Kuvira's Assistant

Chapter 18

Happy new year everyone!!

I've got a question: Would you want to see artwork of Akemi (solo + with Kuvira), or would you prefer to keep what she looks like to your imagination? Thought I'd give some Avatar-style fan art a shot 👀 (check out the banner for this chapter, a teeny subtle sneak peek of my first attempt)

"Mom!! What time is grandpa arriving tonight?!"

"He'll be here in just two hours my little prince, just be patient for a teensy bit longer!" The newly crowned Firelord informed her eager son, tussling his dark hair.

"Ookayyyy... Waiting for two hours is like... Waiting for two-thousand years!!" The young boy giggled.

A young Iroh had been hyping his new friend up for days; he couldn't wait for her to meet his whole family! Akemi and her family had just been relocated to Capital City after word of her firebending talents had spread to the Firelord from Akemi's old master. She began training with Firelord Izumi just three weeks ago, and made plenty of friends in the Capital, including the Firelord's own gentle son.

A breathless Iroh trotted back to Akemi, and sulked as he sat down next to his friend on the steps of the Royal Palace garden.

"My mom says we have to wait for two-thousand more years..."

"Two-thousand?! Oh noo... What are we gonna do until then?!" A six-year old Akemi looked at him in distress.

"Hmm... We could play Azula tag?" He looked at his friend, hopeful.

"Okay." She said, gently touching his shoulder before running off.

"Hey!"

The sound of the children's laughter echoed at the back of Akemi's mind.

"Very good, Akemi." Izumi praised her prodigious student as the pair bowed to each other post-lesson in the Royal Courtyard. "You've really outdone yourself this time, and you picked up these new forms flawlessly! Would you like to demonstrate them to Lord Zuko this evening?"

"Mom," Iroh jumped in, "We've got plans to go to the Fire Festival! And we've got to bounce in like an hour anyways."

"Iroh, it's okay, you guys can go ahead without me and I can meet you there?" Akemi turned to her best friend.
"Hmm, could we maybe postpone the showcase to grandpa Zuko to tomorrow?" The Firelord's son asked his mother, blinking his eyes endearingly. "I mean, whatever you decide, mom, but it's just a suggestion so we're not late to the Festival!"

Iroh LOVED the Fire Festival - it was one of his favourite events of the year. He had grown up to be a very calm, respectful and fun young man, so although he wouldn't want to disappoint his parents and grandparents in any way, he still didn't want to miss out on any fun.

"Alright, go ahead, we'll do it tomorrow evening. But don't forget that the pair of you have got breath training with Master Ikashu tomorrow, bright and early!"

"Yeah mom, we'll be there!" He smiled back gleaming as he held Akemi's hand, rushing her out of the courtyard.

A little frazzled, Akemi tried to say her goodbye as she stumbled through the prim topiaries holding onto Iroh, "bye bye, Master, I'll see you tomorrow!!"

"Iroh! Akemi! Wait -"

"Yes?" They asked in unison, turning around.

"Won't you take Toshiro and Eiji with you?" The Firelord asked the pair.

Iroh turned to Akemi for a moment, and with her shrug he replied, "Yeah, of course! They're gonna meet us soon and we'll go to the festival together."