Summary: 'Who am I really? Who are my parents?' These thoughts kept hunting Zuko since he was a child. Now that he and Toph were raised together, the two of them join the Avatar's group. Many mysteries shall unfold, and choices have to be made.

Sentiment: Chapter 9

決定 Decision

Zuko quickly ran his fingers back and forth over his hair as he watched the two large Fire Nation navy approaching the harbor. His stomach twisted painfully from deep inside and he rubbed uncomfortable at his eyes. They just couldn't take a break.

Aang blinked a few times before swishing his head in Zuko's direction and Zuko could see an expression of insecurity and fear making its way onto the boys face.

"What should we do?"

"I don't know. You're the Avatar!"

"I know, but still.."

Zuko frowned, coming to an important realization. Those people were here most likely for only one person. Or perhaps two.. But it all came to the point they were looking for him.

"Why don't you go tell the others about the Fire Nation. I can hold them off."

Aang looked uncomfortable back at him for a brief moment, then his eyes lingered on the ships.

"No, I won't. We're in this together Zuko." Aang said while making his orange glider conjure up within a second.

"Two ships full of Fire Nation guys against a mere village isn't anything good. They want something. And that's probably you.."

Zuko stared at him. It did make sense though. But what about Aang? Weren't they after him as well. He wondered. There wasn't much to worry about that at the moment. Aang and Zuko exchanged one last glance before turning their gaze at the two large ships in front of them.

While the ship came ashore, it was possible to see the pure-red flags fluttering back and forth with enormous speed.

Zuko to the chance to take a glance around him. Good, nobody was around. They probably haven't taken the opportunity to notice something was very off here. He looked back and saw the doorway of one of the ships opening itself.

A man walked out and Zuko couldn't help it, but his heart was thumping too wildly. It was that guy from before. Back, when they met those people from the teashop some weeks ago — he had to admit though, the tea felt good.

Zuko shook his head. This isn't the time to think about tea! He snapped at himself as he watched the man standing before them. Narrowing his eyes from Aang to Zuko and repeated this, until his eyes kept his aim toward Zuko, who flinched at this.

The General looked over the two people. This presuming Prince Zuko.. and the Avatar..

He slowly stroke his mustache as he inspected them. The Avatar held a stern face while standing in attack position, ready to strike if he'd make one wrong step. The other boy, Zuko, held a stern gaze as well, but remained silence and watched him packed with emphasis.

It was quiet. You could he the rainfall clattering on the ground and the cracking of the ships. Until two other familiar faces walked out of the ventage.

Mai and Ty Lee again. Zuko thought irritated, wondering how they got here so fast. But looking at how large this navy was, the question already got answered.

The two girls glanced over to General Sato, and before turning their gaze back to Zuko and Aang , they nodded with suspicion.

Without thinking, Zuko grabbed to his back and made his dual swords emerge. Aang peeked at Zuko's new swords for a second, being unaware of him having a thing with swords. He heaved a sigh before the two girls ran toward them, without speaking.

Zuko leaped up and blocked Mai's attack using his swords.

Meanwhile, Aang was glancing at Zuko from the corner of his eye. Relieved to see that he was being able to doge the attack, but wondered why Zuko used his swords instead of his bending.

He then looked up and met eyes with Ty Lee who gazed back at him.

Aang's heart leapt for a moment. The people in the village probably noticed the Fire Navy by now. But instead of seeing people running out of their homes, they kept themselves hidden in their homes. Too scared of what is to come — well, it's probably logical seeing how the Fire Nation once destroyed their home, and their people..

Aang held out his palms and closed them before launching a fierce wind into Ty Lee's direction who took the opportunity to avoid the attack on just an inch distance. Her braided hair fluttered back while making her whole body slide over the bare ground.

Zuko on the other hand, couldn't stop glaring at Mai, who didn't do anything but holding a stoic expression. The girl held some of her darts in her right arm, ready to attack if necessary.

Zuko made an impressed swing with his swords. A bright and fierce flame formed it's way around Zuko's swords. He had enough of all these nonsense, only taking him away because of his nature — of what he really was.. just so they could punish him.

Mai's eyes widened slightly for a minute as she saw the massive combination of swords encircled with fire. He lingered his arm up and made the fire following his motion, right at Mai.

Ty Lee saw what happened and quit her fight with Aang momentarily. She used her fast moving tricks to smack both her and Mai to the ground, protecting her from the fierce fire before looking up to meet Zuko's gaze.

Ty Lee knew her left leg took quite a lot of bruises sustained by the sudden attack of Zuko and with her battle with the Avatar.

Zuko groaned with frustration.

Ty Lee rose slowly to her knees and rand towards Zuko.

She hit her fist at Zuko but he barely managed to dodge it. Zuko then turned behind Ty Lee smacked her with his swords against the ground, making the fire disappear behind him. Not wanting to roast the girl.

"Why can't you two just take a break?" he snarled at the girl, his hands trembling with anger.

"Because we're trying to tell you something!" Ty Lee replied.

"What telling me—" Zuko said aback.

"Zuko, watch out!"

Aang sprang up and swung his staff in the direction of Mai, who wanted to attack Zuko from behind. Mai looked astonished before she got blown back by the Avatar.

Zuko got distracted and looked behind him for a moment. Ty Lee saw this as an opportunity and kicked her right foot against Zuko's stomach, making him jerk back and giving a low groan.

"I'm sorry!" Ty Lee said while making another move.

Meanwhile, the General looked down and he made slight smirk at the sigh in front of him.

Mission accomplished. He pondered with passion. Well, at least for now. It was time for round two.

He turned around, and walked back inside the ship.

It all happened so fast. Mai and Ty Lee exchanged glances before nodding. They looked one time back at their opponents before rushing back to the ship, leaving Zuko and Aang astonished behind by their sudden resign.

"What? What just happened?" Aang asked bewildered glancing over to Zuko.

"They're up to something. I just know it" Zuko said while gritting his teeth. "maybe we should attack their ship from the inside until we make them leave"

Aang shook his head at this. "No. That's a bad idea. We have to think about the safety of the people in this village. Their life are at stake"

"What lifes!"

"Oh right" Okay, calm down now. Aang was right, they have to think about the safety of these people as well. Remembering what Meilin had to go through.

"What's your plan then?"

"We should go back and tell the others about the Fire Navy" Aang suggested.

Zuko bit his lips. Going back to the others would mean Kato — Kato? Heck, it's not all about Kato! — It's his life. His choice. He can't make Zuko influence him with what he thinks he should do.

Zuko looked back at Aang and nodded stiffen.

XoXoXoXoX

Katara and Meilin watched the scene from afar. They could see the ships, and some hard noises — probably fighting noises — It's been just one day after they've seen them last and another event was happening regarding the Fire Nation.

Meilin placed her hands on her mouth, remembering the Fire Navy from back when she was just a child.

Her heart pounded heavily. Her hands trembled and she took a step back.

"No— No, not again!"

Katara turned to her."Meilin, calm down! It won't happen again. Aang's here, the Avatar's here. He will protect you and your village from the Fire Nation" she reassured her. "let's find your Father and the others"Katara took Meilin by the hand and together the two ran toward the other. Katara took one glance back in the direction of the harbor before running.

Oh, Aang.. Zuko..

XoXoXoXoX

"Uncle, can I ask you something"

"Sure what is it, Toph?"

"I know you and my brother never got along that well, but why? I mean even if he's Fire Nation — you still should give him a chance" Toph said while gazing at the ground and pulling at her clothes.

"It's more complicated as you think it is Toph, you should know that"

"No, I don't know that, you never even cared to explain us"

Sokka stood in between watching the conversation with interest. Not really being informed about the bad relation between Zuko and Kato until a half hour ago.

"I'm sorry for being such a terrible Uncle, but it's really difficult for me to talk about it. Just as difficult to be talking about my wife and son.."

Toph stopped saying other hard words for a while and remained silence. He was telling the truth this time.

"Father!" A sudden voice said.

Meilin walked in together with Katara being horrified by the unknown. At least to Sokka and Toph.

Kato raised his eyebrow. Something was wrong. He could see it in the expression her daughter held. That horrified look — just like the look she had that day.. — he shook his head and asked, "Meilin, is something wrong?"

Tears filled into her eyes as she espoused her father, still being shocked.

Knowing Meilin's unpleasant memories about the Fire Nation, Katara stepped in and said, "The Fire Navy are at the harbor, we heard noises and we don't know where Zuko and Aang are—"

Kato's eyes widened at this. "What? Are you serious, the Fire Nation?"

Sokka's eyes widened for a minute but tried to remain calm. "Don't worry, I'm sure Aang will do something about this" he assured him. "and we'll help"

"Let's kick their ass" Toph smirked as she pressed he fits' against each other. "—I mean.. let's get them"

"..Don't sweat it, I'm not into all those polite words as well" Kato said wearily still embracing her daughter and being confused by the fact that the Fire Nation are in town.

"Thank goodness someone in my family actually allows me to be free, thanks Uncle!"

That kept Kato thinking for a moment. Free.. allowing someone to be free. Somehow his mind rolled over to Zuko and he remembered him saying things about never being free from time to time. Zuko was true about that — he knew that — but maybe, he should give him some freedom as well..

No. No he couldn't. Now that he has left home, the chances increases of him being known as Fire Nation to the soldiers.. and the royal family. No matter how much he wanted, he couldn't. The peoples life were in danger and all because of him. All because he was too weak to do it.

XoXoXoXoX

"Aang.. Zuko!" Toph smiled as she watched them rushing inside. She got startled by Zuko's sudden entrance and couldn't help to hug her dear brother.

"Hey sis" Zuko said softly, rubbing his sisters hair.

Sokka blinked once he saw them. He received their gaze back and he took the opportunity to get some answers. "What happened out there? Katara and Meilin told us the Fire Navy was at the harbor"

Aang nodded slightly, he walked to the window and looked through it.

No one followed them. Good.

"That's right. Me and Zuko fought them, but they retreated soon after" Aang began. "we don't know why though. But they gave us some time to think and make an important decision"

"Then we should make a plan. We can't let them destroy this village again" Sokka said joining Aang's stare outside.

Katara, who was also in the room stood next to Zuko and held an serious expression, "We first need to know why they're here and what they want"

Toph nodded throwing her arms on her waist and tilting her head slightly."I'm thinking they're after Aang — or Zuko — I don't think they have much to do here anyway"

Sokka nodded at this. "That's right, I was thinking about that as well"

Meilin and Kato, who were in the same room as well held each other by the hand. Until Kato let the hand go and hurled his attention to Zuko with an embittered expression.

"Zuko, can I speak with you? Alone"

This won't just stop. Would it?

Zuko bit his lip and nodded arduous.

XoXoXoXoX

"Zuko. Look I'm sorry about first, but I need to ask you something important"

"What about?"

"Those people — the Fire Nation — do they know you're a Fire Nation citizen?"

"Yeah, they know" Zuko said, crossing his arms firmly. "so what?"

"..What about your name? Do they know your name?"

"Yes they know" Zuko said, raising his eyebrow. "and you know what? Talking in riddles doesn't make me feel any better!"

"I know you're hiding something — something you don't want to tell me. Why? Why don't you just spill out to me!"

"I told you before, it's hard"

And again. It was getting out of hand.

"Do you think I care? I just want the truth!" Zuko cried. Hurling his hand to the rear and demanding to get answers. "Who am I? Who are my parents! Why did you brought me to Toph's parents when I was just a little kid!"

The last question he asked wasn't the one really important — he actually still glad about that — otherwise he wouldn't have ever met Toph, which would be a life he couldn't think of. But still.. the fact that Kato kept his answers all to himself angered him.

This was the last chance he gave Kato. And he didn't answered. Zuko sighed — fine. There was no other way now. If he really wanted to know. He had to do it this way. Trap or no trap.

"Don't suit yourself. I know you won't tell me — I'll just find out on me own" Zuko said turning his back to Toph's Uncle, wanting to head towards some place he could be at peace for a moment.

"Zuko listen to me. What do you think gaining by saying that? You know that's impossible"

"Trust me, it isn't. And when I find out, those ships will be gone as well"

XoXoXoXoX

Once being alone in a room inside the large house. Zuko bent down, the wet clothes he wore didn't bothered him. He sighed, feeling conflicted as he pulled a letter out of his sleeve — The letter those two girls wanted to hand over to me back in the desert — he opened the letter, and began reading it again.

As you may already know, I and my nation are under the assumption that there is a boy named 'Zuko' a fire bender living within Earth Kingdom territories.

In the beginning, I had my presumptions. But after I received more information from my troops, I started to believe that you, Zuko, are indeed my son.

The son I lost many years ago. My son, whom everyone believed was killed by the Earth Kingdom military.

This may come to you very unexpected, but I'm asking you to join the Fire Navy who will bring you without problems to me, where I can receive you as my real son.

Your Father.

Zuko hung back, just for a moment. Deep it thought.

This was the second time he read the letter. The first time when he and Aang rushed back to join the others. He knew who were the ones behind this and why those people didn't attack the village, and waited.

Ty Lee or Mai must've knitted it on robe when I didn't notice. He pondered.

That was their plan. Giving him the letter. That's why they resigned so fast, they're waiting for him.

But should he really do this? It being a trap didn't mattered to him at the moment, still being frustrated by the fact that Kato still zipped his lip about all of this.

Zuko shut his eyes and rolled up the letter.

He had to do this.

XoXoXoXoX

Zuko stood before one of the ships.

Back at Meilin and Kato's house. He didn't dare to use the front door, where the others were discussing how to get those ships away. So he used one of the windows in the house and sneaked away.

Zuko looked around, he could see some citizens peaking through the curtain, carrying an anxious expression. They must've been curious and scared at the sudden activity outside. But he know they all would be okay soon.

He was unarmed, and alone.

Zuko could hear faint cries from inside the sea craft. They'd probably seen him by now.

He looked up and saw the door opening itself. Nobody stood there, but he was sure they were waiting for him to enter.

Zuko sighed. He did it. He made his own legs move, but with difficulties. They were the Fire Nation.. His friends' enemies. But he was a Fire Nation citizen as well.. and, his Father wanted to meet him.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to see your parents. Zuko thought.

But then again. What about his sister? Toph..

He could feel her screaming at him for being such a stupid brother.

Zuko bit his lip, leaving Toph was the hardest for him — it's not forever — he reminded himself. He's sure he'll be seeing her again.

If this isn't a trap and he wouldn't get roasted by the Fire Nation, that is.

The realization of his own real Father wanting to see him made him feel a glimpse of delight inside. But some words worried him though, as in the letter was stated like; my troops, my nation.

He wasn't sure what to think of that. Maybe his Father was a confident person who always wanted to think high of himself? Well, whatever the answer was, he knew he would be getting them soon.

Before Zuko entered the ship, he couldn't help but took one glance back at the village.

He closed his eyes and fisted his hands. But he knew that was he had done was right.

XoXoXoXoX

Katara rushed inside. She searched for Zuko after he and Kato had a dissemination.. again. She looked through the whole house — her hearth pounded like crazy as she bent down to keep herself breathing. She could feel the sweat drops falling off her forehead.

This couldn't be true. It couldn't.

Aang looked over to Katara once he recognized her, a concerned face formed it's way on the Avatars face. He asked what happened. It sure didn't look good from what he saw.

"It's about Zuko!"

"What about him?" Toph asked.

Katara swallowed hard one time, before holding the letter in front of her.

"He's — he's gone!"

End Chapter.