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Chapter 24

Nothing more delicate than a mind

"I'll be back in an hour or so," I told Zuko, "I'm checking up on Akiro, the boy who broke his arm." It was around that time for me to check on him and his family. I hoped that the bone was healing correctly this time, there's no reason why it shouldn't. By now Akiro's fever and pains should have lessened or disappeared completely was my hope. I found myself anxious and excited to see the nice family once again.

Zuko looked up from his work sharply when I had said, "boy." Something flashed in his eyes, and disappeared as quickly as it had come. Zuko had been calculating the cost of repairs for the boiler room…and by the looks of it it was hard grueling work. Zuko looked unsure, "Do you know how late you'll be?" He asked. I shook my head, "No, but I don't think it will be very long."

Zuko looked out the Navigation room window where the sun could be seen already low in the sky, signaling that dusk would be in a few hours. "If you must go it would be best if you take someone with you."

I frowned, not liking the fact that he was advising that I have…a caretaker, "Why do I need someone with me?" An edge of my temper was coming back, "I'm a big girl. I don't need an escort."

"I know you don't need one-"

"Then why are you suggesting that I have one?" I cut him off. Zuko gave me a look, "-But it would make Uncle and I feel better that you have someone with you. Just to keep an eye on things."

"Who then?"

"Uncle is asleep, otherwise he would take you. I require Lt. Ji to be on hand. Take Jin." Jin is a guard around 20 years old. He has black hair and a small goatee that he could never seem to tame. He was closest to me age besides Zuko. He has a nice sense of humor, but it got him into trouble sometimes. (Amy. Note. He's the same Jin in my story 'Run Away'. I like him. He is my favorite character besides Koima. He has a likeable quality around him. More like a brother figure.)

It made me curious why Zuko would want someone to accompany me to the house. Did he know about last time? No, he couldn't: He wasn't there and I haven't told anybody. I put it off as merely a coincidence.

"Fine."

: Time Gap:

Jin and I left the ship shortly after. We headed for the AnYun market and further. I say Jin eyeing the carts of fruit that lay on the side of the road. Before I could reprimand him, he stole a mango from one and bit into it, causing a small squirt of juice to spurt out and dribble down his goatee.

"Where are we off to my little Geisha?" Jin asked after swallowing a big mouthful of the juicy fruit, "And why does the honorable Prince Zuko want me to look after you?" He watched me from the corner of his eye. 'Geisha' is the nickname he had called me ever since I took care of him in the infirmary not long ago for a broken arm. It was him who had broken his arm while showing off for his friends with the Komodo Rhino. I've told Jin to stop calling me that, but he insists, calling it a very high compliment. Geisha are beautiful women he says, welcome anywhere, like angels. Only he is allowed to call me 'Geisha.'

"Don't use that tone when speaking about Prince Zuko." I said tersely, "But last time I was helping a boy who had broke his arm…..but not in the foolish way you did." I added with a little smirk. Jin coughed nervously and I continued, "I'm going back to see if his arm is healing like it should." I finally saw something I recognized; an old abandoned cart. Go left from there and we'll be at the house in no time!

Jin threw the mango pit away once he was done eating, "Why does Prince Zuko want you accompanied?"

I shrugged, "I'm not sure." I said absently. I could see the house ahead. Some was drifting out of the chimney and I could see the little girl, Akina, playing out front with a little doll.

"There it is." I announced proudly. Jin and I went up to the little home. Akina looked up when she heard us, she frowned…then smiled when she recognized me, "Miss Koima!"

"Hello Akina. Is your mother or father home?" I smiled hopefully. She nodded and ran inside the house yelling, "Mama Mama! She's back!"

I turned to Jin, "C'mon. And mine your manners." I warned him, knowing that he could be quite unruly and that would make him unwelcome. Jin grinned roguishly, "Well does that girl have any older sisters?" He winked at me.

"Oh stoppit."

We went inside and I could smell dinner cooking as always. Risa came out from the other room, flanked on either side by Akina and a Panyar, I presumed to be Kino. Risa smiled and hugged me tightly, "Oh you're back! It's so good to see you again! Oh. Who's this?" She looked behind me at Jin. It was no doubt strange that a soldier would be following me. Jin was fire nation and we are in a fire nation village, but it was still an odd occurrence. Jin waved faintly to the mother, "Hello. I'm Jin, ma'am."

"He's my…" I paused, I didn't know what to call him. Jin bowed, "I'm her body guard." I looked at him, annoyed. That wasn't what I was thinking. Risa's eyes widened for a moment, "Oh." Jin shouldn't have done that, now I feel like a queen or royal lady, needing an escort wherever I go.

"How is Akiro? Is his arm paining him anymore?" I changed the subject and got right to the point, hoping to sidestep the awkward moment. The front door opened and Akiro strolled in whistling a little tune. I almost didn't recognize him for he had been flushed with fever and was very ill last time I saw him. His right arm was still in the cast I had originally set and hung in a sling. Akiro was much taller than I had guessed. He was lean, but muscled.

He walked in to the room where we were. He saw Jin and stopped mid-stride, "Um, hello?" He looked at Risa, "What's going on?" His eyes shifted from Jin to his mother. I was blocked out of view by Jin's armor.

Jin smiled brightly at the young man, "My lady wishes to see you." He said formally. I punched him in the back, "Oh be quiet Jin. Hello." I stepped out from behind my 'bodyguard' so that Akiro could see me. Akiro's eyes shone with recognition, "Koi." He smiled.

"How is your arm?" I asked, coming over to him to inspect it, "It looks better already."

Akiro allowed me to take him arm out of the sling, "It is a lot better, thanks to you." He beamed, "It's good to see you again." I blushed bright red and I mumbled a, "Thank you."

The swelling had gone down a lot, and I could see that the bone was healing straight this time. There was a long bruise that wrapped around the whole for arm, looking like an ugly bracelet. I touched around the breaking point with my index finger. Akiro winced. But it was good.

"How long ago did the fever break?" I asked as I wrapped the arm again with the splints, tighter now since the swelling had subsided. Risa handed me a cup of tea, "The next morning. And he was able to get up and walk around. He can even fire bend now!"

Akiro lit up hit right hand in a ball of fire, he sighed contentedly, "It feels a lot better. It hurts not to bend for a long time."

:Time Gap:

Jin finished the roast duck we had been offered and he looked out the window, "Koi, I think we should be getting back. I don't need another red mark on my report from Prince Zuko." Jin had already collected a fair amount of red marks during the time I was on the ship, anything from sassing a higher ranked officer, to forgetting to clean and do his job. He was right though; it was getting late and I promised Zuko I would be only be gone an hour.

I stood up from the table, "I'm grateful for your hospitality." I told the family, "But we really must be going."

Risa and Akiro stood, "Thank you for coming over, Koima." Risa said. Akiro nodded, "Will you come visit us again?"

"Our ships repairs are finished. I don't think so. We're leaving tomorrow after noon." Akiro's face fell, "Oh…"

I smiled at him, "It was great meeting you though. Tell Hatus I said hello." They said they would. I felt a tug on my skirt, I looked down into Akina's bright eyes, "I'll miss you. Akiro can play with me again since you fixided his arm. Thank you." She hugged me. I smiled, getting on my knees and returning the hug, "You're welcome. Good bye everyone." I waved.

"Bye Koima."

Jin and I left the house, never to see it or the happy family again…well, until we happen to dock at this port again. Stomachs full and contended, we walked back to the docks. I started getting annoyed with Jin, he would not stop it!

"…didn't you see the way he was looking at you all throughout dinner?" Jin fluttered his eyelashes dramatically, "He looked like a love sick puppy!"

I glared at him, I felt the blood coming up to my cheeks in a furious blush, "No he wasn't. Stop it now!" But, of course, he wouldn't. He kept up the love-sick charade, grabbing my hand and kissing it in a flourish, "Oh my little Geisha! The wonderful angel who hath healed my broken appendage! Allow me to lift you up and we shall run away into the sunset and live happily ever after!" He exclaimed swept me off me feet to carry me bridal style! In horror I hit him, jumping away from him as he dropped me in shock, "Don't touch me!" I hissed. Jin stepped back, shocked beyond belief. A red handprint shone bright red on his cheek where I had hit him.

Suddenly, the realization of what I did hit me. I had been…. I…had a flashback…of Master. I shivered. I didn't want men to touch me like that, to hold me in the way Jin had just did….the memories were just too painful and horrible and I never wanted to relive them again, for all eternity. I closed my eyes, "I-I'm sorry, Jin." I whispered.

Jin came towards me slowly, cautiously, "Are you alright? I'm sorry, I had no right, I shouldn't have-"

"No." I shook my head, "It's my fault." 'Masters fault' "I don't want to talk about it. I'm sorry I hit you. I just don't like being touched…"

Jin nodded, "I apologize. I didn't know. It won't happen again." I felt so bad that I had acted in such a way. How could he know? I have never told anybody about what happened to me except Uncle. Not even Zuko knows all that had happened, he only knows who sis it when Uncle knows the minimal things that were done to me.

'Don't think about it.' I scolded myself, hoping to shake the bad feelings away, 'That isn't going to happen again. He's gone, I'm gone. I'm having a good day and I don't want to ruin it.' I tried to smile reassuringly at Jin to dispel his worries. By the look of it, I could tell I didn't, "Let's go back to the ship, Jin, before it gets too dark."

He nodded and we went on, Jin keeping his distance from me by having three feet between us.

"Why don't you like being touched?" Jin asked hesitantly, "Most girls like it." Tears came to my eyes…if only he knew. "I'm not like most girls, Jin. All you know about me is that I was found on the ship two months ago, never where I came from or anything about my life. I like to keep it to myself. All it is is bad memories that I don't want to talk about." That was as much as I could tell him. Jin was silent, but nodded, "Okay. Your business is yours, not mine to pry into." He understood. Thank Agni.

I was too preoccupied to notice the ship that was docked beside Zuko's. Jin and I walked up the gangplank onto the deck……and Master's eyes met mine.


…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..(blink)……………………………………………………………………………….(faints)

The scariest cliffie I have ever written. Even I feel the drama. I wanna lotsa reviews please, make my day!

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