Yay chapter 10! And I just remembered; Rin, the servant; Zhang, Quang - he's from Hold Me Now - Lee, Leutenant Ling, and Kyro, who appears later in this and is from a story I'm in the middle of writing are also mine. I can't believe I forgot them. oops...
Rin: yeah, thanks.
Me: sorry...
Judgment
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Later that night, Asamiya tossed and turned, unable to find sleep. Her thoughts were centered on her father and all that had happened that day. What is wrong with him? she wondered, worried to no end. She turned over on her back, her eyes on the ceiling as she reached up and gently fingered the gold-stone necklace her father had bought for her years ago. It meant much to her, being a gift from her father.
But even the familiar solid cold of the red stone in her palm couldn't comfort her that night. Her mind kept throwing out the idea that maybe what was wrong with the Fire Lord was poison. The idea repeated itself so much, Asamiya found she was almost willing to believe its possibility. Of course, that meant worse things were in store. She rolled onto her side, sighing and closing her eyes. Every time she did, though, she saw her father lying still and pale, looking dead, as he had earlier that day. Asamiya still could not believe he'd made it. It seemed almost dream-like, to still have him with her. They'd almost lost him, and yet, he'd managed to make it. But how much time did Zuko have left? The Fire Lord's condition was fading swiftly with every day. Asamiya couldn't see how things could possibly get any worse.
It was hours before the princess finally managed to get to sleep. She stared at the ceiling until her eyes glazed and sleep claimed her with her eyes still open. It would have been disconcerting at the least, for someone to see the sleep-clouded golden eyes staring straight ahead as they were. but sleep had finally come, and though it was light, and not very refreshing, the part of her brain that was still awake enough to register did not question. And when she woke the next morning, she was groggy and wobbly from a lack of proper sleep. She'd gotten maybe five hours. Hardly what she was used to. She wondered idly why her thoughts betrayed her and played such cruel tricks by flashing images and ideas of her father, dying from some slow poison in her mind. And even though she knew deep down, that it was most likely poison that had her father so ill - if it were a sickness, why hadn't it hit Asamiya or her mother, yet? After all, it had hit the Fire Lord hard and fast, shouldn't it have done the same to them? - she refused to acknowledge that truth.
Asamiya's movements were stiff as she got ready for the day. She pulled on the usual armor she wore, slapping the metal arm guards into place with a groggy, annoyed force that usually didn't show in the otherwise pleasant princess. No, as she pulled on her shoes, and tied back her hair, sticking the flame hairpin into its place, she was not in a good mood today. Melancholic, and broody. Concerned and thoughtful. What's going to happen to Dad. Making a last moment decision, Asamiya took the flower Zuko had placed in her hair yesterday behind her ear again. She'd had it shellacked to keep it forever. It had been a gift, and she wasn't about to let it go to waste. It was as much a part of her memories of her father as the other things he'd given her throughout the years. Yawning and stretching, she left her room for breakfast.
The moment she plodded into the dinning room, her mother noticed her tired state, and ran down to meet her, worry shinning in her blue eyes.
"Asamiya, dear, what's the matter?" the Fire Lady asked, concerned. She pressed her hand to the teen's forehead. "Are you sick? You aren't warm..."
"I'm okay, Mom," Asamiya replied, flashing Katara a reassuring smile. "Really, I'm just tired. I couldn't sleep last night."
Katara scanned her daughter's shadowed face. She did look tired. "So long as you're alright, sweetheart."
Asamiya nodded. She knew the look in her mother's eyes; You'd better not get sick, too. I don't want to lose two people I care about. And you being sick would not be good for Zuko. "I'm okay," the young princess yawned, sitting at her place to eat. "So, how is Dad, Mom?" she asked, looking hopefully to her mother. Katara smiled wryly.
"He's holding on, dear," the Fire Lady replied. "I'm sure if we just give it time, he'll start to feel better. And then things will go back to normal." She looked at the rest of the table as she continued. "And, hopefully, Zuko will be able to sort out the rebellions, and things will be quiet again."
Everyone nodded, and the rest of the meal passed in silence. No one really had the will to talk. The rebellions hadn't been mentioned since Zuko'd gotten sick, for the sake of the younger ones, but by now, word had gotten to the servants, and even Kana and Hakoda knew something was going on.
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It was just after lunch, and Asamiya was back with Zuko. The two were just sitting together, silent, when there was a knock, and at the door was one of the servants.
"Princess Asamiya," he began. "Your mother informed us that you would be ruling in the Fire Lord's place until he recovered. You are needed in the throne room, Princess."
Asamiya paused. She wanted so badly to stay with her father, make sure he was alright, but -
"Sweetheart," Zuko whispered softly, smiling slightly in encouragement.
"Go on, dear," her mother urged gently, appearing at the door behind the servant. "I'll be with him."
The princess sighed. "See you later, Dad," she muttered reluctantly, wishing she didn't have to do this. But she did. Not for the Fire Nation, she told herself, for Dad.
Sitting on the throne of her fathers for the first time felt strange, but comfortable. She'd never noticed how soft the cushion was before. No wonder the rulers sit up here, she realized. It's so comfy! But her mood wasn't really as light as that thought. In fact, she was nervous, and worried, and annoyed, and she longed to return to her father. He wasn't alone, but she still wanted to be there with him.
After a moment of sitting there, looking around and waiting for whatever was supposed to happen, Asamiya saw Lieutenant Ling dragging someone in. The person wasn't struggling or fighting at all. In fact, they looked older than her father. The person's hair was gray, and as they approached, Asamiya could see it was an old woman. In Ling's other hand there was a small bag of something. Brows furrowed, Asamiya tried to figure out just what the problem might be.
"I found her in the garden, Princess," Ling growled when he stopped just before the Eternal flame that rested in front of the throne, pushing the woman forward contemptuously. She bowed quickly and low, staying in the classic kow-tow position, clearly afraid to meet the girl's eyes. That alone would have been enough to kick-start Asamiya's anger at the lieutenant, had his tone not already ticked the princess off.
"P-please, Princess," the old woman began, shaking slightly. "I-I did not know! My husband is s-sick, Princess."
At the old woman's words, Asamiya's eyes widened, and an image of her own father, coughing harshly as her mother bent water to his lips so he could drink flashed across her mind, and tears pricked the backs of her eyes that narrowed in indignation as she continued to listen.
"I n-needed medicine, and part of the garden went b-beyond the walls. I did not think -"
"ENOUGH!" The voice of the princess rang loudly, causing the old woman to cringe, and for that, Asamiya was sorry, but not for Ling's doings. Her eyes blazed in fury and the Eternal flame flared. Ling had unknowingly incurred a very strong wrath, almost like waking a sleeping dragon.
Asamiya snarled angrily, tears threatening to spill as her thoughts raced through her mind. She was angry, scared, worried, hurt, disappointed, outraged, indignant, shocked, understanding, sympathetic, disgusted, concerned. So many emotions. And the ugly ones were all aimed at Ling.
"Lieutenant," the princess began, her voice low and deadly, something she'd gotten from her father, along with a dangerous temper, that, though it rarely showed, was enough to rival the current Fire Lord - though it had, in all her fifteen years, never once been turned on her father - "my father is sick. Maybe dying, and you call me away to punish an old woman FOR NOT KNOWING WHERE SHE WAS?!" There was a blind fury and indignation in Asamiya's eyes, as well as a challenge. And a warning, a very clear warning; Do not cross me. I'm not in the mood for this. Do you like being a lieutenant? Then now is not the time for arrogance or stupidity.
"Forgive me, Princess," the lieutenant replied coldly. "But an old peasant woman should learn her place."
"'Her place'?!" Asamiya squeaked, furious, tears now falling quick and fast as she thought of her father, sick in bed, and the lengths she was would go to to save him. "Ling," she growled, foregoing her usual use of titles to show respect, "I thought my father made it clear when he married my mother - a 'peasant' - that the common people are worth as much as us! Just because she is not of royal or noble blood does not make this woman any less of a person. You would have pardoned her without a second thought if she were a noble! Let her go, and return to her whatever you confiscated. I'm going back to my father, now. Do not disturb me for something so little and unimportant again."
That was one of many things she shared with her father; an anger that simply didn't have the strength to last for very long. Though it was strong when first unleashed, by now, her fury was spent, and her temper faded faster than snow on Roku's Island in the returning swell of concern for her dear father. Though she was still mad at Ling, emotionally she felt sad, and disheartened over her father's condition, and that even here, in the great Fire Nation, people still looked down on the poor. It wasn't right, and she'd thought her father's marriage to her mother - a 'peasant' of the Southern Water Tribe - would have changed that. But apparently, she'd been wrong. Turning, she strode out of the throne room, and left for the garden. She needed to think for a little.
Agni, how many cases like this does Dad have to deal with in a day? she wondered, walking back through the halls toward the garden. She stopped at the kitchens for some bread, and headed out to the turtle-duck pond. She sat there, throwing little crumbs into the water for the little turtle-ducks. Her knees pulled up to her chest, she watched the turtle-ducks. One of the larger babies chased a smaller one away from its crumb and ate it itself. The little one then swam over to the parent that watched over them - a male by the markings - quacking indignantly. The dad turtle-duck nuzzled the littlest one, and let it eat his crumb to make it up to the little thing.
Tears welled in Asamiya's eyes.
Daddy...
Her father had always been there for her, just like that little turtle-duck's. The only difference was now her father might die. And she was suddenly so envious of the little creature, dropping her head between her knees, sobbing. Memories of loving strong arms holding her safe from any and all wrong in the world, chasing away the nightmares, and reminding her she wasn't alone. She'd never felt more alone than now.
Suddenly, there was a comforting hand on her shoulder, and for a second, she thought maybe, but it was only Toph. Asamiya swiped the back of her hand over her eyes to dry her tears.
"What's up, Asamiya?" she asked, feeling the vibrations of her niece's tears. Asamiya sighed, resting her cheek on her knees.
"I failed," she murmured. "Dad was counting on me to rule right while he's sick, and I just went so overboard. I completely failed him..."
"No you didn't, Asamiya," Toph replied. "Everyone makes mistakes. And with your dad sick, is it really any wonder you're a bit on edge?"
"Yeah," the princess agreed half-heartedly. "I guess I'm just worried. Dad's not getting better, even with the medicine Quang said would help. Why isn't he getting better?"
Toph could feel the girl shaking slightly, and she could just imagine the lost look on the face Aang had once described to her.
"I think we both have an idea," she sighed.
"Y-you think so, too?" Asamiya turned to look at Toph, who nodded. "But, who would do that, Aunt Toph? Who would poison Dad?"
Toph shook her head.
"That, kiddo, I don't know," she replied sadly. "But we'll find out, okay? Don't say anything, alright, Asamiya? 'Cause if we're wrong? Wow, that wouldn't be pretty."
A faint smile crossed the princess's face. "Yeah. We'd probably all get arrested or something. But, how do we figure it out?"
Toph patted her shoulder. "Books, kid. Normal for you, I'll take on the braille stuff. Kinda difficult, but at least I can figure it out on my own, eh?" Toph stood. "See ya, kiddo," she smiled. "And don't worry. Fire Lord Sparky's gonna be just fine."
Asamiya nodded, smiling trustfully up at her aunt. "See you later, Aunt Toph."
After Toph was gone, the only sound in the garden were the soft quacking of the turtle-ducks, the slight whisper of the gentle winter breeze, and her own soft breathing. She sighed sadly, and held out her hand, one of the turtle-ducks climbing fearlessly into her palm. Gently, Asamiya stroked its head, a wry smile on her face.
"You're so innocent," she murmured sadly as she pet it. "So free. You don't even know about the rebellions, or that the Fire Lord might be dying. I was like you once." The princess gingerly ran a finger down the back of the creature's small head. It made a cute little cooing noise that only elicited another sad smile. "If only I could go back to those days." She reached up and gently pulled the purple flower down from its place behind her ear, and held it fondly in her hand, the petals dark against her tan palm. So fragile, she marveled, with a small wry smile. And yet, so strong and enduring. Like Dad. Please, Agni and any other spirit that will listen; don't let this trial be too much for him. Please, let him get better. Even if it means my own life, I won't let him die.
"I won't let Dad die," she whispered.
Hours passed and still Asamiya simply sat there, silent, watching the turtle ducks as day turned to night. She realized briefly that she'd missed dinner, but she didn't really care. She wasn't in the mood to be around people for one thing, and she was certain her aunt Toph would have told her mother and anyone else who worried that the princess just needed to be alone for a while. She was troubled. That any blind fool could see. What they couldn't see was that she wanted to be alone. There were times when she just wanted to get away from the others, much as she loved them. Sometimes, she just needed to be alone. And even when no one could figure out what was bugging her, the Fire Lord always seemed to know how to comfort her. He would go out into the gardens and find her, either by the turtle-duck pond or out beneath her white dogwood tree. He would just sit down, then, one hand on her shoulder. Unless there were tears in her eyes, no words were necessary from Zuko, and the two would settle into silence, Zuko's hand resting lightly against her body, comfort and love and support all reaching the princess through that simple gesture.
They had always been alike, Asamiya and Zuko. Both more inclined to be solitary rather than social butterflies, they each could disappear for hours, and no one would worry too awfully. But that was during peaceful times, not when the Fire Lord was dangerously sick, and there were rebellions as close as Rafu City. And this time, the Fire Lady was concerned, and went to find her daughter. She found Asamiya sitting by the pond, just watching the still waters - the turtle ducks had gone to their nests around sundown, and it was now a few hours after - staring blankly into the reflection of the moon and sky.
"Asamiya," Katara said gently, carefully pulling her daughter to her feet. "What are you still doing out here? It's late, and the nights are colder than the days. Come back inside, sweetheart. You should be getting to bed, now, my dear."
Asamiya nodded numbly. She was tired, yes, but she really wasn't in a talkative mood. She walked off ahead of her mother, and something in the slope of her shoulders told Katara that the girl needed to be on her own for now, so she turned and went back toward the royal chambers to see to Zuko and get some sleep herself.
Zuko turned weakly toward the door when he heard it open, sweat damp hair refusing to leave it's position on his face. Today had not been a good day for the Fire Lord. Though his Katara had been with him, he'd felt the strange pain from yesterday more than once, blacking out each time before he could determine anything more about the pain than that its center was his chest. And he'd been coughing more, as well, almost choking at times. He smiled slightly when he saw his wife returning.
"Katara..." he whispered, the slight smile still present on his face. The Fire Lady came to the bed at sat beside him, taking on of his clamy hands in her own and brushing the hair back - a strand of gray in the mix - as a small, loving smile crossing her face.
"I'm here, Zuko," she breathed, her voice soft and comforting. She rose, changed, and quickly slid into bed beside her husband, holding onto him, praying to any spirit that would listen that tomorrow would see some sort of improvement in his condition. She kissed his cheek lightly, and pulled him close.
"Good night, Zuko, love," she whispered in the dark. She felt the Fire Lord shift slightly in her arms, bringing his body - shivering despite his fever- closer to hers, one arm falling loosely over her side.
"Night, Katara."
Katara sighed as she gazed into his eyes. Neither mentioned it, but both knew that tonight it would be hard to get to sleep.
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Heh, wait till you all read the next chapter. Anyway, review, please!