Chapter Nine: The Crowing
The wolf-like eyes once held life and the lust to see the world, but now those eyes only held pain and fear. Watching the rocky ceiling that was lined with lush, lime-green vines that seemed grew without fear of being stopped. The young teen desperately wished for that kind of power, to forever be strong and full of courage. But it seemed the war and the gore destroyed all his possibilities to be strong and full of unlimited courage.
Coughing softly the teen turned on his side and came in view of a brown, wooden bowl. Peering inside the teen came face-to-face with a grossly-looking liquid. But the smell was reassuring and welcoming, for it smelled of fresh herbs and the familiar scent of charcoal.
Zuko…he brought this.
Jet knew he was saved and he eagerly drank the liquid without any hesitations. His eyes widened with shock, the liquid seemed to scratch at the inside of his throat. Sitting up, the rebel searched for water. Frantically getting up and pacing around he decided he would go to the stream…but his conscious reminded him that it was at least a mile away. Frowning in distaste, already feeling his stomach squeeze tightly into small knots, the rebel spotted the two dead fighters on the ground.
The rebel examined the large gashing holes in their chests, a pool of blood resided inside…beckoning.
Nodding in urgency he collapsed on his knees before one of the bodies. Leaning his head toward the pool of blood inside the fighter's body, he could feel his lungs scream in pain wanting pure air not death. Dipping his head his tongue gently tapped the blood; before he could pull himself together he was already lapping up the warm liquid.
The blood tasted exactly like water except for the hint of salt that filled his taste buds. His throat stopped it's screaming and his insides relaxed instantly, it was miracle to think his enemy's blood saved him. Tossing his head back as he began to get up, he wiped the crimson liquid off his lips.
Noticing that Zuko was here, he quickly assumed that the prince was outside catching the sun's greeting rays. Trotting outside, filled with the feelingthat a heavy burden was finallybeing lifted, he laughed unexpectedly. Here he was, a rebel, who is traveling with a Fire Nation prince and he was anxiously waiting for the prince to return!
Seeing that Zuko wasn't outside but an Earth Kingdom bird, he walked sullenly back into the ruins. Bored and suddenly not amused by being bored…Jet carefully untied the blood-soaked rags on his arm. Dropping the strands of cloth on the floor, he examined his arm as the pieces drifted slowly downward. Moving his arm he found it to be healed but dark-blue bruises littered his forearm.
Sighing with relief the rebel sauntered over to his fallen enemies and decided he should truly see the warriors he killed. Dragging both bodies by their feet toward the sunlight, the rebel suddenly stopped when he recognized a familiar face. Moving forward cautiously, the rebel looked down onto the faces of Smellerbee and Longshot. Groaning in distress he began to recall the battle he held with the two…it seemed he never realized his companions were before him.
Dropping on his knees he cradled Smellerbee's blood-streaked face in his arms and buried his own head in the crook of Smellerbee's neck. "Oh god…what have I done?" the rebel whispered as the blood that still remained in his mouth began to turn sour. Gently caressing Smellerbee's dark-brownhair,with strands thatstuck together with dried blood, Jet carefully placed hisfriend's headback on the ground.
Jet's hand reached for Smellerbee's belt and he grabbed the dagger hanging out of its sheath. His mind soon became unclear and filled with memories and struggles to break free of the gilt holding him. Sliding back he bumped into something cold but yet warm at the same time. Before he could look up a hand snatched the dagger out of his own hand, followed by the flash of flames.
Looking up he stared into a pair of chestnut-colored eyes and a menacing smirk. "A rebel…well why don't I do a favor and snuff your life out?" the firebender smirked as he grabbed the rebel's neck and pulled him up on his feet. Jet glanced at the armor and growled in anger, "Fire Nation."
The firebender laughed, "Actually a Fire Nation Admiral of Lord Ozai's mighty ships and crew." The Admiral noticed how the rebel's eyes were clouded slightly and was not at all surprised when the rebel spoke out. "You'll regret-" Jet began but was cut short by the firebender.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you?" the Admiral jutted in, squeezing the rebel's neck for the hell of it. Eyes suddenly widened when he heard the rebel suddenly rant on about someone named "Smellerbee" and "Longshot" followed by an emotional confession to a person the Admiral hated the most…Zuko. "So you are Zuko's lover? Interesting…well then it seems you are worth something for the time being." Admiral Zhao countinued as he glanced at the afternoon sky.
Zuko jolted up in his sleep, now wide awake and shaking with rage and fear, "Zhao. Just a dream?" Sweat lined his body and slowly slid down the curves in his body which made the prince realize that he was naked underneath the blanket. Feeling his cheeks burn up in embarrassment, the prince hurriedly looked for his clothes.
Finally finding his attire beside him,cleaned and spotless, he placed his clothes on. Thoughts and explanations raced through his mind: Why was I naked? Where am I? What was that dream all about? Is Jet alive? What the hell does Zhao has to do with this? The clothes slightly became clingy to him due to his slightly sweaty body, but he could care less.
Making his way out of the door, he noticed the strong smell of incense and of the warm essence of fire. Turning around he noticed he was in a large room with the ground dipping into a small circular shape. Pillows and cushions lined the edge of the circle which surrounded a small crackling fire. Sitting by the tame fire was an elderly looking lady that seemed to be around Iroh's age…she countinued to stare at the fire in a trance-like state.
"Sit down, Prince Zuko." she suddenly spoke out in a warm tone as her eyes turned to the prince. With much hesitation he took a seat across from her, allowing the comfort of the cushion to ease his tense muscles. "Finally you have arrived…I have been waiting for days, but that is quite alright." she countinued in the same warm tone.
The prince shifted his weight as he suddenly felt uncomfortable with her gaze on him. "Who are you…and why was I undressed when I woke up? Where am I?" the prince asked in a confused voice, unsure of what was really going on.
"My name is Aunt Wu and you are in my protection for now. You were undressed because you were covered in blood and we washed your body. Now what is it that you seek, Prince Zuko?" the fortuneteller asked.
The prince was unsatisfied with her answers but knew he had no choice but to believe her. "I seek for answers…everything is upside down. He died…it was my fault." the prince answered sorrowfully. Even though he knew he would soon be telling her his darkest secrets…there was all the reassurance of killing her afterward.
"Hmm. So it seems…but maybe he only died in your heart? Answer me this, Prince Zuko. Do you love him?" she asked in a soft voice, turning her direction toward the bones that rested in a medium-sized, narrow, steel basket. "Pick a bone…and toss it into the fire." she countinued as she motioned her hand toward the basket. Watching the exiled prince pick a smooth bone up he tossed it gingerly into the tame fire.
Immediately the fire rumbled and danced with life, reaching its fiery hands into the sky the flames countinued to rise higher and higher. The prince looked at the fire with a bored expression, the dream still weighed on his mind and something told him the dream wasn't lying. Finally the flames ceased to its normal state and the bone was now shattered on the ground into large pieces.
"The bones tell me of a beautiful woman you will fall for in the near future…" she began, stirring the prince's attention toward her. He could feel his good eye twitching with aggravation and literally screamed at her, "What? How in the hell can you tell that from a stupid bone?"
The fortuneteller looked up at Zuko and smiled slightly, giving him the fragment of the bone. "Do you love him?" she asked softly as the prince took the bone fragment. Staring stubbornly at the fragment, his eyes softened as he recalled the rebel's handsome face. Fidgeting slightly the fortuneteller countinued, "Do you think he only died in your heart?"
The prince sighed and felt his body slump forward, "My heart…my heart died a long time ago when my father denied the fact that I am his son. I never knew love…so how would I know if I love him?" The fortuneteller sighed softly, knowing that once again she foretold correctly about the prince's behavior and attitude toward this.
"Describe your dream then…and maybe that will shed some light." she asked in a sad tone. The prince nodded, "It all began with his wolf-like eyes…"
To answer the lovely reviews...
Nero-chan: So it seems...but take heart this poor prince will smile...eventually. >. ;
Girl With Fire: Yikes, thanks for telling me that. Well...if anyone sees anything misspelled just hit me with a muffin.
Candylicious231: Eventually something will...
TMW: Thankies, thankies, thankies.
Lin13: Can you read my mind? How did you know? Scary...but cool! Thanks for reviewing!
That One Guy: Things that will make your hair stand up in shock...that is what will happen soon.
Cheery43: Thank you! Also like your word...squeelicious. Nice.