Book 5 Water
Chapter 2 Heart of a Bender
Walking out into the gardens the sight of the dry grass was seen as the pond came into view. Two children laughed as they reached the water's edge. The young girl looked around surprised to no longer see the turtle ducks floating along the pond's surface or resting in the nest nuzzled along the rose bushes of twigs and dead leaves.
"It seems this is the first time you two haven't seen the turtle ducks." A low voice said as the children turned to see a tall man smiling down at them.
"Jee-Sama." Kya said softly as the general chuckled. "You won't see them for some time. They migrated to the warmer islands off the coast." Jee said answering the curious children's thoughts as Kuzon spoke out.
"When will they come back?" the young boy asked as Jee looked into the child's deep golden eyes.
"When the snow melts…" Jee started to say as Kya smiled widely. "That means they'll come in the spring!?" the innocent girl exclaimed with joy as Jee chuckled again.
"Yes, princess Kya." Jee said as the girl jumped with joy and the brother folded his arms with a pout. "That's such a long time. What will we do now?" Kuzon said becoming annoyed.
"Hmm…Perhaps you two should go start your studies…" Jee said with a hint of sternness in his tone as the two children moaned out.
"I hate studying." Kuzon said with irritation as he kicked the ground and walked off with his sister tagging behind him. Jee chuckled and then turned his attention to the cloudy skies above.
Winter was coming sooner than expected for the Fire Nation along with the hot summer beaming down in the southern territories. The climate was indeed shifting far more quickly than over the past six years. It slightly concerned the general as he entered into the vestibule.
'I wonder if it had something to do with Sozin's Comet…" Jee wondered as he paced slowly.
The scene drifted to a large beach house on the cliff side of rocks in the noble district of the island. Palm trees swayed in the cool breeze as the sight of a woman entering the home was seen.
Holding a basket full of coconuts and imported ash bananas, the woman entered into the kitchen smiling softly. As she flung back a strand of hair behind her face, the woman turned to the hallway. "Is Chan still asleep?" the woman said to herself as she decided to wake the lazy man.
Walking down the hallway, the woman still marveled of the house. Inherited by his father, the admiral of the Fire Navy's Eastern Fleet, Chan kept the place clean and in order throughout the years. The woman recently moved in with him two years prior and they've been happily together ever since. Entering through the hall the young woman inched closer to the bedroom door. As she turned the handle and peeked in, she then gasped pushing her weight forward in shock by the scene.
"Azula!" Chan cried out in surprised as the sight of the young man slowly drifted to the sight of a younger woman naked in his bed. Azula's jaw clenched as her eyes narrowed darkly, "How dare you..." Azula said with deep hatred as the man gulped. "It's not what it looks like." The man said in defense as his heart raced.
The fire princess looked almost lethal as she lowered her head, casting a dark shadow over her eyes. The man's head beaded with sweat as he grew more anxious. "Get out you whore." Azula said as she turned her attention to the woman who was smirking. "Heh, why should I? I think it's obvious who Chan wants to be with…You are the one who should be leaving." The woman said as Chan spoke out in shock.
"Akae!" Chan said in a hush tone as the young woman smirked again before standing up boldly nude in front of the enraged princess.
Slowly she grabbed a silk red kimono from the floor, which happened to be Azula's favorite dress. The act only deepened the princess's anger as the girl covered herself casually before turning back to the woman. "You better go get your things before we'll be forced to kick you out. You're trespassing on noble property of the admiral." The woman said in a smug tone.
Azula turned lifting her head revealing her golden metallic irises filled with rage towards the young man. Taking a low sigh she then turned and spoke in a low whisper. "It's over…" Azula said calmly before leaving the doorway.
Yes, Azula could have slashed out at the foolish man and slapped the ungrateful whore. But she was over that anger inside her, that emotion has longed been replaced with maturity.
Right now, all Azula wanted to do was leave as far as she could from the wretched house, full of lies and deceitfulness.
As the woman entered into the open living room, she heard frantic footsteps come behind her. "Wait Azula!" Chan called out as he reached to her, resting his hand on her shoulder.
Out of instinct Azula reacted violently as she quickly pulled away, twisting her body forward as she punched the man hard against his right cheek with her fist casting a small flame.
The force knocked him down to the ground hard as he cried out in pain from the blistering burn scorched on his face. Gripping his face with his hands, Chan rolled on the ground screaming in agony.
Azula simply sneered in disgust as she spoke harshly, "Never touch me again…" Azula said darkly as she then turned angrily and stomped away.
Just then the woman called Akae entered into the scene and gasped. "What have you done?" Akae cried out as she ran to the man's aid.
"Gave him what he deserved…" Azula said coldly as she turned and glared at the shocked female.
"I would advise you to keep your distance." Azula said in a threatening tone as her anger flared dangerously high while her fists swirled with orange flames inches from her knuckles. The woman's eyes widen in fear as she watched the brilliant display of the princess's firebending.
Azula then turned back and started to leave the house when Akae suddenly shouted out, "You bitch!" the woman said acting brave or rather foolish as Azula ignored the woman's remark and kept walking out till she entered the doorway.
"Stupid girl…You should be grateful I spared you." Azula whispered as she opened the door then slammed it closed behind her.
The scene then shifted to the open sea and waves crashing along the rocks as the fire princess casually walking down to the beach and glaring at the distant islands ahead the horizon.
'Where am I going to go now?' Azula thought as she narrowed her eyes.
"I see…So the governor wishes to contribute his fortune to the wounded soldiers?" a regal voice asked as a man was seen bowing to his lord.
"Yes Sire…He wishes to repay you in debt for the terrible situation in Boiling Rock." The man said as Zuko narrowed his eyes.
Six years ago, the colonial's report was mentioned to Zuko, when he heard of the warren's misfortunate suicide six and a half years ago along with his impossible escape from the prison with Sokka's father and fellow friends. For Mai's father to speak of it again cause Zuko to wonder the nobleman's intentions.
Yet Zuko knew the offer did carry some meaning due after the war; numerous soldiers arrived home injured and filled with shame. Open infirmaries have been active for four years after the men returned. Sadly, more are still missing and families have lost most hope to ever be reunited.
Fire Lord Zuko has worked to keep a stabilized establishment running but supplies were cutting short. He would indeed need the extra money from the governor's offer. But throughout the years of scams and trying to over throw him; Zuko remains vigilant.
With much thought, the young man decided to accept the governor's proposition and will deliver the money to the doctors and trade manager for further use.
"Tell the governor I humbly accept…Inform Imperial Ryuan of the news. Also cancel any further reservations for this afternoon." Zuko said as the man nodded his head and bowed respectfully.
"Yes, Fire Lord Zuko." the man said as he then left the throne room.
Zuko stood as the golden flames around him decrease before dimming out. Slowly the Fire Lord stepped down the steps and down the room passing the golden pillars. His eyes were firm as he steadily made his way to the royal hall.
Years have aged the once teenage boy into a man, a powerful ruler respected by his people and other nations alike. A dear friend to the Avatar, Zuko had an advantage to bring harmony to his kingdom. His promise to prompt love and peace covered the globe as the citizens of the Fire Nation redeem their once propagandist and stereotypic ways and became a warm, welcoming nation full of culture and history.
The scene of Zuko walking shifted to the sight of two doors as the lord entered. His mind focused on his success silently.
The young man was proud of his accomplishments. But one of his proudest moments over stood any settlement he managed to do for his kingdom. The Fire Lord's stern face soon melted away as he saw the scene of a gorgeous woman holding an infant and two children sitting next to a fireplace reading quietly.
His greatest achievement was marrying the Water Tribeswoman and baring his beautiful three children. Zuko felt like the luckiest man alive.
"Hello my love…Did the meeting go well?" Katara asked as her mature eyes narrowed softly as she smiled.
Before Zuko could answer his wife two forms tugged on his legs. "Daddy!" Kya cried out with joy as her brother looked up at his father with pride.
"Welcome back father." The young boy said as he beamed a bright smile. Zuko nodded his head as he patted his son on the head then turned to his daughter. Smiling softly the man bent down and lifted the little girl over his head.
"It is good to be back with my family." Zuko said as he then tickled the young girl as she giggled.
"Daddy!" the girl cried out as she giggled. The child then rubbed her tiny nose against her father's ridged nose giving him a polar bear kiss.
The Fire Lord chuckled as he kissed her back before lowering her down to the ground below.
Katara smiled at the loving scene of her husband bonding with their children. Katara was pleased that Zuko takes time in his busy schedule to see them. She was grateful.
Zuko then walked over to the waterbender and lowered down, kissing the woman sweetly on the lips before looking down at his second son. The Fire Lord noticed the baby was wrapped in red silk with a small ruffle of black hair and dark beige skin. He was going to be a handsome young man one day. Smiling gently Zuko then straighten his back and turned to his other children who sat by the fire. Chuckling Zuko joined them and then pointed to the fire as he spoke.
"Have you two heard the legend of the Golden Dragon?" Zuko said in an animated voice as the children awe in curiousness. "Uncle Iroh mentioned him in the stories of Agni." Kuzon said as his sister nodded her head.
Zuko smiled as he then flickered his wrist, "Well, this story is different…" Zuko said as the fire twisted in his hold shaping into a form of a dragon's body and head. The children stared in amazement as the flames started to tell a story.
"The Golden Dragon is known for power and life. Birthed from the mighty sun, the Golden Dragon is a strong being." Zuko said as the flames twirled and gracefully arched like a dragon roaring a silent cry.
Kya clapped her hands with enjoyment as Kuzon looked memorized by the sight. His eyes flickered with wonder and delight.
"You both carry that power in yourselves. No matter what element you can create or bend, that burning flame burns within you." Zuko said as Kuzon turned and looked at his father. The boy's eyes glistened as he then lowered his head. Zuko turned to his children and noticed his son's discomfort.
"Kuzon…" Zuko said in an understanding tone.
Kuzon was in a stage of his life where his bending status would start to develop. The age of a child who will start to bend was at least age five. During his youth, Kuzon was excited to find out if his ability was to become a firebender. But on his sixth birthday, the Sages of the Fire Temple discovered he inherited the element of water from his mother.
For a person born on Fire Nation land, it must have been difficult to be gifted with the foreign skill. To be different from everyone else. Zuko sympathize with his son's troubled feelings.
Kuzon's lips pouted as he lowered his head before mumbling to his father. "It may be true for Kya or even Lee. But not me…" Kuzon said as Zuko and Katara's eyes widen by their son's statement. Torn from how his son feels, Zuko tried to encourage him. "You are wrong, Kuzon. You have a gift, a powerful ability given to you from your loving mother." Zuko said as Katara spoke in.
"Your father is right, my dear. You may be a waterbender but you will always have the heart of a firebender." Katara said softly as Kuzon shut his eyes before standing up.
"You're both wrong! I'm a freak! A freak!" Kuzon cried out loudly as he raised his fists into the air then turned quickly, intentionally spilling a pitcher of water with his ghostly grasp of the water's edge. His emotions raged as he stomped out of the room. His baby brother cried from the loud noises waking him up. Katara gently tried to calm her son down as she hopelessly looked up at his husband.
Zuko sighed as he stood up from his place by the fire place. Looking down he smiled at his daughter, who sucked her thumb with sad eyes. "Watch mommy for me, Kya." Zuko said as the little girl nodded her head as she watched her father leave the room.
As the young man reached the doorway, he turned to his wife and smiled. "Don't worry…I'll talk to him." Zuko said as Katara smiled back. "I know…" the woman said as she rocked the child in her arms.
Nodding his head, Zuko then turned and left the room heading to the gardens where he knew he'll find his troubled son.
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