CHAPTER FIVE
Back To Basics
O~O~O~O
"The Avatar is on Kyoshi? !" Prince Zuko exclaimed, standing up quickly. Emma's eyes shone briefly, but Iroh was the only one who noticed this, as Zuko strode towards the door. "Set a course for KyoshiIsland!" He commanded, leaving the room.
O~O~O~O
Emma's P.O.V:
I approached Iroh the next day, apologetic. "I'm sorry about what happened yesterday, Uncle Iroh…I wasted your entire day because I was…"I gulped. "Selfish…and, I ran away almost straight away…" As usual…
* * Apologising is never easy. * *
Iroh continued to smile – jeez, doesn't he ever lose his temper? Is he really related to Ozai? And Zuko too, for that matter.
* * Don't forget Azula. * *
"That I alright. I understand that some things cannot be done straight away. Ba Sing Sei wasn't built in a day."
* * Fifty years, actually. * *
I nodded. "Anyway, I've been…umm…practicing a few things…" I had been up half the night, hence why this meeting was taking place around lunch time – I'd slept in. "And…umm…I hope I got it right…"
Iroh was still smiling, as I stood a few feet away from him, and readied myself. I decided to do it with my eyes closed, because that's how I had been practicing it.
Slowly, I performed the cross-hands move, followed by the floating-arm move, and finishing with the gentle push. Then, I went through the routine again, adding a few different things – I wanted to show him that I actually meant what I said. I wanted to learn.
I finished the routine and opened my eyes. A split second too late, Iroh rearranged his expression, but I'd already seen – he looked shocked.
I blushed. "Did I mess it up?"
He shook his head slowly. "No…but…I never showed you those other moves…"
"Oh, I know," I looked down. "I just…sort of…invented them…" I felt very ashamed – had I dissed martial arts completely or what?
Iroh regarded me for a second, before stepping back and performing the moves exactly as I had. I watched for a moment, before realising what he was trying to tell me – the moves I'd "made up" were actually real.
We did the routine together five times, adding some new things in. I kept my eyes closed. Occasionally, Iroh would tell me to slow down, to think of myself like a gently flowing stream. I tried to picture how water moves, and tried to move like that.
After awhile, Iroh nodded. "Yes, Emma, I believe I was right – you are a fast-learner. You seem dedicated, too."
I blushed. That's not the words my parents used. They'd used other words, like lazy, and underachiever. "I feel more…like I want to do it today…" I glanced up at the sky. "I know you can't always choose the times that suit you, but…"
Iroh seemed to be regarding me, then he said: "You do seem a lot happier, and more focused today, Emma…like you have something to work towards, maybe?"
"Maybe…" I said quietly, glancing at the red bead on my necklace. Or maybe I'm just picking up on Zuko's happy mood.
Iroh glanced at my necklace too. "You understand the philosophy behind Yin and Yang?" He asked me.
* * Yin and Yang are a very famous symbol, in both worlds. * *
I nodded. "Somewhat…Yin is darker and softer, whilst Yang is brighter and harder…it's also fire whereas Yin is water…" I blushed. "Like men and women…"
Iroh laughed. "Maybe," He agreed with me. "But, remember, that in all their differences, the two still coexist harmoniously, even though they are so conflicted. Each has a small piece of the other within them – they are the perfect match for each other, creating harmony."
* * There is a certain book that Iroh has read – it is mentioned later on… * *
Are we still talking about the symbol? I wondered.
"Anyway," Iroh went on, snapping me out of my trance. "We will start you off with a Yin focus, until you build up your strength and confidence."
I nodded again. I'd been expecting that. Dark and soft seemed to suit me just perfectly – I wasn't bright and hard yet.
Uncle Iroh glanced up at the sky. "We have about an hour, before my nephew will be here for hi training."
"Special Fire Bender training?" I guessed.
"Something like that." Iroh replied.
"May I stay and watch?" I wanted to know suddenly.
Iroh glanced at me, before nodding. "I don't see why not."
O~O~O~O
Zuko's P.O.V:
"Remember your basics, Prince Zuko," Uncle Iroh said, almost sharply, as I dodged one of my men's fire. "As I said the other day, they are your greatest weapons!"
* * Iroh speaks more sharply to Prince Zuko whilst training him. * *
"Enough of the basics already, Uncle!" I shouted, turning to face him angrily. "I know the basics, I'm the Fire Prince for goodness sake! Teach me the advanced stuff – I'm ready for it!"
"No, you are not, Prince Zuko!" My Uncle replied. He stood on the neck next to Emma, who was sitting on the railing. I watched her nervously – I hoped she wouldn't fall over board if the ship rocked or anything. We were heading towards Kyoshi Island at a fast pace – I really did NOT want to lose the Avatar again, especially since it was possible Zhao might still go after him even though I'd lost. Which made me think: why is my Uncle so keen on me mastering the basics again, if I beat that idiot Zhao? I'm strong enough for the advanced stuff!
I walked closer to my Uncle. "You will teach me the advanced fire bending techniques!" I said, in a dangerously dark voice.
* * Zuko has never spoken to his Father this way. * *
My Uncle looked at me and then, fast as lightning, aimed a kick at me. Just as fast, I blocked it, and held his foot there in place.
"You are not ready, Prince Zuko," My Uncle said calmly, though his eyes were sharp. "Emma, can you tell him why?"
* * Emma: Suddenly put on the spot. * *
Her eyes widened in surprise. "M-me? !" She squeaked – I hated it when her voice got squeaky, it took out the pleasant wind chime sound it usually had. "How could I know?"
"Look closely," Uncle Iroh said patiently. "Can you see the fault? Stand still, Prince Zuko." He added.
Emma glanced at us, then looked away. "I dunno…" She then looked back swiftly. "Oh, wait!" She exclaimed, her voice ringing suddenly. "His arm's bent!"
I was shocked for a second, until I realised she was right – my arm was bent. If it had been anyone but Uncle Iroh, then my shoulder could've been pushed back and broken.
* * That would hurt. * *
"Incidentally," My Uncle said, smiling as I let him go and he returned to his relaxed position. "What would have happened if Prince Zuko had bent his arm the other way, say if an opponent was bigger than him?"
"Then he could've had his elbow snapped back and broken."
* * That would also hurt. * *
Emma said softly. "By keeping your arm straight, you can really only be pushed back, depending on where your weight is…I think…"
"Correct." Uncle smiled at her. Then he turned to me. "You see, Prince Zuko? By mastering the basics, and remembering them, you can avoid serious injury."
I turned away angrily, my blood boiling. Who were they to tell me this – Emma hadn't even learnt the basics yet! And now my Uncle was telling her to make a mockery of me, in front of my men!
I felt her eyes on my back then, and turned, expecting to see a smug expression on her face. But, the sympathetic look she gave me was enough to quell some of my anger, as she hopped off the railings and turned to Uncle Iroh. "Uncle Iroh," She said quietly. "I personally don't see any harm in teaching Zuko…I mean, Prince Zuko," She corrected herself, blushing. "Some more advanced sets, especially if he's going to face the Avatar soon…Kyoshi has strong warriors, and…" She blushed more. "Well, I mean, I'm no expert and this I none of my business…but it is my business if this one gets hurt." She said the last part extra quietly, but we both heard her. My Uncle and I exchanged a glance, just as one of my soldiers came running up onto the deck.
"My Prince!" The soldier addressed me hurriedly, clearly panicked. "Jin Po just burnt himself on the stove top! His whole hand is blistered! What should we do? !"
I went to answer, but Emma beat me to it. "Run cold water on the hand!"
* * Medicine 101. * *
She exclaimed, stepping forward. "Isn't that obvious? You're not Water Benders but you're clearly not idiots!" She charged off towards the galley, with the soldier hurrying after her.
My Uncle and I watched her go.
"You don't meet a girl like that every dynasty." Uncle Iroh said, clearly amused.
* * This line was from Disney's Mulan movie, and was spoken by The Emperor. * *
I rolled my eyes. "I consider that a blessing actually, Uncle."
"Prince Zuko," My Uncle gave me a piercing stare. "Do you remember what Zhao said to you at the end of your Agni Kai?"
"I will never forget." I muttered darkly. "This is the most annoying situation to be in, Uncle – how can I concentrate on hunting down the Avatar if I'm burdened with protecting Emma? She's in the way! It'll be all her fault if I don't capture the Avatar!"
"Prince Zuko!" My Uncle said sharply, looking past me and I turned to see Emma standing on the deck, one hand over her mouth and her eyes full of tears.
* * Why does that always happen? * *
I cringed.
She removed her hand from her mouth long enough to say something that made me feel smaller than Zhao could've ever made me.
"There are many reasons to learn the martial arts, my Prince." She whispered, before turning and running back below deck.
I stared after her, feeling a mixture of remorse and pain in my chest.
"Unless you learn to treat others with respect, Prince Zuko," My Uncle said quietly. "You will never be granted it by them."
* * Respect is earned, not given. * *
"She wanted to learn from you to help me?" I murmured, turning back to look out at the sea.
My Uncle nodded silently.
"Yeah right, like she could ever help…" I muttered. "I don't want her anywhere near the battlefield…when we arrive at Kyoshi, tell her to stay on the ship with you, Uncle!"
* * Zuko is, in fact, very worried about Emma. * *
"Why don't you tell her, Prince Zuko?" My Uncle wanted to know, as I stormed away up the deck.
"Because I'm busy preparing!" I snapped. "We make landfall tomorrow morning!"
"Very well then," My Uncle said agreeably. "I will tell her you are worried for her safety…"
I spun around. "Oh, never mind, I'll do it!" I told him angrily.
"Are you blushing, Prince Zuko?"
"No!"
* * He is. * *
I thought I heard my Uncle chuckle as I stalked toward the bow of the boat.
CHAPTER SIX
The Warriors Of Kyoshi
O~O~O~O
"Very well then," My Uncle said agreeably. "I will tell her you are worried for her safety…"
I spun around. "Oh, never mind, I'll do it!" I told him angrily.
"Are you blushing, Prince Zuko?"
"No!"
I thought I heard my Uncle chuckle as I stalked toward the bow of the boat.
O~O~O~O
The following morning…
"We have arrived atKyoshiIsland," I told Emma, annoyed because she wouldn't look at me. "Please stay with Uncle while I am gone." I was struggling to be polite. "With a little bit of luck, I'll return with the Avatar."
"Good for you." She replied sullenly. She sat on her bed, staring at the wall, her knees drawn up to her chest.
"You haven't got anymore to say?" I was surprised. I thought she would've told me to be careful or something by now. She knows about the Avatar from stories, according to Uncle. Maybe he wasn't that big a threat.
* * Actually, yes, yes he is. * *
Or maybe she just didn't care.
"Nope. Have fun." She shrugged.
"I will." I replied.
"Great."
"I know it's great."
"Well I'm glad you know."
"I'm glad you're glad."
"Good!"
"Fine!"
* * Zuko and Emma, unknowingly, really did quote Aang and Katara,pretty much word-for-word. * *
"Go!" She snapped, and feeling incredibly angry, I did so, not catching the look she gave me as I stormed out.
She's such an immature brat, why do I have to put up with this? !
"What is she even good for?" I muttered out loud. "She doesn't cook or clean unless she's avoiding something, she can't fight yet and she's like a mouse! Why do I even keep her around?"
Because she's beautiful? A nagging voice said in the back of my mind.
* * Zukos voice makes its first – and hopefully last – appearance. * *
Hey, looks aren't everything…
I never said they were.
Well, good. Because they're not her only outstanding feature.
So, do you like her looks or her PERSONALITY?
Who are you, anyway?
I'm your nagging voice!
Great, and they say Azula's the insane one… I thought angrily as I stormed into the cargo bay, where my Uncle had readied the Komodo Rhinos – big, four-legged creatures with horns. Each one wore a saddle, and I climbed up onto the biggest, proudest beast that wore an adorned saddle.
* * Komodo Rhinos are a popular choice of mount for Fire Nation soldiers. * *
My Uncle looked up at me, words written in his eyes, but he didn't say anything. I nodded. I understood. I put my helmet on.
"Alright men…" I began to say, but they had already moved out. I sighed angrily. Couldn't I find any decent help these days? !
* * Zuko's crew is eager to rampage. * *
I followed them. "I want the Avatar alive." I stressed.
As my Komodo Rhino charged up onto the shore, I felt the need to turn around.
I did so, in time to see Emma come flying up to the railing of the deck. She leaned over so far she nearly fell off, and shouted: "BE CAREFUL, PRINCE ZUKO! DON'T GET HURT!" Her voice rang like a bell. "I'M SORRY ABOUT BEFORE!"
I didn't know what to say to all that, so I just turned back around, raising one arm to wave slightly to her.
Okay, so she DOES care about me…
And you care about her.
Shut up.
* * Is Zuko's voice him thinking, or not? * *
O~O~O~O
Katara's P.O.V:
"Zuko…" I whispered in fear, clutching Aang's limp body as I hid us behind some rocks, and watched the big reptile beasts carry the Fire Benders towards Kyoshi. Then, I turned back to Aang. "Aang, please, wake up…" I held my hand over his chest and sensed the presence of water in there. Concentrating hard, I removed the water from Aang's lungs in one graceful movement, proud of myself for remaining calm in this stressful situation.
* * Katara is the last Waterbender left in the Southern Water Tribe, but she is currently self-taught… * *
Distantly, I heard a female's voice yell: "BE CAREFUL, PRINCE ZUKO! DON'T GET HURT!" It was the most beautiful voice I'd ever heard. "I'M SORRY ABOUT BEFORE!" She added.
I had no idea who she was, but she had the right idea. "Aang, I'm so sorry about what I said earlier." I told the Airbender.
His eyes fluttered open slowly. "Katara…" He sounded tired. "Don't ride the Unagi…not fun…"
* * It's really not a good idea, anyway… * *
I sighed in relief.
O~O~O~O
Emma's P.O.V:
"It's no use!" I complained. I put down my empty tea cup. "Uncle, I can't just sit here and do nothing!"
"But Emma," Iroh said reasonably. "What could you do if you went?"
"I dunno," I admitted. "But…well, sitting here is driving me crazy! I can't take it anymore!" I stood up and began to walk towards the gangplank.
"Emma, wait!" Iroh called after me. "I'm supposed to keep an eye on you! Prince Zuko said…"
"Then you keep an eye on me, while I keep an eye on him!" I suggested. "Hurry up! I don't want to miss anything!"
"Emma…" Iroh kept pace with me easily. "Why is this so important?"
"Because…" I stopped on the shore, sighing in frustration at myself. "I dunno…it's like when he had that Agni Kai with Commander Zhao…I thought I wanted to run then, but maybe something was telling me to go to him…I just…get the feeling I have to be…where he is…I worry that he's not okay out there…"
* * Emma isn't aware of her connection to Zuko, yet… * *
Iroh put a hand on my shoulder. "Emma…" He began.
"Don't try to talk me out of it, because I'm going!" I said stubbornly.
"Have you stopped to think how Prince Zuko will feel if you get hurt?" Iroh asked me.
"He won't care," I dropped my gaze. Sand was getting in my shoes. "Zuko thinks I'm the world's biggest pain. He doesn't even know what I'm good for. I heard him say so. He's like my parents…"
We then both heard the scream of Prince Zuko, and our eyes widened in shock.
* * Zuko was screaming in fury, not pain. * *
What? ! He's not supposed to get injured here on Kyoshi!
"Go!" I advised, and Iroh listened, running off in the direction of the village faster then any man his age should've been able to go.
I followed at a slower pace, and then I heard a different scream – a high-pitched, young girl's scream.
I changed my course immediately, and ran into a clump of trees. There, in a clearing, a young girl of about five was being cornered by one of Zuko's monster thingies, I think they're rhinos of some description, but like lizards.
* * Emma can't remember what they're called. * *
"Back off, ya big lizard!" I shouted to it, and it stopped harassing the girl to growl at me. Then, it seemed to recognize me and hesitated.
The girl, who had brown hair and wore a green yukata, screamed suddenly, and I turned in time to see a stray fireball flying at me.
* * Goodness, gracious, great balls of fire! * *
I immediately leapt to the side, and heard and felt the swishing of a giant tail as I hit the dirt. I jumped up straight away, as embers from the fireball fell around us. The rhino-thing looked at me, and then the little girl ran to my side.
"It's so scary!" She cried, grabbing my hand and sobbing.
I gulped. "Come on!" I said, dragging her out of the clearing, away from the rhino.
As we were running, I felt the need to look towards the sea, and watched as a figure jumped from a huge flying creature toward the ocean. He landed on the back of a gigantic sea monster, and then got the creature to spray water on the burning village (Unagi, use Water Gun attack!).
* * Emma watches Pokemon. * *
The little girl and I watched in awe, as the boy jumped back up into the air with the grace of a feline.
"Avatar Aang…" The little girl by my side breathed. "He's so cool…"
"Yeah, he sure is…" I agreed whole-heartedly. I know it all turns out alright in the end, but… I bit my lip. I wanna go with Aang, for some reason…but I can't leave Zuko!
I wasn't looking where I was going, and ran into someone. I was knocked to the ground.
"Big sister!" The little girl I'd just saved threw her arms around whoever I'd just ran into. "Is the Avatar gone?"
"Yes, Raia, he is," The girl replied, sadly, and I realised with a jolt that I recognised her voice. Suki…
* * Raia's name sounds like the Japanese word for 'lightning'… * *
"Your boyfriend Sokka too, right?"
* * Raia makes her own prediction about the future. * *
"Raia, enough!" I looked up, just as Suki looked down at me. "Who is this?"
"She saved me from the big scary monster!" Raia chirped happily. "Look at her clothes, I bet she's a warrior just like you are, sis!" I was glad I'd chosen to wear white today. "She didn't even get hurt, she's perfectly fine!"
No, I'm not. I thought, climbing unsteadily to my feet. I looked around at the damaged and destroyed buildings, and thought: I have to get out of here before they find out…
"Are you okay?" Suki was eyeing me carefully.
"Yes," I lied, taking a few steps back. "And now I must go…"
Suddenly, a felt something sharp pinch the side of my neck, on the nerve…oh, great…
* * Pressure points – they're somewhere on the neck… * *
I blacked out.
O~O~O~O
No One's P.O.V:
"Grandpa!" Suki exclaimed, as he caught the girl who had passed out – because he'd forced her to. "What was that for? !"
"I'm sorry, Suki, but we can't take any chances," Her Grandfather replied calmly. "She could be a Fire Nation spy…"
* * People who aren't Fire Nation tend to be very suspicious of people they don't know… * *
"But she saved me, Grandaddy!" Raia exclaimed. "She's good, I just know it!"
Suki examined the girl's face closely. "You know, there is something remotely Fire Nation-y about her…her eyes, and her face too…" Her sister gasped. "But, regardless, I don't think she's one of them! We'll keep her here and watch her for a few days, okay?"
Her Grandfather didn't look happy, but he agreed.
The other Kyoshi warriors – Lillian, Li-Ting, Pai-Li and Baoxai – gathered around to help Suki carry the girl to one of the houses that hadn't been damaged in the attack.
* * The other four Kyoshi Warriors were all given names of real life people. * *
"She's small," Li-Ting commented. "But, she also looks like she could spring back and move really fast!"
"She's probably not very strong," Pai-Li commented. "She hasn't got a lot of muscles."
"Still, she saved my sister, and we are in her debt," Suki said sensibly, glancing down at the girl again. "If she wants to learn with us, we might just let her…"
"I wonder who she is and where she's from, though?" Lillian wondered.
"And, where she's going." Baoxai added.
O~O~O~O
Zuko's P.O.V:
"Uncle, where is Emma?" I wanted to know.
Uncle Iroh wouldn't look at me. "You didn't see her get back on the ship?" He sounded surprised.
I gasped. "She left the ship? !"
My Uncle nodded, and then we both looked at each other in alarm. "SHE'S STILL ON THEISLAND!" We yelled.\
* * Zuko and Iroh need to remember the true meaning of 'Ohana'. * *
I ran to the bow of the boat, looking back at Kyoshi which was getting smaller. I gripped the rails with my hands, weighing up my options.
If I went back, I'd lose sight of the Avatar – again. I'd be stuck with Emma holding me back, as she was doing now, and who knows if I'd ever find the Avatar again! Plus, I'd have to yell at Emma again for disobeying my orders…and then she'd probably cry. As usual.
However, if I didn't go back, I'd be free of her for good, which is what I wanted, wasn't it? She could do her thing, and I could do mine. We'd be happier apart than together, really.
My knuckles were white around the metal now.
"Prince Zuko?" My Uncle asked from behind me. "What do you intend to do?" His voice was serious now. "You know what will happen to her if they discover she was onboard your ship…"
I closed my eyes.
O~O~O~O
Emma's P.O.V:
I awoke to find myself in completely strange surroundings, and my first thought was not where I was, but: Where's Zuko? !
Then, I bit my lip, realising that he probably sailed away without me by now. Who was I trying to kid? Zuko wasn't going to come back for me, not after I'd been such a brat. He would be glad to get rid of me! Right? I mean, I'd apologized to him. But…he called me a mouse, and other things.
I didn't want to be labelled a mouse.
* * There's nothing wrong with mice… * *
For this reason, I got straight up and went outside to ask Suki to teach me how to fight.
O~O~O~O
"So, you want us to teach you how to fight like we do?" Suki asked, once I'd found her and the other girls and (stammeringly) introduced myself.
I nodded, fiddling with my hands. It had come to my attention that I'd lost my necklace somewhere, and I missed having that to play with. I did not like meeting new people, and asking them for things.
* * Emma's comfort zone – aka, her bubble. * *
However, I soon forgot my nerves, as I was outfitted in the traditional garb of the Kyoshi warriors, and I looked so cool! Suki took me through a few things that were similar to what Uncle Iroh had shown me and, when I picked them up easily, Suki was impressed.
"Did someone teach you something like this before?" She asked me, handing me a fan.
"Uh, yeah, sort of…" I shrugged.
"Who?" Suki wanted to know. I decided she was very nice.
"Uh, my…Uncle, for all intensive purposes…" I replied, and Suki smiled from behind her make-up.
"Well," The female warrior said. "I'll bet he didn't teach you this next set…" She snapped out her own gold-coloured fan.
* * The Kyoshi Warriors are very skilled fighters, and spokeswomen of Girl Power! * *
O~O~O~O
Iroh's P.O.V:
I sighed, and stared up at the blue sky. I wasn't sure who to be more worried about now, my nephew or Emma. Both were perfectly capable of taking care of themselves, but both were also extremely capable of getting themselves – and others into trouble. Considering whom both of them were, I shouldn't really be surprised. Zuko was important to me, more than he could possibly know. He reminded me of…my son. So, of course I worried for him. And, Emma…well, there was something I could see in her, from her looks to her personality, that made me realise why my nephew might be so attracted to her, though he may not even be aware of it. She certainly wasn't.
* * Zuko and Emma don't realise their attractions to each other, yet… * *
I took a sip of tea, fanning myself with a paper fan and worrying about both of the teenagers…
O~O~O~O
Emma's P.O.V:
I trained with Suki and the other girls all day that day and the next, too. I found myself able to move differently, and keep up with the rest of them. Even I was surprised, although I still wasn't able to run along walls and jump real high, yet. Suki said that would come with time. I also helped out a little bit with rebuilding their town, even though Suki's Grandfather didn't seem to trust me. Suki said this was because he'd lost his wife, daughter and son-in-law to the Fire Nation. This made sense.
"Still, he trusts you enough to let you stay here," Suki told me. "As do we, the Kyoshi Warriors. That fan you carry with you is a mark of our trust in you."
* * The Kyoshi Warriors don't trust people as easily as you'd might think…in fact, Sokka and Emma have been the only two outsiders to ever be trained by the girls… * *
I felt kind of bad, since she had no reason to trust me. In fact, she probably had every reason not to trust me…
I was walking along the beach by myself that evening, getting my feet wet and marvelling at the sunset.
I was also missing Zuko, and that thought made me kind of angry.
"So what if he was the first person I met in this world? !" I said angrily, turning out to face the water. "He's still an arrogant, selfish, hot-headed jerk, who doesn't know the first thing about treating a lady right, and why did I even think I liked him? ! We have nothing in common, absolutely nothing at all!" In my frustration, and without any regard to the ocean's feelings, I punched my fist at it.
I didn't expect to see the waves part. Okay, so it wasn't exactly Moses in the Reed Sea, but still…when I saw those waves move apart, I came to a startling conclusion: I moved the water without touching it!
That means…
* * That means that Emma is a Waterbender. * *
I stared for a moment, and then a small smile lit up my face. "Aww, sweet, I can Waterbend…" I dunno how, or why, but I CAN MOVE WATER! ! I'm just like Katara! I can bend an element! Take THAT, non-believers!
I couldn't believe it- here I was, standing on a beach onKyoshiIslandin the Avatar world, and I could bend water. Truly, this was an incredible day.
I was just about to try it again when I noticed something off-shore, and my heart seemed to stop.
A Fire Nation ship! Could it be…?
Then, I heard an explosion and screams and, without a second thought, turned and took off running back toKyoshiVillage.
Sorry, ocean.
* * The ocean will get back at her, later on... * *
O~O~O~O
Zuko's P.O.V:
I stooped down, and picked up the familiar yin yang necklace, looking at the beads representing the four nations on the black string. Emma must've dropped it here…which meant she was still on this island. I had spent a day making plans, and now my crew was distracting the villagers, so I could find…
"That idiot!" A familiar melodic voice suddenly shouted, and I spun around as I heard running footsteps. "Why the hell did he come back, he HATES me!" I wasn't too surprised to see Emma run by me a moment later, and I grabbed her wrist.
"What was that about me being an idiot?" I asked her.
She gasped. "Z-Zuko! I…well…why did you come back for me? !" Her eyes were sparkling as she said this, though.
"I'm beginning to wonder the same thing…" I said but, when I looked at her, I knew why. She may be a late-starter, a lazy, unmotivated mouse…but…I liked her, for some unknown reason of doom, and I didn't know why. She had a warm, caring nature I wasn't used to yet. I wanted to find out why I couldn't stand to keep her away. "It just…annoys me when you're not around," Her eyes widened. "And, it annoys me even more not knowing why…" I sighed in frustration.
* * Zuko is similar to Sohma Kyo, from Fruits Basket… * *
Tentatively, she asked me: "Is it…because we're…friends?" She blushed.
I looked down at her, surprised. I hadn't expected that from her. "Y-yeah, I guess so…" I stammered. "Listen, I know you think I'm…arrogant, and hot-headed and a jerk…so…it's okay for you to yell at me…and even to run away from me…but, even if you don't want to come back…even if you don't like me…I'll keep bringing you back…"
"That's not it!" She exclaimed, looking right at me. "It's not that I don't like you! Even though you act like a jerk, you're hot-tempered, hard to get along with, obsessed with capturing the Avatar and possibly a pervert!"
There she goes again…I AM NOT A PERVERT!
* * Well, not as much as other Fire Nation men… * *
"The truth is, I've always liked your character from the story! I always found Fire to be the most fascinating element! I wouldn't have minded being a Firebender! I think fire is beautiful!"
* * This statement will be explored later on in the series… * *
I just stared at her. She was looking back at me, her eyes bright, and I could see that she was blushing even in the darkness. Finally, I said, a little coldly: "There's nothing beautiful…about fire." I watched as her eyes raked the scar on the left side of my face. She seemed almost…sympathetic? I softened my voice. "Do you want to come back? I won't force you, but…"
She smiled. "I want to go back…even though Suki and the girls have been really nice, and taught me how to fight like them…I want to go back to where everyone is…" Her eyes were too bright now.
"Well, come on then!" I snapped, before she could start crying. "I never said anything about crying! I have to get back to hunting the Avatar!"
* * Zuko still has the Avatar on his mind. * *
"W-wait!" She exclaimed. "I can't just go! S-Suki and the others…if I just vanish, they might come looking for me!"
"I know…" I replied. "I've thought of that…hey, what are you wearing?"
"…the official garb of the Kyoshi Warriors."
"…right…"
* * Zuko isn't too accustomed to seeing EarthKingdom clothing. * *
O~O~O~O
Emma's P.O.V:
"NO! LET ME GO!"
"Just shut up, and hold still!"
* * Emma and Zuko – very good actors. * *
I was dragged into the village, where Zuko's Firebenders were getting their tails kicked. Everyone stopped what they were doing, to see me restrained and officially captured by Zuko.
Suki and the other warriors stopped, and looked at me, their faces not betraying their feelings.
"The Avatar isn't here anymore!" Suki's Grandfather said to Zuko. "Just leave us be!"
"Very well then," Zuko replied, his grip on me not as tight as it appeared. We were playing our parts perfectly. "I'll take this girl with me, though."
"Why are you doing this?" Suki and I asked in unison, which was pretty cool. We unwittingly matched our pitches and inflictions perfectly.
"Insurance." Zuko replied calmly, giving the signal to his men to move out. He began to drag me back with him.
"Emma!" Raia exclaimed, close to tears.
I looked back at her. "It'll be okay, Raia, I promise!" I looked up at Suki. "Thanks for teaching me, Suki. I know we'll see each other again…"
* * This is true. * *
"Hurry up, already!" Zuko snapped, some of his impatience not a part of the act. "Come on, move!"
"Okay, alright already!"
"No back-talk!"
So, I left Kyoshi, and Suki, knowing that when I saw her again, it would be under different circumstances. She was a good friend…I just hoped she would still be if she ever found out the truth…
* * This is not the last time Suki shows up. * *
O~O~O~O
Back on Zuko's ship, which was cutting through the water once again, Uncle Iroh greeted me like a long-lost friend. I was back to wearing normal clothes again (a white and red robe with a red waist tie) and had my necklace back again. I decided to keep my new-found ability of being able to bend water a secret, for now. Until I learned how to control it, and could use it better.
I'd meant what I said though…I would have liked to have been able to bend fire.
* * All hope for that is not lost. * *
I glanced at Zuko, and was glad he'd come back to get me. Well, I would be, at least until we had our first argument…
* * This chapter was the last written before a period of non-writing. The next chapter was written months after this one… * *
