A/N- A short one shot I just pounded out about Zuko. I've fallen in love with ATLA, especially Zuko.

Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA nor the one quote I borrowed from HP.

Zuko kneeled before the flag of his nation, meditating. The gentle rocking of the boat helped him in his endeavors, though the occasional lurch would break his concentration momentarily. Today he was mostly thinking of his mother. He missed her terribly, no matter what he may have told Azula over the years. She had been his best friend, his mentor, his inspiration.

That's why he couldn't let his uncle try and be the same thing. They had both lost someone, and trying to use each other as replacements wouldn't work. No, he didn't want his uncle's advice; he wanted to hear his mother's voice. And then, he did.

"Zuko."

Slowly, the banished prince turned his head to look behind him. "Mother?" She looked every bit like he remembered her: regal, kind, open. But that was it. She was just a memory, something his mind had made up. This figment of his imagination could never be as perfect as she had been.

"Zuko, I need you to listen to me."

"I won't. You're not even real. This is all in my head."

"Of course it is happening in your head, but why does that mean it's not real?" His mother took a step closer, "I asked you to do something for me, before I left. Do you remember what it was?" Zuko nodded cautiously.

"You said that no matter how things may seem to change, never forget who I am."

She nodded, "You've forgotten."

"What?" The prince jumped to his feet. "I have not forgotten who I am! I am Crown Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation! I am the son of Ozai and Ursa! I'm still me! I'm still-"And then the tears spilled unbidden down his cheeks.

The former Fire Lady reached out her hand, "Zuko, listen to me-"

"No! No, you listen to me!" Zuko cut her off, batting her hand away. "You weren't there anymore! You left me alone, what was I supposed to do? I had to be the son father wanted, the son he needed. I couldn't feed turtle ducks anymore, I couldn't be a failure at firebending. I had to be the best. Otherwise, I would be useless. And look at me. The one time I was myself, the one time I spoke my true mind, I was scarred forever. I must regain my honor; I must become the son he needs again. I need him to love me, like you loved me."

"I still love you-"

"No! You're gone. You don't get to love me anymore; you don't count! You can't count. I waited; I waited for years for you to show up again. I waited like a stupid little kid, hoping, praying you would return. And then I realized, you weren't my reality anymore. You weren't around to care, around to protect me. Only father's opinion could matter anymore. I can only have his love now."

"Zuko," his mother's voice was soft, and she placed her hands on his shoulders, "listen to me. Your father's love is not the only thing left to you. Your uncle-"

"Is trying to make me into Lu Ten. And I'm trying to make him into you. But that's not the way the world works, is it? You can't make people into someone there not," he replied, bowing his head.

"No, you can't," his mother agreed. "But," she countered, lifting up his chin to meet her eyes, "you can give new people a chance to love you. Remember that, Zuko," she said, placing a kiss on his forehead, right over his scar. Zuko closed his eyes, relishing the soft touch of a mother's love.

"Mother I-, "he began, but when he opened his eyes, she was gone.

Thoughts?

-princessmelia