Chapter 19: Of Thunder and Lightning
Dear Diary,
Today marks three weeks since my fever broke, three weeks since I made the decision to help the Avatar…three weeks since I fought with prince-
No! no! I'm not going to even disgrace your pages by even mentioning that ungrateful dishonourable ass ever again. Even though it's thanks to him the entire crew is on edge and feeling angry.
It's also thanks to him my father and I are also not speaking to one another. I know he means well and he's worried sick, but seriously father just doesn't know when to stop and leave me when I need to be alone.
Seriously diary its not like I'm ten years old again and need a shoulder to cry on. I'm almost sixteen dammit! I can look after myself now as well as look after an entire crew. I don't need father hovering over my shoulder twenty four seven.
And neither do I need that goddamn prince doing so either. Every time I find myself alone and in the same room as him (whether it be in passing or when I'm cleaning) he always tries to talk to me. Not that I give him much time to do so. If he even so much as opens his mouth I just get out and walk.
What he did by kissing me back and calling me a whore was so wrong on so many levels and I don't care if he apologises I won't forgive him.
He's only trying to get back into my good books so that the crew doesn't mutiny against him, because he and I both know that if it came down to them choosing who they liked more they'd obviously not bite the hand that literally feeds them.
In short, I've learnt my lesson and I'm no longer fooled by his little acts of kindness anymore. No from now on Jade Shi will look after herself and her crew.
No more conniving princes to trick this girl anymore.
No sir. Not me.
"Agh! Dammit!" Jade hissed as she did her best to balance the heavily laden tea tray on top of a large low table. It was close to the time Lord Iroh liked to have his late morning tea and she was already running late with cleaning chores pending back in the kitchens when the order for Ginseng came.
Hopefully Prince Jerk-ass isn't with him
"OWW" she winced as she accidently tripped over sideways from the ships gentle sway.
For all her strong stances in her earth bending, why couldn't she ever find her sea legs on this blasted ship?
"Jade?" a man's voice piped in from a corridor.
Jade looked up quickly in panic only to sigh in relief as she caught sight of an older lieutenant with short grey hair and facial hair.
"Oh hey Ji" she grunted as she tried to right herself. "On break?"
"Yeah just for five minutes. Need some help with that?" Ji smirked as he walked towards her.
"Oh no I'm fine Ji, I'm just-" but what Jade was, he never found out for she almost teetered to the side as the ship swayed again.
With a fond eye roll and shake of the head Ji quickly reached out and steadied the young girl before she could drop herself and her heavy cargo.
"Here maybe I should take this" he said and before she could refuse he had taken the table from her hands, leaving her with only the tray and tea.
"Thanks" Jade puffed smiling gratefully. Ji smiled back in return and gave her a solid nod before they both started to walk down the corridor together.
Once they had turned a corner Ji glanced at Jade and for the first time she noticed a slight crease in the man's brow.
"What's up Ji? Something wrong" Jade asked almost wishing she hadn't when Ji's brow furrowed and he said.
"Yeah actually…um…I know it isn't my business Jade. But the crew and I were wondering-"
"No I will not apologise to Zuko" Jade snapped so sharply that Ji almost flinched.
Instead he just made to cough.
"No, no. Actually we were wondering if you were going to cook the big chicken-boar tonight. Apparently the guys from engineering are feeling peckish for something big and meaty, but they didn't know if Dango's got anything already planned or prepped."
"Oh?" Jade blinked and felt her cheeks burn red "Oh right. The moo-sow… Actually that's not a bad idea, it's probably gonna go off if we keep it out much longer than a few days. yeah I guess Dango and I could do it tonight. He's already planning on making spicy meat curry with rice." She smiled brightly, hoping that her sheepishness didn't show on her face.
"Yeah, a curry sounds good." the lieutenant made to nod back happily, though it was quick to fade again as he quirked an eyebrow down at her. "But now that you mention the prince-"
Jade groaned.
"Will no one let that drop?"
"I'm afraid not" Ji shook his head, a small scowl gracing his features. "everyone thinks that if you two just make up it'll all be fine. But I told them, if Zuko doesn't apologise then you don't have to say anything back to him in return"
"Ah…yeah Ji…about that" Jade muttered her cheeks going pink again "He kinda did"
Ji stopped in his tracks his eyes wide.
"He what?"
"He apologised. Zuko I mean" Jade mumbled her hands tensing on the tray as Ji stared at her in absolute shock.
When he spoke he almost sounded breathless.
"Wait you mean he actually said I'm sorry? As in the actual words came out of that royal dumbass's mouth-"
"Yeah" Jade nodded before turning her face away "But I told him to go stuff it"
"You what?!" Ji's eyes were almost bulging out of his skull.
"I know. You think I'm stupid-" Jade bit her lip, but Ji only cut in.
"Stupid?! Kid you are insane! In all my years of serving aboard this ship I have never even once heard the prince ever apologise to anyone who is not his uncle, and only then he does it rarely"
"You didn't hear what he said" Jade snapped over the top of him "What he said was…what he did was absolutely disgraceful...dishonourable to me and the virtues my family taught me. So sue me for still being pissed off at him even if he does apologise"
Ji opened his mouth to retort, caught sight of the slightly over bright green eyes glaring up at him and shut his mouth quickly. The girl and the prince were already in such a state, the last thing he needed was the girl's damned father and brother hounding him for upsetting her further.
Jade seemed to guess what he was thinking because she sighed heavily.
"Sorry Ji…I shouldn't have snapped like that"
"No it's ok" Ji assured her quickly as they both began to start walking again "Besides between you and me you looked like you really needed to let off some of that steam"
"Yeah." Jade huffed "Somehow writing in a diary just doesn't cut it the same way-"
"As training with your natural element? Yes it must be hard not to have a rock you could punch"
"Yeah-wait WHAT?!" Jade spluttered as she stared wide eyed at Ji who began to chortle.
"HA! What kid? Two years at sea and you think us old sea farers wouldn't have noticed?"
"But how-"
"Dango" the older lieutenant said simply "He once caught you bending the coal in the ovens"
"How long ago was this?"
"about a couple of months after we first set sail from the Fire Nation"
Jade's jaw felt like it was hitting the ground now.
"You mean to tell me" she breathed in horror "that you and the crew have all known that I was a …a you-know-what for all this time?"
"Well not all the crew" Ji shrugged. "Only us older lieutenants and a couple of the senior engineers, plus a couple of the sailors like Quan and Huan. They're all trustworthy fellows. Oh yes and Lord Iroh too. He knows. We didn't tell Akan or his buddies though" he added when Jade made to open her mouth again "No we didn't want to give him more ammunition to use against you"
"What do you mean ammunition? And for that matter what the hell was his deal with me? Why was he such an ass? What did I do" Jade groaned loudly.
"You didn't do anything he was just a - wait a second…you don't know?" now it was Ji's turn to frown.
"Know what?" Jade narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
Ji pursed his lips a rather strained and pained scowl gracing his features.
"I'm not sure whether I should be telling you this." he growled under his breath "Your father told me not to tell…but I guess you are old enough to understand"
"Understand what?" Jade scowled and Ji sighed.
"Jade do you remember the day you first joined the crew."
"How could I forget?" Jade snorted "I spent most of the time throwing up until we reached the gates of Azulon"
"Yes well apart from the sea-sickness do you remember serving us our first meal that night?"
"You mean the meal that all of you guys thought a tiny girl like me couldn't cook and laughed at me as I had to use a footstool to see into the pot?" Jade smirked and was pleased to see Ji bristle uncomfortably.
"Yeah well we are still sorry about that" he mumbled before coughing "but anyways, do you remember, when we were laughing at you what Akan said"
"Vaguely" Jade bit her lip as she tried to remember "Didn't he say something about if I'm not so good at cooking then at least I'd make a good open flower or whatever when I got older."
"Wow you really have a good memory" Ji shook his head out to clear it before he made to answer "Anyway's I don't think you really know what he meant did you?"
"No…but I didn't think it would ever be good. Why what does it actually mean?" Jade frowned up at the old lieutenant, whose face had gone a bright shade of red as he spluttered.
"Well…an open flower, means a girl who-" he leaned in and whispered in her ear.
Jade's eyes widened in shock as she gasped loudly.
"Oh that stinking son of a-"
The day was bright and the sky was clear. A perfect day.
Or at least it would have been if Prince Zuko wasn't in such a foul mood.
He scowled as he looked through his telescope at the sky, which was a lovely pristine blue.
Oh come on?! Where the hell are they? They have to travel north and they'll be staying along the coast to keep getting supplies.
He rolled his eyes to himself just as his uncle made to suck in a deep breath of the ocean air.
"There is a storm coming. A big one"
"You're out of your mind uncle" Zuko frowned in confusion and irritation. "It's perfect. Not a cloud in sight" or an Avatar's flying bison. He added in his head.
But his uncle shook his head grimly.
"A storm is approaching from the North. I suggest we alter our course and head south west"
"We know the Avatar is travelling Northward. So we will do the same" Zuko was in no mood to argue, least of all with his uncle who was making to try speak to him in an annoyingly placating voice.
"Prince Zuko consider the safety of the crew-"
"Argh! The safety of the crew doesn't matter" Zuko cried out just as two pairs of footsteps came up from below deck.
Zuko's gut dropped as he wheeled about and caught sight of Jade walking with Lieutenant Ji, who was helping her carry a low table whilst she was carrying a tray laden with his uncle's morning pot of tea.
Both of them had been laughing up until they'd heard his shout and saw him face them.
Zuko's eyes were quick to look at Jade. But she was just as swift to ignore him and turn to place the tea tray on the ground.
Aggravated Zuko rounded on Ji whose face had turned stony as the prince turned all but snarled in his face.
"Finding the Avatar is far more important than any individual's safety"
"he doesn't mean that. He's just all worked up" he heard his try to reason to Ji. But Zuko didn't care.
Let them hate him. He wasn't here to be liked anyway. He was on this ship to capture the Avatar. No more, no less.
But even as he stormed up to the balcony of the command tower to brood, his mind could not help but stray from the Avatar to Jade, even as he made to look down on the deck.
He could see her far below, a distinct slender red and brown figure leaning over a pai sho board and chuckling as his uncle made to crack a joke.
"Agh!" he growled to himself as he continued to watch her giggle and serve more tea.
She was still all happy and smiling for the crew, but why was she continuing to ignore him like he was mud? He knew he had done the wrong thing and he was apologising for it day in and day out.
So why couldn't she just believe him and accept his remorse like any other human being?
And why, of all the people he had to have liked…Why did it have to be her?
Why her? Why was she special? She was just a kitchen maid!
A kitchen maid who can fight pirates, challenge you in a fight without even thinking and who can cook and serve a hundred meals day in day out whilst keeping the entire crew in check. Not to mention she's pretty.
His brain told him, but this did very little to alleviate his throbbing temple.
Alright so fine, she's pretty and strong. But so are plenty of other girl's right? Like Mai. She's strong and good with knives -
So can Jade. Plus she can bend both earth and Lava
A second voice in his head reasoned only for the first one to speak over it.
But Mai's nobility-
So is Jade
The second voice countered much to his annoyance.
Yeah, disgraced nobility. Her father's family disowned them. Doesn't count. But still…
"Argh! Why me? Why bloody me?"
Zuko frowned as he watched her and his uncle continue their game.
He couldn't help but notice that when she sat she did so with poise and self-possession just like a real lady would at court.
And yet in spite of her obvious dignity, he had the stupidity to doubt her honour and call her a…
"Argh! That girl" He groaned loudly letting his forehead rest on the metal railing.
Meanwhile behind him in the Helm, two of the Quan and one of his junior sailor's glanced at one another, the former of them holding out his hand.
"There see! I told you he was thinking about her. now cough it up youngin', quick"
The young sailor grumbled under his breath as he roughly shoved a few silver coins into the old helmsman's hands.
It was midday and down below on deck Jade spared a small glance up at the balcony as she took a sip of her tea, waiting as Lord Iroh made to finish his move on the pai sho table.
He looked up just in time to see her scowl.
"Jade may I ask you something" The old general frowned concernedly.
"Yes sir?" Jade blinked in confusion back at him, much to his amusement.
"I understand what my nephew said to you was very rude and nasty in its own right. But I have to know, is it his words that bothered you or the fact that he said them that has upset you."
There was a silence as Jade stared at the older general her face as pale as death warmed up.
When she spoke next her voice was trembling, though from hurt or from suppressed rage it was difficult to tell.
"Is there any real difference between the two?"
"My dear girl" Iroh quirked a stern brow at her "We both know you are smart enough to figure that one out for yourself."
"I don't care" Jade huffed and looked back down to the board to make her move, doing her best to avoid keen stare aimed at her.
"Oh but I think you do"
"And what makes you think that?" Jade spat, regretting it instantly as those warm amber eyes, so much like his nephew's, made to pierce straight through her as he said:
"I believe you know the answer to that too"
"Hmph" Jade pouted making to take a sip of her tea, but said nothing to respond. How could she? Every answer she was thinking of was all quite vulgar and rude.
And angry though she may be of his nephew, there was no way in hell she was going to let herself lose her cool with the dragon of the west, especially after he had done so much for her family.
And for her…
A sting of guilt stabbed into her heart as she made to pour out the tea for the older lord who only smiled in that calm, patient yet knowing way as he guessed her thoughts.
"You need not feel guilty for speaking your mind Jade. It is one of your great strength's, one which you shall need more and more as you get older."
"But that doesn't mean I can throw caution to the winds and remove the filter from my mouth willy nilly" Jade clipped, her face a blank mask. Man how she hated his perceptiveness sometimes.
"True" Iroh nodded in agreement "but that is not my point. What I mean to say is that you have been blessed with many strengths both mental and physical. And like how you do your best to refine your bending, these strengths must be trained and refined. Otherwise you like many others will fall out of balance. Now I do believe it is your move"
Jade looked down at the board and saw to her mounting irritation that Lord Iroh was two moves away from winning and she had no way to stop him.
"Don't worry Jade. You almost had me that time." Lord Iroh chuckled as she groaned in defeat again.
"Tell you what, why don't we play again, only this time lets put a bet on it"
"No offence Lord Iroh," Jade's eyes narrowed "but I'm not too fond of gambling"
"Oh I didn't say a gamble rather…a wager" Iroh smirked "If you win this next round you get the entire week off starting from today, including a few days docked on land. And if I win…" he leaned in and murmured "you and Zuko have to both at least apologise to one another. I'm not saying you have to forgive him-" he steamrolled loudly over the girl as she opened her mouth "But at least you both can attempt to come to some accord that benefits you both"
Jade bit her lip as she thought hard.
Whilst she did not look forwards to having to face Zuko again, a week off work including shore leave was a very, very tempting offer. She had not seen land for just a little over a month now, and she was simply itching to feel hard solid ground that didn't rock beneath her feet as she walked. Plus any excuse to be alone and practice her earth-bending was always a good bonus.
And so it was with a determined look that she began to reset the pai-sho board for another round.
Dear Diary,
I've just finished my pai-sho match for Lord Iroh and am just quickly snatching a breather for myself before I have to start preparing for the evening meal.
I know it seems early but completely butchering a massive whole moo-sow is a very hard slog.
Usually Dango takes on this job as it is very messy and tedious, but today he's letting me do it on my own, seeing as he's prepping and serving the entire lunch service on his own today.
But I'm not too worried. I've butchered the meat many times before with his assistance so I know what to do. Before he came on the ship as a proper cook, Dango owned a small butcher's shop back in the homeland, which is weirdly ironic considering he's such a klutz.
Even so I have to admire the man for his keenness in his work because let me tell you butchery is not a job for the faint of heart.
My father and brother are both the strongest people I know and even they are very disturbed by the strange sights and smells of raw meat and various other animal bodily parts.
Worst of all are those rare occasions when Dango and I are given a freshly killed animal and have to skin (or de-hair), eviscerate and split the entire carcass ourselves. Seriously diary the amount of meat, guts (and sometimes blood) I get all over my hands and apron (or rather my extra butchers apron), it makes me look like I'm a mad serial killer.
It's a good thing I've inherited my mother's strong stomach, my father keeps saying and for once I agree because if there's one thing that looks rather revolting to deal with its moo-sow entrails. And not only do I have to look and chop the damn things but I also have to make sure we can prep the meat for use in other things like sausages and cutlets. That way we can avoid wastage and save money.
Oh well. For all it's disturbing looks and smells, at least it will end up being a delicious meal…and take up most of my evening time…and give me more than enough of an excuse not to meet the prince again today.
Since I lost my last pai-sho game to Lord Iroh I am now under obligation to find the prince and make peace with him.
Alright diary just hear me out before you start freaking out at me to stop fighting with him already.
The truth is…to some degree I do forgive him for what he did and said. I obviously kissed him against his will and angry about being taken advantage of he lashed out (though he didn't need to call me a whore because of one kiss).
But it's precisely because of that kiss that I'm worried. I'm not sure of what Zuko and I had before we argued but I can tell that now even if I do forgive him, everything will be different.
And I'm not sure I'm quite ready for such a change yet…
"Well, well, well. Looks like your uncle was right about the storm after all"
"Lucky guess"
To say that Zuko was irritated was beyond stupid. His scowl was furious and frustrated as he tore his eyes away from the ever impending wall of very tall very dark storm clouds that lay before their boat, and towards the equally fuming Lieutenant Ji and his comrades.
"Lieutenant" the prince stormed up to the older man with a growl "You better learn some respect. Or I will teach it to you"
But if he thought that was going to keep the soldier at bay he was dead wrong, for even as he turned away Ji retorted angrily:
"Respect? What do you know about respect?"
No Ji don't go down that path?
Lord Iroh shook his head as he stood aside and watched his nephew still in his steps as the lieutenant continued to bark:
"The way you talk to everyone around here, from your hard working crew, to your esteemed uncle to the one girl that might've actually liked you, shows you know nothing about respect!"
Oh dear. Now he's done it.
Lord Iroh face palmed as he saw Zuko's stance stiffen. But Ji just continued on, not heeding the red-alert signs everyone else was reading and backing away from fast.
"You don't care about anyone but yourself! But then again, what else can I expect from a spoiled prince"
Zuko wheeled about, eyes flashing dangerously as he took a fighting stance, which was returned by Ji. Their bracers both met in the middle clanging and hissing as steam rose from their palms, two flames ready to-
"Enough!"
The two hands were forced away from one another as Lord Iroh came between the two opponents, his face stern and firm.
"We are all a bit tired from being at sea for so long. I am sure that after a bowl of noodles everyone will feel much better" he gave the lieutenant a particularly hard stare.
Ji quickly backed down and stalked off, albeit rather reluctantly to join his friends who were walking down below deck.
As soon as they were gone Iroh reached out to put a hand on his nephew's shoulder.
But his nephew only shrugged him off with a snap.
"I don't need your help keeping order on my ship"
Iroh could not help but sigh heavily as Zuko stormed off to glower at the approaching storm.
This was going to be a long day.
It was late afternoon and fast approaching evening, when Jade finally stepped out of the kitchen, her apron stained with meat and guts.
Phew! That is nasty.
She grimaced as she smelled herself.
She sighed heavily and was about to let loose her hair from it's tight bun, but stopped herself when she remembered she still had her dirty gloves on.
Spirits I hope I can bathe quickly before dinner service.
She walked down the corridor, doing her best to avoid passing other crew mates with her stench.
She had just about reached the entrance to the galley where many of the crew were seated around a large cooking pot and talking in hushed voices, when she heard a loud cry of:
"Hey Jade!"
It was the Dango who was giving her a stern look.
"yes?" She blinked unsure of what was going on as she approached.
"Come here" the old cook beckoned to her to join him beside his cooking
Cautiously she did as she was told, but even as she made to stand beside her boss a bowl was shoved into her hands and Dango filled it up to the brim.
"Now you will sit and eat"
"Huh?" Jade blinked much to the amusement of the other crew members.
"eat." Dango repeated sternly pointing his wooden spoon at her "And make sure you finish all of what I have given you. A young growing girl like you needs your nourishment. And I will not have you skipping your meals again. Head cook's orders"
He added when Jade made to glower angrily at him.
She didn't like being forced to do things, nor did she like people telling her how to handle or take care of herself. If she was hungry she would eat and if she was tired she would-
Her stomach rumbled as she inhaled the hot broth scent of the soupy noodles in her bowl.
"Fine" she grumbled and at once began to eat.
Damn its' so good…but I still want a bath.
She internally whined as she listened to the others talking.
Eventually the talk turned to events earlier that day, events to which there was much anger and frustration.
"I'm sick of taking his orders and I'm tired of chasing his Avatar"
It was Lieutenant Ji who finally cracked, and he was positively fuming as he made to cry out.
"I mean who does Zuko think he is?"
There were a couple of here-here's from the other men as they slurped at their noodles or drinks.
But even though she was very tempted to join them, Jade kept her mouth shut.
No…it wasn't her place to comment. Especially since she had promised Lord Iroh she would try to make amends with his nephew.
Speaking of the old general-
"Would you really want to know?"
"Lord Iroh" Ji and some of the others jumped to their feet but the old lord was just as quick to respond.
"it's ok. You don't need an excuse. May I join you?"
"Of course" there was much scrambling about as the crew made to make space for the general who sat down courteously on a crate one of them had pulled out from the dark shadows.
"Try to understand" Iroh said gravely as he stroked his beard "my nephew is a complicated young man. He has been through much. I know it seems hard to believe-" he added glancing briefly at Jade who kept her eyes on her food as she continued to listen.
"-but he wasn't always as bitter as he is now. When he was younger he was very bright and eager to learn what he could to be the next ruler of his nation. So much so that one day, a few days after his thirteenth birthday, he tried to attend a war meeting with his father and the commanding generals."
Lord Iroh sighed and his face fell into a sad frown.
"I did my best to dissuade him from attending. I knew how stuffy and uptight these generals could be, traits that would undoubtedly clash with my nephew's rather reckless passionate perspective. Nonetheless his eagerness won me over and I allowed him to sit with me during the meeting on the condition that he would not speak out of turn"
"But of course he did" one of the ship's senior engineers growled as he took a sip of his drink
Iroh nodded gravely.
"Yes. But even then it wasn't his fault. You see, one of the older general's had a plan to wipe out a particularly strong Earth Kingdom battalion by distracting them and surprise attacking them from behind. It would have been a good offensive attack, were it not for the fact the general wanted to use fresh inexperienced recruits to be the distraction."
Jade spluttered on her soup, choking as she wheezed.
"WHAT?!"
She wasn't the only one.
Several crewmates, including her brother who had been talking with a few friends, were all staring at Lord Iroh, their faces masks of horror as the breathed.
"Sending new troops to fight as bait?!"
"That's just like sending a herd of baby pig-chickens to the slaughterhouse!"
"Yes it was a very callous and cold move" Iroh nodded again taking a sip of his drink. "Of course my nephew was outraged. Like you all he did not think it was right to just sacrifice so many innocent lives just for winning one battle and he told the general so himself."
Told or yelled?
Jade pursed her lips.
She could easily imagine him, the young prince standing up and yelling his lungs out at a room of faceless older men, his golden amber eyes blazing fiercely at them…just like how they had done on the night they had fought.
The thought made her shudder, though she quickly covered it up by taking another bite of her food as the general made to continue his story.
"Of course Zuko was right you see, but it was not his place to speak out. There were…dire consequences. After Zuko's outburst in the meeting, the Fire Lord became very angry with him. He said that Prince Zuko's challenge of the General's plan was an act of complete disrespect and there was only one way to resolve this…"
"Agni Kai" Ji murmured just as gravely "A fire duel"
"That's right" Iroh murmured sadly "Zuko looked upon the old general he had insulted and declared that he was unafraid. But Zuko misunderstood. When he turned to face his opponent he was surprised to see that it was not the general."
Jade felt her heart sink in her stomach. She had a bad feeling about where this was going but could not stop herself from listening raptly.
"Zuko had spoken out against the general's plan, but by doing so in the Fire Lord's War Room, It was the Fire Lord himself he had disrespected. Zuko would have to duel his own father."
There was a deafening silence as all eyes stared transfixed at the old general, none of them even noticing the small shadow of a girl disappear from behind them.
"Please father! I only had the Fire Nation's best interests at heart. I'm sorry I spoke out of turn!"
"You will fight for your honour"
"I meant no disrespect! I am your loyal son"
"Rise and fight Prince Zuko"
"I won't fight you!"
"You will learn respect and suffering will be your teacher!"
Zuko shut his eyes willing himself not to listen to the horrible voice, only to find to his anguish that it was changing into something else… a girl's voice.
"You're a despicable, egotistical, selfish, jealous ass, who has no idea of how to treat anyone else with common human decency let alone respect"
"Stop it! stop it!"
His hands gripped hard into fists so that the candles on the table he was sitting before all flared up at once.
No…gotta keep calm
He tried to flex his hands, looking down on them and onto the black dragon made of coal.
It had crumbled slightly and had coated his hand in black soot -
"WHOA!" he cried out as the rock suddenly jerked violently to the side. As it did so there was a large crashing sound outside and a great big flash of light.
His heart hammering in his chest he scrambled to his feet and bolted out of his room, dodging this way and that as other crew members rushed up alongside him onto the deck.
The entire ship looked a mess, rain was pelting down on the deck in droves and waves were striking them left right and centre. Above them the dark storm clouds were hammering their thunder and lightning bolts down to the sea, like a great massive drumroll of the heavens.
"Where were we hit?!" Zuko cried out.
"I don't know!" Ji yelled as he slid and slipped beside him on the rocking surface.
Zuko opened his mouth to bark an order only to stop short as a loud piercing shriek rent the air.
It was his uncle who found the source.
"LOOK!" he pointed up to the command tower.
Zuko felt his heart freeze in his chest.
What had once been a whole solid balcony was now a smoking wreckage of steel…with someone dangling off of a random piece of metal.
"The Helmsman!" Zuko yelled as he and Ji rushed to the emergency ladder built in on the side of the tower.
As the prince climbed up higher, he realised that there was not just Quan dangling off the balcony but another person who was doing her best to reach him from a rather precarious position on the half destroyed balcony.
"Hold on Quan!" Jade yelled as she made to grasp onto the old helmsman's hand, whilst at the same time doing her best to maintain a strong grip on the only intact piece of balcony.
It was a very hard slog. What with the way the wind was howling about them and the way the waves towered and splashed over the entire ship, both hers and Quan's hands were soaked and slippery.
"AH!" they both squeaked as Jade's grip on the railing slid.
She did her best to redouble her grip on the terrified man she held but alas with every passing second, the skin in her grip slid ever so slightly away.
"No-no-no-QUAN! QUAN!" she reached out desperately in unison with the helmsman as the final finger of his hand detached from hers…only for it to be grabbed by a large pale hand.
"Gotcha!" a voice grunted and as carefully as she could Jade craned her neck to look down.
"Zuko?" she gasped, her eyes widening in shock as she watched the prince make to carefully lower the still terrified man down to a very impressed very relieved Ji who was reaching out to grab him lower down the ladder.
However as both prince and lieutenant made to nod respectfully towards one another, a bolt of lightning struck close to the boat's port side. With a loud groan the boat rocked violently and the entire ruined balcony creaked again, this time making some parts of the metal actually give way, as easily as crumbling cake.
Zuko snapped his attention quickly to Jade as with a squeak she slid just a little bit further down the strip of metal pipe she was clinging to.
"Grab my hand!" Zuko yelled out reaching out with one arm towards her as she swung slightly in his direction.
But Jade only shook her head.
"I-I can't" she bleated, wincing and cringing as she heard the sound of metal giving way above her head.
"Yes you can Jade!" Zuko roared over the top of the howling wind, his panic growing as he climbed higher up and saw to his horror the railing she was hanging from begin to strain "I've seen you bend lava in a volcano so don't you dare tell me you can't do this!"
"I'll fall!"
"No! I won't let you!" Zuko yelled over her "I didn't let you fall back at the temple I'm not going to let you fall now!"
He stuck out his hand so that it reached out as far as it could go before her. Jade stared at it for a moment and then glanced to his face. I reaching as far as it could go towards her.
"If I fall I'll kill you" She whimpered and Zuko's eyes narrowed as he heard it caught on the wind.
"Jade…please just trust me on this"
Jade blinked. The amber eyes that were fixed on her were glaring fiercely. But it was not a glare of anger. No. It was a glare of determination, of resoluteness…the one that said that no matter what she did or said, he would never stop trying.
She felt herself nod before her brain had even snapped out of its reverie. But even as she made to reach her hand out, the railing she held onto creaked ominously above her.
"that's it, come on" Zuko was muttering as her fingertips grazed his palm which quickly turned over.
Jade could feel her own heart hammer madly as the crunching of weak metal grew louder and louder above her head.
She didn't need her seismic sense to know that her only lifeline was quickly going to be demolished soon and it was with a final desperate effort that she reached out and grabbed wildly at Zuko's outstretched hand…just as the railing gave way.
There were several loud cries from below. Lieuteant Ji and Helmsman Quan also both gasped and cried out in alarm as with an almighty effort, Zuko pulled Jade towards him and into the ladder.
The next second a large slab of the balcony Jade had once been clinging onto, fell away and landed with a loud clang to the deck.
Zuko however heard none of that. All his attention was focused on the shivering and shaking girl he had trapped securely between his body and the ladder.
"Are you ok?" he murmured softly, gripping her hand that was still in his hard "Are you hurt?"
Jade shook her head, doing her best to gulp down air through her gasps for breath. That leap of faith really almost knocked the wind right out of her. It was only thanks to the feeling of his warm body close to her back that she was able to comprehend that she was still, somehow alive.
"Come on" she heard him murmur softly as he extracted his hand from hers. "Let's get down from here"
"Y-yeah" she mumbled, her voice hoarse. But if Zuko found that odd he made no comment. Instead he only coaxed her to climb with him slowly but steadily down the ladder, following Ji and Quan until they reached the bottom.
The ship was still rocking even as they touched down, but for once Jade was far too relieved to have something solid beneath her feet to care.
She didn't even mind when Zuko kept hovering over her, patting her down as he checked for any injuries he might have overlooked.
However he was soon distracted when something white and large flew across the dark stormy skies.
Something white and furry with six limbs and a large tail... and a boy with blue arrow tattoos riding on its back.
"The Avatar!" Zuko cried out as the bison and its owners soared over head.
"What do you want us to do sir?" Lieutenant Ji asked dutifully.
Zuko was about to open his mouth, only to pause as Jade accidently stumbled shakily into him, her footing disturbed by the rocking of the boat.
"Let them go." The prince said, not taking his eyes off the still dazed girl "We need to get this ship to safety"
"Then we must go directly into the eye of the storm" Iroh smirked as he came swaying towards them, whilst at the same time trying to settle his hair and beard which was oddly sticking up in spite of the rain.
Jade was about to comment on it when she heard her name being yelled shrilly over the hubbub of distressed sailors and soldiers.
She turned round and Zuko, stood back quickly as she was swooped upon at once by her brother Shen who grabbed her into a tight bear hug.
"You silly rock head! What the hell were you doing up there in the middle of a storm." Shen growled into her head "You are so lucky. So damned lucky sometimes you know that"
"H-how could I forget" Jade snorted feeling something sparking back inside of her "You call me lucky every day"
Shen let out a hoarse chuckle and ruffled her hair affectionately before pulling back and allowing his father to approach.
In spite of the happy smile that Jade gave him, Zuko could not help but stare in shock at the older man's face.
Ruishi looked as pale as death and his own eyes were wide with fear. His large hands shook as they made to return he hug his daughter gave him, and when he spoke it was but a small mumble.
"-I couldn't bear to lose you too, you know that. I love you so much-"
The rest of the sentence then turned to a tiniest of murmurs that were barely audible even as the rain began to thin out and lighten.
All that distress…all that fighting…my fault…
Zuko quickly turned his head away, doing his best to avoid the small smile of his uncle as he said.
"Uncle…I'm sorry"
"You're apology is accepted" Lord Iroh's smile widened as he put a consoling hand on his nephew's shoulder.
Not that it did much to ease his tension…not when he still felt guilty…not when the avatar and his friends all burst out of the water one minute later and soared up into the skies and above the clouds.
Dear Diary,
Today has been beyond hectic. That storm really has taken a crack at our ship, but like always with our motely crew we've pulled through and all come out alive and in one piece.
Poor Quan's still got the shudders so he's staying down in the galley for a bit of a pick me up. I on the other hand have decided to go back to the kitchens for a bit, not to cook, but to just sit in the warm and dry myself off in front of the oven as it baked a cake, Dango's own specialty.
Actually that is where you are now diary. I just thought I'd write in you whilst I wait for the tea to brew. Camomile, should be good to settle the nerves. And by nerves I mean my hands. If you haven't noticed by my strange handwriting, I'm still shaking a little bit, even now as I wri-
The door to the kitchen's creaked open and Jade looked up brightly from where she sat perched between empty barrels and food crates..
"Dango the cake is…oh…"
Her voice fell away as Lord Iroh poked his head through the door.
"Jade, there is someone who would like to speak with you"
And before Jade could even open her mouth, the old general had shoved someone through the door and shut it fast behind him.
Jade blinked as she assessed the newcomer, who like herself was very, very confused, so much so that even his scarred eye was wide as he looked upon her.
"uh…hey" Zuko gulped only to flush pink as he heard the click of a lock behind him.
"hey" Jade looked down at the drying ink in her journal. "…You look…clean"
LAME!
She cursed herself scathingly as Zuko nodded quietly.
"So do you…um…what are you doing?"
"oh nothing" Jade quickly shut her journal and tucked it back in her rucksack.
When she looked back up at the prince she was surprised to see him still standing nervously by the door, his eyes pointed down to his booted feet, scratching the back of his head.
"Do you wanna sit?"
Jade couldn't help but feel her heart twinge with pity as the prince nodded quietly and cautiously to the spot beside her.
He was always so demanding and fierce as a tigerdillo but now he was about as timid as a kitten as he made to bow his head low and sullenly.
Today's been a real eye opener for him and no mistake.
She thought in her head, but out loud she chose to say:
"Zuko I-"
"I'm sorry" Zuko cut across her, keeping his head bowed in shame. "I'm sorry about what I did and what I said-"
"I know… So am I" Jade bit her lip and blushing a little as Zuko looked up at her in surprise "I think it's safe to say that we were both guilty of saying some pretty awful things"
"Yeah" he nodded quietly only to burst out again. "But still I shouldn't have-"
Zuko stopped as something pressed against his lips. It was Jade's hand, or rather the tips of her slender fingers.
Unconsciously, his tongue that had been paused in the middle of talking, accidently flickered out ever so slightly and grazed the soft pads by about a milimeter even as they retracted from his face.
He couldn't help but gulp, his adams apple bobbing visibly as he gulped down the smallest infinitesimal flavour from her skin which oddly enough tasted of something sweet and subtle.
"You really need to stop beating yourself up when you make mistakes" he heard her say though the sound was strangely distant to his ears.
"If you don't you'll always be stuck in the past with no way to move forwards"
He blinked and looked into her eyes, two jade green orbs that were kind and patient. He felt his gut swirl around strangely as his throat ran dry.
They were quite close now, their shoulders almost touching and yet he found himself wanting to inch if possible even closer still.
After the cold and wet of the storm her body heat was warm and inviting as a fire…or were those his cheeks.
His entire body tingled as he leaned in a bit closer to her and murmured.
"What if I don't want to move forwards? What if I want to stay right where I am…?"
"No one can stay stationary for long" Jade mumbled feeling her breath hitch as the golden eyes made to pierce straight into hers as they came closer, and closer. "besides…everything has to move on at some point"
"But why? Why can't we hold onto it a little bit longer?" Zuko wondered aloud, and without even thinking his hand slowly slipped forwards so that his fingers touched hers on the crate.
"Because…because…" her voice fell away as warm fingers laced themselves over her own and their noses bumped.
She could smell his hot breath as it fanned her face, could see every inch of skin over his scar in clear detail, could see the way his golden eyes glimmered like two flames under half lidded eyes as he leaned in and-
Both Jade and Zuko flew apart as the door to the kitchens crashed open with a clang and a loud voice yelled loudly:
"Jade! Is the cake ready yet?"
"Um…I think so Dango" Jade bleated as she jumped to her feet, doing her best not to make eye contact with a very red faced, very sheepish looking prince as he made to brush himself off.
Dango however did not seem to notice them both has he bustled around checking the large oven.
"Ah good it's nice and moist" the old cook smiled as he poked a small slender skewer into the centre. "Jade could you get me the glaze. It's waiting on the stove already"
"Sure thing" Jade squeaked as she dashed over to a small saucepan where a nice hot gooey sweet glaze was warm and waiting.
As she left Dango turned to Prince Zuko with raised eyebrows.
"Your highness is there anything I can get you?"
"N-no!" Zuko coughed though he could feel both his ears burning hotly. "No i'm finished here thank you" and with that he dashed out of the kitchen.
Dango turned back towards Jade with raised eyebrows and a small smirk.
"So…I gather you've both made up?"
Jade only nodded, doing her best to hide her red face behind a sheet of brown hair as Dango's smirk widened.
They made up and almost kissed? Well, well, well Lord Iroh it looks like you win tonight's bet once again.
TADAA! chapter 19 is up and a go go and htey both finally made up.
Hope you enjoyed and keep r&Ring for more juicy updates