This is my first fanfic. I am a big fan of the series. English is not my native language, but Practice makes perfect, right :)
I hope you will enjoy the story as much as I like writing it.
It's been two years since the end of the war.
Restoring peace turned out to be a hard promise to keep. But with some setbacks, there was still good progress.
Katara went to live with the southern water tribe, to deepen her studies in bending and politics. Sokka joined Hakoda in the north to help build a new, strong tribe. He and Suki was still an item, but she was needed at the Kyoshi Islands.
Toph and Aang traveled in the great lands of the Earth kingdom, trying to create peace.
Zuko took on his new role as Fire Lord with dedication and devotion, wanting to restore the peace and trust in the Fire Nation. The people of the Fire Nation had been cautios in their acceptance of their new lord. The cities had adapted pretty fast to the changes, but the colonies had not been as cooperative.
Fire Lord Zuko now traveled the colonies, in company of his trusted uncle Iroh and a few handpicked guards and benders. The intention was to create relationships, meet with leaders of the nations and colonies and hopefully, sign good treaties and assign right leaders to the right places. Being away for a couple of weeks at the time and barely staying at one place for more than one week, with lots to do in the palace when arriving home again – Zuko was feeling more and more stressed and paranoid. He could always trust Iroh, but it wasn't in his nature to talk to much about his feelings. He was afraid it would make him seem insecure or weak – Most of the people that doubted him, had these toughts about him already and he didn't want to confirm any suspicions.
Yu Dao was the oldest Fire Nation colony. It was a prosperous city. This was a more well planned visit, the production of steel and the cooperation with the earthbenders, also made this city very special. Both for economy reasons but also for loyalty reasons. How would the city be run? By Earth kingdom or Fire Nation? The treaties were under negotiations that never seemed to end. A lot of nobles of both nations had a lot on their mind, fearing for their property. It was a very delicate situation, also, a lot of stress.
Iroh had arranged at least, a nice hotel. Not that Zuko would complain. He almost felt awkward nowadays sleeping in nice sheets and comfy beds. But the nice thing with the hotel was that it was smaller than average and laid just in the outskirts of town. Yu Dao had a beautiful nature and the silence was a very needed break from the normal busy sounds of the city. Iroh had probably planned with this in tought.
They arrived late at night. Exhausted, they immediatly checked in to their rooms and went to bed.
The hotel was cleaned to perfection. A warm fire in every room. Big beautiful hallways with both Fire nation and Earth Kingdom accesories and ornaments.
Zukos room was big and welcoming. A teapot with cups stood steaming hot at the small table in the middle of the room. It smelled of Jasmine.
Even tough he felt to tired, he couldn't resist pouring a cup when he smelt the sweet, familiar scent.
He tasted it, and closed his eyes. Memories from the teashop came back. It was a simpler time.
He felt his stomach ache, when he for a moment, wished he could go back and be the simple boy in the teashop once again. This was a tea made by a master, no doubt. He knew a good tea when he drank it.
A wave of sadness came over him, and he quickly, drank his tea and went to bed. This was definetly not a time to be brooding over ones fate in life.
…..
He woke earlier than usual. It was before dawn. The fire in the room had succumbed to a basking glow, and the air felt damp and cold.
'I should take a walk before the others awake. It might give me some peace of mind' he tought with a sigh.
Today was a important day, to make a good impression was of utmost importance.
He needed to clear his toughts, and a meditative walk would be good.
He pulled on a simple black tunic and loose black pants. With a hood over his head he would be hard to spot.
The hotel was empty and quiet. But the fires in the fireplaces was burning. He sneaked his way down carefully. Didn't want to wake anyone up. He chose to exit trough the backdoor leading to the garden instead of the main entrance.
He noticed that the fireplaces were all neat and freshly lit. The house was very warm and smelt faintly of sandalwood and spices.
The door that led to the garden was very old one, not like the costly and ornamented one at the main entrance.
It gave up a pitched squeak when he knocked it open and he hurried out.
It was still dark out. The sky had started turning into a dark blue shade, the sun would be rising in an hour at least.
The cool air was crisp and clear and he felt himself relax. The garden was beautiful. Neatly and well groomed. Mostly consisting of spices and herbs. And roses? That was unexpected. At least a big bush of them. It was the small rosehip-flower. These mostly grew in the Fire Nation. Most of the herbs were of that origin too. It didn't suprise him to assume the owners probably were Fire Nation.
He walked the small path leading downhill. Breathing the fresh air and focusing on his steps made him relax.
The path led him to a small hill, leading down to a small valley where there was a small beach, partly hidden between rocks. He started the climb down but suddenly halted. There was someone already there, below, on the small beach.
He froze and watched. This early? Out here?
The figure was hard to spot in the darkness. It was.. excercicing? Dancing?
Intrigued he sat in silence and watched. It looked familiar. But not threathening. The figure moved slowly and with grace. It almost looked like.. airbending? Waterbending? The movements were so slow and soft.
He could feel a wind of heat radiating from the figure down below. And suspicions was confirmed when he saw a beautiful, dark orange flame grow in a bow, following the figures slow and graceful movements. Thats when it hit him. He was watching someone perform the Dance of the Dragons! Out here!?
Without noticing it himself, he had been so intruiged by watching the figure that he had leaned farther and farther away from his position on the hill. And with a loud snap he suddenly tripped over a large twig and most clumsy, tumbled down on the beach.
In moments he fought to regain his posture and assume a fighting stance. Thats when he locked eyes with the figure on the beach. Also in a fighting stance, and chock gleaming in her eyes.
A glimmer of recognition came over her, and she swiftly changed posture. She bowed gracefully and said with a calm tone in her voice ;
"My apologies, I was startled. I never see people out here this early so I assumed it was a wild animal or a bandit"
He relaxed "I should not have invaded your privacy by looking at your training, I am sorry."
"May I ask about your training? You bend very.. differently"
He doubted about if he could ask her about it, but he was so curious and she seemed harmless, so there were nothing to loose really.
"I'm sorry if I'm insulting any standard movements, this has just been the way I always train. My mother taught me this one. I changed it a bit to fit my purpose. I haven't had any teachers."
She bowed slightly again. This was a mystery, no doubt. "By the way, I'm Wei-Li"
He bowed back "Zuko". Her eyes widened a bit. "The sun is rising." She turned her face towards the rising sun and stretched her arms. The air around her got warmer. She closed her eyes. "I come here everyday before sunrise, after lighting the fires. My training helps me focus on my chores. Lately, it's been immensely helpful"
She opens her eyes again and look at him. He stays silent. The sun is rising and he can see her face more clearly now. Her eyes are a dark amber with streaks of green. Her hair is long and black, in a neat thick braid. She wears black and losely fitted clothing.
Her face is tanned and lively. She smiles at him. "I need to return to my chores, but I'll see you soon again, My Lord"
She bows deeply and leaves him on the beach.