Hello Guest with a comment, so I've given up on the old version because I much prefer this version more. I find it more serious in tone. However, the red ribbon lives! Rather, it is now a scrap of Zia's original Air Nomad clothes that she uses to bind Zuko's wounds after the pirate blast.
The siege starts, and Iroh secludes me in our room until Zuko's departure. I spend the majority of my time pacing the small room. Ten paces one way, turn, ten paces the other. Turn.
Ten paces the thought that a spirit will die.
Turn.
Ten paces the thought that I should be able to stop it. Air Nomads are supposed to be in harmony with spirits.
Turn.
Ten paces the thought that I am a failure in my past and in my journey to teach Zuko a different path. He still sees Aang as an answer, and not a question.
Why him?
Turn.
Ten paces the thought that -
Zuko opens the door slowly, peaking around the corner looking for soldiers. I jump, surprised at his arrival before Iroh's. But, of course, he would be looking for the insulating clothes I squirreled away.
I quickly dig through our clothes, pulling out the white clothes to help keep him warm out in the cold, open waters of the North Pole. Our exchange is silent, and I turn around after handing him the items. Quietly but quickly, Zuko undresses, and I catch a glimpse of the bruises from the blast.
Spirits, they look so bad.
Before he leaves, he puts his soldier clothes back on top, so that he can continue in his guise. I turn rapidly and grab his arm. "I'm sorry I didn't teach you more," I blurt. "Just remember, flexibility and moving with the wind is key. The circle method was just a way to exemplify it. I'm no teacher - I was a painter, and I could read a little fortune cards, and -" And Zuko grabs my arm back, his hand hot and firm against my robe.
He pulls me close and kisses me. Firm, hot. Just like his grip.
I flounder, unprepared for this avenue. I do not push him away, and something flutters and tightens in my chest.
"Thank you. For everything. I trust that it will be enough."
Zuko removes his hand from my arm, grabbing my hand and placing something in it before he turns. He opens the door, helmet now on his head, and he leaves.
In my hand is the small strip of cloth from my Air Nomad clothes. From what I used to bind Zuko's wounds. What does it mean? I tie it tightly around my wrist, letting my cloak fall over it to hide its resemblance to Aang's clothes.
My pacing resumes, now more wound up than before.
Ten paces the thought that there is a reason for everything, for my bending to be gone and for me to teach Zuko these moves.
Turn.
Ten paces the thought that Zuko never really made due on his promise to teach me firebending.
Turn.
Ten pace the question of will Zuko take me back to the Fire Nation with him? How could I live in exile like that? What would happen to Aang?
Spirits, what will happen to Aang?!
Iroh opens the door, knowing I am alone. I scramble across the bed and grab the bag from where I've hidden it between the mattresses. Before Iroh can say, "It's time" I'm already ready at the door.
I'm wound up tighter than a flying lemur.
Iroh can tell.
"Zhao wished to continue his siege into the night, when the waterbenders are at their strongest," Iroh says, holding my arm like we're on a midnight lover's stroll. "I advised him against it."
"Tomorrow will be a full moon?" I ask.
Iroh nods, patting my arm. "Yes. And I worry about what you've told me."
A lump catches in my throat. Iroh doesn't understand how worried I am too. I don't tell him about the kiss. My chest tightens. There are too many things for me to focus on.
Eventually, we meet Zuko in a deserted section of the ship, deep in the bowels of the ship. Everyone is either at dinner or winding down from the siege. We have halted for the night, just as Iroh said. This does nothing to placate my worries.
Zhao has something planned, and it isn't going to bode well for anyone.
Zuko is already preparing a small canoe for departure, winding up ropes, squeezing things into the belly of the boat. I take a deep breath, attempting to calm my heart.
Iroh breaks the silence. "If you're fishing for an octopus, my nephew, you need a tightly woven net, or he will squeeze through the tiniest hole and escape."
"I don't need your wisdom right now, Uncle."
The wind pushes through the hole in the haul, blowing cold wind straight through my cloak. Iroh is right. Zuko needs a plan or Aang will escape, just like every other time. I do not share this, as Iroh has already spoken.
"I'm sorry. I just nag you, because, well"-Iroh's voice breaks. I remember his story about Lu Ten, about his love for Zuko-"ever since I lost my son. . ." The two of them both hold pained looks upon their face. There are so many things left unsaid. I want to scream. I want to speak up.
"Uncle, you don't have to say it."
"I think of you as my own."
Zuko turns, and there is such sadness and love in his eyes. I am peering into such a private moment. I wish I had stayed in the room.
"I know, Uncle. We'll meet again." Zuko bows at Iroh respectfully, but Iroh grabs share a deep hug. "After I have the Avatar." He turns from Iroh and gets on the canoe. I rush up, handing him the bag of essentials.
"There is an oasis, at the very back of Agna Qel'a. If you could stop Zhao, I think he plans to do something disastrous." Zuko's eyes silence me. I back up, surprised. I have misspoken. This is not the path he wishes to take. The only path he has eyes for is Aang.
Is the Avatar.
"Remember your breath of fire. It could save your life out there." Iroh places a warm hand on my back, soothing me.
"I will." Zuko begins lowering himself into the ocean, and I worry that this will be the last memory I have of him. Of him going to capture a boy for something he doesn't stand for. But, I remember, to Zuko, Aang means hope.
I move away from the gap in the ship, leaving Iroh to continue to shout down. "And put your hood up. Keep your ears warm!"
"I'll be fine!"
Will he? Is this the right path? Should I have said more? Everything feels wrong, like there is thick syrup in my mouth and I can't swallow it down.
Before we leave, I grab Iroh's sleeve. "This isn't it. He won't do the right thing. The spirits, Iroh!"
Iroh shakes his head, having already thought this path before. "We cannot force Zuko to do what we think is right. He must do it on his own. He must find his own path, and we can only be there to help him, to show him what we think is right." Iroh's face takes on a more serious look. "I will try everything I can to keep Zhao from harming any spirits. I will do what I can, Zia, but you must help."
Iroh starts to leave, waiting for me at the door. "Here, I have something to show you."
With that, Iroh leads me to an armory, long since deserted by the soldiers that were using it less than a hour before. It smells like sweat and metal and fire. And, somewhere down the line, it will reek of death and destruction.
"Why are we here?" I ask, letting go of Iroh's arm. There are sets of armor and swords and crossbows.
"Because I found something you might like. I remember you mentioning a bo. I couldn't help feeling guilty about the burnt husk of your airbending staff, so a replacement seemed necessary." He shuffles over to a stand that looks like it is only touched for practice rounds of close combat, and, even then, rarely. There are a few bo hanging up, waiting use. He pulls out the best looking, recently oiled one.
"Oh, Iroh. We could get in trouble."
"No, we will not. I was once a good general, and during a siege inventory of the armory falls on the wayside. This will go unmissed - the Navy has no use for the bo. We can take a sword if that makes you feel better, but I assumed the bo was the one you wanted."
He's right. The bo is the one I want.
"How will I hide it?"
"We will not be on the ship much longer. I do not intend to return to the Fire Nation with Zhao after this siege has ended. I will give you the signal, and you will leave with another bag of essentials. Just food, ones with a longer life span. We will find our own way home. Zhao will not share victory with Zuko, and vice versa."