Note: I'm SO sorry that it took . . . over a year to get the rest of these up! My computer contracted a virus, melted down, was brought back, fics were backed up, got another virus, backup files got viruses . . . You get the idea. Anyway, not mine, here they are, and again, I'm SO sorry!
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Humiliating. That was the word that came to mind whenever Zuko paused to think about the fact that Kaiya followed him everywhere he went. He was beginning to think that he had acquired a second shadow, one that had feathers, a shell, and went quack at odd moments. Half of the time he wound up carrying her, because she had the habit of letting out some really distressed sounds if he was out of her sight for even a second. This would then result in strange looks from palace servants, and a few hidden smiles and suppressed snickers. Most of the time a quick glare would send the gawkers running, but there were a few who were more stubborn than the last.
"You should think about finding a carrying case for her," Katara suggested when he complained to the air in general during dinner. Zuko thought he was doing an admirable job of ignoring the snickers coming from Sokka and Toph.
"And what type of carrying case should I use?" he asked, crumbling some bread to set on the table next to where Kaiya was settled. The group who were currently gathered around the table had learned the first night not to complain about where Zuko set his little "daughter". No one liked to eat burned food, after all.
"Maybe something like one of those handbags the court ladies carry," Katara mused.
Sokka snorted his drink at that comment and doubled over, coughing and cackling at the same time. Toph, who was also snickering, thumped him hard between the shoulder blades and succeeded in introducing his face to the table.
"I can see it now," Toph giggled madly. "'Hey, did you see the guy that Iroh chose to be his heir?' 'No, what's he like?' 'He carries around a woman's handbag, next thing you know, he's going to be dressing up in women's clothing and claiming he's the future queen!'"
Zuko's face reddened while Katara said, "They wouldn't say that!"
"Sugar Queen, I know how the rich and royal think. I was raised in one of those houses, remember? They would say all that, and more," Toph replied, a bored tone to her voice.
For once Zuko didn't pay attention to the discussion of court politics that arose due to Toph's comment. He was mulling over ideas and their execution, and coming to a decision he stood up from the table, scooped Kaiya up, and walked out of the dining hall. He then walked back and, because it was the principle of the thing, torched Sokka's dinner until nothing but ash was left.
The next day he found it easier to ignore the whispers and hidden smiles, because he no longer had a little turtle-duck waddling after him like some bizarre growth. Instead, she rode in a specially fashioned holder that he had made (or had had made, the subject of which remained a hot topic of debate in court) by modifying one of the sword sheaths that he carried on his back. A small platform now rested over the opening that would originally have contained the swords themselves, and low "walls" had been built around the platform to allow Kaiya the ability to see the world around her without risk of falling off. The sight of the prince with the little turtle-duck riding on his back became a common one throughout the palace, and soon the only people who would smirk or giggle when he walked by were those who knew him best.