Book 4 Air
Chapter 50 Treats and Small Tears
The halls were empty with small torches lighting the way down the dimly stretching passage. Two figures dressed in red and silk black robes made their way to the dining quarters. Katara smiled as the two sneaked their way to the dining room just like two kids getting in trouble.
Once inside, Zuko then sat Katara down at the head of the table and bowed to her. "Shall I bring you anything to eat, my princess?" Zuko said in a playful matter as Katara giggled.
"Hmm…Bring me some special, surprise me peasant." Katara scoffed at in a tease like tone.
Zuko continued to lower his head as he stepped back, "I'm sure I'll find something to please my princess…" Zuko said as he quickly turned and left to the kitchen.
Katara giggled as she subconsciously fixed her hair, trying to look nice for the young man.
Zuko walked in the dark kitchen with a small window shining the moonlight into the room. The kitchen was as big as a huge bedroom, surrounded by counters and pantries of food. Flickering his wrist, Zuko lit a few candles scattered in the room as he walked pass a huge old fashioned oven made for cooking breads and pastries. Zuko then opened a drawer and found a squared china plates. Placing it down, Zuko then opened a pantry and pulled out four wrapped items with gold leaf seals. "Ah, she'll love these…" Zuko said to himself as he then grabbed two porcelain cups.
The view of a closed door was seen as it slowly opened. Azula lifted her head, her eyes glared at the person in front of her. 'How dare she show her face to me…' Azula thought coldly as Mai stepped closer to the chained up girl.
"You brought this on yourself, you know. Thinking you honestly had a chance in defeating the Avatar…" Mai said purposely rubbing Azula's failure in her face.
"You've lost it Azula…Everything you ever had, even your mind. I pity you…" Mai said coldly as she continued to stare at the girl. Azula grinded her teeth, she won't speak, she wouldn't give Mai that satisfaction of hearing her voice, hearing her thoughts.
Azula stood on her knees pulling against the chains as the hard metal slowly cut her wrists.
Her eyes said it all. Hate, anger, frustration, and a glint of shame stormed in her gold amber eyes. Mai was slightly pleased. Azula hasn't given up yet. Her fire still burned strongly, if just barely.
Anger and jealousy are what fuels the fire princess, and fear drives her actions. Mai understood now, for what she has tried to figure out all along. How Azula worked, how the girl thought and feels. It was clear.
Her family's history was a sore one, full of vengeance, and hate against the Avatar, against each other. It made Azula's chances of ever finding true happiness and trust very slim.
So, Mai had to say what needed to be said in order to help the young woman get through this.
"I may love Zuko…More than I fear you." Mai started to say as Azula shut her eyes and turned her head away. The girl's words stung at her just like last time on the boarding port of the Boiling Rock. Those bitter words that betrayed her and lost her friendship.
"But I still love you as my dear friend…Azula." Mai said softly and sincerely.
Azula opened her eyes in shock, turning her head to Mai. The girl's lips trembled, "H-how…c-can you?" Azula said as tears openly fell down her cheeks.
A small curve formed on Mai's lips as she walked over and kneeled down to Azula. "Because I know you so well…and besides, weren't we friends since grade school?" Mai said softly as she unhooked the rough chains from Azula's bleeding wrists. Azula's arms dropped as she tried to fight back from sobbing in front of the girl. Mai then did something Azula never expected, not even Mai fully realized either. The girl hugged the fire princess in a tender embrace. Cradling Azula in her arms as the princess cried out in loud mumbling sobs.
"It's alright…Everything is going to be alright." Mai whispered as a figure stood behind the two girls. The view of Ty Lee smiling down at the sweet moment was seen with small tears in her eyes. The first step of healing has begun, for all of them.
As Katara patiently waited for the "peasant" to bring her meal, she took the time to admire the dining room. In the corner there were three beautiful red ginger plants in bloom, with two tall dragon trees growing around them. It was a nice display for the room along with the six large red hanging lanterns lined in a row above the long table. It was a lovely atmosphere for eating and dining thought Katara as she then heard the door open as Zuko walked out with a tray. Placing the silver tray down, Katara smiled. "Are you sure it's alright to be having this so late at night?" Katara asked as she worried they'll get in trouble.
"I am the Fire Lord. I do as I please…This is after all my palace." Zuko said as he lifted the tray.
"But for tonight, you'll be the Lady of this palace." Zuko said in a romantic tone as Katara gasped of the treats in front of her.
Four round balls of chocolate was neatly placed on a lacy cloth with a red drizzle of what smelt like strawberries.
"Oh wow!" Katara said as she clasped her hands.
"Chocolate truffles with a strawberry glaze, along with our infamous hot coco." Zuko said as he took two cups from the table and poured the sweet hot drink.
"Oh Zuko, this is amazing!" Katara said as Zuko handed her the cup.
"Now, I wasn't sure you'll want the traditional hot coco since we'll being going to sleep afterwards. So next time you'll have it with chill power." Zuko said as he poured himself a cup.
"Why? Does it keep you up or does the chill make it too hot?" Katara asked innocently as she took a nibble of the truffle.
Zuko chuckled, "Yea…kind of…It actually acts like an aphrodisiac." Zuko said as he blushed, lightly coughing as he cleared his throat.
Katara blinked, 'Wow it can really do that?' Katara thought as she blushed lightly.
"Then I'd like to have it the way you make it…" Katara said with a light smile trying to hide her embarrassment.
Zuko chuckled as he lifted his cup; Katara did the same as they both drank slowly. Katara's eyes widen as the nearly hot liquid streamed down her throat. The taste was so creamy and sweet. It also had something else, something Katara couldn't quite decipher as she smacked her lips, savoring the after taste. Bitter, was the word! It had a slight bitterness to it, which made it even more delicious for the waterbender.
Seeing the girl's reaction, Zuko knew she enjoyed it yet he couldn't help but ask her.
"Was it to your liking, Princess?" Zuko asked playfully as Katara nodded her head.
"This is so good! I'd drink this every day if I could!" Katara said as she took another drink. Placing the cup down, a small rim of the foamy coco collected on her upper lip as she smiled unaware of the awkward feature.
Zuko chuckled as he then reached over; Katara froze as she felt his finger guide to the corner of her mouth then over her lip. Once his finger pulled away, she saw the foam on his digit. Katara blushed bright red as she wiped her mouth. "Ah! I'm sorry, oh how embarrassing!" Katara said as she then saw Zuko suck his finger, licking the cream off. Katara's eyes widen as her mouth went dry again from his devilishly action.
'Why does he do that?!' Katara thought as she lightly squirmed in her seat.
Zuko smiled, yet it was unlike any smile Katara has seen. His lips curved into a small smirk, almost mischievous some would call it. His bangs dipped underneath his brow as he tilted his head down slightly, making him appeared somewhat sly. 'What is he thinking?' Katara thought as she blushed, scooting in her seat. Her leg then slightly touched Zuko's, causing her to back away instantly from the small contact. Her palms were sweating as she tried to think logically.
'Why am I getting so worked up? It's not like he's flirting with me or anything…' Katara thought as she blushed even deeper.
Looking over, Katara noticed the Fire Lord was still staring at her with that roguish expression. Finally it got on her nerves.
"Why are you looking at me like that?!" Katara asked annoyed as Zuko leaned, barely touching her ear with his lips.
"Because, you're so damn cute when you squirm." Zuko said in a low tone as Katara stopped herself from trembling.
'Ahh….Why does he have this affect on me?' Katara thought as she turned away.
Iroh walked into his office as he rubbed his temple. The news was troubling, a woman reported to be born from the Fire Nation territory has been charged for crimes in the Earth Kingdom. The description of the woman sounded eerily similar to a woman, Iroh knew very well. Holding the paper in his hands, Iroh started to wonder if he should inform Zuko in this. The poor boy has indeed lost most hope in finding his mother, but now with this new information at hand, Iroh wasn't sure.
He will see the woman before councils make their final agreement. Surely they must know the woman could in fact be the banished princess. Even so, it may not clear her charges.
Still, Iroh had to know if she was in fact…Ursa, Mother of the Fire Nation.
The old general rose from his chair and stepped out of the room, steadily making his way down the vast corridor and then to the entrance hall.
Once at the front gates, Iroh tucked the slip of paper in his pocket as he walked to the eastern side of the palace to the city below the capital. Once there, Iroh raised his hand to a fellow guard on patrol.
"General Iroh, what brings you here at this hour?" the man said as he rested his spear on his shoulder.
"I need a ride to the city, prepare your fastest rhi horse for me." Iroh said sternly.
"Yes, Sir!" the man said as he jogged to a nearby guard and alerted the order.
Iroh patiently waited as he rubbed his knees. Old age was catching up to the general as he wished to continue on foot without the troublesome pain in his joints.
'Oh well, at least I won't have to walk back to the palace…' Iroh thought as the guard brought out the rhi horse.
It was a large animal. Towering more than six feet from hoof to head, as the beast snorted. The animal's legs were long and stiff with golden cuffs on its hooves. Its white mane was long and neatly tied in individual knots from its head to the back of its neck with red ribbon symbolizing pride. The animal's coat was a dark copper red and its body was bulky like a rhino's physique. The rhi horse's tail was in a short bun hidden from the big leather saddle.
Iroh smiled in approval of the fine animal. Once native to the far eastern Air Nomads territories near the Whale Tail Island, the rhi horse has become the Fire Nation's national symbol of endurance; though, not as popular has the komodo rhino which represented strength.
Iroh gripped on the reins as he pulled himself up, and seated on the saddle. Thanking the guards, Iroh then called out as he whipped the reins leading the animal to trot away into the city streets.
I hoped you enjoyed my chapter so far…As for the rhi horse, I used the animal in my earlier chapters, chapter two actually. I actually meant to use the komodo rhino, but couldn't think of the name then. So I made the rhi horse up. Now I think it will do nicely for my story so far. The rhi horse was really one of the first animals among clothing and rooms that I actually made up on my own. The others are references to genuine parts in both the series and real life. Hopefully I've captured some good plotlines in all of this for my characters to make everything seem realistic to my readers.
Again, thank you for reading. Please review and comment for a fast update!
