Greetings, avid readers!
I'd like to start with thanking all the reads, favs and follows in this story. Even if silent, your support means a lot. As for the ones that took their time to write a review, thank you as well!
I am back in my schedule, don't come at me. I'd also like to take a moment to thank all the people that have favorited and followed the story, your support and enjoyment means the world to me. I'm still exhausted, but I've come to accept this as my new normal state. I think that's what adults do. I wouldn't know, legally I'm an adult, but I'm still a kid.
My weekly obsession is... Ms Cane. Only because her book came out yesterday and I am positively freaking out, why do I have to pay bills and work to pay my bills if all I want is to curl up in my blankie and READ THE GODDAMN BOOK! I have not given up on Ms. LiAnne Kay, though I have no idea when the third book is coming out.
Update: it's coming out Nov 30, now I have a date to look forward to.
Update 2: I read the book. It was amazing.
Guest, I'm glad you liked it!
Big Johnny Jr, thank you for your compliments! I hope you like this new chapter!
Brain Fart, is it just me or are you adding words to your vocabulary? I got a four-word review from you! (JK, I love ya)
Dommie, you love second-hand embarrassment, don't you. Have it. Also, was there ever a question that I loff u? The answer better be no.
This is my first try at a Avatar fanfiction. Go easy on me. Reviews and flames are always welcomed, for they keep my cat and I warm at night.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar nor any of the characters. Such credit should go to Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. I do own a... certain amount of characters that will be recognized further into the story.
Thank you, and enjoy the chapter!
Chapter XVIII: The Palace Invasion
X—X
He could not sleep. It had been three days since his fight with Katara, and he wanted to fix things between them. Maybe he could have been more tactful in approaching the subject with her, maybe a gentler talk would have sufficed. But he doubted the result would have been different. He had spent the last few days trying to avoid her, not only because of their fight but because of what he had blurted out in the heat of the moment.
Once he had gotten to his room, and his anger towards the situation – never towards her – faded, he realized he had come clean about his feelings for her in a rather explosive manner. Surely rumors had already started to fly and, if Suki's knowing looks were of any indication, the Kyoshi Warrior had been Katara's confidant.
He looked up at the canopy of his bed, sighing. Well, at least his feelings were out in the open. Not that it helped his case, because now he had put her in an uncomfortable position between him and Aang. And the last thing he wanted was to make her feel inadequate or insecure. He and his big mouth, his blindness when it came to her, his unhinged passion for her.
He heard a scuffle from his window and frowned. He slowly reached under his pillow, grabbing the hilt of the knife he kept there. The person was quiet, too quiet, and the only sound Zuko heard was when the person swung his sword down at Zuko.
He immediately blocked and kicked the person away, jumping to his feet. The man was dressed in black from head to toe, and Zuko threw the knife at him, cutting his arm. That gave him enough time to grab his own sword from the wall. He armed himself and swung it at the stranger. Metal clashed and grunts echoed through the air, but Zuko was not about to lose to a masked man.
A scream pierced through the air, and both men froze. Zuko kicked him in the chest and ran to the door, wrenching it open. He stepped out to the corridor and gasped. Aang and Toph were engaged in combat with three masked men, Katara was up against two, and Suki and Sokka fought off three more. Ahria was nowhere to be found, but Zuko could not bring himself to care much.
Another one came at him and he found himself facing two men. Surely his guards had already been alerted, and he just had to hold them off until they got there. But then Katara screamed, and he saw a blade bury itself in her shoulder before she managed to push the attacker back. Zuko saw the blood dripping down her arm and froze.
"Katara!"
His split-second distraction was more than enough for one of his enemies to stab him, and he faltered on one knee. He looked up to the man and glared, his hand on fire and ready to burn the guy to a crisp. But suddenly, the man was gone, and Zuko had to look up to see him enveloped in a tornado, that seemed rather close to tearing his arm off.
"Sorry for the delay. Went to grab these guys." Ahria smirked and pointed behind her, to the armed guards. "You need a better alarm system. May I suggest the wailing of a baby?"
"Afterwards, yes." He watched as she slammed the guy against the wall, knocking him unconscious. "You could have killed him!"
"He tried to kill you!" She exclaimed. "Next time should I tell him to go right away and chop your head off?!"
"…fair point." Zuko conceded. "Go help Katara."
"Yes sir."
Between Ahria and his own guard joining the fight, the enemies were trapped and unconscious very soon. Zuko eyed them all one by one, removing their masks to find angry strangers staring at him. The firebender ordered his guards to take them to the dungeons, where he would interrogate them later. He saw Aang grab Ahria, who was bleeding from one arm and frown at her.
"Let me see it."
He looked down to see Katara trying to pull his hand away from his injury. Her hand was firm on his wrist, her eyes glowing with unshed tears and she had a bleeding cut near her eyebrow. He raised his free hand to wipe away the blood, eyebrows crunched up.
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay. Let me heal you."
"Heal yourself first." He declared.
"I have. Let me."
She tugged his hand away and brought forth some water, coating his injury with it and healing him with a soft whisper. He took a moment to oversee everyone's condition: Toph was still cracking her knuckles, Sokka and Suki hovered over each other, checking for injuries and bruises, and Aang was having his hand bandaged by Ahria.
But his eyes eventually found the waterbender in front of him, and he could not help but bury his hand in her hair as he cradled her face. She looked up to him with a soft smile, and Zuko let himself momentarily forget about everything between them, and move to a world where there was only the two of them. She kissed his palm when she pulled her hand away, his torso completely healed. She allowed him to check her shoulder for even the faintest scar, but there was nothing.
"Are you okay?" She whispered.
"I am now." He nodded. "Thank you, Katara."
She smiled and tugged his shirt down. He straightened back up and he looked at everyone. His guards moved to do a final sweep of the palace grounds to make sure the offenders were all caught. His eyes fell on Ahria and Aang, and he frowned at his bandaged hand.
"What happened?"
"Physical fight is not my forte. I may have bruised a knuckle punching a guy."
"Solid punch, Twinkle Toes, but you need to work on your delivery. Got sloppy on the landing."
"I can give you some tips if you want," Sokka smirked.
"Thanks, man." Aang smiled.
"What even happened?" Suki asked.
"Another assassination attempt, if I had to guess." Zuko shrugged. "I'm guessing someone who's trying to stop me from opening the trading lines again."
"Shit, Zuko… do you need reinforcements?"
"One or two wouldn't hurt, but I don't want to be a hassle."
"Don't be stupid, you're the Fire Lord." Katara rolled her eyes.
"Katara's right. And you're my friend. Of course I want to help you." Suki smiled. "I'll send them a letter first thing in the morning."
"Thank you, Suki." He nodded. "Rea?"
"That's me, yes." She raised her head.
"That was impressive." He commented. "Where the hell were you during the war?"
"Being held prisoner inside your father's dungeon." She shrugged.
Everyone froze and turned to look at her. She watched all their faces go from shock to pity, to apprehension, and finally to sadness. It took her a moment to realize everyone was staring at her, and another to realize why. Once she did, she cursed under her breath and scratched the hand of her head.
"Wow." She smiled. "I really put a damper on the conversation, huh?"
"I'm sorry." Zuko let out.
"Not your fault, Fire Lord." She clicked her tongue.
"Your leg." Katara realized. "And the poison scar!"
"Yeah, Droplet. But don't worry. You healed it perfectly, so thank you."
Aang stared at her. He finally understood all the secrecy around her injuries, why she refused to tell him where they had come from, and the entire mystery behind that one year of her life no one seemed to know about. It all made perfect sense now. The so-called 'war training', the knowledge about guards' rotation, the easiest way to calm someone down from a panic attack, and the general devil-may-care attitude she showed everyone.
Toph moved to stand next to her and punched her arm. "You're cool. I like you."
Ahria let out a laugh. "I like you too, Toph."
A/N: There will be more. I promise. Ask Dommie, I keep my promises. I got to the point of no return where I can't drop the story... but still. Keep in mind, I'll keep this story up or drop it depending on your feedback.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to review if you want, or if you don't, I hope you liked it!
First to review gets a cookie!
Lots of love from this weirdo,
LoneeWolf :)