Book 4 Air
Chapter 94 Contagious
"This way…" Iroh said as he opened a door and entered. The four teens followed to find themselves in a large dressing room. Toph's eyes widen, "I remember this place…This is where they dressed me into that rare kimono!" Toph exclaimed as she smiled pleased to see the actual beauty of the room rather than just four walls when she was blind.
"Haha, yes Miss Bei Fong and in two nights all of you will be wearing these." Iroh said as two servants opened the huge wardrobe revealing four outfits hanging from a golden hook.
The four friends gasped in awe at the clothes. Each one was designed for them in both nation and ceremonial style.
Suki and Toph stepped forward to their gowns. Both the dresses were a dark green almost black from the sleek shine of the silk. They were cheongsam style dresses with high collars. Suki's dress had golden fans scattered on the bottom with swirls of golden ribbons sprouting to the waist. The sleeves were short with cuffs cutting at the shoulders then fanned out to the wrists. It was stunning.
Toph's dress was similar expect she had a floral design curling over the chest then patches on the right bottom corner. The girl's both jumped with joy as Sokka stepped in and examine his outfit.
It was a fine dark sapphire vest with black stitching and silver buttons. The vest then folded down into a point pass the waist. The pants were loose and stopped pass the knees. Besides his vest was hanging what looked like a type of cape. The cloth was long and looked elegant.
Aang looked at his outfit and was pleased to see the dark deep orange vest with golden stitching and seams of brown. The outfit was similar to Sokka's expect Aang didn't have a cape. Instead there was a dark russet gold sash to wrap around his shoulder.
All of the outfits looked very formal and very expensive.
The four teens bowed to Iroh and thanked him deeply.
"I am glad you all like your outfits. During the ceremony I will have you wear special light kimono over your outfits. You will be free to remove them during the dance." Iroh said as he bowed his head.
"Now, who's ready for some tea?" Iroh said as he stepped towards the door.
"Four more!?" Jee exclaimed as the sight of four men struggling then being thrown into the prisons cells were seen in the background.
"Yes…This disease is spreading like wild fire." An officer said.
"That's doubled since Sho's case…" Jee mumbled to himself as he hesitated.
All of the prisoners including Sho then started to scream and thrash around violently in their cells.
"Officer Pein, are any of the prisoners related?" Jee then asked as the two men then stepped out of the loud room.
"No, expect all of them had emotional trauma before they were diagnosed. I'm afraid it's ineffable to determine General Jee. These are only handfuls of a more serious epidemic…All across town more people are coming in" Pein said as he paced over to his desk and pulled out a stack of paper and plopped them on the table.
"Every single account, as written one or more of these symbols in their own blood or some else's blood..." Pein said as Jee looked over the documents.
'Death to he'
'Supreme power'
'Kill all'
'Fool's King, Lord's death'
"All seem to come to a rebelling of some sort…I'm not sure." The officer said with frustration as he explained further.
Jee picked up one of the paper as Pein spoke, "I'm examined and cancelled out as much as I could. I calculated the outcomes and no matter how many times. They all point to one thing." Pein said as he then took a breath.
"To take out the Fire Lord." Pein said as Jee rubbed his chin.
"I think you're mistaken, officer Pein." Jee said as Pein blinked.
"That's impossible…Every single message points to the lord's demise!" Pein said nearly shouting.
"They are signs to want is going to happen…The one who might die…Isn't the Fire Lord." Jee said in a serious tone as Pein asked, "Then who…?"
Jee turned to the officer and stared at him with a stern expression, "The Avatar."
"How can you be so sure?" Pein asked as Jee placed the paper down back on the table.
"Because…Someone wants him dead and right now…They'll do whatever they can to make that happen. That someone is becoming desperate." Jee said as the scene drifted to the other room with the prisoners screaming and banging on the metal bars.
Three figures came into view, hastily pacing down the hallway as Zuko took the lead.
"We have to find Imperial Ryuan; he manages the protection for both Aang and the staff members." Zuko said as Katara and Mai followed the quick young man.
"I hope Aang's alright…" Katara mumbled under her breath as Mai looked at the girl next to her.
The three teens entered the antechamber before running into Zuko's uncle.
"Uncle!" Zuko cried out as Iroh smiled. "Ah there you are…Ah I see you've found M-
"Where's Aang?" Zuko asked cutting off the old man.
"He just left the dressing room with the others. They should be at the dining quarters by now." Iroh said as he then noticed the serious expression laced across his nephew's face.
"Fire Lord Zuko, what is going on?" Iroh said as Katara cut in.
"Aang's in danger! We have to get him some where safe." Katara said as she stepped forth.
"Danger? What are you two talk-
"There's no time to explain uncle. Warn Imperial Ryuan and recruit the guards to the western wing." Zuko said as he then passed by his uncle and Katara followed. Mai stood behind as her eyes narrowed.
"Miss Mai what is going on?" Iroh asked as the noblewoman turned to him.
"Koh plans to take the Avatar's life…He's controlling people in the palace. It isn't safe here…" Mai said as she then bowed her head.
"My work here is done…" Mai said as she then walked slowly passing by the general and leaving the palace.
"Wait, Miss Mai…" Iroh said as he then lowered his head.
"I must hurry…" Iroh said out loud as he then rushed to the main office.
"IROH!" a voice called out full of pain as the old general turned to the woman who was stomping up to him. Her eyes burned like two flaring suns. Iroh blinked as he looked down at the woman before him. Her anger was so foreign against her soft features, yet it made her even more appealing to the eye. The woman stared up at the man intently as she then spoke in a harsh tone.
"Why…Why did you not cremate my husband?" Ursa asked demanding an answer as Iroh's shoulders drooped and he let out a low sigh.
"After I given the documents, at the time I thought it was best to let Zuko take care of the memorial. To help him find some closure…But I was unaware that the memorial didn't take place yet…" Iroh said being as honest as he could be as the woman then closed her eyes and laughed a hollow chuckle.
"He is my husband…His father…Your brother!" Ursa cried out as she shook her head wildly with rage.
"He deserves to be put to rest with honor…Not pushed aside as though he was never there…He is a human being like the rest of us!" Ursa cried out as tears fell down her face.
Iroh's eyes narrowed.
Ursa was right…No matter how evil the man was…No matter how things had turned out. He was still a human being and deserved at least some respect in his passing.
"I should have known never to give those documents to Zuko. But at the time, there wasn't as much chaos as it is now…" Iroh said as a tone of regret laced his voice.
"Why did he put off the memorial…? Why would he…?" Ursa cried out not understanding as her heart ached inside.
Iroh placed his hands firmly on the woman's shoulders, "Ursa…It's alright." Iroh said as the woman looked up at him. She wanted him to tell her…Tell her what young Fire Lord could not…
Her honey hue eyes desperately pleaded to the man as her lips parted. Iroh turned his head slightly before looking at the woman again.
She didn't need this right now…Iroh was afraid that the last of the woman's hope would fade away if he told her the truth.
Yet, he couldn't say no to those eyes…
"Ursa…Six years ago, Prince Zuko asked me to allow him to attend an important war meeting for the frontlines. I accepted his request, I warned him not to speak out of term and keep his thoughts to himself. But when one of the generals stated their plan for the frontlines, Zuko became outraged and spoke out in behalf of the young soldiers." Iroh said as Ursa's eyes slightly widen.
"It was later confirmed that Zuko was suppose to fight in an Agni Kai to redeem his disrespect to the general. He accepted the challenge and believed it was the general who he was to confront in the duel. But it was not him of whom he disrespected." Iroh said as Ursa gasped out, her eyes widen more as her lips trembled.
"No..." Ursa breathed out as Iroh thinned his lips.
"Yes…Ursa." Iroh said sternly as the woman's eyes widen greatly as tears flowed down her face.
"I love you Ursa..." a man said lovingly to his wife as he placed his hand on her swollen stomach. "He will be a strong son." The man said as he kissed his wife sweetly…
"No…He-He couldn't have…" Ursa said in a broken tone as her mind flooded with memories.
"It's a boy!" the nurse said with joy as she wrapped the tiny baby in white cotton before handing her the crying infant.
"He's so small…My tiny Zuko, you're so cute." Ursa said lovingly as she held him close. Ozai looked over the woman, a soft smile formed his lips as he reached out lightly. The baby gripped his index finger.
"Where did I go wrong…?" Ursa cried out in a mumbled sob as Iroh held her close.
"It wasn't your fault, Ursa!" Iroh called out as he embraced the woman dearly.
"Is he a firebender yet?" Ozai asked as he lazily slumped on the green grassy hills. The sight of the summer house was seen behind him.
"Haha…We won't find out till he's four." Ursa said warmly as the little prince placed his hand into the warm clay then giggled sweetly.
Ozai turned and lengthen out his hand and caressed her hair, "Ursa…" the man said endearingly.
"O-Ozai…" Ursa sobbed as she buried her head into Iroh's chest.
Zuko and Katara ran down the hall as they drew closer to the dining quarters. They both held their breaths as the two doors opened wide and a bright light shined into their eyes.
PLEASE REVIEW AND COMMENT! For faster updates! At least five reviews please!
