Chapter 6: Food For Thought
Dear Diary,
I know it's the third entry I've made today but honestly its really been action packed.
Zuko and my uncle Zhao have just finished their duel, and I have to admit, the royal pain actually did pretty well…
Her footsteps were light even as she quietly slipped through all the large tents.
She bit her lip as she saw the golden sun sink lower in the red sky so that the edge of it touched the horizon line.
Crap…it's almost time…
But then she caught sight of the large walls of the training grounds up ahead. All four towers at the corners were lit brightly.
Oh good, I haven't missed it yet…oh crap!
She quickly drew back against the building's walls as a pair of guards passed. However they took no notice of her, for they were deep in conversation.
"So who do you think will win?" one asked the other who rolled his eyes and snorted
"Zhao of course. I mean, I'm sure the prince is a good firebender, but still Zhao's one of the masters. Plus he's got more experience under his belt."
"But Prince Zuko was trained by the Dragon of the West" the first guard pointed out and his friend nodded.
"Yeah I guess so, but still he's only what? sixteen? Still just a kid"
"Yeah maybe you're right. though for what it's worth, I really hope he wins"
"Yeah" the second guard smirked "then maybe the commander could get off his high horse for once in his life"
Took the words right out of my mouth
Jade smirked softly to herself as the two guards passed out of sight and hearing.
Once the coast was clear she slipped around a corner, no more than a faint shadow to the eyes of any who looked her way.
There was silence as Prince Zuko and Commander Zhao both knelt on either side of the great outdoor sparring ring.
"Remember your firebending basics Prince Zuko. They are your greatest weapons" Lord Iroh said as he stood before his nephew, who took a deep breath and opened his eyes.
"I refuse to let him win"
Meanwhile across the sparring ring, Zhao was thinking the exact same thing.
"This will be over quickly" he muttered as he stood up to face his opponent.
As both competitors stood up their shoulder coverings fell to the ground to reveal bare chests and two black arm bands.
Both men were strong, both were ready, and both sets of amber eyes were flaring with fire that seemed to spark as a gong sounded loudly over the arena.
It was Zuko who struck first, his flaming punch missing Zhao, who was quick to move aside, only to keep dodging as more and more fire was thrown at him. As he moved a laid back smirk played on his face.
This was almost too easy, like fighting against a child, he thought as he blocked a rather powerful but sloppy fireball.
Zuko panted heavily. That strike had taken a lot out of him, but Zhao didn't even get one scratch.
Got to try harder
He growled to himself as he leapt in the air, spinning his leg around so that a stream of fire snaked through the air.
But for all his fancy footwork he might as well as chucked a pebble at the Commander.
Zhao's grin was spread wide over his face as he diffused the flames quickly.
"Basics Zuko! Break his root." Iroh yelled from the sidelines.
But Zuko barely had time to register the words as Zhao aimed two large fire blasts at him.
He only just managed to block them in time, the small embers dancing and prickling hotly against his skin like sharp needles.
No…got to keep it together…
He winced as several more blasts flared before him, pushing him further and further back until-
Wham! He fell backwards painfully into the dirt.
Zhao's smirked, his eyes glinting with malicious pleasure as he made to charge and pounce on his fallen adversary.
Zuko didn't know quite what had come over him at that moment. Maybe it was the way the fire had flared in his face, maybe it was the sneering face of his adversary, maybe it was just innate animal instinct, or maybe it was the small nudging of the earth against his back… But even as the finishing blow came close the young prince leapt onto his feet, his feet flying out to sweep at his opponents front foot.
Zhao stumbled backwards in alarm, doing his best to keep balance on one leg even as his hurt ankle stung horribly.
How could this have happened? How could the spoiled brat of a prince have disturbed his footing? It was supposed to be as solid as a rock?
But the shaken commander didn't have time to think as, smirking, Zuko aimed several low blasts of fire with his feet right over his own toes.
And now to finish
Zuko grinned even as he spun his front leg into a flaming roundhouse that sent Zhao flying backwards to roll and crunch painfully into the dirt.
As he came to a stop on his back, Zuko ran forwards his arms extended as he prepared for the finishing blow, his claim to victory.
But even as he clenched his fists down into Zhao's face he paused.
"What are you waiting for?" Zhao growled angrily "Do it"
"ARGH!" Zuko growled as he aimed a fireball and the older man clenched his eyes shut waiting for the searing stinging of hot flames to hit his face.
However nothing happened…
There was blast yes, and some hot air passing his face, but apart from that…nothing…
Zhao opened his eyes slowly to see the prince still standing above him, his punching hand stretched out and still steaming. But it wasn't aiming not for his face.
It was aiming about a foot to the left of his head.
He…he didn't take the shot?
Zhao blinked as he looked to the side and saw a blackened spot of earth smoking in his face.
He saw a shadow move over him and quickly looked back up to see Zuko stepping smirking a little with victory.
"That's it?" Zhao spat his fists trembling as rage bubbled up from his gut. "Your father raised a coward"
But if he thought that would infuriate the prince he was wrong.
Zuko only narrowed his eyes and calmly replied:
"Next time you get in my way I promise, I won't hold back"
He won't hold back... He won't. Hold. BACK?!
Zhao could feel his gut broil as unbidden words from just a couple of hours ago wafted through his brain.
"barely much control"
Zhao's fists clenched as he sat up, but Zuko didn't care. He'd just turned around to face his uncle, only to find Jade standing with the older man.
What the?
He frowned confusedly to Iroh who grinned warmly as he patted Jade on the back.
"Well done Prince Zuko. You've done well. Hasn't he Jade?"
"Y-yes…he has…" Jade bit her lip a little as she felt Zuko's eyes bore into her. However for once he wasn't glaring.
He just looked rather surprised.
"You're here?" he blinked.
"Uh yeah…uh…taking a stroll and I happened to pass by"
"Oh? So…you're feeling better then?" but even as he said this Zuko's brow furrowed as he looked over her. She wasn't looking as on edge as she had in the tent, but something was still rather flustered and her cheeks were flushed pink.
"…yeah…mostly" She nodded biting her lip and choosing to look instead over the prince's shoulder rather than his face. However when she did she gasped.
"LOOK OUT!"
Zuko barely had time to look over his shoulder before he felt a pair of smaller hands push him out of the way.
There was a heavy thudding sound and Zuko looked up just in time to see a slender body hit the floor hard just as Zhao's shadow lunged, his foot flying out, flames flaring out of it…only to be stopped by a large hand.
Zuko's eyes widened as he saw his uncle Iroh easily push Zhao back down to the ground before turning away.
Zhao did not move, he only stared in shock as the older general crouched before Jade who was stirring. As she groggily sat up the collar to her robes slipped down to reveal, a large fist shaped bruise blossoming over her shoulder.
"I-I'm ok" she mumbled, wincing as Iroh gently helped her up onto her feet.
Zuko however was not so easily placated.
He lunged forwards angrily, only for Iroh to quickly catch him with a stern glower.
"No prince Zuko, do not taint your victory."
Jade couldn't help but shudder as the old general's eyes turned deadly cold upon Zhao's form on the ground. It was like almost looking into a glacier
"So…This is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat. Disgraceful. Even in exile, my nephew has more honour than you. Thank's again for the tea." He added with a bow and a derisive little smirk "it was delicious. Come now Jade, let's get you some ice for that shoulder."
"Nice to see you again…uncle." Jade waved as Iroh steered her away, doing her best not to change her hand to a rude gesture.
But she did not need to as some of the guards standing behind Zhao began to murmur and hiss in shocked tones.
"Uncle? What the-?"
"Wait that's his niece?"
"He hit his own niece?"
Zhao's lips curled into a snarl as he watched the head of mousy brown locks follow the backs of Prince Zuko and Lord Iroh as they left the compound.
…that little brat…Oh Ruishi…you are going to rue the day you let her be born…
He slashed his hand over the ground, fire bursting from it once more.
But Jade, Iroh nor Zuko paid him the slightest attention. Indeed the lattermost was doing his best not to smirk as he looked sidelong at his uncle.
"Did you really mean that uncle?"
"Of course" Iroh smiled "I told you Ginseng tea is my favourite"
Zuko shook his head, grunting irritably as he caught sight of Jade's small giggle.
"What?"
"Oh nothing" Jade shrugged only to clutch at her shoulder.
Oh spirits that's going to smart like mad.
She rubbed at it hard, shutting her eyes so that she completely missed the way the prince's eyes fell to the ground, the spark in them somewhat diminished.
So yeah diary, my shoulder's pretty much bunged up, courtesy of my crazy uncle.
I think I can kinda see why my father left home. I mean, if Zhao was my grandfather's idea of the perfect child then the rest of the family must be as twisted as a tsungi horn.
Alright so maybe that might be a bit dramatic, but seriously you'd be angry with your estranged family too if one of them decided to hit you.
Ok so it was an accident that his fist got me seeing as he was actually aiming for-
"Jade! Dinner service in ten!"
Hold that thought
"One moment Dango" Jade called setting down her pen and quickly stuffing her diary under her pillow.
"Service, this. Service that." She mumbled darkly as she made to tug her white apron over her red robes. "Why can't people cook their own meals for once?"
Thankfully for Jade, the dinner rush wasn't as full up as usual and finished up very quickly. Most of the crew had taken advantage of their one day shore leave to eat out at the small restaurants and markets of the harbour.
Only the ships engineers and a couple of guards, who had been overseeing the ships repairs, were really in need of a good meal.
And indeed a good meal was what they got, now that the ships galley was restocked.
Jade could not have been happier as she made to resettle a tray of filled spice jars, half humming half singing a tune to herself..
"Two lovers, forbidden from one another. A war divides their people, and a mountain divides them apart. Built a path to be toge-"
The door creaked open and Jade looked up quickly.
"Oh Dango do you need…"
She trailed off to silence as her eyes caught sight of, not the overweight slightly grubby cook, but Prince Zuko. He had changed from his sparring clothes and was now in his dark tunic and pants that he usually wore for lounging about.
He scowled as he looked about the messy kitchen and then back to Jade who was blinking like a cat-deer in the headlights.
"What?" he snapped irritably, the tones seeming to snap Jade back to her own senses.
Her eyes narrowed to slits as she clipped tersely.
"I could say the same for you. What do you want your highness?"
"I overslept and missed dinner…"
"So?" Jade raised her eyebrows.
She was scathingly pleased to see a vein throb in the prince's temple, but for once Zuko did not rise up to the challenge.
Instead he sighed heavily, running a hand over his head.
"So I was wondering…if there was any food left over that I could…" he mumbled and Jade was astonished to see his eyes turn down. It was almost as if he didn't want to look at her directly.
Just what the hell is this guy's deal?
In spite of her own irritation, Jade felt herself relax considerably as she gave a small nod.
"Do you mind having spicy wonton soup?"
"Yes! I-I mean no agh!" Zuko groaned pinching the bridge of his nose "Just give me some, ok?!"
"Alright! Alright! Sheesh! You don't have to shout" Jade rolled her eyes.
Really was it really that difficult for the spoiled prince to just ask for something nicely for once?
And did he always have to watch her like a hawk? What was he expecting her to do? Beat him up with a spatula? Strangle him with noodles?
Ha! Royal Assassination by noodles!
She smirked softly to herself, much to the prince's confusion.
What the hell was going on in her head to make her smile one moment and snarky the next?
"Weird" he mumbled aloud.
"huh?" Jade glanced over at him distractedly only to gasp as the room suddenly tilted.
Crap the ship must be turning course
She winced as she stumbled to the side, doing her best to keep the bowl of food steady in her hands.
However in spite of her attempts to remain upright, the hot wonton soup still spilled over the sides, right onto her fingers.
She hissed loudly in pain, her digits stinging even as her grip doubled, but still it didn't seem enough to hold it steady even as the ship righted itself.
"Careful" Zuko growled and he quickly balked forwards but she shook her head and quickly straightened up, grimacing a little as she did so.
"It's ok! I got it! here."
But even as she made hold the full bowl out for the prince, she couldn't help but notice the way his golden amber eyes seemed to narrow with worry as he reached out to take it.
"You know, for someone who has been at sea for a long time you sure are clumsy" he muttered doing his best to not look down at her hurt hands.
They were much smaller than his, he couldn't help but notice. Smaller and more delicate, with slender fingers and quite well cleaned nails. And yet he could clearly remember the power from when she had hit him in their fight.
Agh! What am I doing?!
He rolled his eyes and tore his attention back to the present just in time to hear a rather sarcastic snark:
"Well sorry your highness, but not everyone can be lucky to have good sea legs"
"It must be very ironic for you, Lucky" he smirked, doing his best not to snigger as he saw her face turn redder than the fire nation memorabilia on the walls. She was so red in fact that Zuko was surprised she was not spitting fire even as she hissed:
"Look here, Jerk! Either you shut up and eat your food quietly and leave or I kick you out without dinner. Your choice"
hmph! That didn't take much
Zuko snorted his smirk widening even as she turned her back on him to stalk moodily off to clean a countertop.
He opened his mouth to make another comment but at that exact moment his stomach chose to gurgle hungrily.
With a small sigh he quietly made his way over to a nearby crate and sat down, doing his best to keep his eyes on his food even as the kitchen maid moved about the room. In all his two years on this boat he had never once seen how the cooks in the kitchens worked after service. Needless to say his curiosity was spiked, though not nearly as much as his amusement.
"By the spirits Dango! Would it kill you to just rinse them out before piling them up like that?"
Had he not had food stuffed in his mouth he might have laughed at the rather furious look Jade gave as she made her way over to start scrubbing at a pile of dirty dishes and pots pile high in the sink.
It was a rather big pile, he thought to himself. A big pile for a pair of small hands like hers.
And small feet
He noted as he caught sight of said feet as she made to stand on tip toe to reach a higher shelf for more dish soap.
As she worked, the white apron she wore over her red robes became sloshed and stained with soapy water. Her hair too had flecks of white suds splattered over it, even though most of it was clipped back securely half up half down.
But Jade didn't seem to care.
The more she worked the more she began to relax and it wasn't long before Zuko's ears pricked to the sound of soft humming.
"Leaves from the vine, falling so slow, like fragile tiny shells, drifting in the foam. Little soldier boy, come marching home. Brave soldier boy, comes marching home"
And she continued humming quietly, quite unperturbed by the fact that someone was watching her every move.
Zuko's brow furrowed as she turned her head to look out a window. Through it the distant round orb of the moon was visible, glowing brightly in the clear night sky, a beam of it shining on her profile.
Her eyes were shut gently and a small smile played on her lips as she sighed softly through her nose. When her eyes opened two orbs of brilliant green seemed to glimmer with silver light as the reflection of the shimmering sea outside bounced off of them. And yet for all their bright gleam…a sadness seemed to linger just under the surface.
Zuko was faintly aware that his own body had stilled where it sat, almost as if it were in a trance as he stared at those eyes, even as they flickered to look in his direction.
Crap what is he still doing here?!
Jade gulped as she looked back at the prince. His entire body was cast in shadow, so dark that all that she could really see was his faint silhouette and the golden glimmer of his amber eyes.
She bit her lip as she caught sight of his face. His expression was not scathing or irritable, just very… intense as if he were focusing all his energy on one thing.
She could feel warmth creep up her ears as she caught his eye but for the life of her she couldn't get a word out of her own mouth.
What could she say? Was he really looking at her or was he just concentrating on something else whilst looking in her direction? And if she interrupted him would he snap at her?
Wait, why am I even worried about bothering him? I work in this kitchen and he's butting through?!
She couldn't help the goosebumps that spread over the back of her neck as she saw his shadowy form bend down briefly before slowly standing up.
"Thank you"
"huh?" Jade blinked but no sooner had she opened her eyes he was gone.
What the hell was that about?
When Lord Iroh peeked into his nephew's room he was surprised to see him, not asleep, but sitting up before the four candles on his low table and meditating.
"Prince Zuko?" he quietly whispered.
Zuko did not answer. His eyes were shut and he was breathing deeply but raggedly as his brow furrowed deeply.
Iroh frowned softly at this. It wasn't unusual for his nephew to brood, but even he didn't sit up this late into the night. Whatever happened must really be bothering him.
"Prince Zuko" he repeated and this time he was relieved to see Zuko's eyes open a sliver. When he caught sight of his uncle he quickly jerked to his feet in alarm"
"What the-!"
"Calm yourself prince Zuko it is just me" Iroh smiled softly as he stepped into the room.
"Uncle" Zuko coughed doing his best to settle his face down to a neutral expression though his cheeks were both flushed a little pink "What do you want?"
"I was just taking a nightly stroll and thought I might check in on you. I thought you'd be asleep…" Iroh trailed off smirking.
"I tried to but…but I just needed to clear my head" Zuko mumbled. "I was just thinking a lot that's all"
"Is this about the Avatar?" Iroh tilted his head, though his eyes twinkled knowingly as his as his nephew bristled and shook his head.
"N-no"
"Then is it Zhao's threat?"
"No"
"was it that Ja-"
"NO!" Zuko yelled loudly, and at once all four candles he was meditating before flared up wildly.
Bullseye!
Iroh's smirk widened, but he did his best to hide it behind his hand as he coughed.
"Oh so it wasn't the jasmine tea? That's good"
"Jasmine tea?" Zuko blinked in confusion.
"Yes" Iroh nodded "It was delicious but for some reason my stomach can't seem to settle down after I had it. I was wondering if maybe it affected you too, but now I see it might just be a case of a little indigestion on my part. Why? What did you think I was talking about?" he added doing his best not to chuckle as Zuko spluttered the unscarred areas of his face flushing redder than a tomato as he stalked back to his bed.
"N-nothing! I thought nothing! I'm just a bit restless. Nothing major…I'll…I'll go to bed".
"Then I shall leave you to rest. Yes…a man needs his rest" he stretched his arms high over his head as he yawned "Goodnight prince Zuko"
"Good night uncle!" Zuko grunted as he made to shove himself under his bedcovers. But even as he turned his back Iroh had stepped out of the door.
Once it was shut securely behind the older man, the prince groaned into his pillow.
"Agh! What is with that girl?!"
Outside in the corridor, Iroh chuckled softly to himself.
Ah to be young and innocent…
TADAA! there you have it folks chapter six!
hope you guys enjoyed and keep R&Ring for more :)
