Yay! I updated again because apparently a lot of people are ordering me to post more. o.O Not that I mind. I like writing and you're reviews make it all worth while!
ladyfox00/Elemental Shinobi: Glad to see new faces and ever more glad you like. :D
Element Girls: That's harsh, I mean Zhao is okay looking... on his own. Okay, he's got nothing on Zuko, but hey give him credit! You're insulting Iroh, remember that!
Suna-Tsuki-Koinu: Just never expected a relative to fall in love with the desendant, huh? Kust trying my best to keep ya on your toes.
The chapter is slightly longer than the rest and more drama. Hope you like!
It had been two days since the meeting of Zhao and his men and the arrive on the island Gobi. Since the minute the two had met, Zuko and Zhao quietly announced war between each other. In the cross fire was Kiko and the habitants of the village where they located themselves in tents on the boarders.
Kiko found herself shunned from the people for the fear of her being a fire bender, making her see the real damage the war had brought on this world. She had asked Zuko to leave, but found it hard to escape Zhao's battle ship. She also noticed Zuko being more distant to her, speaking to her less and standing near when Zhao would be near and Iroh found himself busy as Zhao continued to call him to his tent when he isn't dogging her. Kiko felt like a prisoner on the island and everyone around her were the guards.
Zhao, attempt to sweeten her, had given her full command over his men and they were to serve her without question and she was insisted she attend dinner with him every night, where he would talk of his accomplishments and the disgrace Zuko had brought to the Fire Nation. She found it sickening.
On the third day Kiko walked through the outside of the village. It was a bright sunny day and the people were very much in a bustle within the village, but she knew she was unwelcome by them. So she tried to enjoy the day outside of her tent, given by Zhao, when she saw three children cowering in the presence of a soldier.
"For speaking against the Fire Lord in such a way demands punishment," she could hear him say as she walked up to him.
"That will be all," she growled softly as she walked between the kids and the man.
"Excuse me?" He said, completely surprised she would interrupt.
"You heard me," she said. "Or would you like me to tell Zhao you went against a direct order, comply to my every demand, I believe it was?" The soldier was obvious frustrated with the situation, his fists shaking slightly, but he turned on his heel and walked away.
"Are you hurt?" Kiko asked, turning to the children. There was a boy who looked 10 at most and two girls, one seemed 6 and the other slightly younger than her. The youngest was crying.
"We were just talking, picking fwowers," she said through her tears. "That man heard us and told us to stand up. He gwabbed my necklace and bwoke it." In her small hand was string with a few beads still hanging helplessly.
"Reiny," hissed the boy.
"It's okay," Kiko said softly. She knelt down to be eye level with the kids, hurt when the boy stood between her and the girls. "You don't like me, do you?"
"You're from the Fire Nation," the boy shouted. "My dad say you're all evil people."
"I can't fix that or he necklace," Kiko said quietly, reaching in her pocket. I'm sure uncle Iroh won't mind, she though to herself. She pulled out a gold chin with tiny white gold rings entwined. "Take it."
"Weawy?" Reiny said with a smile. She went around the boy and carefully took the necklace and excitedly showed the other girl. With waiting for a word to be said Kiko stood up and continued with her walk when she heard, "What's your name?"
"Kiko," she said, turning to them.
"I wike you, Kiko," Reiny said. "Come see us again?" Kiko smiled and nodded, waving to them as the boy ushered them back to the village.
"Lady Kiko," she heard Zhao say. She inwardly groaned, rolling her eyes as she turn to face him.
"What is this I hear of you stopping one of my men from punishing a vandal disdaining the Fire Lord?" He asked as he walked up to her, his voice more curious than angry, though anger could still be heard.
"They were children, Zhao," she argued. "Much too young for puberty. The fear he caused was punishment enough. Or did he not tell you they were practically babies?"
"No," Zhao admitted. "He made it sound as if they were grown men." Kiko huffed and walked towards the village, Zhao following behind.
"Why are you upset at me?" He demanded.
"Coming to me with that ridiculous excuse to talk me, excusing of something I had every right to do," she said without looking back at him. The villagers grew interested and watched the so-called lover's quarrel.
"I had to ask," he said. "That doesn't explain your attitude the past few days when all I try to do is be kind to you." That was when Kiko stopped, taking him by surprise and turned to face him.
"First of all you are trying to buy my affections, which I must say will fail because I am not an object up for market," she said, her voice raised. "Second of all, you have me prisoner here on this island. These people hate me because of the fact you and this stupid war that I have no part of! I want nothing to do with you, and if it was my choice I'd leave at first light tomorrow with Zuko and be done with you forever!" She turned and marched off through the village, those who heard he speech watched her with awe and quickly moved away from Zhao, who was clearly getting angry.
"What is it?" Zhao shouted at Zuko's face. He had marched to Zuko and Iroh's tent, ramming Zuko against a base beam with his arm to his chest. Zuko was taken off guard at this sudden attack and was easily detained. "What is it about you that has her favoring you over me?"
"There's a chance I may have a heart after all, Zhao," Zuko said softly, not struggling against Zhao's hold.
"Don't talk to me about heart," Zhao spat. "You've hardly spoken to her since we've been here. Just pushing her around to avoid me. So why would she want to leave with you?"
"Zuko makes mistakes, Admiral Zhao," said Iroh. Zhao turned his head to see him sitting on his bed. In his rage he hadn't seen the older man in the tent with his nephew. "As we all do. Kiko realizes mistakes from cold heartedness and she knows which she prefers." Zhao released Zuko, who rubbed the area where he was held, and stood looking at Iroh. "Me and my men will be leaving in the morning. Whether you leave or not, I could care less, Zuko." With that he turned and walked out of the tent.
"That went well," Iroh said with a smile. "I just hope you know what mistake I'm referring to, dear nephew."
"We are leaving in the morning as well," Zuko said walking towards the opening of the tent. "After Zhao. Tell the men to get ready."
"Aye, Prince Zuko," Iroh said to his vanishing form. "Budding romance is such a wonderful thing."
Zuko walked to Kiko's tent, by this time the sun had gone down and it was well dark, his mind was racing thinking about he had been treating Kiko the last few day and hated to admit Zhao was right about his behavior. He wanted nothing more than to kill Zhao just for looking at Kiko the way he had. It made him even more sick at how they were direct family.
He looked up to see Kiko walk into her tent and a few second later watched it glow as she lighted the candles. He stood at the opening and cleared his throat.
"Kiko, can I talk to you?" He said loud enough for her to hear.
"Just a second," he heard her say. A moment later he heard her say, "Come in." When he walked in she was wearing casual clothes with a red robe over top.
"You seem tired," he said. It was a fact her eyes seemed dim and she walked slowly towards her bed and sat down.
"I finally yelled Zhao off earlier today," she replied. Zuko thought that was the reason he decided to leave in the morning.
"Well, he came to me," Zuko said calmly. Kiko looked up surprised and Zuko fought the urge to smirk. "He said he's leaving in the morning and I plan on leaving after him. But that's not the reason why I came to talk to you."
"What is it, Zuko?" She asked kindly. Zuko blinked at her, surprised of all things by her behavior.
"Aren't you mad at me for practically ignoring you the past three days?" He asked, confused, sitting next to her on her bedside.
"Do you want me to be mad?" She asked equally as confused as him.
"NO!" He said suddenly, putting up his arms. Kiko laughed causing Zuko to ease his nerves and lowered his arms.
"Zuko, you were preoccupied with trying to keep Zhao away from me that you weren't thinking the way you usually do, I understand," she said with a smile.
"Great," Zuko said nervously. "I'm glad you understand. I better let you sleep, you look like you can use it." Kiko raised an eyebrow and Zuko knew her enough to know what she was suggesting. "No, not beauty sleep. You're beautiful as it is." That's when Zuko and Kiko realized what he had said and were blushing deeply.
Standing up Zuko backed towards the entrance of the tent and waved once, saying, "Night," before leaving.
"Night," she said after him. Kiko smiled as she got ready for bed while Zuko walked back to his tent slapping his forehead over and over again.
The next days sounds of Zhao and his men woke everyone up from Zuko's camp at the break of dawn. They left a few hours later without saying a word, much to everyone's pleasure. While Zuko and his crew prepared to leave Kiko explained she had to meet someone in the village and it took Iroh all his power to keep Zuko from following.
When Kiko got to the village where everyone was getting ready for the morning rush, she smiled when a small girl ran out from between buildings, wearing a gold necklace.
"Are you weaving?" Reiny said in a sad voice.
"Yes, I've over stayed my welcome," Kiko said. She lowered down to the girl's level and was surprised when she was attacked by a hug. When she hugged back she looked up to see the boy walk towards them
"I'm sorry for what I said the other day," he said. "My dad says he was wrong, too, after what happened yesterday. He says you're very brave and not all people from the Fire Nation are bad."
"Thanks," she said softly. When she heard her name being called she stood up and waved to the kids. "I better go. I'll miss you."
"We'll miss you too, Kiko!" Reiny said. Kiko began to run towards the now prepared ship and the kids ran after her until they got to a hill the over looked the docks. They watched her as she walked onto the ship and casted off, waving to her one last time.
"Kiko, are you alright?" Iroh asked as he walked up to her. He noticed her face was looking slightly pale and she was coughing more than normal.
"I'm fine," she said when she stopped coughing. "I must have caught a cold or something, I'll just go rest." She walked past Zuko to go to her room and for a moment Zuko and Iroh's eyes locked.
"It's just a cold, right?" Iroh said when she left. "It'll be over in a few days."
Unfortunately, it didn't end in a few days like Iroh predicted. After a week Kiko continued to show signs of heavy coughing, fever, and aches. No matter how much she sweat or how hot she was to the touch, she always said she was cold and it was harder for her to open her eye by the day.
"Uncle, what do we do?" Zuko said, pacing in Kiko's room. She was sleeping and during her illness, hardly anything got her to wake up. "Kiko may be seriously sick and there isn't another island for days! Uncle?" He looked up to see his uncle sitting by Kiko's tea table, but his tea sat cold.
"I think I may know what is causing Kiko's illness," Iroh said solemnly.
"Well, what is it?"
"I heard of it, while studying history," Iroh said. "An epidemic to fire benders, only fire benders. It caused fever, internal organs to freeze, soon she'll be experiencing vomiting and dehydration. Zuko, if she doesn't get the cure soon, she will die."
"No, I won't let that happen!" Shouted Zuko. "What's he cure, tell me!"
"I don't know," Iroh said in a panic, for the first time in Zuko's life. "The reason it was taught in history is because it happened over a hundred years ago. No one knows the cure." Zuko fell back on Kiko's bed and looked at her. There was no way he cold let her die. That was when he had a thought.
"Uncle, weren't there rumors that the avatar was flying over that village and didn't the first mate say something about seeing an object in the sky the other day?" He said quikly, standing up.
"Y-yes, but Zuko Kiko is - " Before he could finish his sentence Zuko made a mad dash out of the room into the steering room and turned to the first mate.
"Where was that object you saw heading?" He demanded. Shocked by Zuko's sudden appearance and question, he replied it was headed west. "Follow it, it's more than likely the avatar."
"Now wait just a minute!" The lieutenant said. "Kiko is down below sick and all you can think about is catching the avatar?"
"Do not question my motives, just do as I say!" Zuko yelled.
"Zuko, I have to agree with him, what are you thinking?" Iroh said, catching his breath from trying to catch up with him.
"Look!" Zuko said, turning to the crew who were their in the room. "Kiko has a illness that's over a hundred years old, the avatar lived over a hundred years ago. He's the only one we have who knows the cure, so we have to get him by any means! Do I make myself clear!" The crew blinked and turned to do what they were told, Iroh smiled to himself, reprimanding himself for doubting Zuko's love for her.
They went full speed, Iroh spent this time with Kiko while Zuko stayed out on deck for any signs o the avatar. When hours went by he began to lose hope when the helmsman shouted, "Avatar sighted!" The commotion was loud enough for Iroh to be called out onto the deck and they saw the flying bison come into range.
"Oh man, it's Zuko," Sokka said. He noticed smoking from the east and there in the water was Zuko's battle ship. "And he's headed right toward us."
"But Kiko's on the ship, too," Katara said. "Wow, everyone's out on deck."
"To attack us," Sokka said as though it were the obvious.
"I don't see Kiko, though," Aang said, trying to peer over Appa's giant head.
"You're right, I wonder where she is," Katara said.
"Let's not find out before we're open game!" Sokka said, starting to panic. "Look, Zuko is after Aang, end of story. Not even Kiko can change that."
"What happened to 'you're part of the group'?" Katara said.
"Aang, we have to go," Sokka said. "Kiko's our friend, but we have to think about it. Zuko will attack us, just to get you." Aang sighed quietly before turning Appa away from the ship.
"They're turning away," Iroh said, obviously. "What will we do, they won't come to us. Not after all we did to them." Zuko watched them before running down below deck and quickly coming back with a white sheet.
"Help me!" He said. Iroh got he idea and took a corner, helping Zuko wave the sheet in the air.
"Look," Aang said. "A white flag. Zuko's giving up?"
"Don't fall for it, it's a trap!" Sokka yelled out, standing up to get someone's attention.
"Cool it, Sokka," Katara said, pulling down his shirt, making him fall forward. "Aang, it may have something to do with Kiko. Zuko wouldn't wave a white flag unless he meant it."
"Yip, yip!" Shouted Aang as he steered Appa towards the ship.
"We're all doomed!" Sokka shouted, ducking his head under his hands.
"They're coming," Zuko said. He dropped the sheet and ran towards Aang as he landed his flying bison. "Avatar."
"What is it, Zuko?" Aang said in an uncommon serious voice.
"It's Kiko, she's sick and my uncle thinks it might have been an illness from a hundred years ago," Zuko said quickly.
"Where is she?" Aang asked. Without saying a word Zuko turned and ran below deck, Aang following after him.
"Come on, Sokka," Katara said as she followed the two boys along with Iroh. Sokka tried to run after them but tripped over Appa's reins.
"Why does this always happen to me?" He groaned. Down in Kiko's room everyone gathered around the sleeping girl, Aang looked pale.
"Aang, what's wrong?" Katara asked.
"I remember…" Aang said softly. "I remember a friend, a boy named Domiki, had this sickness. They called it the Ice Fever. Everyone tried to get the cure, but when they finally found it, it was too late. He had died."
"We need that cure to save Kiko from the same fate," Zuko said.
"The ingredients are easy to get," Aang said, looking up at everyone. "But it'll take three days to make. How long has she been like this?"
"A week," Iroh said.
"She may just have a week more, maybe two if she can fight it long enough," Aang said. "But from it looks like it." Zuko suddenly turned and faced Aang, surprising everyone in the room.
"On Kiko's life, I swear I'll let you say on the ship to make the cure and after until Kiko is cured without touching once. My men will be order to stay away from you, if that's what you wish. I'll let you go without trying to catch you, at least for a time. All I want is Kiko to live through this," Zuko said all in one breath. He attempted to catch his breath as he waited for an answer.
"Aang?" Katara said.
"Kiko is our friend," Aang said. "I won't let her down. You have a deal Zuko. "Katara, can you can Sokka stay here while I get the ingredients? I'll need a large metal pot with fresh water when I return. With Appa I should be back by the end of the night."
"Are you sure you know all the ingredients?" Sokka said doubted.
"I'm sure," Aang said as he left the room. "Master Gyatsu made the cure in the first place." Zuko and Iroh followed after Aang, while Katara and Sokka stayed with Kiko, as he walked to the deck and watched him as he flew off with Appa.
"He probably left his friends here as a reassurance he'll return," Iroh said out loud.
"I'm afraid, uncle," Zuko said with a shaky voice.
"You're in love, Zuko," Iroh said before turning to return to Kiko's room, leaving a wide-eyed Zuko. He was right, Zuko then realized it was love he felt for Kiko and he was scared more now than when he faced his father years ago. He was scared of losing her and didn't know hat he'd do if she died.
Idiot finally firgures out he's in love with her and Sokka... well he's the comic relief, what can I say? Hope you like and please review whilst I go take a nap. The next chapter shoudl come as quickly as these last two have. See ya!