Within Shadows (Zuko x Reader)

Chapter 5

"You'll get used to it." Aang said with a smile.

"Yeah... I guess so..." You trailed and looked out at the clouds.

"You're still unsure of your choice. Aren't you?" Aang asked with a gentle tone.

"What made you chose to come with us anyway? Aren't you glued to Zuko?" Sokka straight up asked. You frowned and sat up right. Getting cozy for a long conversation.

"Well... The time I saw you all before the whole pirate thing, I had said my situation is complicated.

"I do remember you saying that." Sokka uttered as everyone was now huddled around you at this point.

"So I'll start at the beginning..." You trailed and cleared your throat. "My father had set off to help the Fire Nation in the war. I don't remember anything about him if I'm honest. He left when I was really young so as I was growing up, I always thought it was me and my mother. Well, one year, I found out my father had been killed in battle. My mother was devestated but continued to try and take care of me as best she could. Sometime after my father died, she began to grow ill. At first it was nothing major or anything to really worry about but as time went on, she got worse and couldn't bring herself to a doctor any more. And then that's when I began to practice my bending and fighting to start what would become an era of me I regret. I traveled sometimes for miles looking for villages to steal food and any kind of valuables I could find to then go into the Fire Nation capital and sell whatever seemed to bring in a good amount of cash. I would then use that cash to buy medicine and whatever I didn't spend, I would save up to get a doctor to come and visit and make sure she was okay. So with me doing that over the years and me continuing to train myself to become a better fighter, even using stolen scrolls of different type of bending to broaden my fire bending. One day I decided the fire nation palace would be my next bet. So, once it was late enough, I snuck my way to the back of the palace and in through a bedroom window which I was soon to find out belonged to Zuko's sister Azula. She caught me about to see steal her gold jewelry but instead of fighting me, she made a deal with me. It was either I complied and became her servant, or I got thrown in jail. Long story short, the fire lord caught me, I was forced to duel Azula in an Agni Kai, lost said Agni Kai and spent a few years in the palace. Zuko's family started feeling like one of my own especially after I got promoted to their personal bodyguard. Fast forward to after Zuko got banished from his home and after the first few times we found you and almost captured you guys, I went to my room to meditate and calm my nerves... I slipped into the spirit realm somehow and... Saw my parents." They gasped a little at this but allowed you to continue on. You had explained the questions you had after the Kyoshi island and how you even contacted your diseased parents and how they seemed to have guided you to where you are now.

"Wow..." Katara breathed out.

"Yeah... So despite me being here and finally chosing a path... I can't help but feel bad for leaving Zuko behind... He feels like the only family member I have left. That's why I went after him after he got banished."

"If you don't mind me asking. How did Zuko get banished from his own home?" Aang asked. You closed your eyes and shook your head.

"That's a story for him to tell. Doesn't exactly feel like my place to tell it. Especially with just how personal it is."

"I understand."

"So what I'm getting at is... You're one of us now?" Sokka asked.

"Well... If it's okay with you all. I did just kinda suddenly showed up, didn't I?"

"I'd say it's fine. She never really attacked us." Aang spoke in favor of you.

"I'm all for it. She helped us escape more than once after all." Sokka grinned cartoonishly and was clearly in favor of you too.

"I... Don't know..." Katara began. You frowned at her words and she continued. "I will give her credit for helping but we don't know if she has any sort of ulterior motive. She could be acting to gain Intel on us and give it to Zuko at any moment."

"Katara... I assure you I don't plan on doing anything like that. You can watch me 24/7 until you feel like you can trust me." You urged gently. She fell silent but finally caved in.

"Alright... But if I catch you being suspicious-"

"I get it... You don't have to worry about anything." And with that, you had begin to start a while new journey, a whole new life.