Royal Pain

Lillian tossed and turned on her mat but no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't fall asleep. Her nightmare about Lex had returned but with full force, her nightmare had many other Tenshi and people around her, yelling at her, throwing things at her... Even Zuko called her a cold blooded murder. Lillian sat up and peeked out of the small abandoned house that they had come across and decided to make shelter for the night. Lillian's eyes fell on the two sleeping Royals behind her. Iroh laid on his back with his arms sprawled out and a horrible loud snore escaping his mouth. Lillian then looked over to Zuko who had his knees pulled up to his chest from the cool air. Lillian rubbed the back of her neck before taking her blanket and covering Zuko. Kasai's ears perked up at his masters movement, "shhh" Lillian hushed Kasai as she walked out of the abandoned house. Lillian tide up her hair into a small messy bun before looking for a large plain area to do some training.

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Lillian stood in the center of a muddy bank of a shallow lake as she started her warm up. Lillian raised her arms in a fighting stance and began her forms. Lillian took four steps forward and then flowed into a round house kick, then she flipped back and landed on her hands and proceed to swing her legs in a helicopter movement. Lillian rolled back onto her feet and crossed her arms over each other and took a deep breath, "You are not the master... you are just simply the guide.." Lillian said to her self before pulling her arms to her hips and punching a series of blue flame balls at the expecting puddle of water before her causing mud to fly everywhere. Lillian slid her foot forward allowing more blue flames to escape. Unknown to her, Lillian's blue flames became to flicker white. Lillian kicked a large fireball at the lonely boulder behind her and then fell back into a series of back flips. Lillian formed a ring of fire around her and began to focus on a form she had seen a water bender perform. Lillian slowly began to raise her arms from her hips trying to command the fire to follow her will. There were three flame arms that rose from the ring but that wasn't enough... Lillian wanted eight. Lillian swayed her arms again and again until she focused so much energy on her firey arms that she forgot about the ring around her. Lillian took another deep breath before a small explosion sent her flying back, "Ugh! Stupid fire! Stupid, Stupid!" Lillian ranted as she laid on her back in the mud, "My Dear?" Iroh's voice spoke softly. Lillian rushed up, "Uh...hi Uncle! Sleep well??" Lillian gasped. Iroh shook his head at the young bender, "That form... It was interesting? Mind telling me where you saw it?" Iroh asked as he sat beside Lillian in the lotus position. Lillian fell back and placed her arm over her eyes, "I saw a water bender perform the form at the North Pole and I thought it be easy to create with fire... NOT!" Lillian explained. Iroh held his chin in thought, "My dear, there is a reason all the elements  have different forms." Iroh explained. Lillian sighed, "I know.. But I have achieved one form from watching a water bender." Lillian said in a matter of fact tone. Iroh's eyes widened, "two if you count my ability to redirect lightning which my grandpa taught me." Lillian smirked at Iroh. Ping learned many things from Iroh including the redirection on Lightning, "hmmm would you mind giving me a demonstration of the other technique?" Iroh asked. Lillian nodded her head before take her stance in front of a small patch of damp grass. Lillian took her stance and raised her arms before her. She slowly began thrusting forward and then pulling against her body. She repeated the movement until tiny sparkles of ice formed on the grass. Once the grass became fully frozen Lillian took all the extra heat that she had absorbed to flow through her arms and extended them out of her fists at Iroh allowing a large white flame to burst right before his eyes. Lillian bowed before Iroh as he removed the burning hair from his beard, "Interesting! I am impressed."  Iroh said slowly. Lillian gave Iroh a toothy grin before forming another ring of fire around her. Iroh watched in amazement as Lillian managed to raise four fire tentacles that moved as if they were water. Lillian relaxed her stance before giggling, "I did it!" Iroh smiled at Lillian, " You are a very powerful bender my dear... Perhaps almost a true master." Iroh said as he walked beside Lillian towards their shelter.

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Zuko was packing up all their things when Lillian and Iroh returned. Lillian grabbed her bag and swung it onto Kasai's saddle and helped Iroh with his things. Zuko gave Lillian a confused look, "What Month are we in?" Zuko asked. Lillian placed her hands on her hip, "Either March or April. Not sure?" Lillian said in thought. Zuko nodded his head, "Why do you ask?" Lillian asked while rocking on her heels. Zuko shrugged his shoulders, "just curious." Lillian's face fell, "Yeah.. whatever lets get a move on." Lillian said as she jumped on top of Kasai's saddle.

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Our three fire benders finally came across a small village where they could rest and find some food. Kasai laid in the shade of a large house as our trio sat on the floor leaning against the Lionshark. Lillian placed a stray piece of hay in her mouth and rested her eyes as Zuko complained under his breath, "Spare coins for weary travelers?" Iroh said in an Earth kingdom accent. Lillian watched as the man throws a few copper pieces into the hat, "This is humiliating! We're royalty. These people should be giving us whatever we want." Zuko said in anger, "They will - if you ask nicely." Iroh said as he turned his attention to a young lady, "Spare change for a hungry old man?" Iroh said in a weak voice. Lillian rolled her eyes when suddenly she noticed a broadswords man walking closer. Lillian stared coldly into the mans sly eyes as he walked closer, "How about some entertainment in exchange for...a gold piece." The man said winking at Lillian, "We're not performers." Zuko said, "How about you young lady? How about a dance?" The man said in a hungry tone. Lillian gave the man a dark stare, "I don't dance... I fight." Lillian said as she laid her head back. Iroh suddenly stood from his spot, "It's a long, long way to Ba-Sing-Se but the girls in the city they look soo prett-ay!" Iroh sang. The man seemed irrritated before he began striking at Iroh's feet causing him to hop from one leg to the other. Lillian watched as Zuko's knuckles turned white on his knees, "Enough!" Lillian said softly. The man started to laugh, "Nothing like a fat man dancing for his dinner!" Said the man as he tossed the gold piece on the floor. Zuko tried to stand but was held back by Lillian who shook her head slowly.

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Later that night Lillian followed Zuko in the shadows as he returned to the Village. Zuko ambushed the broadswords man and stole his dual blades. Lillian stepped out from the shadows causing the 'Blue Spirit' to startle and take a defensive stance, "So? The Blue Spirit lives... hmmmm" Lillian said as she tapped her chin, "I wonder how a fire nation legend could be so far out into the earth Kingdom?" Lillian said as she placed her hands on her hip. Zuko sighed before removing his mask, "How did yo-" Lillian placed her finger on Zuko's lips, "Shhh, Your secret is safe with me." Lillian whispered with a wink before she took Zuko's hand and led him back to their camp site. 

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Over the past few weeks Zuko had been robbing innocent people of their food and belongings. Iroh sat with a few objects behind him, "Where did you get these?" Iroh asked as Zuko walked away, "What does it matter where they came from?" Zuko said. Lillian watched as Iroh took a bite of a sweet treat, "That's it..." Lillian growled before going after Zuko. Lillian found Zuko in a shady area as he was placing his Blue mask on but before he could fasten it Lillian snatched it away, "Hey! What do you think your doing?!" Zuko demanded in shock. Lillian threw the mask a few feet away before storming towards Zuko, "Stopping you from stealing!" Lillian growled. Zuko's eyes grew dark, "We need those things to survive!" Zuko growled. Lillian crossed her arms over her chest, "We need the basics Zuko! We don't need all these fancy treats and drinks! How about we go into the village together and try to find a job for a day?" Lillian said as she poked Zuko in his chest. Zuko grabbed Lillian's wrist, "No" Was all Zuko said before walking behind Lillian and picking up his mask. Lillian threw her hands up in the air, "I Don't believe you! These people have their lives here and your ruining it!" Lillian yelled as Zuko walked towards the village, "If you don't like it then LEAVE!" Zuko yelled back. Lillian grabbed a large stick before throwing it at Zuko, "Fine! I will!" Lillian argued. Zuko dodged the stick, "Fine!" Zuko yelled again. Zuko stormed away, "Fine...." Lillian whispered. Zuko looked back over his shoulder as Lillian walked back in the direction of their camp, "Fine....." Zuko whispered.

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Lillian came across a herd of Ostrich horses on her way back to Iroh when she decided to lure one back to camp so that Iroh wouldn't have to walk a long distance. Once Lillian returned to the camp with the ostrich horse she received a confused look from Iroh, "Looks like you did some serious shopping." Iroh said while looking between Lillian and Zuko, " Looks like you did some serious shopping." Iroh asked putting his full attention on Zuko. Lillian led the ostritch horse to lay beside Kasai as Zuko spoke, "Do you like your new teapot?" trying to change the subject, "To be honest with you, the best tea tastes delicious whether it comes in a porcelain pot or a tin cup. I know we've had some difficult times lately. We've had to struggle just to get by. But it's nothing to be ashamed of. There is a simple honor in poverty." Iroh spoke to Zuko as he placed his hand on Zuko's shoulder and gave Lillian a small smile. Lillian turned away from Iroh's gaze and laid down with her back towards them, "There's no honor for me without the Avatar." Zuko said hopelessly. Iroh sighed, "Zuko... Even if you did capture the Avatar, I'm not so sure it would solve our problems. Not now." Iroh said truthfully, "Then there is no hope at all." Zuko said as he tried to turn away from Iroh. Lillian grew tired of this negative talk and decided to leave. Lillian rushed passed Zuko and Iroh. Zuko watched as Lillian's figure disappeared into the forest, "No, Zuko! You must never give in to despair. Allow yourself to slip down that road and you surrender to your lowest instincts. In the darkest times, hope is something you give yourself. That is the meaning of inner strength." Iroh said quickly. Zuko looks at Iroh for a moment before leaving the cave after Lillian.

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Zuko found Lillian resting on a tree branch fiddling with something black and white in  her hands. As Zuko walked closer Lillian suddenly raised her head and placed the object in her pocket. Zuko took a deep breath as he sat besides Lillian on the floor, "Lilly I'm-" 

"Don't..." Lillian said as she turned her back on Zuko. Lillian heard a small shuffle as Zuko walked away, "I'm tired of apologies..." Lillian whispered as a tear slipped down her cheek.

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Lillian returned to the cave to find Iroh alone and the ostritch horse missing. Kasai's ears were low and he was unresponsive when Lillian returned. Iroh gave Lillian a odd look and without a word said Lillian knew that Zuko had left, "Uncle?" Lillian whispered before sitting beside him, "I'm sorry..." Lillian whispered. Lillian felt Iroh wrap his arm around her shoulder before wiping her tear away, "We'll stay close by to him... I promise." Iroh said before he retired to bed. Lillian found a small note on her sleeping mat tucked under her blanket. Lillian slowly opened the letter,

Dear Lilly

I'm leaving... I need to find my own way. I'll come back for you when I have the Avatar. Stay safe and make sure Uncle doesn't eat any poisonous plants. 

Zuko.

Lillian folded the note and placed it into her bag, "Be careful My Prince..." Lillian whispered to the stars as she laid her head down and went to sleep.

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Yay!

Another chapter.

I must say... I am enjoying book 2 a lot more as I feel I have more creative freedom.

Lillian's moment will be happening soon!

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Darkninja!