Morning Sun - Chapter 9

I was bored out of my mind waiting until I was summoned. Zuko and Dan tried to entertain me but in the end they gave up and I was left in my room. I looked at the balcony and decided to get some fresh air. I leaned on the railing as a small breeze went past and I sighed.

I'm standing on the bridge
I'm waiting in the dark
I thought you'd be here... by now
There's nothing but the rain
No footsteps on the ground
I'm listening but there's no sound

A small tear came to my eye and I buried my head in my arms as I thought about my situation. I'm queen in one week, Cam is my boyfriend who I might have to give up, there's the strange visitor who's been leaving me roses, and...
"Jared," I whispered as my throat tightened. I still didn't know who Jared was or what he meant to me. I lifted my head and looked out at Earth.

Isn't anyone trying to find me?
Won't someone take me home?

Your home is here now I told myself but even then I didn't know who I was trying to convince. Myself or everyone.

It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won't you, take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are but I...
I'm with you

"Rose are you out there?" Dan called and I walked back into my room.
"Yeah sorry" I apologized and tried to get my mind in order. Dan smiled at me and guided me towards the ballroom. We stopped in front of the door and the two guards opened it.
"I now present our next queen, Princess Rosemarie," Queen Serenity announced and people applauded as I stepped forward and smiled.
"Thank you all for coming and wishing me a happy birthday." I said and gestured around the room. "Please enjoy yourselves."

As everyone started to dance to the music, Serenity smiled warmly at me and hugged me.
"Happy birthday," she whispered and I hugged her back.
"Thanks... mom." I said and she pulled back and beamed.
"That's the best name in the world," she said and instructed me to dance with the princes' from the other planets. I was fine with it but by the end I was bored out of my mind.
"May I cut in?" Someone asked tapping Damien, the prince from Uranus. Leo stood there smiling and Damien handed me over to him.

"I didn't know you could dance." I commented as he spun me around to the music.
"How else did you think I won your mother?" He asked with an eyebrow raised and I giggled. Halfway through the song I saw Rachel dancing with Krad and I was desperate to go over there. Leo saw this and chuckled.
"Go on, it's your birthday," he encouraged and I hugged him before walking over to Rachel.
"G'day Rachel." I said putting on my best Australian accent. Rachel turned around and saw me standing there. Her whole face lit up like a little kids' and she hugged me tightly.

"It's you!" She squealed and I hugged her back and laughed.
"Of course," I told her and we talked about heaps before Krad pulled her away for another dance. I smiled at the scene that was unfolding as Krad held her tightly and whispered something in her ear. Rachel looked up at him blushing and raised her head a bit as his lips came down on hers. Although I was happy for them, I had to look away as a tinge of jealousy went through me. My eyes fell upon Antonia and Haru who, much to my displeasure, were also kissing.
"Oh come on!" I muttered and quietly left and went outside. I wandered into the garden and sat on the white marble bench.

I'm looking for a place
Searching for a face
Is anybody here?
I know
Cause nothing's going right
And everything's a mess
And no one likes to be alone

I sighed quietly and looked down at the ground. I heard some footsteps coming towards me but I didn't look up.

Isn't anyone trying to find me?
Won't someone take me home?

"You shouldn't be out here," an all too familiar voice said and sent goose bumps all over me. I looked up and saw Jared standing there in a black tux with a golden tie. His ocean blue eyes stared at me and his brown hair was messy but still looked good.
I gave a bitter laugh and looked down again. "I shouldn't be in a lot of places,"
Something warm brush my face and I saw Jared's hand resting on my cheek. My heart was pounding rapidly and I didn't realize I was holding my breath until I exhaled quietly.

It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won't you, take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are but I...
I'm with you

I grabbed Jared's hand and stood up staring at him. Unconsciously, I moved closer to him and placed a hand of his shoulder and the other in his hand. Jared responded by placing a hand on my waist and we danced slowly in a circle.

I'm with you....

I rested my head on his shoulder as he pulled me closer and we continued to dance in silence. It felt so natural to be here, in his arms. Like they were made just for me.

Why is everything so confusing?

My throat tightened and my chest started to hurt but I didn't mind it. My head was so confused on how it all turned out like this but my body was relaxed and...
Relieved?

Maybe I'm just out of my mind

That was most likely true. Maybe I was out of my mind, doing this, feeling this with Jared. I have a boyfriend. I have Cam.

It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won't you, take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new

I stared into Jared's eyes as his pierced mine. A sense of longing and confusion filled my entire body. Something else did too.

I don't know who you are but I...
I'm with you

I closed my eyes and leaned forward. I expected Jared to push me away or something normal.
I didn't expect him to respond.
He kissed me gently. I wrapped my arms around his neck and grabbed handfuls of his hair. Jared caught his breath and tightened his arms around my waist. He pulled back and I could see the lust in his eyes, longing for my lips. He kissed me again, testing. A burning desire filled my chest and I wanted more of him. Jared groaned, low and deep. Warmth flashed into heat; comfort burst into passion. I pulled back a bit trying to catch my breath and so did Jared.

"Angel," he whispered softly and the name startled me a bit. It sounded familiar...
There was a huge crash coming from inside followed by screams. Jared and I quickly moved apart and I ran inside. There was a huge crowd gathered around the place where the presents were and something didn't feel right.
"What's going on?" I demanded as I pushed through. Krad stood in front of me and I glared at him.

"Turn around and go back," he said and I knew something wasn't right. I looked past him and saw Zuko on the ground not moving. Everything came crashing down and my eyes widened.
"Zuko!" I shouted and tried to run past but Krad grabbed me by the waist.
"Let me go!" I ordered as tears filled my eyes and there was a huge lump in my throat. "He's not dead!"
"Take her out of here." Leo ordered but I kicked Krad in the shin and ran over to Zuko's body. He was cold with his eyes closed and unmoving. Tears fell down my face and I leaned on his body. I cried for my best friend, my partner was dead. I felt someone grab my shoulders and I pushed them back.

"Don't touch me!" I screamed and reached over and touched Zuko's charm. A burst of pink light surrounded us and my wings appeared on their own. I felt something warm drain out of me and enter Zuko's body. Zuko was lifted into the air and started to change. His paws were replaced with hands and feet, his fur disappeared and were replaced with skin and abs. His face changed into a guy's and his hair was short and gray. White long pants appeared on him and what shocked me the most was that he grew large, white wings like mine. The light disappeared and he opened his eyes. There were gasps among the crowd and my eyes were widened.
"Zuko?" I whispered and he hugged me tightly. It felt so different from hugging him as a wolf.
"I got to protect you," he said in my ear and we broke apart as I stood up.

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The party ended after the incident and Leo ordered all the presents to be checked. I was informed by Zuko that he smelt something weird in one of them and opened it, only be killed by an explosion.
"Someone really wants me dead." I muttered and I wrapped an arm around Zuko's.
"Rose I'm fine," he reassured me but I refused to remove it.
"You were dead." I whispered as more tears came to my eyes and he wiped them away.

"I'm here now," he said and I nodded. There was a knock at the door and Haru, Antonia, Serena, Dan, Krad and Rachel came in with Rini slowly behind them.
"Do you know what's happened to him?" I asked standing up and they shook their heads.
"I have a theory though," Krad said and I looked at him. "You know how Tengru and I have connected that I grow wings and Haru and Rini share the same speed?" He asked and I nodded.
"Oh! I get it," Antonia exclaimed realizing where Krad was going with this. I, on the other hand was still confused.
"Get what?"
"This is your connection! Since Zuko doesn't have much to offer through the bond-" Antonia explained.

"Hey!" Zuko shouted but Antonia ignored him and continued.
"He's gained your powers through the dragon crystal," she said.
"So he's stuck like this?" I asked pointing to him.
"I hope not." Rini mumbled and Zuko walked over to her and touched his nose to hers and smiled warmly.
"I'll always love you, no matter what form I'm in," he told her and Rini looked away in embarrassment while Rachel and Antonia squealed.
"That is so cute!" Rachel squealed.
"So romantic," Antonia sighed and then looked at Haru. "Why can't you be like that?"
Krad and I burst out laughing while Haru tried to defend himself. Dan frowned and studied Zuko carefully before snapping his fingers.

"Rose try touching Zuko's amulet," he said and I raised an eyebrow but did what I was told. I walked over to Zuko, who was watching me carefully, and touched his crescent moon. As soon as my fingers made contact with the charm, a flash of pink light covered Zuko's body. When it disappeared, Zuko was back to his wolf form, much to Rini's pleasure. I yawned tiredly and my eyelids felt heavy.
"You should get some rest, after all the excitement tonight you need it." Dan chuckled and I nodded. I looked at Rachel and snatched her away from Krad.

"She's mine tonight." I told him hugging her tightly from the side and Krad nodded and gave her a kiss goodbye as the others left the room. I lent some PJs to Rachel which she thanked and wore one of my long, light cream nightgowns.
"I don't see why you don't wear these," she gushed admiring herself in the mirror and I shook my head. I always wore some pants and a shirt or a singlet. We sat on my bed and gossiped about things while Zuko chilled at the end of the bed.
"Your dad told me you're going to Jupiter tomorrow." Rachel said painting her toe nails and I nodded.

"Only until the coronation, with all these attacks my parents are getting worried." I told her, giving a quick glance in Zuko's direction before turning back to her.
"Oh yeah, Krad told me about that," she smiled warmly at his name and looked up at me. "When you're queen you won't be able to come back to earth."
I sighed and nodded. "I know and I'm sorry," I apologized.
"What are you going to do?" She asked and I looked out towards the balcony. It was quiet in the room and I felt Rachel's and Zuko's eyes on me. I swallowed as a huge thump grew in my throat and blinked back the tears that threatened to appear.
"Erase my existence." I answered.

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Important!

I'm sorry I have to skip chapter eight because of some failed difficulties. But yes Rose graduates, she remembers the note from Jared when he stayed over once about her namesake or something. Dan is a homosexual (meaning he likes men)...
Please forgive me.

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Dobby's Corner: OMG some crazy stuff just went down! Ha, none of you expected Zuko to be killed hehe. (sorry little guy)
Anyhow I won't be posting the next chapter until I get at least 10 comments. Yes that's right 10 COMMENTS. Don't hate me or anything, alright I would just like it if people commented on it a bit more. It shows whether you guys still like it or not.