"Uncle, tell the captain to set anchor two miles off shore. The ship should be hidden until sunrise from that range which gives me a few hours to take Tsuki by boat and leave her in Kyoshi. They should be able to heal her there..." Zuko ordered somberly as he wrapped your body in a blanket. "Prince Zuko, this is for the best- It's not as if we are leaving Suki here forever. We'll return for her in a few weeks, right now we need to worry about her health. Go now, Prince Zuko, remember time is short. Once the sun rises our ship will be exposed and their worriors will ambush us in a matter of minutes." Zuko nodded and disapeared inside the ship to get ready and grab Corrine. After placing on his mask to complete his blue spirit attire, Zuko was ready. He headed towards the deck with Corrine at his heels, and took a deep breath letting the cold air burn his lungs. Uncle was waiting for him on the deck and frowned when he noticed your condition had worsened. "Unlce help me lower the boat, I can't do it with Suki in my arms." Zuko whispered, trying not to wake you. Uncle nodded and waited for Zuko to board the small rowing boat before lowering you into the sea below. Before the boat touched the sea Corrine jumped from the deck and into the boat gracefuly. Zuko was surprised as the boat slightly shook but looked up when he heard his uncle sighfor the tenth time that night. Zuko didn't know it but Unlce was just as nervous as he. Uncle then whispered, "Be careful Zuko." Zuko looked up surprised at Uncles tone of voice, it was filled with worry and insecurity. "I'll be back in a few hours." Zuko replied before taking the oars into his hands. Without another word he began to row towards the shore hoping the Unagi would leave you and him be. Zuko continued to row for the next hour until he reached shore. Zuko's arms where screaming with pain by then but he didn't waver for a moment for as Uncle said his time was short. He sighed and took off his mask for a moment so he could wipe the sweat off his brow. "Zuko... my body feels like its on fire!" you whimpered from inside the boat where Zuko had laid your body down for a moment so he could prepare himself for the next part of the plan. Corrine began to mew nervously and nuzzled you head slowly while Zuko hurried towards the boat and lifted you into his lap. Corrine moved out of Zuko's way and let him move the hair out of your face and kiss your temple lovingly. "Babe, everything is going to be ok. I'm gunna get you some help, alright?" You opened your eyes and tried to focus on your fiance. "You-...You called me Babe," you whispered weakly and nuzzled your head into Zuko's stomach from his lap, "I like that." you added and gave him a weak smile. He returned it and kissed you gently on the lips. He pulled away and lifted you into his arms so he could began his run towards the village. "We have to get going- hold on tight and try to be quiet." he warned and smiled as you wrapped your arms around his neck. Corrine mewed and remained near you and Zuko while looking out for any creatures or worse Kiyoshi Warriors.
...
Zuko finally reached the village after a good half an hour of running through the woods. During that time you had fallen asleep making things easier for Zuko. He was able to navigate through the village without worrying you would let out a whimper of pain. Zuko looked up towards the sky and cursed his luck for it was an hour before sunset. He looked around hurridly and noticed there was a home that had a sign outside its door which read "Infirmary". Zuko found himself staring at the sign in agony. This was the end of the road, he would have to leave you here in order for you to surivive but he had no clue when he would be able to return. He wished he had spent more time with you on this ship, whished he had another chance to lay with you in bed and make love to you all night or cuddle lovingly. He regreted everytime he pushed you away, everytime he said 'Not tonight', or cut you off when you tried to comfort him while he was in a fit of rage. However, his thoughts were shattered when your beautiful, elegant hands gripped onto his tunic as another spasm of heat rushed through your body waking you from your slumber. Zuko looked down at your sickly looking body with fear. If he didn't leave you here now you would surely die. He looked towards the sign once more and then back to your pale face. Shaking his head of his previous thoughts he allowed his legs to carry him to the small home, through the open window and through the house silently until he found an empty room. Zuko quickly looked around the room to see if it would be able to acomadate his fiance before placing you down gently on the bed. Once he pulled away from your body tears began to fall from behind his mask. As if you could sence his discomfort you awoke from your slumber and looked towards his dark firgure through the veil night had provided. "Zuko, what's wrong?" you questioned. Zuko didn't answer but took hold of your left hand gently. You watched him closely and stroked his ring finger where you could feel his engagement ring from inside his glove. Zuko tried his best not to begin sobbing like a child, he had to leave now or he wouldn't have time to get back to the ship. You looked at him with worried eyes only making his guilt grow. He didn't want to leave you here but he had to... "G-get better for me Tsuki, I'll come back for you as soon as I can. I promice." he said quietly through his tears. "Your leaving me?" Zuko cringed, he could feel his heart being sufficated. He had hoped you wouldn't react like this but he knew better. You loved him, not like or was attracted to, you loved him and he knew it. "Just for a little while, but I have to go now. I love you..." he mummured quickly and caught your lips in a kiss. "I love you too Zuko. Just make sure you come back for me ok? I'll be waiting for you..." you whispered before gasping for air as another heat wave went through your body. You looked up towards Zuko only to get a hazy vision as you fell unconscious. Zuko frowned and made sure you where ok before kissing your forhead and leaving the house. As Zuko began his lonely journey towards the ship he thought if he was foolish for leaving his shirt with you. He had left it knowing it had his scent and that it would comfort you when you were feeling alone, but now as he rowed back towards the ship he was freezing and shirtless. Zuko sighed and closed his eyes when he saw the ship up ahead for he would be depressed when you weren't by his side, but he would have to get used to it...
...
"Prince Zuko aren't the cherry blossems beautiful?" Uncle asked Zuko who was staring off into space with a blank expression. In his mind Zuko imagined you smiling under the cherry blossems as you always did when you and he where younger. Uncle frowned and watched as Zuko stared at the beautiful tree sadly. He stood up from his place beneath the tree and stood behind Zuko. He placed a comforting hand on Zuko's shoulders and said, "Prince Zuko, it's been two weeks now, and you are still not acting like yourself. I'm beginning to get worried-" "Don't worry about it Uncle!" Zuko snapped and pulled away from Iroh before heading back towards the ship with the few supplies he had bought at the harbor. Iroh fallowed behind him but kept his distance from the angry prince knowing he needed time to settle his eternal battles. Zuko continued to walk ahead of Iroh in the fog of his thoughts. She used to say she wanted the palace to be full of Sakura trees and my mother loved them as well. Back then I didn't know Sakura meant Cherry Blossems. Now that I do I'll have to remember to plant all the Sakura trees she wants when we return to the palace... Zuko sighed and shook his head ridding himself of what he believed were foolish thoughts. He knew the chances of him returning home were slim but he couldn't help but argue with himself that you diserved to live in a luxurious palace and have a beautiful wedding every girl dreams of. "Zuko, it is not wrong of you to admit that you miss your fiance. No one will think any less of you if we turn around and see if she has recovered fully." Uncle called fro behind Zuko gently braking Zuko from his thoughts.Zuko didn't bother to stop or turn to reply to his uncle. Instead he talked as if Uncle was infront of him not caring wether or not Iroh could hear him. "I know that Uncle, but you know more than anyone that it will be adleast another two weeks until she's in full health. By now she shouldn't be ill but her body is too weak and she would probably be in bed..." Uncle sighed as caught up with his nephew. "Yes, but she's a strong young woman. You never met her, but Tsuki is just like her mother." This statement caught Zuko's attention. "You knew Tsuki's parents?" Zuko asked with a raised eyebrow. Uncle nodded and chuckled to himself at the memory of them both. "Her mother was beautiful Zuko, just as she is. Her hair was even longer then Suki's and she had the most beautiful blue eyes. Her father was a general and was a proud man." Uncle said softly when he noticed the ship was up ahead. "Uncle, tell me more about them when we get back to she ship." Zuko said with a small smile tugging at his lips. For the first time sence you have been gone Zuko was excited to get back to the ship...
...
Zuko had been correct when he said you were still in bed. At that very moment you were fast asleep cluthing his shirt to your chest and dreaming of being beside your prince. Suki, the leader of the Kiyoshi warriors entered your room with her grandmother, the village healer, at her side. "How does she look?" Suki asked as her grandmother checked your pulse and temperature. "Her fever is gone and she's been eating well lately. She will be back to full health soon if she continues to rest as she is now." the elderly woman replied in a soft whisper and pulled a strand of your silky hair from your face. "You should have seen her Suki, when I told her your name. She smiled and told me that her fiance called her Suki, as a pet name, instead of Tsuki. She must miss him dearly, I believe that tunic she has in her grasp is his." Suki smiled at her grandmother's words as she played with her fan. Today was the Kiyoshi Warriors day off from training leaving Suki bored. She decided to come with her grandmother to meet the Beautiful Maiden that the whole village was gossiping about especially the older boys. "Her fiance must be a great man to be engaged to her... She's very pretty." Suki said somewhat enviously as she thought of Sokka. "I agree..." her grandmothers weak voice rang throughout the room breaking Suki from her thoughts. "Your know Suki, when she awakes you should introduce her to the villagers. They are eager to meet her." Suki sighed. She had absolutely no desire to babysit a young woman older then her self and more attractive. "It's alright Ms. Healer, she doesn't have to take me if she doesn't wish to." you said softly as you sat up in bed. Corrine stired from your previous movement and yawned cutely, before mewing at Suki and her grandmother. "Is there any word from my fiance?" you asked while stroking Corrine's soft fur. "Ms. Healer" as you called her, shook her head no. "I'm afraid not dear, but a package came for you, but I don't know from whom. Perhaps it was one of the villagers." she said and handed you a small parcel. "Should I open it?" you asked politly not knowing what to do. "Of course you should open it. Someone went through the trouble of wrapping and delivering it. Duh!" you stared at Suki with an eyebrow raised. "If you say so..." you said kindly much to her surprise. Zuko's mother always told me to be kind to those who are not towards me. I believe her words were "Kill them with kindness."... "It's a kimono!" you gasped as the parcel came undone revieling the beautiful peice of clothing. What scared you the most was that it resembled the kimono your mother always wore. "Miss Healer! Do you know where this could have possible come from?" you asked quickly making the old woman blink with surprise. "The only person who could have possibly owned somthing that elegant would be a woman who lives alone in the wealthier part of the village. Now that I think of it she does look similar to you-" "Suki, please bring me to this woman! It's very important..." you pleaded and struggled to get out of bed. "P-please be careful Tsuki! You may be able to walk now but you must take your time. If you rush you'll tire yourself out!" Ms. Healer warned and you obeyed to the best of your ability though it was rather hard. Suki helped you out of bed and wrapped your arm around her shoulder. Corrine was off to your right gently pulling on your dress in the direction of the door. "Thank you Corrine." you giggled and walked out of the small home and onto the village streets with Suki supporting you.
...
"Hey Tsuki, why do you want to meet this woman so badly?" Suki asked somewhat annoyingly for her arms were sore from supporting your weight for so long. The fact that all the attention was turned to you as you walked through the streets didn't help her already sour mood. "I'm not really sure..." you said with a blush, "To be perfectly honest I felt that my fiance would want me to meet this woman. I guess I did it out of habit." Suki laughed out loud only making your embaracement increase. "That's a silly reason but to each his own I guess." You smiled at her and gave her your thanks before consintrating on the task at hand. A peaceful silence comes over you and Suki allwoing you to look around. Kiyoshi was a beautiful village with traditional homes and people walking happily in the warm sun. Unfortunatly the silence between you and Suki was interupted. "Hey Suki who's your new friend?" a older boy called out to the young warrior making her growl. At first she ignored him but when he came up to her and asked again she couldn't ignore him again. With a loud sigh she mutteres, "Her name is Tsuki. Now if you don't mind we need to get somewhe-" "It's nice to meet you." you said with a smile making the boy blush. "It's nice to meet you as well Ms. Tsuki, my name is Koichi." The boy said completly forgetting that Suki was there as well. "I'm very sorry but Suki and I need to get going. It was a pleasure to meet you Koichi." you said politly before taking a step forward with Suki's help. "Your very polite Tsuki. I don't think I've ever seen someone so graceful- you even eat gracefully!" she paused and giggled to herself before continueig, "I know this may be rude of me to ask but are you of royal decent?" Your body tensed. You had no idea what to say. Zuko had told you he would come back for you soon but you weren't so naiive that you didn't understand that the firenation was hated. "I am not of royal decent. I was seperated from my parents when I was young..." you said softly happy that you hadn't lied. "Oh I see..." The silence between you and Suki returned but did not last long for the woman's house appeared before you. "Miss! Are you home? It's Suki, I have a visitor for you!" Suki cried out allowing her voice to echo throughout the house. "Can you bring my guest inside Suki? I have to get a pot of tea off the stove!" a voice replied sounding very familar. "Come on Tsuki. I'll bring you to the living room." Suki said quietly obviously annoyed for having to lead you around like a lost puppy. She led you to the livingroom just as she said she would and told you to sit down on one of the many cushions that lined the table in the center of the room. You sat down and waited nervously for the owner of the home to arrive. You took the time you had while waiting to look around the room. It was beautifully furnished with imported rugs and lamps. The furniture was made out of cherry colored oak reminding you of the firenation. In fact most of the decorations were lovely shades of red. "I'm happy to see that you find my home so interesting." came a kind voice from the entrance of the living room. You stared at the woman for a long time finding her to be very familar. Suki watched you closely and sighed when your mouth droped open. I guess she can only be polite for so long. she joked to herself before introducing the woman to you. "Tsuki, this is Nadeshiko. She teaches dance and art for the children at the school and also makes and repairs our uniforms that we wear." You nodded slowly trying to take this information in as you stared at the woman before you. "I'm so happy that I've found you again Tsuki... Do you still have that music box of mine?" The woman said shakily reminding you of the night when Zuko left you here when he tried not to cry. You nodded your head and stood up slowly before approaching the woman. Nadeshiko smiled down at you and took you into your arms letting her hair sweep over her shoulder giving off the scent of white plumbs. "I've missed you... Mother."
...
REST IN RESULTS!!!!!!!
"Really Uncle?! That's impossible!" Zuko cried out in amazement as Uncle told stories about your father. Uncle smiled to himself. He had never seen Zuko so excited since the day of his scaring. "It's true Daichi reached the rank of General at the age of seventeen. Even though he was much younger then his men they respected him and even attended his wedding when he married Tsuki's mother." Zuko continued to listen to Uncle speak as he spoke of your parents wedding. Zuko was somewhat surprised when he mentioned that the wedding was held in the palace when the cherry blossems where in bloom just as you had invisioned your wedding. Also, he knew that his grandfather would never allow a general no matter how popular to hold such an ocassion in his palace in less they where family. "Uncle," Zuko interupted, "How did they have their wedding in the palace? My grandfather would never allow such as thing to occur..." Uncle chuckled to himself and then stroked his beard deciding wether or not Zuko was old enough to hear this story. "Well you see your grandfather was once in love with Tsuki's grandmother-" "What!" Zuko cried disgusted at the thought that you and he might be related. "Prince Zuko you and Tsuki are no where near related. If you were to let me finished I would have explained that Tsuki's grandmother did not return his feelings and fell in love with another man. Your grandfather though deeply hurt, was still fond of Tsuki's grandmother and payed for her wedding which was held in the palace. Once they married Tsuki's grandmother gave birth to her mother, Nadeshiko. When Nadeshiko was to be married your grandfather once again jumped at the chance to host their wedding in hopes of earning their trust and the betrothal of their first child. It wasn't until your father arranged your engagement many years after poor Azulon's death that his wish had been granted." Uncle finished and took a sip of his tea in order to wet his dry throat. Zuko sat quietly trying to soak all this information in. For three generations the firenation had tried to tie the two families together and it would finally occur on the day you and he married. This was somthing to be proud of but his father still ignored his eldest child and looked down upon him with embarassment. "I'm going to bed Uncle." Zuko muttured before hauling himself out of the chair opposite to Iroh. They had held their conversation in Uncles room so the soldier couldn't hear what they where speaking about. Uncle looked up towards Zuko surprised. Just a moment ago he was acting as he used to before his banishment but now he was cold once again. "Prince Zuko." Uncle called out just as Zuko's hand met the door handle to leave the room. Zuko didn't turn around but stayed perfectly still waiting for his uncle to continue. "Tonight, even though it was just for a short while you let down those walls of protection. I just wanted to let you know that I truelly am thankful for that." Uncle said proudly only to hear his door shut close his reply. Uncle sighed and shook his head already missing the old prince Zuko had once again showed him that night. Zuko returned to his room tired and aggervated and even worse, he missed the comfort you would have brought him if you where there with him. He layed down on his bed and placed his hand where you would have been only reminding himself that you weren't there. He closed his eyes and imagined you being there with him. He pictured your golden eyes shinning with worry before you asked softly, "Zuko, what's wrong?" Zuko opened his eyes and looked at your side of the bed once again to assure himself that you weren't really there. "I miss you Tsuki..." he whispered and stared at your pillow which held your scent before he fell asleep.
Back in Kiyoshi you and your mother were eating lunch together. Suki had left saying she didn't want to ruin the moment and you were somewhat happy about her absence. Even though you tried your best to be kind to her she acted cold towards you and treated you like a nuisance. "I must say I'm surprised to hear that your engaged to a banished prince." your mother said jokingly breaking you from your thoughts. "He's a good person Mother. I-... I love him very much." you admited with a faint blush appearing on your cheeks. Your mother smiled and looked at her own wedding ring. "Your father returned to the firenation about a month ago. He told me to stay here for it was the safest place. I wanted to go with him but he wouldn't let me. It seems all men want to protect their wives even if they end up pushing them away in the process." Your mother sighed and shook her head. You giggled to yourself and took a good look at your mother. She looked lovely in her dancing kimono with her hair pulled back. You closed your eyes and pictured your mother dancing with her white and red dancing kimono swaying as she twirled. Your mother peformed for you and your father only once when you where a child but you remembered it clearly. "Mother when are your next dance lessons?" you asked curiously. "Tomarrow, why?" "I want to help you. I'm tired of staying in bed all day. I guess i want to find a job. Can I work with you from now on?" your mother nodded happily and watched as you struggled with your thoughts. "Mom?" "Yes dear?" You looked down at the small table before you before looking back up. "Can you dance for me?" Your mother nodded and stood before leading you to an empty room where she could dance. You sat down and watched as your mother danced beautifully bringing back memmories of when you were a child. Without realising it you began to cry, you felt as if you were slipping farther and farther away from your prince...
