The Banished Commander (ATLA fanfiction)

Two

Zara's P.O.V.

I would be sitting in the saddle of Appa, looking around at the sky around us.

"So Zara, you obviously knew that guy," Aang says

"Yeah. He was my best friend when I still lived in the Fire Nation." I say, not looking back at anybody

"Zara, are you sure you are going to be able to deal with having him on the other side?" Sokka asks

"If it comes down to it, then yes. But if I can avoid it, I will." I say, looking back
"Hopefully we don't run into him again," Katara says

"I hate to admit it, but we all know that we are going to run into him again," Sokka says

I nod, and sit down, closing my eyes, and folding my arms.

"This isn't the Zuko I once loved," I say

"What do you mean by that?" Aang says

"The Zuko I knew, he wasn't this angry, he was understanding, and wanted nothing to do with his father's way of ruling." I start "Sure, he would have to take over after his father, unless his little sister somehow got it. But he didn't agree with all of the violence, just like his mother."

"You must have cared a lot about this guy," Sokka says

"Yeah, I did. He was the only one who was there for me after my parents died." I say "So this side of him, it's new. And quite frankly, it's scary too."

"Maybe after dealing with you, he'll stop?" Aang says

"Doubt it. I left him a few years ago, his sister and father probably got into his head." I say

-~-

"Zara, I just heard what happened. Are you okay?" Zuko asks, barging into my house

I'm sitting at the window, looking out into the yard, looking at all of the equipment that my father and I had set up a few weeks ago for when he came back.

"They're really gone Zu, and I'm all alone, again," I say

"Ara, you know you are never alone. You have me, and Uncle Iroh." He says

I look back at him, my vision still a little blurry from the tears. He walks over to me slowly and gathers me in his arms, holding me for a minute.

"I understand how you are feeling, I was in the exact same position when my mother first left." He whispers

"At least she is most likely still alive, both of my parents are gone Zuko. They aren't coming back." I say

"They both died in honor." He says

I bite my bottom lip as he whispers that in my ears and that's when I lose it, I break down, right then and there in his arms.

"You'll make it through this." He says

-~-

"I can't believe that you are actually following your father Zu. That was never like you. We both knew that you wanted to change the ways of ruling. But obviously your honor got to your head, causing you to completely change." I say into the air "You've become ruthless, and I don't like it. It doesn't fit you."

I look up at the stars, letting out a sigh as I hold onto the reins of Appa.

"Zee, you okay?" I hear Katara ask

"Yeah. I'm fine. Just have a lot on my mind." I say

"Do you need somebody to talk to?" She asks, sliding down, to where she's sitting next to me