Chapter Text
When he received an extra letter mixed into the pile of the usual ones he got every month, Zuko taught very little of it. The taught of rushing to open it didn't occur to him, it was probably just an advertisement of some sorts. And he had more then enough of them.
When on the third day, he noticed it again, his blood ran cold as he finally examined the all too familiar Military seal. He snuck in a quick breath before opening it, scanning it's contents. His hands started shaking. He re read the scribbled words over and over again as if they'd change if he did it enough times.
What he held in his, now shaking hands, was a letter informing him of his sister's return. But the reunion was far from a happy occasion. She had been struck down by their father, who was now supposedly on the run. Her injuries left her on the brink of death. She was sent home to recover under his supervision.
He felt himself sweating, throat suddenly very dry. He set the letter down and got himself some water, splashing some on his face. He touched the scar by habit, none of this made sense to him. Why would their father, a man who had always favoured his sister, suddenly turn on her? By the looks of it he wanted her dead. He must be imagining things. Or somebody was playing a cruel joke on him.
The seal was unmistakable, a shade of red only the military used. It couldn't be fake, but oh, how he wished it was. It wasn't as if he didn't want to see his sister. They'd been distant ever since their mother left the picture. Or rather, was forced to leave. But he knew that deep down, they still cared for eachother. Azula was the same person who made grown men cry just for being mean to Zuko, for crying out loud! That wasn't done by someone who does not care.
She was unfortunately also the same person who made Zuko cry more then those men.
That was besides the point. But to say he whished for a simple time, would just be a lie. Every since his sister left to fight in the war, they had not heard of eachother. He was left with his uncle, who formally enrolled him into school for the first time, since being homeschooled till the age of thirteen.
While he was sure she was thriving, he made actual friends for the first time. If we don't count Jin and Mei of course. He shook his thoughts about his ex. They were friends now, she still works at his uncles tea shop. His thoughts darted back to his friend group. Surely he can ask them for help. He'll have to explain a lot to them. His past was simply off limits. Until now anyway.
He just couldn't help feeling so lost on the matter. He knew Azula. She would not be happy here, her ego and pride would undergo sever damage knowing the information he just read. And that could only be unpleasant. But who can blame her. He would be lying if he said it wasn't how he felt when he returned after his failure. His honour was lost. And he didn't bother getting it back. Or more so, he couldn't. He was dying to ask her what actually happened. How had it come to this?
He watched the dial phone in silence, unsure of who to call first. His immediate taught was his girlfriend, which he eventually decided, should know first. His hands slowly moved the dials on the phone and he put it to his ear.
"Hello?" Came through the other line.
"Mai. I really need you here right now. It urgent, can you come quickly?"
"Yeah, give me 10 minutes, what happened?"
"I'll tell you when you get here. I just really need someone to talk to right now."
Mai hanged up immediately and excused herself from the class. She took an uber that arrived a little later than expected. Her mind kept racing to Zuko's words. What could have happened that was so bad? Maybe his uncle was unwell? Or he'd gotten news of his mothers wellbeing.
She got out and made her way inside the huge mansion. Generational welth really was impressive, but she'd been here dozens of times. She didn't bother knocking and just went straight inside. Zuko was already waiting for her on the other end.
"What the hell happened, you look like you've seen a ghost?"
A letter was silently passed into her hands. She gave him a quick glance before reading what was delt to her. She felt herself shiver, something that almost never happened.
"This has to be a joke right?"
"That's what I taught too. But it's real and she'll be here within a week."
Mai sat down on the stairway next to Zuko. She hasn't seen her best friend ever since her family moved because of her fathers political position. That had to have been over six years ago by now. She'd come back into their town years later, but Azula had already followed the Agni legacy by then.
"What should we do?" Zuko asked, unsure of what the question actually implied.
"I think we'll need more help over here."
"But she doesn't know any of them, she'll rather die then let strangers see her like this."
"They don't have to interact with her directly. I'm just saying you should have somebody here to keep an eye out for you both."
"Why me? What's wrong with me?"
"You look like you've collapsed ten times before my arrival. I swear I see a gray hair." Mai deadpanned.
"It's not that bad... Is it?" Zuko awkwardly avoided her gaze.
"We can help you through this time, and we can help her. If she'll let us."
"It's like you don't know her at all."
"She was my childhood best friend. But we only exchanged phone calls since I left. She didn't make any friends. It can only do her good, help her get her mind off of things."
"You don't think it'll overwhelm her?"
"If she was to chose, she'd die alone. All I'm saying is you'll both need support during this time. And she'll accept it one way or another." Mai crossed her arms tightly.
"Besides, your friends already spend most of your hangouts here. They'll know what to do."
"So you're saying I should give them a call?" Zuko asked already walking up to the phone."
"No I'm saying you should abandon them. Give them a damn call already." Mai replied sarcastically, but her tone shook as her eyes scanned the letter one more time.
Zuko dialed Sokka's number first. After a few rings he finally picked up.
"Helloo, who am I speaking to?"
"Listen, Zuko here, where are you right how?"
"Uhh, I'm at home with Katara and Aang came over not too long ago. What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry if it's inconvenient, but I really need you guys here asap."
"Whoa dude, what happened?"
"It's really not a matter for the telephone. I'll see you here?"
"Hang in there, we're coming." Zuko felt a bit had to panicking them, but he was beside himself too.
"You're forgetting someone." Mai suddenly added. Zuko's mind went blank for a moment, wondering through numbers, before it cleared again. He dialed another number.
"Hello!"
"Ty Lee, hi. I'm sorry to bother you, but it's kind of urgent. Can you come over?
"Uh, yeah. What's wrong?"
Before Zuko could deliver another work, Mai took the phone and quick answered for him.
"It's about his sister, we need you all here."
"Oh dear, I understand. See you soon-" Mai put the phone down.
"That was a little rude, you know?"
"I can't go through another sob speech, let's wait in the living room, you seriously need to sit down."
Knocking came through the door less then 20 minutes later. Sokka basically threw himself inside, looking frantically for anything out of place. Zuko let the rest of them inside quietly.
"Toph and Suki couldn't make it." Katara's voice cut the silence. She followed Zuko and Mai's uneasy gazes as their eyes locked. They sat down like they were about to discuss a funeral. Ty Lee sat next to Mai, trying to read her stoic expression.
"Let's make this short. Zuko received a letter from the military. He's sister has been injured and has to be sent back here for recovery." Mai tried explaining.
"Oh. That doesn't seem too bad somehow. What's all the panic about?" Sokka shrugged.
Zuko, who has been quietly sitting this whole time, suddenly cleared his throat. Mai squeezed his hand gently, a show of affection rarely shown when people were around them.
"The issue is my father. He's the reason she's injured." When his words met no response, Zuko felt obligated to continue.
"I've kept my past secret for as long as we've known eachother. I desperately need your help right now. I know it's not right but-"
"Hey." Aang spoke up calmly, capturing Zuko's attention.
"You're our friend. We'll do all we can for eachother, right?" Aang smiled at him.
"How about you clear your head a bit and tell us what's going on?" His voice was calm and even, making Zuko fell surprisingly at ease. He excused himself for the bathroom, leaving his friends huddled together in the living room. Ty Lee nudged Mai.
"It must be a bad injury if he's this worked up?"
"It's not just about the injury. Zuko's family has always been complicated." Mai quietly replied.
An uncomfortable silence overtook the scene, as everyone searched for somewhere to look. Aang sat up, offering to make everyone tea to calm down. Sokka threw a joke about leaf juice, bud didn't decline. Zuko came back just as Aang set the cups for everyone and started pouring.
"So... Where do I even start?"
"You can start by telling us why the hell was your sister even in the military?" Sokka suggested.
"Right. Ever since the war between the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom started, our nation was not above sending children to their growing forces. If you were a good enough bender, you were sent-"
"Is that what happened to her?" Sokka quickly asked.
"Well yeah, but that's not all. My great-grandfather, General Sozin, started a tradition that sent every child in the family off when they turned thirteen years old. My grandfather, uncle, father and cousin all went. I went-"
"You were in the military!?" Katara smacked the back of Sokka's head.
"How about you let him finish?"
"Sorry, sorry."
"Yes. I was in the military, but it didn't last long. My father always favoured my sister. She was a true prodigy. He had a saying every time I failed at something. 'She was born lucky, you were lucky to be born'. When it was my turn to go, he was displeased from the start, but he honoured the tradition. During a war meeting, I spoke out of line. I offended an older major.
Zuko paused.
"Which invoked a duel?" Ty Lee asked, already sure how this story went on knowing their nation.
"I taught I'd be fighting with the guy I offended. But I was met with my father. And he gave me a permanent memory of what his opinion was. I was not able to return to battle with only one functional eye."
The story was met with a few gasps, but no one dared to interrupt him.
"I was sent back here to live with uncle. When it was Azula's turn however, father was ecstatic. And now I receive a letter that he's struck her down with lightning."
"Why would he do that? Didn't you just say he favours her? Sokka jumped in again, despite Katara's death glare.
"That's what I don't understand? Why would he ever do that to her? And now she's coming back too."
Zuko's tone remained hurt and lost, further solidifying the feeling of despair he put out for everyone to see.
"I'm nervous, I don't know how I should feel about everything. It's just a lot."
"Don't you want to see your sister again?"
"Not half dead Sokka!"
That got the water tribe boy to shut up, at least for a little while. He did feel bad for his friend, but his mouth had a habit of running wild before he taught about what was coming out of it. The silence was broken by the acrobat who was holding her tea closely.
"I'm sure it won't be that bad, right?" Ty Lee said hopefully.
"Azula wasn't exactly an easy person, even before she went on to serve" Mai explained quickly.
"Still, she is his sister, so she can't be that bad." Katara backed up Ty Lee.
"Listen guys, what I'm about to ask of you might seem like to much. But I'm really lost here. All of the emotions I kept buried down since mom left are suddenly resurfacing and I feel like I might just drown."
None of them were used to seeing this side of Zuko. Their friend always seemed reliable and strong, sometimes a little slow and awkward, but it came of sweet more then anything else. The person that was now in front of them was someone entirely new. Someone terrorised by the past.
"You don't have to ask us anything Zuko. We can already see it all. Let us help you." Aang said finally, determined in his statement. The rest of the group smiled alongside him.
"I know you have mixed feelings, and the things we heard right now aren't easy to listen to, let alone live. For now, call your uncle and let's prepare a room."
Ty Lee spoke confidently, finally leaving Mai's side. Everyone followed suit while Zuko took the phone once more that day. Maybe this will work out in the end, maybe he was overreacting and everything will be fine. Maybe his unresolved feelings about his sister and father were long overdue. Maybe she's changed during her service.
Somehow no matter how much he wanted to believe in that, this thoughts came back to anxious ones.