Book 4 Air
Chapter 89 But I Love You Anyway
Just as the blade lifted from the girl's hand, a creature curled his body from the hidden walls secretly watching the scene before him. 'Yes…Kill her…' Koh telepathically said to the young woman as her eyes narrowed an empty gaze of topaz.
The spirit's thoughts were interrupted by someone shouting out. "Ursa!" Iroh called out as the woman pulled away from her daughter. In slow motion Azula's eyes contacted before she dropped the blade and pushed her mother forward. Ursa gasped out as Iroh caught her from behind and Azula pulled back against the wall.
"Stay back! Stay away from me!" Azula cried out as she then panted lightly while gripping her head.
The voice in her head was no longer the taunting whisper, but an angered voice, ordering her to finish the task.
"No…No…No! No!" Azula cried out as she shut her eyes screaming.
Ursa and Iroh watched in horror as the girl started to bang her head against the wall, thrashing around violently before collapsing out of exhaustion. Tears fell from Ursa's eyes as she spoke in a light whisper, "Azula…"
The sun rose up behind the dark mountains, appearing as if the orange red ball of fire came out of the fiery depths of the active volcanoes. Smoke hazed over the sun's rays as their light brightens the dark blue skies onward to early morning.
The sight of a soft golden pasty room was seen with two forms sleeping together peacefully on the small twin size mattress was seen with white down blankets covering their petite bodies. A girl with black hair curled over towards the other person beside her as the sight of the boy was seen entwined in the girl's hands. The view moved downward to the area of the infirmary. The sun's warm rays danced in the room as the quiet sound of birds were heard chirping, the scene then drifted two another room painted in royal red. Zuko and Katara were seen still sound asleep together in the king size bed as the morning rays shined into their room creating a serene astrosphere.
The scene then showed a spare bedroom with two figures standing alongside the bed of a sleeping girl. A doctor entered the room with a nurse by his side. "I came as quick as I could. What seems to be the problem?" the doctor asked closing off any unnecessary questions such as how the princess was found.
Ursa was impressed of the doctor's professional profile, such forms of respect was uncommon in the past for the doctors once ruled under Ozai. Ursa then closed her eyes before she then turned back and gazed at her daughter. Iroh turned his eyes from Ursa to the doctor, he then spoke, "Her condition appears to be the same as before. Of course no further records mention this outcome of violence." Iroh said as another voice spoke out.
"That wouldn't be completely true, Iroh, sir." A man said as he entered the room behind the nurse.
"Imperial Ryuan…General Jee." Iroh said as he saw the two men enter.
"We found hidden files in former General Sho's room. Apparently he's been keeping this a secret from the real records stated from previous accounts." Jee said as Ryuan stepped next to the doctor.
"Please view these. It may help diagnose Miss Azula's real condition." Ryuan said as he handed the doctor the files.
The doctor read the statements. Reports of random acts of violent were mention along with two attempts of committing suicide. This girl was gravely troubled and showed the same signs of another victim in early records of both the warrant of Boiling Rock and Lord Sozin.
This was indeed a terrible outcome for the fire princess. The doctor thought as he closed the files.
"I'll offer a small dose to ease the girl's mental state when she awakes. Please be prepared for any outbursts or emotional trauma that she may express." The doctor said as he asked the nurse to perform the needle shot.
The woman bowed her head before stepping by the girl's side and pulling out her arm. The needle pricked Azula's skin as the medicine poured into her blood stream. After the nurse was finished she bowed her head again out of respect then left the room with the doctor.
Iroh paused before asking Imperial Ryuan a question. "Have you found Sho yet?" Iroh asked as Ryuan lowered his head.
"No…I have alerted the royal guards and servants to report any sightings of him. Until then, I will secure the palace for protection, Iroh sir…" Ryuan said as he bowed deeply. General Jee soon followed as he bowed his head to the former general.
"Shall we inform the Fire Lord?" General Jee asked as Iroh shook his head. "This is under control for now. No need to inform my nephew any of this…I'll deal with this problem." Iroh said as Ursa turned to the old man.
"Iroh, you mustn't…" Ursa said as Iroh turned to the woman. "The councils have offered to take the responsibly for any troubles that would distress Fire Lord Zuko. We need to insure his ties with Miss Katara, first. For the sake of our country and the world." Iroh said as Ursa nodded her head.
"Of course…" Ursa said softly as Iroh spoke, "So it is decided then…General Jee, I order you to take a watchful eye on Miss Katara and the Fire Lord. Ryuan, please continue your security recruits." Iroh said as the both men bowed again the left the room.
"Ursa…" Iroh started to say before he placed his hand on the woman's shoulder.
"You should go get some rest…I'll send for a servant to watch over her." Iroh said concerned for the woman.
"No…She needs me." Ursa said feeling the guilt tugged deeply at her heart.
Iroh sighed, "Very well…I'll go get you some tea." Iroh said as he slowly left the room. Stopping briefly the old man looked back; the sight was heart-aching for him. All he could do is to be there if she needed him. Just like in the past, Iroh never stopped wanting to help the woman he secretly loved and even then, Iroh offered all he could. Especially when it came to his nephew and niece, Iroh would do everything in his power to ensure their happiness.
Opening her eyes, Katara blinked before seeing the young man lying next to her. She smiled and snuggled close to him. Last night was a relaxing experience for the couple. Katara felt good for the nice break and wonderful sleep, fully rejuvenated to start a new brand day.
Of course she'll get to that after the Fire Lord wakes up…Katara thought selfishly as she watched the young man sleeping. Zuko lay on his back breathing slowly and peacefully, Katara slowly took in his features. He truly was a handsome man, even his scar seemed to high-lightened his appearance in both mystery and individually.
It became who he was rather than a painful memory. Katara knew that in her heart, and she loved him for everything he had to offer as a man and as a person. She was falling for him more and more every day. The love became stronger and their moments together became almost natural daily occurrences between each other. As though, it was normal for them to be together.
Every kiss…Every smile from his lips…The way he looked at her and talked to her so lovingly. It was so wonderfully-beautiful; the waterbender never wanted this feeling to end.
She knew it never would…and she was happy.
Of course such special moments like this, cuddling in bed… Did have to come to an end eventually…As Katara reminded herself the dance was two days away. 'Today, we'll not only do the steps, we'll add the character too.' Katara thought with confidence as she then looked up at the sleeping young man.
She hated the thought of waking the passive Fire Lord. But they had to get up early today and practice.
Feeling a cool hand pressed on his chest, Zuko stirred in his sleep as he heard a melodic voice called out to him.
"Zuko…Zuko, we have to get up…" the voice said as Zuko then smiled recognizing the girl's soft voice.
Turning to his side, Zuko wrapped his around Katara. Pulling her close to him, he moaned out. Katara cried out as she tried to push him away. "No Zuko! We have to get up…" Katara said with disappointment in her tone as she wished they could stay together like this.
Still half asleep, the Fire Lord moaned out in a slur, "Mmm…No, stay here…Don't leave…" Zuko mumbled as he nuzzled his nose against the girl's hair and face. Katara then giggled. It couldn't be helped…He was just so cute.
"Oh Zuko…Please, I'm sorry but we can't." Katara said as she kicked out her legs trying to break free. The girl tried not only to break away Zuko, but to break through herself wanting to stay too. It was so tempting…
Finally Zuko opened his eyes before yawning widely. The young man sat up with a groggy appearance as he rubbed his eyes slowly. Katara giggled as she sat up then hugged him.
"Come on…Let's go have some breakfast." Katara said as Zuko turned nodded his head, drooping slightly as he kicked off the covers with his feet and stepped into the bathroom. Katara giggled as she stood up and walked over to the dresser and combed out her hair.
'So much for rising with the sun…' Katara thought as she smiled.
The sight of a door opening was seen as Sokka and Suki walked out fully dressed in red and burgundy robes. Hand in hand, the sweetheart couple entered into the hallway close by the infirmary. Just then the door opened to see a bald-headed boy and a black-haired girl step out.
"Oh, you're awake." Suki said as the two kids turned to the couple. "Yea…" Aang said as Sokka smiled. "So what were you doing in there, with Toph? Huh, player?" Sokka said as he hung on the boy, chuckling. Aang blushed as he pulled away, "I wasn't doing anything!" Aang exclaimed as Toph blushed and Suki giggled lightly. "Oh Sokka, stop teasing him." Suki said as the young man pulled away.
"Haha…Alright…Alright." Sokka said as he still had a big grin on his face.
Suki then turned to Toph and noticed how long her hair was. "Wow, Toph…You look beautiful with your hair down." Suki said as she compliments the noble girl. Toph's blushed deepen as she thanked the Kyoshian woman.
"So then, is everyone ready for some breakfast? I'm starving…" Sokka said as he then marched down the hall to the dining room.
"Yea…I bet someone worked up an appetite…" Toph said as the young man stopped marching and blushed deeply.
Toph giggled. She knew something was up with the young couple, she once heard them a while back when Katara and Zuko took their mini field trip together. Spirits, she didn't sleep well that night at all.
Still, it was worth the payback for embarrassing the young Water Tribe man now. Suki then smiled faintly before taking Sokka's hand and leading him forward to catch up with the two kids in front of them.
"How did she know?!" Sokka whispered to Suki as she laughed out, "Does it really matter?" Suki said as she smirked. Sokka then turned cherry-red as he then picked up his pace onward with Suki by his side. "Ah, so anyone hungry? I know I am…" Sokka said trying to ease the awkward feeling.
"Yea…I bet you are…" Toph said making Sokka feel oddly uncomfortable.
The three friends laughed as Sokka sulked behind them.
The view of a woman sitting next to a bed with a girl sound sleep was seen. A warm cup of tea was neatly placed on the night stand beside the woman as she continued to watch her daughter.
Just then Ursa gasped as she saw the girl's eyes open. Azula blinked a few times before suddenly sighing with relief…
"The voices…" Azula said softly as Ursa leaned in. "What was that…?" Ursa asked her daughter as Azula spoke again.
"The voices are gone now…No more…voices." Azula said as Ursa blinked unsure what the girl meant, yet she smiled warmly at her daughter. Azula in turn smiled back lightly as the scene drift back with Ursa holding Azula's hand.
Next chapter is breakfast time for Team Avatar. Also where's Sho? I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! Please review and comment for a quick update! Again, thank you all for reading and reviewing!
