And it's been awhile
Since I could hold my head up high
And it's been awhile
Since I first saw you
And it's been awhile
Since I could say I loved myself as well
-Staind, It's been awhile
"I do not know, my nephew." Iroh peered over the railing. "We were meant to live on the ground, not like hogmonkeys in a tree."
"You'll get used to it, Uncle." Zuko splashed water on his face, gasping at the coldness.
"I do not think I will ever 'get used to it.'" Iroh replied, glancing up at the low wooden ceilings and large windows that looked out over treetops, far above the distant ground. "This place was not made for a man of my size."
"You'll be fine. I have to go." Zuko tugged on his short-fingered gloves and swung out on the rope that served as an alternative to the sling that ran up and down the treetop village. He slid down, slowing himself at the end to drop four feet to the ground, landing easily on his feet.
He and his Uncle had been moved into a treehouse two weeks ago, when Sokka's hundred water benders had filled up all the available tents. Spacing was so crowded that he and his Uncle shared the wooden room, much to his dismay. They were about in the middle of one of the largest ironwoods in the camp with neighbors above and below. Romjak's own home was at the top of their tree, with Chi Lin's just below. Their room was large enough for their two beds, a small sitting area and a wash table, but Iroh's considerable size made it feel much smaller, especially when Kaya and Katara and Sokka and Suki and Romjak and Chi Lin and Akiak and Kamol and Moswren visited. Zuko didn't know why his room had become the unofficial meeting place, but it annoyed him. Kamol and Sokka always sat on his bed, laying their dirty boots over his sheets. Moswren and Romjak could barely fit into the room standing up, let alone together at the same time. Thankfully, the small ring of patio that lay outside the enclosed room allowed them to spread out but still hear each other. Moswren and Romjak were especially audible, and could be deafening in a small room.
Zuko ached for Katara. They hadn't been able to spend the night together since the room assignment, though his Uncle said he wouldn't mind if Zuko spent the night elsewhere. Zuko wouldn't mind that either: his Uncle sounded even more like a platypus-bear with walls around him. But Katara had been kept busy by the newcomers: organizing water bending lessons, healing wounds, catching up with people she knew, and helping to make sure everyone was settled satisfactorily. Kaya had stayed with him and Iroh a couple nights, burrowed into a pile of blankets on Zuko's bed while he slept on the couch. Every morning she stayed he woke with her curled up beside him and had to endure his Uncle's cooing for the rest of the day. The older man was completely enraptured with the young girl and the two of them had become close. He was teaching her how to play Pai Sho and how to make tea, along with her meditation lessons.
Zuko hadn't had a chance to start teaching her fire bending, as much as he'd like to, and had delegated the task to his Uncle. He could tell that the lessons were helping with her control: the small fireballs she conjured were already cleaner, more precise, and they could practice in the secret she required in his room. But the meditation had also opened up something in her: whenever she tried to create a breeze, a wild wind would tear through their room setting everything on its end. She would apologize and help clean up, do her best not to cry from disappointment, and agree to just one more cookie before she terrified Iroh by leaping from the platform to snag the rope and swing down to safety. Zuko enjoyed her company, but sorely missed Katara. He hoped she felt the same.
***Line break***Line break***Line break***
"I'm dying, Suki."
The Kyoshi warrior giggled. She and Katara were sitting together by the river in a rare break between their respective training sessions. Katara had finished her first session of the day minutes ago and had seen Suki sitting alone by the river. The other woman was having trouble finding her place. She was too well trained to need lessons, but didn't think she was ready to instruct anyone else just yet. She had been helping Chi Lin schedule the camp matches but it wasn't really enough.
Katara flung herself backwards on the grassy bank, her feet trailing in the water. Suki reclined beside her, her eyes on the colorful fish swimming past their toes. "I miss him."
"You see him all the time." Suki pointed out. "You saw him this morning at breakfast."
"It's not the same as touching him." Katara groaned. "You're so lucky you and Sokka got a room together."
Suki grimaced. "Sure." They both laughed. Zuko wasn't the only one with a noisy roommate.
Sokka was viewed as the leader of the water benders, despite his protests that they weren't his water benders. Most of the camp, when talking about them as a whole, called them Sokka's people. They came to him with problems which he passed on to Romjak and paid attention to until there was a resolution. He was well liked and trusted in the camp, not just among his people. He and Kamol were fast friends, sharing the same harebrained sense of humor and love of all things meat. Suki had mostly been keeping to herself and the woman she had been in prison with, though she and Chi Lin got along well when they worked together.
Katara kicked her feet, splashing in the water. "I feel like I'm missing a part of myself." She murmured, making Suki have to lean closer to hear. "Like I found it, and now it's missing again."
"It's only been a couple weeks." Suki said, thinking back on her imprisonment.
"I'm sorry, Suki." Katara sat up to look guiltily at her friend. "I'm being insensitive."
"You're fine." Suki smiled at her. "We're all fine now. Why can't he stay with you at night?"
Katara shrugged, casting her eyes to the side. "Mostly because of Kaya. I love sleeping next to him, and just sleeping," she mock-glared at Suki's giggle. "But sometimes it's not enough." She sighed. "And I'm just so busy; all I want to do is sleep."
"I'm sure he understands that." Suki said. "You know, Sokka and I could always watch Kaya. Sokka really wants to get to know her better."
Katara chuckled. "That really wasn't the best first impression, was it?"
"No." Suki shook her head. "Just as bad as my first impression of Sokka. And Zuko, actually."
Katara grimaced. "Yeah…not the best group for first impressions our men."
***Line break***Line break***Line break***
When Zuko had ducked the sixth out of control fire ball in a row, coming close enough to singe the ends of his hair, he deemed practice over for the day and dismissed his students. There were only ten of them in the entire village that were capable of and interested in learning combative fire bending, but Zuko was pleased with the size. Moswren was swamped with over three hundred earth benders, most of whom hadn't had much formal training. But, as he wasn't the only master Earthbender in the camp, he at least had some help.
The most recent refugee group that had come only two days ago was made up of mostly earth benders fleeing a Fire Nation raid. They had brought with them tales of earth benders disappearing in the night, being rounded up and shipped off in the day, and killed for any slight transgression. They also had started spreading stories of a powerful earth bender who had sprung up that was now leading the resistance in the North. The entire camp was alive with the story, and speculation ran wild as to who the bender could be.
Zuko had shrugged it off. There were always stories coming in about the next most powerful bender. This one would circulate and go away as fast as the last ones and nothing would have changed. He paused from his post-bending stretches to peer up at the sky, one hand rubbing the back of his neck. He had been feeling strangely anxious the past couple days, even though the Long Eclipse was still more than three months away, falling towards the end of summer. He knew his Uncle was right that then was the time to strike against his father, but he didn't think the village would be ready. Not for a full scale invasion. He sighed, stretching his arms with one bent over his head. He didn't know if he'd be ready.
From the corner of his good eye he glimpsed a small scrap of blue, moving from the river towards the village. Katara was alone and hadn't noticed him yet. A crooked smile spread across his face and he slipped into the shadows of the trees to sneak around behind her. She was walking slowly, her face serious, deep in thought. It was easy for Zuko to snatch her from behind and whirl her behind the tree line before anyone noticed. He pulled her against him, his back against a large tree. His hand slowly uncovered her mouth, sliding over to brush her hair behind her ear.
For a moment she was too stunned to react, but then she began hitting him.
"Ow!" He tried his best not to laugh as she whacked his head and chest with her sharp palms. "Stop, Katara."
"What are you…? I have to get ready for-"
"For bending, I know." The tips of his fingers trailed along her face, his other hand tight against the small of her back. The deep forest hid them completely from passerby, locking them in deep shadows. "I just missed you."
She smiled sadly at him, guilt and understanding in her eyes. "I've missed you too. I'm sorry I've been so busy. With all the changes Romjak is making, and Sokka's people, and being a master to new water benders…" she trailed off, shaking her head. "I feel like I never get a moment to myself."
"I know the feeling." Zuko said. "But is it really a moment by yourself you want?" His voice dipped into a low, husky tone, and he felt Katara squirm against him. He cupped a hand around the back of her neck, wanting to feel the brush of his skin against hers, attain that feeling of oneness that came from being with her.
She seemed to sense the same thing as, without a word, she stepped forward to press against him, placing her legs between his. Zuko released a breath as their stomachs and chests melted together, feeling her sink into him. His fingers went behind her ears, thumbs tilting her chin up to brush against his cheek as he cradled her skull in his hands. She closed her eyes, brushing her lips against his chin, her fingers trailing spiral patterns on his back. With a growl of impatience, he captured her mouth with his, dropping his hands to her rear and hiking her up, spinning them so her back landed against the tree. She grunted against his mouth as she scooted herself up to balance her hips on his. Her hands disappeared into his hair as he deepened the kiss, stroking her tongue with his. She felt him growing hard against her and she dragged her hands down his neck, scratching her nails gently against the soft skin of his neck.
She pushed against his chest. "Zuko." She murmured into his mouth. He ignored her, knowing what she was going to say. He wasn't ready yet. "Zuko, I have…to go."
He growled against her lips, giving her a long, lingering kiss, leaving her breathless as he pulled back. "Fine."
"Suki," She panted and he cocked his eyebrow. "Suki said she and Sokka can watch Kaya."
Zuko smirked. "To be continued." His voice was hoarse, promising what his words couldn't. She shuddered as he let her down, placing a soft kiss on her shoulder as he did. She embraced him, feeling his warmth through layers of clothing. He was always so warm. He hugged her back, holding her tight, burying his nose in her hair and taking comfort in its familiar scent.
"I'll see you tonight." He rasped, letting her go.
She nodded, turning reluctantly from him to stride through the short length of forest. He waited until she was out of sight before leaving the forest himself. He set off in search of his Uncle, hoping to talk to him about the eclipse.
He found Iroh sitting with Romjak and Chi Lin around a fat stew pot set over a shallow fire, eating their midday meal. All three men nodded to Zuko as he joined them, helping himself to a bowl of the simmering stew. His Uncle frowned and leaned close to him.
"Nephew, you have a leaf in your hair." He pulled it out. "Actually you have several."
"There are leaves everywhere." Zuko said, ruffling his fingers through his hair.
"Mhm." His Uncle nodded acquiescence. "But not usually in your hair."
Zuko glared at him and continued eating. His Uncle chuckled.
Romjak harrumphed. "Damned leaves do get everywhere. Found one in my britches this morning. What was it you wanted to speak with us about, Mushi?"
Zuko looked at his Uncle in surprise. He hadn't realized this wasn't a coincidental meeting. Iroh cleared his throat. "My nephew and I have become aware of the approach of a Long Eclipse." Romjak and Chi Lin paused, stew dripping from their spoons. "It will not be upon us until the end of summer, but we feel this would be a great opportunity to make the first strike against the Fire Nation." Zuko watched as the other men exchanged looks. He could almost see the plans forming in their minds. Iroh continued. "I realize that we have only been training for two weeks in the various arts of combat, but this village is expanding at a tremendous rate. We will soon not be able to support them all." Romjak nodded. Their supplies were being depleted faster than he liked, not to mention the cramped conditions. "I propose that instead of moving the village, we leave a small contingent here to defend any who do not wish to fight while our warriors begin a series of guerilla attacks against towns occupied by the Fire Nation."
Romjak, Chi Lin, and Zuko leaned back on their seats. This was something they hadn't considered. Zuko saw the merit in it: it would destabilize the Fire Nation's control over the Earth Kingdom and would bring others rallying to their cause. He saw his Uncle's plan unfold further in his own mind. Not only towns would be targets, but also supply lines, messenger hawks, barracks, anything that kept the Fire Nation able to maintain attacks.
"Who do you have in mind to lead this…siege?" Chi Lin asked, his whispering voice curious. Romjak looked equally interested.
"My nephew, Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation."
Zuko knew Romjak was aware of his identity, but he kept a wary eye on Chi Lin, unsure of his leanings. The other man's face displayed no emotion, just thoughtfulness. Iroh looked surprised.
"How long have you known?" He asked them both.
"Since you got here." They both answered. They turned to frown at each other.
"When I was a young boy in the Fire Nation," Chi Lin inclined his head towards Zuko. "my mother took a position in the Fire Palace, serving as a healer's assistant. One day, she took me along. It was the day your father challenged you to an Agni Kai." Iroh sucked his breath in as a dark look crossed Zuko's face. He took his nephew's bowl of stew from him as it began to boil. "We watched as the leader of our nation struck down his own son in brutal cruelty. When it was done, my mother assisted the healer in bandaging your eye, though I believe you were unconscious while we were there. I remember how brave you were, despite your young age. I asked my mother why he had hit you, and she answered that you spoke up in defense of the lives of your people, but it was against what he had said. I did not understand then what the implications of what that meant. We left the Fire Nation that night and I have not returned." He took a bite of the stew. "It was several years later I saw you again, in the Earth Kingdom. You treated your crewmembers with respect, and acted in honor when confronted by Admiral Zhao." He raised his muddy eyes to Zuko's golden ones. "I believe you would make a great Fire Lord, Prince Zuko. You value the people that serve you, and consider their lives meaningful, unlike many other members of your family."
Zuko sat dumbfounded, his fists curled into tight balls on his knees. While he had always remembered his identity, he had been living as Lee the wanderer for close to seven years. To have everything dredged up at once, and by someone who was barely not a stranger, was creating a storm inside him. He nodded his head in acknowledgement of Chi Lin's words. It seemed enough for the other man, who let a small, rare smile cross his face as he resumed eating.
Romjak rubbed the space between his eyes, furrowing his brow. "That's quite a story." Chi Lin ignored him. Romjak heaved a great sigh. "That would make you Prince Iroh, the Dragon of the West."
"Which you knew already as well." Iroh accused.
Romjak nodded. "I did." Iroh harrumphed. Zuko knew his love of dramatics had not been satisfied. "I agree with your plan. But," Zuko narrowed his eyes, wondering if the headsman had caught something he hadn't. "I don't think a single general can pull this off."
"I agree." They all turned to look at Zuko. He was staring into the fire. "The Fire Nation's grip is too deep for just one large army moving as a unit to loosen by striking covertly." He looked around at them. "We need to be in all places at once, striking everywhere, removing them from the inside out." He blew steam out of his nostrils. "Someone very wise once told me, a true Fire Lord serves his people, not the other way around." His Uncle beamed beside him. Something had sunk in. Zuko straightened to look them each in the eye. "I will take the throne from my father, and restore balance to the world. I would ask that you stand with me."
Romjak smiled a great lopsided grin. "Didn't you hear us the other night, boy?" Zuko rankled at the word 'boy.' "We already stand with you."
"You have heard my opinion." Chi Lin added. "I will stand by you."
"As will I." Iroh said, pride swelling within him at the looks the other men were giving Zuko. They already believed in him. He was glad the rest of the world was catching on.
***Line break***Line break***Line break***
Zuko stalked through the woods, looking for an open area, needing to blow off steam. He didn't know why, but Chi Lin's story had poked the smoldering embers of his hatred for his father. If he didn't let out some extra energy, he was going to explode. Too many thoughts, memories whirled through his head: he needed to regain control. Control came from bending, from harnessing the wild side of himself.
A quarter mile down river he found a deep three-sided quarry, lined with smooth tiered rock walls and a slanted bottom. He jumped down from tier to tier until he reached the bottom, looking around. The pit was sandy at the bottom, the open side leading out to the pebbled river bank. He assumed, from the scattered boulders and dents, that this was where the Earthbenders trained. It was large enough to hold nearly fifty people, leaving them enough room to practice.
Zuko stood in the center of the quarry and assumed the 'rest' stance of the first form of fire bending, blowing steam from his nostrils. He flowed through the forms, reveling in the feeling of fire exploding from his hands, the feel of control over such an unpredictable force. A smirk crossed his face as he shot fire high into the sky from both fists, the feeling inside him one only another bender could understand: it was like seeing your soul.
The smirk faded instantly as a ball of water burst against the back of his head. He turned with a snarl, fists lit, to see Katara standing on one of the tiered rock steps on the side of the quarry wall. The fire in his grasp evaporated as he stared up at her. She was grinning down at him as she sent another stream of water straight for his head. Zuko ducked, only to have it rebound and hit him in the back of the head. He glared at her and shook his head, feeling the drops of water fly from his hair. He looked up to see Katara leap from the lowest tier to join him on the ground, her hands raised in a water form. Her eyebrows were cocked in an invitation, and she beckoned to him with her outstretched hand.
"I'll know if you hold back." She said, her voice a friendly challenge.
He snorted and smiled a half smile back at her, raising his own hands. She knew what he needed: a challenge, a fight. The second best way she could help him blow off steam, he thought. They circled each other, alternating the high ground. Zuko was at the highest point of the slanted base, facing Katara who stood with her back to the open wall of the quarry. He charged down the slope, igniting flaming daggers as he ran. Katara met him, striking back with a hail of icy spikes. Zuko flamed them into bolts of steam, countering with a slither of fire in her direction. He noticed her falter, her wrist turn the wrong way, her eyes widen, and he diverted it, just missing her face. He was about to stop, make sure she was okay, but instead she flung a slice of water straight towards him, a razor-sharp edge of ice along its edge. He flipped, skimming over it. He landed on his feet, shooting short bursts of flame at her in quick succession. Katara wove a slide of slick ice on the ground and went skimming over the thin sheet closer to him, gaining the high ground. She rained hard balls of ice towards him, her loose hair flying in every direction. He countered with bursts of flame from his feet, incinerating the slide.
As he moved, it felt less like sparring and more like dancing. Their movements felt synced, choreographed, anticipated by the other through a connection neither of them understood yet. He smirked as she flung tentacles of grasping water at him: he was glad to see she hadn't lost her imagination.
From the corner of the dim vision his ruined eye allowed him he saw movement. He ducked Katara's attack and glanced up to see lines of people sitting on the edge of the quarry with more standing behind them. He groaned inwardly, he always hated audiences, and sent a stream of fire in Katara's direction. She landed a blow with a jet of water to his shoulder, knocking him backwards. He sprung to his feet, dodging her follow up blows. He flipped to stand on his hands and sent a series of roundhouse kick flames towards her. She sent up a shield of ice, catching his flames, throwing the melted water right back at him. He lunged sideways but the water followed, drenching him. He steamed his clothes dry, charging at her. They clashed, sending quick bursts of their elements at the other from behind each other's backs, spinning in a circle back to back. His hand grasped her wrist as hers grasped his. They faced each other, an ice dagger at Zuko's throat, a controlled blue flame at Katara's. They panted into each other's faces, blood singing through their veins.
Katara broke first, her smile stretching from ear to ear. She let her dagger melt, dripping over his skin. He extinguished his flame, matching her smile. She flung her arms around him, oblivious to their observers. He clasped her back, lifting her off her feet to twirl her in a circle. She laughed as he set her back on her feet, their faces less than an inch apart. He wanted to grab her, kiss her, tell her she was amazing, beautiful, a warrior.
But the cheers of the crowd echoed through the quarry and he doubted she would hear him. But he stroked the side of her face with his palm and she brushed a kiss against it, sending small shocks through him. She stepped back from him, keeping her arm around his waist. She waved to the crowd and the cheers increased. Zuko rolled his eyes.
Slowly the noise from their audience died down to one last clap. It was a slow, loud beat, making the hairs on the back of Zuko's neck bristle. Katara let her arm fall, moving infinitesimally closer to him. He narrowed his eyes, trying to see who was still clapping. All the watchers on the ledge were looking around, trying to identify the source. Zuko tensed and felt Katara grip his wrist tightly as a lone, cloaked figure wove through the crowd above him to stand on the ledge of the quarry, clapping slowly.
"I didn't realize you'd be welcoming me with such…gusto."
Zuko turned sideways to angle himself for attack, Katara mirroring him, her back to his. The same jarring sense of choreographed sameness struck Zuko for a split second.
"I can't say you're a welcome sight, Prince Zuko," Zuko's blood blazed through his veins. He felt Katara brace herself beside him, letting out a snarl. "But the girl…" The cloaked figure lowered his black hood. The craggy, scarred, sneering face of Commander Zhao stared down at the pair of benders as red armored figures replaced the villagers on the quarry ledge. "…is always a pleasure to see."
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A.N. Uh oh…
To Kat-Tastrophe: You do you do! :D And thank you! Sokka has always been kind of tough for me to balance; not too silly but definitely not serious.
To Guest and Guest: Thank you!
To Guest: Toph was captured early by the bounty hunters hired by her father. Her fate now? Uncertain… Hmmmm ;) Appa and Momo fled after Aang's death and haven't been seen since. Or have they? Hmmmm….