The Highest Bidder

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Date Night

I understand that this is quite a long narration, and it goes without saying that it is actually…remarkable…that I can recall this many circumstances. I know it is a habit of liar to outline the story to graphic detail; and at this point, I could understand if those who weren't part of this terrific story are thinking that I am lying. But I assure you, everything that I have described and quoted is exactly as it panned out. As a telekinetic (and possibly the mortal form of Shen Si Ling), I am blessed—and cursed—with an eidetic memory. I have no doubt that I have mentioned this before, even before the trail, to several witnesses, enemies, and possibly my lying defense attorney. An eidetic memory is not a photographic memory. A photographic memory has the ability to recall scenery; an eidetic memory can recall sights, smells, sounds, tastes, and remember every small detail of the events that took place. Along with the five senses, I can recall sensations and, sadly, emotions that were felt during the events that took place.

I imagine that many of you believe that my relationship with Fire Lord Zuko was tarnished during my journey with the Avatar. If that was true, why would Zuko and I still be friends? You may think that you have decided the reason why we are no longer together, but I assure you, it's not what you think.

Because of these small confusions, allow me to put some things on the table right now. My friendship with Azula during my childhood was a strong one. Quite frankly, I thought we would be friends forever. She admired my abilities; I admired hers. She did know that I was different, and she had seen my powers before I 'wimped' out in front of Fire Lord Ozai. That's why it hurts a bit much to know that even though she knew why I couldn't demonstrate my telekinesis, she burned me anyway.

I want to set the bar and say that in my entire journey with Zuko or the Avatar, any loyalty that I had shown to Azula was out of the concern or necessity for Zuko's sake or the sake of the Avatar's well-being. Even after she and I met again after ten years, it was clear that she and I were never really good friends in the end. Azula was beautiful—she still is—and I suppose that what I did to her was very unethical. However, you shouldn't judge me for what I have done. There is still quite a bit of story-telling to go, and I don't want you to make up your mind just yet.

As for Zuko and me…I won't deny that I had hoped that our relationship would last, that I had intended for us to marry and grow old together. I guess it's a little too late to be admitting this. Mai, if you're listening, and no doubt you are, you should know that you are very lucky to have a husband so devoted to you, and you should always keep him close. True, he's a bit of a hot head, but under all that…well, hotness…there is an understanding man. I suppose my explanation for our…well, break up…will be explained later down the line. Anyway, I just want you, Fire Lord Zuko, to know that when you found me on that island, it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I don't think that this should interfere with the court's decision about my impending sentence—be it acceptance, banishment, or death—but I think it's something that should be said, even if I'm not the one saying it.

Obviously, I can't be in the courtroom, seeing as how this story is quite lengthy. Probably somebody is reading it off right now, but I suppose that really doesn't matter.

Anyway, a few more things before I continue my account need to be addressed.

General Iroh, or rather just Iroh (that's what he likes me to call him nowadays), if you are listening, and no doubt you are too, I think it's best for you to know that through whatever comes of this story, I think you should know that I really did think of you as a father figure. You constantly told me through my journey that you thought of me as a daughter; and whether or not this changes anything, I think you should know that I'm glad that you did.

The spirit that I've mentioned several times is an actual specter of the Spirit World. I've actually asked Avatar Aang to enter the Spirit World to confirm Shen Si Ling; and, yes, she does exist. And yes, she is both an angel and a demon when she is in a good or bad temper. Shen Si Ling is actually more of a goddess rather than a spirit like Hei Bai; she is an all-knowing scholar who has the emotions of a human-being, and understands anger, love, sadness, and happiness. Shen Si Ling governs the mind, body, and spirit; this much is true. I'm still not sure if I am the spirit in her mortal form. I highly doubt it, but I've been wrong before. Anyway, according to Aang, I apparently share a connection with Shen Si Ling that is similar to him and the past line of Avatars. Later on, I'll tell you my little…ahem…group therapy sessions with Shen Si Ling that come so much later in the story.

I would also admit that I actually do have a very nasty temper. In fact, the one thing that actually makes my powers go awry is anger, and I'm not so sure how to handle that, even today. It's sort of one of those things that you never know how to control until you do. I'm not sure what other things are like that, but I'm pretty sure that you could think of a few examples.

Also, the gifts that Zhao gave me, the meteorite bear balls. If you still have no idea what I'm talking about, maybe you should talk to Toph Beifong or Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe. The reason why I say that is because the substance that Zhao gave me as a present is actually the same weird 'space earth' that Sokka's sword is made out of, and Toph has actually Bended this sort of wacky stuff. I'm still not sure how Zhao came across it. I really don't want to know, and I think that if I did, it's a bit late, don't you think?

Well, I suppose I'll continue our little story to the first time that I met June, the skillful (and beautiful) bounty hunter, June, who introduced to me what exactly a Shirshu is. This is also the same time that Sokka, Katara, and Aang will remember as the day that they were reunited with Bato, a friend of their father, Chief Hakoda: both men, by the way, who are quite as humorous as Iroh.

After the Blue Spirit rescued the Avatar, we ported on the edge of the Earth Kingdom coast, not too far from Makapu village, which is the current residence of the Fortune Teller, 'Aunt' Wu. I only mention her because it's useful for the outsiders to know where exactly we ported. I mean, details are quite necessary in this sort of trial, even the municipal ones.

Although Lt. Jee noted that the Avatar had been headed north, I gave the map reader a little nudge, hinting that it wasn't exactly the Avatar's habit to seek trouble; and trouble was where Zhao was. The Avatar was probably headed for some place calm and collected; though Makapu Village wasn't exactly what I had in mind at that time. Zuko was the better tracker, not me. I simply studied people and put in my two cents. While Prince Zuko and the crew ported on the coast, the Avatar and his friends were making friends with the fortune teller. I didn't know this at the time, but again, details, details, details.

I had become quite soft-hearted toward the Komodo Rhinos who were still hauled in the cargo hold below. I confronted Zuko about my concerns. We weren't going to simply give away four large Komodo Rhinos, so I proposed in trading the latter for a good sum of gold, which would be used for supplies at a nearby merchant shop.

The trade went off without a hitch, and the crew members boarded the ship with more food and extra fish, to Iroh's salivating delight. The cook made a feast in celebration of the Avatar's escape from Zhao's prison tower, and General Iroh insisted that Zuko should be a part of it.

I'm not so sure why he was still moody during the celebration, but I suppose I could understand from his point of view of the position he was back in; it was better than the Avatar being imprisoned, but still the fact remained: he couldn't go home until Aang was captured.

When the feast was over, and the party slowly subsided, music night began with a beautiful serenade from Lt. Jee, who in fact did have a lovely voice. Zuko sat with his arms folded tightly across his chest. I enjoyed a cup of ginger ale, which was a relieving, cinnamon concoction that tasted so much more different than tea. I enjoyed tea, but I didn't share Iroh's love for it. I still don't. But I can't deny that he makes delicious Ginseng tea at a moment's notice.

I glanced at Zuko and scooted beside him.

"One day, when you're not too busy brooding," I whispered, "you take me out to a restaurant."

"Why would I do that?"

"Well, what else is there to do in a small town?" I retorted flatly.

"I meant why would I take you out somewhere? I wouldn't even call this dating."

"Well, it could be if you smiled during music night."

He gave me a look.

"You're a lot cuter when you do smile," I said lightly.

"Thanks," he said tonelessly.

"Ugh, come with me." I took his hand and guided him back to the chamber.

"Wait, where are we going?"

I led him through the galley.

"Mura, where are you taking me?"

"Shut up and follow me."

"If this is another way of teasing me, you're really not funny."

I pulled him through his bedroom and closed the door with a wave of my hand.

"Mura—"

"Zuko, just listen to me, all right?"

He pursed his lips unhappily.

We stood in silence.

"I know what you did back in Zhao's prison chamber; you set the Avatar free. That's a good thing." I said strenuously. "Why aren't you happy like the rest of us that he's free? Zhao was about to write a letter to your father, saying that he had the Avatar. You prevented that. I mean, aren't you the teeniest, tiniest bit happy to know that Zhao won't have the pleasure of ruining the rest of your life?"

"He's still out there," said Zuko directly. "He still can catch the Avatar before me." He paused. "You took me down here to tell me this?"

"No, that's not why I brought you down here."

I strode to the mantle where his antique broadswords were displayed.

"Mura…"

I waved at them, and they came toward me in mid-air.

"Mura, what are you doing?"

"You won't take me out on a walk; you won't take me out to eat. Clearly your definition of dating is far less traditional." I said. I snatched the floating dual swords out of the air and tossed them to him. He caught them by basic instinct. "So you're going to do something for me."

"If it's cutting off your head, you're out of luck."

I smiled,

"Did Prince Zuko just make a joke?"

He looked at me with a bored expression on his face.

"Look," I said plainly, "you need some sort of excitement in your life. Now I had fun the other night when you were escaping with the Avatar. Apparently, I actually do like this sort of thing. And I'm not too sure why I like seeing you angry; but for some reason I do. Now, if you're not going to get anything out of this thing that we're about to do then at least I will."

"What exactly are you talking about that we're supposedly going to do?" said Zuko, growing impatient.

"You'll get the point really fast." I said casually.

"What—? Ah!"

I formed seven metal balls with the substance that Zhao had given me, and they bolted at Zuko like several bullets. Zuko parried each with his swords like an expert swordsman. A look of shock flickered only for a moment on his face before he realized what exactly I meant. The metal balls that he had blocked came back to me like I was a human magnet, and they crushed together in my palms, forming a sleek Akatari right in my fingertips. Zuko's dual swords and my makeshift swords clung together, the sound of steel on steel scraped in our ears. It didn't take long for him to understand our little 'game', and our duel lasted for quite a while. I picked up on how to mutate my new ability with little effort on my part.

Our battle went unheard and unnoticed by the crewman up on the foredeck. We didn't call a truce until both of us were slick with sweat, and we could barely hold our bodies up from the floor. My sword of substance melted into a long snake, which slithered up my leg and attached to my waist as a black waist band.

We collapsed on the floor, staring up at the ceiling.

"You know," Zuko panted, "you're a really weird girl."

"I know," I breathed painfully. "You're not that bad either."

I heard him chuckle breathlessly.

I think it was the most beautiful sound that I ever heard that night.