Chapter 5! Here we go! :)
All were up early a few days later; Iroh had found them all new clothing to wear that would help them to fit in the earth kingdom crowds better. Amaya sighed as she stuffed the edge of her light blue dress into her bag, she didn't mind the new green colored dress and tights but it wasn't the same.
Standing up she was startled by Zuko stumbling from a bush making her fall backwards onto her butt.
She groaned in pain as he threw his hands up and shouted "I didn't find any food! Ugh I can't live like this! I wasn't meant to be a fugitive!" He kicked the ground angrily and continued to shout. Amaya stood and brushed herself off, rolling her eyes at his two year old tantrum.
Amaya started to rub her temples preparing herself for an oncoming headache when suddenly Zuko's shouting ceased and he crossed the camp to where his uncle was sitting. Curious Amaya followed suit and approached Iroh.
"Uncle what are you doing?!" Iroh did not look up at his nephew, his gaze set upon a white and red flower in front of him. "You are looking at the rare and beautiful white jade bush, it is said to make a tea so delicious its heartbreaking!...either that or it's the deadly white jade plant. Its poison toxic to mankind"
Zuko's fists clenched in anger "We don't need tea, we need food!" he shouted harshly before turning on his heal and stating "I am going fishing" and heading off toward the river.
Amaya cocked her head at the plant Iroh was practically drooling over."I don't think you should try making it into tea if you don't know for sure what it is"
Iroh shrugged and gave a hefty laugh "My dear if you don't try things how do you expect to learn anything? Besides it could be delicious!" Amaya quirked an eyebrow "I still don't think it's a good idea" Glancing over toward the bushes she shifted the bag on her shoulder "Well I am going to look for some berry's or something, I'll be back in a bit"
Half way to the entrance of the bushes she paused and looked back "I mean it Iroh, I really don't think you should touch that" Iroh just smiled and waved her off.
Around an hour later Amaya stepped out of the bushes and onto the trail that would lead back to their temporary camp. Looking down the road she saw a figure coming toward her, it was Zuko.
She waited for him to come in distance of her, when he did she stepped in stride with him back to the camp. Noticing the small fish at the end of the long pointed stick she had to literally bite her lower lip to keep from laughing. He narrowed his eyes at her when he saw this "Don't. You. Say. A. Word." He stated angrily. A giggle escaped from between her lips "I don't have to say any words to laugh at how small that fish is" She heard him growl as they kept walking, finally coming into the entrance of the camp.
Neither teenager got to say another word before they caught sight of Iroh sitting in a crouched position, he didn't turn around when he heard them enter "You know that plant I thought would make a good tea?" Zuko's shoulders fell "You didn't" Iroh stood and turned to face them covered in many red and swelling blotches "I did. And it wasn't"
At the sight of him Zuko stumbled backwards dropping his stick as Amaya's eyes grew wide and her hand covered her mouth. Stepping toward them itching the blotches vigorously Iroh explained "Once the rash spreads to my throat, it will close up and I won't be able to breath" Pulling out a bushel of berries he smiled optimistically "But look what I found, these berries are said to be a natural remedy for the white jade. Either that or they're the ones that cause blindness"
Slapping the bushel out of Iroh's hands Zuko got in close to his uncles face "We aren't taking any more chances with these plants!" Turning swiftly he turned his harsh gaze to Amaya "You! Do something!" he shouted at her.
Amaya quirked an eyebrow and crossed her arms in annoyance "First of all I have a name. Use it." She stated harshly as she roughly pushed her way past him to Iroh, touching his face she continued "And second of all this is an allergy poison. He ingested it and its running through his blood stream. It's not like cuts or bruises. There isn't anything I can do"
Zuko turned and picked up his bag angrily pulling out a small green cloth from it and shoving it in Amaya's hands.
Before she had a chance to say anything he stated "Put your hair up. We're going to get help." Without another word he started off on the trail toward the small village. Iroh and Amaya looked at each other and shrugged.
Reaching up into her white mass Amaya put her long hair in a tight bun at the back of her head and tied the green fabric around it, covering most of her white mane and followed after Zuko and Iroh. When they got to the village a young girl about their age approached them "excuse me, do you need help? That rash looks pretty bad" Iroh gratefully accepted the girls offer and they followed her back to a healing center.
Dabbing pink ointment on Iroh's skin the girl couldn't help but giggle lightly "You guys must not be from around here, we know better than to touch the White Jade plant. Are you travelers?"
Iroh just smiled dumbly at her remark and scratched the back of his head as Zuko stood from his seated position "Yes, we are traveling" The girl just continued to put the smelly ointment on Iroh's rash and nodded "Ah I see. My name is Song, do you travelers have names?" she asked softly.
Thinking quickly Zuko sputtered "Yes-of course we have names…I am Lee and this is my Uncle…. Mushi"
To which he quickly got a disapproving look from his uncle. Iroh smiled viciously back at his nephew "Yes, Lee was named after his father so we just call him junior"
Amaya watched as Zuko made silent idol threats toward his uncle as Iroh continued "And the young lady is an old friend of Jr's, Katsumi. She has recently decided to join us on our travels to try and keep us out of too much trouble" Amaya raised her eyes and pondered her new name, Katsumi. It was strange to her but shrugging she decided it was better than Mushi or Jr.
Placing the vial of medicine on the counter Song turned around "So Mushi, Jr, and Katsumi huh?" All three nodded as Song smiled "Well if you're going to be in town for a little while you should all join me and my family for dinner"
The offer had been on the table but a few seconds before Zuko quickly shot it down "Sorry but we have to be going" At this Song shrugged and sighed "Too bad, my mom always makes too much roast duck" Without a split seconds notice Iroh quickly shot in "And where do you live exactly?" accepting her invitation for the three of them.
A few short hours later the group had bathed and Iroh's rash had decreased dramatically. As the sun started to set they found themselves following Song back to her house, she and Iroh were talking up a storm leading the way as Amaya and Zuko followed behind. Looking toward the setting sun Amaya pulled her cloak closer to her body as Zuko practically stomped a few paces behind her. He must have noticed her looking toward the sky; she was suddenly startled by something covering her head. She soon realized it was her hood and Zuko now walked beside her, however he didn't look at her.
Keeping his gaze straight he spoke low and harsh "Remember to cover the ones on your head too"
She nodded in response as they approached a house. Walking inside they were greeted by a middle aged women and the alluring scent of cooking food. Song greeted her mother and introduced their guests.
Both Iroh and Zuko pulling off their hats and placing them in their bags, Amaya decided she was safe from the light of the moon and followed suit. She untied the bow at her neck and reached up to remove her hood. However the hood had somehow gotten caught on the cloth in her hair and it was torn off. Amaya gave a light yelp as her hair was set free.
Iroh and Zuko's eyes widened as Songs mother gave a light gasp.
Stepping around her mother a small girl of around 11 came forward "Wow it's so pretty!" she exclaimed. Taking a step forward Songs mother took a hold of her daughter "Now Melody, please calm yourself"
Amaya's skin shook, they knew she was different. That she wasn't what she was pretending to be. She blew it.
Smiling Songs mother looked Amaya over "Yes I haven't seen this in a long time" Everyone stared at her bewilderment as she continued "Back in my village when I was just a young girl my best friend Lynn-Mai had the same condition" Amaya cocked her head to the side in curiosity "Condition?" She asked.
Nodding the older women patted her youngest daughter's hair "Yes dear. There is no need to be ashamed of it. I can see it is all there, the white hair, pale skin and bright eye color. Being an albino isn't something to be ashamed of, it's rare but it happens" At this Zuko, Iroh and Amaya all gave a sigh of relief.
Song motioned for the group to head to the eating area as her mother continued "You know legend says that those few born with this condition have been touched by the spirits themselves"
Amaya caught Iroh's knowing eye, she smiled to herself as she replied "You don't say?"
The women nodded as they all took their places around a small table, Amaya sitting as far away from the window as possible.
After dinner was eaten Zuko stood from the table stating that he needed air and went to sit on the porch, leaving Iroh, Amaya, Song, Melody and Jin-lee (idk the moms name ^^;) in light conversation.
Amaya watched as Song soon got up and went to the back door, being careful that none of the moonlight Song was letting in touched her skin as the girl stepped outside. A while had passed before Iroh got up and decided that they should be on their way. Amaya stood and bowed to their hosts thanking them for their hospitality before going to retrieve her cloak.
Iroh noticed and made a long thanking of the kind women as he waited for Amaya to securely put her cloak on.
When she was done she stepped forward and thanked the women once more. Noticing the cloak Jin-lee cocked her head "You know you don't have to hide yourself, what you have is natural. You should embrace it, you're not a monster that needs to hide away because you look different many people these days are now aware of this condition"
Amaya nodded and smiled "Thank you, I will remember that. But this is just for the cold" she lied as she stepped out onto the porch.
Zuko and Song stood when they saw that everyone was coming out and Amaya was careful to keep her back faced toward the moon light as Iroh reminded Zuko to thank their hosts.
Stepping forward Jin-lee handed Iroh a basket filled with food, he thanked her graciously as the girls started to head back inside. Stepping toward Iroh they started off on a dark pathway when their path was blocked by a very large ostrich-horse, Zuko on its back.
Pulling the cloak tighter to her Amaya hissed "What the hell are you doing?!"
Iroh nodded in agreement "These people have shown us such kindness" Zuko's golden eyes narrowed "Well they're about to show us even more kindness" He stated as he shoved his hand in Amaya's face "Come on" it was more of a statement than an invitation.
Amaya looked to Iroh who looked down at his feet before taking a hold of Zuko's hand and being swung up onto the animal behind him. Iroh finally sighed and climbed onto the rear of the large beast clearly defeated as they made their way down the path into the night.
A/N: So i don't think that Song has a younger sister but I thought it would be cool if she had a sister named Melody XD And i couldn't remember the moms name for the life of me!
Anyways this was a long chapter but i had a lot of fun writing it :) Thanks for reading! :)