Author: Hey guys! Thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far! The more you guys review the faster I write! (As always I own nothing but Kitsu and my other OC's
Was she dying? Kitsu couldn't tell. All around her there was a ringing silence that would rise and fall to a deafening crescendo. Heatwaves crashed against her skin and left her shaking with chills each time they would recede. Ghosts danced through her mind as her parent's spectres whispered in her ear. Every now and again a soothing voice would break through the silence like a chime in the wind. Someone wanted her to keep fighting, but who was it? Her thoughts flowed like molasses as she tried to think, but then another wave would break and her thoughts would topple like a poorly built wall.
Zuko sat over Kitsu and dabbed her forehead with a damp cloth as another chill racked her body. Poki lay curled up by her head with his large beak pressed against her cheek while Iroh prepared more of the strange poultice.
"How did she get like this so fast?" Zuko demanded as another shiver rocked her petite frame. He'd been gone less than two hours but in that meager amount of time Kitsu had gone from bad to worse. Beads of sweat poured off of her flesh as her body struggled to fight whatever toxin had pierced her skin.
"Kitsu believes she was poisoned with Sparrow-Viper Gu." Iroh rumbled as he continued to stir the little clay pot in his hand. Zuko looked at his uncle in shock.
"But she could die!" Zuko blurted out the words before he could stop himself. Why did that news destress him so much? Was it because he owed her a debt? Or was it because she might be his last hope to regain his honour?
"That is a possibility, yes." Iroh answered with a nod. He could tell his nephew was displaying an unusual amount of concern. Iroh watched as Zuko sprang up and began rummaging through the supply stocks. "What are you doing?"
"Packing up. We have to get her to help." Zuko began shoving food and medicinal supplies into a rucksack, ignoring the searing pain in his arm as he moved. "Help me move her." Zuko threw the rucksack over his shoulder and with Iroh's help he managed to position Kitsu's limp frame on Poki's back so that he could sit behind her and hold her upright. Kitsu's head fell back and nestled into Zuko's shoulder as another shiver racked her body. Zuko tried to swallow his concern but it kept rearing its ugly head. As though the animal read his mind, Poki stood with his two passengers and began to claw at the ground impatiently.
"You take Kitsu to help. I will remain here. Once she is safe and being cared for you can come back for me." Iroh instructed. Zuko began to argue but Iroh stopped him with a wave of his hand. "I will be fine. You must hurry." Iroh handed Zuko the pot of Viper's Kiss. With a determined nod Zuko turned the ostrich-horse towards the escape tunnel and gave a firm kick. Without looking back he plunged into the dark tunnel, unable to light his way. His good hand guided Poki while his injured arm was wrapped tightly around Kitsu's waist. Each pounding step Poki took racked Zuko with pain, but he ignored it. Years of forgoing his own comfort made it disturbingly easy to disregard the warnings his body was giving him.
Kitsu's body was totally limp against him, making him work twice as hard to keep them firmly seated. Each time she was racked with chills Zuko's stomach twisted.
He rode hard, quickly leaving the tunnel behind and thundering across the countryside along a trade road. It was a risky move but he had no choice. Time was of the essence. Zuko pushed Poki to his limits, urging the beast forward at top speed, all the while his mind raced as he attempted to untangle the events of just hours before.
His anger at Kitsune washed away the moment he returned to the tunnel. Whatever part she'd played in crossing his sister, she didn't deserve this. How could this even have happened? Imperial guards never carried poisoned blades, such conduct could be punished by a dishonourable discharge and was considered cowardice. Poison was a woman's weapon and Gu in particular was used notoriously by female assassins.
Suddenly a lightbulb went off in Zuko's head. The family tree, the poison, Soo Ming, it all made sense. His mind flashed back to his childhood, to the royal gardens. Mai, Ty Lee, and Azula all crowded around Mai's nanny, overthrown by the wondrous secrets the beautiful woman whispered to them. The nanny would never let Zuko hear her whispers and usually told him to run along, but Azula always was a talker and a brat. She'd told him that the nanny, a noble woman by the name of Soo Ming was not only one of their father's most valued assassins, but a high born woman whose family name was disgraced. Mai's parents hired her to help raise their frail child and teach her to be fierce. As far as Zuko's most recent brushes with Mai went he would say that Soo Ming had been successful.
His golden eyes flicked down to Kitsu. Could Kitsu really be related to Mai's nanny? Could Kitsu be the reason that Soo Ming lived a life of disgrace? Now that he remembered the woman Zuko couldn't mistake the familial resemblance. Kitsu had the same heart shaped face and doe-like eyes as Soo Ming as well as the long ebony tresses that were beginning to come loose from her braid. Zuko remembered all the love struck boys who doted on Soo Ming, as well as the coy way she would hide her mouth behind the sleeve of her kimono and the lethality of her obsidian eyes. Even as a child Zuko had heard whispers around the court about Soo Ming being one of his father's favored concubines, and as a man he now knew the rumors not only to be true, but he could understand the full depth and breadth of their implications. Had his father sent Soo Ming after him? Why disguise herself as an imperial guard then? And why hit Kitsune? No, something didn't add up.
A single bloom of light in the distance sent Zuko's heart thundering as he forced another mile of sprint out of Poki. The bird was breathing hard but he surged forward nonetheless. A small farmstead came into sight just off of the trade road, probably the only civilization for miles. As soon as he reached the front gate Zuko slid off of Poki's back and cradled Kitsu in his arms. His feet felt unsteady as he walked but he didn't waver.
"Help! Please we need help!" Zuko yelled as another fit of chills caused Kitsu to convulse. The sight of her eyes rolling back into her head sent ice through his veins. A ruckus sounded from within and an old farmer and his wife opened the door to the small farmhouse just as Zuko reached it.
"Oh dear, what's happened?!" The small woman cried as she stepped past her startled husband and took Kitsu's clammy face into her hands. "She's as cold as death!" The white haired woman looked at Zuko with shocked, moss colored eyes.
"We were attacked." Zuko answered, panic seeping into his voice. "Please I think she's been poisoned, you have to help me!"
"Quickly, bring your wife inside. We'll do what we can." The old farmer thrummed as he stepped aside and allowed Zuko into their home. As soon as his wife was through the door he shut it behind them. Zuko was too panicked to even register the farmer's mistake.
"Set her over here!" The little woman led him to a bed in the back corner and Zuko laid Kitsu down gently. The farm house was quaint and consisted of only one room, much like Kitsu's home. A pang of guilt stabbed at Zuko's gut. Kitsu had lost everything in her attempt to help him, and she didn't even know it yet.
"I have herbs." Zuko said quickly as he pulled the rucksack from his back. "She's an herbalist, before she fell unconscious she told me she needed this." Zuko handed the woman the jar of Viper's kiss and tried to implore her with his gaze. "Can you use this?"
"Yes sir I can. Was she bit by a snake?" The woman asked in confusion as she examined the herb and carried it over to a table. Zuko shook his head as he cautiously lifted Kitsu's skirt to reveal the wound on her leg. How had it gotten so much worse? Coagulated blood stuck to Kitsu's leg where it oozed from her wound. The flesh surrounding her cut was purple and pulsing with inflammation.
"The thieves used poisoned blades." He murmured as he began to pet Kitsu's hair in an effort to calm her as another fit took her.
"And why would thieves do that?" The farmer asked suspiciously. He had lived in the country far too long and knew all too well that thieves could disguise themselves as travelers in need. Zuko growled at the man's skepticism and yanked the Beifong coin from his belt before rubbing it on his sleeve and revealing the gold beneath the soot.
"This seems like a good enough reason!" Zuko snapped. The farmer and his wife, to Zuko's astonishment, dropped to their knees and bowed so low their foreheads touched the ground.
"Forgive him sir! We did not realize you were Beifong!" The farmer's wife begged. Zuko could hardly believe the change in their demeanor. He hadn't experienced such deference since he lost his ship to the raid of the Northern Water Tribe.
"Just help me and all will be forgiven. Her family will pay you well if you assist us, but she has to live for that to happen!" Zuko took charge and turned once again to Kitsu as she lay on the farmer's bed. "It will be alright Kitsu." He murmured, petting her hair. The farmer and his wife rushed around their home frantically preparing food and collecting supplies. Zuko noticed the wife seemed to be a skilled hand as she set about laying damp clothes on Kitsu's forehead to calm her fever. When the woman hiked up Kitsu's skirt and inspected the wound she gasped and her brows knit with worry. Zuko tried not to flinch at the sound.
"My name is Aiko." She offered as she began to clean the blackened cut. "My husband is Sun Yao." She gestured behind them to the man who was rummaging through an old chest. Zuko nodded.
"I'm Lee, this… this is Kitsu." He stammered as he swept away hair that stuck to Kitsu's face.
"Goodness, Your arm! Darling, come see Lee's arm!" Aiko called her husband. Zuko hadn't even mentioned or acknowledged his own wounds.
"No!" Zuko snapped. "See to Kitsu, I'm fine." He did his best to soften his words but his voice cracked as he spoke. What was wrong with him? He never let emotion cloud his demeanor like this. The realization terrified him.
"At least take a change of clothes, son." Sun Yao offered Zuko a clean shirt and set of pants. "You're soaked through with blood." The farmer's gruff expression was both humbling and soothing to Zuko's nerves. These were good people, who were just trying to help.
"I'm sorry." Zuko mumbled as he took the bundle of clothing.
"Don't be." Sun Yao offered as he patted Zuko's shoulder in commiseration. "I'd be as foul tempered as a saber tooth moose lion if anything happened to my Aiko. I'd say you're holding up well given the circumstances. Now go ahead and put your ostrich-horse in the barn next to ours. You can change out there." Zuko must have made a face because Sun Yao smiled reassuringly and gave him a nudge. Reluctantly Zuko took a look at Kitsu before nodding and slipping out the front door to where Poki stood grazing. Zuko looked down at his clothing and to his dismay realized that the majority of the blood was not his own. The sticky black substance stiffened his clothes and stuck to his skin. Guilt stung in his gut as he leaned on Poki. The poor animal was lathered and still breathing heavily but it looked at him with calm, understanding eyes.
"What if she dies?" Zuko asked numbly. "It would be all my fault." He groaned and looked at Poki as the bird snorted and squawked. With a sigh Zuko took Poki's reins and led him to the barn near the back of the house. Zuko moved quickly, not liking the idea of leaving Kitsu alone with strangers. Just as Sun Yao had said there was an empty stall with water and fresh straw. Zuko removed Poki's halter and watched as he took a well deserved drink from the trough.
The clothing Sun Yao gave him was made of rough cloth that felt scratchy on Zuko's skin but it was still much better than his blood soaked clothes. As soon as he was changed he bundled his discarded outfit and carried it back to the farm house.
As soon as he stepped through the door Sun Yao took his bundle from him and waved him over to Aiko and Kitsu. Zuko sat on an empty stool to Aiko's left and watched as she dabbed Kitsu's wound with grey paste. With the wound now clean Zuko could see the full extent of the damage.
"How was she while I was gone?" Zuko couldn't help but ask. Kitsu looked frail and delicate, a fact that unnerved him. He wanted her to open her eyes and chastise him. Where was the feisty warrior who had slapped him without so much as a second thought?
"She's barely stirred. The fever can't seem to decide whether to chill her to the bone or cook her to death." Aiko murmured as she worked. "I've found an old dress of mine that she can wear. It's hardly fitting for a fine lady, but it's all we have." Aiko dabbed the last of the paste on Kitsu's wound and turned to him. "Help me undress her."
Zuko's face colored and his eyes snapped between Aiko and his unconscious companion.
"Her dress is covered with blood and sweat. We'll never sweat out the fever if she's damp." Aiko watched as Zuko swallowed and then nodded. "Good. Husband, step outside so we can preserve the lady's modesty. Wouldn't be proper." Aiko shook her head at the thought as Sun Yao stepped out the front door and pulled it shut. "Now sit her up please, Lee. We'll make this as quick as possible." Zuko nodded and pulled Kitsu into a sitting position by her shoulders. The way her head lolled to the side disturbed him. Aiko's capable, weathered hands grabbed Kitsu's dress by the skirt and yanked it up revealing Kitsu's undergarments, as well as the true severity of her scar. Aiko paused at the sight of it and clucked her tongue.
"Your poor wife is a fighter." Aiko mumbled as she finished stripping the dress over Kitsu's head. Zuko reddened at her statement, but he supposed it was a little late to be correcting her.
"It isn't her first circus." Zuko nodded as he reached out and brushed his fingers over Kitsu's burn scar where it crossed her collarbone. He could now see that the injury was much larger than he thought. It spanned from her navel all the way up her rib cage and over her shoulder where it coiled midway up her neck. The idea of Kitsu healing from such a grievous wound all alone made him sick to his stomach. Even unconscious she managed to teach him so much more about herself. Some things she never meant to tell him, and that thought made him feel even more guilty. Remembering himself he withdrew his hand and fought back a blush. He needed to get a grip.
"Beifong women are as unbreakable as the stone they bend." Aiko nodded while she spoke as though her words were well known wisdom. "She'll be right as rain in no time, Lee. Don't you worry your handsome head." Aiko threaded Kitsu's tanned arms through the sleeves of the new dress. Zuko couldn't help but feel reassured by the old housewife. Her white hair was pulled back into a large bun that was popular to older Earth Kingdom women and she wore the plain cloth in shades of moss and beige. Aiko's face was creased with laugh lines and age. She reminded Zuko of his uncle.
Once the dress was on Zuko and Aiko laid Kitsu back against a mound of threadbare pillows. Kitsu gave a groan and shifted as Aiko pulled a heavy blanket over her.
"I'll mix up some feverfew." Aiko gave Zuko's shoulder a pat before slipping away to the far side of the little house. Zuko ran a hand through his messy hair. He worried for his uncle but he couldn't leave Kitsu alone until she was more stable.
His mind slipped back to seeing his sister that morning and he wondered what he would do with Kitsu. Azula knew about her now, and not only that, she'd seen what Kitsu was capable of. But what was she capable of? Could what he saw have been a fluke? No, he knew what he'd seen.
Zuko gazed at Kitsu for a long moment before shaking his head and running his fingers through his messy hair. What troubled him more was the fact that Azula seemed to be backing off. He couldn't imagine why his sister would pull back when she had been breathing down their necks just hours before. Something didn't feel right.
He rested his knuckles under his chin and sighed. How many elements could Kitsu control? She'd asked him about his knowledge of water bending forms, could that mean she could also bend water? Or could she only bend the elements of her parents? Mixed families were strictly forbidden in the fire kingdom, so it was possible that the outcome of a mixed parentage could be the ability to bend multiple elements, but he'd never heard of such a thing before. He had so many questions with no answer in sight. When Kitsu woke Zuko would have to get the truth from her one way or another.