Here is my unofficial first attempt at writing more serious fiction. More bleak in the middle, with a sunny ending. Do Injoi.
The day began early for Zuko and Jun, who were both up before dawn. Since it was far too soon to prepare for the battle, Zuko went up to the deck to watch the sun come up. He did this quite often; it made him feel stronger, understandably, considering his Bending was stronger in daylight. Though he usually liked to go alone, he didn't object when Jun followed him. They traipsed up the stairs and there were a few moments of awkward silence while the two of them looked into the promising horizon. Zuko felt extremely uncomfortable, remembering last night… Jun, however, seemed perfectly unconcerned and didn't bring up the subject. It was still awkward, though. Luckily, Zuko was spared the agony of trying to start up a conversation, because Iroh appeared.
"Ahh," the old general sighed. "Going to be a beautiful day."
He received no answer. The sea glimmered as the sun's brightness began to sweep over the landscape.
"Yes," Iroh continued. "The days of war are often lovely. Fate's way of mocking us, I suppose…"
Finally, the sun slowly crept into view, spreading golden light onto the ship. Zuko sighed with contentment.
"Glorious," muttered Iroh. "Well, we had better get ready."
He placed his hand briefly on his nephew's shoulder and went below deck.
Jun allowed Zuko exactly 40 seconds to stare at the sky before she gave a large, false yawn and pretended to lose her balance and fall dramatically into him. A thin line of flame burst from each of the prince's nostrils as he whipped around and gave her an angry look, knowing she was just trying to aggravate him. But Jun merely laughed and went below. Zuko's anger instantly faded and a small smile came to his face. He followed her.
-
There was a lot more to preparing for a battle than just meditating and strapping your armor on more tightly. Zuko and Jun both donned grey bodysuits and thick socks. Then there were heavy chest plates and leg plates of tough metal. Bracers for the forearms, shoulder pads, and neck pieces came next. Last were a belt and the steel-toed boots. Jun finished first. She pulled her hair back and held her helmet as she waited for Zuko. He stood up and looked at her in her full armor. It fit perfectly. Not the actual armor, but the attitude, the concentration that came with war. This lifestyle fit Jun. She looked calm, yet brave and powerful. Zuko found himself staring so long, that she cleared her throat loudly. Zuko shook his head to clear it. He suddenly remembered something. He turned to open a wooden chest and rummage through it. The prince pulled out a long object wrapped in red cloth. He presented it to Jun, who unwrapped it. It was a narrow-bladed sword with gold and several bright rubies on the handle. Her eyes grew wide.
"Swords like these are forged for non-benders," Zuko explained. "You are now an honorary member of the Fire Nation."
-
It was still fairly early when they arrived at Fa-Taeo. Admiral Shang was at the dock, waiting for them. As soon as Zuko stepped off the ship, followed closely by Jun, he sank into a deep bow.
"Prince Zuko," the admiral said respectfully. "I am glad you could take the time to come and fight."
Zuko nodded.
"For the Fire Nation," he said.
"Of course. Come, your transportation is provided." He started down the dirt path through the forest. Zuko turned to glance back at the ship; roughly half the crew would be staying behind. He breathed a heavy sigh. Jun shrugged and went after the admiral. Again, Zuko followed her.
-
Not even an hour later, Zuko found himself atop a komodo rhino, out over a steep hill. He looked over to his left and saw his uncle, solemn and steady, he was certainly used to this, then over to his right, at Jun, whose rhino pawed the ground anxiously. Zuko looked down to his own steed, a female. They were prized by the Fire Nation for their fine temperament, yet unyielding courage. Like Jun, he thought and nudged the animal closer to his friend.
"Jun," Zuko said quietly, "I just wanted to tell you that…whatever happens today…it's just that…" The bounty hunter cocked her head to one side in an adorable way and waited for him to go on.
"I only wanted to tell you that…" he took a deep breath "I think you're really beautiful and smart and amazing and I really like you and…yeah." Jun smiled that mysterious smile.
"Aww, thanks, Zuko. I really like you too." She smiled again, put her helmet on, and drew her sword.
Zuko managed a weak smile, put on his own helmet, and moved back into his place, feeling slightly disappointed. There was no time to dwell on it though, because Admiral Shang trotted up to Zuko on his rhino.
"Prince Zuko?" he said. "We're ready now." Zuko took a deep breath and tried to keep the quiver out of his voice.
"Alright."
There was a deathly silence as Shang rode up in front of the army. Zuko swallowed hard and clenched his knees more tightly.
This is really happening, he thought. We're really here. We could die out here. He tried to shake that thought from his head.
The tense quiet continued. Every so often, a rhino would shuffle around a little or snort, but their riders were all alike; looking forward and anxious. The admiral raised his right arm and the army waited with baited breath.
Shang brought his arm down in a swift motion, letting out a swirl of fire and there was a terrible, pounding scream as the army charged. Rhinos growling and riders yelling, they ran down into the valley. The Earth kingdom soldiers were ready for them. They yelled and galloped on their ostriches, thick with armor. Like a bolt of thunder striking the earth, the armies collided.
There was no feeling. There was no emotion. There was only fire burning and steel smashing steel and earth crunching and screaming. All his years training hadn't quite prepared Zuko for the experience. He saw a tongue of fire sizzle by his head and was thrown forward by a pillar of rock Bent up under his steed. All he thought was to fight, to lash out with his fire and destroy. Several times, he caught a glimpse of Jun cracking a skull with her sword or Iroh knocking men unconscious with great bursts of flame. It didn't matter, though. Out there, everyone was the same, soldiers fighting for their lives.
The Earthbenders were outnumbered to begin with. As bodies gruesomely fell in pools of blood, Zuko became aware of the fact that there were winning. Encouraged by this, he fought back with much more enthusiasm. They were going to win, if only he kept going a little longer…then, suddenly, it stopped. On some unspoken signal, the Earthbenders quit fighting and retreated.
They had won.
Zuko was already sore and bruised, but he smiled an exuberant, satisfied smile just the same. He looked around and saw Jun and Iroh. Both had dented armor and were smeared with mud and muck, but they were both alive. They were alive and Zuko was alive and he was so filled with pride and happiness. Jun grinned at Zuko and he felt a tremor of excitement dance through his stomach. He was sure this was a memory he'd never forget...
Suddenly, strangely, Jun and Iroh grew out of focus. Everything was going dark, the sky itself was black. There was a horrible, numbing pain and Zuko collapsed to the ground.
-
Nothing made any sense and was accented by darkness. Memories drifted in and out of Zuko's head. Several times, he thought he saw Jun's face or heard his name.
-
He was a small boy, no older than six, and Azula had promised to show him a new Firebending move if he waited by the dungeon until supper. Zuko had sat and waited all night. His sister never showed up. The floor was so cold and he was too afraid to move. So he sat and cried until morning, when Iroh found and comforted him.
-
He was kneeling on his father's Agni-Kai podium, begging for mercy.
"Please Father! I meant you no disrespect! I only had the Fire Nation's best interests at heart!"
"Prince Zuko, rise and fight!"
"No, I won't!" Tears streamed down his face.
"You will learn respect and suffering will be your teacher!" The Fire Lord struck out and Zuko screamed with unimaginable pain.
-
He and Iroh had just met Jun and rode with her on the shirashu. Iroh had made a big deal of not letting Zuko even sit behind Jun. Why was that?
-
Zuko groaned and squinted. Jun was slowly coming into view, looking pale and worried. She turned around and said "Iroh. He's awake."
Zuko's uncle hurried over. Zuko himself realized he was lying in his bed. He tried to sit up, but his head was pounding.
"Wha-what happened?" he asked groggily.
"Some angry Earthbender tried to take you out," Jun answered. "You've been down for about an hour."
"Ahh, but our Jun was more than a match for him," Iroh said proudly.
"So I broke his spine in a few places." Jun shrugged modestly. "No big deal. You would have done the same for me."
Zuko wanted to laugh, but his head was aching too much. He attempted to get up again, but Jun pushed him back and Iroh said
"No! You need rest."
The prince sighed and frowned at his uncle and best friend for caring too much about him. Iroh chuckled.
"Always so ambitious, Prince Zuko. Do get some sleep. I'm going to go get us back on course. We still have the Avatar to catch." He left the room, closing the door softly to avoid aggravating Zuko's headache. Zuko sighed again.
"Jun, I"
"No," she shushed him. He noticed that she had a deep cut along her cheek. "Don't talk, go to sleep."
Zuko knew it would be pointless to argue with her. He rolled over and sank into a deep, dreamless sleep.
-
He slept a few hours more. When Zuko woke up, he only opened his eyes very slightly and looked around the room. It was strewn with various packages and bottles of medicines and herbs. Jun sat at the other end of the room, studying a long and complicated scroll. Zuko smiled softly to himself and thought of what must have happened: they were still at the dock and his uncle had sent for healers to lessen his injury. Jun had shoved them all out and insisted on healing him herself. And Zuko had to admit that he did feel better. So much better that he could get up and out of bed.
"Oh, you're awake."
He nodded.
"Want anything? We just finished dinner."
Zuko shook his head.
"No. I'm alright."
He crossed the room, opened the door, and started for the upper deck. Jun came with him. The sun was just setting, casting red light over the sea. Zuko went to the deck and took a deep breath of salty air. It was amazing to think that he'd been in that very spot that morning, thinking about what could happen that day.
Jun came over and looked into the horizon. The sky was beautiful, orange and yellow, with a few white clouds drifting by. As pretty as it was, Zuko wasn't even watching the sunset. He was watching Jun.
He loved how mysterious her grey eyes made her look and her perfectly shaped mouth. Her hair flowed freely around her face. Her only flaw was the cut on her cheek, but it only made Zuko like her even more to know that she was so brave and strong. She noticed his staring and smiled at him.
Zuko wasn't sure what made him do it. Maybe it was part of the aftermath of the battle. Maybe it was because she had healed him. Maybe it was because he had suffered a head injury, Zuko didn't know. Whatever the reason, something made Zuko lean over and kiss Jun. It wasn't for very long, but the fact remained: Zuko had kissed Jun.
He expected her to get angry. He expected to get the silent treatment. He expected to sleep in his uncle's room for a long time. In fact, Zuko half expected Jun to slap him.
What he did not expect was for her to throw herself around him and kiss him back. Yet, that's exactly what she did. Jun's arms were around his neck, pulling him closer, full of a deep passion. Zuko was so surprised, it was a moment before he circled his arms around her waist and accepted her tongue pushing between his lips.
Nothing else mattered. There was no one else in the world and they only existed for each other. Zuko wasn't a banished prince with a horrible scar and very little hope for the future. Right then, he was just a guy in love.
CUTE! (At least in my so humble opinion)