Yours, My, Our Home (Zuko adopted by Iroh + Zukaang)

Chapter One

Zuko's POV

The scar. I should probably start with the scar. Because let's be honest. It was the first thing you noticed. It's the first thing anyone notices. Whether it's somone walking down the road or one of my teachers, the scar is always the first thing anyone notices.

Many try to pretend they don't see it. "Oh, you have a scar? I didn't notice!". Yeah right.

A few make comments on it! "Now that's something you don't see every day" No kidding.

Most ask questions like, "Can you see out of your left eye?" or "Does it hurt?".

I try to ignore them or be polite but it can be difficult sometimes. Sometimes I want to give them a scar just like mine. I don't. But it's hard not to want to. It's a touchy subject. But I'll explain it to you for the sake of this story.

I tell people it was a house fire. Most believe me, but some don't. That's half true anyway. It was all over the news. I can still hear Flameo News reporting the story.

Breaking News! A House fire burned down the estate of local arms dealer Ozai Prince. Forensic detectives have yet to find the cause but say that it could have been an electrical fire. Both him as he and his wife died on the spot. His son and daughter survived but the son will be scarred for life. Probably mentally and physically. Poor boy. What will happen to him, only time will tell. But for now, he is in the custody of CPS.

The news reporter failed to mention it was a murder. They failed to mention it was my father's firebending that started it. They probably didn't know that it was all my fault.

I remember every single detail. I'm 16 now but I was 8 when it happened. Today is the 8-year anniversary of the incident.

We were sitting in our living room and talking. We were all happy. It was rare when that happened. None of us knew the horror that would take place. We had just gone to the playground, and while we were there, these girls Mai and Ty Lee came up to us and asked to play. When we were talking my sister brought it up.

"That girl, Ty Lee, at the park, was pretty," Azula commented.

"Yes, she was, they both were!" My mother had added.

"I think that girl, Mai, was interested in you." My father had joked. "You know you are going to have to find a nice pretty lady to marry when you are older. You need a woman to bear an heir after you take over the family business."

"What if I don't want to take over the family business?" I asked quietly.

Ozai looked at me as if I was crazy, the cheerful attitude in the room quickly fading. "Nonsense, you WILL take over the family business. I had children for that reason. The only reason I kept you around was so you could take it when I am gone." I felt a stabbing pain in my chest and tears threatened to fall down my cheeks.

Azula tried to help but only made things worse. "I could do it, Daddy! I always wanted to be just like you!"

Her words only fueled his wrath. "You shall do no such thing! You are to marry a man and have children. That will be your responsibility, your job is to bring honour to this family by bearing children. And you Zuko, will marry a woman and take over the business. This is not up for discussion."

Ursa could be seen looking at this situation with fear for her children. She knew there was nothing she could do to help her children, any attempt she made to protect them would only anger him. All she could do was silently pray to the spirits that her husband would calm down. He had been known to be abusive and violent. One night when he and his wife were fighting he punished her by burning her side. Luckily it was not in a place that was visible. She didn't want her kids asking questions. She didn't want them to know about that side of their father.