A Mermaid's Tale.
Warning: Rated MA for violence, swearing and plenty of sexual content.
Disclaimer: do not own, if I did the story would go with how it ORIGINALLY was. With Zutara.
Note: Aang is just a air-bender, there is no war, people are at peace, even working together... for now...
'Katara's thoughts'
'Zuko's thoughts'
A lesson in the life of the fire-siblings.
After the heart felt moment, things took a turn to the more serious side as the agreement terms were discussed. Zuko presented the bag to both kings. Inside lay two orbs made purely of diamond and shaped so smooth you could make out every detail of the fires inside. "These are flames of the essence of fire, it is part of our kingdom's greatest treasure. A fire that will never go out, infused with human spirit to give us our bending." With that he bowed and let Katara float the items to the two kings.
After the brush of wonderment left them, they accepted the gift with promise of passage in their waters for however long this was necessary. Toph also gave a gift, one she had placed in a bag tied around her hip. It was a foldable piece of glass with a piece of every type of gem or jewel the world could possibly have, embedded into it. After unfolding it about 8 times, Zuko wondered how it was possible that it was that tiny. Aang presented them with remedies and herbs that could be used underwater to aid the sick.
Arnook and Hakoda then commanded the maps to be brought out, and for the next 40 minutes, Zuko, Azula and Aang discussed routes with the two kings and their chiefs of war as well as Sokka. The mermen watched the fire-princess strangely, women never discussed anything of violent nature with them, their strict teachings stating women were of use for healing, cleaning and bearing children. Her strategies were flawless and ruthless, the prince countered this with humanity and respect, they were a frightful team. It was unsettling though, the personalities of the two.
Everyone in the room watched silently, seemingly forgotten as the prince and princess locked heads, shooting out plans and countering each others until an almost flawless route was decided upon. "Now that this has been settled I have some advice I wish to share." Hakoda spoke. Everyone turned to the king as he spoke. "This water is the mer-people's dwelling place, but like humans, there resides good and evil in their hearts. A mermaid's heart turned ice with bitter fillings of deep hatred or sin will make her mad, turn her to a siren, who lures it's prey to their deaths through beautiful sounds. They work in packs and are ruthless and blood-thirsty. Their male counter parts are much the same except they don't use their voices, instead they are silent, they lurk in hidden areas and travel alone, often turning on one another as means of survival and sick pleasure. They are as ruthless and as savage, but they are harder to detect and easier to beat."
"Me and my sis know how to spot em' though, so it shouldn't be too bad." Sokka assured, puffing up his chest slightly. Azula just rolled her eyes at him and flickered her gaze to the side. He slumped slightly.
"And I know sand bending, so I can bring the pain, just need sparky here to tell me where to aim." Toph slapped Zuko hard on the back. The male choked, wheezing slightly at the impact. She was ridiculously strong for her size.
"Well contrary to popular belief, my brother and I will not be completely incapacitated in the water. We're trained assassins and as long as we are out of water, we will be a great asset." She had this psychotic glint in her eyes that didn't fail to receive shudders from everyone besides her brother.
"What do you mean?" Hakoda questioned, this women was frightful for her young age.
"Just... stay out of the water." she smirked.
"Stop being so cryptic Azula." Zuko spat out, frustrated.
"Fine fine. You're such a spoil sport Zuzu." Azula mock pouted, as Zuko just rolled his eyes. "We," Azula slung her arm around her stiff brother, who scowled but didn't shove her off. "Can shoot lightning." Azula hummed, taking in the horrified expressions around the coral courtroom. Everyone understood the implications of this.
"So, stay out of the water." Zuko looked at the mer-people in particular. "I can only imagine that it will travel for a large distance, possibly for miles." Zuko stared them down. "We-" he glared at his baby sister. "Will not use it unless in life or death situations." He assured everyone without taking his eyes off Azula, who stared back unwaveringly. "Do you understand Azula?" They kept the battle of wills for a few more moments until Azula smiled beguilely.
"Fine. I know that if I do use it unnecessarily you'll jump into the water and redirect it anyway, so I'll probably get the brunt end of my own attack." she pursed her lips in irritation. Her brother may not be a better bender, but he had a few more tricks up his sleeves than she did, it irked her, but it kept them on an even playing field and kept things interesting. Katara raised a brow at the comment and eyed the fire prince, who had not taken his eyes off his sister. They could bend lighting? Moreover, he could manipulate it? Her gaze traveled down his form and she tilted her head, considering him. The assassin comment was also intriguing.
"I see... so storms should be no issue between you and my daughter." Hakoda regarded his daughter carefully. "Very well then, I'll tell my patrolling troops to be wary of your boat." The chief nodded. He looked curiously at the two before speaking once more. "You two are trained as assassins?" he looked slightly amused by this, but there was a spark of caution in his eyes.
"Oh yes, I have killed many with my bending, but I also know how to fight with throwing blades. So have my two companions on the ship. We are our father's greatest assets." Azula boasted, Zuko only looked at her with eyes filled with disgust.
"Killed?" Katara gasped, eyes shooting to Zuko's face. He would not meet her eye.
"Oh yes." Azula purred, enjoying the sickened expression the other girl was sporting, along with her brother's one of utter loathing. "It's one of the only areas that my brother excels me." she pursed her lips in disdain, glaring at her brother. It was somewhat of a sore spot for her.
"An area I don't want." He muttered darkly, looking to the ground, fists balled at his sides.
"Hm yes, while my father and I prefer to leave no stone unturned, brother can't help but not kill the women and children. Father got very angry about that." Azula mused, feeling the need to explain the reasoning, not wanting her brother to be painted in the same light with the rest of his family. God forbid people think the fire-nation were going soft.
"And to make up for it, I must be the blue spirit... more like a devil... the official assassin of the fire nation-"
"-Ruthless and cold-blooded, killing any man who crosses the kingdom. Like a ghost, he is undetectable. The only thing that has me proud to call him fire-nation royalty." Azula clapped Zuko on the back, but he only shrugged her off.
"Wow sparky, you sure get around." Toph joked nervously, but she didn't move from his side or remove her grasp of his hand. Zuko watched her with wonder at her unflinching grip as everyone one else inched away from him.
"I understand if that warrants mistrust from you all." his tone was resigned. He knew the weight of his transgressions, and the danger it wraps around him like a vice.
"Oh please, I could take you." Toph released his hand to punch him in the arm. Zuko winced once again and rubbed the sore spot, but cracked a smile. Hokoda noticed his daughter's eyes narrow at the action, and the water around them became colder. He moved his gaze to his son, who was watching his sister with equal wariness. Something was going on there. But what? Could his daughter possibly be... no... she wouldn't... not after her mother. Hakoda considered the fire-sibling's own grief and contemplated the possible notion of his daughter falling for this dangerous human.
Katara steeled herself against her churning stomach as images of a blood stained Zuko and silver blades flashed through her mind, as well as the bodies of many corpses, burning with flames. She swallowed thickly, clenching her fists in order to distract her from nausea. Her mind then imagined his eyes, stony at first glance, then if you look deeper, there was a deep remorse and loneliness, a self-loathing and a sharp hatred.
Zuko had now returned his gaze to the water princess. 'I wonder if she hates me now... I wonder if she once again views me as the monster I am... I was a fool to think she could ever love me... no one deserves a life at my side.' He hardened his heart, and closed off the gate that unconsciously opened through his eyes. He refused to show weakness again. His sight caught his sister nodding at his side, approving his new attitude. 'I have no doubt she planned this entire situation. She's just twisted and intelligent enough for that.' Zuko shook off any more of the negative tendrils encasing him.
Azula was amused by her brother to say the very least, the fruitless way he tried not to drown in his sorrows fulfilled a sadistic pleasure that was in her nature. She really did, honestly enjoy his suffering. Her eyes slid to the other water sibling who seemed to have gone pale in color compared to his dark skin tone. She smirked lightly, taking in the absolute fear in his expression. This trip was going to be a lot more fun than she anticipated.
Toph couldn't feel anything through the water and air, so she truly felt blind. 'I'm trusting a dude that has killed lots and has an attitude problem... cept kids and ladies... well at least I won't have to worry about getting hurt, or seeing the blood. It might smell bad though.' The small lips twisted into a grimace at the thought. She turned her head to face what she assumed was Zuko's direction. 'I don't know why, but I trust sparky... plus even blind I can tell sugar queen is jelly as hell.' she smirked. Yeah, she was going to enjoy this trip.
So... it's been a while... Look guys I'm sorry, it's been a rough year, and I kinda fell into a slump. On the bright side, I have now updated every one of my stories and my mood has lifted~! So things are looking up ^.^v still don't know how great I'll be with the updating, but on the plus side, you won't have to wait as long :D So, tell me what you think yeah?