To Cala Akina Morushiku: Ha, thanks. I'm not a really a big fan of Aang. But as you can tell...I'm crazy about Zuko. Just can't get enough of him.
Chapter 18: The Passing of Spring
Zuko jolted up from his nightmare, cold sweat slid down his back. After his father's defeat, he has been receiving flashbacks of his treacherous past. He reassured himself that his father was locked up tightly in a prison cell, away from any means of escape. "Just a dream." he whispered, rubbing his right eye roughly.
A knock broke through the silence, making him jerk his head toward the door. Hot pain filled his neck afterward, "Just great." The knock came again, making Zuko's mood more irritable. Zuko got up slowly, rubbing the back of his neck gently, "I'm coming." He walked up to the door and opened it up; he was surprised to see a guard.
The guard's breath was short and heavy as if just ran two miles in his heavy armor. "Sir, forgive me for waking you. But I have terrible news of the battalion in the south-west of the Earth Kingdom." he finally managed to tell the young lord.
Zuko was now fully awake from hearing the news, "Very well. Call all the generals to meet me in the War Chamber, including General Iroh." The guard nodded and ran off, leaving Zuko to ponder at what the news was. He sighed softly and rummaged around for a clean shirt to put on. Zuko finally found a clean white shirt, pulling it over his head and onto his bare chest.
He walked briskly toward the War Chamber, his black ponytail swaying to and fro. Zuko reached the red satin curtains which led to the room where he once spoke out of turn. A sudden sense of fear filled him, but he shook it off quickly and walked inside.
There inside sat nine generals on each side, their tired but yet eager eyes followed Zuko to his seat. He sat down at the table instead of the throne above; he found the throne quite unnecessary. The generals respected that, seeing he didn't want to be feared but yet respected and in control. "So what is the news?" Zuko finally asked, his eyes searching for an answer on the eighteen faces.
"We got word tonight that are whole battalion is in disaster. Rebels are now being formed again; word is that two water tribe peasants are leading them with others. This is shocking for the water tribe is located north not south." answered the general to the far right.
Zuko soaked in the information in his mind, knowing he made a terrible mistake. That sissy boy and Queen of the Splashes are alive then. Great. I should have killed them when I had the chance. Zuko sighed softly to himself, knowing Iroh was giving an 'I told you. Ha ha ha.' look. "What do you propose we should do, General?" asked Zuko, his gaze falling on the old general, his white hair stood out from his dark hair. This made Zuko fell awfully unprepared and not ready to hold the title he held. He felt young and inconsiderate, but he knew that wasn't true; things changed, he changed.
"I propose we send in at least fifty more men and an assassin. This way the assassin can pin-point the rebel leaders and put them out of the picture. While the fifty men and the rest of the battalion can finish off the no-brainers." replied the old general, stroking his gray beard thoughtfully. Zuko stared at the map laid on the table, hesitation fell on him greatly, "Please send in Ciara at once."
Uncle Iroh tilted his head slightly in confusion, "Ciara, Lord Zuko? But she is just a Commander. What does she have to do with this?" Zuko looked at his Uncle wearily, "I know she is just a commander…but she is also an assassin if you do recall." Iroh read his expression like a book; he never had any intention for Ciara to go off in this mission.
Minuets passed in silence, everyone felt slightly uncomfortable or just really sleepy. The curtain moved slightly to reveal a slender figure in a loose crimson shirt and short skirt. "Ciara, glad you could join us. Please take a seat." Zuko said politely but with a hint of awe. Even when she was called out in the middle of the might, she still looked beautiful.
Ciara took a seat by the general who proposed the idea; her pale green eyes met Zuko's tired amber eyes. She could already see that something was seriously wrong; the atmosphere was silent and filled with fear and regret. "You rang?" she smiled, trying to break the tense mood which hung in the air.
Iroh secretly wished she never said that comment, for he could tell Zuko wasn't feeling any better now. "Ciara, a battalion in the Earth Kingdom is falling apart. We need someone to lead them in the right direction and also to eliminate the rebel leaders. That is why we called you here. We need someone like you to lead these men…Ciara would you accept?" Zuko prayed she would say 'no' and forget this ever happened, but unfortunately no one was listening to his prayer up there.
Ciara thought if over slowly and finally replied, "I accept. I will leave this afternoon…" Zuko winced slightly in pain, "How long do you think it would take to finish the job?" She looked at the map on the table carefully, her eyes quickly scanning the area she was about to go to. "It would probably take me about less than a month if the weather is good." Zuko felt his heart drop quickly, less than a month! Zuko knew it wasn't his place to disagree and call it off, "Very well. I will see that you have everything you need."
Iroh watched the other generals leave, leaving himself, Ciara and Zuko. Iroh patted his nephew's shoulder sadly before leaving the two alone. "Ciara-" Zuko started out, now beside her side. Ciara cut him off quickly, "Zuko. I know. But you and I have to put the Fire Nation before us." Zuko was slightly relived that she understood him, "I'm sorry." Ciara turned her gaze at him and smiled gently, "I know," she leaned her head toward his, and kissed him warmly on the lips before releasing him.
Zuko watched her disappear through the curtains; his posture immediately sagged, revealing the lack of sleep. Iroh walked in and smiled at his nephew, "I know you are really going to hate me for saying this to you. But you guys are make beautiful babies when you two get older. Then I can show off the pictures and have 'great' in my name. Great Uncle Iroh. Ah, what a name." Zuko glared at his Uncle, "Uncle! Out!" Iroh lifted his hands in mock defeat before walking off, "Great Uncle Iroh, here I come!"