Here we go guys, yet another update.
Chapter 5: All in Time
Kagome was in heaven...
It wasn't easy to get her at peace but some how the earth nation has been doing this every stop of the way. From the volcanic hot springs to being rubbed down in earth enriched minerals, she could feel all her worries slipping away. She was making good time on her journey to Ba Sing Se, so she has been making small pit stops along the way with the money she had saved up. It was much better sleeping on a cot or bed than the ground or on Appa.
Kilala was purring in happiness and Kagome could swear if she was a cat she would as well.
This peace wouldn't last always so might as well enjoy it while she can. Feeling a sigh bubble in her throat, she swallowed it and once again let her mind wander.
She also wasn't sure if she should rejoin the others or not. Sure, she missed traveling with them but she wasn't exactly in a hurry to eating nuts and gruel. She even started eating meat. She forgot the reason why she stopped in the first place. She enjoyed fish the most and Kilala was very happy in the change of diet.
She could tell that since she started eating meat, she began to put on weight. Not in a bad sense, but it was noticeable. Her hips were getting fuller and she was developing more muscle in a lot of other places.
Once her massage was finished, she dressed her self in a white kimono with pink cherry blossoms on it held with a red obi. Slipping into a pair of red flats, she bid the workers goodbye and left.
As the two walked they came across a run down hut.
"let's check it out." Kilala mewed and ran to the hut ahead of her.
As Kagome approached she could here movement and approached the window quietly.
"Um, hello? Are you okay in there?"
Another groan was heard before someone answered her.
"As well as one can be when struck with lightning. Do come closer to the window, I won't hurt you."
Kagome peeked over the edge of the window and gasped.
"Uncle! Oh Agni!" jumping through the window, Kagome leaned down to the man and cradled his head in her lap.
"What happened?" she asked as she called on water from her pouch. She set the water on his wound and called on her healing powers. She could have just used her reiki but she wanted to try using water for once.
"We ran into Azula..." as Iroh recounted what has happened to them since the siege on the northern water tribe, Kagome re dressed his other wounds and began to brew him some tea.
"I ran into her as well. She was with Mai and Ty Lee." she said as she poured him a cup.
Iroh accepted it and took a light sip. After his nephews failed try at making tea, he was a bit hesitant. When the aroma of jasmine/white lotus tea hit his nose, and the warmth hit his tongue, he was very pleased. "Oh my. I did forget how well you made tea."
Kagome giggled, "how? When you are the one who taught me, silly."
Iroh took a few more sips and set the cup down. "Zuko went in search of some food. He should be back. Why don't you stick around for a few more moments and keep an old man occupied."
Kagome hung her head down and absently petted Kilala. "I don't know..."
Kagome couldn't really debated the issue with him more because Zuko was standing right at the doorway.
"What are you doing here?" he barked at her. He wasn't sure how to react to the sight of her. Somewhere inside of him, he was glad to see her.
"I was just on the way to Ba Sing Se actually...I had to finish my training before I continued with the others. I just saw this hut and was wondering if it was abandoned or not. Of course, imagine my surprise to see uncle here."
"She made me tea as well!" Iroh said, adding his two cents in.
Zuko nodded and Kilala ran over to him and jumped on his shoulders. Zuko chuckled lightly at the kittens obvious happiness at seeing him again.
"Would you like to stay with us for a bit Kagome?" Iroh asked again with a small grin.
Kagome sighed and nodded her head, knowing when she was defeated.
Kagome was sitting outside by a running river. The moon was full and Kagome smiled up at it. She could imagine that Yue was smiling at her, greeting her and trying to comfort her. Dinner was beyond an awkward affair. Kagome would tell them bits about her traveling, both with Aang and when she first left the castle.
In turn, Kagome learned of there constant search for the avatar. Also, after Kagome asked, they told her of there decision to make a new path and cut off their top knots.
"No offense Zuko, but this hair cut looks much better on you; even though it's jagged and butchered looking" Kagome said with a small smile.
"And how was I not supposed to take offense to that?" he asked glaring at her. She always had a way of getting under his skin, but he always respected her honesty. The aggravation just came with the perks of having a great friend.
Zuko felt something in him shift at that thought. Now that he was on the run from the Fire Nation...could he look at her as a friend/companion again? Of course, things didn't end so grandly between the two of them back in the north pole, but that didn't mean they would stay that way for ever.
By the time Kagome went out to bathe Zuko decided that he would try and talk to her.
When she hadn't returned two hours later, he began to worry.
"You know that she can not resist the pull of her element during the full moon. You should go check on her and make sure she has not been attacked by fire nation soldiers in the woods." Iroh said, a small grin on his face.
When Zuko reached the river bank, he realized a couple of things almost instantly.
One, she was completely in her own world as she played with the water. It was as if she was paying homage to the water gods with her dance.
Two, she was a lot stronger with her bending. This dance was much more controlled and graceful than the one he seen her do many years ago.
Thirdly, even he could not deny, was that she was beautiful.
No, she was enchanting. She looked like a water spirit. The moon glowing against her midnight tresses, her dazed blue eyes glowing in its light. Her body had lost most of its baby weight, with the exception of her face, and everything about her seemed longer. She was much more thicker, muscular even, since he last seen her.
Zuko began to feel warm, and adjusted his shirt and his slightly tighter pants.
When she finally finished her dance, Kagome exhaled a sigh of relief.
"That was pretty amazing." Kagome turned sharply at the sound of his voice, and when there eyes met, she felt a pull at her heart.
He was handsome. Not even that scar could take that away from him.
Kagome felt her cheeks warm at the thought and nodded her thanks.
The two stood there, in awkward silence before Zuko turned away to walk back to the hut.
"Ne...do you think we could ever go back to being friends on day? I have missed you a lot."
But how could he return to that part of his life with the darkness that was in his heart.
His innocence was taken from him. His happiness. All of that could be restored with the capture of the Avatar. His heart believed it, but his mind did not. How would his father greet him upon his return? Would he apologize? Possibly not. Would he be proud of him? Maybe.
Was his fathers praise really worth the fate of the entire world?
Looking at Kagome, still waiting on the answer to her question, he shrugged and turned his back on her.
"Who is to say?" and he left her.
"Now Kagome, are you sure you do not want to travel with us." Iroh asked her for the 12th time since they all awakened.
Kagome smiled at the man who became like her surrogate father to her. He was truly a man of great caliber.
"Did I ever tell you how much I love you?" she said to the former general.
"It never hurts to hear it again?" Iroh smiled as his pupil launched into his arms and hugged him tight. Placing a kiss on his aged jaw, Kagome pulled away from him and bowed.
"I wish you two well on your trip. Who knows? I might end up running into you guys anyway?" she said with a bright smile on her face.
yeah I know, pretty short. I am in the process of moving right now but before I leave my apartment I decided to update all of my stories! I mean, depending on the response I get I may end up finishing them but damn I haven't updated a few of my stories since 2009! but a lot of shit has happened since that point of my life.
Anyway, as always...review! :D