Prophecy (Sun and Moon Book 3)

Chapter 2 - Stinky

            Iroh and Lia walked down the crowded street, listening to the vendors calling out their wares. The Market was especially busy that day, and the two of them stayed close together to avoid getting lost.

            Lia carried a huge melon, using her waterbending to keep it aloft. She wasn’t even using her hands--they got several strange looks because she walked along with her hands in her pockets and her blue eyes curious, with the watermelon floating along a step behind her.

            Iroh couldn’t help but be amused--it was so rare to see her happy. He knew she missed her mother, and in truth Iroh did, too. Despite the fact that he and Katara disagreed about his nephew, he loved the Lia’s mother. She was a part of his family--a family that was disappearing.

            Toph wrote him letters occasionally, telling him that Aang, Zuko, and Katara were still missing. The earthbender was beyond worried about her friends, especially Aang. Iroh wanted to go to the South Pole and comfort her, but he couldn’t. He had to stay with Lia, and Katara didn’t want Lia in the South Pole. If Iroh was going to get Katara to listen to reason, he had to make consecsions for her.          

            Not only that, but he didn’t want a fight with Katara to keep him from getting to Ursa as soon as possible. Kamil had sent him reports on the situation in the Fire Nation capital, and it looked bleak.

            Iroh was torn--he needed to help his family, he needed to help his nation, he needed to keep his promises.

            The old general felt, for the first time in many years, that he was out of his league. All he could do was wait, and he felt helpless and useless.

            Suddenly, Lia tugged on his hand. He looked down at her to see a pair of concerned deep blue eyes.

            “Uncle Iroh, you look sad.”

            “I am worried about my nephew.”

            “My daddy? Why?”

            Iroh chuckled. “Because worrying is something I do well. Let’s get some more tea leaves from Master Shao.” He changed the subject, not wanting to worry the little girl any more than she already was.

**__**

            The man walked through the forest, his steps quiet. There was no breeze here, not any sort of stirring of air. The only sounds were the rustling of leaves as unseen creatures moved through the foliage.

            The trees were tall and twisted, and mist seeped across the ground, lending the place an eerie feeling. The man, however, paid no attention to the conditions. Had anyone seen him in that moment, they would have thought he was only out for an afternoon walk on the shore.

            They certainly wouldn’t have believed that he was walking so serenely through a dark, creepy forest.

            And yet, the man was so used to taking walks such as this one that his surroundings didn’t even register on a conscious level.

            His eyes, strangely, were closed, but he walked confidently, as if he knew where he was going. Every once in awhile he would stop, and cock his head, as if listening for something.

            Then he continued, breathing evenly and taking steady steps. Suddenly there was intense rustling from the bushes next to the man, and a tall, strange animal emerged. It stood on two legs like a man, but those legs bent backward like a bird’s. The animal had the face of a lemur fox, and the brown, black, and white coloring of a badger mole. The man opened his eyes and smiled, and the animal tilted its head.

            It opened its mouth, and spoke.

            “What are you doing, Stinky?”

            The man, called Stinky, laughed. “I’m looking for someone. A friend. He’s lost in here.”

            “Not a good place to get lost in. Can I help?”

            Stinky smiled. “You could find the others. There are two more besides my friend. They need to go where they’re needed most.”

            “I can do that.” The animal--who was actually a spirit--smiled.

“They’re humans.” Stinky warned, knowing his friend’s hatred of them. The animal spirit scowled. “The things I do for you, Stinky.”

            Then he jumped back into the bushes and disappeared. Smiling, Stinky closed his eyes again and continued on his way.

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Soooo. ;) Does anyone else recognize these two, hmmm? *makes weird suggestive face*

Lol five comments!