Title Chapter 1: Fight and Flight

Author's Note: I had the sudden urge to re-write this fic. I've been binging on ATLA and remembering why I liked it so much. This revamp will be slightly 'darker' than the lighthearted tale of slash I originally wrote. Enjoy and thanks for reading!

Zuko looked around the dark Fire nation colony. He wasn't sure which one it was but it was fairly populated with lots of houses and shops. All of which were closed due to the late hour. They had arrived at the port late because of a run in with the Avatar. They played cat and mouse like they normally did and once again he managed to escape Zuko. The avatar always escaped and he was starting to get bored with it. He would stay up, sometimes the entire night and wonder if it would just be easier to abandon his nation like so many other people did. Zuko knew it was a ridiculous thought. He was just frustrated he needed an outlet. Everything had its limits just like his patience and his temper. There was only so much he could meditate, yell or seethe. He needed something to change if only for a little while so he could break the monotony.

As if on cue he passed by the only lit street in the entire city. The lights on the street where not regular candle lights, they were red lantern lights. The entire block was bathed in the color. It was the only street with people on it this time of night. He immediately understood why when he passed a Brothel, a bordello, a burlesque house and a 'Stripping Parlor'. The women out front called to him but they weren't what he was looking for – he noticed several of the crewmen wandered into the seedy sex dens. Zuko made a face thankful that Iroh had stayed behind on the ship. Zuko wasn't interested in that sort of thing and even if he was he feared all his pent up aggression might lead him to hurt someone relatively innocent. The men on the ship barely knew hand to hand combat. And shadow boxing had lost its appeal. He wanted a fight, not to constantly chase something and never get it. As Zuko looked around he soon spotted where he could find one.

The large muscular man standing outside a seemingly normal building noticed Zuko when he walked up. He looked Zuko up and down. "No bending." he said and then stepped to the side to let Zuko into the building. Inside was dimly lit except for the ring in the middle of the large room. There were people cheering and cursing at the two bloody men fighting center of the well lit ring. Zuko's hunch was right. He had found a fight club.

Zuko took a seat at the bar. He decided to scope out the competition before he placed a bet on himself to win. He saw a few people that looked like they knew what they were doing. He put his ear to the ground in an attempt to learn more about the fighters around him. It didn't really help all the men around him were just gambling they weren't fighters. He was about to just go in the ring and try his luck when he caught part of a conversation behind him.

"...you'll fight. I don't care if all of you ribs are broken. You will go into the ring and you'll fight and you'll win until your debt is repaid." The man's voice was barely above a whisper but it was a harsh tone. Zuko turned and spied on the conversation out of the corner on his good eye. The man was older than the boy he as talking to. His face had a few wrinkles and a nasty scar going across his forehead. The few hairs that clung to the back of his head were gray and matted. Despite his homely features he was wearing very expensive clothing. A finely pressed burgundy and gold shenyi.

"I can barely stand up straight. The pain is making my vision blur." The boy standing in front of him complained. Zuko couldn't see him without turning completely towards them. So he just listened.

"Stop complaining or I'll give you something really complain about."

"You mean beside my life with you." The boy said sarcastically and chuckled. Zuko smirked but it quickly turned into a grimace when the man backhanded to boy for his smart remark. The boy growled and Zuko hear a rustling like someone had grabbed him.

"Nice work boys, hold him still." The man said. "Watch it you little bastard. If it weren't for me you'd be out on the street. Be grateful I don't put your little ass to work in the brothel like I did your mother." The man hissed and then smacked him again. The boy gave a snort and struggled against who ever was holding him. "Don't even think about walking out on a fight tonight. Most of the people here don't know how good you are so they'll lose all their money when they bet against you."

"But-

"No buts. Here-" Zuko heard the clang of the man handing the boy some money. "Get yourself a drink to numb you a little. If you win enough to pay the fee I'll take you to a doctor tomorrow. Wait here, I'm going to register you for the next five rounds. Keep an eye on him boys." The boy just made a sound like he was trying to suppress his pain when the people holding him let go. The man walked past Zuko and headed for the betting booth. Zuko felt the seat next to him shift and looked over as the boy sat next to him.

"Stupid old bastard. One day he'll be without his goons and I'll kill him with my bare..." he trailed off as he muttered to himself. When Zuko looked at him the first thing Zuko noticed was his skin he was dark like he was from the water tribe. His black hair was all matted and dread locked. Soon enough he noticed Zuko's staring and glared him. Once more Zuko was taken back by the boy's dark eyes – it felt like they bore a hole right through him but Zuko didn't waver.

"What are you staring at?" He growled.

"I couldn't help but over hear your situation." Zuko said. "From the sound of it, he seems to think you're a good fighter." He looked over his shoulder to where the older man was standing not too far away at the betting booth.

"I'm a hell of a lot better than good." he said, his eyes narrowing in annoyance. He ordered his drink and took a sip.

"Can't be that good if you let him smack you around like that." Zuko pointed out.

"Have you not noticed his pesky body guards?" He asked and hiked his thumb over his shoulder. Zuko looked and two large muscular men were standing behind him, watching him. "There's many more where those came from. He has too much power and I'm just one, scrawny little nobody with no money and no family. He'll kill me, and I have a problem with that."

"But no problem with being a ragged slave." Zuko commented.

"Look, I'm not exactly in the best mood today-" He cringed and held his side for a second. "So buzz off before I kick your ass."

"Wanna bet on it?" Zuko smirked. It was almost fun messing with the boy. If he could rile him up he might actually make for a good opponent. Zuko didn't want a push over.

"He makes jokes as well." He said and crinkled his nose as he gulped down the rest of his drink.

"Actually I was going to bet against you." Zuko said pulling out his spending money.

"Now that's really funny." He said. Zuko watched as a small smirk curled his lips.

"If you say so." Zuko said as he stood up. As he walked away he could feel the boy's glare on his back. This would prove to be an interesting night. A few minutes later Zuko was in the ring. He had taken off his armor to 'make it fair' - according to the referee. When the dark haired boy entered the ring he squinted in annoyance. "You were serious?" he asked. "If you've come to convince me to throw the fight you're wasting your time. I can't afford it. Not even for you pretty boy."

"I would never do something like that. I want to see if you're as good as you say you are." Zuko said crouching into his fighting stance. The boy just stared at him. "Don't hold back." He growled at Zuko's arrogance and moved into his stance. Zuko was thrilled and eager to see what he could do. But he suddenly remembered the boy's injury. He had a broken rib somewhere. Zuko could see him grimace as he got into his own fighting stance he favored his left a little. Zuko recognized the fighting style - very powerful and somewhat quick form. Zuko had his work cut out for him.

"Ready?" The announcer yelled looking at both of them. "Fight!" Zuko had to restrain himself. His first instinct was to fire bend. This left him open to the boy's attack when he hesitated. He let loose an array of punches and kicks that had Zuko backing away from him. But with a dodge, a flip and quick footing Zuko soon held the boy's arms from behind. He made the boy stretch them above his head and put his knee into his back.

"Ahh!" The boy screamed. Zuko knew it was because of his injured ribs.

"This isn't a fair fight." Zuko said to him.

"So? I have no choice!" The boy said stepping on Zuko's foot with the heel of his own. The pain made Zuko let go and step back. He crouched into a different stance now, a form Zuko didn't recognize. The boy came at him with an amazingly fast barrage of kicks. Blocking them made Zuko's arms sting. Zuko caught his ankle and swept his other one from under him making him fall on his back.

"Want to make it fair?" Zuko asked. The boy just stared at him confused. "Then stay down." With that said Zuko punched him hard in the side.

"AHHH!" The boy screamed in agony and curled into a ball. "You bastard! You knew I was hurt and used it to cheat!" he growled through grit teeth. "Oh god." he whimpered holding his mid section tighter.

"Get up and fight you miserable little shit!" the older man yelled. The boy couldn't get up if he wanted to. Not only did Zuko upset his injury with the punch, but he also felt another rib fracture under the force of his knuckles. He felt bad when the boy screamed – tears brimming in his eyes. Zuko had burned off all his frustration with the fight but...

"1...2...3...The winner is...the Blue Spirit!" The referee said – using the name Zuko told him before entering the ring. Once the match was officially ended the older man stormed over to the boy, pushing Zuko out of his way. He grabbed a fist full of the boy's hair and pulled - hard.

"Ah!"

"Get up! Get up now you worthless little bastard! You just added 500 gold pieces to your debt, you loser!" He snarled. "Now get up!"

"Hey!" Zuko yelled making them look at him. He held up his hand and a large sack of money landed in it. "Why do you put up with him?" he asked the boy.

"I-

"Cause if he ran away, he knows I have the resourses to have him hunted and killed. But he'd rather stay and pay his debt to clear the name of his dear old mommy." the old man said. He pulled his hair again before the boy finally stumbled to his feet.

"Will this cover it?" Zuko said tossing the money to the man. He let go of the boy's hair to catch it.

"Sorry kid, but Indyira isn't for sale." The man said. Zuko looked at the boy as he glared at the old man. He was definitely from the water tribe with a name like 'Indyira'. "Plus he's a worthless, mixed race, abomination. You wouldn't even be able to make a rug out of his skinny hide." Zuko saw the rage ignite in Indyira's eyes and half a second later he was punching the old man squared in the jaw.

"I'm so sick of you, Heno!" He yelled as he went to hit him again. Heno's bodyguards moved to stop him. They grabbed him and easily lifted him off the ground so he couldn't run.

"That's no way to talk to your adoptive father, Indyira." Heno said as he straightened himself. "I took you into my home you little ingrate. The least you can do if shut your mouth and behave. Now I'll have to punish you." He pulled a nasty looking, rusted dagger from the sleeve of his shenyi. "How'd you like to look like your little friend here?" He asked gesturing towards Zuko. At that moment Zuko had a short flash back to his own disfiguring punishment. He didn't know Heno was Indyira's father. Before he knew what he was doing he was lounging towards Heno - successfully sending a rather large fire ball at all of them. It hit Heno hard, making the old man fly to the side and into several other men.

Indyira gasped. He raised his legs and kicked back hard into the knees of the men holding him. Zuko cringed hearing the sickening crack of their bones breaking. They let him go to clutch their legs in an attempt to ease the pain. Indyira bounced off the ground like he weighed nothing at all and kicked the other guard square in the nose. Using his face for leverage he pushed himself up and flipped over him. "Crap." he said when he landed on the ground and upset his injury.

"Kill them! Kill them both you fools or I'll kill you!" Heno yelled as he stood up.

"You weren't kidding." Zuko said as more of Heno's bodyguards came out of the woodwork. "There are a lot."

"I prepared myself for defeat today, not death." Indyira said.

"Then let's get out of here!" Zuko grabbed his wrist and took off as fast as he could. He had to let go so they could dodge people on their way to the door. When Zuko saw it was closed he blasted it off it's hinges. Indyira didn't miss a step as he followed Zuko into the night. They ran off the red-lit street, ducked down a dark alley and climbed and rickety ladder to hide on the rooftops until they were sure no one was still looking for them. Zuko looked at Indyira when he noticed he was shaking. "Did he stab you?"

"N-n-no… my adrenaline is wearing off." Indyira stammered as he sank to his knees. He held his mid section as he looked up at Zuko. "We have to keep running, they'll eventually find us up here." He forced himself to his feet.

"You can barely stand." Zuko noted as he watched Indyira stumble back to his knees. He looked over the side of the building. "But you're right. Come on we have to move." He grabbed Indyira's arm and hauled him back to the ladder. They climbed down and Zuko led him down the alley.

"W-w-wait...the pain... I can't—" Zuko was suddenly pulled down to the ground when Indyira collapsed on top of him.

"Perfect." Zuko sighed.

Zuko bit his knuckle as he waited outside the infirmary. He thought it was terrible when Indyira screamed after he broke another rib – it was nothing compared to his pathetic wailing over being patched up. It took six crewmen just to hold him down and the ship doctor still had a hell of a time wrapping him up. Apparently he had a bunch of other half healed injuries that needed attention. The doctor came out nearly an hour later to tell Zuko what was going on.

"His wrist needed to be re-broken and set in a splint. I anesthetized him for now – he's dehydrated and malnourished. And he had a pretty serious head lice infection." He said as he adjusted the spectacles on his face. "He'll wake up sore, irritated and wondering where his hair went. But if he takes it easy he'll have a full recovery." Zuko nodded and looked up when the other crewmen walked out. Iroh came up to him and caught sight of the stranger resting in the med bay.

"A new friend?"

"A new burden." Zuko answered. "I met him tonight but he passed out before we could part ways. I couldn't just leave him in the street."

"You met him where at this hour? Is that a bruise?" Iroh asked as he got a closer look at Zuko's jaw. He flinched away – thankfully that the other marks Indyira had put on him were covered by his long sleeve robe. "Did he want to come with us?"

"He doesn't really have a choice now. We'll drop him off the next time we make port." Zuko said sternly. Iroh glanced at him before he walked off. Zuko stood there for a moment longer before he ventured in the room. He could see Indyira's face better now that his dread locks were gone. The doctor had cleaned him up as well and Zuko noticed the nasty black eye he had that marred everything down to his right cheek. Zuko looked at his tattered clothing where it hung on a chair near the bed. His attention went back to Indyira when he twitched in his sleep. Undoubtedly he was dreaming of his eventful night. Zuko grabbed a nearby cloth and used it to wipe the sweat from his brow. As soon as he made contact Indyira jumped awake and grabbed his wrist. Zuko tried to jerk back but Indyria just dug his nails in.

"Who are you!?" He growled before he grabbed the collar of his robe too.

"Get your hands off me!" Zuko hissed. Indyira just stared at him before his eyes glazed over. His grip eased and he lay back down. Zuko stared at him for a long moment. When he stared snoring Zuko backed out of the room and closed the door. He could've snapped his neck in his delirious state. His ailments didn't make him any less dangerous. Zuko wouldn't forget that.

Author's note: His name is pronounced In-de-yeer-ah