Okay, let's clean out my inbox, shall we? ^^;;
Thanks go to SS-Jun and Sugarlumpspark for adding this fic to their Favs. =) And to Sugar: good to know that I'm intriguing people with the product of my imagination - I am continuing the story, as evidenced by the construction going on, and hope to see it through to the end. ^_^
...Then maybe write some nice, smutty Zuko/Sokka one shots, as they've become quite the enjoyable pairing for me since I started this fic. ;-)~
To Klerenallan Sombra de Plata; my apologies for any dashed hopes you've had from the alerts you've been getting. However, you should find that the alerts you get now are of actual progress. =) Thanks for hanging in there, my good Silver Shadow. ;-)
As I am not updating my Gundam Wing one shots, I'll acknowledge my followers here: Knight Wulf, sallzy, wingedbackwolf and Twilight DeLuna - thanks for enjoying my old stuff. Writing those fics served as my own personal 'It Gets Better' in High School - and I'm glad that they're still enjoyable now. ^_^
[Shameless Plug] If you've not read Auld Lang Syne or Santa Baby - they're still good reads even out of season. If you're fans of the show, go check 'em out here on , in Anime/Gundam Wing.[/Shameless Plug] ;-p
Finally - to my dear, dear CorvoDeLuna. Don't worry - your having added me to Fav Author, all my fics to Fav Story, Author Alerts, and Story Alerts - here and on two fics that aren't going to be updated - in no way screams 'Stalker! Stalker!'. ;-pp Glad you're enjoying my writing. ^_^ Vm
Well - now that I can move all those notifications out of my inbox - On With The Show!
In a small clearing deep in a forest, two men sit at a simple wooden table in conference. On one side, an old man wearing the robes and armour of a Grand General of the Phoenix King's Army. On the right, a middle aged man with shaved pate and long pony-tail, dressed in the gold-trimmed black over green of the Grand Secretariat to the Earth King of Ba Sing Se.
"General Bujing, surely you can't be suggesting that I risk exposing my sleeper agents, simply as a distraction?"
The old man slammed his tea cup on the table, its contents splashing out onto the table. "Long Feng – we must destroy the troops that were captured before they are interrogated. We cannot infiltrate the prison where they are being held by force of arms alone – it takes earthbenders to fight earthbenders. And if you loose an agent or two – well, traitors of any stripe are expendable by nature."
A young man, dressed in simple leather armour and bearing a striking resemblance to the General, moved forward to wipe up the spill. A covert glance, nearly imperceptible, passed between him and Long Feng. The man nodded as the General continued to explain his plans to the ex-secretariat, and retrieved a teapot.
"Here, Father. Allow me to refill your cup."
Bujing waved acquiescence, annoyed- "Yes, yes Zhan! Carry on!" then back to Long Feng- "Where was I?"
Long Feng grinned. His eye glinted. "You were explaining how I could best use my forces as lambs for your slaughter..."
Bujing nodded. He did not catch the subtle emphasis on Long Feng's words. "Of course- so you see..."
Zhan poured his father another cup of tea, appearing to take great care. He covertly shook his arm, a nearly imperceptible motion, and small flakes fell from his sleeve into the teacup. He set down the teapot and presented the tea to the old General. Wrapped up in his discussion, Bujing did not even acknowledge his son's presence. He lifted the cup to his lips, sipped, then set the drink down.
Zhan returned to stand at the side of the room, while Long Feng continued to grin and nod at the old man. The General's words slowed slightly and he tugged at the neck of his robe. Sweat beaded, then started dripping down his forehead. His eyes unfocused and glazed over as his speech grew disjointed and lowered in volume.
Two minutes later, the General fell out of his seat onto the floor with a soft thump.
He did not move. He did not breathe.
Long Feng and Zhan shared a glance and a grin. "Well now, Long Feng. Shall I put your plan into motion, now that we know the Pretender to the Throne is planning to visit?"
Long Fen nodded, standing and brushing off his robes. "As per our agreement, Child. I shall see to it that the captured ruffians are made useful again." He gestured to take in the tea and the dead General. "You will see to cleaning this mess up?"
"Quite, my lord. Please, do come again if there is anything I can do to assist your plans."
Long Feng passed by the dead general, sniffing in disdain. "I shall miss him – he was one of my favourite pawns – but he had outlived his usefulness. See that you do not repeat his mistake, Zhan – or else be sure that you have someone ready to light your own pyre." Zhan nodded and Long Feng swept out of the tent then called for an agent to carry out his orders.
Zhan waited for Long Feng to leave, then allowed his face to contort into the grimace he had been repressing. Be smug now, would-be-king. And hope that you remain useful to me.
Zhan looked back to the still form that was his father only moments before. A pity, Father. You always had believed in the expandability of your troops. He walked to the corpse, shaking his head, then lifted the body over his shoulder and carried it to his father's bed. Too bad you never extended that logic, in that troops are only as useful as their commander. He dropped the corpse unceremoniously across the bed. My troops, Father – they are going to rule the world. Zhan grinned at his father's dead body in anticipation, then shook his head and regained his composure. He schooled his face to be carefully neutral, then left the shack after knocking his father's teacup to the ground with a faint shatter.
As he left, he addressed the one old soldier standing guard outside the shack. "My father said he was tired after his meeting. He left orders with me not to be disturbed for at least one hour – redirect any emergency situations to me - I will be in my tent. Send me the Night Squad for immediate assignment."
The soldier saluted, "Yes, Sir!" then ran off to carry out Zhan's orders.
Zhan nodded, waited for the guard to be far enough away, then allowed his grin to escape again. He suppressed his urge to skip and stalked to his tent to await the arrival of the assassination squad.
In case we've forgotten (or we've not already checked the Avatar Wiki [which is where I went to find a villain]) General Bujing is the guy that Zuko spoke out against at Ozai's war meeting and served as the catalyst for Zuko's mutilation at his father's hand.
We don't like him. =(
So I had him killed. ^_^ Vm
Now - Is anyone not worried about what Buji's progeny is planning for our beloved Smexy-Prince-Turned-Smexier-Fire-Lord? =))