AN: I issued a CD Challenge at the katarazuko LJ a couple weeks ago and decided it was only right for me to undertake it myself if I expected other people to as well. Basically the idea is just to pick a CD and use the song titles as drabble or chapter prompts/titles. I've chosen AFI's Decemberunderground. It's based off the scenario set up in my "Rekindle" one-shot, so it is slightly AU, but nothing too crazy or totally outside the realm of possibility. And it will eventually be Zutara. You'll just have to stick with me for awhile. Anyway, this will be my first multi-chapter fanfic, so wish me luck and cookies.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender, or AFI. Although I wouldn't mind renting Zuko and Davey Havoc for a weekend.
Prelude 12/21
The sun beat upon his back, his feet shuffling heavily over the parched dirt road. The narrow border between the rustling grasses and the deep wagon ruts consumed his attention as he focused on keeping each foot falling squarely before its companion. Sweat drenched his tunic and it clung maddeningly to his shoulders and spine. The thin, worn material had been loosened several hours earlier and the warm breeze brushed tauntingly against the glistening planes of his once pale chest. He noted with dismay the slight tinge of pink that was beginning to stain his exposed skin.
Under normal circumstances, a firebender would not experience such mundane inconveniences. Humiliations. But these were not normal circumstances. Exhaustion had overtaken him hours before. Even the rise of the shining face of day did little to revive him. It only masked the flickering lights that had dogged him through the night. No sooner had he set up his camp (little more than a small fire and his unfurled bedroll) than he had heard them, crashing through the underbrush, torches casting shadows like dancing fiends between the trees. But the shadows were nothing compared to the one who lead the force that hunted him. He had taken refuge in the canopy, fleeing amid high branches with nothing but the dual dao swords strapped to his back. Gradually the crackling of flames and the crash of heavy-footed pursuit faded, allowing him to slow his own pace. Yet each time he stopped for breath, he could hear the crisp tone of command echoing below. She was toying with him.
Now, as morning slid lazily into afternoon, it was sheer will that urged him on. Will and the faint cluster of dwellings in the distance. He had no hopes of a place to stay, a warm meal, even a kind word from the locals. All he wanted was a cool glass of water and a place to rest before moving on. He held no delusions that she had abandoned her pursuit, and so he could not yet abandon his flight. His pride told him to stand and fight. His reason said he would never escape alive if he did.
He stumbled into the furrowed cart track he had been skirting, narrowly maintaining his balance. Shaken from his thoughts, he noticed the village drawing closer. He also realized he had reached the furthest outskirts of civilization. A field of cabbages stretched out to the horizon on his left. How he had grown to hate those horrid, leafy, green heads. He suppressed the urge to set the entire patch alight. That is how it had all started, after all. Uncle would say something like, "Water on the ashes will not return the wood." Yes, that's what he would say, were he here.
A cloud drifted swiftly overhead, providing momentary relief from the relentless sun. Zuko wiped the sweat from his brow and pulled himself up to his full height. A drink, a few moments rest, and he would move on.
