Extremely sorry for the long wait, writer's block likes to hit me. Everyone will be pleasantly surprised on the "guest" though.
Also, in light of the new episodes of Avatar, this is ignoring what happened in Chapter 18 (The Waterbending Master) but will deal with some of those issues (like the Waterbending Master) later.
Thanks to star, Mallaidh, and My Silver Wound for reviewing! Please keep reading!
This chapter does have the sorcerer's language (which is just Japanese but I can only use a few words, not complete sentences) and is a little lighter than the last one. Also, I have a question for the readers: should Zuko develop an interest in Sorano (ZukoXSorano, even if she is ten years his senior) or should it be just ZukoXOther (don't know yet)and SoranoXOther (doesn't matter, either way works fine with the plot). I would just like to add a little romance (I can't help it).
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Nope, own nothing but the demons and the witch.
Chapter 13 – Chiyu
She was in pain.
Whimpering, she fought to gain a foothold in reality as the illusions chased her. Her struggle ended as her body rolled and hit the oversensitive skin on her back. With a gasp, she broke the illusions and snapped awake.
Disoriented, she struggled to focus on anything. She could hear the frantic beating of her heart and her own labored breathing only. Whimpering, she tried to get to her feet, shaking like a leaf as her vision started to swim back. A hand rested on her arm and she scrambled away, still not fully conscious.
"Hey, calm down."
The voice made her try to find the source, her head searching the area frantically.
Zuko didn't know what to do. She was trembling all over, searching the room while making the weirdest noises. He had left the wards on incase she woke up in a panic like now.
Slowly, he approached her, trying to catch her attention. The one grey eye landed on him, focusing. She gasped for air as the panic faded and she began to calm down.
He placed his hand on her shoulder to get her to lie back down. The witch didn't need to be moving at this point. Her burn was even worse now and the fever that had developed was worsening her condition. She gazed at him with a slightly vacant look before collapsing back down, looking almost like a distressed Komodo Rhino.
Zuko picked up the rag that had been resting on her forehead, wringing it out over the bowl. He dipped it back in the water and wrung it out again before laying it across her forehead. She whined and tried to snap up again but he held her down until she relaxed, shaking all over. Sweat poured down her body, causing her muscles to twitch and spasm lightly. The witch was most likely dehydrated from the fight but he couldn't help her with that at the moment.
Sighing, he picked up the jar, turning it over in his hands. Opening it, he looked over at her. Zuko sat on the edge of the bed and scooped up a glob of the strange salve.
Immediately, his fingers went numb.
Startled, he jerked slightly at the quickness of the goop. That was something he had needed when he had his own burn. He glanced at her for a moment before getting another glob on his hand. As gently as humanly possible, he smeared the small amount on the burn, feeling her jolt slightly before calming again. Her eyes suddenly went half-lidded and she lied still as the Firebender spread the salve over the burn.
He replaced the lid and shook his hand to get the feeling back into his fingers. Zuko forced her to sit, letting her lean on the wall as he tried his best to wrap the wound. Sorano whimpered and attempted to fend him off. Her attempt was weak and he easily stopped her. Gently, he laid her back down and replaced the rag on her forehead. The witch blinked as the Firebender made her drink something before letting her rest.
Sighing, he leaned back in his chair, watching her sleep. She'd moan and snuggle farther under blanket periodically until she was completely curled up under the covers.
Restless, Zuko stood and went outside, leaning against the railing of the ship. He searched for the steel ship for a moment and frowned. This boat was going slower than usual. The witch couldn't have weighed that much.
His thoughts were cut off when he heard Sorano let out a yell. The Firebender turned, finding her trying to get out of the small bed. He moved quickly, grabbing her arms and keeping her still. She turned to him, the grey eye clouded with fever.
"Nani? Zuko…"
He listened while struggling to understand what she was saying. She had to be speaking in the sorcerer's language. The witch stopped and looked up at him, intending him to answer her. Zuko hadn't realized she had asked a question and struggled to figure out something to say.
"Yes," he finally answered.
That seemed good enough for her as she started to lose the strength to stand. He helped her back into the bed, draping the blanket over her. She whined and lifted her head, watching him as he sat in the chair again. Sorano seemed to judge whether he would stay or not before she passed out, her fear resolved.
Zuko made sure to keep her still, especially when she started awake and tried to make sure he was around. Her fears of the demon were evident as she made sure he was in one piece before she slipped unconscious again. He stayed in the chair besides her, answering her questions with either a "yes" or "no" as he had no idea what she was talking about.
The worst had to have been when she woke up screaming, nearly catching his face with her nails. Zuko had to hold her down until she calmed. She was shaking again, the fever affecting her more than it should've been.
Thinking, he began burning the wards off, understanding now why this fever was as serious as it was.
The grey eye flashed gold suddenly as the ward around her neck turned to ashes. Claws tried to rip his face open and he stood back, letting the demon roar and thrash. Its strength failed though as the witch's body fell to the floor. The demon glared at him, the fangs growing and sharpening to needle-points.
"You bastard," Zuko hissed, his fists lighting up. "You like her pain, don't you? That's why you didn't come out. You laughed at her pain, enjoyed it didn't you? Wanted to wait until I burned those things off to have an excuse for not showing up?" The fists had turned into balls of fire as his anger escalated.
The demon smirked, snarling as it approached the Firebender.
"But she has some control over you, doesn't she? That's why you couldn't shred my clothes on the ship."
A fleeting fear passed through the golden eye.
"She's stronger than you," he laughed. "You want to break her by killing one of the demons. Or me it seems," he remarked as he dodged an attack. "But she's still stronger than you. I don't even need to fight you. She's taking care of that now."
Growling, the demon shook his head, forcing the witch's control down. He was going to kill this son of a –
Zuko watched as the claws and fangs shrank, the gold swirling with grey. Wincing as the witch flipped onto her back, trembling for what seemed like an eternity before collapsing. Her breathing was hard, pupils dilated.
He helped her to her feet, holding onto her as she sucked in air. Sorano held onto him, moving closer as he was warm and the air was freaking freezing. Zuko led her back to the bed, laying her down again.
"Zuko?" she mumbled while he draped the blanket over her. "What?"
"Well, you're not talking in that sorcerer's language anymore," he commented, watching her face for any sign of discomfort.
She gave him a confused look.
The Firebender shrugged and gave her a small smile. "You need to be more careful, Sorano."
"Shut up," the witch grumbled, glaring up at him.
His smile faltered and he lowered himself into the chair again. "The demons were worried about you."
She rolled onto her side, the fever still plaguing her. "You talk to them?"
"They came to me," he grunted, leaning back in the chair. "Get some rest."
Sorano chuckled, pleased to find her back felt quite a bit better than it had before. "You softie," she mumbled, slipping under.
Zuko emerged from his boat when the larger ship pulled them into the hull. The Firebender carried the witch while Sorano gave him a death glare.
"I can walk, bastard," she mumbled, wishing she could swipe at his face.
"Sure you can," he replied, placing her on the stretcher Iroh had provided. "Make sure she gets the best care."
"I'll get you, you bastard!" she called out, waving her fist weakly at him and wincing.
"I see the mission was a success, Prince Zuko," Iroh commented, grinning despite himself. "You also seem to have another guest."
"Sorano?" he asked, giving his uncle a confused look.
"No," he answered. "That one."
Zuko turned around, blinking in surprise. A huge grey paw about the size of his head hung off the top of his boat and a tail as thick around as a tree trunk twitching with it. Both Firebenders walked around the ship, seeing another paw tipped with sharp claws.
The two stared up at a very dog-like head, a patch of long, silver hair hanging down. It appeared to be sleeping, mouth open and showing off six very sharp fangs.
"It appears to be a Lion Dog, Prince Zuko. I thought they were only seen at the Eastern Air Temple though," his uncle mused.
An ear twitched and one eye opened, the pupil focusing on the two. The strange beast grunted and rolled onto his stomach, wincing. Panting, the patch of hair fell over his eyes as he tried to stand and sank back down. The strong muscles around his flank twitched, shuddering around the arrowhead that had pierced the flesh.
"I believe he is injured, Prince Zuko," Iroh said softly. "Maybe you should have the medic look at him after Miss Sorano."
"Yeah," the prince agreed, watching the beast lie back down. "I will go tell him, uncle."
Iroh smirked to himself as the young man left, looking a little too eager than he really should've been. The old man glanced at the large creature, giving him a warm smile. "Been on your own as well, my friend?"
The Lion Dog grunted in response, watching the Firebender cautiously.
"I am very sure Miss Sorano will care for you as soon as she is on her feet again," Iroh said, watching the animal as the corners of his mouth lifted. He let out a deep bark and rolled onto his side again.
Zuko knocked before entering, poking his head into the sick bay. Sheets were drawn around one of the few beds in the room, a slight silhouette of the medic reflecting onto the sheet. He pulled back the sheet slightly, watching the medic look up at him from his work with the burn. Sorano was lying on her side, a blanket covering her front but leaving the back free for the medic to work with.
"Good evening, Prince Zuko," he said, his slight annoyed state disappearing when he found out who was disturbing him.
"How is she?" he asked, watching the witch as she shifted.
"This burn is in terrible shape but this salve seems to be helping it well," he responded, cleaning the wound.
"I'm awake," she growled, head turning to glare at both of them.
"I told you not to move," the medic snapped.
Sorano grumbled under her breath and settled down, frowning. Zuko smirked and shook his head.
"There is another patient though. A very large Lion Dog was hit with an arrow. He is down with my ship."
"A Lion Dog?" she asked, turning again and receiving a smack to her sore shoulder from the medic. "Fine, fine, no moving!" she cried, grumbling again.
Zuko nodded and held back a chuckle.
"I'll tend to the animal when I'm done here," the medic said, frustrated with his patient already.
The Firebender smirked when she mimicked him and earned another hit to the shoulder. "Sorano, be at least a little courteous," he scolded lightly.
"I'm going to kill you, Zuko, I really am," she warned, staying still though incase the medic wanted to hit her again.
He shook his head again, thanked the medic for his work, and retreated as the sorceress threatened him once again. Sighing, he finally felt the exhaustion of the night hit him full force. Zuko let his feet take him to his room, lying down on his bed and falling asleep in minutes.