The Dragon Bond (Zuko fanfic)

Chapter I

I have always been terrified of fire. Why? I'm not sure. Maybe it's because the sole reason I'm alive is to protect dragons from it. It could also be because of its destructive nature. Most of my nightmares include big bright flames. When I turn to look for Seke, she's not there, and all I see is the horrible flames engulf my home. I hate going to sleep because of it. I wake up crying most nights, other nights I don't sleep at all.

I turn upwards in my bed of leaves to face the ceiling. I can see from the corner of my eyes Seke looking at me. I move my hand, indicating her to huddle up next to me. She lays her scaly head on my stomach and wraps her body on my legs.

The day Seke and I bonded, has become a vivid memory. Ran and Shaw, on my ninth birthday, decided it was time to have my lifeline tied with Seke. All we had to do was perform The Dragon Bond ritual. The rituals consisted of cutting the palm enough to draw blood, place the blood in the same container, and drink. Afterward, we had to chant to the Suns Spirits and culminate by bathing in the sacred river.

In 9 days, it will be seven years since our bonding ritual. It's going to be a significant day. It's tradition to leave the ancient city on its anniversary. But of course, this is the first time we are going out since we are now old enough.

"Aiyana?" I turn my head to the woman calling my name. "Yes, Catori?" I look at the older woman entering my tent. She was carrying a bowl of food while walking towards me.

"You haven't eaten today, have you?" She says, with a hint of a smile playing at her lips. She sits down next to me. I sit up while holding Seke's head, moving it to my thighs, so I don't disturb her sleep. Catori hands me the bowl and starts to get back up again. "Thank you, Catori," I say as she makes her way out of the tent. "No problem, my child." She says, slightly looking back at me then stepping out. I put the bowl down next to me and lean back down.

Catori has always been like a mother figure to me. My parents died a few years ago; their dragons got hunted down. I barely knew them, so I don't miss them. I sometimes wish I could remember them clearly. But I always had Catori looking out for me, and I know she loves me as one of her children.

I got back up and started eating the food Catori brought me. I left half for Seke to eat once she woke up from her nap. I put a blanket over Seke's body and headed out of my tent, looking for Catori.

I saw her walking towards her tent and followed her. "Hi, Catori!" I said brightly, entering the tent. "AHHH," Catori jumped when she heard me. I guess she didn't see me. Oops. "Now, why on EARTH would you sneak up on me like that??!?" She turned around and placed her hands in her hips, irritated. "I didn't sneak up on you. YOU just didn't see me, not my problem," I say, giving her the same amount of sass she gave me. She gives me a toothy grin.

"What will I do with you child?" She says in between laughs as she turns around to tidy up inside the tent. "So, What's the reason behind your sneaky visit?" She says, still not facing me while she cleans up. "I wanted to talk about mine and Seke's bond anniversary trip," I was nervous to tell her my idea. Thinking she will probably say no.

"What were you thinking, my child?" Catori finally turns around to look at me. Her expression showed she knew where I was going. "I was thinking of heading to Full Moon Bay and i-" "Absolutely not young lady! Are you crazy?? Full Moon Bay is on the other side of the world! If fire nation soldiers spot you, you'll be dead in no time!" Catori starts shouting like crazy and moving her hands frantically.

"I know Catori, but all the stories you told me, it seems like it would be wonderful!" I say, twirling around the tent. "Please, Catori! We'll be careful!" I reassure, making eye contact with her. She gives me an unsure expression. "We won't get in any trouble. If we find ourselves in danger, I'm sure we can fight them off and bend their memories" I search her eyes, looking to understand her train of thought.

"I don't know, Aiyana, you're still in training..." Catori rubs her temple as if calming her anxious thoughts. "I know, I know. But I have gotten better! Ask Honovi, he'll tell you!" I place her hand in between mine. I noticed how soft her hands were. For a middle-aged woman, her hands were delicate and smooth.

"You know how proud my husband is. Of course, he will say you are ready. He trained you!" Catori tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. She frees her hand from my grasp and holds my hands together. "Please, Catori, it would mean the world to us!" I say softly, looking down at our feet. "Well then, you better start packing your stuff" I look up at Catori's face. A wide grin displayed in mine, I immediately hug her tiny body. "Thank you, Catori! Thank you, thank you, thank you." I jump up and down, holding her body in a tight hug.

I run out of Catori's tent and into mine. I see Seke drowsily looking at me run in. "Get up, Seke! Tomorrow we begin our journey!" I smile at her as I start packing up our stuff. She gets up and flies towards me. She starts licking my face, happily. "I'm excited too, Seke." I rub her head and hug her tightly.

->

I woke up early the next morning. I had already packed, Seke and I were getting ready to start our journey to Full Moon Bay. "Do you have everything?" Catori asks from behind me. I turn around and nod a yes with a smile on my face. She grins back at me. Honovi makes his way to Catori's side. He puts his arm around her while she looks up at him. He kisses her forehead and looks at me. For a couple in their forties, they still loved each other deeply. I mentally frowned, I wish someone loved me like that.

"Are you sure you want to go alone? I'm sure Anakin would be very pleased to accompany you." Honovi insists pointing at Anakin that was flexing his 'muscles' to two girls around the temple. I roll my eyes at his antics. Anakin was an arrogant and persistent flirt; I didn't want to elevate his ego more.

"Yeah, no. I'll be fine! Seke and I will be okay," I immediately respond. They both chuckle at my very evident dislike for Anakin. "You should give him a chance! Who knows, maybe you too fall in lo-" I cut her off, gagging. Honovi laughs loudly.

"I will miss you, Aiyana." He looks at me fondly. "I'll miss you guys too!" I say, pacing towards them to give them a group hug. They hug me back tighter. Seke wraps her body around us three, including herself in the embrace.

She happily licks, Catori's and Honovi's face. I giggle at her as she flies back down to the floor. Catori cups my face and plants a kiss on my forehead. "Take care, my child." I smile at her. Seke had the bags hanging off off her. I get on top of her and wave to the tribe. "Goodbye, everybody, see you, um, someday!"

Seke, for dramatic purposes, trot on her hind legs. I laughed as she did a little show before taking off. She breathed a slight fire, I looked away, before getting anxious. Even though it was small, it shook me up. I ignored it and faked a smile. I rubbed Seke's side, indicating a was ready for take-off.

And so it begins.