The Trouble with Fire
Ch.11: Azula
Zuko X OC
disclaimer: I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender. I own my OC
Fang stretched and laid down on the bed as two woman rubbed her back with scented oils. It had been three weeks on that piece of wood and she ached all over. A massage was well needed. They had landed at a spa resort on the western coast of the Earth Kingdom.
It stood right near a waterfall on the Su Oku River. Originally it was a retreat for Earth benders but it had fallen under Fire Nation control during the Hundred Years War. The smell of jasmine and cherry blossoms filled the air as they rubbed the oil down her legs and over her shoulders.
She rested her head in her hands, her eyes fell on Zuko. He was sitting in a corner with one of his knees bent. A frown came to her face. He had refused to get a massage but she knew why. Today was the day he had been banished, the anniversary. He must have been feeling horrible.
She let out a giggle as Iroh let out a groan while he was being massaged. "This is what I've been missing... who knew floating on a piece of driftwood for three weeks with no food or water could make a person so tense.", Iroh whined.
Fang smiled at his words but still kept her eye on Zuko who was still saying nothing. She sighed and waved the two girls away for a second. "I'll be right back. I just want to check on my husband.", she whispered to them.
They smiled and bowed to her. Fang wrapped a thin cloth around herself, leaving her shoulders bare. Quietly walking over to Zuko she knelt down next to him. She could feel him shy away from her hand. "My prince, are you alright?", she asked, placing her hand on his arm, finally. He said nothing and continued to sulk.
"It's the anniversary, isn't it?", she whispered, running her fingers over to his hand. "Three years ago today, I was banished. I lost it all. I want it back. I want the Avatar. I want my honor. My throne. I want my father not to think I'm worthless.", Zuko answered her.
Fang squeezed his hand softly as the words came out of his mouth. She never wanted to hear him talk like that. She hated to see him upset. "I'm sure he doesn't! Why would he banish you if he didn't care?", Iroh asked making Zuko glare at him.
He quickly stood and walked away from Fang and his uncle. Fang sighed and stood again as well. "Err... that didn't come out right, did it?", Iroh asked her, making Fang shake her head. She took a step toward Zuko before Iroh called her again.
"Don't bother him right now, Fang. Let him be alone. Let's finish our massages.", Iroh suggested. Fang nodded and sighed again. She wanted to help Zuko but there wasn't much she could say to be honest. At least the massage would help relieve a lot of the tension.
Two days had passed and Zuko had remained quiet since the anniversary. Fang had also took to staying inside all the time. Officially starting to become a hermit. Zuko stepped into the room and turned his head, slightly confused. Fang, it appeared had not gone shopping once again... something that would always make her happy. "Fang, why don't you go buy yourself some clothes?", Zuko suggested, walking over to her. Fang shook her head.
"I don't want to.", she whispered, wrapping her arms around herself. Zuko sighed and sat beside her, he gently grabbed her face in one of his hands and turned her to look at him. "Fang... you can't be afraid to go out.", Zuko said. Fang turned her eyes away from him. She didn't know what to say or do but she certainly didn't want to leave the resort.
"Look at me.", he instructed her. Fang slowly turned her eyes to him. Zuko gave a small sigh and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Don't let what Zhao did to you make you fear the world. Don't let him take your freedom away.", he said softly. Fang pouted a little. She knew he was right... she just didn't want him to be.
"I will... just.. takes time.", she whispered, trying not to get teary eyed. Zuko nodded slowly and kissed her in an attempt to comfort her. Fang kissed him back and leaned against him. Even though Zhao had been killed at the North Pole, it still seemed Fang had not gotten over being attacked by him.
Rightfully so, Zuko didn't want to even think about what would have happened if he hadn't gotten there in time. He never imagined someone would have tried to rape his wife... but she was elegant and so beautiful. He couldn't exactly blame any man for wanting her, her body and her lovely alluring face were something he never became tired of. Fang wrapped her arms around Zuko's neck, pulling him closer to her. Zuko felt his protectiveness and dominance starting to take over.
He grabbed her waist and pulled her body flush against his. Feeling the warmth of her body against him was something he had missed greatly. The three weeks on the raft had been lonely for both of them. With Iroh there they hadn't had a chance to be intimate at all. Fang sighed softly and tightened her grip on the back of shirt.
Her eyes were half closed when she pulled away making Zuko's dominance flare up again. He was about to push her down on the bench and climb on top of her when Iroh stepped through the doorway, a large brown bag in his hand.
Fang let her arms fall from around Zuko's neck. "I did some shopping and found some magnificent find! Just look at these shells!", Iroh said, holding one out for Fang to see. She held it up in her hand. The shell was a opalescent pink and purple.
"It's beautiful.", Fang answered him, holding it up for Iroh to take again. Zuko scowled. "We don't need anymore useless things! You forget... we have to carry everything ourselves now.", Zuko yelled, balling his hands into fists.
Iroh just smiled and shook his head not really paying attention to Zuko's yelling. Fang turned her head as she heard footsteps walking toward their room. Her eyes widened when she Azula step through the doorway. "Hello brother, uncle.", Azula's eyes traveled to Fang. "Fang.", she finished.
Fang said nothing as she stared at her sister-in-law, subconsciously tightening her jaw. Fang and Azula had always hated each other. Azula hated Fang for being a formidable fire bender and Fang hated Azula for her mean and devious disposition. Fang continued to glare at her as her hands became white from her strong grip. "What are you doing here?", Zuko demanded. Azula smirked and held up one of the shells.
"In my country.. we exchange a pleasant 'hello' before asking questions.", Azula stated, admiring the shell in her hand. "Have you become uncivilized so soon, Zu-Zu?", she teased, crossing her arms over her chest. "Don't call me that!", he yelled back at her. Fang narrowed her eyes.
What business did Azula have being here? She was trying desperately to find out what trick Azula had up her sleeve. "To what do we owe this honor?", Iroh asked, still being respectful. A large smirk appeared across her face.
"Hmm, must be a family trait. Both of you so eager to get to the point. I hope you haven't taught Fang your bad habits.", Azula said, clutching the shell tighter in her hand. Fang stood up as the words her sister-in-law had spoken settled inside her. Azula had just insinuated that she was a dog that or a small child that learned habits from others.
"I assure you, Azula... any bad habits learned wouldn't be from them but from how the fire nation conducts its wars.", Fang retorted, she was not going to be talked down to by Azula. Azula smirked and broke the shell in her hand.
"I've come with a message from home... father's changed his mind.. family is suddenly very important to him. He's heard of plans to overthrow him... treacherous plots. Family are the only ones you can really trust.", Azula stated. Fang frowned more.
Azula was certainly not to be trusted, family or not. The same went for the Firelord. "Father regrets your banishment.. he wants you home.", Azula continued. Fang's eyes followed to her husband. He had a hopeful look on his face which made Fang cringed. She didn't want Zuko to believe his sister and then fall into a trap.
Zuko said nothing but continued to stare at Azula. She cocked her head to the side. "Did you hear me?! You should be happy... excited, grateful! I just gave you great news.", She said, twirling a strand of hair with her finger. Zuko continued to say nothing and turned to the window to stare out at the orange leaves falling from the trees.
"I'm sure your brother just needs time to process what you just said.", Iroh insisted. "Don't interrupt, Uncle!", Azula shouted at him. Azula walked over to Zuko. "I still haven't heard my 'thank you'. I'm not a messenger. I didn't have to come all this way.", Azula continued, trying to provoke Zuko.
"Father... regrets? He.. wants me back?", Zuko asked slowly. Azula sighed. "I can see you need time to take this in. I'll come to call on you tomorrow. Good Evening.", Azula said, taking her leave out the door.
Fang's shoulders finally released all the tension she had been holding in them with a large sigh. There was no way that Azula was telling the truth. Fang didn't believe it for a second. Her eyes traveled back to her husband. "My prince...", she called to him but he didn't answer.
"After three long years... we're going home.", he whispered, turning to look at both Fang and Iroh. A very rare smile spread across his face. "Finally, I can go home. It's unbelievable!", Zuko said, pacing around the room. "It is...unbelievable..", Fang whispered.
Iroh crossed his arms. "I have never known my brother to be forgiving or regret anything...", he said, stroking his beard. "Did you listen to Azula? Father's realized how important family is to him. He cares about me.", Zuko said, trying to convince his uncle and wife.
"I care about you! And so does Fang!", Iroh retorted back. "If Ozai wants you back.. well... it might not be for the reason that you think.", he said. "You don't know how my father feels about me. You don't know anything!", Zuko said, getting defensive.
"Zuko... I only meant that in our family things are not always what they seem.", Iroh continued, trying to get Zuko to understand. Zuko quickly turned to him. "I think you're exactly what you seem! A lazy mistrustful, shallow old man whose always been jealous of his brother!", Zuko yelled back.
"Stop it!", Fang pleaded to Zuko but he didn't listen. She hated to see both of them fight. Zuko sighed and walked away, not feeling caring anymore and not wanting to have Fang get involved. He didn't want to hear his wife disapproval either.
He set to packing for both of them as he folded up some of Fang's clothing. She had lost most of it in the explosion that Zhao caused. He hoped that they would both see tomorrow when they went down to the boat that Azula was telling the truth.
Fang's eyes slowly opened her eyes. The sun shined bright from the open window and she could smell the cherry blossom trees that blew in the wind outside. She could hear Zuko rummaging with the bags. He must have gotten up earlier because of his excitement.
Fang slowly sat up from the bed and saw another rare smile on his face. "Morning.", he whispered to her and she smiled back at him. "Are you ready to go home?", he asked, kneeling next to her. Fang opened her mouth to say something but then thought better then to upset him.
She slowly nodded just wanting to appease him till they got to the ship. Zuko leaned in and placed a kiss on her lips. "We can go home and start our life together.", he said. Fang smiled again. "Yes.", she answered back still not wanting to upset him.
She turned her head to look at the rolled up clothes and belongings he had packed. "You already packed?", she asked him, swinging her legs off the bed. Zuko didn't answer but handed her the nap sack tied with a thin rope. "Let's go. Azula has the ship docked at down the cliff.", he said. Fang hesitated.
"What about your uncle?", she whispered, slipping out of her sleeping nightgown. She could see Zuko tense up again as she strung her arms through the sleeves of her red dress. "If he wants to stay here then be with his family then good riddance.", Zuko answered.
Fang frowned and sighed as she fastened the frog buttons up to her neck. As they stepped out of the house, Zuko wrapped his arm around Fang's waist and pulled her closer to him. Her eyes were straining to try to find Iroh. Even if Iroh didn't agree with any of this.. he still should be here. Her thoughts were answered when she heard a yell from behind.
The couple quickly turned and looked up to see Iroh running toward them down the steps. He stopped in front of them desperately trying to catch his breath. Zuko smiled. "Uncle! You've changed your mind!", Zuko said happily.
Fang smiled at him, she was sure that Iroh wasn't believing Azula either but was just going through the motions of appeasing Zuko. "Family sticks together, right?", Iroh asked him, putting a hand on Zuko's shoulder. Zuko turned to look at the ship.
"We're finally going home.", Zuko said, feeling very hopeful. Fang's eyes met Iroh's and they exchanged a silent glance of knowing that once they stepped onto that ship.. they were prisoners. Guards lined the pier as they walked toward the ship. Fang held onto Zuko's arm a little tighter as they passed through.
"Brother, Uncle, Fang! Welcome! I'm so glad you decided to come.", Azula called out from atop the ship, she bowed to the three of them. Fang slowly bowed back even though she didn't want to. A soldier turned up to look at her. "Are we ready to depart, your highness?", he asked. Azula smiled.
"Set our course for home, Captain.", she answered. Fang frowned as she saw her sister-in-law's smile. It seemed fake. There was no doubt that she was hiding something. The couple followed behind the Captain as he yelled at the guards.
"You heard the Princess, raise the anchor! We're taking the prisoners home!".
End of Ch.11
