AN: Before you start, it is worth noting that this story does not go on long because the ending is extremely rushed. There will hopefully be a sequel which will be the main story I am trying to tell
Chapter 1: It Hurts
Where am I? His head hurt, and nothing made sense. Slowly, memories began to trickle back into his mind. A Lizard Parrot. An explosion… Damn pirates. Uncle alright? Did the ship survive? Zuko winced as he tried to piece his hurting mind together, and was reminded that not only his head hurt.
"Oh good your awake" A pretty girl, no more than 20, He wasn't really sure, he'd hardly seen anyone for three years other than his crew. But his mind was swimming too much to even bother with her age. She walked up to him, a curious twinkle in her eyes, "You sir have some explaining to do."
"Head…hurts" Zuko mumbled and promptly passed out.
000
Poison? Brain… not… Azula didn't… Zuko struggled to concentrate but it was like trying to thread a needle while standing under a torrential waterfall. Everything was so screwed up. Memories shifted through his mind: Zhao seizing his crew, then his ship blowing up while he was on it, "hmmgph" Zuko groaned in pain.
"Are you going to stay awake on me this time?" the same pretty girl from earlier asked him
"Ugghh, uncle ok?" Zuko moaned through his pain
"I'll take that as a yes, start by taking this," The girl handed him a stone cup of sweet smelling yellowish liquid
"Poison… tea?" Zuko murmured still in a pain induced haze, and feebly attempted to sit up
"Don't be ridiculous, this is poppy honey tea, for the pain" the girl insisted then without waiting for a response tipped the small earthen cup back and poured the sweet liquid down Zuko's throat.
Zuko, too weak to spit it out just let it slide down his throat
Then everything went black… again
000
I need to get out of here Zuko thought as he awoke. Putting all of his willpower into moving, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up in one fluid motion. A wave of pain inundated his body, and blackness overtook him once again…
000
This time the girl was ready for her mysterious patient. She had strapped him up right to his seat after he passed out on the floor. As he had the last two days, he woke up at dawn. "I see you decided to join the world of the living" she tried.
Zuko suddenly aware that not only he strapped down, but he was also in the room with the same pretty girl. "whyam Ihere" he slurred, and winced from the pain of speaking
The girl sighed, "That, you will have to tell me"
"Can you … poppy tea?" Zuko murmured in his pain
"Of course, but you owe me answers" The girl replied, and went to a cabinet and pulled out several pots and mixed various ingredients, all the while humming a melancholy tune
Zuko agreed, no longer caring if she meant to poison him and took the mixture and drank. It was sweet, but had an acidic bite to it.
"So what is your name?"
" Itsuh zu"- Shit don't give names to strangers…" Lee"
"Zhu Li? That is an interesting name…" Song giggled
"Justlee" Zuko slurred miserable
"Lee huh, Well good to meet you, I'm Song, the local doctor, well I was still training but my master-" the pretty girl cut herself short when she noticed Lee was no listening.
Lee was looking as best as he could with hurting himself. Wheres Uncle?
Song frowned, "Are you looking for someone?"
"My uncle"
Her frown deepened, "Your uncle is not here, but you are and you need to tell me what happened to you"
Shit, what do I say, "I uh… shpy, yesh, they caught me shpyiing and blew me up" Well I was never good at lying…
"That's crazy! Which general do you work for? I met general Fong once… You should be more careful next time, I found you practically dead with your back against a tree, and soaking wet, if you didn't bleed out, you would have died from hypother-"
"Ish there food" Lee murmured interrupting Songs rambling
"Yes of course," Song sighed and brought Zuko a piece of stale bread.
"Thansh" Lee murmured, but passed out before he could eat
000
A week had passed and Lee was no longer bed ridden He had ventured out to where she found him, only to find any trace of his boat gone. Song noticed he was itching to leave, but he was not fully healed- Burn wounds, bruises, and scrapes still cover his body, he still looked like tenderized steak– and he had not paid for her services
"Lee you should not be up this early" Song Chided
"I need to be leaving" Lee grumbled
"Lee you are hardly in any state to be traveling and you have not paid me yet"
"Oh" Lee uttered shocked, forgetting he was now but a peasant in the earth kingdom "I have no money"
"That's ok, you can help out around my clinic for a while" Song offered, she knew he would have no money
"No I have to go"
"You can't you- Where are you going"
"The north pole" Lee answered, he needed to know if his uncle was ok…
"The North Pole!" Song nearly shouted, "Why?"
"Unc- I discovered that the fire nation was going to invade the North Pole"
Song paused, then frowned. "I will go with you" Song decided out loud
"You can't, didn't you hear me! The Fire Nation is Invading!" Lee insisted with a false importance
"I will, because you will die from an infection otherwise, and I need a master to finish my healers training, and the masters up there are legendary…"
"What of your clinic?"
"Look around Lee, you're only the second person I've had in two weeks. No one wants to be healed by a half trained healer."
"Argh fine, but we leave today" Lee grumbled knowing Song would go with him no matter how stupid it was.
"Tomorrow." Song cut.
000
"So tell me about yourself"
Song just won't let me be will she
He looked up and saw Song's real question in her eyes
Of course
"I… can't" came the pained response, Just ignore it
Lee promptly began eating to delay questions
"It's ok if you don't want to tell me about it…" Song sing-songed softly, "Tell me about your uncle then"
Lee just chewed his food for a moment "My uncle, he, he was like a father to me, He was also a genius you know"
"Did he have a name?"
"Uh... Mushi"
Song left it at that and began to eat her supper too. After several minutes of eating the over cooked rice in without a word, Song couldn't take it any longer.
"So Lee, where are you from?"
Spirits, she just has to keep on asking me Lee thought
"My parents are from the colonies, they left me to my uncle when I was little." Lee grated out. He had thought of a story, but he still hated lying.
"Oh… , do you-"
Lee cut her off "Look, please just don't"
Song frowned, then continued to eat her supper.
"So did you find out when the fire nation is going to attack?"
shut up Please just stop talking
"They will have to wait until the polar winter is over because fire bending is severely weakened in total darkness" at least thats not a lie.
"That's in…" Song paused, "1 and a half months!
"39 days"
"Do you think we can make it?"
"We have to" came Lee's clipped response, "I'm going to sleep"
"Ok" Song replied softly
Each was left in their own thoughts. Was lee trustworthy? Who is he? Where did he get that giant scare on his face? Song wondered as she drifted to sleep.
Across from her lay the seemly peaceful form of lee. But inside an ocean of worries, fears and guilt tumble through his mind, bringing Song was a mistake. What if she suspects me, or finds out that I don't intend on saving the northern Water Tribe. Is Uncle ok? Does he care that I'm gone. What if he went to Caldera City Instead? How can I get rid of Song before she suspects me?
Sleep did not come to Lee that night…
000
"General Iroh, I am-" "retired" Iroh cut in, "I am pleased that you changed your mind and have decided advise me as I decimate the barbarians that cower in the north pole, I have discovered a most unusual weakness in their stronghold"
"I would be glad to discuss these things over tea" The retired general replied.
Lee had thought he was going to die if Song kept up her questions. That was the first after they had left Song's village. That was also 3 days ago. On the second day, they bought a pair of ostrich horses and Lee had obtained duel dao. Song had finally stopped asking Lee personal questions.
"Are you going to name your ostrich-horse?" Song decided to ask over a dinner of rice yet again.
"He already has a name" Lee replied curtly
"Well are you going to tell me?" Song finally huffed, annoyed.
"His name is Kio" Lee replied, glancing at the now sleeping beast.
"Well mines is called Shine" Song replied.
Lee sighed "You've mentioned that probably 6 times already"
The pair made eye contact for a brief moment, the fire dimly illuminating their faces.
"What about your dao?"
"What about them?"
"Do they have names?" Song asked
"What is it with you and names?" Lee grumbled
"Well can I name them?"
"No"
"But why not?"
Lee sighed exasperated, "Names bind spirits and spirits mean trouble."
"You don't seriously believe that stuff do you?"
"Look, real or not, I have enough problems as it is"
"Alright" Song smirked mischievously "You know, I need to do a medical check of your wounds, probably tonight in my tent" She winked for effect.
My back has been hurting an awful lot from all the riding, the bruises from those damn pirates still might not be fully healed, it's probably a good idea. Lee thought completing oblivious, and reluctantly agreed not wanting to show weakness. He had made Song use the small tent, because he could never face himself if he let her sleep outside while he got the tent.
When Lee went into the tent, Song smiled at him, but then became serious, "I do actually have to check the wounds."
Lee scowled. What else would she be doing? Then he took off his shirt. Song blushed, Lee didn't notice and continued scowling. His burn scar was clearer because other wounds had clear up and he no longer looked like a freshly tenderized raw steak. "I think there is a bruise on my back"
"Where exactly does it hurt?" Song asked gently
"Everywhere"
"Hmmmm, there's not much to do for that right now" Song winked, "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"I suppose not" came the reply and an oblivious Lee left the small tent leaving a confused and upset Song behind.
What is with her, does she have something in her eye? Lee wondered as he settled into his sleeping bag beside Song's cozy tent.
000
"Why do we have to get up so early?" Song grumbled. She was not a morning person. On top of that, she had hardly gotten a wink of sleep because she was up trying to figure out Lee. He just wasn't in the mood. She had finally decided.
"34 days, remember? We are heading to the next village we come across, we need more supplies"
"And how are we going to afford said supplies? The same way you afforded those dao?" Song said accusingly, but Lee was unfazed. I will figure something out." Came the curt reply
"Fine but no stealing" Song grumbled. She did not like being up early and she was questioning her decision to go with Lee.
As Song packed her tent, Lee woke the ostrich horses. After breaking camp, the pair rode 2 hours northwest to get to the nearest village.
000
"Oh no…" Song sighed melodramatically as she sighted the small village.
"What?" Lee growled.
"It's the fire nation, they've taken over this town."
"As long as we don't cause trouble and leave quickly we should be fine." Lee stated simply, but a whirlwind of thoughts raged in his mind. What if someone recognizes me as fire nation, do they have news of uncle? Could I send him a cipher somehow? What is going on in the North Pole? Could someone recognize me as Zuko? No Lee consoled himself, my phoenix tail was burnt off and I have a little hair. Plus I'm too bruised for my scar to stand out still.
"Hey, you!" a fire nation soldier called out as they approached the perimeter of the village, "You and your girlfriend need to dismount your ostrich horses, lay your weapons down, and present to me your papers before you enter, of course you get all your stuff back after you have been checked." The poor soldier was steely but Lee could hear nervousness in his voice. I wonder who's attacked him before, or who had his position before… Le thought darkly as he dismounted his ostrich horse and set his dao down, and called out smoothly "Sir, we do not have papers. Our farm was burnt down and we desperately need supplies for our families."
"Well that happens often enough," the soldier laughed nervously, which earned a glare from Song. He continued, "I will have to escort you to the Corporal who's in charge. He can approve new papers for you two."
"Thank you," Song said with more venom than Lee had ever heard from her.
Lee and song were then escorted to a large red tent with Fire Nation insignia. When they entered the soldier who had escorted them shouted "Corporal Ho Min," and saluted. Lee and Song performed small bows.
"It is good to see that some of these peasants do know respect," the corporal spat, "Why have you brought them to me?" the Corporal addressed his soldier.
"They need p-papers" The soldier stammered.
"Yes of course" the higher up said, then grumbled something about a bureaucratic hell. "Names and ages please"
"I'm So-"Song started but was interrupted by Lee, "She is Sam Li, and I am Han Jee, and we are both 18"
"Is this true Miss?" Song nodded nervously. Ho Min continued, "How then do you want Lee spelled?"
"'L" 'I'" Song replied, now less nervous.
"And is Ji spelled 'J'-'I'?" Ho Min asked.
"'J'-'e'-'e'" Lee replied.
"Very well then, Now in order to get these papers my stamp of approval you must first swear not to harm, harass disturb or otherwise carry out any malicious intentions towards the Fire nation, fire nation soldiers, property and the general populous, while in Xiǎo Village"
Each swore, Song doing so more reluctantly of the two.
"Good, and finally there is a charge of five yuans or services and goods of equal value." Corporal Ho Min looked greedily at Song.
Lee and Song glanced at each other and Song quickly spoke up. "Sir we have no money, but I have a bracelet of more than enough value." Song then produced a silver bracelet from seemingly nowhere.
The Corporal inspected it and promptly stated, "This will do," and stamped two square pieces of paper with the fire nation emblem. He handed them the papers then shoed them out of his tent.
"That guy was a pervert" Song muttered as soon as they were out of earshot.
"At least they didn't give me trouble for my gold eyes" Lee breathed with relief as he looked for the stables.
"Come on, we can drop off the ostrich horses over here," Song said almost cheerfully. "Then we eat lunch and get supplies. Somehow."
There were a few moments when just the loud padding of the ostrich-horse's talon-paws could be heard then Song broke the silence. "So why did you give us new Identities?" she questioned
"I'm a spy, remember" Lee replied sticking to his story. Stay consistent and she won't suspect me, he thought with a twinge of guilt. "If they have records on my actual name I could be imprisoned, and if we were under 18, they could not issue papers to us."
"Oh" was all that Song had to say to that.
"Song, while you check our animals into the stables, I need to go check the town bulletin." Lee then turned to his ostrich horse and said in a motherly tone (which Song thought was absolutely hilarious), "Kio, you be good, ok?" An unenthusiastic whiney was all the answer he got.
When Song approached the stables, a thin dirty man came up to her and asked "Is Scarface over there your boyfriend?"
Another voice called out, "Leave her alone, Chun!" and the dirty man scampered off
Meanwhile, Lee approached the fire nation bulletin board. "All Lands engaging in trade with Kyoshi Island are to pay an 8% trade Tax. National Hero Admiral Zhao poisoned by Water Tribe Spy, National day of mourning will be on the next half moon." He whispered to himself, "Prince Zuko declared dead, it here is a 1200 yuan reward for his head courtesy of princess Azula" Lee finished mortified.
000
"Sir, your tea is ready." A young soldier saluted General Iroh.
"Very well. I will take it and I need you to stand guard outside my door and make sure nobody disturbs me." The General command smoothly.
"Sir yes Sir"
Iroh went into his quarters and shut the door. The quarters were not overly large but they had a myriad of objects decorating the walls. He pinched three candles alight. Then he lit some incense and said a silent prayer. Spirits, wherever my nephew is, you owe it to me watch over him, especially you Tui and La. And Zuko, if you are getting this, I'm sorry it ended how it did. Iroh finished glumly. He knew it was unwise to ask the Spirits to pay a debt, but he did not care about much since his nephew's death. One of Iroh's greatest fears was that the spirits would hold him, his nephew, and his other relatives responsible for the sins of his forefathers.
There was only silence for several moments, then the familiar metallic groan of the flagship resounded through his cabin and the ship pitched portside as a wave crashed into it.
Perhaps the Spirits did listen, the old man thought ruefully, and sat down at his desk. He Pulled out a quill and began to write in a refined cursive script:
Master Pakku,
Since the Death of my nephew Prince Zuko, I have found I have very little to live for. Even so, I am Loyal to the White Lotus. When I discovered a plan to kill the Moon Spirit, I took necessary action to insure it would not happen. I am the only officer aware of the spirit's location. The Fire Nation will not call off the invasion of your tribe. The Northern Water Tribe will be destroyed if nothing is done. Therefor the wisest course of action is to evacuate the city and take refuge in the tundra. I have heard that you have the avatar with you. Get him out of the North Pole. Even if you could defeat the fire nation when they initially attack, a single warship could annihilate your entire nation when Sozin's Comet comes at the end of summer. Therefor you must let the fire nation occupy your city until winter comes again.
I wish you the best of luck old friend,
Iroh