Chapter Text
Zuko groaned. His entire body ached. It took an immense amount of energy just to open his eyes.
Morning streamed in through the window above him. Uncle Iroh sat over him, calmly pouring a cup of tea.
“What happened?” he croaked.
“What do you remember?” Uncle asked.
“The spirit world… and then… Zhao… and Jee…” Zuko sat up slowly, painfully. “And the Moon and Ocean spirits- I went into the Avatar state…”
“You did,” said Uncle. “And in doing so, you wiped out Zhao’s fleet and saved the entire Northern Water Tribe.”
“But the Moon Spirit-”
“Lives again,” Uncle told him. “Princess Yue sacrificed her life to resurrect the Moon Spirit.”
“She did?”
Uncle nodded, handing him a cup of Jasmine tea. “Princess Yue was connected to the Moon Spirit since her birth. You see, she was born very sick and weak. It was as though she were asleep, her eyes closed. Arnook said the healers did all they could, but it was clear she would die.”
Zuko suddenly realized where this was going, but he took a sip of tea and continued to listen.
“It was the Winter Solstice, as you know, so Arnook beseeched Kori, the Winter Spirit, for help. Kori instructed Arnook to dip his child into the pool in the spirit oasis that night. Her eyes opened, her hair turned white, and she began to cry.”
“And her mother named her Yue,” Zuko concluded, a single tear running down his cheek. “For the moon.”
“Yes.” Uncle reached forward and caught the tear, rubbing it away gently.
“So… if the Moon Spirit was resurrected, then Katara got her waterbending back…” Zuko gulped. “And Jee was-”
“I am sorry, nephew,” Uncle said, choking up. “But he was already gone by the time Katara or any of us could do anything.”
Zuko’s throat would probably never recover from the cries of anguish he let out that morning.
First Lu Ten… then his mother… and now Jee.
All gone.
**Avatar Zuko: Book 2: Water**
Sokka stared out at the peaceful horizon. Somewhere in the distance were hundreds of Fire Navy ships trying to regain their footing and return to the Fire Nation with a report of failure.
Zuko and the Ocean Spirit had somehow managed to push the fleet away without tipping most of the ships, something Aang and Sokka had discovered that morning during a recon on Appa. Even as angry as Sokka was about the whole situation, he couldn’t fault Zuko for sparing the lives of so many. They were his people, despite his constant denial of it.
He felt almost apathetic about the navy’s survival, his heart having suffered a much greater loss that overwhelmed him so much he could hardly think. He didn’t even turn at the sound of footsteps.
Chief Arnook appeared next to him. “The Spirits gave me a vision when Yue was born. I saw a beautiful, brave young woman become the Moon Spirit. I knew this day would come.”
So he didn’t blame Sokka, not that it mattered. Sokka blamed Sokka. “You must be proud.”
“So proud,” Arnook agreed. “And sad.”
**Avatar Zuko: Book 2: Water**
“Thank you,” Zuko said as Katara laid a tray of food in front of him. He ate slowly, his body still aching.
Katara sat down next to him, staring at her hands.
Zuko paused. “Are you about to apologize for something that wasn’t your fault?”
Katara sighed. “Was it not?”
“Of course it wasn’t,” Zuko insisted. “I know you would’ve healed him if you’d had your bending. But you got it back and he was already gone. If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s Zhao’s. He killed Jee and the Moon Spirit. You can’t blame yourself for that.”
Katara nodded slowly. “Any idea what happened to him? Do you think he made it back to the fleet?”
Zuko swallowed a stewed sea prune. “He didn’t… The Ocean Spirit took care of him. I’m not sure exactly where he went, but… he won’t bother us again.”
“That’s good,” Katara said. “You don’t have to fear him anymore.”
He blinked at her, before turning away with a deep frown. “Yeah… I guess I don’t.”
After a moment, he began to eat again.
Katara was quiet until he set the tray aside. “In other news… Pakku said that I’m officially a master waterbender.”
This was… good news. Really good news. Zuko felt a real smile on his face for the first time since he’d woken up to see soot outside his window. “Congratulations. You deserve it.”
“He also told me that I can take over teaching you,” she added.
“Great,” Zuko said honestly. “You’re a lot nicer than he is.”
Katara chuckled. “Thanks, I’ll try my best.”
Zuko took as deep a breath as he could manage. “I think I should rest a little longer. Fusing with the Ocean Spirit really took it out of me.”
“Get some sleep,” Katara said. “You deserve it.”
**Avatar Zuko: Book 2: Water**
“How is Sokka?” Katara asked Aang a short time later. Her brother had been incredibly withdrawn since Yue’s death the night before, something she could not blame him for.
Aang motioned to Zuko’s sleeping form by the window. “Not much better than him.”
“We have all been through a difficult time these past couple of days,” Iroh said. “But the time to move on is fast approaching, even if our hearts cannot.”
Aang and Katara both sipped their tea sadly.
“You’re right,” Katara said. “As soon as Zuko is physically able, we should leave for Omashu.”
“I heard Pakku and some other benders and healers are getting ready to head to the South Pole,” Aang said. “Are you sure you don’t want-”
“I’m going to Omashu,” Katara asserted. “As his waterbending teacher, I can’t just abandon Zuko. Besides, the five of us are family now. Just like Sokka said. And families stick together.”
Aang looked relieved. Iroh seemed pleased.
Katara felt her hope returning. Sure, the world had lost some good people last night, but there was much to be grateful for, too.
**Avatar Zuko: Book 2: Water**
Deep in the Fire Nation, a young teenage princess kneeled before her father.
“Iroh is a traitor,” her father hissed. “And your brother Zuko is a failure.”
Finally, she thought, realizing her opportunity had arrived.
“I have a task for you,” Father declared.
The princess smiled, ready for it.