A/N: hey guys! So sorry for the long wait. Since I'm back at school, updates will be sporadic, but I will try to update as often as possible. Btw, all the segments in the first person are Katara's POV and the third person segments are being told from, well, the third person's POV :?
Anyway, here's chapter 3!
Disclaimer: I don't own A:TLA
Paper Butterflies: Chapter 3
The rhythmic pounding of jabs, crosses and the occasional kick echoed against the gym's walls, accompanied the harsh exhalation, following each thrust. Sweat trickled in tiny rivulets down the side of Zuko's brow and he roughly brushed it away, never breaking the constant rhythm.
After twenty minutes or so, he straightened up and with a final brutal side kick, picked up his towel and headed for the door. At the sound of a single round of sarcastic applause, Zuko's head snapped up and his eyes narrowed viciously, reducing his bad eye into a tiny slit. "Azula... Tear your head out of Ozai's ass long enough to pay your brother a visit? I must say I'm surprised, that's not like you at all. What are you doing in my house?"
"Oh Zuzu, is that how you welcome your own family? Then again, you never were one for the art of making pleasant conversation. I suppose I should just cut straight to the point. I'm here, because father sent me. He's in need of your services and has asked me to ask for a favour regarding your current surveillance mark; General Taro..." The woman seemed completely unfazed by her brother's snide remark and her voice was silky and persuasive, fuelling Zuko's hatred for her.
"Ozai never asks..." this statement was made in a low, bored tone, accompanied by the rolling of amber eyes, "So what about this General? What's the job?"
At this the girl smirked, "Take him out of course; he seems to be stirring more trouble than usual and it's causing some of the important benefactors to second guess father's campaign."
Zuko knew the reason for the visit even before Azula's painted red lips started moving. He sighed and resignedly nodded his head, "How does he want it done?" he asked, his mind already filling with murderous thoughts.
The response was wicked and to the point, "Like an accident, he's very fond of shooting and spends every Sunday afternoon at the shooting range on 27th street, but then again you already knew that. Don't leave a mess..." And with that she turned on her dainty stilettos and disappeared into the open doorway.
Zuko watched her go, his hatred, rolling of in waves, seemed to follow her out the door. His sister was a real piece of work. He hung his head for a second, and breathed in deep before heading out the same way his sister had, plans of a meticulous murder already whirling around in his mind.
Walking the sunlit corridors, Zuko made his way through a series of staircases and walked out onto the roof. He walked over to the now familiar spot and proceeded to slip into a meditation pose, all the while, planning the troublesome general's death.
It was during this time that Iroh appeared, gazing fondly at his nephew, he cleared his throat and chuckled merrily when his nephew lost his concentration and turned sharply to look indignantly at his intruder.
His glare lifted at the sight of his visitor, nodding slightly, he acknowledged the old man. His small gesture of welcome was greeted with a million mega watt smile and a crushing hug belying the old man's physical fragility.
"Ah my nephew! It's so good to see you out in the sunshine on this beautiful day! Would care to indulge an old man's fetish for tea and perhaps a game of Pai Sho?"
As hard as he tried, Zuko couldn't fight the rising of treacherous affection for the old man. He smiled a small smile and replied, "You're not that old uncle and I'm you're only nephew... I refuse to drink that concoction you threw together the last time."
"But nephew, I made it specially for you! Oh well, at least you conceded to the Pai Sho...one out of two isn't so bad I suppose."
"I said nothing about Pai Sho..." Zuko scowled, but the feeling wasn't there. At this Iroh smiled again and said sagely, "Ahh, but you did not refuse the invitation either..."
Rolling his eyes, Zuko realized a lost cause when he saw one and gave into his uncle's attempt at bonding, after all, he was the only family member that didn't despise him or that he didn't despise.
"So Zuko, how have these few days treated you while I was gone? Hmmm?"
"Well up until recently. For starters, I have a hardass reporter on my case, spouting some rubbish about me heading some human trafficking gig. That was yesterday, today I got a visit from Azula. She came all the way to give me the green light for the next job, this surprised me but I know better than to speculate about Azula's motives without the right information."
At the mention of his psychotic but perfect niece, Iroh's face took on a grave quality making him look older than his actual age. "Who?" the question was asked so quietly, that if Zuko wasn't as seasoned a shadow as he was, he would have missed it completely.
"General Taro. He seems to be causing a rebellion and making a mess of Ozai's campaign."
"I see... And have you thought about how you're going to do it? No doubt it's supposed to look like an accident with as little mess as possible."
Silently Zuko contemplated about how easy it was to forget that the man walking along side him was at one time the best hired gun in the business, and would have now been in the position Ozai now occupied.
"I thought about it, but nothing is set just yet. I assume it has to be done as soon as possible, so by tomorrow night. He shoots every Sunday Afternoon so I don't have to be creative, just clean."
Iroh nodded gravely but said nothing, together the pair walked in contemplative silence, neither could have known how greatly the next day was going to affect them.
I was rudely assaulted by the sunlight pouring through my window and onto my eyelids. I groaned with the realisation that there was no way I could fall back to sleep now. I sat up slowly in my bed and glanced balefully at the alarm clock on my bedside, it told me that it was 7a.m, way too early for a Saturday morning.
Slowly, almost grudgingly, the memories of last night made their way to my conscious. I was suddenly struck with the reality of all that had happened and sat bolt upright and gazed wide eyed to the spot where my visitor had stood the night before.
I felt a smile make a way to my lips, but winced when I heard the birds tweeting their little songs; yup, still too soon to take in the noise of the world. I rose out of bed and slipped my feet into the fuzzy blue slippers at my bed side, then stumbled off to brush my teeth and shower.
Once I had changed and had a glass of "Sokka's Miracle Hangover Cure", I felt a bit better; more human than zombie anyway. Figuring it wasn't going to get any better than this, I reached for my phone and called Bato. He picked up on the fifth ring and I could hear the grogginess in his voice, he grunted a hello and I found it impossible to keep the rising excitement out of my voice, "Bato it's me, you'll never believe who was at my place last night..."
Ok! That's chapter 3! Again, please forgive the delay!