"Are you not planning on getting out of there?" Sayuri said as she pounded on Zuko's door for the nth time already. "Your Uncle sent me here to fetch you!"
"Go away!" Zuko tried to shut out the noise coming from the girl's ranting and continuous pounding on the metal door.
"FINE! Be that way!" Sayuri yelled in frustration and gave the door a kick before she stomped away.
"Dear Agni," Zuko murmured in anger, sitting on his cot. He rubbed his temples, for his ears were still burning from the girl pounding on the door. "Must she be so loud?"
Zuko sighed loudly, lying on his back. His feet dangled over the edge and he closed his eyes, trying to calm down. He was supposed to be focusing on nothing but the Avatar yet, here he was, worrying over some girl! Argh!
He thought back and realized she was truly a pretty girl, yet unlike many he met. She wasn't the clingy, girly type from what he saw. With her emerald eyes, he thought she was from the Earth Kingdom. However, he still had yet to know her name.
"How the heck did we meet anyway?" He questioned, thinking back to the week before.
"Watch it, peasant." Zuko snapped as these commoners bumped heavily against his armor. Zuko cursed himself mentally; he hated town life. He would much rather stay in his palace where there were only royals, not grimy old people! He glared at passing people as his Uncle shopped throughout the whole town, and rolled his eyes as Iroh walked into yet another store, giddy as ever.
"Zuko, you need to smile for once." Iroh said as he walked out of the shop, beaming up at his nephew. "Why so glum?"
"I hate it here."
"Why?" Iroh glanced around, seeing all the joyful people. How could his nephew be so hateful to these innocent people? "There is nothing bothering you, is there?"
Zuko grunted. "Just being here bothers me. I hate this nation." He watched a little girl giggle and shove another girl. "It's so...disrespectful! How can these people let other people shove them?"
Iroh frowned. "Because it is merely different than what-"
"Argh!" Zuko let out a shocked wail of pain as someone collided with his chest, his armor banging loudly. He tried to regain his balance but fell back, hitting his head. He swiftly wished he wore his helmet.
"Sorry," A voice whispered, and he looked over to see a girl wearing a hood over her head, completely concealing her hair (if she had any). Her green eyes bore into his as she sat in between his legs in an awkward position. Zuko hesitantly shifted position as he blushed deeply, watching her attractive face despite the absence of the usual silky hair seen on a girl. He found his hands were gripping onto her arms for support, and he cleared his throat.
"Uh, can you at least move?" He tried to sound mean, but it sounded uncomfortable.
The girl flushed. "Well can you be any ruder? I mean, do you have any manners? I didn't even hear a sorry!"
Zuko blinked, flabbergasted. "A sorry? No way am I saying sorry to a filthy peasant!"
"Peasant?" The girl hissed, shaking her head. "Sorry for disturbing you, you snobby weirdo." With clenched fists, she stood up hastily, and Zuko was shocked when she kicked him in the shin.
Agni!
Zuko grunted with pain and went into a defensive ball, closing his eyes. Pain radiated throughout his lower body to his chest, swelling inside. He bit his tongue as he held back painful insults to the girl as he watched her walk away in anger. The loose part of the hood flowing in the air and he felt like setting it on fire.
He'll never forget her.
Zuko felt a throbbing pain in his crotch and he glanced at the door, quickly getting in a defense position. Sighing, he knew he was slightly wary of the girl since she already caused him that much pain. Would she ever do it again?
"Zuko, you need to come and eat!" Iroh called from the door, knocking on it.
Zuko's eye twitched. "UNCLE, I AM NOT HUNGRY!" Zuko never admitted, but he was afraid to sit at a table with the girl.
"A man needs his food." Iroh said softly.
Zuko rolled his eyes, his stomach growling from hunger. "Fine. But that girl is not eating with us!"
"Why not? She's just a girl, Zuko!"
"So what? And I'm a guy!" Zuko snapped, standing up. "Whatever. I am wary of this subject." He slammed through the door, storming into the hallway. Simple. If the girl gave him attitude, he'll simply set her beautiful hair on fire.
Zuko walked into the eating room to see her devouring a whole plate. He paused in mid step as her eyes met his, awkwardly. "Uh, whatever." He murmured, sitting across from her. Zuko began eating and the girl resumed her eating skills.
"You will do well not to even speak to me." Zuko snapped, giving her a warning glare.
"Yes, captain."
"Hush!"
"Well you told me-"
"-to not speak to me."
"Sorry."
"STOP TALKING TO ME!" Zuko slammed his fist on the table, accidentally breaking the whole table in half. The soup spilled onto his face and the meat fell on the girl's lap. She squealed loudly and jumped up, glaring heavily at Zuko.
"You did that on purpose!" She accused, pointing an accusing finger at him. "You started it!"
"You will not tell me what I did!" Zuko yelled, face reddening in anger.
She looked back at the table. "How did you do that? Seriously!" She stared at the table in awe.
Zuko snorted, standing up. "I am no longer hungry. I guess I just don't know my own strength." He smirked at the girl's frightened expression and walked back to his room, knowing he now had the power over her.
"Now do not bother me at all, girl."
Sayuri crossed her arms and glared at the back of the retreating Prince. "I was minding my own business before you came here."
Iroh sighed heavily, holding his cup of Jasmine tea. Zuko wasn't like this before. Ever since his father had banished him, he had difficulty controlling his emotions, especially his anger. No one could blame him though, he's still young, and all the problems that have been thrown at him was taking its toll on the poor boy.
Sayuri raised her eyebrows in awe. "I admit that was surprising," She said, eyeing the table cut in half. All the bowls and plates laid scattered on the floor.
"Yes, it was a wise move, young lady. But I believe your skill at eating is more commendable." Iroh replied, scratching his chin thoughtfully. He remembered how the girl wolfed down her dinner.
Sayuri tilts backward in her laughter. "Thank you, uh...Sir?"
Iroh chuckled. "Please, call me Iroh."
"Just Iroh?" Sayuri blinked. "Are you sure it's okay with him?" She asked, picking up the red cloth from the table and wiping her wet clothes with it. "He won't blow his topknot off?"
Iroh fails to hold back his laughter at that one, almost spilling some of his tea in the process. Sayuri threw him a confused look.
"I'm sure he wouldn't mind…?" He trails off chuckling, wondering what he should call her.
"Sayuri," Sayuri smiles. "It's nice to meet you, Iroh sir."
"You have a beautiful smile, Sayuri." Iroh said with a smile. "No wonder, my nephew acts different around you."
"I think it's quite the opposite." Sayuri smiles sheepishly at the compliment. "He'd be more wary rather than pleased after our initial encounter at the market." She chuckles awkwardly at recalling Zuko's reactions when he saw her.
"I guess you do have a point."
Sayuri smiled sheepishly at him.
"Well, I better get some sleep, you should too." Iroh said standing up from his chair, stretching and yawning.
"Um, there's a slight problem…" Sayuri said biting her lip. "I don't have a room."
"Well, since you are around the age of my nephew. You can sleep beside Zuko-"
Sayuri's eyes widened in shock. "What!?" Her cheeks flushed, "No!" she crossed her arms over her chest and blew the hair in front of her face. "I'd rather sleep in a cell."
Iroh raises an eyebrow. "I believe that is not necessary. Prison cells are for criminals not guests." Sayuri ponders about that thought for a moment before opting to shrug at her internal question. "Come, follow me, I'll show you your room."
They left the kitchen and walked down the long hall when Iroh stopped in front of a door.
"Well, here's your room," Iroh opened the room and Sayuri peeked inside. She sighed with relief when there was no sign of Zuko. "Good Night, Sayuri."
"Good night, Sir Iroh..Sir." Sayuri bows her head and smiles gratefully at Iroh.
Iroh chuckles and closes the door behind him as softly as he can and walks down the hallway feeling amused with the latest addition to their crew. 'Now, how will I explain this to my nephew?' He thought to himself. Hopefully he can persuade him to share a room with his Uncle for a night?
Meanwhile, Sayuri looked around the room with a hint of excitement because this was her first time riding on a ship. What caught her eye was the tapestry hanging on the wall that had the Fire Nation's insignia on it.
Looks promising. She thought as she stared at the tapestry covering nearly three-fourths of the wall.
"Eh. I better get some sleep before he gets the chance to throw me overboard." She said, stretching her arms before lying on the bed and wondering if Zuko considered trading copper pieces with her