Book One: Fire

Chapter Fourteen

~Conflict~

Aang sighed as he watched Katara get all googly eyed with Jet. The man was a nice guy, Aang generally enjoyed him, but the nagging feeling that Sokka described to him was starting to spread to the young airbender.

"I wonder what Big Sis is doing?"

"Why are all of you and Zuko's people crazy?!" Daiyu screamed after taking on two more soldiers. Jia was on another boat, taking on her own.

"Your Fire Nation too!" Jia screamed when Takashi translated. Daiyu guessed that telepathy was not a problem for Jia's deafness. Daiyu vaugely wondered if Jia was happy that she was able to hear something. Daiyu kicked up in an arch and a fire tail followed the line of her foot. Her toe hit the guy in the face Ducking when another headed her way, she used the back of her sword to hit him in the skull. He fell along with the others. Hopping back on Daichi, the girl sighed and tried to catch her breath.

"I almost feel sorry that these guys are hunting down Aang." She thought absent mindedly. Suddenly Daichi twisted and threw away a boat. Daiyu screamed, not prepared to fall off. "SHIT! A little warning next time, please?!" She called from the ground and Daichi chuckled. Suddenly she was flipping away from Zhao.

"I'm impressed! You've surely grown in your years, Priestess Daiyu. From a dancing brat to a fierce warrior. Though there's no way you can match my years of discipline and expertise."

The two were wrist to wrist. A brute show of will and strength, and Daiyu wasn't backing out so easily. Snarling, the girl growled and pushed back harder. Zhao was impressed! Though, it wasn't as though he would actually fall to a woman. A girl nonetheless.

"Although our time together has been fun, it must come to an end." Daiyu pronounced. Jumping away from Zhao she pumped her arms back and forth, sending out a flurry of fire blasts. Zhao maunevered and dodged all while sending out a whip of fire. Daiyu barely dodged it and was burned on the forearm. She gritted her teeth and cursed. Un-sheathing her swords, she ran towards Zhao lightning fast and managed to cut his thigh pretty deep. Zhao yelled out and Daiyu's stamina was waning.

"Daiyu, let's go! The fleet is defeated!" Takashi yelled and Daiyu nodded. Never turning her back on Zhao to make sure he would not try to pull something, the man growled and snarled.

"You've won a little spar! So what? I have ships and fleets under my command. I have the entire Fire Nation at my disposal. You and the Avatar are just a bunch of kids. Hell, even your precious banished prince maybe hunting you now. I hope you've enjoyed your lick of freedom, because the next time I see you, you will be behind bars."

And with that, Jia helped Daiyu onto Daichi and the group was off and away. Daiyu proceeded to pass out.

"B-But why can't I call you mommy anymore?"

"It is hard to explain, baby. You would not understand."

Daiyu clenched her fist and jumped up and down in desperation. "Well, try! I want to call you mommy. So why do I have to stop now?! It's not fair! I love you, does that not mean anything to you?! Priestess Qiuyue?" Daiyu spat, the seven year old crossing her arms. Qiuyue flinched and felt herself wanting to cry. When she finally had a child, she managed to break her child's heart. The woman sighed and caressed Daiyu's cheek lovingly. "Listen, Daiyu. Love. There are some… bad men who want to take you away from me. Maybe even cause you extreme harm." She explained slowly, carefully picking her words.

"If they find out your close to me, they'll use that against me and they will… they will kill you."

Daiyu pouted, unphased, and walked over to her vanity mirror. Brushing her hair to keep herself from screaming the child stared at the red eyes in the mirror. Those eyes have gotten her into alot of trouble. The eyes and her hair kept her from being a normal kid. All she wanted to do was run and play and have an adventure. She wanted to be normal. Free from training and from learning how to be a lady. She wanted to be free. "But your strong M- Priestess Qiuyue. Why should we worry about bad men?"

"Because I am not as strong as I once was." Daiyu huffed, her small mind not ready to comprehend that Qiuyue could not be her mom anymore. When she asked how she was suppose to do that, tears slid from Qiuyue's eyes and down pale cheeks.

"I am still your mother!"

"NOT IF I CAN'T CALL YOU MOMMY!" Daiyu screamed defiantly, running away and out her room before Qiuyue could catch her. The girl ran as fast as she could, out the door of their woodland cabin and out into the woods. Her white hair ripped past her face and her priestess garb flowed with every step she took. After a while of pushing, her tiny legs ran out of energy and she fell unceremoniously face first. She squealed in surprise when she met up with leaves. Daiyu began crying silently, hiding herself deep into the crevices of a great oak-berry tree. It was the largest tree in the forest with pretty purple flowers decorating it. The fall season scattered the petals like broken dreams.

'You know Priestess Qiuyue loves you, Little One.' Daichi flew over towards the crying girl, finding her on Qiuyue's command. Daiyu burrowed deeper and covered herself with the sleeves of her haori.

"Go away." She called out and Daichi couldn't help but chuckle softly at her high pitched voice.

'Do not cast us away, Daiyu. We love you.'

"No! No you don't! Neither of you do! She doesn't want to be my mommy anymore? Fine! I'll find a new one!" declared Daiyu, feeling herself ready to cry. The tears began falling and she tried running again but Daichi blocked her way. "Get away, Daichi!" Daichi curled himself around her like he did lovingly every night when she was about to go to bed. Almost instinctively, Daiyu leaned against him, tightning her hold. Sobs racked the girl's body and Daichi sighed in sorrow.

'You know you would not want a diffrent mother. Would you?'

Daiyu shook her head and sniffled. "But Mommy—"

'Your mother loves you, Daiyu. She's doing everything that she can to protect you. There are many who would wish to harm you.'

"Well let them anyway. I don't even care anymore." And that was the day Daiyu wore a permenant smile to satisfy Priestess Qiuyue and Daichi.

Two things came into mind.

One, Daiyu was in a dress.

Two, the dress felt like heaven!

Sitting up slowly, she gasped at her surroundings. She was in a huge room. As though it could fit four Daichi's! There was a grand fireplace and every wall was made of a magnificent marble. The bed she laid on was covered in purple silk and so was the dress. The bed had a gossamer curtain that hid her, like the tale of Sleeping Beauty.

Groaning, she slipped the curtain back and walked over to the vanity mirror held up by a mahogany dresser, they both ornately crafted. Looking in the mirror, she saw a pale girl with frazzled white hair and dazed red eyes. Shivering at the sight of her hair, she grabbed the golden brush that laid next to a jewlry box and quickly ran it through the tangled mess six or eight times. Satisfied, she pulled it up into her usual high ponytail and played with her bracelet.

"Now then…where in the Spirit World am I?" Cautiously walking out the door, something about these hallways felt familiar. Letting the gut feeling take over, she walked down the hallway, went down some stairs, two more rights and another flight of stairs. Every wall was covered in artifacts and paintings. It was like a mueseum of sorts. Opening up a grand door that her gut led her too, she looked around at the empty room.

"Hello?" She called out and her voice echoed. Sighing lightly, Daiyu hummed as she walked in with a purpose. The doors slammed behind her, yet she feared nothing. Looking above her, there was a grand chandelier. "This place… it seems so familiar.

"I think... this was a ballroom." Reaching for her music box, it was no longer at her waist, but inside a pocket on the dress. Smiling softly, she inserted the flower charm on her bracelet and cranked untill it would no longer turn. Setting the box down gently, the music took a few seconds before it started playing. Just swaying and twirling lazily, Daiyu hummed along while letting her skirts flow. The Fire Nation– or any nation for the matter– never wore dressess like this. It flowed past her feet but sort of poofed out in a triangular fashion. She loved it in a way. It felt like a comfort.

'I wish Zuky was here. He doesn't say, but I know he likes things like this.' Shaking her head, she walked towards the very center of the room and closed her hands into fists. 'Stop thinking about him, Daiyu. It's Prince Zuko now.'

"Do you really believe that?"

Turning around, Daiyu gasped and backed away. Bare feet warming up to the cold marble floor. "Z-Zuko...?"

The banished prince of the fire nation stood in front of her, in simple yet elegant Fire Nation royal robes. His hair was in its usual ponytail and his golden eyes narrowed with a dark fire glinting in them.

"I want to. Believe that." Daiyu admitted brokenly. Zuko sighed and as if they both said something, they walked up six steps to be closer to each other. If Daiyu just lifted her hand, she could caress Zuko's cheek. The scarred one she rubbed every night when he couldn't sleep on the ship. Those days were over now, they were simply a prince and a princess. Daiyu's fingers twitched with the urge to touch him, "So much has happened since I left and it's only been a short amount of time. Though I miss it. The simple days on the ship. Before we found the Avatar, I mean." Zuko nodded solemnly and looked away from her.

He squeezed his fist untill his knuckles were white and ashy. "I know what you mean."

Silence.

Daiyu's music stopped and she turned towards the music box. The dragon dancer dissappeared back into its safe haven. Zuko looked at it as well and turned away from her. "That's much like us isn't it? The dragon's music is its cries but eventually it has to give up. Just leave sight."

Daiyu turned back to her love and walked up to him. His back was turned from her. She held his hand and hugged him from behind. "That dragon always come back for another round. Even after being forced down." She hugged tighter, missing this boy so much that her heart made sure to crack everyday to remind her of her betrayal. "Prince Zuko…" Daiyu whispered, letting him go. She could do it. She could force herself to fall out of love. That way she could look for someone else. It was possible. Why couldn't she see the angry jerk Aang made him out to be? Why couldn't she forget the pain when he rejected her when she knew those were the results? Even now, seeing him was deterring her mental health. "Please… know that I had your best intentions at heart."

Zuko grit his teeth and snapped, "My best intentions?!" He growled, whipping around in desbelief. "Daiyu, you betrayed me! You helped the Avatar get away! You helped him after three years of promising to help me. You left me all alone after spouting all that bull shit about staying by MY side!"

"I also said it would not always be physically..."

"No. Nonono! I admit it, I miss you. I can't deny that but I also have to say that your a god damn hypocrite! Actions speak louder than words, Priestess."

Daiyu fell silent, not coming up with any retorts. She wrung her hands around and around and muttered something incomprehensible.

"Speak up!" Zuko snapped.

"I said I was sorry, but now we're even. Think about it. All the times I have wanted nothing more than your well being but all you do is lie and chase after the Avatar! You call me a hypocrite? I understand completely, but at least I don't hide behind a mask. I can admit where I'm wrong. I can see my faults. I can work on my obsessions!" She hollered, blood racing. She turned and paced, holding the dress up a bit.

"Obsessions? Your saying I'm obsessed with the Avatar?!"

"If it wasn't obvious, yes!"

"Hypocrite!"

"Liar!"

"Bitch!"

"Bastard!"

The two were breathing hard, glaring daggers down. Daiyu walked in circles, trying to blow off some steam, letting out huffs and growls, struggling to push a simple word or few out to explain how she felt right now. Because to be honest she felt like shit. She always took a hit for Zuko, never hesitating, though she never anticipated the hit to hurt! "Zuky…" She cried out, fresh tears falling.

Zuko grabbed his head, not knowing what to do. He was angry at her, extremely angry, but damnit that was his best friend! She stuck by his side since she moved in. But now they were barely hanging on by a loose thread. He had to make a decision.

She turned to him and said, "The truth is…" All of a sudden she started singing.

Sometimes I hate every single stupid word you say

Sometimes I wanna slap you in your whole face.

Daiyu pushed him back by placing her palm on his face roughly and he scowled. Though he knew that feeling too. He had it all the time when he thought about her, it was annoying.

There's no one quite like you.

You push all my buttons down

But, I know life would suck without you.

Zuko smirked a bit but let the small smile fall. He was just angry, wasn't he? And he agreed to that as well, life would suck without her. Spirits, it already did. She knew just how to put enough anger in him to the point of laughter. Sometimes they had fought without having a real explanation, just wanting to feel normal in having a friend on that ship. Constantly in each others face, just how they were now. Daiyu turned to Zuko and hugged him before letting go and angrily shaking her hands, gesturing she was going to choke him.

At the same time, I wanna hug you.

I want to wrap my hands around your neck.

Your an asshole but I love you

She sighed and smirked, before punching him lightly in the shoulder. Daiyu looked up at Zuko and shook her head before chuckling in desbelief.

And you make me so mad I ask myself;

Why am I still here?

Where could I go?

Your the only love I've ever known.

Daiyu kicked him in the shin and Zuko cursed before jumping up and down. Daiyu 'hurumphed' and turned away before glaring at him and sighing.

But I hate you.

I really hate you.

So much, I think it must be…

Daiyu froze and sighed, picking up her music box. Goodness, she was about to say the stupidest thing ever. Zuko knew she had feelings for him, why keep throwing those feelings on him?

Zuko waited for her to finish but she didn't. She just kept from looking his way. He shook his head and swalloed thickly, suddenly feeling his heart pace faster at looking at her. What was wrong with him?! "It doesn't matter." He growled out harshly.

Daiyu turned to him in wonder. "Why do you say that?"

"It doesn't matter if you love me or hate me," Taking a deep breath, he looked her in the eyes, golden orbs glowering with fierce defiance and assurance, "Because from this moment onward, we are enemies."

Daiyu felt her cracked heart, shatter to a gazillion pieces, "Z-Zuko, no. DON'T." The tears that started earlier fell significantly harder.

"If you get in my way," Zuko snarled and his scarred face that was once in Daiyu's dreams with so much love, was now the source of her fears. He looked at her with danger clearly written as a silent promise.

"Your allegiance with the Avatar wil not be a hindrance. I will not hesitate to end you."