A day late I apologize. It's been a crazy weekend. And unfortunately I leave early Friday morning and will be out of town till Tuesday. I'll try to get as much done as possible. I doubt I'll be able to post by tomorrow. If not it'll be on next Wednesday.
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar series! It's so tragic!
Thanks to all your reviews and follows. Please Enjoy!
Have Courage and Be Kind
(The Desert)
We left our camp site right after breakfast. The three of us rode on the ostrich-horse with Zuko steering, Iroh in the back, and me in the middle. Everything was silent as we rode. This gave me time to think about last night.
Iroh came out shortly to see if we were okay, so Zuko and I jumped apart before he could see. We went inside and slept. The two of us haven't been alone since, so we didn't have a chance to talk about it. And it seemed like Zuko was avoiding me. Did he regret kissing me last night?
Maybe he just didn't want Iroh to know. That was understandable, I didn't exactly want Iroh knowing and bugging us about it. Everything would be okay. I was just overreacting and being nervous. I mean I've never really liked anyone before. That was my first kiss, and it was perfect. I smiled just thinking about it.
Today we were making great time. I still had no idea where we were going. We were just always on the move. I hoped that we could find a place to settle down somewhere. But nowhere was safe from the Fire Nation. Would this be our lives from now on till the war ended? Traveling from town to town barely getting by? I guess it wasn't so bad as long as we were together.
Iroh had been complaining since lunch about something terrible he ate. I wondered if he just wanted to get off this animal and rest. I was on the same page. Zuko was determined to make as little stops as possible. I speculated it might had to do with us. Maybe Zuko wasn't ready to talk about it. I guess I could give him time. Not that I wanted to wait long. As corny and pathetic as it sounded, I missed his lips.
The weather was starting to get hotter. Sitting on the ostrich-horse, riding for hours, and being stuck between two men starting to sweat wasn't helping. I kept looking forward, stealing glances at Zuko every once in a while. I sighed.
Suddenly, Iroh started making sounds of "pain". It scared me out of my thoughts. They seemed overdramatic to me, but Zuko pulled on the reigns to slow down.
"Maybe we should make camp," Zuko stated.
"No please," Iroh said with a fake tone. "Don't stop just for me."
Zuko turned around and kept riding. Iroh made even more annoying sounds of fake pain and torment. I couldn't handle it.
"Please let us stop!" I cried out annoyed.
Zuko pulled the reigns to a stop. He jumped down and Iroh and I followed. Iroh groaned as he sat on a rock. I fell to my knees.
"I never knew how much I'd miss the ground until now," I stated.
Then I felt it. I must have looked troubled.
"Four, no five, big animals are approaching fast," I stated.
The ostrich-horse looked over where the trembling of the earth was coming from. Iroh and Zuko looked over in that direction too. Zuko got a defense position.
"What now?" Iroh asked.
Then, we were surrounded by five giant land animals. They might have been rhinos. Fierce looking warriors from the Fire Nation rode on them. Iroh stood up, almost smiling.
"Colonel Mongke!" Iroh exclaimed cheerfully walking next to me behind Zuko. "What a pleasant surprise."
He put a hand on Zuko's shoulder. Zuko relaxed. Something told me though that we were still going to fight.
"If you're surprised we're here then the Dragon of the West has lost a few steps," Mongke, most likely the leader, coldly said with a rough voice.
Then he clinked his metal cuffs together. The rest of the men grabbed their weapons out. So we were going to fight.
"You know these guys?" Zuko asked looking over each man.
I did the same. I guess it was like we were picking who to fight.
"Sure," Iroh stated simply. "Colonel Mongke and the Rough Rhinos are legendary. Each one is a different weapon specialist. They are also a very capable singing group."
"Something tells me they aren't here to sing," I stated.
"We're not here to give a concert," Mongke snapped annoyed. "We're here to apprehend fugitives."
I laughed nervously and rubbed my neck.
"What a relief. Technically I'm not a fugitive," I said.
"Fugitives and dual benders," Mongke corrected himself.
Zuko smirked.
"You're in it just as much as we are," Zuko stated.
"Damn, and here I was going to catch a break. I'm still recovering from when your sister shot me. Your nation is really unkind to people you know," I talked back.
Zuko shook his head hiding his smirk.
"Are you complaining? You were fine all day. You're just lazy is what it is," Zuko teased.
"If you two are done flirting, let's get back to the fight!" Mongke interrupted ever so rudely.
I folded my arms and fake pouted.
"These guys are no fun," I whined.
"Would you like some tea first?" Iroh asked. "I'd love some. How about you Kahchi? I make you as a jasmine man. Am I right?"
"You know, I can see it," Zuko stated.
"You can tell what teas people like by looking at them?" I asked. "Impressive."
"Enough stalling!" Mongke nearly exploded. "Round them up!"
"Already? I didn't have time to stretch," I said loosening up my arms.
One of the men with a bogo swung it Iroh. He managed to kick it away from his and wrap around Kachi's rhino leg. Iroh rolled forward to avoid fire and arrows. He slapped Kachi's rhino's behind. The rhino freaked out, running with both men.
Zuko and I both stood waiting for our opponent to strike force. Zuko turned around at the sound of an arrow hurdling towards us. He deflected it and shot back a small, quick flame that broke the string of the guy's bow. The man looked surprised.
Mongke stepped forward on his rhino and shot fire at Iroh who managed to deflect all of the flames. Meanwhile Zuko snuck around the rhino and surprised Mongke. Zuko kicked him off and into a group of trees.
Kachi ran back now off his rhino toward me. The other man was close behind him. They yelled as they held up their weapons. I earth bended the ground and sent them flying to the man with the broken bow. He flew off his rhino and hit the ground with the others.
Iroh quickly jumped on the ostrich-horse's back and took off. Zuko jumped on as the ostrich-horse ran by. Zuko held out his hand and pulled me up as they passed. The last guy started to follow us. He threw a bomb in front of us. Luckily, it was too far ahead and did nothing but create a dark cloud of smoke.
"It's nice to see old friends," Iroh stated looking back behind us.
"Too bad you don't have any old friends that don't want to attack you," Zuko replied also looking back.
"Hmm… old friends that don't want to attack me," Iroh thought out loud.
"Iroh, do you know friends like that?" I asked with as much hope as I could muster.
"I think I know just where we should go," Iroh stated turning back around.
He hit the reigns for the ostrich-horse to go faster. Zuko and I smiled at the good news. Then we realized what we were doing. I blushed and looked away.
The journey was quiet. The land started losing the protection of trees till the mountains became barren. An hour or so later the temperature increased heavily and we found ourselves in a desert. Up ahead were some buildings. They most likely were some sort of pit stop considering it was way too small to be a town.
We tied the ostrich-horse to a post and headed inside the largest building.
"Who are we here to see?" Zuko asked.
"We'll just wait and see," Iroh replied.
We? Didn't Iroh know who we were meeting? His friend or whoever it was? Before entering through the curtain, Iroh and Zuko put on their hats. I assumed it was to hide their faces. Looking around the place looked like a bar of some kind.
Men were everywhere drinking, talking, and even some playing some games. I also noticed that I was the only woman. Most of the men turned to watch us as we entered. The three of us walked up to the counter.
"What can I get for you?" the man asked as he cleaned a cup with a cloth.
"Oooo," Iroh stated moving his hands around one another.
"I'll take a papaya-guava smoothie please," Iroh smiled.
"Water for me," Zuko spoke up.
The bartender nodded, grabbed the two drinks, placed them on the counter, and turned to me.
"And for you miss?" he asked.
"Oh uh, anything I guess," I said quietly.
"Give her the tropical paradise," a man said next to me slamming some change on the counter.
I turned and blinked confused at him.
"Thanks, but you don't have to pay," I said.
He looked somewhat decent compared to the other dirty men in this place.
"I want to. A pretty girl like you should have something just as sweet," he smiled.
I blushed a little and smiled.
"Thanks," I said.
The bartender handed me over a cool looking, blue drink with a pineapple on the side and a fancy looking little umbrella. I took a sip.
"How is it?" the man asked.
"Mmm it's delicious," I said. "Thanks for the recommendation."
The man grabbed the umbrella from my drink. I didn't know what he was going to do until he pushed back my hair on the left and stuck the umbrella in. I didn't fail to notice the lingering touch across my cheek. His hand rested on my shoulder.
"You're welcome. Unfortunately I have business to take care of, but I hope to see you around," the man said before walking out.
I turned to see Iroh with wide eyes and mouth open. Zuko looked pissed. Iroh cleared his throat.
"I'll go find us a table," Iroh said walking off.
I avoided Zuko's eye contact. He stepped closer. He plucked the umbrella from my hair and threw it somewhere on the ground.
"You shouldn't take drinks from strangers," Zuko stated.
"He seemed nice. And I was careful. Besides the bartender made it," I reasoned.
Zuko got even closer and leaned down to take a sip from my drink. I blushed. His face was so close. He looked back at me.
"He was wrong," Zuko whispered. "It's not as sweet as you."
Zuko stepped back as I opened my mouth but no words came out. He walked forward to where Iroh was sitting. I turned in that direction still trying to find words.
"Men," was the only word I managed to say to myself.
I sat down at the table where Iroh and Zuko were.
"No one here is going to help us. These people just look like filthy wanderers," Zuko stated unamused and a little annoyed.
"So do we," Iroh stated smiling.
"He's got a point," I said.
Iroh looked entranced by something behind Zuko.
"Ah this is interesting," Iroh said pointing to a man in the back. "I think we found our friend."
The man was sitting in front of some sort of board.
"You think?" I questioned.
"You brought us here to gamble on Pai Shao?" Zuko asked irritated.
"I know you love the game, but we're kind of looking for help," I added.
"I don't think this is a gamble," Iroh stated standing up. "And he might be just the help we're looking for."
Zuko and I followed Iroh over to the table.
"May I have this game?" Iroh asked.
The man looked up.
"The guest has the first move," the man stated gesturing to the board.
Iroh picked a piece, sat down, and placed it on the board.
"I see you favor the white lotus gambit. Not many still cling to the ancient ways," the man said before bowing.
"Those who do can always find a friend," Iroh stated returning the bow.
"Then let us play," the man concluded.
"They lost me," I whispered to Zuko.
The two went back and forth placing tiles on the board. They weren't even looking at each other's placement. Zuko sat down in a stool. I followed. I tried to follow along. They stopped when they created a giant white lotus made from tiles.
"A giant white lotus?" I asked aloud.
"Welcome brother, the white lotus opens wide to those who know her secrets," the man stated.
"What are you old gasbags talking about?" Zuko asked clearly confused and peeved.
"I always tried to tell you that Pai Shao is more than just a game," Iroh stated mysteriously.
He rolled a tile over his knuckles. I was stunned. Somehow this man was going to help us. Because Iroh was part of a club or something? A secret society? How was he going to help us at all?
Just then two men came walking over. The first looked angry and stomped heavily towards us. His hair was down and he looked pretty dusty. The second man was much shorter. He held his arms folded together and walked gracefully. He looked more proper and fancy.
"It's over!" the first man shouted. "You three fugitives are coming with me."
I folded my arms annoyed.
"That's the second time today someone has called me a fugitive. I think hanging out with you two is giving me a bad reputation," I said.
The man stood from the table and walked between us and the two men. He faced and pointed at us.
"I knew it. You three are wanted criminals with giant bounties on your heads," the man stated.
"I thought we came here to find friends that won't try to attack us," I stated.
"I thought you said he would help," Zuko turned to Iroh lowering his voice angrily.
Iroh placed a hand on Zuko's shoulder to calm him down.
"He is. Watch," Iroh stated.
The man turned to the other two.
"You think you're going to capture them and collect all that gold," the man stated unnecessarily loud.
It got everyone's attention. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to us. A few of them repeated "gold" and smiled mischievously. Instead of trying to take us, everyone surrounded the two men.
"Maybe we shouldn't," the proper man suggested.
The dirty, angry man smiled and went to step forward. Someone had jumped in front of him, blocking his path. They began to fight. I had stood but stayed in a trance watching them. A pull from my hand broke it. Zuko was leading me out of the bar. The four of us slipped out unnoticed grabbing our bags attached to our ostrich-horse.
We ran all the way to some other buildings I hadn't seen before. The place was starting to look more like a small village. We stopped at a large store. The man unlocked the door. Zuko and I noticed our intertwined hands. I immediately let go trying to contain my blush.
The man held out the door for us and looked around as we entered to make sure no one followed. It was a flower shop. The man closed the door and bowed lightly.
"It's such an honor to welcome such a high rank member of the Order of the White Lotus. Being a grand master you must know so many secrets," the man said continuing to walk further in the shop.
"The Order of the White Lotus?" I asked Zuko.
He shrugged in response. Iroh smiled. Zuko folded his arms.
"Now that you've played Pai Shao are you going to do some floral arranging, or is someone in this club gonna offer some real help," Zuko stated irritated.
We came to another door.
"You must forgive my nephew. He is not an initiate has little appreciation for the cryptic arts," Iroh explained to the man.
"Maybe because we're both confused," I added.
The man knocked on the door lightly. A peek hole opened.
"Who knocks at the guarded gate?" the man on the other side asked.
"One who has eaten the fruit and tasted its mysteries," Iroh replied.
The door opened. Iroh and the man walked inside. Zuko and I went to follow but the door was slammed. Zuko scowled. Iroh opened the peek hole.
"I'm afraid it's members only. Wait out here," Iroh apologized then shut the hole.
Zuko folded his arms and sighed. He leaned over and smelt a plant that was on a table. I smiled. Then my smile dropped. I realized this was the first time Zuko and I had been alone since we kissed. Was I already sweating? Why was my heart beating so fast? It was all I could hear.
Would he speak first and would I have to? How do you even start this conversation? Come on Mikaila, just do it. The longer you wait, the more awkward it will get. You really like Zuko, just tell him. I took a deep breath.
"Zuko, I–" I began.
"I'm sorry," Zuko interrupted.
It seemed Zuko didn't hear me.
"For what?" I asked confused.
"About last night," Zuko stated finally looking at me. "I didn't mean for it to go that far. It's just with all that happened and then… I don't know, I'm just sorry."
I stopped breathing. Does that mean he regretted it? He didn't feel the same way as I did. Last night it seemed like he really liked me. Maybe he loved me. I guess it meant nothing at all. I should have seen it coming.
I didn't know how to respond, but after a few moments and I didn't say anything, Zuko looked at me crossing his eyebrows in confusion.
"Did it mean anything to you?" Zuko asked.
YES! HELL YES!
"Like you said, probably just caught up in the moment," I said looking away.
I could feel the tears forming and I didn't want Zuko to see them. He would think I'm such a big idiot for falling for him. I desperately wanted to change the subject but my throat was so closed I didn't know if words would come out.
"W-What… what do you think they're talking about?" I choked out the words.
Zuko sighed.
"No idea. They're supposed to be helping us. I'm not sure what a bunch of florists are going to do for us," Zuko said.
"Probably better than nothing. But I'm not sure what they could really do. It seems no matter where we go trouble follows us. It would be nice to stay somewhere safe," I stated.
"There's nowhere we could be and remain safe," Zuko stated.
That wasn't true.
"I lived in the only safe place in the world. I don't know what's worse. Living in a place safe from danger, away from any adventure, and completely alone, or running from the Fire Nation knowing if they catch me they'll do anything to find my home," I said.
It was silent for a few moments.
"Do you regret leaving?" Zuko asked.
To be honest, that was a harder question than it seemed. At first, I would say I'd never regret it, but after everything that's happened. I didn't know. This isn't the adventure I wanted.
"The world is different than I thought. I wanted adventure, I guess that's what I got. It's made me feel things I've never felt before," I answered.
"Like what?" Zuko asked.
"Freedom, my home was like a prison. Fear, I've never been scared of endangering my home and what might happen. Lo– longing to be safe," I explained.
"Sounds bad to me," Zuko stated.
"And joy, I've never been happier in my life," I smiled weakly.
Zuko stared at me with slightly bigger eyes.
Love, with a guy who was also my best friend. Brokenness, when the one you want regrets one of the best moments of your life.
It was quiet again. And for that I was thankful. My desire for talking had run out. I wanted to cry but with Zuko standing right there. I could settle for closing my eyes and pretending it never happened.
I sat down and leaned against the wall. Pulling up my knees, I buried my face in my arms. Zuko made some noise and I noticed he sat against the wall on the other side of the door. He sat with his legs out and staring into space.
ZUKO POV
Usually I liked silence. I welcomed it with open arms. Right now, the silence was slowly killing me. 'I didn't mean for it to go that far. It's just with all that happened and then… I don't know, I'm just sorry.' What kind of lame-ass statement was that?! It wasn't even true! This was the first time we've been alone since we kissed.
I wanted to say how I enjoyed it. I wanted to say how I wished that I could kiss her again. I wanted to say that kissing her was like electricity, the good kind. But I've never been the romantic type. I at least tried to say that it was good, but when I looked into her eyes I said I regretted it!
I'm such an idiot! Why would I say that? I'm a coward I guess. I was mostly sure that I wanted to be with Mikaila. I didn't know the kind of life we could have together out here. I didn't even know if she wanted to be with me. I mean she did agree that it was a mistake. Did she really not feel the same way? I thought she did.
The way she looked though when I told her. She looked sort of crushed. Was she disappointed by my lie? Damn. I hated feelings and emotions. They were a pain! Why couldn't I just know what I wanted?
Maybe I shouldn't worry about it. Mikaila was going to travel the world then probably go home. I wouldn't be welcomed there as ex-prince of the Fire Nation. Besides, I had to fight Azula before I thought about anything else. I needed to focus on training and getting perfect. I had to beat Azula no matter what.
Mikaila shifted and raised her head. She looked straight ahead.
"While we're here I want to look at the plants… earth bender and all," Mikaila stated before standing.
She never looked at me. I wanted to say something, but of course for some reason I didn't. Mikaila went over some flowers on the shelf. She seemed to stare at them for an eternity before moving to the next one. It seemed odd.
I stood and watched her as she approached the next one. It was one of the most beautiful flowers in the shop. You know… if I cared. She leaned forward and smelled it. Mikaila smiled weakly. I couldn't help but smile weakly too. I'm not sure how but the scene was so peaceful that I was sucked into sleep.
The door creaked up. I got into a defensive stance.
"What's going on?" I asked. "Is the club meeting over?"
I noticed Mikaila walk from the other corner of the shop. Her eyes had a hint of red and glossiness to them. Had she been crying? How come it didn't wake me up? What would she be crying about? Maybe her home.
Uncle walked out of the room followed by the man we met at the bar. He closed the door after him. I relaxed my stance.
"Everything is taken care of," Uncle said exchanging bows with the man. "We're heading to Ba Sing Se."
"The great Earth Kingdom?" Mikaila asked.
"Ba Sing Se?" I asked dramatically. "Why would we go to the Earth Kingdom capital?"
Wouldn't that be the last place to go?
"The city is filled with refuges. No one will notice three more," the man explained.
Uncle turned to me.
"We can hide in plain sight there. And it's the safest place in the world from the Fire Nation. Even I couldn't break through to the city," Uncle stated smiling.
"I say we go," Mikaila spoke up. "It's not like we have a better choice."
A man entered through the front door. A bell chimed.
"I've got the passports for our guests," the man announced. "But there are two men out on the street looking for them."
The man shut the door and pointed behind him. Great. It was probably the two thugs from the bar who recognized us. Looking through the peephole my suspicions were confirmed.
"How are the three of us going to get out of here with them outside?" I asked.
"Eventually they'll come knocking on this door," Iroh said.
"If only we had disguises," Mikaila said.
Something about her was off. I couldn't think of what it was.
"Disguises huh?" the man asked walking over to the side of the shop.
He rolled a cart with two giant flower pots on it. I lifted an eyebrow. What was this man thinking? The man pulled the top off. It was hollow inside.
"We use them to move contraband," the man explained.
This could work.
"Alright. I'll take the backpacks with me in one. Zuko and Mikaila, you share the second pot," Uncle smiled.
Mikaila stiffened.
"Uh… do we have to do it like that?" Mikaila asked.
"We don't have time to argue. Just get in," the man stated.
Uncle got into the first flower pot and the bags were stuffed in with him. I climbed into the second. Mikaila hesitated before climbing in as well. Our faces were inches apart and our bodies were so intertwined. The man placed the top on and it was completely dark.
The air became thinner and more awkward. I heard the door opened and we began moving. Besides the cart moving across the sand, the only sound I could hear was her breathing. It was giving me bad thoughts. Thoughts of leaning forward and kissing her. I could blame it on a bump or something.
No. That wouldn't be right. She'd probably punch me. If she didn't like me I couldn't force anything on her.
We rode for a few more minutes. Neither of us said anything. I didn't know what to say. Why was everything so weird between us now? Was it because I kissed her? I didn't want things to be awkward. She's my closest friend and I didn't want to mess that up.
A bump in the road made Mikaila fly forward into me. I felt her breath next to my ear. I had to swallow to contain myself. The bump caused the top to move slightly, so a small amount of light peeked through. Mikaila backed away painfully slow.
"Sorry," she apologized.
Not that she needed to. The cart came to a sudden stop. She moved again suddenly but this time her lips hit mine. I swear my heart leaped out of my chest. She pulled back a little red. The lid was removed and the man stood above.
"Sorry, hope that didn't cause any damage. You can come out of the cart now," the main apologized.
Mikaila quickly exited the cart. I got out and stretched my back a little. Uncle had our three bags. He handed Mikaila hers. Then handed me mine.
"Head that direction. There will be a lake and a secret ferry. It'll take you to Ba Sing Se. You should reach there by morning," the man stated.
Mikaila smiled.
"Thanks," she said.
Uncle bowed again.
"Thanks again my friend for all your help," Uncle stated.
The man bowed. He took the cart of flower pots and headed back to town. Uncle put his bag on his back.
"Well, we're almost there. We should get going," Uncle stating.
Mikaila sighed.
"Great. Walking. Like we haven't done enough of that," Mikaila complained.
"But once we're in Ba Sing Se they'll be no more need," Uncle explained.
The three of us began walking. This was going to be our life now wasn't it? I didn't want it. It wasn't who I was. I looked over at Mikaila. But maybe if it was, I could tell Mikaila how I truly felt. Something told me Ba Sing Se was going to be really great… and then completely terrible.
Hope you enjoyed it. Those of you sad Zuko and Mikaila aren't officially together yet, don't worry. Zuko doesn't seem the type to just jump in a real relationship. I have to build it a little more. Anyway, remember next Wednesday if not tomorrow. Thanks! PLEASE REVIEW!