A/N: Good Day Everyone! This has been an interesting week for me. I met someone and now we sorta kinda go together not really? LOL! Anyway, I have been trying to bring order and positive energy to my life by staying focused on my goals and helping others to stay focused on their goals. Today's chapter deals with goodbyes and new beginnings. Zuko is embarking on a journey that will change her life forever and there are catalysts that have not yet been revealed that will change the course of Zuko's life and her world. There will be a little Zukka action and hopefully, things will move merrily along. As always, if you have any questions or comments leave a review and if you likey, follow or favorite this story!
Disclaimer: Fanfiction is for epic journeys...
Chapter 3—Three Cruises
The carriage ride was solemn to the docks where Zuko, Toph, and Katara would all board separate ships for their destinations. Katara said her goodbyes to Lu Ten the night before and early into the next morning sprinkled with promises to find a way to see each other again soon.
Sokka had come along for the ride to see the girls off to the pier as an escort. He would return to the palace in the carriage and continue his studies with Fire nation law scholars and scientists. "Why is everyone so quiet? You girls are acting like we're attending a funeral! It's just for a little while," Sokka said.
Katara shook her head. "This is the first time we've all been separated since the war's end. It won't be the same without all of us together." Katara said sadly.
Sokka smiled. "Look at it as an adventure. For all we know, everyone may be going away to learn a valuable lesson and come back with skills and opportunities we wouldn't have had hanging out together… getting in trouble…daily." He said.
The girls all smiled. They knew that Sokka was right and they needed to give their adventures a chance. A change of pace would be good for everyone.
Katara's ship was the first to leave. Katara made her way to the boat captained by her and Sokka's uncle Bato. Bato wasn't their uncle by relation, but he was so close to their father Chief Hakoda that he was considered family.
Bato gave Katara a genuine smile as she boarded and hugged her tightly. He was glad to have Katara aboard as he sometimes asked her to help propel the ship along with waterbending when there was a poor wind or to assist during severe weather but mostly because he liked her company and enjoyed playing Pai Sho with her on the long journey to the poles.
Katara looked at Zuko, Toph and her brother standing on the pier and waved excitedly. "Write me soon. I'll miss you guys!" she shouted as the boat began to embark from the port.
Zuko gave a teary-eyed wave and smiled at the bittersweet departure. Sokka put his arm around Zuko's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. She looked over at him and smiled in thanks. She noted his eyes were a little moist too but didn't comment.
Toph grunted. "Ugh, I'm going to my boat. I'm not doing the mush with you two. We'll all be together soon so keep your heads up, OK?" she said. Zuko smiled and Sokka snorted. Zuko gave Toph a sneak attack hug from behind. "I am going to miss you, you know." She whispered. Toph turned her head away and choked out "I know…" Zuko smiled.
"I'm going to write to you. Find someone you trust to read the letters for you. Be safe." She instructed. Toph smirked and said, "Yes, Mother." Zuko gave Toph a playful shove and watched as she made her way up the gangplank onto her ship.
At the top of the ship, Toph smacked the hand of the captain away who tried to help her board and said, "I got it thanks. What do you have to drink around here?" The captain stared at the tiny and brash blind girl who needed no assistance. "Uh, we have water? You're too young for anything other than tea, aren't you miss?" he called after her.
Sokka and Zuko laughed at their friend's antics and sighed as the time was soon approaching for Zuko's ship to arrive. Sokka snuck a glance over at Zuko who moved to stand beside him again.
"So, Zuko, what did my sister dare you to do on that fateful day of kuai ball drama?" The question caught Zuko off guard and she laughed nervously. She avoided Sokka's piercing blue-eyed gaze and blushed lightly.
"Um, I was supposed to tell you something." She said simply. Sokka nodded. "I see. Can you tell me now?" he asked with a playful twinkle. "or is the moment gone?" he added not trying to put pressure on her.
Zuko shook her head. "No…it's not." She said coyly and sighed.
No time like the present and she may not have this chance again for a long while. What if he ended up with someone else while she was away, and he never knew how she felt? She turned to Sokka like she did on the kuai ball field and opened her mouth at the same time as her ship's horn blew indicating its arrival.
She deflated closing her eyes in irritation. "It's time to go." She said softly. Sokka grimaced. "Yeah, I guess it is. Crewmen hurried to carry Zuko's chest of clothing and shoes on the ship while she and Sokka stood awkwardly waiting.
There was so much between them to say and no time. In a moment of courage, Zuko turned to Sokka and grabbed his face to his shock and surprise. "I really like you Sokka!" and she planted a kiss squarely on his lips.
Sokka gasped at the sudden declaration and stared as she kissed him. Zuko didn't open her eyes on the slim chance that he didn't return her affections and pulled away. She kept her eyes down and looked away.
Sokka reached down and lifted Zuko's chin tenderly. He waited until her warm golden eyes met his intense blue ones. He gave her a crooked goofy smile and leaned in to kiss her properly. This time as his lips brushed against hers Zuko felt as if she were leaving her body and floating to the heavens. This high was a feeling she didn't want to give up.
Zuko gripped Sokka's arms that held her close to him and moaned lightly. She pulled back sharply at the unexpected response and her mouth dropped open. Her breath trembled at the overabundance of emotions Sokka just sparked in her. Undaunted, Sokka put his hands on either side of her face and pulled her in for another kiss.
As his lips urged hers into a response Zuko gripped Sokka tightly around the waist and surrendered to the feeling of euphoria. Sokka deepened the kiss and smiled against her lips resting his forehead on hers when he paused briefly. He was about to speak when the captain of the ship walked up quickly.
"Ahem. Princess Zuko, we have a tight schedule to follow. I'm afraid it's time to go." He said glaring at the tall dark-skinned boy with the startling blue eyes. He knew that the Fire Lord would not be pleased to hear of his daughter fraternizing with a foreigner in public, no less. It wasn't proper for a lady of her station to kiss a man in plain view of everyone even if they did call this peasant a prince.
Without looking at the captain, Zuko huffed "Of course, I'll be along shortly. Thank you." She said mimicking her father's authoritative voice and the captain glared at Sokka again before turning to walk up the gangplank to his ship.
Sokka watched him walk off before saying, "What's his problem?" Zuko rolled her eyes. "He's probably not keen on the idea of the princess of the Fire Nation kissing in public, as well a non-national. It doesn't matter; it's not his business anyway."
Sokka harrumphed. "Well, he'd better get used to it because I like you too Zuko and I hope that this is not a one-off." Zuko grinned widely. "No, not on my end. Will you write to me?" she asked shyly wringing her hands. "Everyday." Sokka declared. Zuko smiled again.
"I'm going to miss you." She said sadly. Sokka gave her a gentle hug and a chase kiss on the cheek. "I'll miss you too, but it's not forever, right?" he encouraged. "Right," she whispered.
At the sound of the final warning horn, Zuko pulled away reluctantly and waved to Sokka who stood watching her walk away. He waved back and stuck his hands his pockets before turning away to get in his carriage that would take him back to the palace.
As Zuko stepped on the ship, the captain cleared his throat as if he wanted to speak to her, but she straightened her posture held her head up and walked past him. She didn't care about his notions of superiority or his opinions.
She thought of the boy in blue with the crystal blue eyes and smooth dark brown skin that shone iridescent in the sunlight. She thought of her first kiss and how she would never forget it and that all it took was a kuai ball to the face to make it happen. It was totally worth it.
Zuko smiled as she watched her home fade into the background as the ship pulled away from shore. Zuko was off to "learn something" as Sokka reminded them though she felt as if at this moment, she knew all that she needed to know already.
The ship made good time as the weather was fine and the sun shone brightly. The clouds were minimal, and the sky was a brilliant blue. Zuko was content to watch the birds move in the air and fly in loops low to the water and back to the sky in their dance for their supper.
The ocean breeze was pleasant, and people kept to themselves in various activities like Pai Sho or reading on the deck. Zuko leaned her head back in her chair, closed her eyes and sighed contentedly.
Though she wasn't thrilled about the reason for her trip she was thankful to at least be away from Azula and her constant nitpicking and jealousy. She realized she was getting a break from her father also. Zuko was grateful for the small things.
As her mind was just starting to settle a shadow loomed over her blocking the warming rays of the sun and invading her personal space. She opened one eye to see who was interrupting her moment of solitude. She was surprised to see a girl of no more than twelve or thirteen standing over her and grinning.
"Heya!" The girl chirped. "Are you going to Madame Hachi's school of elegance too?" she asked a little too loudly. Patrons sitting in other chairs whispered among themselves at the brash girl addressing the Princess of the Fire Nation like a commoner and about the potential juicy tidbit of a royal being relegated to remedial etiquette training.
Zuko sighed audibly and bit her tongue. She was not one to embarrass people unnecessarily, so she tried to be diplomatic. She grimaced a smile. "Would you care to have a seat? It would be much easier to talk to you if we were looking eye to eye." She said.
The girl realized her multiple faux pas and sat in the chair next to Zuko blushing a deep rose. "I'm sorry. This is exactly why my mother is sending me to Madame Hachi's school. I just get so excited about meeting new people I forget my manners. I'm Chrysanthemum but my friends call me Chrissy. Are you Princess Zuko? My mother told me you'd be coming too." She said shyly.
Oh, so it wasn't really a secret after all. Ah well. "Yes, I'm Zuko. You can forget about the honorifics for now since it seems it seems we're in the same boat, literally." She chuffed.
Chrissy laughed until she snorted. Zuko squeaked at the sound that caught her off guard. The two girls looked at one another one in amazement and the other in embarrassment. Zuko giggled and tried to stop herself.
The girl stared at the Princess of the Fire Nation who was so pretty, and so regal looking but so kind and humble and a little silly and she began to giggle too. The two girls giggled together until it bubbled up into laughter. They laughed for a long while and Zuko sighed. "Aww, you snort just like my friend Toph. I thought she was the only one who does that." She said smiling.
Chrissy smiled back. "Oh, my mother tells me it's the worst possible habit a lady of nobility can have. I don't always understand the point of it all. All this etiquette I mean. Sometimes it seems so unnecessary, but I guess that's why I need more training so that I will understand the point of it all."
Zuko looked down at her hands and whispered. "Yeah, me too…"
Chrissy shuffled her foot along the deck in a small circle. "Would you like to be friends for a while until our training's over? It may help to pass the time better and we can help each other, too. Mother says I'm not to return until I become the lady that she is. Who knows when that will be?" Chrysanthemum said softly.
Zuko looked at the other girl who could be brazen and funny and shy and unsure all in the span of a few minutes. She felt as if she were looking at herself for a moment and decided. "I would like that very much, Chrysanthemum. I mean, Chrissy." Zuko held out her hand to the girl and Chrissy stared in awe. She took the princess's hand and shook it gently.
Chrissy smiled one last time. "I'm going to go get ready for supper. It was nice to meet you, Princess Zuko. Perhaps I'll see you there?" she asked hopefully. "It's Zuko and count on it," Zuko said waving as the girl skipped happily across the deck to the stairs leading to her room on the floor below.
Zuko sat thoughtfully for a moment and looked out into the ocean once again wondering what winds of fate blew her in the direction of Madame Hachi's island and in the path of the girl named after a flower.