Ch. 1~Arrival
I got off the boat a little sea sick (I didn't even know people from the Water Tribes could get sea sick.) I had been bought by a Fire Nation soldier (I am a slave) and had sent two weeks on a boat with them. They had been giving me crap about the only reason The Princess wanted a boy\young man as a slave is because she was hitting 'the age.' It doesn't matter whether she wanted me because I was of Water Tribe descent or because she thought I was cute. As long as I was away from the ones who stole me.
It was three years ago when the Fire Nation first came demanding we give up all Waterbenders. The men of the village had just gone away but I managed to club a soldier in the head. He grabbed my hand and told me I was coming as compensation for his headache. I saw my sister trying to get a soldier from the house. There was a blast and a scream and I knew my mother was gone…
I was pushed out of my memory violently by a soldier pushing me forward. I stumbled but kept my balance, my hands were tied together and I wouldn't have been able to catch myself if I fell. We walked through the city until we were at the gate of the palace the wall was huge so I could only imagine what the building itself looked like.
We walked through the soldier\servant(slave) door to the right of the main entrance. When we walked through I was in awe I had heard it was big but could only have guessed. Before I could admire more I was pull away from the rest of the slaves.
"You will be Princess Katara's slave, she is in the lunch room and is waiting," said the guard. I looked up at the sky it had to be closer to supper than lunch but I kept up with the guard.
After a few minutes of walking through hallway after hallway, I was lost. But we came up to a door nothing different than the others, big and ornate, and the guard walked in.
The first thing I saw was a girl. She had to be younger than me, I could tell by her height and the way she looked. But living in the Fire Nation all her life the softness of childhood was all but gone. Brown hair was half way up in a bun but the rest was left down. Her eyes caught me and I knew I should not look her in the eyes but the golden honey trapped me like real honey traps a fly.
When the door opened I thought it was Sokka coming to annoy me again. I had been in here since breakfast waiting for this slave. When he walked in I knew I got my wish of a boy from the Water Tribes he was tall, taller than I was at least. Black hair and sea blue eyes that looked right at me with no fear of repercussion.
"Kneel boy!" the guard said kicking him right behind the knee so he was forced to bend and he fell forward on his face. His hands were bound and there was no real threat and making him suffer would've been cruel so I said, "You are dismissed leave us I wish to be alone to question the boy."
"Princess, are you sure?"
"Do you think I can not take care of myself?" I demanded outraged and to prove my point I shot a fire blast at the guard, who then scampered out to avoid the flame. I bent next to the boy. "Can you get up?" I asked.
"Yes." he said rising but only to his knees and he avoided eye contact.
"Stand, all the way if you are to be my slave you will have to stand in my presence. Now do you have a name?"
"Zuko, My Lady." (Quick learner I must admit.)
"So this is the new slave must say didn't think they would find a Water Tribe boy for you, sis," said Sokka walking in with his shadows behind him.
The Princess was not at all like I thought she would be. She seemed ok. Then this older boy came in, he looked about my age, and start taunting her through me. I could see her visibly stiffen when he came in. (This must be her brother, Prince Sokka)
"As a matter-of-fact it is. What are you and your shadows going to do about it? Hmmmmm." Princess Katara taunted.
"Ha, nice to see you to Kat." One of the boys said with a dry laugh. She shot fire at him and, much to my surprise he threw three knives one right after the other. She avoided them easily which made me think this had happened before. The sparring went on for a little longer then Sokka got the other boy's attention the boy nodded, looking bored snuck up behind Katara did a few quick jabs at various location an her body then just as fast did the same to the other boy.
Her arm went limp and she was thrown off balance but before she could fall I caught her and put her back on her feet when I turned around I thought I saw the Prince looking at me strangely but it was so fast I probably just imagined it.
"Well now that that's settled, I should introduce us. I am Prince Sokka, the menace with the knives is Mu Ko, and the bored looking chi blocker is Li. And you are?" asked the Prince.
"I'm Zuko, My Lord."
"Do not call him that. Call him Lord or Prince or something else, never 'My' anything. You don't take orders from anyone but me." The Princess said taking a slight step in front of me. "We have to go." she said storming out leaving me to follow.
"Bye Kat." Mu Ko called after us.
"UGH, they get on my nerves so much, why can't he just leave me alone."
"Mu Ko?" I asked cautiously.
"All of them including Sokka they follow and hunt for me and then Mu Ko made up that stupid nickname for me and now that's all they call me."
"If I may it seem like he had a crush on you. But I mean I don't know I could be way off." I added hastily seeing the look she gave me. "How are your arms?" I asked changing the subject.
"Better I'm getting feeling back. He's gotten better this time I lost all feelings in my arms last time it was only most of the feeling."
"So, he's done it before?"
"Yes, Sokka and his cronies, if he wasn't the prince and they weren't nobles, could make great assassins, but NEVER say what I just said to anyone. In fact don't ever repeat anything I talk about."
"Ok don't worry my lips are sealed."
"Good now it's almost supper so go to the kitchen and I want you to be the one that serves me, every meal." She said walking away.
I had no idea were I was at so I just started walking, hoping I would run into someone. Well I did, literally. He came out of nowhere and had his head down. We ran into each other.
"I-I'm so sorry." I stammered.
"Ow, But hey no big deal. You're the new Water Tribe boy for the Princess, aren't you? You look lost, looking for the kitchen follow me." He said quickly while turning so I had no choice but to follow. "I'll show you the slave halls, use them as often as you can unless you're with your Mistress. Lift the Fire Nation flags and look for the Earth Kingdom insignia and tap twice." He said demonstrating.
"I'm Canyun by the way and you are." He said finally taking a breath.
"Zuko, how long have you been here?"
"'Bout a year I am a palace slave so I take orders from everyone unlike you, who just answers to Princess Katara. Ah here we are." he said after we had been walking for about a minute. The door read 'Kitchen.'
Opening it Canyun called out, "Gin we got a new guy! He the Water Tribe boy!" out came this woman who couldn't be older than twenty five.
"Canyun don't shout all the way across the Kitchen, come find me and hello new guy do you have a name?" Gin asked
"Yeah it's Zuko and I'm supposed to be the one to serve Princess Katara at meals?" It was more of a question than a statement.
"Yes, Canyun will help you so you're completely lost." She said with sympathy.
"Right this way supper will begin shortly, now we don't actually prepare the food, we just serve it."
"Canyun, hey wait up." Someone called from behind us so we stopped and I looked back I saw a girl running toward us.
"Hey, so this is the new guy. Hi I'm Asoka and you are?"
"This is Zuko and we're very busy so help or leave, please." Canyun said the please as an after thought. So the girl, Asoka, set to work. She would help me if I did something wrong, so she helped a lot. Now that we weren't talking I was studying them. Canyun had dark skin, not as dark as mine, brown hair, and green eyes, Earth Kingdom I decided. And the light skin, black hair, and amber eyes, most likely made Asoka Fire Nation. I'll have to ask eventually.
"Alright everyone grab you trays and head up." Came a voice from behind.
"Stick close to me alright." Asoka said as we went up the servant passage, I nodded and we went up.
When we got up I saw a large room with a table in the middle with some people already around it. I was last so everyone stared at me as I sat the dish down near Katara. I felt awkward being the last but set it down and went and stood next to Asoka, who smiled and gave me a thumbs up. The conversations started quickly so we stood there through the meal and when everyone was finished we started to clear Katara said, "Zuko come to my room after you've had supper," and she walked out.
Back down in the kitchen the dished were being washed and some of the others were eating, so I grabbed a bowl and sat next to Canyun.
. He was telling a story about the rumors of a New Avatar. When I got done Asoka took me to Katara's room but she was already asleep.
Asoka then led me to my room which was small but comfortable and only had a bed. I thanked her as she left and she told me she would wake me up tomorrow and help settle me into the routine. I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow after she left.
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Hey this is my first story and this is the first chapter. Yay for me. I have no idea how this will turn out so please be gentle with reviews. Canyun, Asoka, Gin, Mu Ko, and Li are mine. I don't own Avatar (it be cool if I did). I'll catch you up to speed: Aang died about 70 years ago, the Water avatar only died about 10 years ago… Mu Ko is my version of Mai and Le is Tylee (personalities are switched) Everyone is about the same but these characters. Sorry about the confusion. (If there was any) not all the chapter loaded but its here now.
I wanted to say thanks to my first reveiwer, Tterit, so Thanks!
Ch. ~2 First Day
I was awoken by a knocking at my door. It was Asoka.
"You need to get up, get dressed, and get your butt downstairs to the kitchen." She said quickly.
"What about the Princess?" I asked groggily.
"I'll take care of her. She wants me to help her with dressing and undressing until she's a little more, um comfortable around you, you know cause you're a boy…" She let that sink in and I was left alone to get dressed. I did so hurriedly and found a slave hall with little difficulty and was in the kitchen in no time. There I found Canyun and we set to work prepping plates and doing anything Gin needed.
I yawned and asked Canyun what time it was he said it was five when I was woken up. The family didn't get awoken until six fifteen and breakfast was at seven. He said it was set up that way because the sun rose in the Fire Nation about six thirty and firebenders rose with the sun. We ate breakfast and helped out.
So we worked on anything and we were even allowed to go to the stables and feed the ostrich-horses. On the way back we started talking.
"So where were you from originally, before here I mean?" I asked causally.
"EarthKingdom. We were on the road when we were attacked by bandits. My mother and sister were taken off somewhere, and my father, brother, and I were sold into slavery. But hey I met my cousin that way." he added cheerfully after the somber thought.
"Who's your cousin?" I asked already guessing the answer.
"Asoka," he answered plainly.
"But she looks like Fire Nation."
"She is, but her mom and my mom are sisters and are from the EarthKingdom. The Fire Nation man was a refugee and my aunt worked at the camps. They met fell in love and the rest they say is history."
"But how did you both in up here?"
"Like I said we were on the road going to visit them, actually. But the bandits got there first and I being the youngest of the men was forced to go with the women, but my mom and sister were in another group. I met up with Asoka and we stuck together. One of the nicer bandits saw we got along and made sure we were sold together. The soldiers bought a large group of us so we ended up here." He said holding up his arms to indicate the palace.
When we got back to the kitchen everything was ready to serve so we grabbed our trays and headed up to the dinning room. Now that I was not so worried after I set down the food when I went to the wall where we all stood I studied the family.
The head of the table was empty because the Fire Lord rarely ate with his family. Next on the right side was General Iroh, Dragon of the West. Opposite Iroh was Sokka then Mu Ko and next Li (looking bored as he just pushed his food around.) Next to Iroh was Katara looking well. Then there were some high ranking nobles and officer of whom I do not know the name of then some empty seats.
When everyone was done Katara stood and said "Follow me let one of the other slaves do your work." I looked back and Canyun grabbed my dish and no choice but to follow her. She led the way out to the garden and sat down near the pond and started feeding the turtle-ducks with some break from her breakfast. I stood off to the side.
"How long have you been a slave?" She asked absently.
"About three years, My Lady." I replied.
"Are you from the North or South?"
"South, My Lady."
"Do you have any family?"
I hesitated before answering, "Yes, My Lady."
"Enough with the 'My Lady' k just answer me without a title when no ones around. Tell me about your family."
"Well my mother was killed and my father is off fighting in the war and my sister is at home, just helping out." I said simply.
"Aw. What was your mother killed by?"
"A monster from the sea," I answered hoping there was venom in my voice. Plus it wasn't a total lie the soldiers had come from a ship that was on the sea, that was kind of the same thing.
"So how are you getting along, I mean I know its only your second day but still."
"Fine. If I may ask why do you care?"
"Truthfully you're my first slave that is just mine and I don't know what to do or how to act and I've never met someone from the Southern Water Tribe. So I'm curious." I was surprised by her honesty. I thought all Firebenders were cold and calculating, like they thought up ways to kill. But that's not how she seemed at all.
"If I may Princess, can you bend?"
"Of course, Sokka can't though which is strange because he's older than me…" She finished lost in thought. "You want to see some. Come on." She said grabbing my hand. She is the Princess, and I think that's why I forgot she is also an eleven year old girl.
I knew I shouldn't be, almost literally, dragging him along. 'But hey he has no idea where we're going so I'll lead him.'
'Yeah keep telling yourself that and maybe you'll start to believe it.' I was arguing with myself in my own mind… I'm starting to lose it. It's only his second day and I'm already going crazy. Maybe this is why Sokka can be bitter. 'Why am I trying to impress him, he's only a slave.'
'You like him, and want to impress him. I don't know why though. You could do better…' When I thought that my mind showed a picture of Mu Ko. I shook my head and slowed down, releasing Zuko's hand. He stood there awkwardly probably having no idea where we were. I sat down with my back against a pillar. 'It's just the fact that he's new and is like when a baby has a shiny new toy. We'll get over it.' Wait did I just think we. I'm crazy. But hey try to grin and bear it.
"This way," I said looking up at him, completely regaining my composure. I walked slowly to the training room, which is mostly use for the soldiers, but also for firebending practice.
When we got in there I stopped dead in my tracts. Li and Sokka were sword fighting while Mu Ko was throwing a variety of small weapons at a practice dummy. I started to turn around; pushing Zuko out in the process, but Li spotted me. He gave me a look. Then stepped back, a move Sokka had obviously not planned for because he stepped to the side and when Li didn't attack again he looked at the door and grinned.
He whistled and Mu Ko looked over.
"Hey Kat whatcha been up to?" Mu Ko said smiling and coming closer.
"Nothing much just hoping to get a rematch with no interference," she said looking from Li, to Sokka, then to me, and back to Mu Ko, "from anyone." she finished in a firm voice. Sokka smiled and stepped to the side giving them room. Li follow looking bored again. For a second it looked like he showed emotion when we walk in. But then it was gone. I backed off, too, not wanting to get burned.
Katara didn't wait for more than a moment before launching an attack. I'm not up on the Firebending terms but if I had to guess I would've called it a fire ball because it was a giant ball of fire. Mu Ko simply jumped to the left with an awesome back flip, while simultaneously throwing two barbed stars {a.k.a. ninja throwing stars} and a dagger, which Katara rolled away from. It went back in forth like this for a few minutes and they were both starting to visibly weaken after about five minutes.
After ten minutes the other boys were bored and sword fighting again. But I was transfixed by the speed and grace of the firebending and the reflexes of the knife thrower. After about twelve minutes the door and we were all ripped out of what we were doing by a giant fireball hitting the back wall. We turned to see…
x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.
Ohhhhh. 14Simba why, why do you leave such a cliff hanger. Mwhaha (evil laugh). That's probably one of the thoughts in your mind right now. Well it leads into the next chapter. Hopefully you know who the mystery person is but hey if not you'll find out. I don't know the average updating time is but I'll try four every three to five days. And know it's kind of short, I'll try to make the next one longer. I know last time I said everyone else was the same well some people may be slightly, hopefully not to much, changed.
