Book 4 Air
Chapter 12 Sudden Shock
"Sir! There was an incident in near the all Boys Martial Arts Academy." The guard announced to the Lieutenant as he bowed.
"Really now? Exactly what happened?" asked Huo.
"It was a murder, Sir!" the guard replied.
"A murder?" questioned the Lieutenant.
"Yes Sir…It happened at a woman's home. She was the only one present at the time. I have her files here. It appears she was stabbed multiple times in the chest and stomach." The guard said as he handed the Lieutenant the papers.
"Hmm…" Huo lightly mumbled as he reviewed the report.
"Could it be more than just a coincidence…?" Huo mumbled to himself.
"Sir?" the guard questioned.
"Send five soldiers and two guards to the scene and search for any clues if it is related to the princess!" order Huo.
"Right away, Sir!" the guard said as he stumbled out the door.
Huo lowered his head as he grinded his teeth. 'Damnit'
The sound of heavy footsteps marching along the stone path to the corner site of the misfortunate event, the murder of the innocent woman.
The guard entered into the house. It was small and simple. He looked over at the pots and cloth, blood staining the floor along with a bloody handprint dripping off the wall. That's when the guard noticed something near the small bathroom. Mud and dirt everywhere, in the tub and on the ground.
"What did you find Pein?" asked a soldier as he walked in the bathroom.
He gasped, "What is all this?"
Pein narrowed his eyes, "Report to Lieutenant Huo of this, it is related to the escape of Azula." The guard said as he picked up the remains of a torn dress-a prison uniform covered in mud and blood.
"Yes…" the soldier said as he left the room.
Pein clenched the cloth, 'Why did she do this…What is she after?' Pein thought as he was soon interrupted by the other guard.
"Pein, it seems she stole the woman's clothes, and there's something else…"
"What is it?" asked Pein as he turned his head.
"Look sir…" the guard said as he pointed to the corner of the floor.
Another symbol of blood-written words, this time is said something different.
"King's fool, Lord's death."
Pein gasped, "We have to tell the Fire Lord…" Pein whispered.
"But Pein, we were ordered fro-
"Forget Huo's orders! Report this to the Fire Lord immediately!" Pein yelled cutting off the guard.
Katara and her father walked along the hallway and to the entrance of the stage. Waiting behind the red curtains Katara took a deep breath as she waited for Lo and Li to tell the news.
The crowd finally cheered as they saw the two old women walk on the stage. Aang and the others clapped.
"Where's Katara…? She's going to miss this!" Sokka exclaimed.
As the crowd quieted down, Lo took out a long scroll and lengthen out the fine paper. She cleared her throat.
"In the second time of Fire Nation history, The Fire Lord will represent with not only a new wife, but a bender. She is the master bender of her former country, and will provide the Fire Nation will the grace of her femininity, and the power of her element." Lo said out loud.
"What…? I can't promise that!" Katara whispered loudly as she grew more nervous.
"Just relax Katara." Hakoda said as he placed his hand on her shoulder.
"It's just a speech…Fancy words and nothing more…" Hakoda whispered.
Katara sighed as she began to fiddle with her fingers.
"The time has come to allow our traditions and customs to take a new turn. To express our county as more that a nation of fire. But a nation of change…A nation of peace!" Lo said as she finished reading the scroll. Her sister then took out a smaller scroll and began to read.
"Please welcome our mother to this new nation, we reveal our final decision. Fire Lord Zuko's future bride to be is the Water Tribe Princess Katara Tao!" Li nearly cheered out loud as she smiled.
The crowd applauded wildly as Katara walked out from the curtains blushing deeply.
Aang and the others were dumbfounded.
"She's kidding right?" Sokka said as he pointed his finger as it trembled.
"Haha…Yea it has to be…Sokka…" Aang said trying to not only reassure his friend but himself.
"It's no joke…It's the real deal…" Toph said as she bit into an apple covered with a sweet-coded candy.
"What no! It's impossible! Katara's my girlfriend!" Aang exclaimed.
"Come on Twinkle-toes…Katara probably did this for a good reason…" Toph said as she threw the core of the apple on the ground.
"Yea…Toph's right Aang…Don't worry so much…" Suki said with support.
Aang became slightly depressed as he watched Zuko enter the stage and joined with Katara. Zuko looked over at the waterbender, "Give me your hand…" Zuko whispered.
Katara tensed up, 'I…I can't…I…'
"I changed my mind…I don't want to do this…" Katara whispered as she became more and more nervous.
"Just give me your hand." Zuko said more firmly as he tried to keep his voice low.
Katara gulped and shut her eyes, refusing to be in any part of this.
"Sigh, fine…" Zuko said with a huff as he grabbed Katara's hand tightly.
Katara squeaked as she felt the Fire Lord's hand cling to hers. Zuko then loosen his tight grip as Katara looked down at their entwined fingers.
'No…' Katara thought in shock as the crowd continued to cheer.
"Are you sure about this Aeron? You could be risking so much by doing this!" exclaimed the young man as he watched his friend continue to pack.
"I have to do this…I lost the contest…I lost my chance to get as close as possible to the Fire Lord…I won't mess up this time…" Aeron said as she tighten her belt.
"Aeron you can die doing this! And besides how are you going to be able to get to the Fire Lord alone?" Aeron's friend asked her.
"I'll think of something…It is my duty…" Aeron said sternly.
"Aeron…Please, think about this! You can't do it!"
"Yes! I have to! I must…" Aeron said as she lowered her head.
"I want my revenge…" Aeron said as she gripped her hand into a fist.
"Aeron…"
"No Cole…Don't stop me…If you do…I won't hesitate to kill you…" Aeron said as she walked away carrying her weapon and a few other belongings.
The young man stood there, watching his friend disappear into the forest.
'Aeron…Please do the right thing…You're better than that…" Cole thought as he then rubbed his arms from the sudden chill in the air.
Oh no what is going to happen next? Please review to find out more! I want more feedback! Love you all!
