Chapter 5 Recovery
Zuko gently lifted Lenetta to her feet. Her legs wobbled so he kept an arm around her as they all walked out to Appa. No one spoke the entire time until they were in the saddle. "I would like to check you for injuries if that's alright." Katara asked her. Lenetta nodded her head in consent. Katara drew the water from her waterskin and ran it over Lenetta's body. She was shaking violently, no doubt from shock and residual adrenaline. She had bruises on her ankles and wrists from restraints and a puncture wound more than likely from an injection but nothing serious. After Katara healed the bruises she took away the water and whispered she'd be fine. Zuko thanked her and reached for a blanket and put it over Lenetta. Zuko rubbed her arms over the blanket trying to warm her up. Lenetta eventually stopped shaking but she still hadn't said one word.
Whenever they were close to the Fire Palace she finally spoke. "Thank you everyone. You saved my life, I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't come." That wasn't exactly true she knew exactly what was going to happen. Zuko kissed her temple. "Not only am I your boyfriend but you're their friend, of course we came to help you." Lenetta nodded. Raozi's threat seemed to play on repeat in her mind. I'm going to kill Zuko and then you'll be mine. Lenetta shuddered and almost threw up but she restrained herself; not wanting to worry her friends more.
Once they landed Iroh came running over and brought her into a hug. Lenetta jumped but returned the hug and smiled. Iroh, the man she loved like a father. Iroh was hugging her tightly and even shaking slightly. She noticed he was crying. Lenetta separated from Iroh and looked into his eyes. "It's alright Iroh, I'm fine, I'm safe and here with you all now. You don't need to worry anymore." Little did they all know, Lenetta also needed the reassurance. She kept on getting flashbacks in that cave and the sound of Raozi's voice echoed in her mind. She felt her parents bodies under her hands and the overwhelming despair threatened to overwhelm her, but she refused to break in front of her friends, her family. They were already worried enough she didn't need to break down in front of them.
Iroh watched her intently and saw the emotions swimming under the surface. He knew Lenetta would need time to recover from this experience. He knew how it felt to try to recover from a traumatic experience. Iroh exchanged a look with Zuko and he saw the worry swimming in his son's eyes. "Well lets get inside the palace." Iroh told them. As they walked into the palace Iroh walked next to Zuko. "How was she on the way back?" Iroh asked him. "She was shaking a lot and seemed really distant." Iroh nodded. "Shock and disassociation, that is a normal occurrence after a person has endured trauma. Was she badly injured?" Zuko shook his head. "She had bruises on her wrists and ankles from being tied up and a puncture wound on her neck from a needle." Iroh nodded. "She was probably injected with Shirshu venom to sedate her. She doesn't seem to be suffering any adverse effects so she doesn't seem to be suffering overdose however just to be sure." Iroh went up to Lenetta. "Lenetta would you mind if we take you to the infirmary to check your blood for drugs?" Lenetta shuddered at the idea of a needle but she nodded. These are my friends and family, they would never do anything to hurt me. I also trust the infirmary staff. This is fine. This is fine.
Lenetta repeated that mantra to herself until they reached the infirmary. Everyone except for Zuko and Iroh had gone to their rooms. She was grateful for the company. Lenetta sat on one of the beds and a nurse walked over. "We need you to check her blood for any remnants of Shirshu venom or other drugs and see if there are any problems please." Iroh told the nurse. She nodded and went to prepare the instruments needed. Lenetta tapped her fingers against her knee. This is fine. This is fine. This is fine. Zuko reached over and grabbed her hand. Lenetta flinched at the unexpected contact but didn't pull away so he continued. Zuko rubbed her knuckles and some of her tension eased off until the nurse walked back in; needle in hand. Lenetta's breathing sped up slightly but Zuko tightened his grip on her hand. "Don't worry everything is ok. She won't hurt you, I won't let her." Zuko whispered. Lenetta gripped his hand like it was the only thing keeping her afloat. The nurse walked over carefully. "I'm going to put the needle into your arm, and take some blood so we can check it for any anomalies. It will only take a minute. First I must wrap a tourniquet around your upper arm." The nurse continued explaining everything she was doing while Zuko held her hand. Lenetta seemed to calm down since nothing was being held back from her. "I'm going to insert the needle into the vein now. 1…2…3." The needle went in and Lenetta hissed as her grip on Zuko's hand increased. Lenetta was relieved to not be dropping into unconsciousness and she relaxed some.
The nurse removed the needle once she was done and applied an antiseptic to wipe off the blood before putting a bandage on there. "You did well milady. I'm going to take this now for analysis." She walked off. Lenetta sighed with relief, glad it was finally over. Zuko wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Are you ok Lenetta?" Zuko asked her. Lenetta nodded her head. She really wanted to say no and unleash all of her feelings and thoughts but she couldn't seem to do it. Lenetta ate the cookies and drank the juice. She heard the nurse say it was so she wouldn't blackout. She had also been held captive for three days and only given enough to survive so she was hungry and thirsty. The food and drink didn't taste as good as it normally would. The cookies felt and tasted like cardboard in her mouth as she fought to swallow. She finally finished everything and she felt physically stronger but mentally…well.
The nurse came back to tell them her bloodwork came back clean. Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief. The nurse put a hand on Lenetta's shoulder. "Get well soon milady." Lenetta nodded and got off the bed.
The three walked down the corridors to their respective rooms. Lenetta went into her's and Zuko's quarters and looked back at Zuko. "I have some duties to take care of and I'll be back soon." Zuko kissed her forehead and walked off shutting the door.
Lenetta was alone again. Just like she was that night. She walked around the room and looked for any holes. The windows were repaired after the assassination attempt and given stronger material. She didn't find any holes or secret passages in this room. She went over and sat on a chair and put her head in her hands, thinking about that night. Why didn't I just sleep in here. Why did I have to act like a child and avoid Zuko. Me kidnapping is all my fault, if I wasn't so stupid none of this would have happened. My parents wouldn't be dead either. Lenetta gasped at the thought. Her parents deaths were her fault. She cried out and fell to her knees as she screamed into her arms.
oOoOo
Zuko was walking back to their quarters whenever he heard a scream. He ran as fast as she could down the corridor. Team Avatar and some guards came running too. They all went into the room and found Lenetta on her knees sobbing into her arms. Zuko slowly walked up to her and knelt next to her. The guards walked around the room looking for signs of a break-in. When they found none they walked out after Zuko told them they could.
Zuko placed a hand on her back and started rubbing. Lenetta gasped and looked up. She saw Zuko's face and instantly leapt toward him. She buried her face into his face and cried hard. Her sobs were loud and broken and it tore everyone's hearts to shreds. "It's all my fault." Lenetta whispered. Zuko looked surprised at this. "What do you mean?" Zuko asked her. "I was a child that night. I shouldn't have been alone. If I hadn't been alone I wouldn't have been captured and my parents would still be alive." Lenetta said all this quickly but they all understood and disagreed. "Lenetta none of what happened is your fault. I fact I shouldn't have argued with you in the first place, you were only trying to help. I don't blame you for needing space from me. I was out of line." Lenetta turned her face back into his chest. Zuko's scent was comforting to her and she took deep breaths as she took in Zuko's words. "It is not your fault." Zuko told her. Katara, Aang, Sokka, Toph and finally Suki joined in on the hug. "It wasn't your fault." "We all love you and are here for you." "Needing space sometimes isn't a bad thing, especially after having a fight." "Snoozles is right Firecracker you shouldn't beat yourself up over this, it's all that scumbag's fault." "You don't have to worry about him coming after you anymore, he's gone." Lenetta sighed softly as she let her friend's words wash over her. She realized Suki is right Raozi is dead. But then another thought came to her. "But what if someone else comes along and tries to take me or Zuko or any of you?" Lenetta's words are muffled slightly by the huge cuddle pile but she speaks loudly enough for them to understand. "Then we'll beat that person's head into the ground, we all protect each other." "Yeah because were Team Avatar." Toph and Sokka proclaimed. Lenetta chuckled softly and it made them all happy to hear her laugh.
They continued the cuddle party for a few more minutes which is what Iroh came in on. Iroh had been informed by the guards that Lenetta was in distress. Iroh smiled softly at the sight. His kids surrounded by their friends. Protected from anything. He walked off and left them to it.
oOoOo
A few hours later after dinner which Lenetta was able to eat easier now; her and Zuko laid in bed. Zuko was asleep already but Lenetta laid awake. I'm going to kill Zuko, and then you'll be mine. Lenetta shuddered at the words. She knew the man was dead but she couldn't help but remember those words. Raozi's breath against her ear as he whispered the words.
She forcefully blocked the memories from her mind and rolled over. She shut her eyes and a few minutes later sleep claimed her.
Lenetta screamed as she knelt over Zuko's body, a pool of blood surrounded him as the knife stuck out of his chest, her other friends and Iroh were in the same state. She buried her face into Zuko's chest and sobbed. Raozi's cackling filled her ears and she gasped as she looked up.
"Your mine now." Raozi told, an evil smirk on his face. He grabbed her by the hair causing her to cry out in pain. He pushed her until they were in a separate room.
He slowly made his way toward her, she backed up until she was against the wall. He was suddenly right in front of his face really close to hers. His face was distorted and horrifying looking. He seem to tower over her in height and his eyes were to black holes with red dots in the middle. His smirk was wide with all of his teeth showing. His tongue shot out and licked his lips. His hands moved to touch her.
Lenetta shot out of bed and rushed to the bathroom and threw up everything she had eaten. She dry heaved as she sobbed and hyperventilated. Zuko rushed behind her and flushed the toilet, he knelt in front of her and cleaned her up. She continued crying hysterically and her breaths came out too fast.
Once Zuko finished he pressed his forehead to hers. He took her hand and pressed it to his chest. "Breathe with me Lenetta." He took exaggerated deep breaths and Lenetta tried to follow but the first few breaths were difficult. After a few breaths she finally matched him. Her pulse finally slowed down and she slumped against him.
"I'm sorry I woke you." She whispered. "Don't worry about it. Do you want to talk about it?" Zuko asked her. He ran his fingers through her hair. "There's something I haven't told you yet." Zuko released her from the hug but held her hand. She took a few minutes to speak but Zuko was patient. "Raozi told me that the purpose of capturing me was to lure you to him, he would kill you and then take me. He said I would be his and I would do what he wanted and what he said." Zuko hissed as he had an idea of what caused her to leap out of bed like that.
"In my nightmare, you and the others were dead. Raozi grabbed me by the hair and pushed me into a room. He came toward me and I was against the wall. He was really scary looking. He was so tall, his eyes looked like a black holes in his skull and there were only red dots. His smile was so evil and disgusting looking. He licked his lips and started to make a move on me. That's when I woke up." Lenetta looked down at her lap as her fingers fidgeted against her leg.
"I'm so sorry you had to go through that Lenetta." Zuko told her. Lenetta shuddered violently at the phantom feel of his hands on her. "But that was only a dream, Raozi is dead, I'm and alive and you're here with me. The others and I will protect you. And I know you can protect yourself too. The only reason they were able to get you was because they sedated you. They knew you would defeat them otherwise and they kept you restrained for that very reason." Zuko lifted her chin. "Your strong and capable and they knew it. You're a master firebender and master of the sword. You helped end the 100 year war. You could have defeated them if it were a fair fight." Lenetta stared at Zuko as his words sunk in. "You really believe all that?" Lenetta asked him. "I believe it with all my heart." Zuko smiled lovingly at her and pushed some hair behind her ear. Lenetta smiled back.
They rose up and after Lenetta brushed her teeth they returned to bed. Lenetta stopped him and he turned to look at her. Lenetta kissed him passionately. He leaned into the kiss and wrapped and arm around her waist and put a hand on her cheek. She wrapped her arms around his neck. They released the kiss and held each other close. "Thank you Zuko." Zuko put his cheek on top of her head and she breathed deeply. She felt completely at ease. "For what?" Lenetta looked up at him. "For believing in me, for loving me, and for helping me." Zuko kissed her forehead. "I will always be here for you Lenetta." Lenetta smiled. "Same." They got back into bed and held each other close. She slept peacefully for the rest of the night.