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After the war with the Fire Islands, the Sun Warriors had retreated back into the mountainous coasts of the Earth Empire where the dragons made their homes. Even though Zheng Yi was considered the representative of all firebenders in the world, his masters had all come from the Sun Warriors.
The crew guided the ship through a labyrinth of mountainous waterways. Dragon roars echoed through the area and the smell of smoke grew more and more potent with every passing moment. Even though the ship had travelled towards the main continent, the air was warm and comforting, as if someone had set the ship by a campfire. The Firebenders were skilled sailors, so the others only had to help if they wished.
Ironically, Omnus was the one to volunteer. Sachin must have knocked some sense into him, too, because he'd been polite almost the entire time, especially to Mikka. In fact, he had been near silent, which was almost more dangerous.
Mikka was standing at the bow, eagerly searching the sky for a dragon. She had a blanket about her shoulders and was attempting to focus on anything. "Have you ever seen a dragon, Yuni?" Mikka asked, looking over to the firebender at her side.
"When I came here as a teenager to train with an elder, yes," Yun replied, nodding. "I saw many then… but I have heard that their numbers have plummeted as of late. Or perhaps it is simply becoming harder and harder for illegal traders to steal the dragonlings in the night."
"That's terrible! Don't dragons make life-bonds with their masters? Well, it's not their master, then, is it?"
"Not if they don't spend time with the humans yet," Yun sighed. "And any traders would keep them locked away in crates so that they would imprint on the buyer, not them."
Mikka shivered and rubbed her arms. "I hate cramped spaces. After all that time in that prison in Ba Sing Se…" She giggled, although it was quite weakly. "Now I'd probably just curl up in Sachin's arms, but back then I just had to hope he'd want to talk to me."
Yun chuckled. "Yes, quite a turn-around he's allowed himself to indulge in…" she murmured, glancing back at the airbender in question.
Sachin either didn't hear or didn't believe it was necessary to answer her or defend himself because he hardly moved. He was far more intent on keeping his eyes peeled on the coastline. He knew very little of the Sun Warriors and their dragon pets and mounts.
"Yes, it is…" Mikka murmured. "I won't argue, although sometimes I wonder if it was the most intelligent of ideas for us… Well, you know… Elope."
"I doubt Indira would forgive you for that," Yun said, laughing. "She seems the type to be quite angry if she doesn't get the chance to be a large part of a ceremony like that… If nothing else, she'll want to see her brother very happy before you two find a nice, quiet place to settle down."
"Apparently there's more we have to go through for the rules of his clan," Mikka added. "Tattoos of some kind. Honestly, I'm not even sure that his clan has ceremonies at all. They don't really marry at all." Mikka coughed, sniffed, and pulled her blanket more tightly about her. "It's kinda chilly up here, isn't it? You'd think the land of dragons and fire would be a lot warmer."
Yun narrowed her eyes a bit as she looked to her friend. Something was clearly wrong, and not with the idea that Sachin's clan didn't really marry. Mikka had looked a little pale of late, but now her skin was nothing short of clammy.
"I'm not sure why you think that it's cold," Yun said, pointing to the mountain range that was barely visible. A pillar of smoke rose from one of its peaks. "There's a volcano on this island… I don't believe you can get any warmer than a volcanic island… You'd better go lie down, Mikka. None of us want you sick."
Mikka laughed, only to have it end in a fit of coughing. "I'm fine," she wheezed. "I don't really get sick, but I haven't slept well lately…" She sank down onto the deck. "I'll just sit down. If we're as close as you say, I won't be awake when we do get there. Don't tell Sachin. He'll start worrying and then forget about what we're supposed to do."
"You're sick," Yun muttered, squatting down and pressing a hand to her forehead. "Yes, you're warm…" She sighed heavily. "At least rest your eyes, Mikka. We'll be alright without you, I promise." With that, she sat up and walked to the helm in order to leave Mikka to her rest. Yun fought with herself about informing Sachin, but in the end did not even speak to him about the conversation.
When she did speak to him, it was about the task that loomed before them. She found him at the tip of the helm, staring at the island as if he wanted to absorb every little detail of the beaches and cliff faces.
"I do not know how the warriors will greet us," Yun admitted, clearly unhappy that she had very little control over the situation. Her teachers had been very polite when she had come to train with their elders years previous, but she hadn't heard much of their activities since then. "Be prepared for any kind of welcome."
"Understood," Sachin replied, nodding. It was likely due to his history as a mercenary, but he tended to automatically prepare himself for the worst possible situation. If nothing else, it made his encounters with the world easier to digest because the reality could only get better from his mullings over the possible outcomes. Then again, he had also considered that Sung Hai had simply pitted all his forces against the Sun Warriors already, knowing that they were not at all guaranteed to bend to his will. That possibility was about as bad as having to face a completely hostile reception from the firebending warriors.
Omnus joined them. He leaned against the rails and stared at the coast. "We should be seeing dragons soon. That's when things will get interesting."
"Let's hope both they and their firebending companions are not feeling particularly hostile today…" Yun murmured, eyes scanning the land as they approached.
Omnus jerked his head to the bow of the ship. "You should move your wife. She doesn't look too good."
Sachin glanced over to the area that Omnus had indicated, feeling a twist of guilt for not even wondering where she was. He had believed that she had gone to sleep, but certainly not anywhere that she could be stepped on.
Mikka was curled up in the corner of the deck, trying to sleep. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't ever really find rest, mostly because she kept having nightmares and they kept getting worse and worse. She tried to hide it, and thusfar Sachin hadn't seemed to notice, which worried her, so she fretted even more and that made her restless.
The crew carefully moved about, so as not to disturb her, but she really was in the way.
"She should have gone below decks earlier," Sachin muttered once he noticed her curled form. After moving to her side, he knelt down and peeled her off the deck before shifting her into his arms. He had to adjust and catch himself several times as he walked her to the steps that led to the helm of the ship. He set her down gently into their bed, moving a few strands of hair that had fallen into her face during the move. He frowned when he felt the moistness of her skin.
She opened her eyes. "Where are we?" she asked groggily. "Did I fall asleep?"
"At the edge of the Sun Warrior's domain," Sachin answered. "And, yes, I believe you did… though not where you should have."
"I'm sorry, but…" She struggled to sit up. "I just haven't slept," she lied.
"You mean haven't slept well. I know for certain that you've slept," Sachin corrected. He placed a palm against her forehead. "Are you ill?"
She batted his hand away. "I'm fine." She shivered. "It's really cold in here, you know? Where are the blankets?"
"I'll fetch some for you, but you need to get in bed," Sachin ordered, clearly not happy that she was ignoring her own health. "You need rest, even if I must knock you out in order for you to receive it."
She coughed. "You wouldn't…"
"I would," Sachin assured her, eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at her. "It's a poor time to be questioning my resolve with anything, Mikka. Especially when it concerns the health of those close to me."
Another cough wracked her body. "Just give me some water and I'll heal myself." She sniffed and hacked. "We are on a ship, aren't we? I'll just go onto the deck and grab some." She began to wiggle her way to the edge of the bed, but ultimately just fell back onto the pillows with a weary groan. "Maybe not…"
"Apparently you cannot hear," Sachin sighed. "I'll retrieve them." He took a long look at her before turning and opening the door. Despite being a skilled healer, she was a terrible patient.
Mikka closed her eyes, hoping that this time she might be able to find rest, but her head was throbbing so badly that it was almost more painful to rest. Worse, her nightmares were coming back in full force. Her eyes snapped open again in an attempt to fend off the images, but they were still burned into her memory.
When Sachin returned, his arms were burdened with five blankets of varying shapes, sizes and colors. "Apparently blankets weren't something that anyone thought we would need..." he said with a sigh, closing the door behind him before walking over to her and beginning to lay the blankets over her.
She almost instantly kicked them off. "It's too warm for them…" Within a few seconds, she snatched them back. "Or not." She clutched the fabric about her as tightly as she could. "Did you find any water, love?" she weakly asked.
"I wasn't searching for it," Sachin admitted. "But I can go find some, if that's what you need."
Her hand shook when she held it out. "I'm not sure I'd be able to —" She coughed violently. "— heal myself… Maybe if I can actually be exhausted enough to sleep..."
Sachin was clearly concerned at her drop into deeper sickness symptoms. "I will get you some water, regardless. You should consider drinking it instead of attempting to bend it…"
She quickly shook her head. "I'm not hungry. Thirsty. I think… Am I getting sick?"
"It certainly seems so, and drinking will help that, I assure you," Sachin answered, already hating how his stomach flopped about at the thought and accompanying sight that made it clear Mikka was ill. For some reason, even he hadn't thought that it was possible. She seemed far too happy to ever come down with anything.
She rolled her head to attempt to focus on him. "Have you ever taken care of someone sick before?"
"Injuries, not really illness…"
"Husbands usually just pat hands and say 'there, there, it will be alright.'" Her next bout of coughs forced her to sit up. It took her almost a minute to be able to breathe again. "B-but you have to keep an eye on me so that my body stays about the same temperature, make sure that I eat and drink something, get plenty of rest… But you might get sick if you stay with me, so you should just leave me with some water and I'll just sleep." She tried to smile, but failed miserably.
Sachin's entire body cringed at the sound of her coughing fit. As much as she'd told him what she thought he should do, it hardly helped him feel any less guilty. "T-then I'll go get some food and water, something easy to swallow for the food…" He turned, opening the door and shutting it behind him in one swift motion. The ship should have been easy to navigate considering that it wasn't massive and he had been on it for a few days already, but with panic writhing in his stomach directions didn't come easily to his mind.
After struggling to find the mess hall for almost ten minutes, he grabbed a handful of biscuits and stuffed them into a knapsack that had been lying empty on top of a barrel. He made sure to grab the largest mug he could find in order to bring the most water he could back to Mikka.
By the time he returned, he had the knapsack slung over his shoulder and several small spills of water darkening his tunic from running with a full mug of water. "Here," he insisted, pulling the knapsack off and putting a biscuit next to her before holding the mug to her lips.
She struggled to sit up enough to take a drink. "Thanks," she breathed, collapsing back onto the pillows after barely having a sip of the water. "If I wasn't having nightmares, I'd try to sleep…" She used the blankets to suppress her newest coughing fit. "I'm sorry… I'll be better by the negotiations… I think..." She wiped sweat from her brow and burrowed down into the bed.
"Even if you aren't, we will be alright without you," Sachin sighed. His expression became very serious before he added, "and do not force yourself out of bed, do you hear me?"
She shook her head. "I don't have the strength," she mumbled. "I wish you could stay and cuddle with me… That always makes me feel better." She buried her face in her pillow as she hacked. "But if you get sick, I can't help you, either…" She weakly laughed and reached out for his hand. "First test of our marriage: what happens when one of us gets sick… I thought it would be you..."
"Apparently I'm as stalwart as I am difficult to reach," Sachin said, doing his best to chuckle. The sound that slipped past his lips, however, was far from mirthful. He knelt down next to her, grasping the hand she held out to him just tight enough that it was reassuring but not so much as to hurt her.
She smiled as best she could. "At least you're not out of reach, love." She jerked away and coughed into the pillow again. "Don't look at me right now. I must look awful… Unless you really want to stay…" Her voice was almost eager at the last comment, but it was hard to tell with how soft her voice was.
"I don't have to be anywhere else," Sachin told her, gripping her hand tighter. "I'll stay here 'til I'm needed elsewhere."
She sniffed. "I love you… You have no idea…" She patted the bed for him to join her, at least somewhat. "Will you hold me for a while?" She suppressed a cough (again) and kicked off the blankets. "Aaand now it's hot again. What's wrong with me?"
"You're ill," Sachin replied, chuckling again. Thankfully this expression of amusement held the mirth it was supposed to. He sat next to her, but continued to hold her hand. "Just try and sleep…"
"Mm," she mumbled, curling around so that she could put her head in his lap. "Consider it practice for when we have sick kids. I am not going to be the only one taking care of them."
"Of course not… I'd never leave you to tend to them alone. You'll just…" He paused, scratching the back of his head before continuing. "You'll have to teach me a bit on how to deal with them…"
"You're doing marvelously," she assured him, her eyes drifting closed. "Just tuck me in tightly so I can't get out of bed if I start misbehaving." As soon as the word escaped her lips, she fell limp in her arms as exhaustion and illness swept over her body.
Sachin pushed aside a thick lock of hair that had fallen over her face, placing it behind her ear. He smiled, a forlorn version of the expression, but a smile nevertheless. There was much more about her and about their relationship that he would have to learn yet...
The ship pulled into the harbor, looking like a monster amongst the small canoes. People gathered around the edges, straining to see who was aboard. Most of the onlookers were farmers, judging by the bundles of grain and fruits in their arms and carts.
Omnus shook his head. "They're not warriors at all… Unless they're going to appear and stab us in the back."
"Not all warriors spend their lives spilling the blood of innocents for amusement," Yun scoffed.
Omnus frowned. "It wasn't for amusement. They got in the way. Doesn't mean it wasn't amusing…"
Yun waved a hand. "For the trivial reason of money, then," she snapped. "Hardly better."
"I'd like to hear you say that to Sachin's face. How much are you paying him to be this cooperative? Only my price is higher than his."
"He's not like you."
Omnus raised an eyebrow. "Obviously. I bet he's fucking the waterbender as we speak rather than paying attention to our enemies."
Yun turned to look at Omnus fully, her glare more dangerous than she'd given anyone. "Mikka's sick. He's probably tending to her right now, which does not include anything like that."
"If he knew what was good for him, he would just leave her to die. She's obviously weak."
"It's because of her that he's made it this far," Yun informed him. "You should learn not to speak of things that you have no real knowledge on. It makes you look like an absolute idiot."
"I sincerely doubt that she has anything to do with him 'making it this far'," Omnus retorted. "He'd be better off without her."
"You've said your peace," Yun growled. "As ill-informed, selfish, and short-sighted as it may be. Now, be silent."
"Make me."
"Gladly," Yun replied. She only needed one well-placed strike to his neck to shock his spinal chord and send the arrogant bastard crumpling to the deck. She even went so far as to wipe her hands off afterwards.
The crew cheered and applauded. "ABOUT DAMN TIME!" someone shouted.
Yun turned and waved to them, chuckling to herself. At least she wasn't the only one who was irritated with the man's attempt at appearing powerful. She could tell that they were quite close, but she still didn't see Sachin. She would have to go and retrieve him, apparently.
The ship slowed and the firebenders threw out lines. A group of priests with flowers about their necks and flames cupped in their hands marched forward, humming and chanting a mournful and beautiful song. The crowd parted for them, bowing reverently and throwing petals and branches into the path.
Yun finally emerged from the ship's cabins, Sachin following behind. While the airbender was clearly not happy about having to leave Mikka's side, he knew that there were other things to attend to. The waterbender hadn't improved over the last few hours. If anything, she had gotten worse, since she was mumbling and talking in her sleep.
As soon as the ship was docked, the priests stopped before the gangplank. The leader wore an ornate headdress with rays like the sun. He stepped forward, fire curling about him as he gestured in greeting.
"Welcome, Lady Yun, to the City of the Sun," he said, he voice deep and booming. "It is an honor to have you here once more."
Yun smiled, leaning forward to grasp his hands as she bowed to him. As she began to stand up, she pulled his hands to her lips and pressed a kiss to each hands' knuckles before finally releasing them. "I cannot express how relieved I am to see that you are still an elder, Master Shu. I had feared that I would have to meet with another teacher."
He chuckled. "I am the elder now, my dear Yun. I was given the honor of the position shortly after you finished your initial training. How is Hui? I am sure that he is no longer a pup. Does he still enjoy gnawing on an old man's finest shoes?"
"He prefers chasing the tail of my companion's lemur, actually," Yun replied, chuckling. "He left shoes alone as soon as my father decided that he should lose some fur for ruining a pair of his ceremonial sandals."
Shu laughed uproariously. "Few can withstand Bao's wrath!" His face fell. "I have heard of what has happened. We prayed for the Great Dragons to take his spirit into their arms."
Yun bowed her head deeply. "I have faith that they already have and that he is pleased with how I have dealt with his loss."
Shu put his hands on her shoulders. "I am sure he is proud of you for that, but you and your brother were the two things that gave him joy, in your failures and successes. He will always be proud of you, no matter what you do. If you wish to attempt to speak with him, our temple is open to you."
"I will keep that in mind, Master."
Shu looked at Sachin. "You must be Sachin, son of Savitr."
Sachin nodded. "Indeed I am. My face must be more well-known than I once thought…"
"You are becoming a legend, my son." Shu bowed to him. "You are welcome here, as well as those in your crew." He frowned slightly. "Is that Omnus I see?"
Yun cleared her throat. "Yes, that is. Unfortunately he is the best thing we have in terms of keeping tabs on his sister, Niha. Apparently she has been… apt to act on her own impulses rather than any orders she is given. He serves as wonderful bait."
"She is here. She is not welcome within the city, but she is here."
Sachin narrowed his eyes, immediately scanning the surrounding land. "Has she caused you trouble already? I can serve as a buffer while we are here if necessary."
"No, she knows better than to cause trouble here. You were not my only student, Yun."
"She was…" Yun began, though she was apparently unable to say the rest of that disturbing thought.
Shu put his hand on Sachin's shoulder. "You look weary. I can arrange for housing, if you wish to rest in the city rather than aboard your ship. We would also be honored if Lady Yun and yourself would join me for supper."
"And we would be greatful for both," Sachin replied, doing his best to give the older man a polite smile. "One of our companions is ill, and it would serve her well to rest in a proper bed. I do not know if your people have healers, but I hope that it would not be too much to ask for some care for her while we are here."
Yun was startled out of her previous thoughts at the well-played conversation that she was hearing from Sachin. Apparently his mercenary upbringing was not without some political training.
"We have healers, yes, and we would be honored to help. Shall they fetch her?"
Sachin shook his head. "I can carry her. The companion I speak of is my wife."
Shu smiled. "Of course. I did not wish to presume. Shall I have my priests fetch a cot for her?"
"That would be helpful, thank you."
Shu barely had to turn his head and two priests bowed and trotted off. "It shall be here when you return."
Before Sachin could even walk past him, Omnus groaned and struggled to his feet. "What'd I miss?" he slurred at Sachin.
"We've landed," Sachin answered curtly. "And apparently your dear sister is here waiting for you."
Omnus's eyes widened in fear. "Niha? Here?" He quickly swallowed his emotions and attempted to be tough. "Huh. I just want to get off this damn ship." He stepped towards the gangplank.
"No," Shu commanded. "You are not welcome here, boy."
"See? No one likes you," Yun said, chuckling as she looked to Omnus. "They'd rather welcome our dear, sick, waterbender than you."
Omnus clenched his fists. "Someday I'm going to kill that little bitch…"
Shu pointed to Omnus. "When you can address your elders with honor, we will consider allowing you into our midst."
Omnus snorted. "Good luck with that."
Shu rolled his eyes. "Young men are always the same…"
Sachin shifted Mikka in his arms once more just after he had gotten her through the ship's hold doors. She had woken up enough to attempt to make it easier for him to carry her, but the moment she'd begun listening to his heartbeat, she had fallen back to sleep. "She must be even more tired than I believed…" he sighed, looking at Shu with a very concerned expression etched on his face.
Shu frowned. "May I?" he asked, reaching out a hand towards Mikka's head.
"Of course. I felt her skin earlier, she was warmer than usual. I know very little about illness, but I do know that isn't a good sign."
The firebender pressed a palm over her forehead. "She is as hot as flames. How long has she been this way?"
"It's been at least four hours," Sachin admitted, feeling guilt wriggling about in his gut again. He didn't know how to help, but that didn't stop him from feeling as if he hadn't done enough.
"She must go to the healers immediately." He stepped aside to let the cot through. "If you will, we will escort you there and then to supper. She will be in good hands, but I am sure that you will want to meet our healers for yourself."
"That I will, thank you for all your understanding," Sachin replied, bowing his head to the elder Sun Warrior. He gently laid Mikka down on the cot that the assistants had placed on the deck, moving aside several different strands of hair that had gotten into her face before finally getting out of the way enough that they could lift her.
Mikka's eyes fluttered open. "Sachin? What's happening? Why's it so cold?" she asked, voice barely a whisper, as she reached for his hand.
"Please stay still, love. We're just taking you to a healer," Sachin assured her, reaching out and grasping her fingers with his own even as the attendants began to move her.
"Oh…" She weakly clung to his hand. "Are you going to stay with me?"
"Yes," he replied. The truth was that he wasn't sure, but this was no time to appear to waver while she needed him.
"Of course he will stay with you," Shu assured her. "I am Shu, leader of the Sun Warriors, and you are most welcome here. What is your name?"
It took her a moment to swallow so that she could even answer. "Mikka…"
"Rest easy. Fire is life and your flame has not yet burned its wick." He squeezed her free hand. "This way."
"I always wanted to meet a fire healer," Mikka mumbled, body going limp once more as she lapsed into unconsciousness.
Sachin's brows knitted together, concern again darkening his features.
Shu leaned over to Sachin. "The meal will be very near to the healing area of the temple, so you will be informed of her health."
"Thank you…" he replied quietly. He wasn't certain he would be eating, but it would likely be rude not to.
"I understand your concern. My wife did not carry our first son well and her health was poor after the birth. I did not eat or sleep for a week out of worry, but both Lin and Shen are well, and Lin will be caring for Mikka. It is not much to assuage your fears, but it is what I can offer."
"It is more than enough," Sachin replied, offering a weary smile. "I'm certain that Lin is very skilled."
"That she is, but the fear of losing those we love is the greatest of enemies."
"And one that we should, supposedly, be able to control…" Sachin sighed.
"And we both know from experience that we cannot control anything. Your father was a friend of mine, even if our clans did not always agree, and I mourned his loss."
"Many mourned his loss," Sachin commented.
"He boasted of you. Now, shall we?"
The temple was ornate, with carvings of dragons and fire on every facade. The steps to the top were long, but the priests were accustomed to it and deftly got Mikka up and inside. A woman with long silver hair bustled out. "Shu! I told you that supper would be twenty minutes ago, so why — What is this?" she demanded, looking at Mikka, and the firebender's expression went from annoyed to concerned. "Get her into the Sun Room, quickly now!" She glared at Sachin as he made to go along. "And what do you think you're doing?"
"Accompanying my wife," Sachin answered, clearly not about to let this woman deny him the ability to stay at Mikka's side.
Lin looked between him and Mikka. "Wife? Where are your tattoos, boy?"
Sachin took in and expelled a heavy breath. "We married only nineteen days ago and have not had enough time to ourselves to obtain my clan's tattoos."
Shu stepped in. "Lin, this is Sachin, Savitr's son, and you know very well what weight the idea of marriage has for his clan of airbenders. Besides, how long did it take for us to acquire the brand?"
Lin pursed her lips, examining her own marriage tattoo. "Very well," she muttered. "You can come along, boy, but you must let her rest, is that clear?"
"I only intend to be beside her, not to bother her," Sachin answered. His annoyance was barely hidden behind his relatively calmed exterior.
Shu rolled his eyes. "Shall I find a tattoo artist for you, Sachin?"
"Would they know how to create my clan's brand?" the airbender asked in return.
"I know of some who have seen it before, or if you know how to draw it for them, they can recreate it, I am certain."
"I'll… consider it."
Shu pointed to a door across the hallway. "In any case, we shall be in there, if you wish to join us. I shall have a plate brought to you regardless."
"Thank you," Sachin replied, bowing his head to the elder man yet again. "I cannot express how much your hospitality has helped to ease my concerns…"
Lin stomped her foot. "Are you coming or not, boy?"
"Of course…" Sachin sighed, barely resisting the urge to roll his eyes at Lin's utter impatience. She could have already begun working on Mikka, but he supposed that she was simply being polite by waiting on him.
Lin pointed to a spot next to Mikka's bed. "Sit. If you insist on being here, I may as well use your energy to help heal her."
"You are welcome to it," Sachin told her, taking the assigned seat.
Lin smiled. "I am glad to hear it. You're a warrior, so I'm sure you have a high constitution," Lin continued. "Have you ever met a firebender healer before?"
"No, I haven't," Sachin answered. "I did not even know there was such a thing, to be honest…"
"Fire is life, which means that fire is energy. The Great Dragon teaches some of us how to take energy from one person and give it to another to help them have greater strength or, in this case, recover from an illness." She gave him a stern look, but her expression softened the moment she saw his face. "You love her very much, don't you?"
"More than any other in my life. Myself and family included."
"Then you must forgive my brusqueness. I have been… strained of late." She gestured around the healing room. There were injured in every cot, many who looked as if they would not recover for quite some time, if at all. "There hasn't been room for family members to enter, but you were not going to be denied. I do not like people who disobey my orders."
"An understandable approach in such times," Sachin agreed, glancing about the clinic.
"Take a deep breath, son. I will do everything in my power to help her." Lin pressed a palm over MIkka's breast. "Her heart is strong."
Sachin's lips parted in a small smile. "More than you know…"
"Take her hand. Relax. You are going to feel drained and potentially faint." She held her hands. They began to glow like embers as she put them over Mikka. Sachin's breath caught as something inside of him tugged. His instincts told him to fight and hold on, but since the force came from Mikka, he relented. As soon as he gave in, he could feel every beat of her heart and breath she took, as well as a great deal of joy, mingled an underlying sensation of fear, apprehension, and sadness. Had Lin just connected him to Mikka on a spiritual level?
It took fifteen minutes for some color to return to Mikka's cheeks and her breathing to strengthen. With every passing moment, Sachin felt weaker than he could ever remember being and it took all of his concentration to stay alert.
Lin drew away and felt the waterbenders' forehead. "The fever has broken. How do you feel?" she asked Sachin.
"Lightheaded," he murmured, his free hand already massaging his temple.
"Then lie down next to her. I am not yet through, but it is your choice if you wish to continue aiding me or not."
"If it will make the difference, take all you can from me," Sachin answered. He shifted so that he could cross his legs and further stabilize himself for the possible fainting. "I can recover easily enough."
Lin had some of her assistants to arrange a makeshift spot for him at Mikka's side. "Please, lie down. You're beginning to look pale."
He sighed, but finally took the healer's instructions. He laid down on his side, facing Mikka and still holding onto her hand. Even the movement to lie down made it clear that he wasn't in the best of condition, as it felt as if he were moving ten feet to the ground instead of the actual two. Despite the signs, he said nothing to Lin about it.
A priest arrived holding a tray of food and wine. Lin dismissed him with an annoyed huff. "Just close your eyes, Sachin. If you fall asleep, so be it. Now, just breathe. I should be done in a few moments."
Sachin did as requested, though he now realized that he felt like he was floating even though he knew he was lying on the ground. It wasn't a sensation he could recognize, but he decided that it had to be the effect of Lin's healing.
After several more moments, Lin drew away. "There. Sachin, are you awake?"
"Mostly…" he muttered.
"The illness has passed. Now you both need to rest. If you have the strength to sit up and eat, I suggest that you do. If not, just rest until you wake."
"Mmhm…" The answer to that suggestion was clear: Sachin wasn't about to do anything but sleep.
When Mikka woke, there was a very, very, very large set of round purple eyes staring right at her. Dragon eyes. Mikka squeaked and scurried back, but that made her head spin even more badly than it already was.
The dragon, Auene, loved people. She loved greeting patients, too, since her mistress was an apprentice to the lead healer. Her colors may have been a homely earthen green mixed with patterns of dirty red, but her personality made her one of the favorite dragonlings from the latest brood. She hopped up and down on the sheets, squeaking excitedly in her version of a roar. After jumping from side to side as well, she folded her wings and began to burrow under the sheets until she reached Mikka's skin. Once she could feel Mikka's warmth, the newborn dragonling curled up and began to hum.
Mikka blinked in shock and then giggled. "Oh, you're so cute!" She began to stroke the dragon's head. When her vision began to spin, she lay back down, but kept petting Auene's head. "I don't know where I am, but if you get free dragons, I'll be perfectly happy."
Auene pushed against Mikka's hand, one of the human's fingers shifting to the side of the dragonling's throat where it was easy to feel the humming that Auene was still engaging in. Mikka scratched lightly.
"Sachin doesn't like it when I give anyone else attention, even Vasu, so you're a very lucky dragon. Don't charm me too much or else we'll have another pet." Mikka murmured, not having any idea that he was still next to her.
"I know better than to try and separate a dragon and a human that it appreciates," Sachin assured her, sitting up and leaning over to tap Auene's head. He hadn't left his wife's side since she'd been brought there. It was never a wise idea to leave a comrade unconscious, even if it was within a healer's clinic. With Mikka, the sentiment was more than twice as strong. He could justify it any way he wanted to, but the fact remained the same: he would not leave her vulnerable in a place that was not home. Even at home, he would have reservations.
"Even if it is only a dragonling, I'm certain it could give me some nasty scars if it wished to." Sachin added, his lips parting a bit in a smirk.
Mikka smiled. "And there I thought you were talking about yourself. How hard did you have to fight to stay with me? Healers don't like extra people around."
"Oh, you know me. I find a way… one of the few talents that I have."
She reached up and stroked his cheek. Auene wasn't happy that Mikka had shifted her attention and went for Mikka's other hand. "You're very talented, love," Mikka murmured. "Speaking of which, don't let me forget, I have to reward you when I'm strong enough… " She struggled to sit up and kiss his cheek. "I may have been confused, but I'm pretty sure you called me 'love' in public."
Sachin froze for a moment, his face flushing slightly. "Yes," he started, a little shocked himself at the memory. "I believe I did…Hm. I didn't even realize that I ha—"
She grinned, pushing Auene aside so that she could cup his cheeks and give him a languid kiss. "Thank you," she murmured, "for that, but mostly for being here with me whenever I wake…"
"You told me once that me being here was what you wanted from me," Sachin reminded her, leaning into her again to place another, much more chaste kiss on her lips. "Well, one of the things. I'll do my utmost to fulfill them all."
"Considering our situation, we're doing pretty well to keeping up our vows." She curled up against his chest. "Ooh, I'm dizzy again, although I'm not sure if it's because I'm still sick or if it was you…"
"I've hardly done anything, so I doubt it's my doing…" Sachin replied. "As for your intent to 'repay' me, it will be when you're strong enough, and not a moment before. None of us want you to become ill again, for any reason."
She sighed guiltily. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, but… I'm not sure what happened." She looked him up and down. "You look terribly pale. Are you feeling well? You don't sound like yourself, either. Wait, is that cup empty? Give it to me, there might be enough water to get you back on your feet." She began crawling about. "Baby dragon! Where is there water around here? I'll cuddle more with you once you bring me some."
Sachin reached over, firmly grasping her wrist. "No. You're to rest, not bend. I did not offer my energy to the healer for you to pass out again trying to help me."
Auene squeaked several times again, having to wrestle her way out of the covers that Mikka had moved. Once she was out, she began climbing Mikka's back, eventually taking up a perch right next to her neck. Auene rubbed her scaled cheek against Mikka's jaw, her humming starting up again.
Somehow managing to ignore Auene, Mikka brushed Sachin's hair out of his eyes. "You… gave me your energy?" she asked, awed.
"Lin suggested it," Sachin answered. "And said that it would help in healing you faster. I am well, so that was a perfectly reasonable thing to do."
"If we were alone…" Mikka whispered.
"And you were well," Sachin reminded her.
She rolled her eyes. "Just get me something to eat and drink and kiss me and I'll be perfect in no time."
"So long as you promise not to bend your drink as soon as I give it to you."
She held up a hand in a solemn vow. "I promise I won't try to heal you with my drink. I'll do it with affection instead!"
Auene didn't like being ignored. She pressed her cheek against Mikka's face once more, letting out a low rumble to remind the human that she was there.
"Fair enough. I'll see where I can find some sustenance… probably for myself as well."
"Did they give me a dragon?" Mikka asked, looking at Auene. "It's adorable, but my next pet will be a real baby and that isn't going to be for a while yet."
"No, they didn't. I believe that is Lin's child's partner. The girl is around here somewhere, helping Lin with the patients."
"Oh." Mikka looked at the dragon. "You're adorable and all, but I prefer my husband to be the one to do that, okay? Go snuggle with your mistress. Please?"
Auene chirped, shuffling to the edge of Mikka's shoulder before extending her wings and beating them excitedly. After a few seconds, she finally attained some liftoff. Her flight, however, was about as coordinated as a drunk stumbling to the bathroom.
Mikka pointed to her cheek. "Your turn, love."
Sachin leaned over, pressing a kiss to her cheek before pulling away and standing. "And now, onto breakfast," he said, giving her a small smile before he began heading off.
By the time he returned, Mikka was fast asleep with Auene curled up against her breast. Considering she was one of the warmest people he knew, Sachin was hardly surprised that the dragon would seek out the heat.
Mikka rolled over as soon as she could smell the food he bore. "Mmm… Breakfast in bed? I'm getting all kinds of spoiled. I should get sick more often."
"Don't you dare," Sachin muttered. "You worry me enough as it is."
"It was joke." She adjusted Auene and patted the spot next to her. "It's also adorable how you're fussing over me. You're going to be a fantastic father, one day, I can tell."
Sachin pursed his lips, though his face flushed with embarrassment at the compliment. "What is it with you and intertwining compliments with faults?" he muttered.
"How is fussing a fault?" she asked innocently.
"A weakness, then."
"We got married a week ago. Of course you're going to be worried. Or maybe it was then that we first made love… I can't keep track because all the days are blending together. How long was I asleep?"
"I slept for half of one, but it's been two days," Sachin told her. "And we got married twenty-one days ago."
Mikka raised an eyebrow. "Usually it's the wife that keeps strict track and gets annoyed at her husband for forgetting… I'm sorry."
"I'm surprised you haven't already noticed," Sachin murmured, leaning over and placing a tender kiss to her forehead. "But we aren't exactly the typical couple, nor are we in what anyone would consider typical circumstances."
"True…" She sighed. "And here I am getting sick and probably needing another few days in bed…" She laughed bitterly. "This is the first place we've spent two nights at, then, you know? Since we left Ba Sing Se. That's really sad, especially because we're stuck in here and not alone together."
"It's what our situation allows," Sachin sighed, leaning back from her. "Trying to change it would be like trying to push a loaded cart sideways… better just do all you can to push it forward, faster."
"And hope it doesn't crash at the end of the hill. Have you spoken with the Sun Warriors yet? I mean more than 'take care of her now'," she added with a sly smirk.
"Yun has been discussing the situation with her master, but they agreed to wait until I could attend before summoning the full council for a negotiation and decision."
"So… you've been here with me this whole time?" Mikka asked softly, surprised. "Sachin… That's… Didn't they tell you I'd be fine? I'm flattered that you spent the time with me, but we came here to gain their allegiance. DId you have to be at my side? Was I that ill?"
"I also had to sleep," Sachin admitted, his voice quieter than before. "Lin's ability took more from me than I had anticipated, but that was only half of a day or so…"
Mikka carefully took his hand. "What did she do, exactly?"
"From what I could tell, she manipulated the very energy within both herself and I," Sachin answered. "I have never seen or felt anything quite like it."
Mikka put her head on his shoulder and kissed his knuckles. She spent a few minutes thinking before she said, "My love, you can't focus on me right now. You have to go and focus on the war." It took all of her self-control to stop speaking right then and there as apologies begged to pass her lips.
Sachin, too, took some time before he spoke again. Finally, he sighed, "I know…"
She pressed her lips together, thousands of words begging to come out and take back what she'd said, but she knew that she couldn't do that. As much as it hurt, it was the right thing. "W-what do I — What do we need to do for that to happen?"
The airbender closed his eyes, leaning his head against hers lightly before speaking again. "Really, all we need to do is fight… but doing that without as many allies as possible is akin to signing a death warrant. So the answer to that right now is to attend the council, do our best to convince the warriors to aid us… and pray they do."
"And how do you need me to act?" she breathed.
"Strong. Confident," Sachin began, then interrupted himself with a chuckle. "Essentially how you usually act, minus most of the semi-childish antics."
She giggled and leaned forward to kiss him. "Well, I'm glad that I've become those two mature things, because I certainly wasn't when we met." She pulled completely free of his grasp before adding, "What I meant was how you need me to change my behavior with you. I am not at all saying that we should… stop. Because we can't and I think it would kill both of us, but I need to know what I have to do in order to help you end this dreadful war…"
Sachin's expression turned to seriousness for a few moments as he spoke, "Really, all I want you to do in this is to stay safe. I want the life you can help me make after all this mess is over. The family, the home. Those things cannot be made without the both of us."
Although her eyes were full of tears, she blushed and burst out into happy laughter. She contained if after a moment, knowing that it was difficult for him to vocalize anything about their relationship, let alone their future. "And safe is only at your side, right?"
Sachin chuckled, knowing that she was referring to his tendency to keep her close to him no matter the situation. "Essentially…" he mused, "unless I am walking into the middle of Ba Sing Se to confront Sung Hai. But that is neither here nor there."
He smiled as he leaned into her again, though not at all close enough to kiss her before addressing the other part of her inquiry. "As for your behavior with me, only keep to yourself in public," Sachin murmured, leaning into her once more to capture her lips. When he did pull away again, he breathed, "I might go mad without your attention when we are alone."
"And I don't think I could live without yours." Her cheeks flushed crimson. "We'll just need to have guards who know that we need at least from dusk to dawn uninterrupted and to ourselves three times a week. No, four. Five?"
"Four is more than enough," Sachin said, chuckling. He put a hand to the side of her face, moving aside some stray strands of hair. "More than that and we would hardly be in a state to fight when the call came."
"True. I'll make sure that it happens. People can't resist me." She covered his hand with hers. "But you'll be happy to know that I feel better now, so you can go do what you need to. Thank you for breakfast. If you need to speak with whoever's in charge, go ahead. As soon as I can make myself decent, I'll join you."
Sachin leaned in, though only to press their foreheads together. "I'll see you at a later time, then," he said, closing his eyes for only a moment before pulling away from her. He pushed himself up from the ground and took one more steadying breath before fully leaving her side.
There were allies to be won.
A/N 5 September 2013: Again, forgive the delay in posts. I (Stnemele) just began grad school last week and also began another semester in college. We both have been working as well, so our time of late has been limited. As enjoyable as fan fiction is, our scholastic lives must come first for the moment, especially because they are directly related to our future careers.
DON'T PANIC. WE ARE NOT STOPPING WRITING.
We are now updating every other week rather than weekly. We had most of the story up until this point already written, but now we are in the realms of writing 'from scratch', which takes quite a bit more time than editing.