glacian
Aang
I'm not insane. The voices told me so.
Posts: 62
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Post by glacian on Mar 21, 2007 2:50:04 GMT -5
Disclaimer: I don't own avatar and if things keep going as good as they have been going for the series i don't need to. *prays nick keeps on track*. please note there are scenes of somewhat graphic violence and occasional language and as such i have given this fanfic a pg-13 rating. Summary: There are many tales that mark the times from which they come. tales of valor, of honor, even of death and betrayal. the tragedy of such tales is they are all to often only told from a single or limited amout of views. but tales and legends are a funny thing, they change, grow, evolve, and the river of time is as fluid as it's name suggests. now one man who history would have said does not belong will embark on a journey that will change many of the things he believes as he tries to understand both sides of the coin. Other stuff: Ahoy thar i'm new to the forums. but following the advice of a friend of mine i'm posting my avatar fanfic here. It can also be found on ff.net here www.fanfiction.net/u/541894/ . Anyway keep in mind i might make some changes to the earlier chapters as my OC is developed more. you know, so it fits better with his history and such. so without any more needless jabber on with the show. though keep in mind the person that i would have had as my beta reader hasn't watched all of season two tey so does not want to read my fanfic yet to avoid spoilers. so bear with the occasional spelling mistake.
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glacian
Aang
I'm not insane. The voices told me so.
Posts: 62
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Post by glacian on Mar 21, 2007 2:52:05 GMT -5
Chapter one: The Prisoner
Ba-sing-se. The impenetrable city. To the one standing on the steps on the imperial palace at that moment it was anything but. The most powerful city in the world, infiltrated by only a few and conquered. The walls of the city could hold against infinite armies but in the end the city fell. Not to armies but to a small group.
One would expect the person on the steps to show some emotion. Pride at defeating his enemies, remorse at taking over so many peoples lives, anything at all.
But were that the case then there would be no story to tell now would there? Just another soldier in another war. But this man’s story is different. You might know the story already. But then that’s the funny thing about stories, they change, grow, and evolve with each retelling.
Settling down on the steps the man picks up a journal and begins to write.
So this is it, the end of my journey. It’s a strange thing, standing here. I could be called many things, monster, criminal, conqueror, hero. Or is all that over the top? It probably is but I don’t care.
I thought I knew what I had to do, thought I had it all figured out. The journey looked so clear at first, I was so sure of myself…well not at first but that was a sobering time for me. Anyway back to the point. The journey looked crystal clear and so did the destination. I was fixated on it so much I lost sight of the journey, lost sight of myself even.
So what am I to be called? Well that’s for the history books to decide I suppose. But this is the end so why do I start here? Why not the beginning? Well suffice it to say I don’t have all the answers, or rather none that would make any sense for before what you could call the beginning of the rest of my life so to speak. Maybe there are others who share this predicament, maybe not, but I’m getting off track.
For one who stands proclaiming himself a conqueror the beginning seems… unsuited to the title to say the least. What was I in the beginning? Well I’ll tell you what happened and you decide for yourself.
888
Pain, disorientation, where was this place? Stone, steel bars, red. Everything was painted red and gold.
“Is this the one from earlier?”
What was that? A voice? The figure behind the bars clutched at his head as memories came flooding back. Memmories of more disorientation, then shouting, being chased by something, unable to get away, then fire, everything burning. The figure chuckled at his own melodrama.
“Yes princess Azula this is the one. We found him wandering the streets near the palace. Must have been pretty frightened by something because the moment he spotted us he ran”
Looking a the man in the cell in front of her Azula didn’t see anything too strange. Sure enough the man looked a little odd. He was fairly tall and had longish blond hair. But his looks weren’t the issue, it was what he had done.
“What then captain?”
“Naturally me and my men pursued him” responded the soldier, “We cornered him in an alley and tried to subdue him but he fought back”. The soldier scratched at his heavily bandaged arm. “Be careful with this one princess. A dozen of my guards lost their lives, burned to ash in an instant. He’s one of the most powerful firebenders I’ve ever seen”.
Azula frowned. “I know captain” se snapped, “the giant hole in the palace gates will attest to that fact”. The princess paused and seemed to consider something for a moment. “Leave” she said at length.
The soldier began to protest but upon seeing Azula’s cold glare he bowed and hurried off without another word.
“That was quite the display you put up there” she said, “you realize you’ll probably be executed don’t you?”
The man let his hand’s fall to his sides and tilted his head up looking Azula right in the eyes. She could see the man’s confusion grow when he saw her. “Hey” he said tilting his head to the side in what might have been a thoughtful motion had the man not looked to be on the verge of a mental breakdown, “I know you”.
“I hardly find that surprising” said Azula mildly, “and is that anyway for someone in your position to address royalty?”
The man frowned and thought for a second before crossing his arms in defiance. “You could say I have some…nobler roots myself actually” he stuttered in a vain attempt to act tough, “but since I seem destined for the chopping block anyway say what you want and leave me alone”.
Azula’s frown deepened at the prisoners defiance. “The guards say you caused quite a stir” she said studing the man closely. Despite his posture he looked almost ready to cry. Good she thought, I could use that to my advantage. There is something strange about him though. Could be an interesting distraction if nothing else.
The man frowned at that comment. “I suppose I did” he said, “why do you even care?”
“I don’t” Azula said casually leaning against the far wall, “But the families of the men you killed probably do”. The prisoners eyes widened at that comment and Azula knew she had hit a nerve. “I should commend you for your thoroughness actually. Not much left, just little piles of ash, poof”. The princess accented that last statement with an idle wave of her hand.
“Your lying” stammered the man, “I would never do that”.
Azula cocked an eyebrow. “Oh?” she said leaning closer, “Didn’t you see the captain’s arm? He was one of the lucky ones. They say he’ll never regain full use of his limb”
The prisoner was shaking uncontrollably now and tears bagan to run down thye sides of his face. “No” he whispered, “I would never…”
“Oh come on” snapped Azula causing the prisoner to look up at her, “what reason would I have to lie to you? You said it yourself, your headed for the block anyway”.
The prisoner frowned at Azula. “Leave me alone” he snarled.
“Or what?” said the princess standing up as tall as she could and glaring at the prisoner, “Your just trash”.
“SHUT UP!” roared the prisoner. Suddenly the cell was filled with a blazing inferno. Azula was just able to roll away as a wave of flame impacted the wall turning the first millimeter of stone to dripping slag. She didn’t fear the prisoner, he had no way out and she was way better at fighting then he was. But it was true, he had a lot of raw power.
The flames soon died down to reveal the prisoner sobbing in the corner. Yes this one would be interesting. “Captain” said Azula once she was outside, “leave that one be, I’m not done with him”
888
So that’s how it was. How long I spent in that cell I don’t know. Days, weeks, it was likely a month or two at the least. The princess visited me regularly enough. As rude as she was…as we both were in fact I had the feeling that she had more then a passing interest in me.
For what reason I don’t know. Maybe she sensed something? As unlikely as it sounds it seems reasonable. They say benders are close to the sprits, and being a prodigy Azula was likely as close to the spirits as one could get without being the avatar.
Regardless I developed a somewhat masochistic desire to speak with her since she was the only one that would have anything to do with me. I would even go so far as to say it was all that kept me sane during my incarceration.
Oh I had a few more outbursts but the more I felt the power inside me take root the more I seemed to…accept my predicament? Maybe I had gone temporarily mad, who knows. All I know is prior to that day I had no such abilities. In essence the day I was arrested was the day I became a firebender. Perhaps I did accept it perhaps not.
One day she asked me for my name.
Kuroda. That’s what I called myself. Is it my real name do you ask? To be honest I don’t think it matters. If you must know it isn’t. It was just who I decided I would be from then on. So no I won’t tell you my ‘real’ name. I left it behind with my old life.
Anyway back on track. My becoming a firebender is what saved my life actually. After a while I just couldn’t find any reason for my previous outbursts and I was able to hold conversations with Azula. I always had the feeling I was nothing but a sick project to her but at that time I didn’t care. I wanted out of that cell, I wanted to learn to control my new power before it grew out of control and drove me mad. Maybe I did it for other reasons as well but they would not be reasons to be proud of.
888
“Well hello princes” said Kuroda bowing almost mockingly as he hauled himself up from the cot in his cell, “still interested in little old me?”
Azula chuckled as she looked the man over. Little was not what you would call him. He had been a little on the fat side when he had initially arrived but a life of prison rations and many pushups had changed that. Kuroda wouldn’t be winning any strong man competitions but he looked much different. His was much calmer now as well and his now mateed hair hung down to his shoulders. “The smell is entertaining as ever” she quipped.
Kuroda just shrugged innocently. “They don’t let me bathe much” he said, “It’s more then a little sickening actually”.
“I’ll bet” Muttered Azula.
“So have you come to trade more jabs or is there something you actually want this time?”
Azula looked to be considering something. It was the same song and dance that had played out dozens of times. “Bugging you is always entertaining” she said at length, “but your right. I’m not here about your bizarre jokes or to have a discussion about music”.
Kuroda raised and eyebrow at that. “Really?” he said his curiosity piqued, “because I think I’ve perfected the one about the orangutan and the airbender”.
Azula snorted. “I highly doubt that” she drawled, “no I’m here to ask you something more serious”.
“Fire away” Kuroda said, “I’ve got nothing but time in here”.
“Exactly” said Azula, “you waste away in here no good to anyone. If you weren’t so amusing you would be dead. However…”
“However?” prompted Kuroda growing anxious.
Azula fidgeted a rare sight for her. “Certain…complications have arisen”.
Kuroda narrowed his eyes. “He back isn’t he. The Avatar”. It wasn’t a question. Kuroda had been insisting for weeks that the Avatar hadn’t disappeared. That wasn’t odd in and of itself. People always said that. But Kuroda was different, he had been so sure of himself while to the rest of the world the avatar had become somewhat of a sick joke.
Azula hesitated before nodding. “You were right”.
Kuroda crossed his arms looking thoughtful but then a wide grin was plastered on his face. “I told you so” he said in a singsong voice.
Azula frowned. Kuroda had a bad habit of doing that. At first he had been shy. Intimidated even. But once he got used to someone he could be near bipolar in their presence. Totally serious one second then on a momentary sugar high the next. Thought the princess had the feeling he did it just to annoy her.
“Whatever” she said, “I just thought you should know. The Avatar was almost an obsession for you for a while”. Azula turned to leave but stopped when Kuroda called for her to wait. “What?” she snapped spinning around. Whatever else she had to say died on her lips upon seeing Kuroda’s face. The man was standing there totally unmoving, just staring at her.
“I’m not a simpleton you know” he said at length, “you didn’t keep me alive to have a friend to exchange idle banter with. You aren’t that charitable”.
Azula narrowed her eyes. It was as blunt as Kuroda had ever been. Blunt and correct in every way. “Your point?” she asked.
“My point is this” he said, “with the Avatar’s return the fire nation may need all the help it can get. Don’t kid yourself, given a better option I would rather help the Avatar. But due to my…odd circumstances that isn’t feasible. I’m in prison, and despite my oh so calm exterior the more my firebending powers take root the more I think I’ll go insane without some way to learn how to control them”.
Azula outwardly frowned but inside she grinned. She knew this would pay off. “Your point?” she snapped feigning impatience.
“My point” said Kuroda taking hold of the bars, an almost wild look in his eyes, “is this. Teach me to control it. Help keep me from going insane, get me out of here, and for god sakes let me have a decent bath and you can call me your dancing monkey. JUST GET ME OUT OF THIS BLOODY HOLE!”
Azula watched calmly as a ripple of flame passed over Kuroda’s body reflecting his emotions. Yes this was what she had been waiting for. A few more days and… “I’ll think it over” she said prepareing to leave. She didn’t get far though. Withought realizing it Azula had wandered very close to the cell and she felt Kuroda’s hand clamp down on her arm. Twisting out of his grip and rounding one the man any biting words the princes may have had died on her lips at what she saw. Kuroda, the man who had many times insisted he was to proud to do so, was kneeling in front of her.
“Please” he begged, “this is the only time I will ever ask for anything in this way. Let me out of here and I will be completely loyal to you until…” he searched for the right words then, settling on something he spoke again. “Until Ba-sing-se falls. If that happens the Avatar will be able to do little to hamper the fire nation”.
Azula frowned. As far as anyone knew Ba-sing-se was impenetrable. If he was being sincere, and she could sense he was… She let the thought hang as she digested the information. Then something occurred to her. “And the Avatar himself?” she asked.
A pained look crossed Kuroda’s face for an instant but when he passed he looked more determined then ever. “I…I won’t directly oppose the Avatar” he admitted, “I don’t think I could. But if you need anything else, anything at all…”
Azula frowned genuinely this time. It was a little disappointing but on the other hand it was more then she could have ever hoped for. “Deal” she said at length, “I’ll see what I can do”.
Kuroda hurriedly picked himself up after that. When the princess was out of earshot he chuckled to himself. “I keep my promises princess” he muttered, “your servant until Ba-sing-se falls and not a moment longer”.
888
It took little time for Azula to make the arrangements. The place they moved me into wasn’t much bigger then my cell but anything was better then that hole. From what they told me they were the standard quarters for soldiers. Like they needed to tell me that. It was obvious the moment I saw it that they had moved me to the military grounds in the palace. It was a convenient place to have me under guard 24/7. Some might say one prison for another but then they had never actually spent time in a fire nation dungeon.
Oh well. They didn’t trust me and I didn’t care. With trust come familiarity and I didn’t want to be permanently associated with the fire nation. That’s what I thought then anyway. I was bitter at the time and understandably so.
At any rate I cast aside the rags my old clothing had become living in the prison. I felt sad in a way, like the last of my old life had slipped away. I still think of that life sometimes but it’s indistinct. Like phantoms hovering on the edge of my mind. Maybe more so now that Ba-sing-se has fallen, just like I said it would. I made sure it did and not for the right reasons like I thought at first. That can happen, today’s evil becomes tomorrows good or some such. That isn’t to say I agreed with what the fire nation was doing but it put’s things in perspective when you see both sides of the story instead of just the one.
But I’m getting ahead of myself again. I cleaned myself up and put on my new cloths. I must have stared at myself in the mirror for hours. Not a lot of mirrors in a dungeon after all.
I considered cutting my hair in the few days I had to sort myself out before my training began. In the end I decided to tie it back in a braid. I would have thought such a thing foolish and bizarre when I was younger but it seemed to suit the trend my life was following now.
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glacian
Aang
I'm not insane. The voices told me so.
Posts: 62
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Post by glacian on Mar 21, 2007 2:54:18 GMT -5
Chapter two: Training
Zang Le. How to describe that man. Well the first word that comes to mind is bastard. Seriously the guy has a pole shoved so far up his Equus asinus it’s a wonder it isn’t poking out of his mouth! And that face of his. Seriously he never even smiled, not even a smirk. Just perpetual scorn.
And here is the worst part. He was the man assigned to teach me firebending. Now isn’t that a kick in the pants.
Anyway it’s not like I had much choice in the matter so I swallowed my pride and listened to what he had to say. Besides they say that for every bad thing there are at least two good things. Bad thing? The guys a total Equus asinus. Good things? I learned to control my abilities and after we were finished working together I never saw his sorry face again.
Despite his lack of a personality however one thing Zang Le was not was untalented. So I was patient as I could be and learned what I could.
-From the Diary of Kuroda
888
Kuroda breathed deeply as he eyed the neat line of targets in front of him, ten in all, and gauged the distance, estimated wind direction, and all the other things one would expect is necessary for aiming any shot, all passing through his head in an instant.
“Begin” came the barked order from somewhere out of view.
Letting out one final breath Kuroda released a series of rapid-fire kicks and punches each one sending a wave of flame shooting toward one of the target dummies. Each one impacted and sent a dummy either flying or blew it apart completely. Kuroda smiled to himself. Pretty good he thought, if I keep this up I might figure this out. However his smile quickly melted when he heard a long drawn out sigh.
Turning around he glared as his ‘instructor’. “Did I do something wrong master Zang Le?” he ground out making the title sound more like an insult then the honorific it was meant to be.
Ignoring The venom in Kuroda’s voice Zang Le just looked at him with his trademark scornful gaze. “Your form is still sloppy beyond belief” he said mildly, “I could see dozens of holes in your stance that shouldn’t be there. On top of that you are still putting way to much unneeded energy into your strikes, both in respect to fire and actual movement. It’s a wonder you don’t collapse in exhaustion after one punch”.
When Kuroda only continued to glare at the other man Zang Le sighed. “Let’s review the stances again”.
888
Azula Frowned as she watched Kuroda from a balcony overlooking the training grounds. She didn’t make a habit of watching him, in fact they hadn’t even spoken in the three weeks since she had introduced him to Zang Le. Today however had been different, she had nothing else to do so she had decided to check on her little project.
Kuroda had a lot of power that was for sure. But it was also obvious that he had had little to no martial arts training prior to this and knew next to nothing about the bending arts either. Though it was rare it wasn’t unheard of that bending abilities awoke later in life but this, Kuroda, though he knew some things he knew next to nothing at all.
What’s more whenever Azula had asked about Kuroda’s past he would completely clam up stating it was none of her business. She didn’t actually care as long as he caused her no trouble but it was odd that he was so vehemently opposed to the topic.
She glanced back down and her frown eased a bit. He was improving though, and quite quickly. She didn’t know why he was so driven. She expected it was due to his abilities awakening so late in his life. Maybe she was wrong but it didn’t matter. That kind of drive was very useful if it could be controlled.
888
Kuroda rotated his shoulder a few times to work the kinks out as he glared at Zang Le’s retreating back. “Bloody slave driver” he grumbled finishing off the last of his cool off stretches. He briefly considered heading back to his room but changed his mind. It was a nice day and it wasn’t like he had anything to do inside but sit and stare at the walls.
He walked over to the pair of soldiers who had be assighned to guard him and jerked his head down the path leading away from the training area. “Mind if I go for a walk before heading back?” he asked.
The guards just shrugged. “Just don’t try anything” one said.
Kuroda chuckled as he wandered towards the gardens. Pretty flowers and ponds, that would calm his mind. He glanced back at the guards again. They followed him everywhere, it was quite annoying actually but he put up with it. He would rather spend time in their company then in a locked room. Besides he got the feeling that they were grateful when it came to their assignment. Not because they enjoyed him company but because it was an easy one since Kuroda had not interest in causing any trouble. It was like a mini vacation for them really.
Kuroda shifted his attention away from the guards when he reached the garden and settled down crossed legged next to one of the ponds. He watched as one of the many turtleduck’s swam around in it. Must be nice being you. Just swimming around without a care in the world he thought as the small fuzzy creature wandered towards him and looked up curiously. Smiling Kuroda dung in his pocket and retrieved a piece of bread he had saved from his lunch and held it out.
The turtleduck promptly gobbled it up and Kuroda patted it on the head before it wandered off again.
Kuroda spent the next while staring at the clouds and was about to doze off when he heard footsteps coming down the path. Cracking an eye open He found Azula frowning at him. “To what do I owe this honor dear princess?” he said hauling himself back up onto his feet, “We haven’t spoken for quite a while”.
“I’ve been busy” Azula responded mildly, “Despite what you might think I have better things to do then banter with you”. Without another word Azula held out a scroll for Kuroda.
Taking the scroll and unrolling it Kuroda frowned and his frown only deepened as he read on. When he finished he rolled it back up. “What’s all this about?” he asked trying his best not to sound impolite and failing miserably.
Having expected this reaction the princess only shrugged. “My father spoke to me earlier today” she explained, “normally he wouldn’t care about someone in your position but apperantly you’ve drawn a bit of attention”.
Kuroda snorted then, remembering who he was talking to inclined his head slightly. “My apologies” he said, “but considering the circumstances of my arrival isn’t that to be expected?”
“I suppose you have a point” Admitted the princess, “anyway my father has decided your loyalty needs to be tested. Pass and you’ll be free to do as you wish without guards or restrictions in your spare time. Fail and… well let’s just say neither me nor my father are very forgiving”.
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glacian
Aang
I'm not insane. The voices told me so.
Posts: 62
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Post by glacian on Mar 21, 2007 2:56:03 GMT -5
Chapter three: Test of Loyalty
A test of loyalty, I should have figured as much. It seems so cliché when you think about it that way but does that really matter? Would you trust anybody if you hadn’t found some way to see they are loyal enough to deserve it? I didn’t think so.
In a way we all put our friends, our comrades, our family even through somewhat of a test. It usually involves something as simple as waiting for trust to grow and watching passively making a best guess. Such a simple ‘test’ is usually enough but in some circumstances, especially the more extreme ones, people decide a more extreme trial is required. A trial that, if passed, leaves little to no doubt in the mind of the one who came up with the test as to the loyalty of the tested.
Loyalty, such an interesting word. The most admirable things in the world can be done in the name of loyalty, the most despicable as well. Hundreds of lives can be made better by loyalty, those same lives can also be snuffed out in the name of loyalty. I have done despicable things in the name of loyalty and people would shun me for it, but can they say in total honesty that they are not guilty of the same? Doubtful.
Still, sometimes I wonder if I had just lay down and died would things have turned out better? Would some of the lives I had a hand in disrupting have turned out better? I wonder these things but I know the answer. The course of a war can be changed by one person but only if that person want’s to affect change, and for reasons I can’t say I didn’t want to try and change things. The people I hunted, the lived I helped ruin, they would have met the exact same fate with or without me. In other words had I lay down and died I would only have been running from my guilt like a coward and left an extra corpse in the world. One less person to help rebuild after this stupid war.
So I went on living, even with the guilt that gathered I was still alive. Like everyone in the world though I wonder of what could have been. Could I have changed things for the batter. The problem with what if’s is that they are just that, speculation. I can honestly say, without doubt, that I am a man who, given the chance, would never go back to the past and try to make a what if a reality or change a terrible event. It would be irresponsible because after all you could just make things much worse.
So it all comes back to loyalty. It allowed me to rationalize the things I did, and gave me the focus and strength to keep going forward. Maybe I wasn’t truly loyal. To be perfectly honest the younger me would have turned on Azula and the rest of the fire nation in a heartbeat all the while single mindedly thinking I was ‘figting the bad guys’. How foolish I was back then. I only would have proven I was no better then her for breaking my promise. Maybe that’s why I saw my oath out to the end. So I could prove in some twisted way that I was better.
And what of the fire nation soldiers? They aren’t evil, most of them anyway. They are just loyal, following orders in the name of their country and in some cases defending their families just like the people that the ‘evil fire nation’ conquers. In other words turning on them at that point would have unnecessarily ruined more peoples lives, good peoples live, and proven to the world that I was not worthy of trust. So I fulfilled my oath, and did despicable things in the name of loyalty.
-from the diary of Kuroda
888
Kuroda read the scroll over again even as he walked through the streets accompanied by a little over a dozen fire nation soldiers. According to the information on the scroll a group of earth kingdom spies along with a few fire nation traitors had been causing trouble. They had been left alone since, up until now, they hadn’t caused any real trouble and there was a double agent with them working for the fire nation military. But apparently they had been stirring up more trouble and the fire lord had ordered they be stopped, permanently.
The whole situation left a bad taste in Kuroda’s mouth. No matter how he looked at it… he could turn back, refuse the job. But that wasn’t an option, he would be executed. He could flee but he didn’t know the area well enough yet and would be caught. He could join the group, but that wasn’t an option either. There was no way they would trust him having arrived with several soldiers along for the ride.
He vaguely registered the captain calling for a halt and came to a stop himself. Looking up he spotted an old boathouse just down the road. “Typical” he muttered before turning to the captain, “is this the place?” he asked secretly hoping it wasn’t but knowing it was.
The captain nodded. “Orders are for you to head in first, the rest of us will be right behind”.
Kuroda nodded and adjusted his new armor. He found it immensely uncomfortable and restrictive preferring his regular clothing but he supposed it had been necessary. And for more reason then one he suspected. But the time for speculation was over. Kuroda could feel his heart pounding against his breastplate as he signaled for the soldiers to follow and headed down the road.
When they reached the building Kuroda headed up the stairs as quietly as he could and pressed the ear to the door as the soldiers either fanned out around the building or followed him up to the deck.
There were definitely people inside, and judging from the urgent sound of their voices they were expecting trouble. Squashing his doubt’s and forgetting all thoughts of subtlety Kuroda backed up and faced the door. Nodding to the soldiers on the deck with him he spun around and kicked the door right off in hinges and into the far wall with a quick blast of fire.
Stepping through he sized up the inside of the building as fast as he could. Several people wearing earth kingdom and fire nation clothing were in various places around the room. The largest group surrounding a table covered in notes and maps. There was a pile of crates in one corner, likely basic supplies, and several weapons racks agaist the far wall under a second level office.
Kuroda and the people in the boathouse stared at each other for a few moments as several of the fire nation soldiers filed in and raised their weapons. “Surrender” demanded Kuroda trying to sound as commading as he could despite the tremor in his voice, “nobody needs to die here today”.
One of the people snorted at Kuroda’s words. “Not likely” he snapped, “GET THEM!”
Every one of the people in the boathouse charged Kuroda and the soldiers. Reacting on pure instinct Kuroda dropped down into a combat stance and sent a wave of fire at the man nearest him, the one who had spoken. The shot was dead on and the man tumbled over dead, the skin on his chest scorched black an the centre and running like wax at the outer edges. Kuroda stumbled back as the spies reached the soldiers looking from the corpse to his hand and back again in complete horror. “I just…” he began but didn’t finish his spoken thought as another enemy, because no matter how much Kuroda wished to deny it that’s what these men were, lunged at him sword leading.
Kuroda was just able to twist away, the blow glancing off his armor, and grabbed the mans sword arm. Using his own momentum against him Kuroda twisted and heaved his assailant up and over in a shoulder throw slamming him into the floorboards. Running on automatic now Kuroda planted his foot on the mans chest and, raising his hand, sent a bolt of fire down into the mans face turning his head to ash.
Hearing a shout behind him Kuroda dropped down and swept his leg out in an arc trailing a stream of flame catching his next opponent behind the knee joints toppling him the the ground. Kuroda followed through with the movement and brought his flaming heel down on the man’s chest smashing his ribcage and turning his chest to a mix of melted slag and charred flesh.
Rolling to his feet Kuroda saw it was almost over. The soldiers had finished off the last of the spies on this level. All that remained were the ones in the upper office, if any had been there in the first place.
Still running on automatic Kuroda moved to go up the stairs but halted when he heard slow clapping. Looking up he saw another man in earth kingdom clothing standing at the top of the stairs. “Bravo” said the man slowly making his way down the stairs. The soldiers moved to intercept them but Kuroda waved them off. They grimaced at the gesture but backed off. After all what did they care is the idiot with the odd colored hair got himself killed?
“Bravo” said the man again when he reached the bottom of the stairs and halted a mere few feet from Kuroda. “I didn’t even have time to come and help my men”. The earth kingdom man frowned. “Did it make you feel superior? To slaughter them all?”
“I’m just following orders” ground out Kuroda between clenched teeth. He tried to stand tall and rationalize what had just happened but doubt was written all over his face.
The man snorted dropping down into a combat stance. “That’s the oldest excuse in existence”. At that the man trust his arms up in the air and two huge columns of rock bust out of the floor sending two of the fire nation soldiers crashing through the ceiling and landing with a sickening crunch somewhere outside. “Take this fire nation dog” snarled the man thrusting his hands forward sending dozens of razor sharp bit’s of rock Kuroda’s way.
Without thinking Kuroda let loose a roundhouse kick trailing a sheet of flame shattering the rocks before they hit. Finishing his spin Kuroda released a wave of fire followed by several quick bursts from a flurry of punches and kicks.
The earthbender blocked each one with a column of rock and then spun around smashing his heel into one of the pillars sending a rather large boulder Shooting in Kuroda’s direction.
Throwing himself to the floor and skidding along Kuroda missed being turned into a bloody smear by mere centimeters. Kuroda sent several more blasts toward his opponent from the prone position before rolling to his feet and taking up a defensive stance.
The soldiers had long since backed away to the edge of the room not wanting to be caught in the middle of a battle between two benders. “Pretty good kid” panted the earthbender, “to bad your talent’s are wasted here”.
Kuroda frowned. “I did what I had to to survive” he ground out adjusting his stance slightly.
The earthbender snorted. “Whatever kid” he said throuwing his arms up and pulling a massive boulder from the ground. The floorboads splintered and the boathouse began to crumble. “Die”
Time seemed to slow to a crawl for Kuroda as that massive rock was hurled his way. His eyes widened as he looked for any way out. Spotting one of the holes in the floor made by the earthbenders first attack Kuroda dove for it and landed in the dirt under the floorboards which were promptly turned to mulch as the boulder thundered by a mere half foot overhead. Reacting as fast as he could Kuroda rose and shot a wave of fire toward the earthbeder whose triumphant expression turned to one of shock before he was sent cashing through the wall to rest several feet away.
Rubbing his bruised side and swiping away some blood from a cut on his forehead caused by wood shrapnel Kurda picked his way to his fallen opponent. Surprisingly the man had survived and, reaching down, Kuroda hauled him up by his coller.
Kuroda was about to tell the man to surrender but was cut short when the man spoke. “Finish me” he snapped.
“No” said Kuroda, “your beaten. There is no sense in killing you. I would rather nobody else died. If your boneheaded underlings had listened nobody would have had to die”. Kuroda was practically shouting by the end of his ltlle speech and shaking the man like a rag doll.
The earthbender coughed up some blood and chuckled. “Maybe I had you wrong kid” he wheezed, “but I’m a goner one way or another. Show me mercy and finish me off, I don’t want to rot in some dungeon”.
“But” stammered Kuroda.
“Look kid” said the earthbender taking hold of Kuroda’s wrist, “you tried to show mercy before so show it now. Let me die with my dignity”.
Kuroda wanted to protest, wanted to change the man’s mind, but he knew. He knew this poor man would only suffer needlessly before dying anyway. Composing himself as best he could he nodded and released the man who reached into his pocket. “Take this to Ba-sing-se for me if you get the chance kid” he gurgled, “I hope you make the right choice”.
Kuroda took the item and put it in his pocket before standing up. He looked down and tried not to cry, then without so much as a sound he thrust his hand forward and released a massive torrent of fire. He kept it going for what felt like hours to him but was probably only a few seconds. Finally Kuroda let up and collapsed sobbing next to the burnt crater he had created.
Finally deciding it was safe the captain signaled his soldiers to gather up their fallen comrades before going over to where Kuroda was kneeling. “You okay kid?” he asked offering his hand. Kuroda took it and when the captain saw his face he felt a tightening in his chest.
“Did I pass this stupid test” he ground out as he rose.
The captain nodded. “Yah kid” he said helping Kuroda walk since he looked like he could barely stand, “you passed. Now let’s take you back and get you cleaned up”.
“Thanks captain”.
“Think nothing of it”.
888
Fire lord Ozai looked down at his daughter from behind the curtain of fire the framed his dais. “What do you have to report Azula?” he demanded.
“Father” said the Princess, “Kuroda has passed the test you gave him. In fact…”
“Yes?” pressed the fire lord.
“According to the report he fought an eatrhbender, a powerful one and judging by the report there was noting left of him but ash by the time kuroda was through with him”.
Ozai considered these words for a few moments before speaking again. “Very well” he said dismissively, “you can do as you wish”.
“Thanks you father” said Azula rising and heading for the door but halting when her father spoke again.
“Keep an eye on this one Azula” he said, “if what you have told me about him is true he could be useful, or very dangerous”.
888
Azula found Kuroda near the pond in the garden still accompanied by his guards. He was lying on the grass staring at the clouds with a bandage on his head and another wrapped around his abdomen. “Leave” Azula commanded the guard who promply obeyed.
“What’s this about?” Kuroda asked hauling himself up to a sitting position and wincing a bit as his bruised ribs screamed in protest.
“I’m here to congratulate you” said Azula smirking down at Kuroda who only frowned, “and to tell you that guards won’t be following you everywhere any more. You’ve earned your freedom”.
“Such as it is” he muttered staring off into space.
“Such as it is” agreed Azula as she headed away, “just don’t run off or sneak into any restricted areas”.
When she was gone Kuroda turned back to the pond and dug in his pocket pulling out the item the man had given him. Judging from the look of it it could only be one thing, a painting of his family. Kuroda frowned and he put it away again wondering what on earth had possessed the man to come here, to do what he did.
Feeling a light pressure on his leg Kuroda looked down to find the turtleduck that had taken a liking to him. It was resting it’s head on Kuroda’s leg and looking up expectantly. Kuroda smiled sadly as he patted the little creature on the head affectionately. “Sorry buddy” he said, “Don’t have any food on me today. But I appreciate the company”.
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glacian
Aang
I'm not insane. The voices told me so.
Posts: 62
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Post by glacian on Mar 21, 2007 3:00:04 GMT -5
Chapter four: Calm Before the Storm
I wish I could say things were easier for me after that day at the boathouse, after my one on one fight with the earthbender. In fact I could say that, but I would be lying. If anything I felt worse. Every time I allowed my mind to wander I saw his face, and every time it was with the faces in the picture.
For a time I cursed the man, saying that his final words had been some kind of attack. I hated him for giving me such powerful guilt. They told me I killed a dozen men on my arrival but that time was hazy for me and those faces a blur, masybe from my awakening powers? Who knows. All I know is his face is where my guilt began.
But I soon realized it was pointless. The man was dead and nothing would change that. I had made my choice back in the cell and nothing would change that either. So I turned to my firebending.
Training. It had always seemed like something for the fanatics in a children’s story. There was always someone trying to be the best this or that and I had thought it silly. I mean sure learning a skill or training to better yourself or whatever seemed admirable but the extremes seen in those tales always seemed pointless to me. They still do in fact.
But then again I wasn’t training to be the best pai sho player in the world. I did it for something to do, to distract my mind from my guilt and give me focus. Was I running from my memories? Yes. I was running like a sacred child, like a coward. But I didn’t care.
So I trained until my hands blistered and bled from the heat and the material in my boots was dried and cracked and then I trained some more. And on datys when I couln’t stand it I would read. Sometimes I would study texts, sometimes I read stories, a few being about those idiots that pushed themselves toward the bothersome goal of being the best. And when I couldn’t stand either of those I explored the city and surrounding countryside. I did everything in my power every day to leave myself to tired to think, to tired to dream.
On those rare days where I did relax I always saw his face. So I would train more, read more, anything at all. Even when Zang Le had taught me all he could, had declared I had mastered firebending in a few short months, I still trained until my hands were worn raw.
I was sent on the occasion mission as well but why I don’t know. Maybe the fire nation brass took notice and wanted to use my temporary obsessions to their advantage. Far more likely they just wanted to use everyone they had available. Sometimes the tasks were silly errands like deliver this letter, fetch that, or check on these troops. But sometimes they were more like that first one. Sometimes I captured people, sometimes I had to kill them adding their faces to the ones already haunting me and driving me forward even harder.
Then one day the pain and guilt began to lessen. Don’t get me wrong I will never forget that day. It was more like I was becoming numb to such emotions and I desperately grabbed for this small bit of relief. Slowly my guilt became a grudging kind of acceptance, and then just another memory. An unforgettable one that still left a bad taste in my mouth and a hole in my heart but a memory nonetheless. After what seemed an eternity but was in truth only a few short months, and though I continued to train, albeit much less frequently, I was finally able to relax and settle back into a more normally paced life. Or as normal as my life could be at that point I suppose.
-From the diary of Kuroda
888
Kuroda massaged his shoulder as he walked down the street away from the palace gates and into the surrounding city having decided to take a walk after his daily training session. He clasped his hands behind his back after he was done and made a point of ignoring the occasional stare or comment aimed his way. He had gained a small measure of fame in the past few weeks and though nobody dared say it to his face he had heard rumors of people calling him things along the lines of ‘Azula’s pet firebender’ and ‘the palaces trained monkey’. Kuroda frowned at the thought but only for a moment. It was kind of funny after all and what did he care? None of the people he actually knew called him those things after all…well maybe Azula but that was to be expected from her really.
“Speaking of acquaintances” muttered Kuroda as he rounded a corner into the cities bazaar and spotted a particular stall. A food stand to be more exact. Smiling slightly Kuroda picked his way over there and stood watching the owners back for a few moments before banging on the counter causing the other man to jump. “Twitchy as ever eh Shino?” Kuroda said plopping down on the nearest stool.
Shino, the shop owner, scratched his head sheepishly. “I suppose so” he admitted, “what brings you here today?”
“The usual” said Kuroda dropping a few copper pieces on the counter.
“One bag of fireflakes coming up” said Shino depositing the aforementioned food in front of Kuroda and swiping up the coins. “So they still have you delivering letters or is it one of the more serious ones this time?”
“Actually it’s been pretty quiet” admitted Kuroda taking a handful of the fireflakes and nibbling on them. He had learned the hard way not to stuff too many of the things in his mouth at once. “Haven’t done anything ‘official’ for over a week”.
Shino raised his eyebrow at that. “That’s strange, isn’t there always something going on up there?”
“Usually” admitted Kuroda, “but lately it’s been quiet. My guess is that something big is about to happen”. Kuroda looked thoughtful for a second but shrugged finishing off his first handful of flakes and taking another. “Part of me hopes I don’t find out what with how things can play out sometimes”.
“I don’t doubt it” said Shino.
Kuroda hummed a bit as he took another bite of his snack. “So” he said between chews, “seen anything funny today?”
Shino grinned at the question. “Well there was this one thing…”
888
When Kuroda returned to the palace a few hours later he found a small crowd gathered just past the gates. “I wonder what’s going on?” he muttered out loud wandering closer. He stopped when he saw the palace doors open and a somewhat familiar man come striding out. Kuroda frowned as he made eye contact with the man who smirked “back as he walked over.
“Why Kuroda, you’re looking better then the last time I saw you” he said.
“Commander Zhao” said Kuroda respectfully inclining his head.
“Admiral now actually” said Zhao looking rather pleased with himself.
“Well congratulations” said Kuroda, though with an edge still in his voice, “to what does the palace owe your visit?”
Zhao’s smirk grew wider and Kuroda laughed internally. To him the man has always looked like a shaved hogmonkey. And despite having only met the man twice before he had the impression that Zhao had the short temper and non existent patience to match. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Kuroda shrugged. “That is why I asked sir” he said putting particular emphasis on that last word.
Zhao’s eyes narrowed at Kuroda’s tone but ignored it not wanting to make a scene inside the palace gates. “I have tracked down the Avatar” he said then grinned widely. “You could join me in hunting him down if you wanted. I’ve assembled quite the armada to accompany already. And a man of your skill could be used”.
It was Kuroda’s turn to frown. “You know why I can’t and won’t do that admiral” said Kuroda.
“Ah yes, your foolish oath to not interfere with the Avatar directly” taunted Zhao. “Sentiments like that could have you court marshaled and executed you know”.
“Already avoided the second” Kuroda answered smoothly, “and fortunately for both of us I work only for the princess and am not an actual part of the military”.
Zhao frowned. “Quite true” he said, “I have enjoyed this little chat but I really must be going. We should do this more often”.
“As you say admiral” said Kuroda inclining his head again. Once Zhao was gone Kuroda muttered several choice words under his breath. That man was beyond infuriating. Glancing up Kuroda saw he had drawn the stares of several of the palace guards. “What are you looking at?” he growled. The guards promptly went back to their business as Kuroda wandered off to sit in his favorite spot in the garden to calm down.
888
Kuroda opened his eyes when he heard footsteps coming down the path, the flames he had conjured in the air while meditating fizzling out. He turned up and turned to find Azula standing there. “Hello princess” Kuroda said bowing respectfully.
“Well at least your manners have improved since I met you” she said, “I heard about the little scene you made in the courtyard today”.
Kuroda shrugged. “Zhao decided to talk to me not the other way around” he said.
“That much I gathered” said Azula icily, “but in the future try to be a little more professional in regard to high ranking officers”.
Kuroda frowned but nodded, “as you wish”.
“Good” said Azula, “Tell me do you know what he is actually doing?”
Kuroda shook his head slowly. “Zhao only mentioned the Avatar” Kuroda admitted, “nothing more”.
Azula smiled and Kuroda suddenly had a bad feeling. “Reports said the Avatar is at the north pole, Zhao plans on taking advantage of that and invading”.
“Really?” said Kuroda raising an eyebrow, “Is that wise? Even without the avatar I’ve heard the northern water tribe is not to be taken lightly”.
“Maybe Zhao knows something nobody else does” said Azula frowning, “he wouldn’t say”. The princess paused for a few moments before speaking up. “I’m curious, what do you think of the admiral?”
Kuroda raised his other eyebrow. Azula wasn’t usually one to be curious about anything unless it was of use to her or she found it amusing. “Will I be executed if I speak plainly?” he asked.
Azula shook her head, “I think he’s an idiot actually” she said, “I was just curious as to what you thought”.
“Well then for once we are in total agreement” admitted Kuroda. “Though I’ve had little contact with that man, thank the spirits for that, he came off as the type that had no self control. If what you’re saying is true he may be leading his men to their deaths”.
Azula chuckled. “I hope were both wrong then” she said, “good day Kuroda. I’ll contact you if you are needed for anything”.
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glacian
Aang
I'm not insane. The voices told me so.
Posts: 62
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Post by glacian on Mar 21, 2007 3:01:20 GMT -5
Chapter five: The Journey Begins
In the end I had guessed right. A little over a month later the handful of ships left from Zhao’s armada limped into port, the few surviving soldiers telling stories of the Avatar becoming a gigantic beast. The few that had learned of explained what Zhao’s plan had been. So that’s why the moon had disappeared that night.
I thanked whatever god that cared to listen for not allowing Zhao’s hideous plan to succeed. If it had…well I don’t want to consider it. To try and kill the moon spirit was unthinkable to me, unthinkable and arrogant beyond all belief.
The fire lord didn’t think along those lines though. It was the first time I had seen Ozai face to face and he was furious blaming his own brother and son, his flesh and blood, for the defeat. He declared them enemies of the state, calling Azula for a private audience, ordered her to hunt them down.
When she exited the audience chamber I asked her what was going on to which she said, “the type of situation that I kept you alive for has come up”. That’s Azula for you though. When it comes to certain matters she has the subtle grace of a crazed badgermole and is ten times more deadly. When I asked her what needed to be done she ordered me to pack my things and head to the docks. So I headed back to my room, put on my armor, packed what few possession I had accumulated, and did just that.
Truth be told I was nervous, the princess is…a determined individual when it comes to certain things and official business is definitely one of those things. At the same time though I was very happy. I had always loved the ocean, the smell of the breeze, the feel of the ship crashing over the waves as dolphins swam at the bow. Truth be told I’m not much of a day person either, I enjoy looking at the moon. I suppose it’s an irony that I became a firebender when in a lot of ways one would expect me to be a waterbender. I don’t complain though, far to easy to be caught without water.
Then again very few people are a paragon of what their element represents, but I’m off track. Something told me that this extended mission would test my dedication to the promise I made so long ago. And I prayed that when the time came I would have the fortitude to keep my oath.
-From the diary of Kuroda
888
Kuroda fidgeted with the high color on his armor and checked it over for scuffs one more time all the while eyeing Azula. “Is that thing really needed?” he asked jerking his head toward the palanquin the Princess was currently sitting on.
“It’s important to make a strong impression” she said, “now look sharp and keep your mouth shut”.
Kuroda inclined his head and took up a position behind the princess. When everyone was ready four guard picked up the platform and another two pushed the door opened admitting the small procession onto the deck. Kuroda took up a position to the side of the door and stood at ease looking around. There were two neat rows of elite royal guards kneeling on the deck and up on the dais next to the princess’ platform were two women Kuroda had dubbed ‘the hags’. It was an accurate enough description, the two looked to be over a hundred years old.
Kuroda’s eyes snapped back to Azula when she rose from her seat and began to pace down the centre of the deck. She indicated for the troops to rise and when she did she began to speak. “My brother and my uncle have disgraced the fire lord and brought shame to all of us” she began, “you may have mixed feeling about attacking members of the royal family. I understand, but I assure you, if you hesitate I will not hesitate to bring you down, dismissed”.
Kuroda watched as the guards hurried back off of the deck and into the ship. Once they were gone he walked forward and leaned on the rail listening in as the captain spoke with Azula. “Princess” he said, “I’m afraid the tides will not allow us to bring the ship into port before nightfall”.
Kuroda stiffened at the captains words. That wasn’t the kind of thing the princess would listen to or tolerate even if the man was right. His suspicions were confimed when Azula replied. “I’m sorry captain” she said as she walked over and stood near the rail no more then ten feet away from Kuroda’s spot, “but I do not know much about the tides. Can you explain something to me?”
At this point Kuroda had stopped leaning on the rail and was looking at the captain, praying his expression didn’t show any emotion at that moment. “Of course your highness” said the captain.
“Do the tides command this ship?” hissed Azula.
“Uh” muttered the captain fidgeting nervously, “I’m afraid I don’t understand”.
“You said the tides would not allow us to bring the ship in” continued Azula, “do the tides command this ship?”
“No princess” muttered the captain.
“And if I were to have you thrown overboard” continued the princess, more venom creeping into her voice all the while, “ would the tides think twice about smashing you against the rocky shore?”
Kuroda fidgeted slightly as he watch the captain swallow in nervousness. “No princess” he said looking down at his feet.
“Well then” hissed Azula making an adjustment to her hair and spinning around to glare at the captain, “maybe you should worry less about the tides who have already made up their mind about killing you, and worry more about me, who’s still mulling it over”.
“I’ll put us in” stammered the captain bowing deeply before running off the deck as fast as he could move.
Kuroda let out a breath he hadn’t known he had been holding and leaned on the rail again only facing the deck this time. He was glad Azula hadn’t thrown the captain overboard. Both because he didn’t want to see the man die and because the princess probably would have made him do it since he was so close at hand. “Don’t you have duties?”
Kuroda looked over at Azula and smiled weakly. “Not for another hour or so” he said, “unless you want me to go toss the captain into the ocean or have something else for me that is princess”.
Azula smirked at Kuroda causing him to fidget again. “Not at the moment” she said, “Why do you insist on spending so much time on deck anyway? I can’t stand it up here”.
Kuroda shrugged and turned back around. “I like watching the water” he said, “calms me down and helps me focus”.
Azula wrinkled her nose. “Whatever” she said marching off the deck.
888
The following day found Kuroda following the princess away from wherever they had docked and up to what he guessed was some kind of resort. “So why do you want me along while you go speak with your brother?” he asked.
Azula shot a sideways glance at Kuroda. “Your still to soft” she snapped, “maybe watching me deal with my brother will help you learn something.
Kuroda raised his eyebrow but said nothing. Something had put Azula in a bit of a foul mood and the last thing he wanted to do when she was like that was antagonize her, so they spent the rest of the walk to their destination in silence. It turned out to be a small rental cottage and he and Azula sat down in the corner farthest from the door and waited.
Evetually the sound of two people speaking could be heard. It wasn’t long before the source of the voices entered the cabin. “Look at these magnificent shells” chirped a chubby old man that could only be general Iroh, “I’ll enjoy these keepsakes for years to come”. Kuroda smiled slightly at seeing him, there was something he liked about the old man. However his smile melted when he remembered his reason for being here.
“We don’t need any more useless things” snapped the other person, “you forget we have to carry everything ourselves now”. That could only be prince Zuko, Kuroda thought eyeing the scarred teenager. He was definitely rude enough to fit the desription.
It was at this time Azula decided to speak up. “Hello brother, uncle” she purred startling the pair.
“Azula” Zuko snapped eyeing the pair, “what are you doing here” he demanded before shifting his gaze to Kuroda, “and who is this?”
“In my country we exchange a pleasant hello before asking questions” snapped Azula, plucking a nearby seashell off the table and standing up. “Have you become uncivilized so soon Zuzu?” Kuroda couldn’t help but snort upon hearing the nickname earning a glare from Zuko and a smirk from Azula.
“Don’t call me that!” shouted Zuko. Kuroda frowned at the outburst and stood up coming to a stop next to the princess.
“To what do we owe this honor?” asked Iroh politely.
“Hmm, must be a family trait” said Azula, a frown growing on her face, “both of you so quick to get to the point”. Azula crushed the shell she was holding for emphasis provoking a glare from Iroh. “This is Kuroda” said Azula, “I’m sure you’ve heard of him”.
“Pleased to meet you” said Kuroda inclining his head in greeting. Iroh returned the movement while Zuko continued to glare.
“Anyway” continued Azula, “I’ve come with a message from home. Fathers changed his mind, family is suddenly very important to him”. The princess’ words caused Kuroda to shift uncomfortably. He knew where this was going and didn’t like it but he wisely kept his mouth shut. “He’s heard rumors of plans to overthrow him” azula lied smoothly, “treacherous plots. Family are the only ones you can really trust. Father regrets your banishment, he wants you home”.
Zuko fidgeted and looked down at his feet. “Did you hear me?” asked Azula, “you should be grateful, exited, I just gave you great news”.
“I’m sure your brother simply needs a mo…” began Iroh.
“Don’t interrupt uncle!” snapped Azula causing both Iroh and Kuroda to jump. “I still haven’t heard my thank you” said Azula directing her attention back to Zuko, “I’m not a messenger, I didn’t have to come all this way”.
“Father regrets?” whispered Zuko, “he…want’s me back?”
“I see you need time to think this over” said Azula. “I’ll come to call on you tomorrow, good evening”. Turning to Kuroda she said, “come” before heading out the door.
Kuroda looked at Zuko for a monet before inclining his head again. “It was nice to meet you” he said heading for the door, but he was stopped when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
“What’s a polite man like yourself doing with Azula?” asked Iroh.
“I…made a promise” he whispered.
Iroh nodded but didn’t pry. “Was she telling the truth?”
Kuroda glanced back at Iroh and slowly but reluctantly nodded, not at all comfortable about lying to the man. “I should get moving” he said heading off, “good day”.
Azula glared at Kuroda when he caught up. “What kept you?” she demanded.
“Iroh” he said falling into step next to her, “don’t worry I didn’t say anything. But why lie to them? Why not just arrest them?”
Azula looked thoughtful for a moment before replying. “If it were just my brother I would have” she admitted, “but my uncle was once one of the greatest fire nation generals ever. It pays to be cautious even if he is more then a little soft”.
“Arent you afraid he’ll figure you out?” asked Kuroda.
“Maybe a little” said Azula, “but even if he does figure it out Zuzu is far too obsessed with reclaiming his honor to refuse my…offer”.
888
Kuroda spent a good portion on the night on deck running through the various firebending sets over and over in an attempt to tire himself out but it was to no avail. Every time his had lay down to sleep he had just lay there with his eyes open. He had just finish one set of drills and was about to begin another when he spotted someone watching him. “Who is it?” he asked wiping his brow with the back of his hand.
“It’s me” said the man who turned out to be the captain, “your making quite a racket you know, some of the crew can’t sleep”.
“Sorry” apologized Kuroda leaning against the rail, “I just have a lot on my mind right now”.
“Does it have to do with the princess’ plan?” asked the captain doing likewise and looking over at Kuroda who only nodded blankly. The captain chuckled, “you would think someone in your position would be used to the princess’ methods”.
“I suppose one would think that” muttered Kuroda staring up at the moon.
“Well don’t worry about it too much” said the captain, “this mission will be over soon enough and we all can move on, for the time being anyway”.
Kuroda chuckled. “Thanks captain” he said, “I appreciate the thought”. Then Kuroda smiled wryly at the captain. “I do have one bit of advice concerning the princess though” he said.
The captain blinked owlishly at the comment. “And what would that be?” he asked.
“If you don’t think she want’s to hear something don’t say it” Kuroda said chuckling, “I would be the one she would make throw you overboard, and I think I like you too much to do that”.
The captain smiled at Kuroda’s comment. “Thanks for the advice” he said clapping the younger man on the shoulder, “goodnight”.
“Goodnight sir” said Kuroda who, after a few more minutes of thinking, headed below decks and climbed back into bed.
888
The following day found Azula standing at the top of the ships gangplank flanked by Kuroda and a pair of royal guards while the other gurds were lined up on the dock down below. They all watched as Zuko and Iroh walked down the dock and came to a halt at the bottom of the ramp. “Brother, uncle, welcome” said Azula bowing slightly to the pair who bowed back, “I’m so glad you decided to come”.
After that the guards fell in behind the pair and the captain spoke up. “Are we ready to depart your highness?” he asked.
“Set our course for home captain” ordered Azula.
Kuroda sauw Zuko mutter something but couldn’t hear what it was since the captain had begun to speak. “You heard the princess” he commanded, “raise the anchors. Were taking the prisoners ho…”. The captain snapped his mouth shut realizing his stumble far to late. Kuroda backed away and lowered into a combat stance as the princess glared at the captain. “Your highness I…” stammered the captain.
He was cut off when Zuko charged up the ramp and pushed him into the water. “You lied to me!” he roared bearing down on Azula.
“Like I’ve never done that before” she said retreating behind the guards. “Deal with him” she whispered to Kuroda before she began to head toward the dais.
Kuroda nodded and interposed himself between Azula and the top of the ramp just as Zuko sent the guards flying into the water with a pair of carefully aimed fire blasts. He aimed to do the same to Kuroda but Kuroda batted the fireball aside and sent the prince skidding back with a kick to the stomach.
“Zuko let’s go!” Iroh shouted from the docks where he was fighting off the other guards.
“Out of my way” snarled Zuko conjuring a pair of knives made out of flame.
“No” stated Kuroda adjusting his own stance slightly.
Zuko snarled and charged at Kuroda swinging one of his flaming blades at Kuroda’s midsection.
Thinking fast Kuroda swept Zuko’s arm aside with his own forearm and, continuing his spin, aimed a flaming kick at the princes head causing him to back away. Following through with his attack Kuroda lauched a series of quick blasts in Zuko’s direction, all of which the prince dodged as he charged forward again swinging for Kuroda’s head.
Kuroda flipped onto his back and, planting his foot in Zuko’s chest, Heaved the prince up and over sending him skidding away while Kuroda jumped back up and launched another wave of fire Zuko’s way.
Zuko rolled out of the path of the fire and back onto his feet. Spinning around he aimed a vicious slice at Kuroda’s side.
Ducking Kuroda hooked Zuko’s arm and pinned the prince in a headlock.
Azula clapped mockingly from her perch. “Well done Kuroda” she purred, then shifting her attention to Zuko she continued. “You know father blames uncle for the loss of the north pole” she taunted, “And he considered you a miserable failure for not fining the avatar”. Kuroda frowned as he struggled to hold Zuko still, not sure the princess’ taunts would help out in the slightest. “Why would he want you back home, except to lock you up where you can no longer embarrass him”.
Zuko roared incoherently at the last comment. He struggled violently and broke free of Kuroda’s grasp trying to charge toward his Sister. Recovering quickly Kuroda ran after the enraged prince and delivered an roundhouse kick to the side of his face that left a nasty looking bruise and sent him sprawling.
Azula Smirked and stood up. “Out of the way” she snapped at Kuroda. Kuroda started to protest but at a lock from the princess he backed off to the far railing. “Goodbye brother” she hissed and Kuroda shielded his eyes when he saw Azula’s hand’s sparking with electricity. She made a couple large circular gestures with her arms and trust her hand forward ready to send a bolt of lightning toward her brother. Unfortunately for her Iroh had finished with the guards and leapt up on deck. He grabbed Azula’s hand and, using his own arm, redirected the lightning so it stuck a nearby cliff instead of Zuko. Without missing a beat he heaved the young woman over a nearby rail and into the water.
Kuroda sank into a combat stance when Iroh and Zuko’s gazed focued on him but when he realized he was the only one not taking a swim in a full set of armor he stood up and turned his back. “Go” he snapped at the dumbfounded pair. Spinning around Kuroda pointed at the pier. “Go!” he snapped again, “before Azula resurfaces and makes me change my mind”.
Nodding Iroh dragged Zuko away from the ship while Kuroda retrieved one of the unused mooring lines. Running over to the rail he saw that the princess had just surfaced. “What happened?” she demanded looking up as Kuroda tossed the princess the line and pulled her back onto the deck.
“They ran off before I could react” he said, “besides even if I had had the time to do something I didn’t have a chance against the both of them”.
Azula glared at the retreating forms of her brother and uncle before taking Kuroda’s offered hand and hauling herself into a standing position. “Fish the rest of the crew out” she snapped stalking off to her cabin.
888
An hour later found Azula, Kuroda, and the rest of the crew up at the resort while the Princess gave an announcement. “Anyone who harbors these traitors” she barked holding up a wanted poster showing Zuko and Iroh’s faces, “will face the wrath of the fire lord”. Kuroda shifted uncomfortably as Azula slammed her fist down on the railing in front of her. He had never seen her so mad and that was saying something. “there will be no place left to hide” she hissed.
“So what now?” asked Kuroda once he and Azula were heading back to the ship.
“We track down my brother and drag him back to the palace in chains” snarled the princess.
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glacian
Aang
I'm not insane. The voices told me so.
Posts: 62
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Post by glacian on Mar 21, 2007 3:02:42 GMT -5
Chapter six: The Circus
Azula calmed down fairly quickly after that, insisting there was no way her brother would escape again. Truthfully I wasn’t so sure, but it wasn’t my place to argue. And even it it had been my place I wouldn’t have argued such a point with the princess. I, like most, am very fond of continuing to breathe after all.
Anyway after spending a couple days recuperating Azula decided for some reason that it was time to leave the royal procession behind and pursuer Zuko and Iroh with a small team. It made sense when you thought about it, for several reasons actually. A small group is less noticeable both in respect to being able to blend in in enemy territory and it is far less conspicuous to the one you are pursuing.
Even so I couldn’t help but feel, anxious, when the princess told me who else she had in mind to join her little mission. I mean the one sounded okay but the other, Ty Lee as she was called, sounded more then a little odd.
But then again like I said, it wasn’t my decision. So that’s how me and the princess ended up bound for, of all places, the circus.
-From the diary of Kuroda
888
“So this is the place?” asked Kuroda eyeing the brightly colored tents set up everywhere.
Azula wrinkled her nose and nodded. “Now if only I could…” began the princess before she noticed something. “Ah there she is”.
Following Azula’s gaze Kuroda spotted a skinny girl in bright pink clothing standing near one of the tents. Using the loosest definition of standing of course since she was balanced upside down on her two index fingers. “She looks…interesting” said Kuroda as he tilted his head to the side to get a better view of the girl. “How are you going to convince her to come with you anyway? From what you said this place would be paradise to her”.
Azula only smirked. “Watch and learn” she said walking over to stand in front of Ty Lee. With a shrug Kuroda followed suit. “Ty Lee, could that possibly be you?” said Azula, her smirk growing.
“Azula!” chirped the girl in what had to be the bubbliest voice Kuroda had heard in his life.
As he watched Kuroda had to force his jaw to stay shut as Ty Lee gracefully flipped onto her feet, spun around, and bowed all in one fluid motion. “Okay I’m officially impressed” he muttered to himself.
Picking herself up Ty Lee skipped forward and grabbed the princess in a bear hug before speaking again. “It is so good to see you” she chirped, then, spotting Kuroda, she spun around and ended up looking right into his face causing him to recoil a bit. “And who might you be cutie?”
Kuroda made a strangled noise and backed away a bit more blushing furiously. The girl was on some sort of permanent sugar high, he just knew it. “I’m Kuroda” he said finally composing himself and bowing his head in greeting, “pleased to meet you”.
“Kuroda is an acquaintance of mine” said Azula, “But please, don’t let us interrupt…whatever it is you were doing”. Grinning even wider Ty Lee flipped over backwards and cam to rest on her elbows with her feet on her head. This time Kuroda’s jaw did drop and, instead of staring, he busied himself by examining a nearby handler struggling with a stubborn platypusbear.
“Tell me” continued Azula glancing at the bear herself which promptly laid an egg. So that was why it had been acting stubborn. “What is the daughter of a noblemen doing here. Surely our parents didn’t send us to the royal fire academy for girls to end up in, places like this”.
Royal fire academy for girls thought Kuroda, just wonderful. As if I didn’t already feel like a complete third wheel.
“I have a proposition for you” continued Azula causing Ty Lee’s smile to melt, “I’m hunting a traitor. You remember my old fuddy duddy uncle don’t you?”
Both the girls looked over when they heard Kuroda snort with laughter. “What?” he said, “I saw the bear do something funny”.
Ty Lee grinned seeing through the lie right away. She knew exactly what he had found funny. Turning her attention back to Azula she replied to the question. “Oh yah” she beamed, clearly remembering Iroh, “he was so funny”.
“I would be honored if you would join me on my mission” continued Azula.
Ty Lee’s smile disappeared again. “Oh, I, uh, would love to” She muttered before flipping back onto her feet, “but the truth is I’m really happy here”. Ty Lee’s smile returned, even bigger if that was possible. “My aura has never been pinker!” she chirped.
Kuroda held back another laugh and Azula waved her hand dismissively. “I’ll take your word for it” said the princess, “well I wouldn’t want you to give up the life you love just to please me”.
Kuroda stiffened when the princess said that but, totally oblivious, Ty Lee smiled and bowed. “Thank you Azula” she said.
Azula nodded and began to leave with Kuroda in tow but she stopped after only a few short steps. “Of course before we leave I’m going to catch your show” she said, her smirk returning.
“Uh, yah, sure, of course” stammered Ty Lee.
“Well she’s definitely, interesting” said Kuroda once they were out of Ty Lee’s hearing range, “you aren’t going to take no for an answer from her are you?”
“Of course not” said Azula.
“But how are you going to convince her to leave?” asked Kuroda, though he wasn’t entirely sure he wanted an answer.
“Oh you’ll see” said Azula, “just wait”.
888
Kuroda stood next to the VIP box Azula was sitting in and watched the show. He had to admit this circus had some good performers. But then that was to be expected since something like firebending could really liven up a show.
He was more then a little concerned, however, when Ty Lee began to perform. His respect for the strange girl shot up a few more notches as he watched. After all if he tried to do the kinds of things she did he would kill himself safety net or no. He vaguely registered Azula speaking with the ring master but Kuroda was snapped out of his thoughts when the man set the safety net of fire.
Kuroda glanced sideways and glared at the back of the princess’ head. Azula was looking far to pleased with herself and for the first time in his life Kuroda felt the urge to smack some sense into her. He decided against it though, because of his promise and the fact that if he tried she would probably kill him. He did, however, jump up and sit on the edge of the VIP box when she ordered all of the circus animals to be released.
“Interesting show you’ve arranged princess” grumbled Kuroda as he booted one of said animals on the muzzle to make it back off before pulling his feet up onto the edge of the box as well.
“Isn’t it?” drawled Azula.
888
As he followed Azula after the prerformance Kuroda thanked whatever god was listening that, when said performance ended, nobody had been hurt. When the reached Ty Lee’s tent Kuroda turned to the princess and spoke. “I’ll wait outside” he said plopping down on the ground cross legged near the tent flap. “I feel out of place as it is”.
Azula raised an eyebrow but for once chose not to respond. Instead she nodded seeing Kuroda’s point and went inside. Kuroda vauguely resitered the voiced from inside the tent but chose to ignore them. He knew what the outcome would be anyway, Ty Lee would have to be out of her mind to refuse Azula’s ‘request’. If it could be called a request that is.
After another few moments Kuroda let his eyes drift closed and he took several deep breaths in an attempt to calm his nerves. “Women” he grumbled to himself, “I’ll never understand them”.
“Understand what?”
Kuroda’s eyes shot open and he once again found himself face to face with Ty Lee. Letting out a muddled ‘geh’ noise Kuroda tried to shuffle backwards but only succeeded in tripping over the tent line and landing painfully on his back.
Ty Lee burst out in a fit of giggles and did a summersault landing squarely on Kuroda’s chest before sitting down cross legged. “Looks like we’ll be traveling together” she chirped grinning from ear to ear.
“Okay first thing” muttered Kuroda hiding another blush, “Get the hell off me. And second, decaff, try it”.
“Oh I don’t drink coffee” said Ty Lee still not getting up “makes me hyper”.
Kuroda’s eyes widened when she said that before narrowing again. “Okay seriously” he grumbled, “get off or I throw you off. There is a really sharp rock right in the middle of my back”.
Still giggling uncontrollably Ty Lee hopped to the side and helped Kuroda to his feet. “Hey” she squeaked looking at the spot where Kuroda had been laying, “there isn’t any rock”.
Kuroda just shrugged. “Had to say something to make you get off me” he muttered, “need any help packing?”
“Nope” said Ty Lee patting a ruck sack Kuroda hadn’t noticed a moment go, “got everything right here”.
“Where to next then?” asked Kuroda when he saw Azula come out of the tent.
“Omashu” said the princess.
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glacian
Aang
I'm not insane. The voices told me so.
Posts: 62
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Post by glacian on Mar 21, 2007 3:05:04 GMT -5
Chapter seven: Omashu
Omashu, the city built by the first earthbenders. It is a sight to behold, massive towers rising into the sky built right out of a mountaintop. And the intricate series of chutes and lifts used to transport everything from mail to cargo around the city was said to be a sight in and of itself.
So upon hearing of Omashu’s defeat I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret. Without the earthbenders the wondrous city had lost a great deal of what had made it special. The gates were just normal steel doors, the transport system didn’t function at all, and I was certain whoever was put in charge would be ordered to ‘improve upon’ the city. Ruin it was a more appropriate phrase. I can only hope that Omashu can be restored to its former glory once the war ends, regardless of what side wins.
Anyway what’s done is done and Omashu was our next destination, and the closer we got the more nervous and out of place I began to feel. I mean the princess had been enough to try and sort through, but with the addition of Ty Lee and soon this Mai, three people with very different temperaments I might add, things just kept getting stranger. Not only that but I was the only male of this little…team. Yah, like I said before, I felt very awkward.
Ty Lee was surprisingly helpful in that respect though. Despite her perpetual hyperactive attitude that could be more then a little annoying I found myself growing quite fond of her on the trip to Omashu. After all the kind of boundless enthusiasm she possessed was a rare trait, one that the world could do with a bit more of.
Well there was no sense in continuing to dwell on the matter one way or the other. I was committed and that was that. If only I had been able to squash the growing sense of anxiety I felt the closer we drew to the city.
-From the diary of Kuroda
888
“So” muttered Kuroda as he and Ty Lee followed along a few paces behind the princess who was riding on another palanquin. “Does she actually like to make strong impressions or does Azula have some sort of medical disorder I should know about? I swear you wouldn’t catch me dead riding one of those even if I was a member of the royal family”.
Ty lee chuckled. “A little of bot I think” she whispered back, “I think the disorder is called high-and-mightiness”.
It was Kuroda’s turn to chuckle, unfortunately Azula heard him and looked over her shoulder. “What are you doing?” she snapped.
“Oh, nothing” muttered Kuroda, “I was just telling Ty Lee my joke about the Airbender and the orangutan. I think I almost have it perfect”. Kuroda couldn’t help but grin when he heard Ty Lee burst out into another fit of giggling.
Azula opened her mouth ready to chastise the both of them for their behavior but thought better of it. Knowing Ty Lee she would just make things even worse. “Well keep it down” she said at length turning back to face her front, “were almost there”.
Looking up Kuroda spotted a young woman in dark red and black robes staring blankly at the approaching procession. Crossing his arms Kuroda followed along behind Ty Lee once the princess had stood up and tried to look as inconspicuous as possible.
“Please tell me you’re here to kill me” muttered the young woman who could only be Mai. She fit the description perfectly. After a moment Mai chuckled apparently finding her morbid little joke funny.
“It’s great to see you Mai” said Azula.
As soon as the princess was out of the way Ty Lee skipped forward and gave Mai one of her signature bear hugs. “I thought you ran off and joined the circus” said Mai once Ty Lee had let go, “you said it was your calling”.
“Well” chirped Ty lee, “Azula called a little louder”.
“Right” muttered Mai, finally taking notice of Kuroda who was busy examining one of the nearby delivery chutes. “And you must be Kuroda. I’ve heard about you”.
Looking back toward Mai Kuroda inclined his head in greeting. “Likewise Miss Mai” he said, “though we should talk later when we’re not standing in the middle of the city”.
“He’s right” said Azula, “I have a mission, and I need your help Mai”.
“Count me in” responded Mai sounding a bit livelier, though not by much. “Anything to get me away from this place”.
888
A short while later found everyone inside the governor’s residence. Kuroda sat on the far right of the room lost in thought only half registering the conversation between the governor and Azula. Apparently a resistance group had kidnapped the governor’s son and they had arranged to trade him for the king of Omashu. It seemed reasonable enough but Kuroda couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. No it was more then a feeling, he knew something was off.
Kuroda was napped out of his reverie when he noticed Mai and Ty Lee stand up. Following suit he listened to what Azula was saying. “You stay here” she growled, speaking to the governor, “Mai will handle the hostage trade so you don’t have a chance to mess it up. And there is no more Omashu, I’m renaming it in honor of my father, the city of new Ozai”.
Kuroda was glad he was in back because Azula would not have appreciated the way he was glaring at her at that moment. “Don’t worry” he said to the governor before following the others out, “your son will be fine”.
888
“Good place to keep an eartbender captive” commented Kuroda. King Bumi, the earthbender in question, was hanging in a steel box from a construction crane high above a half finished stature of the Fire lord. There was nothing anywhere in range he could use his bending arts on.
However any reply from the others was cut off as the group reached the top of the construction platform for the statue. A small group of three people were standing at the other end with the one on the left, a boy wearing blue, holding the baby.
Ignoring the kings cheerful greetings as he was lowered to the ground all eyes turned instead to Mai. “You brought my brother? she called.
“He’s here” said the boy in front wearing orange, “we’re ready to trade”.
Mai looked ready to reply but Azula butted in. “I’m sorry but a thought just occurred to me” she drawled earning several stares from everyone present, “do you mind?”
“Of course not princess Azula” droned Mai stepping aside. Kuroda furrowed his brow and tensed up but otherwise stayed still. He knew exactly where this was going and he didn’t like it.
“We’re trading a two year old for a king” continued Azula, glacing sideways at the king who nodded in agreement looking almost giddy, “a powerful earthbending king. It just doesn’t seem like a fair trade does it?”
Mai’s eyes narrowed and she looked from Bumi to the three at the other end and back again. “Your right” she finally conceded. “The deals off” she called out.
“See you all later!” beamed the king as he was hoisted back up.
“Bumi!” shouted the boy in orange. He ran forward and Azula moved to intercept him sending a wave of flame his way. But before it reached him he leapt almost twenty feet in the air and spun his staff around which opened up into a glider. Kuroda, who had dropped into a combat stance when the boy charged, let his arms fall to the side. There was only one person he knew of capable of airbending and his suspicions were confirmed when the head wrap the boy was wearing fell off. Only airbenders had tattoos like that and the only airbender alive was the avatar.
Now Keroda understood why he had felt so nervous. He knew it was only a matter of time before he met the Avatar face to face on this trip and it was a moment he had been dreading. He watched numbly as Azula followed the Avatar up the scaffolding.
“Woo hoo” sang Ty Lee, snapping Kuroda out of his stupor, “come on Kuroda, before they get away”.
Kuroda looked across the way at the two remaining from the Avatars group. “I’ll catch up” he said lamely, “just give me a second”.
Ty Lee just shrugged and took off after Mai who was already running full tilt for the other end of the platform. As it turned out the girl in the Avatars group was a waterbender, and a really good one at that. He was impressed with both Mai and Ty Lee but the boy had already escaped and the waterbender looked to be holding her own. Frowning Kuroda looked from the Avatar and then back to his companions.
Finally he came to a decision and headed off after Mai and Ty Lee. I won’t fight the Avatar himself he decided, but I never said that about his companions. Besides I also promised to help.
Kuroda watched as the waterbender blocked several of Mai’s darts then, following through, froze Mai’s entire right side solid. “Nice try” muttered Kuroda. He skidded to a stop and sent a blast of fire in between the two girls severing the stream of water and turning it to a puddle along with the ice.
The waterbender raised her hand to gather the water back up but at that moment Ty Lee snuck up behind her and jabbed several spots on her arms before vaulting behind Mai to land next to Kuroda. Kuroda watched as the girl tried the gather up the water again barely causing a ripple. “Pressure points” commednted Kuroda, “nice move Ty Lee”.
“Thanks” chirped Ty Lee
Mai Smirked at the waterbender. “How are you going to fight without your being?” she taunted pulling out another throwing dagger. But just as she was about to release it the dagger was knoked away. Looking up the trio spotted the boy from before riding the largest animal Kuroda had ever seen. He had seen pictured of flying bison but it was much more impressive in real life. “I seem to manage” snapped the boy catching the boomerang he had used to knock Mai’s dagger away.
Before any of them could react the bison laded sending a hurricane force blast of air at the trio sending them flying over the opposite edge of the platform. Kuroda desperately grabbed for both his nearest companion and the scaffolding. Succeeding in both he was slammed into the scaffold rails with Mai dangling from his left hand and Ty Lee clamped firmly on his leg.
Openeing one eye Ty Lee breathed a sigh of relief. “That was a close one” she said, her trademark grin returning.
“Not to be a spoilsport or anything” grunted Kuroda, “but could you hurry and climb back up? I’m starting to slip”.
“Sorry” chirped Ty Lee as she scurried up Kuroda’s back and onto the platform before helping him and Mai back up.
As soon as all three were safe they collapsed onto the deck. “Well I suppose I made the right choice” said Mai, “you’re way more interesting then just sitting around in the city”.
“Believe me” muttered Kuroda, “sometimes I wish my life was boring”.
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glacian
Aang
I'm not insane. The voices told me so.
Posts: 62
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Post by glacian on Mar 21, 2007 4:36:21 GMT -5
Chapter eight: Pursuing the Avatar
So that was it. After that day Azula added the avatar to the list of people she was after.
The avatar, the center of the entire war in some ways, had he not disappeared a century before would it not have happened? It’s possible. It’s also just as possible that he would have died in the initial conflict like so many others. I’m no historian, but I do know that one way or another the war is drawing to a close.
But before that happens I have more immediate concerns. The first being my dilemma with the avatar himself. I don’t want to interfere with his quest to end the war, given the choice I would have helped him instead. However several things prevented that, the first being my promise. Fortunatlely that same promise gave me an excuse to not directly interfere with the avatar. The second is that, despite the fact that I’m still mostly unknown outside the fire nation, I am first and foremost a firebender. That simple fact if nothing else would have held me back. The rest of the world hated firebenders, and for good reason. If anyone found out about that, or worse, that I had ties to fire nation royalty no matter how convoluted, well let’s just say I don’t like to think about it.
And my final reason? Something had happened that I promised myself I would not allow. I had begun to become attached. For all the times you see a genuinely sadistic commander like Zhao was or a tyrant like the fire lord. Despite the fact that it’s true most fire nation citizens are misguided and have very…willful personalities. In the end it was really the selfishness of a few controlling the many that lead to this whole situation in the first place.
So I followed. I followed even when Azula started on her little quest to chase the avatar. The road that had seemed so clear at first was growing dark and where resolve had been uncertainty crept in. had I been to rash in my decisions? Most likely. Did I regret some of the things I had done even up to that point? Definitely. But with nowhere else to go I followed, kept heading forward and praying that, in the end, everything would work out.
Anyway getting back to the events on hand after leaving Omashu, I refuse to call it by any other name, the princess arranged for some, unique transport. I believe my words at the time were something along the lines of ‘where the hell are the train tracks?’ because that’s what the thing was, a train with wheels instead of tracks. Oh well at least it meant I didn’t have to ride that blasted lizard everywhere. I swear that thing has it out for me. Though it probably didn’t help that the first time I tried to ride it I steered the blasted thing into a wall.
-From the diary of Kuroda
888
Kuroda watched dully as the landscape rolled by. He was supposed to be watching for signs of either Zuko or the avatar but there was nothing. It had been like this for two weeks, following rumors of their targets and staring as the landscape rolled by. Sure the mountains and forests were beautiful but it wore on after a while.
He was snapped out of his stupor when he heard someone walk into the control cabin and turned to find Mai leaning on the doorframe. “Seen anything yet?” she droned.
“No” Kuroda yawned, scratching the back of his head, “just trees. Truth be told I’m bored out of my mind right now”.
Mai raised an eyebrow at that. “Aren’t you the one that made fun of me for saying that before?” she accused, “you always said to read a book or imagine something to pass the time”.
“Yah well” muttered Kuroda looking back out the viewport and adjusting course to avoid a boulder, “I’ve read all my books and my imagination told me to tick off today”.
Mai managed a faint smile at that. “Interesting thing for your imagination to tell you” she commented.
“Well I suppose I can’t complain too much” he muttered, “I would rather not have to face the avatar”. Mai didn’t comment, all too familiar with Kuroda’s opinions of the avatar.
“Well I’ll go tell Azula then” said Mai.
“Sure that’s a good idea?” asked Kuroda, “I don’t know how many more reports about nothing she can take before she kills one of us”.
“Wouldn’t be the first time she did something like that” sighed Mai, “maybe I’ll stay here for a few more minutes”.
Kuroda chuckled and was about to reply when he actually did notice something. “Hey Mai” he said even as he reached over and pulled the throttle back slowing the transport down, “come and look at this”.
Mai raised an eyebrow and stepped up beside Kuroda. “What am I looking for?” she asked surveying the ground.
Pulling the transport to a complete stop Kuroda pointed at the ground a few feet off to the left to what looked like a trail of white grass crossing their path. “What do you make of that?” he asked.
Mai frowned. “I don’t know” she admitted, “but anything is worth checking out right now. I’ll go tell Azula”.
“Right” said Kuroda pulling the hatch open and hopping out, “I’ll go check it out”. But even as Kuroda walked toward the strange path he regretted saying anything because he had a feeling he knew exactly what it was. His suspicions were confirmed when he bent down and examined whatever it was. “Hair” he muttered picking up a handful of it. The same hair he had seen on the avatars flying bison.
Kuroda stood up when he once again heard footsteps behind him, only this time it was all three of the girls. “What did you find?” demanded Azula.
Wordlessly kuroda handed over the bundle of hair. Azula examined it for a moment before a smirk crossed her face. “The bison must be shedding” she said examining the trail, “perfect”.
“So which way?” chirped Ty Lee staring down at the trail of hair, “It goes both ways”.
Azula frowned then pointed east. “That way” she said, “we came from the other direction yesterday and didn’t see the avatar.
The girls started back but the princess stopped when she noticed Kuroda wasn’t following. Walking back she glared right at him. “Hurry up” she snapped, “before the wind ruins the trail”.
Kuroda just made a noncommittal noise and started back but halted when Azula spoke again. “I suppose you still object to pursuing the avatar?”
“So what if I do?” he practically hissed, “your more then capable of fighting him yourself”.
“True” said the princess, “but your telling me you would never fight the avatar under any circumstances”.
Kuroda wheeled around and glared at Azula, all semblance of civility on his part gone. “Why are you so insistent all of a sudden?” he snapped, “If you absolutely must know, yes, there are two situations where I would attack even the avatar”.
“And what would those be?” demanded the princess.
“You aren’t going to let this drop are you?” hissed kuroda, “fine I’ll tell you. He would have to either attack me first which is unlikely considering what I’ve heard of him or…”
“Or?” prompted Azula.
“Let’s just say my promise to keep you safe is the only thing that supersedes my promise not to oppose the avatar” Kuroda huffed turning back around, “but if you ever exploit that…”
Kuroda allowed the sentence to hang but his meaning was clear and Azula smirked behind his back. “You’re finally learning” she drawled.
Kuroda balled up his fist ready to wipe the smirk off of Azula’s face, but she probably wanted him to react that way. “Let’s go” he said instead as he stalked back toward the transport, “like you said, if we stand around the trail will get cold”.
Deciding she had antagonized him enough for one day Azula followed suit
888
Azula had been right about the direction because they soon passed the remains of a camp, and judging by the looks of things it had been packed up quickly. The avatar had probably spotted them somehow but it didn’t matter. The transport was tireless where’s his bison wasn’t.
After another hour of following Luroda spotted the bison taking off about a half mile ahead. “It’s them alright” he called down into the voice tube, “I just spotted them taking off”.
“They must be trying to escape” came the reply, “keep on the trail, they can’t run forever”.
Kuroda glared down at the pipe with disdain. Not for the first time he considered steering the transport off course and claiming the trail had disappeared. The problem was he knew the princess wouldn’t buy it, not after how he had acted earlier. Besides it was probably just lack of sleep that had caused them to act that way, or at least when it came to Kuroda. Despite the fact that he had no choice in the matter he was sick of the princess’ recent growing mistrust of him, it made her more snappish then usual.
With a sigh Kuroda settled down and watched the scenery pass making occasion course adjustments as needed. It was by no means quiet, the transport was as loud as a stampeding heard of rhinos, but the stars help calm Kuroda’s nerves.
Eventually the path lead into the mountains and he spotted the bison laying on a ledge. Spotting a good place he brought the transport to a stop and leaned over toward the voice tube. “We’ve caught up” Kuroda said, “A hundred metres up that narrow pass on the ledge”. He watched as the girls rode toward the avatars group not at all surprised when they took to the air again. “It’s going to be one of those days” Kuroda grumbled once everyone was back aboard with the transport once again on the move.
888
“Wads of wet fur” grumbled Mai with a disgusted look on her face, “How delightful”.
Kuroda looked at the fur collecting on the rocks. Something seemed odd about this spot and the princess had insisted on checking it out. His guess was that the avatar had tried to wash the excess hair off of the bison.
“They’re not wads” commented Ty Lee, “they’re more like, bundles or, bunches? It’s got an ‘ah’ sound”.
“Clumps?” suggested Mai.
“Clumps!” squealed Ty Lee in delight giving Mai one of her bear hugs, “they’re clumps!”
“Uh Ty Lee?” muttered Kuroda, “clumps doesn’t have an ‘ah’ sound”.
“Sure it does” chirped Ty Lee. “Kul-Ah-Umps! Clumps!”
Despite himself Kuroda cracked a small smile. “Well I guess if you put it that way” he admitted not wanting to start such a silly argument at such an inappropriate time. Just then Kuroda spotted a collection of broken trees. “Looks like there are two trails now” he said, first pointing to the continuing trail of fur and then to the trees.
“The Avatar must be trying to give us the slip” said Azula as she tossed the handful of fur aside and pointed at the trees, “you two head that way and keep an eye out for the bison. Kuroda and I will follow this trail”.
Kuroda had a sinking feeling as he climbed into his mounts saddle and followed Azula in silence. He jus knew the avatar had gone down the trail marked by the fur. And he had a feeling that was why Azula had gone that way.
888
Instead of leveling off or boiling away Kuroda’s anxiety only grew as they rode on. he knew he shouldn’t be feeling the way he did, not to this extent anyway, but he couldn’t help it. The last thing he wanted was to be put in a position where he would have to fight the avatar.
So when he spotted the abandoned town where the trail ended his heart could almost be heard hammering on the inside of his armor. There was no doubt about it as he reighned in his mount and hopped out of the saddle. The avatar sat not fifty feet away looking ready to fall asleep. Even so He stood up and glared at the pair defiantly causing Kuroda’s insides to twist with guilt. The boy had to be no more then twelve, almost a decade younger then Kuroda, and yet he saw more determination in the avatars eyes then he had seen in anyone else. Not even Azula’s eyes held that kind of determination.
“Alright you’ve caught up with me” snapped the avatar, breaking Kuroda out of his thoughts, “now who are you and what do you want?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” said Azula, smirking all the while, “you don’t see the family resemblance? Here’s a hint”. Azula covered her left eye, “I must find the avatar to restore my honor” she said in a somewhat half assed and very mocking imitating of Zuko, “It’s okay, you can laugh, it’s funny”.
The avatar only blinked not fining the princess’ imitation even slightly amusing. “So what now?” asked the avatar plainly.
“Now?” hissed Azula, “now it’s over. You’re tired and you have no place left to go. You can run but I’ll catch you”.
“I’m not running” snarled the avatar causing Azula’s smirk to return.
Kuroda looked from the avatar to the princess several times before he frowned and began to slowly back away not wanting to be caught in the crossfire. “Do you really want to fight me?” taunted Azula.
The avatar opened his mouth to speak but shut it again when a low rumbling sound was heard somewhere off to the left. All three turned simultaneously and watched as Zuko came riding up. “Yes, I really do” hissed the prince vaulting off his mount.
“Zuko” said kuroda, finally gathering his thoughts enough to speak, “how the hell did you find us?”
“I followed you” Zuko stated matter of factly.
“Really” commented Azula, “why am I not surprised Zuzu?”
The avatar could be heard chuckling at the Zuzu comment but he was ignored.
“Back off, the both of you” hissed Zuko, imposing himself in between the avatar and Azula, “he’s mine”.
“I’m not going anywhere” drawled Azula.
Finally overcoming his anxiety narrowed his eyes at Zuko. “I refuse to harm the avatar” he said as he paced forward standing across from Zuko and drawing a stare from the avatar, “but I don’t think the same about you”.
“Are you saying you actually care about a sadistic surd like my sister?” snarled Zuko.
“No” said Kuroda flatly even as he lowered his centre of gravity and raised his hands in preparation for battle, “but I made a promise to stand by her. And even if I hadn’t made that promise I wouldn’t have much choice anyway since I have no other place to go”.
The four looked around sizing each other up for a few more moments after everything worth saying had been said. The first to reach was Zuko who sent a wave of flame toward Kuroda.
Kuroda used a sheet of flame of his own to block the attack and then, using his momentum from the block, turned the sheet into a pinwheel which he launched at Zuko.
The prince dropped low and to the side dodging the attack and spinning his foot sending a wave of flame along the ground.
Kuroda dove headlong in a shoulder roll over Zuko’s attack and came up again aiming a vicious downward kick for the princes left shoulder. Zuko rolled away and back onto his feet but Kuroda didn’t give him and inch. He spun around aiming another kick for Zuko’s head which the prince ducked under. Using his momentum again Kuroda spun around in a full turn and, crouching low, swept Zuko’s feet from under him catching the prince off guard and knocking him to the ground. Still following through and using the last of his momentum Kuroda raised his left fist and aimed a flaming punch at Zuko’s head.
Zuko was just able to roll out of the way and winced as the sound of stone splintering from the heat of the blow rang in his ears. Continuing his roll Zuko flipped back on his feet dashing up a nearby stairwell with Kuroda right behind. Taking the opportunity Kuroda quckly looked around and spotted the princess chasing the avatar into a nearby building. Shifting his focus back to Zuko Kuroda was just able to block a punch the prince had aimed in way.
Caching Zuko off guard Kuroda grabbed the prince’s wrist and heaved him up and over in a shoulder throw that sent Zuko sprawling.
But Zuko was back up in a flash sending a torrent of flame Kuroda’s way even as he stood up causing Kuroda to dive for cover behind a pile of rubble. Taking another quick look Kuroda saw the princess knock the avatar off of a nearby rooftop and pursued him into yet another building. Turning his attention back to Zuko Kuroda heard the princes rapidly approaching footsteps.
Tucking himself into a ball to make himself as small a target as possible Kuroda rolled out of his cover just barely missing another fireball sent his way by Zuko. Rolling to his feet and facing his opponent the two squared off again. Out of the corner of his eye Kuroda caught sight of a flash of blue and instantly had a sinking feeling.
Taking advantage of his opponents apparent distraction Zuko sent a wall of flame Kuroda’s way. Instead of dodging Kuroda charged forward using his hads to part the flame and caught a surprised Zuko full in the chest with a vicious kick that sent the prince tumbling to the ground below. Not wasting a second Kuroda dashed down to the street just in time to see the wall of the building in front of him explode. Azula came running out of the breach toeward Kuroda with the waterbending girl hot on her heels.
Kuroda was about to move to stop her but seeing another form out of the corner of his eye he spun just in time to bat aside an attack aimed at him by the other boy who was traveling with the avatar.
Sening the boy reeling with a punch to the shoulder Kuroda spun and ran after the princess. The avatar tried to get in the way but Azula swept him aside and spun around to stand back to back with Kuroda. “Now what?” panted Kuroda.
Azula was about to respond when the ground shifted under the pair violently sending the pair sprawling. “Thought you guys could use some help” said an unfamiliar voice.
Picking themselves up Azula and Kuroda spotted a girl in green standing not ten feet away. “This way” hissed Azula heading for an alley. Kuroda followed throwing several fireballs to keep their opponents scattered and then followed Azula down the alley.
However their escape was cut short when they ran into Zuko and Iroh. Cornered against a half destroyed wall Azula and Kuroda now faced a total of six opponents. “This some kind of reunion?” Kuroda panted, not at all thrilled with the odds.
“Looks like it” snarled Azula, raising her arms in surrender, “enemies and traitors all working together. I’m done, I know when I’m beaten. You got me, a princess surrenders with honor”.
Glacing sideways at Azula Kuroda almost laughed, almost. There was no way she was being sincere. He was proven right a second later when she spun around hitting Iroh square in the chest with a vicious bolt of flame.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl as Kuroda watched Iroh fall and he could almost feel his insides tie themselves in knots. He hadn’t wanted the old man to get hurt.
Reacting instantly every one of their opponents who were capable of bending sent a wave of elemental power at the princess. Grinning she moved to run away intending to use the attack as cover and Kuroda moved to follow. But as luck would have it Azula’s foot snagged on a rock and her gin melted as she tumbled to the ground taking a solid hit in the side from the attack.
Thinking fast Kuroda dashed forward and, putting all of his firebending power into it, conjured a wall of fire to redirect the attack. The writhing ball of energy exploded on contact and when the dust cleared both the princess and Kuroda were gone.
888
Their mounts having run off at the sound of the fight Kuroda had to walk back to the transport carrying the princess. “That was really stupid you know that?” he snapped not bothering to be civil, though he doubted either of them cared right at that moment.
“I didn’t see you doing anything” snarled Azula. She touched her left side and screamed in pain pulling her hand back like it had been burned.
“That was stupid to” said Kuroda mildly, “you’ll cause an infection if you keep that up”.
Azula glared up at Kuroda but instead of arguing she nodded and quieted down.
888
“What happened” called Ty Lee when she spotted Kuroda strolling up to the transport carrying Azula then, spotting the wound stretching from halfway up Azula’s torso down to her knee the girl jumped to her feet. “Mai” she screeched snapping the other girl out of whatever daydream she had been having, “Azula’s hurt”.
Nodding wordlessly Mai ran to the transport and pulled one of the four cars open reveling a pair of bunks against the far wall. Kuroda gently set the princess on the nearest one and, without a word, walked back out and stood next to the river while Mai and Ty Lee tended to Azula.
Kuroda stood for the longest time just watching the moon. For some reason the moon seemed so calm lately. It allowed Kuroda to slow his heartbeat and take more regular breaths and he was grateful for it, but it still didn’t fill the hollow feeling growing inside him. With a sigh Kuroda say down and continued to stare at the moon.
After a few more minutes kuroda heard light footsteps behind him. He didn’t bother to turn around, only one person was that light on their feet. “Hey Ty Lee” he muttered as the girl sat down beside him, “what’s on your mind?”
“I was about to ask you the same thing” Ty Lee said, her usual bubbly attitude diminished somewhat, “Azula’s grateful you know. Even if she is to proud to say it”.
Kuroda just snorted. “Somehow that doesn’t make me feel better” he grumbled letting his fingers drag in the water.
Ty Lee giggled at Kuroda’s comment. “No I suppose when Azula is involved it wouldn’t”.
“That’s not what I meant” muttered Kuroda but before Ty Lee could pry he spoke up again. “Is Azula planning on continuing the chase tonight?”
“No” said Ty Lee, “she said she want’s to stay here for a couple days until the pain dulls”.
Kuroda just nodded wordlessly. Fatigue finally overtaking him he lay down on the grass in full battle armor and fell fast asleep promising himself that tomorrow he would step up his training again. He wouldn’t let any more mistakes like that happen again.
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