Fire and Aether

Chapter 25: Changes

    Early the next morning, Zuko woke up to find Rose getting dressed for the day, tying her hair back. "Where are you off to so early?" he asked, his voice husky from sleep.
    Turning to him, she said, "I'm sorry. I need to get home before the others realize I'm gone. That will raise a lot of questions."
    Zuko grabbed ahold of her, pulling her into his lap. "What if I don't want you to go?" he pouted.
    "I have to." she whispered, stroking his scar lovingly. "Don't worry. By the end of summer, we won't have to hide our feelings anymore."
    "Promise?"
    "I promise." Rose promised, giving him a gentle kiss. "I will see you again soon."
    With that, Rose headed off. As she reached the house where she and the rest of Team Avatar were staying, she took her shoes off and snuck in quietly.
    "Sneaking in?" a sudden voice called out. Rose turned to see Aang sitting on a chair, waiting for her, his arms crossed, frowning. "Where have you been all night?"
    "Nowhere." Rose lied.
    Aang airbended, moving in her direction. "I've known you too long. You are my sister. And, as your brother by love, I ask you to be honest with me. Where were you?"
    "Don't use the brother card on me, Aang." He sent her a "pity me" look. "If I tell you, you have to swear not to tell anyone else. Not Katara or Sokka or Toph. No one."
    "I promise."
    "Ok." She led Aang into her room and shut the door. "Do you remember when we became friends and I told you how big of a deal having a bond with anyone was for those of us from the Aether Realm?"
    "Of course." Aang said. "You told me so I knew how important our friendship and kinsmanship was to you."
     "A soulbond is even more sacred."
     "You found your soulmate?"
     "Yes." Rose said, smiling. "I am soul bound."
     "Who is he?" Rose's smile was replaced by a frown. "Or her. I don't judge, sis, you know that."
     "I can't tell you."
     "Why not?" Aang asked, confused.
     "Because you'll be angry with me."
     "Why would your happiness make me angry?"
     "Because....my soulmate...is Zuko."
     Aang's eyes widened in surprise. "Zuko?! Are you crazy?!" Rose shushed him hurriedly. "Are you serious?"
     "That's why I didn't want to tell you." Rose whispered. "Look, I didn't mean to fall for him but..."
     "But you don't choose who you love." Aang finished for her.
     "Exactly."
     "Ok. I won't tell. But be careful." Aang said. "I don't want to see you get hurt."
     "I promise."
                           * * * * *
    After Rose left, Zuko was broody as he prepared himself for the day. Another day at the tea shop that his uncle wanted. Not him.
   That day, a rich man offered Iroh his own tea shop and a larger, more luxurious apartment in the upper ring of the city. Zuko took some time off work after hearing the news to get some air and found missing Appa posters. Now, he faced a conundrum: should he help find the beast for Rose's sake? Or pretend he didn't see anything?
    His Uncle Iroh seemed to think that he should leave it alone and let them live a nice life. "I want more than a tea shop and an apartment in the city!" Zuko argued. "I want my destiny!"
    "What that is, is entirely up to you."
    "I want this war over, to have my honor back, and to have Rose by my side." Zuko muttered.
    From behind his back, Iroh smiled. He knew exactly what Zuko had to do to get what he wanted but he also knew that Zuko had to figure it out on his own. 
    He had faith that Zuko would do the right thing...
                          * * * * *
   Team Avatar soon found out something wasn't right when they got reunited with Jet. After helping him get his memories back, they found out that the Dai Li had been hypnotizing people under Lake Laogai to believe there was no war and that everyone was safe within the walls of Ba Sing Se. 
    Together, Team Avatar and the Freedom Fighters found a tunnel under the lake and snuck inside. Only, instead of finding Appa, they were ambushed by the Dai Li. They managed to hold their own, Rose, Aang, and Jet chasing after Long Feng when he tried to escape.
    "I'll make you a deal: exit the city now and I'll allow you to leave with your bison."
    "You think you're in a position to make a bargain with us?" Jet shouted.
    "He's right." Rose said. "Threatening me and mine was a stupid move."
    Aang glanced at Rose as he took his place beside her. "You're definitely not in a position to bargain."
    Long Feng smirked. "Am I not? Jet, the earth king has invited you to Lake Laogai."
    "I am honored to accept his invitation." Jet said as the hypnotism took control once more.
    With that, he attacked Rose and Aang.
                        * * * * *
    Zuko found Appa locked up and stood before him, in his Blue Spirit getup. "You're mine now."
    Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and Iroh entered.
    "Uncle?"
    "So, the Blue Spirit." Iroh said. "I wonder who could be behind that mask."
    Zuko sighed and pulled off his mask. "What are you doing here?"
    "I was just about to ask you the same thing. What do you plan to do now that you've found the Avatar's Guardian's bison?" Iroh asked. "Keep it in our new apartment? Should I go put on a pot of tea for him?"
    "First I have to get it out of here."
    "And then what?!" Iroh boomed. "You never think these things through! This is exactly what happened when you captured the Avatar at the North Pole! You had her and then you had nowhere to go!"
    "I would've figured something out."
    "No. If her friends hadn't found you and she loved you so completely, you would have frozen to death! And how do you repay her kindness and love? Steal from her oldest and dearest friend?"
    Zuko hung his head. "I know my own destiny, uncle. As much as I love her, I can't truly have her until I regain what I lost." He turned away.
    "Is it your own destiny? Or is it a destiny someone else has tried to force on you?"
    "Stop it, uncle." 
    "I'm begging you, Prince Zuko! It's time for you to look inward and begin asking yourself the big questions. Who are you, and what do you want?"
    Zuko screamed, tossing his swords and mask to the ground. "I want her! I want to be with Rose, not having to worry about destiny!"
    "Then take what you want."
                        * * * * *
    Rose and Aang reminded Jet of who he was, and Long Feng murdered him for it. In anger, Rose attacked the Dai Li leader, promising to make him regret his existence. Around that time, the rest of Team Avatar showed up and gave Jet a tearful goodbye before running off to find Appa.
    Appa bit Long Feng, tossing him into the water. Rose hugged Appa with a laugh. "I always liked you, old friend."
    "You found him!" Aang said as the rest of Team Avatar hugged Appa. 
    "More like he found me." Rose laughed. "Why don't you guys go ahead? I have something I have to do." 
    Her and Aang shared a meaningful look, the rest of Team Avatar jumping on Appa and flying off. Rose watched with a smile.
    At that moment, Zuko popped out of a hole in the ground, helping Iroh up after him. "You did the right thing, nephew." the old man praised.
    Zuko pulled out his Blue Spirit mask and dropped it into the water.
    "Aw, I liked that look on you!" said a voice.
    The prince and his uncle looked over to see Rose watching them. Zuko started towards her, paused, and looked to her for confirmation. She opened her arms for a hug, and he ran into them. 
    "I love you." he said, pulling her in for a kiss.
    "As I love you." she promised. "Thank you for saving Appa."
    Rose rested her forehead against Zuko's, the pair just enjoying the moment. Iroh cleared his throat, reminding them that they were still in public, where their loving display wasn't exactly smiled upon. They simply smiled and held hands as they followed Iroh to their new home.
    "Beautiful new home." Rose remarked as they walked through the door.
    "Thank you, Ava--I mean Rose. It was a gift from the same lovely man who offered us our own tea shop."
    "Congratulations." 
    "I don't feel so good." Zuko said.
    Rose turned to him. His vision was blurry and, a second later, he fainted.
    "Zuko!" Both Rose and Iroh called out, running to his side, shaking him, and begging him to be ok.
    They made him a makeshift bed on the floor, stripping him down to his underwear and covering him with a blanket. Rose dabbed his forehead with a cool, wet cloth, while Iroh offered him water, explaining that Zuko had come down with a fever and would need to rest.
    After Zuko drank a whole bucket of water, Rose suggested, "I think I should stay with him to keep an eye on him."
    She shared a look with Iroh who nodded. "Alright."
    Rose laid next to Zuko, wrapping her arms around him. 
    As Zuko slept, he had a nightmare. It started as a good dream, him loving on Rose, making plans of their future together. He got on one knee and proposed, expecting her to say that yes, she loved him and wanted to spend their lives together. Instead, a dark look spread over her face, and she glared at him with so much hatred and maliciousness that he got scared.
    "Why would I want to marry you? Why would I want to be with someone like you who has, at every turn, hurt me or someone I care about? No, I could never be with someone as selfish, arrogant, and rude as you! You have no honor, no home, no family, no throne, and nothing to offer me but heartbreak! I could never love you!"
    The dream changed and Zuko sat, alone, on his throne, the Fire Lord, like he'd always wanted. And, yet, without Rose, he felt depressed. Two dragons appeared next to him, one blue, the other red. The blue dragon began to tell him to sleep, that he must be so tired. The red one argued, warning Zuko not to listen to the blue one.
    Zuko could feel himself growing tired. Suddenly, the pillars around him crumbled, his soldiers melted, and Zuko felt himself slowly dying. He saw his mother, lifting her hood over her head, begging for his help.
    He woke up with a scream, panting in exertion. Rose bolted up beside him, hugging his middle in a comforting gesture.
     "Rose?" He grunted from the headache that was beginning to form. "When did you get here?"
     "I came here a few nights ago. I've been watching you to make sure you're ok."
     "Ugh...I just had the worst dream."
     Rose gave him a comforting kiss. "Tell me about it."
     "I...well...I dreamed you hated me. You said...horrible things. It hurt."
     She held him tightly. "It's not real, y'know?" Taking his face in her hands, she added, "I love you. I'll always love you."
     "There's more." She raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" "I was Fire Lord. But I was alone and these voices..." He grunted in pain. "I think it was my uncle and Azula each trying to tell me something. Then I saw my..." Here, he paused, tears in his eyes. "My mother. She begged for my help and I couldn't--"
     He broke down. Rose sighed deeply. "Zuko, you know these dreams are just your fears and insecurities weighing on you. How you believe I feel for you? Your fear of picking the wrong side? And I may not know your mother but it sounds like you have some trauma you haven't fully coped with yet."
     "I don't know what to do." Zuko lamented, turning away from her embrace. "Every time I make a decision, it's always the wrong one!"
     "Was I the wrong decision?" Rose asked, hurt coloring her words.
     Zuko turned back to her. "No! I didn't mean..."
     Rose stroked his scar lovingly. "I know what you meant. And I know things are hard now but they will get better if you give them the chance." She promised, pulling him in for a loving and passionate kiss.
         ***SMUT WARNING ****
     When they finally parted, Zuko took a moment to stare at the beauty before him. That's when he realized...
     "You're naked."
     Rose giggled. "So I am." Taking his chin in hand, she lifted his face to look at hers. "Does it really bother you that much?"
     Zuko swallowed. "Um...I mean...you're gorgeous."
     Rose laughed. "You still don't know how to talk to women, do you?"
    "Uh...no."
    "Well, that's ok. What I want from you won't require much talking."
    With that, she took his hand, leading it to her right breast. Immediately, his lips were on her neck, sucking a mark onto her fair skin, marking her as his.
     She stroked his cock through his underwear and, soon, he couldn't wait any longer. Yanking them off, he pinned her beneath him.
     "On your hands and knees, now!" he commanded, his voice carrying the weight of someone born to lead.
    Rose did as he asked, getting into position. Zuko stroked his fingers along her opening, making sure she was ready then he thrust forward, making them become one again.
    It was a long morning after that, after which they passed out on their sides, both connected, him with one hand on her hip as he held her close through another night.
               ***End of Smut****
    After resting for that day and through the night, Zuko finally woke up for good, feeling much better. He rolled over to where Rose was watching him with a gentle smile. Feeling genuinely happy, he pulled her into her arms, holding her tightly and nuzzling against her.
     "I love you." he promised.
     "I know you do." Rose said, kissing him. "I love you too."
    He pulled her back into his arms for a bit more private time.
                         * * * * *
    With Zuko feeling better and in a good mood, making Iroh smile, Rose offered them a goodbye.
    "When will you be back?" Zuko asked.
    "I'm not sure. According to Aang, a lot has happened over these past few days. I don't know what's ahead for us."
    Zuko frowned. "So you're leaving for the foreseeable future?"
    Rose stroked over his scar in that loving way she always did when comforting him. "Hey. We won't be apart for long. That I can promise you." She kissed him gently. "I'm never away from you for long."
    Zuko sighed. "But you have things to do. I understand."
    "This won't be forever, my prince. After summer is over, we will be free to be together. Then I'll never have to leave your side again."
    He enveloped her in his arms with a passionate kiss. "You promise you'll come back to me?"
    "I promise." Rose promised, not knowing if she was lying or not. There was no telling if she would survive the fight with his father. Besides, either way, knowing how temperamental he was, she had no idea if he would ever forgive her.
    Zuko smiled and embraced her. "Send me plenty of letters when you can."
    Rose smiled back. "You know I will." she promised, this promise not a lie.
    With another kiss and a goodbye to both Zuko and Iroh, Rose took off for the unknown.
                         * * * * *
    While Rose was helping take care of Zuko, the rest of Team Avatar told the earth king about the war against the Fire Nation. It took some convincing, but the king eventually consented that the war indeed existed. They explained what they had learned about the solar eclipse and their plan to invade the Fire Nation on the day of black sun.
    As they were discussing their plans, Rose finally arrived. "Who are you to enter my chambers without permission?" the earth king asked in annoyance.
    "My apologies, your highness." Rose said, bowing low. "My name is Rosalia, Princess of the Aether Realm. I'm the Avatar."
    The earth king stood and bowed. "Avatar Rosalia, it is an honor to meet you!"
    At the moment, the general walked in and told Team Avatar that Long Feng had been hiding letters from them. They followed him into a secret room, got their letters, sat down, and began to read them.
   Katara and Sokka learned their father was nearby, leading a small fleet of ships. Toph learned that her mother was in the city and wanted to talk, to apologize for how both she and her husband had treated Toph. Aang learned that someone wanted to teach him how to better guard Rose. Aang then handed Rose a letter that had been attached to Appa's horn. Aurora, the seer who had told Rose her fortune a while ago, asked for an audience with her to help teach her how to control the Avatar state.
    "I hate to say it." Rose said. "But we need to split up. Katara, Sokka, one of you needs to see your father while the other helps the earth king. Toph, your mother needs you. Aang, you need to see the guru. And I have to see Aurora."
    On that, they agreed, hugging each other goodbye, with tears in their eyes. Then, with that, they took off in separate directions.
                        * * * * *
    After Team Avatar left the city, the earth king began making plans for what to do next when a trio of women dressed in green and gold arrived.
    "The Kysohi Warriors have arrived." said one of the king's men announced.
    "Sokka told me they are friends. Let them in." the earth king said.
    They entered, bowing low. "We are the earth king's humble servants." said the one in the middle.
    Unknowingly to the earth king, these weren't the Kyoshi Warriors. They were Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee. And now they had infiltrated the Earth Kingdom....