For some reason only chapter one came up when I had submitted chapter two... So I'm uploading this again. I hope it shows up.
Chapter 2
Katara gritted her teeth.
"Okay," started Sokka as he held part of the arrow. They sawed off one side to make its removal as 'painless' as possible. But they knew this procedure would be anything by painless. "On the count of three. Aang, Toph, hold her tight."
Both pre-teens nodded their heads and their grip on the injured Waterbender tightened. Katara prepared for the worst.
"One."
Sokka yanked out the first arrow, and Katara's eyes widened in anguish as tears began pooling down. Her nerves were screaming, and he knees began feeling weak. The waterbender would have fallen over if she were standing. Thank goodness she was already sitting on the ground.
"One arrow out..." muttered the brother of the girl, "Two more to go."
Katara groaned. By the time Sokka would be finished, she would be in a dead faint. The waterbender didn't dare look down; she mentally could see the bloody mess of her wound and a neatly carved hole in the injury. What brought more problems was how splinters could remain in her skin. That lone brought shivers into her body.
"OWWW!"
She glared at her brother as he held up another bloody arrow stub.
"Second one out," he stated and glanced down to her arm. "One more left."
The sister glared daggers at her brother. "That was uncalled for."
"But you weren't expecting it, were you?" he questioned with a small smirk.
"Well... no but that's beside the point!" argued the younger sibling.
"No it's not," replied Sokka as he shook his head, "It would have been harder to pull these out if you prepared yourself. Then you would be tense and it would have been nearly impossible to lug them out."
The sister turned her head away sulking, "You're still mean."
"But I do care for you."
"Doesn't feel like- OW!"
"Last one out."
Katara closed her eyes. Aang and Toph, remaining silent the entire time, finally released the waterbender. She didn't dare to look down at her wounds as the clean basin of water was placed before her. All she did was placed her arm in the water and breathe out as her healing powers took over. It was a complete wonder that she didn't faint from the extreme pain; nor were her bending abilities temporarily paralyzed from the extreme pain.
Toph stood up and leaned against the wall of the house. She felt around with her bending feeling the wooden walls and furniture placed to her left side on the stone ground. The earthbender sensed the owner of the home walk in along with his wife. Her sightless eyes glanced to them as they made their presence known.
"Is a doctor needed?" questioned the landlord as he noticed blood on the rock floor.
"Oh! Look dear! The Girl is a healer!" exclaimed the wife dashing to Katara. She observed the glowing water as the holes in the younger girl's arm began to close up. The bloody water became darker. "Amazing... a waterbender," the wife whispered.
"A Waterbending MASTER," emphasized Sokka pride radiating from his being. He grabbed a clean towel and handed it to his sister as she breathed out once again. She opened her eyes and pulled her newly healed arms out of the crimson water. Her numb hands grasped the cloth and began rubbing it over her arms drying it of the bloodied water. Her clear eyes glanced up to the landlord and his wife; a kind smile grew on her lips. "Thank you so much Sir, Ma'am."
The landlord laughed. "It is nothing. If anything we are pleased to have guests here!"
"Especially the Avatar. It is wonderful to know things are going so well in the world!" added the wife.
Katara, Sokka, and Toph glanced to Aang as he rubbed the back of his shiny baldhead. "Uh... yeah..."
"Surely though," exclaimed the wife as she sat beside the waterbender, her flowing, bright yellow dress contrasting with Katara's dirty azure clothing, "You will be staying a few days, yeah?"
"I don't think we can," replied the waterbender apologetically her lips expressing a sympathetic smile.
"We're here for supplies," added Sokka as he took a seat beside his sister. "We might be gone by tomorrow afternoon if the weather is good."
"Oh! But you must stay! Surely you have heard of the Chin's upcoming wedding!" exclaimed the wife, her dark brown eyes sparkling with excite as she clasped her hands together.
"We haven't," confirmed Aang with a small laugh, "We only came for supplies and for Katara to heal her wounds-"
"You must stay for the wedding! The whole world is invited! The families being united are of the richest families and hope for everyone to attend!"
"Ma'am, as much 'fun' as this sounds, I don't think we can. We can't afford buying clothing," argued Toph in a reasonable manner as her sightless eyes turned to the wife.
"Clothing isn't a problem," replied the woman as she smiled, "The Chin family is offering to purchase clothing for those who wish for something nicer. They've also rented out the bathhouses in town for anyone wanting to freshen up before the wedding!"
"Sounds like they've thought up of everything," muttered Katara as she placed the dirtied cloth over the side of the water basin. "When is the wedding?"
"Tomorrow!"
The waterbender's eyes widened, "Oh..." 'No wonder the people were putting up the paper lanterns and decorations...' she mentally thought. "But a dress..."
"We can get one tonight!" the wife clapped her hands in an overly excited manner as her eyes closed, dimples showing on her bronze cheeks.
"And we're extremely dirty from traveling," added Toph trying to find another excuse to keep away from such events. As much as she hated her home and anything that reminded her of it, dress shopping had to have been one of the biggest setbacks. She was sure that she would see her parents at the wedding, if not them then some of the servants from her household. The Bei Fong girl was the least excited about this formal celebration.
"Then the bathhouse should be available," answered the woman as she stood up, "I can take you there now if you would like."
Katara smiled and nodded her head standing up. If she could be around her element that alone would be worth it. "It sounds wonderful!"
Toph frowned and moved towards the door. She opened it with her hands and walked out. The emperor walked in glancing to the young earthbender before his vision rested on the young team of heroes. "Is there something wrong with Miss Bei Fong?"
"She's being moody, like always," commented Sokka as he cracked his neck.
Katara glared at her brother as she too stood up, "Quiet Sokka," she chided before stepping out the entryway and shutting the door.
"What?" shouted Sokka frowning, "Was it something I said?" He glanced to the silent Avatar, to the high earth emperor, the landlord and lady, "Tell me! Did I say something wrong?"
The Avatar shook his head and glanced to the door, his eyes slowly becoming downcast. "No Sokka, you've said nothing wrong."
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The fire prince rested his head on the soft pillow of his bed. Two days have passed on the fire nation vessel. This ship was much better than the one he used for many years. Everything was upgraded; even the beds. These were just as comfortable as the ones in the palace...
His golden eyes stared at the fire nation emblem; his lips were held in a firm line. He was restored to position of prince. His father had sent him a personal letter welcoming him back to position of the prince via messenger hawk. His orbs closed and he sighed. His father sent him a measly letter... a stupid letter than guaranteed his crown. This was the one thing he had slaved over for years on end. Now he had it because he helped his sister take control of Ba Sing Se. Somewhere out there the Avatar's companions and his dead body were on the loose. No. Zuko knew enough about the Avatar; the young boy would have come back to life some how. They must have been somewhere on the other side of the world looking for a firebending teacher...
A soft knock was heard on the metal door. He didn't shift his body when the knob was turned and the door was opened.
"Zuko?"
"I don't want tea uncle," muttered the teenager, as his eyes remained closed. "I'm trying to sleep."
The laughter of the old man was light as he walked steadily into the room. "We are only a few hours from the city. We should arrive by the reception."
The prince remained silent.
"May I take a seat on your bed?"
Still the silence was there.
"I'll take that as a yes," chuckled Iroh as he sat at the foot of his nephew's bed. "Now Zuko, I do expect you to find a nice lady friend at this wedding-"
The fire prince growled in frustration as he turned his head towards his uncle, his golden eyes blazing. "You're just as bad as Azula!"
"I am?" the retired general pouted as he began stroking his long gray beard. "I'm sure I would have never taken over Ba Sing Se nor harm the Avatar and his companions as they attempted to help the world from my brother's clutches..."
Zuko grabbed a pillow and shoved it over his head. A loud, muffled groan was noticed.
Iroh smiled at his nephew's frustration, "But I must say, it is good to smell the fresh sea air and stretch my old limbs once more. That dungeon was a bit damp and uncomfortable-"
"What did you want to tell me Uncle?" hissed Zuko from under the pillow.
"Well," stared the old man as he crossed his arms over his big gut, "I wanted to talk to you."
The young firebender made no reply.
"And I wanted to recommend you to search for a lovely lady. You know the whole world is invited, and I wanted to make sure you had a chance to meet as many girls. Maybe one of them will be your wife."
Zuko's lip curled under the pillow. Didn't his uncle take a HINT?
"Maybe a nice lady from the fire nation would do well. Oh! But there would be some lovely women from the earth kingdom, possibly some from the water tribes! You would have such a selection of females to try and woo!"
The younger man was counting to ten... slowly.
"One out there is bound to be Fire Lady material; I'm sure one of them will catch you eye! Just you watch Zuko! I can feel it in my old bones! Just make sure you find a woman who bends an element. I'm sure she would give birth to strong children."
Scratch counting to ten. Zuko started counting down from a thousand.
"Maybe if you look for a woman with big hips-"
Zuko ripped the pillow from over his head and glared at his uncle, "ENOUGH!" The fire around exploded around causing the metal room to heat up. But the uncle of Zuko laughed as he pulled out a fan. "Did I hit a nerve Zuko? I'm terribly sorry! You should know I only have your best interests at hand."
That was it.
"I know..." muttered Zuko as he sat up. His head was hurting now. The prince wanted nothing more than to sleep these problems away. "But just... let me find a suitable," Zuko had to gulp, " 'Wife' on my own time."
Iroh pouted again, "But that would take so long. I only have so long to live, and I desire to see my grand nieces and nephews."
"Who says you'll have any?" asked the prince under his breath.
The retired general gasped. "You wouldn't!"
Zuko rolled his eyes, "Just let me sleep! I'm tired!"
"Just promise me I'll have many grand nieces and nephews and then I'll be on my merry way."
"I can't promise that," stated Zuko his face slowly turning a shade of crimson.
The old man's lips turned down into a frown, "Then I guess I can never leave-"
Zuko rolled his eyes in annoyance as he lay back in his bed; his head fell onto the pillow just as his muscular arm rested over his eyes. "Uncle, just let me rest and we can talk about this later."
"No," replied the old man, "I need to be assured that I would have at least one grand child to spoil before I pass on."
"Fine," hissed Zuko, "I promise to give you a grandchild."
"Really?" asked the old man, his eyes beginning to water, "Oh! I'm so thrilled! You have just made the rest of my life Zuko! Really! I am extremely thrilled! But I must say you better hurry it up with making these children; I won't be around forever."
Zuko grabbed the pillow and shoved it over his head again. 'Thank the gods for that small blessing...' "Will you leave? I'm trying to sleep before this stupid event..."
"Weddings are not stupid Zuko!" scolded the uncle of the prince, "They are wonderful and joyous! You shouldn't scorn another's happiness; rejoice with them and have a merry time doing it! I'm positive you will love the reception too! This independent nation knows how to throw weddings..."
Zuko remained silent and unmoving.
"...The food is said to be wonderful, might I assure you Zuko. And all the people you'll meet! There are bound to be rich and influential families! Maybe even kings from the kingdoms. I'm sure we could create friends while at the wedding. It's said weddings taken place on the lands we are headed make the celebration magical. Apparently a god had blessed the land for hopeless romantics. He even made it a possible place for future lovers to meet, but if war or rivalry is placed upon the land and the people those causing the trouble will turn into-"
"You've already told me this information five times!" snapped the voice of Zuko. "Go! I'm trying to sleep!"
"I know, but at least humor me for a short while. I'm bored and these soldiers are so stoic-"
"Uncle..."
"Fine fine," replied Iroh with a sigh, "I'll go."
The young firebender remained silent as his uncle stood from the bed and scuttled over to the door, "I'm sure you'll find a nice lady friend at Xiam."
No reply.
Iroh glanced down dejectedly before closing the door and walking down the hall.
Zuko huffed angrily turning on his side. "Good riddance," he muttered before closing his eyes.
"Good evening soldier!" exclaimed the voice of Iroh down the hall. Zuko remained still and silent as he desperately tried grasping sleep. "My kind nephew has promised me a grand niece or nephew soon! Isn't that wonderful?"
The princes' bloodshot eyes snapped open as fire streamed out of his nose.
Too bad the soft pillow caught ablaze.
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AN: Let me know if there are any issues with spelling or strange wording. I'll fix it if you let me know.
Because I am home tomorrow for Senior Skip day I can update this story, but I'm asking for 10 reviews if you want it updated tomorrow. Other wise I'll just get ahead in my studies.