TRIAL BY FIRE [SOKKA]

iv.

iv. the warrior with many faces 

KAZUYA softly opened the door to Zuko's bedroom and peeked her head in; he sat cross legged with his hands on his knees in front of his small table; the only light in the room were from four small flickering taper candles. He peeked an eye open before she could speak, "The only reason you should be interrupting me is if you have news about the Avatar."

"Well, I have been sent to tell you the news we have on him. Unfortunately, I've been sent because no one else was brave enough. Are you in a good mood?" She chuckled humorlessly and sucked in a breath.

"I was until you came in here. Whatever it is, I can take it." She had to admit, his voice did sound slightly calmer than normal, but she doubted his reactivity would have changed this quickly just because Iroh had started mandating that the two meditate for at least an hour everyday.

"We have no idea where it is," Kazuya rushed quickly. She didn't even have time to wince before he yelled, "What?"

The candles exploded for a moment, and she raised an arm to cover her face. They died down back to their normal height within a second, but Kazuya rolled her eyes and lowered her arm, "That's why no one else wanted to come tell you. We have a map, but–"

She took a step back when Zuko rushed to his feet and growled, his hands balling into fists. He snatched the map out of her hands and unfurled it. She rolled her eyes and sneered at the side of his face, quickly dropping the expression when he glanced at her in his peripheral vision. She said, "There's been multiple sightings, but they bounce all over the place. There's no way we'll be able to track him down."

"How do I find him, then?" Zuko asked softly, his eyebrows sewing together.

Kazuya shrugged, and she picked at her nails. "There will be news soon enough. He'll trip up and stay in one place for too long - at this point, there's nothing we can do but wait. Are you going to pout in your room the entire time, or are you coming to music night?"

"Music night?" Zuko echoed with an aggravated sigh, looking up from the map to raise a brow at her. "Absolutely not."

"Why not?" Kazuya asked innocently, a devious smile pulling at her lips. "I remember when you were the best flute player–"

"Get out," Zuko growled, and he made a face at her before moving back to his seat. Kazuya rolled her eyes and backed closer towards the door, "There's nothing wrong with playing the flute; I, myself, happen to be a spectacular clari–"

"Get out!" Zuko threw the map at her chest, and Kazuya rolled her eyes and slammed the door shut.

Iroh winced in the hallway, and he grimaced at her. "So I guess this means he won't be coming to music night?"

"No," Kazuya gave him an insincere smile, "but thanks for making me tell him. He's such a little brat; come on, I heard we're having a special dinner."

"Should we bring some to Zuko?" Iroh glanced over his shoulder as she began to lead him down the hallway. Kazuya sighed, and she snapped her fingers. "Fine, but we'll eat quickly - no long-winded stories about your childhood, okay?"

Iroh sighed, "Then what's the fun of eating with your family?"

As soon as the chef placed the fish on the table and spoke, Kazuya knew music night was going to be postponed. Zuko placed his hands on the table and roughly stood to his feet, "The Avatar's on Kyoshi Island?"

"That's what I heard," The chef nodded, and he bowed his head and turned, quickly exiting the room. Kazuya sighed, and she quickly piled her plate as Zuko turned, "Uncle, ready the rhinos!"