Well here's another chapter. I would have posted it yesterday but it wouldn't let me sign inbut whatever.
Chapter 15
ZUKO'S SHIP
Later when Trina woke she found that she felt much better. Of course waking up in Zuko's arms was always enough to raise her spirit (even before when she was hung-over). She rose from the bed and stretched.
"Come back here," came Zuko's voice from behind her.
"Don't you think that we should leave this room sometime today? Anyway, I've been laying down for too long. I'm so stiff." She stumbled across the room a bit like a zombie. The thought of herself as a zombie struck her as funny and she laughed out loud.
"What's so funny?"
"I'm walkin' around all stiff and zombie like." She continued to stumble about the room but now in addition to this she began to moan mindlessly as well. "And the thought of myself as a zombie is pretty darn amusing!"
Zuko rolled his eyes, "You have got to be the most insane person I've ever met."
"I'll take that as a compliment. It could be true though."
Zuko shook his head. He got up and went to her. "Sit you crazy nut," he motioned to the bench in front of the meditation candles. "I'll see if I can work some of the stiffness out for you."
She sat on the bench and felt him start to massage her shoulders with his strong hands. Slowly he worked out the knots. Trina was thoroughly enjoying this and was leaning into his touch. When he stopped and took his hands off her back she nearly fell backwards off the bench. "Hey, why'd you stop?"
"Because I worked out all the knots. Doesn't that feel better?"
"Oh, yeah I guess it does feel better. Thanks," she said simply. "So I guess it's time to go forth and greet the day, what's left of it anyway." She rose and started for the door.
"Tarrina, your clothes."
"What about them?"
"They're the same ones you were wearing last night. If you go out there without changing the men will think-"
"They probably already have all sorts of rumors going around about what was going on in here all day and night anyway."
"You don't want to encourage them do you?"
"Not really. I guess you've got a point," Trina conceded. Zuko turned his back so she could change. She slipped out of the clothes she had on quickly and into the training outfit she received when she arrived rather unceremoniously on the ship. Zuko put on his own training shirt so they made a lovely matching set.
It was late afternoon when they emerged from the room. They passed a group of men in the hall. As soon as they were passed them the men began to snigger. Trina stopped and stiffened. She whirled around to face them.
"Is there something on you mind, gentlemen?" Trina shouted the question at them.
"N-n-no ma'am."
Trina started to lunge at the men with flaming hands when Zuko stopped her. "Hey whoa, Tarrina, calm down. This will not improve the situation. Come now let me handle this," Zuko said as he put a hand on her shoulder and squeezing it gently.
She nodded and slowly lowered her hands. "Be my guest."
He stepped past her and stood directly in front of the men. "I know that you just lied to her when you said there was nothing on your minds, so now lets have the truth then. Out with it!"
"It's just that…"
"Just that what?"
"You two spent so much time in there alone we thought that-"
"You thought that something must have happened between us, is that it?"
"Yes sir."
"Well nothing happened!" Trina shouted from behind Zuko.
"That's right. And you can just tell the rest of the crew that as well! I'm sure rumors have been going around all day and that my uncle did nothing to discourage it." Zuko turned away from the men growling and took Trina by the hand and led her down the hall.
They went out onto the deck where the sun was shining brightly. Trina squinted her eyes shut against its assault. It was one of those times that could be called a "vampire day." She hissed at the brightness when she finally reopened her eyes. When she opened her eyes she saw Iroh coming toward them.
"Ah, my two young benders, how are you this fine day?"
"It's too bright out here," Trina growled.
"My dear it was brighter yesterday than it is today. You had no problem then. Or is it perhaps the fact that you have seen no light all day before now that's the problem?"
"Maybe," she grumbled
"Now don't you think you should get something to eat?"
"I'm not hungry," Trina said.
"Well you may not be, but I am," Zuko said. "Now come on."
"But I want to train."
"Then come with me and eat something first."
"I'm not hungry!"
"Well," Iroh put in, "you probably should eat something but I'll just leave you two to finish this on your own." He left them there and went on about his business.
"Alright fine, even if you don't eat anything you can still come with me so I can get something. I still think you should eat though, especially if we are going to train afterwards."
"Fine I'll come with you but I'm not going to eat anything."
Zuko shook his head but decided that it was best not to argue anymore because she was as stubborn as he was and if they didn't stop now it could go on for hours. They went below deck to the galley where Zuko got himself something to eat. He tried to offer some of it to Trina but she refused it. He sighed and went back to eating. Trina waited as patiently as she could for him to finish. When he rose from his chair Trina grabbed his hand and dragged him back up onto the deck.
"Finally! Now we can train. No more breathing exercises, I want to spar." She took up a fighting stance.
They started slowly but as Zuko saw that she could handle it he increased the speed and intensity of his attacks. Trina countered his attacks and sent fire balls of her own back at him. They continued like this for some time.
Trina was beginning to feel fatigued and tried to clear her head, shaking it. It did no good it simply made it worse. Hair that had come lose from her ponytail was hanging in her eyes and clung to her sweat soaked face. Black spots began to swim in her vision. Maybe I should have eaten something. Through the spots she saw a fire ball coming at her and felt there was nothing she could do to stop it. She was frozen in place, shaking and panting.
It was at that point that Zuko also realized what was happening. He knew that there was nothing that he could do to stop it and he watched in horror as the flames flew at her.
"NO!"
Trina was lucky. The fireball just grazed her upper left arm. When it hit her, her legs gave out from under her and she fell to her knees. Zuko was by her side almost instantly, supporting her. The way she was shaking scared him.
"Tarrina?" When she didn't answer him he became even more afraid for her. "Tarrina please speak to me."
He was rewarded with a slight moan and a whisper. "Z-Zuko?" She couldn't see him, there was too much darkness clouding her vision
"Yes it's me. J-just be stay with me, hold on. You'll be alright." Was the last thing she heard before she passed out.
He picked her up gently, careful to avoid touching the burn and went to the infirmary as quickly as he could. She was still shaking rather violently when he got her there.
He kicked the door open when he got there. The doctor had been sitting in a chair nearly asleep from boredom until Zuko burst in.
"Prince Zuko what-" he then noticed the weak form that he was carrying. "What happened this time?"
"We were sparring and she just kind of froze up and started shaking. I had thrown a fireball at her before I realized what was happening. A-at least it only grazed her," Zuko said as he laid her down on a cot. He hadn't meant for the worry and weakness slip out in his voice but it had none the less.
The doctor quickly inspected the burn and checked her over before asking, "Has she had anything to eat today?"
"No. She refused to eat anything. She said she wasn't hungry. Why?"
"That's the problem right there. I thought that's what it sounded like when you were telling me what happened. She may be a little dehydrated as well."
"She'll be alright then?" The relief was evident in his voice.
"Of course she will. We just need to get some food in her right now, then she'll need to rest."
He wrapped a temporary bandage around the burn and told Zuko to stay with Trina while he went to find her something to eat.
Trina moaned and began to come to. Zuko stood at her side and took her hand and held it to his face. When she spoke he had never been happier to hear her voice.
"Zuko, what happened ? When did I get back down into the infirmary?"
"I brought you down here. I didn't know what was wrong with you. I didn't know what else to do. I was afraid I might loose you."
She stroked his face and said, "Shh, My Prince, I'll be alright."
"I know that now. The doctor told me what's wrong. You haven't eaten today. I told you that you should eat."
"Yeah I know. But I've always been to stubborn for my own good."
"Now do you think you can listen to me once in a while from now on?"
"Maybe," she whispered as she moved her hand from his cheek to his shirt collar. She wrapped her fingers around the fabric and pulled him into a deep, passionate kiss. Trina would have wrapped her other arm around him but when she tried to move it pain shot through it.
Zuko returned her kiss eagerly. He had though when the mishap first happened he thought he might loose her, and now to be kissing her lifted his spirit. He put one of his hands on her hip and supported his weight on the cot with the other.
They were so preoccupied with each other they never even noticed when the doctor reentered the room. They didn't notice his presence until he coughed to draw their attention. Zuko pulled back and they both turned bright red.
"I hope I didn't interrupt something too personal." At that both of the young benders faces turned an even deeper shade of red. "Don't worry I won't tell anyone about what I just saw. Now Tarrina when I let you out of here this time I expect it to be longer between your visits down here. Please try to keep your self out of trouble." She nodded at him. "Now let me see that burn again."
He unwrapped the bandaging that he had put on it to keep things from sticking to the burn. He examined it carefully and sighed. "There will be some scarring, there's no way to avoid it. To what extent I'm not sure yet, but this needs to be watched because if it becomes infected it will leave a large scar. I don't want you to move it anymore than you have to. It would probably be best if I put it in a sling." He put some kind of herbal smelling ointment on the burn and wrapped it in clean bandages. He helped Trina to sit up and put a red piece of cloth for a sling around her arm. "Leave that on until I tell you to take it off." Trina smirked at him. He then turned to Zuko and said, "Be sure that she doesn't do anything stupid."
"I wouldn't dream of it," she called from behind them.
"Alright. I shall leave you two alone for a while. Prince Zuko get her to eat this," the doctor said handing him a bowl of soup. "Then you can take her to bed, she's not bad enough to have to spend the night down here." Zuko nodded as the doctor left the room.
When Zuko moved closer with the bowl of soup Trina snatched the bowl out of his hands. "I thought you'd never come over here with that."
"So now you're hungry?"
"Duh." She ate the soup quickly, occasionally some of the broth would run down her chin before she wiped it off. When she had finished she said, "Now help me up and let's go."
Instead of helping her up, Zuko took her in his arms once again. "We always seem to end up in this position don't we?" He whispered into her ear.
"As much as I've grown to enjoy this, you do know I'm capable of walking, right?"
"Yes I know, but I'm not putting you down till were back in our room." When they entered the room Zuko laid her down on the bed. "You need to rest now," he told her.
"I've spent most of my day in bed and now you want me to rest more? How can I? I'm not tired."
"You should still try."
"How can I sleep when I have a wedding to plan? Now go get me some paper and something to write with."
Zuko shook his head. "Who are you to give orders to a prince?" He asked jokingly as he got some paper and a pencil out of a drawer.
"A future princess." It was at that point that it really first hit her that she was to become a princess. "Holy crap, I'm gonna be a princess." She seemed a bit dazed at the very thought of it.
"Yes, and you'll make a fine one at that," he whispered as he knelt beside her and kissed her cheek bringing her out of her haze. She smiled at him and he handed her the paper. "There plan to your heart's content."
She thanked him and began writing furiously on the paper. Occasionally she would mumble something to herself and then go on with her writing. "Zuko," she asked after writing for a while, "when and where are we going to have the wedding?"
"How about a month from now? And as to where, let's find somewhere nice on shore."
"You mean like a field of flowers?" She asked hopefully.
"If that's what you want."
"Alright, sounds good," she ended the sentence with a yawn.
"Do you think that you're finally ready to sleep now?"
"Yeah, maybe. Come to bed." She laid the paper on the floor beside the bed.
"I'll be there soon. I need to talk to Uncle Iroh," he said as he pulled the light blanket over her.
"Come back to me soon, my handsome prince," she said before quickly falling asleep.
Zuko picked the paper up off the floor and looked at it. She had made notes about a dress, a cake, flowers, food, music, and various other things. There was also a note concerning Lomi Ka. Written in large letters, circled and underlined were the words 'LOMI KA MUST BE THERE!' Zuko was a bit concerned about this considering she was with the Avatar, but he decided to not think about that at the moment.
He left the room silently so he would not disturb Trina. He met Iroh on the deck.
"Seems that you had quite a scare earlier today didn't you?"
"Yes Uncle. I thought I was going to loose her and that it would be my own fault."
"Now Prince Zuko, her refusal to eat was not your fault."
"But I pushed her. I pushed her too hard. She'll have a scar now because of me," he hung his head as he said the last part.
"Zuko stop this. Stop blaming yourself for everything. I'm sure if you were to ask Tarrina, she does not blame you." Zuko only sighed. "So tell me, what is that you have."
Zuko had forgotten that he still had the paper in his hand. "It's the notes that Tarrina has made so far in regard to the wedding."
"Let me see." Zuko handed the paper to his uncle. He scanned down the paper and stopped when he came to the Lomi Ka note. "What will you do about her friend?"
"I'm not sure yet but I know that she needs to be there. I'll think of something."
"Go to bed and think there. You look worn out." Zuko rolled his eyes and bid his uncle goodnight and returned to his room.
Zuko found Trina had kicked the blanket off. She was curled up in a ball in the middle of the bed holding onto his pillow. Her face was practically buried on it, it smelled like him you see.
He shook his head. He tried to pry it away from her without waking her, but she held it fast. Finally he gave up and lay down on the bed, crammed against the wall mind you because he didn't want to risk waking Trina by moving her out of the middle of the bed.
He lay there in that uncomfortable position for a while trying to convince himself that his uncle was right and that it wasn't his fault, but he just couldn't let it go. Because he hadn't realized what was happening she would be scarred. Scarred! He decided that it was best not to dwell on it at the moment, and tried to sleep. Eventually he was lulled to sleep by the sound of Trina's gentle breathing.
WITH CAROLINE
Caroline actually slept in late the next morning, not wanting a repeat of the day before. Her nose was still swollen and bruising was starting to show. (Sokka had informed her of this the night before.) She stood and stretched her arms, and then walked out of the woods and onto the beach.
The cool sand and water felt delightful beneath her bare feet. The only thing that could've made the moment any more enjoyable was if Sokka had been there with her. As Caroline thought about it, she wondered where Sokka was. None of her companions had been around when she woke up.
While she was thinking about where they could be, she sneezed and flames shot out of her mouth. I'm gonna need to learn to control that. Caroline thought to herself. No sooner had the thought entered her head, than she heard shouting from further down the beach. She looked and saw three large men running in her direction shouting, "FIREBENDER!"
The sand beneath her feet began to move and she realized that they must be earth benders. She immediately took off running towards the woods.
She wasn't quick enough. The ground gave way beneath her feet and she sank up to her knees in sand. She tried to struggle free but couldn't. She was stuck fast and the earth benders were now standing over her. One of them grabbed her by the arm and roughly pulled her free.
"Don't hurt me!" Caroline pleaded. The man that had a hold on her laughed sinisterly and tightened his grip. Caroline gasped at the pain and prayed that her wrist wouldn't break from the pressure.
"We aren't going to hurt you." Another man said. "Not just yet anyway."
"Please! I'm a friend of the Avatar!" Caroline said quickly. "I am against the Fire Lord!"
"A likely story! No fire bender would be a friend of the Avatar's!"
Caroline was getting frustrated and desperately wanted to escape. "Shows how much you know!" She cried as she sent flames blossoming out of her trapped hand. Startled by her sudden attack, the man let her go and she took off running. The men immediately ran after her. She was much smaller than them though and so she was able to dart through the trees much easier than they could. It was in this way she put space between herself and them.
Caroline ran through the woods towards the clearing and their campsite. She didn't need to look to know that the earth benders were not far behind. Oh, please let the others be there! Her mind cried as she sprinted through the trees.
She burst into the clearing, skidded to a halt and looked around. No one was there. She found herself on the verge of tears, too frightened to think. She heard crashing in the woods behind her and knew that she now had no choice. She took off once again, rushing into the trees on the opposite end of the clearing and nearly bowling Sokka over in the process.
"Hey, Lomi Ka!" He said cheerily.
"Hide me please!" Caroline cried, interrupting him. "They're coming! Oh, please, hide me!"
Sokka didn't even think to ask who was chasing her and indicated to a tree with low branches. "Quick, climb up there!" He said, pausing to help her up. "Stay here 'til I get back!"
Caroline could only nod and struggle to catch her breath. "Be careful!" She called as he pulled out his boomerang and strode into the clearing. No sooner had he done so than the three burly earth benders broke through the trees.
"Hey! You!" They called to Sokka. "Seen a pretty little fire bender run through here recently?"
"As a matter of fact, I have." Sokka said. He pointed back the way they'd come, only slightly more to the left. "She ran that way not two minutes ago."
"Aye, thank you boy!" The earth bender said. He led his companions in the direction Sokka had pointed and soon nothing could be seen or heard from them. Sokka sheathed his boomerang and hurried back to find Caroline.
She was still in the tree where he'd left her, and now she was crying softly. Sokka climbed up into the branches beside her and wrapped his arms around her shuddering form. "It's all right now," He whispered gently. "They're gone."
"Oh, thank goodness you were here!" Caroline sobbed into his shoulder. "They would have killed me!"
"What did you do so that they knew you were a fire bender?" Sokka asked curiously.
Caroline actually laughed as she replied. "I sneezed!"
Sokka couldn't help but laugh as well, and soon Caroline's mood had improved. Sokka however, still held her close and she didn't object. "Thank you for rescuing me." Caroline said softly. "I owe you one."
"No, technically I still owe you one." Sokka replied. "You saved me once and I saved you. But you're forgetting when I was sick. You took great care of me and Katara while Aang was away. Oh, and you make some excellent tea!"
"Ah, but you helped me when I broke my nose yesterday."
"And then you washed my shirt for me."
"Well, I guess when you put it that way…" Caroline mused.
"I think I know just how to make it up to you, too."
"Oh, really?" Caroline asked, now extremely curious. "How's that?"
"Like this," Sokka whispered in her ear. He cupped his hand over her cheek and brought her lips lightly to his.
Caroline gasped and accidentally pulled away. That was certainly not what she'd expected. "Sorry…" Sokka mumbled, suddenly afraid he'd offended her.
"No, no! It's all right!" Caroline said quickly. "You just surprised me, that's all!" She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.
Now it would happen that at that very moment Aang and Katara chose to show up. "Hey guys! Is everything---?" The two stopped dead in their tracks when they caught sight of Caroline and Sokka in the low branches of a nearby tree, wrapped in each other's arms and kissing.
The sudden appearance of Aang and Katara startled them and they jumped apart. Both lost their balance and tumbled out of the tree and onto the hard ground. Caroline's face turned red with embarrassment and Sokka glared at his sister.
"Uh, perhaps we should go…" Aang said, noticing the look in Sokka's eyes. He grabbed Katara by the hand and led her back to the campsite, leaving Sokka and Caroline alone once again.
"Oh, how embarrassing!" Caroline moaned once they were gone. "How are we ever going to explain that one?"
"I don't know," Sokka replied while taking Caroline's hand. "Do you regret it?"
Caroline planted a small kiss on his cheek. "Not at all." Sokka smiled at this and led Caroline back towards the campsite.
A note about the not eating thing. It was inspired by actual events. don't do something like eat almost nothing one day (the last thing being a 99cent bag of Doritos) and then eat nothing the next day, go to two college classes the walk to town at noon then have to walk back up the hill to your dorm with extra stuff. yeah I did that and almost passed out on the sidewalk. It was kinda scary to see all those dark spots and being super dizzy. If that nice cop hadn't picked me up and taken me back to my dorm I'm sure I would have passed out.
well now that I've bored you all with my life REVIEW!
