Thanks for once again reviewing, My Silver Wound!
Sorry for the long wait but the move got me and then a got writer's block when my Internet came back on. Also, school's going to start soon and my summer homework isn't finished (I'm such a procrastinator). This will probably be the last installment until either the weekend or until I get my homework done (I should start, I've only got three days left).
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: If I owned Avatar, I would have much money and I would put to work my own stories. In other words, I own the OCs. That's it.
Chapter 9 – Adabito
Zuko had really wanted to fall asleep as soon as the sun set but felt too uneasy to do so. The witch still wasn't back and the only reason why he was worried was because the ship might sink without her. Well, that's what he kept telling himself.
Ookami was sitting on deck, twirling a strange dagger in his clawed hands. The designs were foreign to the Firebender and he found them interesting. The wolf demon suddenly threw the knife and it embedded cleanly into the mast.
"Nice," Zuko said, watching the demon smirk.
He beckoned at the dagger and Zuko stared in amazement as it flew into the demon's hand again.
"How?" he sputtered, glancing from Ookami to the dagger in his hand.
"Demons have their special abilities like humans. Yours is Firebending. Mine is my connection to daggers and knives. I control them with my power," he explained, smirking slightly. He aimed again and threw it, hitting the same spot again.
Zuko was about to say something but the sound of flapping stopped him. They looked up to see a dark shape moving towards them in the air. It descended slightly, pulling up right above the deck. Sorano controlled the wings, landing like a bird and sagging in exhaustion.
The two raced down to the lower deck, Zuko standing back as the wolf demon helped her remove the flying contraption. He could hear her panting as she pushed the thing off and let it fall to the deck with a small thud.
"Didn't find anything," she mumbled, leaning against the wolf. "Searched everything in a five mile radius."
"It's all right," he grunted as she literally fell on him.
Sorano nodded and then looked up at the demon. "What happened to your face?"
Ookami blinked and rubbed the back of his head. Hoshi's hits had blackened his eye and made the left side of his face swell up as well as leave a few blue bruises. "Uh," he mumbled, trying to find something good to tell her.
"Hoshi hit you?" she asked, watching the demon's face. "He did." She pushed back, standing on her feet and gazing at Zuko now. "You challenged him, didn't you?"
All the Firebender could do was nod.
"Everyone's a moron," she mumbled, throwing her hands in the air and staggering over to the human. "Are you goin' to do it again?"
He shook his head quickly, not knowing what she could or would do.
"Good. Then no harm done!" she chirped.
She had to be insane at the moment. Or too tired to think clearly. He blinked in surprise and just stared at her. Sorano grinned and began to make her way to the hatch. Zuko glanced at Ookami who had his hand up, his fingers splayed and counting down. As soon as soon as the last one fell, he heard a loud thud and crashing.
"Goddammit!"
The loud curse was followed by a very long stream of yells on how the stairs had it out for her and why this had to happen to her. Zuko would've laughed out loud had he not feared what she would and could do now.
"Go to bed!" the wolf growled loudly. They heard something scurry away as she took off. "Every time, she falls down those steps and wonders why she always falls down them," he grumbled, shaking his head. "Sometimes I wonder if she's right in the head."
"I did not think she was ever right in the head," he said with a smirk.
Ookami chuckled. "I'm turning in. My watch is off." He turned, his tail swishing as he disappeared down the hatch. Zuko watched him and turned to the strange item behind him. He gazed at it, finding that if he hadn't seen her take off in it he would have no idea what it would be used for. In a way, it looked like a poorly designed bird kite. The Firebender wondered if the contraption was magicked or if Sorano was the one powering it but decided not to pursue the question any further. He made his way to the hatch, glancing at it once again, finding it seemed a little more friendly now, no matter how weird that sounded.
He disappeared down the hatch, not thinking about that strange thought anymore.
For the first night in five days, Zuko was not disturbed in his sleep in the middle of the night. He rolled over in bed as the sun began to bother him and frowned. Grunting, he threw the blanket off and stretched, glaring at the sun. He dragged on his boots and made his way for the mess hall.
Nezu was nibbling on a block of cheese when the Firebender grabbed his plate. The rat demon smiled at him and went back to gnawing. Zuko quickly ate the strange sandwich and found it strangely filling. Giving Nezu a nod, he jogged up the stairs and was glad to see Hoshi on deck, Ookami with him as the wolf poured over the thick book.
"I hate magic," the demon growled, his tail flicking angrily. He turned another page and stared wide-eyed at it. The wolf demon let out something that sounded like a curse under his breath and almost ripped the page trying to turn it.
"No luck then, I am guessing," Zuko mumbled, sitting next to the large demon on the stairs.
"Not a frickin' clue," he growled, rubbing his face.
"We've been at it since dawn too," Hoshi grumbled. The battle demon turned the wheel slightly to the right. "We're also gettin' closer to your uncle it looks like. The spell got a lil' bigger."
If Zuko hadn't been the Fire Lord's son and raised like a prince should be, he would've jumped for joy. But he settled for smiling slightly and nodding to the demon.
Ookami grumbled something but stopped, his body going rigid. The two ears shot up, pointed forward. He gave the air a tentative sniff before letting out a loud howl.
"Gods!" Hoshi cried out, jumping at the sudden change of mood. "What the hell is it, Ookami?"
Sorano was suddenly on deck, her body sliding through the sails to perch at the top of the mast. She gazed off into the distance, grey eyes searching. The sorceress seemed to find what she was looking for and turned to look at Hoshi. "It seems we've got someone stranded! Turn the ship and head northwest towards the smoke!"
Although the demon looked confused, he obeyed nonetheless. Hoshi gave the witch a strange look and waited a few moments before expressing his concern. "Sorano, who exactly is it we're saving?"
"Don't know!" she chirped, her go-lucky attitude returning. "We'll find out soon though!"
Hoshi looked like he was going to rest his head in his hands but resisted and let out a small sigh.
Soon enough, a small trail of smoke was seen, proving neither Ookami nor Sorano were wrong. Hoshi carefully steered towards it, being very mindful that they had entered a chain of islands and hidden sand bars could pop up at any time.
Sorano ordered the engines to be cut and the weight fell overboard again. Zuko could only guess that it was some sort of enchantment of hers. She seemed to contemplate what to do at first before turning to Ookami. "This is as close as we get."
The wolf demon seemed to understand and stood, the book tucked safely away under the wheel. He disappeared down the hatch with Sorano at his heels. She gave Zuko an inviting look and he followed, jogging down the stairs.
Frowning, she kicked a wall in the kitchen hallway. It fell away, revealing another staircase. Ookami went down first with the two behind him. Zuko gazed around the dimly lit area and then focused on the strange interior of the boat. He could hear the splashing of the waves and the low hum of the resting engine.
A small boat was tied to a piece of metal. It was big enough to fit at least six people or four large demons and was also a patchwork vessel. A small opening in the side of the ship let the water in to keep the boat afloat and let it out easily and secretly.
The three odd characters settled in and Sorano gave the boat a kick to get it going. It sputtered a couple of times and then began moving on its own accord. Zuko sat back, watching the witch concentrate as she piloted the strange boat. He then noticed the fact that she had what looked like a knife in her belt. Ookami also had brought weapons, ranging from a small, black hilted knife to an ornate dagger that looked to be about two feet long. They were prepared, he had to say. For what was the question.
With the sorceress, it didn't take long to reach the island. She guided it up to the sand, using her energy to drag it on the beach.
Zuko had seen so many islands that they all looked the same. Sand, water, trees, and grass. And maybe a few rocks. That's what they all looked like.
Sorano had an even gaze and then focused on the treeline. She laid her hand on the knife, ready to draw it just incase. Ookami had the hilt of his small knife as well, watching the same spot.
Something stumbled out, growling softly. Zuko let his palms heat up, feeding the flames and forming them into his own blades. The creature staggered to where the three stood at the ready and then stared at them with wide, gold eyes. He looked like a deformed demon, with huge claws, a wide mouth, and spines growing out of his back. There didn't appear to be any ears and he seemed very lizard-like.
"Who?" he began, his gaze landing on all three of them. When it hit Zuko, he stiffened slightly and then growled louder.
"You attack him, we'll leave you here," the witch warned with a tone the Firebender had never heard. "We should be the ones asking you questions anyways."
Ookami's hand never left his blade. Apparently, the witch was very cautious about this creature.
The gold eyes flickered and he nodded, stepping back slightly. He tried to straighten his hunched back but stopped with a groan.
"Who are you and why are you stranded on this island?" she began, measuring the demon with a cold gaze.
"Hebi and my own crew abandoned me here, the bastards," he hissed out, his eyes searching for something.
"I wonder why," the wolf grumbled sarcastically and Sorano hushed him.
"How long have you been here?" she asked, staring at him with a strange gaze.
"A few years really," the demon hissed, his gaze landing on the sorceress. His gold eyes widened and he gave her a grin that had Zuko wincing.
Sorano seemed to read the creature although her face never wavered even as the putrid smell hit the Firebender's nose. The wolf demon had been breathing through his mouth the entire time and now he knew why.
"We can take you to the nearest port," the witch started.
"Please," Ookami butted in.
"But from there, you're on your own. Got it?" she finished, giving the wolf demon a playful glare.
The demon nodded and leapt, hugging the witch while he thanked her. She looked like she was going to pass out and fought him off. "Please don't do that."
He nodded and then followed the three back to the boat. Zuko was wondering what she was doing. There was a bad vibe coming from the beast. He couldn't explain it but he didn't like the way the demon was watching them.
A silent conversation passed between the human and demon.
Ookami gave her a strange look. 'What the hell are you doing, Sorano? This guy is anything but nice!'
The witch gazed at him, her eyes speaking for her. 'I know.'
'Then why are you doing this?' he practically glared.
She faced the boat, a frown evident. 'I don't know that part. Something wants me to do this.' She then looked over at him, and he read the fear in her. 'I don't know if it's the demon in me or if it's the demon behind us. But I can't fight it, whatever wants me to do this.'
Ookami glared, making sure neither Zuko nor Hebi could see it. 'Then leave him. Hell, I'll throw him out of the boat myself.'
She shook her head. Ookami grunted and sat back as the boat slid through the water.
'I want to do this. It could turn out okay, right?'
He gave an expressive look, showing his concern. 'I swear, if he does anything, I'll kill him myself.'
'Leave it to me, Wolfie. Trust me, okay?'