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Slow Heat	By : Spleef Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > General Views: 77367 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Slow Heat
Chapter 4 – Perchance to Dream
This chapter takes place right after episodes 2x17 and 18, and follows said events for the most part. Please enjoy. As always, feedback is appreciated.
o0o0o0o
3 Months, One Week BSC
(Early June 1101)
Zuko
When I found Appa under Lake Laogai, the briefest glimmer of hope shone inside of me. I had considered going back to my original quest and betraying the Avatar and his friends. The turmoil of emotions that churned within caused me to lose my focus. Uncle was right. I did not think things through.
Despite my joining with the Avatar and teaching him Firebending, I was still confused. Many voices in my head told me different things I should do. I had actually dreaded going to sleep at night. During the day, I was able to occupy myself by working with the Avatar, or Toph, or talking with my uncle. I could practice my Firebending, my swordplay, or my martial art skills. Later, in Ba Sing Se, I could focus on my work at the teashop or exploring the city. But at night, when I was alone with my thoughts, I had to confront questions that constantly badgered me, no matter how much I ignored them or tried to answer them.
At times, I was focused. At other times, my mind was scattered in what seemed like a thousand directions. Not even Uncle was able to help me with this. All he could do was press cool cloths to my forehead, give me water, and tend to my illness. The fever I had was nothing compared to the deliriums I was going through. I longed to escape the dreams and visions that plagued me.
Why couldn’t the answer be simple? Part of me already knew what I should do, but the other part rebelled against it. I wished that all of me would come to terms with the situation and work together for the sake of my sanity and focus.
I heard my mother, my sister, my uncle, my sire, even my dead cousin in my deliriums. I missed Mother and Lu Ten most of all. Lu Ten would have been a wonderful Fire Lord. He was brave and intelligent, but like his father, he had a compassionate side. He was like a big brother to me, and had promised me that I would be his right hand man when he became Fire Lord. He had also promised me that he would make it illegal for Azula to tease me or make fun of me. I was always glad when he came to the Palace to visit, and he always made sure to set aside some time for me. How hard it must be for Uncle to be here, in the city where his son died.
And Mother. Was she even alive? My memories of the night that she left were hazy. I remember her kissing me, and the words she had said to be before she faded into the darkness. I had always wondered if that night was a dream. Where was she? Was she safe? Was she aware of what had happened to me? When the dragon with my sister’s voice implied to me that she was dead, I did not want to believe it.
Azula always lies, I told myself. Lu Ten had always been kind to my sister, but he had also been wary. They did not share a bond like I shared with Lu Ten. And now that Uncle said that Azula had to be stopped at all costs… I had to wonder if my sister was born this way. I had heard often enough that she was born lucky, and the stars and other heavenly signs had been most auspicious at her birth. Had these stars also been evil? Even when my sister was very young, I remembered a certain glint in her eyes. People said that meant she was intelligent. Of course, I had no doubt that she was, but I did not think that was what the certain look in her eyes meant.
I could not remember a time I had played with my sister that had ever been truly innocent or carefree. She always had some way to twist it around, whether against me, or her friends, or the servants. And now, she was the heir to the throne. Only a few years ago, that was so unlikely. She was behind Uncle, Lu Ten, Father, and me in line for the throne. I could only imagine the atrocities she would commit as ruler of the Fire Nation. I had to take the throne from her if I was to do anything right.
My thoughts were interrupted as a fresh wave of heat rolled over me. I groaned loudly, and Uncle was immediately at my side, pressing a cool cloth to my forehead and giving me some water to drink.
“Zuko, you need to come to terms with yourself.” Uncle whispered. I had hears this several times already.
“I know that!” I growled, pounding my fist onto the mat in frustration. I heard him sigh.
“I know it is not easy. But you need to fight, and you need to think about what your destiny is to you. I don’t want to lose you.” my uncle added the last statement sadly. I held back a soft sigh. I did not want to hurt him, or put him through the anguish of loss again.
“I’m… trying.” I whispered hoarsely. I felt his hand rub my back.
“I know you are, Zuko.” Uncle said with a soft sigh. He robbed my back a little more before I rolled over. My lips were dry, and my uncle saw that. He fed me some more water, and I clutched my blanket, praying to Agni for relief.
The water did much to help, and I smacked my lips a little, wetting my lips. I was given more to drink, and took it all down thirstily. Water, I needed more, I needed it all. It soothed the heat within me, if only momentarily.
Water healed… I gasped as a realization came to me. The Waterbender had healed Uncle. She could heal me too! I tried to tell Uncle this, but all I could do was groan as a fresh wave of dizziness rolled over me. A surge of dizziness hit me, and I plunged into another delirium.
I saw the Water Tribe girl. She had her back turned to me, but her hairstyle gave her away. I found it odd that I was seeing her. We had interacted more when we were enemies than part of the same group. I barely spoke more than two words at a time to her, and we were usually silent towards each other. Infact, out of everyone in what Toph called the ‘family’, she was the one that I spoke with the least.
I was so hot, and my skin was on fire. I called out to her, asking her to heal me. She turned towards me, a serene expression on her face. Her blue eyes almost seemed to glow in the darkness as I reached out for her.
“Waterbender, help me!” I demanded. Slowly, she raised her arm, extending her hand to me, the serene expression remaining on her face. I found it lovely and soothing, and reached for her hand, seeking relief. Water soothed fire, and I expected her touch to wash the fire away from my skin.
My hand touched hers, the pads of my fingers brushing along her palm. Her serene expression became one of horror when the fire spread from my hand, traveling up her arm. It consumed her, and her cries filled my ears.
o0o0o0o
Katara
I cried out softly and jerked awake, snapping to a sitting position in my bed. Almost immediately, a maid rushed in and was at my side, asking me if something was wrong. I looked around at my new surroundings, taking a moment to process it all.
“Just… some water. Please.” I said softly as I rubbed my cheeks. My bedchamber was illuminated by just one lamp, which put the room in a muted glow. It was dark enough for me to sleep, and as the woman left, I looked around at the sumptuous bedchamber I was placed in.
The Earth King wished for me to be placed here in his Palace, where I was safer. I did not object. Before Sokka left to go meet Dad, he had reminded me about the eclipse, and I told the King the very date that this was supposed to happen. I was now an honored guest in the Palace of the Earth King. It almost seemed like a dream to me. The dinner I had with him was sumptuous, and he had an inquisitive mind, asking me about my culture.
The maid returned with some water, and I drank it after thanking her and dismissing her. I set the goblet aside and lay back on the soft and thick bedding. I was concerned for everyone. Toph had not yet sent a message back to the Palace, and I wondered if her mother had found a way to drag her home, though that seemed unlikely. Toph had proved again and again how capable she was of fending for herself, but I was still worried. I would voice my concern in the morning.
I hoped that Sokka and Aang were well, and that my brother was having a good time with our father. I missed him so much and it had not been easy to give up the chance to see him, but I could see how much it meant to Sokka.
Toph had reported that Zuko and Iroh were well, though they had to remain in hiding and use assumed names to make it in the city. As soon as I could see the Earth King in private, I would tell him this as well.
As for Aang, well, I hoped that guru who offered to help him with the Avatar State was better than General Fong. I would never forget how he had buried me under the ground, and how frightened I had been to not be able to move or breathe. And to know that Aang’s concern for me had triggered the Avatar State… well, I was flattered and frightened by that. I remembered the times he had gone into the state, and it was I that was always able to calm him down. Could his feelings for me be so deep? He was only twelve. The other part of me reasoned that he had lived countless lives, and he would know what love was even if he did not remember it.
I almost could not believe that the Avatar harbored such feelings for me. I had no idea how to respond, and I was glad that he did not approach the subject anymore after our getting across the Serpent’s Pass.
I shut him out of my mind, curling back up to sleep. I wanted to be well rested, for I knew tomorrow would be a big day. But as I tried to relax myself, I thought about what had jolted me awake. I had dreamed that Zuko came to me, flames dancing along his skin. He had demanded that I help him, and I had been ready to douse the flames, but they had consumed me as well. Then I had woken up.
I sighed softly, thinking about Zuko. We had exchanged more words as enemies than allies. I knew next to nothing about him, and I did not ask him about himself – he clearly had no desire to talk about his past and I did not blame him for it. I did not ask his uncle about it, either, even though Iroh was far more open and friendly with the group. However, I had been curious about getting along with him, and had ventured to try to make small talk with him a few times, but the words always died in my throat before I could. There was something about him that told me that he was not one for small talk at all, and I respected that.
So that left me very little, if any room, to interact with him. He would do chores, or light the fire for me when I wanted to cook. I knew he was a serious person, very driven. When he did not teach the Avatar, he would train with Toph. I did not really know him, so why would I dream about him?
The dream had unnerved me very much, and I silently prayed that I would not have another disturbing one as I went back to sleep.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
I moaned softly as I rubbed my eyes, sunlight flooding the small room before I rolled over onto my back. My lips felt dry, and I moaned again. How long had I been out of it? I had had some wild dreams... even being bald with Air Monk tattoos... I had looked like the Avatar!
“Good morning, Zuko.” I heard Uncle say. I turned my head to look at him. He looked tired, like he had been at my side all night. Dimly I remembered cool cloths being pressed to my forehead... being fed hot soup and cold water... some bitter-tasting herbs here and there...
“Uncle...” I tried to raise my head, and a wave of dizziness hit me.
“Rest.” he said, leaning forward and pressing down on my shoulder. “Your fever has broken, thank Agni. But you are still weak.”
“What about you? You look tired. You should rest too.” I shot back gently. “You've been taking such good care of me.” What if he had not been with me? How would I have fared against this illness? I owed Uncle so much... he had given up a life of comfort to follow me in exile.
“Let me feed you some soup.”
“Uncle...”
“And then I will rest.” he promised me. “Your fever has broken, so I can now sleep easy.” he said with a smile. I smiled back. After a bowlful of soup and a cup of water, I wiggled closer to the window so I could get more sunlight. It felt good on my face as I closed my eyes. I heard him move around.
“Oh, I also have some good news.” I heard him say.
“What is it?” I asked. Did it have to do with the Avatar?
“Remember the noblemen who liked my tea and they had been talking about opening a shop for me? Well, it's a done deal. They've also arranged a new apartment for us, though I told hem we were not moving until you were better.”
“That's good to know.” I replied with a light smile. “Congratulations.”
I heard him chuckle softly. “Thank you, nephew. This also means that we can finally get in touch with our friends...”
“There is that.”
“We'll talk more after a well-deserved rest.”
“Yes.” I whispered. It would be nice to see them all again, especially Katara... My eyes flashed open. Katara. The dreams I had of her... her brilliant azure eyes, her warm smile, her soothing touch... why couldn't I stop thinking about her? I stared up at the ceiling, feeling the sunlight on my face before I closed my eyes, basking in the warmth.
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Slow Heat