Disclaimer: Seeing how my plans for world domination have been delayed by finals, and seeing how Nick Studios is one of the first places I intend to conquer... No. I don't own Avatar. Yet.
AN: I'm apologize for my lack of updates. School is a pain, but that's to be expected. Tonight I'm expecting an incredible episode to stir up (or stir fry) my muses, and nextFridayis going to be my last day of school, meaning I'll have more time to write and post. So you can expectmoreupdates. But please, please please:throw me a bone and review, just for the sake of telling me that you liked it...ordidn't like it (though reasons and constructive criticism would warrant me sending Tsune to bring you chocolate). And my thanks and love to those who did review my last chapter. You guys keep me going! (And please forgive this chapter. I wasn't happy with it at all... I'll probably go through and fix it...or something...during the summer.)
X
The next morning passed, and the next. Zuko found, with more than a little satisfaction, that he caught Katara staring at him more and more often, and that even the slightest proximity brought a subtle blush to her cheeks. He could nearly see the debates that stirred within her skull, whether to remain in the comfortable company of her brother and the Avatar, or whether to venture time alone with the young man she knew as Kuzon. The more obvious her affection became, the more he tolerated, and eventually appreciated Tsune's constant meddling and inconsistently arrogant attitude. Surprisingly enough, though Sokka's suspicions of the crush were clear, Aang remained blatantly oblivious.
Perhaps deliberately, Zuko mused, noting how much undue attention he paid to the Spirit-cat whenever Katara began acting odd. At first he had attempted to draw her attention when she got lost in her daydreams, but he had quickly run out of tricks, and Katara's attention became steadily harder to gain.
Tsune personally avenged this proximity by fleeing defiantly to Katara's side, at which time the Waterbender would usually remark to 'Kuzon' about how adorable his cat was.
Zuko had no problem with this.
Pretending not to notice her growing fascination with him, he began to touch her more often—all of it casual and innocent: just a pat on the back, a hand on her shoulder, a brush of her hand. Even the most obscure contact made her tense slightly, and he could just barely catch the slight twitch as thrills raced up and down her back.
"If I'm not mistaken," Tsune observed one night, reclined leisurely on the floor of their room, "You're enjoying the attention as much as she is."
"It's called acting," he retorted mildly, allowing a flame to hover over his hand as he waited for his uncle to return. Iroh's late night conversations with the Avatar and Sokka and Katara had long since become commonplace, and they usually exchanged stories and jokes—something Zuko had heard enough of during two years at sea. Tsune shook her head laughingly.
"You forget who taught you, dear," she said. "No, I know you're not that good. Getting better, but not nearly so skilled." He rolled his eyes at her warped compliment and criticism.
"Why shouldn't I?" he asked, pulling the flame to dance on the tips of his fingers. "This is going well."
"I told you it would," she yawned. "But don't get cocky, dear. You're flirting with the most dangerous of the three."
"I doubt she would use her Waterbending against me," he assured her, stretching the flames higher and higher, watching shadows twirl and dodge on the walls.
"Humans," Tsune muttered, before changing into a little red fox and curling up next to his pillow.
The perfection of victory lacked only one thing, and caution was quickly enough discarded. He was already known to spend time on his own, in simple, solitary contemplation, so nobody could have suspected that he had continued his training.
Kick, punch, punch—each movement sending a glorious blaze into the afternoon air, each bringing with it that familiar scent of Fire. He repeated form after form, battling invisible foes, bringing every one to the ground, while dodging the looming shadows of the trees. These alone he had to beware of, not to let his attacks scorch their trunks and expose him to the overly perceptive Sokka.
Turn, roundhouse, knifehand strike—he felt the familiar thrill of battle, the surge of energy that pulsed through him.
Quickstep, ax kick, turn—he stopped short, staring into a pair of wide, blue eyes.
Please, let that be Tsune playing a prank on me, he silently begged the gods.
"Kuzon?" she said softly.
"Katara," was the best thing he could come up with at the moment. His mouth was dry, his mind racing.
"What's going on?" she asked, her voice unaccusing, perhaps a little pained. "You're...a Firebender?"
His brain too wracked trying to come up with a suitable story, he could only nod.
"Why didn't..." Her eyes hardened, an old call to duty wiping away the insecurities of surprise. "Are you working for the Fire Nation?" she asked.
"No," he said, as sincerely as he could. "We...my brother and I...we're refugees. We didn't..."
"What's going on, Kuzon?" she asked, that familiar warrior's voice replacing the softness of a fawning girl. "I want the truth."
No, you don't.
"I..." he donned the appropriate expression of nostalgic remorse. "I'm sorry for deceiving you. I suppose I've just become so used to keeping it secret, it just seemed natural, and..." he searched for the right words, knowing that they were all wrong: "Katara, we're in the middle of the Earth Kingdom. And if the people around here found out we were Firebenders...we'd be killed as spies without a second thought."
"Then what are you doing in the Earth Kingdom?" she asked. He bowed his head and lifted his hand, allowing her to see the dark skin.
"My father...he was a general for the Fire Lord," he explained. "During one of his campaigns, he met a woman from one of the villages they passed through. My mother," he looked Katara steadily in the eyes. "He really did love her. And the more time he spent around her, the more he understood what the War was really doing. He came to hate it, and everything it stood for."
"Where are they now?" Katara asked quietly, some part of her already knowing the answer.
"They married in secret," he said solemnly. "After I was born, he returned to the Fire Nation, trying to convince others to stop the war."
A flicker of painful recognition softened her features.
"He was executed as a traitor. My mother died shortly after, of grief."
"Oh..." Katara managed to say. The Warrior had receded at last. "I'm sorry."
'Kuzon' continued: "We couldn't go back there, not after what had happened. And we can't survive here unless people think we're just like them." He looked away. "It's true that we could live closer to the villages, but...that would be too dangerous, unless we gave up Firebending forever. But I can't do that. I can't just stop being what I am." He didn't look up as he felt her hand on his shoulder, a wordless sign of comfort and acceptance.
"I understand," she said at last, fully feeling the pain of such loss. He laid his hand on hers, keeping it close.
"It happened a long time ago," he assured her bravely. And then, his voice softer, "But...there's another reason I didn't tell you."
"What is it?" she asked, her innocence unquestionable. He looked her evenly in the eyes.
"You've been hunted down by my father's people for so long—I was afraid that if you knew, you would leave...and I would never see you again." A warm blush colored her cheeks, but he smiled meekly.
"You're sweet," she said quietly.
"I can't help it," he said, lifting his hand to smooth the loops in her hair. She flinched, just slightly, in memory of the flames that had once filled those hands, but the moment of fear passed, and she leaned into the touch. "You're just too beautiful."
He felt her freeze beneath his fingers, though her cheeks seared with another, deeper blush. Not allowing her time to react, he took her free hand and kissed it, his smile at once charming and apologetic.
"We should probably get going," he said. "Your brother will be wondering where you are."
"Yue," Tsune said, perching in the branches of a tree like a leopard. Her now green eyes narrowed at nobody in particular, though they caught Iroh easily.
"Yes," he said. "That was the young woman's name."
"I know," she said, not bothering to hide the venom in her voice. "Tui told me. As did she. Keep in mind that I am not without connections in this realm. So, Iroh," she swung down from the tree, landing before him. His expression offered acknowledgment, but no fear. "What else have you been hiding from me?"
"The death of the Moon Spirit was the only intended omission," he said sagely, not giving her the satisfaction of glancing at the claws that now adorned her hands. "But many details were left unsaid, if they were seen as unimportant..."
"I noticed," Tsune said. "Tui informed me that you were involved in La's death." Her voice was unfathomable, and Iroh remained prudently silent, nodding his head once in acknowledgment. The Spirit continued: "He said that you tried to stop Zhao. That you turned on your people to protect her. A foolish decision, considering the Fire Nation's current goals..."
"It would have been more foolish to do nothing," he replied. Tsune nodded.
"But take no comfort in that thought," she said. "A procession of ships and soldiers has left the capital, and you and your nephew are its targets."
"How do you know this?" he asked. She shrugged.
"Tui knows all that transpires on his waves," she paused thoughtfully. "Perhaps that is why he brought you to my prison. A reward for valor...or punishment for failure."
"But which is it?" Iroh wondered.
"Who can say?" was the Spirit's only reply.