"It's reeeally simple, Chen," Zhu explained as if talking to a child, "I'll fly up to the windows and check whichever one connects to the arena's empty hallways, fly back down, and then fly back up with you in my arms. And then-" The sixteen year old snapped her fingers, "Free seats at today's Rabaroos versus Moose Lions. Nobody will suspect a diddly-darn thing."
Chen had an unimpressed look on his face.
"It's not going to work."
"You're being very pessimistic."
"Because it's not going to work. Mom will kill you if it does."
"It'll work!" Zhu messed up Chen's neatly maintained short hair as he swatted her hand away. "Mom won't know if you won't tell."
Zhu had grown taller over the years and now towered over Chen. Her hair had grown past her waist, and she had refused to cut it no matter how wild and unruly and untamable it was. The teenager had two thin braids framing her face, while the rest were braided and twisted in two buns at the bottom of her scalp. Didn't Ursa did say something about knowing a way to fix her hair….
Kazuki was too busy with the council meetings. He travelled back and forth from the Fire Nation Capital to Republic City. Lin was swamped with work as well. So the only two teenagers decided to catch the pro-bending match at the arena. Only, Zhu had blown all her money on buying a radio for herself. If she asked Lin for more money, she'd beat her ass.
Well, she'd beat her ass even more if she realized her daughter and adoptive son were illegally planning on watching a match.
The two of them walked around the arena, looking for a way to sneak in. After much snooping, they finally came across a particular section that wasn't very crowded. A few feet above them, there was a single column of windows. The windows on the very top were huge and stretched from one corner of the wall to the other. It was one of the four pillars of the Arena.
"Okay, here's the plan." Zhu positioned herself, "I'll go up, window by window, checking for a safe hallway. If I don't come back to get you in ten minutes, consider me caught. Ah, don't interrupt. You don't go to mother. You don't go to Kazuki. You go home and sleep and pretend that you didn't know where I was. Or you listen to the match on my radio and then go to sleep and pretend you didn't know where I was."
Chen rubbed his toes against the ground. "Okay." He mumbled, halfheartedly.
She didn't believe him for a second. "You gotta swear on it, lil bro." Zhu held up her hand, "Swear it. I don't want you to get into trouble. You're working hard for your apprenticeship and getting caught will hurt your record."
That made the boy reconsider his decision. He nodded vigorously and shook her hand.
"Okay, we have a-"
The rest of Zhu was cut off by a waterfall of dirty water that drenched her from head to toe. Chen had jumped back from surprise. Zhu was frozen in place, her braids plastered to her cheeks. The water was cold and it made her shiver involuntarily. Some water dripped past her lips and she spat to a side. The impact of the water had hurt.
"Motherf - this has soap." She tried to shake off as much liquid as she could. Bringing her hands up to the sides of her forehead, she heated her palms and dried off her hair.
"Are you alright?" Her adoptive brother stifled a laugh, "You look like you're in a puddle."
"Hilarious, Chen." Zhu looked up from where the water had appeared from.
Without paying attention to Chen, she thrust fire beneath her with full force and propelled herself upwards. She grabbed hold of one of the windows and swung herself to the uppermost level. Luckily for her, it was open. Zhu grabbed the side of the wall and knelt on one knee on the window sill. She looked back down to see Chen running away from a guard who seemed to be chasing him. The height made her head spin for a moment. Letting out a sound of discomfort, she turned to look inside.
Her eyes met amber. She stared at him with her mouth half open and he stared back. Zhu looked at the hairband that pushed back his dark hair. He had a bucket of water on his hip and was wearing an undershirt with a tear around the neck. Man, was he handsome.
The boy's gaze went from her braids to her crimson kimono top, her dark armbands, loose pants and kung fu shoes. They were drenched. And now they were dripping water down the window into the room. He looked back up at her face which had a faint blush.
"Get off my damn window, you thief!" He yelled at her, startling her.
"You threw water on me," Zhu pushed him back and entered the room, "What kind of an idiot tosses water from such a height?"
He wrenched the hairband from his hair while placing the bucket aside, "What kind of an idiot loiters around the back of the arena at this ti - I just cleaned over there! Don't step on the floor with your dirty shoes."
"Who cleans at this time in the evening?" She purposefully twisted the corner of her kimono top, creating a puddle of water where she stood.
"None of your business."
The familiar tone and words made Zhu look at him again. Really look at him. The lack of red scarf caught her attention before she reminded herself that nobody wore a scarf over an undershirt. She raised a finger at him as he scowled at her.
"What?"
"You're that kidnapper!" She accused, "Mikoto! The kid with the weird eyebrows."
If possible, his scowl deepened, "My name's Mako. How do you - Oh, you're that rich brat Zho or Ju -"
"Zhu."
"I don't care. Now stop mucking up my floor and get out."
"No." Zhu stomped her foot, splashing dirty droplets around her, "You're the one who owes me an apology."
"I don't see why."
"Listen here you fu-" Her sight suddenly fell on the attic door at their feet.
Green eyes peeked at both of them through the tiny opening. Upon discovering that he had been caught, the owner of the green eyes first pulled the door down, closing it, then peeked a little and then finally revealed his face. It was the same adorable face that Zhu used to give her food to about a year ago. He had a fire ferret curled around his neck.
"Food lady!" The boy pointed at her in recognition as she pointed back at him, yelling, "Food thief!"
"Hey! You willingly gave your food to me." He looked highly offended. The fire ferret nuzzled into his neck.
Mako looked between the two of them in confusion as his brother climbed into the attic, "Bo, you know her?"
"Yeah! She gave me food every time she saw me -"
"You asked me for food every time you saw me." Zhu interrupted, "I wondered why you suddenly stopped coming to the weekly market."
Bolin had enthusiastically introduced himself and his brother and Pabu, the fire ferret. He was thrilled to know that Zhu and Mako had already met before. The boy ran inside, rummaged through the little they had and brought Zhu a towel to dry her damp hair.
"This is like destiny," Bolin looked at the two sitting cross legged in front of him, "It's like we were meant to be friends. Isn't that right, Pabu? Oh yes, it is." He scratched the animal's chin as it chittered.
Mako had put away his cleaning tools and put on his tunic. He glared at the girl beside him as she evaporated the water in her clothes using light fire. Zhu sniffed her top and grimaced, mumbling about how it smelled bad.
"Stop looking at me like that," She snapped at him, "I haven't done anything wrong."
"I clearly remember telling you that I didn't want your pity."
"Oh sure, I had a dream that you and Bolin are brothers and that's why -"
"You're annoying, do you know that?"
"That's rich, coming from you."
"Don't use my words against me."
"You started it!"
Bolin and Pabu watched the exchange of insults as if they were watching a pro-bending match. Bolin let out at huge whistle to get their attention, "Oookay. Let's just all calm down a bit and start over. Nobody wants a fight, right? We're aaaall friends here. So, Mako and Zhu. Zhu and Mako. How did you two meet?" He leaned.
"She tried to kill me."
"He kidnapped me."
"I didn't-"
"Oh, you're lucky I didn't-"
Bolin raised his voice even more, "SO ZHU AND I MET WHEN I STOLE HER APPLES AND SHE CHASED ME DOWN A DEADEND. FUNNY, ISN'T IT? AHAHAHAHA." He stopped laughing when he noticed his brother and Zhu give him blank looks. He sighed in return, "Why don't we just get along, huh? Mako, Zhu is one of the reasons we were able to survive, whether you like it or not. Zhu, I know my brother comes off as a moody jerk -"
"Hey, whose side are you on?"
"- but he's a real softie once you get to know him. I think we could all use some friends in this big, lonely city, right?" He pouted and widened his eyes, "Riiight?"
Mako and Zhu both caved in. Mako, because he could never say no his brother when he made such a face. Zhu, because, dammit, after all these years the kid was still adorable. They decided to call a truce and shook hands.
"I'm sorry for soiling the floor."
"I'm sorry for throwing water on you."
Bolin looked at them like a proud parent, "That's more like it! Now, what's this about kidnapping and killing?"
The two exchanged troubled looks.
Zhu found out that the brothers were putting together a team to enter pro-bending. Toza, a retired sportsman had taken them under his wing and provided them with a proper roof over their head. Bolin had asked if she knew any water benders but she shook her head and said that much like them, she had been surrounded by fire and earthbenders.
She told the boys that she was applying for a long internship at the police station. If all went well, she'd be offered a permanent job at the end. Zhu was excited about it and was confident that she'd bag the internship and the job.
"Speaking of," Mako interrupted, "What were you doing in the back of the arena."
Zhu let out a hiccup, startling the boys. The question had taken her off guard. "Sorry," hiccup, "I just need to -" hiccup. She puffed up her cheeks and held her breath. Mako looked at her as if she had grown two heads. After not breathing for half a minute, she exhaled and checked if she still had the hiccups. "I was...actually...well - you see -" She fumbled over her words.
"So much for not being a criminal." Mako said in a droll as Bolin struggled to understand.
"So...you were trying to sneak in?" He asked to confirm.
Zhu nodded, "Yeah, I blew my money on a radio so I'm broke."
"Oh, no." Mako said dryly, "That's terrible."
"Hey, man. Don't start. You'll upset your brother." She punched him in the arm and he sent her a sour look.
"Boy, I really hope the Rabaroos win." Bolin swayed from side to side with his hands on his crossed ankles. He looked like an enthusiastic child.
Mako rolled his eyes, "No. Clearly the Moose Lions should. They have waay more chances of winning." At the death glare that Zhu sent him, he leaned away with his hands in the front, "I-I mean, so do the Rabaroos because, y'know, they're strong. And-and not because they're women - I mean - Oh, forget it!"
"How come you guys aren't watching the match?" Zhu wondered out loud.
Bolin stretched, "Oh, we had work. Mako was cleaning the attic and I was cleaning the gym. Oiling equipment and all, you know."
They talked for a little while longer before Zhu realized that she was late. Her mother would already be home by now. She swore, getting off the floor. "I'm waaay past my curfew." She spoke fast and made her way to the window, "I need to get going."
"You do realise you can use the door to leave?" Mako gestured at the trap door, "Like a normal person?"
"Yeah, but then I'll have to see all those people. And they'll ask questions which'll piss me off. I might end up punching someone."
"I'll walk you home!" Bolin offered, "It's gentlemanly to walk a lady home."
Mako rolled his eyes and scoffed at 'lady'. Ignoring him, Zhu politely declined.
"That's okay, Bolin. I'll be fine."
"Then Mako will walk you home."
"I'm not following her out the window" The said boy crossed his arms and pouted stubbornly.
Zhu rolled her eyes, "Jeez, you moody baby. I don't want anyone walking me home. I'll be fine." She climbed onto the window sill and turned to them, "Thanks for today. It was nice meeting you both. I'll see you guys around?"
"Oh, oh!" Bolin raised his hand, "How about...we go to Narook's? Or do you know any place with great food?"
"Ran's Ramen, downtown. This weekend?"
"Don't you guys want to know what I think about?" Mako demanded.
The two stuck their tongues out at him to tease him. Zhu bid them goodbye, leaning backwards. Bolin began to panic.
"No, Zhu - what - what are you doing? No, no, no - ZHU!" He ran after her as she jumped out the window. His brother wasn't even a little fazed. "Oh my spirits, Mako, Zhu's dea - no, no. She's fine. She used fire to fly. That's is so amazing. I didn't know people could do that. Can you do that?" Bolin turned to look at his brother, who was half way down the trap door. Their father's red scarf was around his neck. "Where are you going, bro?"
"For a walk."
"I know you're following me, Mako."
Strangely enough, they were at the very park where Zhu was 'attacked' by the Triad thugs. She crossed her arms and turned around, waiting for an explanation from the boy. She realized he was a good head taller than her.
"How do you always know?" He questioned, stepping under the street light. She waved off the question, waiting for him to explain. "Can't I enjoy a stroll?"
"You're a terrible liar."
"Fine," He hmmphed, "I just...wanted to thank you. What, I can say thank you, you know." Mako scowled at Zhu's raised eyebrows. "Things have been very...difficult since our parents died. We lost everything. Life on the street isn't very kind to kids. Sometimes, we'd go without eating for days. Bolin would return with fruit or bread, saying that someone handed it to him." His eyes softened, "I always thought he stole the food for us and beat myself up for not taking care of him. If it weren't for you, we could've died of starvation," Mako looked genuinely grateful, "Thank you, Zhu."
The girl stared at him, not expecting his life story. She thought he'd just come to make sure she got back home alright, but not this. Zhu raised her arms a little and stepped towards Mako. She hugged him with his arms pinned down.
"What are you doing?" Mako yelled, pushing her a good distance away from him.
"I thought you wanted a hug."
"I did not."
"Oh. That's not why you told me all that?"
"No." He exhaled in disbelief, judging her heavily. "Goodnight." And started to walk away.
"Yeah, bye." Zhu mumbled, sticking her tongue out at his back, "Weirdo."
"I heard that! You're the weirdo here."
Of course, sneaking into the house wouldn't work when your mother is Lin Beifong. The light in their living room switched on the second Zhu had opened the front door. Her mother was sitting on the sofa facing her, with her legs crossed.
"Where have you been?" Lin asked in that quiet deadly tone and Zhu gulped, knowing that she was about to have her ass handed to her for breaking curfew.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry about that." Zhu's voice did not betray any kind of panic or nervousness, "I was babysitting Suvi. Speaking of which, she asked for 'aunty Win'. You should take some time off and visit her. She'll be starting school soon."
Her mother did not catch the lie. It was almost as if Zhu had become too good at lying. Lin sighed and gestured the teenager to sit down.
"I need to talk to you about your internship plans." She got straight to the point, "Your teachers at school contacted me about your and Chen's career option form. He's sticking to his decision of applying to University of Zaofu. While I -" Lin's eyebrow twitched, "am not happy with the place, it's well reputed and it'll do him good. You, however," She leaned forward, "I need to know if you're doing this out of obligation."
Zhu made a face, "No? I don't really have an idea about any other job suitable for me."
"I hope you understand that just because you read Detective Nezu as a kid does not make you a detective." Amazing how her mother said it with a straight face.
"I know." The teenager scowled, feeling her face heat up a little, "I believe my skill set is well suited for a police officer's position. And - wait, is this an interview?"
Lin did not pay attention to her daughter's question, "And you're not doing this as a way to gain my attention or praise?"
"I mean, if working as a cop means you praising me sometime in the future then why not, I guess."
"Answer the question."
Zhu dropped her shoulders, groaning, "No, mother. You have given me plenty of love and affection. Tough love and affection but it worked. It's my own decision and nothing anyone has said or done has led me to come to this."
The woman let out a sigh of relief, "That's good to hear. I just.." She hesitated for a second, "I saw following my mom's footsteps as making her happy. Only it didn't. She wanted me to make my own choices, like she did. I lost out on a lot of things," Lin smiled sadly, "I don't want it to happen to you. Or Chen."
Zhu was quiet for a second. She didn't know what to say and gaped at her mother like a fish. "So…" She started, "You don't like your job?"
"Well…" The metalbender contemplated, "I've been a police officer for a good part of my life. I wouldn't know what else to do."
"We could...you know...shift to the countryside. Have a little farm of our own. Grown some peas and strawberries and cabbages. Raise a few pig-chickens and turkey-ducks." Zhu offered, making her mother laugh.
"You're a good kid, Zhu."
Zhu smiled widely, ignoring the guilt of not feeling guilty.
"What can I say. I've been raised by a couple of amazing people."
SIDE STORY:
Chen had tagged along with Zhu went she went to the Fire Nation Capital. He was amazed by seeing the size of the hallways and rooms, and sketched parts of the palace that had him enamoured.
Kasai had immediately taken to the boy. They discussed Earth Kingdom art and architecture for hours together. Mostly all of her family liked Chen. Zhu didn't give a damn when Chiaki stuck up her nose, called Chen a few inappropriate names and stormed out of the room. Her brother wasn't bothered either. He was used to it by now. Besides, Zhu had warned him that Chiaki would be difficult to deal with.
Iroh had taken a few days off to spend some time with his cousins.
The three of them, along with Kazuki, had climbed on top of the roof of the part of the palace that looked over the city. The lights from the city below them looked beautiful at night. Zhu and Iroh laid back on the tiles, the former with her head using her hands as a pillow.
"What do you think Ursa's doing?" Kazuki asked, staring at the sky. Chen cautiously shifted beside him, worried that he would fall.
Iroh and Zhu exchanged glances.
"Probably drugs." They both said in unison.
Chen whipped his head towards them, surprised that they said it so nonchalantly. Kazuki, on the other hand, thought about it for a second and agreed.
"I hope she doesn't take someone's eye out while drunk or high or whatever. Do either of you know where she is? She sent me a letter from Shu-luo village about a month ago. Said she broke up with her girlfriend or something."
"Wait, didn't she join that circus grandaunt Ty Lee talked about?"
"No, Iroh. That was last year. If only you hadn't freaked her out by saying that you didn't want the throne, she'd still be here."
"She's not dead, Kazu. She's just...being extremely rebellious." Iroh shifted where he lay, "Besides, I'm not fit to run the country. And I don't want to either. I prefer being on the sea than being cooped up in a room full of old gas-bags who think they're smarter than everyone in the world."
Zhu lifted her head, glaring at her eldest brother, "Hey, you're good enough to become Fire Lord!" She then softened her expression and pursed her lips, "Though I get where you're coming from. Ursa's fierce attitude is suited for the council, much like Aunty Izumi's. They're naturally more scary."
"Mother's pissed that Ursa isn't here to help her run the Household." Kazuki grumbled. "I love her and all, my mother, but sometimes, she's unbearable."
Zhu let out a snort, "'Sometimes'? Try 'every second of the day'."
Her brother rolled his eyes, "She doesn't even bother with you anymore. When was the last time she did anything to you?"
Chen looked between the two siblings, clearly confused. Ever since Kazuki had started living at the Beifong residence, Lady Chiaki had been sending kidnappers and thugs after Zhu. It had become irritating after the fifth attempt. Chen was under the instruction that if Zhu was gone for more than a day, then he should notify Lin. Thankfully it had never come to that. However, he always assumed that Zhu would've told Kazuki about it.
"But what about the kidnappers she sent after you?" The boy asked, frowning.
Zhu shot up straight, miming him to shut up. The other two whirled towards Chen with baffled expressions.
"What the heck do you mean?"
"Nothing!" Zhu waved her hands, "He's joking. Chen is joking. Aren't you?" He opened his mouth to reply and Zhu cut him off again, "Aren't you?" The look in her eyes frightened him for a second.
Kazuki narrowed his eyes at his sister, "I'll go ask mom about it and possibly blow this out of proportion by dragging dad, the old man and Baki."
Chen nervously backed away, moving as far away from the edge of the roof as he could. Iroh decided to calmly approach Zhu.
"Zhu," He observed how she deflated once he stepped in, "Lady Chiaki tried to get you kidnapped?"
The girl exhaled heavily and looked away, "Well...it was only once. And it was after Kazu moved in with us."
The man crossed his arms, "That was four years ago."
"I know…" She muttered, "But I didn't want to worry any of you. It's not a big deal. Mother got them arrested. And they're all in prison and I never saw them again."
Lying comes so easily to her, Chen noted as he caught her gaze. Zhu sent him a very subtle shake of her head.
Zhu loved her family more than everything. And that included Kazuki. He was her brother and they wouldn't admit it but they would do anything for each other. Even if that meant tolerating Lady Chiaki, because Kazuki loved his mother despite the fact that she had mistreated his sister for as long as he could remember. And Lady Chiaki loved her son more than anything in this world. Zhu wasn't cruel enough to take that away from him.
The girl looked at her brother again, who had buried his face in his hands out of frustration. "Your mom was stupid enough to send thugs who had dung for brains. I wasn't hurt, Kazu."
"Here's something that'll distract you!" Chen raised his finger, grinning innocently. Zhu squeezed her eyes shut, cursing Chen's pure heart and wishing he wasn't going to say what she thought he would. "Zhu made friends with her kidnapper who sold her off to the traffickers!"
There it is.
Iroh and Kazuki blinked at Zhu and then at Chen, then back to their sister. The former squeezed his fists, setting fire to the cuffs of his tunic. Kazuki, however, jerked forward while exhaling flames from his nose and mouth.
"WHAT!?"
Mayhaps this is one of my favorite chapters as well. Please leave a review and let me know what ya'll think! Thanks for reading!