The Trouble with Fire
Ch.16: Resolution?
Zuko X OC
disclaimer: I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender. I own my OC
Zuko stepped forward, grabbing swords out of one of the off duty soldiers hilt. "You wanna a show. I'll give you a show.", Zuko threatened. He had just about enough of Jet. First he was pushy in trying to get them to join and now he was threatening them and the customers in the shop.
Fang reached into her sleeve, she had hidden a few throwing knives attached to her arm with a strap. If she needed to defend herself.. she would. He took another step closer. "Stop.", she warned, gripping the knife between both of her fingers.
Jet took another step closer, without hesitating Fang shot her arm out, releasing the knife from her fingers. She had timed it perfectly so the knife would graze Jet's cheek. A few droplets of blood fell on the floor from the cut. "Next time I won't miss.", she said, holding another knife between her fingers.
Jet didn't have enough time to focus on Fang before Zuko kicked a table toward him. Jet jumped over it, swinging his sword toward Zuko. The sound of metal hitting metal rang out in the tiny restaurant. She watched as Jet lunged forward and cut the table in half, aiming for Zuko's feet with his curved blades.
Zuko was able to land a kick against Jet's stomach sending him flying out the window. Fang turned her head to the tea shop owner. "Please call the authorities before that man hurts my husband!", she yelled at him, making him come out of his shock. She didn't want it to escalate far enough to where Zuko would use firebending.
He hurried to the back of the shop where he could flag down a guard. "Please stop before we all get into trouble!", she heard Iroh's voice yell. Fang quickly hurried back to the front of the shop to see guards had come to see what was going on. "Drop your weapons!", they instructed.
"Arrest them! They're fire benders!", Jet said, pointing at them. "This poor boy is confused. We're just simple refugees.", Iroh said. Fang made her way over to her husband and held onto his arm, trying to appear as frail as possible. "Are you alright?", she whispered to him. He nodded slowly as she turned to give a worried look to the guards.
She hoped by playing up the innocent and frail act it would win her their sympathy. "This man wrecked my tea shop and assaulted my employees.", the owner said pointing at Jet. "It's true, sir. We saw the whole thing. This crazy kid attacked the finest tea maker in the city!", one of the off duty guards said.
Iroh smiled softly. The two guards stepped forward. "Come with us son.", one ordered. Jet swung his sword back but the man appeared to be wearing some type of glove made of rock that was able to deflect the blade and hold onto it. They quickly tied his arms behind his back and started to drag him away.
"You don't understand! They're fire benders! You have to believe me!", Jet screamed as they drag him away and threw him into a moving cart where they took him away. Fang let out a sigh. What a crazy night. She just wanted to go home to their little house and go to sleep.
Zuko handed the swords back to the off duty guard and wrapped his arm around her, leading her back into the tea shop.
Fang slowly awoke as Iroh rustled in the back for some of his items. She watched through blurry eyes as he grabbed the picture of his son and some incense. It was that day again, huh? His sons birthday. A frown came to her face.
Poor Iroh... he must miss him so much. She didn't want to get up and show she had noticed what he was doing. Better to let him leave in peace and then she would get up. When Iroh did finally exit she slowly got up and put on one of her earth kingdom dresses on. It wasn't what she was use to but.. it would do.
She fastened her hair with a little barrette on the side to pull the bangs out of her eyes and set about putting on some of her makeup. She rolled the black paint over her eye lid with a thin brush and reached in her small purse for the red paint. Taking out the fuller brush she was about to paint her lips when Zuko came in.
"Morning.", he greeted her, wrapping his arm around her from behind. She smiled at him, looking at him through the mirror. "I have something planned for you.", he said, kissing her cheek. Fang raised an eyebrow a little surprised.
"My uncle will be gone all day so lets enjoy the alone time.", Zuko said, running his fingers through his hair to fix it. Fang smiled and slowly ran the brush across her lips, painting them a deep red color. "Where are you taking me?", she asked, turning around in her stool to look at him.
"Surprise.", he said, holding out his hand for her to take. Fang felt her heart flutter.. she had felt so disconnected from her husband since arriving in the big city and she had really missed just being alone with him.
They first arrived at a small restaurant where they ordered warm soup for the both of them. It was cold out and warm soup was just the thing that Fang was craving. The soup consisted of many vegetables, cabbage, carrots, peas, corn and had some type of grilled meat in it.
She thought it might be better to not know and eat it then know and be nauseous the rest of the night. Zuko had been oddly attentive to her. Perhaps he had noticed the distance between them as well. She reached a hand across the table and held his.
"Thank you for taking me out today.", she smiled honestly. "It's nothing. We haven't had a chance to do anything in the city together... just us.", he answered. Fang nodded and sought back to eating her soup.
"Fang.", he said, making her look up. Her eyes fell on her husband, a serious look upon his face. "I've thought a lot about being here... about making a life here.", he said. Fang felt her heart lift up a little bit. "I think... I could learn to like it here.", he said hesitantly.
Fang's eyes widened. "Really?", she asked, very surprised. "I know you have been wanting to start a family...", Zuko said, scratching the back of his head. Fang felt her heart flutter again. "So... we can try?", Fang asked, still hopeful. Zuko slowly nodded his head.
Fang never felt so happy since they had been exiled. They had a chance for a fresh start and Zuko was finally starting to warm up to it. They could start a family and live the rest of their lives here. Away from the Fire Lord. Away from Azula. No more evading the Fire Nation. Now more chasing the Avatar. Just.. a normal life.
"Come on. There's somewhere else I want to go.", he said, holding out his hand for her to take. She smiled and took it as she intertwined their fingers together. They walked for awhile, talking about their childhood and reminiscing on how they wished they could go back to it.
When they came to a clearing Fang looked around to see no one around. A large fountain sat in the center of the courtyard with unlit lanterns all around. "It's not much right now but just give it a few minutes.", Zuko assured her, leading her toward the fountain.
Fang smiled and looked at the large fountain, little lanterns were floating in the water. "Close your eyes.", Zuko instructed. Fang smiled and did so. She could hear Zuko rustling in the distance. "You can open them now.", Fang opened her red eyes and her mouth fell open.
The fountain was beautiful, Zuko had lit all the lanterns and now she was surrounded by the yellow light as it reflected off the water. "It's beautiful!", she exclaimed, looking at the water. She gently brushed her fingertips over the water.
Zuko smiled and wrapped his arm around her, placing a kiss on her cheek again. She turned to him and hugged him tightly. "Thank you so much for this... really.. it means a lot to me.", she whispered, resting her head on his shoulder.
He held her and placed a kiss on the top of her head. "I know. I'm sorry for the way I've been acting. I'm done chasing the Avatar.", he whispered back, making her cling onto him harder. Fang closed her eyes. "I love you.", she whispered to him, feeling him wrap his arms around her.
Fang continued to pour tea for the four customers at the table. Their uniforms were different. They were definitely soldiers but they seemed much.. meaner. "Who are those men?", she asked the tea shop owner when she moved back to the counter. "They are Dai Li soldiers.", he answered.
He seemed a little scared of them and ushered her to come to the back of the shop. "Dai Li?", she asked, lifting her eyebrow. "They a secretive and elite police force here in Ba Sing Se.", he explained. "They're intended purpose is to maintain and protect the cultural heritage of Ba Sing Se but... they have become corrupt.", the teashop owner said, looking around as if one of the soldiers would pop out of the walls and imprison him.
Fang frowned. They were supposed to be protecting people but if the people of Ba Sing Se feared them so much then something was wrong. She bowed slightly and smiled up at the shop owner. "Thank you for explaining this to me. If you don't mind I need to get back to my home. My husband is very sick.", she said.
The man's eyes widened. "I am sorry to hear that.", he said, stroking his beard. "He has had a high fever the last two night and not much of an appetite. I have been giving him lots of water but nothing seems to want to bring the temperature down.", Fang said, frowning more.
"Here! Take this. Boil this in water and have him drink. ", he said, holding out a little bag with some herbs. Fang smiled and thanked the teashop owner, exiting out quickly and walking toward her home. She hadn't seen much of the Dai Li since they had been here but now they were everywhere walking around.
Had she not paid attention or were there more of them? As she stepped into the house she saw Iroh warming some tea. "How is he?", she asked softly. Iroh frowned and lifted the pot off of the fire. "He is in turmoil with himself. He is choosing another path from what he thought was his destiny. His mind is confused.", Iroh stated.
Fang sighed and went into the room where Zuko was. She knelt down and took out a cloth, dipping it into a water bucket nearby and cleaned the sweat off of his face. He wasn't really ready to change in his heart.
He must of thought he was ready when he told her but now he had made himself sick. Her heart felt a little heavy as she knew once again that starting a family would be out of the question until Zuko was sure.
"Fang.", she heard him whisper. "Yes?", she asked, brushing the hair out of his face. "So thirsty.", he said, sitting up. His body had lost a little bit of muscle and he seemed a little thinner to her. She gently rested her hands on his chest.
"Stay. I will get it for you. You need to stay under the blankets and sweat it out.", she advised. Zuko ignored her and grabbed the bucket from beside her drinking all of it. He threw it against the wall after, making her wince. He coughed a little and laid back down, closing his eyes.
Iroh came to sit beside her. "Iroh. What can I do?", she pleaded. Iroh shook his head. "Let him be, Fang. He needs to rest. "You should know this is not a natural sickness.", Iroh said. "What's happening?", Zuko whispered, worry on his face. Iroh sighed.
"You're critical decision to stay here in the city... has made such a conflict with the image you have of yourself that you are not at war within your own mind and body.", Iroh answered him. Fang frowned, she felt a little bit guilty. Part of this was her fault.
"What's that mean?!", Zuko asked, a little frustrated. He was about to say more but he started to cough again and laid back down. "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 a better person.", Iroh whispered to him.
Fang nodded and stayed by her husbands side. She wanted to rest beside him but she didn't want to in front of Iroh. She clasped her hand with his and awaited for her husband to get well. "Let's speak in a different room. He will be alright. He needs quiet and rest.", Iroh said, slowly standing up.
It was a little uncharacteristic of Iroh but Fang stood up and walked out of the room. "I'll put on a pot of tea.", Iroh said. Fang knelt down by the table they had bartered a couple of copper pieces for. She ran her fingers over the scratches on the surface, feeling the cracks in the wood.
Iroh came shortly after, hot tea pot in hand. He placed it in the middle between them and handed her a cup. "Fang. I know you are worried about Zuko but trust me… he will come out of this.". This brought a smile to Fang's face knowing her husband would be okay. She reached over, pouring Iroh's tea first and then hers.
"However… I'm not so sure he'll be the man you want him to be...", Iroh said, sipping a little jasmine tea. Fang raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?", she inquired. Iroh sighed and set down his cup. "I don't know what my nephew promised you a few days ago but it is obvious that he didn't believe those words with his heart…". Fang frowned a little.
"I know… he promised me… we could start a life together.. start a family.", Fang whispered. Iroh frowned deeper. "He isn't ready Fang.. he's still clinging to the idea of being a Prince. Fang… I need you to understand. I mean this from my heart, not as Zuko's uncle. I mean this coming from a person who cares about you and your well being." Fang sat attentive, her stomach feeling more and more nauseous.
She heard Zuko yell out from inside the room. He had been having night terrors often the past night and it seemed it was going to continue. "You need to look deep within your heart on what you desire. What do you want in life? I know you want to make a life here." he paused.
"I don't know if my nephew will ever be able to give you the family that you want, Fang. There are times when we have to make hard decisions… and this might be the toughest in your life. Look deep within your heart and decide whether Zuko is worth the wait or is worth not having a family. He may come around… or he may never. You need to do what is best for yourself… with or without Zuko."
Fang deep down knew Iroh was right but she had never wanted to face reality. "I know you don't want to chase the Avatar for the rest of your life.", Iroh stated, he took another sip of tea before looking her straight in the eye.
"I know what you did that day at the South Pole. You let the Avatar go.". Fang felt her heartbeat increase, she was sure no one had seen her but it seemed she hadn't been careful enough. She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair.
"I desire peace and balance between the nations, Iroh.", Fang admitted. "Then even more so you need to look within yourself and see if Zuko is the person you truly want and should be with.". Fang was beside herself. Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks but she managed to hold them back.
"I understand, Iroh. Thank you for your consideration.", she said, quickly standing up and walking back to where Zuko was laying down. She knew Iroh was absolutely right but she didn't want to talk about it.. not right now at least. She frowned and ran her fingers through Zuko's hair softly while he slept.
He's right... If you don't change.. I have to make a choice..
End of Ch.16
