Hm, has anyone ever noticed that the head monk from 'the storm' has a unibrow? I thought it was hilarious when I really looked at the guy. Someone should give hims some tweezers. Also I read somewhere on the internet that the waterbender in the intro is a character that's going to be introduced later on. So I slow-motioned throught the introduction a few times and I noticed that the firebender kinda looks like a girl. Do you think it could be Zula? I just CAN'T WAIT FOR SEPTEMBER 23! That's when they start showing the new episodes for anybody who doesn't know. I just found out myself last week. YAY! Wow, there's a bunch of new names on my review board. Thanx for reviewing and welcome!
xXfissshbonesssXx: I feel really bad because last night I was in a really big hurry and wasn't able to give you a proper shoutout. I'm really glad you like my story and thank you for all of your compliments. I did not write the song that my character sang, it's called One Tin Soldier and I learned it at camp several years ago. I was surprised that a bunch of my reviewers knew it, I thought it was just a mormon thing.
Plutobaby494: Iroh rocks!
Lovergal1227: Yes, Zhao should die. Maybe I'll have Zuko kill him later. Hmm, that's a thought. I'm really glad you liked the twist.
Zukoscute2: Iroh just seems like a gamblin' man (shrug).
Starchic: Oh, don't worry. there's plenty more story.
Titan09: Wow, what a coincidence (the whole brother thing). I enjoyed the birthday song! I will totally advertise. I might even get a poll type thing going if you really want me to see how many people would be interested in your story. I know I deffinately would. I love Hellboy. Ron Perlman is hot as a 6'7" demon. And I don't get tired of doing shoutouts. I have fun writing them and I figure if people are nice enough to drop me a review, I should be nice enough to acknowledge that review.
O-dragon: I enyoyed writing that twist. Now prepare yourself for a real whopper of a twist and big major romance thingy! I have seen brothers Grimm and I LOVED it. I'll just try not to feed my horse icky mind control spiders. So you're from Texas? That's cool. I used to have a penpal from Bloomburg or Bloomsburg. One of those. Do you know where that is?
Youko Artemis: I've been figuring that it's a poltergeist or something like that. I've always been able to sense a male presence, so I've just been calling it Jeffrey since about fourth grade. I don't think I'll try and contanct it though. I've only just gotten to where I'm comfortable with it around. Thanx for your review.
Athenera: I forgive you. By the way. this chapter is a steamy one. I hope you like it.
Advertisments:
Alright, how would all ya'll like to read a story about Liz Sherman (the fire girl from Hellboy) as a teenager who is traveling to different worlds as she tries to harness her flame powers. On her course is a certain avatar world and a certain firebending hotty. Because my friend Titan09 over there has this great idea for a story but wants some feedback on whether or not ya'll would like to read it. Go ahead and give your answer to me in a review and I'll let Titan09 know.
And don't forget to read and review O-dragon's story, One night. Or Katara183's story, Waterbender in the Earth Kingdom.
A/N: This chapter has an even more major twist than the last one, and it's kinda steamy. So if there are young eyes in the room or if you just don't like that kinda stuff, I've once again put little && things around said section of text. Enjoy.
Katie took a deep breath, pulling her bowstring back and sighting along the arrow. Her goal was in sight. She steadied herself, taking in another deep breath. Then she let go. There was a hiss and a thump as it hit the target and men began cheering all around her. The arrow quivered where it had struck the target, a millimeter closer to the center than her opponent's. Katie laughed and did a little victory dance. She held a hand up to one of the nearest soldiers who merely looked at her hand stupidly.
"Come on. Slap my hand."
"Why?"
"Just do it. It's called 'five' and it's a congratulations kinda thing." The soldier gently tapped his hand against hers. "We'll work on that later."
"Five more pieces says she can't make a closer shot!" Her opponent said holding up his money. Iroh, who had been Katie's 'sponsor' stepped up behind her and rubbed her shoulders as though she were a pro boxer.
"What do you think? Are you up for another round miss Lin?"
"Psssh, it's not my money." Katie said pulling another arrow from the quiver at her waist and notching it to her string. She pulled the string back and sighted along the shaft again. She had been aiming at the center for the last three shots, but she tended to shift her bow slightly as she released so she aimed a little more to the right and let her fly. The arrow hit the target almost exactly in its center. Katie let out a whoop and punched the air. "Kay man, this is your chance to redeem yourself." She said holding her hand back up to the soldier. He slapped it hard. "Now THAT'S what I'm talking about." Katie said making a fist. The man copied it and she knocked knuckles with him as well.
"It's all well and good for a solitary target. How about something more challenging." The opponent said nodding towards a flock of seagulls flying towards them. Katie bit her lip calculating the shot. She had never hit anything moving that was smaller than a deer, let alone over this much distance and her injured arm was really beginning to burn from the strain.
"Come now miss Lin. Show this young man the error in his judgment." Iroh said giving her an encouraging thump on the shoulder.
"Well, here goes nuthin'" She said pulling out an arrow. She made sure it was as straight as possible before notching it on her bowstring. She began pulling it back but her arm gave her a twinge of pain that she wasn't ready for. She lowered her bow once more waving her arm to loosen it up a bit before she raised it again and took aim. The seagulls flew closer and closer to the ship, just off the port side. Katie picked a bird, judged its speed and aimed just ahead of it. She released. The arrow hissed through the air and missed the bird by six inches. There was a collective groan from the crowd. Katie shrugged. "Eh, can't win them all."
"That was amazing though." Iroh said happily as he handed over a few coins. "A bit more practice and I bet I can wring every copper piece from these men." Katie laughed.
"You know, gambling is a very bad thing to do." Katie said lacing her arm in his and leading the way back to the mess hall for supper.
"Yes, but it's what's keeping me young and it buys the hats for music night." Iroh said counting out his earnings of the day. He handed her a handful of silver coins, "Here my dear. I think you've earned it."
"No thanks. You need it for the hats." Katie said handing it back. Zuko joined them at the dining table a short time later.
"I was watching you from the helm room. That was some good shooting." He said helping himself to a portion of steaming fish.
"And I probably could have made that last shot if it weren't for you." Katie said in mock anger.
"Why? What did I do?"
FLASHBACK TO THE NIGHT BEFORE
Katie had always prided herself in sleeping like the dead at night. Ever since she was younger, nothing could wake her up. Whether it was gale force winds while sleeping in a tent or falling from the top bunk bed when she was three. She had always slept through it all. But one thing always woke her up from her hibernation. And that something was the sound of snoring.
"Zuko, shut your face!" She grumbled at him. He didn't stir so she reached across the distance between their beds and nudged him in the butt with her toe. "Zuko. You freak of nature, roll over!" The snoring ceased for a second or two as Zuko readjusted himself in his sleep but continued again almost instantly. Katie rolled off the bed and crawled over to him. She leaned over and plugged his nose. He struggled for breath for a second or two before finally opening his mouth and making a sound like a greased pig. Katie giggled and leaned close to his ear.
"Zuko." She said quietly. "Zuko, where's the apple?" This was always something she and her friends would do to get people to talk in their sleep. It usually worked too. "Zuko my love. I need you to tell my where the apple is. Where's the apple Zuko?" He made a grumbling sound but nothing more.
"What did you say Zuko? Please, I need to know where the apple is. Where's the apple Zuko?"
"It's in the kitchen." She managed to distinguish from another set of grumbling.
"I'm hungry Zuko, could you get the apple for me?" Zuko made another grumbling sound and reached his hand over the side of his bed and grabbed a rolled up sock, which he shoved into her hands. Katie could barely hold back her laughter. "Thank you Zuko. Now go back to sleep and no more snoring. Okay?" He made a noise and buried his face into his pillow. Katie crawled back to her own mattress and lay down to go back to sleep. But just when she got comfortable Zuko began snoring again.
END FLASHBACK"I felt like I was going to rip my hair out after two hours of it. Finally I just plugged you up with the sock and you shut right up." Katie said with a grin. Iroh was chuckling to himself and Zuko was glaring at both of them.
"I don't snore!" He said indignantly.
"Oh yeah, sure. And the Queen of England doesn't fart." Katie said sarcastically, cutting into her own portion of fish. She sniffed it to make sure it wasn't poisoned with red pepper and took a bite. Zuko was still glaring at her so she crossed her eyes at him. He couldn't help but smile at this.
"Just you wait. I'm going to dig something up on you." He said pointing a chopstick at her threateningly.
"Like what? I'm completely aware of my faults, bub."
"I don't know. But one of these days I will find something." He said and took a bite of food.
Katie laid on her stomach that night doodling on a page of her sketchbook. Zuko sat on his bed and took off his boots.
"Two months." He said softly.
"Hmm?"
"It's been two months since you appeared out of nowhere."
"Really? Already? Wow, time flies." Katie said erasing a line she didn't like. She looked up to watch Zuko peel his shirt off, her favorite part of the day. He walked over to the window to draw the curtains when Katie told him to stop. "Wait. Don't move a muscle!" She sat up so she could get a better view of him and turned back to the half done drawing of him.
"What! What's wrong?"
"Nothing. But you said you would pose for me, so just stand there for a few minutes." She sketched him as quickly as she could. She made a dotted line around the areas that were to be in shadow. She didn't want to make him stand there forever, so she decided to do all the shading later. She took a few seconds to really appreciate his looks. He had taken his hair down, so it fell gracefully around his shoulders. Once again Katie thought he looked like a vampire. "Okay. You can move now." She said five minutes later. She lay back down on her stomach to finish the details and shading. Zuko went about his nightly chores, and then came to lie down next to her. He watched her as she carefully drew in the lines on his face. After a while she felt uncomfortable with him leering over her like that so she closed her book and rolled over onto her back, rubbing her sore eyes. She pulled her hands away from her face and saw him watching her.
"What?" she asked uncomfortably. Zuko leaned down and kissed her softly.
"I love you." He murmured. Katie froze. That was a big thing to say. & Zuko didn't wait for a reply, but kissed her again. He shifted his body so that he was closer to her and wrapped an arm behind her back. Katie kissed him back. The kiss began gently at first, but then became a little more intense as Zuko pressed his tongue against her lips. Katie opened her mouth in response and Zuko began exploring. He leaned in closer so that his chest was pressed against hers, he pulled away from her mouth and began kissing along her jaw. Katie's heart began fluttering in her chest as he planted light kisses across her face and eyes. He shifted his weight a little more so that he was practically lying on top of her. He brought his mouth back to hers, groaning in anticipation. Katie wrapped her arms around his neck and began kissing him back. She let her hands glide over the muscles of his back and she felt his hand slowly begin to creep up her shirt. Her blood began pounding in her ears. The heat emminating from his body was intense. Her brain began spinning in euphoria.&
"Prince Zuko, I…oh my goodness!" Iroh walked in and froze at the sight of them.
"UNCLE!" Zuko cried lifting his head in surprise.
"I'm very sorry for my intrusion. I merely wished to speak with you prince Zuko." Iroh said as he stepped back out of the room, trying to hide a smile. He shut the door behind him and knocked gently. "Prince Zuko. May I speak with you for a second?" He called from the other side. Zuko cursed under his breath and rolled off of Katie.
"I'll be right back." He said apologetically. Katie just lay there dumbfounded at what they had almost been doing. They had gotten very close to a very bad thing.
"What is so important uncle?" Zuko demanded angrily, trying to ignore the blush creeping up his cheeks.
"I am sorry once again prince Zuko. I just didn't expect to find the two of you in that situation. Was that your first time seducing the girl?" He asked slyly. Zuko swore again under his breath.
"Was it that obvious?"
"No. You were doing a very good job of it. That's why I asked." Zuko blushed furiously.
"Are you going to tell my what you dragged me out here for or not?"
"I wanted to tell you that we've spotted the avatar. He's changed direction and is now flying south west."
"Oh really?" He asked mildly interested. He began chewing on the inside of his cheek in deep thought. "Just tell the helmsman to stay on the avatar's trail and try to keep him within sight. Let me know if they land anywhere or if they get within range of the catapults." Iroh bowed and left to do the prince's bidding. Zuko took a deep breath and walked back into the room. Katie was standing next to the window. She'd pulled back one of the curtains and was looking out over the water. She turned when she heard the door close and lock behind Zuko. He grinned sheepishly and came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders.
"Zuko. Before you start anything, I just need to tell you that we were really pushing the line a few minutes ago."
"What line?" He asked, kissing her behind the ear. Her heart fluttered, his body was still really hot against her back.
"You know very well what line I'm talking about. I should let you know that I've made a promise to myself that I won't…you know…until after I'm married." Zuko rested his chin on her shoulder and thought for a second.
"Then let's get married."
"WHAT? Zuko, I'm not going to marry you just so we can have sex." Katie said pulling away and turning to face him.
"Then let's get married because I love you, and I have a feeling that you love me as well." He said taking her hand and kissing her knuckle.
"Oh." She said slightly taken aback. She glanced around the room in confusion. Is he saying what I think he's saying? She wondered to herself.
"Katie." He said lifting her face with his finger so that she was looking into his eyes. "Will you marry me?" She swallowed trying to get a good grasp of just what he was saying. In his eyes she saw true compassion and love. His gaze held her there spellbound for several seconds.
"Yes." She heard herself say. Then when the full realization dawned on her she began laughing and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yes." She kissed him loudly and pulled away. "When?"
"How about right now? It's a good a time as any and we're both in the mood."
"There's nobody here to marry us. Doesn't there have to be an official or something?" She asked uncertainly. She knew how marriages worked in her world, but not here.
"Not if we do a handfasting." Zuko said resting his forehead against hers.
"A temporary marriage?" She asked uncertainly.
"Yes. We could be married for a year and a day or until we find someone to do a proper ceremony." Katie frowned slightly. Her entire life she had been told that when she found the right person that she should be married to him for eternity. But there wasn't a building anywhere around for such a ceremony to take place in and she was really caught up in the moment.
"Alright." She said nervously.
"I don't want to force you into anything Katie. Do you really want to do this?" Zuko asked softly. Katie took a deep breath and looked him in the face.
"Yes. Yes I do." Zuko pulled away from her and pulled a knife from a drawer. He touched the blade and it began to glow with heat. "Wait. What's that for?"
"It's all part of the ritual. It's not too late to turn back." He said, concern written across his face. Katie took a deep breath and nodded for him to continue. He placed the blade on the palm of his left hand and the sharp, heated steel cut into his flesh like paper, but Zuko didn't even flinch. He reached out and took Katie's right hand and placed the blade on her palm. She felt the skin burn and slice, but it really wasn't that bad. Zuko dropped the knife on the floor and before their blood could coagulate, he took her hand in his, pressing the cuts together. "Repeat after me." He said and began mumbling something in a different language. He paused every now and then for Katie to repeat it. It wasn't a very long ritual. It only lasted a few minutes all together. When it was over, Katie felt a little overwhelmed. So she did the thing that felt most natural, she wrapped her arms around Zuko's neck and kissed him as hard as she could.
Oh, that is like, my biggest fangirly fantasy ever. I really can't believe I'm letting people read it, but oh well. After I click the 'save changes' button there's no turning back. Please review. And don't forget to read the stories advertised.