AN: Well here's chapter numero dos (for you non-amigos out there it's "number two"). I'm terribly sorry that it took too long. Thanks to those of you who reviewed. I wish I could give you all individual replies but I've heard that doesn't allow it anymore, which is a bogus rule by the way. Does anyone know if this rule's for real?

Oh, yeah. This now takes place after Fortuneteller. I've decided that as the new episodes come out I'll alter my future chapters accordingly but I won't change past chapters so you won't have to reread them. I'll let you know when things change in the ANs. Who knows? My whole story might be redrawn to stay in sync with the series.

Disclaimer: We've gone over this already haven't we? I mean really, if it was mine I'd be off being rich not wasting my time here.

This chapter is dedicated to my newly acquired Siamese Fighting fish, whom I have christened Prince Zuko in honor of his brilliant red color patterns and the villainous Prince in that wonderful tv show that has inspired so many fantastic fics including this one.

Learning to Play with Fire

Chapter 2: Pai-Sho and Hormone-Induced Stress

To say that Prince Zuko was angry would be a severe understatement. No, the fledgling Fire Lord was currently pissed. Not pissed as in what was normal for average hormonal teenagers. Rather, pissed, as in Hormonal- Teenage- Female- Firebender- In- Desperate- Need- Of- Chocolate/Weaponry- Pissed. It was a miracle in itself that Zuko, who is male, can achieve such an advanced level of pissed-offness, but he had. Somehow he had. Now the sixteen year old heir to the Fire Throne stormed about his ship like a mini hurricane. The sound of his metal capped boots causing general mayhem as his panic stricken crew scrambled to get out of his path.

Those who had frequent association with females back home were wise enough to recognize the impending doom after one glance after Zuko's livid face. And with the efficiency expected of battle scarred veterans such as them they quietly retired to areas of the ship well out of their Prince's way.

Those unfortunate souls who were ignorant enough to remain in the danger zone were left to learn their lesson the hard way. One poor sailor made the mistake of inquiring of Zuko in a concerned manner as to what was bothering him. At this the veterans shook their heads sadly with the arrogant wisdom shown often by males in situations such as this and watched solemnly as Zuko proceeded to chew the young man out. Another crew member had the extreme misfortune to walk down the same hallway Zuko happened to be using and found himself defenseless before the temperamental Prince. There came an animalistic scream either of rage or terror and the man joined the ranks of the sympathetic veterans looking as if he had just witnessed the spontaneous combustion of an Elephant Koi. After that incident the crew went to any lengths to avoid their unstable Lord. One man went so far as to strip off his armor and throw himself overboard upon hearing Zuko approaching. He clung to the side of the ship, listening tensely to Zuko cussing out his armor (he had positioned it so as to seem occupied). And after the teenager had lost interest and stalked away he returned to his post. Needless to say, he was extremely proud of his own ingenuity.

After assuring himself that he was no longer the only miserable person on the ship, Zuko ascended to the helm and without further ado, kicked the door open.

He froze.

He stared.

He tried desperately to make sense of what he was seeing.

Once he was sure that he was neither asleep nor hallucinating he began to consol himself. He had found what he was looking for and he had found the formally missing item with the culprit he had been sure was responsible for its disappearance. After counting to ten in his aching head he said what he had been planning on saying since he had found his prison hold empty that morning.

"Uncle, what are you doing?"

Iroh looked up from the game of Pai-Sho he was playing with the Avatar and Lieutenant Jee. Sokka and Katara were sitting off to the side on comfortable cushions watching the game with interest, feigned on Sokka's part. Momo was lounging on Sokka's lap.

"Why we are playing Pai-Sho, Prince Zuko," he said with a chuckle. "And I must say that Avatar Aang is quite good."

The young Airbender beamed at the praise while Lieutenant Jee looked to be having some sort of fit. He was rolling on his stool, convulsing with his weathered hands pressed tightly over his mouth and his hazel eyes twinkling. Zuko's eyebrow twitched.

"Uncle... the Avatar is a dangerous and powerful being... he is also my prisoner," Zuko's voice was smooth and calm but the following explosion was inevitable. "COULD YOU TELL ME WHY YOU FELT THE NEED TO LET HIM LOOSE ON MY SHIP?"

Iroh tactfully ignored the outburst. "He is hardly running around wreaking havoc, Prince Zuko. Lieutenant Jee and I have kept them in check the entire time and I've heightened the security on the main deck. They have not attempted to escape. Besides, it is rude to leave one's guests locked in their chambers and ignored." He said the last sentence in a slightly reproachful voice.

Smoke billowed out of Zuko's mouth and nostrils and his eyes seemed to glow with an internal fire. "He and his companions are prisoners not guests!"

Iroh waved a dismissive hand somewhat irritably as if the difference between a prisoner and a guest wasn't relevant. The old man then turned his attention back to the game board, his brow becoming more wrinkled as he concentrated.

Zuko threw his head back and snarled, a jet of flame emitting from his mouth and nose. He then stood there, fists clenched, and chest heaving with suppressed anger. An ugly black scorch mark on the ceiling directly above his head.

The trio of "guests" looked mortified at Zuko's violent eruption but Iroh merely threw him an indifferent glance. "You know, Prince Zuko," he said sagely, "doing that too often will dry out your throat and burn your nose hair, most uncomfortable." He cast a critical yellow eye at the ceiling over his nephew's head. "These little outbursts aren't doing much for the decor, either."

Everyone in the room besides Iroh and Zuko had dissolved into laughter at Iroh's words. The helmsman was now using the steering wheel as support for his body which was trembling with barely restrained laughter. Feeling his face heat up, Zuko whirled around with another snarl and hurriedly exited the room, slamming the door behind him. As the steaming Prince took his leave, Jee regained himself enough to stumble to his feet and salute Zuko's retreating back. "Good -DAY... Prince!" he choked out between giggles. He sat down quickly after Zuko's departure.

Iroh clucked his tongue in a disapproving manner at Zuko's antics. "I apologize for my nephew's behavior. He is a complicated young man and in all the excitement his hormones have gotten him all worked up. Hopefully having people about his own age around will help him cool down," he said looking intently at the game board and stroking his beard.

"Aw, it's okay. We understand entirely," Sokka said, waving his hand genially. Aang and Katara nodded in agreement. "Hey, do you have anymore of that tea?... Uh... Ginseng, right?"

Iroh looked delighted. Lieutenant Jee had relapsed into the odd fit from before.

AN: Once again leave me a review so I know what you think of it. Hopefully I'll have the next chapter out soon. Til then!