Chapter Thirty Nine
Nightmares
Aang gusted himself up onto Appa, glaring at Zuko, who was staring at us in shock. Aang looked like he was going to make a comment, but stopped, and with a sigh he commanded the flying bison to take flight.
"I'm not done with you yet, you bast-!"
"Olin, shut up." I muttered, nudging my older brother gently. He made a face, and settled down into the saddle. I rolled my eyes, before rubbing my two palms over my face tiredly. My gaze traveled to Aang, who was sitting stiffly at the reins. Frowning, I leapt over, taking a seat next to him. "Hey."
His gray eyes flickered to me, and a faint smile graced his lips. "Hey, Vinca."
By now, the moon was high in the sky, and the clouds had cleared, allowing the stars to peek through. A yawn escaped my lips, and I ran my fingers through my hair. "How did you know where I was? I didn't even know where I was." I asked, glancing back at him.
Aang shrugged, "We looked everywhere, so why not the forest?" He let go of the worn leather reins to gingerly rub his eyes with two clenched fists.
As we cleared the forest and rose above the trees and past the garden, I couldn't help but stare once again at the beautiful architecture. I absentmindedly drummed my fingers gently against Appa, my thoughts being drawn back to Zuko.
My heart instantly dropped at the memory of his shocked face. I knew how desperately he wanted to join our group; and now, all of his chances are gone, into the wind. I sighed, breathing in deeply, trying to push away those thoughts. He kidnapped you. Attacked you. Attacked your friends, Aang, almost killed them…but those singular thoughts didn't push away Zuko.
I blinked, my eyes refocusing on the darkness in front of us. We were swooping upwards, and just as sudden, we landed. The flying bison let out a tired moan, collapsing onto his stomach. Aang grinned, petting his companion affectionately, "Oh, you're just a big baby. That wasn't a long flight." He murmured, and his laugh ran out as Appa's large tongue licked him.
After helping the half-asleep Olin off of the large bison and into his sleeping bag, I let my eyes wander around our camp sight. My fingers curled around my glider, and I felt antsy, anxious. I felt like I had been a caged animal being tied up for so long. I wanted to fly.
"You're not going out again, are you? Zuko is still out there."
I jumped, nearly dropping the staff. My eyes flickered to the origin of the voice; Aang. I regained my composure, processing his words. "Uhm…n-no, of course not…" I mumbled, grasping and un-grasping the staff.
He watched me with an eyebrow raised, "You look kind of jumpy." Aang commented, and my eyes rested back on him. A smile was on his face. "I'll go flying with you if you want." He looked absolutely tired, though.
I considered this for a moment, but instead shook my head. "No thanks." I turned around on my heels, drawing my eyes away, "I'm going to go to bed. Goodnight." A yawn covered half of my words, but I didn't bother repeating them. My sleeping bag was too comfortable, and I was immediately shipped off into sleep.
The next morning I was woke up to the vague sound of stressed, strained talking, in the midst with a familiar, yet unfamiliar voices.
I stirred quietly in my sleeping bag, my mouth parting as a yawn just as silent as my movements escaped. After my eyes adjusted to the dim sunlight overshadowed by the shade, I stumbled out of my cocoon, still not fully awake yet.
I followed the voices - Spirits, I am not a morning person - and as I rounded the corner, my eyes settled on the owners of the voices; Toph, Sokka, Aang, Katara, Olin and Zuko.
What?
Blinking, I rubbed my eyes, focusing on the group. My friends and brother were standing in defensive positions, ready to strike, while the former prince was standing awkwardly in front of them.
Confused and curious, I walked over. Zuko's golden eyes traveled to me, a look of surprise written in them. I nodded to acknowledge him, before ceasing to a stop. By now, almost everyone's eyes were on me.
I immediately felt flustered, and I glanced down at my feet. "What's going on here?" I managed to ask, looking back up.
Katara looked enraged, "H-He just thinks that he can join our group…after all he's done to us…!" Her face colored to a deep red, her piercing cyan eyes narrowing dramatically, almost inhumanly at the firebender.
Aang was gripping his staff, his gray eyes studying Zuko like a book. The Avatar was silent, but his expression was none to pleased. Olin was surprisingly quiet as well, different from his usual cursing-sprees at the sight of the ex-prince.
Toph was leaning against a crack column, otherwise relaxed, unlike the others. Her black hair was in her usual do - of course, covering her sightless eyes. But a slight smirk played on her lips, making me instantly suspicious. Sokka, on the other hand, was fuming, shooting daggers at Zuko with merely his eyes.
I bit my lower lip, "Okay. What's wrong with that?" I inquired innocently.
Sokka exploded, "Shall we start from the beginning? He followed us all around the world, a-and…well, you know the story, Vinca!" He stammered, shaking his head angrily.
Zuko's shoulders were slumped and he wore a solemn expression - a guilty one. He was frowning, yet looked completely…disgusted?…with himself. I felt horrible.
I rocked back on my heels. "Obviously he's good, isn't he? I mean, he didn't hurt me, really, when he attacked me and kidnapped me. Plus, its not like he's attacking or threatening anybody right now." I explained a bit lamely.
There was a moment of silence.
"I don't think you understand, Vinca," Katara began with a gentle, yet strained voice, "Zuko," She said his name with a rather disgusted tone, "has chased us all around the world, only for him - Aang. He's injured us, almost killed us, all to get his father's love and honor back for his nation." She made a face, her hands clenching together, "He - He can't join us. He's…evil."
I stared at her for a moment, "But - he didn't hurt me. Weren't you listening? He's good!" I was particularly at loss for words.
The waterbender rolled her eyes stubbornly, her hate for the former prince and his nation hiding the truth, "So? Maybe he as a crush on you or something." She says defensively, obviously not about to give up this argument so easily.
My eyes widened, "You're insane." I countered, crossing my arms over my chest.
Aang was glaring at Zuko.
Zuko was looking slightly annoyed.
"Why don't we let Aang decide? Because, ya know, he's the Avatar." Toph suddenly intercedes, her voice even more annoyed than the firebender's expression.
All eyes shift to Aang, who suddenly looks nervous. "Uhm…" he mutters, rubbing at the back of his neck.
My lips formed a thin line, "Why don't we hear Zuko out first before any decisions are made?" I suggested wryly.
"Why do you want him to join so badly, Vinca?" Sokka looked at me suspiciously, "His kind of people killed your grandmother, right? And burned you. What's the big idea with him, anyway?"
I stared at him, uncomprehending any of the words he had just said except for 'Killed. Burned.' I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but nothing would come out. I tore my eyes away from them and left.
The flames curled upwards, destroying the structure in mere seconds. There are silent screams; the fire is so hot…so, so hot, it burns, burying deep into itself, burning, burning…stinging, screaming, it's intensity ringing out in deep, metallic cries of laughter and triumph. They ignore the pleading.
"Stay away from me!"
"Now, now. You quit it out! Get up, you peasant. I said, get up!"
Pain. Pain like never before; unwillingly to stop, unwilling to move from its intent. It's burning, searing, someone is screaming.
It's only me.
The heat intensifies, followed by thrashing, crying, and more screaming. Who is that?
It's so familiar.
It's only me.
Sweat blurs everything.
No, those are only tears.
"P-Please…stop…"
The breathing is heavy - labored.
The golden eyes star down at me, cruel, deathly.
Evil.
"That is what happens when you disobey me, peasant."
Rough, calloused hands. Fear, pain, fear, and more pain.
But hate overrides all of it.
The hands are clutching at something, growing tighter. Where as the air gone? What is happening?
Strangled breathing. A tighter grip.
"Tell me or I'll burn you. This time, I won't stop."
"I don't know! I'm telling the truth!"
Anger. Rage. Fury.
"Wrong answer."
The fire burns. Burns life. Burns everything. Burns me.
"Vinca? Vinca, please, talk to me. Vinca…?"
I am numb.
"Vinca. Please. It's me, Aang. Talk to me, please, I need to know if you are okay."
The memories - no. they are nightmares - are threatening.
"Vinca…" There is something wiping at my cheeks. "Don't cry…"
The single finger is rough. Calloused.
I am thrown into another nightmare.
The smell of alcohol is stifling. Golden eyes are glazed, full of ideas. His hands are rough as they touch the strands of hair hanging.
"Why, aren't you beautiful! Hey, boys, come take a look at this one. Why pay ridiculous prices for a slut when you have a new, unused one right here!"
"Stay away from me!"
The slap is piercing. The punch is powerful. There is a wild struggle to capture oxygen. The kick is painful.
You can't hide. Curling up into a ball won't hide you.
Laughter. Wild, insane, laughter. The pair of golden eyes are menacing. Evil smiles.
'Fire kills. Fire kills. Fire kills.'
I am shaking. The tears won't stop. The sobs sound unreal, the painful intakes of breath forceful.
There is a sudden warmth, and soothing murmurings. "It's okay. Everything will be okay, Vinca."
I collapsed into him, his warm, strong arms embracing me tightly. My head rests in the crook of his neck, wetting his shoulder with my sobs. He doesn't say anything and doesn't need to. His heartbeat is steady, comforting. I bury myself into him, my breathing hard, my cries not even thinking about ending. He holds me, his head resting on top of mine, his arms not loosening his grip.
"It's okay. Everything will be okay."
AN: That was fun to write. Yay for fluff! xD And...yay for dramatic memories...? hahaha. Well, thanks for reading. I'll try to get the next chapter up as soon as possible!
Uhm, wow guys. The LoK finale? I won't post any spoilers...but...wow. (totally feels like writing an Iroh II x OC fic right now)
Until next time!