Oh yeah well in the last chapter I blew my secret. I brought in my own character and she is pretty cool I think. This chapter is pretty long so grab some popcorn and soda…or something like that. I hope it isn't too bad! And just to let you know it has nothing to do with the Anastasia theme, it's just something to introduce you to stuff you know? Well anyway…enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar and if I did Aang would leave Katara alone and let Zuko have her!
A Friend
0000
"Zuko, please try and eat something." Iroh frowned pushing a bowl of noodles at his nephew. Zuko grimaced at the noodles and turned his body away towards a window avoiding his Uncle. Iroh sighed and pulled the noodles into his own lap and began eating them only halfheartedly.
Zuko had been more distant and weak now that he was officially no longer a member of the Fire Nation. His eyes were nearly always half closed in tiredness and his mouth always turned down in a frown. He seemed so—cold and isolated. So alone and broken. Iroh wished he could help his nephew but there was absolutely nothing he could do. Zuko was hopeless now that he was without his throne or his honor. He was stripped of everything he ever knew and cared for.
Iroh munched on the noodles -his nephew was supposed to be eating- sadly. They had conned their way into the inn by stealing the money for it. They were actually down to con work now. Pathetic.
"Zuko you must sleep now." Iroh told the silent boy. Zuko sat still as a statue watching the sunset. Iroh sat next to him; the boy's scarred side of his face in his view. "As the sun sets it comes up again." He said wisely. Zuko still didn't look at him. Iroh smiled and put a hand on his nephews shoulder. "Though it may seem as if everything is setting it will always rise again."
This time Zuko did look at him with a blank expression. He wasn't sure of what to say or what to do so he silently shifted his gazed back to the tip of the sun that was setting under the dry earth. Iroh sighed heavily in defeat and gave a light pat on his nephews shoulder and walked over to his cot to sleep.
Zuko heard his Uncle shift around a few times and soon heard his slow steady breathing. He sighed in relief that the old man was now asleep. It gave him more peace. He could no longer look at Iroh, it was too painful. He was a failure and his family should not have to face such a despicable creature like himself.
Three years of this constant torture and torment was too long. And now the Avatar was impossible to grasp. There was no hope in going back to the Fire Nation. He gave up his title; himself. And no one cared at how much pain he was in. No one but his mother but, she wasn't around.
He hated conning people. Not because of a dirty and raped conscience, but because of his pride. It sounded ridiculous but he was the one who should be getting conned by desperate poor folk, not the other way around. Constantly stealing, forging, and lying. He had to do whatever it took to stay alive and well, but he mostly handed the riches over to his Uncle who truly deserved them. After all, he was there with him through all of this wasn't he?
Zuko knew he needed some sleep but his thoughts never ceased. They haunted him day in and day out, pushing him down farther and farther until he couldn't breath. Life can't heal what he feels.
Through all his thoughts he hadn't noticed the rain beginning to fall or the lightning strike or even the thunder roar in the distance. And when he did notice he was slightly startled but did not show it in his facial features. There was no point in emotion anymore so why show any?
He laid back on his cot and watched the shadows on the ceiling dance around to the rhythms of the rain and the trees jigs. For anyone that would be considered peaceful, but to Zuko he considered it taunting.
He rolled over on his belly and put his face in the mattress below. He heaved a heavy sigh that was slightly muffled and tried his eyes to go to sleep. The thoughts just wouldn't budge.
So all night Zuko stayed up listening to his Uncles light snores. He didn't feel healthy and he certainly didn't fell well. He felt defenseless and weak and like he was a no body. He wanted out, he wanted to just lie down, close his eyes and everything will just get better. But he knew that was impossible so he decided that he needed to push the burdening thought from his mind.
"Oh Zuko, I didn't realize you were awake yet." Iroh yawned getting up suddenly. "I never fell asleep Uncle." Zuko said dimly. Iroh just looked at the boy and sighed, what he was doing to himself wasn't healthy and it wasn't right--for anyone. "We should be going." Zuko said rising. Iroh frowned and pushed back a protest but followed his nephews lead anyway.
Before they knew it they felt the earth disturb under their feet along the old deserted road. Zuko grimaced as his foot sunk deep into the mud below him and gather at his ankles. He grunted in annoyance and shook the vile substance from his foot. Iroh smiled lightly so his nephew wouldn't notice and continued to walk.
It was a slow and quiet walk to no particular destination. The only thing on their minds was survival; they didn't have time to think about anything else. One wrong taken breath would take a minute of their life at this point.
Zuko felt thoughts rev up their engines again. They sped through him with flying colors; the Avatar, his father, his Nation, his honor, the horrors of this war. He stopped at that thought. Thinking that the war was horrible was going against his Nation again. He was such a fool! That was why he was there in the first place wasn't it? Because he didn't have faith in his own Nation.
Zuko felt a hand shake his arm. He snapped his head around to face his Uncle with defeated eyes. "I didn't notice you were talking to me Uncle." Zuko said sadly and looked down at the muddy earth. Iroh frowned deeply at his nephew's behavior. It was becoming worse and worse with each passing day.
Iroh cleared his throat in hopes that his thoughts would disappear and eyed his nephew. "Does this town look familiar?" he asked cautiously. Zuko arched a brow at his odd Uncle and took a closer look and felt his heart stop in his chest. It was the same town when the Avatar took the waterbenders necklace from him. Oh such a day of sheer embarrassment.
"Do I have to remember?" he grumbled the words and looked away. Iroh smiled and let a small chuckle erupt from his lips. "Maybe if we're lucky that lovely bounty hunter will still be around, eh?" Iroh winked. Zuko shuddered and stumbled on to the town for a rest. It's not like they had anything better to do anyway.
Yes Zuko remembered the hunter clearly come to mention it. She was very beautiful but wasn't worth the time like his Uncle thought she was. And she didn't help him at all she was a worthless waste of woman if he had to classify her; along with that stupid Water Tribe peasant.
Iroh sniffed the air longingly and perked up at the all too familiar smell. He scurried over to a cart and looked longingly down at his favorite liquid of all time. "Is that ginseng?" Iroh asked with his mouth watering. The man working there snatched the bag away from the odd old man with his nose high and walked away with a 'humph'. Iroh gave a smug look at the mans back and then grabbed the second bag the man missed and tucked it inside his robes.
"You know you shouldn't do such a thing." An old feminine voice said in his ear. Irohs mouth turned into a perfect surprised 'O'. He turned around and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly; he laughed nervously. "Sorry, desperate times." He stated putting the tea back. Aunt Wu smiled. "I recognize you handsome. You're the man who rejected a reading. But my ego is not harmed; you are welcome to stay with me for the time being." She said politely and bowed.
Iroh thought about her offer, it was a kind gesture that he and his nephew needed without conning. He nodded his head. "My nephew and I would be delighted to stay with you." Aunt Wu beamed and bowed once more. "Come now, I shall show you both to your rooms." Zuko just sat there dumbfounded. Did his Uncle just agree to stay with this woman?
Zuko leaned against the door of Aunt Wu's place. He wasn't fond of the idea of staying with a crazy lady who thought she could see into the future. And he did not accept charities anyway. So when Aunt Wu and Uncle went inside he refused to do the same. He didn't need anyone's help.
He slightly turned his head to look through one of Aunt Wu's windows. She and Uncle were around a round table eating a big healthy meal and drinking ginseng. His mouth watered at the sight of the food but he still didn't go in. His Uncle had agreed to stay with a perfect stranger without his permission, his pride would not allow him to do anything of the sort. He turned his head around with a bitter expression
The sun was beginning to set and everyone was starting to go inside for the night; all but the banished Prince. He held to his stomach that began to grumble for the millionth time that day. He looked at the ground and his eyes began going out of focus. He snapped his head up and rubbed his eyes to wake himself up. He was tired and hungry, and all those nights of no sleep and food were catching up with him.
Zuko stumbled around a little trying to regain some sort of stable ground. "Hey watch it!" a girls' voice growled. It echoed in his ears and he groaned. He felt a presence close to his body but was loosing his consciousness. He could feel a voice talking to him with concern, he needed someone. He leaned against the small body he assumed was the girl and gave into darkness as the voice continued to talk in his ears.
0000
Akiko pulled up the boys' shirt to take a closer look. She ran a hand down his muscles and rib cage to examine if any damage was done, when she found there was none she checked his other bones. She knew what the cause was but there could have been other injuries as well.
"Akiko what are you doing?" Aunt Wu asked suspiciously. Akiko spun around to face her with wide pale blue eyes. "I-I-I just wanted to see if there were any—injuries ma'am." Akiko said in her usual soft voice. Aunt Wu sighed.
The girl was an orphan, a freak if you will. She had a special bending that only masters of fire bending could possibly ever hope of achieving. Lightning. And her features expressed her element perfectly; the girl was a walking pastel. Her hair was pale blonde, her skin was milky white and her eyes—her eyes were as bright and mesmerizing as lightning itself.
"Akiko excuse yourself and you shall apologize for intruding the boys privacy when he is awakened." Aunt Wu said sharply motioning to the door. Akiko swiftly nodded and fled the room.
Aunt Wu shut the door and walked over toward Zuko. It had been days since the boy passed out in Akiko's arms and he still hadn't woken up. She assumed he had not been sleeping for some time. And right on Q, Zuko began to stir. Aunt Wu gave a knowing nod as he opened his eyes.
"What-where-" Zuko wasn't sure of what to ask but when he met the old woman's calm gaze everything came running back to him with lightning quick speed.
"Good afternoon young man." Aunt Wu beamed and opened the red curtains. Zuko winced and shielded the sun with his arm until he grew used to the lighting.
"How long have I been asleep?" he asked sitting up.
"Oh for about three days." Aunt Wu replied casually.
Zuko leapt to his feet. "Three days?" he cried angrily.
"Why? Do you have somewhere to go?" Aunt Wu asked with a smirk. Zuko relaxed and leaned against the bed. No, he didn't have anywhere to go.
"I did not think so. Now get showered and changed. Some clean clothes are in the dresser for you. We are going to walk outside to watch the villagers train." Aunt Wu said and left the room.
Zuko stared after her for a moment a little dumbfounded before turning and leaving for the room he assumed was the bathroom.
Zuko didn't know how long he was in the shower, but it was probably a long time. It had been a long time since he had not bathed in a lake or in the rain. And then he hadn't even used soap and shampoo. Now he had a large variety of soaps, shampoos, conditioners, colognes; anything he need. He even had dental care products all out for him.
He wrapped a fluffy cream towel around his waste and wiped the fog off the mirror. He grimaced at his reflection. He was thin and bony; his cheekbones were more visible, his hair was matted, and his skin was paler than it had ever been before. He turned his head away with closed eyes. He was a banished Prince that no longer meant anything to anyone.
The thoughts burdened him like they have for so long; tearing away at his mind, bringing him to his knees. But he was not willing to go down without a fight, though now he was wondering if it was even worth it anymore.
Once changed, brushed and cleaned he walked outside his door. He was greeted with a long hallway that extended either way. "Great." He muttered. He turned to go left and collided with someone and sent them flying to the ground and it followed with a large crash. He snapped his gaze down to a girl not much younger than himself sprawled on the ground with a fallen tray of food beside her.
The girl quickly jumped to her feet and grabbed the tray. She looked up at him in fear and quickly bowed her head. She ran to the left where she came with lightning speed. "Hey, wait!" Zuko called after the strange girl. When her form was growing smaller and smaller he decided to run after her.
He had to give it to her, she was fast. He rounded a corner and lost his balance and his fingertips brushed the floor to regain it. "Wait!" he called again, but the girl kept running and disappeared behind double doors. Zuko stopped at them and regained his breathing before opening them to find an empty room.
He was still trying to pull his breathing normal until he found a large clean tray of food on a counter, almost as if it was waiting for him. He normally would have been suspicious but his stomach was about to declare war on his body already so he hungrily began eating it, though much to his disappointment he couldn't finish, his body wasn't used to eating good sized meals anymore.
"Zuko are you not coming?" Uncle Iroh said behind him in a merry tone. Zuko turned around to face his perky Uncle in distaste.
"We have to leave." Zuko growled and quickly wiped away crumbs from the corners of his mouth.
Irohs face fell in disappointment. "We have just gotten here and it is very pleasant. And you are not fit to go out once more, you need to rest as well as—I."
Zuko stared at his Uncle for a long time before giving a defeated sigh. Was he really wearing his Uncle out that much? He suddenly felt guilty. It was true, his Uncle was up there in age and they did not cease traveling. It was not healthy for an elderly man to be doing such heavy duty traveling and work that they were doing.
"So where is this training thing?" Zuko asked through clenched teeth after awhile. Irohs face immediately lit up. "Oh wonderful, it's right this way." He said chipper again. He led his nephew out to the 'back porch' of Aunt Wu's place.
He watched with wide eyes a large clear field filled with teens around his age, some younger or older. Aunt Wu stepped next to the two males. "Most are earthbenders, but there are a few waterbenders." She explained pointing to a threesome with a bucket of water.
"Why don't we watch?" Iroh suggested and sat in a rocker next to Aunt Wu's. Zuko cast a dirty look towards his Uncle but something in the corner caught his eye; the girl that was running from him before was in the corner watching the teenagers bend. He snapped his gaze back towards the benders and sat down on the porches edge.
Some of them were good, others were mediocre. He smirked at himself thinking that if he went down there he would show them all off. But there was no way he would be accepted by a group of earthbenders and waterbenders. Not that he was looking for acceptance anyway.
He suddenly heard the shifting of fabric and felt someone sit next to him. He turned his head to see that same strange girl with her knees pulled up to her chest, just inches away from him. Her robes were a dusty grey with a dim blue sash around her tiny waste.
"I'm sorry." She stated quietly.
Zuko arched a brow at her. "For what?"
She looked up at him with pale blue/green eyes. "For running away from you earlier and before—" she chose her words carefully, "before you woke up I lifted your shirt to see if there were any injuries." She said the words awkwardly.
Zuko nodded his head in an uncaring manner and turned his attention back to the benders.
"My name is Akiko." The girl said. Zuko looked over at her with a blank expression.
"And your name is Zuko correct?" she asked. Zuko's eyes widened in surprise; his Uncle sure was open with these people. He slowly nodded his head unsure of what the girl would do next.
"So being Prince of the Fire Nation must be nice." Akiko said relaxing her shoulders. Zuko grimaced and turned his head away to reveal the scarred side of his face. Akiko gasped as she immediately caught her mistake. "I-I am so sorry I-I didn't mean-" Akiko stammered her words trying to think up a quick easy apology.
Zuko felt unwanted memories rear their ugly heads; the courtroom, the Agni Kai, his banishment, the years of searching for the Avatar. It all was so exhausting and made him just want to curl up and die in the corner. It wasn't fair that he had to go through all this hell when all he did was have his Nations best interest at heart. Maybe being the nice guy didn't get you anything but he noticed that being the bad guy didn't get him anything either.
Maybe it was just about time to give up on the Avatar. All this time wasted on the Avatar when he could have found another way into his Nation. All this time…wasted. No, what was he thinking? The Avatar was the only way and it was not wasted time.
"What about you?" Zuko spat.
Akiko looked taken aback. "W-what?" she asked confused.
Zuko turned to face her again. "What's your life story?" he asked bitterly.
The question was not meant to care it was meant to hurt. He wanted to make her feel bad for bringing back such awful memories. And by the look on her face, he really hurt her. Tears glazed over her eyes and her face was shocked and hurt. Zukos features softened.
"Wait I didn't-" he began, Akiko held her hand up in face to signal him to say no more.
She stood and stood in the grass below them in the middle of a breeze. Zuko was about to say something again when a loud argument erupted in the field below. Akiko's eyes narrowed.
"What are you going to do Daricko?" A boy Friar laughed and shoved the waterbender into the ground. "Without your pathetic pale of water there's nothing you can do." Friar laughed and extended a hand to envelope Daricko in a blanket of earth. Daricko began to gurgle under the growing mud that was surrounding his face.
Zuko watched with distaste. You can't pick on the weaker ones no matter how superior you feel. It's dishonorable. He was about to go down there and put an end to it but someone was already moving ahead of him. Akiko was walking just steps in front of him with fuming stalks.
"Friar, leave him alone!" Akiko spat stepping right into the earthbenders face.
Friar laughed and didn't get out of his stance. "What are you going to do Akiko? Fight me?" he teased. "We all know you can but you're just too chicken."
Akiko just stared at him menacingly with ball fists. Friar decided to use this as fuel for his taunting.
"Why don't you just leave freak? You don't belong any where anyway; no one wants a little orphan like you. You and your freak bending can just go back to where you came from." Friar said his eyes wide with insanity now.
Akiko's fists clenched tighter until blood drew from her palms. "I said let Daricko go." She spat. She locked gazes with Friar for what seemed like forever. Friar smirked and put his arms down. The earth around Daricko fell back into mud leaving the boy to sputter and cough everywhere for much needed air. Friar walked past Akiko with a heavy collision with his shoulder to hers.
Zuko stood behind her with his hands on his hips. If she could bend then why didn't she show them off? He felt like stepping in so many times to show her how it was done but something kept stopping him. It was like he was puttied to the spot with the hair on his arms standing on end. Akiko turned and gave Zuko a sad look and ran off into the house.
0000
Zuko tossed and turned in his bed. Not that it wasn't comfortable, his mind just wasn't. He couldn't stop thinking of his banishment and his father. He wanted everything he lost to be back.
That was it; there was no way he was going to get any sleep. He flung his long legs over the side of the bed and rubbed his eyes. He heard a loud roar that sounded as if a storm was coming, soon after he saw a flash of light outside. He pulled apart the red curtains and looked out into the sky. He expected to see clouds and rain but he saw a clear sky with the full moon. He then looked into the field with a confused expression but his answer was there. Someone was training in the field. Zuko grew curious and grabbed his robes to check it out.
The air was light and cold when he reached the back porch. He looked out and saw the tiny shadow figure doing complicated moves that he himself had a hard time mastering. He began jogging down to where the person was and stopped dead at a good distance behind some tall grass. He recognized this girl; it was Akiko!
She was different now. She was wearing brown gauchos, a white tank with a short sleeved breast topped vest. She had long metal cuffs on her tiny wrists to the lower elbow and her hair that was normally pulled into a low ponytail at her neck was up in a tight bun. Her soft face was now hard with the expression of a warrior.
She was just standing there now, looking out into the distance like she was watching someone. The next move startled Zuko. She whipped out two thick beak nosed swords and began twirling them around with massive skill. She pulled a back handspring and began fighting invisible opponents with grace and angst.
Zuko watched for only a few seconds until he heard a twig snap behind him. He spun his head around and saw the boy Friar and a few others coming up right next to him. Zuko sucked in his breath so they wouldn't know he was there.
"Well, well, well. Our little Akiko is a fighter after all." Friar smirked stepping out to where Akiko could see him; the boys all laughed at Friars comment. Akiko stopped and turned to look at them with eyes that reflected in the moon. A few strands of hair were now sticking to her face. "Get out of here Friar." She said through gritted teeth.
Friar put a finger under her chin and examined her clear pretty face. "Now why would I want to do that?" he asked coyly. His buzz cut was shiny in the moonlight. "I want to see a pretty girl like you fight." He said with venom and threw her to the ground.
She just stayed there on her hands and knees. "I said fight!" Friar barked and kicked her over. She sat up on her knees clutching her now aching side.
'Fight you stupid peasant, fight!' Zuko thought with adrenaline.
"Fine Akiko, we'll see what you'll do now." Friar smirked and raised a hand. Zuko felt the ground around him rumble and then shoot him up into the air. He gave a yelp of surprise and fell down to the earth once more. Akiko's gasp was still heard through his loud thud. Akiko shut her eyes tight as if to make it all go away. "Well?" Friar taunted. Without getting an answer he grit his teeth loudly and cracked his neck. "Fine."
Zuko rubbed his sore chin and got to his knees before being swallowed by fine earth again. He was propped up in a wave of earth that was continuously moving making it impossible for him to burn through. He struggled against it.
Akiko just watched and bit her lower lip. Friar growled in frustration in her refusal to budge. "You made me do this you stupid orphan." Friar spat and the spiral of earth began swallowing Zuko whole. Zuko sputtered in surprise as his mouth was being covered by dirt. Akiko watched in horror as his face was slowly disappearing.
Akiko rose to her feet and stared at Friar as if he was the devil. "Put-Him-Down." She growled and took a step towards him. Her eyes were now more luminous than ever. "Who's going to make me?" Friar mocked and made the process move faster. Zukos muffled cry could still be heard through the thick earth. "No!" Akiko screamed and slide kicked Friars feet out from under him. The spiral still did not cease because one of his friends had taken over.
Friar jumped to his feet. "I don't want to have hand to hand with you. Show me what you got." He spat and sent a chunk of dry earth at her. Akiko roared in frustration and extended a fist that was covered in surging electricity. A long shot of lightning came from the middle of her knuckle and broke the earth to bits. Consumed in anger this didn't stop. Akiko scraped her heel across the ground and sent a wave of electricity at Friar who pulled up a wall of earth to block it but that shattered.
Akiko pulled out the swords she was using and spun them around herself fashionably with the metal covered in pulsing white electricity. She snapped the tip of the swords in Friars direction and watched as the electricity illuminated and shot at Friar who toppled over unconscious from the strong blow.
Akiko felt the swords being whipped out of her hands and into another earthbenders. She had almost forgotten about them. She gasped and remembered Zuko. She turned to the earthbender that was controlling the spiraling earth mound and narrowed her eyes. She balled up a fist and let electricity consume it, she side monkey-punched out and a long flare of lightning made the boy topple over and the earth mound fell to the ground with Zuko in it.
Zuko breathed several times and sputtered and coughed. He sat up on his knees to regain his strength and widened his eyes at the sight he saw.
Akiko crouched down and spun kicked with a large circle of electricity erupting in its shape and blasted out to the remainder of the boys. One of them leapt up and attempted to make the ground shift under her feet; it worked. She fell over and the boy stopped down and grabbed her metal cuff. She looked up at him with a smirk and sent lightning vibes surging through the metal cuff. It made a horrible buzzing and hissing sound but soon the boy was on the ground.
She smiled and walked over to Zuko and extended a hand to him. Still with a shocked expression he grabbed it and heaved himself up. "Look out!" he bellowed and ducked Akiko's head down from a flying chunk of earth.
Both teenagers turned around and faced all of the earthbenders that were slowly closing in on them. "Listen here you little freak, we don't want weirdoes like you running around our village got it?" Friar hissed and took another step; he wiped a trail of blood from his lip. Akiko and Zuko pressed their backs together ready for a fight.
Zuko pulled out the first move. He did a side flip and spat out dozens of spirals of fire as he did so. The earthbenders pulled up the earth to prevent it but their walls turned to dust on the heavy impact. Akiko jumped high into the air backwards and did several straight bodied flips, when she landed on her feet a long and thick tangle of electric currents snapped in the gangs' direction. Again the earthbenders pulled up a shield of earth to protect themselves.
Zuko punched out fist after fist sending strong blasts of fire at the boys. He knew he was still unfit to fight at all but he had to try. His energy was running out quickly all the same and he wasn't sure how long he could keep going.
Akiko noticed that Zuko's pace was slowing down. He was certainly not fit for a fight against ten skilled earthbenders; especially ones with master shielding. She followed Zuko's lead in firing shot after shot but nothing was working. Her side still ached from being kicked anyway.
When all attacks were avoided Akiko and Zuko cast each other worried glances. They had no way of powering over their shields. Zuko suddenly had an idea and pulled Akiko over to tell her. "We can combine our bending." He said softly so the thugs wouldn't hear. Akiko looked at him puzzled for a moment before something clicked. She gave him a smirk and nodded her head.
Friar and the boys grew closer until they were all standing in a group before them. Zuko and Akiko hung their heads low in defeat as Friar stepped forward. "You can't win; the sun is not up." He smirked. "Do you give in?"
"I give," Akiko began and darted her eyes towards Zuko who had no expression at all. "I give…you this!" She spat and put a foot in Zukos hands who flung her high into the air.
She collected the energy in-between her palms and shot a long blast at the earthbenders. Before the shot could extend, Zuko shot out a stream of flames that spiraled around the energy causing a bright light of combined forces. It happened quickly and there was no sound as it wiped out the earthbenders. It happened so fast that even after the blast Akiko was still in the air. Zuko ran under her and caught her as she fell. She placed her feet on the ground and looked around triumphantly.
She turned around to face Zuko and smiled. "Thank you." She said happily and patted the side of his arm. Zuko backed away with a sour look on his face. "Don't mention it." He spat and turned to leave. Akiko put her hands on her hips and scoffed.
Zuko rubbed his head with his palm as he walked through the doorway the next morning. The previous night he had hardly gotten any sleep and he rose with the sun after all. Sometimes he really did hate the sun.
Uncle and Aunt Wu were sitting around the table happily sipping tea and in a heated discussion over her 'physic abilities'. The thought made Zuko gag. Physic abilities were made up, no one had them. They were all lucky guesses or made up stories to get attention or money.
"Ah Zuko please help yourself to some food. There is plenty of it." Aunt Wu smiled and motioned to a cabinet. Zuko nodded his head and opened the cabinet.
He began craving more food as he went along the days. He could almost feel his stomach expanding and his strength renewing though it was still not enough to go on. Though he was happy his hair was now brushed.
All morning he had not seen Akiko. Not that he minded; she was starting to become a pest; like they were friends or some nonsense. Though he had to admit her company was somewhat relaxing. He wasn't sure if it was her appearance or just her overall.
He bit into the apple hungrily and then dug into the hot oatmeal. He didn't enjoy it here per say but he felt more relaxed, calm, centered. Despite the previous nights fight of course it was rather peaceful.
Zuko gulped down the last of his goat milk before turning to his Uncle. "I need a place to meditate." He said coolly. His Uncle scratched his chin and looked at Aunt Wu for help.
"Ah yes, look to the meditation room. It is the last door down the hall." Aunt Wu said.
Zuko nodded his head and got up.
"But be warned, not everything is what it seems." Aunt Wu said mystically and turned to Uncle again. Zuko arched a brow and suppressed a 'crazy' and walked to where he was told.
It took a great deal of time to get all the way down the long hall but it gave him time to wonder. What did Aunt Wu mean? It was probably just some gibberish to convince him that she was the real deal. But she spoke so knowingly that it was almost convincing; that's the part that Zuko really hated.
He came upon a set of double doors at last. It was the end of the hall so this must be it; the meditation room. He pulled on the golden handles and walked in and was instantly greeted with the smell of candles and flowers. It had a quiet sound of running water and it was a peaceful green color with bamboo and flowers in the corners.
But he noticed someone sitting on a white center mat and he narrowed his eyes. It was Akiko; meditating. She had ridiculously large white beads around her neck and they were slightly illuminated; okay they were illuminated. "What are you doing in here?" he barked so the room echoed his words. She did not even stir the slightest. "What are you doing in here?" he barked again more urgent now; still no recognition. Zuko's face grew hot and he grabbed the beads. "Don't ignore me!"
He heard someone gasp and scream 'no!' but it was too late. He felt chills scrape up and down his spine and everything turned black. There was a thick white fog at his ankles suddenly and then everything started spinning wildly. He tried putting his arms out to find stability but there was nothing there. The spinning grew faster until everything was just a blur. Soon he began to hear things. There was talking and screaming and crying surrounding him. Soon the spinning slowed and then a picture came to view; a scene.
"Aunt Meep, where are my mom and dad?" Akiko asked her Aunt. Aunt Meep was sitting at a table with her head in her hands crying softly.
"No…Aunt Meep where are they!" Akiko asked urgently with fresh tears spilling down her cheeks.
Aunt Meep turned around with puffy red eyes. "Akiko, they were killed traveling on their way through an Earth Kingdom village." She said softly and bit on her knuckle to suppress a sob.
"No they can't be dead! They just can't be!" Akiko sobbed heavily.
"Darling come here, I will take care of you. I will, you'll be okay." Aunt Meep said and sniffled. She extended her arms out to hug Akiko but the young girl staggered back.
"No…NO!" she screamed and ran out into the stormy night.
FLASH
"Get up Akiko, get up right now!" a tall man with a high bun growled into the pale girls face.
Akiko was sprawled on her stomach on the ground in training clothes. Beads of sweat were all over her skin and she was panting miserably. The man stroked his pointed beard.
"I said get up!" he barked and kicked her over on her stomach. "Get up and fight! Think of what the earthbenders did to your parents!" he hissed.
Akiko soon had a tear sliding down her cheek. She roared and jumped to her feet and kicked out to her master with fire consuming her. The master grabbed her leg in between his arms and flipped her into the concrete wall. When she was down on the floor she did not get back up.
FLASH
"Akiko this is Myricus." Aunt Meep beamed pushing out a boy in front of Akiko.
He was tall and tan. He had honey colored eyes and brown shaggy hair that stuck out under his hat. Akiko blushed furiously as the boy extended out a hand.
"Hi." He beamed as she shook it. Aunt Meep smiled broadly and bowed. "I'll leave you to get acquainted." She chuckled and left the room.
It was an awkward silence until Myricus broke it.
"Is your Aunt looking for a suitable husband for you?" he laughed comically and leaned against a countertop.
Akiko rubbed her arm and nodded. "Yes." She said quietly. Myricus looked at her and smiled making his face even more handsome. "Come on I want to show you something."
FLASH
"This is the field I always go to when I want to think." Myricus said when they got to large field filled with Fire Blossoms. Akiko gasped and took a step forward but slipped and fell back into Myricus' arms. She blushed and looked up at him. He was blushing too but had a smile on his face. Akiko suddenly smirked and pulled him down causing them both to tumble through the grass and flowers.
Myricus stopped at the end of the hill on his back and sighed but was soon greeted with a flying body that fell into his chest. He "oofed" and started to laugh as Akiko looked at him with shocked wide eyes. Akiko began laughing too after awhile.
She was just laying there on his body with her hands placed on his chest. Myricus winked and pulled out a Fire Blossom and tucked it behind her ear. Akiko patted it to make sure it was really there and looked back down at Myricus. Suddenly feeling brave she leaned down and kissed his cheek.
The boy stared up at her with a shocked expression and smirked coyly. He placed a curled index finger under her chin and pulled her down to him again and softly kissed her lips. It seemed like it would be too soon to kiss but it just clicked; it felt just so right.
FLASH
Myricus knocked on Akiko's door; it was two months later. Akiko and Myricus had kept seeing each other and were considered a couple around town. "Myricus!" Akiko squealed when she opened the door. She flung herself into his arms and kissed his cheek. Myricus laughed. "Hey lets go for a walk." He smiled and lifted Akiko on his back.
Akiko squealed and laughed on his back as he jogged down to the place where they spent the day together for the first time.
They laid down in their original spots in the same position. Akiko picked a flower and rubbed it along Myricus' face. They smiled and their eyes glittered. Akiko's Aunt fell sick yet she still shined with radiance all the time. Myricus made her so happy.
"I love you Akiko." Myricus said suddenly.
Akiko smiled and laid her head on Myricus' chest. "I love you too Myricus." She said as he began combing through her hair with his fingers.
"It has been such a short time but I want you to be with me like this, at all times." Myricus said.
Akiko got off him and went to his side and sat up on her knees; he did the same. Akiko looked at him with a shocked expression. "Are you--" she began but felt someone put a flower behind her ear then grab her hands.
"Yes, I am. I love you Akiko and I want to marry you one day." Myricus said seriously and pulled out a clear red gem on a thick gold strap of velvet. On the clear gem there was the Fire Nation symbol in gold. Akiko's mouth turned into a perfect 'O' as he tied it around her neck and kissed her cheek as he pulled away. His eyes questioned her answer, a simple 'yes' or 'no'.
Akiko felt the gem and then put her fingers on her cheek that was just kissed. She smiled and felt a tear roll down her cheek. "Of course!" she squealed and leapt into Myricus' arms.
FLASH
Akiko's Aunt died and she was now living with Myricus and his family. They were set to be engaged in a few months.
Akiko was training in the room with her master. He was pushing her harder than he ever had before. Her master threw a fire ball at her and she was slammed against the wall. He threw two swords at her but she wasn't quick enough. They pinned her to the wall.
"Akiko build up the energy!" he barked out the order.
Akiko struggled and sweat was falling off her every limb. Fire was building all around her. And she was trying to make it stronger; she was pushing herself further and further.
"More Akiko, push more now! You shall not stop until I say!" the master screamed.
Akiko screamed in pain as the flames grew. "MORE!" the master barked. The tension and power built and veins in Akiko's head were becoming visible. As the power grew the more the master barked out for more.
"MORE!" the master spat.
Akiko let out a glass shattering scream and the flames erupted everywhere but turned into electric currents. The swords that pinned Akiko shattered and she flung her arms around that blasted the master back. She clenched her fists and put her elbows at her side trying to control this new energy that was found. It surrounded her and made her air stand on end. She screamed in agony as the power would not cease.
"Akiko!" a familiar voice rang. Myricus ran to the masters training room and stopped at the sight of his fiancé in such great pain. Akiko screamed in pain and a large stream of lightning spiraled at Myricus. Akiko suddenly snapped out of it and watched as her fatal attack was launched at her love. "No!" she screamed as his body fell.
FLASH
Zuko found himself sprawled on the ground with Akiko beside him. Akiko was sobbing heavily and shaking. He stood up with a start. Did he really witness what he just witnessed? He was overcome with guilt at that moment.
Akiko stood up her small body shaking and her tears falling from her chin. "You monster!" she bellowed and shoved him in the chest and began beating on it heavily. Punch after punch until she just collapsed in his arms crying. Zuko looked down at her with wide eyes, it was all true!
He made them both sit down on the mat and Akiko hid her face in her hands as she sobbed. Zuko was unsure of what to do so he just lightly patted her shoulder until she stopped. When she did she sniffed and used her sleeve to get rid of the dampness on her cheeks.
"Is he…dead?" Zuko asked cautiously.
Akiko raised her eyes to look at him and shook her head. "No. No, he's not." She said quietly.
"He survived it but I just couldn't stay there. I loved him but I couldn't go back until I reached control over this damned bending. My master did not survive my attacks though. He didn't deserve to either; he's the cause of why my love almost died." She spat then continued.
"I set sail and found that I would have to teach myself from scratch. No one would take a Fire Nation girl in so I was left on the streets until I found Aunt Wu. She decided that she would take me in as long as I was good and did what I was told. And I have."
Zuko stared down into his hands. "How long ago was this?"
Akiko lowered her eyes. "A year ago."
"A year?" Zuko exclaimed. All this happened in such a short amount of time and she handled herself so well.
"I want to go back but I don't have the money or the supplies. And…I'm scared" Fresh tears began to fall from Akiko's bright blue eyes.
Zuko nodded his head in understanding. He knew what it felt like to want to go home and you couldn't. When that desire pulled you down and strangled you. He hated that feeling and he knew she did too. He didn't know what this emotion was that was bubbling. It was sympathy with a hint of caring. He knew she saw him as a friend and he thought he was starting to see her as so as well.
"I-It's going to be okay." Zuko heard himself say. Soon after he spoke those words he felt a body collide into his. Akiko hugged tightly for what seemed like hours. She stood up and wiped away remaining tears and smiled. "Thank you Zuko. You're a true friend."
0000
Aunt Wu set down the paper she received and shook her head. "I knew that this day would come." She muttered and pushed the paper towards Uncle.
Iroh looked at it and gasped. "Akiko did this?" he asked in amazement. Aunt Wu nodded her head and sighed.
"It is time for her to go though she shall be found again."
0000
Zuko sat silently at the table with Uncle clicking his finger tips on the table top. Aunt Wu wanted to talk to Akiko and he knew right then that something was wrong.
"No Aunt Wu you can't do this!" Akiko hollered and was shoved out of her room. A loud crack of thunder was heard outside.
"You cannot stay here any longer." Aunt Wu said as Akiko followed her.
"Please! I have no where else to go!" Akiko cried. She was wearing an oversized brown coat that Zuko had never seen before. Tears were streaming down the benders face.
"You have over stayed your welcome and have disturbed fellow villagers." Aunt Wu barked. Zuko hung his head low. They were only blaming her and not him.
"But-"
"Enough!" Aunt Wu said and shoved Akiko into the mud outside. Zuko jumped to his feet but his Uncle grabbed his arm to prevent him from moving any further.
"You are no longer welcome here!" Aunt Wu spat. She began closing the door and Akiko shot up and reached out to it so it wouldn't close but it was too late. The door closed and locked. Akiko screamed and leaned against it sobbing. "No please…please…please…" she pleaded softly as she cried. She leaned against the door sobbing as the rain fell over her and the storm continued on.
Zuko looked out the window and saw this with a pained expression. She didn't deserve to be kicked out; she didn't deserve any of this! He just stood there and watched her cry outside in the rain; he too was helpless. He had just made and lost a friend…
0000
Long enough! Sorry if it wasn't good, it's so long it is hard to keep track of…this is my longest chapter ever! So tell me if you like this sized chapter or not. And it kinda seemed like Akiko and Zuko are like…couplish but they're not! She's his first friend and stuff.
Remember this had nothing to do with the Anastasia theme! It is introducing you to the scene and the people, k?
Review please! Advice wanted!