Another agonizingly long day over with and Zuko groaned. Feeling his entire body sore.
And yet in the back of his mind he already knew. This was child's play in comparison to what he would have to go through ones he was made fire lord.
Right now. Zukos only true role was that of an advisor. Which is exactly what he should be.
He did not envy Kuei with all the things he needed to sort out.
And he felt the pain already thinking about what he would have to sort out ones it was his turn.
Agni safe me.
"I think you need a cup of your uncles tea Prince Zuko." Zhau-Li commented amused. As always staying behind Zuko in all of his official meetings. Now though as they were alone. Zhau-Li had decided to walk next to Zuko instead. Zuko whom had already taken off his crown and handed it over to Zhau-Li. Who had put it in his shoulder back he had acquired for transporting documents when needed.
"Spot on." Zuko sighed deeply then groaned as he stood up stretching his back. "Do you have any idea where he is?"
"I believe he went back to the house in the afternoon." Zhau-Li said. "You though stayed until now." he looked up at the sky. "Looks like it might be midnight."
Zuko groaned as he rubbed his eyes. "This is not the way of a fire bender." he stated.
"Early to bed. Early to rise." Zhau-Li chuckled amused. "With the sun."
Zuko smiled as he shook his head. "Hey Zhau-Li." he said. "How long has it been since you last saw the shores of the fire nation?" he asked.
"Erhm… It's been over two years at least." Zhau-Li said. "You need to be sixteen to conscript and I conscripted immediately after my birthday. Then there was the training, that lasted six months. That was in the fire nation. And then I was send out on the field to the earth king." he said. "I served… Around a year until we were asked to burn that village down. And then I was send to prison in an earth colony strong hold. I managed to bust out only when they started to transport prisoners to another newer facility. I knew that transport would be my only chance. It would never come again."
"How did you escape?" Zuko asked.
"I made a big scene." Zhau-Li said. "Forced the soldiers to drag me away from the other prisoners and beat me up to make me submit. Three against one and still being chained was kind of the best odds I was going to get. So I made a fire burst blinding them and then I ran." he said. "They searched for for a bit. Then said that if I wanted to die alone out in the wilderness that was my right and they kind of just left… We were in the middle of no-where… and I was chained." he said. "I was pretty damn lucky this group of nomads stumbled upon me when they did. I had been walking in random circles for at least four days with my hands chained up. Those guys saved my life, gave me some food and said it was no trouble."
"Still… Doesn't sound nice." Zuko commented.
"Well considering where I am now. I'll say it was worth it." Zhau-Li smiled then his smile faltered. "I wonder how my parents are doing." he said. "I haven't seen them since the day I left for the army. That's almost three years ago." he sighed deeply.
"They must be worried about you." Zuko said.
"Yeah… That's the part that sucks." Zhau-Li sighed. "They always supported me. They were so proud when it turned out I was a fire bender since neither of them are. And they were so proud when I told them I wanted to be in the military… Mom was crying though. The day I left…. Dad said I was obviously meant for greater things than they could give me. Being a fire bender and all." he sighed deeply. "I hope they are not disappointed that I… defected." he looked down. "They were so proud. Threw me a party the day before I left. Telling me I was sure to make them proud."
Zuko was quiet as he looked at Zhau-Li who glanced down.
"Zhau-Li… I'm sure ones you tell them how things really went down. They are going to be proud. Why wouldn't they be?" Zuko asked. "You have acted with nothing but honour."
"I know still…" Zhau-Li sighed.
Sympathetically Zuko looked at him. "Well… When all of this is over. If you want. There will be a place for you at the palace."
Zhau-Li glanced up. "Are you sure?" he asked.
Zuko nodded. "Like Kuei. There are so few I will be able to trust. Having someone by my side I know I can trust. It'll mean everything." he said. "If you accept when the time comes. That's up to you. Either way. I'm glad to have a friend. My uncle always said I needed to get some friends my own age." he admitted. "When I sailed that ship, he tried to insist that I should go out and meet some people when-ever we were at harbour… I." he folded his hands. "I didn't feel like I had the time for socializing. Probably a mistake on my part." he grimaced.
Zhau-Li smiled amused.
"When we have the time. We should spar." Zuko said. "I miss sparring."
"I would be honoured Prince Zuko." Zhau-Li said. "Though I fear I probably wont be much of a challenge facing against a fire bending master."
"It'll be fine! Beside I'm not that good." Zuko said.
"With all due respect. Sir." Zhau-Li looked at him. "I've seen you kick down a flying boulder and re-direct a fireball three times as big as yourself." he said. "Explain to me what one needs to do to be good at fire bending."
Zuko opened his mouth then halted and Zhau-Li smirked.
Finally they reached the house, it was very quiet though. Looked like everyone had already gone to sleep.
In the living room Zuko found a little pot of tea elevated on metal wires and held warm by a little flame underneath it. A message was left behind written in Iroh's fine hand writing.
"A cup of tea to help you relax and ensure a restful sleep."
And next to it was three cups. One for Zuko, Zhau-Li and… Who would the third one be?
Zuko shrugged as he poured a cup for himself and Zhau-Li giving Zhau-Li his own cup. They each finished their cup in quiet. And then offered each other a wordless bow before heading to each their room.
Zuko was expecting the hear the snorring sounds of Toph the moment he stepped inside.
How-ever, inside it was eerily quiet. No one was snoring. "Toph?" Zuko asked but heard no response.
Finally he dared to make a little flame appear in his hand to get some light and was faced with two empty beds and his own empty futon. Aang having packed his own for the travel.
The room was empty. There was no one there.
Where was Toph?
This was strange…. Toph had gone to see her parents right? She should have been home by now. Was she out taking a leak?
No… She would have walked in on Zuko and Zhau-Li when they drank their tea and suddenly Zuko realized.
Three cups. Three people who hadn't made it home yet.
Oh… okay. So Toph hadn't made it home. Right.
It would be okay. She was with her parents. Time had probably just slipped right by her like it had done for Zuko.
And if Zuko knew anything about parents… He assumed good parents would be more like Iroh than Ozai. They would have insisted she stayed with them and slept there. That made sense.
Still though… As Zuko looked around in the empty room he suddenly felt very small.
He looked at the empty beds and realized, he could take a bed for himself he wanted to. They were free after all.
He suppressed his urge to call out for Toph one more time. Not like that would do him any good. Clearly she wasn't here.
Finally Zuko settled on his own futon. Might as well, it was his blanket which he had gotten used to and he wrapped himself up.
Though as he did, a creeping feeling still entered his stomach and he was curling together under his blanket.
This was kind of pathetic… He had been sleeping alone in his own chambers for years. And it's not like the other people were far away.
Uncle was just three rooms down. Like he had been on the ship!
Still Zuko rolled to his back as his beforehand exhausted eyes speeled open and he couldn't help shake the feeling that… Toph wouldn't have done this.
Toph would have insisted to make it back to the house for the night. If for nothing else then to claim Zuko as a private pillow.
Then again these were her parents right? And she was just a twelve year old girl. Beside. Toph could handle herself! She would laugh at Zuko if she learned he had stayed up all night being worried about her.
The house seemed to creek as Zuko looked up at the ceiling and then he sighed.
Okay… He needed to sleep. If Toph wasn't back by morning then he would go looking for her. It was that simple.
And with that thought Zuko inhaled deeply to calm his own breath.
Toph was extremely capable. She would be fine. Zuko was just on edge because this entire situation was kind of stressfull.
It would be okay… At least he hoped so.