Please review! I need some constructive criticism!

Disclaimer: I do not own A:TLA. I only own Hirona.

Chapter 4

Hirona was led back to her cell, leaving a blushing Zuko trying desperately to explain what happened without going redder. Rather him than me… Hirona thought gratefully. She lay down on the hard metal floor as the key clicked in the cell door. There was no bed, no mattress, not even a blanket. She tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable, but an hour later, she was still wide-awake. Why couldn't she just pass out again? A few more hours later, and she had drifted of into a fitful sleep.

Hirona was not the only one having trouble sleeping. Zuko felt guilty, and was having a battle with his conscience in his head. You're glad you saved her.

I am not!

Yes you are.

Shut up. I only saved the girl because she might have information to lead us to the Avatar.

No you didn't. You saved her because you like her.

I do not!

Yes you do, and you know she won't tell you anything about the Avatar. Why don't you just execute her if you don't like her?

Because… Because…

Exactly.

Shut up.

Hirona woke up the next morning to the sound of her cell door creaking open. In the doorframe stood General Iroh. "Good morning!" He said cheerily. "Sleep well?"

"No," Hirona said truthfully.

"Ah, well. Tea?"

"Yes please," Hirona sipped the herbal tea, grateful for the warmth it brought.

"My nephew tells me you and he had an interesting conversation last night," The old general said, raising one eyebrow. Hirona couldn't help but smile. "Yes," she said simply.

"Are you going to give me any details?"

"Well, it involved me getting thrown overboard,"

"So I heard. You like the tea?"

"Yes, very much. Thankyou,"

"I am glad to have finally found someone who shares my love of tea!" Iroh smiled, showing all his teeth. "Prince Zuko and the crew refuse to touch the stuff!"

"I imagine Prince Zuko is too busy for such things," Hirona muttered.

"The boy takes on too much responsibility. I keep telling him he has to relax, but he doesn't listen to me,"

"Well he should,"

"Miss Hirona, we are stopping for some supplies later today. Perhaps you would like to come and find some clothes? I can't imagine you want to continue wearing that," He said, motioning to the torn training dress she was wearing. Hirona looked down at the state she was in. "You are planning on keeping me here then?" Iroh nodded sadly.

"I'm afraid so,"

"Wouldn't Prince Zuko object to me going on land? After all, I could run away,"

"Let me worry about that," The general left with a sly wink.

Later that day, they went to a clothes store in the town they had stopped at and bought some training outfits and some dresses for everyday wear. Zuko objected loudly to spending money on a prisoner, and treating her like a guest. Every time he opened his mouth it was only to complain. They went back to the ship. "Uncle!" Zuko shouted. "Where are you? I need to train!"

"I'll be with you in a moment!" Iroh called.

"Uncle where are you?" Zuko found his uncle showing Hirona into one of the spare rooms. "Uncle! What are you doing?"

"You cannot expect a lady to sleep in a cell, nephew,"

"That's besides the point. She's a prisoner!" Hirona sat on the bed watching the two fight. It was very amusing, the way Iroh got calmer as Zuko got madder. It was almost as if they were trying to balance each other out. "She's staying in the room, and that's final," Iroh announced.

"Fine uncle, but can we please get on with my training session now?"

"Nephew, trudging around those shops has really tired me out. Perhaps you and Hirona could spar?"

"Absolutely not. She's a girl!"

"I have no objections," Hirona said. "But I can't bend, so he's not allowed to,"

"That sounds reasonable," Iroh said. "There you are Zuko, you can brush up on your combat skills," Zuko stormed up on deck grumbling to himself.

"You know General," Hirona mused. "I think I've only ever seen Prince Zuko use three emotions; Arrogance, mild annoyance, and rage,"

Zuko stood tapping his foot impatiently on deck. "Finally!" he snapped, as Hirona made her way across to the training mat, closely followed by Iroh. Her long, dark hair was plaited down her back and her green eyes stared at him in irritation. They warmed up, then Iroh said, "Alright you two, I'll be watching you. Zuko, no fire bending,"

"This is stupid," Zuko muttered darkly.

"No it's not," Hirona said evenly. They took up their positions. Zuko attacked first, trying to punch her in the stomach, but she grabbed his arm and used the force he'd been using to attack her to flip him over. He growled and picked himself up. Stupid peasant! She got lucky, that's all. She jumped up and kicked him in the side of the head, sending him flying into the railings. She tried to attack again, but he caught her foot and spun her over onto the floor. She hit the ground hard and Zuko pinned her shoulders into the mat. "Give?"

"No," Hirona smirked, and heaved him sideways, so the was now on top of him. He pushed her back. They stood up and began a complicated sequence of punches and kicks. By now, quite a lot of the crew had gathered to watch the fight. Both of the teens were determined not to give up, but Hirona began to slow, and a well-aimed kick sent her flying into the crowd. They separated and she jumped up as he approached her, hands raised. She ran up to him, placed her hands on his shoulders, and launched her body over him. He span around in time to see her hand collide with his chest. He was thrown backwards and Iroh held up Hirona's hand. "Victor!" He announced, and the crew cheered. Hirona went over to the railings to catch her breath, while Zuko berated the soldiers for leaving their positions.

Zuko was furious. How dare he allow himself to be beaten by a girl! And in front of the whole crew! He grabbed a soldier at random and he took his anger out on him in a sparring match.

"You did well," Iroh said to Hirona. "I am impressed. But you did not teach yourself those moves. It is not likely your family taught you, so who was it?" Hirona continued to stare out across the ocean. "Miss Hirona," Iroh said, slightly more sternly.

"I can't tell you unless you promise not to tell anyone else," She said.

"You have my word,"

"I didn't live alone in the forest. There was a small village there. The old leader of the village taught me before he died,"

"Who became leader after that?"

"Me,"

"You? How old were you?"

"I was fourteen. I was one of the oldest there. The only older ones were some teenage boys. They all thought they should have been leader and gave me a hard time, but after a little while they gave up and accepted me," She bit back a sob as tears rolled down her cheeks. "I have to go back to them,"

"I'm afraid that's not possible, and you know it," Iroh said, glancing over at his nephew, who was beating up one of the officers in a fire bending duel. "But I'm sure the village will look after itself. Those boys you spoke of will be tacking care of it, I'm sure," Hirona thought about Tai, who had an ego the size of the ship she was on, Ryka, who was a thick as two short planks, and Flint. She missed him most of all.

"Flint!" Hirona called, running through the forest, "Flint!" She heard laughing coming from one of the trees. She climbed it, and he dropped out of it as she made a grab for him. "Get back here!" She giggled, running after him.

"You'll have to catch me first, milady!" he teased. She lost sight of him, and as she turned a corner, she saw him standing by the pond, holding her hat. "Give that here!" she cried. He grabbed her wrist and tried to fling her into the water, but she clung onto him, and they both splashed into it. "I'll kill you Flint!" She laughed, as she swam toward him. He grabbed her waist and pulled her underwater again. They swam back to shore giggling uncontrollably, and sat on the bank. Then it just happened. They kissed.

Hmm… how will Flint affect Zuko and Hirona's relationship? Please review! I've only had one so far.