Disclaimer: I do not own Avater: The Last Airbender, thank you and goodnight.
I was just dabbling in this, it might not go any farther.
New Arrival
Zuko's uncle Iroh entered Zuko's room, he looked sad and stressed something that his uncle never looked like. Zuko looked at him with interest, what could have caused his uncle to be sad and stressed?
"Prince Zuko, I have just recieved a letter from your father. It seems that someone has convinced him that you are not working fast enough. The Fire Lord has sent someone to help." Uncle said gravely. He looked back at the enterance. "Zahaire, you may enter now." A girl with long black hair walked into Zuko's room. Zuko realized that he was only in his undergarments and made a mad grab for any type of clothes. The girl laughed at his anxiety.
"Prince Zuko, I am Zahaire. At your service." She gave a mocking bow, Zuko decided that he didn't like Zahaire that much but she was quite attractive.
"Uh... Thank you, but I have no need for your services." Zuko growled harshly, he no longer cared that he was half naked. This girl could see if she wanted. But her eyes didn't stray lower on his body but glared right into his eyes.
"The Fire Lord has commanded it. Neither you nor I have any say in this, so we should learn to get along Prince Zuko." Zahaire snarled, she put her hands on her narrow hips. Her body language said that she was on the offense and ready to take down anyone who stood in her way.
"Fine, but don't think just because the Fire Lord commanded it I'll allow you to join in everything." Zuko took a threatening step forward, his quick temper was working again.
"I did not want to be here in the first place, so it does not even matter if you include me or not." Zahaire mimicked Zuko and took a step forward. They were so close that either could reach out and touch the other.
Zuko's uncle cleared his throat, "Glad you two are getting along so nicely. Zahaire if you would kindly accompany me out I believe that Prince Zuko should get dressed." He lightly touched Zahaire's elbow, gesturing toward the exit. She stalked out of the room, her aura swirling with anger.
"Prince Zuko, may I suggest that you try to get along with the girl. Your father did indeed send her to you for assistance." Uncle whispered to Zuko as he walked by. Zuko glared down at the balding stout man. Uncle pulled the door shut, Zuko turned on his heel and began getting dressed.
Zuko walked out into the bright morning sun, his thoughts were on catching the Avatar. Zuko looked at the captain of the ship.
"There are reports of an airbender and two waterbenders heading toward the Earth Nation. I suggest we head them off." The Captain spoke sharply.
"Do it," Zuko turned away from the Captain and looked out at the sea. His thoughts drifted to one of the waterbenders, the only girl in their traveling group. Katara was a kind person, two years younger then himself, brown hair and blue eyes. 'But she is a waterbender, she would never accept...' His thoughts trailed off, he wondered why he was falling for a waterbender of all people. 'She is a strong waterbender,' He argued with himself, Uncle Iroh stepped next to his nephew.
"You looked troubled Prince Zuko, what bothers you this fine morning?" Uncle Iroh continued to look out at the water, he never even glanced at Zuko.
"Diplomatic things, I simply want to catch the Avatar and go home." Zuko leaned against the railing of the boat. He only told his uncle half the truth, he would never admit out loud that he had feelings for a waterbender.
"Is that all that troubles you, Prince Zuko?" Uncle Iroh said, never looking at Zuko. Anyone who was watching them wouldn't think that they were having an intimate conversation. Atleast as intimate as Zuko ever got.
"What else would trouble me, Uncle?" Zuko glanced at him uncle. Could he possibly know about Katara? He had no way of knowing, but could he have guessed?
"You have seemed sad ever since we last met the Avatar and his traveling companions." Uncle Iroh was still talking to the sea, Zuko didn't know what to say.
"I simply want to catch the Avatar." Zuko lied, it wasn't technically a lie but a half-truth.
"And what of the waterbenders?" Uncle Iroh spoke quietly, almost as if he was concerned that saying it too loud would bring undesired attention.
"What of them?" Zuko's heart thumped painfully in his chest, " If they get in the way, destroy them." He spoke flattly but inside he quivered in concern. His uncle knew.
"I see, but what-" Uncle Iroh began, but Zahaire cut him off.
"Prince Zuko, the Avatar has been spotted." Zahaire said, not realizing that she had just saved Zuko from having to explain anything to his uncle.
"Get the boat ready, tell the men that we leave as soon as we reach shore." Zuko spoke sharply, excitement bubbled in his chest. Perhaps he will catch the Avatar today, perhaps he would see Katara again.
"Uncle, you were about to ask something?" Zuko asked, he was in midstep to the small vessal that was used when they came closer to dry land.
"Oh, nothing Prince Zuko." Uncle Iroh turned and walked away from Zuko. Zuko felt a sigh of relief welding up in his chest, his uncle may know but he wasn't positive yet so he would hold his tongue until he was. Zuko hoped that he would never be positive.