A/N: THIS IS SUCH A LONG CHAPTER. I really hope you like it though, because I enjoyed writing it. Thank you for all your lovely reviews, and please remember to keep on reviewing. Happy reading to you all! Thanks for everything so far! God bless!
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"When he wakes up, he's going to be furious."
Ursa rolled her amber eyes, sighing heavily as she looked over at Mako currently holding Bumi over his shoulder. He had a slight trickle of blood running down his pale forehead, but other than that, escaped the battle unscathed.
"Wow," The Princess muttered sarcastically throwing her hands in front of her overdramatically, "I personally think when he wakes up, he will run into my arms and kiss me till I can't breathe. But you know, everyone has their own opinion."
"For a Princess, you are incredibly rude."
Ursa brushed the comment off, falling a few steps behind the soldier as she pushed the hair falling in Bumi's paling face, away from his forehead, "Your opinion of me is the least of my concerns right now."
Mako sighed, wincing slightly from the extra weight he was carrying, his eyes narrowed as he tried to take as careful of steps as he could in the dim light of dawn.
"You're sure we are close to the village?"
Ursa crossed her arms, glaring at the back of the man's head, "I navigated this forest in complete darkness, I think I would know where I am going."
"You didn't answer my question."
Ursa sighed, hitting her hand to her forehead, growing more and more annoyed at the Fire Nation recruit, "Do you think I would let us get lost with an injured man slung over your shoulder?"
Mako raised an eyebrow and looked back at the Princess dubiously.
"Yes, I am sure we are close to the village."
The young man nodded his head happily, turning to face the front again. Ursa shook her head, biting her tongue from insulting the man any further. He had offered to carry Bumi back to town, he was helping her. Even if he was a bit of a jerk.
After Bumi had fallen unconscious, Ursa was faced with an ultimatum. She could leave the young man there where he could get attacked by the number of rebels still up and fighting, or she could somehow carry him through the woods to the village in which she was staying, to find a healer. The smoke was starting to go to her head, so she had to make the decision fast, and she picked the one that kept Bumi safe.
Mako, happening to be standing there during this occurence, was shocked when the masked firebender removed their mask, and turned out being the very Fire Nation Princess he had shook hands with a few months before.
Rushed explanations were given as she asked him to throw the recruit over his shoulder so she could get him some help. The recruit argued that they had healers back at camp, but Ursa wasn't risking it. She didn't come all this way to have Bumi dying on her the first day on the job.
Now, they walked through the muggy forest, the sun rising above the line of the horizon, and providing the tired travelers with light to navigate their way through the tightly packed trees and roots. Ursa was retracing her steps from the night before, looking at the bark around her and locating little knife marks left in the surface.
After she had gotten lost a few times in the night, she began to mark her trail, giving her an easier way home that didn't involve stumbling through the bushes as she looked at the vague map she had brought with her.
The Princess had removed her mask by now, allowing the sun to warm her face slightly, and though she was exhausted, it also energized her some how. Every weary glance she cast at Bumi, melted the annoyed look within her eyes and changed it to that of worry.
His leg would still be bleeding, but the girl had ripped a large strip of her robe to wrap around his wounded leg. He also had multiple bruises along the lengths of his arms, as well as a burn mark that lay on his upper bicep, the auburn skin practically radiating pain.
Ursa shook her head, pulling her robe around her body tighter despite the rising temperature of the air around her.
"What are they going to think when Bumi and I aren't there?"
The Princess shrugged, not really putting much thought into that, "That you died," The girl's expression deadpanned.
"That's not funny."
The girl shook her head, "No it's not," She ran her hand through her now freely flowing hair, allowing it to catch in the small breeze and smiling as it relaxed her tensed shoulders, "But I was just being truthful."
Mako turned back around, pushing aside a branch as he shifted Bumi's weight a bit on his shoulder, "You are one strange individual. Dedicated, but very strange."
"As long as I'm dedicated, I could care less if you think I'm strange."
They traveled awhile longer in silence, listening as the birds awoke with vibrancy, calling into the air for an answer to come from somehwhere else in the thick trees. It was hard for Ursa to comprehend that they were completely unaffected by the rebellion raging on around them.
They reached the village, and though Ursa looked awful and hadn't slept in hours, she instructed Mako to stay in the shadow of the forest as she went to the front of the inn and opened the door.
It was still quite early, but the girl could already hear Sho and his mother talking quietly in the kitchen. The smell of jasmine wafting through the air, and causing Ursa to sigh instantly at the familiarity of it.
"Honora?"
Naomi walked from the dining room, gasping as she stepped into the entryway and observed the girl's disheveled appearance. Her hair was tangled, and there were dark circles underneath her usually bright eyes, not to mention the fair amount of dirt that covered her pale complexion.
"I'm sorry. I lost track of time, and I forgot that I promised to be back. I just came to tell you that I need to run a few errands around town and then I promise to be back for good," The words escaped Ursa quickly, for she didn't want to let Bumi out of her sight for too long.
"It's ok dear," The older woman laid a hand on her shoulder, "But can your errands wait for later? You look exhausted."
The Princess shook her head sadly, "I can't. I need to go take care of this now."
Naomi looked unsure, but she let go of the girl's shoulder and pushed back the dark bangs on her own forehead, "Well ok, if you insist."
Ursa nodded gratefully, "Thank you," She genuinely was relieved that this woman seemed to be uncurious as to what the girl did with her time. But Sho didn't escape the Princess's notice as he peered around the doorway from the dining room, a knowing look in his emerald eyes.
Ursa was out the door quickly, not staying around for anyone to question her. She walked over to where Mako was sitting on a tree stump and Bumi lay on the cold ground, still unconscious and unaware of his surroundings.
"We need to get him to a healer."
They found themselves in a small waiting area, as a door remained closed along the wall across from them. The healer, an older woman from the North Pole, looked at them curiously as they walked in, but then became concerned as she saw the state Bumi was in, flung over another man's shoulder.
"He's gonna be ok."
Ursa turned to Mako, glaring at him, "Yeah, because you're the expert here."
"You've got it bad."
"What?"
Mako shook his head, an amused smile appearing on his features as his own amber eyes looked tiredly into hers, "You are so in love with him that it is ridiculous."
Ursa huffed, crossing her arms over her chest as she sunk down in the wooden chair, "I don't know what you are talking about."
"Well, I sure don't see any of those other men's girls boarding a boat and waiting on a battlefield to intervene and protect them."
The Princess bowed her head slightly, looking down at the dirt covering her boots and sighing deeply, "Yeah, I guess you don't."
"That doesn't change the fact he is going to freak when he sees you. I don't think it's going to be a good freak either."
Ursa smirked, "I think I can handle myself."
Mako looked regretfully over at her, "As much as I did not enjoy our morning together, thanks for saving our hides back there."
The Princess laughed slightly, despite the situation, "Your welcome. I came all this way to do just that, so it's nice that someone appreciates it."
"Miss Honora?"
Mako, already being briefed about the Princess's facade earlier in the morning, didn't bat an eye at the unfamiliar name as Ursa rose to her feet.
The healer gave her a gentle smile, her clear blue eyes sparkling a bit in the morning sunlight spilling through the window, "He is going to be fine. You may go in and see him. Just be very careful with him, he is still unconscious but he's starting to wake."
The girl smiled in relief, nodding her head as she looked back at Mako who raised his hands in defense.
"I am not going to be there when he figures out what you have done."
She rolled her eyes and murmured a quick thanks to the healer before she entered the room herself, closing the door behind her.
The room was small just as the waiting area had been, with a single window facing the village's street. Curtains hung to where only a small amount of light entered in, making it light enough to see, but not too bright.
Bumi lay on a bed at the other end of the room, his leg and arm both were wrapped tightly, a weird looking cream covering them to protect him from infection. His features weren't relaxed despite the state he was currently in, his brows were furrowed and his lips were pursed in frustration.
Ursa didn't hesitate to go sit beside the soldier on the bed, gently gripping his hand within her smaller, pale ones and allowing a slight tear to release from her eyes as she watched his expression change again into one of anguish.
He was having a nightmare.
"Bumi," The girl whispered, gently running the palm of her hand up the side of his cheek where several scratches now marred his smooth tanned skin. She knew he wasn't going to be happy with her, but she was done being selfish, she didn't want him to be trapped in a nightmare.
"Bumi!"
The boy's eyes flew open suddenly, a nervous sweat having already broken out across his forehead from the intensity of his nightmare. He sat breathing heavily as his trained eyes scanned the unfamiliar room around him. Along with the all too familiar face.
The exact face that had been in his nightmare. The face of a girl being struck by lighting and falling to ground in a crumpled heap.
Her eyes were wide in concern, yet there was guilt in the golden pools underlined with dark circles. Her hair was messier than he had ever seen it, the ends turning wavy from the humidity in the air. She wore a familiar Fire Nation robe wrapped tightly around herself, and her cheeks were that delicate shade of pink that would usually cause him to blush as well, but not today.
"Ursa."
The girl winced slightly at the way he said her name. His voice was hoarse, but she could hear the anger boiling up inside of him at the way his tone was clipped.
"Yes?"
Bumi rolled his stormy grey eyes back and fell onto the pillows yet again, rubbing the palms of his tanned hands roughly against his face, "I cannot believe this."
She sat there silently, watching as he looked down at his leg and arm, before sighing deeply again, closing his eyes.
"All that really did happen than."
Ursa raised a brow, feigning confushion, "What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb, Ursa," The boy snapped, eyes boring holes into her's from their intensity, "But perhaps you aren't playing anymore considering what you did last night."
Ursa's mouth opened wide, standing from her sitting position and looking down at him, amber eyes ablazed, "You have got to be kidding me! If it wasn't for me you would be dead right now!"
Bumi shook his head, sitting up and grimacing in pain, but not losing the fierceness in his expression and voice, "That isn't the point, Ursa."
"So you can go to the ends of the globe searching for your honor, and I can't?" Her voice was raised, causing the young man to wince slightly as his head pounded from the events the night before.
"That is the last thing this whole journey is about. You aren't searching for honor! You're a Princess! You just want to prove a point!"
"What point?!"
"Why don't you answer that yourself?" Bumi crossed his arms, looking up at the girl with a glare, "I think you owe me that considering the Fire Lord probably thinks I kidnapped his daughter."
"Oh, please."
"I'm being serious," Bumi's face proved his statement, his usually playful demeanor evaporating as he stared at the Princess in front of him.
Ursa sighed in frustration, crossing her arms as well as she glared back at the injured man, "He thinks I'm with your parents and siblings so don't worry, you aren't in any trouble."
Bumi shook his head, "You're about to be though."
"What do you mean?"
"Ursa," The tanned recruit said her name increduously, "Do you honestly think I'm going to let you stay here?!"
"Bumi, please don't tell them!"
"This is dangerous," His voice was low, his hand coming up to rub his face exasperatedly, "I can't believe you did it in the first place."
"Bumi, I'm fine! I was able to help you!"
The young man threw his hands up, his voice rising as well, "I didn't ask you to help me!"
Ursa's brows furrowed, her amber eyes glowing as her cheeks tinged pink from anger, "I saved your life last night, I think I am perfectly capable of handling myself!"
"Capable, but I'm not letting you continue this."
"So you are going to write my father and tell him what I've done so Kya and myself both get in trouble?!"
Bumi groaned, "You got Kya involved?!"
"Well, I had to have someone intercept the letters between our parents."
The injured soldier shook his head, looking down at the white bed sheet that lay tangled on his legs, "I cannot even believe you thougt things through that far. Ursa, what were you thinking?"
"That I had to do everything I could to bring you home to me," Her voice was now soft, a hand coming up to wrap around her elbow as she stood, weight shifting from one foot to the other anxiously. Her head bowed to where her dark hair concealed her surely flustered face.
She heard Bumi sigh again, but it didn't sound as much angry as it did thoughtful, "Where do the recruits think I am?"
"I guess dead."
"How did you get me here?"
"Mako. I think he is being healed in the other room."
"Are you ok?"
Ursa took the robe off of her shoulders, throwing it onto a chair that lay against a wall. Her throwing knives clattered a bit, and the mask thudded against the wood. She held up her arms and pushed up the sleeves, showing Bumi the pale skin that lay beneath, one throwing knife falling to the floor in the process.
"Not even a bruise."
Bumi looked at her arms, confirming what she had just said and nodding a bit gratefully as she pulled her sleeves down again. He noticed a few burn marks on her dark uniform, but other than that she just looked tired.
"Ursa," His voice was soft as he lay back once again, stormy grey eyes looking troubled, "I'm not going to tell your dad."
The girl's face broke into a bright smile, her amber eyes sparkling with happiness as her face seemed to radiate thankfulness. She sat on the bed beside him again, grasping his hand in her's.
"Oh, Bumi, thank you!"
"But," Her face fell as he looked up at her seriously, his mouth in a thin line as he sternly stated, "You will not get involved with the rebellions anymore. That was incredibly stupid considering you are the Princess and if that rebel had found that out, I'm sure you would have been in a ton of trouble. I will promise you to be more careful, as long as you promise me you won't pull what you pulled last night again."
Ursa's expression became crestfallen, her shoulders slumping as she considered what he was saying, a frown finding its way on to her features. She sighed heavily and averted his gaze.
"Bumi, I don't know."
"Ursa," His hand reached up to lift her chin, his features showing a bit of pain for he used his bad arm to perform the action, but then it turned into a pleading expression, "Please? I won't be able to fight if I know there's any chance of harm coming to you."
"Why don't we just go home then? You could take that guard job and you could be there to protect me. Please, Bumi, you have proven yourself brave, you even helped in the raid last night. You don't have anything else to prove to anyone."
Bumi shook his head, "You know as well as I do I'm not finished here."
"Please?" Her voice was so small, and her expression mirrored the one she had worn at that party so long ago, and it made his heart clench again from how painful that fight had ended.
"No."
Ursa's eyes closed, her lips pursed as she nodded her head. The girl's pale hand still gripped his tightly though showing him she was more upset than angry.
"Ok," The girl sighed after a long moment, her amber eyes opened again, immediately searching for his stormy grey ones, "I won't get involved."
She sounded sincere enough, and that was enough for him right now. He didn't want her getting into trouble for her actions, no matter how ridiculous they had been, and he didn't want his older sister to get into any trouble either. He would have to keep a close eye on the Princess though to make sure she kept to her word.
A tear was falling down her face, so Bumi shifted into a sitting postion, running a rough hand smoothly across her cheek to get rid of the warm moisture.
"You do realize that the reason I'm asking you to do this is because I care about you, right?"
Ursa nodded, her hand coming up to cover his gently, "I know," Her golden eyes looked deeply into his, sadness still within them but also care, "I hope you realize that everything I have done is because I care about you, too."
Bumi chuckled slightly, his eyes sparkling with humor, "Well I was sure hoping it wasn't because you took the term 'warrior heart' literally."
The girl giggled tiredly, "I would be the one to do so, though."
He ran a thumb under the purple skin beneath her vibrant yet tired eyes, "For what it is worth, thank you for being stupid. If you hadn't have been there, I would have been done for."
"Oh, it was no big deal."
Bumi raised a brow, "Really?" His face broke into a smile again as he recalled her disguise, the gold and red mask, "Oh and nice Blue Spirit reference, if your Dad wasn't so overprotective, he might actually have been honored at your choice of a mask."
"He'd probably scold me for it being the wrong color."
Bumi laughed again, their faces so close that his warm breath gently tickled her face, "After, the initial shock, probably."
Ursa smiled in return, gazing at him under her long lashes, "I can't wait until you are back at home. Safe."
Bumi gave her a wry smile, "After I feel as if I have proved myself," He sighed slightly, realizing he was giving into her wishes, "I probably will take you up on the guard offer. I don't see any reason to return home to the Island when the girl I really care about will be miles away."
Tears welled in Ursa's eyes as she couldn't resist it any longer. She threw her arms around Bumi's neck and buried her face into his shoulder, mindful still of his injuries.
The tanned recruit smiled gently as he placed a gentle kiss on her head, a hand rubbing circles up and down her back as he leaned against the headboard.
They sat like that for a large measure of time, neither of them wanting to move. The sun warmed the room, and caused the young Princess's eyes to droop slightly as she lay in the arms of the one she cared about.
This wasn't the end though. Bumi was returning to battle and whether he liked it or not, Ursa was too. This time she would have to be more careful with how she treated the situation, but she had no intent of sitting back and letting him fight this rebellion alone.
She knew her plan was ridiculous, but she couldn't bring herself to give in to what he wanted.
For once in her life, she was going to be completely selfless. This wasn't about her anymore. After last night, Ursa couldn't stand the thought of what could happen to him without her there.
Bumi held onto her tightly, despite his protesting arm, but he wasn't completely at ease. He knew Ursa was making a false promise. He knew the way her mind worked. But right now with her here with him after saving him just hours before, he decided to offer her what comfort he could, and keep his mouth shut for once in his life.
