Falling for the Enemy (Sun and Moon Book 1)

Chapter 39 - Agni Kai

I put my bag beside our apartment door and straighten, staring out the window. I wonder what our place in the Upper Ring will look like? I smile, and behind me the door opens. Zuko steps through, and I turn to him, smiling brightly through the shaft of pain in my heart as I think about my comment to Uncle. I wonder if cocoa would actually make him sweeter?

"Hey cocoa." It slips out before I can think about it, and I like it! I grin. "Hey, Koko! That's your new nickname! What do you think?"

He pushes past me. "I can't talk now."

I frown as he steps into Uncle's room. What's wrong now? I follow him. Uncle looks up from his packing, smiling.

"So I was thinking about names for my new tea shop. How about 'The Jasmine Dragon'? It's dramatic, poetic, has a nice ring to it."

Zuko pulls something out of his pocket. It's a piece of paper- one I recognize. It's one of the lost pet posters. What does Zuko want with it?

He ignores Uncle's idea. Instead, he says,

"The Avatar is here in Ba Sing Se, and he's lost his bison."

The Avatar? In Ba Sing Se? But that's wonderful! I open my mouth to say something, but the look on Uncle's face stops me.

He takes the paper from Zuko. "We have a chance for a new life here. If you start stirring up trouble, we could lose all the good things that are happening for us."

"Good things that are happening for you. Have you ever thought that I want more from life than a nice apartment and a job serving tea?"

"There's nothing wrong with a life of peace and prosperity. I suggest you think about what it is that you want from your life, and why."

Zuko turns away, faces the window. There is something ripping apart inside me that I hadn't even known was there as he says,

"I want my destiny."

"What that means is up to you."

Then he raises a finger. "The 'Tea Weevil! No, that's stupid."

I stare after Zuko as he walks from the room. I don't understand what any of this means. What is going on? I knew Zuko was being more moody than usual, lately, but this? Where did this come from?

I step forward. "Uncle?"

He looks up at me. "What... what was Zuko talking about? The Avatar... isn't this a good thing? There is finally hope for the world!"

Uncle sighs. "Do you really want to know?" I nod, and he gestures for me to sit. Once I have, he starts.

"Try to understand, my nephew is a complicated young man. He has been through much. It was many years ago, now. There was a war meeting, and he hadn't been allowed in. He convinced me to let him come in with me, with the promise that he wouldn't speak. My brother sat on his fiery throne, and one of the war ministers reported that the Earth Kingdom was attacking with one of their strongest forces. He recommended the 41st Division, a group of brand new recruits, to counterattack. They would be a distraction for an attack from the rear. The 41st would be slaughtered.

"Zuko spoke up. He told the general that he could not sacrifice an entire division. It would be betrayal of loyal soldiers. And he was right, you see. But it was not his place to speak out. And there were dire consequences. After Zuko's outburst in the meeting, the Firelord became very angry with him. He said that Prince Zuko's challenge of the general was an act of complete disrespect, and there was only one way to resolve this. An Agni Kai- a fire duel. Zuko looked upon the old general he had insulted, and declared that he was not afraid.

"Zuko misunderstood. When he turned to face his opponent, he was surprised to see it was not the general. Zuko had spoken out against the general's plan, but by doing so in the Firelord's war room, it was the Firelord whom he had disrespected. Zuko would have to duel his own father. When Prince Zuko saw that it was his father who had come to duel him, he begged for mercy. But my brother would not listen, even as Zuko groveled.

"He insisted that Zuko fight, but Zuko refused. I could do nothing to help him. I looked away."

I am frozen, cold and hot both at once. The horror of what was done to Zuko astounds me. I can't even comprehend it. His own father... did that to him. And all because Zuko had tried to help innocent soldiers.

"I always thought Zuko was in a training accident."

"It was no accident. After the duel, the Firelord said that by refusing to fight, Zuko had shown shameful weakness. As punishment, he was banished, and sent to capture the Avatar. Only then could he return with his honor."

"I- I can't even imagine. Zuko..."

I feel tears slide down my face, but I make no move to wipe them away. Zuko deserves my tears.

He deserves so much more than that- he deserves everything that I have to give. Especially my love.

Zuko...

___________

:D :D :D :D ..... So I was totally craving pizza, right? But then I didn't have any money to order any... because I'm broke... and then my awesome friend Ruth brought pizza with her from her lunch break and gave me a piece!!! Yaay Ruth!! She deserves hugs!! :D

COMMENT and vote, people!

Today's time is: 2.00 PM (I know it's only two hours so you only have to give me two commentz cause I have to leave early today) :(

-Eon