Homg. You guys are awesome. T-T I never thought I'd get so many readers, thank you thank you thaaaank you! I honestly feel like I'm not that good but you loyal readers are so encouraging! I love you all. Anyways, for this chapter I thought I'd try out third person view. Lemme know if you guys like first or third person better okay? :D Here's the next chapter!
Book One : Water
Chapter Four : Dying Flame
The sea breeze traced a path along Anae's body, trailing through her hair and kissing her face. She closed her eyes, shivering slightly. It felt much colder than usual, which made no sense to her. They were sailing away from the North Pole, it should be getting warmer. She frowned slightly at this thought, and decided to see if anyone else felt the chill in the air.
She walked down the steps towards the lower part of the deck where a few of the men were training. It felt warmer here, she noted, but that could be because of the fire being thrown in all sorts of directions. The two men stopped sparring, their breathing extremely heavy. It seemed like an intense training session, something that Anae yearned for.
One of the crew members noted the look in her eyes, and stepped forward. "Want to spar?" he said. Anae looked at him, eyes slightly wide but immediately turned into determination. "Only if you won't go easy" The man smiled. "As you wish".
Iroh walked down the long corridor towards his nephew's room, wondering how he'd break the news to him. He stopped at the door, and sighed.
'Better to get it over and done with now than later'he thought to himself. Raising his hand, he knocked, and opened the door. His nephew was sitting by a low table, candles lit. Iroh stared at him incrediously. Zuko was meditating. Something he rarely did.
"The only reason why you should be interrupting me is news about the avatar" Zuko murmured, obviously completely intuned with the candle flames. Iroh placed his hand on his chin, looking thoughtful for a moment before replying.
"Well I have news, but you're not going to like it" he said. "Uncle, you taught me that being level headed would me be a better leader. If I can't take bad news, I'd be a bad leader. I'm sure that whatever you have to say, I can take it." Zuko said, still controling the flame's height.
Iroh shrugged, placing his hands inside his sleeves. "Alright well... We lost track of the Avatar"
"WHAT" Zuko roared, the flames suddenly an all out fire. Iroh pulled out a fan from the hidden pocket in his sleeve. He snapped it open, fanning himself. "You should really open a window in here" he said nonchalently.
Zuko noticed a map in his uncle's hand, and quickly snatched it up. "There were multiple sightings of him, but he is impossible to track" Iroh said, still fanning himself. "How am I going to catch him Uncle? He clearly is a master of evasiveness" Zuko said exaspertly, staring at the map dotted with an awkward path. It had no pattern what so ever, no rhym or reason.
Iroh was about to say something when the shouts of a fight floated through the hallways. The two men glanced at each other before running towards the deck.
"Lady Anae, be careful"One man shouted, trying to step in. Anae threw him back into the crowd. "Stay out of this" she snarled. She looked down at her hands. They were shaking. She took a deep breath, and jumped in the air, twisting her body around forcing her heel towards the ground.
She landed perfectly, lightly of course. Fire sputtered out of the air, racing towards her opponent. He shoved it out of his way, returning with a low kick. Anae managed to fling herself out of the way.
Punch kick punch kick. Heel kick, upper cut. They finally stopped, with his fist in Anae's face. She had him pinned too, with her own fists aimed at his torso. Heavy breathing escaped his lips.
He straightened up slowly, keeping his eyes on hers. By the gods, he thought they were beautiful. But something was off.
Anae straightened up herself, tearing her eyes away from the man across from her. " Word of advice : Never insult someone's family while they are still around." she snarle. He smirked. "But it just adds insu-" cut off, he had to duck as flames rushed towards his head. They were cut off by Iroh.
He stared at Anae disprovingly."M-master" Anae managed to choke out. Iroh's icy stare cut into her painfully.
His frown deepened. Anae stared desperately at him. "That bastard insulted my family. He insulted my honor. He deserves it." she explained, trying to get him to stop frowning at her.
Iroh shot her one more disapproved look before turning to face the man that had insulted her. He heard Anae starting to sniffle, and quiet sobs began to form.
The entire crew looked shocked and scared, concern for Anae written all over their faces. Zuko's hand was on his face, a look of pain on it. He hated crying girls. It was just so shrill and loud and ugh. He stormed over to the girl, who was clearly trying to control her tears.
"Will you shut up?" He snapped, grabbing her shoulder and turning her around. He frowned slightly. Through even the thickest armor, a firebender's head could be felt. But her heat felt..different. Anae's tears were still streaming down her face. She felt sick. Zuko noticed that she was swaying. Her balance was off. And of course they had hit a particularly rough wave.
And of course, with Zuko's luck, she toppled over in his arms. She fainted. He almost stumbled. Almost, but he was too good to fall. Iroh was still staring angerily at her bully.
"Nephew, get her inside" he said, not talking his eyes off the bully. The man fidgetted, feeling extremely uncomfortable under the general's stare. He knew he was in shit. In deep deep shit.
Zuko didn't need to be told twice. He didn't even protest. His uncle had a strange tone in his voice, one that didn't sound impressed. It was concerned, and extremely angry,an emotion his uncle rarely showed.
Zuko stalked off, towards Anae's room but stopped. He pressed the light girl closer to himself, frown deepening as he felt her heat again. It wasn't...hot. It was warm. He decided that she was probably sick or something, turning down the corrider to his own bedroom.
Upon entering, he layed her down on the mattress, wondering what the hell that fight was about. It wasn't an agni kai. The crew members wouldn't dare enter someone's agni kai. He decided to go back outside. That irritating crew memeber was so going to get an ear full from Zuko.
He maybe a banished prince, but he was a prince none the less. And he hated when someone fought with his guest. Anae was technically a guest on his ship. He stormed across the deck only to stop and stare incredilously at the scene before him.
Iroh had the bully cornered in the crowd of people, yelling at him about honor, what it was, and how he had dishonored his own family because he had no honor himself, occationaly smacking the back of the bully's head. It was quite comical to Zuko, as the bully looked like he was about to shit himself. Zuko smirked, knowing full well his uncle wouldn't really hurt the bully but he was doing a good job at making it look like he would.
"Uncle, go check up on the girl. She seems ill." Zuko cut in. The bully looked relieved. Iroh glanced over at the prince, raising an eyebrow but nodding. "Don't be too hard on him" Iroh said, walking past Zuko.
Zuko smirked, while glaring at the bully. The bully realized that Zuko wasn't going to be his relief. "Don't worry Uncle"
The bully cowered.
-
Later
-
Zuko scowled to himself as he dusted off his armor, wondering to himself why he even allowed her to join him on this hunt. More than once he wondered if she was just sent here by his father as a back up incase Zuko himself failed. He gritted his teeth at the very thought of it.
Zuko also wondered why, out of all the women in the world, why her. For as long as he knew her, she was Azula's lacky, always following her around like a lost pet. Even when Ty-lee and Mai came into the picture, Anae was always by Azula's side.
He frowned, wondering what the "sort of big disagreement" was. What, in all the nations, could've pushed her away from Azula so much that she ended up here, with him. It made no sense.
He shook his head. That girl was going to be more trouble than she was worth. The man that had bullied her wasn't going to go near her again. Zuko smirked, thinking about the bully's punishment. Cleaning the chamber pots for the entire trip and not being allowed on the upper decks was truly diabolical. Especially after the beating that man got.
Zuko reached the dining area. It was filled with delicious smells. He went to his spot and sat down, wondering if his uncle was still with that girl.
Iroh appeared suddenly beside him, shaking him out of his thoughts. Zuko looked up, and noticed the emotions flowing through his Uncles eyes. Zuko said nothing, for it reminded him of something he didn't want to remember. That look, those emotions.
They were there when Luh Ten* was announced as dead.
-
Two days later
-
Anae was still asleep, causing Iroh great worry. His frowned deepened, and a sigh escaped his lips. Iroh stood up, and turned towards the door. Walking out, deep in thought, he realized something important.
He was hungry. Iroh cracked a smile despite his worry, thinking about what Anae would say if she knew. 'Master, if you don't eat how will you be able to keep up with me' He chuckled to himself as he thought of all the things she would say. Iroh's stomach rumbled as a delicious smell wafted towards him. "Mmm, fish" his pace quickened and in no time he was in the kitchen.
He sat down along with Zuko, quickly scarfing down his meal. "Seconds please" he handed his plate to the cook who was astonished by how fast Iroh ate. The prince hadn't even gotten his first course. The cook shook his head, and walked off.
A few minutes later he came with Zuko's fish. Setting it down, he suddenly remembered something slightly important. "Oh ah..uhm Prince Zuko, there is news about the Avatar." Zuko's head snapped up instantly, forgetting about his meal.
"Well? Let's hear it!" He snapped. The cook nodded. "The Avatar is on Kyoshi." Zuko slammed his fist down. "THE AVATAR'S ON KYOSHI." he roared, storming off. Iroh stared at the leftover meal, hunger in his eyes.
"Are you going to finish that?" Zuko turned back around, and grabbed his plate scowling. "I was going to save it for later". Iroh looked disappointed, until that is a gaurd came flying into the room. "The honorable Anae has awakened!"
Iroh shot up instantly out of his chair. Zuko never saw his uncle move so fast...well in forever. He decided to follow the older man. For some reason, a part of him wanted to make sure she was alright too. He frowned, annoyed that he would think that about her after all she did to him in their childhood.
He stopped at the door that she was behind and was about to enter when something that his uncle was saying caught his attention, causing him to freeze in place.
"-You must rest little dragon. Your inner core is weak."
"But Master, I must get up. He needs my help."
"No. You cannot go out there while you're in this state."
"...I am fine."
"You haven't gone yet, have you?"Iroh's voice had hints of irritation and urgency.
'Go where?'Zuko thought to himself. He leaned in closer to hear what they were saying.
There was a shocked silence, before Anae replied carefully, knowing full well she was in so much trouble. Iroh had found out.
"No Master, I haven't been able to." her voice sounded dull, Zuko noted.
"That is an essential part of your well being! Why haven't you gone yet?" Iroh's voice sounded angry.
"Something told me otherwise." Anae paused. "I have to be here Master."
Iroh sighed, running a hand down his face. "How can you help him if you do not even know?"
"Why does everyone keep telling me that I don't know? It's true, I don't know. I haven't a clue as to what you are talking about! You, mother and father are all the same. I don't understand Master. Please, why does everyone keep sending me away?" Anae sounded desperate.
There was a pause in the air. Zuko heard his uncle sigh once more. "When the time comes, you will know. If you feel you must be here, then be here but be careful. You are -"
As if possible, Zuko leaned in further, which he realized was a bad idea as the door creaked open. He lost his balance, falling face first into the room. There was silence before...
A shriek of laughter? 'What in agni..' he thought, glancing up from his position on the floor to the girl on the bed. Anae was howling with laughter now, causing Zuko to flush with anger and embarassment. He went even darker, realizing that he was still on the floor and instantly picked himself up.
"Shut up" he snapped, realizing that he said that a lot to her. Guilt gripped Zuko quickly, but in a flash it was gone.. Anae tried to stiffle her giggles. She remembered the few short weeks ago, and how the reunited. She was laughing then too.
Her giggles quietened down to a smile. She always smiled around him.
"We're going to Kyoshi" Zuko stated. Anae raised an eyebrow, the question written all over her face. "The Avatar is there. We'll be going on land with the rinos. You will stay here and gaurd the ship."
Anae's face darkened at that. "Oh no I am not." The Prince looked taken back at her tone. "Excuse me?" "You heard me. I've been sleeping these past two days, in this room, on this ship. I refuse to stay here any longer than I have too! I'm going with you" she said matter of factly.
Zuko's face reddened in anger. "No you are not. How will you be of any use to me other than getting in my way?" he snarled. Anae didn't even looked fased. Iroh glanced between the two, noticing the glint in Anae's eyes. He knew what was coming.
"Well you see Prince Zuko, I'm an excellent tracker. Kyoshi Island has many defences, one of them being that dense forest. Even with rinos, you won't be able to find your way very well." she grinned at the look on his face, knowing she had him cornered.
Zuko knew it too. Thoughts were flying through his head, trying to think of an escape when one popped into his head. "We don't have enough rinos" he trimphatly stated. Anae visibly deflated.
"Well, not really. Nephew why don't you let her ride on your rino? You know they can carry more than one person, it seems almost foolish to have one all to yourself" Iroh pipped up. If looks could kill, Iroh would probably be dead 1000 times over. Zuko was fuming.
"Fine" he spat. "Hurry up, we're leaving in an hour." Anae's eyes widened. "That's so not fair." she whined, climbing out of the bed. She swayed a bit, trying to gain her balance back. Iroh glanced at her worriedly.
"It's okay Master, I will be fine" she assured him. Iroh nodded. He pointed to a dresser. "In there you will find some of my nephew's clothes. They will be a bit big on you but it will do" Anae smiled, relieved that she didn't have to stay in her dirty clothes for much longer. "You heard my nephew little dragon, you have one hour. Go bathe"
Anae brightened up, quickly grabbing out pants and a shirt before taking off to the hot room. After the quick bath, she yanked on the clothes, and hurried down to where the rino's were gathered on the island.
"You are incredibly slow you know that?" Zuko sneered. Anae placed her hands on her hips and glared. "Oh, sorry. I bet you would've appreciated the smell of me after not bathing for two days because I was asleep in a hot stuffy room." She snapped back.
Anae was normally very polite, but not when someone was being stupid. And Zuko was being very stupid. He sighed, motioning for her to come over. "We need to get moving, now" Anae smiled the smallest smile, running over to the giant animal. Zuko held out his hand. Anae placed her hand in his and with a quick motion, pulled her up. They were both shocked at each other. Zuko had forgotten how light she was, Anae for how strong he was. He pulled her up with one arm. One!
He had placed her behind him, and Anae wrapped her arms around his waist. "It's more comfortable this way." she explained to him, noticing the side look he gave. "Right." And they set off. The rino didn't like the feeling of the sand. Anae couldn't help but notice that it was cooler here, probably because of the sea breeze. Unconciously she shifted closer to him.
Once again, Anae was shocked. 'Were all firebenders this warm?'
She remembered something, mentally kicking herself for forgetting. He was part of the Royal Family. Their firebending were more advanced, of course he'd be warmer than most. She remembered how warm Azula was. A frowned found it's way to her face.
'I'm never going to smile at her name anymore, am I?'She thought to herself, saddened by the very thought of never remembering her happy memories with Azula. Then again, were they really any?
"Which way?" Zuko's voice cut across her thoughts. "Huh? OH! Right, the Avatar. Uhm, hrm" she bit her lip lightly. "Well? I don't ha-" "Shut up." She couldn't see it, but Zuko looked appalled. No one, told him to shut up. He usually told others to shut up, not the other way around! The soldiers that came along all had to look away from the two, in fear that if they stared at the Prince's expression too long they'd crack and laugh.
"What did you just say to me?" he seethed. "I said shut up, I'm trying to track here" came her cheeky reply. 'Ugh, what is he doing to me?' she thought. She would never talk to anyone like that ever. Glancing towards the north, her heart suddenly sputtered.
"That way, north" she motioned. "I know where North is" Zuko snapped, yanking the reins on the rino, steering it in right direction clearly irritated. She pressed her lips together, refraining from the insult that was sitting on her tongue.
A look of wary came onto her face. She could've sworn she heard something. Anae turned towards a set of rocks on the beach, her heart fluttered slightly. Furrowing her brows together, she stared at them as they continued towards the forest, but nothing happened. She shrugged it off, turning towards the front again.
Anae pulled herself in her thoughts once more, remembering the first time she was on a rino. It had been with Azula of course. A smile tugged at her lips. Azula had pushed Anae to do a lot of things, most of them bad but some of them good. Anae had been terrified of rinos, but once Azula took her riding (her reasoning was that she didn't want cowardly friends), she didn't mind them other than the smell.
A sigh escaped her lips. 'No' she thought. Azula will not rule her life anymore. Anae suddenly realized that they had reached a village. Her heart was beating madly. Something was up.
"LOOK OUT"she screeched. A flury of girls suddenly flew out of their hiding spots, attacking the soldiers, knocking them off their rinos. One even managed to get Zuko off his.
Anae quickly blocked the oncoming punch that flew towards her. Zuko had fought off his attackers, quickly standing up.
"Nice try Avatar, but these girls can't save you" he sneered, looking around for the little boy. Anae whipped around to face Zuko. "And what, by that statement, does that mean?" she seethed. "It means that girls aren't good warriors obviously" he stated.
"You are the rudest person in the royal family I have ever met!"
"Well, you are the most annoying girl I have ever met besides my sister"
"And you are the most stupidest boy I have ever met"
"YOU LITTLE -"
"Hey! Over here" came a shout. Anae and Zuko were meer inches apart from each other's faces. The crew members couldn't believe it. It was like they were an old married couple, because only old married couples would fight like that, and in the middle of battle on top of that!
The two bickering teenagers turned towards the speaker. Anae's eyes widened, realizing it was the Avatar. She felt like she should bow down in respect but if she did that Zuko would surely throw her off his ship.
Zuko and Anae began attacking. Fire caught onto the houses surrounding them. Anae stopped what she was doing, realizng what she had done. These people were innocent and they were destroying their homes. She felt disgusted with herself.
Suddenly the Avatar and his crew flew over head on his bison. "Uh, Zuko, they're leaving" Anae stated, yanking on Zuko's arm. He glanced up, realizing that she was right.
"Don't lose sight of him!" he barked. Anae and the crew all ran after the prince. "What happened to our rinos?" One of them shouted.
"Ran away obviously, of course they're not going to stick around with all this destruction" Anae stated. The crew member sweatdropped, as Anae answered a rhetorical question. "Just get on mine" Zuko snapped, keeping his eyes on the prize.
Everyone piled on, with Anae stuck in the middle of it all. She cringed at how close everyone was. Growing up as a noble, she was raised to make sure no one got super close to her unless it was the Royal family. With the crew being so close, they were breaking an age old rule that her mother had taught her.
No time for that though, as Zuko urged the rino to run. They had made it to the beach in less time than they had left. Anae felt her heart go frantic again. Just as it picked up, the Avatar dived into the ocean.
When he came back up, Anae felt fear grip her. They were all facing the Unagi. 'Oh Koh, he's going to make it eat us' she thought. Dying honorably, she was okay with that. Dying by the Avatar, she also okay with that. But dying by getting eaten a giant unagi? Oh no no no, that didn't sit well with her at all.
The beast opened it's jaws and Anae felt herself about to let out a wail. She closed her eyes, expecting to feel the warmth of the unagi's mouth but instead she felt water? 'What the...' Anae opened her eyes, realizing that it was raining? But it was still sunny!
She looked up to see the Unagi spewing water from it's open jaws. The Avatar let it go, and flew back onto his bison. Zuko and Anae had two totally opposite expressions on their faces and if the crew had seen them, they'd probably wouldn't be able to hold back their laughter.
Zuko looked extremely unimpressed by the Avatar's spectacle whereas Anae on the other hand, looked completely blown away in awe. She was still staring up at the Avatar, respect burning in her eyes.
The Avatar looked down and met her stare. He was taken back, because for the first since he woke up, instead of seeing hate and anger and fear in a firebenders eyes, there was respect and understanding. There was something about that girl that was different.
Anae tore her eyes away, trying to push away her thoughts, but she couldn't deny what she felt.
Her and the Avatar had a connection just then. She couldn't shake it off and it scared her. It truly terrified her because she wasn't supposed to feel for the Avatar. She was supposed to hate him.
Wasn't she? Confusion had filled her, until..
"THAT INSOLENT LITTLE BOY IS GOING TO SO FUCKING DIE" Zuko hollered. Clearly he wasn't happy about being puked on by the Unagi.
Anae laughed, and laughed, and laughed. And that made Zuko more and more angrier.
But one thought crossed his mind that he couldn't banish.
She had a very nice laugh.
Annnd that's the end of chapter for! Once again, homg you guys are amazing, thanks for the encouraging words and the favourites and the watches. Also, I'm terribly sorry for the long wait. I didn't think my midterms and work and everything else would take up so much time TT_TT. BUT I promise not to go this long without an update ever again. Also PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't forget to mention what P.O.V you like better, First or Third in the reviews! Thanks!