Chapter Eleven: Fell In Love with the Game
Weeks flew by like a wild dove escaping from a hungry hawk, making life all seem so rushed and muddled. The bounty hunter, Jun, was long gone on her way but her presence seemed to still linger in his uncle's mind. Everywhere he walked he would stop to sigh out her name before going on his way. Meanwhile the prince would just scoff at the retired general and walk off with a sour expression etched on his face.
Strolling inside the ship, Zuko rubbed the back of his neck; it was difficult to sit down due to the rush of excitement that countinued to run up his veins. It all started when his uncle cornered him in his room and told him of a plan to securing Zuko's victory with the Avatar. It was pure genius and the prince just prayed that the plan worked and that bad luck decides to bother someone else.
"Zuko…I forgot to ask you what you were meaning to tell me before Jun came along. It seems she dashed my memories with her charm and her-" his uncle's voice reached his ears as he stopped to face his day-dreaming uncle.
"Uncle…could you please stop telling me about her?" the prince snapped back in irritation as he received images in his mind that he knew would haunt him once more like a shadow. Closing his eyes he saw her face and he groaned in anguish. "Odd way to torture me." he muttered under his breath.
"Anyway so what is it you were going to tell me?" Iroh smiled happily but received no answer from the still prince. "Well then…will you join us for Music Night? You could play the sungi horn…" he countinued but caught Zuko's death glare.
Shrugging it off the retired general made his way on deck and was greeted with the other crew members and their instruments. Immediately they sat down on empty crates and began to weave songs into the night air.
Collapsing on his bed Zuko placed the pillow over his head and prayed that the music would just end. An hour passed until the singing came to an abrupt halt, grinning like a young foolish boy Zuko got up from the bed. "Finally…it seems my luck is changing for the better." he laughed as he leaned against the wall until a thought struck him like a blow…what if?
The sound of footsteps could be heard and Zuko feared for the worst. Folding his arms across his chest he placed on the deadliest and cruelest expression on his face. The screeching of the door was his cue, "For the last time uncle…I will not play the sungi horn." A breath filled with laughter caught his ears and he knew it wasn't his uncle. Golden eyes countinued to glare at the wall…everything was going wrong. This wasn't the plan…this wasn't even mentioned. But it happened and he was here…that monster of a human was here…in his doorstep. Waiting to pounce on him like some god-forsaken peasant.
"There has been some slight change in plans…" the retired general countinued in a pained voice. But still that monster waited silently, only to break the silence with his soft laughter and cracking knuckles. Zuko breathed in the warm air and waited to here those footsteps reach into his room.
"I'm taking your crew…" the cruel voice of the monster snarled in delight. Anger boiled inside waiting to explode with vigor and the prince allowed this anger to take control. "What?" he screamed out in protest, his eyes flashing at Admiral Zhao. But the Admiral didn't flinch…he just smiled gently and inclined his head slightly. His lips moved but Zuko heard nothing…just lies and lies.
The Admiral turned and seemed to take interest on the wall until the prince could feel his eyes stop at the swords. Wincing in pain, Zuko took a step back and felt his anger shatter into fear and confusion. "Have you heard of the Blue Spirit, General Iroh?" Zhao's voice finally broke through and all other sounds came back to Zuko.
Zuko watched Zhao leer over at him…he knew. He knew his darkest secret and that bastard was willing to use it against him in the future. Snarling in disgust and rage the prince merely scoffed as the Admiral preached on about justice coming. After a few minuets the prince realized that the Admiral was gone and only his uncle remained…like always.
"Zuko…I'll escort the men to Zhao and tell him my answer. Do you want to bid the crew farewell?" Iroh broke through the silence as he stared at his nephew with a worried look. The exiled prince gave him a blank look and collapsed on his bed without another word. Sighing heavily the retired general made his way toward the metal door, "Very well, Prince Zuko. I'll tell you when they are ready to leave."
The prince snorted in disbelief and rolled onto his side. "Traitors…all of them." he mumbled before closing his eyes and falling into a light sleep. Subconsciously, the prince rolled onto his back as his chest moved up and down slowly. His charcoal breath drifted in the air and traveled to another boat…to another young man who was also sleeping with fear by his side.
"The rest of the crew wanted to wish you good luck." his uncle's voice destroyed his calming atmosphere.
"Good riddance to those traitors." the prince huffed angrily as he glared at the ceiling.
"It's a lovely night for a walk; it might help clear your head. Or, you could sit in your room in the dark, whatever makes you happy." he smiled gently and shrugged his shoulders knowing it was hopeless to rouse the prince out of his rage. Rubbing his hands together he closed the door and walked away from the prince and his silent ship.
Ten minuets later…
Fire. It was a consuming element that could eat even a man's heart. Licking the hull of the ship as it devoured the ship inside-out, a piercing cry from a bird echoed throughout the dark sky. The ship groaned in agony as the flames finally spreaded throughout every corner and crevice in the ship
Dancing madly as the fire saw it's own reflection in the shimmering water, a dark figure bobbed in the water. The gentle waves pushed the figure toward the shore as it knew some untold secret: it wasn't his time. The shore held the young man firmly as the retired general jogged toward his injured nephew.
Crouching down on his knees he whispered into the Zuko's ear, "The armor is lying behind the bush across from you. Hurry up so no one will spot you." With that said, Iroh strolled toward the direction of Zhao's camp with a solemn look on his face but his eyes told otherwise.
Standing up slowly the prince surveyed his injures with a tired expression. Running his hands across his body he sent the fire inside of him to dry his wet skin. Steam gently rolled upward in the air as Zuko got dressed; it was the end of his ship and the Blue Spirit, but something told him that he was right now being the Blue Spirit once more. This time it was for the Avatar and sweet revenge.
The cold air swirled around the prince's worn-out body, shivering softly the prince listened to his whispering uncle. For days now they have gone over their plan to make sure there weren't any flaws. Everything was going exactly…or semi-exactly as planned. However, Zuko was having problems keeping his anger at bay without raising any suspicions.
It was fool's errand in Zuko's opinion…be he knew he has been doing this errand ever since he was banished. Days have passed by and the arrogant Admiral still hasn't realized that the prince was right beside him. Grinning at the thought, Zuko countinued to listen to his devious uncle.
"…also have you noticed how Zhao is always bringing one prisoner into his chambers every three days? It's quite suspicious...but get this, Prince Zuko, this prisoner use to be yours a while back." his uncle spoke softly as he stared off at the sea. Zuko merely shrugged at this, he had tons of former prisoners why should it bother him if Zhao likes to play with his food?
"I don't want to hear gossip, Uncle. I want to here the plan over again…" he urged in a whisper as his golden eyes scanned the empty deck. Warily, the prince took off his mask to rub his eye before placing it back on. Looking at his uncle he saw the offended look in his brown eyes, "Alright then, Uncle. Go ahead and continue…"
Smiling with pure bliss the retired general countinued, "What I was going to say was that this prisoner was the one you chased after in the water." The prince stared at his hands and noticed he was gripping the rail fiercely, making his knuckles turn white as snow. Eyes were wide with shock and relief, slowly releasing his grip on the rail he gasped for breath. His breath curled before him like a cloud and rose lazily toward the sky.
"Alive?" his voice cracked as he felt his heart break out of his ribs. It seemed the blood slowly began to travel down to his feet, leaving his face a sickly pale color. Swallowing his emotions the prince turned and headed back inside the ship, leaving his uncle confused in the cold, not sure how he felt. He couldn't really tell if he was glad to see him once more or angry to know that he would have to have his emotions poked at again.
It has been weeks and weeks since he last saw the rebel leader. But something told him in his guts that he wouldn't be please to see him once more. Forcing himself to remain silent as he passed the smirking Zhao…he could only guess that he had his way with the rebel just a few minuets ago. Disgusted and ashamed the prince headed toward the kitchen in hopes of drowning out his emotions once and for all.
"It's fucking daylight…how he can even dream of doing it in the light?" he muttered as he passed Zhao's door. But Zuko forgot one famous statement from Jet that the prince knew was etched on his heart, 'Remember why you fight.'
So I guess I can't answer reviews anymore. So to sum everything all up...thanks for the reviews! Much love to all!