What the Future Brings
A compelling story based off of a role-play I did with some friends. Big thanks to all of my friends who did this rp with me! Great job guys!! Mucho luv!
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In this tale, a group of people will meet, and find that they complete each other's existence. War, death, struggle, love, heartbreak…while all of these things are tangled in the Web of Life, people find that they can shape their own futures. Thus, brining ever-lasting happiness into their lives and others. (ZukoxOC/OCxOC - love triangle)
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Disclaimer: I DO NOT own anything from "Avatar the Last Airbender". All material belongs to the respected Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko.
Ai-W.R.
Chapter 1: Through the Earth Kingdom
Walk through the Earth Kingdom, view the sights. Step lightly though, the Fire Nation is occupying it for now...
Hidden beneath the tightly woven straw hat that usually protected him from the elements the hat was now being used for a disguise of sorts. The eyes of the fugitive simply watched the slow, weary gait that he chose to stride. Every so often he would give a quick glance around giving no time for any rubber-neckers to identify him as Prince Zuko, the disgraceful son of Fire Lord Ozai.
A mid-day sun pounded upon the heads of everyone who walked along. Even the stern and disciplined Fire Benders that occupied most of the area were bending over periodically to drink from their canteens and pat the sweat off their foreheads. Zuko watched all this like a hawk, barely paying attention to the animal that trailed behind via a worn pair of leather strips.
Zuko was heading into town, regardless of the danger to get better medicine than the silly herbal remedies that Iroh kept insisting on using. The wounds his Uncle has sustained from Azula were still causing the old man pain, and the bull-headed nephew wouldn't allow such a thing to slow them down. "Tea, leaves, and plants won't do anything for the ignorant man!" He thought while he made his way to the nearest pharmacy that he had heard about from a traveling merchant.
When human footfalls were heard either behind him or to the left of his almost blind eye, the hairs on his neck would raise and his muscles would tense. The paranoid boy felt like this walk was an eternity and wanted to get past all these Fire Nation allies before something happened.
Perhaps Zuko was over-reacting. Perhaps no one at all would talk to him or come between him and the pharmacy. Or, perhaps not.
The sun beamed down on Iykoni as she made her way through the marketplace. She waved the collar of her dress to cool her neck. If she knew it was going to be this hot, she wouldn't have worn this long dress! Iykoni just left a fruit vender, carrying two slightly heavy bags. The one in her left hand contained five peaches and the one in her right hand contained a cantaloupe. She shifted the bag of peaches to her right hand in order to wipe sweat from her forehead. "Its so hot," she breathed, trying to move a few bangs from her face. Iykoni was just passing the pharmacy, when she stopped. "Oh, that's right; I need to get Aunt Lin's medicine." She sighed heavily as she tiredly walked up behind Zuko.
The usual scan of the area ensued, this time bringing in the sight of a girl, two Fire Nation guards laughing amongst themselves, and a dog. The usual, nothing out of the ordinary. The only thing that was a bit nerve-raking was the moment the girl escaped his field of vision. It was a young, teenage girl though. Like all other girls she was weak and stupid. Emotions unchanging, Zuko forgot about the girl and went about his merry way.
Closing her eyes for a moment to relax them from the sun's rays, caused Iykoni to bump into the banished boy. "Ah, excuse me," she said.
Stumbling forward, narrowing his eyes in an built-up amount of temper that had been wanting to escape all day the boy spun around instinctively throwing a warning shot of flame from his fist. The bellowing cry he had sounded would have alerted any passer-byers making Zuko give a low growl, furious with himself that he blew his own cover.
"Watch where you're going!" Shouting at the top of his lungs at Iykoni the prince scowled with a venom at the girl, tugging the lead line of the ostrich-horse signaling it to walk forward. The beast gave an angry grunt tugging back with the same aggression that Zuko had used.
"Come on!" Storming away with the ostrich-horse in tow, he had looked up to get a view of anyone who had watched the tantrum that the prince had thrown. Still the animal fought back, jerking it's head back refusing to be pulled. Zuko ignored this, just dragging the over-sized bird, growling, walking with gritted teeth and a furrowed brow the whole way.
The Fire Nation warriors seemed to have move on to other business. Close call. If they had seen Zuko, who knows what would've happen. For now, Zuko has his back turned to the girl, still heading toward the pharmacy which was only a few meters away.
Iykoni stood, a bit agitated from the boy's tone. She held her tongue to avoid an argument and slowly walked up behind Zuko, wiping more perspiration from her face. "I guess this heat is making everyone tense," she muttered. She continued to follow behind Zuko as they both walked up to the pharmacy window.
Iykoni sighed and thought, "I hope Aunt Lin will be okay; looks like the stress of a baby has taken a toll on her."
The pharmacy consultant greeted Zuko. A plain stare met the women's fake smile and greeting forcing the women to frown and ask what her customer wanted. "Vera Oil and your best Cooling Gel." No gesture of mannerism or thanks was given to the pharmacy consultant, only the exchange of a two bronze coins for the items. Iykoni was curious to get a good look at the prince's face, but restrained herself. She took her water pouch out of the bag strapped around her shoulder and took a drink.
Zuko's ostrich-horse watched Iykoni, and stretched it's neck out to her water pouch. A soft purr emitted from the animal's throat. "Oh, are you thirsty?" She poured some water into the palm of her hand and held it up to the animal's beak. The creature lowered its beak and began lapping up the water with it's tongue. Iykoni smiled at the animal's cute gesture.
Taking the small sack that was handed to the boy and throwing it over his shoulder for easy carry, Zuko turned to find something rather surprising. Raising a brow at the girl who had bumped into him only moments before, Zuko watched as the bird lapped up the water, hydrating itself for the long ride back to camp. On one side of the prince's mind he was furious with the girl for even getting near the ostrich-horse, basically insulting Zuko that he did not take care of the beast. Yet, on the other side, he was thankful that he would be able to spend one less bronze piece for fresh water when the time came.
"Who is this girl?" He thought, suspecting that she was a spy of sort. "Azula is likely playing a trick on me. Trying to make me drop my guard to a little girl just to play with my head. I hate her!" For a moment, his facial muscles tensed displaying his inner emotions before resetting back to the cool, plain scowl.
Noticing that Zuko had turned towards her, Iykoni asked, "What? Do you want some water to?"
Taking a small, precautionary step back when the girl offered the water, a disgusted expression was given to the girl. Granted, the girl would only be able to see the bridge of Zuko's nose and lower. He wasn't that much of a fool to let an Earth Nation girl, enemies of the Fire Nation, see him.
Then Iykoni realized, what would a civilian be doing walking around with an ostrich-horse and wearing ragged clothing? She spoke to Zuko in a hushed voice, "Looks like you're not from around here…I suggest you leave soon - you don't want to get caught up when the Fire Nation starts taxing." Iykoni felt as if she was talking to a brick wall, but it didn't matter as long as she could help someone.
Again, his scowl tensed. The Fire Nation taxing this town? What was his father thinking? It was enough to take the people over, but what did his father need with more riches than he already had?
Pulling the ostrich-horse away from the water even though it pleaded to drink more, Zuko snapped with his back turned to the girl. "I'm fine. I was just leaving, girl." His patience was wearing thin. All Zuko wanted to do was get his Uncle healed so they could continue training, and tracking the Avatar.
Iykoni became disgusted at Zuko's comment. "Hmph, he's so arrogant." She put the water pouch back in her bag and shifted the grocery bags to her left hand; her right hand was growing tired. Her patients too were growing thin; it was way too hot to start arguing with some guy. "I do have a name, you know," she informed. "Humph." He scoffed, giving a small smirk at the impatience the girl displayed. Oblivious to the fact that he had disrespected her, the prince wasn't expecting what she would say next.
She patted the ostrich horse's neck and said, "Lovely animal...See ya', boy." She carelessly waved Zuko off with her hand as she went up to the pharmacy consultant. How dare this commoner address Prince Zuko as a simple boy! Bringing up the right side of his lip to show a canine the boy had half the will to put the girl back in her place at that very moment. The only thing that stopped him from going into a fit was the conversation that ensued in front of him.
The woman smiled at the sight of the teenage girl before her, "Oh, Iykoni! Good to see you. How's the baby?"
"She's fine. But my aunt needs more Mokia Seeds. She's still having back pain."
His expression relaxed at the mention of the reason for the girls visit to the city. So life still went on as normal? Seemed a war wouldn't stop such a thing as that. Zuko never really been in close range of anyone younger than five. The only baby he knew of was when Azula was born and he thought he could be the strong big brother from then on. Shows how right he was.
The woman went to the back and retrieved the medicine, "Here." Iykoni handed the woman four bronze coins and placed the small bag of seeds into her purse. "I'll be on my way," Iykoni smiled. When the girl turned away, the boy turned away as well, only to stop in his tracks when he saw the guards. Thinking quickly, Zuko moved the animal so that it was to the left, blocking the guards from examining the weary wanderer. Now the ostrich-horse was between Zuko and Iykoni. The three Fire Nation soldiers were passing by, talking amongst themselves. One looked over at Zuko, to see why he was trying to conceal himself. "Hey!" Iykoni called. The men turned to her. "I think I saw someone trying to steal your Rhinos." The soldiers glanced at each other and headed in the direction that the girl pointed to.
Waiting a while to gain a safe distance between them and the guards, the prince finally spoke in a stern tone. "For watering my animal and providing distraction to the guards I can only help but wonder what you want in return." Finally, eye contact. Zuko looked over the saddle of the animal to acknowledge the girl with his permanently squinted, left eye.
For now, Zuko could only wonder what the girl wanted. He hoped it was nothing enormous, because the little money he had barely sufficed for the medicine and Iroh was waiting for his nephew to return before sundown.
Iykoni caught a glimpse of his scarred eye, but kept her suspicions to herself. "Want? I don't want anything," she shrugged. Doubtful. Everyone wanted something in return for any gesture given to another person. No one was ever nice just because, they always had a hidden agenda. Well, that was the war state of mind that instilled such a thought in the young prince. Perhaps people did do nice things for others just "because", but Zuko couldn't see why anyone would waste their time doing that. It was ridiculous.
She scratched her eyebrow, "Well, I do but, it'll never happen. It only happens in stories." This was baffling. 'Only happens in stories'? This girl really did have her head in the clouds. No wonder the Earth Nation was so easy to take over for his 'former' army. All it's residents were to busy having story time and dreaming about those stories. How foolish.
Then, a thought had entered Iykoni's mind. "However..."She walked up to Zuko, "Could you carry these two bags for me back to my house? I don't live too far from here. And in return, I'll provide you with my hospitality."
She awaited his reply while still trying to sort out the reason behind the mark on the boy's eye. She sighed, "You don't have to if you don't want to."
The animal perked up when Iykoni stopped Zuko from walking any farther. It's massive claw quickly scratched an itchy spot somewhere behind it's ear, putting it's foot back down before losing it's balance. Moving it's head towards the girl it blinked, purring, asking for a little assistance in it's scratching. Iykoni scratched behind the ostrich-horse's ear and it let out a satisfying purr.
Without a change in expression he nodded, taking the bags from the girl, putting the heaviest one on the saddle of the ostrich-horse and then slinging the other bag with his own over his shoulder. It didn't take much brain power that this meant 'Yes' and that Zuko would indeed escort the girl home.
This was only in exchange for the girls' action in distracting the guards. By no means was Zuko being helpful because he wanted to, hell all he wanted to do was return back to Iroh so he could get away from this dirty village.
"Where is your home and what is your name, girl-I mean ma'am."
Iykoni rubbed the palm of her bandaged right hand. She had cut herself on a sharp rock two days ago, while she was training. She was relieved that she didn't have to carry those bags anymore. When Zuko had caught sight of Iykoni's hands, his face actually had a twinge of concern on it. She was probably in pain. That was agitating the boy, that such a kind person, even if she was a Earth Nation girl was in assumed pain.
"My name is Iykoni. What's yours?" She took a moment to think over her words, "Ah, but, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to...I'll just have to call you 'Mystery Boy'" She smirked. He let out a uncomfortable groan when the girl wanted to call him the demeaning 'Mystery Boy. Thinking it over for a moment if he should or shouldn't, the prince murmured, "Zuko." No more to it. It wasn't exactly a common name, so the girl couldn't possibly recognize him in any way. Besides, she was just a peasant who had no need to turn in a traitor.
"Anyway, follow me." She led the boy and the animal down a path that led to an area that was littered with dandelions.
Obediently he followed without a word only looking back and forth for anyone that may have been watching the two. It was disturbing to see a few homeless people on the sides of the streets and deep within alleyways. "How do people live like this?" Sure, Zuko and his uncle had been living in similar conditions like the grungy homeless for a few months, but for their whole lives? That would be true hell.
They walked down the path and found rows of houses a few feet away. "We're almost there," Iykoni informed. "That's it," she pointed to a house with a garden of tomatoes and bell peppers out front. When they reached the front steps to the deck, Iykoni faced Zuko and said that he could leave his animal here.
Releasing the reins of the animal, he swiftly tied the ends to the make-shift hitch post that was really a railing to the house's porch. Following the girl inside, he continuously re-thought if this was a smart idea. Iroh wouldn't miss him for a half an hour or so more, would he? Perhaps Zuko could actually get a decent meal for once in a long time.
Iykoni slid open the front doors and stepped into the quiet house. "Mom?" the girl called, but no one answered. She shrugged and pointed out a table where Zuko could sit the bags. "I'll get you some water." She dashed to the kitchen and poured water from a cool jug into a smooth, rock-carved cup. She handed the boy his drink and pulled out a cushion for him to sit on in the dining area.
Disgusting. Even the houses weren't much cleaner than the homeless Earth Nation men and women. Zuko hadn't ever noticed how much others suffered in poverty until he and his uncle had become wanderers. These sights only pushed him further to capture the Avatar and return back to his rightful throne as Prince Zuko.
"I'm sorry, could you excuse me for a sec?" Iykoni bowed and ran into another room toward the back. It was her aunt's bedroom. She knocked on the door, and a woman's voice from the other side called, "Come in." Iykoni slid the door open and saw her aunt changing Baby Kali's diaper.
"Where's Mom and Uncle Sonji?" Iykoni questioned. "They went out to get parts for the baby's crib. The store clerk said that they restocked this week," Aunt Lin replied, not averting her eyes from her work. "Oh, I got your medicine!" Iykoni informed. Her aunt smiled, "Thank you, dear." Iykoni placed the medicine on a dresser and said, "I have a guest over, but only temporary." She wiggled one of the baby's toes and made her giggle. "Alright," said Aunt Lin, finishing her job. "I'd like to meet this boy." Iykoni shrugged as she reached to pick up her baby cousin, "Okay."
Setting down the bags, Zuko looked up to hear the small talk that had occurred among Iykoni and her Aunt who hid behind the door. Surprised at what they said, the only thing that raised the hair on his neck once more was when her aunt wanted to meet their 'guest'.
When Iykoni returned, he took a step back and mumbled, "Thank you for before. Perhaps I should go now, I wouldn't want to inconvenience your, um, aunt. I'd only cause her and the young one more stress with my presence." Zuko motioned for the door, but something held him back from leaving.
End of chapter 1
Reviews please! I know it may seem a tad bit slow, but trust me, this story will be worth reading. I just don't want anyone to get discouraged. (Or maybe I'm being too worried? )