Other Half (Zula)

[Zuka]

”Yeah, yeah” Zuka said from inside the bathroom at Zulas comment ”I can’t help it I like to be flashy. “ ”someone had to be” Zuka said under her breath, someone had to bring excitement in their family…excitement other than waiting for the next royal party invitation. Zuka finished brushing her hair and pinned the right side back and left the rest down, putting a decrotative barrette in her hair to keep it in its place. With her hair done she quickly put on some light makeup, nothing fancy just a bit of rouge and lipstick and now that was all done all she had to do was get dressed.

Closing the door to the bathroom a little she reached for the dress that was hanging on the back of the door and looked at it and swore under her breath. Rei had left it here for her earlier when she asked her to pick it up from her apartment but Rei had grabbed the wrong dress. Zuka had something picked out that had long sleeves that would cover the scar that traveled up her left arm to her back because she didn’t want to have to explain that to her sister but this….did none of that.

The dresswas pretty don’t get her wrong and she had been waiting for a reason to wear it but ugh! She looked at it and sighed, it was too late now to get a different dress from home so she was going to have to make do. Quickly she stripped off her clothes and slipped into the dress, zipping it up as far as she could but not being able to reach all the way.

Of course not

Zuka sighed and grabbed the pair of blue gloves that were resting on the side of her sink and pulled them on as far as they would go, the gloves went past her elbows so at least it covered a good deal of the scar but enough was still visible and there was also the big splotch on her shoulder blade where the lighting had left her body.

What she wouldn’t give to be a metalbender right now, she could zip it herself.

Knowing she was running out of time and that she couldn’t stay up here forever Zuka decided to bite the bullet and moved her hair to the left side so it covered most of it and stepped out of the bathroom to ask her sister for her.

As soon as she came out Zuka stopped in her tracks once she saw Zula poking around her desk and her stomach dropped. Zuka couldn’t recall anything incriminating that would have been left out but that didn’t mean something hadn’t been left on her desk for her to find later by someone while she was out. The last thing she needed was for Zula to find something she wasn’t supposed to.

Clearing her throat to get her sisters attention Zuka pointed to her back ”I can’t get it all” Maybe if she got Zula talking about something she wouldn’t pay any attention to her back and they could just go downstairs without a word about it ”Where did you get your dress? Is it from home?” Home was a good thing to talk about right? She was sure Zula had a lot to say about the Firenation.

[Zula]

Zula looked up as her sister tried for her attention, but she looked far from sheepish about her snooping. She acted as though she’d just been gazing out the window, not really seeing anything wrong with her actions. There wasn’t anything on the desk that piqued Zula’s interest and it wasn’t like she had actually gone through it...even though she almost had. At Zuka’s motion she went over to her sister, moving around to her back.

“No, actually, I bought it yesterday,” Zula answered as she took a hold of the zipper, tugging it upwards so that it was fastened completely. “Nothing from home really suited the occasion well enough so I thought--”

The intake of breath that cut off her words was clearly audible as her gaze fell upon the mark on Zuka’s back. It took her a minute to realize it wasn’t just a mark, but a large scar, and Zula’s eyes followed it as it travelled down her sister’s arm. This was not a small injury by any means, and if her sister had gotten it at home she would have known about it immediately. And though Zula was not a healer, she did recognize her own type of abilities when she saw them, and the scar along with the blotching told her enough: a lightning bender was to blame.

There was five years between them, Zula knew that. Five years of change, five years of them living separate lives. There was bound to be things that she didn’t know yet, experiences Zuka had yet to tell her. But she hadn’t expected anything like this, any sort of serious harm coming towards her twin even when Zula knew how reckless she could be. She’d never considered it, and now there was proof of a horrible event, and she highly doubted Zuka had actually wanted to tell her, or she would have by now.

The shock gave way to anger; anger that she didn’t know about this sooner, and anger that someone had dared to harm her sister. Before Zula could stop herself she grasped a hold of Zuka’s arm and moved the glove so that she could see the scar better, her eyes darkening at first in confusion and then narrowing as she lifted her gaze to meet her sister’s eyes. “What in the name of the spirits happened to you? Who is responsible for this?”

[Zuka]

Zuka knew, she knew that this would happen eventually, after all the scar wasn't something small she could easily hide but she had hoped that they would have gone a little longer before it got brought up. It didn't seem to be that way however.

As soon as she heard Zulas words trail off from her story about where she had found her dress Zuka knew that was it and she made a face while she swore silently to herself. When she felt Zula move to her front Zuka wiped the look off her face and looked at her sister as she took her hand and pulled the glove down while demanding to know what happened.

"It's nothing Zuka told her while pulling her hand back "nothing you need to worry about, it was a long time ago." Zuka pulled the glove back to where it belonged on her arm to cover the scar again. It was the truth, it had been years and what's done was done and even if she was still waiting for her revenge on Han for that one it was nothing that concerned Zula nor was it anything she needed to get involved in. "I knew you would react like this which is why I didn't tell you sooner..or in a letter" When she was in the hospital recovering she refused anyone who told her to contact her family and made Lina and Rei swear to her that they wouldn't tell them, she didn't want anyone fussing over and getting in her business then and she didn't want it now.

[Zula]

Nothing to worry about? Zula had to bite her tongue to keep herself from responding sharply to that one. This was a very different side to her, a protectiveness that Zula hadn't ever really shown truly until now. The rush of emotions she felt, the twinge of fear in her stomach that came at the sight of the scar wasn't something Zula had ever felt so strongly. But Zuka had never been in danger at home. She’d always been safe although fierce, protected even in her riskiest choices. Now, Zula realized, all of that had been stripped away and her sister really was out in the world that could hurt her. She just never thought it could get as bad as this.

She didn't know if a detailed story of what happened would rile her more, as Zuka’s reaction to her outburst shook her enough. She expected some sort of explanation other than that, something more than a dismissive comment. Zula had always been the closed off one, the one that kept everything to herself and her issues at bay. Zuka had always been open in her wants, her dreams, and her feelings. Now there was a wall between them, one that Zula didn't know where to begin tearing down, if she even could do it.

Everything had changed, and in this moment Zula felt it all finally becoming reality.

So much of her wanted to argue, it wanted to follow this newfound protectiveness to the root of the problem, but Zula snapped that thread before it wound itself too tight. Fighting with Zuka usually left their relationship broken, and that was not supposed to happen tonight. Not when everything was going so well, not when she had just run out of a political dinner to come and listen to jazz music and have fun with her twin. The fighting would happen, she had a feeling, but she wanted one more night of relative peace between them. Some desperate part of her clung to the idea that everything would be alright, if she just let it go.

Of course, she couldn't let it go completely, but she'd calm herself enough to try and salvage what she could of the night before it had even started. She gathered herself together, composed herself until she had everything just below the surface. The mask came back on, and Zula took a deep breath before releasing it in a sigh. “We will talk about this some other time. But right now one of the most famous jazz singers is about to perform in your club and I do not think you want to miss that.”

[Zuka]

There was a shift in the room, it had gone from lighthearted to tense in a matter of seconds and Zuka could see the look on Zulas face. It was a look of wanting to know more and she was sure that the questions were ready to burst from her tongue. She could ask them if she wanted but she was going to be very disappointed. Zuka had to protect her secrets as well as her sister from her Triad dealings. If Zula knew Zuka was certain that she would start poking around where she didn’t belong and that would put her in the path of danger. Not to mention the arguments and lectures she would get because of her choices.

Neither were things she wanted.

Zuka watched her sister and waited for her next move. Was she going to keep insisting to know and start a fight? Was she going to threaten to tell their mother about her incident and get her involved? Was she going to play the guilt card in attempts to get her to share her secrets? Any of those seemed like viable outcomes but, instead she did something unexpected….Zula took in a deep breath, let it out and rid her face of any of the emotion that had just been on it. Something Zuka was very familiar with. In a way she felt bad, she didn’t want to ruin their night or make things between them awkward but she had her reasons and it was just better this way.

”Fine.” Zuka said simply while she went back to the bathroom to check herself in the mirror one last time. She had no doubts that Zula would try again to get information out of her but at least for right now that was something she didn’t have to deal with. Once Zuka was satisfied with her appearance she exited the bathroom and went to the door and held it open for the two of them. ”Shall we?” she asked, waiting for Zula to step out first before she followed and closed the door behind her and headed down the stairs.

It was time to party.

[Zula]

With Zuka in agreement, Zula was able to keep herself composed and pushed the ill feelings aside for the moment. She gave a single nod at the open door and then swept past her sister and down the stairs. Even before she had made it halfway down the staircase she could hear the bustle of the club, and it was almost like a siren’s song as she followed it inside, drawing her near. Zula couldn’t help but let the curiosity call to her, and the thrill of something new, something different and exciting.

She was met with just that as she entered the main floor and found the Blue Dragon nearly bursting at the seams with people. They were everywhere, laughing and talking, the band tuning their instruments and waiting for Jiao to take the stage. Zula let her gaze fall upon the entire room, every smiling guest and patron, and the thought hit her that this was what Zuka had managed to create. It was the perfect image of her sister’s success, even clearer than the first time Zula had entered it. And she had to admit, it was wonderful.

As much as it did amaze her, she couldn’t stand there and gawk. Zuka hadn’t informed her if she had her own special spot reserved or what she planned on doing this evening, but Zula was determined to get decent seat. She looked over her shoulder to Zuka and spoke above the volume, “I’m going to find somewhere to sit. Join me when you wish.”

With that she weaved her way through the crowd, brushing shoulders with those who would not move, until she finally found a small table that allowed her a view and sat down. She flagged a waitress, ordered herself a drink, and then settled back against the seat and set her sights on the stage. It was then that Zula allowed herself to sigh, and reassure herself that the night would get better from here. Soon Jiao would be out, and while she was certain Zuka would be filtering around the room she could at least stay in one spot and enjoy some jazz and a drink, as well as the atmosphere.

She just had to keep telling herself that the night couldn’t get any worse.

[Zuka]

Almost as soon as she stepped down into the main floor of the club she was bombarded by a group of people all with numerous problems and issues that needed her attention. Zuka tried listening to them all and she just barely heard Zula tell her she was going to find a seat and to find her later and she nodded slightly in acknowledgement before turning her focus back to her employees and handlers of her entertainment for the night.

Once all of those that been smoothed and figured out Zuka was then drawn to the crowds that were gathered to see the jazz singer and she slowly made her rounds though the room, speaking to visiting nobility, politicians, friendly Triads and some of the more predominant members of Republic City. Every time she tried to slip away to find her sister she was grabbed by someone else and pulled into another conversation. It was exhausting work and Zuka kept checking the clock on the wall to see when the show would start. Finally, after what seemed like forever the crowds of people started to disperse as the house lights turned down and the band took the stage. Taking that as her exit Zuka headed straight for the bar and ordered two glasses of their private stock of Torch and carried the glasses around until she found her sister sitting at a table in the corner. Things had happened so fast earlier and with their little fight Zuka had forgot to tell her that they had a table reserved near the front but after everything she had just gone through she was fine sitting back here, it was out of the way while still offering a good view. Before she made it to the table Zuka stopped one of her waiters and told them to fill the empty reserved table with someone important and sent them off, once that was done Zuka slipped into the empty seat by her sister and set the extra glass down in front of her.

”A peace offering” she said. Zuka wanted to put what happened earlier behind them for now, tonight was about enjoying and she wanted to do just that with her sister. They could worry about the rest later.

~*~*~*~

Jaio had went on and played for an hour and was as amazing as everyone had said she was. It was one thing to hear her on the radio or on a record but to hear her in person was just…it was pretty amazing. After her hour was up she took a break and would come back in another hour or two and the house band had moved in to entertain until she came back. While Jaio was a lovely singer her songs were slow and Zuka’s band was not which was good because they needed to liven this place up a bit. Once they had set up the band had started to play and Zuka could feel her feet start to tap and move. She loved to dance, once she had figured out all of the fast steps people did she had picked up on it pretty quickly, it was almost like bending, everything had a place and movement and she loved getting on the dance floor any time she could. When the urge became too strong Zuka begged Zula to come dance with her but her sister kept refusing and eventually Zuka left Zula at the table and went out to have some fun, finding a young gentlemen to dance with.

~*~*~*~*~

He had heard about the event happening at the Blue Dragon and while he normally would not bother with Zuka’s club unless he wanted to start something with the Dolls.  It was bad form to enter a opposing Triad when you weren't invited or on good terms with them.  In fact, some might call it a act of war but that was fine with Han.  He considered it fair turn around and he liked picking fights with the girls.  Everyone in the city knew that Jaio was going to be headlining the Blue Dragon which was fine and all and Han could really care less but it was when he had heard that some of the other bosses had gotten invites to the event and he was left out in the cold that he decided he needed to make his presence known. Of course he really couldn’t blame the poor girl for leaving him out but it was the principal of it all, he had been disrespected and needed to rectify that.  Seeing Zuka was just a added bonus.  

Gathering a few of his lieutenants Han made a quick phone call and plotted for a minute with the person, dressed for the night in a nice dark red suit and headed for the Blue Dragon.

Pulling up to the club he could see that the place was hopping, the line to get into the club was around the block and as he exited his satomobile he saw a few of Republic Cities finest waiting to get in.  Han scoffed at them as he walked up to the front of the line.  So many of these people turned up their nose at the thought of dealing in anything that was Triad related but give them a fancy Jazz singer and some pretty girls and everything was forgotten it seemed.  As he reached the front of the line he was stopped and told to move to the back but Han had come prepared and gave the man his name.  A alias of course, didn't need to send up any red flags so early into the night.  

The bouncer checked his list and found the name listed in the VIP section and let Han and his people pass through without a problem. When Zuka had opened her club Han and placed a few of his people on the inside to keep tabs on her and for occasions such as this it came in handy. All it took was one little phone call to one of these insiders and he was in like flint without any problems.

By the looks of things he had missed the performance since the band was playing something lively and people were dancing but that was fine, he didn’t come here for that kind of entertainment. No, the kind of entertainment he was after was about 5'4" with long legs and a stick up her ass.  It was time to find her.   ”I hear this place has some of the prettiest wait staff outside of the Jade Blossom so lets enjoy ourselves boys. “ Han told his lieutenants to which they snickered and broke off to go see what kind of ‘fun’ they could drum up. Once alone he scanned the room on the look out for his entertainment and after a minute his eyes landed on her. He could pick her out of a crowd anywhere, even now with her back to him he still knew it was her and as he watched her for a moment his mind filled with memories that caused him to smirk.

All the fun they used to have together, it had been a shame it had ended like it did as she had kept him entertained and intrigued…but, all good things had to come to a end as she had proved to be too much of a nuisance at the end of it. That didn’t mean he still didn’t think about it and he was sure she did too…after all, he did leave her with a lasting impression and something to remember him by.

Han walked the length to the table where Zula was sitting and took a seat in the empty chair, leaning his arm over the back of it as he lounged ”gotta say, you’re looking fine as ever babe.” Han said as he looked Zula up and down ”A little prudish for my taste but hey, at least I know whats underneath, right?” He smirked and looked behind him and snapped his fingers at a passing waitress to get her attention” ”Get me a black sun will you doll?” he told the waitress and waved her off. Han loved getting under Zuka’s skin, he loved to get her angry….some of their best times had been out of anger and it was just so fun watching her get flustered. ”I gotta say, I was a little hurt when I didn’t get the invitation tonight but I think I know of a way you can make it up to me.” Han looked at her and winked ”What do you say, for old times sake?”

[Zula]

She was starting to wonder if Zuka had forgotten about her entirely when her sister appeared, setting down a glass in front of her. Zula knew that despite their differences and the tension that had erupted between them upstairs, Zuka was doing her best to keep them from fighting as well. She appreciated that her twin was doing her best to quell the arguing, and she could tell they were in agreement on how the night should go. Zula gave a small smile and sipped the drink, and though she said nothing she figured Zuka would understand that she accepted the offer.

Jiao’s performance had her nearly grinning. Zula still couldn’t believe she was seeing the woman perform right in front of her, and she lived up to every expectation Zula had. That being said, the club’s band still impressed as they took the stage for the singer’s break, and Zula could see Zuka nearly wiggling in her seat. Many people were getting up to dance, and one look at their moves and Zuka was pleading with her to come dance. Zula waved her sister off, shaking her head at the request. While Zula did know how to dance, it was not whatever hip swaying, quick stepping, hopping around that these people were doing on the floor. Zula found it odd, and almost laughable to watch, and she certainly was not about to make a fool of herself and mimic them.

Of course she didn’t want Zuka to sit there and be miserable if she wanted to partake in their version of dancing, and so she was glad when her sister decided to go and dance. Zula was content to sit and watch, and she found herself smiling as she caught sight of Zuka every now and then. She could feel the thrum of excitement in the air, and it tickled its way into her veins. Truly, Zula had not felt so liberated in a long time, and even she was having to hold back from drumming her fingers to the beat. The club had a way of drawing even someone like her into its embrace, and though Zula craved to give into the impulse she held back, letting herself enjoy from afar lest she get too carried away.

Zula was really starting to consider if maybe, just maybe she’d take a chance and approach the dance floor when someone threw themselves down in the empty chair. She turned her head, her eyes landing on a man who looked all too comfortable sitting in front of her. The way he looked at her, the flash in his eyes and the hunger in his own gaze made her tense in both discomfort and disgust.

“Gotta say, you’re looking fine as ever babe. A little prudish for my taste but hey, at least I know whats underneath, right?”

Zula could not control how her eyebrows shot up at his remarks, her eyes narrowing as she stared at him, absolutely appalled. She figured out quickly that he had mistaken her for someone else, but it took her another moment to fully realize he thought she was Zuka. That realization burned much more than her initial thought. This man dared to speak to her sister this way? She wanted to say something but her voice had disappeared, having never come across someone this arrogant before, at least not in these terms.

Even though the wait staff wasn’t hers, she couldn’t help but be irritated how he spoke to them. With all the authority she possessed, she never spoke to her own servants that way. Who did this man think he was, saying such things to her as if they were appropriate conversation, and then treating another woman like nothing? Zula found her voice finally, tinged with the revolting feelings that swirled in her head about this poor excuse of a man in front of her. “You think you have such charm, don’t you? I’m afraid you overestimate yourself.”

”I gotta say, I was a little hurt when I didn’t get the invitation tonight but I think I know of a way you can make it up to me. What do you say, for old times sake?”

The way he said it sent a chill down her spine, not out of fear but anger at his disrespect. Zula visibly recoiled, and she glared at this man before her who had the nerve to ask such a thing of her. “How dare you act this way with me. Why would I ever voluntarily spend any time with someone as classless as you? You are more of a fool than I first thought, and twice as revolting.”

The waitress came back then and set the drink on the table, but it was only there for a total of three seconds before Zula swiped up the glass. In the same swift action she tossed the contents forwards, the alcohol sloshing all over the man’s clearly expensive suit and his face. Zula would never have done such an action at home, but she wasn’t home and this man had wasted enough of her time, and she couldn’t help but want to publicly shame him while she could. “As though I’d ever stand to be in the presence of someone as pathetic as you.”

[Zuka]

The look of disgust on her face was amusing but she wasn’t being as fun as she used to be. Zuka had always had some kind of comeback; sometimes it was words, sometimes with was with a fist Han never knew what he was going to get but that kept things interesting but this time she just seemed appalled and that wasn’t as fun.

“You think you have such charm, don’t you? I’m afraid you overestimate yourself.”

There is was. He had been worried there for a moment ”charming is my middle name sweetheart.” Han could see the pure cold hatred that burned in her eyes and he chuckled ”whats the matter babe? You lose all your fight already?”

“How dare you act this way with me. Why would I ever voluntarily spend any time with someone as classless as you? You are more of a fool than I first thought, and twice as revolting.”

Han chuckled more ”I gotta say, I missed this babe, you always were my favorite play thing… but, I don’t remember you being this emotional.” Han was still chuckling to himself as the waitress brought his drink over and as she set it down Han leaned to grab it but Zula had beat him too it and before he knew what happened Han felt the cold liquid hit him right in the face. Everything stopped then and Han sat up with his arms out stretched a little in disbelief as his chuckling quickly turned into a low ‘heh’


People around them had stopped and were not looking in their direction while they whispered to each other and that pissed Han off more than anything. Here he was, being disrespected again by the same woman in the same night and that was something he could not let stand.

Grabbing the bar napkin his drink had been on Han wiped his face and looked at Zula before he quickly reached out and grabbed her wrist ”now why would you go and do something like that?” his voice was calm but Hans eyes flashed in anger and he began to squeeze his hand tighter around Zula’s wrist.

[Zula]

At his sudden grip Zula glanced down at where he was slowly cutting off the circulation to her hand. Anger, hot and sparking, wound it's way through her at the action. First he insulted her with crude language and intentions, and then he sees it fit to lay a hand on her? She shouldn't have even been surprised considering his retch-worthy personality. Still, she couldn't help but be momentarily taken aback before the feeling dissipated as the situation set in. Her hand curled into a fist as she saw the shift in his mood go from playful to something much more dangerous, and Zula found her long buried instincts beginning to kick in.

"Now why would you go and do something like that?”

His voice was low and calm, but Zula sensed the threat coming from them, and she was not about to take that lightly. Though she'd never been in a real fight outside of her training room, Zula was a master firebender, and an Ou-Yong at that. Her family did not bow in fear to people like this, and she was not going to cower. Zula’s eyes on the man were like steel, unwavering and unafraid as she spoke, and her voice was just as calm, but firm and resolute. “If you believe that someone like you has the right to put me in my place, you are sadly mistaken.”

Zula stood then, drawing herself up tall, shoulders back, chin up as she never broke her gaze with the man before her. Once she was standing completely she wrenched her wrist away from him, her arm cutting the air sharply before she lowered it to her side. She knew she must appear to be challenging whatever authority he thought he had, but to Zula he was just a filthy, low person who did not take rejection kindly. And she was not about to be intimidated by the likes of him. “Lay a hand on me again, and I will certainly show you something you won't forget, and neither will anyone in this room. I suggest you see yourself out while you still have a shred of dignity in tact.”

[Zuka]

All eyes were on them now but Han could care less. What were they going to do to him? They could toss him out but then that would just cause a bigger problem for this club down the line, he would make sure his Kais would make this club a top priority of theirs. Missing shipments, mysterious fires…employees that just vanish and then turn up later in the bay; oh yes, Han would do all of those things and by rights he should do those anyway after this little stunt.

“If you believe that someone like you has the right to put me in my place, you are sadly mistaken.”

Well, looked like she had finally found her fight.

As the woman stood Han held his grip until she pulled her wrist back and he let her without a fuss and once Zula had pulled herself to her full height and gave her threat Han smirked and stood himself. Pushing back his chair he stepped closer to her until they were inches apart. He was stepping up to her challenge if she had the gull to actually go head to head here.

”Or you’ll what? You want to do this right here?” He asked low enough so she could hear him but no one else that was eavesdropping around them could. ”In front of all these people’ Han motioned his hand around slightly but did not remove his eyes from Zulas ”wont be able to hide what you are then.” Han knew Zukas deal, he knew she liked to pretend that she wasn’t like the rest of them. That whole ‘for the people’ nonsense but he knew how vicious she could be. That when push came to shove she was just as evil and lethal as the rest of them and if he could get her to show her true colors in front of everyone then that would almost be as sweet.

Han licked his lips slightly as the thought. How sweet it would be to ruin her reputation with all these influential people.

”Come on princess. “ he came closer, getting more in her face, trying to goad her into swinging first ”lets show them what kind of Triad you really are.”

[Zula]

Zula did not move as he drew closer, her mind thinking over everything he said as he clearly tried to provoke her to make the first move. As angry as she was, Zula wasn’t about to act on emotion; this was not a time to be rash. He did have a point in his argument, despite his goading. There were too many important people crammed inside the club, too many eyes and ears and authority hovering about. She wasn’t about to have her reputation slandered because of an arrogant, self-absorbed man. Far too much hard work and effort had gone into her becoming an ambassador for her to lose it all now, and she could absolutely not bring that sort of shame home to her mother.

But she wasn’t about to back down from his challenge either, as that was just as shameful. Zula had put herself in the position, and she had been the first to show signs that she was willing to duel it out between them. She’d brought this on herself, and now she had to fight her way out of it. She didn’t know how skilled he was, but Zula was confident enough in her own abilities, and she’d rather be injured than suddenly back down. As he leaned into her face it took everything in her to not outright slap her hand across his own.

”Come on princess. Lets show them what kind of Triad you really are.”

Triad? Zula hid her surprise as well as she could, not fully understanding what he meant. The flash was brief in her eyes, and then the cool mask came back and Zula lifted her head slightly. “You have no idea who I am, do you?”

She let that hang in between them for a moment, wondering if he’d start to consider that maybe she wasn’t who he thought she was. But then she continued, not really caring whether he figured it out or not; he was obviously too daft to think of such a possibility. “You wish to fight me so badly? We do this where the playing field is open, and we’re not being hovered over by people who do not know how to keep to their own business.”

Zula took a single step back, angling herself towards the door in a way that was an invitation for him to follow. She thought she’d leave it at that, but then decided it would take a little more riling to actually get him to follow through. Unless he decided to throw make the first move in here, in which case she’d have no real choice but to engage in the club. “While it’s obvious you are not a man of honor, at least prove yourself to be a man.”

She turned on her heel then, and instead of heading towards the front door, like she first thought, she chose to make her way through the crowd to the back door which she had entered the club. Less eyes to watch them, less to look out for when the battle commenced. As she made her way back she kept herself aware, glancing over her shoulder in case he did decide he wanted to fight right then and there.

[Zuka]

“You have no idea who I am, do you?”

Han chuckled. How cute, she was trying to make herself more important than what she was…whatever made her feel better but Han knew exactly who he was dealing with.

“You wish to fight me so badly? We do this where the playing field is open, and we’re not being hovered over by people who do not know how to keep to their own business.”

Her words made his brow rise. He knew she wouldn’t fight in here, was too worried about keeping up appearances than doing what needed to be done, typical. Han was disappointed but he had expected as much but that made him wonder what she was going to do now. Did she brush this off like nothing had happened and hoped he just went away? Did they make a ‘date’ to finish this later?

“While it’s obvious you are not a man of honor, at least prove yourself to be a man.”

Zula started stepping back and Han watched her, working out what she had in mind. So, they were going to do this after all but she wanted privacy. He could deal with that, there was a lot more he could do without so many prying eyes and as she started walking Han smirked and started to follow ”you and I both know how much of a ‘man’ I am” Han snickered at the memories and watched Zula as she led the way outside. Hey, he could still enjoy the view. As they made their way through the back halls of the club Han shot a wink at Mei who was still at the back door and watched as she left her post to inform others of what was about to happen.

Once outside Han stood casually, removing his drink soaked jacket and tossing it aside. It was still wet and it would just weigh him down and now that it was out of the way he rolled his neck until it cracked ”you really want to do this? Remember what happened the last time we went toe to toe princess.” Han remembered that night like it happened yesterday and he knew Zuka remembered it, after all, she was the one with the scar.

~*~*~*~

Zuka had been enjoying herself on the dance floor. Moving, jumping, hopping and laughing like everyone else she didn’t have a care in the world at the moment. Zula really didn’t know what she was missing and after this song was done she was going to go grab her sister and drag her out here even if it was against her will.

It was for her own good.

Zula needed to learn to loosen up and while she had done just that…somewhat there was still (lots) of room for improvement and what a better way to do that? Besides, there were a few young and handsome pro benders here tonight and Zuka couldn’t speak for her sister but she could use a little extra ‘fun’ tonight and she was sure Zula could to…in fact, she was sure Zula could probably use a lot of it.

Zuka was still enjoying herself as she felt a tap on the shoulder and she stopped her dancing and turned to look at who was trying to get her attention, seeing Rei behind her. Once she was stopped Rei leaned over and whispered into Zukas ear about what had happened with her sister and that she and Han had been seen walking out to the back alley.

”What?!” Zuka exclaimed at the news. How…what?! How was that even possible, this was Zula they were talking about, Zula…the most reserved person in the world, the woman who would never get into a actual fight because It would rustle her hair..so how the hell was she about to go head to head with a Triad leader? How did Han even get in here?!

There were so many questions running through her mind but Zuka didn’t have time to deal with them right now, first she had to get to her sister and save her before she did something stupid and got herself killed.

”Find Lina and meet me outside.” Zuka told Rei urgently and immediately left the dance floor and made a B line for the back of the club.

[Zula]

Zula forced herself to not react to his comments as they went outside, and she took up her position a decent distance away from him. As he threw off his jacket she remembered just exactly what kind of event they were at, and that it didn’t make a fight that convenient in the wardrobe department. She looked down at her dress and resisted a sigh; this wasn’t at all proper fighting attire and she’d really hate to ruin an outfit she bought yesterday and had only worn for a few hours. But, as it went, she would have to make due. Not like she could run back to her place and change.

”You really want to do this? Remember what happened the last time we went toe to toe princess.”

At that Zula stopped, staring at him for a long moment while her mind worked. So Zuka and him had fought before, and it was clearly something he hadn’t forgotten. There was history between them, something Zula was trying her hardest not to think about at the moment, but it was the way he said it that sparked a thought. The flash of her own memory of Zuka’s scar suddenly hit home, and though she couldn’t be positive her theory was right, she had a feeling she couldn’t shake. It would be someone this low that would harm her sister, though she had imagined it to be a much more worthy opponent.

“It was you, wasn’t it?” The words came out cold, that flare of protectiveness lighting up once again. She didn’t care if she was wrong, she felt perfectly right in accusing him, and it only made her want to hurt him more. Zula didn’t think she’d ever genuinely wanted to harm anyone until now, but she accepted it. “Of course it was. You are despicable.”

There was no doubt in her mind of what needed to be done now. Zula slid into position, hands and feet ready, and set her gaze locked on him. “Take your shot, while you have it.”

She'd let him try, and then she'd take him down.

[Zuka]

Han waited for her to get ready because hey, even he could be a gentleman at times and once she had started her stance Han got into his. While he never had a formal training in his bending discipline and did not have what some considered ‘proper’ stance he was still a formidable firebender something he was going to have to remind her it seemed.

“It was you, wasn’t it?”

That caught Han a little off guard and the confusion showed on his face for a moment. Uh, of course it was? She should know, she had been there but now that it had been said it had gotten the wheels of his mind turning and Han glanced at the woman across from him and looked at her arm where the scar should have been but he didn’t see any sign of it having been there.

Huh…

Before he could go any further the door behind him flung open with force and he heard a ”Zula!” as another slim brunette walked past him and put herself in between him and Zuka…or, the woman that he had thought was Zuka. Han looked between the two women and for a moment he thought he was seeing double until he put two and two together.

Huh…well that was interesting.

~*~*~*~

Zuka quickly moved and put herself in front of her sister before she could do something so icredibably stupid and stared across the alley at Han.

”Back off, Han”

Me? I just came here to have a good time, shes the one that started this. You should keep a better leash on her.”