Light (Zuko x OC) ATLA Fanfic

Chapter 19 - The Right Thing

Hikari POV

Zuko and I have gotten closer since our date, sneaking glances from time to time, hanging out more. As I serve some more tea, bringing the dirty dishes to the back. I watch from afar as 2 men grab Iroh's attention. "So you're the genius behind the incredible brew. The whole city is buzzing about you! I hope Pao pays you well."

Iroh smiles at him, "Good tea is its own reward."

"But it doesn't have to be the only reward. How would you like to have your own tea shop?"

"My own tea shop!? This is a dream come true!"

Our boss rushes over, "What's going on here? Are you trying to poach my tea maker?"

"Sorry, Pao, but that's business for you, am I right?"

"Mushi, if you stay, I'll make you Assistant Manager. Wait. Senior Assistant Manager!"

"I'll provide you with a new apartment in the upper ring. The tea shop is yours to do whatever you want, complete creative freedom."

"I even get to name the shop?"

"Of course!"

Our boss tries to continue to sell him, "Uh, Senior Executive Assistant Manager?"

Iroh gives him the pot of tea, agreeing to the rich man. He looks at us, "Did you hear, Nephew? Kai? This man wants to give us our own tea shop in the upper ring of the city."

"That's right, your life is about to change for the better."

Zuko walks out, "I'll try to contain my joy."

I bow to the man, "I'm excited about the tea shop."

I walk out to check up with Zuko, knowing he doesn't want this to be our permanent life. As I walk out I see him looking at the sky. Holding a paper in his hand, he walks over to me. I ask, "What's wrong?"

He shows me the paper, I gasp, not only is Aang here but his bison is missing as well. 

Later that night I help Iroh pack Zuko's and his things as Ro eats some cooked fish. Iroh smiles as Zuko enters the room, "So I was thinking about names for my new tea shop. How 'bout the Jasmine Dragon, I got the dragon part from Ro. It's dramatic, poetic, has a nice ring to it."

He shows Iroh the flyer from before, "The Avatar's here in Ba Sing Se and he's lost his bison."

Iroh takes the paper, "We have a chance for a new life here. If you start stiring up trouble, we could lose all the good things that are happening for us."

"Good things that are happening for you. Have you ever thought that I want more from life than a nice apartment and a job serving tea?"

He looks up at him, "There is nothing wrong with a life of peace and prosperity. I suggest you think about what is it that you want from your life, and why."

He turns his head, "I want my destiny, I want..."

He grows slight, I can feel his gaze from the corner of my eye, but Iroh continues, "What that means is up to you."

He walks away, Iroh looks up at me, "You should talk to him, it's clear that you are the one thing that's certain in his life?"

I look up at him and nod, standing I make my way to his room. Seeing him looking out the small window I sit down next to him. We stay silent for a moment, as I lay my head on his shoulder. He asks, "What do you think?"

"I think, we won't be here for long. That we're just planting a seed, watching it grow for a little while, then moving on to plant the next. I understand this isn't your dream, and I know what you want but sometimes it's good to sit down and take a break. It's good not to be on the run, but I don't see myself staying here for long either. This doesn't feel like home, being with you feels like home. Being with Iroh feels like home. Being with Ro feels like home."

He nods, "What's your dream?"

I blush at the thought of it, not knowing if I should tell him or not.

"I-it's a bit embarrassing, I'll tell you another day."

He looks down at me and smiles, "I look forward to hearing it."

No POV

As the two lay down in Hikari's room, resting peacefully, Zuko gets up tucking in Hikari as he puts on his blue spirit attire. Before he could walk out he hears shuffling behind him, turning he sees Hikari staring at him with a cool expression.

"I want to come."

He seems shocked at first but nods, walking over to his bag he pulls out a red and white mask. Instead of a demon-like his own, it's more similar to a dragon instead. "Here, you're going to need this."

She nods, turning around to give her some privacy she changes into her white and red kimono. Putting on her mask, and pulling up her hood, Ro finds his place in her sleeve. Weighing it down, she stands straight, "I'm ready."

Sneaking out, they run through the empty street bumping into a man in black they set up a diversion. Hiding in the shadows, the two watch a guard attack the dummy. Zuko places his sword under his neck, "If you don't want to end up like him, you'll do what I say."

Leading us to a tunnel, Zuko knocks the guy out, hiding his body elsewhere. Opening the door, Hikari smiles at the flying bison. He looks over at us, "Appa, your safe now."

Zuko and Hikari walk in, Zuko draws his blade. Appa growls at them, stomping his feet. Touching his head gently, Appa calms down at Hikari's touch. "We're not going to hurt you."

The door opens, revealing Iroh, he crosses his arms looking at the Blue and now Red Spirit. "So, the Blue Spirit and friends? I wonder who could be behind that mask."

Taking off his mask Zuko continues to talk to Iroh while Ro and Appa become acquainted. 

"What are you doing here?"

"I was just about to ask you two the same thing. What do you plan to do with the Avatar's bison? I know what Hikari wants, but what about you? Keep it locked in our new apartment? Should I go put on a pot of tea for him?"

He answers, "First I have to get it out of here."

He shouts, "And then what? You never think these things through. This is exactly what happened when you captured the Avatar at the North Pole. You had him, and then you had nowhere to go!"

He shot back, "I would've figured something out."

"No! If his friends hadn't found you, you and Hikari would have frozen to death!"

He growls, "I know my own destiny, Uncle."

"Is it your own destiny? Or is it a destiny someone else has tried to force on you?"

"Stop it, Uncle! I have to do this."

"I'm begging you, Prince Zuko! It's time for you to look inward and begin asking yourself the big questions. Who are you, and what do you want?"

He yells in frustration, picking up his sword Hikari looks at Appa as he stares at Ro curiously. She whispers to him, "You've been all alone, trying to find Aang, your family. I won't let you stay here, because if it was Ro I would want Aang or anyone else to do the same."

Breaking his chains, Hikari turns to look at the two Firebenders.

"Go, I'll be right behind you."

Steading her feet, she looks at Ro, "We got this."

Working together they make an opening for Appa above him, getting on his back together they ride up with him. Seeing a pathway she blows it up letting the water come in as they make it to the surface. Finally feeling the sun, Appa lands in the forest close by. Revealing her face, she takes off her mask and smiles at him.

Licking her she giggles, whipping off the spit she watches as he flys away into the sun. Taking off her mask she leaves it in the forest, returning to the shore to see Iroh and Zuko. He smiles at her, then at Zuko, "You did the right thing, nephew."