Disclaimer: Don't own it. Never have, and never will.
So, sorry it took so long to update. I just haven't been in the typing mood.
Anyway, this is just a filler chapter. I had to write this, and I really didn't like it. But it was needed for the character development of a certain person to hatch.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy. The next chapter should be better.
Ps. I thought you all would like to know that Zhao in chinese means "To attract". I dunno why, but I thought that was interesting.
24
Melia calmly walked through the marketplace, looking that the fabrics and gathering up supplies. She wondered where Kila had run off to, or if she stayed in the water. One thing was for sure: Melia wasn't going to go look for her.
Zukos' angered eyes bore into the retreating back of Zhao as he walked off the ship. Zuko didn't exactly know what Zhao was up to, but he knew that this wasn't the end of it. Turning around, Zuko walked back inside the hallways to think things over. Then, remembering an earlier thought, he ventured to find his uncle and ask him the question that was plaguing his mind earlier.
He finally found his uncle in the kitchen, sitting on a stool, slurping a bowl of soup pensively.
"Uncle," Zuko began. "What is the favor you asked of Lady Melia?"
"You must know that it was to get Miss Kila off the ship?" Iroh asked through a mouth full of curry noodles.
"I had an idea." Zuko said, leaning up against the wall. "Is it her job to get her back onto the ship as well then?"
"I assumed Lady Melia would do that as well, however I only asked her to get Miss Kila off the ship without being seen."
"It seems like so much trouble just for one person. Why did we even bring that girl on our ship in the first place?"
Iroh looked up at him. "Don't you remember? She was working for an Earth Kingdom general. You felt sorry for her and-"
"I felt no such thing!" Zuko said, interjecting.
"Well, you must have felt something that made you willing to bring her onto our ship Prince Zuko." Iroh said, returning to his food.
Zuko looked up towards the ceiling. "Perhaps it was pity…" he said.
"Perhaps." Iroh said, returning to his curry.
Zuko stared intently at the ceiling. Was it pity?
Melia came back on the ship carrying an armload of fabrics and outfits. She began to wonder about Kila again, if she was still waiting in the water… No. Push it from your mind she thought. I wonder how Jet is doing… and so she ventured off to her room, where she dumped her clothing to where Kilas' bed was, and went down to the prison hold to talk to the rebel leader.
"Zukos' ship is leaving!" Aang said from his lookout at the top of a tree. "We should probably head out if we want to keep him in sight."
Grabbing Sokka's sleeping bag, Kila crawled up Appas' large tail and secured it to the saddle. Sokka tossed up the other bag to Kila, and she tied that one on as well. Katara emerged from the forest carrying a bag of fruit, and tossed an apple to Momo.
The crew all settled themselves on Appas' saddle, and with a "YIP YIP!" they were off.
That night at dinner on Zukos' ship, the crew waited around expectantly for Kila to come out of the kitchen with a pot full of food. However, no matter how long they waited, she didn't come out.
Zuko got fed up. He stormed into the kitchen, where his suspicions were confirmed: she wasn't there. This was probably like that one time she didn't make breakfast, he thought to himself, and began stomping towards that stupid girls' room. Banging the door open ready to explode, he only found Melia sprawled on her bed reading.
"Where is she?" Zuko asked, trying to contain his anger.
"Where is who?" Melia questioned back innocently.
"That girl."
"Kila?"
"Yea. Her."
"I don't know, she's probably somewhere on the ship." Melia said turning a page.
Zuko grunted and left the room, closing it a bit harder than needed. He stormed off towards his uncles' room, where he again proceeded to bang the door open, where he found his uncle taking a nap.
"Where is she?" He asked, though louder than last time, causing Iroh to jerk awake.
"Where is who?" Iroh questioned, rubbing his eyes.
"Where is she?" He repeated.
"Lady Melia?"
"No, the other one."
"Miss Kila?"
"Yes."
"You don't know her name?" Iroh asked, taken aback.
"I know her name; I just have no reason to say it. Now where is she? It's dinner time, and there's no food!"
"Did you check her room?"
"I did, and she wasn't there."
"Did you ask Lady Melia?"
"I asked her, and she didn't know."
Iroh thought for a second. "I never saw her come back on the ship…" he mused to himself. "Did you see her come back?"
"Good riddance if she left!" Zuko said, now too angry to care about dinner. With that he slammed Irohs' door shut and stomped off to his room.
One week passed: Kila, Aang, Katara and Sokka watched Zuko from a safe distance away. They were nearing a port, and Katara mentioned that they were in need of some food supplies. So Aang pointed Appa for a landing spot, which was in a patch of dense trees. Upon landing, Appa slid down onto his belly and fell into a nap.
"Oh come on! He was only flying for a week!" Sokka complained. Momo jumped on him and pulled his ponytail, causing Sokka to fall over.
"Give him a break! Appa's tired!" Katara said, scratching the giant monster behind a horn.
"OK! FOOD!" Aang said as he grabbed their side-bag and proceeded to march off towards the marketplace.
"I'll stay here and keep watch." Kila said. "I don't think it would be wise for me to go out in public, seeing as I have a price on my head."
"That would make sense." Katara said, smiling. "Fine, you can stay here and watch the stuff. We'll be right back."
"Take your time." Kila said, stretching her legs. She walked around the clearing, looking at the trees to see if they were plain deciduous, or fruit bearing. When all she found were pine cones, she climbed back up onto Appas' saddle and straightened the bags. After that, she just got bored and laid down on Appas' tail.
Her thoughts wondered to Melia. Did she look for her after Zhao left the ship? Or did she just expect Kila to make her way back herself? That thought still plagued her, and she hoped she didn't create a large inconvenience for Melia. Then her mind wandered towards Zuko: What did he think about Kila not being on his ship? Sure, she disappeared before, but that was when Sokka yanked her off, and Zuko was mad at her. Now he had no reason to be angry…but what if he was? Did Zuko miss her? Did he even notice she was missing?
Wait a minute, why did she care what he felt? Zuko was always rude to her, and never treated her fairly. He was just a gigantic prick, totally unable to show any thanks for everything she did for him. He was annoying, arrogant…and yet Kila loved to be in his company. He calmed her for some reason she couldn't understand. But how?
Kila stood up and walked out of the campsite; she needed to clear her head.
Coincidentally, Zuko had stopped his ship because his kitchen was in dire need of supplies. Mao had started cooking again, and he had burned so many recipes, that they needed to re-stock on practically everything.
However, he was deterred from his mission when Melia and Iroh pulled him into store after store, making him look at an infinite amount of jewelry, clothing, etc, all modeled by Melia herself.
"OH! This outfit is lovely! I'll be right back!" Melia exclaimed for the millionth time as she pranced into a changing room.
"When did she suddenly turn so spunky?" Iroh chuckled from his seat. "If I remember correctly, she used to be timid and shy. What happened?"
Zuko didn't answer; he was too busy looking at the jewelry this store had to offer. Iroh pushed himself out of his chair and meandered over to where his nephew was standing and looked at the jewelry as well. Zuko picked up a gold chain with a single ruby dangling off the end and examined it.
"Look Prince Zuko! Matching earrings!" Iroh said, plucking the said items off their display case and holding them up to the prince. He just batted them away and continued to stare at the necklace.
"Surely the fine gentleman would care for something a bit more extravagant?" the salesperson behind the counter said. "That necklace is a mere jewel, where we have many others, passing that one by far."
"Wrap this one up." Zuko said, handing it to the man. He rolled his eyes and delicately plucked the necklace out of the princes' grasp.
Iroh looked at his nephew, trying to decipher what he was thinking. Zuko just went back to his original seat and sat back down, not saying a word. Iroh seated himself next to him, but then stood right back up as Melia came out of the dressing room, wearing her newest (and most expensive) outfit yet.
As Iroh started exclaiming praises, Zuko stood up and walked out of the store.
"What's wrong with him?" Melia asked.
"I don't know, but he's probably just stressed out." Iroh concluded. "It's almost time for Sozen's Comet to strike, and Zuko isn't by his father where he should be."
"Oh…" Melia said looking downward. Then she remembered she had about four more outfits to try on, so she walked back to the dressing room.
Zuko walked right out of the marketplace and into the neighboring forest; he needed to get away from that woman.
Why were all women in his life so bizarre? There was his sister, there was Melia, and there was that other girl.
She was probably the most problematic of them all. With her sickening attitude, her crazy theories, and her singing. Her singing still annoyed Zuko the most. How was she able to hold him with just her voice? It was ridiculous!
Without You
The Ground Thaws
The Rain Falls
The Grass Grows
Without You
The Seeds Root
The Flowers Bloom
The Children Play
And now because of that girl, Zuko thought, I'm hearing things. This is just perfect. He stopped walking and rubbed his temples, trying to drown out the sound. No, it wasn't working, he could still hear it.
The Stars Gleam
The Eagles Fly
Without You
The Earth Turns
The Sun Burns
But I Die
Without You
Zuko tried to figure out where that sound could be coming from. He hadn't seen her for a whole week, and for all he knew, she was back at that port where Zhao had conducted the inspection. He turned towards the sound was coming from, and headed in that direction.
Without You
The Breeze Warms
The Girls Smile
The Cloud Moves
Without You
The Tides Change
The Oceans Crash
The Crowd Roars
The Days Soar
The Babies Cry
Without You
The Moon Glows
The River Flows
But I Die
Without You
She was sitting on an old stump overlooking a valley when he found her. Again, all he saw was her back, just like the last time he had heard her sing. How ironic that he hated to hear her, yet he always seemed to be around when she was alone, and her most sorrowful songs came out.
The World Revives
Colors Renew
But I Know Blue
Only Blue
Lonely Blue
Within Me, Blue
Without You
Without You
The Hand Gropes
The Ear Hears
The Pulse Beats
But this still didn't answer his question of how she was here! How did she get here? Why was she always around? Why wouldn't she just leave?
Without You
The Eyes Gaze
The Legs Walk
The Lungs Breathe
The Mind Churns
The Heart Yearns
The Tears Dry
Without You
Life Goes On
But I'm Gone
Cause I Die
Without You
She finished that last note out and sat completely still, looking towards the sky. Just like last time, Zuko waited a few seconds to see if she was really done singing, then he stomped down with one foot to break a few twigs. Kila quickly turned around to see who it was, and her eyes widened as she saw the prince.
"P-prince Zuko?" she asked timidly.
"What are you doing here?" He questioned.
"I could ask you the very same question!" She answered, smiling and standing up off the stump.
"It is none of your business how I got here. Plus, I believe I asked you first." He said, folding his arms.
Kila bit her lip, thinking. "Well, I kinda hitched a ride." She replied.
"From whom might I ask?"
"I would rather not say."
"And why not?"
"Um…" Kila thought for a second. The reason was mainly because she didn't want Zuko to jump off the handle for learning she got here via flying bison. She didn't want to have Aang captured until it was absolutely necessary, and if she told Zuko that he gave her a ride, they would be ahead of schedule. Although the comet was coming in less than a month, time was running out.
"I'm waiting." Zuko said.
"Aang gave me a ride." She replied, looking downward.
"Aang? Who is that?" Zuko asked.
"The Avatar."
"The Avatar is here? WHERE?" Zuko had crossed the clearing in two steps and held Kila threateningly by her collar.
"Calm down tiger." Kila said, quite afraid of Zuko at that point. "He's not here right now; he's gone off somewhere. If you keep making a racket, then he's going to hear you and run away."
"I need to go get my men." Zuko said as he let go of Kila and quickly began walking away.
"That's not going to work." Kila called after him, trying to formulate a plan in her mind.
"What do you mean? Of coarse it is going to work." Zuko said, turning around and facing her, a menacing look on his face.
"It has never worked before, and Aang knows all your other moves." Kila said, stepping towards him. "Tell you what. I'll go trick Aang and bring him to you, if you forgive me."
"Forgive you for what?"
"Whatever I did to make you hate me so much."
Zuko blinked at this statement, but then recoiled with "You are willing to betray your friend?"
"If you'll forgive me."
"Even I'm not that cold hearted." Zuko replied, quite amazed that she would do something like this.
"Well…yea I suppose." Kila said scratching her head.
Zuko took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I don't even know why I'm going to allow this. If you don't have the Avatar on my ship by the end of the day, then I will hunt for you as well." With that he walked away from the clearing and back to the store where he had left Melia and Iroh to their shopping.
"WHAT? ALREADY?" Aang asked when Kila had told him that he needed to be captured by Zuko.
"It's our only real chance Aang. I'm so sorry, but beggars can't be choosers." Kila said, genuinely sorry.
"She is right Aang. The comet is coming at the end of the month. We have to move fast." Katara said, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. Aang nodded.
"Alright. So, all of us are going tied up and gagged?" Sokka asked from Appa's tail.
"I don't see why not." Kila said shrugging.
"What about Momo and Appa?" Katara asked. "Is there enough food and room for them on that ship?"
"I…ah..." Kila began, but then stopped. She had never considered Appa before. That animal was quite large, and he ate so much food in one sitting. There definitely wasn't enough room for the beast. "There is no place for Appa. Momo maybe, but not Appa."
"If Appa doesn't go, then I'm not going." Aang said defiantly.
"NO! You have to Aang! You said you would!" Kila whined.
"I think I may have an idea." Sokka said.
"Look Kila, there is no way we can leave Appa behind." Katara said, stepping in for Aang.
"I have an idea." Sokka repeated.
"I know, I know. But you guys promised you would help me!" Kila said.
"I HAVE AN IDEA!" Sokka screamed, making everyone turn around.
"Gosh, you don't have to yell." Katara said folding her arms.
Sokka rolled his eyes and continued "I'll stay with Appa and follow you guys."
"No." Aang said firmly. "You can't stay alone."
"Well, someone has to be with Appa, and I won't let Katara be alone in the woods. I can handle it." Sokka replied, puffing out his chest.
"You don't have to Sokka, we can just leave now." Katara said, walking over to him.
"No Katara, let me do this." He replied.
"Gosh, when did you get so noble and mature Sokka?" Kila asked giggling.
Aang chuckled. "You're sure about this Sokka?" He nodded. "Alright, well, Katara and Momo can come with me then I suppose. Kila, get those blindfolds and rope. We're gonna begin our plan."
"Aang, you're bizarre." Kila said as she grabbed the rope and gags.
OK, that's it. I know the chapter sucked, but I really don't care right now, because I have a headache. Plus, like I said, this really is just a filler. The interesting stuff comes up next.