Puddles Gather Rain...
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar. I own Kaori and any Oc's. Yes that sounds about right. Also, -- I went braindead on the Kumi one. SORRY!
The island where he had left his loved one; grew smaller and smaller as his ship sailed away. Having to controle himself from crying proved difficult, his uncle saw he was in pain, and told him that if he wanted to cry; it'd be alright. But Zuko didn't cry. Atleast not on deck; he controled himself as long as he could, stairing at the wide ocean where Kaori and he could have sailed together. He and everyone else would have to try and get back to their normal lives,which ment trying to capture the avatar consantly, and trying not to think about Kaori; and the hot iron burn she left on all their hearts. Her memory will linger on forever, no matter how hard they try to forget her. Zuko snuck down to the hull and into Kaori's room, He closed the door behind him and staired at the room, it looked as empty as it did before she came. Who knows what could fill it later? some sweaty army guys? or another beautiful woman? Zuko sat on Kaori's bed and carefully lifted her pillow upto his nose and inhailed. Kaori's strawberry shampoo smell never left that pillow, it wasn't enough for him though; it would never be enough. A tear rolled down his cheek and dripped onto the strawberry smelling pillow; leaving a dark wet imprint on it, that would dry in a matter of minutes. His heart was still breaking, even after it broke earlier, he just loved her so dearly, and she was gone. His uncle walked in through the door to cheack up on his nephew.
"Prince Zuko, would it make you feel better if we found you another girl?" Zuko glared at his uncle with fire in his eyes.
"Hell no! I don't want another girl! I want Kaori!" He protested, pouting on her bed. This would forever remain 'Kaori's room'. He'd never allow it to be occupied by another woman or a sweaty army guy. He could never love another woman the way he loved Kaori, she was his morning sun and he wanted her back with him. But she had made her desision and he could only pray to god that she is happy, and healthy; even if another man made her happy.
Kaori enrolled herself in the school there. Everyone was kind to her, and she got a job cleaning an Inn like she had before, and she even found a nice family that housed her. But she still missed Zuko. Sure, Zuko gave her everything she has now, except school but she never really wanted that. Her new school uniform had a short blue skirt and a white blouse with a yellow tie. Same kind of shoes though. It was that night at the family that housed her's house; she was eating dinner, though distracted. The family was a small one. Just a man and a woman. The man's name was Ronald, and the woman's name was Romona. They were newlyweds and always wanted a daughter; but Ronald's little soldiers wern't marching. So they couldn't. They more than happily took in Kaori and treated her like their daughter, which was a nice change.
"Whats wrong Kaori?" Romona asked her while they were eating a dinner of spigetti and meatballs. Kaori hadn't eaten much, she just forked it, and spun it around untill it made a ball around her fork.
"Its nothing." She lied. Truly, she missed Zuko and Iroh. They treated her with respect, Romona and Ronald did as well, but Zuko and Iroh; were diffrent. Zuko hadn't opend up his home so easily. Kaori had to grow on him.
"Something is wrong. Please tell us." Ronald pointed out. Ronald had a black mustach and lightly tanned skin. He was spanish, as well as Romona. Her skin was lightly tanned as well, and she had a tiny mole at the side of her mouth. Ronald's hair was short and black, while Romona's was long, black, and bouncy. Where as Kaori's..always stayed strait.
"I just miss Zuko is all." She had told them about Zuko and Iroh, and their kindness twords her. Kaori felt like crying.
"That is expected. Im sure he is doing fine. Right honey?" Romona asked her husband, he nodded. Kaori gave them a weak smile.
"Thanks. Im not really that hungry tonight. Thank you though." She left the table, and marched up the stairs to her room. Her room was pretty big. She had convenced them that Sadie was harmless, so they let her sleep inside with Kaori. All three of her cats were sitting in her room, exploring. Her bed was a cot, because they had not gotten around to buying her a real bed yet. Her clothes where still in her bag, so was a great deal of her stuff. She layed down on her bed and buried her face in the homemade pillow that Ramona made years ago, before Kaori ever met Zuko; and cried. Softly, so they would not worry, want to talk to her about it, and force her to speak. When she really doesn't want to. Well Dark Kaori...you got what you wanted...Im miserable... Kaori thought, Dark Kaori protested
No im not happy! You still have people who love you! Dark Kaori protested, Kaori shrugged it off and continued to cry silently.
When Ramona and Ronald came in to bid her goodnight, she had cried herself to sleep. They smiled at eachother, as they lifted the blankets over her shoulder and whisperd goodnight to her.Once they shut the door, Kaori opend her eyes and sat up, getting her locket that Zuko gave her, and put it on her end table and opend it, singing along.
"Hush, little baby, don't say a word. Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird And if that mockingbird won't sing,
Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Mama's gonna buy you a looking glass And if that looking glass gets broke,
Mama's gonna buy you a billy goat And if that billy goat won't pull,
Mama's gonna buy you a cart and bull And if that cart and bull turn over,
Mama's going to buy you a dog named Rover. And if that dog named Rover won't bark,
Mama's going to buy you a horse and cart. And if that horse and cart fall down,
You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town."
Tears rolled down Kaori's face as the song finished, she missed them more than she ever thought she would.She was happy living here, but there was something about this place that just didn't feel like home, It was nice, she had a home, a job; parent like figures; an education. But she was happier with Zuko, even if they did constantly fight like there is no tomarrow. The song restarted, so she sang it again. "Hush, little baby, don't say a word. Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird And if that mockingbird won't sing,
Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Mama's gonna buy you a looking glass And if that looking glass gets broke,
Mama's gonna buy you a billy goat And if that billy goat won't pull,
Mama's gonna buy you a cart and bull And if that cart and bull turn over,
Mama's going to buy you a dog named Rover. And if that dog named Rover won't bark,
Mama's going to buy you a horse and cart. And if that horse and cart fall down,
You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town." Each time the song restarted, she sang it; and each time her voice would crack more and more. It was so sweet of Zuko to give that to her. Esspecially sence that was his mother's. She was gonna take special care of that, it was shiny and gold. With a rose in the corner. She couldn't sleep that night, not at all. So, grabbing the locket; and closing it; she snuck out of the house for a walk. She was used to going out whenever she pleased, so she didn't think how Romona and Ronald would think.
She strolled around the town and she found a lake. She staired at the moon above her, she placed her hands together and prayed aloud.
"Dear god. Please make Zuko and Iroh happy, even without me. I couldn't bear it if they were miserable, and please; if Zuko or Iroh did anything bad in their lives, please, please forgive them. I care for them and I don't want to see them in hell with me after we die. I want them in paradice wtih you. So please, make them happy and forgive them for any sins." Kaori prayed.
Zuko stood on deck stairing at that same moon. Iroh and the others had long gone to bed, and he had his hands put together, praying in his head.
Please god. Let Kaori be okay, and forgive her for her sins. I don't want her to be unhappy, because I love her. His prayr was shorter than Kaori's, but it had just as much meaning. This was his first night after Kaori had left, and he didn't know how he would get through it. All he wanted at this point was for Kaori to be happy, and healthy..his last wish was..
"Sleep well Kaori..I love you..."