Chapter 2
Phoenix woke to the sounds of intense fire blasts. She peeled back the Fire nation bed covers and slugishy dragged herself out of bed.
She walked to the small window of Iroh's room and peered out of it. The rising sun greeted her, its golden rays warming her face.
Phoenix hobbled over to the iron door clutching her aching stomach. She turned the large metal handle and walked into the small hallway.
Phoenix pulled her hood over her face and closed her cloak around herself. She turned right and begun walking. She walked up a small set of stairs, her wound flaring with every step. Phoenix limped into the light of the day. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Phoenix could smell the briny sea winds and the gentle smell of the smoke rising from the ships engine room. Waves lapped at the sides of the ship as it cut through the water with ease.
She followed the blasts of light to where Zuko was sparring with one of the crew. The prince knocked his opponent off his feet with ease.
"Uncle, these moves are basics. Teach me the next set." Zuko ordered.
"Patients nephew, yor basics are your most deadly weapon." Iroh said calmly.
"The avatar has had one hundred years to master the four elements. I can't beat him with basics! You will teach me the next set!" Zuko ordered angrily. Iroh sighed but started teaching Zuko the next fire bending set.
Phoenix walked out from behind where she was standing and onto the main deck.
"UNCLE WHATCH OUT!!" Zuko yelled. he ran to his uncle and shot an inferno of fire at Phoenix from his palm.
Phoenix stood there rooted to the spot. Fear had plastered her feet to the ground. She flung her arms up in a cross to protect her face as the blast grew closer. THe flames bounced off her arms. Zuko aimed a kick at her head but Iroh grabbed his shoulder just in time. Zuko looked at his uncle in a misunderstanding way.
"Nephew, this is the girl that fell from the sky." Iroh explained.
"My appologies peasant. I thought you were an assasin." Zuko spat.
"Please Nephew, show some manners." Iroh said.
"Get her off my ship Uncle. She's not the avatar. I have no use for her." Zuko said and turned to walk off.
"Yet she just displayed firbending." Iroh said smugly.
Zuko paused. "We drop her off as soon as we reach land. And that is final." He stalked off into the wheel house.
Iroh sighed. "I didn't know you were a fire bender." Iroh asked suspiciously.
"Neither did I." Phoenix whispered back looking down at her unscathed arms.
"I think I should teach you the basics before we reach land. For self defence purposes only." Iroh smiled a knowing smile and paced up to Phoenix. He pulled back her hood. Phoenix's flowing white hair rippled in the light sea breeze.
****
"Uncle! Did you see that? It was a flare from a fire nation ship set off by the avatar and his accomplice. They're heading for the Southern Water Tribe village." Zuko anounced.
"Very well Nephew. I am teaching Phoenix how to firebend and play Pai sho. She has great talent in both areas." Iroh glanced at Phoenix then back to Zuko. Zuko looked at Phoenix. His features softened when Phoenix gave him a shy smile. Zuko quickly snapped out of the minor trance Phoenix had him and focused. His face straight again, he set if to the wheel house. Iroh and Phoenix could hear Zuko barking orders at his gaurds and the captain.
The small vessal was approaching land fast.
"I think you should stay below deck in my quarters while my Nephew and his landing party go ashore. You will be safe there." Iroh said kindly, his golden eyes full of care and tender paternal love.
"Thank you Iroh. I will try and keep safe." Eris said back with a warm smile.
"Please call me Uncle." Iroh gave a hearty laugh and led Phoenix into his quarters.
"I will come to get you when my nephew returns. Do not leave this room unless your life is being threatened or I come to get you."
"Aren't you going ashore Uncle?" Phoenix asked in a small voice.
"No. This is something Prince Zuko has to do on his own." With that Iroh left closing the door softly behid him.
****
Phoenix waited and waited. She grew restless as time went by. Phoenix continously paced the room thinkng if she should go up on deck and see how Iroh and Zuko were doing but Iroh's words replayed themselves over in her head. Do not leave this room!
Suddenly Pheonix was tossed to the floor. The ship had hit something. She quickly scrambled to her feet and rushed to the metal door. She turned the iron handle,flung the door open and ran up the corridor, up the stairs and onto the deck. There was ice and snow every where.
Three gaurds were defrosting men who were encased in ice.
Phoenix looked to the sky. A giant flying bison was soaring through the air, three passengers in its saddle.
"We are going to have to get the ship repaired Zuko." Iroh said to Zuko who was looking to the sky his body shaking from the rage it contained.
"I know Uncle!" He yelled at Iroh.
"What are you doing here Phoenix?" Iroh said not even facing Phoenix.
"I heard the crash so I rushed up here to see if you were okay." This answer was directed at Iroh and Iroh only.
Iroh turned and gave Phoenix a warm smile then faced Zuko again.
"The closest dock is in the fire nation. I sugest we go and get the ship rapaired."
"I agree Uncle." Zuko replied.