Hello! How have you been? Have you stayed funky fresh? Ok… that sounded straighter in my head.
Anyway, time for another installment. I saw this episode of jeopardy last night and one of the questions was "What you do not own." And I said "Avatar." Needless to say, I was right.
By the way, why do people say 'needless to say' and then they say what it is? I thought you said it was needless to say? It doesn't make a lot of sense. Sorry, I digress. On with the chapter!
The sun was beating harshly on me as I rolled over to escape it. I grumbled to myself as it was still bright on the other side. I finally decided to just shove my head to the ground and was granted some darkness. I gave a contented sigh as I tried to slip back to sleep.
But noooo, Azula seemed to have other plans for me that morning.
"Get up, we need to go." She said harshly. I didn't reply until she kicked me in the stomach. The air in my lungs rushed out as I coughed. I did not want to receive another kick, so I reluctantly got up. "I think I much prefer Katara's method." I grumbled as I got to my feet. I dusted off my clothes with my hands "What time is it?" I asked. It looked really early in the morning. "What does it matter? We need to move." She answered.
"Yes your highness." I mocked, but she didn't bite. She turned and walked away and I followed close behind. We hit the trail we we're on the previous day and continued down the trail. I felt at peace with our surroundings, it was calming. The birds and trees were a nice setting, to say the least. It was rare that I would be able to enjoy nature. What with the traveling at quick paces and such.
Finally we came to the end of the trail after about three hours of walking and I saw a town in the distance. "Finally! Civilization!" I exclaimed. "Don't stand there and gawk, let's go." She said. I sighed and followed her. When we got to the outskirts of the village, something passed through my mind. She's still decked out in fire nation garb and that wouldn't help our situation. It would actually make it worse.
"Take off your clothes." I said without thinking. Her head snapped quickly in my direction with fire in her eyes "Wanna run that by me again." She said. I realized what I said and my eyes widened "Wait, I didn't mean it like that!" I said quickly. She pointed her fingers at me "Then what did you mean?" she stated coldly. 'I might have ticked her off with that comment' I thought. "I meant that it wouldn't be smart if you walk into the village with fire nation armor on. That would be way to suspicious, even for us." I explained. But her fingers didn't move and her expression didn't change "What do you expect me to wear you idiot?" she asked.
I gulped "You have underclothes. It's just the armor wouldn't look right." I informed shakily. Her fingers moved to a non-threatening position, but her expression stayed stern. "You wouldn't have to look like that for long, just till we get the clothes." I tried to reason. "You expect me to walk around in my underclothes? It's bad enough that you've seen them; I don't want total strangers seeing." She said, sounding disgusted. "I know Azula, but we don't have much of a choice." I stated. "Yeah we do." She said stubbornly. "No we don't. There would be a huge uproar and we would be run out of town and you know it." I told her and she crossed her arms. "Like a bunch of peasants could do that." she said and she was right.
No one we would find could stand up to her, but I did not want to run the risk. We would be hunted by many a bounty hunter if it was known Princess Azula was in the earth kingdom. "Azula, can't you just trust me on this? You'll never see these people again." I said trying to reason with her. She scoffed "Of course they're going to see me again. I'm going to be the fire lord and rule over all of them." She said matter-of-factly. I let out a frustrated sigh "Fine Azula, but I bet most of them don't know what you look like. So they won't know."
She was mulling it over then finally spoke up "Fine, but we need some ground rules. First, if you have to look at me, make sure it's from the neck up. I don't want any wandering eyes. Got it?" she said sternly. I nodded dumbly and she continued "Second, if anyone else stares longer than necessary, I reserve the right to kill them on the spot. And third, no dawdling. In and out. Got it?" she said again. I nodded again and she turned around.
"I'll be behind that tree. If you move from that spot, I will burn you to a crisp." She said and I knew she wasn't kidding. I watched her walk behind the tree and I looked away. If she caught me looking, I would die today.
She came out a few minutes later without her armor. And where did my eyes go automatically? I think you can figure it out. I took a quick peek before shifting my eyes upward, to avoid detection. "I left my armor behind the tree, let's get this over with." She said and I followed her into the town. Of course I took quick peeks when her eyes were forward, but not much. I was taught better than that.
When we entered the village, people started looking at us. I could guess it was because we we're travelers and our attire. I had a burned shirt and she was barely wearing anything. Many would look away, but more would continue staring. I could tell she was getting very uncomfortable and I needed to step in.
I walked in front of her "Stay close behind me. I'll block you from the others." I instructed. She silently did so and I felt the warmth of her body close to mine. I gave glares to all that looked at me and many looked away. I smirked at my triumph and I look for the closest clothes hut.
I saw one and we made our way to it. We we're met with a funny look from the owner, but I paid no attention to it. "How do you expect to pay for this stuff?" she asked. I turned to her "I kinda figured you would, with you being royalty and all." I said. She gave me a funny look "You think I carry money?" she asked and my brain clicked. 'Of course she wouldn't. Damn, how are we gonna pay for this stuff?' I thought. "Well, Katara keeps all of the money, so I don't have any." I admitted and she groaned. "Are you serious? You really are dumb." She scolded and I couldn't disagree with her.
"What are we going to do now? You and your smart ideas." She mumbled. I shrugged "I honestly have no idea." I said after a second. She shook her head "Of course you don't." she said, disappointed in me. We we're silent for a moment until she spoke up "I'll take care of it." I watched her walk up to the shop owner and knew what she was about to do "Shit! Don't do it Azula!" I said, running up to her.
She pointed her deadly fingers directly at the old man "Listen peasant, you are going to give…" is what she said before I grabbed her shoulders and pulled her back. "Sorry, give us a minute will ya." I apologized. He gave us a weird look, but went on with his business. I pulled her back and spun her around "What are you doing?" I demanded in a hushed tone. "We need to get those clothes right? I see no other way!" she retorted fiercely. "But that's stealing!" I said. "Obviously, idiot. Do you have a bright idea?" she asked and I had nothing.
"I see." She said and she started to walk back to the owner. I quickly grabbed her "Wait Azula. Let me do it." I sighed and looked at the shopkeeper. I felt bad for him, but I was just two pair of clothes. It shouldn't hurt his business too much, at least I hoped. "Why do you get to do it?" she asked. "I have a weapon; he won't be too intimidated by your fingers." I said and she glared at me. "He won't be intimidated? All I have to do is…" I covered her mouth. "No one can know you're a fire bender." I said. I removed my hand before she tried to bite it off.
"I can't believe I'm a about to steal from a helpless old man." I mumbled to myself. "Get over it." She stated. I sighed and I turned to the old man. I gulped "Here goes nothing." And I slowly made my way to the counter. She pushed me the rest of the way when I stopped.
"How may I help you?" he asked nicely.
"Damnit, why do you have to be nice?" I said aloud. "Excuse me?" he asked with a weird look. I took a deep breath and narrowed my eyes. I grabbed the hilt of my sword and pulled it out. I pointed the blade at the man's throat "Give us some clothes if you know what's good for you." I said as sternly as I could. I tried my hardest to keep my voice from cracking.
The man's eyes widened in fear as he realized what I was implying. "Please don't hurt me; I'll give you what you want." He said. He grabbed something from under the counter and came back up "What are your sizes?" he asked and I nearly fell over. "Are you serious?" I said and I turned around to Azula. She shrugged and I sighed. I turned back around "We don't know." I told him. "Well, then I need to measure you." He said. "What? No! That would just be awkward!" I said. "Can't you just tell be eye?" I asked. I was not getting measured by a guy I'm mugging! Azula stepped in front of me "Listen peasant, give us what you think we need and we'll leave. Do it fast or you won't like what happens."
'Wow, she's a lot better than me at the whole intimidation thing. I'm scared and she's not even talking to me' I thought and the man stuttered. "Yes ma'am, right away." He said and he pulled out two pair of clothes. "Here you go, just don't hurt me." he said as she snatched the clothes from him. She shoved some clothes at me and I sheathed my sword.
We left the shop and went into an alley, after we got a safe distance from the place we just robbed. "I'm going to need a lot of therapy after that." I commented. She scoffed "You're such a woman." She said. "Whoa, wait a second. I did it didn't I?" I asked. "You we're shaking like a fish." She said as she looked at the clothes we got.
"Well, soooorry that I'm not well-versed in the ways of a criminal!" I said. She didn't retort and she went behind the wall to change. I quickly changed into the clothes and examined them. They were simple, yet practical. Green shirt and pants. I waited for Azula to come out as I leaned against the wall of the alley.
She came out a few minutes later, fully clothed. I saw her expression of relief and I smiled a little. Her clothes were simple also and it would help us blend in. Well, as much as a water tribe warrior and a fire nation princess can in the earth kingdom.
"What now?" she asked when she got closer. "You said you wanted to find the nearest fire nation influence right? Let's ask around." I answered as I leaned off the wall. "Didn't you say it wasn't going to be that easy?" she asked. I nodded "Yeah, but I don't see another way." She nodded and we walked into the town.
It's definitely not a smart idea to still be here after we robbed some guy, but I didn't want to leave unless we knew where we were going. Hopefully, we can get the information and get out as fast as we can. Azula pointed out an old woman, and we made our way to her.
"Excuse me, ma'am?" I asked when we got closer. She looked up at me "Yes young man?" she answered. I took a second to figure out how to word what I wanted to ask. "My friend and I here want to join the resistance against the fire nation. Do you know where the closest group is?" I asked and hoped it didn't sound too suspicious.
The old woman laughed "You two are not from around here are you?" she asked and I tried not to laugh. "You could say that." I replied. "This is the one part of the earth kingdom where the fire nation can't go." She explained. I had a shocked expression on my face "What are you talking about?" Azula asked in a miffed tone. The old woman was taken aback from her tone, but continued.
"We are in a zone the fire nation has not dared come. Our earth benders are the best you'll find in the entire earth kingdom." She said proudly. "We have our own army that covers miles and miles of area in this part. The fire nation has tried multiple times to break through, but have never succeeded. Actually, a couple days ago a fire nation ship was sunk by our costal defenses. It put up a good fight, but we got it in the end."
'That's what happened!' I thought. I saw Azula's anger start to boil over and I put my hand on her shoulder. Her glare snapped up to me and I shook my head. "Not now." I mouthed to her. She huffed and looked back to the old woman.
"Yep, it was a marvelous sight to see. Did you two get to see it?" she asked. I almost burst with laughter and I tried to bottle it up. A few laughs escaped as I said "Yeah, we saw it." Azula wasn't as amused as I was though and I saw her give me a death glare. I quieted a little and the old woman continued.
"There hasn't been a fire bender here in years." That did it for me and I busted out laughing. 'If she only knew who was standing next to me' I thought as I continued to laugh. Azula hit me in the stomach with her elbow and I quieted down. "Is there something funny?" the old woman asked. "No, no sorry." I said as I giggled some more.
"To answer your question, you aren't going to find fire nation anywhere near here." She said and my face fell. "Are you serious?" I asked and she nodded. "This is a very safe space." She explained. I sighed and turned to Azula "What should we do now?" I asked. She shook her head and I sighed again. I turned to the old woman "Then can you tell us where the closest village is?" I asked.
"About ten or so miles down that road." She said pointing to a trail leading away from the village. "Ok, thank you." I said and she nodded and walked away. I turned back to Azula "Well, what's the plan?" I asked her. I was fresh out of ideas.
"I don't know, aren't you the one with all the bright ideas?" she asked and I shook my head. "I got nothing." I said and she groaned. "Of course, you always have plans when we don't need them. Now that we need one, you're out. You really are useless!" she scolded.
"Shut up and let me think!" I yelled. She said something to me, but I blocked it out. I guess we could go to the next village and try again, but we would have to travel that distance on foot. But if we stay here, we run the risk of that man alerting the authorities about us, which he has probably already done. We need to leave and now.
"Are you even listening to me?" I heard Azula ask when I came back from my thoughts. "Huh? Oh, no I wasn't." I said. She glared at me, but I shrugged it off. "We need to go to that village." I stated and she looked at me "That's it? Go to the next village? You really are a genius." She said sarcastically. "I'm not in the mood Azula, we need to move." I said.
She must have understood me, as she didn't say anything else as we walked out of town. While we were walking, I needed to talk to her about something "Azula?" I asked. "What?" she replied harshly. What did I do? I shrugged it off "We can't be stealing the entire time were out here. It seems were going to be out here longer than we expected, and we need to get some money somehow." I said. "What are you suggesting?" she asked.
"I don't know, but we can't keep stealing from people. Everyone would be after us and it would be hard to escape with an entire nation after us." I said, trying to reason with her logical side. "I know that, but how would we get money?" she asked. I shrugged "I don't know, I guess we could do odd jobs for people in the next town." I said. "Ha, you're funny." She said dryly. "I'm serious Azula." I said well, seriously. "You're full of jokes today aren't you?" she said dryly again. I sighed, but said nothing else. She was as stubborn as a damn donkey. 'My sister thinks I'm stubborn, trying spending all day with this woman.' I thought.
Although it is nice that she didn't call me 'peasant' once today.
There you go people, I know it was fast to update. What can I say, it was easy to write this particular chapter! If you are worried that The Gaang is too close for comfort to them don't worry! I have a very special plan for them, you'll see in the next chapter. R&R please. PStrike out
