SPIRIT
Zuko's POV
It's like history is repeating itself.
Once again, I'm sitting here in her room waiting for her to wake up. I've been next to her for four days now but I don't leave her, because this time, there's a difference to when I was waiting for her to wake up the first time: This time I love the girl in front of me.
I watch her sleep, looking for any signs of stirring. I've cleaned the blood away from her face and Katara gives her a healing session every day. She's hurt – badly – but this time I'm not worried because she's coming back. Eventually, anyway.
Aang's here most of the time. When he enters, we simply nod at each other in acknowledgement and share a comforting silence; just waiting. Aang has hardly spoken since they came on Appa and the hard lines on his face are still there. Everyone's worried about him.
Turns out that it's thanks to Appa they found us. They had begun to worry when we hadn't come back. When Appa had finally flown back with an empty saddle, they'd realised that something was wrong. They'd jumped on Appa and flew around the forest, searching for us. Aang found his glider and Sokka spotted the many footprints of the soldiers – not to mention the signs of struggle. Now, they'd known that we'd been kidnapped. It was a little longer until Katara found the tracks left behind by the wagon and they followed that on Appa. They reached us just in time.
I gritted my teeth suddenly and swore to myself never to come that close to losing her again. Never. A fierce protection had burned inside me as I'd watched her sleep. I'll keep her safe this time – I swear it – and protect her with my life.
I thought back to four days ago; to the tornado she'd created. I remember watching her rise, as if possessed, her eyes sparkling with an energy that was both terrifying and incredible. I was surprised they hadn't been glowing. How had she done that? I've only ever seen Aang bend as powerfully as she had – and that was when he was in the Avatar State.
I hadn't been able to see much of what was going on because of a bubble of air I assumed she'd made for me as protection, but I remember the wall of air and the cries of the soldiers… And at the very end with Chen. She'd stopped his breathing hadn't she? The voice when she spoke: it hadn't been hers. Not completely, it sounded as if there was something else inside of her.
My eyes widened as I contemplated the possibility of a spirit entering Seria.
Then I crinkled my eyes and almost laughed at myself for the thought. A spirit? Spirits don't possess people. And anyway, only the avatar had communication with the spirits. So it wasn't possible.
… Right?
Seria's POV
I had no idea where I was.
I'd opened my eyes to find myself in a strange place. I was in what looked like some sort of desert, with bronze coloured sand stretching for miles in every direction. There were some ordinary rocks dotted here and there, but for some reason they seemed a bit off. As did the sky. Confused, I bent down and picked up the sand, letting it stream through my fingers. It floated down to earth slowly, as if the laws of nature didn't apply to it at all. I straightened up, my brow furrowed, and looked around the empty landscape.
"Hello?" I called into the desert. "Is anyone there?"
I peered closer at the nearest rock and with a jolt, realised they were floating. "What on earth?" I muttered and bent closer to inspect the inches of air between the rock and ground.
"Seria."
I spun around to the unfamiliar voice and gaped at what I saw.
A shadow, thick and the colour of coal, stood in front of me. Its form was that of a muscular man, but it pulsed like a heartbeat as if it was purely made of energy. Where a face would be there was a white mask: The eyes were painted red and the mouth was a delicate black line. There were unfamiliar symbols written across each cheek and on the forehead, which carried down its body in lighter lettering against the black.
I stared as I waited for my heart to slow. It didn't move and for a second I began to doubt if it was real.
Finally, I plucked up the courage to speak. "Er… Did you just say my name?"
It just continued to look at me, unmoving. I shifted from foot to foot and shook my head, angrily telling myself to stop hallucinating and turned my back on the strange creature.
But before I could walk away, it spoke again with a voice that sounded like it could cause an avalanche.
"Seria, turn around."
I froze and, after some hesitation, cautiously obeyed. I looked at those strange painted red eyes. "Who are you?"
I jumped when it answered.
"I am known as Sho," it boomed. "I am the spirit of energy. I am the source of bending. The source of your emotions." It spoke as if reciting a legend.
My mouth fell open and I stumbled back against the floating rock behind me.It swayed as I rested my hand against it.
"You're a spirit?" I managed to choke out.
It nodded and floated closer to me. I instinctively took a step back as it reached out a dark hand and touched my forehead.
Suddenly I was filled with images as I relived the fight on the cliffside. I was above everything, as if I was one of the gulls. I couldn't feel anything, only watch. Not the wind or hear the fight below: It was as if I was a ghost. I looked down and saw Zuko and myself escape the carriage and engage with the first wave of soldiers. The angle changed and I was found myself over the other soldiers take formation in the forest, organized by Chen. They stepped out of the shadows and marched towards us, who were just celebrating our small victory.
My heart sank as they surged towards us. I knew what was coming: I saw Zuko fall off the cliff, pushed back by the soldiers, and myself running towards him. Alarmed, I noticed that Chen was following me at a quick pace, drawing his sword with a smile as he came closer and thrust it into my back. I winced in memory as I watched myself tumble to the ground.
I expected to follow Zuko as he confronted Chen, but the perspective didn't turn on them. Instead, it zoomed right into me. I was standing over my body watching myself writhe in agony. Something was peeling off of me, like a silvery light. I wanted to turn away but I couldn't, like some sick irony.
Suddenly, I was thrown into my own body and there was a cry. I became aware of feeling, of all the senses I should have. I could feel myself slip into the heavy limbs, replenishing the failing body – connecting with her. With me. It was like I could see through my own eyes as before, but as someone else.
And then I realised.
Someone else was inside me.
There was a whooshing sound and I found myself back in the desert. Sho's hand left my forehead and I swayed slightly, regrouping my thoughts. I thought back to the tornado and shook my head.
"That was you?" I lifted my eyes to meet his. "You allowed me to do all of that?"
Sho gave a single slow nod.
I put my hand to my forehead: where his had been before. It was tingling. "Why?"
"If you had died, then the Avatar wouldn't have been able to cope with being the last airbender again. He would've lost the war and it would have not only thrown the physical world out of balance, but the Spirit World as well."
I struggled to process this. "Wait, so where am I now?" My eyes widened. "Am I dead?"
"No," There was something close to amusement there. "You are in my territory."
"Your territory?" I echoed. "Do you mean that I'm in the Spirit World?"
His heard turned around as if he'd heard something. I don't think he heard me. Instead of answering, he turned back and said. "You must go now. Return to your body."
He and the landscape began to fade.
"Wait!" I shouted. "You still haven't answered my questions!"
But it was too late – Sho and his desert had disappeared.
There was a falling sensation as I was blown away suddenly by some winds. The next thing I knew, I was waking up in my room and looking straight into Zuko's eyes.
"Zuko!" I cried, struggling to sit up. "I have so much to tell you–"
But I didn't have time to finish. He kissed me, straight there and then. Everything melted away and I put my arms around his neck as I returned the kiss. I realised that I'd been waiting for this, for a long time. I sunk back onto my bed and ran my hands through his hair, feeling as if I was dancing on air. It felt like a fairy-tale, yet, there was such warmth to it that it had to be real.
And did it feel good.
We parted and for a long while, I stared at those warm amber-coloured eyes. He stared right back, a playful smile lighting up his face.
"Now I could get used to that," I murmured and he laughed and kissed me again, quickly, before straightening up. I pulled myself into a sitting position with him kneeling next to me, Sho and his desert forgotten.
As soon as I was up, he leaned forward and pressed his forehead to mine. He sighed. "Welcome back," he whispered. I smiled, happiness igniting my bones as I breathed him in.
"Seria!"
Zuko released me and I turned to see Aang at the door. In one leap he ran up to me and choked me with a hug.
"Hi Aang!" I laughed. "Nice to see you. You mind loosening up a little?"
I dropped the humour when I realised he was shaking. "Hey, Aang?" I asked softly. "Aang? Are you okay?"
"When I saw you on the ground – I thought you were dead." He said fiercely hugging me tighter. "I thought I'd lost one of my best friends."
A lump formed in my throat and I hugged him back. Everyone seems to forget that despite being the Avatar and having to fight the Firelord: Aang was just a kid. It was hard to see someone as young as Aang to have the weight of the world on his shoulders.
"Aang," I pulled apart and looked at his eyes. Damn – he looked close to tears. "Seriously, I'm alright. You don't have to worry about me–"
Zuko coughed behind us. "Seria, you got stabbed remember? Shouldn't you be lying down or something?"
Aang suddenly stepped back, frightened that he'd hurt me. I winced automatically, but then I paused and realised that I couldn't actually feel anything. I frowned in puzzlement and tested my back and chest. No pain – at all.
A smile tugged the corners of my lips up. "Sho."
"What?"
"I met a spirit," I murmured vaguely. I was examining my wrists, which seemed to be free of any traces of scars. When I looked up, I noticed the confused looks Zuko and Aang were giving me, so quickly filled them in on the details and told them about Sho and his desert.
"Damn," Zuko said afterwards.
Aang was looking at me weirdly. "So what, it doesn't hurt at all?"
"Nope," I smiled. "I'm guessing that Sho lent a hand in that."
Aang was shaking his head in disbelief. "You're lucky that spirit was watching over you. It's not common for a spirit to help an individual – especially someone who isn't the Avatar."
I nodded, silently thanking Sho a million times.
"Well, I guess you're okay to come outside and see the rest of the group then?" Zuko teased.
"Yes."
The smile slid off his face and he looked at me. "I was joking."
"I know."
He continued to stare. "You sure you're alright? You're not just being stubborn?"
"I'm fine," I said firmly. "And I'm not stubborn." I added as he helped me up, though there wasn't any need to. He was just being a gentlemen.
"Yeah right," he scoffed. "You're more stubborn than a mule, Seria."
"Shut up." I growled. Well, almost a gentlemen.
Aang laughed at us and patted me on the shoulder. "Come on, let it go. He means well." I glared at Zuko as he looked innocently back. Aang continued, "Besides we've got a surprise for you."
Then Zuko smiled suddenly, and my heart gave a little kick, as I remembered the kiss we'd shared moments ago. I wondered if he was thinking about the same thing.
Aang shook his head at us. I came to my senses and painfully dragged my eyes away from Zuko. "Ok, but I don't need any help with walking. My legs aren't broken."
As I walked out I heard Zuko whisper to Aang, "So stubborn." There was some smothered laughter as I stalked out of the room. But when I was out of earshot, I let out a low chuckle, happy to be alive and surrounded by people I loved.
With Aang and Zuko following behind me, I walked up the stairs to the main 'hang out' area where everyone was either bending or – for Sokka – cleaning swords. Everyone stopped what they were doing when they saw me and I waved shyly at them, feeling a little out of depth. The Duke was the only one who waved back.
Katara was the first to react and stood right up. "Seria! What are you doing up?" She strode forward, shooting accusing looks at Zuko and Aang as she advanced. "Come on, let's get you back to bed. You shouldn't even be standing!"
I sidestepped her hands. "Hang on a second, Katara. I'm healed."
She looked at me as if I was crazy. "What do you mean you're healed? You were in a critical condition for four days!"
"But–"
"No, you're going to bed."
She was treating me like a child. I dodged her again and spoke more fiercely. "Katara, just look."
Something in my voice made her stop trying to shove me back to my room. I walked around the corner out of everyone else's view, Katara following. When alone, I turned my back on Katara and pulled my shirt up and unwound the stained bandages that covered my torso. There was silence as Katara stared at my back. I flinched as her freezing hands touched the skin and I pulled my top back down.
She stared at me. "I don't understand. There should be an open wound still there but… There's nothing. How…?"
"I'll tell you everything in front of everyone," I promised. I didn't want end up repeating myself ten times.
Katara smiled suddenly. "Not yet! We have to show you something."
She was gone before I could say anything else. I threw my bandages to the floor, no longer needing them, and followed her.
"First things first," Katara began. "Well, your clothes aren't exactly… in the best condition."
I stared down at my ripped and blood stained clothes. Colour rushed to my cheeks as I started fiddling with the frayed bottom of my shirt. Yeah, no argument there.
"So we made you some new ones!" Toph said in her loud voice which carried across the plaza. She was lounging on what looked like it used to be a part of the ceiling. She waved some material around in her fists before Katara snatched them up so I could see them properly.
There was a pair of dark brown trousers, loose fitting but tight at the waist that had a length of cord for adjusting. Next to it was a golden coloured top, with short sleeves and a slight 'V' shaped neckline. Simple and easy to fight in.
"They're perfect!" I said.
"She says that we made the clothes," Haru says coming over to stand by Katara. "But Katara's the one who actually made them."
She blushed. "Well, Zuko helped me with the sizes."
I arched my eyebrow at Zuko who turned a shade of red. Everyone laughs.
I walk up to Katara and give her a hug. "Thanks," I whisper into her ear, really meaning it. "For everything you've done for me. I've never known someone to show such compassion for others." She hugs me back tightly.
As I draw away, she whispers something in my ear.
"Zuko seems a lot happier, don't you think?" I hear the tease in her voice and my face flushes as she winks at me.
There's a tap on my shoulder and I turn around. Aang is standing with something held behind his back. It looks like a staff. No… actually it looks more like…
Wait a second–
"Is that a…?" I begin, but find I can't finish it.
"Your glider." Aang grins, his eyes glittering as he hands me the staff. My glider.
It's slightly heavier than Aang's one and I rest it on the ground. I'm stunned as I caress the smooth, dark wood unable to do anything else. I close my eyes and bend the air around the wings that are resting inside the wood inside the wood, testing it.
"You open it like this–"
"Actually," I say snapping my eyes open and smiling at Aang. "I think I've got it."
I force air into the cracks and use it to hook and pull the wings out. They expand quickly and almost whack Aang on the head as they are released. They're a blood red colour and look almost like dragon wings. The material is stretched over a frame so they are in a rough triangle shape, with a sharp point at the top which broadens at the bottom. At the very bottom there's a short fin, for stability I'm guessing. I continue to stare at it.
"It's beautiful," I finally manage to whisper. Then remembering where I am, I clear my throat. "Where did you buy this? I swear there aren't any towns for miles–"
"Actually, Teo made it," said The Duke punching an embarrassed Teo lightly in the arm.
"Really?" I ask surprised at the hidden skill this guy had.
"Well yeah," he blushes and fiddles with the lever on his wheelchair. "We got the wood five days ago and the material was left over from–"
"It's beautiful," I say. "I've never received such an amazing gift. Thank you."
He turns a brighter shade of red, which amuses Haru to no end. Dammit, I'm close to tears. These people who've I've only known for a week, have shown me the most kindness I have ever known in my life.
I smiled at Teo. "I might as well try it out, right?"
He grinned and gave a small nod. Needing no further encouragement, I ran to the edge and leaped out into the air as far as I could. I free-falled for a few solid seconds, with the wind stinging my eyes and my hair thrashing around playfully behind me, before I brought the wings out. Then I was flying, the air holding me up. A laugh found its way from my throat and I caught the air with my lungs in huge gulps. I twisted through the sky, gliding on the air currents. It was even better than I'd imagined.
I was simply free.
At long last.
Two days later…
The patter of voices was cut off as I turned a corner of the building. I tightened the red sash around my waist that I'd placed to stop my new shirt flapping in flight as I went, feeling a sudden urge to be on my own to think. It was after lunch and while everyone was clearing away their bowls, I'd walked steadily away as if in a trance to find myself involuntarily drawn to the exact spot where I'd been so close to jumping. I looked around and gave a shudder in remembrance but sat down anyway, staring at the night sky.
Zuko had been gone for a while now with Sokka on this 'hunting trip' of theirs. Strange, Zuko really doesn't seem like the kind of guy Sokka would take with him. Not to mention the short notice. Hunting wouldn't take this long, right?
There's some laughter from what sounds like Toph. I should train or help them clear away the plates. Something useful. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. So I just sit there, thinking about my family. About Chen and the soldiers. About getting stabbed.
I feel a knot in my stomach, sudden and sharp, and close my eyes. I breathe out slowly, trying to dispel the pain. Then my thoughts turned to my friends. Airbending with Aang. Flying on my glider. Meeting Sho.
And kissing Zuko.
Especially kissing Zuko.
Then suddenly the pain isn't so bad anymore.
"Hello there."
The voice was so close behind me and such a shock that I literally jumped about six feet in the air, giving a little shout as I did. I'd been so wrapped up in my own thoughts; I hadn't heard anyone come towards me. As I came back to the earth, I spun round to find Zuko laughing his ass off. I guess there's one drawback to being an airbender; you lose some subtlety when startled.
"Dammit, Zuko!" I yelled giving him a shove, irked that he'd disappeared and reappeared so unexpectedly. "Don't do that! You scared the life out of me."
He wiped tears from his eyes and grinned at me, saying nothing.
I narrowed my eyes at him, refusing to let his smile dispel my anger. "Glad, I amuse you."
I expected banter, a retort from him or something of the sort but he surprised me. My mouth went into a huge 'O' as he pulled me towards him in one quick fluid movement and wrapped his arms around me. Forgetting all about my grudge, I rested my head on his chest and he lay his atop of mine, his breathing ruffling my hair slightly.
"Missed you," he said warmly.
I smiled at that. "So, where did you really go? I know you didn't really go hunting."
He laughed. "No, we went to a Firenation Prison. The Boiling Rock–" Zuko stopped as he felt me stiffen. "What?"
"That's the prison they were moving me to. Chen and the soldiers were moving me there when you found me," I whispered.
He was silent, but held me tighter and kissed the top of my head. I relaxed again and wrapped my hands further around him sighing, letting the fear slip out of me in that one breath. Words were overrated sometimes.
"I saw Mai at the prison," Zuko said after a while. There was a hint of regret in his voice.
I bit my lip. I knew who Mai was. Zuko had told me and confessed how he felt bad breaking up with her the way he did.
"And?" I pressed.
I heard him sigh. "And I told her that I did it for her own protection. That it was better for everyone this way." There was a pause. "And I told her about you and how much you meant to me."
"Oh," I didn't know what to say. "How did she take it?"
"Quite well actually," he said. "She said that she just hoped I was happy. But who knows what she's hiding under that emotionless mask." He sighed, before carrying on more quietly. "She saved us though. When we were in danger she stopped it. So, I guess she doesn't hate me."
"So, it's given you some closure?"
"Definitely," he affirmed.
"Good."
We stared at each other for a while before there was an awkward cough from Zuko, and he released me.
"Oh yeah," he began to bluster and I felt a smile creep up on me. "We found Sokka and Katara's dad, as well as Sokka's girlfriend and some other guy who helped us escape from the prison. You know, the one we'd been to? You might want to come and meet them–"
I shushed him and he stops talking. "They can wait," I smile.
Suddenly, any discomfort leaves and his shoulders relax as he chuckles. He cups his rough hands around my chin and tips my face to look at him. I see the love in his eyes – for me – and I want to jump up and down in happiness. Instead, I kiss him and he kisses me back – and I couldn't have asked for anything more in the world.
Again, the sensation of warmth and weightlessness filled me and I thought back to when we were in the forest. The joy was similar to what I felt now: We were together. We were two so different, yet so close.
We were Fire and Air.
Together.
Woohoo! Finished! :D Sorry this took so long – I am ashamed… Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and for following this story! It's been so much fun to write and I might carry on with this character – I'm not sure yet… Sorry about cheesiness xD but I'm going to go back over the chapters and rewrite a couple. Anyways thanks guys for all the support! Please, please, please remember to review – it would really make my day :)
