AN: Yay I do get to update again this weekend! I had fun writing this chapter. :D
colorcrystals - I know! And Iroh cut off his topknot! Also, of coarse Kataang is EVIL! Zutara forever!
pureangel186 - Oh my gosh, you sound like my brother! "Don't worry! Sure it's Kataang now, but just wait 'til next season! You know how many times Katara changes her crush!". Those are his exact words, and yours were quite similar. Lol.
Elenea Galad - Omigosh! You ate that for breakfast! Why can't I do that! Well, lucky you I guess...
Captain Jackie Lovely - Yes I did. :D And Yes, Kataang is bad... evil ... I loathe Kataang ... But you do have a point about Sokka in the last eppie.. :3
Zutara Lover - Yes I know. But don't worry I'm gettin' there!
darkavatar13 - Cool! I like learning Chinese, but I just started right before my birthday in October so I don't know very much, and it is a difficult language to learn.
FireChildSlytherin - Yeah, I doubt anyone liked that General Fong guy... that was his name right? No problem on the name thing. I nearly knocked myself out when I found that out!
Bloodress - I like turtles:D But not in my soup!
Wow. That's a lot of reviews... You guys must actually like my story, huh?
Do you guys remember in the chapter where I introduced Ruhuo, and I told you I had origonally thought about calling him "Azul"? Well, I'm glad I didn't for 2 reasons:
1.) I like Ruhuo better anyways.
2.) It would be pretty weird now that I found out her name is Azula, you know? Azul and Azula ... Yeah ...
Okie dokie I'm done babbling now!
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Ok.. this is what I had originally written. It is now ... what, 2 months later? Well, the reason is simple - I've been grounded. Yep. Now, either my little break will refresh me, or I will completely bore you to death with my writing. Either way, please review.
Elenea Galad - I love how Prophesied is going! It is one of my all time favorite fanfics. You better update soon!
Okay. I'm done now. Really!
Chapter Sixteen : Huo Guo Chuan Tong
The sun cast a golden glow over the Earth Kingdom port of Lunro as it slipped into the ocean.
Yet, the firebenders in the city waited in breathless anticipation. As soon as the sun could no long be seen, the Huo Guo Chuan Tong would begin, and wouldn't end until the sun was replaced in the sky once more.
The noise that erupted from the simple shipload of soldiers was deafening. Cheers, music, and conversation flowed through Lunro as the stars appeared in the sky.
The boy know as Hanu joined in the celebrations, drinking with his shipmates and singing with the crew.
Ruhuo was one of these shipmates.
"Excelent isn't it?" The young man shouted over some singing men.
"Yes, I suppose it is." Hanu shouted back.
The two exchanged conversation until Hanu held up his hand, signaling for Ruhuo to stop. Hanu stared at the girl for quite sometime before finally saying to Ruhuo, "Will you excuse me for a moment?" and dashing over to her.
Ruhuo did, however, follow him, only to see what had caught his attention.
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The emerald-eyed girl was walking through the crowds of soldiers at a steady pace. She wore a short, simple white dress and her ash colored hair was in a simple braid.
"I would have thought you'd have learned your lesson by now, Layla."
She whipped around with a glare, ready to take down any who should threaten her. What she received was far from what she was expecting.
"Haru?" Layla whispered.
"Actually, I'm Hanu now." He had a pleasant smile on his face.
"You cut your hair." She observed.
"It was neccesary." Hanu noticed Ruhuo and motioned him over. "I would like you to meet one of my shipmates."
Layla failed to hide the shock within her eyes.
"Nice to meet you." Ruhuo told her.
"Would you happen to have a black necklace?" Blunt and to the point.
It was Ruhuo's turn to be surprized. He had only told Azula of his treasure, and he had no idea how this stranger would know of it.
"Yes..." He replied cautiosly.
"And what does it say?" Her eyes sparked with eagerness and hope.
Ruhuo hesitated for a moment before removing the necklace from within his shirt and showing it to Layla. He watched as her eyes clouded with unshed tears as she read the words aloud.
" 'My four benders, I love you forever and always, Mother and Father.' " She looked up at him. "Ruhuo. The little boy with a heart like fire."
She held up her wrist, revealing a simple black charm on a thin black string.
Ruhuo didn't have to read the blue and gold letters to know what it said.
"You are my sister." A smile graced his face even as his own eyes filled with joyful tears.
"No, I am Layla, one of your sisters."
They met in a long awaited embrace, and once they parted, Hanu led them over to a bench a ways from the festivities.
"How - ?" Ruhuo started.
"Did I know it was you?" Layla finished.
Ruhuo nodded and Layla gave him a gentle smile. "Because you have Mom's eyes."
"You said that you are one of my sisters. Do I not have a brother?" To this Layla laughed.
"No, Ruhuo. You were the only brother."
"Do you know where our sisters are?"
"I'm afraid not."
"Why are your eyes green?"
Layla sighed. "You always did ask a lot of questions. Ruhuo, our family had many strange marriages."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Our father's father was an earthbender, as was his brother."
"I see."
"Not entirely, Ruhuo."
"What do you mean?"
Layla turned to Hanu. "Do you want to tell him or should I?"
"I believe there is another truth that should be told first." Hanu turned to Ruhuo. "I was born in the Earth Kingdom."
"But you said you grew up in the Fire Nation!"
"I lied."
"You said your father fell for an Earth Kingdom woman!"
"He did."
"Oh, and I supposed next you're going to tell me that your name isn't even Hanu?"
"It isn't."
Ruhuo paused for a moment. "You're not a non-bender, are you?"
"No, I'm an earthbender."
Ruhuo gaped, dumb-founded, at the young man before him. He turned to Layla. "Did you know about all of this?"
"Haru has been my greatest friend since I was born. He is, after all, only a year older than I."
"How old are our sisters?"
"More questions." Layla mumbled. "Hua and Shuin are fourteen, a year younger than yourself."
"Why are we each only a year apart?"
"Because we are."
Ruhuo nodded, satisfied enough with his answers. "What are we doing just sitting here? This is Huo Guo Chuan Tong!"
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"Everyone ready?" Katara shouted.
Sokka nodded. "Let's go."
Zuko had spent the three hours Katara was away getting supplies to fashion another crutch out of a large tree branch. Only this time, he scraped off the bark and made sure there was no twigs sticking out. He limped beside Iroh, in front of the Water Tribe boy and the Ava - Aang, and behind Katara.
'Great.. Now you're calling them by name? Get ahold of yourself!'
They first walked into the inn to get a room for the night, then they were free to walk around Lunro. Except Zuko and Iroh, who were under the constant watch of Sokka.
Just outside the inn door, however, realization struck Zuko like lightning.
"Uncle, what is today?" The group turned to look at him.
"I believe it is the first day of Spring. Why do you ask?"
"The music, the dancing, the celebration," Zuko looked his uncle in the eye, "it is Huo Guo Chuan Tong, Uncle!
Iroh let forth a burst of joyous laughter. "Exellent, Prince Zuko, most exellent! Let us join in the celebration, yes?"
The old man didn't wait for a reply, he simply took off to get some tea.
"What's Huo Guo Chuan Tong?" Sokka asked, trying to pretend like he didn't care.
"A Fire Nation festival, nothing I would expect any of you to know about."
"It's a special festival held once every year to honor the Fire God." Aang told Sokka, ignoring Zuko completely. "That's about all I know about it."
"Well then, what are we waiting for?" Katara shrugged.
"Don't you guys remember what happened last time?" Sokka shouted.
But it was too late. Katara was sprinting in the direction of the dress store, Aang was off to the food, and Zuko ... just stood there.
"Well?" Sokka turned to Zuko.
"What?" Zuko snapped.
"What do you want to do?"
"I don't care."
"Well, I don't either."
"Then I'm going to sit down."
"Then I am too."
Zuko grunted in reply. Did this stupid peasant really have to follow him? It's not like he would have gotten very far.
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"Hua, let's go! The Huo Guo Chuan Tong is here!"
"No, Shuin." The commanding tone of her sister's voice froze Shuin where she stood.
"Why not?"
Hua spent a moment trying to figure out how to explain to her twin exactly why they couldn't. She wasn't going to tell her it was because they might get seen again or captured. That would sound ridiculous to her. But after a few moments of thinking, Hua's face brightened as a plan formed in her head.
"On second thought, Shu, maybe we can go." The other girl's cheers were cut short as Hua continued. "But it's strictly buisiness. Huo Guo Chuan Tong will be the perfect opprotunity to bring those thick-headed benders together."
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Huo Guo Chuan Tong will be the perfect opprotunity to bring the benders together - The perfect time to put my plan into action...
Iroh smiled as he drank his tea, watching as the Water Tribe girl, Katara, sprint to get to the dress shop.
This is going to be fun...
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"Come on Layla, there's someone I want you to meet."
Ruhuo snatched his sister's wrist and half dragged her back to Azula's ship.
"You'll love her, Layla!" Ruhuo was walking backwards up the ramp as he talked to her. "She is intellegent, beautiful, a master firebender, - "
As Ruhuo turned around, half-way up the ramp, he was suddenly unaware of anything but the young lady at the top.
Princess Azula was at the top of the ramp, and she had heard every word Ruhuo had said. Her ebony hair was down, and a red rose was tucked gently behind her ear. She wore a red kimono, trimmed with black and gold, and a black sash tied around her waist. The golden Fire Nation emblem, which sybolised that she was royalty, was not in her hair, but attached to a small gold chain around her neck.
"Layla, did I already mention beautiful?"
Azula blushed crimson as Layla answered with a grin. "Yes, Ruhuo, I believe you did."
"Well then, I take it back." Ruhuo jogged up the rest of the ramp and gently took Azula's hand. " I believe that no words could describe how radiant you look, Princess Azula."
Azula gave him a smile. "I hope you don't believe that's going to help you win our bet."
"Not at all." Ruhuo returned the smile tenfold.
"Good."
"Azula, there is someone I would like you to meet." He motioned for the other girl to come up the ramp. "This is Layla, my sister."
Never once, in all her life, had Layla ever seen the Fire Princess smile - much less, at her.
"Wonderful to meet you, Miss Layla."
"Likewise, Princess Azula."
"Enough pleasantries, ladies, I have a bet to win!" Ruhuo grinned.
"Not a chance." Azula countered.
And with that, the three of them walked down the ramp of the ship together (Ruhuo and Azula arm-in-arm).
Little did the trio know, some unexpected visitors had joined in the celebrations...
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"There he is!"
"Yes, Shu, but where is she?"
The two would have looked exactly alike, dresses and all, if it had not been for the fact that one wore red and the other blue.
"Wait, Hua, there she is!"
"Wowza! She just made our job a whole lot easier!"
"Zuko of all people would know that beauty is only skin deep."
"I know that. But you have to admit that it will be easier for us to make him give her a compliment in the least!"
"Yes, yes. Enough jibber-jabber, let's get to work!"
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"Well, how do I look?"
Katara stepped in front of her brother and spun around for emphasis.
"You mean the fact that every firebender you passed on the way over here has their mouth's gaping open, isn't enought of an answer?" Sokka grinned as he stood and took his only sister's hand. "You look beautiful, Katara."
Katara returned the smile and chanced a glance towards Zuko. She expected him to be turned away, pouting and fuming and not paying her any attention at all.
What she saw instead, was his mouth slightly ajar, as if someone had smacked the sense right out of him. He quickly averted his eyes when he realized she was looking at him.
The kimono she wore was ocean blue, of coarse, and had silver trim. Her hair was in a simple bun, a ring of saphire flowers tucked gently around it.
"I'm going to get some tea."
So Katara padded over to join Iroh, leaving her brother staring after her.
My baby sister is growing up... He thought, with a certain sense of reluctance.
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"Hey Shuin,"
"Yeah?"
"I have a plan."
"You always do."
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Azula rested her hand lightly in Ruhuo's as he led he to the dance floor. Just as they were about to start dancing though, the music changed to a quicker, more lively tune.
It was a Fire Nation dance.
Luckily for Ruhuo, one of his shipmates had taught it too him, and when the instruments started and he looked into Azula's eyes, he saw a challenge.
The beat sped up as the song played on, and their game continued.
What the couple didn't realize, was how much closer they were getting until -
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"You never told him." Layla pointed out to Hanu as they walked down the harbor.
"I meant to."
"I know."
His fingers were intertwined with hers, and they gazed into eachother's eyes as they walked. Then, Hanu stopped, pulling Layla closer to him.
He continued to gaze into her eyes, as if trapped by some entrancement.
"Layla, -"
He was cut off by -
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Shuin walked right up to Zuko.
"Hey hot-head!"
Naturally, Zuko was outraged. "Who are you calling a hot-head!"
"You see any other hot-heads around here?" She snapped back.
"Why you little - !"
Zuko grabbed his crutch and heaved to his feet. He had intended to show this ignorent peasant exactly who she was messing with, but the girl started jogging away.
"Come back here you - "
"Oh, I'm so afraid of hot-head with a crutch!" Shuin mocked.
Zuko snarled and chased after her.
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Hua had planned a different approach.
She walked right up beside Katara, who was reaching to pour more tea.
"You're the girl from the island!"
Perfect. Hua pretended to act surprised, then started jogging away.
"Wait, I just want to talk!"
And Katara chased after her.
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Shuin and Hua met up at a small shop, Katara and Zuko still chasing after them. They easily slipped through the door and hid, but Zuko and Katara were jammed in the doorway.
"Get out of my way! Can't you see I'm after someone?" They shouted simultaniously.
A man behind the counter cleared his throat, and when the benders turned to glare at him he was pointing to something right above their heads.
It was a strange crimson flower. "That is the Huo Ying. The Fire Flower. It is said that if both a man and woman are caught under it on the night of Huo Guo Chuan Tong that they must kiss - No matter how different they are." The elderly shopkeep explained. "And if you don't - you will have horrible luck for the rest of your life."
Zuko and Katara looked at each other for a moment, then -
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AN: Wow. I have 3 cliffies going on at once. This must be your lucky day huh?
Once again, very VERY sorry for the late update, but I will write the next chapter tomorrow and hopefully it will be posted by Thursday.
ALL ZUKO EPI THIS FRIDAY! -squeals like a giddy school girl-
PLEASE REVIEW!