Chapter 2- Hostage
Zuko's POV
"Let. Her. Go." Kimi threatened, venom dripping with every word.
I looked at her hands as they suddenly lit up with purple fire. I hid my astonishment with a smirk, but mentally gaped at what I saw. The last time I saw her, she was only able to bend orange flames, like every other firebender (except Azula who bends blue fire). But now, she controlled the purple flames, and they cast a violet light around the entire room. I had found out that not long after she betrayed the fire nation, her flames changed from orange to purple. (How or why I didn't know; I don't think anyone does). I had prepared for this, but seeing them in person was a completely different story.
I was also surprised by the figure holding the flames. She changed a great deal since I last saw her. She certainly matured, and grew even more beautiful than when I first met her, which I thought was impossible. Seeing her brought back many memories of my father's adoration for her- his prodigy. My thoughts then drifted back to her beauty, but in a flash I remembered who she was, the crimes she committed against the fire nation, and my mission.
I changed my smirk to a look that, I admit, was smug.
"If you move any further or try to attack, it'll be the last time you see your aunt alive," I threatened calmly. In addition to gathering information on her whereabouts, I knew Kimi was living with her aunt. I had heard many rumors about Kimi's powerful fire bending, and how it had only grown stronger as she grew older. She and her group, the Resistance, have been leading attacks against the fire nation, successfully defending villages from being conquered, and helping inmates escape from fire nation prisons. How she could go from faithful and promising future fire nation hero to the most wanted criminal and traitor was beyond me, but I shoved these thoughts aside for the moment.
Even though she was powerful, I knew her weakness. Her aunt was her only family left, after her parents ran off because of disappointment in her or something, I really didn't know. All I knew was that as long as her aunt was involved, she would do anything to keep her safe.
"What do you want?" She asked, although I knew she had realized why I was here.
"I'm sure you already know," I said confidently, knowing what her next actions would be.
She sighed and the flames in her hands died down. She sank to the floor on her knees and bowed her head, her hands held out to be, ready to be bound.
"Just… don't hurt her," she pleaded.
Her aunt began sobbing even more, which shocked me for a second, since I was too focused on Kimi, and had almost forgotten her aunt was here under my control.
"Don't do it, Kimi! Don't worry about me. Just go!" Her aunt began to shout, and I pushed the swords harder against her back. She was quiet in seconds, trying to control her sobs.
"Your call," I said smugly, although I was beginning to worry a little as her aunt yelled out those pleas. I knew I couldn't beat Kimi in a fight; no one had.
"No," Kimi said. "I'll be fine, jus-"
"No you won't be! You know what they'll do to you once you're in the fire nation! What they did to your parents!" Her aunt said cutting her off, unsuccessfully trying to fight back sobs. This caught me off guard. I realized I never fully knew what happened to Kimi's parents. I assumed that because she betrayed the fire nation, they refused to speak to her, but after what her aunt said, I no longer believed that was the case. And what would they do to Kimi? Surely they would just throw her in jail…. Right?
"I know," Kimi whispered, bringing me out of my thoughts. Her gaze strayed away from meeting her aunt's eyes. She remained in her previous position, and I removed the swords from the older woman's back, walking over to Kimi. I placed metal handcuffs around her small wrists, and with the handle of my sword, knocked her unconscious.