Chapter 27: Smoke and Shadow

The morning air was chilly on his bare back as Prince Zuko stirred.

But he didn't really take notice of it. All his brain could compute right now was the warm bundle of heat nestled against his chest under the covers of his bed.

Almost unconsciously his hand drifted over the head of long brown hair till it came down to a bare pale shoulder, from which a red sleeve had shifted down from.

He didn't remember how they'd ended up sleeping like this. She'd stayed with him all night as promised. Not that they did anything inappropriate. No. All they did was sit and hold onto one another till exhaustion had taken them in the early hours of the morning.

Cheeks blushing slightly, Zuko carefully tugged the material back over Jade's shoulder, before settling back into the pillow beneath his head.

He'd never done something like this, he mused in his head as he carefully traced his thumb over the gentle line of her jaw from her ear. Never before had he sought out physical comfort (or really any comfort), especially when he was upset. His pride just could not stomach the thought of showing weakness to anyone. After all he was crown prince of the Fire Nation, and even if he was banished now he was still going to be ruler of his nation one day. He had to be strong, even in the face of failure.

But holding her as he had done last night, kissing her and confiding in her…it just felt so…

He froze as something hummed against his sternum and looked down just in time to see a pair of dazed green eyes stir drowsily up at him.

He gulped, icy fear replacing the warm contentedness as he awaited the shock and anger to come.

"G'morning"

Zuko blinked, his cheeks heating up as he caught sight of the small sleepy smile play upon her lips.

"Good…Morning?" he gulped his breath hitching slightly as she sighed and leaned further into him.

"Tired n' saddle-sore" she mumbled in response to the unspoken question that hung in the air. "can't move. My butt hurts too much"

In spite of himself Zuko snorted softly.

"Yeah, tell me about it."

And indeed even as he shifted slightly his whole back twinged as the delayed after-effects of the Shirshu venom still working its way through his body. But it wasn't as bad as he'd thought it would be, though maybe that had something to do with his current predicament.

She was so close he could taste the sweet hot scent of tea and spices on her breath as she sighed softly into his chest.

"What are you thinking about?" Zuko wondered aloud.

"huh? Thinking? What makes you say that?" Jade frowned confusedly, her green eyes blinking innocently up at him.

"Your brows get all scrunched up in the middle and you chew your cheeks when you think really hard about something. I see you do it all the time when you're cleaning" Zuko added softly, enjoying the way her skin flushed a deep pink as his thumb stroked gently at her half chewed cheek.

Normally she would've found such perceptiveness disturbing, but she would also be lying to herself if she didn't find the notion somewhat flattering.

She felt her cheeks heat up even more, as she remembered his compliments that night she went to Pohuai. He had been so embarrassed but so sincere, but then again, Zuko really was a crap liar who often blurted out what he honestly thought more often than not.

Like he just did over her head with an embarrassed cough.

"Sorry…I um…I meant that I-I-uh…it's just something I noticed um-"

"No-no it's fine" Jade spluttered, though she could feel the corners of her lips quirk upwards in a small smile "I-I guess I'm just not used to people being able to read me like an open book"

"Neither am I" Zuko admitted quietly, his awkwardness melting back to comfort as he relaxed back into the pillow, even as she snorted.

"Except for your uncle"

"Yeah well Uncle is well…my uncle…" Zuko rolled his eyes though more with fondness than true irritation "And he's really good at reading others anyway"

"Do you think he knows?" Jade gulped nervously, and when the prince quirked a brow at her she sighed "A-about u-umm…us? Do you think he knows?"

"If he doesn't then I'm a water-bender" Zuko scoffed and in spite of herself, Jade giggled softly…only to stop short as she suddenly remembered something.

"What?" Zuko frowned as he saw her face pale to the colour of chalk.

"My…my father….he knows. I don't know how but…he knows"

Now it was Zuko's turn to look uncomfortable.

"…When did he figure it out?" his voice was strained, almost as if he was torn between fear and keeping calm. "Did you-"

"No! spirits no!" Jade blurted out, but she quickly righted herself at the slightly alarmed look on Zuko's face. "I-I mean. I didn't tell him. He figured it out on his own."

"And what about your brother?"

"Shen? Shen kinda knew-or-or at least he suspected for a while…then he found out when he read my-um well…" her voice fell away, but before Zuko could comment she shook her head out vigorously and coughed "A-Anyway the point is both my father and brother know I'm…that you and I are…um…involved with one another"

"Involved?" Zuko snorted and Jade flushed.

"Well…what else do you want me to say? What we have it's…we're-" but she stopped short at the smirk spreading across his face.

"So you're finally willing to admit there is a "something" there between us? Ow!" he winced as her hand slapped his shoulder. But it was a half-hearted hit and she tiredly let her hand flop to rest against his chest, right over his sternum.

Thump-thump. Thump-thump

She listened intently to the sound, marvelling at its robustness as it continued to beat on under her fingers.

Zuko held his breath as he watched her trace a symbol over his chest (one he recognised at once to be the kanji for heart), his fingers subconsciously trailing over the side of her neck as he too felt for her pulse.

She may have been an earth bender, but deep within he could feel the inner fire of her Fire Nation blood coursing through her veins as he finally found the small beating under the skin.

So small but so powerful. Like the hands that caressed the spot over his own heart

Like a gently flickering candle, the pulsing rhythm fluttered under his touch as he rolled his body slightly, using his weight to press her back into the mattress as his lips pressed gently into hers.

The hand over his heart tightened, her nails digging into his skin as he cautiously flicked his tongue against her lips in a gentle plea, to which Jade acquiesced at once.

She blushed as she felt the deep hum in Zuko's throat reverberate through her, sending shivers flying up and down her spine-

BAM!

"Prince Zuko it's time to-"

There was a very sticky silence as Jade and Zuko both broke apart and wheeled bout in alarm, just in time to see the shocked faces of lieutenant Ji and Lord Iroh and the very angry, very livid face of Ruishi Shi.


Dear Diary,

Today has been…well…it's been an absolute disaster.

I swear don't think I've ever felt so mortified in my life.

I mean it all started out fine. Actually it started out surprisingly well.

After Zuko and I talked last night we accidently ended up sharing a bed to sleep for the night.

Not that anything happened diary. Oh no. oh-nononononoononono-no!

Definitely nothing inappropriate happened.

We just uh…fell asleep on top of one another and then…well…we…uh…um…

I'm not quite sure what we did…It was kinda a cuddle and kinda not one. Either way we did end up kissing…just as my father walked right through the door.

Turns out Lord Iroh sent word for an escort from the ship to come pick us up from the tavern last night and, big surprise, my father decided to tag along. You can imagine just how "overjoyed" he was to find his only daughter lying in bed and kissing the crown prince of the fire nation.

He didn't say a word when he saw us, he just stood there and stared for a moment then he ordered me to meet him downstairs by the rhino's in five minutes before storming out the door.

He hasn't said a word to me since.

Seriously Diary, since we got back to the ship, he won't even talk to me or even look at me. I keep trying to tell him that nothing really happened. That Zuko didn't do anything wrong, but he just turns away and refuses to listen. It's like he's absolutely disgusted with me.

I mean…I'd probably jump to conclusions too if I saw my own kid kissing and caressing the person they liked in a bed. But still to look at me with such disappointment…

He's my father…he's trained and raised me all my life. To think that he thinks I'm acting like a…like I'm selling myself…

And if that wasn't enough I've heard him telling Lord Iroh that under no circumstances that I was to be allowed to go out on shore ever again, even if it was with Dango or the crew. And then he has the gall to say that it's for my own protection and safety.

Can you believe that diary?! He's actually trying to ban me from being in my natural element. It's just not…how could he…

I'm sorry…I don't mean to cry on you diary I just…I just don't know what to do…I really don't.

I mean it's no one's business as to what I choose with well…whatever it is I have going on with Zuko. But that doesn't mean I want it to ruin my relationship with my family either.

ARG!

It's times like this I wish mom were here. She'd have sorted this out. She would've known what to do.

But she's gone, and now my father's going to cut off the last thing I have left of her… the one thing that ran through both our veins… the one thing that connects us…

and all because he caught me kissing a guy!

"ARGH! WHY DOES MY LIFE SUCK SO MUCH?!" Jade groaned into her free hand as the other finished writing the last character on the page.

She stared at her journal, feeling her cheeks heat up as she looked over the earlier paragraphs.

Try as hard as she might, she could not get that kiss out of her head. It was just so…sensual…

The blush on her cheeks burned hotly as she shook her head out.

Get a hold of yourself Lucky and go to sleep! You've got a big day tomorrow…actually you've got a big week…

She sighed softly to herself as she checked the date on her diary.

"Only three days to go mom…three days…then I'll be with you soon…I promise"

And with that she tucked her diary under her pillow and settled down to sleep.


"Ruishi."

"Hmm?"

"it's your move"

Ruishi Shi, blinked, only to see Lord Iroh peer worried at him from across the Pai-sho table.

"Are you alright? You look pale"

Ruishi just shook his head.

"Sorry old friend…just lost in thought"

"About Jade" Iroh's worry turned quickly to amusement as his friend's cheeks reddened

"Hey-you see how you'd like it if you caught your daughter being seduced by a boy in his bed"

"Whoa hold your ostrich-horses Ruishi, my nephew was not seducing your daughter-"

"He had her pinned beneath him on his bed while he was shoving his tongue down her throat"

"And last I saw she was more than willing to his advances" Iroh clipped, much to Ruishi's mounting anger.

"Are you saying my daughter-" he growled but Iroh was quick to cut across him.

"No, I am just saying that whatever is going on between them, they mutually agree upon. Honestly Ruishi I'm surprised that you of all people would doubt your own daughter's honour."

There was a very tense pause in which Iroh was very sure that the lieutenant was very tempted to bend fire at him. But just as soon as his temper rose, did it suddenly diminish with a heavy sigh.

"What do I do with her Iroh? I always knew she'd have to…well…" he rubbed his face in his hands "-but I never expected it…least of all with your nephew. I mean she's polite and sweet with everyone on the surface, but the only one I've ever seen her really trust has been Shen but even then there's always a wall…especially since…"

"Since Lien" Iroh nodded sadly as he sipped at his tea "Yes it's the same with Zuko. It's never been easy for him to open up with people, especially those of his own age. And following his banishment he just retreated further into himself, so much so I admit I was afraid I'd never see him smile again."

"By spirits, your nephew and my daughter. The Fire Prince and the Kitchen maid" Ruishi snorted into his own teacup "Lien would've busted her gut if she could've seen it"

"I think she'd have exploded with mirth had she known about what you walked in on this morning" Iroh chuckled as a small scowl flickered once more over his friend's face.

"Don't even joke about that!" Ruishi snapped waspishly "if it hadn't been for the fact he was your nephew I might have blasted the boy's face off!"

But Iroh only laughed harder.

How could he not? After all, it wasn't everyday Ruishi Shi's ears turned the colour of an eggplant.

But his chortles were quickly stifled as a loud knock came at the door.

"Lieutenant Ruishi?"

Both men turned just in time to see a half masked face poke through the door.

"Oh Lord Iroh I'm sorry, I didn't know-"

"Oh no it's alright Kira Ruishi and I were just chatting. How was your patrol?"

"Oh y'know the usual. Just calm seas and even calmer hallways" Kira shrugged, but upon catching sight of Ruishi's sharp gaze he coughed "I'm just about to go to bed. Shen's just relieved me"

"Alright then goodnight" Lord Iroh smiled and Ruishi just gruffly nodded and waved a dismissive hand, as Kira slowly shut the door.

As soon as his footsteps had receded into silence Iroh turned to Ruishi, his face graver than a tombstone.


Hard rocks tumbling.

The earth shaking.

She felt the fall…felt the hard hitting of her body as it tumbled and rolled down a slope.

The same fall…all over again.

But in spite of the repetitiveness of this dream, the horror always swelled back up within her as her eyes opened.

Earth and rock was lying everywhere. The afternoon sun was hot on her face and glared up at her from the skies above.

In spite of the terrible ache in her chest she rolled her head to the side, only to instantly look away.

No…not this…not this again…

With a great tremendous effort she looked up only to see a shadow pass over her…a shadow with cold brown eyes and a victorious leer.

He raised his hands, fire springing into life within his palms as he made to-

"JADE!"

Jade shot up from bed with a gasp as the door to her room burst open and her brother's face poked through the door.

"Jade wake up! You've got morning service in-Jade?" Shen blinked as be beheld his younger sister.

Her face was pale and drenched in sweat, her eyes wide and fearful even as she looked up at him. But then she quickly scowled.

"I'm fine. You just surprised me you idiot! Now get out so I can change"

But Shen didn't move.

"Jade are you sure-you look pale-"

"Shen just can it I'm fine!" she snapped so harshly that her brother actually flinched at the tones.

But nonetheless he was swift to back off.

"Alright, alright. But be quick right. Dango's in a bit of a tizz. Apparently someone on night duty tried to sneak into the kitchens again."

"Great…just what I needed" Jade muttered darkly as the door shut behind her brother. But even as she heard the lock click she raised a hand to her jade pendant around her neck.

"two days to go mom" she whispered as she looked around the room.

But even as her eyes drifted over her small low table, did her foot hit something solid.

She looked down.

There on the ground was her satchel laying open.

That's strange…

She frowned as she crouched down beside the bag.

I could've sworn I'd packed it under my bed last night.

But even as she made to pick it up, the loud yells of Dango echoed throughout the corridor.

"Jade get up! You've got to go deliver breakfast to your dear prince!"

"SHUT UP DANGO!"

Jade bleated, her face turning redder than her robes.

Damn it! Can't I have some peace in the mornings anymore?"


"Admiral Zhao"

"What?" Admiral Zhao Shi looked up from the stacks of paperwork that littered his desk with a glower as the lower ranked soldier sidled cautiously into the room, a small scroll held in his hand.

"Sir…this just arrived for you" the man held out the scroll and Zhao took it, opening it and scanning the pages intensely.

"Hmm…so…my brother's brat's beginning to crack is she…well…we'll just see about that."

"Sir?" the guard blinked but already Zhao had taken a fresh small message scroll, scrawled a line across it, signed it then rolled it and sealed it and pushed it into the surprised man's hand.

"Give this back to the messenger Hawk and have it fly out at once. And not a second later or else…" the Admiral glared threateningly to the man before him who gulped and nodded vigorously before dashing out of the room within two shakes of a turtle-duck's tail.

Zhao sank back into his chair, fingers drumming together before his lips as he smirked softly to himself.

"Time to finish the job"


Prince Zuko had known much embarrassment in his life.

When he was younger his sister Azula had often delighted in tormenting him in front of others for her own entertainment. And how could he forget being banished and scarred by his own father in front of his entire court. Yes, that had been easily the most humiliating experience of his life.

But being caught kissing the girl he liked in a bed, half dressed and in a tavern room by said girl's very powerful father came at a pretty close second.

Zuko groaned into his hands.

It had been two days since they'd returned to the ship. two days and Jade had not looked at him once. It was understandable, he reasoned mentally. They had been caught in a rather compromising position, her more so than him, for Fire Nation women (especially those raised by the higher nobles) were usually expected to stay pure and untouched till they were married.

And whilst Zuko had in no way meant any disrespect to her and her family, he knew that even the mere sight of her kissing or being involved with someone who had not gained permission from her father to court her…

He was dragged from his thoughts by a few words that wafted from around a bend in the corridor.

"Father be reasonable. You can't expect Lucky to take this one lying down especially not when-"

"No!"

Zuko was quick as he flattened himself nervously against the wall.

Of all the people on this damned ship, he had to run into the one he did not want to even lay eyes upon…especially since Ruishi Shi seemed to be in a towering temper that was being strained further by his son Shen's dogged persistence.

"But father its mom's death day. Jade's never missed it and it would tear her apart not to be able to speak to mom. Come on. Don't you think you're being a bit harsh-"

"For the last time Shen I said no!"

Zuko gulped. He'd never heard the older lieutenant get that angry before, and to be fair, he wasn't sure he wanted to see anymore.

Quietly as a shadow he snuck back down the corridor he had been walking and backed down another corner. It would take longer to get to the command tower, but at least he wouldn't have to run into an angry Ruishi Shi.

He had almost reached the stairs to the deck when he suddenly collided in the dark with something.

"Hey-watch it-oh…" Zuko blushed as he caught sight of a pair of green eyes in the dim lamp light.

"…uh…sorry…" Jade mumbled as she prized herself from the prince, her cheeks very pink also. "I-I didn't mean to…I'm sorry"

She tried to brush past him, but Zuko grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Jade wait…please…"

Jade paused and looked back, blushing even more as she caught sight of his wide pleading golden eyes.

Once he was sure she wasn't going to move he let her go, but his eyes never left hers as he murmured.

"A-about what happened at the inn…I'm sorry…I didn't mean for… I uh…"

"No!" Jade blurted out, gulping as she felt her ears practically burn with embarrassment "No…don't apologize Zuko It wasn't your fault…my father just had the worst timing that's all-"

"Jade" Zuko snapped as he took a step closer and he was faintly pleased to see her cheeks turn if possible even redder than before, though she stayed where she was.

If Jade ever felt like she was going to faint it might have been then.

Not only was he standing so close to her, but also his eyes…they were looking at her so intensely...like piercing orbs of gold.

I shouldn't be doing this.

A voice in the back of her head hissed as she leaned into his breath.

I shouldn't be doing something this intimate with him…

But you want to…

Another voice piped in this one stronger than the previous one and far more forceful.

You want to be bold…you want to do something for yourself…you want to kiss him…to know what it's like to feel free…to be impulsive…

And by far the prince was the only person she could ever be impulsive with. Not like her father…

Zuko's eyes widened as he felt her lips crash into his.

In all the times they'd been alone together, she'd never once initiated a proper kiss. She always seemed so reserved, so timid and shy. But now…now…something about her was changed…

"Jade" he tried to speak against her frantic lips. "Jade stop"

With a gentle tug he pulled her lips off his, and immediately his heart tugged painfully at the sight of her dejected face.

"S-sorry" she mumbled as she took a step back.

"Jade-"

"n-no-no I'm sorry…I shouldn't have…sorry"

"Jade!" Zuko cried, but too late, she was already dashing down the corridor and out of sight.


The shadow on deck was swift to move.

No one saw it.

Not even anyone on the command tower would have seen it shift to stand in the shadows of the stern.

It was a secluded part of the ship that no one went to at night, as it didn't usually provide the best views for watching the midnight seas.

But the shadow wasn't there to watch waves or the starry skies.

No.

It was there to receive the messenger hawk that was swooping down towards it. The bird was silent in its descent as it landed on the shadows outstretched arm and lifted it's leg.

The shadow detached the message from it quickly, and scanned the page.

A pair of lips curled into a cold cruel smirk.

"Finally"


"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" Jade hissed to herself over and over again.

It been nearly four hours since she'd locked herself alone in the kitchens for the entire morning.

Twelve hours since her encounter with Prince Zuko.

Twelve hours since her stupid mistake.

Of course he wouldn't want to kiss her after what had happened back at the inn. Heck, would he even want to be with her after being so badly embarrassed like that in front of his own men…her father…

She scowled as the thought of her father ran through her mind.

Damn that man, just what was he playing at.

She could understand him being protective about her not being allowed alone with the prince, but to cancel going to shore tomorrow, and on her mother's death day?!

WHY?! Why does he want to keep me cooped up here?! Is he really that ashamed of me?

Don't be stupid, of course he isn't! he just wants you to be safe. another voice snapped in her head, but it was quickly squashed by her stronger voice.

But it's still mom's death day! The one day of the year you get to be with her in your natural element…just like old times… How can he not let you go for that when it's so important to you? And how the hell can he let Shen go out on shore leave with everyone else today while I'm stuck in here!

"Argh! Damn it!" she groaned as she gripped her pendant tight against her chest. "mom… mom what would you do? Please tell me I'm so confused. First the nightmare…then the bag…then Zuko…what does it all mean?"

But all she got was silence.

She sighed softly to herself, secretly glad that she was on her own, for if Dango or anyone else had come in she was sure they'd think she was mad.

I might as well be going mad

She snorted softly to herself as she dried a new dish.

"One more day to go mom…Don't worry…I'll think of something"

"Think of what?"

The voice shocked Jade so badly she almost dropped the plate.

"Spirits! What the hell" she yelled, wheeling about only to come face to face with-

"Oh Kira it's just you" she sighed in relief only to blink in surprise as she caught sight of what was in his arms.

"Uh…what are you doing with that Moo-Sow?"

"Oh this? Dango messaged ahead from the mainland. Said he wanted it prepped for this evening" Kira shrugged

"oh…okay…just leave it there on the counter" Jade frowned slightly, watching Kira closely as he made to heave the heavy butchered carcass onto one of the clean counters.

Was it just her, or was Kira looking…excited about something. She felt the back of her neck tense up as she caught sight of his brown eyes

"Is something wrong Miss Jade" he asked, catching sight of her odd look.

Jade quickly composed herself.

"N-no, I'm just a bit surprised. When I talked with Dango this morning he said he was going to prep up pig-chicken stew."

"He must've had a change of mind then" Kira smirked. "Is there anything to eat. I'm starving"

Jade tried to smile back as pleasantly as she could, but the hairs on the back of her neck just stood on end.

Get a hold of yourself Jade

"Morning service ended a while ago" she gulped, doing her best to sound calm, though a slight waver betrayed her as she glanced around the kitchen. "and I've fed the last of the scraps to the rhino's so there's no more left I'm afraid. You could try eating off ship. I've heard the food at this particular port is quite nice"

"Yeah…but it would still be quite lonely to eat alone." Kira smirked as he took a step towards her. "Perhaps you'd care to accompany me. As a friend of course" he added.

Jade paused as she pondered her answer.

If she was being honest with herself, she really wanted off this ship for a little bit.

On the other hand she didn't quite trust Kira. Sure he was polite and nice in mannerisms, but there was something about him that felt off…cold…

Like those eyes…those cold brown eyes…

Just like the dream…

She forced another smile onto her face.

"I'm sorry Kira…I'm feeling a bit tired today maybe some other time. Besides if we're gonna eat this moo-sow tonight I'd better get prepping it early because it's gonna take a long time. Now if you'll excuse me"

She turned her back on Kira quickly and was about to stride off when she heard him sigh softly.

"Fine…we do this the hard way"

"Huh?"

But even as she turned back to look, something heavy collided with the back of her head and darkness fell over her eyes.


"Prince Zuko, what's wrong? You're usually not so quiet when I take you shopping?" Lord Iroh worriedly pestered his nephew who grunted.

"Nothing's wrong"

"So then why are you sulking?" the old lord quirked a brow, much to Zuko's annoyance.

"I'm not sulking okay! Just thinking"

"About Jade?" Iroh smirked as the young prince all but exploded.

"What is it with girls uncle? Why the hell do they do crazy stuff? Like one minute I think she's angry with me, the next she's glad, then she's kissing me, then she's upset with me again! Seriously she's just driving me insane! I don't know how much of this I can take!" the last bit came out as an aggravated growl that startled a nearby ostrich horse.

Lord Iroh sighed.

"Don't worry my nephew. You aren't the first, nor will you be the last to get confused by the ways of women, even the oldest and wisest of kings never will fully understand them"

"But why this woman?!" Zuko groaned in exasperated exhaustion "Of all them why her?"

Iroh smiled warmly and patted his nephew consolingly on the shoulder

"That my dear nephew, is something you must discover for yourself. Now come, I hear there is a very nice tea-shop just a couple of streets away. Let us both sit and relax and clear our minds of women and our worries."

Zuko rolled his eyes

It wasn't that he was angry she had kissed him. In fact it was the downright opposite. He was happy she had done so; he had just been so surprised at her willingness that he...he screwed up...

He shook his head out.

Yeah…as if tea could drown my worries

Zuko snorted mentally, but nonetheless allowed his uncle to drag him down the street.

They had just about turned a corner, and spotted the teashop (a small but cosy hole in the wall) when a heavy thudding sound thundered behind them and a voice yelled in panic:

"Prince Zuko! Lord Iroh!"

"Lieutenant what's wrong?" Zuko called as lieutenant Ji pulled on the reins of his Rhino to skid it into a stop just as he keeled over the side. Several of the people in the street all gasped at the sight but Zuko paid them no heed as he rushed towards the lieutenant, who was now sprawled on the ground clutching at his side, from which something dark red and liquid was oozing.

"He's wounded! Uncle quick go get help!" Zuko called, eyes widening as he turned the injured man over and saw the wound. He was vaguely aware of his uncle calling for a medic, but his eyes just remained glued to the bloody sight.

It was deep, and smelt horribly like cooked meat. But thankfully it was small enough for his hand to staunch. It seemed the lieutenants armour had taken most of the major damage. If help came soon he probably wouldn't die, though he'd be very much weakened.

Stifling his urge to gag, he pressed both hands over the wound, all the while calling out to Ji, who was slowly beginning to slip away, in spite of his brave attempts to keep his eyes open.

"Ji-Ji What happened? Who did this to you?"

"He… he…he…ugh It's all my fault...all my fault...i should've stopped him...i should've been watching him..."

"Who did this to you Ji?" Zuko growled, though his gut was sinking lower and lower with each passing second as the man beneath struggled to breath.

"He…he bent …he bent the…the coals. Turned it against me… melted it…by spirits he melted the damn coal to stop me from…from" Ji hissed as pain shot straight through him but Zuko kept on pressing down on the wound.

"To stop you from doing what Ji? Who's stopping you?"

"Kira…It's Kira" Ji sucked in a deep breath as he reached up and grabbed the front of his Prince's scruff "He's going to kill her…he's going to kill Jade"


MUAHAHAHAHAHA! I'M BACK! and i'm going to leave you all right there to hang on that little cliffy.

LULZ sorry about the long delay, but i've been very busy with adjusting to a new job + moving into a new house so i have literally had nearly zero hours to write or post.

So looks like things are beginning to really take a turn for the worst huh? Caught between a murderous spy, a very angry father and a confused girl, poor Zuko's really having a bad day.

Hope you guys enjoyed and keep Reading and Reviewing for more.