A/N: And now, my friends, readers, and critics, the long awaited beginning of the sequel to Storm Rising, the second story in the S.R. series...Incandescence! Whoo! Ok, hope you like it even though it is short. I promise to write ASAP, this weekend however I have a drumline competition. So! Enjoy, review, and pray I get a new chappie up soon!Thanks!
Tip-toeing about the still dark, night-filled hallways was a shadow, creeping along with an eerier silence. The passageways of the sweeping and majestic castle of the Fire Lord were dulled by the early morning hour, seeming calmer from the lack of luminescence to brighten and light up the dramatic color scheme about the place. The shadow, continuing along her path, stopped at every corner, peeking around the edge to ensure no one was waiting on the other side. Small white slippers made not a tiny sound upon the floors, heard by no one over many of the occupants' snoring around each way. As the shadow turned about a carefully checked, and re-checked, corner the white frills of a nightdress would whip around after, following its owner along the hushed trail. The soft crooning of carrier hawks sleeping peacefully upon their perches and the soft yawning chirps of the early birds began fraying the mute dawn. The air seemed to be iced over, freezing words and sounds until the sun rose to thaw it out again.
The shadow leaned over yet another bend in the winding labyrinth of halls, seeing no one in their way. An unseen appendage, a pale grasping hand, reached out and rested upon the shadow's shoulder. Long blonde hair flew about as the shadow turned around with great force, throwing a silencing palm upon a scream.
"What are you doing, Kaida?" asked a half asleep, yawning Prince Zuko. His lack of grumpiness from waking up had not yet set in, meaning he was either still sleepwalking (as his uncle claims) or barely awake.
After taking deep breaths, Kaida removed her hand from her mouth and pouted, "Why did you scare me like that!" Though she was trying to make a point and ask a forceful question, she barely raised her voice above a whisper.
"Do you know how scary it is seeing something walk by your door at Agni-knows-what-time that looks like a ghost come to steal your soul?" Zuko challenged, itching the side of his neck carelessly.
"Am I really that convincing?" she sarcastically commented. She put a hand to her chest and let out another deep breath. "I'm just glad you're not your uncle."
"So am I, so we agree on something for once." Zuko mocked her sarcasm, as usual for many of the people he knew.
"That's not what I mean!" she hoarsely yelled.
Zuko smirked at how easy he could ruffle her feathers, Kaida was one of the easiest people to pick on. "What do you mean then, MISS Kaida?"
"Oh never mind. I'll be on my way, Prince Zuko, sir." Her usual, light tone had returned, as well as her straight posture. She looked over the side of the corner again.
"What are you looking at Miss Kaida?" asked a cheerful, deep voice.
Jumping in surprise once more, Kaida backed up from the grinning face of one Uncle Iroh. He chuckled and rattled the saucer under his teacup. Kaida noticed the edges of the watery horizon were melting with liquid gold. "Sunrise, is it sir?"
"I'm sure you know what that means," Iroh said, still smiling.
"What does it mean," asked a now growing confused raven-haired teen. The prince looked to his uncle with a trying glance.
"Now, if you were to be included on this, Prince Zuko, believe me, I would have informed you, but you being in the absence of being a lady-"
"What does that got to do with anything?" Zuko roared at his uncle and interrupting.
"Many, many things, my nephew. Like for instance, I for one wouldn't enjoy seeing my nephew prance about in a lady's dress at all. Would you?" Iroh cracked an amused smile at his nephew who was now shaking his head in embarrassment. "If you must know, Miss Kaida and I are going to see if those repulsive, I MEAN useful lessons Lieutenant Heiji's wife gave are of some good use."
Kaida moaned, and quickly cleared her throat and regained her silent, straight-backed, emotionless standing. Zuko raised a questioning eyebrow, "You mean those girly lessons you took her to while I was stuck with Zhao! That's why you left me alone with him!"
"He did mention he wanted to speak privately, and Miss Kaida did not know where to go." Iroh's grinning mouth sipped some hot tea as the prince steamed slightly in anger. "Besides, with your father away and General Zhao in charge, it is a wonderful blessing he welcomes you home, especially after recent events…"The old general's gaze shifted to the glowing sky.
"Don't remind me of his STUPID promotion! He doesn't deserve it!" Zuko yelled again, taking no heed of the still asleep occupants of the nearby rooms.
"Now Zuko, that is something we cannot help. Now, isn't it time for morning tea?" Iroh cheerfully added.
"Wasn't that your morning tea?" Zuko nodded to his now empty tea cup resting on the saucer in his hands.
"This? Of course not, Prince Zuko!" Iroh laughed and replied, "It was only my third cup!"