Within Shadows (Zuko x Reader)

Chapter 4

"You aren't dead. However, many people can come to the spirit realm when in deep meditation." Your father explained.

"I- but... I only meditated to calm myself... I didn't exactly intend on coming here." Your mother stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on your cheek and wiped away the tears that fell.

"That may have not been your intent but you were looking for some sort of answers, isn't that right?" She asked you softly. You nodded lightly, not exactly trusting your voice.

"We've been watching over you... I must say, I'm proud of you for trying to take care of your mother for as long as you did. In fact I'm proud of almost everything." Your father spoke.

"Almost...?"

"Yes. One of the questions running through your mind is if you did the right thing by following the prince, right?" Your mother spoke out this time. Continuing to give comforting caresses.

"Yeah... That one has been lingering since the start of our search for the Avatar."

"You're right in thinking that you didn't have anything left. A while after I had died, they had taken our house down since no one wishes to reside there and also the fact that the house was already falling apart as is." Your mother began. "The only thing I wish to say and the only amount of guidance I can give you, is; trust your motives. Even if the next step you take doesn't feel right just trust your gut and your motives and you should be pleased with yourself."

"So... I'm not doing the right thing?" You asked as your mother let go of you and took some steps back to be beside your father.

"That I cannot answer." She replied. Her voice becoming more echoed and both of their bodies becoming more and more transparent.

"W-wait! I don't understand what you told me! H-how do I know I'm doing the right thing?!" You pleaded while trying to reach out to them.

"That is something you'll find out on your own..." Your father spoke. And just as you were about to touch them, they both disappeared and your eyes shot open, back into your room.

Your chest heaved up and down and your mouth felt dry. You ran a hand through your hair and tried calming your breathing. You eventually stood up and left the room to search for Iroh for some wisdom after what you had just experienced. You made it to the deck only to just now see Iroh and Zuko coming back to the ship. You raised a brow at them. "Where were you two?" You asked. Your voice wavered slightly but you just hopped they didn't hear you. However, Zuko looked up to you and seemed surprised by your current appearance. He rushed over to you and gripped your shoulders.

"What happened? Why are you crying?" He asked slightly panicked. You mentally cursed for not realizing you still had a few small wet streams going down your face.

"It's nothing... Can I borrow Iroh for a moment?" You asked, wiping your tears off and hoping he would back off.

"Of course, I'd be glad to speak with you. But only if there is tea involved." Iroh spoke before Zuko could. You chuckled a little at his words and nodded.

"I can get behind that. I'll make some tea and find you so we can speak." You said and got yourself out of Zuko's grasp. His golden eyes watching your form but he kept quiet.