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Chapter 24

A New Ally

~Asami's POV~

I walked out of Ozai's room and back the way I came. It wasn't hard to find my way out since I knew where I was going now, unlike last time. When I got to the main lobby of the mansion I was surprised to find someone sitting on the couch nearest to the door. Zuko was here. I walked over to him. He didn't look surprised that I was there. I wondered why he was here... then I the obvious clicked in my mind.

"I know what you're thinking. It's plain on your face and you're right." He said. "I'm a vampire."

"I figured you were." I said, after he took the words out of my mouth."It makes sense how you fought Jet now. Let's go outside." I had so much to ask him. I wondered if he could have told me what Ozai had. If I had known he was a vampire I would have gone to him in the first place. I pushed that thought to the back of my mind, it didn't matter now. Ozai was helpful anyway. We walked in silence till we were off Ozai's mansion property.

"I wish I knew you were a vampire before I came here." I said.

"Because of TyLee? I saw her bite at the dance."

"Yeah...it doesnt matter now. Just I really don't like Ozai." Zuko laughed and said he didn't like him either. I had to wonder something.

"Why tell me you're a vampire now?"

"Well, you saw me snap Jet's neck, and the strength I had in that fight last night. I figured you might need my help with TyLee." He answered.

"Ozai said its going to be horrible for her if she doesn't drink. Is it really going to be worse than when I changed? Or do you know anything about the difference. You obviously know who I am, the dhampir."

Zuko nodded. "From what I've heard, you're transition isn't as bad as a normal human's. The bite will be much worse for TyLee, which I'm guessing Ozai told you. Your friends know about vampires already, so call them up. I'm going to help you with TyLee. Plus, I don't doubt you've all been suspicious of me after that fight. I know you have questions. I'll explain it all to the four of you."

I nodded and took out my phone. I texted Korra, Mai, and TyLee the same message.

Meet me at my house. SOS. - Sami

It wasn't really an emergency, or maybe it was since Ozai had warned me we needed to get TyLee where she couldn't hurt anyone as soon as possible. I got a message from all three of them a few minutes ago.

Ty-Ty: Be right there.

Kor-rah: Coming.

Mai : On my way.

"I told them to meet us at my house." Zuko and I looked around for anyone who might be around and then took off with vampire speed to my house. I love running now. It feels so good and it gives me a feeling of freedom. We stopped when we got to my house and waited in my living room for the girls. My dad is rarely home. Right now he's off on a trip. I don't really mind being by myself, I've been alone a lot like this ever since I lost my mom.

When the other girls got to my house I let them in. Korra was first to ask why Zuko was there. TyLee and Mai sat down on one of the couches and Korra took the comfy chair in the corner of the living room. Zuko answered her bluntly.

"I'm a vampire. I'm on your guys' side so don't worry." He said quickly before they could say anything to that, then continued. "I'm here to explain and help with TyLee's bite."

"I figured you might have been." Mai said. "You knew what was going on at the dance. That's why you made up half the story about the fight." She didn't say it like she was irritated, just stating a fact.

"You're right. I'm sorry." He said directed at Mai and then continued to the rest of us. "I should have told you all sooner. I'm not that good at breaking news, so Asami should tell you the next part."

He looked to me now and I understood. He wanted me to tell them what was going to happen with TyLee. I told them everything Ozai had told me, and Zuko added in a few things. I saw that TyLee was looking scared at the news that it would be unbearably painful for her to resist human blood. She was biting her lip and had her hand pressed to her head. Her head was hurting her. I saw that she looked on edge as well, like she was starting to feel the hunger kicking in.

"So, I'm pretty much going to go rabid and want to hurt all of you?" TyLee asked quietly.

"I hate to say it, but from Ozai told me and Zuko knows, yes." I answered her.

TyLee pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her forehead on them. "My head hurts so bad, and I'm hungry." She whimpered. "I don't want to be a vampire." She said as her voice broke. She was starting to cry from the pain. I was sitting across from her so I went over to her and put my hand on her shoulder.

"If she wants to go through with resisting her transition, we need to get things set up." Zuko said behind me.

"TyLee." She peeked over her knees at me. "Do you want to?" I said gently.

"I don't want to be a vampire. If I have to deal with this pain that you say will just get worse...I have to do it." She said finishing confidently. I was proud of her for being brave, even though I really didn't know if she could handle what was going to happen.

~Zuko's POV~

TyLee had chosen to resist her transition. Myself, I had a very short transition and fed on a human the day I was bitten. I didn't experience what TyLee is going through, but I've heard about it. I don't know of any human who resisted the urges vampire venom gave after being bitten for more than three days.

She was going to have to resist for five days if she wanted to be human. I didn't continue going into detail about how much pain I've heard it will cause her because I knew it would just scare her more. I honestly think its going to be harder for the rest of us to have to watch her go through this, especially for Asami.

We had to find a place for her so she could go through the next five days without hurting anyone. The five of us discussed places we could possibly use. It had to be a place she couldn't escape from, with no windows.

Windows are an escape route. The place also needed to be sound proof. If she was going to be in extreme pain nobody would hear her screaming or crying. I didn't want to think about that honestly. I don't wish anyone to have to go through pain.

After a discussion between the five of us we decided that the basement below Asami's house would be best. No windows, secure, thick walls and door. The only way she would get out is from the door to get in. I already had an idea for the door. The was an old jail cell door by junkyard that we could use as backup security. It would also help us check up on her when we opened the door, and it would work as a second door she couldnt get through if she tried.

Also, actually seeing us through the bars when we checked up on her would also help her keep hold of her sanity. I hoped being able to see the faces and voices of her friends would help her not feel too secluded and help her through this week.

I headed out to get it while the girls got things set up. When I got back I installed it by making a giant narrow hole in the middle of the door frame on one side. The hole was about four inches wide from the top of the door frame to the floor. I nailed the brackets to the inside of the wall on top and bottom and then slid the metal crossed jail door on to them and into the wall so that it worked like a sliding door. I also had picked up the thickest locks they had at the hardware store to fix to the other side so we could lock it.

Asami and Korra made a list of things she would need to go through with living in a basement for five days, then went to get the stuff. TyLee wasn't thrilled about being in a locked room for a week, but she knew it had to be done if she wanted to stay human.

~TyLee's POV~

This week is going to the worst. I don't want to be locked up in a small room by myself. I am so scared of so much. Being locked up, the blood lust, and going through the pain that Zuko and Asami say will happen. I am already hurting so bad. My head is screaming and I'm so hungry. I'm trying not to think about how its all just going to get worse.

Zuko says he doesn't know anyone else who has made it a full five days without ending up transitioning. As long as I keep locked up they say I can make it. I fear the pain. I hope I can do this. I told all my friends not to let me out or give me blood no matter how much I scream or cry or beg. I won't be a vampire.

Asami and Korra went to go get some stuff to help me get though the week. Zuko just installed a door in the basement that is made to keep me inside. I am glad he thought of it since there is holes and I will still be able to see my friends. The four of them, the girls and Zuko, have assured me that they are going to keep watch and check up on me a lot so I won't alone too much. That fact kind of helps me relax a bit. At least I know I won't be completely alone.

I feel it coming on. I'm starting to crave blood. I told Zuko this while Asami and Korra were gone and he agreed to lock me in the basement. Mai came down and asked me if I needed anything. I thanked her and told her I just wanted to lay down. I know she is worried about me, she might not be showing it but I know because she's my best I don't have anything to lay on I sat against the wall and closed my eyes.

I heard something upstairs and was relieved that Asami and Korra were back. Asami came down and asked Zuko if he could get the mattress off her bed and bring it down for me. He agreed and then put it in my basement room. Asami gave me some sheets and a comfy fuzzy pillow and I made my bed to lay on. I laid on my back after taking a few pain pills she handed me and tried to relax. My head hurts so bad. I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. It was Haru.

"Hey Haru."

"Hey, Ty. I heard you aren't doing so well. I hope you feel better." I smiled, if only he knew...

"Thanks. I hope you are taking it easy yourself." He had been in the hospital overnight after all.

"Don't worry, my mom has got me house arrest. She won't me do anything." He laughed. It made me feel a little better to hear him talking.

"You need the rest. You had a concussion. My head is hurting me really bad right now. It's like the worst migrane ever."

"If I was there, I'd kiss it." I giggled and felt myself blush. I wished he could, it would probably help a little bit.

"I'll let you rest, TyLee."

"No. Please, can you just talk to me for a little? I like to hear you talk, its comforting." I said.

I realized it kinda sounded desperate. I mentally facepalmed myself. He did as I asked. He talked about how his mom was baking in the kitchen. He said it smelled really good and he might have to bring me some of what she was making when I felt better. I told him that would be nice. I listened to him talk for a while and then let him go.

I thought about my own mother when I our call ended. I realized that I needed to tell my parents where I was. I thought aloud. "What am I susposed to tell them?" I sighed.

Asami answered me. "I went to your house and told your parents you were staying with me for a while. I compelled them not to worry about you. I hope that is okay. They said they love you."

I smiled. "Thanks 'Sami. You're the best."

"Anytime."

We were silent for a few minutes. "Got anything to eat? I'm so hungry."

"Yeah, I'll find you something. Be right back."

I wished I could fall asleep. It didn't seem that was going to happen with my head pounding like it was though. I thought about a black wall when I closed my eyes and focused on it. I learned a while back when I had normal headaches that it helped a little with pain. It did kind of help, just a little, though it might have been the pills Asami gave me. I hoped that those would really help.

Asami came back down the stairs with what looked like takeout. I didn't care what it was as I grabbed it through my jailcell door bars. I reached in the bag and found a giant delicious looking burger. It had bacon in it. I bit into it and it tasted so good. She'd also gotten me a big thing of curly fries. When I'd eaten it all I was still hungry and it didn't actually satisfy me much but it helped. It felt good to at least have something in my stomach, even if it wasn't what my body wanted.

Asami unlocked the cell door and brought in the stuff she and Korra had brought me. Some blankets, a toothbrush and toothpaste, a mirror and my makeup bag and purse, clothes, and a bunch of other stuff. She told me that she had more of the pain pills she gave me and to let her know when it got real bad, with a reminder that she wouldn't give me too much. I understood that, I could still overdose as I'm still human. I was glad I had such good would help me through this. I knew I didn't need to worry.