Ch.9 Duplicity

Zuko

I wake up in an uncomfortable position. I readjust and fall forward onto the carpet. Grumpily I flip over and stretch as little beams of sunlight warms my skin. I could have only slept for a little while. I put my arms behind me and push myself to my feet. I look around the room and see bodies everywhere. I tiptoe nervously around each being, but I'm not very coordinated. Right on cue, I accidentally swing forward and wave my arms backward to regain balance. Success! I make my way to the door and go towards the kitchen groggily, but somewhat alert after my efforts.

As I reach for a handle, I hear a familiar high pitched whistling. I open the door and see a rather large kitchen with masculine colors, but onyx flooring. A tea kettle going berserk on the stove by a box of tea ingredients. I turn off the oven and notice a figure behind a barrier. I inspect the matter further and make out a woman draped over a table.

"Song." I poke her, but she snoozes away. I chuckle. She's a sound sleeper. I pour a cup of hot water and stir some of the mixture in the fluid. As I stir I realize that I'm thirsty, so I pour myself a cup as well and look in theicebox for food. I grab leftover rice and begin chowing down. As I sip the green tea I think about Uncle.

He died nearly a year ago. I peer into the green of the tea. I never thought I would drink this junk. I shovel in another spoonful of the albino rice. I shudder to refrain from spitting it out. In my hunger, I hadn't noticed the mushiness of the food. I gulp down the rest of the tea hot tea. Suddenly I feel more alive than I had in months. My senses are more alert and I set the cup down shuddering at the power this concoction has upon me. This could become a habit. I hear a loud yawn and look back at the nurse in front of me. She's rubbing her eyes and her forehead is red where her hand had supported it. As she struggles to open her eyes her braid unravels until a bit of her hair is sticking out unevenly. As her eyes open I observe that her eyes appear chocolate brown and seem devoid of any green. I eat the rice stupidly and swallow it with difficulty.

Her cheeks are unusually red. Probably from sleep. Abruptly, she pales.

"Drink this." I order. She must be sick.

She accepts the porcelain cup, but asks,

"How long have I been asleep?" She blows on the tea and sips it carefully. I shrug. Because I've killed off the rest of my tea, I see no reason to stay. I toss the rest of my rice into the nearest trash can and put my cup in the sink. I think of something to say.

"How many casualties were there last night?" She bites her lip and sets her cup on the table.

"Hard to say. It doesn't look good though. Apparently Toph lost half her men. Sokka says he lost a few men, but at least a third of them are in the infirmary. I think Katara had similar numbers…"

"Okay that's enough for now." I cut in. At least I won't be shocked at the meeting later. I head for the door until I'm struck with a thought.

"How's Aang?" I ask turning around.

"He's a little shaken up."

"Any word about our informant?"

"Pardon?" She sips the tea composing face to withhold her confusion.

"I meant Ty Lee."

"I haven't seen her. Thank you for the tea." She says as I turn away. I don't like being caught in a vulnerable moment so I just mumble something about it being already set up and I stride out the door as quickly as possible. As I reach the meeting room I look towards the heavens.

What is this woman doing to me?

----

Song

I awake Katara with a whistle. I'm surprised I haven't waken the whole ward up with my carefree tune. I regain control of myself and notice that she has dried tears along her face. I shamefully bow my head.

"Are you feeling better?" I ask.

"Sure." She yawns.

"We have the ultrasound set up." I say carefully. "It's in the other room so you can have privacy."

I loop my hand around her and steady her on her feat. She holds the current vomitless bucket in her other arm.

We tread unevenly towards the unoccupied bedroom. She immediately lies down and pulls her shirt just above her belly button. She thought of doing that before I asked, impressive. I apply liquid around her stomach and reach for the machine.

I look at the black and white screen. She twists her neck a little to get a better glimpse.

I see a clear image and stop moving the device.

"I'm not a doctor by any means but your baby is probably been developing for a few months now. I'm surprised you're not showing that much."

"I do feel bloated." Her stomach had a slight bulge, but it appears undetectable under her clothes.

I start to move the machine off of her, but something catches my eye. I quickly move back to the original position and look carefully at the screen. I look back over at my patient. Her mouth is wide open and her blue eyes bulge. Twins?

I see I don't have to tell her, as the shock is evident on her face.

"Well at least this heightens the chances of one being an airbender." She comments and the paternity is made clear.

"Would you like me to get him?" I ask. She nods.

"Could you keep that image up there?"

"Of course." I then gesture to the off switch "This is how you turn it off."

She smiles at me though her eyes are still incredulous.

I run down the hall towards the meeting room. I knock and I'm admitted in by two guards who recognize me. I wait in the lobby area and I hear masculine and one feminine voice coming from inside. Though I recognize many of their voices, one sounds unfamiliar.

"Azula knows where we are… move to somewhere"

"Swamp"

"No."

"Mountains?"
"Old Air temple… will serve for now."

After a few moments the handle jiggles and Sokka walks out, then Toph, and finally Aang. I stop him.

"Sir, I'm Katara's nurse and she wants to see you." I feel as though I should withhold the news for later.

"Sure." His eyebrows clench together worriedly. I can't help but feel awful yet excited at the same time. I lead him away just as I see Zuko hovering over a large map of the world.

"Is something wrong?"

"No she's fine. She just wants to speak to you." I lead him to the dwelling and immediately hurry away. As I turn the corner I hear a loud exclamation and laughter.

I shake my heard and go towards the infirmary.

However as I pass a nearby window the sky catches my eyes. Dawn never looked so pretty with all its hues of red, orange, and yellow. The sun itself seems appealing to my eyes. Without restraint I lean my head on the door frame and look wistfully towards the sight killing sun. I shouldn't, but his eyes are precisely that shade. I dutifully look away and dots appear. Just like he always puts me in a daze. I blink, shake my head, and bask in the heat for a moment. I sigh forlornly and turn around only to bump into a familiar person.

"Tai?" I say jumping back.

"Thinking of me?" he asks coyly.

"No…" I say rolling my eyes "What are you doing here?"

"Well I've been sent to help you with a few other healers." His knowing smile never wavers. "Come here a second."

He leads me outside by the hand. His hands are extremely cold and try to pry my hand from his grasp. He holds it fast.

"Where are we going? I need to see my patients." I say as we continue to walk further and further away. "Tai?"

He grabs my wrist suddenly and a flame grows in his free hand. I fall the ground and shriek before he clamps his hand over my mouth. His hand is now unbearably hot from the previous flame.

His eyes narrow.

"My name isn't Tai, and you'll go where I damn well take you." He jerks me up and I have to take a calming breath before I go into hysterics. I bite his hand and try to run off and scream again only louder this time. Tai tackles me and pins me to the dirt. Can't anyone hear me? A man hobbles out of the building. Tai slings me over his shoulder and takes off. The old man starts to follow us, but looks at his leg and hobbles back inside.

"I thought you were afraid of fire." Tai mutters and I hit him with both my hands.

--

I struggle to keep a grip on the documents from the meeting, but I long to blow them up. I drop a single sheet and attempt to pick it up when a man throws open the door and hobbles towards me.

"Young man. There is a woman out there screaming and hollering being carried off by a young fellow and I can't keep up for the life of me."

I throw down the accursed papers and look at the old man.

"Describe the woman." "Please." I say as an afterthought.

The man scratches his head.

"Well she was very pretty lady with brownish eyes and brownish hair."

"Any distinguishing features?" I say impatiently.

"While she was running I swore I saw scars on her right leg." Panic sears through me as Azula's chilling remarks repeat in my head. "What's keeping me from taking away what's closest to you?" "Is she the source of your weakness?"

I will my legs to sprint to run into the forest. I follow the lanterns, but I still form a flame to see where I'm going in the dense maze. I look for a clue that will lead me. A foot print? That looks promising. Another just like it is in sight. Quickly I follow the much needed trail.

I run faster and soon I'm at the end of the forest. I see tanks ahead. I stop and think of a way to ease myself on it. At the end I see a tall fellow walk up carrying a struggling figure which I deduce as Song.

She kicks him in the gut and he crashes forward dropping her. As she pulls her legs away from him, I hurry forward. But stop in my tracks when soldiers surround her exit and make her halt.

It will be impossible to get her now. I think pissed at the odds, but I go forward anyways throwing away caution. Song reaches for the dagger on her belt, but she catches my eye and stops. Keep at it. I think urgently as I try to ease towards her without being noticed.

A masked person puts his or her fist to the back of her head and she immediately hits the floor. I grind my teeth and slink quicker. They drag her into the tank like a corpse and the plank begins to close as I near the tank. I run, but the door still slams in my face.

My infuriated image is all I see reflecting back to me.

Author's Note:

Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I guess it's because I'm trying to squeeze time with the friends I've met at Gov. School before we have to go. (big tear) But back to the story.

I'm working on a side story to help explain Artemis and how she came to Sokka's care. I don't want to ruin anything, so that is all I will say for now on that subject.

Thanks to sugarland31, Ireth Kalt, FireworkFireGurl107, FireGurl107, and FireChildSlytherin5 for their advice. (I certainly need it)

As for the use of ultrasounds and certain technology, I couldn't think of a way around it, so I apologize. Perhaps someone invented them in the future?