Within Shadows (Zuko x Reader)

Chapter 13

Quick Key:
(Y/n): Your Name
(H/l): Hair Length
(H/c): Hair Color
(B/t): Body Type
(S/c): Skin Color

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"Uncle. You were unconscious..." Zuko trailed as Iroh was stirring awake. You stood beside Zuko and watched the old man with worried eyes. "Azula did this to you. And to (y/n). It was a surprise attack." He informed and you helped Iroh sit up with as minimum pain as you could.

"Somehow thats not so surprising." Iroh replied and shifted the way he sat a little.

"You could say that again..." You muttered. Zuko handed Iroh a cup of tea.

"I hope I made it the way you like it." Zuko muttered. taking you by surprise again by how nice and genuine hes been so far. Iroh took a sup of his drink and winced. He swallowed the drink down anyway and lowered the cup.

"Mm... Good." He took another sip and gagged a little and handed the cup to Zuko. You had troubles holding back a laugh. "That was very er... bracing." Zuko poured him another cup and handed it to Iroh. Once Zuko was distracted by pouring you a cup. Iroh dumped the tea out the window behind him.

"So uncle. I've been thinking. Its only a matter of time before I run into Azula again. I need to learn more advanced Fire Bending if i even want to stand a chance against her. (Y/n) I hope you can help too." You gave the boy a nod at his request. His gaze moved back to Iroh. "I know what you're going to say, shes my sister and I should be trying to get along with her." You raised a brow at his words.

"No... Shes crazy and needs to go down." Iroh replied.

"Yeah... I think we're beyond playing pretend." You added. Iroh helped himself stand before you and Zuko.

"it is time to resume your training."

~~~

"There is energy all around us. It is both Yin and Yang. Positive energy and Negative energy. Only a select few Fire Benders can separate these energies. This creates an imbalance. The energy wants to restore balance. And in the moment, the positive and negative energy come crashing back together. You provide release and guidance creating lightening." Iroh explained. He gestured for both You and Zuko to step back so he could demonstrate. Lightening emerged from his finger tips as he guided it around and then shot it up into the sky.

"I'm ready to try it!" Zuko blurted out immediately.

"Remember. Once you separate the energies. You do not command it. You are simply it's humble guide. Breathe first." Iroh instructed. You moved a bit away from Zuko and followed along. Inhaling through your nose then exhaling. You then began to do the movements along with Zuko. Though Zuko moved quicker and instead created an explosion in front of him. Causing him to go flying back and land on his back. You stopped your movements and went over to help him up.

"You okay?" You asked him. He just pushed you away from him and he tried again and it exploded again. You decided to leave him be and try doing it yourself. You inhaled, exhaled, began the movements and summoned up lightening and directed it into the sky. However it was a small streak of lightning. Your eyes widened at the sight and you looked down at your hands in amazement.

"Well done (Y/n)! Just a bit more practice and your lightening will become more powerful." Iroh praised. You turned to the man and gave a smile and thumbs up to him. Zuko just growled and continued to try and blow himself up each and every time.

"Why can't I do it?!" Zuko exclaimed as he sat on the ground. "Instead of lightning, it ends up exploding in my face! Like everything always does!" You winced a little at his words.