Chapter three is here. Finally, a Zuko-centric chappie. drools. There is an extremely mild swear word, just to let you know. The stupid documents page won't let me indent paragraphs! How does that work? Anyone?
Disclaimer: I attempted to storm the studio and steal avatar, but they unleash one of their martial art models on me.
Zuko put out his candles and climbed into bed. He yawned as his head sunk into the pillow and stretched his arms above his head. It wasn't a royal suite in the fire nation palace, but after a today's work it would definitely do. He rolled to his side and stared at the picture of his mother he'd propped up on the table next to his bed. In the room's pale shadows, he could only see her faint outline against the paper. Tears show weakness. He shut his eyes tight and turned to face the ceiling, instead. Of course he had missed her all these years, but now the hurt was fresh again. He lied to me all those years, all those months, all those weeks, every day, every hour . . . Could he really expect more from a father like his? I was just so – naïve. For so long, it never occurred to me to doubt him. He pushed his thoughts away, though. He went over the same things, night after night, and tonight he needed his sleep.
Sokka heard something and turned over in his sleep. Then he sat up. He rubbed his eyes before grabbing his trusty boomerang and getting out of bed to investigate, regardless of the fact that his boomerang would be of almost no help in the tight corridors.
CRASH!
Zuko's eyes sprung open. He quickly got out of bed and cautiously opened his door. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darker lighting, but he didn't see anything in the hallway ahead of him, or the hallway that stretched away to his right. It must have come from Katara's room. He crept down the hall to the next door.
For a moment he debated whether or not it was wise to go in, but there was always the chance that she was in danger. Slowly, the door opened. It creaked softly and Zuko winced, but no piercing blue eyes and accusing fingers met him when he looked in. She was asleep in bed, the moonlight carving her features inward. Her hair was spread across her pillow and the covers rose and fell with her soft, even breathing. He stepped inside the room to make sure there were no intruders and glanced back at the bed with the eerie feeling that her eyes would snap open any second.
Wait, was she still breathing? He walked toward her bed softly. Oh, now he could see her chest moving. He kept walking closer, and closer. She had such long eyelashes. They gently framed the rim of her eyelids and made small shadows on her cheeks. . . . . . .
Wait, what the hell was he doing? He froze. His right hand was outstretched until it almost touched her cheek. He quickly pulled it back and took a few steps likewise. What was THAT? He silently berated himself. What if she had woken up? Do you know what she would have done? She would have bit off your head and blown you from here to Kyoshi Island!! What were you thinking? She's barely even your friend! You're losing it, Zuko. He shook his head and backed out of the room. A cracking sound turned his attention to the floor. He had stepped on a small lamp that lay shattered on the floor. It must have been the cause of that sound. I wonder how she managed to sleep through that? He kept going and then slowly closed the door.
A dark figure a few feet away in the hall startled him.
"Who's there?" He asked hoarsely. He lit a small flame in his palm.
Oooo, cliffy. hehe Plz review people!! Everytime you review a dollar is donated to poverty-stricken firenation fishing villages!