A Princess' Destiny ✘ZUKO ✘

32

Iroh sighed, satisfied to finally see a familiar face other than Zuko's or Soana's, but he also pulled a frown when he read Reid's face.

"Such sorrow you possess." He informed.
"It's okay for soldiers to feel pain, but what really matters is how you handle it."

"And you," He looked to Soana.
"Still stubborn like a dragon mule, I see."

Soana huffed.
"At least I don't look like a gorilla goat when I sit down."

Iroh chuckled as the princess and Reid giggled, lightening the mood.
"You have such a way with words, Princess." He hummed.

His eyes widened suddenly.
"Do I smell a rare tea?" He inhaled the air and smiled pleasingly.

"I figured you would like some white jade tea." Soana said, digging into the basket that dangled on her arm.

She presented the tea pot and cups in front of her along with a bowl with a wooden cover over it.

"What's in the bowl?" Iroh questioned.

"A water tribe delicacy." She smirked.
"Stewed sea prunes."

Reid cringed while Iroh shrugged.
"I'm sure it's better than the spoiled potatoes the warden has been feeding me."

She chuckled and poured a cup of tea for Iroh and herself. Reid didn't want any tea since he was too glum to eat or drink. He missed his mother terribly.

Soana put an arm around the seven year old as she slid Iroh the bowl of sea prunes through the hole of the cell.

He started to dig into the stew and sip his hot tea gingerly.

"You're too kind to be here especially at a time of war." He said, smiling with gratitude.

She nodded.
"Someone has to fill in the position."

"How's your water bending?"

She furrowed her brows.
"It's fine. Why do you ask?"

Iroh inhaled deeply and held his tea cup in his palms.
"You will need to practice. Tomorrow is the day of black sun. You do know what this means for the Fire Nation, yes?"

She furrowed her brows.
"Isn't it a solar eclipse?"

"Yes, but it's not just a solar eclipse for fire benders. When the sun is covered, fire benders lose their bending for however much time the moon shadows the sun for. Within that time, fire benders will be powerless."

Reid looked at Iroh.
"Does that mean I'll be powerless?"

He nodded at the seven year old who merely sighed.

Soana held Reid in her embrace tighter to give him comfort.
"You don't think that's what their talking about at the war meeting today, do you?"

"I'm not too sure, but it wouldn't surprise me. If that's the case then there might be a war coming for us."

"What makes you say that?"

"Azula has figured out a plan from the Earth King, himself. I've heard word of her danger that stirs for the Fire Nation. Knowing that tomorrow is black sun, I feel trouble brewing in my gut."

Soana raised a brow.
"Are you sure that's not the sea prunes?"

"Know when I'm being serious, Soana. When I say there's something coming, you have to believe me. That is why I asked how your bending is. You will need it along with your strength and your courage. You will even have to use the forbidden sub-form of water bending."

"I can't do that, Iroh. Not again." Soana shook her head.

Reid knitted his brows and asked Soana.
"What is it?"

She frowned.
"Blood bending."

"Blood bending?" Reid questioned.

"Yes, blood bending." Iroh answered.
"Soana, you will have to use it if you want to defend yourself against your enemies. Knowing from my experience with war, you will encounter many soldiers who will threaten your life, and if not yours then possibly Reid's life."

Soana protectively brought Reid closer to her side as he scrunched his face.

"I can protect Soana and myself!" He said.

"You won't be able to fire bend, Reid." Iroh reminded.

The boy scoffed and crossed his arms.

Soana sat her tea on the floor and looked to Iroh.
"Will I have to do it?"

"If your water bending is defective and your endangered, then yes. You will need it."

•

At the palace, Soana was approached by Zuko, who didn't bother to wear a smile for someone who had been finally accepted by his father.

The princess had just put Reid to bed and was heading towards her and Zuko's chambers when she ran into him. She noticed how faint his expression looked, so she attempted to lighten the mood for him.

"So? How did it go?" She asked her husband as they walked together.

Zuko let his head bow slightly, clearly bothered.
"When I got to the meeting everyone welcomed me. My father had saved me a seat. He wanted me to be next to him. I was literally at his right hand."

Although Soana didn't support Zuko's need to impress his father, she tolerated it and decided that she needed to support her husband in whatever he feels is right even if that means she didn't like it.

"Zuko, that's great he put you at his right hand. You must be happy you finally have his favor."

They both stopped at an end of a corridor where a tall floor to ceiling tapestry of Fire Lord Ozai was presented before them.

Zuko stared at the tapestry.
"During the meeting I was the perfect prince. The son my father wanted, but I wasn't me."

Soana's heart skipped at his words. She averted her eyes from the tapestry to her husband who had his head bowed again.

"I want to leave." He muttered loud enough for only Soana to hear.

She felt a spark of happiness ignite but she wasn't sure what he was meaning until he looked to her.

"The Avatar is alive. I want to join him to create a world of peace and kindness, but I don't think I can do it alone."

"Zuko, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying I'm gonna get you and Reid out of here, and we're going to help change the world back."