Chapter VI - Moving on

This is so funny! I just like to think of Zuko as Anakin at the first seconds of that video. Only Star Wars understand the rest of it!

Enjoy! :) 

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It's been two weeks. Things had turned back to normal. The Fire Nation was the most peaceful Nation all thanks to Zuko. Aang was taking care of the Earth Kingdom. After a few negotiations between Aang, Iris, Zuko, Sokka and the Earth King, they finally agreed to create a new Nation. A United Republic at Yu Dao, where people of all the Nations could live together peacefully.

But there were still a lot to be done to accomplish that vision.

Iris had been feeling a bit weaker the last days. She almost knew what it was, but she wanted to make sure that her suspicions were right. She visited the Palace's doctor, and she was indeed right.

Iris was pregnant.

All that was left to do was somehow tell that to her husband. She knew he'd be more than happy when she would tell him.

Afternoon finally came and Zuko returned from his long, endless Fire Lord duties. They had dinner at the balcony of their room. It was almost summer, the sky was clear, the moon was bright and the weather was warm.

"So, how was your day, Flamehead?" Iris asked as she stuffed another cube of rice in her mouth.

"Busy. Yours?" Zuko asked.

"Someone robbed the Changs' Mansion. We tracked him, found him, gave the stolen stuff to the family and locked him away. You know... the usual," Iris said.

"You know, none of the Fire Ladies in the whole Fire Nation History was ever assigned to be the Chief of the Fire Nation's Police," Zuko said giving her a proud smile.

"Well, I guess we shouldn't trust our people's safety to anyone," Iris said.

"True," Zuko said and he continued eating the Fire Soufflè.

Iris bit her lip before saying "Zuko, there's something I gotta tell you,"

"Sure,"

"Well..." she hesitated "...I'm pregnant,"

Zuko stopped chewing and his eyes widened. He drew in a shaky deep breath and his smile was so wide that she could swear it reached his ears.

"I'm gonna be a father?" He asked happily.

"Yes!"

"I'm gonna be a father!!! That's wonderful!" Zuko exclaimed and happily and he walked towards her picking her up and kissing her fiercely on her lips.

Iris laughed as he spun her around. They both felt like the happiest couple in the world.

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"Congrats, you two!" Katara said as she hugged Iris and Zuko tightly.

Zuko had sent a messenger hawk and they came as fast as they could. Aang was so excited on the thought of becoming an uncle. Katara and Toph were pretty excited too. Sokka... well, Sokka was making a pretty good job at seeming happy and excited, but Iris knew him better than anyone.

They stayed all together for a few weeks in the Palace. It was nice to be together. They were like a big happy family. Well... they were family actually.

Aang was actually trying to carve a betrothal necklace for Katara. But he was having some trouble with it. Iris told him he should use his earth bending, but he wanted to prove himself that he could do it without his 'awesome Avatar powers'.

Aang used to work on it mostly at night so Katara wouldn't notice him. So, one night when he had finished he went to Sokka's room and he woke him.

"Sokka! Hey, Sokka," he said whispering.

"Uh... what?" Sokka said waking up tiredly.

"How does this look?" Aang asked.

Sokka took a good look at the blue, awfully carved stone. "Why would Momo make Katara a betrothal necklace?"

"I'm so fucked,"

A/N: Actually I found the 'betrothal necklace' joke on Pinterest. It was so damn funny I had to use it! XD!!!

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"Did they kill her?"

"Yes, sir. Everything goes as you instructed,"

"Very well. Take out all the others. Make sure the Fire Lord finds out about it,"

He signaled him with his with his hand, telling him that he was dismissed. The man walked out. But it wasn't in his will to do so. The leader controlled everyone and everything. He was no bender, no spirit, something else.

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"Six murders spread all around the Earth Kingdom in random places. No one knows why they killed those specific victims. Earth Kingdom Police is searching in their archives about these names. They've found nothing till now," General Mak explained.

"Have they found any traces? Any suspicions of who could have done it?" Sokka asked crossing his arms as Zuko looked at the files.

"Actually, they did. In each crime scene, there was a wall written in the victim's blood the letters 'SRC'. Professionals all around the world are trying to decipher it," General Mak answered.

"SRC'? What does it mean?" Katara asked.

"I've no idea," Sokka answered thoughtfully.

Iris had crossed her arms. Her gaze was focused on the floor as if she was sad about something.

"Sis, are you okay?" Aang asked worriedly as everyone's gazes fell on her.

She snapped her attention back to the others and out of her endless thoughts. "I... I know these victims. They are the Assassins I used to work with when I was in the Academy," She said.

"But, my Lady, if they were Assassins we'd have found out," General Mak said.

"It's them, they just changed their identities when they retired," Iris said.

"I'll send a messenger hawk to the Earth Kingdom right away," General Mak said turning to Zuko "If that is your order, my Lord?"

"Please do so. We have to find out who these people are," Zuko said and the General left immediately to complete the task. Zuko turned at the others "...Sokka, can you-?"

"Solve another mystery? Absolutely!" Sokka said excitedly "Toph, are you coming? I'm going to the library,"

"The library? Sokka, I don't need to explain once again that I can't-" Toph tried to say but Sokka cut her.

"I know, I know, just need some help with the books," Sokka said.

"I'm coming too," Aang said.

"Perfect timing, I've got a meeting in ten minutes," Zuko said. He turned at Iris and he kissed her forehead cupping her face. "You should rest, cupcake. This must have been hard for you,"

"Rest? I've been doing nothing all day," Iris protested.

"I know, and you shouldn't be. I wouldn't want you to get tired," Zuko said and Iris sighed rolling her eyes.

Although sometimes it felt annoying, he was so cute when he was being overprotective. Katara put a hand on Iris's shoulder.

"Come on, let's fool around for a bit,"

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"Katara, you don't get it..." Iris said while they stared at Kiyi practicing her fire bending with Uncle Iroh, who had also visited them. "...they killed those women specifically, all the Assassins no one would recognize but me. Those people are trying to get to me, what if I'm next?"

"Iris, you shouldn't be worried. You're in the most secure building in the entire Fire Nation. Anybody who'll try to assassinate you must be crazy," Katara said.

"The whole thing is crazy," Iris said sighing. "They were all skilled Assassins, Katara. No one would be able to find them unless they wanted to be found. There's something in that case that I don't like," Iris said.

"You're right, it is strange. But, Iris, please... you need to stop being worried, okay? Just stay calm. For the sake of your child, you need to let stay out from this one. Just let us handle this, please," Katara said.

Iris sighed, but Katara was right. It'd be better if she wouldn't interfere this time at all. "Okay,"

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Late at Night...

"I found it!" Sokka's voice echoed in the entire Palace as he ran excitedly through the halls trying to find Zuko, Iris, and Katara.

Aang and Toph followed him from behind carrying three books each one of them.

"I'm a genius!" Sokka exclaimed proudly as he entered the Fire Lord's and the Fire Lady's room and Suki entered with them, curiously to see what her boyfriend had discovered.

"What did you find, Sokka?" Katara asked.

Sokka opened the book he held in his hands "SRC is not an acronym. It actually means 'Sorcerers' or 'Sorcery'," He started explaining.

"What's 'Sorcery'?" Zuko asked.

I know it sounds weird. This is a world of people bending the elements and hybrid animals wandering around the lands. But there was no sorcery as far as they knew.

"Sorcery is an ability Sorcerers have..." Sokka said as he turned back at Aang "...give me the other book..." and he took it opening it and he started reading "...they can move things around with their minds, they are masterminds at chemistry, and they have many abilities-"

"Are you sure this book is not a fairytale?" Suki asked crossing her arms.

"Do you have a better idea?!" Sokka asked almost angrily turning at his girlfriend.

"Sokka, where are they exactly?" Zuko asked.

Sokka turned at Toph "Give me the other book," and she gave it to him and he opened it "At Si Wong Desert. Their Tribe is sixty-five miles Northeast the Misty Palms Oasis. But they're using their abilities to hide,"

"How many are they?" Katara asked.

"Here says that only a few people over generations around the world were ever born with that ability and they are immortals," Sokka said.

"Okay, that definitely sounds like a fairytale," Suki said rolling her eyes.

"Guys, we need to check it out," Aang said "...we can't let people taking innocent lives,"

"Alright! Team Avatar is back in action!" Sokka said excitedly.

"Does that mean I'm coming too?" Iris asked.

"No!" Everybody yelled in unison.

Iris sighed and rolled her eyes "Of course, not,"

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Next Morning...

All the heroes were ready for their departure. Iris had to admit that she hated that she had to stay behind. But she knew she had to do it. She had to stay away from action for a few more months until her little baby would come out.

It felt so strange. She had promised herself to never have children, never have a family. She had been fooling herself that she was never meant for these things.

"Be careful, baldy," Iris said hugging her brother tightly.

"Yes, ma'am," Aang teased as he planted a kiss on her cheek.

Once she pulled back, Toph punched her shoulder gentler usual saying "Take care of that little thing in there,"

"I will,"

Katara hugged her and when she reached Sokka, she was going to hug him, but she stopped herself just in time. Iris cleared her throat awkwardly saying.

"See you in a few months, I guess," Iris said.

"Yeah... um, take care," Sokka said avoiding her gaze and rubbing the back of his neck in awkwardness.

Iris walked away from him and then she hugged Zuko tightly. When they pulled back he planted a gentle kiss on her lips.

"I love you," Zuko said smiling at her.

"Just come back," Iris said.

"I will,"

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Here it is, guys! Sorry it took me long to update! I know it's not something great but the action awaits at the next chapters!

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:)