Reunion
Admiral Brenda looked over at Commander Raymond as they prepared to board Prince Zuko's ship. There was a sturdy plank that was going to be used as a bridge between the two ships. The Phantom Flame was thin and sleek, built for speed, so it was not as big as other ships of the Fire Nation usually were. The admiral yawned as she shifted her weight onto one foot.
"Raymond, do we have any information about Ceres's prey?"
"Only that it is a Water Nation girl." Brenda frowned when she heard this.
"Well, that's helpful I suppose. But a girl . . . . I wonder if Iroh has decided to play matchmaker. That would be something he would do to pass the time." She muttered to herself. Raymond stared at her, surprised she would say something like that. "What?" She had noticed him staring at her and he tensed.
"N-nothing, Admiral Brenda." Brenda stroked her thick braid as it hung over her shoulder still. She closed her eyes but not before glancing at Raymond.
"After nearly three years, I still surprised you with my behavior, don't I?" Her second in command stiffened at her words.
"I-I'm sorry if I offended you." He bowed slightly and Brenda merely waved him off.
"I don't care. I find it fun." She smirked as he started. "You're too easy to surprise. It helps pass the boredom I suppose."
- - - - -
"So, what's the other reason Admiral Brenda is famous?" Zuko looked back at Katara, surprised. The two stood on deck, watching a plank be secured between the two ships. It took a moment for him to realize why Katara would not know of Brenda. She was a waterbender and she grew up in the South Pole. Of course she would not know. Smirking, Zuko looked back up at the Phantom Flame.
"She's known as the Black Rose of the West. Just like my uncle is known as the Dragon of the West. She brings an artistic beauty to battle, so they named her that. Brenda once led a squadron of one hundred regular soldiers against two hundred earthbenders and was victorious. She is said to be just as strong as my father."
"So that's why she's famous?" Zuko shook his head at her question.
"No. That's one of the reasons why she was promoted to Admiral. Surprisingly enough, my father won't promote her to General." Frowning at his father's actions, she spoke again.
"Why won't your father make her General?'
"Because I'm too much of a threat to him as Admiral. Imagine how much of a threat I would be as General." While the two had been talking, Admiral Brenda had come on board with Commander Raymond. Zuko, surprised that she had snuck up on him and over heard, saluted quickly.
"Admiral Brenda." Brenda frowned at his formal greeting but before she had a chance to say anything, Iroh had appeared.
"Brenda! It has been so long!" The two hugged briefly and Brenda turned to Zuko.
"It seems you made him into quite the soldier. All formal with me." Before Zuko had a chance to stop her, Brenda had pulled Zuko into a hug. Raymond started at her bold actions and Zuko stiffened as she rocked him side to side in her hug. Katara stared at the woman, surprised by her bold actions as well. Part of her felt a flare of jealously. The other part wanted to know who the woman thought she was, hugging the prince like that. Well, she supposed that fell under the jealously part as well. So she felt completely jealous really. Brenda released Zuko and turned to Katara. The admiral smiled before she yanked Katara forward and hugged her as well. Zuko sighed at Admiral Brenda's antics before clearing his throat. Releasing Katara, Brenda pouted. "What?"
"This is Katara of the Southern Water Tribe." Zuko motioned to Katara as he spoke.
"Katara." Brenda repeated, trying out the name. "It is a lovely name. I am Admiral Brenda of the Fire Nation." She pulled the girl into a hug, surprising the waterbender once again. "And you're so cute."
- - - - -
Ceres turned to her servant.
"Tell, Admiral Zhao that I would wish to speak with him." The servant nodded and disappeared into the ship. Ceres was standing out on the deck of the ship. She had decided to take a walk and her servant had followed her. When she stressed that she wanted to be alone, the servant told her that the admiral had told him to stay with her. It angered him. She would have to talk about that. After all, she was no child. And how he treated her like one made her very angry. After a few minutes of brooding, the servant returned, nervous. The ancient demon narrowed her eyes as she saw this. Zhao must have said refused.
"A-Admiral Zhao s-said t-that he w-was t-too busy." The man stuttered, confirming Ceres's suspicions. Frowning, Ceres marched off to find Zhao. He would learn that he had better agree with her.
- - - - -
"So, you are Ceres's prey." The four of them; Iroh, Brenda, Zuko, and Katara, had gone to the dinning room to sit down for tea. Brenda had let Raymond go back so that he could managed the Phantom Flame. Iroh had immediately suggested they had tea to which the Admiral gave a hearty laugh. She agreed while Zuko rolled his eyes and Katara giggled. Currently, they were sitting at the dinning table. Her question had startled Katara and cause her to stiffen at remembering who was after her.
"Yes." Katara answered quietly. The Admiral smiled and eyed Iroh.
"I suppose you've played matchmaker?" Zuko started, nearly choking on the tea he had been sipping.
"Why, yes! How did you know?" Asked the old man as the powerful woman smirked at the prince and the waterbender. She was calmed and collected as she spoke, even thought Zuko was glaring daggers at her.
"I see the way you two look at each other. And when we were walking here, I noticed you two lagging behind Iroh and I. I glanced behind me ad saw the two of you holding hands." It was true. Zuko and Katara had walked slower than Brenda and Iroh. They had even held hands during their walk. But the prince scowled.
"How did you know that?" He demanded. He had not seen her look behind at them. She had been too caught up in talking with Iroh.
"You were busy smiling at Katara." She teased before she took a sip of her tea. After she tasted the tea she looked down in surprise. "Chamomile tea? Iroh, you sly dog." She turned a smirk towards the Prince's uncle. "You still remember my favorite flavor." Iroh beamed at her.
"What were you excepting, Ginseng tea?"
"Of course." Zuko and Brenda spoke together. Katara blinked in surprise before remembering her earlier question.
"Um . . ." The three firebenders turned their attention to Katara. "Pardon me, but what else are you famous for? If that's not too bold." Zuko fought back a smile. He found it cute how she was shy around Admiral Brenda. Apparently, so did Brenda because the woman had a glint in her eyes as though she had just found a new born kitten.
"Brenda is famous for many things." Katara blinked, confused when Iroh told her this.
"But you said that she is famous for two things." Brenda glanced at Iroh.
"Really, what is one of the things I am famous for, Iroh?" Iroh smiled as Brenda asked him this.
"That you'll do whatever it takes to avoid boredom." Brenda smiled and nodded as she rested one hand on the hilt of her sword.
"That is true."
"But what's the other thing?" Katara repeated, still confused. Brenda blinked, surprised.
"You don't know?" Brenda asked, surprised. Zuko sighed and nodded for Katara.
"She's from the Water Nation and she's only fifteen. Of course she wouldn't know about that kind of stuff." Brenda tapped her chin in thought.
"I suppose you're right, my dear little prince." Zuko winced at her address of him and Katara narrowed her eyes at Brenda.
"And how do you know Zuko so well?" Brenda started, both at the question and how casual she addressed Zuko. After a moment, Brenda realized that Katara was getting jealous of how she acted with Zuko. The Admiral broke into laughter. After a minute, she smiled at Katara and rested her arm on the table and leaned forward, putting most of her weight on the arm.
"My dear Katara, the second reason I'm famous is because, just like Iroh and Ozai, I am part of the three royal siblings." Katara felt her eyes widened as she realized who Brenda was.
"So you're . . ."
"That's right. I am Prince Zuko's Aunt, Lady Brenda of the Fire Nation."
- - - - -
If you guess Brenda was Zuko's aunt, then give yourself a pat on the back! I dropped the hint about how old her nephew was and some got it. Don't feel bad if you didn't guess it. I had been hoping I could surprise some people and if I did surprise some people, then I am happy. Please review and tell me what you think. It helps me make the story better. I hope there is nothing confusing about it. If there is, tell me. Well, I hope to get done my next chapter soon!