Chapter Twelve:
Back to the Fire Nation
ARRAINNE POV:
We are flying over the ocean back to the Fire Nation, a sense of relief and joy washes over me. I no longer have to worry about Lee. He, and everything that came along with him, is disappearing behind us. It's almost involuntary the sigh of relief that escapes my lips. I think Zuko hears me because he turns to look at me from the corner of his eye—a faint smirk on his face.
"Something funny?" I ask him playfully and under my breath.
He just chuckles and turns towards me, "Just you."
I give him an incredulous look. What does he mean by that? I don't really know how to respond, but apparently he isn't expecting one as he turns forward again. I continue to look at him and see his face suddenly fall; as if he is thinking of something he doesn't want to be. I decide to brush it off, I've got issues of my own too; I'm sure it's something to do with the Fire Nation. We have been away for a couple days; I'd be worried something happened too.
Behind me, Katara, Suki, Toph and Sokka are chatting about the bending gardens. I'm almost jealous of their carefree demeanors, I feel like I'll never have that luxury—especially being the Avatar. Zuko looks over at me and notices my thoughtful expression.
He nudges me in the ribs, "Everything alright?"
I nod, "Just glad to be going home."
His eyebrows rise, "The Fire Nation is your home?"
His question takes me by surprise. I didn't even realize what I was saying, or that he would notice it. Is the Fire Nation my home? A pang of guilt twists my heart as I contemplate this. I don't want to forget my people, but I have to accept that the Southern Air Temple is empty and I no longer consider it 'home'. I used to, when it was full of life; full of Air Nomads and sky bison—but now? I don't think so. I look back at Zuko and my heart swells.
I reach down and tangle my fingers into Appa's hair to comfort me. Quietly I answer, "Wherever you are is my home." His grip on my hand tightens in response, and he looks down sheepishly. I think I embarrassed him with my answer.
We have been completely oblivious to the conversation behind us, and I'm snapped away from Zuko when Toph pipes up, "Hey! Love birds! When are we coming back to see ol' Iroh?"
It seems Zuko has been snapped back from his trance as well as he answers, "Soon." It's almost too hasty of an answer and I shouldn't think anything of it; but I do. What makes him so eager to come back to see Iroh again? I know he told me it's just family stuff, but if it's 'family stuff', does that mean Azula and Ozai? Or possibly his mother? I might be working myself up over nothing, if Zuko wants to tell me I know he will. In fact maybe he'll tell me after I tell him I'm planning on helping Lee. I know Zuko is going to be furious though; he'll think I'm doing it for Lee when I'm only doing it as my duty to the Earth Kingdom. I won't be a very good Avatar if I ignore an entire nation because my boyfriend might get jealous.
I don't think I'll be able to sleep at night without doing something about all those red flags that Lee showed me throughout the city. I think maybe I can soften the topic by suggesting that Zuko come along whenever I come to Ba Sing Se but I can't take him away from his own nation that needs him. I decide I'll ask Toph and Katara to join me whenever I visit Lee; maybe Zuko won't be so angry if he knows somebody will be there watching. Maybe Lee will think twice before making a pass on me again. Plus I don't think I can face Lee alone again. I know it might end in me storming out in anger and probably not accomplishing anything for the Earth Kingdom before that.
I turn back to look at the others, "Will you guys be staying in the Fire Nation?"
Katara smiles, "If you'll have us!" I know she's joking. She knows that Zuko and I want all of them there with us; it wasn't the same when they weren't.
"That's the Fire Lords decision," I grin at Zuko.
He just rolls his eyes, "Of course we'll have you. I'm sure there are extra rooms somewhere."
Before I can stop myself I blurt, "Heads up; the Fire Sages are a little uptight." I wonder if I should have told them that, but looking at Zuko I see a hint of a smile on his lips. I know he agrees with me. I bet he's remembering when we were in the courtyard and they demanded his presence; frowning upon our simple hug.
Sokka cracks his knuckles and nudges Toph, "I bet we can break 'em quick, right Toph?"
Toph's face lights up with a devilish grin, "Three days. Tops." All of us laugh at their confidence, but honestly; I don't doubt them. If anyone can stir up a little trouble for the self-important Fire Sages, it's Toph and Sokka.
"Don't break my palace," Zuko jokes.
Toph shrugs and grins leaning back propping her feet up, "We can always put it back together your Fire Lord-ness." I can't help but laugh at Toph; she always knows how to put a smile on everyone's face.
Grinning I say, "Zuko—I don't see them lasting two days. Do you?"
He shakes his head, "I'll be impressed if they do."
Katara looks at us disbelievingly, "Oh c'mon, they can't be that bad!"
Zuko and I both give each other looks. Katara hasn't been around them since the end of the 100 year war; there's no way she can know how absolutely strict they are. The Fire Sages just don't understand that things have changed but I don't believe they'll be like this forever. They have to change eventually.
"Katara," I begin to say, turning to look at her, "They frowned on me and Zuko hugging—in the courtyard." Katara's eyes widen at my example. "I can understand in public but—the courtyard? That's pretty private if you ask me. Besides, the public loves seeing us together. I've been hounded about the story constantly which is why I've set up this hearing for the Fire Nation and the whole world. People need to know the truth from the source, not just rumors."
"What are you going to say at the hearing?" She asks.
I grip Appa's reigns, "Everything."
"Everything?" Sokka coughs. Even Zuko looks at me surprised.
"Well," I shrug, "The major points." I visibly see Zuko relax; he doesn't want the whole world to know every little detail about us—especially the more difficult parts. He doesn't need that bad light on him. I do know that if the girls in the Fire Nation are anything like On Ji, Elua and Kaja; they're dying to know the story of the Fire Lord and the Avatar. Even On Ji who was basically in love with him swooned at it. I have to admit—living the story and hearing about it are two completely different things. I definitely wasn't swooning as it was happening.
"So, no sap?" Toph asks hopefully.
I glance at Zuko from the corner of my eye and smirk, "Maybe a little. For some reason people find it interesting."
He looks shocked. "And who, may I ask, have you told this story?" He says.
Oh. I forgot he doesn't know about On Ji, Elua and Kaja. I've been meaning to tell him what I did that day I skipped the meeting but the topic never came up, he never asked, and frankly—I haven't thought about it since leaving the Fire Nation. "Um," I say, "Before the war ended, we hid in the Fire Nation pretending to be citizens. I got dragged to this school because of the clothes I'd chosen to steal and ended up meeting these three girls; On Ji, Elua, and Kaja, who invited me over one day after school. I told them my name was 'Alane' and I came from the colonies. It was from them I learned that you took credit for my death," I take a deep breath attempting to move on from that subject and continue, "After three days of knowing them I disappeared. That day I skipped a meeting I went to Elua's house again and explained everything. Everything. I have an idea of what I'd like to say to the world."
Toph laughs, "You do have the craziest adventures when we leave you alone!"
I shrug, "Weird things tend to happen around me for some reason."
"Oh I wonder why," Sokka scoffs. "Maybe 'cause you know—you're not the Avatar or anything."
Rolling my eyes I say, "Shut it Sokka."
He holds his hands up in surrender, "Hey I'm just stating the facts."
"Arrainne," Katara says, "You did meet a lion turtle. People thought they were myths."
"That could have happened to anyone!" I protest.
Zuko is trying to hide his smile as he shakes his head saying, "I don't think so."
I look at him incredulously, "Don't agree with them!"
He sits back, "I have to when they're right." I groan and turn forwards again.
Attempting to get off this topic and turn the spotlight on somebody else, I turn smugly to Zuko and grin. He sees me from the corner of his eye and lifts his eyebrows waiting for me to say something. "On Ji is kinda obsessed with you," I say.
"What?" He bursts his eyes widening in shock.
"In fact all of them are; On Ji the most though. When I was there the first time they said 'he's gorgeous' and 'his scar is fierce' they were jealous of whoever 'held your heart'." Immediately after hearing this, Zuko's cheeks redden and Toph, Sokka and Katara burst out laughing. "They were all dying to know about you. On Ji asked me if you were a good kisser." This brings another round of laughter from the group behind us, and Zuko's eyes flare with embarrassment.
After a moment he collects himself and smirks, "Oh? And what did you tell her?"
Now it's my turn to be flustered. Gathering my wits I stare into his golden eyes and smile, "I told her you are." Again, Zuko's cheeks flush and the group behind us hoots with laughter. "I also invited them to meet you sometime."
"You WHAT?" He explodes.
"Connect with your people," I smirk. Behind me laughter roars again, and Zuko falls silent in embarrassment or lack of words—I can't really tell. The rest of the way home is fairly uneventful, and when we arrive back in the Fire Nation I send Appa to get something to eat. Some people who work in the palace are instructed to bring Sokka, Suki, Katara and Toph to their rooms. Zuko and I are left alone, watching them disappear down the hallway.
As soon as they are out of sight, Zuko turns on me; "Arrainne, I can't believe you invited them to meet me."
I furrow my brow in confusion, "Why?"
"Well," He stammers, "I—I'm not good around girls! I can barely figure you out; how do you think I'll manage against three girls I don't know?"
I can't help the smile that rises to my lips, he's still as awkward as ever; still the Zuko I fell in love with. "Zuko," I say, "You're going to have to meet new people all the time. Don't worry, you won't be alone; I'll be there."
He runs a hand through his dark hair, "Won't that make it worse? Aren't they jealous?"
Rolling my eyes I answer, "They didn't seem like it." He looks at the ground and I wrap my arms around him in a hug grinning. "I think once they meet you their fantasy of a perfect prince will be destroyed," I joke.
He jerks his head up and meets my gaze, "Yet I'm your perfect prince," He smirks.
He leans down to kiss me and smiling on his lips I say, "Hardly." I'm silenced by his lips on mine and I completely forget everything except him. I forget Lee, On Ji, Elua, Kaja; everyone. As long as I have him I'll stay sane. I'm going to tell him about my plan to help Lee right after I talk to Toph and Katara accompanying me every trip. There's no way he can be mad at me about it—he has to understand my duty as the Avatar to help the Earth Kingdom.
