Agni Kai today!!! Once again, it's one of THOSE chapters that can't be avoided. It's essential to have these if we want to get were we need to be. PLEASE REVIEW, THEY MAKE MY DAY! (I know that's sad, but it's true!)
Zhao was showing me his vast collection of compasses when Zuko slammed open the door.
"Hey, Zuko!" I said, forgetting out earlier squabble. I picked up one of the compasses and walked over to him. "Commander Zhao has a compass from the Air Nomads!" I gave the little pointer a gentle flick. "Isn't that neat?" I asked, smiling. He looked at me, shock plastering his face. "What?" I asked, smile faltering. He shook his head, clearing it. Pushing me aside, he marched right up to Zhao.
"I take you up on your offer! And Agni Kai at sunset!" Zuko growled.
"Whoa there, an Agni Kai?" I asked, setting down the compass. "What exactly did I miss?" I asked Iroh, who had just walked into the room, obviously following Zuko.
"Zhao knows about the Avatar, and he's taking action to catch him himself." Iroh said gravelly.
"Commander! You do understand Zuko has been searching for the Avatar for over two years!" I said.
"I do, Princess, I do. But unsuccessfully." He said, holding my hands in his. He turned to Zuko. "I'll see you at sunset. Princess, would you like to see the armory?" I removed my hands from him.
"No thank you, Commander Zhao. I need to speak with the Prince and his uncle." I said, bitterness coloring my tone. Zhao was completely ignorant to it.
"Alright. Maybe some other time then." He said, leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
"Some time when I'm stupid." I mumbled after him. I turned my attention back to Zuko.
(third person pov)
Kiminari was visibly shaking, but whether it was in rage or in fear, the Prince was not sure. She walked up to him slowly, stopping a foot away. Her face was blank, her eyes said nothing…and then, she hit him. A sharp, accurate jab in the middle of his chest. Zuko doubled over, clutching his chest.
"You idiot! Do you know what you just did?" She screamed down at him. He straightened up, glaring deep into her green eyes that seemed to be burning with rage.
"What are you on about?" He snapped.
"Do you remember what happened the last time you battled a master?" She hissed, shoving his chest. "Or have you not seen a mirror in two years?"
"Of course you would think I'd be the one to lose! Your infatuated with Zhao!" He sneered.
"Is that why I followed him out of here just now?" She said sarcastically.
"I don't know why your still here." The Prince snapped. Kiminari inhaled. "You should be helping Zhao get ready." Her breath left her in a loud whoosh and she looked down at her feet. When she spoke, her voice was quiet.
"Just remember one thing, Prince Zuko." Her eyes meet his in a hard stare that held warning. "If you don't win, I'll never forgive you." And with that threat, she turned her back to him and walked out of the room. Iroh glanced at him sympathetically before following her out.
(normal-Kiminari-pov)
"The NERVE of your nephew, Iroh! The nerve!" I hissed walking down the street with Iroh at my side. "It's like he wants to die! Stupid git!" I huffed, kicking a pebble. "And did you hear him? With his 'I don't know why your still here' 'your infatuated with Zhao'!" I mimicked his voice and copied his angry face, trying my best to sound and look like the 16 year old boy. Iroh just nodded wisely, but said nothing. I covered my left eye with my hand. "I must find the Avatar because I have nothing better to do and my father loathes me! UGH. He's infuriating!" I said, voice returning to normal at the end.
"I'm glad I amuse you." Someone growled behind me. I turned, letting my hand fall from my face.
"Oh look, dead man walking." I sneered.
"Kiminari you-" He started, fuming. I turned and continued walking, cutting him off.
"Save it. You'll be dead by tomorrow anyways." I sighed, walking towards Commander Zhao, who I spotted near the docks.
"Commander!" I smiled, waving. When I was centimeters away from him, I tripped on the pebble I had kicked earlier, falling into his arms.
"Princess are you alright?" He asked. I hid my smirk of satisfaction.
"Oh, yes. Just clumsy today. Thank you Commander Zhao." I said, pulling myself out of his grasp and bowing.
Iroh and I sat in front of Zuko, who was dressed and prepared for the Agni Kai. Iroh was giving him constructive advice, wile I stared off into space absentmindedly. Or so it seemed. I was worried. The mere thought of Zuko and Agni Kai in the same sentence made me want to puke. Of course I had been a complete jerk earlier, but no one could blame me for being angry with his stupidity. Especially not him.
"Princess, do you have any advice?" Iroh asked, trying to lighten the mood.
"Don't die." I yawned.
"Geez, thanks." Zuko snapped.
"And his left arm is weakest." I said, locking eyes with the Prince.
"You couldn't possibly know that!" He said, disbelieving.
"I think I could." I smirked.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Zuko asked, brow furrowing.
"You honestly think I trip over pebbles? My balance is perfect." I snapped, annoyed by, you guessed it, his stupidity. "Now go." I said, motioning towards the arena. "I'm leaving in an hour and so are you, whether I'm dragging your dead body or not."
As the Agni Kai progressed, I had jumped to my feet. I stood, tense, beside Iroh, who was still seated, but seemed to be calculating Zhao's every step. I almost passed out when Zhao kicked Zuko in the chest. The Prince hit the ground, and Zhao wound back for the finishing blow.
"ZUKO!" I screamed. I would have run out and blasted Zhao to the North Pole if Zuko hadn't twisted out of the way. I sighed and fell to my keens, drained. Iroh patted my shoulder comfortingly. I bounce up and down, biting my nails nervously. Zuko used my advice and went for his left, and Zhao fell back. Zuko stood above him, hands at the ready. He blast fire from his fist, not at the Commander, but the ground beside his head. He had him! He won! I jumped up as Zuko walked back to us, unable to keep a goofy grin off my face. Zhao though, had other plans. He got up at once, winding his leg back for a kick. Iroh and I moved immediately. I ran past a surprised Zuko, hitting the middle of Zhao's foot with a well aimed punch, the fire he was about to blast disappeared, and pain shot up my arm. Iroh grabbed Zhao's ankle, and sent him flying back. I left my arm fall limply to my side. That was going to hurt in the morning.
"So this is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat." Iroh said.
"Disgraceful." I spat. The Commander looked down, angry and ashamed. Zuko growled and moved towards him. I stood in his way, putting my good hand around his waist and turning him around. Iroh placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Do not taint you victory." The wise man said. Zuko sighed, and I pulled him-arm still around his waist-back towards the ship. He slumped against me, obviously tired. I grabbed his arm and pulled it over my shoulder.
"Good job, Zuko." I whispered, needing to get it out, but hoping he didn't hear me. I felt his head bob, nodding. Well, at least he didn't make a go-flirt-with-Zhao comment.
We boarded the ship, Zuko not even bothering to give them men orders.
"North." I told them, walking Zuko to his room. I fumbled with the door. I was still supporting him, with one hand, and the other… I balanced on one foot and turned the large metal circle with the other. Nudging the door open with my knee, I helped him in. He dragged his feet along the metal and fell onto the futon. I pulled up his arms and removed the two cuffs he had on his upper arms, setting them down inside the drawer I had found the comb and hairpiece in this morning.
"Well, night." I said, walking out of the room and closing the door. I sighed and rubbed my hand as I walked down the hall towards my own room. I closed the door and looked around. A futon, a table and stool, several fire nation tapestries and a burrow. Homely. I untied Zuko's secure knots on my uniform and set it in the burrow neatly. Those were the only clothes I had right now. I took of the under shirt and pants as well, it was hot. So, left in my wrappings I ran my fingers trough my hair, removing the top ponytail and hairpiece. I bundled all the long brown strands on top of my head, laid back on my futon, and starred at the newly repaired ceiling, waiting for sleep to overtake me.