So, how does everyone like my little in-between story? I didn't wanna do just another time skip, they are boring and this is a Zuko X OC story, there needs to be Sweet Zuli moments.
Special thanks to Avatar4ever for giving me the "rise with the sun" idea! I love your face!
Anyways, Happy Reading!
ZUKO'S POV
The sun is rising, I can feel it. It doesn't matter where I am, I always know when the sun rises. It's like a renewed heat in my blood making me stronger, making my heart beat faster, and giving me the energy and will to face the day.
I made the mistake of trying to lift my head. My neck was killing me; I must have slept on it wrong. Oh, that's right I fell asleep waiting for Felicity to get back, and make her talk to me. I wasn't going to let her win this little game of hers.
I tried to slowly work my neck to a comfortable angle. It was no use, why did I have to fall asleep? Worse than that, I've been here all night. I'm never going to hear the end of this. She's probably already thought of a thousand different ways to bring this up at the most uncomfortable moments.
I turned, trying to stretch but I felt something strange gripping the chest of my shirt, "Her hand?"
It wasn't until I saw her hand that I realized my head was laying on her arm. I tugged her hand away. It was so small compared to mine. She had lots of tiny scars, even a small burn scar, and long fingernails. I never really liked long fingernails, because Azula would keep hers at sharp points that would cause me to bleed when she'd scratch me. Felicity, however, is different; nothing about her was anything like Azula. Yes, she drove me insane from time to time. I hated it when she would get in my head, but she had a warm, calming smile and an honest, happy laugh. She was like the sun rising.
She was smiling in her sleep, good. For the past few weeks she would wake in the middle of the night with terrible nightmares. I hated seeing her cry because of them. Her eyes would be so blue when she was crying. It was the most beautiful blue I had ever seen, but I knew that those blue, teary eyes were full of pain. She hid it so well until the nightmares came.
There was a strand of hair that fell across her face. I couldn't stop myself from brushing it back behind her ear. She turned her head just then, and I felt her face brush against my palm. Then those blue eyes were looking up at me.
"Good morning, fussy pants," her voice was scratchy from sleep.
"So now you talk to me?" I wanted to be mad at her, but she just smiled at me and stretched.
She reached for what she called a phone and it lit up. I was starting to figure out how she did it now. It had been playing the sounds of waves, but she turned on her music. I had gotten used to hearing all those strange songs, but this one was quiet and smooth. Those kinds were my favorites and the ones she would sing to.
"What is this one?" I nodded at the phone.
She just smiled, "You like it?" She reached over and made it play louder, "It's called 'River Flows in You.' It's one of my favorites too."
I nodded again and rubbed my neck, "What was the one you were singing last night?"
She thought for a moment, "Oh, this one?" She looked through all the different songs.
"How many do you have?"
She just laughed and played the song, "A lot! You meant this one?"
I nodded as I listened to the words and she sang quietly along with the music.
'What would I do without your smart mouth
Drawing me in, and you kicking me out
Got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down
What's going on in that beautiful mind
I'm on your magical mystery ride
And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me, but I'll be alright
My head's underwater
But I'm breathing fine
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind…'
"Yes, I like this one," I stood up and rubbed my neck again.
"Is your neck stiff? I take classes in massage therapy, Zuko; I can help if you want me too?" She sat up on her knees and patted the bed.
"I don't think that's a good idea," I wouldn't have minded it; as a matter of fact I probably would have enjoyed it. Too much, in fact.
"Suit yourself, do you always wake up so early," Felicity asked as I walked to the door.
"I'm a firebender," she didn't seem to understand. I don't know why she's a firebender too, well sort of. "Fire benders rise with the sun." She never did though, most likely due to her nightmares.
"Really? I thought that was just a saying because you get power from the sun," she smiled and stretched again. "Kind of like how firebenders have gold or honey brown eyes."
"Yes, both are true," I forgot how much she knew. I stared at her for a moment.
"What?"
"I've never seen a fire bender with blue eyes." She had the spirit of a firebender that was for sure, but if you looked into her eyes… She had the eyes of a waterbender.
Felicity just smiled, "What can I say, I'm strange like that."
"Yes, one of a kind, thank the spirits." She stuck her tongue out at me. "I'll see you at breakfast?"
"I don't know, you're getting a little blurry."
"Don't even start, not that again."
"Ok, ok fussy pants, you won." She gave me a devious smirk, "This time, anyways."
I left her room, closing the door behind me. Lieutenant Jee and the firebender Chan stared at me as I left her room, Great! Perfect timing…
"Prince Zuko?" Jee looked like he wasn't sure what to say.
Just then Felicity opened her door, "Zuko, you forgot this," handed me my robe. "Oh, good morning, gentleman, see you all at breakfast." She went back in her room and left the three of us standing in silence.
"I'll be in my room, come get me when breakfast is ready," I turned and walked down the hall.
"Yes sir," they both said.
At least now I won't have to worry about that Chan hugging her anymore. I thought smirking. What am I talking about, she's not mine. She can do whatever she wants….. Except hug him!
ALICE'S POV
Finally land! I thought I was going to die if we stayed in the air for one more minute. We had finally reached the Great Divide to let Appa rest and get some last minute supplies. Katara and Sokka were staring out over the canyon. They can look all they want. To me it was just a long drop and a sudden stop.
Katara was in complete awe, "Wow, I could just stare at it forever. Alice, you really need to see this."
Sokka turned on his heels, "Okay, I've seen enough."
"What Sokka said," I pointed at Sokka. Ha, look at the rocky death tap of certain death… and doom, I think not!
"How can you not be fascinated, Sokka? This is the largest canyon in the entire world. Come on Alice, it's beautiful!" Katara pointed out over the canyon.
"Yes," I nodded, "beautiful, to you. To me, it just looks like a big bowl of dead Alice soup."
Aang laughed at me, "Don't worry, Alice, I won't let anything happen to you. I didn't realized you were so scared of flying"
"Thank you, Aang," I pouted.
"I'm sure we'll be able to see it very clearly from the air while we fly away." Sokka nodded while fiddling with Appa's leads.
Fly? Great! "And that's not cue to put my head between my legs." I sighed, "Sokka will you knock me out until we get to the other side."
All of the sudden some Jerky McJerkface shoved past Sokka, knocking him into me, "If you're looking for the canyon guide, I was here first!"
The dude almost knocked the two of us over, but luckily Sokka had pretty good balance. I still landed on my butt after Sokka realized his arm was around my waist, and he jerked away.
"Ow!" I hissed.
Sokka reached out and helped me back up, "Sorry."
"Ooh, canyon guide? Sounds informative," Katara looked excited. She and Jerkface started talking about the canyon and his tribe.
Just then Jerkface's rival tribe popped up, Oh, this is not gonna be good. I knew what was coming. I'm going to have to go down in the Bowl of Alice soup. Ah man! I kicked a rock over the cliff side. Meet you at the bottom, buddy.
The only upside, at least my feet would be on the ground. Wait a minute, isn't this the one with the big bugs? Oh crap! I was lost in thought when Jerkface's tribe popped up. Well, they all look like golden rays of sunshine. It's a good thing Fili isn't here, if they know about her cleaning habits, or lack thereof, Snooty Pants tribe would have her crucified.
"Well Aang, ready to put your peace-making skills to the test?" Katara looked back at him while the two tribes fought.
"I don't know, a fight over chores is one thing, but these people have been feuding for a hundred years." Aang looked nervous. I put my hand on his shoulder and smiled.
Katara stepped forward, "Everybody listen up! This is the Avatar, and if you give him a chance, I'm sure he can come up with a compromise that will make everyone happy."
I gave her a 'really' look, "Yeah, great way to throw him to the wolves, Katara." I whispered under my breath.
Well, as expected, we were getting ready to head down into the canyon. This was terrible. I was going to die of a heart attack at this rate. My foot slipped and I instinctively grabbed Sokka's arm.
"Hey what are you doing?" He tried to pull away, but I held on harder.
"I..am…going…to DIE!"
He just laughed at me, "You're not ever near the edge, down worry."
"I will always worry, do you hear me? Always!"
He laughed again, "Okay, I got you, just don't look down."
I made some kind of squeaking noise. Don't look down. Don't look down. Just then I tripped on a rock. I think it was the one I kicked; it was coming after me with a steaming hot plate of revenge. I screamed, "Sokka, I'm looking down."
He just reached over and covered my eyes with his other hand, "It's okay, scaredy cat, I wouldn't let you fall."
"Thank you, Sokka; I knew you were a good person."
He just led me down the hill, "No problem. I'll get you out of here. You have to see Fili again, right?"
"Right, gotta see Fili. Wait, I thought you hated her?" I peeked through his fingers
He smiled down at me, "I just don't like that she stays with Zuko, and I don't hate her. She can't be all bad. She has helped us, and I mean she is your sister."
FILI'S POV
"No, Felicity, do it again!" Iroh shouted to me, "You're not breathing right, breathing is the key to firebending. Start from form one," he sat down and poured himself a cup of tree.
"Form one? I have the first six forms down; can't I start from number six?"
"No! Do it all again!" Jeez, Uncle Iroh is scary when he yells. I don't like it.
Zuko was training with Chan and Lieutenant Jee before he walked over to me, "Having trouble?"
"Yeah," I frowned. "Why can't I just do what I always do?"
"Because that takes much too long for you to even make a flame. What if you are in a fight and you need to firebend, but you're not fast enough?" He pulled my shoulders back so they were straighter.
"I would say, 'Hey, Fussy pants, get your ponytail over here and save me,'" I gave him a goofy grin.
"And I would ignore you."
"Oi, no need to be mean, Zuko. I'm just not used to this. I'm lazy, remember?"
Just then Chan walked over, "If he wouldn't….couldn't help you then I would."
"Aww, thanks." I turned back to Uncle Iroh and took a deep breath. Zuko was annoyed. I could tell because when Chan left, Zuko made tiny arcs of flames with his fists.
"Now, focus, Felicity, inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Make sure your roots are solid and steady." Iroh walked around me in a circle. "Good, now form one."
I took a solid step forward and pushed the air with my right hand, then did the same with my left foot and fist. I pulled my fists into my sides then punched with my right fist, no flame.
"Deeper breaths, form two!"
Taking a step forward, I punched with my left hand. I swung my left hand down then back behind me. When I found my balance, I kicked with my right leg. Finally fire! It wasn't as much as Zuko's kicks but it was more than I had ever done before that quickly.
"Good, what were you feeling when you did it?" Iroh nodded.
"Feeling? Well honestly, I was thinking how good it would be to see my sister again," I looked down before taking my stance again.
"Hold on to that feeling and keep playing it in your mind with each form. Form three.
It felt like forever before I finished all of the basic forms and with how my body was feeling, I wouldn't have named them basic. I was ready to just let my arms fall off, but at least I was getting better with the fire. Plus, when I did things my way it didn't take as long to create a flame. Controlling the "heat" around myself to make a slow intense flame was easy, but bringing it out and actually making a flame with firebending was a lot harder.
Iroh and many of the other men were getting ready for the ship's music night. Most of them had been talking about it since dinner. I wasn't going to miss this. I mean I call myself a musicbender, how can I miss music night? I might even bribe Zuko into going in exchange for some Avatar information.
I was on my way to the galley, I was starving. I wonder what weird food we would have tonight. Zuko and Uncle Iroh were talking to some of the men. Zuko looked annoyed with his arms crossed, while Iroh and the other men were laughing. As a matter of fact, when I got closer I could see Zuko was blushing slightly.
"Are all of you teasing, Fussy pants? You know that's my job," When I walked up they all go quiet. Whoa, weird.
"Hello Felicity, we were just having a little laugh, but more importantly we were talking about music night." Iroh was excited, "You are going to join us, yes?"
"Of course, I love music. You all know that."
Lieutenant Jee looked up at me, "We heard a rumor that you sing as well, Lady Felicity."
"I do, from time to time. I mostly just sing in my room though. Back home I sing and play music because I have a scholarship."
"What's a scholarship, do you study singing?" Iroh asked.
"Well, yes and no," I was trying to think to explain. "A scholarship is when a university gives a student, like myself, money for their schooling because they have a strong skill in something. "
"So you have a strong skill in singing?" Jee asked.
I nodded, "Yeah! Well… music and dance."
Iroh smiled, "Then you'll have to sing something for us tonight."
Lieutenant Jee clapped Chan on the back, "And treat Chan here to a dance."
"I don't know about all that, but I'll do something. You all haven't forgotten I have some pretty cool musical juju." I 'Jack Sparrow' finger waved at them.
They all just laughed at me, and Uncle Iroh patted my shoulder, "Whatever you decide to do I'm sure it will be lovely."
"Thank you, Uncle Iroh. Now if you gentleman will excuse me, I need some food."
I finally sat down with a plate of what looked and smelled like grilled chicken and some fried rice. I had two pitchers of water close by just in case this was like most fire nation food aka tongue boiling hot. Luckily for me, the cook was used to my mild taste, and he would make me something with less kick to it than the others.
"You must really like goose-chicken," Zuko said as he sat down next to me.
"Fussy pants, how many times do I have to tell you, don't tell me what I'm eating." I stared down at my plate, suddenly very sad. "At least it's goose-chicken and not opossum-chicken, but it tastes good."
"Why don't you want to know what it is?" He gave me a strange look.
"Because, you guys have weird animals here, if this tastes great and won't kill me then I don't want to know if it's Cow-hippo or turtle-duck or whatever weird combinations of animal this comes from. Alright?"
"Alright, I understand. Are you going to sing at their music night?" He didn't look at me; he just poured himself a glass of water.
"I don't know. I might just play some music, or maybe I'll dance." I took a sip of water. Man, I miss Mountain Dew. I'm so tired of water. Honestly the dew of the mountain should taste like Mountain Dew, but be just as healthy for you. Now that would be a dream come true.
"Felicity, are you listening to me?" Zuko waved at me.
"What? Oh sorry, fussy pants, I was lost in thought. What did you say?"
"I was saying that if you do decide to sing or whatever you want to do then I will go and listen." He looked so serious.
"Careful, Fussy pants, your sweet side is showing," I poked his shoulder.
He brushed it off, "I just think it would be more interesting then what my uncle or the others could do."
"Mmhm, sure, well what do you think I should do?" He mostly just listened to me talk for a little while until he noticed the other crewman staring at us.
"Well, whatever you decide to do I'll see later," He hurried off out of the galley.
Okay, weird. I put my earbuds in my ears and flipped through different songs. I had no idea what I was going to do. Dang it, I haven't been this nervous since I auditioned for my scholarship.
ZUKO'S POV
Uncle, Felicity, many of the crewmen, and I were all on deck sitting around a small fire pit. Uncle had already sung and everyone was laughing, it wasn't very good. This was turning out to be a taste of time. Lieutenant Jee played the lute very well, however.
Felicity clapped for them. I was glad to see her happy. On the other hand, I didn't like seeing Chan sitting next to her.
I knew it from the start. I knew she would be a distraction.
'What's wrong, fussy pants?' I heard her voice in my head.
'Stop getting in my head, Felicity; you know how much I hate it when you do that.' I glared at her but she just smiled at me.
I had told her over and over not to get in my head unless it was of the utmost importance but did she listen to me? No.
'Calm down, we're here to have fun, right? So lighten up!'
'This is all just a big-'
'Distraction, I know. How terrible! How dare these men play music and not stay completely focused. HONOR!'
'Are you making fun of me again?'
'Don't I always? I mean really, Zuko, what else is new? If I'm not teasing you about something you need to worry.' She just laughed again at the men, and when she looked over at me she smiled and winked.
"Well, Miss Felicity, it's your turn," Jee pointed over at her when he finished playing.
"Oh, look at the time," She yawned. "It is bedtime for me."
"Oh no, it is your turn, Felicity," I smirked at her and she glared back at me.
"Well, what kind of song would you guys want to hear?" She looked at all of them.
"Nothing too serious," Uncle pointed out. "Something happy and fun."
"Maybe a love song," Chan smiled at her.
"Or a story?" Jee added.
"Oh, I got it. How about all three?" She looked at all of them then at me. "It's a song from one of my favorite love stories. It's about a young and handsome prince that is put under a terrible curse. He is turned into a beast. He has to find someone to fall in love with him for who he is, or the curse will never be broken."
"That sounds like an interesting story." Uncle nodded and I saw him glance over at me.
"Well, how does the song go, Miss Felicity?" Jee asked, holding his lute.
She took her phone and flipped through the songs. "Ok, I haven't done this in a while. I hope it works." She stood up and waved her hand over the fire pit. In each of her hands, small flames floated and started to take different shapes. One was a woman, the other was a tall bear-like creature.
"What are you doing?" I watched her closely.
"I'm going to tell the story. Well, part of it." She smiled and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath then opened her eyes again.
It's hard to explain what happened next. The two flames became two people, and then music started to play. The two figures bowed to one another, and Felicity started to sing.
"Tale as old as time
true as it can be. Barely even friends,
Then somebody bends, unexpectedly.
Just a little change
Small to say the least
Both a little scared, neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast."
The two flames danced together as she sang, and the music was that soft, calm type that I really liked. There was one part of the song that caught my attention.
"Bittersweet and Strange
Finding you can change. Learning you were wrong
Certain as the sun rising in the east
Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast"
At the end of her song the woman flame hugged the beast flame, then the beast turned into a man, and the two kissed. As I watched Felicity while she was singing, but when she looked up at me she smiled. It wasn't like the other times she would smile. This wasn't a teasing smile, this one was softer somehow.
When she finished everyone was in awe. It took them a moment before they started clapping.
"That was a lovely story," Uncle clapped and Felicity turned and looked at him.
"So she did fall in love with the prince even though he was cursed?" Jee asked.
"Yes, she did. It's a story about how what someone looks like on the outside doesn't matter." She looked back at me, "What matters is who they are on the inside."
"Well, I believe this was a great success, and now it's time for bed. A man needs his rest and a woman too." Uncle Iroh clapped again before telling everyone good night. Chan and the other men gathered up all the chairs and instruments. Then Jee used his firebending to put out the fire in the pit.
I walked the deck for a while just wondering where the Avatar might be. Who am I kidding? I was thinking about Felicity and that smile. What did it mean?
"Miss Felicity, may I escort you to your room?" Chan asked her before he went into the ship.
"Thank you, but no. I'm going to stay out here for a little while," she answered. I'll admit I was pleased to hear her turn him down. 'So why are you still out here, fussy pants?'
'I told you to stay out of my head.' That didn't sound as stern as I wanted it to.
"I know," she walked over to me.
"I really don't like it," that was a little better.
"But that's what makes it so much fun."
"Your song…" I cleared my throat, "I liked it."
"Thanks," she leaned against the railing next to me. "I picked it for you."
"Me? Why me?" Could she really mean….
Maybe…
"Felicity?"
She just gave me that soft, warm smile again, "I'll leave it to you imagination, Fussy pants." She reached over and took my hand, "Would you be so kind as to escort me to my room, Zuko?"
I just nodded. I didn't want to say anything to mess it up. She would have probably just teased me if I did. She held my hand all the way to her room. When I told her good night and closed the door I realized I enjoyed holding her hand.
Why did one woman have to be so distracting?
FILI'S POV
Don't you think you're getting in a little too deep, Fili? Who knows if and when you'll get back home. Besides, he's going to be with Mai and what will you do then? You'll end up having feelings for someone that won't return them.
"Not like that's never happened before." I don't know what to do. I'm so attracted to him it hurts, plus he is a good person.
I'll just have to keep my feelings in check. Who knows, maybe I'm here for a reason. Then again, I don't want to go home and leave my heart here. What if I do like him as more than just a friend or my favorite character? There has to be a reason why I got pulled into this place, but what is it?
Only time will tell I guess. I'll just have to let things happen in their own time. If it happens, it happens, if not then….
I changed into my nightgown and got in bed. I slept perfectly, not one nightmare. Was this what it was like to sleep without any worries?
I woke up the next morning to the sound of someone softly knocking at my door. "Zuko?"
"Good morning," he grinned. I loved his grin. "Ready?"
"For what?" Be still my beating heart.
"Just because you can make fire dance doesn't mean your training in firebending is over. You have a long way to go before you can beat me."
"Trust me, fussy pants, I don't need firebending to beat you." I turned and walked over to my trunk.
"Really now? I'd like to see you try."
"Zuko, are you flirting with me?" I really was surprised. I expected him to blush or deny it right away.
He just looked at me and grinned, "I'll leave that to your imagination."
Well, well. That was well played, fussy pants. I see what you did there. If I am here for a reason, I might as well start trying to figure out what it is, right?