42Title: Embracing Darkness
Disclaimer: Characters, etc belong to Mike and Bryan. I write this purely for entertainment purposes.
Rating: M, for adult situations, cursing, violence and imagery.
Summary: In the absence of light does hope linger, not extinguishing but continually burning brighter as people must embrace the darkness war creates. A mother prays for forgiveness; a teen craves only his redemption; and a young bender strives for stability amongst despairing odds. Post-"The Fortune Teller", Zuko/Katara. Various pairings.
Prologue
Omen
Dusk settled upon the small Earth Kingdom village, and the market was closing for the night as a young girl curiously jogged between grocery stands as the owners put away various trinkets and produce. Her raven hair cascaded down her small body, ending in a mass of loose, haphazard curls at her waist as she stood on her tiptoes to see over the wooden tables. At the current vendor she resided, she watched the elderly woman stack boxes of moon peaches atop each other. Eventually, the woman turned around to smile at the youngster, offering her a small fruit from the top crate. The little one quickly glanced to the cloaked stranger who followed several steps behind her, seemingly asking permission from the lithe figure, whom the woman assumed to be her parent. The stranger lifted her head and approached the stand, taking the fruit and surveying it then allowed for her daughter to have it. The hooded newcomer then placed a hand on the girl's shoulder and led her away from the grocer, but not before gracing the owner with a nod of appreciation.
The woman led her daughter to a secluded area nearby, wishing for a place to rest her feet as well as allow her youngling to finish her fruit. Though, she steadfastly noted that her daughter had easily managed to consume a good portion of the peach all ready, as well as smother its sweet juices across the lower half of her face. She grinned at her mother from where she sat beside her, half-eaten white flesh threatening to spill from her mouth. Her daughter was used to the rushed paced at which they traveled: A life where her mother was never sure where their next meal came from, and had grown accustomed to eating quickly and, like any five-year-old, quite messily.
Sighing, she reached out her hand which was covered by the sleeve of her cloak, and wiped her daughter's face despite her protests. When the little one would not stop squirming, she scolded, "Hold still, Lyria! Let me clean your face." Upon completion of the task, the girl stood from her seat and stepped several paces away from her mother, sitting in the dirt and continuing to eat what was left of her demolished peach, scowling.
The woman rolled her eyes, yet could not keep herself from chuckling at the girl's contorted face, the scowl reminiscent of the son she left behind to save. In spite of herself, Ursa couldn't keep the memories of her boy's beautiful visage from surfacing before her very eyes, moisture accumulating along her lower lids and the familiar sting of regret aching within her. Though, painfully, she acknowledged that her son was more than likely no longer the young, confused boy she turned her back on and swiftly walked into the night. No, he was sixteen years old, and it had been six long and tiring years since her banishment.
Ursa briefly wondered if Zuko even remembered her, or if Ozai had quashed any remaining remnants of her from the palace and their son's and daughter's minds. Before she could ponder this train of thought further though, she shook the ideas from her head, terrified of any method her ex-husband may have employed to expunge her memory from the children she carried and birthed.
Glancing to the last of her children, the daughter she would never allow Ozai to claim and the sibling her older children may never have the chance to meet, she gave the silently fuming five-year-old a small smile. The stoic child, her personality so similar to her brother's, chose that very moment to gaze up at her mother, having finished her moon peach and wondering where exactly to dispose of it. Ursa pointed to the receptacle behind the girl, the woman standing from her seat and brushing the dust from her cloak as she looked out to the horizon, where the sunset had quickly changed from its vibrant red to a darkened indigo signifying nightfall.
Ursa figured this small village must have a place where she and her daughter could settle for the night. Hailing the youngster to her side, they walked toward the rounded double doors of the building nearest them, hoping for directions to a kind inn keeper or farmer who would not mind allowing the duo to rest from their weary journey.
Cautiously, the cloaked woman proceeded to gently rap on the door of the ornate pagoda as townspeople began to wander from their homes and light the lamps along the street. Though night had fallen and the air cooled, the lit lamps created a warm atmosphere that made Ursa feel surprisingly safe. Her daughter grunted from next to her, growing steadily impatient waiting for someone to answer the door, and before Ursa could knock again, Lyria instead stubbornly kicked at the door.
As Ursa turned to reprimand her daughter for her impertinence, the door creaked open to reveal a preteen girl in a pink and lavender kimono, her pigtails high and thick on her head. Bowing, she greeted with a well rehearsed speech, "I am Meng, Aunt Wu's assistant. We are closed for the night, but if you need directions, there is an information booth down—
"Ah, we have guests," Aunt Wu came to the door, placing a hand on Meng's shoulder. At the preteen's expectant and perplexed gaze, the elderly woman simply nodded and continued, "I'm Aunt Wu, and I've been expecting you." She sidled to one side to allow the two strangers entrance.
Ursa declined genuinely, "Oh, we mean no trouble to you and your young assistant here, madam."
"Please, call me Aunt Wu," the fortune teller interjected kindly, "And you are of no trouble to us, travelers. I am a seer, and I received word today that a stranger and her daughter – who is quite ornery if that glowering yet angelic face and the kick at my door is any indication - would need shelter for the night."
Ursa looked on the older woman furtively, not necessarily distrustful but cautious of anyone who could supposedly see the future. Though, her daughter seemed to have all ready deemed Aunt Wu and her apprentice safe and broke free of her grasp and ran past the threshold to a table where she dug into a large bowl of bean curd puffs. Aunt Wu nodded to the cloaked woman to come in and Ursa jogged to where Lyria was about to shovel another handful into her mouth only to be pulled away by her mother.
"I am so sorry for my daughter's behavior!" Ursa apologized. "We've been traveling all day and have not had much to eat or really any time to rest." The woman held tightly to her daughter's upper arm, the girl whimpering and preparing herself to go into a tantrum at any minute, something which Ursa had prayed she would've outgrew by now.
"It's all right." Aunt Wu smiled. "Meng and I were just about to eat our supper. There's plenty for everyone to partake in." She reached for Lyria's hand and glanced to Ursa for permission, the woman nodding in return. "Come, Little One. I'm sure your tummy must be growling like a big, bad badger-mole," and led her guests to the dining area.
It was after everyone's stomachs were filled to the brim that Aunt Wu asked Meng if she would help their guest's daughter with her bath. Ursa interrupted, "Um, I do not think that wise. My daughter," she gazed pointedly at the girl, who sat looking happily full and somewhat sleepy, "is not particularly fond of water. I believe it best that I be the one to give her bath, not that I don't appreciate the offer, of course."
"Of course," Aunt Wu acquiesced. "First door to the left, dear."
Meng watched the woman and her child enter the washroom and then returned her attention to her guardian. "Aunt Wu, how come you haven't asked their names?" She played with the chopsticks in her hands.
"There are things in this world that are meant to be mysteries, even that of strangers names and natures. Though you may not be a true seer, as you age your ability to read others will increase thoroughly and you will one day know the questions that need answers and the questions that need remain unanswered." Meng simply nodded, not necessarily understanding the gist of the wisdom Aunt Wu bestowed to her. "I know you have many questions, my little cave hopper, but it's late and I believe it best we clean up; and you and that lovely woman's daughter get to sleep."
Meng protested, "She's five, I'm eleven! Can't I stay up a little longer?" She stood and began collecting dishes.
The elderly woman's joints gave a grievous creak as she used the table to assist her into a standing position. "No," she hissed and rubbed her lower back. "Did you forget that you have lessons early tomorrow?"
The preteen frowned, quieting as she proceeded to the basin of water to wash dishes. She paused briefly to ask, "What about you and that pretty lady? What will you two be doing?"
Aunt Wu trudged over and grabbed a cloth from its ring on the wall, drying the china that Meng handed her. After several moments of silence and before the girl could query again, the elderly woman responded, "I feel I have one more fortune to read before either of us turns in for the night."
Ursa released a sigh of thanks to the spirits as she gently shut the door to the room her daughter slept, the child completely asleep before her head hit the pillow. Their day had been lengthy and arduous, traveling several miles on foot and her daughter's temperament gradually becoming hotter as the sun ran its course through the sky. By the time they had reached the small village they resided for tonight, the poor thing was hungry, overtired, and dying for a bath, surprising the middle-aged woman greatly when her daughter hardly fought her way into the tub.
As the war continued its course and the Fire Nation proceeded to finish its conquest of the Earth Kingdom, the smaller divisions which she and Lyria treaded through had little to no available shelter, and were suffering through massive food shortages and droughts as refugees sought safety and a place to sleep. For the last several months as the population of those torn by this war increased, Ursa had reason to believe that her once beloved wished to finally conquer Ba Sing Se, once and for all, as it seemed to be the only remaining stronghold the Earth Kingdom had left since the Fire Nation's recent conquering of Omashu.
She sighed, crossing her arms over her chest as she approached the dimly lit room Aunt Wu sat reading, a pipe hanging from her mouth and the smell of tobacco and cherry blossom filling the parlor. Ursa observed the older woman eyeing her from over the binding of her book, a smile creasing her elderly face.
"Everything all right?" she questioned, releasing the pipe from her lips and setting it in the ash tray on the end table.
"Perfect," Ursa responded, lowering herself into one of several overstuffed, cushy chairs the room possessed. "Oh, this is comfortable," she breathed, stretching her long legs and flexing her feet. "Thank you, Aunt Wu, for your hospitality."
"It is of no trouble."
"No, I mean it, and I apologize for earlier. As much as I would love to believe that everyone is purely kind and genuine, I still remain cautious. I suppose it's just my nature," she sighed wearily, allowing her head to loll back onto the chair, gazing up at the wood paneled ceiling.
"It is perfectly acceptable to be prudent and wary of anyone's intentions. It is not only your life that hangs in the balance should a person's first impression incorrectly lead you." Aunt Wu closed the book in her lap, staring at the elegant woman who sat before her.
The once Fire Lady hid the impending snort of laughter that rose inside her chest, completely picturing that Iroh sat across from her rather than this woman, a seer. A seer, she repeated to herself, and then a sense of complete dread washed over her, her fair complexion going from simply pale to a sickening shade of white. Aloud, her voice completely betraying her, Ursa said, "You're a seer."
Aunt Wu calmly lifted her pipe to her lips once more, inhaling languidly then exhaling a smooth line of smoke. "I see what I said earlier has sunk in finally. The travelers that come through this here village are either utterly hopeful and place their full trust into my abilities, or they are mistrustful and believe me a fraud. I prefer to let them make their own conclusions, as like any human being, I am neither perfect nor always right, particularly when it involves weather patterns," she smiled mysteriously.
Removing herself to the edge of her seat, the elderly fortune teller said, "Now if you care to help these old bones from this chair, I will help you find the answers you seek." Ursa stood and stiffly helped the woman from her seat, her shaking hands apparent. "If you are worried for your safety, I will keep assuring you that I mean you no harm. I am a simple old lady who cares for this town through my abilities and only ask that you permit me to read your future."
Though terribly unnerved by the possibility this woman actually possessed this strange and blessed power, Ursa strongly denied, "It is neither me nor my daughter's safety I am worried for, as you and your apprentice have shown us great kindness. I have no reason to believe that you would harm us. It is this ability which you speak that terrifies me." She briefly averted her eyes to the floor, a dark shadow casting across her face. "Time has not been kind," she concluded ominously, then followed Aunt Wu to a secluded room at the other end of the hall.
Aunt Wu sat down on one of the embroidered, colorful cushions adorning the room on the inset floor where an in-ground pyre of ash and splintered bones greeted her, the room smelling its usual strange combination of jasmine incense and coal. She gestured for the younger woman to sit and behold her surroundings whilst she lit the candles surrounding them, and to choose a bone from the large urn next to her. Ursa exhaled an exhaustive breath and chose a medium-sized bone from the urn, pondering momentarily to what animal it could have belonged to.
"The bones are the most reliable way to tell a person's future, as they never lie. I will ask you to throw the bone into the fire where it will crack and splinter; from these cracks your destiny will be revealed."
Her brows knitted together and before she threw her bone into the fire, she questioned, "What if my destiny has all ready been fulfilled? I'm thirty-four years old. What could possibly be left?"
"That is what the bones are for, my dear. Destiny does not discriminate based upon age. There are men and women alike whose destinies are not fulfilled 'til long past what they consider their prime. Do not underestimate yourself."
Nodding, Ursa gripped the bone, weighing it in her hand and rolling it to and fro before letting go and throwing it into the crackling fire. Surprised dawned on the faces of the two women, as several large cracks transpired and the fire rose steadily higher, licking the ceiling and quickly calming until the flames extinguished themselves and frown lines appeared on both of their faces.
A pregnant pause later, Ursa cleared her throat and asked, "What does that mean?"
Aunt Wu attempted to cover her voice from the grave thoughts hurling through her harried mind, and managed to respond, "You still have many great trials to endure throughout your life, much that involves unsavory, grueling choices and trying times to come, but you will succeed in spite of it all and reunite with several lost loved ones along the way."
Ursa almost suffocated as her swelling heart jumped into her throat and her breath hitched. An overwhelming sense of hope filled her, from the tips of fingers to the balls of her feet, and she reached one hand to her face in awe, feeling wetness on her palm from tears she didn't realize she'd shed. Reunite with several lost loved ones. She vowed this would be the mantra which would allow her and her youngling to continue on their journey, the ravages of war and its mongers be damned. Despite her new found sense of purpose – of life even – she still had one question burning on her mind that she was dying to ask, that she hoped the seer would be able to foretell.
Aunt Wu watched the woman closely; her eyes alight with a hope that she had not seen when the woman had come to her door earlier that evening. One of her brows rose curiously high on her forehead when she noticed that her guests own brows furrowed together in concentration, the debate going on within her head betrayed by the emotions on her face.
The fortune teller interrupted her thoughts, "I presume you have another question..."
Her lips pursed together, still unsure if she should bother putting it out there considering that Aunt Wu most likely did not have an answer, but her heart said for her to do otherwise. "My son," she supplied, "It's about my son." She swallowed harshly and continued after several minutes. "I understand if you don't have an answer, but I just want to know. If he is not the love one you speak of that I'll reunite… Will he find happiness?"
"Though I cannot give you a perfectly accurate prediction of your son's future without him present, I can see from the strength and resiliency you possess that, while he may struggle with his choices in life, the bone tells me that you will be related to a strong and powerful woman. Love usually brings forth good tides, feelings of happiness and security. From this, I gather that your son will likely marry a benevolent and very powerful bender."
Early the next morning Ursa sat in one of the cushy chairs from the night before, lilting an old song her mother used to entertain her with as a child, brushing Lyria's long, raven hair. The strands were thick and sleek, shimmering in the sunlight of the window and smelling sweetly of yucca and lavender, her ends spindling into large, loose curls. Though her obstinate personality rivaled that of her brother's, when Lyria stood in profile, her physical attributes were so similar to Azula's it often caught Ursa off guard. Now that she was bathed, her tummy full and her eyes slowly losing the dark circles that had accumulated in the last few days, Ursa turned the girl round and planted a soft kiss to her forehead, tapping her tiny nose with her index finger. Lyria silently giggled at the loving gestures, mimicking them upon her mother.
Hugging her daughter tightly, Ursa did not wish to let go, but when Lyria eventually began whining to be free, she allowed her arms to loosen and the girl to run off to find, she assumed, Meng. Aunt Wu came around the corner at that moment, almost colliding with the blur of a zooming five-year-old. The two women laughed and Aunt Wu handed Ursa a steaming cup of tea, which the younger woman gladly accepted.
"Thank you," she replied graciously, the older woman nodding.
"You're very welcome, and I see your young one's temperament is much better this morning. Full of energy, as well."
"Yes," Ursa agreed, "Amazing what a hot meal, bath, and a good night of sleep can do." She savored the tea, its flavor she couldn't quite identify. "What kind of tea is this?"
"Red tea, which I find is a great morning tea, filled with vitamins and minerals. I thought it would be an excellent pick-me-up before you and your daughter leave the village. It is also great for the skin," she winked.
Ursa rolled her eyes, seemingly more comfortable with the old seer, as well as having spent most of the morning with a happy daughter rather than a surly one, making her mood ten times better than the day previous.
The two women sipped their tea quietly, at times the sounds of fast paced footsteps interrupting their tranquility when Lyria would run down the corridor for whatever reason, Meng following behind her sometimes as the preteen prepared for her upcoming lessons that morning.
Her thoughts were soon interrupted when Aunt Wu cleared her throat, and she gazed up curiously at her companion. "Yes?" she questioned, eyeing the woman from above the brim of the tea she sipped.
"I noticed," Aunt Wu began slowly, "that your daughter does not speak, or rather, that she only speaks like that of an infant attempting to talk for the first time." Ursa cautiously stopped drinking from her cup, setting it upon the table beside her. "I was wondering if this is due to her stubborn nature or if the scar across her throat indicates something more? You have no obligation to answer—
"Injury," Ursa tersely interjected, choosing not to elaborate and an awkward silence fell between the women.
Aunt Wu solemnly inclined her head, the young girl at that very moment speeding into the room, flyaway hairs falling into her eyes and breathlessness apparent. Before the youngster could zoom from the room once more, Ursa sternly reminded, "We'll be leaving soon, Lyria. Don't tire yourself out before we're even out the door." She gazed at her mother owlishly. Nodding in acknowledgement, she slowly walked from the room then continued to run down the hall. Ursa rested her face into her palms, her laughter stifled by her hands. She stated exasperatedly, "It's going to be a long day."
A few days later Aunt Wu waited outside her pagoda, standing before a giant anteater-mole like creature and the several people who rode it into the village, scaring the people running their daily errands from the street. Having known that she would have an interesting day today, she stepped forward and offered the rotund man upon the beast, "Care to hear your fortune, handsome?"
He chuckled. "At my age there is really only one big surprise left, and I'd just as soon leave it a mystery."
As the strangers left the village, Aunt Wu observed the scarred young man from the spot she stood rooted, her eyes misting slightly as the obvious turmoil the boy suffered came off him in large waves. He was hotheaded, strong-willed and persistent. He'd exhaust himself 'til he possessed the redemption he so desperately craved. She inclined her head solemnly for the second time that week and whispered to no one but herself, "You are your mother's son. You will one day find exactly where you fit in this world."