A/N I just realized that I was going way out of order from the tv show. Of course I don't mind but I felt that I should tell you that it's going to be way out of whack in terms of sequencing, so just forget about the show and enjoy my own story! Review please!

Zeph's POV

I groaned as I felt something very solid connect with my side. A second later there was a loud thump. I sat up from my make-shift bed on Prince Zuko's floor and tried to peer around in the pitch black. Suddenly the whole room was lit up by the intense blaze coming from both of Zuko's fists. Apparently he had tripped over me, and now he turned to glare, still on one knee.

"I'm sorry." I muttered a little distractedly, my gaze intent on his flames. With a low growl the firebender stood up the rest of the way and shook out his shoulders. Almost immediately the room became dark again. I stared at the place where he had been in awe, he truly was an amazing firebender, to have that much control while doing even the simplest of tasks, like being a human torch. There was a rustling noise as Zuko climbed in bed, then all was silent. I sighed to myself, how I longed to bend like he did.

I must have drifted to sleep shortly after that, because I was woken up later by a small light. Feeling like I was never going to get any sleep, I sat up and grumbled, looking for the source of the flame. Prince Zuko was sitting up in bed, holding a small fire in his palm, staring at me. At first all I could do was gaze at the light, watching how it danced in the boy's palm but didn't burn him, how it seemed to inhale and exhale along with it's master, how the color of it matched Zuko's eyes. As a matter of fact, I was so enthralled with his bending that the prince had to clear his throat in order to redirect my attention on to him. We locked eyes and my breathing became shallow, I felt like he was sizing me up, determining something about me in his mind. From my position down on the ground the feeling of intimidation he instilled in me was heightened. Then, just as quickly as the flame had come, it was gone. With one last smirk Zuko snapped his fist closed with a quiet pop and the room was once again pitch black. I laid down on my make-shift bed, my eyes unwilling to close. Zuko's smirk had given it away, the banished prince had made up his mind on what to do with me, and I could only hope the outcome was for the best.

The streaming of bright sunlight was what woke me up. Feeling the pleasant warmth of the rays on my face, I yawned and stretched. I hadn't gotten a good night's sleep last night, so I'd probably slept in later than I'd meant to. Sitting up, I took in the now familiar sight of Prince Zuko's room. The walls were the same, the bed was unmade but the same. But something was off. I quickly searched to walls for a source of sunshine, but they were windowless. Slowly I turned to look the door, coming face to face with the bright light and an angry Zuko.

"It's about time you woke up." His voice was in monotone but he still managed to convey his anger. My eyes focused behind him on the few rays of sunlight that had somehow made it all the way down the hallway and into his room. Slowly I stood, trying to push my blankets out of his way as he strode past me.

"Could I maybe take a shower?" I asked nervously, running a hand through my greasy hair. Zuko went to his desk and grabbed a small towel, wiping the sweat off his brow before studying a chart in front of him.

"Why would you do that?" He answered me after a long moment of silence. I waited until he straightened back up and turned towards me. "You'd just get all sweaty again during training." The right corner of his lips twitched in attempt not to smile as the breath I had been holding left me in a huff. "I've been out there for two hours already."

And with that I squealed. I squealed like a little girl who got what she wanted most for her birthday, like fan-girl who had been camped out all night to see the pre-banished prince and then got to see him come out, like a child who had found a puppy and was told they could keep it. "Thank you thank you thank you!" I chanted as I rushed over to Zuko and gave him the biggest hug I could muster. Time seemed to stand still for a moment, as I crushed his strong body to my own. The smell of spice, mint, and smoke that had been ever-present in the room was much more concentrated on his being, and I almost groaned at how much I loved the smell. Zuko radiated heat, and in that instant I felt as if I'd never be cold again.

Then the prince cleared his throat. "Well, yes. You're very welcome. But be warned." I drew back slightly in shock at his change in tone. Now he was smiling at me, his eyes focusing over my shoulder as he thought of something else. "After you are trained you will find a way to re-pay me."

I stood out on the deck of Zuko's ship. The frigid air whipped around me and I felt over exposed. My dress from the orphanage, which I had just gotten back last night, was currently replaces by a revealing training outfit. The baggy red pants rested low on my hips and the sheer top didn't begin until right under my boobs. Though it did have long sleeves, the top's material provided no warmth.

"Before we start actually training, I need to have an idea on how much power is in you. Zuko's indifferent voice came from behind me and I turned to see him on top of the roof of his ship. "Let's see a fireball."

"I don't know if I can do that." My voice wavered. This was truly terrifying, to be asked to unleash the force with in you that had previously caused so much destruction. "I don't know if I can do anything."

"Zeph." The prince sighed as if he was having to explain something to a small child. "We are on a metal ship in the middle of an arctic ocean. Nothing is going to catch fire." Unable to find any fault in his logic, I nodded my consent and took a deep breath.

I spent a couple of minuets just staring out over the ocean, thinking. I honestly had no idea how to firebend anything. What had happened three years ago was a freak accident. "It's like a dance." Zuko's song like voice balled out. "Just do what feel right. Listen to your own body." That gave me an idea. I closed my eyes and focused on the energy humming within me. When I was little the feeling of all this power used to scare me. Whenever my adrenaline kicked in it was so overpowering that I ran ran from the whole situation. Which meant that I had ran from every adoption interview I had ever had. And now here I was, being encouraged to use my deadly power. But I couldn't back out now, I'd come to far.

So with a deep breath, I began to move. At first I felt silly, but having my eyes closed helped. My right arm lifted on its own accord. It rose vertically and moved to my side until it was sticking straight out. Next my wrist flicked up and my palm faced the ocean. Outside it was cold, freezing actually, but the fire raging inside of me kept me warm. I stood still for a second, mapping out my next few moves. Something told me that whatever I was going to do needed to be done fast in order to use all of the pent up energy I had.

My eyes shot open, and I moved.

Everything was happening at once. My arms were twirling around, creating shapes and forms while I bent my knees and took light steps, as if dancing. With one twirl I was facing the left side of the ship. My right arm went behind me, my left down in front, and then they came together with blinding fast speed until my wrists were pressed together, my right fingers pointing up and my left fingers pointing down. As soon as I had begun to move, the ball of burning fire that usually resided around my heart grew and raced through my veins. Now, it was in my arms and with a loud cry I sent it all outwards, over the side of the ship. A blinding blue light filled my eyes and forced me to look away. My hair was whipped back out of my face by the blast of energy.

And then it was all gone. The blue light faded, and my arms fell to my sides. For a second I simply stood catching my breath. The crushing feeling that was usually in my chest was strangely gone, and my whole body seemed to hum with the left over energy. Once I regained control over my limbs, I straightened up and turned to face Zuko, who was staring at me with his mouth slightly open. I waited, still breathing heavy, for him to say something.

"That wasn't a ball of fire." He said simply, still staring at me with wide eyes. I sighed and bowed my head, I knew it hadn't of been. Fire was orange and red, not bright blue and white. What was wrong with me? Here I was, a green-eyed firebender, and I couldn't even manage a ball of fire. Surly I must have let Zuko down, but he continued in his slightly awed tone. "That was a ball of lightning!"

My head shot up. Lightning? I didn't even know firebenders could bend lightning! "You! Get my Uncle!" Prince Zuko commanded to one of the guards before jumping off the roof and landing a ways away from me. Slowly he took off his outer robe, revealing his large chest, defined abs, and muscled arms. My eyes grew as he approached me with a slight smile on his face. "You are very powerful, and will be of great use to me." His voice was barely over a whisper as he circled me. I shivered under the weight of his gaze. Finally he came back around to the front of me and took a fighting stance. "Now get ready for training."