Hello, authoress here: Welcome! This area, called the ever-so-poetic "Core Dump" is where I'll be putting up random scenes that cross through my mind. I don't know if any will be related; they're pretty random as they come to me. (Sorry 'bout that). Good luck & thanks for stopping by!
Story Title: Save me
Author: Moor (or 'beyondthemoor' from LJ)
Length: approx. 1100 words
Genre: Humour/General/Romance
Rating: I'll say PG-13 to T
Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Summary: After taking his leave of Azula, Zuko sets out on his own to find his mother. The reunion is short-lived as Katara and Toph track him down in turn, and ask for his help in rescuing Iroh.
Disclaimer: I have no ownership of "Avatar".
Zuko approached the small, single story house set back from the main road. It had a small path leading up through its low gates, all the way to the side yard and around the back to the stables situated in the rear. His golden eyes took in the modest, well-tended garden, the stream that ran through just beyond, and the tree line that bordered the far side of the property. From the outside, it looked like any other single family Earth Kingdom home.
He'd been searching for it for weeks. Weeks of traveling, weeks of talking to strangers and looking for clues, weeks of frustration and disappointment at every failed lead. But this house gave him hope.
He would have passed by it if it hadn't been for the flowers growing out front. He'd recognize those blossoms anywhere. They weren't native to the Earth Kingdom—in fact, they only grew in one place on earth: the Fire Nation palace gardens.
He settled his ostrich-horse by a tree near the side door, and knocked.
He felt his stomach churn as he waited for an answer. When none came, he gentle pushed the door open and stepped inside, swallowing anxiety and bracing himself for what he'd see.
A tidy, clean kitchen; a sitting room with plain furniture off to the side; a few pieces of fruit and some freshly cut herbs laid out on the counter. A closed door, likely to the sleeping quarters, at the far end of the corridor.
And staring at him in open-mouthed shock, with her pine-green tunic-front full of just harvested greens from her garden, was the woman he'd once considered the most beautiful in the world. Her long dark hair was now tinged with gray, her clothes were no longer made of the finest silk, and while she still stood tall, with pride and dignity, she no longer towered over him, but instead came only to his nose. But it was definitely her.
The only woman who'd ever loved him unconditionally.
She dropped the lettuce leaves to the floor, forgotten, and raised a hand towards him as if to see if he were real or some kind of apparition or spectre.
"Zuko…?" she breathed unbelieving.
He felt his heart swell and lodge in his throat, choking him as he took a few hesitant steps forward towards her.
"M…" the word wouldn't leave his mouth. It was afraid to be spoken, and worse, be wrong, again.
"Zuko, my love, is that you?"
My love…
"Mom?" he asked hoarsely.
Her golden eyes, mirrors of his, filled with tears and she nodded, slowly opening her arms to welcome him.
He threw his own arms around her and held on as if he'd never let go.
xXx
"Do you think we should bring a gift or something?" asked Katara apprehensively, entering the pleasant street and passing a few flower and fruit vendors. Momo flew above them, occasionally diving down for a closer look at the wares. "We're sort of… visiting."
Toph waved the concern away. "I really don't think anything is going to pacify this guy, Katara. We're just gonna have to take our chances." The younger woman paused. "Is your waterskein full?"
"Of course."
"Then maybe you can make him a pretty ice sculpture!"
Katara glowered at Toph and crossed her arms in front of her.
"What would he be searching for, though?" Katara wondered aloud a few seconds later. Toph kept her thoughts to herself. "He was finally going to return home, to the Fire Nation... And instead he goes off on his own." She shook her musings from her mind as Toph stopped in front of a lovely, if slightly run down cottage. The building itself was clean and well-kept, it just looked like it needed a few repairs to its exterior. From the roadway, Katara could see two figures inside, but couldn't make out much more than that. There was a mount tied near the entranceway.
The gardens winding around the small structure were immaculate, however, and Toph could sense a familiar vibration even from this distance.
Toph pointed at the building. "We should go check in here."
Katara gave her a funny look, fully aware that her friend couldn't receive its meaning. "But the last person we talked to said he was headed a bit further—"
"That's because they were staring at your boobs instead of listening to your question," quipped the younger woman, and Katara's nose wrinkled up in irritation at her friend's crudeness. "Come on, I'm thirsty. I bet they have tea."
xXx
At the self-conscious knock on the door, Zuko looked up from the table where he was sitting across from his mother. Giving her a glance, he asked, "Are you expecting company?"
She smiled and shook her head. "No, but friends drop by. I'll go see who it is."
He held her arm and gestured for her to sit down again. "No, it's ok, I'll get it."
He could hear hushed female bickering from the other side of the door, and rolled his eyes. Gossipy women, he thought tiredly, and politely turned the handle to invite in the newcomers.
Katara, an inspiring but fake grin on her face, and Toph, a little sullen beside her, greeted him from the doorstep. Toph waved a lackluster 'hiya'.
"Hi—ice sculpture?" offered Katara quickly, holding up a hastily-fashioned bouquet of ice lilies.
Zuko slammed the door.
"Told you so," he heard the short one say to her colleague.
xXx
Ursa stared at her son, incredulous. "Zuko, what is wrong with you? Were they guests?"
His face pinched darkly, he growled, "More like pests."
Giving him a disapproving look, the genteel woman stood and walked past him to the door. "That was very rude. I thought I raised you better than that," she said in mild reproach. "You could show them some courtesy, whoever they are, young man."
Zuko wanted to scream in irritation; he couldn't believe his mother, whom he hadn't seen in almost eight years, was lecturing him on bad manners.
"It's the waterbender and the delinquent!" he wanted to shout, but his mother was already at the door, apologizing for his rude behaviour.
"Hi—ice sculpture?" he heard Katara ask again from behind him, less confidently this time.
"Oh, it's lovely!" exclaimed Ursa.
"Argh!" the prince facepalmed himself in irritation; Ursa led the young women inside.
AN: Oooh, melodrama!
AN: Posted original 09 June 2007. Written in an hour. Un-beta'd. Behold the searing pain of my raw 'talent'. XD (Enjoy!)