed to chase the Avatar forever. But lately, I've realized I'm free to determine my own destiny, even if I'll never be free of my mark" I said.

"Maybe you could be free of it" she said. I turn to look at her in confusion. "What?" I asked. "I have healing abilities..." she said. "It's a scar, it can't be healed" I said, feeling sad that I will have to live my life with this stupid scar on my face.

She takes out a vial from her shirt. "This is water from the Spirit Oasis at the North Pole. It has special properties, so I've been saving it for something important. I don't know if it would work, but..." she said. She lift a hand and place it on my scarred cheek. I close my eyes.

Suddenly, 3 people comes into view. Katara turns to Aang and runs towards him. "Aang! Y/N!" She said. She pulls them into a hug. I notice Aang glaring at me. My uncle wraps his arms around me. I return his glare. I turn to his side to see Y/N, who's hugging Katara back. My eyes soften a little at the sight of her.

We all pull away from the hug, after a while. I just keep an eye-contact with Y/N. I've longed to see her. I want to hold her. But the others would suspect us. I still don't know whether her friends knew about us.

Y/N P.O.V

Katara pulls away from the hug. I keep eye-contact with Zuko. I've been missing him for the past few days. The others already knew about us, so I don't see a point of pretending and hiding it anymore. I slowly make my way towards him.

I wrap my arms around his torso, holding onto him tightly. "I miss you, Zuko..." I said. He slowly wraps his arms around me. "I miss you too... why didn't you come like you promised you would?" He said. I give him an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry, Zuko... things have been very hard with the others. So I have to help them" I said. He lets out a sigh and nod his head. "It's alright... I understand. I'm just glad that you're here right now, Y/N. But... uncle, what are you doing with him?" He said, while pointing at Aang.

"Saving you, that's what. And do not forget that's my sister you're holding right now" he said. I take a step towards him. But uncle stops me before I could do a thing.

"Zuko, it's time we talked. Go help you other friends. We'll catch up with you..." he said. Katara and Aang left. But Y/N stays here. "Why didn't you go with them?" I said.

"I wanna be here with you. I'm sure they will be able to handle things themselves" I said. He just smiles softly at me. He wraps his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer to his side. I place a soft kiss on the side of her head.

I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn my head to see Uncle. "You're not the man you used to be, Zuko. You are stronger and wiser and freer than you have ever been. And now you have come to the crossroads of your destiny. It's time for you to choose. It's time for you to choose good" he said. I turn to look at Y/N. She smiles and nods her head.

"It's time you choose what's right, Zuko..." she said. I bit my lips as I contemplate what they said. Is it the time for me to let go... for me to abandon everything I longed to have? My father's love and my right for the throne.

But if I let that go... then I'll be able to be with Y/N for the rest of my life. I have no idea what to choose right now. Should I choose my Kingdom... or Y/N.

*to be continued*