Disclaimer: I do not own the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender but Luli is mine.
Who were they?
It was this question that had been on my mind since he – Lee, Zuko, whoever he was – saved me from Lake Logai. If his name wasn't really Lee, could I assume that Mushi wasn't my old friend's name either? Where did they really come from? Who were they really?
He said he had been chasing the Avatar but Katara hadn't mentioned anyone in the brief story she had told me the other day. I wish she wasn't busy with the council, or Toph wasn't with her family. Even Aang and Sokka were off on their own new adventures. I had no one to ask about this.
Behind me, the guard Kuei had asked to escort me cleared his throat. I took a deep breath, not ready to reveal myself even though I was hoping Lee would do the same. Stilling myself, I begin my walk up the stairs to the Jasmine Dragon. People bowed to me and I nodded back, missing being anonymous in the Lower Ring.
The guard moved slightly past me to the door way, standing in front of me. My eyes widened and I lifted up my skirts, rushing up the stairs to him. "Please, don't –"
"Now presenting Princess Luli of Ba Sing Se."
Around the room, patrons of the shop stood and bowed. Lee and Iroh, after a moment's hesitation, bowed as well. I gave everyone a shaky smile, nodding my head as I mumbled to the guard, "You really didn't have to do that."
"Your majesty!" I turned to the cheery woman at the door, a menu clutched in her hands. Her face was flushed as she bowed again. "Welcome to the Jasmine Dragon! Please, follow me."
My eyes met Lee's for a moment and I turned to the guard. "Could you stay here please? I don't want anyone to feel awkward."
The guard nodded and I let the hostess lead me to a fairly empty section of the room. I sat down and she handed me a menu bowing twice more as she backed her way to the door again.
"Yunru?"
I looked up at Lee who was staring down at me with wide eyes. I smiled sheepishly at him. "It's Luli. . . . Surprise?"
Lee looked over to Iroh, who nodded quickly, before he sat down across from me. "You're the Princess?"
"Guilty as charged," I told him.
"Well," he said, scratching his head. "That explains a lot then."
I looked around our area before looking back to him. "And your name isn't really Lee, is it. . . . I heard Mushi call you Zuko," I added when his eyes widened in surprise.
"Well, you should know his name is really Iroh," Zuko mumbled, looking down at the table.
I leaned forward, whispering, "Have you actually traveled the world?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"In search of the Avatar."
"Why?"
"It's – it's complicated."
"So, you're not really a circus performer?"
Zuko smiled, shocking me. "Not at all. . . . It's funny that seems to be the thing you're most disappointed about," he added with a laugh when I had sighed in disappointment.
I tilted my head, looking at my friend. His shoulders were straighter, those amber eyes seemed brighter. . . . "You seem different," I told him.
The boy across from me, shrugged. "It's a new day."
I gazed at him a moment longer before grinning, reaching across to put my hands on top of his. I decided then and there that no matter whom he was or what he had done, he wasn't the same person any more. He was someone I could trust, he had saved me. "It certainly is."
"Princess!"
I turned, smiling. "Katara!"
It was a beautiful day outside. I had managed to get out of the Palace without Kuei sending one of the guards with me; he was so preoccupied with the Kyoshi Warriors that he didn't notice much nowadays. But, still, it was certainly a surprise to meet with Katara on my way to the Tea shop. It had been at least four days since I had seen her. I laughed as Momo scampered onto my shoulders, wrapping his tail around my neck. "Nice to see you two Momo. Where are you two headed?"
"To see the King, actually," Katara said, holding up the scroll in her hand. "But we thought maybe we stop in get some tea."
"Well you're definitely headed to the right place," I told her, motioning to the Jasmine Dragon in front of us. "Mushi makes the best tea in all of Ba Sing Se."
"It looks like the place is packed," Katara said as we hurried up the stairs.
"Don't worry, we'll get a seat," I assured her. "I'm good friends with the owner."
We reached the doorway, the hostess bowing to me again. Katara smiled. "Table for three please."
"Uncle!" I looked up at Lee, smiling as he called orders. "I need two jasmines, one with green and one leechi."
Iroh smiled at him. "I'm brewing as fast as I can!"
"Come on, I want to introduce you," I said, turning to Katara, but she wasn't hearing me.
Her blue eyes had gone wide in shock and fear. Before I could react, she grabbed my hand, pulling me out of the doorway and down the stairs, Momo clinging to my neck as we ran.
"Katara!" I yelled, pulling on her hand. "Katara what is the matter?"
"We have to get to the Palace!" she told me. "We have to tell the King that the Fire Nation is here!"
"Fire Nation?" I pulled harder, pulling Katara to a stop. "What are you talking about?"
"That boy in there, the owner," Katara said, eyes still frantic, "they're Fire Nation! Prince Zuko and General Iroh. They've been chasing us all over the world, trying to capture Aang and – you said they were your friends. Did you know they were here?"
"I met them in the Lower Ring," I told her, shaking my head. "I didn't know they were Fire Nation . . . but –"
"Come on, we have to go warn the King!" She grabbed my wrist again, pulling me to the Palace.
"But – Katara they're good people!" She wasn't listening though. She just kept continuing to run, pulling me along as I tried not to trip over my skirts.
We entered the palace, the marble floor echoing under our footsteps. Kneeling in front of the throne were the three Kyoshi Warriors here to help our city. Next to the throne was a boy I knew only as their escort. He was tall and quiet, dark hair hanging down into grey eyes. He stood watch over the three girls and there was something very imposing about all four of them. Which was why I was a bit worried when Katara called out, "Thank goodness you're here Suki."
We rushed forward, stopping in front of the girls and their escort. "Something terrible is going on. The Fire Nation has infiltrated the city! I just saw Prince Zuko and his uncle! We have to tell the Earth King right away."
"Oh, don't worry," one of the Warriors said, looking up. Her eyes, uncannily like Zuko's, flickered in the light. "I'll be sure to let him know."
Momo shrieked and Katara took a step back. "Luli run!"
Instinct kicked in. The fear in Katara's voice was evident. I gathered my skirts, running to leave the throne room. I heard Katara cry out and the thud as she hit the floor, water spilling on the ground. I stopped and turned, my eyes wide at the sight of my friend hurt and the three "Kyoshi Warriors" surrounding her. The three girls looked up. Golden Eyes smirked and nodded.
With a snap of his eyes, their Escort came running towards me. I gasped, gathering my skirts, running towards a door. I didn't make it very far. Arms encircled my waist, pulling me back into the throne room.
"Let go of me!" I yelled, kicking and clawing. It was now that I had wished I had put more time into my training.
"She's a fighter," the boy chuckled, darkly as he set me down. I tried to move but he clamped his hands down on my shoulders holding me still.
"Who are you people?" I gritted out, struggling. "What have you done to Katara? I demand to know."
"All you need to know, Princess," Golden Eyes told me, "is that you won't be princess much longer. Delun, take her to her room please," she said to the boy. "Make sure she stays there."
Delun gripped me up, flinging me over his shoulder. "Put me down right now! You won't get away with this! I'll make sure the four of you are locked up for life!"
"So Zuzu's in the city too," the girl with the golden eyes was saying as Delun carried me out. "I think it's time for a family reunion."
I kicked and pounded at Delun's chest and shoulders, tried to get him to drop me. We reached my room and he threw me from his shoulder, pushing me backwards into the room. He grinned at me, a twisted grin. "Don't worry, Princess. We'll take good care of your cousin."
With that he slammed the door closed, locking me in.
A/N: So you'll notice my new character Delun. I decided that if I was adding another character to the show, might as well give Azula a new pal too right? Delun is a noble child, just like Ty Lee and Mai and I'm not sure yet if he'll be a fire bender but he's skilled with swords. He's kind of twisted, like Azula, meaning he agrees with her. I hope you guys liked this chapter and like Delun. He'll make more of an appearance later. Thanks for reading!
