Book 4 Air
Chapter 82 Genuine
Walking out into the courtyard while carrying a small bamboo basket with a leather handle, Aeron thought quietly to herself before she stepped up to the front gates. Her eyes filled with slight emotion as she asked the guards to let her out. "I am to run a few errands for the princess Ursa." Aeron said as the guards nodded their heads and opened the gates. Aeron then gracefully paced herself along the noble houses and then to the marketplace where on cue she saw the young man waiting by fruit stand.
"Hello Cole…" Aeron said softly as the man turned. His eyes widen as he then embraced the young woman. "Oh thank Agni…I was starting to get worried, Aeron." Cole said as Aeron then smiled a rare genuine smile. Cole then gave a look of surprise but then settled with a content stare. "There's something different about you Aeron…" Cole said as he looked at the girl.
"It's nothing to worry over…" Aeron said lightly as she then carry on walking into the marketplace. Cole followed as he continued to notice more changes in the girl. How she seem to carry herself higher now. Her body appeared relax and movement slow with grace. It was indeed a drastic change for Aeron, but it didn't worry Cole. He actually was glad to see Aeron more…happy.
Cole paced himself closer to Aeron as he walked side by side with her. "So, I take it you've save the woman?" Cole asked as Aeron stopped mid-walk. Her head lowered as she then smiled.
"Yea…I did, with some help from someone I am very grateful to." Aeron said as she then gripped her grasp on the basket.
"I also meet the Fire Lord…" Aeron started to say as Cole tensed.
"He is…a kind hearted man. Turns out someone else went against his orders and took it upon himself to destroy our village. The Fire Lord had no idea…" Aeron said as Cole looked down at Aeron shocked of what she had found out.
"So, you didn't-
"No…How could I hold a grudge like that? When he didn't even know…" Aeron said as she turned her head looking up at Cole.
"The man who did it went through trial; of course another one is in order to determine his final punishment. I will continue to stay in the palace…I want to see the look on his face as he finds out his sentence." Aeron said as she held back from grinding her teeth.
"Aeron…" Cole said softly as the girl kept her head low.
"It's hard feeling this way…For so long I let hate and rage control my actions. Now, for the first time in my life, I don't feel that hate anymore. I feel happy and relieved…" Aeron said as she turned and smiled at Cole.
The young man smiled back as he nodded his head, "I can see that…" Cole said with a content tone in his voice.
Aeron then bow her head as she then looked out at the stands in the marketplace.
"I plan to do a few errands for the princess…Would you like to join me? I also have enough money for some lunch too." Aeron said as she laughed lightly.
Cole nodded his head as he then took the girl's hand and they walked into the crowd.
Entering into the vestibule, Zuko and Katara both agreed to visit the garden for a while. As they walked along the stone path with loose pebbles scattered beneath their feet. The cool air carried the sweet scent of the flowers as Katara and Zuko causally sat underneath the willow tree taking in the fragrance. The garden always had a supernatural effect on them, somehow calming their worries and cleansing them with relaxation. Katara leaned to the side as she rested her head on the Fire Lord's shoulder. Zuko then lightly tilted his head down, pressing his head against hers. Their hands entwined together as they slowly inhaled the crisp air. Everything was peaceful…if only for a moment.
Slowly opening her eyes, Toph's vision blurred to see a figure next to her from her bedside as she focused in on the person, it was Aang. His shoulders were drooped against the chair as he head hung low with his hands pressing on his temples. "Twinkle…Toes?" Toph mumbled out as the boy quickly lifted his head. "Toph!" Aang exclaimed as Toph winced.
"Not so loud…My ears still hurt…" Toph moaned out as she buried herself under the covers.
"Sorry…" Aang whispered softly as he then smiled at the heap of the covers forming over the petite girl as she moaned out. Pulling the blanket down pass her nose, Toph spoke out.
"What happened?" the girl asked as Aang's heart stung deeply.
"Nothing really…You just fainted." Aang said with a light smile as Toph tilted her head towards the boy, her bangs shifted to the side.
"Liar…" she said as Aang sighed.
"You also lied to me about the food too…Why?" Toph said as she recalled the temaki she gave him.
Aang rubbed the back of his head as he laughed nervously, "Well, you looked so happy, I didn't want to disappoint you." Aang said truthfully as Toph then hid under the blankets.
"Idiot…" Toph said stayed under the covers.
"Is Miss Bei Fong awake?" the nurse asked as she walked into the room holding a slender container.
"Yes, she seems to be doing alright." Aang said with smile as the nurse stepped in.
"Come on out, Miss Bei Fong. I need to check your temperature." The nurse said in a soft, light tone.
"Err…" Toph moaned out as she shuffled under the cotton sheets.
"Come on now…Don't be so stubborn." The nurse said again in a light tone before Toph flew the blankets off and stood up on the mattress.
Her hair swayed as her cheeks tinted red, "If I don't want my temperature taken, then I don't have to!" Toph yelled out as she then jumped off the cot then crossed her arms over her chest.
"I'm the greatest earthbender in the whole world. Nothing can bring me down! Not even some stupid fever!" Toph shouted as she then turned her head, giving a cold glare at the nurse.
"It's alright…I'll do it." Aang offered as he told the nurse to come back later. The woman bowed her head to the Avatar as she handed him the slender device. She then slowly left the room as Aang held the small mercury thermometer in his hand.
Toph lightly trembled where she stood as her cheeks flushed deeply. She started to get dizzy as she tried to fight off the feeling... 'He better not touch me with that thing…' Toph thought as she became nervous.
Aang then walked up to the girl and then touched her shoulder. Toph jumped as she swung at the airbender. Aang saw the fist aiming at him as he quickly moved to the side while Toph started to fall forward. He caught her lightly as she buried her face into his chest.
"Don't give me that thing!" Toph cried out as she hated medical treatments with a passion.
"But I have to check your temperature. You already feel warm enough." Aang said as he placed his hands on the girl's shoulders.
"Come on, let's get you in bed." Aang said softly as he placed the girl back on the mattress then covered her up with blankets.
"Why are you so good to me?" Toph asked as her eyes became heavy.
"Because, I want to take care of you…" Aang said as he then placed the slender thermometer under the girl's tongue. Toph moaned out as she closed her eyes, the dizziness was getting the best of her.
The mercury in the container reacted to the heat as it slowly rose up. "37.8 to 38.9 Celsius…" Aang said as he pulled out the device and read the numbers. "It is pretty high…" Aang stated as he then placed his hand over the girl's forehead as she moaned out. "It's best you stay in bed for a while…" Aang said as he sat close to the earthbender. Toph slowly opened her eyes looking at the airbender boy, "Don't go…" Toph whispered out as Aang answered back, "I'm not going anywhere…" the boy said as Toph slowly fell into a deep sleep, Aang smiled lightly as he watched her rest. "Pleasant dreams…Toph." Aang said as he then sighed.
Autumn leaves fell down into the garden as the scene drifted to two teens lying down on the soft grass. Zuko and Katara stared up at the branches of the willow tree as the cool calming breeze flows pass them. The waterbender turned her head and gazed at the Fire Lord. Zuko then turned his head as he looked into the girl's ocean blue eyes.
The young man then leaned in and kissed her softly. Pushing himself up lightly from his elbow, Zuko continued to kiss the girl as she moaned faintly. Katara kissed Zuko back as she wrapped her arm underneath her body as Zuko placed his arm protectively over her as they continued to kiss.
The warmth of their embrace fought off the cold chill as they were lost in their kiss. The sound of silk rubbing against velvet was heard as the two moved closer together. Katara then pulled away as she giggled lightly, Zuko chuckled as he then rested his head against Katara's forehead. They both smiled at one another before lightly kissing each other again.
"We better go…" Zuko said as Katara whined, "I wish we didn't have to so soon…" Katara said as Zuko then grinned. "I guess we can wait a little longer…" Zuko said as he hopped on top of Katara said as she cried out then started to laugh. "Zuko!" Katara exclaimed while giggling as Zuko attacked her neck. "Not here!" the girl protested as Zuko muffled against her neck, "I don't care…" Zuko said as he continued to suck on her sensitive area.
Katara then gave in as she wrapped her hands around his neck moaning out. Zuko casually licked her neck before kissing up her jaw line then claiming her moist lips. The two locked in a passionate kiss as their tongues intertwined.
The scene then drifted to the leaves falling into the pond causing ripples across the water's surface.
That you go! Some Zutara-ness and Taang! Please review!!!!!
Also 37.8 to 38.9 Celsius, is 100 to 102 Fahrenheit and yes the mercury thermometer is another real life invention, that the mechanist along created in my story.
And...I know it's rather short...But I promise my chapters will get longer next time!
Don't forget to the REVIEW and COMMENT!
