His Flame: A Zuko Fanfiction

His Flame: Chapter Two

A/N: Hey!!! To anyone who has actually read this, thanks bumblebees! Just thought I'd warn you, I am not a regular updater, and I'm really sorry for that. So don't expect one every day, but I'll try to update as often as I can with English Countryside Wifi.

-This chapter's book recommendation: Lord Loss by Darren Shan

//Kai's POV\\

I sit in the bath, fuming with anger and confusion. Why are they here? Why did father make me meet him? I could have stayed out of the way until they left, then I wouldn't have been reminded. I hate them. I hate him. It was his father that gave the order to... his soldiers that...

Letting out a cry of frustration, I push my head under the water. I close my eyes and hold my breath, forcing all unwanted memories from my mind. I won't think about it, I tell myself. I won't.

Bubbles of air escaping my mouth, I let my head surface from the water, before reluctantly climbing out of the large palace bath. Drawing a robe around myself, I towel dry my hair as I walk back to my room. It's been a long day, so I close my eyes and rely on the vibrations through the soles of my feet to show me where I'm going. Sighing as I walk, I wrap my towel around my hair and tighten my robe as I enjoy the quiet. The castle is peaceful which is a change from the usual chaos. Opening my eyes to glance out of the window beside me, I realise why.

The courtyard is filled with tables of food and drink. A faint laughter reaches me as I see people dancing and enjoying the celebrations. Earth and firebenders move around the edges of the feast, entertaining all those eating along the large tables. My father sits at the head of the largest table, snorting as the fire benders show off and sending jokes at the man sitting next to him. Zuko. My small smile slips from my face. I continue walking.

Just before I turn into my corridor, I pause, sensing two unfamiliar people standing outside my rooms. I gauge their stances through my feet, trying to figure out why they make me feel so uneasy. They can't be from the palace, they aren't as grounded as most earthbenders. They keep fidgeting, shifting their hands as if they can't stand still, their focus flickering between several things at once. Firebenders. Anger surges through me.

I stomp my foot and quickly drop my hand to the ground. I hear yelps of surprise as they sink into the stone floor. Walking around the corner, I glare at their confused faces.

"Why are you here?" I ask quietly, not bothering to hide the hostility in my voice. The two men look at each other, opening and closing their mouths, trying to find something to say.

"We...Um..." The Fire Nation soldiers stutter. One of them composes himself enough to speak. "Your father asks you to join him at the banquet downstairs." I narrow my eyes at him and he squirms against the ground holding him.

"You can tell the King that I am not in the mood for his banquet."

"Bu-but-" I cut across him, tightening the rock around his chest until I heard a crack.

"I will not join him. You can tell my father that he is a cruel old man with a sick sense of humour."

I release them from the grounds hold, springing them suddenly to their feet  so they fell to the ground, gasping for breath infront of me. Rolling my eyes, I open my door with earthbending and stalk inside, my eyes brimming with tears. The door falls behind me as I throw myself on my bed. I let sobs wrack against my chest. How could he? After everything. Why would he try to make me eat with them? I pull the covers over my head, curling into a tight ball as I drift into an uneasy sleep.

//Zukos POV\\

A small smile rests on my face as I watch the entertainers earthbend. It's been two years since the war ended and the kingdoms were peaceful again. This is the second kingdom I have visited to solidify the peace, and I remember the earth kingdom from when uncle and I visited. My smile grows wider as I think of the old man and I find myself looking around for a pot of jasmine tea. They have all been accepting in the castle thanks to king Boomi's encouragement. Infact, the only one who seemed to opposed the peace was the princess...

"King Boomi!"

Two of my men run into view, looking worn and out of breath. They are the men the king sent to fetch his daughter. They come to a stop infront of us, hands on their knees. Boomi raises an eyebrow.

"Sh-she says she's not in the mood." The king laughs, snorting manically.  The two men flinch at the sound, causing on of them to grab the side of his chest. I stand quickly, checking his side.

"broken rib..." I trail off in amazement, turning to the king whose laughter had doubled.. I send the man over to my medics table, but before he leaves, he speaks to the king.

"She says..." he pauses before hurrying on. " She says you're a cruel old man with a sick sense of humour." He excuses himself quickly as the kings laughter ceases. Boomi, stares up at the walls of his palace, a frown forming on his face. He sighs and looks at me as he speaks.

"I'm sorry, Fire Lord," his grin reappears. "She's being difficult." My jaw drops in amazement.

"Difficult? She broke his ribs!" The mad King snorts again, laughing into his meal.

"She did, didn't she." He muses, giggling tohimself as I shake my head, at a loss of of what to say.