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Post by Kaoru [Anne] on May 13, 2008 13:35:23 GMT -6
A/N: This is an old fanfic of mine (and I mean.. like, 2006 old) called "Wishful Thinking". I'm in the process of re-writing the fourth and final chapter, but the first one was pretty satisfactory to me and I'll be posting it. Now, this fic is a little different, because I'm using an OC (with permission) named Karena (click the link for her bio).
Here goes! ^_^;;
The world has been at peace for two years. People are slowly getting their lives back, most of which were changed or destroyed during the course of the Hundred-and-Two Year War. The Fire Nation ceased their attack on the other nations when the Avatar, a fourteen-year-old Airbender named Aang, defeated Fire Lord Ozai in a public battle, winner declaring the price. Having mastered the four elements -- Air, Earth, Water, and Fire -- in the span of two years, the Avatar defeated Ozai, declaring the war over and throwing Ozai into prison to live out the rest of his life.
With Ozai gone, the Fire Nation had no leader. Princess Azula was thought to be the obvious successor, but Fire Nation law declared that no woman could rule lest she was married. Disliking all of her suitors immensely, Azula reluctantly abdicated the throne. With no heir to the crown, the Fire Nation was in turmoil. Then, as if by a god's intervention, General Iroh appeared. Though Ozai had declared the old man a traitor, he was still a respected man, and his words carried a lot of weight. "There is still one more heir to the throne," he reminded the people. "Ozai had two children, not just Azula. I give you -- Prince Zuko!"
That's me. I am Zuko, former banished prince, now ruler of the fire nation. Four years have passed since the reappearance of the Avatar, and two years since the end of the war and my ascension to the throne. The first thing I did was throw Azula on a prison barge in the middle of the sea. I just couldn’t help my self, and Uncle approved.
The story I am about to relate to you is a strange one; it is so strange, that even I, and the people involved, have a hard time believing that it actually happened.
I woke up one morning not too long ago to a familiar voice calling my name. "Zuko. Zuko." I groaned, and sat up groggily. You'd think the Fire Lord would have more say in what time he gets up in the morning! Opening a bleary eye, I shot a sleepy glare at my wife, Karena. She returned my glare with one of her own, annoyance flashing in her brown eyes. "It's about time," she snapped, placing her hands on her hips. "I've been trying to wake you for the past five minutes. Get up. We have visitors." Not bothering to stifle a yawn, I remained where I was. "So who's here?" I asked. "Aang and Katara," came the reply. "Now get ready," she ordered, heading for the door. "They're meeting us in the throne room.” Karena closed the door behind her. With a grumble, I got out of my comfortable bed and prepared myself for the day. The Avatar and the peasant -- correction: the Avatar and the South Pole Waterbending Master. I shook my head. It really wasn’t that long we were still enemies, and now we were accepting them into our home, probably as "honoured guests" or something equally political. It was tough, letting go of grudges.
The halls were empty as I made my way to the throne room, which was a relief. Advisors usually surrounded my every waking moment, vying for my attention. I pushed open the cool metal door to the throne room, my eyes glancing at the intricate designs on the iron. A familiarly clothed woman and her tall companion stood before the throne, speaking to Karena.
I approached them. Karena, seeing me, smiled and gestured to the guests. "Aang, Katara," I heard her say, "I'm sure you remember Zuko?" A brief nod was Katara's answer. It appeared that she too was having issues burying the hatchet. The tall young man next to her, however, spoke. "Hey, Zuko. How's it going?" With a start, I realized that it was the Avatar. He'd grown these past two years since I'd seen them. He was now as tall as me, and I had grown three or four inches as well. Why didn't I notice the blue arrows, or his bald head?
"Everything's fine," I said blandly, my face expressionless. At my side, Karena elbowed me. Hard. I glared at her, and she glared back, her eyes ordering me to be polite. I said nothing, and an awkward silence ensued. Katara and the Avatar glanced sidelong at each other, an understanding passing between them. The waterbender cleared her throat. I looked at her, and noticed that she too had changed. The last time I had seen her, she was an awkward sixteen-year-old. Now, her body had matured, filled out. There was a new pendant on her necklace, with the symbol of air on it. From her wrist dangled the old charm. “Karena,” she said.
“Yes?”
“I don’t mean to be rude –“ the girl began.
“Oh, no!” interrupted Karena, waving it off. “It’s okay.”
“Well,” Katara continued, “Aang and I are a bit tired from the journey. Do you think we could eat and rest...?”
Karena slapped her forehead. “Of course!” she replied. “What a lousy hostess I am!” With a clap of her hands, a servant came scurrying forward bowed. “Prepare breakfast,” Karena ordered in a rather queenly voice. The servant bowed again and left. Karena then turned to Katara. “I presume you took Appa?” It was the Avatar who answered, however. “Yep. I told the guys at your stable to feed him a lot of hay.” A cautious look appeared on Karena’s face. “Where’s Sokka?” she asked. Katara laughed. “He’s at home,” was the answer. “He said he’d spent enough of his life riding a flying bison, and he’d ‘be damned’ if he ever did it again willingly.”
“Good. Then we’ll have enough food. Where’s Momo?”
“With Appa. Momo rarely leaves his side.”
I was starting to get bored of the pleasantries. Plus, I wanted to sit and eat my breakfast. I was hungry. “Let’s go to the dining hall,” I said, gesturing. “Okey-dokey,” said the Avatar, grinning. He grabbed Katara’s hand; I noticed Karena glance at their entwined fingers, a strange look in her eyes. The look was fleeting, however, and we were on our way. I lead the way through the halls. Karena, however, opted to walk with Katara and the Avatar, chit-chatting all the way to the hall. That was fine with me. I wasn’t really a morning person.
When we were all seated at the table, Katara pulled a small box from a bag at her waist. She passed it over to my wife, who opened it and pulled out a gold chain necklace, with a jade dragon pendant dangling from the end. “It’s beautiful!” she exclaimed happily, putting it on. “You guys shouldn’t have.” Katara merely smiled. Then she addressed me. “We didn’t get you anything, Zuko,” the girl said apologetically. “We –“ I shook my head. “Whatever.”
“There’s a bit of a legend with that necklace, Karena,” the Avatar informed us. “The old lady we bought it from said that whosoever wears the pendant would be granted one wish.” He laughed, and shook his bald, blue-arrowed head. “She looked a bit crazy though, so I wouldn’t count on it.” Karena opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the arrival of servants, bearing trays upon trays laden with food. Our guests’ eyes opened wide, never having seen a breakfast to this extent, I suppose. “Wow,” said Katara, eyes full of amazement. “This looks and smells great! Thanks!”
“Not a problem,” said Karena. “We’re glad you’re here – aren’t we, Zuko?” Why’d she have to drag me into this? I grunted noncommittally, eyes fixed on my food. Within seconds, a sharp pain shot up my right leg. I doubled over and landed face-first into my eggs. Immediately I pulled my face from the steaming hot eggs, glaring furiously at my wife. She had kicked me! Karena smiled sweetly, feigning innocence. “Zuko, you should really use utensils. People might think they have an uncivilized ruler.” I was so mad! I pushed back my chair and stood, knocking it over. “Whatever,” I spat, throwing my napkin on the table. Spinning on my heel, I turned and left the room, slamming the door shut behind me.
Too furious to do anything else, I dived into my work. Ruling a nation that had been at war for a bit over a hundred years is grueling work, believe it or not, and it was nightfall before I emerged from my office. On the way to my bedroom, I passed Karena’s study, where she and Katara were seated, having a conversation. The door was cracked open ajar. I ignored them and walked on – until I heard my name, that is. Then I doubled back and listened at the crack, taking care not to be seen.
“So you and Zuko are okay?” Katara was asking.
“I guess,” responded Karena, heaving a big sigh. “It’s just....”
“What?”
“Well, I’m not really that happy. In fact, I’m miserable.”
I was stunned. Karena was unhappy? I thought everything was fine. We’d cut our explosive arguments down to about once or twice a week, which I thought was pretty good. Katara seemed to be thinking along the same lines.
“But you wrote to me that you guys weren’t fighting all the time now.”
“True,” Karena admitted. “But....”
But what? I wanted to shout. But what? Instead, I kept my mouth shut and listened.
“Well,” explained my apparently unhappy wife, “Zuko never shows his affection anymore. It’s not like when we were all traveling together. He’s become withdrawn again, and his kisses are just another routine for him to go through. It’s painful.”
“Have you talked to him about it?” asked Katara.
Karena snorted. “Right, like he’d listen to that kind of babble?” she scoffed. I wanted to burst in the room and say Okay, here I am, I’m listening, but something held me back. Karena was speaking again; I moved a bit closer to the gap in the doorway.
“I wish Zuko’d act more like Iroh and Aang,” she said sadly. “He’d probably be more affectionate. Like what you and Aang have,” Karena told Katara.
As soon as Karena uttered these words, I heard a roaring in my ears, and felt weak kneed. My vision began to blur horribly, and I lost my sense of balance. I pitched forward, pushing open the door and landing with a loud thud on the floor of Karena’s study. I heard women, probably Karena and Katara, calling my name. Then, the world went dark.
Here goes! ^_^;;
"Wishful Thinking"
(Part One)
(Part One)
The world has been at peace for two years. People are slowly getting their lives back, most of which were changed or destroyed during the course of the Hundred-and-Two Year War. The Fire Nation ceased their attack on the other nations when the Avatar, a fourteen-year-old Airbender named Aang, defeated Fire Lord Ozai in a public battle, winner declaring the price. Having mastered the four elements -- Air, Earth, Water, and Fire -- in the span of two years, the Avatar defeated Ozai, declaring the war over and throwing Ozai into prison to live out the rest of his life.
With Ozai gone, the Fire Nation had no leader. Princess Azula was thought to be the obvious successor, but Fire Nation law declared that no woman could rule lest she was married. Disliking all of her suitors immensely, Azula reluctantly abdicated the throne. With no heir to the crown, the Fire Nation was in turmoil. Then, as if by a god's intervention, General Iroh appeared. Though Ozai had declared the old man a traitor, he was still a respected man, and his words carried a lot of weight. "There is still one more heir to the throne," he reminded the people. "Ozai had two children, not just Azula. I give you -- Prince Zuko!"
That's me. I am Zuko, former banished prince, now ruler of the fire nation. Four years have passed since the reappearance of the Avatar, and two years since the end of the war and my ascension to the throne. The first thing I did was throw Azula on a prison barge in the middle of the sea. I just couldn’t help my self, and Uncle approved.
~*~*~
The story I am about to relate to you is a strange one; it is so strange, that even I, and the people involved, have a hard time believing that it actually happened.
I woke up one morning not too long ago to a familiar voice calling my name. "Zuko. Zuko." I groaned, and sat up groggily. You'd think the Fire Lord would have more say in what time he gets up in the morning! Opening a bleary eye, I shot a sleepy glare at my wife, Karena. She returned my glare with one of her own, annoyance flashing in her brown eyes. "It's about time," she snapped, placing her hands on her hips. "I've been trying to wake you for the past five minutes. Get up. We have visitors." Not bothering to stifle a yawn, I remained where I was. "So who's here?" I asked. "Aang and Katara," came the reply. "Now get ready," she ordered, heading for the door. "They're meeting us in the throne room.” Karena closed the door behind her. With a grumble, I got out of my comfortable bed and prepared myself for the day. The Avatar and the peasant -- correction: the Avatar and the South Pole Waterbending Master. I shook my head. It really wasn’t that long we were still enemies, and now we were accepting them into our home, probably as "honoured guests" or something equally political. It was tough, letting go of grudges.
The halls were empty as I made my way to the throne room, which was a relief. Advisors usually surrounded my every waking moment, vying for my attention. I pushed open the cool metal door to the throne room, my eyes glancing at the intricate designs on the iron. A familiarly clothed woman and her tall companion stood before the throne, speaking to Karena.
I approached them. Karena, seeing me, smiled and gestured to the guests. "Aang, Katara," I heard her say, "I'm sure you remember Zuko?" A brief nod was Katara's answer. It appeared that she too was having issues burying the hatchet. The tall young man next to her, however, spoke. "Hey, Zuko. How's it going?" With a start, I realized that it was the Avatar. He'd grown these past two years since I'd seen them. He was now as tall as me, and I had grown three or four inches as well. Why didn't I notice the blue arrows, or his bald head?
"Everything's fine," I said blandly, my face expressionless. At my side, Karena elbowed me. Hard. I glared at her, and she glared back, her eyes ordering me to be polite. I said nothing, and an awkward silence ensued. Katara and the Avatar glanced sidelong at each other, an understanding passing between them. The waterbender cleared her throat. I looked at her, and noticed that she too had changed. The last time I had seen her, she was an awkward sixteen-year-old. Now, her body had matured, filled out. There was a new pendant on her necklace, with the symbol of air on it. From her wrist dangled the old charm. “Karena,” she said.
“Yes?”
“I don’t mean to be rude –“ the girl began.
“Oh, no!” interrupted Karena, waving it off. “It’s okay.”
“Well,” Katara continued, “Aang and I are a bit tired from the journey. Do you think we could eat and rest...?”
Karena slapped her forehead. “Of course!” she replied. “What a lousy hostess I am!” With a clap of her hands, a servant came scurrying forward bowed. “Prepare breakfast,” Karena ordered in a rather queenly voice. The servant bowed again and left. Karena then turned to Katara. “I presume you took Appa?” It was the Avatar who answered, however. “Yep. I told the guys at your stable to feed him a lot of hay.” A cautious look appeared on Karena’s face. “Where’s Sokka?” she asked. Katara laughed. “He’s at home,” was the answer. “He said he’d spent enough of his life riding a flying bison, and he’d ‘be damned’ if he ever did it again willingly.”
“Good. Then we’ll have enough food. Where’s Momo?”
“With Appa. Momo rarely leaves his side.”
I was starting to get bored of the pleasantries. Plus, I wanted to sit and eat my breakfast. I was hungry. “Let’s go to the dining hall,” I said, gesturing. “Okey-dokey,” said the Avatar, grinning. He grabbed Katara’s hand; I noticed Karena glance at their entwined fingers, a strange look in her eyes. The look was fleeting, however, and we were on our way. I lead the way through the halls. Karena, however, opted to walk with Katara and the Avatar, chit-chatting all the way to the hall. That was fine with me. I wasn’t really a morning person.
When we were all seated at the table, Katara pulled a small box from a bag at her waist. She passed it over to my wife, who opened it and pulled out a gold chain necklace, with a jade dragon pendant dangling from the end. “It’s beautiful!” she exclaimed happily, putting it on. “You guys shouldn’t have.” Katara merely smiled. Then she addressed me. “We didn’t get you anything, Zuko,” the girl said apologetically. “We –“ I shook my head. “Whatever.”
“There’s a bit of a legend with that necklace, Karena,” the Avatar informed us. “The old lady we bought it from said that whosoever wears the pendant would be granted one wish.” He laughed, and shook his bald, blue-arrowed head. “She looked a bit crazy though, so I wouldn’t count on it.” Karena opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the arrival of servants, bearing trays upon trays laden with food. Our guests’ eyes opened wide, never having seen a breakfast to this extent, I suppose. “Wow,” said Katara, eyes full of amazement. “This looks and smells great! Thanks!”
“Not a problem,” said Karena. “We’re glad you’re here – aren’t we, Zuko?” Why’d she have to drag me into this? I grunted noncommittally, eyes fixed on my food. Within seconds, a sharp pain shot up my right leg. I doubled over and landed face-first into my eggs. Immediately I pulled my face from the steaming hot eggs, glaring furiously at my wife. She had kicked me! Karena smiled sweetly, feigning innocence. “Zuko, you should really use utensils. People might think they have an uncivilized ruler.” I was so mad! I pushed back my chair and stood, knocking it over. “Whatever,” I spat, throwing my napkin on the table. Spinning on my heel, I turned and left the room, slamming the door shut behind me.
Too furious to do anything else, I dived into my work. Ruling a nation that had been at war for a bit over a hundred years is grueling work, believe it or not, and it was nightfall before I emerged from my office. On the way to my bedroom, I passed Karena’s study, where she and Katara were seated, having a conversation. The door was cracked open ajar. I ignored them and walked on – until I heard my name, that is. Then I doubled back and listened at the crack, taking care not to be seen.
“So you and Zuko are okay?” Katara was asking.
“I guess,” responded Karena, heaving a big sigh. “It’s just....”
“What?”
“Well, I’m not really that happy. In fact, I’m miserable.”
I was stunned. Karena was unhappy? I thought everything was fine. We’d cut our explosive arguments down to about once or twice a week, which I thought was pretty good. Katara seemed to be thinking along the same lines.
“But you wrote to me that you guys weren’t fighting all the time now.”
“True,” Karena admitted. “But....”
But what? I wanted to shout. But what? Instead, I kept my mouth shut and listened.
“Well,” explained my apparently unhappy wife, “Zuko never shows his affection anymore. It’s not like when we were all traveling together. He’s become withdrawn again, and his kisses are just another routine for him to go through. It’s painful.”
“Have you talked to him about it?” asked Katara.
Karena snorted. “Right, like he’d listen to that kind of babble?” she scoffed. I wanted to burst in the room and say Okay, here I am, I’m listening, but something held me back. Karena was speaking again; I moved a bit closer to the gap in the doorway.
“I wish Zuko’d act more like Iroh and Aang,” she said sadly. “He’d probably be more affectionate. Like what you and Aang have,” Karena told Katara.
As soon as Karena uttered these words, I heard a roaring in my ears, and felt weak kneed. My vision began to blur horribly, and I lost my sense of balance. I pitched forward, pushing open the door and landing with a loud thud on the floor of Karena’s study. I heard women, probably Karena and Katara, calling my name. Then, the world went dark.
