Hey! This is a new project that I'm working on. I'm hoping it will help me in my writing with keeping the characters IC. So these are a series of one-shots, each one centered around a certain character of Avatar. My mind is open to new ideas and you are free to offer them. First up on the list is Zuko!

"Umm, excuse me sir." a man muttered nervously on the floor of the ship as he bowed to the exiled prince in front of him. His fear only flared when the prince turned to glare back at him. They were following behind the Avatar, no more than a mile or two away. A tiny profile of the bison could be seen in the distance. The boat rocked vigorously with the powerful waves, foreshadowing Prince Zuko's reaction to Keigo's request.

"What is it you want Keigo?" The prince asked, annoyance evident in his voice. His crew was respectful, and always regarded him as 'prince' or 'sir', (even if most of them were double his age), but they only bowed when they implored a great favor.

"Uhh, well, I got this letter and, I was just kind of wondering, or rather, asking if-" he winced when he was interrupted by the prince's booming voice.

"Keigo, do not test my patience, for I have none." the prince commanded angrily, gritting his teeth. Keigo gulped, staring at the floor as he spoke.

"Well, yesterday when we were in port, before you saw the Avatar, a messenger hawk flew to me and it was a letter from my sister and she was- well, she fell in love and she's getting married." Keigo began to break out into a nervous sweat under the heat of the scarred teen's glare. "I was going to ask you yesterday but then you saw the Avatar and I never really got the chance so I went to your Uncle and he said to ask you so-"

"Get to the point Keigo."

"Well, the letter was an invitation to my sister's wedding, begging me to come, but her wedding is on the island of Saikai which is in the, um... other direction." his voice trailed off with the end of his sentence. He closed his eyes, nervously awaiting the prince's reaction.

"So, you expect me to turn this ship around, travel more than 40 miles the opposite way, and LOSE THE AVATAR, all for the sake of ONE CREWMEMEBER!" Keigo was really sweating now, and from more than just nervousness. Steam was coming from the prince's nose, and sparks of fire flashed from his fingertips threatiningly, quickly warming the room.

"This is very important to me and it would be great if I could see my family-"

"It would be great if I could see my family again too! But until we capture the Avatar, none of us will." Zuko took a deep breath and calmed down before turning away from Keigo.

"Return to your post." he commanded, dismissing him.

Keigo bowed respectfully and then ran out of the room, holding in his tears, and showing no emotion like every firenation child was taught.

Zuko looked out at the Avatar's bison in the distance. His ticket home.

Many people thought Zuko was selfish, heartless, dishonorable. . . Maybe he was, Zuko figured he was too young to know for sure.

Unfortunately, something inside of him made him feel guilt. Something about the crew staying faithful to him for years. Neglecting their families to help him find the Avatar. Taking his punishment and his pain for his mistakes onto themselves for the sake of loyalty. Zuko told himself he didn't care, it didn't matter, he came first, look out for number one. But his thoughts were contradicted when he woke up the next morning and gave the captain orders to set sail for Saikai island. The captain was surprised.

And when they arrived at the island and Zuko saw Keigo hugging his sister, he couldn't help but smile.

Many people thought Zuko was weak, submisive, dishonorable. Maybe he was, Zuko figured he was to young to know for sure.

Uncle Iroh patted him on the back, and gave him a reassuring smile.

He didn't quite know the type of man he wanted to be, or even if he'd live long enough to find out. He had no idea if he was supposed to be angry but driven, or caring and compliant. But while he was still young...

"Hey Zuko! Can I visit my family!" a crew member shouted

"Yeah! Me too!" another agreed

Many similar cries were heard throughout the ship.

"Everyone, Shut Up and get back to work!"

...he figured there was nothing wrong with stradling both sides.

One character done, though I have no problem repeating characters, so if you have another idea for Zuko, feel free to share it with me as you should feel suggesting any character ideas!

FUN FACTS

-Keigo means "one's respect" in Japanese.

-Saikai, the name of the island, means "reunion" in Japanese.

-The island was previously named Ishago Island, which is just some cool sounding word I made up!

Keep on Reading