Never Forget Who You Are... (updated: DEC-15-08)

[yue]

SC, when are you going to post the next chapter? :P

[scarletcougar]

Sry... I was away dealing with the brutalities of school and work. I will be working on the next chapter this week.

[scarletcougar]

Tale of Faelin

She laid in Zuko?s bed in the room above the dojo. It was soft and warm. When she turned her head into the pillow, she could smell him there. She remembered the few days she stayed with him there and touched her belly in wonderment. I carry his child from those nights. I carry? our child. It was not planned on and was dangerous to have known. She was grateful that the waterbender in the Red Lantern House kept her secret as long as she could.

Faelin breathed slowly through her own chakras to feel balanced. It was something she did more and more these past few weeks. She prayed for the gods to speed her healing. It was hard not to feel overwhelmed by the pain.

A young woman entered the room briefly with some tea. ?Hello, my name is Hwa Lan. I am a friend of Zuko?s.? Faelin turned quickly, uncertain since no one called Zuko by name out loud where others could hear. ?Easy,? soothed Hwa Lan. ?I am an apprentice doctor. I am here to help. I brought tea, willowbark and poppy tea for the pain. I will bring in a bath too for you. Will you allow me to check your wounds??

Faelin was a bit wary, she didn?t really know Hwa Lan. The woman knelt by her and carefully checked each bandaging and wound. She undid the bandages and and helped Faelin to sit and trink the tea. Faelin tried to gesture and looked over at her journal.

?After the bath, the pain relief tea should have settled in. I understand from Mu-Tan that you ? um? can?t talk. May I see?? She meant it to be a medical statement that she wanted to verify the healing there too, but winced at how her tone made her sound curious. Faelin showed her the silver bolt through her tongue. ?It is metal? If it can be removed? do you want it to be??

Faelin looked at her wide-eyed. She could not believe that it might be possible.

Hwa Lan smiled, ?I think I know someone who can remove it. Then maybe we can work on you talking again. And maybe? get these ? these?? She hated to say it. ?No one should ever bear bands of slavery! I don?t care what they call it these days. It is wrong. The new king of the Earth Kingdom will outlaw such practices. I promise.? If Travahar knew what was good for him, he had better do this.

She pulled in a large bath basin and prepared a bath for Faelin. She frowned at the gashes and scars and bruising. She winced with Faelin every time Faelin flinched. Hwa Lan was careful though. ?I will arrange to have a better pain relief medicine for you.?

After the bath, Faelin was rebandaged and tucked back into Zuko?s bedroll. This time, she had her journal. She didn?t write so much in it as draw some pictures and make small cryptic notes for herself. She was trying to remember her temple training. It gave her something to do. She flipped back many pages to an earlier entry and read it to herself.

As much trouble as you experience, as much change and challenges, your honor shines with every word and choice. Make them carefully. I have the greatest faith in you. And we have something more than worth fighting for. Not just the world? but a family. I thought about being rid of it. But I couldn?t. I love you too much. And love that we will bring forth life. Life and hope. Come for me soon. Take us away. Free us from this. You have the power. You have the strength. I know you can do it.
She flipped through the journal again and traced the lines of the rough sketch she had drawn of Zuko.

On a clean page whe wrote:
My love,
You are that. I am not eloquent with words, but I think they are fair enough. I have seen you grow and change and become an incredible man, one I am very proud of. Ty-min is lucky to have you as her father figure. You make a wonderful father. Be sure to thank your healer friend for me. I was ready to let go of this life, but the life in me was not. I am glad to be alive. I wish you were here now so I could just hug you as fiercely as I can. Your friend Hwa Lan is nice. She is a doctor in apprenticeship. But I guess you know that. Now I am rambling. I wish I could talk. There is so much I want to say to you. Like? thank you? and? I love you.

She closed the book Zuko gave her as a journal and set it on the floor beside the bedroll. The tea was now effecting her and the pain eased, but it also made her drowsy.

[Kiara]

beautiful. I feel teary :(

[yue]

beautiful :P

[scarletcougar]

Tale of Hwa Lan

Hwa Lan stepped out of the dojo, and peered up at the darkening sky. Its going to rain, she thought, with a sigh. I should hurry. She made her way through the busy little streets towards the herbalist's shop, so she could pick up some more supplies for her new patient. My first real patient, and I haven't even graduated from my medical courses yet.

Faelin's wounds troubled Hwa Lan, but not as much as the silencing did, or the slavery bands. She promised herself, for the fifteenth time since that morning, that she would push Travahar into banning such practices from ever happening again. When he is King, he can change so much and so can I as his wife...as his Queen...Am I really going to be Queen of the Earth Kingdom? Am I dreaming?

She wished with all her heart she could talk to Sun Fei about it. Sun Fei would have known exactly what to say to make her feel giddy and confident at the same time. Sun Fei would have thrown her an amazingly elegant engagement party; there would have been dancing, and fine kimonos and all the fancy posturing of the noble courts. Sun Fei would have helped her pick the most stylish wedding dress, and helped her with her makeup and hair, so that on her wedding day she'd be the perfect bride. But none of that will happen. My best friend is gone. Killed. And maybe...maybe I'm next on the Dai Li's list.

Hwa Lan paused in a doorway, trying to keep herself from shaking. I can't fall apart now. I need to be strong. There is so much to do, and time is short. She took a few deep breaths to ground herself, and continued on her way to get more medicine for Faelin.

She kept her business at the herbalist's as short and sweet as she could. She put on a polite smile and played the social butterfly as she always did. Why did she need these supplies? For her courses of course. No one would ever question that. She thanked the herbalist for his help, and promised to pass along to her father his warm regards as always.

She knew many of the merchants in this district from dealing with them on her father's behalf - when she was young, her father had once told her how he'd been born in the lower districts. And while he was a wealthy man now, he had had to work hard. It was through clever trade that he had made his family's business prosper and grow, until they were wealthy enough to move to the middle ring, and to buy themselves into the nobility. He had taught her to always hold herself up with pride, that even though she was not born a noble, she was more clever for having had to work for what they had. He would be so proud, she knew, to learn what she was doing for her kingdom. For her love. But she couldn't dare draw him into the danger that was all around her all the time now. Couldn't tell him who she was going to marry, not yet, and that they were going to change the kingdom together.

Thunder crackled over head. Hwa Lan looked up at the sky and murmured a soft "oh no..." just as the sky opened, and it began to pour. She ran for cover, but was soaked through within moments. Her kimono grew heavy with water, and she tripped on its hem, on the cobblestones. She stayed there, trembling for a few moments as the storm poured over the city. Maybe the storm can wash this city clean of all this danger and death...

Oh Sun Fei... I miss you so much...

She picked herself up and made her way back to the dojo, a soaked mess. No one would know she'd been crying. It was just the rain on her face, thats all.

[Kiara]

yay update! ^^
great as usual

[inuginro]

I really love your writing. I'm looking forward to more updates!

[scarletcougar]

Chapter 25: Part 5A: Weaving the Threads of Lives

After agreeing to the new employee working some extra hours, Bao Li arranged for the child to be in the same school at Ty-Min and promised to send a healer to see to the man?s wife. The man nearly cried at Bao Li?s generosity.

Bao Li shook the rain from his cloak as he entered the dojo.He nodded gravely at Mu-Tan who was preparing the adulty students to review their performances at the the competitions, review where they could improve and praise them for their strengths. Bao Li handed General How?s note to Mu-Tan as he headed for the kitchen and the stairs to the rooms above. Mu-Tan slipped the note into his sleeve to peruse after class. ?Bao Li, we meet tonight downstairs.? Bao Li nodded again and ascended the stairs to the next floor.

?May I see her?? Bao Li asked the still soaked Hwa Lan. He frowned at the sight of her. ?There are training uniforms and a shower downstairs.?

?I know,? she stated flatly, slicking her wet hair back. ?You may look in on her.I?ll be back soon with some infused medicine for her pain as soon as I can. I?ll? I?ll take that shower first.? A shower and preparing medicine was a good distraction from her emotions.

?Hwa Lan, I have another patient for you to see later or tomorrow.? Boa Li advised. ?One of my employees at the job center has a sick wife.? He added quickly, ?All fees may be directed to me.?

She blinked numbly for a moment. ?I am only an apprentice.?

?Apprentices need practice too,? he commented just before he rapped lightly on Faelin?s door. He entered without letting Hwa Lan respond to his comment. Inside, he bowed reverently as though he were in the temple.

He stepped closer with head still bowed. ?Priestess, I have prayers and wished from the temple I am devoted to. May I leave them with you??

She opened her eyes sleepily and Bao Li felt instantly guilty. He dropped to his knees, head to the floor. ?Forgive me. I am so sorry. I didn?t realize you were asleep.?

She sat up and rested a hand on his head. Her tattoos shimmered briefly. She held out her hand for the notes. He set the slips of paper into her hands and stood, backing out of the room quietly and closing the door.

Faelin shifted position for more comfort. Her injuries still hurt. She skimmed the notes awkwardly with a bandaged arm and hand. It had been so very long since she did this kind of priestly work and mostly she had only witnessed or assisted her mentors. She took a slow breath through her chakras, meditating and connecting them. Her tattoos shimmered more brightly as she called spiritual strength into her and prayed silently to the gods to hear these people?s wishes. One by one, she read them carefully, offering them up to the gods and ancestors. When she was done, she had to lie down again. The pain from each broken bone and internal bruise made it hard to breathe.

Hwa Lan entered, dressed in a dojo uniform that was not her own, carrying an infusion that steamed hot in a bowl. In her wake followed a woman with tanned skin and dark hair with faint grey streaks. She seemed so familiar. Faelin?s eyes widened suddenly with recognition of the old waterbending woman from the Red Lantern House. The three sat together for as Hwa Lan helped Faelin sit and drink the infusion and the older woman checked the wounds. Hwa Lan and the woman conferred and shared ideas for healing, ways to help Faelin. ?Her friend, Lee, has a very strong waterbending healer coming today or tomorrow. It was her who helped Faelin the most,? explained Hwa Lan. The older woman showed Hwa Lan how to use energy meridians within the body and pressure points to dull the pain. Faelin sank back into the bed with relief.

They both left Faelin to rest as Zuko returned with Ty-min. She could barely contain her excitement to be permitted to sit with the teens and adults talking about how they did in the competitions. She felt so grown up and struggled hard to remain sitting, to prove she was as mature as everyone else. Zuko was proud of her for this. He remembered how he learned to sit still at a young age, and the hard hand of his father. He sat still out of fear. Ty-Min sat still out of pure joy and desire to please her elders.

Zuko took advantage of the moment to visit with Faelin and hold her. She slid her journal over to him. ?Are you sure?? he looked into her eyes. They held his as she nodded. He opened it to the first page. The simple lines of ink formed a knarled cheryy blossom tree on a hill. ?I didn?t realize you were so good!? Now he really wished he had spend the extra and bought her colored inks. She leaned her head on his shoulder without answering. The following few pages displayed more pictures with simple graceful strokes of ink and a smattering of poetic lines from various prayers she was trying to remember. It was a peaceful hour for them.

The waterbender and Hwa Lan joined the class in the dojo. Ling watched the older woman through the mirror. She smiled for him, but did not indicate that she knew he was watching. Now and then she would offer advice on how to manage strains and sprains and other common wounds she saw at the competition. Hwa Lan found all this also a good distraction from her emotions.

After the class, Hwa Lan and Ty-min helped Mu-Tan make dinner. Ling and Bao Li met in the basement and cleaned it up, readying it for the meeting. They also brough down some of the maps and notes they had in the rooms above.

A young man entered the dojo and called out, ?Delivery? delivery for the Dojo!? Mu-Tan come to see what the unplanned delivery was. The Young man brought in several roughly packed boxes that were damp from the rain and handed Mu-Tan a letter. The letter had a white wax seal with a lotus stamped into it. Mu-Tan paid the man for the delivery and sent him on his way. With a slim knife he had brought from the kitchen in case it was needed for defense, he broke the seal and read the letter.

Please see that Lan gets these and advise her not to return home or to school till otherwise informed. Guard her well.

A lotus of white chalk was drawn in the lower corner of the page. ?Hwa Lan!? called Mu-Tan. She came out of the kitchen, heart in her throat with sudden worry for Travahar who was still not here. Mu-Tan handed her the note. ?I?ll bring these boxes into a room for you.?

She looks down at the boxes once she's finished reading the note. She is quiet as she pushes the dark hair back from her eyes. "Who sent this?" she asks Mu-Tan without looking at him.

Mu-Tan replied, ?It is anonymous. Do you know the seal??

She shook her head. "No. Nor the writing. No one calls me Lan except my parents, and...Sun Fei. These,? she poked into a box, ?Some are from my home. But that means..." She looked up. "My parents! I need to go!" She moved to slide past him.

He steps in her path and blocks her smoothly. ?They will not be at home, Hwa Lan. They have likely been taken somewhere safe. The White Lotus have intervened for their and your protection.

?The? White Lotus?? Confusion showed plain on her face.

Ty-Min shieked, ?EEEEE! The rice is hot and crawling out of the pot by itself!!?

Hwa Lan shook her head. "Master, I do not understand...you say they are safe? Who...who knows I am here?"

"I know you are here as does Travahar. The students you were with this evening. And as I can see, so do the White Lotus. They can be trusted.? He could feel through the stones of the floor Ty-min doing the dance of a panicky child. ?Come now, let's save Ty-min from the rice monster before she screams again and wakes Faelin"

She frowned, not terribly comforted. Mu-Tan said she can trust these White Lotus, but how can she know that? They all believed the Dai-Li to be protecting them too, once. She followed him to the kitchen, but her stomache remained in knots.

Mu-Tan and Hwa Lan contained the overflowing rice. Mu-Tan then carried her boxes up into a room she could use. ?I?ll finish up dinner while you unpack.?

Hwa Lan nods, and looks around the little room once she is left to herself. Why have these White Lotus decided to protect me? Do they know something of what happened to Sun Fei? Will they support Travahar? She slowly began to sort through her things, that strange feeling of being lost slowly creeping up on her all over again. Her life was in boxes, packed by strangers. The boxes contained her school work, personal effects and nicknacks from her dorm room and clothing from both the dorm and home. Even some special things from home they few but her family would know were important to her. Her home was gone. Her parents were in hiding. She cannot return to school. And Travahar was still not here.

Upon thinking of Travahar, she will suddenly remember that she has seen that white lotus symbol before, somewhere among the notes she helped move from Travahar's secret room to the dojo. She came out from her room, to go find those notes, suddenly desperately needing to review them. Perhaps they will give her some peace of mind. Several of the notes he had gathered carried a similar seal to the one on her note and were addressed to Travahar directly. She hesitated. It was a horrible invasion of privacy, but whoever sent these may also be those who sent her here. Some notes were even in his own messy writing with the simple white chalk lotus on the bottom corner. Seeing that, she breathed a little easier. Even if she was upset and worried, at least somehow this came from Travahar. And at least knowing so, she could rest a little easier, until she kills him for keeping MORE secrets from her.

Ty-min yells from the landing down to Bao Li and Ling for them to come get dinner. Mu-Tan would have stopped her but it was too late. Instead, he gave her a plate yo carry up to Zuko as he brought up two more plates, one for Faelin and the other for Hwa Lan. Ty-min plunked herself on the floor with the plate and presented to to Zuko with a grin, ?I made this!!? Zuko took the plate in one hand and balanced it on his knee inspecting the glopped rice and squished dumplings. He?d eaten worse. At least he knew Mu-Tan was part of the food making and thus the meal would not kill him. The plate Mu-Tan set down for Faelin looked far more appetizing. ?I put lots on the plate so we can share.? Ty-min grinned broadly. Zuko could hold up no more against such cuteness and caved in to it completely. Mu-Tan slipped out as the three ate their meal. Mu-Tan returned after delivering Hwa Lan?s dinner. He carried in a small bedroll for Ty-min to sleep on later.

Travahar arrived after dinner, a bit wet from the rain, but still feeling a bit smug. He had successfully bought what he went out to buy and had even managed to earn his name back onto the Pai Sho list of champions. It was the best way to have people in the public see him doing what he normally has done. This would help for when he wanted to take over as king. He didn?t want it to be suspected, but also didn?t want the general public to balk for not knowing him. He hung his cloak and sniffed the air. He slipped off his boots and walked across the dojo to the kitchen where she scrounged like a sneaky child for interesting bits of food out of the pots. He was particularly looking for dessert. His mother would have slapped his hands firmly for doing this. That made him grin mischievously before he finally walked up the stairs and found the room where Hwa Lan was still unpacking.

He is very promptly pelted with a slipper, thrown viciously at him across teh room. "Do you have ANY idea how worried I was? Where have you been?!"

He ducked covering his head in case another slipped got thrown at him. ?Woah!? This was not the greeting he expected.

"People are going missing...dying! I get this note telling me I can't leave, and all my things sent here, and no one knew anything about where you were!" Tears suddenly spring to her eyes. She wants to be angry and yell at him, but the relief that he's okay hits her, and she sinks to sitting on the floor, covering her eyes with her hands as she cries.

Anything he was thinking of saying in his defense, or any witty cocky comments were drowned by her tears. ?Hwa Lan, you knew I had errands and had to go home for a bit.? He puts his arms around her. ?I?m here now.?

She dries her eyes. "It?s been such a rotten day." She sinks into his arms, grateful that he's here, angry as she is with him. She puts her arms around his waist.

?Faelin?? he asks with concern about her current patient, oblivious to the fact that she has a new one as of tomorrow. He seemed also oblivious or at least unsurprised to see her personal belongings here in this room.

"Faelin is doing alright. She's resting well enough now. I had to go out earlier to get her medication." She sniffed and wiped at her eyes.

?Good. I am sure Zuko is pleased and calmer.? He rubbed Hwa Lan?s shoulders. ?I bet all this change has been very stressful.? He didn?t expect any comment. ?I?m glad to see that your things did indeed make their way to you.? As she lifted her head to meet his eyes, he continued. "My mother met with your parents for her medical appointments today."

"You could have warned me!? she snapped. ?I was so confused, and scared, Travahar."

Travahar spoke as reassuringly as he could, "They are fine, safe... I couldn't warn you.Things had to move fast. People had already been through all your belongings in your dorm room."

She nods slowly. "And she...sent them where?" The thought of people having been in her rooms made her shudder. If I had been there...

"I'll know more of where they are when it is safer to discuss it with my mother." He brushed her tears from her cheeks.

"Tell me this will all be over soon," she begs him quietly.

"I really hope so." He held her quietly for a few minutes letting everything sink in and feeling her breathing steadily again.

"So the White Lotus...is that your mother?" she asked while leaning into his shoulder.

"Um..." He was hesitant to discuss them. It was such a many petaled flower of secrets. He sighs deeply. "The White Lotus are an old organization, actually called the Order of the White Lotus, made up mostly of people much older than I." He paused wondering how much he could say at this time. "I am a relatively young and newish member, almost."

She frowns. "Travahar...you know I hate being kept in the dark."

"I'll tell you more later,? he promised.

She persisted, "When?"

"Later? I promise." She gives Travahar a stern look. ?Aafter we are married..."

Hwa Lan began to protest and argue, "Do you worry that I will change so much befo--married?" Realization of what he had actually said stunned her.

He pulls away form her and digs into his vest pocket to pull out a small pouch he had protected there. ?Lan? It is later now for some things. And this time, I am prepared." He took her hand and put the pouch into it. "Whether I take the throne or no, Lan... will you be my wife?"

She looks down at the pouch, and then at him. She bites her lip for a moment. In that moment of hesitation he tried to explain, "See, my errand out today was very important."

Suddenly, she leans up to press her lips to his. "Of course I will marry you, Travahar." Her words come between kisses.He was about to say more, except the kiss smothered both words and thoughts.

He will catch her face in his hands and draw out a slower kiss. When their lips part he says, "Will you try on the ring please?"

She nods, and peeks into the pouch to pull out the ring, giddy. Into her hand tumbled a delicate golden ring with leaf engravings and a single small emerald stone. On the inside it read for the queen of my heart. "Oh!" she looks at it from every angle, admiring, before slipping it on to make sure it fits. He used a little metalbending to shift it to fit her best.
She hugs him tight. "Its perfect! I still can't believe you metal bend."

"Shhh..." He whispers, "You are the only one who knows." She giggles, and hushes. "Are you ready then? Mu-Tan wants to have a meeting about taking over Ba Sing Se? and maybe we will do something for Sun Fei."

She nods, her happiness slipping away just a little at the reminder of the business ahead, and the recent death of her friend. "Alright."

[yue]

nice chapter! :P

[scarletcougar]

Chapter 25: Part 5B: A Coup & a Funeral

The silence in the room coaxed some peace into the hearts of those there. Faelin drifted off to sleep in Zuko?s arms before Ty-min, who had climbed into his lap wanting to share in the cuddling. Zuko felt odd and awkward as he struggled with vague memories where he was a child cuddling with his Uncle Iroh. Funny? disappointing really. My father barely acknowledged me. I was his favorite till I was five years old. My bending was horrible and he was frustrated. Then sudden?t without warning, our nice family was torn apart on Ember Island. My sister was just a screaming baby then. One day, he would kiss my mother?s cheek, thn next day he looked on her with fire in his eyes. They hardly spoke after that. His attention focused on Azula. My uncle would fill the gap of pain and soothe me when my father ignored me. My uncle was always there for me? even when my mother disappeared? especially once my mother disappeared. Zuko sighed. I now have a family? of my own?A baby of my own on its way. Iroh had really been more father to Zuko than his own father had been. Zuko hoped he would be as good a father to his family as Iroh had been to him. He softly brushed his cheek against the sleeping Faelin?s head and looked down at a nearly asleep Ty-min. A family of my own?my fa--- Ozai needs to be stopped before this baby is born.

Once he was sure Ty-min would not wake, he carefully slipped away from Faelin. He held Ty-min with one arm as the other carefully eased Faelin down and tucked the blanket about her. He lifted Ty-min into the neighboring bedroll and tuched her in as well.

When Zuko finally made his way through the quiet dojo and down into the basement, many faces turned to him. A map rose from the stone of the floor as Mu-Tan constructed it with earthbending. It was based off the notes from General How. Travahar and Hwa Lan held a pile of notebooks on their laps from both their and Sun Fei?s research.

?So, the Caunsil of Five Generals is busy trying to build a strong offense against the Fire Lord,? began Mu-Tan.

Bao Li continued, ?We have troops in these locations at the moment.? He pointed and Mu-Tan raised stone as markers in those locations on the map. ?Some are ready to move now, but they are not really enough.?

?We lost track of Azula,? stated Ling. ?We hoped Kozue would be able to take her out, but Azula went under cover and no one has news of her.?

Travahar flipped to notes he marked in various books with Hwa Lan?s help. ?I have some historical references to the Fire Nation Palance and some astronomical data. I would like Zuko to cross check the palace information I have.? Zuko leaned over to look at the notebook and Travahar slid it over onto Zuko?s lap. ?I also have put word out to the White Lotus that I am ready claim the throne here and that we could use their help. I don?t want this coup to be harsh. He IS my cousin and a good man. It must be subtle.?

Mu-Tan nodded agreement. ?My White Lotus contacts are already on the move.?

Hwa Lan now desperatelt wanted to know about this White Lotus.

?Travahar?? Mu-tan handed over a pai sho tile to the young man. ?Your formal initiation is at dawn.?

Travahar opened his palm to reveal a black marble tile with a perfect white lotus. Things suddenly clicked into place as Hwa Lan realized Mu-Tan was a member of this organization and that Travahar would soon be one too. ?What about the Silver Circle?? she asked, emboldened and curious.

?We are only three,? explained Bao Li bluntly.

?Almost four,? Ling corrected as he eyed Zuko.

Mu-Tan wiped the map flat into the stone and reformed it into a miniature city of Ba Sing Se. ?we are almost four.? Silver Circle are not part of the White Lotus, though, Hwa Lan, even if some members are both. The White Lotus are a secret society for information that do not actually cling to any one nation. Silver Circle are warriors, guardians of sacred people, places and things.?

?The Temples!? exclaimed Hwa Lan.

?There is just the one here,? said Bao Li as his brows knit.

Travahar patted Zuko?s shoulder sympathetically. ?I?m sorry, friend. The other temples are confirmed gone, turned into other things or destroyed. I tried everything and still have no news on those children.?

?I know.? Zuko?s tone was even and flat. ?Let?s focus on the things we can do now. First reclaim your throne. Then communication across the world with any and all potential allies. The avatar will be back soon. If we can manage these before he returns, and maybe my own throne, then we might be able to turn the tide of this war. If only I could get close to my father again??

They planned late into the night. Everyone was surprised by Zuko?s military mind and grasp of worldly tactics. His knowledge of military movements and of subterfuge was likewise impressive. Although, Mu-Tan knew some of that from training Zuko in the art of assassination. If Zuko could get close to his father, maybe Zuko would be willing to take out Ozai. Mu-Tan figured Zuko would want a shot at his father himself. It would be retribution.

They planned to first disable the Dai Li with the help of some well placed people. Then slip Travahar into the throne room to speak with his cousin. Hopefully, a silmple and graceful passing of authority would accur with the support of the Counsil of Five Generals. Amongst themselves, they decided on a week. One week till they move and claim the throne in Ba Sing Se. The avatar should be back by then and able to help with the invasion of the Fire Nation. One step at a time. Although, they only have until the end of the summer to deal with Ozai.

Zuko pointed out an underground route into the Fire Nation Palace. ?Hang onto this. When the time is right, like the eclipse we were just discussing, this might be useful.?

As they wound down, Mu-Tan suggested a meditation, some introspection to honor Sun Fei. ?You knew her best, Hwa Lan. Would you like to say anything??

Hwa Lan quietly stepped forward, taking a few slow deep breaths to calm herself. She feared that she would not be able to speak of her friend without bursting into tears once more. "Sun Fei was... she was my best friend, for so many reasons. I think I could say many things about her grace, her charm, her kindness... she never looked down on anyone even though her family is of the highest noble ranks. She always treated those around her with dignity and respect. She was always the first to help out if you were in need, and always the first to notice if you were upset about something. I think? that in part, her giving nature is... is how she came to her end," Hwa Lan had to pause to compose herself, closing her eyes for a moment. She set her jaw and then continued, looking each of them in the eye as she talked, "Whatever it was that she found out was dangerous. She did this for us, knowing that there were risks. That information was significant enough that those dark forces seeking to keep us from succeeding felt that they had to take her life for fear she'd tell someone what she knew. They took her from us, because they are afraid of what we might know, and what we can do with that. They are trying to make us weak, and afraid and small, by taking away someone bright and wonderful who we loved. But I refuse to let them win. I will not be afraid. I will not be weak or small. If they think that I will let the death of my friend, Sun Fei, pass without taking action they couldn't be more wrong! It is for her that I will see this through. That we will see this through. For the life she should have had, and for the lives of all those in the city who don't deserve to be kept in the dark. I hope that Sun Fei's spirit will be able to find rest among her ancestors, as we take up her task. I swear I will not let this pass in vain."

Through her somber yet fierce words, the two princes kept stern stoic faces. They might never know what happened to her, Sun Fei was simply gone. They vowed to try to prevent further harm to innocent people. Princes to kings, they could lay down laws and bring in an era of peace not known for over 100 years. If only they could reclaim their thrones.

Hwa Lan gripped onto Trahavar?s hand revealed her emotions at least to him. He raised her hand and kissed the new ring on her finger. He was proud of her courage and determination. She will be an amazing queen.

They retired for the night to their rooms. Bao Li bid farewell to everyone and left for his own home next to the job center. Ling met the blue eyes of their new occupant. Though nothing was said, she followed himt o his room above the dojo, lifting a bottle of massage oil from the pouch at her waist.

On the stairs to the second floor, Hwa Lan stopped Travahar. ?Trav? When you are on the throne, you will make things right here, won?t you? Keep the Dai Li in check? Outlaw slavery?? She had so many changes she wanted to see, however those two were most important to her.

?Yes, Lan,? he hoped once again that it was appropriate to call her by such a familiar name. ?The Dai Li will serve us, not the other way around. And no slavery by whatever name will be allowed in my kingdom so long as I breathe.?

?Good.? She stopped him again at the top of the stairs. ?Trav? I know you can bend,? she spoke in a bare whisper. ?Can you remove the bands from Faelin?s wrists and the bolt from her tongue??

He almost protested. His bending was such a secret, yet she knew of it. She knew. ?Now?? he asked.

?Can you?? The hope that flickered there was worth revealing himself. He nodded and they quietly entered a room.

There was an adorable curled ball of a child under a mess of blankets on a small bedroll. Faelin stirred, opening her eyes to see who came in. Hwa Lan knelt near her. ?I?m sorry we woke you,? she whispered. ?We?re going to remove the metal bands and tongue bolt,? she explained quietly. Faelin sat up so quickly and eagerly that Hwa Lan had to encourage her to be careful so as not to strain her injuries.

Travahar wrapped his hands gently around one of faelin?s wrists. As he drew his hands away, the metal band seened to liquefy and obey his minute gestures. It didn?t burn or even heat up. It didn?t cut with sharp edges. These were all things Faelin expected and was relieved by the result, relieved and amazed. The metal slid of smoothly. With eyes wide, Faelin thrust her other wrist forward. Travahar repeated himself till he had freed her of both bands.

Meanwhile Mu-Tan kept Zuko back and had him kneel in meditation in the dojo with him. The silence lengthened peacefully until Zuko gently broke it. ?Sensei?? Zuko used this term so rarely that Mu-Tan was honored to be called so. ?I?m ready. I?m ready for my crown chakra. Can we do it without Faelin, though??

?I think you are ready too. Faelin, though, must be there. You cannot afford to potentially be lost in the spiritual state.? Mu-Tan gave Zuko a short bow from his kneeling position. ?We?ll consider this later tomorrow. Let?s see how she feels and if she is up to spirit-bending through your rite. Goodnight Huo-Long.? He too retired then for the night.

Zuko remained kneeling. Huo-Long? am I really a dragon? I have so much still to learn. I am ready for my crown chakra rite, but I am not ready to face my father. I need some more firebending training if I am to face him. Zuko stood and walked around the dojo till he had quieted the buzzing in his mind of tactics and plans. He climbed the stairs head still buzzing a bit. Travahar and Hwa Lan met him at his door. Travahar dropped a large lump of metal into Zuko?s hand. Zuko stared dumbly at it as his friends went into another room. Friends? I have friends, real friends. And what in the nine hells is this hunk of metal?

He entered his room still rolling the metal in his hand trying to figure out what kind of metal it was and why Travahar had given it to him. When his eyes fell upon Faelin, he nearly dropped the metal lump. He looked from the metal in his hand to Faelin and back. ?How?? he dropped to his knees and checked both her wrists. ?How?? he asked again. In the silence he asked her, ?the bolt too?? She nodded. ?Can you talk now?? His excitement almost woke Ty-Min, who mumbled and buried herself more in the blankets.

Faelin shook her head to let Zuko know she couldn?t talk. He changed quickly into sleeping clothes and climbed into the bed with her to keep her warm. ?Will you eventually be able to talk?? She nodded as she snuggles closer, wincing at the growing aches and rested her head on his shoulder. She moved her tongue around her mouth to explore the now oddness of not having metal through it.

Zuko held her close and reaches a hand over to rest on Ty-Min and warm her too. He breathed meditatively through each chakra. It was easier and quicker every time he practiced. He was eager to complete his training and take his vows. Vows. He never thought himself religious or even spiritual before. Yet, he knew in his bones that this was the right thing to do. So much of what he wanted to do with Faelin would have to wait though. She had a long while of healing ahead of her. Zuko hoped Katara would be able to visit and work some more of her Water Tribe healing magic on Faelin.

Hwa Lan felt a mix of relief and awkwardness at having Travahar in a room she was going to sleep in. She grew up learning that it was not proper to have a boy in her room. However, after this day and evening, she didn?t want him to leave either. The room felt strange and lonely. Travahar set the notebooks down on a small writing table. ?I?ll let you change,? Travahar stepped out diplomatically.

With shaking hands, Hwa Lan found her warm sleeping gown. Still yourself, she chastised her hands and heart. We are with friends and are safe. So are mom and dad. She sighed a heavy breath. Once changed, she sank onto her bedroll and buried her face in her hands. Alone she released the last tears she would for her friend between her fingers. She never heard Travahar re-enter. She hardly noticed that he sat beside her till his arms wrapped around her and drew her close into his shoulder. She unburdened her pain there for a while till her resolve strengthened with his support.

With a gentler and softer than expected voice, Travahar asked, ?Would you like me to stay??

Her voice broke between words, ?you?you shound?t. I?m in?indecent.?

?I?ll stay anyways? at least till you are asleep.? He encouraged her to lie down. He pulled the covers up and over her and stayed till she eventually drifted to deep sleepy breathing. He crept from her room and took the long late cart ride home, back to the life of a noble covering his true identity. At home, he moved a few pai sho pieces fortifying his forces.

[Kiara]

yay im so glad faelin got her slavery symbols removed
thanks for the update :)

[yue]

great chapter! :P :)

[scarletcougar]

We will be moving now from chapter 25 to chapter 26, the concluding sub-chapters the build up to Crossroads of Destiny.

It has been a long hard road... but we are near the end.

I will likely be posting a sub-chapter a day starting Monday. There are 5-6 sub-chapters.
- Aang's crown chakra
- Katara and Faelin
- Zuko's crown chakra
- Azula take out the generals (and others)
- Zuko & Iroh are invited to the palace
- Azula's Palace Surprize

Then is Crossroads of Destiny... my version....
And an epilogue... hints of the future...

[Kiara]

sounds great ^^ cant wait
thanks for taking the time to write this great fic SC

[Arielis]

that was wonderful, I have to say, almost brought tears to my eyes :)

[scarletcougar]

Chapter 26: Part 1

The days passed in study and meditation at the Eastern Air Temple?s ruins. Aang had grown accustomed to onion and banana juice. Although, he was grateful when other foods were introduced to him. It was all part of the study. Everything was connected; everything had correspondences and related to everything else. Guru Pathik shared time in waves of quiet or waves of humorous discussion. Frequently the young Air Nomad became impatient, wanting to be back in Ba Sing Se. Guru Pathik insisted he have patience and delayed the completion of his training until Aang was ready.

?Is this the last chakra?? Aang asked as he fidgeted again.

?Yes,? sighed the Guru. ?Once you open this chakra, you will be able to go into the Avatar State at will. And when you are in the Avatar State, you will have complete control and awareness of all your actions.?

Aang leaned forward, ?Let?s do it.?

?Soon.?

Aang threw his arms in the air and flopped backwards onto his back in frustration.

?Aang.? The Guru?s voice was calm and patient. ?You will be ready when you can stay focused.?

It was another few days before the Guru took Aang to the highest tower of the temple. The rook had already been destroyed, burned off almost a century ago. They sat in meditation and fasted till the sky grew dark and filled with stars.


Aang breathed slowly through each chakra from the root to the third eye. ?Guru Pathik? Who learns this Chakra stuff? Why have I never heard of it before? The monks never mentioned them. Is it only for Avatars? And how and why did you learn it??

The Guru blinked open one eye and considered Aang?s questions. Then he laughed. ?You had more than a week to ask these and you ask them now all at once.?

Aang worried that this might delay him again, but he still wanted to know the answers.

Guru Pathik closed his eye and breathed in silent meditation for a long while, perhaps an hour. Every now and then he would wink open an eye to peek at Aang, to see if Aang was focusing. Finally he spoke, ?Avatars, wandering Monk-Priests, and Silver Circle Guardians learn about the chakras. I am surprised they hadn?t taught you about this sooner. Although, maybe they were waiting for you to be a bit older. Since you were likely not to be a monk or priest, they didn?t teach it to you as they might others at a young age. They likely hoped to teach it to you after you mastered all four elements.?

?Who are the Silver Circle Guardians?? Aang interrupted. ?Are you a monk or a priest?? Suddenly a flash happened in his mind and Aang gasped with realization. ?Wandering Monk-Priest? So? there might be some Air Nomads scattered somewhere??

With a faint smile, the Guru instructed Aang to breathe through his chakras and refocus. Aang did, easily returning to a tranquil state of meditation. ?The Silver Circle Guardians are warriors bound by their spirit energies to protect sacred people, places and things as they are called to. I am not one of them. Now am I an airbender like most Air Nomads or monks. I am a guru, a wandering Monk-Priest and I have wandered here to wait for you. So, yes, there may be others out there. They, however, may not know their heritage. Or, they might be very well hidden from the Fire Nation.?

More than satisfied with the answers, Aang pondered them a bit till her finally answered with a steady and sure tone, ?Let?s do this. I am ready.?

The Guru placed a hand on Aang?s head and together they breathed six times, once for each chakra. Guru Pathik sat back again. ?The thought chakra is located at the top of the head. It deals with pure cosmic energy and is blocked by earthly attachments. Meditate on what attaches you to this world.?

In Aang?s mind, the temple fell away and he was surrounded by only the stars and cosmos. A wavy bridge of light wound its way from where he was into the starry scape. He walked the path curiously till he was confronted with a giant starry form of himself. He was held in his own hands. He thought on the Guru?s words, thought of the things he felt attached to. An image of Katara practicing her graceful waterbending forms rose in his mind. She stood in a pond moving the water around her. The image shifted her leaning against a tree alluringly. Aang?s heart fluttered as he blushed.

As the Guru began to speak again, the image of Katara shifted to her facing Aang, leaning closer. Her lips are moving as if she were speaking. The darkness grew in the Cave of Two Lovers. She leaned in for a kiss. Guru Pathik broke the reverie, ?Now let all those attachments go. Let them flow down the river. Forgotten.?

?WHAT?!? Aang snapped out of his meditation. ?Why would I let go of Katare?! I? I love her.? He wanted to protest against the Guru with every fiber of his being.

The Guru tried to reason with Aang, ?Learn to let her go, or you cannot let the pure cosmic energy flow in from the universe.?

Aang crossed his arms as he snapped again, ?Why would choose cosmic energy over Katara? How could it be a bad thing that I feel attached to her? Three chakras ago, that was a good thing!? His arms swung back to emphasize his statement.

Guru Pathik?s expression hardened. ?You must let her go, ?he said sternly.

Aang protested, ?I?m sorry. But I can?t let go of Katara.?

The Guru sighed and spoke more softly, ?To master the Avatar State, you must open ALL the chakras. Surrender yourself.?

?Okay, ?replied Aang reluctantly. ?I?ll try.?

Aang refocused his concentration. Inside his mind he saw mountains beneath a starry sky. The heavens began to spin with great speed, the stars blurred into streaks that disappeared behind the mountains.

Guru Pathik guided Aang, ?Now, think of your attachments and let them go.?

An image of Katara appeared, and drifted back toward the horizon to finally vanish with a twinkle of light. The heavens ceased to whirl.

?Let the pure cosmic energy flow,? advised the Guru.

Looking up into the stars, Aang saw an aurora of light. He feels as though he was floating in space above the planet, as the aurora solidified into a radiant bridge beneath his feet once more. Turning from the world below, Aang saw a massive entity standing above the snaking path. It was the same spectral figure of Aang himself, the tattoos and eyes shining with the light of the Avatar State. Aang set off carefully towards it, mouth open in awe. As he neared the feet of the hovering apparition, his own tattoos begin to shine with light. The towering, spectral Aang descended, a sphere of light shimmering between its fingers. Aang was enclosed within this shell, but suddenly he is distracted by a cry of distress. Aang glimpsed a vision of Katara chained to a wall, demanding to be freed. He leapt from the hands of the apparition, and the sphere of light vanished. Behind him, the great entity faded from sight, as he rushed back down the path. It too faded rapidly, until it dropped him to plunge screaming toward the world.

Aang suddenly jerked from his meditative trance. ?Katara is in danger!? He jumped to his feet and ran back through the temple to Appa. He leapt onto a roof and slid part way down for extra sleep.

Guru Pathik tried to catch up to him, calling after him. ?No Aang! By choosing attachment, you have locked the chakra!? Aang stopped his run and looked back at the Guru. ?If you leave now, you won?t be able to go into the Avatar State at all!?

Aang considered this, but only for a second. He then leapt down into Appa?s saddle. Guru Pathik closed his eyes mournfully as Aang rode away on Appa as fast as he could back toward Ba Sing Se.

[scarletcougar]

Chapter 26: Part 2A

Zuko woke at dawn. His uncle once told him that it was because the sun god Agni had gifted the Fire Nation with firebending that all firebenders woke with the dawn as a reminder to honor the great spirit. He had seen his uncle sometimes just stand before the rising sun and often wondered why. Today he felt the need to do just that. So many things were changing. And yet they seemed so familiar, like he was remembering something long forgotten and had been actually stuck in a long nightmare, to only now awaken to the bright new dawn.

Faelin shifted and whimpered in her sleep. It troubled Zuko. He hoped that Katara would be able to come again. In all the shock of yesterday, he had almost forgotten how wounded Faelin was. Zuko carefully got out of the bedroll and bundled the blankets around Faelin to keep her warm in the chilly dawn. A peak over at Ty-min revealed that she was still deeply asleep.

Zuko crept quietly out into the hall. No one was awake. It was all very quiet. He pulled the ladder down at the end of the hall and climbed to the roof. Mu-tan stepped into the hall in sleeping pants with a small blade in hand. ?Just me, Sensai.? Zuko didn?t need his teacher alarmed for no reason. Mu-Tan nodded and returned to his bed. Zuko opened the roof hatch and pulled himself onto the roof. After closing the hatch, he sat facing east, the direction of the rising sun. He wandered if his uncle was on the balcony of the new apartment above the Jasmine Dragon doing the same. Zuko took slow even breaths and meditated on each chakra. As the sun glimmers over the rooftops and above the wall of Ba Sing Se, Zuko drank in its bare warmth. The fainted firebending allowed him to raise his body temperature to withstand the chill air of this late winter dawn.

While there, he also planned his day and reviewed in his mind the plans of the night before. A moment of distracting realization flickered in his mind. This is why Uncle does this every morning. He has no one to bother him and can think through everything before the day really starts. He grinned a little as a memory rose in his mind soon after. It was a memory of when he was very very little. It might be his earliest memory ever. He stood on the royal tower?s open space to look over the palace grounds with his mother. She pointed out to the rising sun, ?now Zuko.? He shouted to the sun in his small child voice, ?THANK YOU AGNI FOR MY FIREBENDING!? The memory made Zuko smile as he wondered if this child of his inside Faelin would be a firebender. When other people started their day on the crammed Lower Ring streets below, Zuko climbed back inside the dojo.

He was just encouraging Ty-min to eat something before he would walk her to school just as the door to the dojo opened. Delicate, curious yet wary feet walked in. Mu-Tan greeted the strange woman and found that her name was Katara. He bowed deeply to the friend of the avatar. She asked if Faelin was there and he directed her through the kitchen to the stairs. Katara nodded politely to Zuko as she passed, not wanting to disturb the fatherly moment he was having with Ty-min. She followed Mu-Tan upstairs to Faelin?s room. For a second Zuko considered not taking Ty-min to school. Then he mentally chastised himself and escorted her off.

[scarletcougar]

Well look at that! I am once again ON A ROLL!

---

Chapter 26: Part 2B

Zuko?s day was full of much running around between the dojo and the tea shop for his uncle. He made it back just in time to teach his teen class. He wondered when he sudden;y got so grown up. And yet, he couldn?t really remember every actually playing like Ty-min does. I rushed back out to get Ty-min from school and sat to have dinner with Faelin while Ty-min babbled to Hwa Lan about school in the kitchen with Mu-Tan. Travahar would be in that evening to take Hwa Lan our for a private evening maybe at the Fountain and Iroh was planning on picking up Ty-min after supper for a sleep-over. Zuko wasn?t sure what this was all about.

As he walked in with dinner for Faelin, he nearly fumbled the tray. Katara slipped by him on her way out and whispered, ?Be true to your word Zuko. Stay changed.? Zuko looked over his shoulder at her as she left and snapped his head back to Faelin.

He could not believe his eyes. She was mostly healed. She sat more comfortably in the bed and motioned him closer. He stepped forward and set down the tray of food. Faelin slid a note over to him. It listed what was still in need of care and healing and what he needed to do and what Hwa Lan needed to continue with. Faelin still had some broken ribs and her arm was still broken in two places, but otherwise, she was doing so well. He reread the note then dropped it and kissed Faelin soundly.He colored at his brash boldness. So did she. ?Faelin. You?re? Are you? Can you?? He wasn?t sure what he wanted to ask first.

She motioned for both her journal and some food. ?Oh? right?? he felt ashamed for having forgotten the food and brought both over. Faelin scribbled away in the journal while they shared food. She told him about how wonderful Katara was and how much hope this young healer brought with just the news of the avatar. She also told him that tomorrow, if Hwa Lan says so, she can try walking some on her own. ?I?ll stay here then. Just in case you need me.? She scribbled again that she wanted to be there for his crown chakra tonight, if he was still feeling ready. ?Yes,? he said firmly. ?Yes, I am ready. I think I understand about the letting go.?

You need not cling to me, I am not going anywhere. As everything is one, connected, I am always with you. There is no need to hold onto attachments or to cling to anything or anyone.

What she wrote made sense. He wished she had said this last time he did his crown chakra rite, but she could not speak then and could not stay to explain thing. Maybe, too, he was too emotional and over-reacting to things. His uncle would think him very mature to finally recognize this aspect of himself.

As planned, Iroh took a very bouncy and excited Ty-min back to the Jasmine Dragon Tea House for a sleep over in the apartment upstairs where he would spoil her rotten with fun fruit teas, sweets and bedtime stories all night long. Zuko wasn?t so sure this was a good idea, but too late, Ty-min was waving out the cart window as snow flakes drifted down to melt on the cobblestones.

Travahar also came to take Hwa Lan, though not to the fountain as planned. The snow had turned to more icy rain then to ice pellets. Bundled inconspicuous, they returned to his home where she spent most of the evening in a tea room with her parents. Travahar walked away quietly pleased with his surprise for her. He sat at the Pai Sho board with his father as his mother looked over his shoulder. ?That is a lovely ring you gave Hwa Lan,? commented his mother. ?Just don?t rush things.?

Travahar graced her with one of his so very confident smiles. ?I?m not. I will claim the throne first.? He proceded to devastate his fathers forces and claim the throne corner of the board as his father complained about his deceitful style of play. They all laughed and agreed to place a few new tiles on the board.

[Kiara]

hehe Ty Min and Uncle. great SC!

[scarletcougar]

Chapter 26: Part 2C

Late that evening, Zuko helped Faelin slowly down the stairs to the dojo. He was still so shocked with Katara?s skills as a healer. He had only every really fought with her and found her formidable and somewhat hateful. Although, he understood. She cared deeply for her friends and would fight and die for them. He admired that. He admired it enough to think that if he didn?t already love Faelin, Katara would be a suitable challenge and an excellent Fire Lady or Queen. Then he remembered her father was Chief Hakoda. So, in essence, she was a queen, of the Southern Water Tribes. Faelin paused at the bottom of the stairs which called his mind back from his distracted thoughts. Faelin was certainly a challenge sometimes too, why else would he have nicknamed her Shinzui. He smirked to himself as he considered simply calling her that all the time, just to bug her.

They walked into the empty dojo. Mu-Tan was settling a large meditation cushion on the floor for Faelin and asked again if she felt up to this. She nodded. Ling entered and started to put together his supplies in the corner out of the way. Faelin sank onto the cushion and breathed slowly and meditatively while everyone set up around her.

Zuko went to the basement to retrieve the chakra kits he had used last time. He placed the flat white cushion where he would sit and shook out the banners, hanging them as he had before. He desperately wanted the dinner he did not get to eat. Lunch with Faelin was wonderful, but fasting through dinner was trying, especially since everyone but him had food. He felt that it was a little unfair. Once everything was in place and everyone had their positions, he took a breath, then a few more through each of the chakras finding a stillness and steadiness, finding strength and calm. He removed his clothing for the crown chakra was about letting go of attachments and worldly possessions. That is why he fasted. I am ready? and I am not attached so much to my clothes, nor my modesty. They mean nothing in the grand scheme of the world.

With determination, Zuko sat upon the cushion and placed the small silver box upon his lap. He traced a finger around the golden circle then the inner silver circle on the boxes surface. With a deep breath, he focused on the multi-faceted amethyst and still thought it looked like a multi-petaled lotus flower. He then opened the box and removed the contents with some familiarity. ?The crown chakra is represented by gold, silver, amethyst, quartz, diamond.? He set a vial and a white tea light before him. ?The colors are white and violet. The herbs and scents are? frankincense, wormwood, lotus and white sandalwood.? Zuko looked to Mu-Tan to confirm his memory.

?Very good, Zuko,? Mu-Tan approved. ?Are you ready to face yourself?? Zuko nodded. ?Before you can bring balance to the world around you, before you can achieve your destiny, you must gain balance within yourself. Our life?s experiences lend to our personal growth, but can also hinder us and create blockages. Tonight you will continue to clear out these blockages so you may open your chakras to the level you need to be at for your own personal balance? spinning the wheels of light without hindrance. The last chakra will be your crown chakra. It is located at the top of your head. Breathe six slow breaths and remember the feeling of the open chakras. In? and sense the grounding of the root chakra. Good, navel? solar plexus? heart? throat? third eye.? Zuko breathed slowly in time with Mu-Tan vocal instructions feeling the balance settle all through him. ?Be warned, going through this rite is an intense experience. As you unblock the wheels of light and allow the energy within you to flow, you cannot stop the process. Once you begin, you must see it through to the end. Are you ready??

?I am ready,? Zuko said firmly. He tried hard not to feel self conscious about his nudity and in a deep breath set aside the feeling. I am ready. The only thing he wore were the woven arm bands that Faelin had made for him. Those, he never took off. Ling walked a circle around them sprinkling purifying salt around the dojo.

When Zuko opened his eyes was both surprised and not to see Faelin kneeling before him, her intricate tattoos softly aglow. Non-attachment? you are always with me, I don?t need to hold you or cling to you, because you are part of me and I part of you. His eyes drifted to her belly a moment and she lifted her chin to draw his focus back to her eyes. Right? the gods will decide fate. I cannot cling to even this child, but know I will protect it as fiercely as I will protect you. Fire danced in his eyes.

Faelin poured some of the oil from the vial into her hands and started at his root chakra, anointing it carefully. Zuko tried to ignore the inevitable erection. Faelin anointed his navel then his solar plexus. The erection calmed as he kept his slow steady breathing, focusing on Faelin?s eyes as she anointed his heart. He wanted then to kiss her and refrained from that silently, taking a deep breath. She anointed his throat and he whispered, ?I am ready.? Faelin smiled and nodded. She anointed his third eye feeling the steadiness in him. She prayed he maintained this steady focus for all his days. However, in the back of her mind, somehow doubted life would allow Zuko that. She poured a little more oil into her hands and ran her fingers through Zuko?s hair, lingering over the top of his head. The soft scent of sandalwood filled Zuko?s senses and hypnotically the rest of the room began to fade from his awareness. Faelin stepped away and sat again on her cushion, drawing strength from her own chakras and praying to the spirits and ancestors, even the gods for the strength to see this through. She was mostly healed, but not very strong. However, she wanted to see Zuko succeed.

Zuko leaned forward and lit the little tea light. Faelin shifted her focus. Mu-Tan?s voice vibrated through the stillness, ?Can you see the symbol of universal energy?? Zuko nodded. ?Create the symbol on the ground around the candle.? From the silver chakra box, Zuko lifted handfuls of white sand and meticulously worked on a sand mandala. Not being an artist, this took some time. Sometimes he paused and clenched his fists in frustration as the design was not turning out as he wanted. Then he would sit back take a few deep breaths and continue. Mu-Tan didn?t lean over to destroy it repeatedly at every error. Zuko did so himself. The state of trance was smoothly maintained throughout the exercise.

Mu-Tan spoke only once Zuko was finished the sand mandala. ?That is the symbol for the crown chakra. Each chakra in our bodies has a purpose and can be blocked by a certain kind of emotional hindrance. The crown chakra deals with self and awareness, thought, cosmic or divine energy. It is blocked by worldly attachments.? Mu-Tan?s voice was deep and smooth, guiding as it has always been in these rites. ?Think of the things you are attached to. Are you attached to this design??

?No.? Zuko?s single word was a resolute statement which he proved by wiping away the mandala on his own.

?No permanence.? Mu-Tan met Zuko?s eyes. ?No attachments. Everything is connected, one, and changes. You must let go of the need to cling to things. Let go of notions you cling to, of objects, of patterns, of people. They are already part of you. You can let them go.?

Zuko breathed and reminded himself that he could let go of of his need to be Fire Lord or have his father?s approval. He breathed and let go of his previous desperate need to protect Faelin or tie her into his life. He pictured the words in Faelin?s journal early that day, You need not cling to me, I am not going anywhere. As everything is one, connected, I am always with you. There is no need to hold onto attachments or to cling to anything or anyone. He closed his eyes and breathed again. As he opened them, the banners and even the room looked like a deep violet star-scape. Balance and stability flowed down through him. He closed his eyes again and inhaled the sense of that. As he exhaled, he opened his eyes and the room came into sharp focus. He met Mu-Tan?s eyes and saw approval.

?You have completed your crown chakra rite. Clean up this space and if you are ready, we will hear your vows.? Mu-tan stepped away from Zuko nodding to Faelin. Her tattoos faded and the delicate images in the banners vanished.

?I am ready.? Zuko had never felt more ready for anything.

Zuko dressed and packed everything away. When Zuko came back up from the basement after replacing the chakra box where he found it, all the members of the Silver Circle stood in the dojo with Faelin.

Mu-Tan removed something from a small pouch and approached Zuko. He slipped a small silver band around his wrist. ?You have come full circle, Zuko. You have mastered some of the martial skills to be a guardian. You have many yet to learn, but Fire and Earth are yours. Most importantly, you have mastered yourself. You have opened all your chakras and balanced them. This silver band is a symbol of your acceptance into the order of the Silver Circle. It is just an object, just a symbol. With or without it, you are still Silver Circle. I understand that your spirit has been called to protect that which is sacred, the reason you have struggled along the path to be such a guardian.?

Zuko looked down at the silver band, honored and relieved. He raised his chin proudly. ?Yes.? It was the same sure answer he gave when Ling asked if he was ready to swear his vows. It was also the same sure answer he gave when Bao Li asked if he knew to what he was swearing these vows.

Mu-Tan then demanded, ?Zuko, recite your lineage.?

?I am Zuko, prince of the Fire nation under Fire Lord Ozai, son of the Princess Ursa, nephew of General Iroh. I am grandson to Fire Lord Azulon, now past.? He continued the recital of the lineage of his line with only a little hesitation trying to remember it all. ?I am descendant of the Sun God Agni according to the lineage and beliefs of the Fire Nation.? He then hesitated again. ?But? I no longer hold to that. I am son to a woman who has gone missing and like a son to a man I admire more than any other. My lineage is nothing for it does not make me a man or define the man that I am. These two people in my life? and those that stand before me now, have had a greater impact on who I am. That is my lineage.?

Spoken like a true prince with deep nobility, Zuko?s words surprised everyone present. Mu-Tan put a hand on Zuko?s shoulder and encouraged him to kneel. ?Do you swear upon the very spirit that is you, to be bound through the universe to protect that which is sacred??

?I do swear.?

Mu-Tan continued, ?And to what or whom do you swear yourself??

?I swear to protect the Priestess Faelin with everything that is me to the best of my ability.?

Mu-Tan nodded, ?Then we of the Silver Circle and the priestess here witness and seal this bond. ?Let it be known that from this day forward, you are Guardian to Priestess Faelin.?

Faelin stepped in as Mu-Tan stepped back. She touched Zuko?s new silver band and then his cheek. Something clicked inside Zuko?s mind. It was like a door opening to awareness, the awareness of a bond that was always there really, just never truly recognized or accessed. He realized he could sense Faelin, her presence, the love that flowed back to him from her, the fast fading strength. He sucked a breath with surprise and quickly reached out his arms to catch her as she could no longer stay standing. The other scrambled to be out of the way as Zuko carried her up to their room. There he sat with her just marveling in the sensations of her within him. She held his hand and watched him till the peace of sleep claimed her.

Mu-Tan set a tea down for Zuko by the bed. ?I am sorry she was exhausted by this.?

?I can? feel her? Zuko sounded shocked and awed.

?Yes. Yes you can. That is part of being Silver Circle. You will know the state and location of that which you are bound. It makes it hard not to love so deeply. It is also why many Silver Circle wed the priestess they are sworn to, and why they are devoted all their lives to this vow.? He explained this as he remembered his own bond with a woman.

?Will I need to master all the elemental styles of fighting?? asked Zuko.

Mu-Tan considered this, ?When I first trained, I was taken at the age of five and we learned to master all four styles before we ever attempted our chakras. These days, times are very hard. There are so few of us. I have trained you in the basics of the four styles and you have mastered fire and pretty much mastered earth. I hope you will try to master the others in the future. As for me, I will try to teach those I can.?

?I am honored you took me on, Sifu.? Zuko truly meant it. He just wasn?t sure yet how to show his deepest appreciation.

A smile was shared between them and Mu-Tan left Zuko for the night.

[yue]

that was amazing!

karma! :P

[scarletcougar]

Chapter 26: Part 3A

Katara was enjoying tea in the Jasmine Dragon. She savored each sip with half-closed eyes and a gentle smile. This was a welcomed break from the meetings with the generals that she barely understood. In retrospect, she figured it would have been better if her brother were here. He seemed to understand all this military jargon. She sighed and opened a scroll that was going to be a letter to her dad and brother about how things were going. She hoped things were well with everyone else. Her thoughts drifted from one friend to the other. Toph was supposed to be with her family. She wondered if that was going to be full of arguments and Toph and her family butted heads about her skills as an earthbender. They had said that they understood. Sokka was meeting with their dad. Part of her deeply wanted to be there and yet part of her felt slightly angry. She didn?t quite know why. She was glad she was here. She didn?t feel ready to face her father. He had been gone so long. She almost didn?t feel a connection to him. A pang hit her heart as she missed her mother. She was much closer to her mother. The horrible memory of what the soldier did to her filled her mind a moment and she shook her head. She sipped her sweet tea to chance her focus. As she started to put ink to parchment, she thought of Aang and wondered if his training was going well, if he completed this mystery training to unlock the avatar state and grant him control of it. She looks up and she tried to think of what to write to her brother. The sun filtered through the window lying about the temperature to everyone. It looked like a warm day, but the chill outside still cut through the cloak. A familiar face passed the window. Katara gasped! Ty-Lee! Furiously Katar wrote to her brother, dropped her coin in a scatter on the table, rolled the scroll and bolted out the door. Iroh frowned from across the tea house and asked a one of his new employees to clean the table.

Katar ran as fast as she could to the royal palace. She skidded around corners and up the long staircase to the war room. She complained aloud how ridiculous it was to put a war room at the top of a tower when an emergency needs the attention of the generals. Then she pauses to catch her breath. The room was empty. She muttered a curse for all the time wasted to get here for nothing. Of course the generals were not here. Like her, they were likely out having lunch or tea or visiting family or whatever they did on their break time. She muttered another curse and trudged with a quickened pace back down the stairs. Trotting, she picked up speed till she was again running and dodging nobles as she swung open the doors to the royal audience hall to see the king, the message scroll clutched in her hand, panting breathlessly.

She drops to her knee in respect before the throne. She looked up with some small disappointment that the king was not there. However, with relief, at least Suki and the two of her Kyoshi warriors were there kneeling patiently. ?Thank goodness you are here, Suki!? Katar stood, not needing to be so formal with her friend. ?Something terrible is going on. The Fire Nation has infiltrated the city! We have to tell the Earth King right away! I just saw?? She stopped midsentence, dumbstruck as realization dawned. This was not Suki and her warriors, but Azula, Ty-lee, and Mai. A chill raced down Katara?s spine. Momo streaked into hiding from Katar?s shoulder to a pillar with a squeak.

Azula gave a tiny nod and Ty-Lee sprang into action, rushing forward with a flip to land behind Katara. A jab and another jab into Katara?s shoulders prevented the defensive waterbending to do more them dribble out of Katara?s waterskin and slop into a puddle on the floor. Katara soon fell with a little splash, her whole body numb with paralysis. She llaid helpless there in that water puddle as Azula rose gracefully followed by Mai and the three disguised women stood around her.

?Oh, don?t worry,? Azula almost purred with delight. ?I?ll be sure to let him know.? Azula knelt low so Katara could hear her very clearly. ?I noticed Zu Zu and my cooky uncle are in town too. I think it?s time for a family reunion.? She stood with a giddly little grin, ?Come on girls, lets dump her and prepare for a tea party!?

The Dai Li agents hidden near the pillars collected the ragdoll Katara and opened a tile on the floor. They dumped her into a hole lit by the green glowing gems of Lake Laogai?s secret underground city. It would be an hour or more before Katara could actually move again. The tile slid into place shutting out all sound and connection to the world, save for a few small ventilation cracks in the cave walls.

[RongNuShii]

WOW That was wonderful
You get Karma

[scarletcougar]

Heh, Thanks. I am glad some people are still keeping up with my story. I am working on the season 2 finally bits that fit my story. Kinda scary to think I am wrapping up the end of my story as I do.

Off to kill some Earth Kingdom Generals now. *grin* Sometimes I love playing evil psychotic characters like Azula.