The Southern Air Temple
After sitting is this boys quarters, I finally hear the door open. I look up as he comes in and he looks at me once before walking over to where his cloths where held. I got the idea that he was going to change so I moved my eyes to the right.
"Why did you stay?" he asked.
"Personal reasons." I said, peeking at him. All he had on was pants with a robe his chest was bear.
"I'm guessing you're not going to tell why?" he said looking at me, with the frown on his face.
I finally got a good look at him. He was cute, beyond cute, but quiet hot looking. Better looking than Sokka is. Even with that scar on his left eye made him look even hotter.
"Maybe it's because my brother needs to grow up. He relies too much on me. And also I don't want him to learn what I am." I said look at the wall in front of me.
"What you are, what do you mean?" he said. Still looking at me.
"That…I'm his half sister." I said. I looked at him. "My father was a firebender."
"What, you're half firebender." He shouted.
"You don't have to shout. Yes my father was from the Fire Nation. My and Aang's mother is an Air nomad. They died protecting me and Aang when the Fire Nation attacks the temple when they found that the new Avatar was born. My father died fighting against his own people. The monks took us away after the attack. I seen them die in front of me, I was 3." I said looking down.
"If you're done, I want to get some sleep." He said walking over to the other side of the bed, sliding off his robe letting it fall to the floor. I kept sitting there staring at the floor. I felt tears start to form in my eyes. I felt and heard movement behind me of him getting under the bed sheets. I tried to not make any noise to not wake him if he was asleep. But I must have made some sort of noise because I hear him sitting up behind me. A few minutes went by in silence, then I feel him move behind me again and an arm going around my shoulders. I was shocked he would do that, for what I've found out about him so far. We sit like that a while when I felt my eyes dropping. My head fell back to lie on his shoulder. Falling to sleep for the first time in a while.
*Zuko's POV*
I surprised myself by hugging her from behind, when I could tell she was trying to stop herself from crying.
After a few minutes of her silent crying, I felt something hit my shoulder and look down to see her asleep. I moved her so she was lying down on the bed with the sheets over her. I found myself watching her sleep; I put one of my hands up to trail it down her check. But then stopped myself. 'What am I doing?' I thought, turning so my back was to her.
'I haven't even asked her for her name.' I thought finally falling asleep.
*Back to your pov*
I woke up a lone the next morning in his bed. I sat up when I hear a knock on the door.
"Umm, come in." It opens to show that old man I've seen yesterday.
"Ahhh, good you're up dear." He said. He walked in and came in closer. "Prince Zuko has asked me to give you this. Since we are to be docking soon to get repairs. We can't have you walking around in a Fire Nation port looking like an Air Nomad." He said handing me some cloth.
"Um thank you." I said, getting up and walking behind the screen that was in the room.
"And what is your name dear." He asked me.
"It's Natsumi." I said as I step out from behind the screen.
"Wow, you look beautiful dear." He said.
"Really." I said, looking down at myself.
"Your name means, summer beauty right. That sounds Fire Nation. Why is that." He said I he walked out of the room. I followed him out.
"Umm…that's because my father was from the Fire Nation. Aang is only my half brother."
I said, looking down.
He looked back at me. "You're half firebender. That is an unusually combination. An airbender and firebender."
"Yes well it was before Sozin had gone crazy. And before Aang was born. My father died protecting me and my brother by fighting the other firebenders as the monks took us away." I said.
"I see. By the way. I am Iroh. Prince Zuko's uncle. But you can just call me uncle." He said with a smile.
"Sure thing uncle." I said smiling back
We made up deck.
"Ah, it seems we've landed." He said.
We walked up to Zuko who was standing. He turned and looked at us as we walked up to him. I see him look me up and down then turn to walk down the spout. I and Iroh follow him down to the yard.
"Uncle, I want the repairs made as quickly as possible. I don't want to stay too long and risk losing his trail." He said.
"You mean the Avatar." Iroh said.
"Don't mention his name on these docks! And you." He said, pointing to me. "You mustn't do anything that will give you away, no airbending. You're to say you're a firebender." He said turning around to continue walking. "Once word get out that he's alive every firebender will be out looking for him and I don't want anyone getting in the way." He said.
"Getting in the way of what, Prince Zuko?" a voice said.
I notice the surprised looks on their faces. We turn to see a man standing behind us.
"Captain Zhao." Zuko said. Which I notice was with distaste.
'He must really hate this guy.' I thought.
"It's Commander now. And Gerenal Iroh…great hero of our nation." He said as he bowed to Iroh.
"Retired general." Iroh said.
He then turned to me. "And who is this lovely lady." He said. Taking my hand and kissing the back of it. I look at Zuko for help. He must have seen my look of distaste.
"This is lady Natsumi, we found her after her ship was destroyed by earthbenders." Zuko said. Pulling me behind him.
"Well, the Fire Lord's brother and son are welcome quests any time, and as well as you lady. What bring you to my harbor?" he said.
"Our ship is being repaired." Iroh said. Who gestures at the heavily damaged ship.
"That's quite a bit of damage." Zhao said.
"Yes… You wouldn't believe what happened." He give his uncle a sideways glance and immediately passes the duck. "Uncle! Tell Commander Zhao what happened."
I rolled my eyes.
"Yes, I will do that. It's was incredible." He leans over and whispers to Zuko. "What… did we crash or something?"
"Uh, yes! Right into an Earth Kingdom ship." Zuko said uncomfortable.
"Really? You must regale me with all the thrilling details." He smiles and puts his face right up to Zuko's in an obvious challenge. "Join me for a drink?"
"Sorry, but we have to go." Zuko said. Which he turns to leave, but Iroh places a hand on his shoulder and stops him.
"Prince Zuko, Show Commander Zhao your respect." He says turning to Zhao. "We would be honored to join you. Do you have any ginseng tea? It's my favorite."
Zuko growls in frustrations and releases fire from his fists angrily as he turns to follow Zhao and Iroh down the dock.
I run up to catch up with him. "Zuko!" I shout. When I get beside him, he looks down at me. I give me a gently smile and wrap my arms around his arm and continue walking. He still looks down at me which makes his face soften a little with a small smile.
After getting to the tent. Zhao had his back to us, inspecting a large map of the world upon the wall.
"And by year's end, the Earth Kingdom capital will be under our rule." He said.
Iroh was inspecting a stand of weapons on the left and Zuko sit in one of two chairs in front of Zhao, I was standing behind Zuko. Listening on what was going on. He turns to Zuko.
"The Fire Lord will finally claim victory in this war." Zhao said.
"If my father thinks the rest of the world will follow him willingly, then he is a fool." Zuko said.
Zhao sits in the chair next to Zuko.
"Two years at sea have done little to temper your tougue. So, how is your search for the Avatar going?" he says.
Iroh tips over the stand of weapons he has been examining in the background.
"My fault entirely." He said, embarrassed.
"We haven't found him yet." Zuko said
"Did you really expect to? The Avatar died a hundred years ago(cuts to Zuko) along with the rest of the airbenders."
Zuko averts his eyes guiltily while I clench my fist in anger at Zhao.
"Unless you found some evidence that the Avatar is alive." Zhao said.
"No. Nothing." Zuko said, still looking away.
Zhao rises from his chair. "Prince Zuko, the Avatar is the only one who can stop the Fire Nation from winning the war. If you have an ounce of loyalty left, you'll tell me what you've found."
"I haven't found anything. It's like you said. The Avatar probably died a long time ago. Come on Uncle, Natsumi, we're going." Zuko said defiantly.
Zuko gets up and tries to exit, but he is blocked by the guards as they cross their spares in front of him. Another guard approached Zhao to deliver his report.
"Commander Zhao, we interrogated the crew as you instructed. They confirmed Prince Zuko had the Avatar in custody and that the girl is the Avatars sister, but he let him escape." The guard said.
I move to be closer to Zuko.
"Now, remind me… how exactly was your ship damage." Zhao said from behind Zuko.
Who looks down in defeat.
*FF to after Aang and them at Air Temple*
"So, a twelve-year-old boy and a 16 year old girl bested you and your firebenders. You're more pathetic than I thought." There were two guard behind Zuko and two behind me, where I was tied to the chair.
"I underestimated him once, but it will not happen again." He said.
"No, it will not, because you won't have a second chance." Zhao said.
"Commander Zhao, I've been hunting the Avatar for two years and I…" Zuko said.
"Don't you dare touch my brother." I shout.
"And why should I. You should feel lucky that your half firebender." He said, grabbing my chin.
"Don't you dear touch her." Zuko said. Standing up.
"Oh, a little protective are we." He said standing up in front of Zuko.
"Capturing the Avatar is too important to leave in a teenager's hands. He's mine now." Zhao said, tower over Zuko.
Zuko launches himself at Zhao in frustration and anger, but he is restrained by the two guards standing behind his chair.
"Keep them here." Zhao said to the guards as he turns to leave.
Zuko in a further act of frustration kicks over a small table that had been sitting near Iroh. It breaks into pieces. Iroh watches the scene calmly.
"More tea please?" he said.
A few more hours have gone by.
"Jeez, why did he have to tie me to the chair?" I said, trying to pull the ropes up.
After I said that Zhao entered the tent.
"My search party is ready."
"Once I'm out to sea, my guards will escort you back to your ship and you'll be free to go."
"Why? Are you worried I'm going to try and stop you?" Zuko said.
"You? Stop me? Impossible." Zhao said laughing.
Zuko stands in defiance. "Don't underestimate me, Zhao. I will capture the Avatar before you."
Iroh stands also, while I watch from where I'm sitting. "Prince Zuko, that's enough!"
"You can't compete with me. I have hundreds of warships under my command, and you… you're just a banished prince. No home. No allies. Your own father doesn't even want you."
When he said that, my eyes widen and I look toward Zuko. 'He's banished. Then… is that how he got that scar.' I thought.
"You're wrong. Once I deliver the Avatar to my father he will welcome me home with honor and restore my rightful place on the throne." Zuko shouted.
"If your father wanted you home, he'd have let you return by now, Avatar or no Avatar, but in his eyes you are a failure and a disgrace to the Fire Nation."
"That's not true." Zuko said.
"You have the scar to prove it."
'So I was right.' I thought.
With a cry of indignation, Zuko launches himself to his feet, bringing his face within inches of Zhao's. "Maybe you'd like one to match!"
"Is that a challenge?" Zhao said.
"An agni kai. At sunset." Zuko said.
"Very well. It's a shame your father won't be here to watch me humiliate you. I guess your uncle will do." Zhao said. He turns and walks back out the tent.
"Prince Zuko. Have you forgotten what happened last time you dueled a master?" Iroh told him.
"I will never forget." Zuko said.
"Hello, can someone untie me." I said to the two.
Zuko and Iroh both turn to look at me and come over to me. They both untied the ropes on either arm.
"Look what you did to your arm." Iroh said. Pointing to my injured wrist.
"It's nothing, they will heal." I said rubbing my wrist.
"But, what's and agni kai." I asked them.
Iroh looks at me. "It's a duel between two firebenders. It's something very dangerous. But you will see at sunset."
*FF*
At sunset I find myself standing beside Iroh with Zuko in front of us.
"Remember your firebending basics, Prince Zuko. They are your greatest weapons." Iroh says.
Zuko stands up. "I refuse to let him win."
His shoulder wrap falls to the ground ceremoniously. I blush at seeing Zuko bare chest.
"This will be over quickly." Zhao said.
At atop the gate a gong sounds. Both men face each other and assume firebending stance. Zuko fires the first shot which passes harmlessly to Zhao's left. He fire's again; this time it passes without effect to Zhao's right. Zuko fires several more, the last of which Zhao blocks satisfaction evident on his face. Frustrated and losing control of his breath, Zuko moves towards his apponent, unleasing more fire from both his hand and feet. Zhao dodges or blocks them all. Zhao then crouches forward and shoots flame at a point on the ground close in front in him.
"Basics, Zuko! Break his root!" Iroh shout to him. I thought to myself, learning from this. 'His root. Ah I get it, knock his feet out from him. I'll remember that.' I thought.
Zhao fires many volleys of flames, alternating between his fists. Zuko blocks each, but is slowly forced back. On the last volley Zhao uses both hands, knocking Zuko over and sending him skidding backwards in the dirt. Zhao takes a flying jump at him. Zhao lands as Zuko tries to get up, but he isn't fast enough, Zhao fires right at him. Zuko rolls out of the way just in time, and as he is getting up sweeps Zhao's feet out from under him. Zuko lands on his feet. Zuko then is advancing towards Zhao, using his feet to produce small waves of flame that rush toward his opponent. Zhao is caught off balance and wobbles slowly backwards. Me and Iroh both smile at this. Zuko finally lays Zhao out flat on the ground with a blast of fire. Zuko then rushes up to him, prepared to deal the final blow.
"Do it!" Zhao said.
Zuko releases a blast that shoots off screen. He stands erect, dropping his fighting stance. Zhao laying there with a hole beside his head.
"That's it? Your father raised a coward." Zhao said.
"Next time you get in my way. I promise I won't hold back." Zuko said and turn his back to him and starts to walk off. I start walking up to Zuko but was keeping an eye on Zhao who was getting up behind Zuko, who howls in anger and unleashes a whip of flame at Zuko. Before I could do anything Iroh was already there. He's hand was over the foot, extinguishing the flame. Iroh hurls Zhao back into the dirt with little effort. Zuko rushes to avenge the insult, but I grab his arm to stop him.
"No Prince Zuko. Do not taint your victory." Iroh said.
"So this is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat. Disgraceful." Iroh said. "Even in exile my nephew is more honorable than you. Thanks again for the tea. It was delicious." Iroh says and then moves to leave, Zuko and me both follow close behind.
When we got outside, Zuko and Iroh talk.
"Did you really mean that, Uncle." Zuko said.
"Of course. I told you ginseng tea is my favorite." Iroh said slyly.
I laugh at that, and thread my arms through them both. "Then let us get out of here. I think I have had enough of this place." I said with a smile.
I noticed a smile from Zuko and him snort. Iroh let out a hearty laugh as we made our way back to the ship.