Prince Zuko sat in his room on the ship, meditating and contemplating. At that moment, Iroh entered.
"The only reason you should be interrupting me is if you have news about the Avatar."
"Well there is news, Prince Zuko," his uncle began, "but you might not like it. Don't get too upset."
"Uncle, you taught me that keeping a level head is a sign of a great leader. Now, whatever you have to say, I'm sure I can take it."
"Ok then. We have no idea where she is."
The fire from the candles flamed up immensely. "What?!"
"You should really open a window in here." Uncle Iroh said, fanning himself.
"Give me the map!" Zuko grabbed the map in frustration. He had to find Rose before Zhao did!
"There have been multiple sightings of the Avatar but she is impossible to track down."
"How am I to find her, Uncle? She is clearly a master at evasive maneuvering." Zuko said as he stared down at the map.
How indeed?
* * * * *
Funnily enough, the reason for all the sightings on the map had nothing to do with the Avatar/princess but her Guardian who saw fit to fly to every location and show their new little family the sights while also cheering his honorary sister up with his antics.
True, though their journey was much longer, Rose had cheered up considerably and Aang was having the time of his life!
Aang was in the middle of showing Katara an airbending trick while she was busy sewing. Rose was standing on Crystal's back, practicing some aetherbending her family had insisted on to help her get better and need less help.
Sokka began to make a rude comment on the difference between men and women, causing Katara to throw his pants back at him, half finished and full of holes. As Sokka begged her to fix them, Aang laughed and said, "Don't worry, Sokka. Where we're going, you won't need pants."
When they landed, both siblings asked why they were stopping already.
Rose laughed and said, "Because Aang's always wanted to ride the elephant koi...and now he has an audience to watch."
"Exactly." Aang chuckled, stripping down to his underwear. "Katara, you have to watch me!"
With that, he jumped into the water, making a comment on how cold it was. Rose rolled her eyes fondly, reminding him that they were in a cold climate, as she stripped off the skirt of her dress, revealing a white and gold bikini underneath. With that, she too, jumped into the water.
The two of them jumped onto the backs of the koi fish and were having a great time until a larger fish came up behind them. Rose grabbed Aang and threw him and herself through a small portal, landing on top of Sokka and sliding into a tree.
"What was that thing?" Katara asked.
"I have no idea." Rose answered truthfully. "But we should probably get going."
"Just what I was thinking." Sokka replied, halfway still trying to flirt.
All of a sudden, something jumped down from the trees and grabbed Sokka. Another someone or something pushed Katara's hood over her eyes before grabbing her.
"Hey! What's the big idea?" Rose turned and was quickly grabbed.
Aang wasn't far behind then Momo and a palm sized Crystal were thrown into bags and the whole group was tossed to the ground where they were carried down a path and tied to a large post.
"You four have some explaining to do." A rough male voice finally spoke.
"And if you don't answer all our questions," a female voice added, "we're throwing you back in the water with the unagi."
"Show yourselves, you cowards!" Sokka shouted.
The group's blindfolds were ripped off, revealing five females in green dresses, golden headdresses, and makeup.
"Where are the men that attacked us?"
"There were no men. We ambushed you." The leader spoke. "Now, who are you and what are you doing here?"
"Wait a second. There's no way a bunch of girls took us down."
"A bunch of girls, huh?"
"Ignore him." Rose commanded with an air that could've only come from someone who was pampered all her life. "We meant no disrespect to your people or your culture."
"Kyoshi has stayed out of the war thus far!" The man in the group growled.
"I thought you seemed familiar! You see, I know Kyoshi!" Rose concentrated and slipped from her bonds. "I am the Avatar. I am Princess Rosalia, daughter of King Ryker and Queen Ophelia from the Aether Realm." She stood to her full height, her fiery tresses and fancy dress slowly swaying in an unseen breeze.
"It's true!" the man said. "You are the Avatar!"
With that, the group bowed in respect.
Aang, too, escaped his bonds and came to stand next to him. "And this is my Guardian and honorary brother, Aang."
"Now watch this." Aang then started doing the trick he tried to show Katara earlier.
Everyone cheered.
* * * * *
Word travelled quickly and soon, as Zuko was sitting down for dinner, he too heard the news. "The Avatar's on Kyoshi Island? Ready the rhinos, uncle!"
Then he ran off to face his destiny...again.
* * * * *
Meanwhile, the Avatar gang were eating and chatting while the members of Kyoshi were fixing up the old statue of Kyoshi. Sokka was moping about getting his butt kicked by women. He ranted and raved while grabbing himself a plate of food. "Imma teach them." He promised, followed by, "This is quite tasty."
"I think we should be going soon." Rose reminded.
"What's your rush for?" Aang asked. "Look how happy we're making this town! They're even cleaning up that statue in your honor!"
"I know. Just don't get too attached." Rose reminded him, a bit of sadness tinging her features.
As the Avatar, she knew she could never have attachments again. She would most likely never see her family again and all other relationships were...difficult at best.
They didn't date.
Any relationship was either an arranged marriage or involved finding their true love. While this prevented heart break, it was also difficult to know who was meant for you when you couldn't take a chance of heart break and find out.
Rose had been told by her parents and sister by marriage that somehow you just know. The feeling just sweeps over you from the moment you meet. She had felt weird feelings with one person but she seriously doubted her true love could be...him...
"Oh, c'mon, sis! You know me better than that! I am a monk after all."
Next thing she knew, she and Katara were watching girls chasing after Aang wherever he went. "I warned him." Rose sighed.
Katara laughed. "Are you kidding? You have your own fan club of boys chasing after you."
True, she was followed around here and there by boys but they held no appeal for her.
Once, a guy was hired to paint Rose and Aang standing together but the amount of boys surrounding Rose and the girls doing the same to Aang became too much even for the most professional painter!
Rose continued to distance herself, continuing to practice her aether and airbending but Aang started showing off. Finally, she decided she needed something else to take her mind off the thoughts that were currently circulating in her mind.
She stepped into a room where the women in green who called themselves Kyoshi Warriors were training. "Excuse me?" The leader turned her head and moved forward, bowing respectfully. "Good afternoon, Avatar."
"Please call me Rose." Rose asked kindly, tapping the other woman's head.
"Call me Suki and you've got a deal." Suki responded, standing. Rose smiled, nodding. "What can I and the Kyoshi Warriors do for you?"
"Well, you have a unique style of fighting I have never come across before. At least, not in this life. Might I persuade you to teach me a thing or two?"
The Kyoshi Warriors looked to one another then smiled. Suki stepped forward once more. "We'd be honored to teach the Avatar. However, you'd have to dress like us for this training." Rose looked over their garments and nodded. "As you wish."
Moments later, Rose was dressed in the outfit, staring at herself in the mirror. "Wow, this may be a good look for me." She admired the makeup (a heavy war paint she would never usually wear herself), adjusting her red tresses behind her.
"Ready to go?" Suki asked.
Rose took a deep breath and nodded.
* * * * *
"Can't believe I got beat up by a bunch of girls!" Sokka complained. He paused in the doorway and saw the warriors in the middle of training. "Sorry for interrupting your dance lesson, ladies. I was just looking for somewhere to get a little workout."
"You came to the right place." Suki said. "Sorry about yesterday. I didn't know you were friends with the Avatar."
She gestured to Rose who was dressed like them, the green dress and gold headdress bringing out her red hair more than usual. Sokka rolled his eyes, offhandedly making a comment, once again, about the lot of them being girls. Rose laughed, muttering under her breath, "Oh Suki's gonna kick your ass, Sokka!"
Suki played along a lot like Rose had when first meeting Sokka. "I should hope so. A big, strong man like you? We wouldn't stand a chance." She then egged Sokka on, stroking his ego before asking for a demonstration. "C'mon, girls, wouldn't you like him to show us some moves?" The girls giggled and nodded. "How about you, Rose? Wouldn't you like the same?" Rose snorted. "Sure."
Suki easily subdued Sokka, embarrassing him in front of everyone. Afterwards, Sokka showed some humility by asking Suki to teach him.
"Even if I'm a girl?"
"I'm sorry if I insulted you earlier."
"We usually don't teach outsiders. Your friend, the Avatar, was an exception. Due to her kindness and humility, we offered her the privilege. If we extend you the same favor, you must do as she and honor all our traditions. And I mean all of them."
Next thing Sokka knew, he was wearing a freaking dress! Suki tried to make him feel better by explaining the significance of the armor. "Wow. Bravery and honor."
Aang walked by. "Nice dress, Sokka."
Rose laughed so hard she fell down.
* * * * *
Katara had run out to save Aang who was showing off for the girls. He almost got eaten by the unagi but Katara saved him only to find out that Zuko was coming. She hid Aang as they arrived and moved past her.
"Find the Avatar!" Zuko commanded. "I want her alive!"
Meanwhile, Sokka was making progress in his training when they were interrupted. "Firebenders landed on our shores! Hurry, girls!"
With that, they ran out, preparing a sneak attack.
* * * * *
The Kyoshi Warriors attacked the firebenders and Suki made a run for Zuko but he fought back. Sokka blocked his attack and Zuko sent another, knocking out Sokka, Suki, and one other Kyoshi Warrior.
"Nice try, Avatar, but these little girls can't save you!"
Rose got him with a sneak attack, keeping him from sending a blast of fire at another innocent girl before revealing herself. "I'm right here. And I have a name, Zuko. Use it."
"Shut up!" Zuko screamed, his cheeks starting to flame up.
"I'm sorry but if you wanted my attention, there's better ways than this." Rose continued to tease. "Anyhow, sorry to say hi then bye but I gotta run."
She shielded herself as he sent a wall of fire at her. The fire bounced off her shield and some of it flew back his way. He ducked and, while he was down, Rose jumped on Crystal's back and took off. Aang had shown up around the time Rose used her shield and he covered her while she escaped, then escaping himself.
He lamented his mistakes to Rose and Katara who both suggested it was time to go. Sokka apologized to Suki who kissed him then she covered them while the group flew off.
"Back to the ship!" Zuko commanded. "Don't lose sight of them!"
But it was too late. They'd already escaped.
C'mon let's face it...Zuko likes her. BTW, can anyone think of a good ship name for them??
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Fire and Aether
RomanceWater...earth...fire...air...aether... Long ago, the five nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all five elements, along with her Guardian, could stop them. But when the...