Here's the redone second chapter.
Strange
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Later that day found Asamiya sitting in her room, just reading the 'Tail of Two Lovers' as she relaxed on her bed. She'd had that room for as long as she could remember. She felt most at home there, among all the reds and golds. She loved the way the light filtered through the windows, catching on her collection of bottles, casting rainbows of light around the large room. It had been her father's, when he was young, and now it was hers. And the servants could down-play her little random knickknacks she'd buy whenever she went to a town with her family, usually for festivals and celebrations, she liked them. And they could stick their objections about how informal she was with her father. She was his daughter and he was her father first. All positions aside, Asamiya loved her father, and anyone who didn't like that, well, she didn't need them around at all. Especially Rin, the head servant. She was always voicing her displeasure with the fact that one; Zuko's heir was part water tribe and a female, two; she was always informal with the Fire Lord, at most calling him 'Father' to save face at dinners and state affairs, though even that was rare. Zuko never minded, but Rin and the servants always had to mention it. There was even a time when the Fire Lord had sent one poor servant girl skittering out of the throne room, because when Zuko was meeting a noble, Asamiya, maybe five, at the time, had run in, shouting, "Daddy, Daddy! Wanna play?". That poor girl had never been the same since, and had not said a word about Asamiya's informal attitude, mostly because she was still afraid for her life.
Shaking her head, Asamiya pulled herself back from her mind, and continued reading. She was getting to the good part, the part where Oma and Shu fought side-by-side in a heated battle, in a valient attempt to save each other. They both survived that fight, but, of course, Asamiya knew how it would end. She'd read the book at least three times, it was that good to her. She loved the idea that even though Shu died, Oma stayed loyal to him, and a city was built by her and the villagers for the two lovers. The princess absolutely adored the idea of true, total, unconditional love. It always made her feel better if she were in a bad mood and her father was bussy. Oh, she could go to her mother, or Uncle Iroh, or anyone, really, but Zuko understood her best, so she'd go to him. Stop distracting yourself, she thought, mentally smacking herself on the back of the head. You decided to read, so read. Sighing, a small smile on her lips, she turned her attention back to the pages of her story.
A gentle knock on the door brought the princess out of her book and back to the moment at hand, and she wondered who wanted to see her.
"Asamiya?" It was her great-uncle, Iroh. Smiling, Asamiya jumped up and went to open the door.
"Hi, Uncle!" she chirped, smiling brightly. Whether he was her great-uncle, her father's best general or what ever else, Iroh was 'Uncle' to the princess and her siblings. She frowned when she noticed he was hiding one hand behind his back. "What's behind your back?" the teen asked innocently, looking up curiously at her uncle. Iroh smiled slyly.
"Well," he started, still grinning, his old eyes sparkling, "I know your birthday is in a couple months, and I was in town today."
"Yes? Does this go anywhere?" Asamiya asked. "Some funny incident, maybe?" The princess's eyes shone hopefully up at her uncle, and Iroh almost wished that was what he was here for, if only so he didn't have to tell her otherwise. But she'd love the real reason for his visit even more once she realized what he'd got her.
"Actually," the old general continued, "It's not what happened, but what I bought." He pulled his hand around, and in it was a long, thin box, the characters on the lid reading; Sun Warrior Forms. Asamiya's eyes went completely round, and she jumped on Iroh, flinging her arms around his neck, almost squealing in her excitement.
"THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!!" the princess squeaked, her golden eyes shining as she opened the case and examined the scroll. She grinned in excitement as she unrolled the old, faded parchment.
"I've never seen these moves before," she mused, looking at the complicated forms before turning bright, elated, grateful eyes up to her uncle again. "Thank you so much Uncle! I love these. I bet Dad'll want to practice with me," she added, an eager, plotting grin on her face. She loved spending time with the Fire Lord, and anything that she could do that would make him proud of her, she attempted. And while she didn't always get it right the first time, Zuko still smiled proudly at his child, heartened that she at least had the will to try, and keep trying again and again.
Iroh watched Asamiya trot off, the scrolls held tight in one hand, to find her father, and shook his head, a slight chuckle parting his fond smile.
"Such love and kindness," he mused. He'd met many teenagers, and none, with the possible exception of Zuko, had ever been as devoted to their father as young Asamiya.
The princess of the Fire Nation ran, fast as her long legs would carry her, to find her dad, that effervescent, eager smile always on her face, and her scrolls clutched tightly in her hands.
Asamiya found her father sitting in his study, head bowed, hands on his head as though he had a headache. The princess bit her lip; she hated it when her father wasn't feeling his usual best. He was always a bit testy when something was wrong, and she just didn't want him to be upset.
"Dad?" she called softly, stepping into the room, her smile replaced by a look of budding concern.
Zuko's head shot up at the voice of his oldest child, and he smiled, standing and crossing the room to her, hugging her close.
"What brings you here, my dear?" he asked, pulling back and smiling fondly at her. The smile returned almost at once to Asamiya's tan face, and her eyes lit up with excitement again.
"Uncle Iroh gave me these old Sun Warrior scrolls today!" she explained, holding up the scrolls for her father to inspect.
The Fire Lord took them gingerly, mindful of their apparent age, and scanned the pages, amazed at the complexity and seeming power of the firebending forms on the paper. He'd never seen moves as complicated as the ones on the page. The motions almost mirrored flickering flames. Like tendrils of fire, leaping from the main blaze.
"So," Asamiya continued, bringing Zuko out of the memories sparked by the scroll, " you want to come practice these with me?"
The Fire Lord sighed tiredly, running a hand through his hair.
"Sorry, sweetheart," he muttered distractedly, frowning at something on his desk. "Maybe tomorrow. Today, I have work to do. Do you think you could go down to the message room and see if anything came in from Rafu, please?"
Asamiya nodded, smiling, though Zuko noticed with sadness that now, her bright grin didn't reach her eyes. She was disappointed, and probably wouldn't be too willing to practice alone. She was like that; always wanting to share, and never show up anyone.
"Sure, Dad," the princess replied, still smiling as she turned to leave.
Out in the hall, though, Asamiya's shoulders slumped slightly. She'd been so looking forward to spending more time with her father today... But something wasn't right. He'd looked so upset about something when she'd first come into the room. And the almost distracted tone of his voice when he'd asked her to go down to the message room to see if there was anything there for her father.
I wonder what's got him so worried, Asamiya thought to herself as she made her way down through the halls of the palace, out the doors, past the garden and the soldier's barracks - Lee waved when he saw her - and on toward the falcon-hawk station where messages came to the palace from everywhere and anywhere.
She smiled at Onji as the captain of one of the divisions in the Royal Guard walked out of the station, a letter in hand. Onji didn't return the smile. If anything, her grey eyes were filled with worry, and her voice was urgent.
"Princess," she began, her urgent voice quick and serious, "It's a message from the town of Rafu, about -" the guard paused, lowering her voice "- the rebellion."
Asamiya's eyes went wide.
"R-rebellion?" she whispered, feeling the entire security of her world falling down around her. She'd been to Rafu not long ago, and everything had seemed fine. And Rafu was close - she could see the town from the hill with her tree out by the garden wall. If something went wrong, and this apparent rebellion got to the capitol, what would happen to her family?
"Yes, Princess," Onji replied, her face taking on an emploring look. "This message is for the Fire Lord. We are all very lucky it was delivered. The falcon-hawk sent to your father was badly hurt when it was found. I fear it may have been attacked. The Fire Lord must know that there is a possibility of someone tampering with palace and military correspondence. I trust you will tell him, Princess?"
"Of course," Asamiya promised, her hands shaking slightly as she took the note from Onji.
"Let no one see it," the captain instructed. "If you read it, make sure no one is around you when you do. And go straight to the Fire Lord, Princess."
Asamiya nodded, turned, and, with the letter clenched tightly in a shaking fist, she left to bring it to her father, all the while wondering just what was going on. She passed the barracks again, and every unfamiliar face became a traitor in disguise, every flower she passed in the garden became the poisonous fire lily, ready to kill.
What is wrong with me? the princess wondered, shaking her head to make the world return to normal. Since when am I so paranoid? Even Uncle Sokka's not this bad.
Sighing, and rolling her eyes at her own foolishness, Asamiya looked around herself once, then unfolded the message. The hand writing was hurriedly scrawled, the characters barely legible.
They are revolting. I am not sure at the moment who their leader is. It may well be the upstart, Yin, but we cannot be certain. If the rebellion moves any closer to the capitol, I would suggest removing the Fire Lady and the rest of the Royal Family, both immediate, and extended. Also, there may be interference with correspondence. This is the second falcon-hawk we have sent to you...
"'The first was... k-killed, found...dead, not f-far from Rafu.'"
Zuko and Asamiya looked at each other over the note the princess had just read aloud. Zuko rubbed at his temples, feeling the start of what would probably be one painful headache.
"Dad," Asamiya whispered, touching his shoulder gently. "Are you okay?"
The Fire Lord looked up at his daughter, a wry smile crossing his face, and, for the first time, realized just how young and innocent and trusting she was. She was just a child, a youth in her prime, her hair completely black, save for the occasional strand of deepest brown. Her skin was smooth and dark, her golden eyes staring straight out, a sort of power in them that Zuko had lost somewhere in the forty-three years since his birth. But his daughter, she still held that strength, and it came through in the spark of life that burned so fiercely in those eyes of hers that could flash like a storm one moment, and practically sing kindness the next. He couldn't let life as pure as that be destroyed. He had to protect his little girl.
"Yes, my angel," he replied, his voice soft as he nodded in reassurance. "Just tired."
He smiled wryly again, and Asamiya was reminded of her father's age. It wasn't that he was old, but much about him had changed physically since she'd grown from little child to teenager. His once completely smoth skin now held the slightest traces of age in the form of small, light lines beneath his eyes and at the edges of his mouth. There was also the faintest crease in his forehead these days, and a single lock of dark silver shone among the strands of soft, midnight hair. The Fire Lord was definately getting older, and realizing this only made Asamiya that much more painfully aware that there would come a day, some day, when he would leave her, and she'd be on her own. Not for many years, she told herself, praying she would not be proven wrong.
"So, what do we do?" Asamiya asked, her eyes filled with questions, as she looked to her father for answers. "How do we stop this?"
Zuko burried his face in his hands.
"I don't know," he groaned. "But I can promise, my Asamiya, I won't let anything happen to you, your mother, or your siblings. I swear on my honor, nothing will hurt any of you. You're all safe with me. And don't you ever forget that." He stood from his chair, and stepped around the desk, pulling his daughter into his arms, holding her close, much the same as he'd done with Katara only hours ago, but this was a father's hold on his daughter, the exact same, but different in so many ways. "I love you, Asamiya," he reminded her softly, keeping her in his arms, holding tight to his child.
"I love you too, Dad," the princess whispered. "But promise me; if something does go wrong, and it comes to fighting, let me stay and fight with you. Please, Dad."
Zuko froze. No way was he going to let anyone he cared about put themselves in danger, just because he had to.
"You know I can't make that promise, Asamiya," he whispered, holding her tighter. He wouldn't promise to let her endanger herself. He wouldn't let her come to harm. He would find away to protect his family, no matter what.
"Dad," Asamiya whispered, her quiet voice filled with a pleading tone.
"No," Zuko cut it, his own voice firm. "I won't let you risk your life like that." His whole demeanor changed, suddenly, and he looked so much older, and so tired. "It's late, Asamiya. Go to bed. You need to be rested for your lessons tomorrow." You need to sleep, and be ready to fight incase I can't get you out in time. I can't lose you.
Asamiya sighed defeatedly, and bowed her head in ascent.
"Good night, Dad," she said softly, smiling a dull, lifeless smile. Zuko felt terrible that he was the reason for his little girl's sullen attitude. He'd had to practically shoot her down twice in one night, saying no, when normally, he would have loved to figure out crazy old firebending moves, or would have promised her anything. Anything but allowing her to put her life on the line for his. He was grown, most of his life behind him. She was young, with everything to look forward to.
"Good night, my dear," Zuko muttered. "I promise, we'll work with your scrolls after your lessons tommorow. Come and see me, and we'll go practice, I swear to you." This time, when the princess smiled, the Fire Lord smiled to, because his daughter's eyes were lit with her smile, though it looked a bit tired.
"Okay, Dad," she muttered. "Thanks." She turned, scrolls in hand, and left for her own room.
Suddenly, she froze, and turned around, a look on her face that Zuko had never seen there before. It was the same look he'd seen on Katara's face when they'd learned that Azula was completely missing. Not just dead, and someplace they hadn't looked, but gone. The look on Asamiya's face was filled with fear and worry, caused by a valid reason.
"Oh, I almost forgot," she muttered, trying to smile. Zuko could still see the fear in her eyes, even if she were trying to hide it with a slightly sheepish smile and a calm voice. "Onji," she faltered, and that look spread from her eyes again, and Zuko began to understand just what was wrong, "said that, the falcon-hawk that made it here, was attacked by something."
Zuko's blood ran cold. Could it possibly be that the death of the first falcon-hawk and now the attack on the second were related? And on purpose? Were things around him moving that fast?
"She thinks it might have been intentional interference," Asamiya went on. "In any case, though, whoever tried to stop the second bird, knows we know. I'm not too sure if that's all that bad, or if it's just coincidence, I don't know." The princess shrugged, looking up at her father with that same reasonable fear shining in her eyes.
Zuko groaned, and Asamiya could have sworn she heard him curse under his breath. He dropped his face into his hands, shaking his head.
"Go to your room, Asamiya." His voice reached her ears, muffled and strange. "I don't want you leaving palace grounds or the barracks alone until everything is straightened out. Understand?" Zuko looked up at Asamiya, and the firebender princess felt her breath hitch; the look in her father's eyes was pleading, and the fact that he was that worried about her scared Asamiya, but she would not question. If her father would feel better knowing she was in her room, then she'd go.
"See you in the morning, Dad," she whispered, nodding. She smiled at him, knowingly, then flashed a brighter, more innocent grin, and left the study.
In the hall, Asamiya's smile dropped instantly, and a frown took it's place. As night settled in outside, the princess made her way to her room, her thoughts dark and brooding, wondering just what was going on, and the sound of the chirpping cricket-ants was distant, and barely audible. And as she slipped into her nightgown, and wriggled down under the crimson blankets, she was determined to find out what was going on. Something was amis in her world, and she was going to find out what this strange disturbance was.
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So that's the chapter. Review, please!