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Rebuilding	By : voyager Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > Slash - Male/Male > Aang/Zuko Views: 2674 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Avatar The Last Airbender is the property of Nickelodeon. I don't own or profit from the characters or settings of this story. Warning: Deals with adult situations, and characters dying

Chapter List
- 9
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Chapter 10

Brothers and Sisters,

And Family Obligations

It was a few more days before Zuko was able to get out of bed, and he was walking around again, with the help of Aang, and whichever of their other friends and family was visiting at the time. Today Aang had come with Ursa, he was still getting used to the idea of her as his mother-in-law. As they walked they found themselves in the psychiatric ward and coming up on Azula's room. Ursa hadn't wanted to see her daughter in this condition, and so had stayed away. But, they were here, now.

After Azula had had her breakdown, and was brought here, it was deemed necessary for her safety and that of everyone around her if she was unable to fire-bend. A difficult request was made of the Avatar, by Zuko. Aang was reluctant to use spirit bending again; he felt it was dangerous for anyone to exercise such control over others. Katara had felt the same way, when she was forced to learn blood-bending by Hama, an elderly water-bender, who had become unbalanced with grief. In the end, however, Aang couldn't argue with the logic, and agreed to perform the ritual on Azula. She was sitting up in bed, reading, although she still wore restraints. It seemed that when Aang merged his spirit with hers, she assimilated some of his serenity and peaceful nature. She was certainly much more lucid and at peace than she was only a few days ago.

Zuko knocked on her door and she looked up from her book. Zuko wasn't sure, but he thought he actually saw a smile on her face when she saw her brother standing there. Hi 'Zula, how are you feeling, today? "I'm doing alright, Zuzu," she asked, "how about you?" Azula had heard people talking about the attempt on her brother's life, and actually found herself concerned for his safety. Zuko was so happy to see her doing better, that he didn't mind her using the annoying nickname she had for him. "I'm still pretty stiff and sore, but I'm doing alright." Azula, are you feeling well enough to see some visitors; I've brought someone special who wants to see you. She nodded, and her brother motioned to whoever it was standing outside. Azula saw the Avatar walk in, she couldn't say she was especially happy to see him; but then, behind him came her mother!

For once, Azula found herself at a loss for words when she saw her mother standing there; she had thought they'd probably never see each other again. Ursa went to her daughter's bedside, and put her arms around her and kissed her. "I'm glad to see you are doing well dear, I want us to start to become a family, again; me and you, Zuko, and," Ursa looked over a Zuko and Aang; "And your new brother-in-law." Azula didn't understand what her mother meant until she saw the rings on the fingers of Zuko and the Avatar. "Zuko," she asked, "You and the Avatar, are joined?" Zuko looked at her, and then at Aang with great affection in his eyes for both of them and said "Yeah we are, we had the ceremony about a week and a half ago, just before I ended up in here, in fact." "It isn't exactly the way I planned my wedding day." Even Azula laughed, slightly, at Zuko's attempt at humor. It wasn't the cruel, sadistic laugh that Azula had once shared in common with their father, but a laugh of genuine, warm spirited humor. Zuko was starting to feel a little fatigued again, and was leaning on Aang, a little, for support. Ursa noticed her son's posture, and diplomatically suggested that he and his sister talk again later. Azula also was feeling a little sleepy; the healers had prescribed several herbal treatments known to have a sedative effect, to keep her calm.

Aang helped Zuko back to his room, while Ursa stayed with Azula, a little while longer. "That went well," Aang said to Zuko as he assisted him getting into bed. "Yeah, thanks to you," Zuko said. "Me, what did I have to do with that?" "People naturally gravitate towards you, Aang, you're what the sages call a 'nexus'; a focus for positive energy." "That makes everyone around you gravitate towards you, and build communities around you." Aang didn't know how to respond to that. He knew Zuko had an introspective, philosophical side, but he didn't think Zuko could get this deep. Aang felt a few tears sting his eyes, at the amount of faith Zuko had in him to heal old wounds, and bring people together.

That made what he had to say next that much harder; he hugged Zuko, carefully of the stiches and bandages that covered Zuko's chest wound and sutured his shoulder wound together. "Zuko have you thought about appointing a successor?" "I love you, but you and I can't have children, obviously; your uncle and mother won't be around forever, and despite her progress, I don't think Azula will ever be fit for the responsibility." "Well, traditionally if something happens to the fire-lord, and he has no children, the royal consort becomes regent, until the Council of Ministers can find someone suitable, preferably another close relative who can assume the throne." Aang could see the lines of worry and dark circles of fatigue around Zuko's eyes, and thought that 'maybe this wasn't the best time to bring this up.' "You know what, Zuko; we can talk about this later, after you've rested." Aang stood to leave, "Aang, tell me why you think this important."

"Don't you see?" "If, spirits forbid, something were to happen to you, I couldn't assume the Fire-nation throne in your place." "The Avatar is supposed to speak to, and for, all of the nations, but can't be obligated to any one of them." "I can't become the Firelord, or regent, or whatever; and remain objective, as the Avatar." Zuko never really thought about it in those terms, but he knew Aang was probably right about this; he'd have to give this some serious thought. But he was really tired, and his activity over the last hour or so had taken its toll, his chest and shoulder wounds ached, badly. "I'm sorry I had to burden you with all this, Zuko, you go ahead and rest, now," Aang whispered, but Zuko was already sleeping.
- 9
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Rebuilding