It had been a couple of days since their encounter with the Avatar and it seemed as though they had gone back to square one. Zuko wanted to pursue him but his uncle encouraged him to get repairs for the ship that was badly damaged by the boy Aang. He reluctantly decided it was the best course of action, which meant that they would have to go to a Fire Nation port, and that made both Asuka and Zuko anxious. Zuko knew that the soldiers on his ship didn't respect him much and that they would smite him with insults. Asuka faced the same problem, though a bit worse since she was just a commoner and a banished citizen of the Fire Nation. Asuka hated the soldiers but she dealt with them respectfully.
When they made it to the port Zuko knocked on Asuka's door and peeked his head in, "We've landed." he said plainly.
"What? No snide remarks today, Prince Zuko?" she joked.
"No, just get off." Zuko motioned her to leave the room. She got up and left her chambers with the prince closely behind her. They made it to the top deck of the ship where Asuka saw many Fire Navy ships, twice the size of Zuko's ship, aligned all around her. The dock was pretty standard with red all over and insignias of the Fire Nation on every banner. Although this is what home was like a couple of years ago, she hated the sight of those awful banners. The ramp lowered onto the dock and Zuko rushed off of it.
"Uncle, I want the repairs made as quickly as possible," Zuko ordered, "I don't want to stay to long and risk losing his trail."
"You mean the Avatar?" Iroh asked.
Zuko spun furiously, "Don't mention his name on these docks, once word gets out he's alive every firebender will be out to find him."
"He's right," Asuka agreed, "A chance to find...him is anyone's chance to move up ranks, it's all these soldiers care about."
"Exactly, and I don't want anyone getting in the way"
"Getting in the way of what, Prince Zuko?" said a voice behind the trio. Asuka turned around to see a tall muscular man with trademark Fire Nation facial hair and topknot smirking at them. He was cocky looking, arrogant and confident, everything Asuka despised in a person and it seemingly was in this man.
"Captain Zhao." Zuko said cooly.
"It's Commander now," Zhao corrected, "and General Iroh of our nation." He bowed at Iroh
"Retired General." Iroh bowed back. Zhao inspected Asuka as she gave him a hard stare, though they had never met Asuka felt only anger around him.
"Who's this?" Zhao asked with a condescending tone.
"This is-" as Iroh was beginning to introduce Asuka, when she did it herself.
"Asuka, Commander Zhao, I am here to assist Prince Zuko and General Iroh in their journey."
"Ah I see," Zhao said flatly, "The Fire Lord's brother and son are welcomed guests anytime, as well as their servants," Asuka narrowed her eyes, she knew he wouldn't take her seriously, "What brings you to my harbor?"
"Our ship is being repaired." Iroh pointed out.
"That's quite a bit of damage," Zhao inspected
"Yes, you wouldn't believe what happened," Zuko said quite uncomfortably, Asuka looked more nervous now, "Uncle tell Commander Zhao what happened."
Iroh looked shocked and bewildered, "Yes! I will do that, it was incredible….what did we crash or something" he whispered
"Yes! Right into an Earth Kingdom ship." Zuko finished. Asuka hid her embarrassment behind her hand.
"Really?" Zhao said quite unconvinced, "you must regale me with all the thrilling details," Zhao lowered his face to mere inches from Zuko as they both looked at each other with a glare. "Join me for a drink?" Zhao asked.
"Sorry," Zuko said , "But we have to go."
"Prince Zuko," Iroh gently grasped Zuko's shoulder, "show Commander Zhao your respect."
For once Asuka didn't agree with Iroh, she thought it was stupid to show respect for those who already don't respect you.
"We would be honored to join you." Iroh told Commander Zhao, "Do you have any ginseng tea? It's my favorite"
Zuko and Asuka let out a frustrated sigh, and followed the Commander into his quarters.
"And by years end," Zhao lectured, "The Earth Kingdom capital will be under our rule."
Asuka yawned and started playing with her hair. She saw that Zuko was watching her with a playful smirk. Asuka rolled her eyes at the Commander, and Zuko shook his head at her.
"The Fire Lord will finally claim victory in this war." Zhao stated.
"If my father thinks that the rest of this world will follow him willingly, then he is a fool." Zuko said to Zhao. Zhao eyed Asuka again with disdain, as she matched his with a glare.
"Two years at sea have done little to temper your tongue," Zhao pointed out, "So how's your search for the Avatar going?" Asuka's ears perked up as Iroh accidently knocked down a rack of Fire Nation weapons.
"My fault entirely." Iroh stammered
"We haven't found him yet." Asuka said
"Hold your tongue, girl!" Zhao yelled as her. Asuka glared in her seat at the commander. He turned to Zuko, "Did you really expect to? The Avatar died a hundred years ago, along with the rest of the Airbenders." Zuko's eyes soften as he looked directly at Asuka, as if to apologize to her. He turned back to the Commander who smirked at him, "Unless you found some evidence that the Avatar is alive."
"No, nothing." Zuko said sternly.
"Prince Zuko," Zhao started, "The Avatar is the only one who can stop the Fire Nation from winning this war. If you have an ounce of loyalty left, you'll tell me what you found." Asuka was sure that Zuko was going to tell Zhao about the Avatar, when he surprised her.
"I haven't found anything. It's like you said, the Avatar probably died a long time ago." Zuko gave a stern stare to Zhao and got up from his chair, "C'mon Uncle let's go."
It seemed as if they had gotten away with their lie when the guards blocked their exit and one of Zhao soldiers came into the tent.
"Sir, we interrogated the crew as you instructed. They confirmed that Prince Zuko had the Avatar in custody, but let him escaped." Asuka flinched and looked at Zuko who remained blank faced.
Zhao walked towards the teenagers, "Now remind me, how exactly was your ship damaged?"
"So a twelve year old boy bested you and your firebenders? You're more pathetic than I thought." Zhao said.
"And how does insulting two teenagers make you better?" Asuka confronted. Zhao spun furiously at her and was about to strike her when Iroh intervened. "She didn't mean that, she grew up low, she's not the smartest girl around."
"I underestimated him once," Zuko said to distract Zhao, "but it will not happen again."
"No, it will not," Zhao interrupted, "but you won't have a second chance." Asuka looked shocked and worried when all she could see was the hope drain from Zuko's face.
"Commander Zhao! I've been hunting the Avatar for two years and I-"
"And you failed!" Zhao unleashed a short fire stream, "capturing the Avatar is too important to leave in a pair of teenagers' hands. It is mine now." Zuko grew incredibly enraged and launched himself forward towards Zhao, but was held back by his guards. "Keep them here." Zhao ordered his guards. Asuka watched Zuko as he kicked the nearby table with tea on it. Iroh looked at the soldiers and requested more tea. Asuka shook her head and hid her laughter from the angered prince.
Asuka was fiddling with some of the artifacts inside the tent when Commander Zhao entered the room again, she rolled her eyes and sat back down in her chair as before. Zhao sneered at her, "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?" Zuko asked, "Are you worried I'm going to try and stop you?"
Zhao laughed condescendingly, "You? Stop me? Impossible."
"Don't underestimate me, Zhao. I will capture the Avatar before you."
Iroh cut himself in again, to stop the argument, "Prince Zuko, that's enough."
"You can't compete with me," Zhao ridiculed, "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."
"You're wrong!" Zuko argued, "once I deliver the Avatar to my father, he will welcome me home with honor and restore my rightful place on the throne."
"Zuko…" Asuka spoke softly, placing a hand on his shoulder which he quickly brushed off.
"If your father really wanted you home, he would've let you return by now. Avatar or no Avatar. But in his eyes you are always a failure and a disgrace to the Fire Nation." Zhao insulted Zuko.
"That's not true!" Zuko yelled
"You have the scar to prove it." Zhao stated.
Zuko charged at Zhao, "Maybe you'd like one to match!"
"Is that a challenge?" Zhao scoffed
"An Agni Kai! At sunset." Asuka eyes widened in fear, the last time he was ever in one….she instantly tried to stop the argument when Iroh pulled her away.
"Very well," Zhao said, "It's a shame that your father won't be here to watch me humiliate you." and with that Zhao left calmly, leaving the trio alone. Iroh and Asuka were shocked and frightened, they knew that Zuko was still in training and that this match would hurt him if he weren't careful.
"Prince Zuko, have you forgotten last time you dueled a master?" Iroh asked.
Zuko was quiet for a moment, then replied, "l'll never forget."
Zuko and Asuka made it back onto the ship, as she helped prepare Zuko for his Agni Kai. She went through his clothes and places a baggy pair of burnt reddish brown pants on his bed as well as two armbands. In an Agni Kai there was barely any clothing involved, for the men, they remained shirtless so it would be easy to burn the other. Asuka didn't like this decision to fight Zhao, but it was already made, no turning back now. Asuka's face showed displeasure while dressing the young Prince, and he made a quick note about it.
"What?" he asked.
"I don't know about this, Prince Zuko." Asuka said softly
"About what?"
"About this fight. Last time you could've been killed, now you're doing again with another master and you haven't finished all your basics." Asuka looked at him her eyes showing all the sadness she could muster.
"I'm ready, it's about time that Zhao know what I'm capable of. I'm fine" Zuko said placing the armbands up to his upper biceps. Before they left to the meeting spot of the agni kai, Asuka grabbed Zuko's shoulder.
"Make him pay." she stated. He nodded and they both left to meet up with Zhao.
It was silent in the arena where they stood. Asuka could see the sun going down further into a glow of deep orange, and she felt her firebending grow stronger. She dismissed that thought as she looked at Zuko who was in a hard concentration. He was wearing, over his shirtless body, a ceremonial shawl as well as the clothes that Asuka had dressed him in. He seemed anxious but also a bit scared, and that made Asuka worried.
"Remember your firebending basics, Prince Zuko, they are your greatest weapons." Iroh simply stated. Zuko nodded his head and looked at Asuka.
"Be cautious of his movements, they're going to be aggressive, just like his personality."
"I refuse to let him win," Zuko said, getting up from his kneeling position to face Zhao.
"This will be over quickly." Zhao said arrogantly.
Then the match started, with Zuko sending out the first move, a few fire streams sent towards Zhao. He quickly dodged Zuko's attack which left the young prince quite bewildered. Then he sent another fire stream to Zhao using a kick which he blocked masterfully whenever Zuko managed to send another. Asuka was begging for Zuko to use something more effective, but he wasn't, he was just going completely offensive.
"Basics, Zuko, break his root!" Iroh yelled out. Asuka watched as one move by Zhao to the next Zuko was losing his balance until he finally fell onto the ground. Asuka was shocked and as Zhao was about to make his final move, Asuka yelled, "Zuko! Throw him off balance!"
Zhao looked in her direction, and Zuko took this moment to spin sick him where he fell from his stance. Zuko got back up confidently, and had a more stable position. Asuka grinned and looked at Iroh who had the same face as her, they knew if he kept going like this. He used his feet to firebend and to throw Zhao off balance over and over again and Zuko dealt a final fire stream with a powerful kick and knocked Zhao on the ground. Zuko was in the position to burn Zhao when he shot a fire stream only a little bit above him.
"That's it?" Zhao asked, "Your father raised a coward."
"Next time you get in my way, I promise, I won't hold back." Zuko walked away from Zhao but Asuka could see him about to strike again, so she ran as fast as she could and blocked Zhao's attack and sent a radiant violet fire stream to him and he fell back on the ground. Zuko looked shocked and raced over to help but Uncle Iroh stopped him.
"No, Prince Zuko, do not taint your victory," he said, "So this is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat? Disgraceful. Even in exile my nephew is more honorable than you." Asuka smiled when she saw the look on Zuko's face. It was so odd to think that sometimes, he could be human too. "Thanks again for the tea, it was delicious." As they were walking out of the arena, Zuko leaned over into his Uncle's ear.
"Did you really mean that, Uncle?" he asked
"Of course, I told you ginseng tea is my favorite." Iroh said with a smile. Asuka giggled as Zuko looked at her with a soft happy expression. It seems as though they were getting along more as they opened up with each other, it only took two years for them to figure it out though.
Zuko knocked on Asuka's door late in the night to question her about the events that took place. The only other person that had any ability to have colored flames was his own sister, Azula, whom had blue flames rather than violet. It was highly unusual that Asuka would hide this from him, if they wanted to capture the Avatar.
"Come in" Asuka said politely, he entered through the door and saw her sitting on her bed her face peering through her window and her knees held by her arms. She looked back at him with her eyes shining like amethysts. If there was anything more soothing it was the color of her eyes, they had a way of making you feel calm.
"Prince Zuko? What brings you here?" she asked.
"I wanted to ask you about your firebending."
"What about it?"
"How come your fire is violet? Why have you been hiding this?" Asuka sighed and shook her head.
"I haven't been hiding it," She said, "It only appears at sunset."
"Why?" Zuko asked.
"I was born on sunset on the last day of summer. Most children in the Fire Nation are born in summer, I was born at the last minute. My mother died giving me life, and because of the circumstances of my birth, I was blessed with this ability. Its called Zise Huoyan, violet flame, my abilities in firebending heighten at sunset or dusk, and its only for a short time, not all the time. One of the things I have because of it is my eyes, they're purple, just like my fire. I'm not invincible, just a bit better."
"It could be incredibly useful in an Agni Kai," Zuko said
"Yeah, well I don't do Agni Kais anymore." Asuka dismissed.
"Why?" Asuka turned to look at Zuko with a confused face.
"Don't you know the reason I was banished?" She asked
"No."
Asuka sighed and walked over to Zuko, "They were teaching us how to participate in an Agni Kai in school, and I had to pretend fight someone to pass a test. They told me before hand that The Fire Lord would be watching and that I should just lose the match for my own well being. Like always, the Agni Kai was done at sunset and I faced my opponent. Instead of just letting her beat me, I played her to my advantage, using her aggressive fighting stance against her. In the end I won, but she cried foul, and The Fire Lord agreed, so my punishment was banishment."
"Who was your opponent?" Zuko asked, Asuka looked scared and closed her eyes.
"Your sister, Azula."
Zuko was shocked, "How did you win?"
"I told you, I used her aggressive tendencies against her."
"But how?"
"I let her use all her energy out, and then I struck her."
Zuko crossed his arms with a smirk on his face, "I'm surprised, I'm also not shocked she banished you."
"Yeah, that should've crossed my mind." Asuka chuckled as well as Zuko. She smiled at him and he her.
"Yeah and um," Zuko rubbed the back of his neck, "goodnight."
Asuka bowed politely at Zuko, "Goodnight Prince Zuko."
Zuko started to leave when he turned to face Asuka again, "And thanks for saving me, Asuka."
Asuka looked at him puzzled, "What?" Zuko said.
"Nothing its just the first time you've ever said my name."
"Oh…well yeah" Zuko stammered.
"It was repayment for saving me from falling ice." Asuka smirked. Zuko smiled and left her room, leaving Asuka alone again.