Authors note: Okay guys I know this was a long wait! thank you so much for your patience!
DisclaimerL I don't own anyone except my original characters!
Kitsune ran through a dense, purple fog that swirled endlessly around her. Tongues of miasma chilled her to the bone as she frantically searched for an end to the vast cloud that consumed her. Kistu's lungs burned as she heaved great breaths and her powerful legs drove her onward but there was no end in sight.
"Zuko! Iroh! Anybody!" She shrieked as she skid to a halt and pivoted in a desperate attempt to find an escape. Even her own echo would not answer her. Never before had solitude frightened her so deeply. Where was she, and how had she gotten there? "Zuko!?" She shrieked once more.
"Kitsu." An authoritative voice rang through the air and caused her to freeze. Ahead of her the mists parted and the sight she found there caused her eyes to sting with tears.
"Pappa?" She gasped as her lungs continued to burn. He seemed so still and serene that she thought her eyes must be deceiving her. Ogedai stood as tall and strong as he had in life, garbed in the robes of an Imperial Fire Nation general. Pitch black hair the same shade as his daughter's was pulled back into a topknot held together by the crown of aristocracy, and the thin scar over his left brow stuck out gently in the dim light. The look in her father's golden eyes mirrored her own as a smile she had not seen in years spread across his face.
"You've grown so much." Ogedai's voice wavered with a tinge of sorrow. Kitsu tried to swallow the lump in her throat but managed nothing more than a choked sob. "My strong, little fire fox." Ogedai approached his daughter slowly, just as one would approach a wild lynx-dear. Kitsu shook as her father stroked a tear from her cheek.
"Am I dead?" Kitsu managed to murmur as she trembled in disbelief and fear. His hand felt so warm, so real. Knots began to twist in her stomach and she became dizzy.
"No, Kitsu. You are very much alive, but you must fight to keep it that way." Ogedai's smile faded as he gazed seriously down at his daughter.
Tightness gripped Kitsu's chest like a vice grip and she pinched her eyes shut. "But I'm so tired." The words crept into her reality as her body crumpled beneath her weight. "I tried so hard, Pappa!" Fat tears flowed freely for the first time in years as she felt her father's arms encircle her. The sorrow she had dammed up deep within herself broke free in a torrent and threatened to drown her.
"You must continue to try, little fox. Remember what I taught you." Ogedai murmured and stroked his only child's hair lovingly. Silent tears slipped down his cheeks and mingled with Kitsu's as they fell onto her forehead. Slowly an abiding warmth began to grow within Kitsu as she let the sorrow pour out of her. She never thought she would hear her father's voice again, or smell the scent of leather and jasmine that always accompanied the powerful general. "Fight, Kitsu. You must always keep fighting."
Zuko sat on a stool next to Kitsu, watching her as the fever racked her body with chills. Now and then she would murmur something but he couldn't make any of it out. Once or twice he thought he heard her say his name but it was so quiet he couldn't be sure.
"Fever dreams. They are common in victims of Gu poisoning." Iroh sat in a chair by the hearth, watching his nephew's tense shoulders waiver with exhaustion. In the two days since Kitsu had fallen ill, Zuko had not slept.
Aiko and Sun Yao had gone into the village early that morning to purchase supplies for their farm, leaving the three refugees to their own devices. The cottage had been crowded with so many people, but now it seemed deafeningly empty.
"When will it end, Uncle? How long is she going to be like this?" Just as the aggravated plea left his lips Kitsu groaned and he once again fell silent. For two days he had been racked with guilt that made his stomach roil like he was on the high seas again. She was teetering on the edge of death because of him. The pallor of her skin frightened him, as did the dark circles under her fluttering eyelids. Zuko smoothed her sweat soaked hair away from her forehead and grimaced at how hot she felt. He wasn't used to this. Caring about anyone but himself and his uncle was foreign filled him with terrifying vulnerability.
"She is very strong to make it this far. We will not have long to wait if she is going to live." Iroh stood from his chair and crossed the small cottage to join his nephew. "You must rest Zuko. You are no good to Kitsu if you collapse from exhaustion." Iroh rested a hand on Zuko's shoulder but the angry prince shook it off. Zuko didn't want consolation, he didn't deserve it.
A loud rapping on the door startled both men, before Aiko entered the cottage with a beaming smile. For an older woman she was possessed with an inexhaustible gift for optimism. The two earth kingdom soldiers who entered behind the old woman put Zuko and Iroh instantly on edge.
"Wonderful news, my lords! Lord Gumo has offered you and your wife his aid! These men have come to escort you safely to his palace." The obvious joy on the woman's face did little to soothe Zuko's nerves.
"Why would this lord help us?" Zuko asked sharply as he glared heatedly at the two large earthbenders.
"Forgive my nephew." Iroh pleaded as he stepped in, ever diplomatic. "He has suffered greatly these past days. It is well known that the Gumo family has pledged allegiance to the Beifong." Iroh glanced at Zuko from the corner of his eye and bowed to the two men politely. "I am Mushi, and this is my nephew Lee. We appreciate your offer greatly." The larger of the two men nodded
"I am Shan, and this is Hiro. We were sent by our lord to bring the Lady Beifong and her husband to his palace in the next village. We mean you no harm, my Lord." Shan bowed to Zuko and Hiro followed suit. The two large men were strong and rough, in the way that was common of earth kingdom men. "There is a carriage outside, and our lord's healers await your arrival. Your hostess informed our Lord of the Lady's grave state."
Iroh turned to Aiko, who beamed at him, and smiled in gratitude. "Madame, your hospitality has surpassed our hopes. We will see to it that your generosity is repaid." Zuko grabbed Iroh's sleeve and looked at him intensely. Iroh simply clasped his nephew's hand in his own and smiled calmly. "Do not look a gift ostrich-horse in the mouth, Zuko. We cannot impose on these fine people any longer." Zuko grimaced and withdrew his hand before turning to Kitsu. As much as he disliked the idea of trusting these men, he could not justify imposing on these poor farmers further.
"We're going to move you now, Kitsu." Zuko murmured to her. "Everything will be alright." Without any further ceremony, Zuko scooped his arms under Kitsu's limp frame and lifted her against his chest. He felt the room spin but forced himself to remain upright. There was no way he was going to let Hiro or Shan touch Kitsu. He didn't trust them, or anyone. Only his uncle and Kitsu had earned his trust. "Take us to the carriage." He commanded as he strode past Shan and Hiro, with Iroh bowing apologetically behind him. He couldn't care less if the two plodding earth benders thought he was rude. His only concern was making sure that Kitsu survived. Knowing Azula, even if Kitsu recovered completely, she would chase Kitsu to the ends of the earth.
The two earthbenders followed them out and Shan opened the carriage door for Zuko to climb inside. Zuko faltered and fell against the frame of the carriage door, cursing under his breath as he regained his footing and forced himself the last two steps into the ornate wooden box on wheels. Fine green silk met his skin as he set Kitsu gently on the seat cushion and slipped in next to her. Iroh took the seat across from the two teens and watched as Zuko tried in vain to keep Kitsu upright before begrudgingly wrapping an arm around her and pulling her against him. As her head settled against his shoulder Zuko glared daggers out the window.
"I don't like this." He grumbled under his breath.
"We must trust these men. Kitsu could not remain in that cottage. She needs healers, and we need food." Iroh answered as his large belly growled loudly. "This is a blessing, Zuko." The young fire bender gazed down at the girl who lay limply against his side. If there was any chance that this mysterious Lord Gumo would help Kitsu, he had to take it.