Fire Lord Taishi 25

Year of the Sun

Two hours before noon

I was forced into getting up at dawn to finish off the last of my preparations which included bossing around my servants who have now probably come to the conclusion that I have mental health issues.

Anyway I'm all ready now. Even as I sit in my room writing this it is so bare. My carriage arrives shortly after dinner, My last real dinner in the Fire Nation Palace.

I could hardly sleep last night I was so nervous. My stomach has been paining me since I awoke but still I feel excited and restless.

I am suspicious though. There is a large banquet to be held and I do not know why. Perhaps to farewell the Princess and the Bei Fongs but a lot of luggage handlers have been near the Prince's room...it unnerves me.

Anyway Mielia seems in a bad mood. I think deep down she is sad to leave here. This is the place she counts as home and I understand how difficult it must be for her to have to go home and go back to being some foreign bride.

I worry about her. Eventually rumours are going to fly about why the Bei Fong's have been married for six months yet their is no sign of an heir. It is after all a nobleman's first duty...Mei told me that they were very much like that in the Water Tribe...they are not like that here but still...at some point rumours are going to fly. Mielia cannot go without sleeping in bed with him for ten years!

I think she knows this. I think she is afraid. After all she's not even seventeen yet...and Lord Bei Fong may be twenty-eight but he is an arrogant man...

I feel sickened at it.

Two hours after Noon

Luncheon was a quiet affair yet my Father attended it. Even he would have to be there to farwell his two youngest children.

Kari was there but surprisingly Jin Li was not. She said little but kept staring at her plate like it was a very expensive new piece of jewellery.

After Luncheon I was returning back to my room when suddenly I felt a blast of pain go through my left cheek.

Kari had slapped me...she used to do it a lot but I always got some sign of warning.

What in Agni's name was that for? I demanded.

My sister looked very angry. Her cheeks had turned red and I am pretty sure smoke would be rising from her ears, nose and mouth if she had been a fire-bender.

You are so selfish! Growled Kari.

What! W-What do you mean? I asked although I could already guess.

Just because you do not like Jin Li! Just because I chose to marry him! I am twenty years old Maeko! I am not a child but instead of congraitulating me you ignore me like I've commited some serious crime! You couldn't even be happy for me!

At that moment I felt both guilty and furious. Guilty because I knew she was right and furious because my pride was hurt.

Happy? You are marrying an idoit who hasn't got any brain-cells to speak of and is so arggoant and pompous that he probably licks the Fire Lords throne! I'm selfish? You're landing me with the responsiblity of looking after entire towns and villa's and not to mention our little brother!

When I said that I said it in a calm voice. I did not yell and I did not make a fuss but it felt...satisfying to see the look of wrath on Kari's face.

I forgot the whole world has to revolve around you! Is it so bad to want a life of my own? Yet you poison Shinji against me and judge Jin before you know him! Tell me Maeko if he was the nicest man in the whole Fire Nation would you still accept him?

I faltered then...because the truth was...I would not accept him. Kari was right...I was being selfish...yet so was she.

I ran off then. I ran until I came to my bedroom door and slammed it so hard it nearly broke of the hinges. The candles in my room were dancing near the ceiling as I lay myself on my bed...wishing and longing for the time when Kari was my big sister...the one who was always there.

Four hours after noon

Dinner is to be served soon. I must change into an appropriate kimono, I've chosen my favourite one...the one with the little gold flowers and the scarlet silk? This is my last night here for a while so I might as well fit in for now.

Kari came in shortly afterward...we talked. I told her about what I felt and she cried and told me...told me about her and Jin Li...now I understand.

She loves him...but she is afraid to admit it and I can understand that. She's afraid to leave her childhood and family behind but she knows that staying would only cadge her further...then...then she clapped her hands over her mouth and asked me if it was her who made the scar.

I...I told her it was not her...it was father.

It was scary how angry she became. A fire danced in her eyes and she marched right out of the room. I had to drag her back in and try to calm her down. She was cursing...and swearing.

Luckily she calmed down and I told her not to say anything at all. I told her I wanted to be the one to confront him at the right moment...this did not seem to satisfy her but she will keep her silence for now.

I also have good news. Lee is boarding the ship! He is going to Ba Sing Sei to study medcine and visit his nomad relatives! He is so funny...I shall enjoy travelling with him.

Still...I do feel sad about leaving...I shall be a little homesick.

Seven hours after noon

I knew he was hiding something! I knew he gave me leave to easily!

It was announced at dinner...everyone knew...apart from Mielia, Shinji and I. The Fire Lord announced and made a big speech about his son staying at the Earth Kingdom Palace to further our relationships with Earth Kingdom!

My Father...the smug look on his face...Mayleen smiling ever so sweetly and simpering. I felt sick...I wished I hasn't ate my roasted duck!

I am going to be stuck on ship for two weeks with Prince Sozin!

Ten hours afternoon

Despite the surprise earlier I cannot deny the granduer of this ship. It is large and has two dining rooms, three lounges and an art room and of course an training room. This ship has three Maters on board including Master Yun Yin...the Princes old master. My own cabin is quite small but it's homely and decorated with many colours like scarlet, purple, white, sliver, pink and even orange. The swaying motion of the ship on water is soothing.

I have been to the Earth Kingdom before but not on a ship this big. As we left we left sailing away from the sunset. The last glimsp I had of the city was of it bather in an orange glow with the towers of Agni Ra and the Palace glittering in the distance.

Of course I intend to avoid the Prince at all costs...a part of me feels curious about him but I shall try not to worry. Being on this ship is soothing. Walking above deck watching the waves and the glittering stars is amazing. The stars...their beautiful. The only thing that concerns me is the sea sickness of some people...Mielia for one!

Shinji is setteling well. He spends most of his time training with Master Shu- his old master.

I shall train tommorow too. I miss Kari but I shall right...I know these feelings shall fade for as soon as we dock on Earth Kingdom soils I am free.

Free...

Anyone who reads this I am asking you to review. I have more alerts than reviews and I ask if you have alerted me...PLEASE REVIEW! Also if you like Avatar I have another story about it called New Avatar...it's probably not what your thinking when you hear that name so check it out so I can prove you wrong!