Fireboy (a Zuko x OC fanfiction)

Chapter 14

Iroh came by every day enjoying tea and helping Ariella train. He would even bring his son Lu Ten when he wasn't training. Although he was older than Ariella, he was very kind and played with her. Ariella treated him as a big brother and never left his side when he came. They would bend together while Iroh spoke to her parents. That was until the siege.

"Iri, you can't go!" Ariella now 12 clung to the old man. She just learned he would be leaving for Ba Sing Se. Tears pricked her eyes as she thought of not seeing him again.

"What if you get hurt? Please don't go." Iroh looked at the young girl that barely stood past his waist. Lu Ten had waited outside finding it hard to look at her. He bent down to look her in the eyes.

"It is my duty, but do not worry dear. I will come back victorious and I will treat you and tell you all my new stories. Now, while I'm gone promise me you will practice no matter how hard it gets, okay?" She nodded and he wiped a tear from her face. He kissed her head before standing. Giving her one last hug, he looked at her parents who were both sad to see him go. He smiled and nodded before leaving. She rushed to the door to wish Lu Ten good-bye. He wouldn't look at her until Iroh placed a hand on his shoulder. He sighed before stepping into the shop. He looked down at her as she hugged him.

"Promise me you'll come back." He sighed knowing he shouldn't make the promise, but she wasn't going to let go if he didn't.

"I promise." She looked into his eyes doubtful but loosened her grip. He gave her a small kiss on her head before leaving. She watched out the window until they disappeared from sight and that was the last she had heard from them. She waited for letters to come, but none did. She would wake up every morning hoping they would come in and tell her of the battle. Sadly, it would be months before she got any news.

"Ariella come here." She was training, trying to keep her promise to Iroh. She stopped her water bending when she heard the sadness in her mom's voice. She rushed to her wondering what was wrong. All she saw was a small letter in her mom's hand while her dad consoled her. She took it only to have her heart shatter. It was a letter to all the Fire Nation citizens about the battle. The first thing to stick out was a name written in red ink and she fell to the floor sobbing. Lu Ten had died in battle. Mary and Tosen hugged tried to console her, but all she could think about was Iroh. How was he doing? Where was he? Did he get hurt? Her questions were left unanswered because he never came back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Present~~~~~~~~~~~~

I woke up, gasping. I looked around quickly to see I was in Appa's saddle. I put my hand to my head and felt the tears. Why did I dream about that? It was so long ago. I haven't seen Iroh in so long, I wonder how he is. Is he even alive? Does he remember me? I sighed.

Seeing you parents must have triggered your suppressed memories. I laid on my back looking at the sky. It was dark and full of stars.

They are suppressed for a reason. I could feel the heartache as if it was yesterday. I couldn't tell if I was sad because of that or because of Zuko. I wiped my tears away and put it to the back of my mind.

App what happened? I don't remember getting into the saddle.

After Hei Bai showed you your parents you fainted. I flew us away from the temple and into a secluded forest, so you could rest. It is not easy learning everything at once. I nodded, thinking. I can't believe this. I knew something had happened, but I never pictured it like this. I caused so much pain. I'm the reason my parents, Mary, and Tosen are dead. Why me? Why did I have to be in the prophecy?

Ariella, do not think like that, none of this is your fault. You are destined for greatness. Aang never chose to be the avatar, but look at him now. We all have our burdens, and we are all destined for something. Whether you let them hold you down is up to you. I sighed and moved to Appa's head. I curled up in his fur and stroked his head. He gave a content noise and I smiled. I was going to have to face this because no matter what I do, I was chosen for a reason. The spirits see something in me and I'm gonna have to find out what it is. Oh boy, wait until Zuko finds out about this. Wait, should I tell him? Should I tell him his dad caused more pain than he thought? No, I can't tell Zuko, it would devastate him. He is already doing so much to right his father's wrongs, but there is no way he can right this one. I'm not ready to talk to him yet. What if he still thinks I'm a monster. Can I even go back? Should I go back? He probably doesn't even miss me. What if he got a new wife already? My heart broke as I kept thinking. Scenarios ran through my mind the rest of the night.