AN: Hey everyone...sry I'm not updating like I should...I've been having a really hard timewith this chapter...you see I'm trying to keep everyone all in character but its really getting to me...so sorry if Zuko's not totally in character! I've decided that I'm not going to update as frequently...because I need to get my head together with this story...I'll be writing but while I do, I need to get my priorities in order with how this story is gonna go...its giving me a headache...so if I dont update as frequently, that's why. But please don't leave me...It won't be a long delay...maybea week, justenough to get my head together and arrange my upcoming chapters intohow theyshould begoing. You know! Well here ya go ch.6! R&R ENJOY!
The Doom of Innocence
Ch.6 Why Do You Fight?
An elegant red bird zoomed through the sky, gracefully exerting air through its crimson feathers. It carried with it an important message, a message that could destroy the life and the dreams of a certain individual; a letter for Zhao.
The brave little messenger made its way to the Fire Navy Port, where Zhao was pacing back and forth, inspecting the repairs of a large battleship.
Zhao looked to the sky and saw the bird making its slow descent towards him, he held out his arm as it landed, and extracted the message.
"Hmm…a message from the Fire Lord." Zhao whispered to himself as he read; his eyes grew wide with shock and disbelief. He chuckled evilly.
"Well, well, Prince Zuko, it looks as if your finally about to meet your match." Zhao chuckled again as he tucked the letter under his armor. He looked over to the commander.
"Commander, ready the fastest and smallest ship available in this port." He said heading back to his quarters.
"Yes sir. But if I may ask, why the smallest ship?" The commander asked nervously.
"Well, let's just say we're going to pay a certain banished prince a little visit." With that Zhao walked off to prepare for the voyage.
Zuko stood on deck staring into the sky as he always did when searching for the Avatar. It was a clear day, perfect for sailing and in the Avatar's case, perfect for flying, yet there was no sign of the flying bison anywhere.
Iroh was on the other side of the deck drinking tea and talking to himself about how tea had the amazing power to soothe the soul, thinking someone was actually listening to him.
Meisha was sitting on deck far away from everyone, staring off mindlessly into space, apparently in deep thought; it was obvious that she didn't want to be bothered and no one dared approach her.
Zuko glanced her way and studied the trance-like fixture of her eyes; neither wavering nor averting from whatever it was she was staring at, her eyes were full of something so familiar, like Zuko had seen them somewhere before. He couldn't put a finger on it but he knew he had seen the strength in her eyes in someone else before, but he just couldn't remember who.
What could have happened to make her this way? He thought still watching her. He could tell that she had once been very happy, like girls her age should be, but she was not. When he looked in her eyes he saw confusion, hate, pain, and determination; whenever he looked at her, he saw what torment truly was.
She had yet to speak to him or anyone for that matter, since they both had apologized. In fact she seemed to keep to herself and remain hidden in the shadows even more now. Everyone on the ship wondered about this strange girl, yet no one dared ask a single question.
Suddenly her amber eyes shot up and glared into Zuko's. His gaze lingered for a minute until he looked up and saw…the Avatar.
Meisha's mind had been racing until she realized that Zuko had been staring at her. When she looked up at him he looked confused, like he had been trying to remember something.
So rude… she thought when he looked back up to the sky. Then all of a sudden he started shouting.
"Avatar," he yelled, and soldiers started appearing form nowhere. She stood up and glanced in the direction he was pointing. She saw a large white flying bison with an arrow on its head flying full speed trying to escape from the warship.
Upon closer inspection she saw a young bald boy with the same markings on his head, steering the bison. Two young Water Tribe teenagers were sitting on the bison's back yelling at the bald kid. One was a boy with a small ponytail who looked to be a moron, while the other was a girl with a long braid who looked to be the sensible one in the group.
A catapult had been raised from below deck and was being readied for the attack.
The Avatar glanced down and for a brief moment and made eye contact with Meisha. Longing filled her eyes; she envied the two teens that were able to travel and help the Avatar. A part of her longed for that kind of freedom, while the majority of her pushed those thoughts back down; she knew her place.
The boy's grey eyes widened and he jumped back, it was as though her soul had resounded within his. It was like he heard her crying out for freedom and that he was the only one who would be able to bring it. He looked back ahead and tried to steer the bison away to safety.
So...this is the Avatar...the one thing that fills Zuko with hope. She thought.
What fills me with hope? She never really liked to think about hope; her hope had been crushed long ago. Jie...no! The victory of the Fire Nation, that's what gives me hope. She thought lying to herself. What truly mattered didn't really matter to her anymore.
She watched as Zuko gave the signal to shoot down the Avatar. The flaming fire ball shot through the air and just barely missed the bison; the Avatar looked back down at the black warship and with one last glance at Meisha, pulled the bison above the clouds and out of site.
Zuko punched the air in rage, allowing fire to fly from his fists. The crew just stood back waiting for his temper to subside; this happened frequently.
Why does this always happen? Why can't I catch him? WHY! He thought trying to cool off; steam emitting from off his body. He glared at everyone on deck, only a few soldiers remained, most had gone back to what they were doing before. His uncle was talking to Lt. Jee and the other soldiers were cleaning up the catapult before it was returned below deck. Meisha stood alone, staring up at the sky, he saw something in her eyes like a faint glimmer of hope, slowly dieing down until her usual unreadable expression returned. He slowly approached her; he was going to figure this out once and for all.
Meisha heard footsteps behind her and quickly masked any emotional expressions in her voice or face.
"Meisha," he said without much emotion. She slowly turned and faced him.
"Yes Zuko," she replied, her face had its usual cold expression.
"I wanted to see if you were…alright, you've done nothing but stare out into space for the past hour." He was starting to wonder if she had mental problems.
"Humph…and you've done nothing but stare at the sky for an hour." She retorted, smiling slightly.
"Whatever." he said rolling his eyes and watching her closely.
"Nothing is wrong! I'm perfectly fine," she said swinging her fists by her side causing fire to sling through the air.
"No you're not."
"Yes I am. Just leave me alone! I mean first you think I'm hiding something and now you think something's wrong with me! Will you just keep your nose in your own business and get off my case!" she stormed off, hoping to find some peace by meditating.
He sighed. Why was he even trying to help her, she obviously didn't want his help. He looked back to the few people who were still on deck, all were silent waiting for him to kick something or knock someone out, but he didn't. He simply looked back to the sky, mind racing with questions he couldn't answer.
The sun was setting on a black warship. It was a good size larger than Prince Zuko's but was still fairly small.
Admiral Zhao stood there glaring into the distance; the salt air blew through his hair while the salty waves licked his face. He smirked as he watched the crew bustle about, preparing for the upcoming encounter.
Meisha, Meisha, what a lucky girl you truly are to be such a highly favored servant of the Fire Lord. Zhao thought bitterly, envying her high position, although it wasn't the most honorable position, she was still in a more powerful place with the Fire Lord than he could ever dream of being. He knew it wasn't what she wanted though and in his opinion she didn't deserve it.
Humph, the little traitor should have been burned at the stake just like her comrades. Well it doesn't matter now...I guess she has her uses though. He smirked again, watching the sun slowly descend beyond the horizon.
Meisha looked to the starry sky and smiled; this would be the perfect time to practice her Firebending. She walked around on deck and made sure no one was watching. She didn't really care if anyone saw, but she just wanted peace. Although she didn't know it, she was being watched.
Meisha closed her eyes and summoned the fire within her; in an instant a flash of fire sparked from her hand and started hovering around her face.
Using her hand she formed and guided a fire snake into different directions, and then formed a graceful arc above her head. She reshaped the fire into random shapes and after awhile, allowed it to take on its original form, then she suddenly punched the air with both hands causing the fire to rocket off toward the sea.
Satisfied she circled around and kicked the air shooting the fire off in a random direction. She jumped up and slashed at an invisible opponent sending the fire flying off into the distance. She landed on her feet then jumped up and did a flip and using both hands sent fire spiraling to the deck below. She smiled, took a deep breath, and jumped up again, this time spiraling in midair causing fire to engulf her then landed, spinning like a top. When she finally stopped, she took another deep breath and closed her eyes and concentrated on the energy around her.
She suddenly opened her eyes and caused lightning to spring from her fingers. She guided it along just as she had done with the fire, using precise motions and caused it to dance around her. She guided it slowly and formed a complete circle, and then suddenly redirected it, shooting it to her left, causing a flash to brighten the sky as the lightning made contact with some foreign object.
She looked down at her left arm where her gash was and gently touched it, it was throbbing. As she thought back to her battle with Jet, other unwanted memories started to dig their way in. She ignored them and started to bend lightning again except taking it to a more extreme level.
She jumped up and a curved sword made of lightning appeared in her right hand. As she slashed and jabbed at the air, images of long ago flashed through her head.
Blood and tears ran mingled down her sweat covered cheek. Her blood soaked shirt became too much for her to bear. The blood on her hands was the blood of her brother's best friend Ru, the man she had secretly been in love with for the last two years.
She dropped her blood soaked sword and fell to the ground weeping bitterly.
"Pick up your weapon, you pathetic failure." General Gang screamed, kicking his daughter over.
"No, I can't do this!" she screamed begging for her father to take her away from this.
So much blood from both sides had been spilled over in the dirt, that the ground was moist and slippery.
A young girl Meisha's age stood there trembling at the sight of her fallen comrade.
"Meisha..." she said silently, tears streaming her face. "You killed my brother...why did you kill Ru! Why did you betray us?" She screamed as she was slowly dragged away with the rest of the captives.
"Na...I'm...sorry..." she sobbed. "I only did it to save Jie!" she yelled after her friend. Meisha stood there watching helplessly as they drug her best friend away, and destroyed what was left of her once great home.
Meisha lost control of her emotions as tears ran fiercely down her face, the lightning sword she had been holding blew up in her face and she flew backwards. She pulled herself back up and walked over to the railing, tears spilling uncontrollably. She heard someone approach her from behind. She quickly wiped her tears away and tried hard to look uncaring, but she knew she wouldn't be able to calm down enough to maintain a casual air.
She glanced out the corner of her eye and saw that it was Zuko.
"Are…are you alright?" he asked looking down at her. When she didn't reply he forced her to look at him.
"I just asked you a question!" he said sternly. Then he saw her tear stained face.
"I'm…..no…" she replied looking into his eyes, fighting back the tears. Her pride was screaming for her to snap at him or stalk off, anything rather than let him see her emotions; she ignored it, his voice was the only thing that seemed to soothe the raging storm going on within her.
He was uncomfortable with being in such a situation. He had never had to deal with an emotionally disturbed teen, even though he himself was one.
"I justwish I could forget everything…." She said breaking the silence watching the smooth waves gently caress the ship.
"Hmm…I wish I could forget too." He said thinking of his father, his banishment, and his honor.
She stood there silently, thankful for the gentle breeze blowing through her hair. She thought of all that both of them had gone through and wondered why she even cared about what he had suffered. She knew he was curious as to why she always acted the way she did, but she refused to let him know about any of her awful past; he would never trust her and that would put everything she'd worked for in jeopardy.
She looked at his scar and wondered why he would be so eager to catch the Avatar just so he could be with the people who had done that to him; to the people who hated him. Then she looked down to where the gash was on her left arm. She sighed, she was uncomfortable around Zuko, he seemed to make her remember everything that she had tried so hard to forget.
"Does that gash on your arm upset you?" he asked for no reason.
"No…it's a….honor to receive a scar like this for serving the Fire Nation."
"Why would you count anything that has brought you pain on account of the Fire Nation an honor?" he asked carefully knowing how sensitive she was on this subject.
"Sometimes…you have to fight for the things you believe in…and sometimes it comes at a painful price." She concluded, outlining his scar in her mind's eye.
"Why do you fight?" he asked emotionlessly.
"I fight…because its necessary…and it's my duty, and if I don't do my part, then the Fire Nation may lose the war." She knew that was not true, although she had done many things for the Fire Nation that no one would otherwise dare to do, she knew that Fire Lord Ozai could very easily do anything without her aid.
"Well, what do you believe in?" he asked suddenly. This question caught her off guard.
"I…I don't know what to believe anymore." She stammered numbly.
"Well what about you, why do you chase the Avatar so persistently only to live among people who care nothing for you?" she knew he would snap, but she didn't care, the question had been bugging her for the longest time.
He stood there calmly examining her. She didn't know anything about him or his family.
What an insolent little... He felt the urge to incinerate her on the spot, but held back; she could easily bring him down.
"I pursue the Avatar solely to gain back what is rightfully mine." He said coldly.
"Why though? Why would you want to live under the rule of a man who hated you enough to burn you like that?"
"My father does love does me; you know nothing of his true feelings." He said agitated, trying keeping his temper in check.
"Trust me; I know a lot more than you think." She turned and looked at the milky white moon dancing over the water. "Well it's getting late. Thank you for talking with me…it's helped clear my mind up."
"Humph. Whatever." He said pondering over how she could possibly know anything about his father and his feelings.
He remained silent as she walked away, disappearing behind the large metal doors.
Zuko turned his head to look at the sky; thousands of stars shone down on him. He shook his head. Meisha was so unreadable, and to him, a royal pain. He still had that nagging suspicion that she was plotting against them but was wise enough to leave that issue alone. He shook the thought away and decided the best way to clear his mind was a good night's rest. With one last look at the sky, he walked away, leaving the glimmering stars to dance under the milky moon.
AN: Well there ya go! hope it wasnt boring...sry..like I said, I was struggling with this chapter! And I promise I'll update as soon as I can! So please dont leave me! I just need to get my chapters arranged and you know get my ideas set in stone, so to speak! W/e lol well hope ya liked it...please REVIEW!