It has been about a week or so since Zuko has been patched up. It was unsure as he wasn't keeping track of the time now.
Zuko's wound has nearly closed, though a dull ache still pulsed when he bent too far.
"You have seem to heal up nicely enough"
Kovu seems to believe it was good enough.
And soon enough Kovu put him to work in his fields. Sadly the old man was not running a charity case. And he could use a young pair of hands.
Zuko didn't talk much. Not that Kovu pushed him to. It seemed like they were alike in that way.
The old man would give him a variety of tasks on the farm. And Zuko would do them without question - tilling, hauling, planting. On the occasion Kovu will make him make repairs on his house such as on the roof or just various equipment.
All this work kept his mind from drifting too far into the past. As was Kovu intent. Well that and he needed these task done one way or another.
This also shows Zuko current state of mind. If this was the previous Zuko, he would have suspected he was being taken advantage of around the third day of work if Kovu was lucky. But Zuko took all the work in silence and a simple nod.
And so Zuko current life continued on like this.
* * * * *
It was just an average day in the Mu Tribe.
The sound of wheels crunching along the stone path can be silently heard.
A lone carriage pulled by an ostrich-horse was heading toward the outskirts of the tribe.
The carriage itself was filled of a assortment of supplies and at the front two girls of about 16 years of age were riding along.
They both remained quiet during most of the duration of the trip just enjoying the scenery.
Then the younger of the two began to speak, breaking the silence.
"Sigh ... Hey Kyin why does Gramps have to live so far off from the rest of the village? It gets a bit annoying after a while"
This was Rui.
She was a little shorter than her elder sister. She had the same colored eyes and hair as hers too, being brown for both. Her hair unlike her sister was wavy and at shoulder length.
She wears a similar naval blue robe which she mostly uses as a skirt as she wore a white tunic over it which was belted at the waist. The tunic itself is long sleeved as it's high collar as well. It's also pelted down the middle in its front. She also wore pelted black boots.
". . . . ." Kyin didn't respond as she was in deep thought and worry about coming back to Kovu's house.
"Hello? ... Hey Kyin, are you there?"
"Hmm?"
"You have been spacing out recently for a while now. What's going on? Ah! Is it a boy?"
"!?!" Kyin eyes widen a bit at her younger sister's comment. "W-what? No why would you think that?"
"Ah? It is, isn't it?" The younger sister had her hands on her cheeks as her imagination ran wild. "Mom. Dad. You can put your worries at rest, your eldest daughter is finally thinking about that stuff. I'm so proud"
"Rui, stop that"
Kyin reached out to her younger sister and pinch her cheeks in frustration.
"Ouch! ouch! Ok ok I'll stop" Kyin let go as Rui held onto her cheek.
Sadly it seems like her sister was somewhat on the mark. Her mind was on something or someone for that matter.
She rested her chin back on her hands as the carriage continued on its path.
It wasn't unusual that Kyin would tag along with Rui like this on her deliveries.
It was a 'two birds, one stone' scenario. Rui, her younger sister of about a year took over the family business. And she herself was of the 'Specialist' rank of the tribe's guard.
You see they were the humble daughters of a pretty normal family here in this village. Their parents were simple apothecaries who own their own store in the lower middle tier of the village.
Sadly, their parents weren't doing too good for themselves and were on the verge of closing shop, but two things happened. In short, it was Kyin and Rui
Kyin's parents discovered a bit late that she was a water style sorcerer at the age of 10. Normally children would find out about their 'talents' at around the age of 5. But Kyin was always a reserved child growing up so the opportunity never presented itself.
To be honest, Kyin actually discovered this talent herself at the age of 7 but kept it to herself. Why, you might ask.
You can say it was that she wanted nothing to do with these 'powers'. She actually found it ironic, a person scared of the water actually being a water style sorcerer. It sounded ridiculous in her head.
But when she found out how troubled her parents were with the finances, she decided to suck it up and reveal her situation to her parents.
When she revealed her talents, she stated she will join the tribe's guard and will help earn a income for her family
Kyin might have been reserved but she was actually a very smart and clever child. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that she was a protege.
But she was incredibly humbled. At least that's what the other people of the guard would say. In reality she was afraid to take the test that would grant her access to the upper ranks.
So she remained around the third rank of the six current ranks of the tribe's guard. The 'Specialist' rank.
According to some of the elders in the tribe, they believed she could of reach 'Captain' rank easily. So you can believe their bewilderment when she would always fail or miss the test.
But it was enough for her, she was content. She didn't join to make a name for herself like her old friend Ryuu. Who was able to make it all the way to the rank of 'Guardian'. The top rank where only 6 seats are available at the time.
It was a simple method in Kyin mind. She trained, she worked, and then she would send her income to her family in the middle tiers. She was satisfied and proud that she was helping out her parents.
That was not to say she didn't try to overcome her fear. It's just that when ever the day came, she would always chicken out and skip the test. It was this never ending cycle for about 5 years.
That was until she discovered that she was no longer needed to climb the ladder in the tribe's guard. The reason being ... Rue.
Rue felt guilty for her older sister as she felt she was sacrificing her childhood for them. So in order to help her sister out ... She hit the books.
It seemed while Kyin was hard at work training with the guards in the upper tiers. Rue went exploring in their parents store and began to study the books their parents had lying around.
Now it was Rue turn to show off her talents. She may not be a sorcerer but she was a protege of her own right. Both as a apothecary and as a business woman.
She was able to rise her parents humble shop to one of the top apothecary stores in the village with her expertise.
Business now was booming as they kept their store in the lower middle tier.
Rui was also a stubborn child as well. She made it a fundamental rule that she would make the deliveries herself when she can. Perhaps she saw it as a way to get some fresh air or interact with the people of the village. She was a very sociable girl unlike her elder sister.
When Kyin found out about this she decided to take advantage of the situation. She took a job in the guards station that was very unappealing to most. Mostly because it wasn't flashy.
It was to deliver supplies to a retire Guardian in the outskirts of the village. She took it and informed her sister and Rue scheduled her delivery runs with hers.
Hence the situation we have now. Kyin and Rue were on their shared delivery runs. They will usually make Rue's runs throughout the tribe and then drop off the supplies to Gramps at the end of the day.
Both sisters rather enjoyed this quality time with each other. It helped made up for lost time when Kyin was away. They would chat, update what they did for the past month, or just enjoy each other companies.
But this trip was different as Kyin was worried about something ... Their new guest that is at Gramp's residence.
She knows how Gramps can be. To say that he is hard-headed is a understatement. She remembers how long it took her and Rue to earn his acceptance.
He wasn't exactly thrilled to be shoved a responsibility of taking care of an injured person out of the blue, quite literally.
He was annoyed and mad that we brought him to his house but they were able to convince him to heal him up. Well actually he was very much against that too but then Gramps suddenly switched gears. She did find it a bit odd but she didn't pry too much as he was gonna heal him.
She was also prepared to let him stay at her house and ask her parents if they can keep a secret and stay. Heck, he couldn't stay where Ryuu was stationed at, especially with his responsibility as a Guardian. But to her surprise Gramps said he can stay there too with no fuss whatsoever.
How odd? Was the only thing that came to her. And so her mind began to wonder and go places.
She was worried he would get annoyed and try to get rid of him. She knows that Gramps can be a bit difficult. She wouldn't find it surprising if he reported the young man after a while or worse he ended him as well after getting the information he wanted. She could picture it now. Gramps choping him up and tossing him in the edge of the dome to attract fish for him to hunt. I shiver ran up her spine whenever she thought about it.
When she was in the guard station, she kept updated on any incoming news. The only note worthy piece of news was relief efforts and updates from when the 'Sun Riders' attacked and bombed a residential area.
Luckily she hasn't seen any reports about any intruders coming in. But it did open up her other worry, but since she had to keep it a secret she had to keep it to herself.
Usually they would make Rui deliveries first. But in her worries she asked her sister if she can make hers first.
"Geez Kyin" Rue said as she rubbed her cheeks. "If it's not a boy, what can have you so on edge"
"It's nothing"
As they continued their short bantered with each other they finally reached the edge of the village and Gramps's house.
Rui pulled on the ostrich horse reins to pull the cart to a stop in front of the house.
"Gramps!" Rue hopped off as made her way to the back of the cart.
"We brought your supplies for the month!"
Kyin looked around as she hopped off as well and made her way to the back of the cart as well.
Rue handed her a box, one of many to be sent to Kovu house. Both Rue and Kyin headed to the front of the house with a box in each hands.
It was then when Kovu step out of his little hunting hut from cleaning his knives that he greeted the girls. She noticed the blood on his apron, this was from gutting his fish that he caught. But for a brief moment Kyin body shivered at a creeping thought when he began to wipe his hands as she walked out the hut.
"Kyin ... Rue. It about time. I was starting to get worried. I was running low. I was afraid of little old me having to walk all the way to the market to get my stuff " Kovu joked as he rubbed his bad leg that was braced with his sword.
"Geez Gramps, it your fault for living so far away from the rest of us" Rue turned as she scolded the old man.
"Hahaha ... Well I like my privacy"
This was another one of Gramps's quirks. Apparently if you can get past his tuff exterior, he acts like your typical joking grandpa.
But the light tone was ignored by Kyin. As she was distracted and was looking around.
When Kyin and Rue dropped off the first boxes at the home. Rue made her way to the cart for another round but Kyin sneak over to Kovu.
She lean towards Kovu "Umm Gramps . . . Is our-" she clears her throat "guest doing fine?"
"Hmm ... Oh yea ... He over there" He said as his mind was focus on the going over the first boxes of supplies.
Kovu jerked a thumb toward the farm land. When Kyin followed his finger she was met with the man she found falling from the sky, alive and kicking. He was currently knee-deep in a stubborn patch of earth, trying to loosen it for root vegetables.
Of course Zuko was somewhat aware of the commotion by the house, but he didn't care. He just kept his focus on the soil and the task in front of him.
"Ah" Her eyes slacken as she looked at the scene before her. It seems that her worry was for nothing.
"You got him working?" Kyin raised one of an eyebrow. "From the man who didn't want anything to do with him. You seem to enjoy his company for obvious reasons"
Kovu chuckled. "Hah! What can I say? I'm old. I realized in the first week I could use a pair of young hands"
Kyin shook her head slightly, but the corner of her mouth twitched upward.
She stepped away from the cart and approached the boy in the field.
Behind them, Rui wrestled with a sack twice her size.
Zuko kept his head down, fingers sinking into the soil as he cleared out another stubborn patch of weeds. He could feel someone watching him, though. The air had shifted.
He glanced up.
Kyin had knelt nearby, elbow resting on one knee, her chin propped in her hand. She didn't say anything—just watched him work with a thoughtful calm that was starting to make him uncomfortable.
Zuko wiped sweat from his brow. "…Can I help you?"
Kyin blinked. "It's nothing," she said. "I'm just glad you're okay."
Zuko hesitated, unsure what to say to that. His golden eyes narrowed slightly in confusion.
"Have we met?" He simply asked.
Kyin just stared for a second as she looks away for a quick moment.
"Sort of" her gazed not leaving his form. And then as if to change the subject "it seems that gramps got you working hard"
"I need something to do," Zuko muttered.
Kyin gave a short nod. "I see"
I'm just glad you're okay
It didn't take a genius for Zuko to figure it must have been her who found him. But he was a little curious why she didn't just report him to the tribe like how Kovu said should've happen. He assume he doesn't have to tell the story that Kovu came up with to tell the people of the tribe.
She was also glad he was fine. Funny, he didn't feel okay. Not really. But he simply nodded, and went back to digging.
"T-thanks" Those were the only words he can think to say.
Kyin have a small smile. "It's not me who you should be thanking"
Huh? What did she mean by that?
But he placed that thought to the back of his mind as his attention was back on the soil he was clearing out.
"Hey, sis!" Rui's voice echoed from behind the cart. "Are you just gonna stare into space all day, or are you gonna help me unload?"
Kyin didn't move.
"Thought so ... Hmm" As Rui was bringing in another load of supplies, she finally took notice of Zuko as he worked.
Rui past by Kovu as her eyes never left Kyin and Zuko "Gramps, who is that guy? I've never seen him before."
Kovu didn't even look up from where he was tying up a bundle of dried herbs. "Why don't you ask your sister? She's the one who dragged him into my farm"
That got Rui's attention.
She slowly turned to her sister, her eyes widen when she connected the dots. " . . . . . Ah! ... Wait… what?!"
Kyin said nothing.
"Don't tell me… he's your boyfriend?!"
Rui slapped both cheeks dramatically and wiped her hands clean on her tunic as she made her way towards Zuko.
"Okay! First impression time! This is the first boy Kyin has shown any interest in—I gotta make this count."
Zuko barely had time to look up before Rui stomped across the field and planted herself in front of him, beaming.
"Hi! I'm Rui. It's a pleasure to—ah!"
Zuko had straightened to his full height, the 'sun' catching the left side of his face. His scar was stark in the strange, underwater light.
Rui's eyes went wide, and she froze mid-greeting.
Zuko's expression didn't change. He'd seen that reaction before. It's just been a while.
Rui quickly turned, her back facing Zuko as she had her own little strategy meeting. Mumbling to herself.
"Ok calm down, calm down. So Kyin type is this kind of guy ... No that not important right now. I have to - "
Zuko just watch as Rui was talking to herself.
"Sorry about her" Kyin stood as she brushed off her robe and walked up to Zuko.
"She seems ... Outgoing ... At least"
Kyin smirked just slightly. "That's one way to put it"
They both watch Rui going at it. "Rui" Kyin said as she tried to snap her sister back into reality. She was beginning to get a bit annoyed and embarrassed at her sister.
"I'm not saying anything bad!" Rui shot back.
"I was just ... surprised is all." Rui said. She backs up a step and began to circle around Zuko. Her assessment has begun.
Zuko himself just stood there as Kyin sighed at her sister antics.
"Okay ... Uh ... He's tall. He looks pretty tough. Hmm ... other than that scar you look pretty good. You've got ... presence. And he looks like he got experience in battle ... so he seems strong enough to keep you safe. Hm Hm ... I approve ... but I'm not sure if mom and dad will thoug-"
Thwack
"Ouch ... Ouch ... Kyin stop that!" Rui began to rub her forehead after Kyin flicked a small non lethal water bullet at her sister to stop her train of thought.
"Would you stop that! Its not like that, geez ... Get you mind out of the gutter"
Zuko just gave a small annoyed looked. He began to head back to the house as he saw Kovu beckoning him to help unload his supplies.
"I'm just ... helping with the farm," he muttered.
"Well, that's boring," Rui huffed as she pouted. "You don't look like a farmer to me"
"Enough Rui" Kyin said, gently tugging her sister back by the sleeve. "Come on we shouldn't leave the unpacking to Gramp's guest.
Rui pouted again but she obeyed, tossing one last glance over her shoulder as she past Zuko walking back toward the cart.
"Something is going on here, and I'm gonna find out ... I love a good mystery" Rui regains her cheerful demeanor as she had sparkles in her eyes.
"Again sorry about her ... siblings can really get under your skin sometimes"
Zuko stopped for a moment at her comment. She noticed two steps after as she looked back. "Are you okay? If its something Rui said ... then I'm sorry. She doesn't really have a filter"
"No ... it's nothing" Zuko continued to walk to the cart to help. "I guess your right about that" he muttered to himself.
They began to unpack the supplies for Kovu.
And so that was how Zuko official met two members of the Mu Tribe.