Chapter 10: Healthy Competition
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender.. But I find comfort in the fact that you don't either...
The Great Dragon of the West was never rash about burning things on impulse, and never did so because he believed it wasn't according to a Royal's conduct. Much unlike his younger, tempermental, dead Brother. However, today he would make an exception. Iroh had spent a few moments in the gym, terrorizing some of the guards from a distance at his power, then had tried to relax in a good long soak in the tub. Nothing helped. Knowing Azula might die at any moment was beggining to take it's toll on him. While the two had never gotten along, Azula was still Ursa's daughter, and Iroh loved Ursa like the sister she had become. Azula was one thing that Azula left in his care, whether she was a power hungry monster or not.
In the end, Iroh was stuck with walking in the garden in the inner courts of the palace awaiting news of Azula's condition. He walked under the cherry red arch, the black polished rooftops gleaming in the soft sunlight that poured into the courtyard. It was almost an open space, save the walls around it, covered with green grass and even a few small hills to make it look larger than it really was. Dark red maples were planted there, their blood red leaves floating around in the breeze. Other than a few other maples and tulip trees, that was about it. Iroh paced the small black stone path leading past a bench that was polished with a clean coat of red paint that sat beneath the only blooming sakura tree in the garden. And sitting on the bench was a young woman whom he recognized as Rinho.
The girl was blissfully unaware of his presence, her eyes closed in pure joy with a smile on her face that drew the tension out of the old General. He hated to do so, but cleared his throat to alert her of his presence. She looked up, a bit startled, but smiled at his presence. She rose and bowed low in his presence.
"Lady Rinho, such a pleasant surprise!" He exlcaimed with a chuckle. He sat on the bench and folded his hands over his massive stomach.
"It's good to see you as well, Great Dragon." She said with a smile. "I felt I needed a little bit alone time."
The General smiled, and she could see a hint of mischief behind his eyes.
"What, is the pampering too much for a spoiled girl like you?" he teased. She cocked one eyebrow up at his jest, mouth turning up in a broad grin.
"I've never experienced so much time lying in front of someone naked, or had to sit still just so they could painfully remove a few hairs from my eyebrows." she laughed. Iroh winced playfully.
"Ah yes, tweezing the eyebrows does hurt quite a bit." Iroh could see Rinho's mouth tip as she stared at the two bushes above his eyes. He gave a goofy smile, drawing a laugh from the young woman. "In my younger age, of course."
There was a moment of silence between the two.
"Good General, you seem troubled." She said gently. He let out a long sigh.
"A little." he said with a fiegning smile of reassurance. The look on her face said she knew otherwise. He wouldn't have believed himself either.
"If it is none of my business, then thats fine. I understand. But if you want to talk about it at all, My Lord." she said softly.
Rinho bowed and was turning to leave when he halted her.
"Perhaps you would enjoy a cup of tea with me and my nephew later this evening?" He asked. She face knoted into a frown.
"But Fire Lord Zuko isn't to see us until the night we are to meet him?" she asked. The General chuckled.
"He's seen quite a few of the ladies already. In fact, tomorrow we are to line all two-hundred candidates and he is going to weed a few out. Perhaps you'll gain better standings with him should you catch his eye tonight." he answered slyly. She seemed to hesitate still, but she eventually gave into his pleadings and nodded with a smile.
"You must work on your puppy face, Great General. I think it's a bit worn from too much use." She laughed over her shoulder.
XxXxX
To be completely honest, Katara could care less if she were in good standing with Zuko. In fact, if it were all the same, she would like to just be sent back home. This was all just a big misunderstanding in her book, seeing as she was practically pushed out the door. She looked around the corner to the bedroom she was assigned. After she was sure nobody was there, she quickly went in. To her surprise, Jisuru, her trainer, was there. He was giving her a stern look at first, making her wonder if she'd done something wrong. But when his face suddenly lit into a smile as he grabbed her and squeezed her to his chest in an excited hug, she thought twice.
"Lady Rinho, you are a genuis! Do you hear me?! GENUIS!" he said, taking her wrists and dancing her around the room. She halted him.
"Whoa whoa whoa, what are you even talking about there? What did I do?" Katara asked.
"I've heard that you recieved an invitation to dine with the Great General Iroh and Fire Lord Zuko tonight!" He said, excitment still in his voice. She frowned. Word certainly does get around fast. She thought. Jirsuru was quickly rushing around the room, calling for a few servants to help her begin her night out with the Fire Lord.
XxXxX
The phycisian attending Azula was huddling over her on the Fire Lord's orders for the umpteenth time that day. Zuko paced behind him as the doctor checked his older sister's wounds. He paced for a few moments until he heard a clatter of the metal surgical tools. Alarmed he quickly went to the door.
"What's wrong?" He growled, worry beggining to seep into his voice. The doctor looked stunned as he continued to unwrap his sister's bandages. To Zuko's surprise, the wounds were simply scarring and only in need of a few stitches. Everything looked clean and sterile, and there was no evidence of the infection that had begun after the second day of treating it.
"The wounds are completely clean! It's a miracle.." The physician whispered. Zuko's heart skipped, but he didn't let it show.
"So she'll live?" he asked, placidity returning to his voice. The physician nodded slowly, never turning away from Azula. "Very well. Stitch it up and let it heal for three days. She isn't to get up in that time."
Azula's hand suddenly shot up, snatching Zuko's wrist. Her eyes were half lidded, looking groggy and tired.
"Don't even think about it, Zuzu." she hissed, using his wrist to sit up. "I'll be up in half that time. And when I get up and out of here, you'll be the first person I slap."
Zuko smirked.
"Oh really?" he said, poking her just above the arrow wound in her shoulder. She hissed and fell back down onto her bed, cursing him as she went. "Get some rest, you stubborn mule. I'll have the soldiers send you your paperwork while you are bedridden.
She blinked at him as he turned on his heel.
"You are even more evil than Father!" She roared from the doors that were closing behind him. Fire Lord Zuko was escorted to his study by one of the many concubines of the palace. He excused the girl and posted guards at the head of his doors. Once all was clear and he was alone, he slumped onto his elbows, head in hands as he sighed in relief. A knock sounded at his door.
"What?!" he growled, slamming his palms on his desk. It wasn't a wonder father went mad. Nobody left him to himself! The voice that followed the nervous knock was small and timid.
"Your Higness, you Uncle has told me to extend an invitation to you for dinner with him and a guest. He wants to know if you accept, My Lord." a feminie voice squeaked. Zuko wanted to claw his eyes out as of now, but resisted the temptation.
"Inform my Uncle that I accept his invitation. You may also inform him that this better be worth my time." He answered after a few moments of deep thought.
XxXxX
The preparations made for Katara's dinner with the Fire Lord had been kept as quiet as possible, but ended up in Chiyo's lovely hands moments after the hint of a rumor had started. Chiyo Sun's noble blood had landed her a high spot in the women's quarters, and the fact the Fire Lord himself admonished her beauty was enough to grant her a suite in the Palace. As of now, she had let her silky black hair fall over her shoulders and was dressed in a loosely adorned robe of yellow silk. Her sultry position on the silken couch sitting in her bedchambers made it hard for the young officer who was now informing her of Rinho's ventures not to stare.
"And the dinner is tonight?" She asked, her sweet voice ringing through the chamber. The officer gulped rather loudly, nodding. A sigh escaped her ruby-red lips, then a chuckle.
"It seems I have some competition." She said softly. Her golden eyes now turned at the officer as she rose slowly, watching his body stiffen with humor. She brushed his chin.
"You wouldn't happen to know where the dining room is, would you?" she pouted, one precious lip jutting below the other as she ran her fingertip back and forth over his jaw. The soldier shuddered.
"Its...gulp... Just beyond the third corridor, a little ways from the Main Throne Room." He answered hoarsely. Satisfied with her answer, she turned abruptly. The poor soldier looked like a wounded puppy as she pulled the robe around her frame and waved her hand.
"You're dismissed." She commanded taughtly. Chiyo's anger welled up a bit, flames dancing in her hot eyes as she brushed through her hair with a soft brush and oil. Well now, we can't have Lady Rinho having all the fun, can we? She thought to herself as she began to fiddle with the cosmetics on her massive marble vanity.
XxXxX
A/N: Yeah yeah, kill me later, ladies and gents! I just now went through the average chapter lengths, and realized, HOLY CRAP! I have another chapter of Robes of Glory ready to go! I hope I brought out a little more of Katara's happy side. BTW! This chapter is dedicated to my loving readers who so valiantly protected me against F U's atrociaous language and reviews! FU F YOU, this goes out to you! I was laughing soo hard when I read your review, it nearly brought tears of joy to my eyes! Be ready for another chapter soon, seeing as I did another half by accident.. C ya!
Godsspiker!!