LittleFlowerLeiRage SpiritAffectionate-SinnerYamiKitsuneKami: Thank youse for your kind words!... even the cheese part.
breathlesslove: You are so kind to always show how into the story you are! There is a fight in this chapter, but not between Zuko and Ling. Though that would be cool. Jack ass needs to learn a lesson. Hope to hear from ya soon! Much loves. :D
that-british-guy: Sorry to say Haku and Chihiro are real names from an anime movie, Spirited Away, by Miyazaki. So I acknowledge that I don't own them.
Suna-Tsuki-Koinu: It's so hard to tell who to feel sorry for. But in the end you must admit... they are all idiots in this americanized anime/soap opera!
Element Girls: Everything's funny when you look at it a different way. Yes, sometimes it'll be dark and demented funny, but still funny!
Bunny The Assassin: I'm proud to hear I have yet made another pawn fall into my delicate net of evil... I mean... Glad you like the story and hope you stay addicted!
"You're being kind of harsh on him, don't you think?" Katara asked from the center of the room, hugging a giant stuffed panda bear. She was speaking to Kiko in her room, Kiko was laying stomach down on her bed, a pillow was in her arms and under her chin.
She had a very large room, red walls of course, and white bed that easily stood out. The doors to her closet and bathroom were the same color as the walls and camouflaged with the walls. The only thing that would give them away were the roped door handles. Around her room were either her furniture, such as her vanity, her six foot tall mirror and armoire. Weapons decorated the walls and stuffed animals were neatly placed at the foot of her king sized bed.
It had been three days since Zuko and Ling walked in on her while dressing. Three days since Kiko last even looked at him, let alone speak to him. Though during that time she gave Ling enough to know she acknowledged his existence, which confused everyone outside of the loop as well as inside.
"How so?" Kiko said in a monotone.
"I mean, Ling did the exact same thing as Zuko and at least you're speaking to him, right?" Katara said, looking over the panda.
"It's just… it seems worse with Zuko," Kiko sighed. "With Ling, well I knew him for years and I know papa and mother want me to have the same feelings for him as he does me, but Zuko…"
"You love him, don't you?" Katara said with a smirk. Kiko only stuffed her face in her pillow. "Why don't you tell him?"
Kiko lifted hr head from the pillow and raised an eyebrow at Katara saying, "Yeah, right, I should go up to him and say 'Zuko, I was ignoring you because I love you', brilliant Katara. I doubt he even feels the same."
"You are both idiots!" Katara yelled out, standing up, unable to handle the ignorance of two people in love. She threw down the panda leaving Kiko to blink at the slammed door in confusion and shock.
"Something wrong Katara?" Aang said as she was leaving Kiko's room.
"I just can't stand to see people in love and not do anything about," Katara growled as she marched down the hall. Aang blushed to himself thinking it was the perfect time to do something about his love and knocked on Kiko's door. He walked in when Kiko shouted for him to enter.
"Hi Kiko," Aang said as he closed the door.
"Hi Aang," Kiko replied from her place within the pillow.
"Something wrong?" He asked again to the other girl.
"Just going through a moment of depression," Kiko said brining her head up to look at him. "What can I do for you?"
"It's about Katara," Aang said quickly, trying hard not to blush. Kiko had just seen Katara and could only raise an eyebrow in response. "Your mother said I should talk to you about this and I thought it was a good idea, but you've been mad lately and I didn't want to make you even madder. Then Katara left you're room all mad and I thought this wasn't a good time and then Katara said-"
"Aang!" Yelled Kiko. As though that were a cue, he began to breath, his words were rushed and used only one breath. "Calmly and slowly… tell me what's the problem."
"I'm in love with Katara!" Aang cried out.
"You could have said that a little closer to the vest," Kiko said before turning her body to sit up. "So what's the problem?"
"I don't know if she likes me the same way or not," Aang said sitting beside her on the bed. "I don't know what I should do. If I tell her and she doesn't like me like that, it might ruin our friendship. But if she does, that's great! It's the first part I'm afraid of."
"Do you really think shed let that ruin your friendship?" Kiko asked. Aang could only lower his head and shrug. "You've been friends for, what, years? Come on, I haven't know Katara for that long, but I know she won't abandon you like that. She's a true friend."
"You know something, don't you?" Aang muttered, giving her a side glance. Kiko jumped back, trying her best to smile.
"Aang, how would I know anything?" Kiko said with a false laugh.
"You're from the future, you study history. Tell me if me and Katara marry!" Aang said lunging at Kiko. With a scream Kiko and Aang were thrown on the floor. Hearing the scream Iroh and Zuko busted into the room to see Kiko holding her head with Aang on top of her.
"Well, if this isn't a peculiar sight," Iroh said. Zuko was behind him, trying his best not to let his growl be heard, his fist clamped tight.
"Aang, mind getting off?" Kiko said. Aang blinked and with lightning speed stood up and helped Kiko to her feet.
"We heard screaming," Iroh said with some concern in his voice.
"We were on Kiko's bed, we fell off," Aang said with a chuckle. "Pretty high up."
"Aang, you were going to talk to Katara I believe?" Kiko said, her eyes squinting in frustration.
"Oh, yeah," Aang said. "After lunch. Bye!" With that he ran out of the room only as fast as an air bender could.
"I hope it wasn't what he made it sound like," Iroh said with a laugh.
"No, he was coming to ask some relationship advice," Kiko said. "Kind of bad seeing how I'm not in one, but I hope I gave him something good to go on. Uncle, do you think I should be with Ling?"
"No!" Yelled out Zuko. Iroh and Kiko both looked at him with curious looks and it was all he could to back out of the room.
"Only if he makes you happy, Kiko," Iroh responded with a serious tone that's heard every so often. "But remember, if you except a marriage proposal, you must remember what comes with that. It is a pledge to spend the rest of your life with that man, and that you are in love with him. I also came to tell you it's time for lunch."
"Thanks, uncle," Kiko said with a smile. Iroh turned to walk out of the room and Kiko began to follow until Zuko took hold of her wrist. He was still facing the way he had come in and Kiko was facing the other way, her hand held by Zuko. Iroh looked back once and smiled before continue walking. He knew it was best to let the two talk things over.
"Kiko," Zuko said in a soft voice.
"Please let me go," Kiko said in return.
"Not until I say this!" Zuko nearly yelled out. He turned to her to see she was now facing him with a look of surprise. "Kiko, you've ignored me for the last three days and it's been driving me crazy. I've wanted to apologize for what I did, but you would never give me a chance. I'm sorry. I am sorry for everything."
"I never thought you'd do that, Zuko," Kiko whispered. "I thought you respected me better than that."
"I do!" Zuko insisted. "I was trying to stop Ling from talking to you about something and before I knew it, he was opening your door and… there you were." He ended kind of lamely.
"What was he going to tell me?" Kiko asked. Zuko began to stutter. If he told her that e was stopping a marriage proposal from Ling she might get even more angrier at him, seeing how she was now beginning to consider being with him.
"He was going to tell you I took a peek in your towel," Zuko lied. "In the springs. I knew it was a lie, but I couldn't have let him say something that stupid to you."
"It wouldn't have mattered whether it was the truth or not, huh?" She said with a smile. "I forgive you, Zuko." He smiled widely and stepped towards her with all intention to hug her when he suddenly froze up. He patted her on the shoulder and thanked her. As they walked out into the hall, Zuko went into the other direction.
"Where are you going?" Kiko asked.
"Following Aang's approach," Zuko muttered while walking down the hall. "I'll eat later." Kiko could only tilt her head in confusion and walk to the grand hall to eat.
When he was out of sight Zuko began to run down the hall as fast as he could. searching for Katara. It turned out she was at the hot springs practicing her water bending when he came up to her.
"Katara," he said, in an odd way. He still found it uncomfortable to say the names of the people he had been chasing for at least two years.
"Prince Zuko, what are you doing here?" Katara asked, dropping the sphere of water she was bending.
"I came here to ask you a question," Zuko said quickly. "Do you know if Kiko likes me? I mean, likes me, likes me." Katara sighed and put a hand on her forehead.
"Me and Kiko have talked about this," answering his confused look. "Why don't you ask her yourself and find out?"
"Because I'm scared she'll reject me and go for that Ling bastard!" Zuko said in a low voice, flames rising in his eyes.
"And why would she reject you?" Katara asked in a confident voice.
"Because there's something in me that says Ling is right," Zuko sighed. "He says she wouldn't be attracted to a banished prince and my… scar," he said in a hurt voice.
"I cannot believe you think Kiko would be so low as to be attracted to looks and titles," Katara said. "Kiko loves a person for who they are. I mean, even her father has that wound scar over his eye just like you. It not might be as big, but still. Do you want my advice?" Zuko nodded while looking at the ground. Her words having sunk in and realizing what he had come to assume about the girl he loves. "I don't know what you do in the Fire Nation, but people at the Water Tribe go to the father for permission or at least a blessing before asking the woman for her hand in marriage. You can go to Kiko's father and ask for his blessing before going to Kiko. And don't be afraid. If Haru agrees, you know for sure Kiko will."
With a smile he turned to walk to the temple to do that very thing, saying as he left, "Thanks Katara." He suddenly spun his head around and said to her, "This never happened."
"Agreed," Katara said with a sigh. She smiled as Zuko walked faster to the temple thinking she just helped a couple make it to the alter.
After lunch Aang decided to keep his word and talk to Katara afterward. She had come in late, saying she had a lovely conversation with Zuko. Curious as all hell, Aang decided to ask later and talk about something more important.
"Katara, can I talk to you for a second?" Aang asked as they were walking out of the hall.
"Sure, Aang," Katara said in her usual peppy voice. Aang visibly swallowed before speaking.
"Katara, do you see me other than a friend?" He asked quietly.
"What do you mean?" She asked just as quietly as he did.
"I mean, do you feel more for me than friendship?" Aang asked. "Because I know I do, feel that way for you I mean. I was wondering if you did."
"The thought has crossed my mind, Aang," Katara whispered. "And I guess if you wanted to we could be something closer."
"Really?" Aang shouted, jumping up. He lowered himself, clearing his throat saying, "I mean, I'd love that." They smiled and instinctively took hold of each others hand as they turned to walk down the all.
"The age difference doesn't bother you?" Katara asked.
"I'm not going to let a little thing like that bother me," Aang said cheerfully. "I mean, what's 98 years, huh?" (-.-;;)
Walking from lunch Kiko walked through the halls looking for Zuko when she saw Sokka walking in her direction with a sour face.
"This stinks," Sokka muttered when she came into hearing range.
"What does, Sokka?" Kiko asked.
"I just saw Katara and Aang holding hands, they officially became an item, finally," he said softly. "You have Ling practically begging for you to marry him and what do I have? I don't have anyone!"
"Pease, you don't expect to find a girl here in a Fire Nation temple do you?" Kiko asked with a smirk.
"No way!" Yelled Sokka. "No offense, but I can't see myself with a fire bender. We're mortal enemies."
"Then shall I set you ablaze now or would you want a public execution?" Kiko asked, crossing her arms in front of her.
"You know what I mean!" Sokka yelled at her, looking out the window in the hall.
"Don't worry, you're going to meet a girl down at the Southern Water Tribe," Kiko said.
"Home? I know everyone there. There is no way I am marrying one of the girls from my tribe."
"But Master Pakku is going there with people you haven't met. Just because you were staying on one ship for a time doesn't mean there weren't others following, right?" Kiko said. "You're destined to meet her, fall in love, and marry her."
"What's her name!" Sokka said, grabbing her collar. Kiko pushed him away, straightening her clothes.
"That would take he fun out of it," Kiko said with a smile only to make Sokka groan. "By the way, have you seen Zuko?"
"Yeah, your dad was talking to him about an Angi Koi or something like that," Sokka said with disinterest.
"An Agni Kai?" Kiko shouted. "Do you have any idea what that means?" Sokka just gave her a blank stare. "It's a duel! He's going to duel my father!" Kiko ran past him and he saw it fit to run after her.
"You don't even know where it's going to be at!" Sokka said, trying to catch up with her.
"We can try the training fields," Kiko rationalized. "All the Agni Kai are held there." They made quick turns and before they got outside they hear yelling. "They started!"
Started they had. Outside in the field Zuko and Haru were shirtless and in the mist of battle. Zuko had several burn marks whereas Haru only had one or two. Kiko saw her mother among several people who were watching in awe and shock.
"Mother, why are they doing this?" Kiko asked as he ran up to her.
"I have no idea," Chihiro said. "Your father said this had to be done, but he won't tell me why." Just then Haru was thrown across the field by a wave of fire that looked familiar. "That's your signature move, Kiko!"
"He remembered," Kiko whispered from the day they had practiced with one another, only to hurt themselves. Unfortunately Haru began to get the upper hand and began to beat Zuko unmercifully. Standing above Zuko Haru watched the younger boy slowly stand up, his body covered in cut, bruises and burns.
"Why do you continue on?" Haru said loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Because I won't give up, especially if it means losing the person I care for most!" Zuko yelled, managing to stand up in a fighting stance. That was when his vision became blurred and he fell back unconscious.
"Zuko!" Kiko cried out as she ran to Him. Chihiro also ran to him and began to heal his wounds with mastered water bending. As soon as all the wounds were healed Zuko blinked open his eyes and saw Kiko looking worried for him and could only feel sadness. That was when he heard her father call out his name. He sat up with the help of Kiko and looked at him.
"Zuko," Haru said. "You've won this fight." Everyone around them were questioning among themselves how that was possible, and what the fight was about in the first place. Without wasting a moment Zuko grabbed Kiko's hand and stood up, pulling her away from the training field as Chihiro went to heal her husband's wounds.
"Zuko, what's going on?" Kiko asked as they arrived in a tree grove. "You skipped lunch to fight my father? And for what reason?"
"I skipped lunch to talk to Katara and I followed her advice and I talked to your father," Zuko explained. "He wouldn't let me do it unless I fought him. I have no idea how I won, but he's basically letting me do this."
"Do what?"
"Kiko," Zuko said, holding both of her hands in his. "Will you marry me and be my princess?" Kiko could only stare in shock as the words sunk in. Tears rose in her eyes as she pulled her hands away from his and around his neck as she shouted out, "Yes, of course I will!"
They held each other for a moment before looking at one another, tears in both their eyes. That was when they leaned closer together and shared a blissful moment.
I actually has this chapter done two days ago, but the site wouldn't let me load it. Down with the website! But anyways the bad news... the story is slowly coming to an end in two or three chapters. There, I said it! Don't maul me! Runs away from addicted fans. I swear I won't let the story die without a fight scene, make out session, and Sokka getting hooked up! I may even get Iroh some action. So, now that Kiko has excepted, will she continue living in her time or go back to Zuko's? If she does, the entire time stream will alter forever! See ya.