~ The Earth King~

Ryuu POV

We took the train through the Middle Ring and right into the Upper Ring. Elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen swept past beautiful houses that seemed brighter. It was greener. Lighter. Fresher. In my dirty Tunic, I felt somewhat under dressed. Quon, our new boss guy, guided us through the glistening clean streets.

"There- little missy - I'll buy you a dress," He pointed to a dress shop with humot his voice, "Because to fit in, you'll need it."

I grumbled under my breath. I hate wearing dresses. Zuko grinned lop-sidedly at me. He touched his head and let out a moan. Ever since last night, he complained of a splitting headache that kept returning with a vengeance.

Quon tossed Iroh a key to our new house and told us to get cozy. Tomorrow, he would show us the New Tea House. Iroh was bubbling with excitement at the prospect. Quon glided off and let us gaze at the new two-story apartment. We trampled up the steps to the second floor of four.

As the key turned in the lock to the new apartment, Zuko collapsed against the door frame. He touched his head delicately and groaned. Iroh gasped, went to take Zuko's wieght and directed me to get a sleeping mat out to go in the kitchen.

I searched the apartment top to bottom and - eventually - found what I was looking for. I lugged the mat down a flight of stairs and dropped it before Iroh. Zuko had passed out by now. He placed his Nephew down and shook his head.

"What's wrong with him?" I panicked, crouching by Zuko's side.

Iroh scratched his beard, "Spiritual sickness... he's at war internally. "

I blinked at the elder man, "You mean an angst coma? Because he did one good thing?"

"Well- now you put it that way - frankly, yes."

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I got up. Iroh pointed to the sideboard and asked if I could wet a towel - to cool Zuko's ever increasing temperature. I did so. After a while, Zuko came around and stared aimlessly at the ceiling.

"Uncle? Is this because I did something wrong...?" He panted breathlessly, "Am I cursed?"

"No. No no no. You did the right thing. Letting the Avatar's bison go free."

Zuko's eyes flickered shut, "I don't feel right."

He passed out again. I bit my lip and knelt down by Zuko's side. Iroh carefully placed the wet towel on his Nephew's forehead - it oozed cool water over the latters face. He pressed his lips tightly together to form a white line and screwed his eyes shut.

"Ryuu, I need to get ingredients for Jook - until Zuko wakes up... Can you-?"

"Really?! I mean, of course, " I coughed to cover up my mistake.

Iroh got to his feet and crossed to the door after grabbing my satchel; which contained our money. He gave one last wistful look at Zuko before disappearing through the door. The apartment fell freakishly silent. Nothing much was to be heard except the occasional creak of floorboards; rustle of leaves in wind; ruckus voices floating from the Lower and Middle ring and Zuko's light breathing.

I smoothed my hand across his cheek. He was burning up. Just as I went to wet the towel further in the water tank stored under the sink - Zuko gasped and croaked out an exadurated 'Ryuu?'. I whipped around and fell to my knees. He put a hand over his eyes and curled his lip into a frown.

"What's going on?" His voice hoarse and skin hotter than ever.

I managed no more than a whisper, "You're hot- I mean - you have a temperature. An intense fever. Your Uncle's gone out for Jook-"

"So thirsty. "

He went to get up but collapsed back down, due to fever. I rushed around and got a bucket and cup of water for Zuko to sip. He could barely lift his head, so I had to support his while he drunk the liquid. He gasped with relief. Then he tried to push the covers off of himself.

"Too hot!" He complained. I shook my head and pulled the blankets back up. He pouted.

"Sweat it out-" But before I could stop him, Zuko grabbed the bucket by my side and chugged all of it. Stunned, I sat there on my knees, hands in lap, watching him. He threw the bucket aside and wiped his mouth.

"Come on, Princess, back under-" Again, I was interrupted. Zuko fumbled around and ripped off his top. He flopped back and groaned in protest at his temperature. I set my jaw and ignored Zuko's naked chest to the best of my abilities.

"-Just stay under the covers!" I forced the blankets over him. He stared blankly up at me and gaped for air. His head lolled as he passed out again. Soon, he started swiping out at dream things and calling out 'Mother! No! Come back. ' A sweat beaded his forehead and chest. I snarled at the glistening sweat before swabbing the wettned towel over the new sweat.

"No!" He screamed.

I fell back in surprise but exhaled and rocked back and padded at his forehead again. Tears formed into his eyes. My stomach tugged in emotion - I gave in and wrapped my arms around his neck. He - still asleep - dug his fingers into my tunic. His breathing slowed and stopped sobbing.

Through my thick tunic, I felt his eyes flicker open. He loosened his grip on me and lay back against the mat. He studied my face and a slight blush spread across his face. I rocked back onto my heels and gave him a smile.

"What- what happened? "

I averted my gave and started kneading my palms, "Nightmare. You started crying..so, I just hugged you, I guess."

He brushed his arm against my ankles - as they were nearest to him, "Thank you."

It was my turn to blush. I buried my face into my hands and murmured a your welcome before noticing Zuko had passed out again. His skin shuddered - whether through cold or just fever, I didn't know. Despite myself, I started taking off my tunic and lay it over him. I squatted there in my sleeveless top and trousers.

Unconsciously, I started humming a lullaby. In his sleep a small smile slipped across Zuko's face. I laughed gently and murmured forms of words to the lullaby. Zuko moaned and rolled over. The blanket and tunic fell off of him, so I moved them back into place. The door creaked open and I leapt in surprise.

"Is he fairing well?"

"Spirits, Iroh, It's just you."

He thumped the satchel full of ingredients down on the side and sighed in relief. He moved around and began preparing two things - Tea and Jook. I leaned foward and slid a thumb over a bead of sweat. Zuko moved his hand up and caught mine. Iroh chuckled as Zuko hugged my hand - preventing me from moving.

"You won't be moving for a while. "

"Hmm..."

The tea was brewed and Itoh poured it into three cups. At the smell, Zuko stirred. He instantly let go of my hand and massaged the small of his neck nervously. Iroh took a seat the other side of the mat and handed my tea. He slid a hand gently under Zuko's head and put the cup to his lips.

"You should know that this is not a natural sickness, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying tea."

Zuko slurrped the tea, "Not... natural?"

"Your critical decision. What you did beneath that lake. It was in such conflict with your image of yourself that you are now at war within your own mind and body."

I rolled my eyes and, in jest, tutted, "Only you."

Iroh nodded and took up the towel, "You are going through a metamorphosis, my nephew. It will not be a pleasant experience, but when you come out of it... you will be the beautiful prince you were always meant to be."

...

The sun was setting on the horizon. I watched it from the roof. Downstairs, Zuko was snoring away and Iroh read up on Ba Sing Se culture. The breeze was gentle and cool against my skin. It was true what they said about Ba Sing Se sunsets. It was one of the most beautiful things ever to be seen. Orange; Pink; Blue; Red; Golden. Golden like Zuko's eyes. Damn, I yelled internally at myself.

Birds twittering from every imaginable place and, I swear, from the direction of the palace, I heard a bear roar.

Someone called my name up to me. I knitted my brows and slid down the ladder to my bedroom. True - it was to be shared with Zuko, but he still slept in the kitchen. So, yeah. I leapt down the stairs two steps at a time.

"Yes?"

Iroh smiled pleasantly at me, "Quon delivered these. He suggested you wear them tomorrow. "

He held up a package of green material with a small hairpeice perched precariously ontop. My eyes widened at the sight. A damned dress. So, I really would have to wear it. I shuddered at the thought but took the swathes of material from Iroh. He turned back to tending to Zuko.

...

"I feel ridiculous. "

Iroh screwed his nose up and grinned. The dress, which fit surprisingly well, was silk heavily embroidered with golden thread which spiraled into Dragon heads. The sleeves hung loose - so I wrapped them with my seemingly signature arm wraps. Under the heavy layers of dress I retained my trousers. The dress had come with light green slippers laced with dark green fibers.

The headpiece - which I was sure I put on wrong - was basically a lightweight dark green fan with an oversized lotus hanging in my hair. I desperately tried to flatten the chest down, which insisted on poofing up. Zuko stirred on the mat.

"Ryuu? What happened to you?"

I blew a hair from my face, "I know, I look awful-"

"No. You look... beautiful. "

A flush crept across my face as Zuko passed out for the billionth time that day. Iroh snikered and took a pot off of the heat inside boiled noodles and vegetables. Iroh told me to get changed into my former clothes as quickly as I could before eating because - he knew me - I was likely to drop food on my delicate dress.