Chapter 3

Zuko's POV

" So," Katara said after hiding Mai's body in my closet, " if you're going to want to get away with this, you have to act like nothing happened. You passed out last night from lack of sleep, and you slept in, got it?" I squeezed the spot on my nose between my eyes.

" Katara," I said, " how do you know this?"

" I traveled around the Fire Nation with the avatar right under the noses of our enemies. Don't you think I would know how to play it cool when I'm in trouble?" She answered. To be honest I never thought about that. " You go ahead to whatever and I'll deal with this." Then there was a knock at the door.

" Come in" I said. As the handle on the door Katara bended the blood of the bed into her water skins. The servant Lu walked in. He close one hand in a fist and put the other at the knuckles and bows, Katara and I followed his lead.

" Firelord Zuko," he said " General Iroh has asked for your presence in his quarters. Will you be joining him for tea."

" Of course," I said, " I'll be there in a moment." As Lu left I turned to Katara.

" I'll put the body in the garden, that way, when someone finds her, it'll look like she was attacked out side of your room" she said, I nodded and followed Lu to my uncles bedroom.

I walked alone down one of the many hallways in the labyrinth of the palace. A long corridor lay ahead of me, tall windows let in a cool breeze and vibrant rays of sunlight. I crumpled to my knees as something seemed to burn at my skin. I've had more than enough experience with burns, but this wasn't like th white hot lightening burning through my existence, not like the fire burning the flesh on my face, this was a kind of burning that I had not yet felt before, it seemed almost acidic. I managed to reach a slightly dim corner to be relieved of the pain. For a few moments I tried to catch my breath. Then I looked at my skin, expecting it to be bloody and raw, only to see that it was a slightly darker shade than it was before. I held my hand out so that the rays could touch it, and quickly pulled it away as it began to eat at my skin. I looked down the long hallway and sighed. I edged around the edges of darkness, getting burned every so often. Finally I made it to the other side. I examined my arms to find that they had returned to their original color.

I stepped into Iroh's room and saw my uncle pouring two cup of tea.

" Sit" he commanded. I sat at a table. He put the tea on a tray and placed it on the table. He sat and took a sip of the herbal drink. " so you were found… unconscious outside the palace." He began

" yes," I said, " I want to talk to you about that." Iroh looked as if he wanted to say something " I think this is priority at the moment" he nodded " I was attacked by…" Iroh looked worried, then studied me closely, he then jumped back.

" Blood demons" Iroh muttered. He knew I wouldn't hurt him and seemed to pity me more than anything else.

" yeah" I said. I looked up at him " how did you know?"

" your eyes" Iroh said calmly " they're black, not gold" I raised my eyebrow. " so, who did you kill?" the blood drained from my face

" how did you…" I began

" when falls asleep a human, and awakens a blood demon, they kill the first human they see"

I looked down at my tea regrettably " mai" I said " please don't"

" you think that after all we've been through, I would hand over my own nephew a criminal. What you've done is disgraceful, but it was beyond your control. You are my nephew, Zuko, and I love you."

" the guilt is killing me" I almost cryed

" I understand" iroh said, his eyes downcast. I knew he understanded my pain. Years ago, he lost his first and only son, and my best friend. No I've lost the love of my life, and it's entirely my fault. I burst out crying.

"I can't live with this. I just can't" I begged " please, I want to make it stop!"

Iroh closed his eyes trying to concentrate " I think I know of one way that can help. It won't bring Mai back, but it can make you human again"

My eyes widened " tell me, please"

Iroh hummed to himself than began to sing:

Demons feast on human souls,

Destroying what once was whole,

Before three deaths, the demon must

Find true love, free of lust.

A kiss will return what once was his

And with her he must have to live.

The song reminded me of a song he and the rest of my crew used to sing on karaoke night during the days of my banishment.

" I killed Mai!" I reminded Iroh " my true love is dead! How can I kiss her? I have no hope now! I'm going to be a blood demon for the rest of my life!" I was in hysterics.

" zuko," Iroh tried to calm me " you can have more than one true love!"

I looked at him quizzically and he smiled.

looks like Iroh's got a plan. bum bum bummmmmm

lol

happy easter/passover everyone!