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5 Years Later Chapter 21

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Avatar: The Last Airbender

5 Years Later

Chapter 21

     Iroh sat patiently sipping his tea, contentedly. No matter what Zuko said tea was very relaxing to the old man. With nothing else to do but watch after his nephew, life was leisurely for the retired firebender.
     Iroh was Firelord in name only. Zuko saw to the responsibilities of the kingdom. At one time it had kept his mind occupied from thoughts of his father and sister after the war. But now it fueled him. The deep care and effort he extended to his nation was overwhelming. Few realized the extent to which it stretched, but Iroh knew. His nephew had been born to help restore balance and he put his whole heart and effort into it.
     Lately he excersised more time than usual on managing the nation. The times Zuko did show up for dinner he was quiet and contemplative and would finish his food quickly to resume his work.
     In all honesty some of the work could easily be placed in the hands of an assistant or other attendant but the thoughts clouding Zuko’s mind made him work harder to suppress them.
     He had been anxious since the day Katara had left. But it wasn’t necessarily her leaving as her that occupied his mind. She made him happier than he had been in a long while and he had done everything possible to make her happy with the situation. He hadn’t realized how just opening up to her could have changed their relationship so drastically.
     “Sir, a message has arrived from Ba Sing Se.” A guard stood at attention outside the doors to Zuko’s study. He had just come out after working the entire day. He took the parchment in his hands and the guard disappeared. He opened the scroll as he headed towards the dining hall.

Dear Prince Zuko,
     The wedding between Toph and Haru has taken place and as previously intended I would have arranged to return to the Fire Nation. However, my father has extended an invitation for me to return to the South Pole for a period of six weeks. I will have all the provisions and transportation necessary for my travels and stay, so no further possessions are required. I hope this news comes as no distress to either you or Fir Lord Iroh, but at the receiving of this letter I will have already been in route to the South Pole.
Best wishes,
Princess Katara


     Zuko’s eyes scanned over the contents of Katara’s letter. It was very straight forward and direct, without any hint of emotional attachment. He felt his anger build up inside of him and the fringes of the paper began to burn. He had reached the dining hall and Iroh spoke up as soon as he entered.
     “Nephew, have you heard from Katara.” Zuko released the crisping paper on to the table and walked away angrily.
     Iroh bent over and picked up the letter trying to burn out the edges so he could still read what was written. Once that was accomplished he looked at the letter and he shook his head wearily as he finished. He spoke out loud almost to himself.
     “There will be no living with him until she returns.”
     Zuko couldn’t believe the audacity of Katara to inform him of her change of plans without asking for approval first. Whether he realized it or not, his anger was not due to her straightforward declaration of her independence, but more so due to the cold appeal of the letter and what was worse, the delayed time she would be gone. The latter hurt Zuko the most. He would miss her surely but it was more than that. His mind couldn’t wrap around the concept that the reason she was going to the South Pole was to stay away. It was the simple fact that the letter sounded as if she did want to return to the Fire Nation or to him.
Awww....Poor Zuko! Nothing ever seems to go right for him. By the way I absolutely love his personality. The tragic hero *sigh*. Well I hope you liked!Sorry it was so short, it is a new chapter I added in recently.

Next time Katara goes home to the South Pole!!!

Chapter 1: [link]
Chapter 20: [link]
Chapter 22: [link]

ATLA characters are not owned by me sadly (c) Bryan, Mike and Nickelodeon
© 2008 - 2024 witchenmoon1
Comments15
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DarkDagerBlade's avatar
Poor little Zu Zu =( Oh well! He'll be fine ya just gotta man the Hell up dude! I mean come'on its not like she's gone forever! Lol! =) Yes I an very proud of myself right now! Very proud!!!