Don't like this chapter either...but oh well...not like it matters what I think... Chapter 6: Dreams and Memories
That night, the palace was peaceful. Every soul slept peacefully, not a single being in the entire palace stirred. But something was stirring in the Spirit World, and it troubled the Avatar.
Aang sat on his balcony, overlooking the lands behind the Fire Nation palace. He remembered going beneath them as Zuko led them to freedom, so many years before. At that moment, had he ever thought that he'd be sitting here, enjoying the comforts of the Fire Nation palace? That he'd be welcome here? Ha, he'd hardly even believed they'd win the Civil War. In the end, it had been Zuko's determination and that alone that had won them the war.
And now, something was wrong, but he didn't know what. Akierin joined him on the large balcony, her silk blue eyes gazing out into the infinite skies.
(You say something is wrong with the Spirit World.)
Aang thought for a moment, and then shook his head. No, it's more like, in the Spirit World. I don't know.
(A demon, perhaps?)
Perhaps. I'm really not sure. I didn't really have a teacher when it came to these things now did I?
(No, but still, you should be able to recognize a demon. Explain your feelings to me.)
Well, it's not like something is truly wrong, like it stands out. It's like something is waking up, and it's not supposed to.
Akierin shook her head. (This doesn't make sense. If it is a demon, it shouldn't be able to wake unless it is called, and all awakenings require a human sacrifice of some sort. Who would be ruthless enough to sacrifice their peers to a demon?)
No one I know of. Should I keep this to myself?
The silver dragon considered this briefly before nodding. (Yes, I think so. At least until we have a better understanding of things.)
Aang nodded, and watched the skies. They were so pure, so infinite. He would have thought everything was perfect, if not for the warning in his heart.
Maida was sleeping once more in the clean white bed that Ajayi had provided for her. Her dreams were peaceful and calm, for she was unaware she was being watched.
Ajayi paced silently around her room, watching her, listening to her steady breath, unable to leave. True, in some ways she was her father, the pride and determination, but in too many she was her mother. Agni above, he remembered the first time he'd seen that young water-bender, when Zuko had brought her in with the Avatar. That brat had dismissed her as nothing, but he had seen her potential. Her beauty, her spirit, her…complexity. But in the end, she had chosen the bratty prince over him.
And now, this incarnation of her lay before him as he knelt by the young warrior's head. She stirred softly in sleep, unknowingly turning towards him. Carefully, he traced her full lips with his thumb, his whole body shaking at the contact. Could he…just…no, he turned away from her and left the room.
Maida was as complex as her parents, just as confusing, and her spirit was a combination of both her mother and father, making her twice as hard as they had been. She was the perfect incarnation of their relationship, for when they had joined, they had only accented each other's spirit and determination. When one was down, the other was there to hold them up.
Ajayi sighed as he watched the stars. All of this should turn me away from her. He thought. And yet… He sighed. But he would not let this interfere with his plans. Never.
Dita was in her makeshift home, lying on her makeshift bed. Her arms were wrapped around her, and she shivered involuntarily, her head pounding with the Fire Lord's threat.
…not even the crows will want your flesh…
She was not the strong woman everyone thought she was. She wouldn't even be the leader of the Punir if it weren't for Ajayi. There wouldn't be a Punir if it weren't for Ajayi. Her thoughts turned to the first day she met the founder of the rebellion.
She was standing in her own home, cutting up some vegetables for her supper when she felt as if she were being watched. She spun around, knife in hand, to behold a tall man, cloaked and hooded. His voice was gruffly sweet.
"Do you hate the Fire Nation Dita? For what they took from you? Your husband? Your children? Should they be punished?"
How did he know that the Fire Nation had killed her family? How did he know her name? He frightened her.
"Should they be punished Dita?" She nodded, and then looked away.
"I am going to punish the Fire Lord for what he did to us Dita. Will you help me?"
She was shaking, and didn't answer.
"Tomorrow, I will bring something to you. You won't let anyone see or take that thing away from you, no matter who comes. Even if the Fire Lord comes, you will not let them take it from you."
She fell to her knees, afraid.
"I cannot do what you ask."
"Yes you can Dita, I know you can."
"The Fire Lord…frightens me."
Suddenly, he fastened a gloved hand beneath her chin and hauled her to her feet. His free hand jerked back his hood and then held a flame beneath her eye.
"Who are you more afraid of Dita! Him…or me?"
Tears fell from her terrified eyes. "Alright! I'll do what you ask!"
He dropped her. "Good girl." And then he was gone.
The next day, he had returned and shoved a sleeping three-year old girl into her arms. "Keep it safe. Keep it secret." And then he was gone.
And she did that, even when the child cried and begged for its father, she hid it.
And then the Fire Lord came to her town. He begged and pleaded with the townsfolk. He said no one would be punished if they would only return his daughter to him, and Dita knew she hid the Fire Nation princess.
She knew that the Fire Lord could forgive the part she played, and might protect her from that man, but what if he didn't?
In the end, it came down which man she feared the most, and in the end, that man was Ajayi.
Zula sat on the cliff, watching the turmoil below. If only she could warn her brother of what was to come, but that could not be. She shook her head sadly and turned to watch her younger sister climb up the cliff to join her.
A loud groan issued from the flames below them. Whatever stirred within the abyss, its time had nearly come.
Morning came too quickly, and Ajayi watched the sunrise. He heard Maida leave the house and join him by the water, and he watched her out of the corner of his eyes. Her hair was loose, now reaching her shoulder blades, and it made her look younger, more carefree. What the Punir had asked of her had aged her so much, and he hated them for it. She had been pure, and she should have remained that way. But this world was not made for angels like Maida.
"The Fire Nation Festival is in a week, Maida, if you'd like to go."
Her eyes searched his hood, as they had done many times before.
"What's it like, this festival?"
Ever cautious, that was just like his Maida.
"Where we will go, it will be just a sophisticated banquet, with a little fun thrown in. Everyone will be wearing masks, so we can go without hindrance."
She turned her eyes back to the water. "Masks huh? Okay, I'll go on one condition."
He looked at her, and she looked beautiful in the morning sun.
"What is your condition?" She smiled at him.
"You go without your hood."
He blinked, and was silent.
"Come on, they'll be wearing masks?"
He sighed. "Close your eyes Maida."
She looked at him confused, but then complied. He took her hand, her delicate hand, in his own, and pushed back his hood. He then guided her hand over the scar that covered his entire right eye and watched her reaction. Before he could stop her, she'd opened her eyes. They were soft, full of compassion, more blue within them than gold.
"Is that all?"
Then, much to his surprise and delight, she pulled his head down and kissed his scarred eyelid. He looked up at her, his mouth fallen open in surprise, but she just smiled at him.
"How can you kiss me? I am a monster."
Her beautiful eyes softened. "No, you are my teacher and…my friend."
She straightened up onto her knees and pulled him close, entwining her hands in his short black hair. His face hidden in her shoulder, he breathed in her soft scent, and prayed the sunrise would never end.
the mushiness...the MUSHINESS...(keels over)...
