Blades and Fans

by deathking00

After leaving Uncle Iroh's side Zuko dawns the mask of the blue spirit as he struggles to survive on his own he meets and joins a group of female warriors as they travel across the earth kingdom learning what it means to be a hero and the hardships that will follow and the bonds he makes with the captain of the painted warriors Zuki-fic

5. The Traitor

This is my first Avatar The Last Airbender fanfiction thank you to LunaStar07 for helping out with my writing and beta reading my work hope you enjoy the next chapter of Blades and Fans

Disclaimer I don't own anything related to ATLA

Zuko stared down at the man before him, the skin on his face bubbled and peeled from the intense burn from his blades. Akechi gritted his teeth as he whined in agony, trying in vain to stop the pain. He held his face as tears involuntarily poured from his eyes and down his scarred cheek. Zuko looked on, motionless, as he couldn't move, all he did was tremble, his swords shaking in his grip. As memories flashed through his mind of the night he got his scar, his father towering over him as he cried and begged for mercy. He could feel his left cheek heating up just at the memory and seeing the man before him only made his heart ache. "You... you will... pay for this!" Akechi started shouting as he removed his hand from his face. "I will... I will kill you!" he roared through clenched teeth as he let his pain fuel his rage.

Akechi charged at the Blue Spirit, igniting his fist with blazing orange fire, blasting fire toward the masked man. Zuko wasn't prepared for the assault as he raised his blades to shield himself. The fiery blast sent him flying back as he tumbled down the shallow hill. Zuko quickly rolled to his feet as Akechi went in for another attack, slashing at him with fire daggers. The fiery blades slicing through and singeing Zuko's dark garb as he tried to defend against the onslaught of attacks.

Zuko was reeling as the Fire Nation commander attacked him. The way he fought, the way he moved, the rage in his eyes, it felt he was looking in a mirror seeing himself for how people saw him. He even felt like he could predict Akechi's attacks the way he would strike, but without his bending, Zuko couldn't defend himself. Nothing he could do but try and find an opening and avoid getting too burned.

Zuko raised his blades, no longer glowing red hot, and slashed and thrust his swords towards Akechi. They twirled around each other in a violent dance of steel and fire, each landing painful strikes, but not killing blows. Akechi was bleeding as the blades of the Blue Spirit cut deep down his arm and the side of his leg, but the pain only made his attacks more ferocious. He roared in pure rage as he launched a massive torrent of fire out from his fists. Zuko eyes widened as the flames consumed him but in an act of pure instinct, he swiped his arms cutting through and bending the fire around him extinguishing it in an instance.

Akechi stared at the Blue Spirit in shock as he watched the masked man block his attack. "You... you are a firebender? You traitor!" Akechi shouted as he stared daggers at him. Zuko was silent his stomach twisted at the accusation, his eyes darted down to his blades and back up at the Fire Nation commander. He was fighting his people, he struck and marked a soldier of his nation. "Am I... am I a traitor?" Zuko said to himself confused before his eyes gazed up at the man in front of him. Akechi was bleeding down his arm and leg, but his wounds did not hinder him as he raised his fists ready to fight.

Zuko felt himself waver as Akechi attacked him. He could feel his ribs bruising and blood pooling in his mouth as he was beaten down. each kick, each punch, each blast of fire that threw him down all he could hear was the echo of Akechi's words playing in his head. "Traitor... Traitor... Traitor!" Zuko was labeled a traitor by his father, his family, his country and now his people. He betrayed them, it was no longer just false charges, he truly had become a traitor. These thoughts weighed down on his mind and he couldn't focus on the battle. He was in a daze as Akechi shot out another geyser of fire from his hands that launched Zuko through the air making him crash to the ground.

Zuko coughed up a bit more blood as he slumped over trying to get off the charred grass. "You are weak!" he heard the commander shout as he felt a blast of fire shove him back down to the ground. Akechi walked over to the Blue Spirit, whipping fire down on him. "You are pathetic! A wretched traitor!" he continued as he raised up his fist in the air, holding up a ball of fire. "And now you will burn for your crimes, traitor!" he roared, snapping Zuko back to his senses. He leapt to his feet, smacking away the ball of fire and slammed his fist straight into Akechi's face, sending him off balance.

Zuko then grabbed Akechi's collar and yanked him forward, bashing his mask against Akechi's face. The crunch of his nose breaking ringed in their ears. Akechi recoiled from the pain, trying to steady himself, but Zuko didn't give him a chance as he sent a kick to his chest. He let a blast of fire pour out from his heel, sending the commander flying back, crashing into a tree. The Fire Nation soldiers heard their commander's cries and they ran to his defence, helping him to his feet and shielding him from any more attacks. Zuko watched the soldiers pulling Akechi away from the battle as they huddled around him. "This isn't over traitor!" Akechi groaned as he tried to fight the grip of his soldiers who were trying to pull him to safety. "I will find you! I'll hunt you down no matter where you go and I will find you, and I will kill you!"

Zuko groaned as he heard the commander's threats. He watched as the Fire Nation soldiers begin to retreat from the town. His eyes were locked on the Commander's as he slowly disappeared behind the trees. "This isn't over..." he thought to himself knowing he will be seeing Akechi again. Seeing the fire in Akechi's eyes reminded him so much of himself: the anger, the hatred, the determination. It was the fire he had when trying to capture the Avatar. "Is that who I am?" Zuko said to himself as he looked down at himself and back at the darkness the Fire Nation soldiers escaped to.

"Blue! We need your help!" Zuko heard a voice calling for him, knocking him out of his train of thought. He turned around to see who had called for him and his eyes shot open as he saw the town. Chong Sheng was being consumed by fire. Even though they stopped the firebenders, the fire was raging on spreading from house to house. Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors tried to organize the villagers, getting water from the nearby wells and streams to try and douse the flames.

Zuko made his way down to the town and found the Kyoshi Warriors escorting some of the villagers. "Hey Blue!" Kikki called out waving him over. "Suki wants us to get everyone to the Inn!" she said pointing over to the building. Zuko could see, other than the hole in the side of the building, it was untouched by the fires and it seemed a bit away from the rest of the town so the fires wouldn't spread to it. He then turned to Kikki and gave a nod and she returned the gesture with a smile as she helped a woman onto a cart they were using to get people out. Zuko helped guiding people over to the cart as Tam and Ami joined him. They carried people out of one of the burning stores that was being used for cover from the battle.

The Kyoshi Warriors removed their robes, leaving on their modest undergarments, or their robes would catch fire as they helped the townspeople escape to safety. Ami took the robes and tore the fabric to make makeshift bandages, as she and the town's healers tended to the wounded. Suki did her best organizing everyone else, trying to put out the fires or tending to the people who were being loaded in the carts. Aikio mounted the Ostrich horse hitched to the cart and began pulling it away once it was full. "I need more water at the town hall, we have to slow down the fire before it consumes the clinic!" Suki directed some of the men as she and a few other women carried out whatever supplies they could as they raided the clinic. The men fruitlessly dumped water on the fire as they tried to slow down the blaze anyway they could.

Zuko helped Kikki load up another set of people on the cart as Aikio road off with them. "Pheww, looks like we are almost done here," Kikki said with a sigh of relief as she wiped the sweat off her brow, her warrior paint starting to run a bit. Zuko nodded and gave a similar breath of relief as the heat was starting to get to him too. He was a bit annoyed, though, by the sweat dripping down his own face since he couldn't wipe it away because of his mask. "Please! Someone help me!" they both turned seeing a man running over to them, his face full of panic and fear. The man grabbed at the Blue Spirit pleadingly "Help, my wife she's... she's trapped!" he said as he turned and pointed to his house that was almost completely consumed by the fire. "I told her to stay hidden during the attack. She's pregnant and couldn't run to help like everyone else. I told her to stay hidden till it was over, but when the house caught fire... I couldn't..." his voice cracked as he feared for his wife's safety.

Zuko and Kikki both stared at the house consumed in fire before glancing at each other. "I'll get the captain, she will know what to do," she said and Zuko gave her a nod and she raced over to get Suki. Zuko then looked around, spotted a few men carrying buckets of water, pulled them over, and directed them towards the blaze that engulfed the man's home. "Please, we have to save her," the man continued to plead. Zuko wished he could speak and tell him it'll be alright but he restrained himself. He was the silent Blue Spirit he reminded himself. He shook his head and waved over more of the townspeople to start dousing the fire with water.

Suki and the other Kyoshi Warriors followed Kikki to the house the man's wife was trapped in. Suki wanted to help but when she saw the blaze she knew it was hopeless. The fire was too hot and they wouldn't have enough water to out it. She knew that if the woman was still trapped in there it wouldn't be for much longer. Suki watched as the Blue Spirit and her Warriors joined the villagers who were trying to put out the fire. The water barely touched the fire before turning into steam as they emptied their buckets. Suki then thought hard about what to do and an idea came to mind, though she wished there was another way. "Blue!" She called out running over to the masked man. "Blue, I need your help and I wouldn't ask this if there was any other way but," she took a breath as she looked up at the Blue Spirit. "Do you think, you can walk through the fire like you did before?"

Zuko was taken a bit back by Suki's request "Look I know it's crazy, but there is no way we can put out this fire to get to her," she pleaded knowing she is asking a lot of him. "It's our only shot, but if you can't do it, I understand," Zuko grimaced as he turned from her gaze to look at the fire and the scorching flames. He let out a sigh, knowing if this is there only chance to save the woman, he had to take it. He nodded his head as he reached up and undid the strap for his swords and handed it to her. "Thank you Blue," Suki smiled gratefully as she took his blades and they both walked over to the man whose wife is trapped. "Sir, can we ask you a question?" the man glanced up at Suki and the Blue Spirit and nodded as he looked down mournful for his wife. "Where would your wife be hiding if she is still in the house?" Suki asked which made the man a bit curious as he looked back up at her. "Ummm in our bedroom. that would be... upstairs first door on the right," he said trying to recall his houses layout. Suki nodded and turned to the Blue Spirit. "Do you think you can make it there and find her?" she asked him as she watched him take a damp cloth and wrapped it around the mouthpiece of his mask. He took a few calm breaths and nodded as he stretched himself out.

"Blue... good luck," Suki bit her lip as her eyes locked onto the Blue Spirit, watching as he bolted towards the burning house. Zuko ran up to the front porch and rammed himself at the front door, bashing his shoulder in it as it burst open. Zuko instantly felt the intense wave of heat wash over him as he stood in the main hall now engulfed in flame. The fire rose up the walls and danced across the ceiling as the smell of burning wood and ash filled Zuko's nose. He let out several coughs covering his mouth with his arm, the heavy smoke threatened to fill his lungs. He tried to navigate through the heat and smoke, letting the fire waft around him, trying to make his way up the crumbling stairs. He let out a loud groan as the building began to shake the fires eagerly burning away at the support beams. Zuko shook his head as he steadied himself knowing he had to move quickly or else he would be crushed.

Zuko finally made his way up to the second floor, his body aching and his breath was ragged, and his throat raw and torn. He had to keep up his steady breaths to keep the fires from burning him, but as the flames got hotter it made breathing more and more difficult. Zuko kept moving through the second floor. Finding the main bedroom, he kicked down the door before making his way in. He quickly scanned the room, which also was coated in the fire, before finally spotting a woman on the floor.

The woman was unconscious next to the bed, the flames slowly creeping their way towards her limp form. Zuko quickly ran to her pulling her body over to him as he checked her pulse. He sighed in relief, feeling the soft steady beats from her heart, though her breaths were laboured and slow. He became worried, not only for her but for her baby. He had to get her out soon. He wrapped his arms around her and began to pick her up, but suddenly the building began to shake again and massive wooden beams began crashing down. Zuko quickly pulled the woman to cover as the ceiling collapsed, blocking the bedroom door.

They were cut off with no escape from the burning bedroom. Zuko glanced around for any exit, any path out but found none, there was no escape. He glanced down at the woman in his arms and then down at his hands. "If there is no way out, then I'll make one," he stated slowly laying the woman down. Taking the mostly damp cloth from his over his mouth he drapped it over the woman's face, letting her breathe in the moisture. He took a few long deep breaths, calming himself as he got to the centre of the room and getting in his firebending stance. He got down low as he started to sway and twirl his arms around his body, keeping his breathing steady as he felt the fire around him slowly follow his commands. The fire that coated the room began to leap off the wood, slowly dancing along in the air and following the slow movements of the Blue Spirit.

Zuko coughed, feeling the smoke start to rush into his mouth as he continued his breathing. He fought back the urge to stop as he summoned the flames around him into his palms, creating a condensed ball of fire in his hands. He could feel the radiating heat coming from the small ball of fire in his hands; it as if he was holding the very sun itself. He could feel the energy building between his fingers till it was ready to burst and he shot his hands forward. He shot the fireball straight at the wall, creating a massive explosion. The blast could be felt outside as the whole building shook. The fireball tore a massive hole through the wall and down the hallway.

Zuko had no time to lose, already feeling his body drained from performing that technique. His breath shallow and weak, he reached over for the woman and picked her up in his arms. He dashed through the opening, trying to race down to the stairs. His legs shaking as the building start to break apart, the ceiling falling down and Zuko doing his best to dodge the crumbling debris. When he reached the stairwell, it was completely destroyed leaving only a pit of fire and burning wood. Zuko took another deep breath, sucking in more smoke as he leapt down to the first floor and summoned a gust of fire at his feet to slow his descent. He landed with a loud huff as he felt the floor crack under his feet. He tightened his grip on the woman in his arms. Zuko then made a final dash, racing at full speed for the front door as the whole building came crashing down.

Suki watched anxiously outside with everyone else as the building burned "Come on Blue, come on," she prayed after hearing the explosion making her worry even more, regretting sending him into the fire. Her eyes widen as the building began shaking, the roof collapsing in on itself. She wanted to cry out but was silent. Her words were caught in her throat as the building was coming down. Tears threatened to spill down her face, wanting to turn away until she saw a glimmer of blue emerging from the orange fire. "Blue!" she called out as everyone turned their gaze on the house.

Zuko gripped the woman tightly as he charged out of the house, crashing down to the grassy lawn below. The whole house finally caving in leaving nothing but a bonfire in its place. The husband pushed everyone out of his way as he raced over to the Blue Spirit. "What happened, where's wife, where's my Ying?" He pleaded as he watched the Blue Spirit slowly lift his arms and reveal the man's wife shielded in his arms. "My Ying," the man cried as he pulled the pregnant woman to him, pulling her into his lap. "Thank you, Blue Spirit, Thank you." Zuko gave a slight nod as he struggled to get to his feet, slowly making his way over to the Kyoshi Warriors.

Suki smiled wide, hiding the tears that spilt over her cheeks as she and her sisters went to congratulate the Blue Spirit. "That was amazing, you dashed in the fire like it was nothing. Then the building was coming down and we were like oh no it's coming down. Then you just grabbed the woman and race out just in the nick of time as the building blew up behind you!" Tam said almost giddy as she praised him making the other girls groan at her retelling. "Yeah, yeah big hero we get it," Aikio said annoyed as she nudged the girl's side. "Hey, stop that," she said earning another nudge from Aikio.

Suki shook her head hearing the girls and turned to the Blue Spirit "That was indeed amazing Blue," she smiled up at him and he gave a subtle nod, but she noticed how unsteady he looked. "Hey, Blue, you alright?" she asked reaching out to touch his arm to give him some support.

Zuko felt dizzy; his eyes blurred as he fell forward, coughing hard as the Kyoshi Warriors failed to catch him. "Blue!" Suki cried out as she knelt to his side. Zuko just coughed hard, struggling to breathe after being in that house so long sucking in so much smoke. He grabbed his mask pushing it up as best he could, trying to catch his breath. He managed to push the mask up above his mouth as he lurched over coughing again as bile spilled from his mouth throwing up: onto the grass. Suki tried to keep him steady rubbing his back and holding him as he threw up again.

"Water..."Zuko coughed as his mind became confused blanking out as he wasn't focusing on keeping his cover. "Blue? did you-" Suki was cut off as Zuko turned to her his mask covering half of his face. "Water," he pleaded a bit more clearly his throat raw and aching. "Kikki, get me some water now. Ami get the healers," she ordered as she cradled the Blue Spirit in her arms as the girls quickly did as they were told.

Kikki was the first to return bringing over a bucket of lukewarm water. She reached over to hand it to Suki, but the Blue Spirit quickly snatched it away. He lifted up the bucket and began pouring it into his mouth drinking as much as he can. Most of the water spilling over his face and down his shirt. He groaned and gagged as he dropped the bucket and began throwing up again coughing up most of the water he tried to drink.

Suki tried her best to hold the Blue Spirit up but he fell forward, his limp body barely moving in her arms. "Blue, Blue wake up!" she calls out as she held him as he was barely breathing now. "Aikio, Tam see if you can get the healers here quick," She orders as Ami hasn't returned yet as she grew even more terrified. Aikio and Tam nodded as they went off to get help. "Blue, Blue wake up," she pleaded as she reached up and touched his exposed cheek as she looked down at him. "Wake up."