Adult-FanFiction.org : Cartoons

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
- 13
- 14
- 15
Chapter 14

More than One Type of Healing

In another day and a half, Aang and Zuko, along with their Kyoshi Warrior escorts reached another little farm on the outskirts of the great city of Ba-Sing-Se. It used to be farm, that is, but it had grown quite a bit, since Zuko had last been here. It was now a small apothecary and first aid station. Zuko knew that a very special young lady, named Song, and her mother lived and worked here as healers. They gave aid to refugees, and soldiers returning from the war. What was really special about them is that they didn't turn anyone away. They would render equal help to refugees and soldiers from the Water-tribes, and even the Fire-nation; as well as those from the Earth-kingdom.

Just as with Lee's family, Zuko hadn't parted ways with Song and her mother on good terms, the last time he was here. They had offered him and Iroh hospitality, which Zuko repaid by stealing an ostrich-horse from them. He and Aang, along with their escorts walked down the path that led towards the building. Those soldiers and refugees who were from the Fire-nation recognized the Fire-lord by his robes of office, even if they didn't recognize Zuko personally. And, the ones who were able stood and bowed down in respect, the people who were citizens of the Earth-kingdom, or the Water-tribes, had mixed emotions on their faces.

On the one hand, he was the leader of the Fire-nation, with whom they been at war. On the other hand, Zuko was a young king, who had new ideas, and he went against three generations of his family to help put an end to the war. He also traveled with the Avatar. Rumor had it that they had shared some kind of spiritual bond; there were even messengers and traveling minstrels who said that the Fire-lord and the Avatar had become a couple. Of course, most thought that was preposterous, after all, one was an air-bender, and the other was a firebender; and they were both teenaged young men! Song heard the patients murmuring among themselves, and looked up from the patient whose leg she was in the process of bandaging. "You," she gasped, stunned; "Why have you come back?"

Zuko knelt down, and prostrated himself; much to the surprise of everyone present, except Aang, who had seen his partner do exactly the same thing back at Sensu's family's homestead. Then, Song did a double take when she noticed exactly what the scarred young man she had tried to befriend once upon a time was wearing. He had on the robes of Fire-nation nobility, and he traveled with an Air-nomad. There were rumors that the new Firelord was traveling through the Earth-kingdom on some kind of good-will tour with the Avatar. Was the young man she thought was just a homeless refugee, actually the new Lord of the Fire-nation; and if so, why would he kneel to her? "Song, I take it you remember the last time I was here?" "Uuh, yes, um Moshi; I think your uncle called you." "Moshi," asked Aang, stifling a laugh with a hand over his mouth. "My real name," he took a deep breath, and continued, "Is Zuko; and this is the Avatar, Aang."

Everyone in the compound, who was able to, bowed down with reverence. Zuko knew that it wasn't for him, but for Aang; someone else might have been jealous, and incensed,particularly someone who born into royalty. But to Zuko it was no less than Aang deserved, he smiled warmly down at his blushing companion, and put an arm around his shoulders. After what seemed like an eternity, Song found her voice and again asked, "Why did you come back?" "I owe you and your mother an apology; I lied to you, and I stole from you," Zuko told her, "And I just want to make it up to you, in any way that I can." Zuko reached into his satchel and pulled out a small case filled with a variety of medicinal herbs and teas that his uncle grew in the garden in the back of 'The Jasmine Dragon' which he gave to Song's mother for their healing work. Then he pulled out a sack of gold pieces which he handed to Song to help pay for anything else they might need. A realization struck Song and her mother; for some months, even before the end of the war, they had been receiving funds from an anonymous donor. It had allowed them to turn their little family farm, and apothecary into a bonafide first aid and care hospital. "It was you; all of those secret donations came from you, didn't they?"

Aang looked up at Zuko with wonder on his face; he knew that Zuko had last been here before he had joined their group, so he must have been really feeling bad about what he had done to these kind and generous women. Aang once again knew why he'd felt such a connection to Zuko, they truly were kindred spirits.

That evening after they had left the little hospital, they met up with Sokka and Appa near the harbor on the outskirts of Ba-Sing-Se. Aang spent some time in a happy reunion with Appa while Zuko explained to Sokka that he had on last stop to make, before they headed home.

Aang steered Appa to a perfect landing in the garden of the 'Jasmine Dragon' and Zuko walked in through the back door into the kitchen. Whenever he was here, he usually was incognito, as Lee, a simple waiter who was employed by the shop owner. He had chosen the name as an homage to the boy had had befriended, Sensu's little brother. This time, he wore his simple crimson tunic and black trousers and looked around the small, warm, and inviting kitchen of his uncle's shop. The person he was looking for was here, brewing up several pots of tea for the customers. "Jin," he said, startling her, a little. "Zuk, I mean Lee, it's good to see you." She had known his real identity since she started working for Iroh, but she also knew that when he was here, it was because he wanted to get away from the pressures of being royalty. "What are you doing here, I thought you had to go back, and start rebuilding things; now that the war is over."

Zuko told her, "Aang and I were on a little vacation, and we were about to head back, but I wanted to stop in to check upon things here, and say hello to you and your mother before we headed home." "Can you stay long," asked Jin's mother, who also worked here, and had developed an affectionate relationship with Iroh, as well. "We can stay long enough to have a cup of tea, and help out in the shop, if you can use three extra pairs of hands" Aang said with a smile. He knew why Zuko liked coming here, to simply do an honest day's work serving tea; and get away from all the pressures of politics, and international affairs. Aang did, however have to admonish Zuko a couple of times when he tried to do a little more than his recent injuries would allow. But Zuko simply responded with an affectionate smile.

That night, as they flew back to the fire nation where he and Zuko would spend the last few days of their vacation/honeymoon on Ember Island they talked about what they had accomplished just by helping to make a few families happy. It gave them both a sense of optimism that the hundred years of war really was behind them, once and for all; and that the world would, eventually be healed.
- 13
- 14
- 15
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Rebuilding