Author's Notes: So, I thought, instead of slacking off for another week, I would treat you guys to another chapter in honor of the final Avatar epi!! I am like, dying of anxiety in my computer chair!! Only nine hours and forty-one minutes before my life changes forever... Enjoy, people!
Warning: Probably my worst chapter yet. Brace yourselves and throw out your torches and pitchforks.
Disclaimer: I do not own "Avatar: The Last Airbender." But can I own it after it's over? Please?
I awoke early that morning. I stroked my face, noticing the tear streaks that stained my cheeks. They must have broken through last night while I was alseep. I wiped them away on my sleeve, leaving my face even dirtier than before. I sat up and stretched my arms, but decided that I was happier in my bed. I lay back down, the idea that I would be able to automatically fall asleep now and not be exhausted the whole day through planted in my head. For me, sleeping was easier said than done. Once I was awake, endless thoughts freely poured into my mind. I couldn't grasp half of them, but they passed through there somehow, cruelly robbing me of any peace of mind.
I looked around, finally giving up on sleeping. Zuko must've already started walking away his troubles, a pretty good idea. I struggled to get up. I sniffed the air around me and wrinkled my nose. "It couldn't hurt to bathe..." I would hurt not to. I hugged my elbows, slightly embarrassed, though nobody was there.
I went into a jog out of the room. I went through corridor after corridor, looking for Zuko and/ or a decent bathroom. After about twenty minutes' searching, I entered a room with an enormous tub trimmed with gold. It sported the Fire Nation insignia, like everything else in this piece of shit boat. There was also a more than luxurious sink, toilet and an enormous mirror. I shut the door behind me and locked it. I filled the bathtub with water, all the way to the top. I poured in a purple liquid from a clear bottle, and scented bubbles flowed over the top. I shut off the water and undressed. I stepped into the water, the warm liquid and bubbles engulfing me. I sank down, and everything went away. I felt so nice, and so relaxing, even though I wasn't a "bath" person. I closed my eyes, rested my arms on the edge of the tub, and came close to drifting all the way to sleep.
After another while of lounging, I remembered my clothes. My dirty, filthy clothes. I reached over the edge and dunked them in the water. I let them sink to the bottom so they could soak. I closed my eyes again, or at least until a muffled knock fell upon the door. "Hello? Is anyone in there?" I didn't answer; I was bright enough to know I wasn't supposed to be here. The doorknob jiggled, and a booming knock came from behind the door. "The door is locked! Open up!" I was silent. I studied the doorknob in an unfailing stare. It continued to squirm, and one time it continued its turn. I hate keys.
The door opened a crack, just enough to see the man standing behind it. I inhaled as much air as my lungs could hold, and sank under the water. Muffled from beneath the water, his voice came, "Looks like someone forgot to drain the tub. I guess it couldn't hurt to help!" God, I hate optimists, especially when they have keys.
His arm reached down into the water and felt for the drain. I pushed back against the opposite end of the washtub to avoid his reach. After an eternity, he grasped the plug and pulled it out from the drain. As the water raced away, and the man pulled down his sleeve and wiped off his hands. He finally left the room, leaving me to breathe in peace. I rushed above the water and gasped for sweet, sweet air. "Great, there goes the only relaxing day all month," I mumbled to myself as I wiped away a wet strand of hair off my forehead and gathered my weighted clothes. I stepped out and yanked a light red towel off the bar and threw around me to dry off. If only I could dry my clothes...
I scanned the room for something, anything that would keep me from walking into the world soaking wet. I stopped at this what looked like red plate. I set my clothes on it, and it erupted in a cloud of steam. Scared that I broke it, I pulled my clothes off of the plate-thing, surprised by the water that wasn't on my hands. I guess it did work after all. I still had the idea that had I broke it though; I tended to do break stuff a lot. I tossed it into the trash and slipped back into my clothes and out the door.
I continued my search for Zuko, as if there was anything better to do. But lucky for me, this time it didn't take an eternity to find him. The first corner I turned, I bumped right into the Prince. "Watch where you're going!" he scolded.
"Sorry, sorry." I backed away a little. I frowned at him and gave him a somewhat dirty look. He dusted himself off before actually noticing who he had yelled at.
"It's..." He growled. "Ok." He looked up and down me and put on a slightly confused look. "Wait a second, how did you get all-,"
"So I was thinking that maybe we could start training, you know, lightning." I cut him off. I leaned my shoulder against the wall. "It would really take your mind off things."
"Yeah. Sure."
Zuko strolled behind me as we entered the open deck. I salty air whipped my face. I faced him as we moved into the center area. His arms and chest were bare and his hair blew into his face.
I looked around for a moment or two, trying to figure the best way to approach this. I mean, he was a total jerk, but he just lost his Mom. Zuko raised an impatient eyebrow. He's hurt. He's just a little more irritable. Cut him a little slack.
I clapped my hands together and finally spoke. "Ok, so let's start with the basics: your stance and breathing. Follow me," I instructed. I squatted and took deep breaths through my nose and out my mouth. With slight hesitation and remorsefulness, he did the same. I nodded in approval. "Now, for making the lightning." I told him everything I had heard from the old man; hopefully it would help him half as much as it helped me.
"You sound like my uncle when he tried to teach me this," he said as a weary look fell upon his face.
"Um... I guess that's pretty weird..." I sighed, trying my best to not hurt him, even a little. "Just try this." I performed the accurate movements and lit up the sky.
I noticed that Moody muttered a one-syllable word under his breath.
"Thanks," I said a little louder. Zuko threw me a look.
He drew a deep breath and, in a failed attempt, mimicked my movements. I examined his every move, ready to critique every flaw. The final movement; and he was blown aback by a cloud of sparks. He groaned as his back hit the ship wall. I bent over to help him up. I grasped his hand as he came up off the ground. I wiped my hand off as soon as I had finished picking the prince off the ground. "Not easy, is it."
"You have no idea." Zuko bit his lip, almost like trying to conceal a smile.
"Right..." As soon as we had resumed a proper position for training, I continued to instruct him. "You're too tense. I could see it in your arms. You gotta loosen up. Try it again." Zuko did as instructed. Still tense. "No. You're still focusing on problems and stuff like that. Just focus on the three words: Peace. Of. Mind. When you balance hate with happiness, you'll be a little closer to peace of the mind. In a way, you're movements and thoughts are connected. Try it one more time; I'll guide you through it."
Slowly, he tried at the motions. I lightly gripped his forearms, every now and then stopping and adjusting a position. It really bugged me that he kept glancing down at me every other second. On the last motion, I extended his arm, softly sliding my hand over his arm, slowly feeling every muscle. In those few seconds, he went from menacing and irritable, to just strong and complicated. It was something I couldn't understand, and didn't even know if I wanted to. Zuko wouldn't let me either.
"What are you doing?" Zuko's voice brought me back to the strange place we call earth.
"Huh? Oh, just tired. You look kinda tired too. We should just get some rest," was all I said as I walked away.
Author's Notes: Too soft, too short. Told ya.