Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender or Jennifer Knapp.
Chapter Twelve: Special Occasions
"You what!" Shouted Zuko. He paced the room back and forth, the flames of the meditation candles in the room flaring high with every pass. Iroh kept his calm demeanor.
"I said I invited the Avatar to a banquet and agreed not to allow you to capture him until noon tomorrow." He answered. The flames grew higher. Iroh leaned over to a gaurd and whispered something in his ear. Not that the angry Prince noticed. The gaurd nodded and ran out the door.
"I need him!" Zuko howled. Iroh raised a brow at his nephew as he continued his angry mumblings.
"Prince Zuko, it is only one night and an afternoon. You will be fine!" His Uncle paused. "And then there is proposing to Amber."
Prince Zuko stopped and cast a worried glance at Iroh. He suddenly looked unsure of himself. The General knew that look, and had seen it the day that the seemingly all-powerful Fire Lord Ozai had given him the day he was to propose to his wife.
"I don't know what to say, Uncle." he said painfully honest. He ran a hand through what little hair he had nervously. Iroh patted his nephew's shoulder.
"I sent for her." he said suddenly. Prince Zuko's eyes widened.
"Uncle!" he moaned. "I'm not ready!" Uncle Iroh laughed at his nephew's tense behavior.
"Not to propose, but to decide if she truelly is the one you wish to marry." He said, easing the Prince's discontent. There was a soft knock at the door.
"There she is. Now keep it loose. Don't think about the proposal." His uncle hissed. Iroh opened the door and welcomed Amber in.
"Please make yourself comfortable." Uncle Iroh said, closing the door as he left.
Amber sat with her back to the candles.
"Your Uncle said you were a little tense about the agreement between him and Aang." she said, motioning for him to sit across from her. He reluctantly sat.
"Do you want to meditate, it might calm you?" she said. He nodded slowly in agreement and closed his eyes to do breathing exercises. The heat in the room increased with each breath. Zuko nearly fell asleep as his muscles completely loosened. A few minutes later a gentle hand placed itself on his shoulder. Then another hand laid on his other shoulder. They began to kneed his shoulder muscles. He let out a long breath, hot air and a few flames licking around his folded legs. Amber worked the knots out of his shoulders first, then took one strong arm and began to work it. She worked it all the way to his fingertips, making sure that she dug her fingertips into the muscles close to the bone. After she had finished both arms, she let it drop gently to his side. Zuko opened his sleepy eyes.
"Thank you." he mumbled. She nodded and rose to leave. Prince Zuko stopped her, gently grabbing her wrist.
"You did well." He said softly. She raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"During the... uh..." he stopped, trying to think of the word.
"Cleanup?" she added, chuckling at his quick grin. Zuko removed his hold on her wrist and watched the door close behind her. He sighed and cursed himself.
Agni, I'm such a fool! he thought, amused with his ridiculous tongue knots. He rose and went to his dresser, removing the expensive red vest from it. Knowing that it was only to be used for ceremonial events. He would be proposing to Amber. That was ceremonial enough.
Cassidy screamed angrily against the restraints of her prison. She accidentally unleashed a fury of flames she didn't even realize she had, and when she knew that she could, she began throwing flames wildly at the cell door. High hopes of melting it diminished when her cell mate Zhao told her the disadvantage.
"This cell was created to be sure that nobody could get out, including fire benders wench." he snorted derisively. She glared wildly at him.
"I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE!" she screamed madly. "I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DATING BRAD! I AM THE MOST POPULAR GIRL IN SCHOOL, THE PERFECT REPLICA OF PARIS HILTON!" Her mad ramblings went on for hours until Zhao finally threw a fireball at her and knocked her out cold. He rubbed his temple with what little unchained arm he had. It's not a wonder Zuko tired of her so quickly. Zhao thought to himself.
Amber was helping Katara into a blue kimono when she heard a knock on the door. She had Katara stand in the bathroom while she opened the door to, surprise surprise, Uncle Iroh. He grinned at her as he handed her another box, much like the one he had given her on the music night. She raised an eyebrow with a curious smile.
"Please, the same rules apply here." he said softly. "I would very much appreciate it if you would sing again tonight."
She sighed and nodded.
"I really can't accept this." she said with a kind smile.
"No, no, you must." he insisted, shoving the box into her arms and giving her a quick goofy grin. He slammed the door before she could give the box back. Katara had strayed from the bathroom just as Amber sat the box on the bed and opened up. She and Katara, who was peeking over her shoulder, gasped at the loveliness that almost shined up at them. There, in the box was a beautiful pure white silk kimono. There were shining designs of cherry blossoms imprinted in a shimmering silver white.
"Oh wow." Katara murmured. "That is so beautiful."
Amber nodded in disbelief.
"Yeah.. It's evey prettier than the one he gave me that one night." she whispered, pulling the cloth out of the box as if it would break. "Can you help me get it on?"
Katara nodded.
Prince Zuko kept his game face as he confidently strode to the long banquet table they had set up in the small galla. Tonight he was dressed to the tee, with an honorary Fire Nation vest, which the noblemen of that day wore. The tunic like vest was hemmed with gold, flames in bright red stitching on the maroon colored back. It's shoulders went out sharply, curving upward. With it came gauntlets of red silk that held down the white undershirt beneath the garment. The tunic was belted with a leather strap that had a decorated bronze buckle, and the pants were of maroon colored silk. He sat and awaited the arrival of the secret guest of honor, ordering a drink while he waited. Uncle Iroh allowed some of the early performers to play or sing as they waited. Amber finally arrived after the third performer, which was the Avatar doing a ridiculous tumbling routine involving clownish buffoonery that Aang tended to be incredibly good at. All the men stood as the door opened and revealed Katara in a simple blue kimono, who was smiling at the young woman behind her. Amber's dark hair swirled luxuriously around her shoulders. The white kimono had her eyes shining brightly. It complimented her figure, draping not obscenely, but rather elegantly. Her dark hair had been straightened and though it had a few oils in it, it made the brunette hair shine gloriously. There was some kind of unmistakably beautiful aura that drew the breath out of everyone present. She smiled even bigger when Zuko came to her like he had before, yet this time, he actually looked pleased when she took his arm. He proudly led her toward the banquet table, where he helped her into the chair on his right. He gently laid a kiss on the back of her hand, smirking at her blush. Uncle Iroh looked well pleased and began to introduce the rest of the acts.
"Please, feel free to dance with our young ladies and our guests! Tonight is a celebration of regaining our ship and taking back what is rightfully ours!" Iroh yelled triumphantly. Shouts of triumph went up all around.
"We will celebrate with a song from the lovely Amber!" He said, gently taking her hand. She rose with another dark blush and endured the painfully embarassing cat-calls as she sat on the stool they had put out for her.
"This is another song from my world, one that I truly love." she glanced over at the lead liuqinest and smiled. "I won't be needing any instruments."
She hummed for a moment, trying to get a good pitch. When she found one she was satisfied with, she took a deep breath and began the song.
"All the chisels I've dulled, carving idols of stone,
That have crumbled like sand 'neath the waves.
I have recklessly built all my dreams in the sand,
just to watch, them all wash away." she took a breath and began the main chorus.
"Through another day, another trial, another chance to reconcile,
To one who sees past all I've seen.
And reaching out my weary hand I pray that you'd understand your the only one, who's faithful to me." She paused.
"All the pennies I've wasted in my wishing well I have thrown,
Like stones to the sea.
I have cast my lots, dropped my gaurd, searched endlessly,
For a faith, to be faithful to me." she paused.
"Through another day, another trial, another chance to reconcile,
To one who sees past all I've seen.
And reaching out my weary hand I pray that you'd understand your the only one, who's faithful to me." She stopped before the last line, then glanced straight at Zuko.
"You're the only one, who's faithful to me." A few moments later, the whole crowd burst into thunderous applause. Amber nearly fell off the stool in surprise, but the Prince was by her side in an instant. He helped her off the stage and the banquet was served soon after. The first course consisted of a fantastic fire-roasted vegetable blend seasoned perfectly. The main course was a suckled chickpig, with a small peach in its mouth and baked in the juices of other fruits. Last but not least, were three trays of sweet delicacies. Amber was happily chewing on a candied desert, better known as a monaka when the Prince leaned over and whispered in her ear. Her brows furrowed in confused suspition and took his hand hesitantly. He lead her out of the room and up to the deck.
Prince Zuko felt his stomach turn nervously as he held onto the young woman's delicate hand in his. She was watching him trustfully as he lead her to the deck.
Uncle Iroh, a few following crew members and the three friends gathered just below the stairs to eavesdrop on the two.
"What is he doing?" Aang asked cautiously. Both Katara and Iroh shushed him and stared on.
Amber was gazing at the black sky filled with diamonds.
"Aren't they gorgeous?" she whispered breathlessly. The moon shone just as brightly, nearly blocking out the stars beside it. Prince Zuko, believing and praying they were alone, wrapped his arms around her waist. He felt her stiffen instinctively. He leaned down and planted a gentle kiss on her cheek, and felt her resistance begin to melt.
"Yes, they are." he mumbled. Amber felt the uncomfortable silence stretch between them and finally turned into him.
"What's wrong Prince Zuko?" she asked, willing him to tell her. He let out a sigh and held her hands.
"It has been years since my dishonoring." he said to her quietly, drawing her into a soft embrace. Amber breathed in Zuko's sharp scent and almost shuddered at the pleasure it brought.
"I have searched the seas for what I crave the most, and it was suddenly brought to me." he paused. "Anger had been my closest friend... Until you showed up."
Amber was beginning to tense in his arms and he felt her begin to pull away.
"Wait." he whispered. She looked cautiously into his hazzy golden eyes, which returned her nervous gaze with a tender one of his own. "I want to make you mine." She blinked a few times. Then a grin spilt her nervous face and she began to chuckle.
"Prince Zuko, I think you've had enough to drink for one night." she laughed softly, pulling him back towards the stairs so she could lead him to his room. The group on the stairs cringed hearing the footsteps, but relieved when Zuko spoke up.
"I'm not joking." he said softly, a note of anger in his voice. She gave him a frightened look.
"What?" she gasped softly as he took her hands again. Zuko looked pleased at the surprise on her face as he drew out a betrothal necklace, the one his mother wore before she and her father got married. It was a black satin ribbon that would glint black ruby red in firelight, with a completely clear diamond encasing a small flame shaped amber fossil.
"I want you to be mine," Zuko said, trying to keep the hoarseness out of his voice. "I swear to be only yours if you agree to become my wife." He took a step closer to her, pressing the choker into her hand and closing her fingers around it and wrapping his arms around her shoulders. Amber was still a little stunned, but the beauty in her face upon realizing that this banished, angry Prince did love her. As her mind grasped the gravity of what was happening, she let out a sob and ripped herself from the Prince's arms. Now it was Zuko's turn to be stunned as she ran below deck he followed after her, hearing a cry escape from her lips. When he saw that they were not alone, his fury grew. He shouted at his Uncle to get out of his way, blasing the way clear with a fireball, driving everyone to the sides of the walls as he ran after his love.
Amber locked the door quickly and sank to the floor, still clutching the beautiful betrothal necklace. The proposal was unexpected and sooner than she couldn've ever imagined. She knew the Prince expecter her to willingly accept his offer, just like the millions of other young women would. The world she left behind taunted her, leaving her wondering if she would ever go back. She could'nt break his heart like that. Still sobbing, she pressed the necklace to her chest. When a voice enterrupted her she jumped and wiped the tears away.
"I know why you cry, Amber." the young Avatar said. His eyes were blue, and his Avatar spirit was speaking from Aang.
"What could you possibly know about me?" she sniffed, still trying to stop the flow of tears rolling down her cheeks. The Avatar gave a knowing smile and walked toward her, reaching out his hand, and drawing her up off the floor. Amber was suddenly sucked into the spirit world. It was no longer Aang that spoke, but it was in fact Avatar Kyoshi. She smiled as she drew the girl into a comforting hug, stroking her dark hair. Then she walked to a stone bench beneath a sakura blossom tree, taking Amber's hands into her own.
"You are true to your thinking, young woman." Kyoshi said. "You will need to return to the human world tommorrow, just after the noon sun sets high in the sky. They need you there."
This was of no comfort to Amber. Another large tear rolled down her cheek.
"What about Prince Zuko?" she asked. Struggling to finish, she finally managed to choke out, "I do love him." Kyoshi smiled again and wiped the tear from her cheek.
"I know it is painful to leave, but I promise that one day you will return when you are ready. Until then, I will give you just a small amount of time to say goodbye. Noone will disturb your peace here. Sleep, and worry not about tomorrow. It's troubles will bring itself to you in due time." Kyoshi answered simply. She helped the girl to a small, dry mossy patch on the ground and lay Amber there as her eyes closed in blissful sleep.
"Sleep, and remember mine, and Zuko's promise." Kyoshi's voice whispered as her vision faded from the world.
Author's Note: Okay, this was a tough one to do... I'm not so sure it turned out the way I wanted it, but it was close enough:D Now, that was chapter eleven... I promise one more chapter and an epilogue and that will most likely be it. Be ready for an awesome turn of events! Sweet water and light laughter until we meet again! (ps, cookie to anyone who can translate that sentence to Elvish!Your choice!) Eye, of the Wolf, your last review? yeah, random! love ya
Godsspiker!
