COLLISION - a zuko and yue centric tale

Chapter three

A gigantic fleet of Fire Navy ships lies under Zhao's command. Broiler room workers fire up the engines at his behest and huge plumes of black smoke and ash and soot spill out of the ships, creating a suffocating smog for miles around. Nearly all wildlife swam well away from the forboding ships. The clanging of metal and burning of coal hurts their ears and made it hard to breathe, even under the water. Zhao stands proudly at the helm of the largest ship, Iroh behind him.

"My fleet is ready. Set a course for the Northern Water Tribe."

Yue steps confidently towards her father, her attendants in step behind her as usual. He is discussing something with his spiritual advisor Nokkon. Yue first bows respectfully towards Nokkon, as he is technically the highest regarded person in the Northern Water Tribe, not the Chief. Then she bows towards her father. They both bow back.

"Nokkon," Yue begins, suddenly a bit nervous, but steeling herself to pull through with her wishes. "If I could borrow father for a minute?" Nokkon smiles and bows again.

"Of course, Princess. We will talk later," he says to her father. They both bow to Nokkon again as he leaves the pair.

"What's this about, Yue?"

"About my betrothal..." Yue begins. "I would like to ask that the wedding isn't too soon. I do not think that it is right that we might take away from fighting the war when its end is nearing, with the Avatar returning."

"My sweet daughter. I understand your trepidation. But you must remember that with the war potentially reaching its end... the risks increase that something may... happen and in that case, the tribe needs a Chief."

"Yes, I understand father, and I'm not asking for a long time... just a little more than what I have now." Yue presses her lips together. She had not thought of that and was saddened that her father already had. But he was the Chief, he had to know such things.

"I will try to honour your request as best I can but remember that we must do what is best for the tribe." The Chief warns.

"Of course. Please think about my request." Yue pleads. Her father's eyes soften. They bow to each other and Yue returns to her room.

"I think that I will just study in my room until supper. You may go for now." Yue dismisses Ukoni and Kunadu who bow before leaving. Yue sinks down to the floor and closes her eyes. Her eyes well up with tears but she does not let them fall. No, this wasn't worth her tears. She leans her head against the door and looks upwards. Tui, La, give me the strength to serve my people as a true Water Tribe Princess. She stays there for a while before deciding enough was enough. Yue rises from the ground and walks to her private porch. Meditation always made her feel better and would help her sort out her thoughts and emotions. She settles into a cross-legged seated position on the floor and closes her eyes...

Zuko turns over roughly as Shozu just would not stop blabbering on like a curly-tailed bluenose about spirits know what. Zuko shoves his head further under the blankets.

"I'm going to sleep," he announces.

"Alrighty then. Even though I was in the middle of a pretty exciting story about the last time I bought a shirt... hey do you want me to wake you up tomorrow? I can, you know. I wake up early. And whenever I hear a noise. I don't sleep as much as I should, according to my mother. And also my last couple of bunkmates now that I think of it..." Shozu drones on. Zuko sincerely wishes he had a pair of earplugs so that he didn't need to hear another word out of Shozu's mouth. Or even Zhao's. Zuko was part of the guard to his meeting room that afternoon and had to listen to him act all sorry and regretful that he hadn't been able to rescue Zuko from his so-called "awful fiery death". Zuko's temperature rises just thinking about it.