"We're back!" For the second time that day, the door to the mansion was kicked in, although this time it was torn from the frame.
"What's happening?!" Katara left her room excited because of so much noise, but her surprise turned into happiness when she saw who had just arrived. "They're back!"
Both Aang and Naruto were a little embarrassed when the girl hugged them both, but they hugged her back.
"It's about time you guys came back. How did you—" Toph barely stepped foot out of her room when she felt hands grab her waist and lift her off the floor.
"You don't know how much I missed you, little mole!" A full month had passed, and Naruto couldn't contain himself. He hugged the blind bandit and swung her like a cloth doll in his arms.
"Put me down!" Toph's face burned, whether out of shame or fury, and she felt a strange sensation in her stomach from being hugged like this.
"No!" Naruto wanted to enjoy it for a few more seconds.
"Why so much noise?" Sokka didn't expect to arrive home and hear so much commotion. It was a pleasant surprise to see the Avatar and the sorcerer again, but he noticed something strange. "What the heck are you wearing?"
"It's a tunic."
"No, sorcerer, that's a dress."
"It may look like it, but no, it's a tunic."
"Eh... Naruto, that's a traditional dress that women from the air temples used to wear," explained Katara, trying to contain her laughter.
Naruto nearly broke his neck as he turned to Aang, who just gave him an awkward smile.
"I knew if I told you the truth, you wouldn't wear it."
"You're quite the joker, aren't you?" Naruto took off the dress. "Although I won't deny it, it was very comfortable." He stood in his underwear without embarrassment. "But I understand..." He finished putting on his earthbender clothes. "How do I look?"
"You look good."
"Thank you, Toph..." Naruto realized what he said and gave her a dirty look, but she just smiled.
"Forget it. It's time to take action."
"What are you talking about?" If Naruto was so excited, he must have a good plan.
"It's time to shake the dust off this town. To hell with all of them and their rules. We'll find Appa and talk to the king."
"No more rules!" Toph seemed to share Naruto's sentiment, as she broke some things in the house.
"I... I just thought about putting up these posters, but your idea isn't bad either, Toph," murmured Aang timidly.
"I don't regret anything."
*Bang*
One of the windows burst into pieces when Naruto impaled it with a chair.
"What are you doing, Naruto?!"
"Well, Toph broke a lot of things, and I couldn't resist. It feels good to break things."
"Let's just go."
….
"So...what do you think?" Azula played with her fingers while her uncle stood with his arms crossed, wearing a serious expression.
"Good management of the fire's heat, good technique, and a lot of effort result in... A wonderful tea!" With a big smile, he raised his thumbs in approval at the warm tea before him.
"Oh really?" Azula played with a lock of her hair, feigning disinterest, though she was actually smiling proudly at her uncle's praise.
"Indeed, I think you're ready to make tea in the kitchen. You'll do well." Nodding, Iroh finished his tea and placed the cup on the tray with a sigh of relief.
Almost immediately, Azula took the tray and carried it to the laundry room. She rolled up her sleeves and tied the apron around her waist. "Well... I'll go wash these."
Iroh kept smiling the entire time. Over the weeks they had been working at the teahouse and living in Ba Sing Se, he had seen a change in his niece—calmer, more relaxed, and happier than she had ever been.
Seeing her in the small kitchen, washing plates, cups, and teapots, was an image he never thought he would see.
But that image didn't last long. He was suddenly taken by the arm and led to the door by his nephew. Before he could ask what was happening, a flyer was thrust in front of his face.
"Uncle...look at this." Zuko barely managed to get it out of his pocket before being pushed out of the house.
"What is this?" Iroh took the pamphlet with the image of the Avatar's bison. He didn't need something like this now, not when everything was so stable for Azula.
"A chance..." Zuko took the paper again. "The Avatar is in Ba Sing Se, looking for his bison. If I find it first, I can attract the Avatar to me."
This was an opportunity he never thought he would have again.
"No."
Too bad his uncle didn't think the same.
"What's this?" In all their time together, his aunt had never denied him anything. He saw his uncle take the pamphlet and burn it in his hands.
It was unexpected.
"I want you to listen," his uncle spoke with the most serious look Zuko had ever seen. "There are few who get a second chance. This tea shop, peace, and prosperity in our lives—everything we have now, isn't it enough?" He asked in frustration.
Everything they had here now, maybe not what they wanted, but what they needed.
"I don't want this life, to live serving you and ignore everything that happens around me. What kind of life is that?"
"The one your little sister is enjoying right now. Can't you see it, Prince Zuko? Everything you could want is here."
"This will not be my destiny..."
"Tell me, Prince Zuko, which destiny? The one your father set for you or the one you have decided to follow?"
"..."
"Zuko..." The old dragon of the west took his nephew's shoulders and made him look him in the eyes. "... I was always by your side, wanting to be the father you never had, to advise you and train you to be a good man. I know you're a good boy..."
"..." Zuko was silent for a long moment, then returned his gaze to his uncle, who gently let go of his shoulders and stepped back.
"That's why I won't stop you. Just remember to answer these two questions: Who are you and what do you want?"
After saying that, the old man took one last look at his niece and entered the house.
Zuko stood outside, watching his little sister through the window, drying dishes with a peaceful expression he had never imagined seeing.
Slowly, he turned around and started walking.
[ If you want to read advance Chapters then go to Pat reon and support me there.
PAT REON I'D:- Alzero ]