Book 4 Air
Chapter 8 Setting
Part One
Huffing and panting heavily, and covered in dried blood. The girl ran through the thick trees and bush. Coming up to a clearing Azula took a breathe; looking ahead she saw the sun starting to set into the horizon. 'Damnit…' thought Azula as she soon heard the guards close by.
Frantically looking around for anything she might be able to use. She then noticed a small muddy pond. Stumbling to the area, Azula jumped into the murky water, rubbing off the blood and scent from her body.
Hearing the loud footsteps draw closer, Azula ducked underneath the water.
"I think we lost her…" panted one of the guards.
"No look!" one of the men said as he walked over to a branch, examining it. Smeared along the leaf was red blood and muck.
"She's close…Keep searching!" called out the main guard as the others continued on to the west.
Once gone Azula rose up gagging and gasping for air, running her fingers through her dirty matted hair. She then stepped out of the muddy pond, standing up she sighed.
She then heard a loud explosion; turning her head she saw a brilliantly bright firework light up the darkening sky. In the distant faint lights glowed and loud cheering was heard. Azula smirked wickedly. 'Perfect…' thought the former princess as she made her way to the town.
Suki was about to go and scold at Sokka, when someone suddenly hulled Sokka behind the curtain.
Before Aang and the others could react, they were blocked by five mysterious guards.
"Come with us." One of the guards said in a deep monotone.
Swiftly taken out of the on-cheering crowd, Aang, Katara, Toph and Suki all walked down an empty alley-way following the five guards.
"What do you think is going on?" whispered Suki.
"I don't know." Aang said as he whispered back.
The four soon found out as they entered into a room surrounded with generals and cadres. Up ahead was Zuko sitting at the head chair from a long extended table.
"A secret meeting room…" Suki lightly gasped.
"And it is intended to remain a secret. So don't you kids start talkin'." Scold out the secondary general by Fire Lord Zuko's left side.
"Hey! We're not kids!" Aang whined.
"Quit whining you little boy. You may be the Avatar but that's not excuse to complain and pout." The general stated.
"That's enough General Sho." Zuko said as he lightly raised his hand.
"Aang, I have called you and your friends here because of recent information I've received from the Earth Kingdom." Zuko said highly and properly.
"The rebellion has doubled, and my council can't reason with the Earth King's higher expectations and demands for the economy of both the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom's central base. I am afraid instead of a week's stay; we're going to have to ask you to you stay there for at least month." Zuko said.
"What a whole month!" exclaimed Aang.
"Five to six weeks, actually." Zuko said as he examined some documents reviewing the dates.
"It's alright Aang; you are very good in finding a solution for other's problems and help bring peace and help carry out a mutual understanding between fights." Katara said with reassure as she placed her hand on the airbender's shoulder.
Aang lightly smiled, 'Katara…You always know what to say…'
Zuko stood up; the generals kept their stance and prepare for any sudden commands.
"Then it is settled, Aang. We will have a message sent for your arrive within two days." Zuko confirmed.
Aang straighten his posture, his eyes glistened. "Yes Fire Lord Zuko." Aang said with a bow. Trying to remember Zuko was the Fire Lord now, and not just his friend.
Aang closed his eyes. He didn't want to leave so suddenly. But it had to be done. He had to at least try bringing peace, bringing balance to the world…Just because Ozai was brought down, struggles and hardship will always surface.
"Now then…" Zuko started to say as he moved his friends outside.
"Shall we all congratulate the contest winner for the annual Sword-Fighting Competition?" Zuko said with a light smile.
Walking into a rugged tavern, the skilled fighter sat at the head of the bar and sighed heavily.
"Sake-lukewarm please…" the woman said as she raised her hand lightly.
"Sake coming right up." Said a bartender as he grabbed a bottle then poured in the drink.
Offering the drink to the woman, the man squinted his eyes. "Say…Aren't you that woman fighter from the festival?" asked the bartender.
The woman narrowed her eyes then took the cup in her hands. Lifting the cup she then spoke, "I don't know what you're talking about…" the woman said contemptuously.
"Yea…My niece said there was a woman dressed in a mercenary's outfit who fought in the contest." The man said with suspicion.
"I am not that woman…" Aeron said as she took a drink.
"Well, if you do see her…Tell her she better find somewhere else to get a drink…Now get!" the bartender said rudely as he jerked his hand out for the woman to leave.
Glaring at the man, she took a final drink of the sake then slammed it down on the table. Standing up she left the bar, with everyone whispering and gossiping.
Walking down the dirt path, Aeron gripped her fist. 'Curse them…'
Aeron narrowed her eyes darkly as she recalled the memory.
"Sorry, but you lost…And you're from the Shin-Ko Clan, your blood is tainted. The Fire Nation will not pay a thief!" scolded the stumpy man from the sword-fighting ceremony.
"Tainted…?" Aeron said softly as she looked up at the rising moon.
"Heh…as if my blood is tainted…" coldly chuckled the woman as she walked into the depths of the dark alley-ways.
Sorry to cut this one short…I'll have the next part coming up soon…In the mean time please REVIEW! I wanna feel the love! Do it for Toph because she needs the most love! Teehee!
Anyways…Due to Rizzz's comment I've decided to turn Aeron into a secondary main character of my story… (Though originally she was just to spice up some jealousy between Suki's and Sokka's relationship…) But yea…She'll do nicely in my story. For more hidden secrets and unexpected twists muahh-ah!
So you'll hear more about her in the next couple of chapters. And no she is not Azula…
You'll found out more on her next chapter…So please stay tune and don't forget to review!
