Chapter Three: The Warriors of Kyoshi
A few days have passed since we stopped at port for repairs. Ever since then it has been a pretty tense environment with Prince Zuko constantly losing his temper. It seems that it has been pretty hard to track my friends, which I am thankful for no matter how sorry I feel for Zuko. Aang is after all our last chance for peace.
Things are different, in a way I never expected them to be. I no longer spend my days helping the villagers care for the children while they do other necessary things. Instead, I spent my days following Prince Zuko around because I am after all a "prisoner" and need to be watched. In a way, I guess I'm still caring for children, just instead of little girls dreaming of marrying some big shot warrior and little boys dreaming of being that big shot warrior I am dealing with an elderly man that is trying to fill the gap his deceased family left and a teenage prince that is in a way grown up beyond his years but at the same time acts so much young than it.
I guess things don't always go how you plan them to, but if they don't you just might miss out on something big…maybe even more than one something.
Today, due to advice given by Iroh, I was sitting on Prince Zuko's bed while he meditated in hopes of calming down his raging temper. I sat there in silence for awhile, watching and listening to Zuko breathe deeply. Eventually, I got bored and starting looking around the room. That's when my eyes landed on Zuko's desk and what laid on it. With a small grin, I got up and made my way over there to pick up the necessary materials.
"What are you doing, Ame?" Zuko asked, not bothering to turn around or even open a single eye.
"You'll see," I replied, settling next to his meditation table with my back against the cool metal wall. I bent my knees upwards to create something solid to work on while setting out ink and extra paper and brushes. "Now hold still."
He opened his eyes to stare at me in confusion for a moment before I pointed at him as to say 'Do as I say.' He quickly rolled his eyes at me before closing them once again to continue his meditation.
Grinning in satisfaction I became to paint. Every line seemed to flow as it left my brush and after a few minutes the subject began to come into focus. Adding detail after detail, I continued trying to satisfy my perfectionist nature until I was nearly done an hour later. Deciding to take a break I set my picture down and began flexing of my hand, trying to ease the stiffness that was a result of my painting.
Letting out a sigh, I rested my head back against the wall only to be startled out of a daydream by Zuko's voice.
"The only reason you should be interrupting me is if you have news of the Avatar."
"Well, there is news, but you may not like it, Prince Zuko. Don't get too upset," Iroh's voice said, carrying from the doorway. I looked up giving the old man a small smile which he momentarily returned.
"Uncle, you taught me that keeping a level head is a sign of a great leader. Now whatever you have to say, I'm sure I can take it," Zuko said calmly, opening his eyes slightly.
"Okay then," Iroh said, slightly unsure. "We have no idea where he is."
With that the flames from the candles grow fifty times bigger causing me to let out a small shriek, jumping away from the flames. "What?" Zuko yelled.
"You know," Iroh said, pulling out a fan while handing Zuko the map. "You really should open a window in here. And try not to burn Ame while you're at it."
Zuko quickly gave me a small apologetic look before demanding his uncle to explain.
"There have been multiple sightings of the Avatar. He's impossible to track down."
"How am I going to find him, Uncle?" Zuko asked, clearly annoyed. "He is clearly a master of evasive maneuvering." Without waiting for an answer, Zuko stormed out of his room to speak to the captain.
"Iroh," I asked, as he helped me pick up my painting supplies. "Does he not realize Aang's only twelve years old?"
Iroh shrugged as we left to go up to the deck. "I'm not sure, Ame. This is a very good painting by the way."
I smiled gently at my dear friend.
Zuko had calmed down since this morning, but was still in a pretty foul mood when we sat down for lunch that day. Not that I minded, I thought it was a pretty amusing sight to see actual steam come out of his ears.
"What are you smiling about, Ame?" Iroh asked me, amusement shining in his bright, wise eyes.
"Just thinking out this morning with the steam," I said, smiling softly with a small giggle forcing its way past my lips causing Iroh to laugh as well.
"Glad I could be of amusement to you two," Zuko said dryly, crossing his arms over in chest in an annoyed manner.
"Oh, didn't you know, Nephew?" Iroh asked gleefully. "You're always of amusement to me."
"Just eat your food, Uncle," Zuko said annoyed, waiting for the cook to place the fish in front of him.
"Prince Zuko, while I was in town. I found out some information you might be interested in hearing," he said.
"If it doesn't have anything to do with the Avatar, I'm not listening," Zuko replied stubbornly.
"Oh, but it does," the cook said cheerfully.
Zuko instantly snapped his head in the cook's direction, pinning him with an expectant glare. "I'm listening."
"The Avatar is currently staying on Kyoshi Island."
"The Avatar is on Kyoshi Island?" Zuko demanded for conformation, jumping up. The cook simply nodded before bowing and hastily exiting the room. "Uncle, ready the rhinos! He's not getting away from me this time." Zuko quickly walked around the table to me then gently grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the room and down the hall.
"Prince Zuko?" I asked confused. He refused to answer me before we reached my room. After pulling me into it and setting me on my bed, he headed back to my door. "Zuko, what's going on?"
"Stay here." That's all he said before leaving.
Immediately I began to feel nervous and ran to my door, trying to open it. No luck. "Prince Zuko, let me out!"
No answer.
"Zuko!" I began banging on the door in a lousy attempt to escape. "Let me out of here!" I yelled, feeling tears begin to sting my eyes. After a few minutes I gave up and fell to the metal floor with a soft thud and began thinking. It was then that the haze that shrouded my mind was cleared and I realize my friends were in danger again causing a few tears to slide down my cheeks. This time I couldn't help them. What was I going to do?
I could hear the screams. Mere hours after I was locked in my room, screams sounded, echoing off the metal walls that surrounded. I closed my eyes tightly as I covered my ears in an attempt to block out the horrid sound. I curled up into a ball as I began crying again. So much pain…so much terror. What's worse is that mere hours ago, I was acting friendly to the person who was causing all of it. Oh, Zuko. I know this isn't the real you. This is just what you've been taught. Don't let it overcome you. Don't become a victim to the fire that is burning away the little hope that is left in this world. Don't lose yourself…