Chapter Ten – Toughest Battle Yet

Haru had remained motionless until night fell, and only moved when, little by little, the ship's crew emerged for the Music Night that Iroh spoke of. He was surprised to see how many people actually came to listen to the music; it was not something he had expected of the Fire Nation that sought to conquer the world. He had still not decided whether he was going to sing or not, but the thought was on the forefront of his mind. He saw Iroh appear again from wherever he had gone to, and they linked eyes for a brief moment before Haru looked away.

There was a small group, no more than 15 people, that showed up on the deck, which was lit with torches that stood around the edges of the boat; it looked the very same way that it did on the night Haru had first fought Zuko and became part of his crew. The thought of the Prince led Haru to also notice that he was missing from the impending festivities. Not surprising, though, he thought.

Iroh approached him just as the last of the crew came to join what would soon be Music Night. "Have you thought about what I said?" Haru nodded slowly. "What is your choice?" Haru felt his throat go dry and he suddenly became slightly nauseated with nervousness.

"I… I'll do it," Haru said, looking straight in to Iroh's eyes; he would not let the old man down. Not when he showed kindness to Haru when no one else would. Iroh's face, which had been stern, showed a smile upon hearing Haru's response.

"That is good to hear. What song will you sing?" Haru had thought that he might sing one that the wandering bards had taught him, but those seemed too silly and altogether not right for the occasion. But those were the only songs he knew… Except for that one, he thought. But he did not feel like singing that song would gain him any points either.

"Um… I don't know the name of the song," Haru said after he made his choice, however hesitantly.

"Well then I can't play any music to it." Haru had not known that Iroh played any musical instrument, though it did not come as much of a surprise; not much about the man did any more, not when Iroh himself was one big surprised wrapped in mystery.

"That's okay, there wasn't any music to it when I learned it," Haru walked over the crowd with Iroh.

"I'll let you know when you're about to perform." Haru nodded and stood to the rear of the crowd while Iroh made his way to the front of the small crowd. He stood between the bow of the ship and the crowd.

"Hey," a voice said from behind. Haru turned and saw Kaito, who walked up and stood beside him. "I didn't think you would come."

"Iroh convinced me," Haru said with a small smile. He was still nervous about singing later.

"You'll really like it. Iroh is a great singer, and there are others who aren't so bad either." Haru almost laughed at the thought, but decided against it. He looked forward and saw Iroh standing in front of the crowd; in his hands he held a lute. Without any signal or gesture the crowd became silent and Iroh began to play. The crowed listened intently, not one word was muttered within the group of Fire Benders. Kaito watched as if hypnotized by the song that the old general played.

There were no words to this song, though Haru could sense a deeper level of meaning. It was a slow song, though not sad. Iroh swayed as he plucked the strings, his eyes closed and a smile on his face. Haru closed his eyes and let the music soak in to his mind, and as he did he began to see memories flash in front of his closed eyelids.

He was back in the Earth Kingdom. He was walking through a forest, the cherry blossoms had just bloomed; a signal that spring had come. Light poured through the thin canopy of trees. Iroh's music played behind this reverie like a soft wind. Haru had just come upon a young woman, no older than himself. The woman was leaning over and picking flowers which she then put in to a basket that hung from the crook of her arm. Her back-length hair fluttered lightly in the breeze. Her face was thin and her skin was tinted brown. Her dress, which was of a soft shade of red, blew freely in the wind as she stood up and looked at him.

As their eyes met the music changed, and they were no longer standing in a forest, but atop a hill that overlooked a vast meadow. The music slowed, but Haru's heart beat sped up. It had become night, and the moon hung low on the horizon, casting a brilliant silver glow across the land. Haru looked at the young woman who stood beside him. Her bright green eyes glistened in the moonlight as if beckoning Haru. He felt himself lean slowly toward her and close his own eyes, but as he did the music slowed even more, a single arpeggio played out as the last chord faded in to the distance.

When Haru reopened his eyes he saw neither the young woman nor the valley in front of him. There was a moment of silence as Iroh finished his song, which was followed by subdued applause. Kaito clapped along with everyone else, though he was much more enthusiastic than the rest, who although looked liked they enjoyed the song, still held their serious attitudes.

"That was a new song," Kaito said quietly as the clapping quieted down. A dull murmur escaped in the crowd as the next performer, a koto player, prepared his instrument. "I've heard all of General Iroh's songs at least twice, but I've never heard that one before." Haru nodded and turned to watch the koto player, who had finished his preparations and began to pluck at the strings. The player looked younger than most of the crew, though older than Kaito; perhaps in his late 20's. Along with the koto the man sang a rather obscure song that Haru had never heard.

When he finished the same muffled applause emanated from the crowd. The next man to play was a samisen player who was accompanied by a man who held a small drum. Their song was more fast-paced than the other two, and had lyrics as well, but was still slow enough to make Haru feel drowsy.

While the pair played there was a tap on Haru's shoulder. He turned and saw Iroh standing behind him. "You will be singing next, alright?" Haru swallowed and nodded nervously. Iroh patted his shoulder and walked to the side of the boat where he stood and watched the two musicians.

The two finished not long after, though Haru wished their song would have lasted longer. Iroh walked back in front of everyone and immediately the crowd went silent.

"Tonight is a special night, because have a guest who has agreed to sing a song for us tonight." Whispers rose in the crowd and Haru could hear Kaito questioning what Iroh might be talking about. "Haru, if you would come up here." The crowd went silent again, though not out of respect, but out of shock. Haru walked around the group and noticed that several people, including Kaito, gave him odd looks as if questioning what he was doing.

He reached the front of the crowd and Iroh stepped to the side. There seemed to be a larger amount of people who sat in the audience than Haru could remember there was when he stood at the back. He saw questioning looks, some seemed to despise him for joining in their activities, and there were even a few who looked eager to hear what the Waterbender might sing. Haru cleared his throat and turned a nervous twitch in to a chance to roll his shoulders.

In his mind still clung the doubt that he should not sing and just walk back to his room right now… But Haru was never one to back down from a fight, and he was not going to now. Slowly and quietly he started his song.

Hope fades, in to the world of night.
Through shadows falling,
Out of memories from your mind.

Never give in…
What are these tears upon your face?

Can you not see…
That we meet once again?

This is the choice we all must make.
But you're only dreaming.

As the sun sets,
A Pale moon rises.

There's naught you can do,
But keep moving on.

As waters flow, the days will pass,
Like leaves in the wind.

As he ended the song there was a silence that both relieved and horrified Haru. Though slowly, just as he started his song, so too did the crowd applaud for him He could see Kaito standing in the back smiling at him; Iroh was doing the same thing where he was standing. Haru walked out from in front of the crowd, the applause remained. It may have been his imagination, but he thought the clapping of the crowd was louder than it had been for the other songs.

"That was beautiful," Iroh told him as he walked back behind the crowd. "And I am sure that the crew loved it as well." As Haru walked back he saw a figure standing in the doorway of to the deck. It was Zuko, he realized, though before Haru could guess at a reason for his sudden appearance, he disappeared below-deck.

"That was great," Kaito told him when he stepped closer, "Though it was quite a surprise at first. Where did you learn that song?" Haru thought about what he might say.

"In the Earth Kingdom, from a family I knew," he did not wish to give a full explanation.

"Well it was a great song," Haru bowed slightly and thanked him.

"If you don't mind, I'm going to get some sleep," he told Kaito, who nodded. He was tired, and still shaken from the performance. Haru walked below-deck, but not before he took a last look at the next group of singers. There were four in all, including Iroh and one of the lieutenants he had been introduced to. As he walked down the stairs he could hear their voices echo as they sang some song Haru had never heard before about the four seasons.