Avatar The Last Airbender: Water and Fire [ON HOLD]

Chapter 30 - Assassin

Assassin

Zuko's Perspective

Everyone was back at the Palace. I supported Toshiro’s weight as we made our way to one of the medical rooms. Mi Li lead the way, walking slow enough to match Toshiro’s limping pace. Behind us, everyone followed like paparazzi. Sometimes I wish they would respect our privacy and leave us alone. It was no big deal; some scratches, bruises, maybe a sprained ankle for Toshiro, but nothing too major.

Everyone tried to squeeze into the medium-sized room. There were two single beds positioned to one side. I carefully laid Toshiro down on the bed closest to the door. He groaned, clenching his fists from the pain. Once he was relaxed, lying exhaustedly over the blanket, he let out a long and quiet sigh. Mi Li came out of the bathroom, holding a bowl of warm water in her hands. She placed the bowl on the bedside table and sat on the edge of Toshiro’s bed. Without turning away from Toshiro’s bruised body, she spoke.

“Thanks everyone, but Toshiro will be fine. Can you please leave the room? I need to concentrate,” she requested, almost pleadingly. But no one made a sound or shifted the slightest.

“Please, everything will be okay. Mi Li can handle this. Everyone has to leave now,” I commanded in a more authoritative tone. They seemed reluctant, but they left the room, one by one. The last person in the room was Katara.

“Do you need my help?” Katara asked Mi Li.

“No, I’ve got this. But thanks,” she replied quietly.

Katara nodded and left the room, closing the door gently. Mi Li immediately got to work. She carefully pulled Toshiro’s boots off, before getting a knife out and slicing into the end of his bloodied trousers. The wet material sounded with a loud rip and Mi Li folded the fabric so that she could inspect his leg. The gash was huge, and the flesh around the wound was red and bruised. Toshiro lifted his head to see the wound. He winced when he saw it.

“It doesn’t look as bad as I thought. It’s worse under the flesh. I think he broke my leg,” Toshiro commented with a bit of fresh anger in his voice.

“I think so too. Lie still and relax. Take deep breaths for me. Close your eyes,” she instructed.

Toshiro did as he was told and Mi Li lifted the water onto his leg. The moment the water came in contact with the wound, it glowed, bright blue. I stood by the bed, captivated by the power of waterbending. I heard Toshiro groaning quietly. About a minute later, it was over. The glowing disappeared and the water was moved back into the bowl it came from. I curiously moved towards the wound to inspect it closely. I was amazed – the gash was no longer there. Toshiro lifted his head again.

“What? Already?” he asked, surprised.

“Well, it still needs time to heal, but I’ve fixed most of it. It was only a small fracture, the bone wasn’t broken. I’ve healed it and closed the wound up. But you’ll still have to be careful for the next few days; it’ll hurt to walk,” she explained. Toshiro nodded.

“Now, lie down and rest. Sleep if you can. I’ll tell Master Yugoda about what’s happened; she’ll come to monitor you if I can’t. Zuko, are you hurting anywhere?” she asked unexpectedly. I hesitated.

“Um, not really. Just bruises here and there, no big deal.”

“Well, you took quite a beating. Thanks for doing that. You’re a real friend. If there’s anything I can do for you, even if you just want those bruises gone, I can fix it.”

“Uh, sure. But I’m fine; it’s nothing I can’t handle. I’ve been through worse,” I answered, before wishing that I hadn’t said the last part. Mi Li looked down at the floor, away from my face.