"In any case, I can't bring myself to trust the weapon anymore. At the same time, I don't want to keep relying on a spare. No standard-issue military blade can compare to one of Master Piandao's masterpieces."
"I see. Killing two birds with one stone?"
"Exactly. But if I may ask, Princess... why did you decide to come with me?"
"Because I wanted to. A whim, nothing more." She made a point of looking anywhere but at me. Could it really be that odd little creature who stubbornly refused to throw himself at her feet had managed to throw her that badly off balance?
Hm...
I'd have to give that some thought.
***
Two days later.
"Well, we're here!" I looked over the familiar fence and the familiar gate the familiar trail had led me to.
Ah, how much sweat had been spilled here... how many nerves burned through... how many miles I'd run carrying a log. Nostalgia... Ahem. Though some memories weren't exactly fond ones—like running with that log, for instance...
"So this is the middle of nowhere he chose to hide in," Azula remarked, sounding mildly irritated and just a little anxious. During our journey together, I'd learned not exactly to read her emotions well, but I could at least pick out the basic ones from her expression.
"Master isn't particularly fond of people," I said with a shrug.
"Oh? Then how did you manage to become his student?" It was remarkable how she could sound genuinely curious while simultaneously looking as though she couldn't possibly care less.
"It wasn't easy. In broad strokes, I put on the plainest clothes I could find, rolled around in the dirt a little, gave my last coins to the gatekeeper, and when I met the Master, I told him I didn't know how to do anything..."
"And after that, he accepted you as his student?" the princess asked, arching a skeptical eyebrow.
"Of course not. After that, he beat me half to death with a practice sword." And now... we pause for dramatic effect.
"And?" A note of impatience slipped into her voice.
"And then I got back up and picked up my sword again. So he beat me half to death a second time..." Another meaningful silence.
"If you don't stop doing that, I'll follow the example of that truly wise man!" Azula finally snapped.
"Hm? Whatever do you mean, Princess? I'm simply remembering how it happened." Smile and wave... No, there really was something wrong with me. Teasing Azula was almost the same as kicking a sleeping platypus-bear. Technically, you could do it, but it was both idiotic and detrimental to your health.
"Grrr..." I had the distinct feeling that if I pushed her much further, she'd start crackling with lightning—and I would soon regret it.
"Anyway, every time he knocked me to the ground, I'd get back up and take my stance again. And that continued until Master Piandao..."
"...Decided it would be easier to teach you than to figure out where to hide the body afterward," the little menace finished for me with a smug grin.
"Something like that." By then we'd reached the gate, and I tapped out a simple rhythm.
Still, that tune was enough to let old Fath know it was one of his own at the door rather than yet another hopeful apprentice who could be left to stew outside for half an hour—or even a full one.The coded knock did the trick. Barely two minutes later, the gate swung open, revealing the familiar face of the ever-faithful butler. I felt my lips curl into an involuntary smile.
"Hm... You remind me of someone, young man," the warrior said, narrowing his eyes.
"Oh, come on, old Fath. Don't pretend I've changed that much in the year or so I've been away."
"Master Chan?" The man's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Oh! Why are we standing out here?! Come in! And bring your companion as well!" We were practically hauled through the gate.
"How have things been? How's Piandao?"
"After your success, interest in the Master surged once again, bringing crowds of people hoping to become his apprentices." Fath let out a weary sigh. "As a result, his temper has become even more unbearable, and I'm the one who has to suffer through all the sparring sessions."
"That awkward feeling when you somehow feel guilty even though you know none of this is actually your fault..."
"Oh? So you're capable of feeling ashamed after all?" the girl teased.
"Not that guilty," I corrected my previous statement.
Meanwhile, Fath led us into the Master's house. We climbed the stairs at an unhurried pace until we reached his study, where Fath politely knocked on the door.
"Piandao, you have a visitor!" the butler announced.
"I'm sick to death of all of them! I told you not to let anyone in! Throw the idiot down the stairs!"
"I'm starting to like him," Azula concluded.
"My apologies, Master, but I'm afraid that won't be possible."
Heavy footsteps sounded from behind the door. A moment later, it flew open, and an irritated swordsman appeared before us. Then he saw me, and...
"Chan." There was so much contained in the single word as it left his lips. "I see you've changed a great deal since we last met. And made quite a name for yourself."
"Master." I bowed respectfully. "I only did what I believed was right."
"So you say." He replied with a skeptical smirk. "Oh? And this, I take it, is your girlfriend? Well, I must admit—you have excellent taste."
A ominous silence settled over us.
The Crown Princess opened and closed her mouth, trying to take a bite out of the air that had suddenly become so oppressively dense. Her eyes seemed to glow from within, and I'd have bet good money that if there had been so much as the smallest flame nearby, it would have erupted into a ten-foot column of blue fire.
"Ahem... You've misunderstood, Master. This is Princess Azula. I have the honor of serving as her advisor and bodyguard."
(End of Chapter)
P@treon: /SadRaven
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