The Avatar and the Fire Lord: The Sequel Chapter 8: Accidently In Love, an avatar: last airbender fanfic

The curtains reopened, showing Actor Irah and Actor Ning playing Pai Sho. Actor Irah seemed to be winning, and Actor Ning kept trying to distract her by making funny faces. Then, from offstage, there was a knock and Actor Roku walked in. At first, his attention was on his 'sister', but then he saw Actor Ning, and she saw him.

Both of their eyes immediately widened in shock, then, almost involuntarily, their mouths went into smiles, and the rest of their faces melted like butter into real pleasure. Offstage, notes, high and twinkling like stars, played.

"This is it." Zuko said, his heart warming to the couple. "The big moment. Like when you and me first met, Mai."

Mai looked at him as if he were insane. "We met at a royal banquet. We were five. You got spicy sauce all over my outfit."

He hugged her a little too affectionately. "And you didn't get that stain out, did you? Like I said – big moment."

"Like me and Sokka." Said Suki, grinning a little. "When we first met, I kicked his butt."

"It was a sneak attack!"

"Yeah. First I sneaked up on you, and then I kicked your butt."

"SHHHH!"

Actor Irah didn't notice the looks shared between the two, and greeted her 'brother' warmly, introducing him to Actor Ning. The three sat down, exchanging talk, until a messenger came to tell her that Kaveri and Tenzin were here. She immediately ran down to get them, with the messenger following…leaving two lonely teenagers together. Both seemed uncomfortable, looking at the floor like it held the answers.

"So, uh…how's being an artist going?" Actor Roku asked.

"It's fine. A little difficult though." Actor Ning frowned. "I've been able to find a lot of work as the subject of paintings. It's not easy to find a good employer for that, however. You know men…if they don't stick you with one thing, they'll stick you with another."

The audience laughed, but all the male members – and Actor Roku – looked embarrassed. Too late, Actor Ning realized her social faux pas and blushed. "So…how's it going for being royalty?"

"Confining," he sighed. She leaned in, confused and interested. "What do you mean, confining?"

"Well…my dad and his friends…they've all had great adventures. Going everywhere. But I don't leave here much. So…I'm confined."

Zuko frowned. It looked like he was a big part of his 'son's' feelings, and he didn't want that.

"What would you do, though, if you weren't?" Actor Ning asked, genuinely curious and affectionate. Music started up.

Actor Roku:

To sail away to half discovered places
To see the secrets so few eyes have seen
To see moments of enchantment on our faces
The moments when we smile and those in between

Actor Ning smiled now, imagining it.

Actor Ning:

If I could leave my life then I'd be sailing
To corners of the world where there would be
Sweet southern winds of liberty prevailing
The beauty so majestic and so free

"Well, then, I'll take you with me." Actor Roku smiled. "We'll have a great adventure together."

Actor Roku (standing up and walking forward, as if in a dream):

There'd be no ties of time and space to bind me

Actor Ning (wistfully):

And no horizon I could not pursue.

Actor Roku:

I'd leave all my misfortunes far behind me

Actor Ning (smiling a little):

I'd put my faith and trust in someone new

Then they both shook their heads a little, as if they had been emerged in water, like a dog shaking it from his ears, confused.

Both (mystified; Actor Ning standing up; both walking in a circle):

But why should I tell you this?

Actor Ning (surprised):

A stranger I just met

Actor Roku (confused):

A woman whom I hardly know at all and should forget

Both:

A journey we can only dream of

(Stopping) Enchantment passing through

And how is it I say these things
So easily to you?

The music heated up, and Actor Roku's face darkened. "I can't take you anywhere!" He spat out, bitter. "I'll never leave!"

"You're acting like you're my lesser." Actor Ning observed dryly, then walked toward him, passionate in her words. "If you don't like what's going on, do something! You're the master! And I most certainly-MMPHH!"

For he had just kissed her, full on the lips, to the audience's and the Gaang's wide-eyed amazement. She broke free, though, and fled like dragons were on her heels. Actor Roku looked totally overwhelmed with emotion, throwing the nearby set of Pai Sho on the floor.

Actor Roku:

(Passionate fire) But WHY did I tell her this?
A stranger I've just met
A woman who I hardly know at all and WILL FORGET!
Anonymous and gone tomorrow!

(Quieter) Enchantment passing through
And all I've done is tell her things
she already knew
(A little louder) She knew ...She knew...

The curtains closed again, and the members of Team Avatar a little out of the corners of their eyes – not escaping his notice. "WHAT?" he snapped.

"Looks like your kid inherited your ability to emote too." Katara observed wirely.

"Look, you can take those words and put them-"

"SHHH!"

The curtains re-opened and showed Actor Toph training a bunch of students on Earthbending, while an older Actor The Duke watched her. Actor Toph had her feet pointed toward him though, and she seemed in thought, while music started that was vastly different from the last music.

Actor Toph:

When I wake up in the morning
Before I put up my hair
The first thing on my mind
Is 'I hope he cares'

Actor The Duke:

And every single evening
Before I hit my bed
My mind analyses
Every word she says

It seems like everybody's got someone
A hand to hold and a soul to touch
I want it all so much

Both:

I can't get you
I can't get you
I can't get you off my mind
When I'm with you
I know I could
Love you till the end of time
I can get you
I can get you (try to get you)
If you could just tell me how
With all this love around
And me without you
I'm feelin' singled out

Actor Toph:

If I only had the courage
To open up my heart
Would he run, would he hide
Would he light a spark?

Actor The Duke:

Should I walk up to her,
Should I throw a charming smile?
Should I say that her eyes
Light up my skies?

Actor Toph:

Seems like everybody's got someone
A hand to hold, and a heart to touch
I want it all so much

Both:

Actor The Duke:

Every single day I see these couples walking by
And if I took a chance
Maybe I could be one of them

If only I could have you as the one
The hand to hold, the soul to touch
A heart that I control

Actor Toph:

I can't get you
I can't get you
I can't get you off my mind

Both:

Actor Toph (quietly)

I'm feeling singled out…

The curtains closed to a wide variety of applause. Team Avatar looked at Toph, but all she did was refuse to answer. No one questioned that, all liking their limbs where they were.

AN: Two points to the first reviewer that can guess where I got the idea for the latter song from!