Chapter Fourteen: I Wish
"You lie!" he shouted as he shot another blazing orb of flames to the haughty Admiral. It was easily dodged as they continued to dance in their mad battle, the winner would walk away alive while the looser would enter a state of eternal sleep. It was so simple and so easy to take one's life away, and the Admiral proved this as he punched the exiled prince in the gut. Backing a few steps away he admired the blood that poured out of the boy's mouth.
"I'm not lying, Prince Zuko…not when this is such a juicy topic to bring up," the Admiral smiled as he kicked the hacking prince in the stomach. Collapsing on the icy floor, the prince watched droplets of blood drop on the floor. It began to form a small puddle, showing a reflection of his scarred eye. A warm breath caressed his ear as Admiral Zhao continued, "He is dead…I watched as the ship he was on exploded into a million pieces. He never came back up."
Zuko shuddered violently as he pictured the teen sinking into the freezing water with a look of horror etched on his handsome face. "Why does it matter to you? You should be rejoicing! Do you know what would be the consequences for having a male lover? Then to top that off, you are a prince not some urchin." Zhao spoke out smoothly as he strolled away from the prince. Zuko winced as his mind agreed with Zhao, he was partly right; he was a prince…but not anymore. No, now he was a monster that lingers in other's shadows…it was that simple…just like death.
Struggling to get up, his golden eyes stared at Zhao with newfound determination to win. "I will not lose to an ignorant ape." Zuko spat with venom at the Admiral as his legs shook slightly. Finally finding his balance he went into a fighting stance and narrowed his glowing eyes at the stunned man. "Come on…let's just get this over with before I start getting bored." Zuko grinned as he wiped away the trickling blood.
Zhao fumed as he allowed his body to shoot dancing orbs of fire that streaked across the sky. The prince blocked them as he charged at the Admiral. Kick met side as the prince heard a satisfied crack; jumping back from the growling Admiral, he furrowed his brows as he heard the water underneath him also growl in response. Taking the risk of looking down, his eyes widened with shock. A section of the water was glowing fiercely as it rose up to make a figure.
The Admiral recovered quickly and hurled another set of flames as the prince turned to Zhao. Raising his arms in an 'X' formation he felt the heat gush at him, luckily he received just heat not pain. "What the –?" Zhao began to curse but the glowing water, that now resembled a fish, grabbed him into a tight grip. Squirming to get out of the creature's grip he heard a voice calling out to him.
"Grab my hand." Zuko shouted, his arm outstretched with his hand waiting for Zhao's. The Admiral blinked a few times in surprise, is this some sort of trick? It felt like hours passed by and the Admiral placed on a new expression: satisfaction. Compassion, that is the boy's weakness. I am his enemy…I almost killed him, but he wants to help me. Then my work is done, Zuko failed, he will never regain his honor. Lord Ozai I am ashamed to have met your pathetic and doomed son.
He allowed himself to be pulled down into the icy depths of the unforgiving ocean. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath as he plunged into his state of eternal sleep. Zuko stared at the rippling water with confusion, is Zhao that crazy to let his life be taken away by something so abnormal? Sighing heavily he closed his eyes and breathed in the cool air.
Padding through the quieting battlefield, he searched for a familiar face among the crowd. There were dead soldiers littering the floor from both sides, but still no familiar face. Where is that set of wolf-like eyes? Where is that mess of brown hair? Where is he? Was Zhao telling the truth…no, liars are always liars. Rubbing the back of his head, he spotted his uncle and waved to the retired general.
"Prince Zuko…shall we leave this place?" Iroh asked softly, sensing the distress that racked his nephew's body. Zuko nodded silently and he felt an arm wrap around his thin shoulders as he was led to the water. Helping his uncle set up a make-shift raft, which was easier than it seemed, he thought over the past events; tying the last knot, Zuko carefully at down. So you are dead…
"Rest…I'm not sure how long it will be before we find a port," Iroh spoke out in his comforting voice. The prince nodded wearily and lay down; watching the cloudless sky, he suddenly turned his gaze away and shifted to his side. Iroh watched his nephew sigh for the hundredth time today…something was troubling him. His gut told him not to ask for something told him it was a delicate subject to trod on.
"Uncle…I never told him. I never told him how I felt…I didn't hear his last words, he will never hear mine." Zuko whispered softly as he felt his body shiver with cold realization. Iroh stared at his nephew, confused and worried about the prince's well-being. What or who is he talking about?
Zuko watched as they left the shore and drift into the vast ocean. It was hopeless to keep holding on to these memories and thoughts. I just have to move on and pray that time will heal my scars. Making a circle with his index finger, he sighed softly into the silent air. If the silence was smoke, the whole area would be covered with it's suffocating substance.
Closing his eyes he saw his determined face that shinned with defiance to prove the world wrong. Smiling as he recalled how stubborn they both were in the woods, he recalled the stream incident. They kissed…then it deepened into something more, something more precious than just a simple kiss. Rubbing his face, Zuko began to fall into an uneasy sleep.
I never got to tell you…those three happy words that would have saved us both from our sufferings. I love you. I felt that nothing in the word could take away that feeling that only you and I share. A bond that is thicker than my noble and your rouge blood. I screwed up like usual…I left you in the dark and someone else found you.
I know you felt the same…I saw that smile that crept on your smooth lips. I heard your heart beat faster for me and only me. I smelled that earthy scent of yours that only I can smell. I know…but I just wish I could hear your voice whisper them in my ear…just once. Please…I just want to hear those three words, 'I love you.'
Our time was limited but I know everything about you. Do you know everything about me? No…I never told you my horrid past, but you told me yours through your kiss. I just want you to know that my past is just like yours. I was also forced to look at death…but only when my father towered over me with eyes blazing with hate.
Its funny how this all started… Heh, it all started when I saw you pinned to a tree. Curses were thrown at me, but who knew we were alike in so many ways. That is why I love you. You know me best and you accept that through your swift moves and strides. We'll be together soon…I can promise you that…but only time can tell. I wish...I just wish...
The End
Well that is that...poor guy. So thanks for reading, I love you all. What else can I say, you guys motivate me when I feel like my lazy and bad self or when I get the feeling that I am too cool to write another chapter. Ya, it happens...I know what you are all thinking, 'Umm...are you feeling ok?' Yes I'm feeling great...buttired...So watch out for my other stories if you are familiar with the other topics I placed them in. Much love again to everyone. Until next time! Ta ta! Oh also...I know it's the holidays and all but word to the wise: Eggnog tastes like crap. Don't drink it.
Sunburst231