Book 4 Air

Chapter 9 Secrets

Part Two

The dimming candle light gleamed against her soft bare porcelain skin. Her long ebony hair hanging over her fully rounded breasts. Her sweet smile filled with love as she reached out her hand gently resting against his exposed chest. The Lord's eyes watched intently as his love leaned closer to his lips. Kissing him with tenderness. The faint scent of fire lilies filled the air along the hazing smell of smoke.

Lifting her head she stared into her husband's eyes. "Ozai" her lips formed into a silence motion.

Then the flash of visions seeped into Ozai's mind.

The fresh green grass swaying in the light breeze, the crashing sound of the salty waves along the shore. The view of the family summer home, clean and new as the fresh paint shined against the sun's rays of afternoon light. The small goo's and giggles from his new born daughter, reaching out to him full of innocence and happiness.

The warmth of the sun dimmed, the laugher of his family faded, and the light smile from his face darkened.

The loud thud of a metal tray hitting the ground brought the fallen king out of his thoughts as he slowly lifted his head. Staring at the tray full of soggy rice half spilled on the grimy stone ground and cup of stale water half empty.

"Here's your meal, your majesty." The guard said with overly exaggerated sarcasm as he chuckled.

"You were once the proud ruler of the Fire Nation…Feared by all nations, including your own…Heh…and now look at you…Look what you've become…" the guard said with disgust.

Ozai merely turned his head away; ignoring the guard's ridiculing comments. Once the guard left, Ozai covered his eyes with his trembling hand.

'This visions…why? Why do I have them? Curse them…' Ozai thought as he pushed his memories deeper into the black void in his heart.

'Emotions are a weakness…' Ozai thought as he lifted his head, his pride getting the better of him.

His eyes turned to the side, drifting to the light outside. 'It's a crescent moon out tonight…' Ozai thought as he indolently stared at the slit of silver painted along the shady blue sky.

'Ridiculous…'


As Zuko and his friends walked down the crowded street full of adoring fans and happy citizens. Guards kept their post, pushing back the screaming and crying girls. Along with the men cheering along for the Fire Lord.

"What's going on, why is everyone so loud…?" Toph said as she stuck her pinky into her ear and wiggled it, and then popped her finger out.

"The "Maiden-Match Ceremony" is going to begin soon…" Zuko said with aversion almost as though he was gagging.

"You don't sound like you're very excited about it…" Suki said.

Zuko didn't say anything as he left the group. Aang and the others felt sorry and a little bothered.

'Of course Zuko wouldn't be happy…He's being forced to be with someone…' Katara thought with pity.

"Hey sweetie!" Sokka said suddenly as he seemly came out of no where, hugging his girlfriend.

Suki blinked then growled lowly, "Don't touch me!" exclaimed Suki as she struggled out of Sokka's hold.

Slightly confused and hurt he released her, "Suki what's wrong?" Sokka asked.

"I knowwhat happened!" Suki said as she pointed her finger at the water tribe boy.

"What? What happened?" asked Sokka.

"Don't you say it didn't happen, because I saw you Sokka!" Suki cried out.

A small group gathered around the couple. Confused and surprised by Suki's sudden outburst he managed to push her into an alley way to have a private conversation, away from the staring eyes.

"Suki what are you talking about?" calmly whispered Sokka.

"You well know what I am talking about!!" yelled Suki.

"Shhh…just clam down and tell me!" Sokka said as his tone rose.

Suki flushed with anger and embarrassment. "Having you kissing that Aaron, Apron or whatever her name is!" exclaimed the Kyoshi warrior girl.

"Her name is Aeron, and she's the one who kissed me! Not the other way around!!" Sokka said as he waved his arms in the air due to frustration.

"Well she must be perfect for you since you even know her name! You melting into her kiss, just like that! Why not just go with her UH?" Suki said as tears filled her eyes.

Suddenly she felt Sokka wrap his arms around her tightly, embracing her close.

"Let me go! I am mad at you!" Suki said as she tried to fight back, Sokka only buried his face into her neck.

"Suki…I would never cheat on you…Never." Sokka said as he lifted his head and looked at the girl he loved.

Her eyes finally unleashed the tears she tried so hard to keep back, as she sobbed into his chest.

"I'm sorry…I…I don't know why I get so jealous…I just…" Suki choked out.

"Shh…it's alright…Come now…it's time to celebrate…it's time to party!" Sokka said with a big smile on his face.

Suki smiled, Sokka always knew how to make her smile. That was one of the reasons why she loved him so much.

"Ok…" Suki said with a nod.


Walking along the path the woman came up to a small hut. Entering through, lifting the door flap away Aeron sighed deeply. It was her home; regardless of its poor condition it was better than sleeping in the streets.

Gliding her hand over her silken drape that hung over a small window. Clinging to the fabric lightly her eyes narrowed remembering her reason for coming here.

"But father!" cried out Aeron as she remained on her knees bowing to her leader.

"The decision was made, there's no turning back…You are destined for far greater things in this world than to follow this forgotten clan." The old man said as he wheezed heavily.

Hanging her head low, her hands clawing into the earth. "My duty is to be here, father…To restore our clan to its former glory!" Aeron said again as her eyes focused on her hands then shutting her eyes as she cried out the last few words.

"My dear…this clan is dying…The once high ranked men now dead-and as for the last remaining kin whom carries the thicken blood of our royal family." The old man paused as he lifted his brittle legs up, and stood firm.

"Must continue to live and thrive in this cold and darken world." The man said as he fought back a cough deep in his sore swollen throat.

Aeron lifted her head and looked at her wise yet ill father. "But…where would I go?" Aeron said.

"You must go into a guarded city, and live there as if you were born there..." the old man said as he sat back down lightly grunting at the pain.

"But what if people find out? What will I do?!" Aeron cried out with dread.

"You are a skilled fighter, my daughter…I have trained you well over the years…I know you will succeed…" the old man said as his breathe grew shorter every passing second.

"I will do my best father…" Aeron said as she bowed her head once more.

"Be strong Aeron…For not only your people…But for yourself…" the old man said as his eyes slowly close, his chest gradually stopping.

Aeron's eyes glistened as she bowed once more. "I will father…May the spirits guide you to paradise."

Lifting her head with pride Aeron left her village and out into the unknown world.

Gripping tighter on the silken fabric Aeron's tears fell down her cheeks. All this time she never once cried for the loss of her father…The loss of her people…But now she can pay her respects…And release her sadness…

'Father…' Aeron thought as she shut her eyes… 'I don't know what to do…'

--

A little view into Aeron's past and who she might really be…More coming on Zuko's dreadful event the "Maiden-Match Ceremony" and how his friends react!

Please review!