Thank you Spoonsinthesink for Following. (Love your name!)


~Bato of the Water Tribe (Part 2)~

Ryuu POV

The flying Ox-thingy broke the Shirshu.

Well, it didn't, but it did. What I mean is, it sort of temporarily made it not work. Until the scary lady got it to snap out of whatever funk it was in using her whip, but then a group of rogue Nunsbroke it using perfume, it then broke Zuko and I, and the scary lady. I don't like the scary lady or her broken Shirshu...

Um- let me expand on that.

We raced in convoy up to the Abbey, the Water Tribe kids bouncing on the back on the Kimono Rhino. One hand on Zuko, the other checking the kids didn't fall off. What am I say kids for? The guy was my age. The girl roughly a bit younger.

Nuns scattered like ants as we entered the convent. The Rhino snorted loudly, kicking up dust. The ladies Shirshu ran in circles. Zuko stared in disbelief. Iroh clung firmly onto scary lady as the got taken for a rather sickening ride.

"What's it doing? It's just going in a circle."

I scoffed, "I can see that, Princess Obvious. "

Zuko turned at me, snarling. I just ignored him. Whatever he said, I wouldn't change his nickname. It suited him. He returned his attention to the Shirshu when I dropped my smirk. Above the Shirshu was a giant flying Ox-thingy. The Avatar's giant flying ox-thingy. Angrily, the Shirshu reared up, trying to paralyze the Avatar. It just succeeded in bucking off Iroh and scary lady then falling over itself.

"Aang!" Water girl yelled.

Scary lady got to her feet, "Up!" She cracked her whip.

The Avatar landed. Scary lady charged the Avatar - Stupid decision, really. The Ox-thingy pushed the Shirshu over. It growled and roared in triumph. Zuko leapt off of the Rhino and ran over to handle the Avatar. A group of Nuns came over to get the Water kids. I let them, because they are Nuns.

I wanted to help, so jumped off and ran to help Zuko with the Avatar. Before I could, however, a large explosion shot me back, hitting the uneffected lump of Kimono Rhino. Everyone had been affected (exceptfor the Kimono Rhino). Zuko was on a roof. Iroh ran to check on Scary lady. Mind if I just call her - say - June? Thanks.

Again, she whipped the Shirshu, "Come on! Get up!"

Iroh smiled. It made me shiver in disgust. Then all Blazing Badgermole broke loose. Zuko was running on the roof shooting volleys of fire balls, June did an awesome frontflip. Iroh was being disgusting. The Shirshu fought the Ox-thingy. I just stood there, watching it all happen.

Over in one corner, the Water boy slurred, "I'm ... starting to get some feeling back!"

Before a wall fell on him. I stuffed my hand in my mouth, trying not to laugh.

"You've got something I want," Zuko yelled. The Avatar, Aang, leapt at the well. They did some dance like moves, then it ended with Zuko flying briefly on the back of a jet stream of water. He didn't seem to enjoy his flight. Then the perfume came. A sea of Perfume doused the Rhino and me up to our ankles, as well as the nearby Shirshu's nose.

The creature went mad.

It lashed out at Zuko. I ran to help him but also got struck. I flew and hit the ground - scratch that - Zuko. It seems that everytime I fall I hit Zuko. He seems to be my crashmat. I was thankful for it. Zuko grunted at the impact. I was blushing, feeling the heat of Zuko's body. Iroh fell next to us, June landing on him.

Zuko turned his head, "Uncle? I didn't see you get hit with the tongue."

Iroh put his finger to his lips in a shhhh before closing his eyes again. June opened her eyes and stared angrily. Despite being paralysed, I chuckled. Zuko closed his eyes. I could feel him breathing under me. His chest rose and fell against me. My head was against his shoulder, so I could feel him exhaling against my hair.

"So, we have an hour till this wears of right?" I squeaked. June sighed deeply, in way of a yes.

'At least there's an upside...' I caught myself thinking that. I corrected it to, 'No, there is no upside...'

...

The Nuns left us where we were. They didn't touch us because we had attacked them. Not me, I just stood there, watching. But still.

Half an hour passed. I could move my arm, but it spasmed up again when I pushed myself up. I collapsed again onto Zuko. It was boring, I told myself. But in reality, it was pleasant. I listened to Zuko breathing and his heartbeat. It was so soothing I nearly fell asleep.

"I think.. I can move... my..."

Zuko sat upright. I collapsed into his lap, still mostly paralysed. He stared down at me. Stiffly, he managed to get up. If I remember correctly, Firebenders can resist poison better than anyone else. He cradled me in his arms and turned around to his Uncle.

Iroh quickly got up, "It's a miracle!"

Zuko and I exchanged glances. June, who had gained back some control, marched away from Iroh. The Shirshu was rolling about like a giant puppy. June snapped her whip and her great pet shot to its feet. She mounted it, if awkwardly, and snarled.

"I.. don't care about...the gold."

She rode away on the broken Shirshu. Iroh helped Zuko and me onto the back of the Kimono Rhino and he jumped into the drivers seat. I was sat infront of Zuko because I still had a lack of control over my muscles. He clung onto my waist. It was still sore from the wounds sustained three months ago, but I let him hold me. After all, I didn't want to fall off.

"What a handsome woman, don't you think Prince Zuko?"

Zuko grimmaced, "Not really."

...

"Feeling any better? "

I was sat on deck, leaning against the command tower. Zuko crouched next to me, clasping a cup of boiling tea. There was a slight breeze, so our hair and clothes danced about. He had a gentle voice and genuine look of worry.

"Yeah, thanks. I can speak in full sentences and move my torso. But still no feeling in my legs..."

He handed me the cup to drink. I took it down in one shot and gasped in relief as it dampened my dried up throat. This close to Zuko felt..odd. He usually tried to maintain a certain distance, unless of certain circumstances. Like this. He smelt of Spiced Tea and Jasmine, the one he had spilt on himself earlier.

His breath felt nice against my cheek. To nice. I had to remind myself that it shouldn't be nice because he was... I forgot about that and just relaxed. I gave up trying to pretend I didn't like him. It was useless. Because I did.

"Come on, let's get you to bed."

Gently, he wrapped his arm around me and lifted me up. His skin was warm, the heat actually seeped through his clothes. I smiled and let him help me up the stairs. Despite the useless feeling in the back of my head, I was glad for Zuko. It was almost therapeutic as we swayed up the staircase.

"You need to learn how to fight. Tomorrow, we will start."

"Mmmm. Definitely. "

I didn't entirely know what Zuko had said as I was falling asleep in his arms. By the time he noticed I has nodding off, I was probably leaning fully against him, my head lolling. He placed me on my bed and pulled the cover over me. When I woke, I found him laying next to me.

He had fallen asleep laying against me. Instead of yelling and hollering like any other Earth Kingdom citizen would've done, I lay still and closed my eyes again, happy for his warmth and presence.