Hey guys, sorry I couldn't get this up on Friday, but I was just too busy. But believe me, it was worth the wait! Also, I might not be able to update next week, because I'm going on vacation, but if I have the time and acess to a computer, I'll try to put something up. Enjoy!
Chap. 30
Music Night
(Lyrics by Beatles and Flogging Molly)
The two siblings walked through the camp, following the sounds to whatever it was their uncle was doing. It didn't take them long. They soon found a large campfire blazing in the center of the camp, surrounded by what looked like every member of the Army. Upon seeing it, the two of them felt a strange sense of warmth fill them. Whatever differences and animosities that existed in the outside world didn't exist here. Firebenders danced and sang with Waterbenders. They drank cold ale along with Earthbenders, while Waterbenders continually refilled the glasses from the kegs. Laughter filled the air along with the sounds of instruments and singing. But then a deep, familiar voice began to be heard. Zuko and Azula gave each other twin looks of exasperation, then sighed and began to make their way through the crowd, trying to get to the fire where the voice was coming from. After a few moments, they came to the fire, where they found Jee and other musicians accompanying Iroh, while he sang an old folk song, known by all the Nations.
Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall
Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall
Four Seasons, Four Loves
Four Seasons, Four Loves
Iroh continued through the rest of the verses, as Zuko and Azula sat down near Toph and Bosque.
"Well, well. I didn't expect to see you two here." Bosque said.
"Yeah, Iroh said you hated music night, Zuko." Toph added.
"I do. But if I don't show up, Uncle will then find me and regale me with all the details." Zuko replied. "Besides, I suppose it could be worse."
"Oh?" Azula asked. "No offense, but Uncle sang this song all the time back home. I'd like to hear something new from him once in a while."
"Don't worry, you just might." Bosque said with a smile.
Before Azula could ask what that meant, Iroh finished his song, as 'the band' ended with a flourish. The crowd applauded as Iroh took his bow.
"Is there anyone else that would like to perform this evening?" the old general asked.
"That's my cue." The squirrel said as he got to his feet.
"He can sing?" Toph sputtered out, as Bosque walked over to the campfire.
"I think that's yet to be determined." Zuko replied, as Bosque turned to face the crowd. Holding out his hands, there was a flash of green light and a liquin like instrument appeared in his grasp.
"What is that thing?" Azula asked.
"He showed it to us in the other world." Zuko said. "I think it's called an 'acoustic guitar.'"
"And how does it sound?" Azula asked.
"If you shut up, maybe you'll find out." Toph said, as Bosque began to strum and sing in a light, almost airy voice….
Here I stand head in hand
Turn my face to the wall
If she's gone I can't go on
Feeling two foot small
Everywhere people stare
each and every day
I can see them laugh at me
And I hear them say
Hey you've got to hide your love away
Hey you've got to hide your love away
As Bosque continued to sing, the audience stared in rapt fascination and wonder. None of them, save the Knights, had ever heard music like this before. It was sung with such tender sadness by the squirrel, yet the melody was very hummable and catchy. It was such a strange combination that many felt themselves strangely moved by it. Bosque looked out over the crowd and smiled, knowing that he had won them over. With that, he strummed the final chords and gently brought the song to an end. There was a moment of silence, and then the crowd applauded, as Bosque bowed.
"Thank you. Thank you." The squirrel said. "No, no, I can't do another one. It wouldn't be fair."
"Maybe not." Another voice said. Bosque turned to see Oscuridad, Tierra, Agua, Desierto, Fuego, and Trueno stepped out from the crowd.
"If memory serves, you know how to play tin whistle too." Oscuridad said, as he formed another guitar out of shadowfire.
"I've been known to dabble a few times." Bosque replied, as there was another flash of light, and his guitar became a small whistle that he placed between his lips. The other Knights then formed their own instruments from their respective elements. An electric guitar formed from water into Agua's hand, complete with a small wire leading to a mini-amp on his belt. A mandolin and accordion appeared for Fuego and Trueno respectively. An electric bass, also with mini-amp, appeared for Desierto.
As Tierra's drums began to form out of the earth, Zuko asked, "This seems like a lot more then what they had in the park."
"Then maybe it'll be even better." A voice said from behind, as a pair of hands wrapped around his eyes. Smiling, Zuko pushed the hands away and said, "That was good. I didn't even hear you that time."
"You shouldn't. Not after the work I've been doing with her." Toph said.
"Yeah. That must be fun." Zuko said, as Jin moved to sit next to him.
"I'll say this; Toph sees more then any sighted person I've ever known." Jin said.
"Of course. Sight makes you ignore everything else." Toph answered back.
As they continued talking, the Knights finished setting up, and Oscuridad stepped to the front. He strummed his guitar a few times, and then yelled out the beat, after which the band instantly began to play, as Osc began to sing in a voice heavy with an Irish brogue.
Many's the day I took for granted
Breathing the air that silenced some
As the North Wind blew
With its head of thunder
Beating its breast with a war drenched song
Bathe awhile, awash in slumber
Cry what's left to sleep
Where you dream of the love you left forever
But pity no more nor grieve
For we're the kings of it all
For the day we were born
Now we're the kings of the Kilburn High
Sure we'll always take a drop and we'll never leave a sup
Your empty glass is but a tear filled eye
We were the kings of the Kilburn High
The song moved faster and faster, the various instruments moving along at a pace none of the Army had ever heard before. But despite that, it was impossible to just sit still and listen. People began to crowd around, dancing in frenzy as the band laughed and played on.
"Come on, let's get out there." Jin said, grabbing Zuko's arm and dragging him onto the makeshift dance floor. Toph shrugged, then followed. But Azula sat there, not quite willing to get out with so many people yet. But as she sat there, her foot began to tap along with the music. She tried to fight it, but no matter how many times she stopped her movements, her foot would resume tapping a second later.
"Problems, lass?" a voice said suddenly. Azula turned to see Hierro standing behind her, his hand extended.
"Thanks, but I don't dance." Azula said.
"Looks like you want to learn." The spider said. "Come on, I need your help for this."
"For what?"
"You'll see. Just trust me. Besides, you don't want these people to think you're scared of something as simple as dancing, do you?"
Azula thought on that a second, then took the spider's hand and allowed him to lead her into the dance. Once they were inside, Hierro smiled and began to rapidly move his feet to the music, dancing a speedy jig. Azula watched his movements with curiosity, then slowly began to imitate them, 'jigging' alongside him. After a few minutes, the crowd began to disperse a bit, giving them the room to dance alone.
"We must be good." Hierro said. "Hey, gimme a second."
Azula nodded, as she kept on dancing, smiling a bit now. Hierro then began to reach into the crowd, drawing out a few more partners. After a moment, Katara, Suki, Jin, Ty Lee, and even Mai stood in the open space with them. As the band began to speed up, Hierro re-entered and resumed his dancing, prompting the girls to do the same (Mai mostly stood there and moved slightly from side to side). As the crowd whooped and cheered, Hierro unfurled his hands and held one out to each girl. They each took the hand offered, and as Fuego began to solo on his accordion, Hierro began to twirl each girl, spinning them faster and faster as the solo moved. Finally, as Agua broke through with a solo of his own, Hierro released his grip, causing each girl to spin off and fall in a heap, laughing. Hierro brought his arms in and gave a bow, as the crowd roared its approval. The band then sung through the chorus one last time, and then brought the song to a close to raucous applause.
"Now, that was fun." Katara said, as she and the other girls got to their feet.
"Indeed, and I thank you for the help ladies." Hierro said, as he bowed to them once again. "Especially you Princess." He added. "I knew that if I could get you to dance, then the others would be easy."
"Uh, thanks." Azula said, not quite ready for the attention.
"Don't be modest. I didn't know you could dance that well." Suki said.
"Yeah Azula, you never danced back home." Ty Lee said.
"Wait, that was your first time? Wow!" Katara gaped.
Surprised, Azula took the compliments as quietly as she could, although she couldn't help smiling as she accepted them. So few people had accepted her in her time in the Army. It was so gratifying to hear them from them now; maybe she really was starting to change. Still, she kept her responses brief and humble, and moved to sit back down with Toph, as Oscuridad called out, "This one is dedicated to the ex-crazy bitch that made sure that somebody got those arrows out of the tree!" Osc counted off, and the song began.
Death valley queen where have you been
Since they crowned you in glory
Filled your head with dreams
But it still goes to show in every desert
There's a rose that's blooming for all to be seen
I remember you well from that town
You did dwell with the face of an angel
In a dump hot as hell
When I asked for a kiss
You kindly dismissed
So I lead my poor heart to the slaughter
Tell me dear what did you fear
I'd do you no wrong though no stranger to sin
So death valley queen go marry your king
Or an old maid you'll end up for certain
Off I did set on my trail of regret
Where I thought of you now in your castle and crown
So I found me a whore with a face just like yours
After several gallons of porter
When I awoke, she had scarpered I was broke
Laying cold in the bed with a whale for a head
So death valley queen go marry your king
Or an old maid you'll end up for certain
Then the ball dropped why everything fell by the way
As your teardrops were falling I forgot to say
That I have always loved you
Yeah I have always loved you
Yeah I
Yeah I
I have always loved you
When I returned downtrodden and burned
There were billy goats grazing
Where once you'd be found
So I hung out to dry
On this limb for a lie
Take me back for I'm cursed on the mainland
Tell me dear what did you fear
I'd do you no wrong though no stranger to sin
So death valley queen go marry your king
Or an old maid you'll end up for certain
I said death valley queen go marry your king
And a-roving I'll end up for certain
The band played through the melody one last time then brought the song to a crashing end. Toph clapped hard, as did the rest of the audience. She turned back to Azula, wanting to see how she'd taken her little dedication. But when Toph 'read' Azula, she could feel from the ground that something wasn't right. Azula's body was tense and rigid, the only movements the rapid inhales of breath from her mouth.
"Are you ok?" Toph asked, concern in her voice.
"I'm fine. I-I just need to get out of here." Azula replied shakily, as she got to her feet and began to move away. After a moment, Toph could feel her footsteps start to quicken as she started to run.
"Wait!" Toph called out, but it was already too late; Azula had moved out of her range. Toph looked in Azula's direction with a puzzled and worried expression on her face. What could have upset her so much? It was just a song, and not an offensive one, at least in Toph's opinion. But therein lay the problem. Because Toph saw nothing wrong with the song, she didn't see how anyone else could. Just like she hadn't seen Azula's eyes beginning to water as she'd left.
Azula ran most of the way into the camp before she slowed down and finally came to a halt. She looked around, to see if there was anyone there to see her. Thankfully, almost everyone was at Music Night, so she stood in an empty campground. Seeing that she was alone, Azula wiped her eyes, and tried to regain her control.
"Stupid, stupid girl." She breathed to herself. "It was just a stupid song. It doesn't mean anything. It wasn't worth losing it over. You've always been able to control yourself, and that isn't going to change. Even those…… thoughts…. Are there, I can control them. I will not lose myself. I won't surrender to them."
As she spoke, Azula could feel herself beginning to regain control. Her mind began to clear and calm itself. She took a deep breath, then looked back towards Music Night. After a moment, she shook her head. It had been a good idea, but she couldn't go back now. She needed to be alone. With that, she turned, intending to go straight to the barracks….. only to suddenly collide with some form that hadn't been there a minute ago. Surprised, Azula drew back, and then saw Sokka standing before her.
"Can't you watch where you're going?" Azula snapped.
"Can't you?" Sokka snapped back.
"I can when there isn't someone in my way. What are you doing here anyway?"
"I had work to do with my father. I was heading to the party. What happened, did they kick you out?"
"Of course not. I went, saw how stupid it was and left." Azula snorted.
"Ah, I see. Go and leave without a word. That's how you do things."
"What are you babbling about?" Azula snapped.
"I'm talking about how I woke up this morning and you were gone." Sokka growled. "Do you have any idea how much hardship you caused me? I didn't know if you'd escaped, or if you had some traitor plot planned, or what, and if there had been, it would've been my fault."
"Oh sure, I'm always planning to bring you down, aren't I?"Azula blasted back. "You want to know why I left? To save your image, you arrogant prick! I knew what people would say just as well as you did. So I left early and snuck over to the training field so I'd have an excuse and you would be left alone. But don't worry, I won't waste my energy like that again."
With that, Azula pushed past Sokka in the direction of the barracks. But before she got out of his range, Sokka reached over and grabbed her shoulder. Azula stiffened at the touch, but Sokka didn't notice.
"Wait Azula…. I'm sorry. I guess I was wrong to accuse you like that."
"No, you weren't. I would've done the same thing in your place." Azula said with a sigh.
"Maybe but that doesn't make it right." Sokka said. "I guess I was just looking for someone to curse at."
"Having a bad day?"
"No, just a few troubles." Sokka replied. "It's just so hard to look at Suki now, and when she's with him…. Naw forget it, you don't need to hear this."
"Believe me, you're not the only with problems." Azula said. "I'm still trying to win over half of this camp. At least you don't have people who want to expel you. All you have is an ex."
"Sometimes, there isn't that much difference." Sokka said, grinning a little.
But before Azula could respond, another voice rang out; "Well, look what we have here."
Both of them turned to see a figure move out of the shadows. After a moment, they saw who it was, and both their faces darkened.
"What do you want Hahn?" Sokka asked.
"The wife I was promised. But we both know that isn't going to happen, don't we?" Hahn answered.
Sokka's face quivered at that, but he still managed to say, "That was low, even for you Hahn. But I should thank you for it. You reminded me of the one good thing about Yue's death; she didn't have to spend her life with you."
"Oh, but she didn't get to spend it with you either did she?" Hahn sneered. "Of course, that doesn't seem to have bothered you too much. I mean, this is what, the second girl you tried to get since you got to the camp?"
"Why don't you crawl back into your hole, you little worm?" Azula snapped. "Or do you just love to kick people in their weak spots?"
"You should know more about then I do, Princess." Hahn replied. "After all, you didn't destroy all those people's lives without kicking them in their weak spots."
"Leave her out of this Hahn." Sokka said, moving right up to Hahn's face. "This is between you and me."
"It's between whoever I want it to be." Hahn said back. "It can be between you, me, and the little bit …"
Sokka's fist connected with Hahn's mouth before he could finish. The young Watertribesman collapsed in a heap, hands flying to his mouth. He cradled it for a moment, then with a roar, leapt toward Sokka and tackled him to the ground. The two of them wrestled over the ground, trading punches and blows as they turned and turned. Finally, they came to a stop, with Hahn on top of Sokka. He grinned maliciously and began to land punches on Sokka's face.
But he only got off two before a hand wrapped around his collar and pulled him to his feet. Before Hahn could react, Azula delivered two swift punches to his stomach, forcing him to bend over. She followed that up with a swift kick that sent Hahn sprawling. He landed on the ground hard, then slowly came to and glared at Azula. But he simply got to his feet and left, apparently unwilling to confront her.
Azula watched him leave with still blazing eyes, then turned her attentions to Sokka. Grabbing his arm, she gently pulled him to his feet.
"Are you all right?" she asked.
"I think so." Sokka said, feeling around his face. He found a rather large cut on his forehead, and a few small bruises, but otherwise not too much damage.
"I've got some bandages in my tent. I can fix myself up there." He said.
"Which way?" Azula asked.
"Tell me if it hurts." Azula said, as she wrapped the last of the gauze around Sokka's forehead, as he sat on his bed in the tent.
"It feels fine." Sokka answered, as Azula tied it in place.
"I'm just asking. After all, you didn't need to get those wounds." Azula said.
"What are you talking about?"
"You saw how I took Hahn down. I can take care of myself." Azula said, as she re-tied Sokka's small medical bag.
"Fine. Then why did I do most of the fighting and talking?" Sokka snapped.
"I didn't ask you to do any of that." Azula answered, pulling the drawstrings closed. Turning to face Sokka, she said, "I've been taking care of myself for a long time Sokka. I don't need a guardian."
"Oh don't flatter yourself." Sokka said, rolling his eyes.
"Then why did you hit him after he insulted me?"
"Because you weren't part of it, and I won't bring anyone else into this."
"If that's what you want to believe fine."
"Look Azula, if you don't want my help, I don't care. I have enough problems around here without having to worry about you."
"Great, because I don't need your help." Azula growled, moving her face right into position with Sokka. "Maybe the girls you knew in the Water-Tribes are meek and defenseless, but I'm different."
"You got that right. The girls back home don't have anger issues and don't terrify everyone they meet?"
"How dare you, you, arrogant Water-Tribe peasant!"
"Stuck-up Fire Nation psycho!"
"Go play with your clubs!"
"Why don't you burn something down?"
"Maybe I'll start with your stupid pony-tail?"
"Why waste your energy? Use those nails of yours to cut it, kitty girl!"
"Maybe I'll just claw your eyes out instead!"
"Great, I wouldn't have to look at you anymore!"
Azula bared her teeth and growled at that, while Sokka glared back. They remained like this a few moments, then Azula suddenly reached forward, grabbed Sokka's head, and pulled it in close, forcing the two into a passionate kiss. Sokka responded by wrapping his arms around Azula and pulling her back onto the bed with him, not breaking the embrace the whole while. The two of them lay on the bed, continuing to kiss as their hands began to find the straps in each other's clothes…