Part: One- The Lutdeo
Chapter: Eighteen: A Short Talk
Author: Fritters-4-Psi
Disclaimer: I do not own the show Avatar: The Last Air Bender or the related characters. Nor do I profit from this fanfiction. The only things of my creation in this fanfiction are the Koertan, Kashi, Risha, the concept of the grith coin, Vioniza, Raven's Watch, and Kali. Other possible thing to come in later chapters.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
He looked to the sundial again. Something odd was going on. In the past few minutes, Zuko had looked at the sundial on a rock outside the barn several times. Risha also noted that her cousin was unusually on edge. It almost seemed as if he was paranoid. He hadn't been acting like that when she had first seen him that morning. What had brought this change in attitude?
The two had been sitting on the ground outside the barn. Since the sun had rose, they had been talking for roughly half an hour. During that time, Zuko had gotten progressively twitchy. His actions made it seem like Risha wasn't welcome there. The Prince had given one word answers to most of the questions his cousin had asked. On a whole, he seemed more interested in the bouquet of wild flowers.
Risha was getting tired of Zuko's behavior. In a roundabout way, she had asked him several times what was going on. He had not gotten the hint, though. Apparently, elusive tactics were lost on her cousin. She would just have to ask him plainly. "Incase you haven't noticed, Zuko, you're acting like there's something wrong. Or that you're expecting something to happen," Risha stated, "What's going on? You've been smelling those flowers, something very odd for a guy from the Fire Nation to be doing, let alone, the Prince of the Fire Nation. And you've been checking the time constantly."
A startled look crossed Zuko's face at Risha's abruptness. "Nothing's wrong. I'm fine," Zuko lied.
The Fauna Bender hid the smug look that wanted to cross her face. "If you're sure nothing is on your mind," Risha implied, "I just wanted to make sure that you're okay and there's nothing happening that you would want to talk about. I guess I'll just sit here for a while, then."
"Why don't you go inside?" Zuko insisted, "You would be far more comfortable in there. You should go inside."
On any other occasion, Risha probably would have felt hurt that her cousin was trying to push her away. She was almost positive what was going on with Zuko, but she just wanted the justification of him admitting it. "Thank you, but no thank you, Cousin. I'm quite comfortable sitting right here," Risha stated.
Zuko tried to remain couth, but his nerves were obviously wearing. Risha saw the vein on her cousin's forehead pop out, just like Ozai's did when he was mad or annoyed; basically all waking hours. She wanted to laugh, but knew better. Very soon, Zuko would either become extremely angry or admit as to what was going on. Risha never liked to be on the receiving end of her cousin's temper.
The Fire Nation Prince was very annoyed with his cousin. There she was, sitting there next to him, doing her best to hide her smile. She always had an uncanny ability to remain calm. He knew that she was trying to force him to talk. If he could hold out much longer, perhaps she would give up and leave. There was only about fifteen minutes until he expected Katara to come. He wanted his cousin gone by then. In a few minutes, she would get bored. She would leave then. Then again, she had a very stable constitution. "You could be very concise," she offered, "You know, when you tell me what's going on. I know something is going on. Just admit it and I'll go."
Zuko was not going to be able to win this battle. "I left Katara a note this morning," Zuko explained, "I asked her to meet me behind the barn three-quarters of an hour past dawn. That is in less than fifteen minutes. I really don't want my older cousin with me when I'm trying to have a private conversation with Katara. Please, go."
Risha gave her cousin a knowing smile, signifying that she had knew all along that was what he was trying to say. Keeping her composure, she rose from the ground. As the Fauna Bender walked away, she whistled a slow tune. Shortly, a Koertan calf walked out of the forest. There was a short silence. "This Koertan is named Flowers," Risha received an odd look from her cousin, "I told her to come out of the forest when you give Katara those wild flowers. While Katara is busy admiring the lovely flowers you gave her point out Flowers. Trust me, everyone, especially girls, love baby animals. When you see Flowers don't mention anything about starting up a roasting fire. Be courteous and things should go pretty well."
With that final note, Risha walked toward her house.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
A/N: Ha, ha. Risha's trying to make it easier for Zutara to be possible. I mean, Zutara needs, like, CPR after Zuko attacked Katara in the season finale. Methinks, I need to work on making the chapters longer. Guess what, though? Today, I shall give you all TWO chapters to read! Look! And you shall see!
Reviews
17, SovereignxXxBrunette: You're welcome for the Zutara fluff! And thank you for the Happy Holidays. I hope you had a good holiday!