A/N: I think that, so far, this is my longest chapter. It took me almost 7 pages to write. And almost a whole week and a half, I think. I still need someone that is fluent in German. I'm foreshadowing by asking, so PLEASE let me know! I will give y'all full credit for the German in the chapters!

I also want to know if anyone wants me to begin the story with lyrics. I've got two reviews partaining to that so far. One, they don't care, it's not like we can hear them anyway. The other, only do it if it falls under the category of 'Oh my gosh that is THE perfect song!'. Thanks to AirGirl Phantom and wingedblackheart for those reviews. Sianara suckers! (cough not cough)

Disclaimer: Just so y'all know, I don't own anything partaining to Avatar, minus the plot, Shaiya, Onya, Ina, the sujios, and... no, wait... that's all I own. Oh yeah, I also own my horses, dog, and mouse, of which is two and a half years old and due to die any day. Mice only live up to two years. And I own my straight-A report card! Sorry, didn't mean to rub that in y'all's face, if I even didn't. Don't forget to reveiw! Tank U!

Chapter X: Laughter Unintended

That night was Music Night, and for once, it wouldn't get interrupted by anything. Even though the events of the night before last still haunted Shaiya, she was looking forward to performing for the guys. She would also have her mother and best friend as backup dancers. If the age lines on Meiya disappeared, she would look as if she, too, was in her late teens, even though she was in her mid thirties.

Zuko was walking down to his room when he heard Shaiya singing, rehearsing a song she hadn't sung in almost two months. Her voice drifted down the hall quite gracefully, considering her song was full of action and adventure.

Get your motor runnin'

Head out on the highway

Lookin' for adventure

And whatever comes our way

Yeah Darlin' go make it happen

Take the world in a love embrace

Fire all of your guns at once

And explode into space

I like smoke and lightning

Heavy metal thunder

Racin' with the wind

And feeling that I'm under

Yeah Darlin' go make it happen

Take the world in a love embrace

Fire all of your guns at once

And explode into space

Like a true nature's child

We were born, born to be wild

We can climb so high

I never wanna die

Born to be wild

Born to be wild

As she ended the song, Zuko walked into her room.

"Wow. Where'd you learn that?"

"I dunno. My dad always sang weird songs, and that one is my favorite." she replied.

"Music Night doesn't start until sundown, and we're gonna be docking in half an hour, so that leaves you some time to have some fun."

"Sweet. Thank ya." Shaiya replied as she smiled sweetly. She had a big day planned. The next port they were stopping at was supposed to have a huge forest behind it. She was looking forward to flying through the trees at the speed of light. Onya too, of course. She was headed down for the livestock hold when a thought crossed her mind.

Does Zuko like me?

Why wouldn't he? replied the 'little voice in her head'.

I dunno. I've turned so many guys away from me with the fact that I've been stronger than them.

So? A good boyfriend wouldn't give a crap how strong you were.

Most guys love saving their girlfriends, though.

Most guys have wimpy little weak girlfriends. Zuko was lucky enough to meet you.

Yeah, I guess your right. She couldn't believe she had just agreed with her little voice.

Of course I'm right. When am I not right?

Where do I begin, voice.

Don't start.

Bite me.

Don't tempt me.

Her argument with her 'voice in her head' ended when she decided to see just how much Zuko did care. How much blood he could handle. And just how well he would take the fact that she could be very clumsy.

It was reaching dusk, and the crew began to worry. Onya and Shaiya hadn't returned from their girls' day out. It didn't ever take them as long as it was today. Zuko had just decided head out to look for them when he saw two indistinguishable figures in the sky which he later identified as being the girls and their sujios. As they landed, Sokka and Zuko ran up to them. Shaiya was covered in blood, again.

"What the heck happened to you?" Zuko asked, frantic.

"I… I…" Shaiya struggled between stifled giggles. "I fell off Kagouya in mid-air!"

Zuko looked like he had just seen a ghost. "What?"

"I said…" she giggled louder this time, "I fell off Kagouya in mid-air. I fell into tree after tree, then once I hit the ground, I began to roll down the hill the ground sloped into. After I had gained enough momentum, I tried to stop. By then, I was covered in superficial cuts and scrapes. Well, I was almost stopped when… when…" she burst out laughing.

Onya continued for her. "When she fell off a cliff into the ocean!" Both girls doubled over in fits of laughter. Sokka and Zuko turned to stare at each other.

"Did they just say what I think they just said?" Sokka asked.

"Yup."

After running through their explanation to everyone, Onya and Shaiya headed up to the infirmary to get their cuts and bruises looked at and bandaged. Then, they changed into some less-torn clothes and headed on deck for Music Night.

Shaiya was ready to sing because she had not only one of her five best friends, but also her mother as backup dancers. They sang not only the song Zuko heard Shaiya singing earlier that day, Born To Be Wild, but also Aquarius, It's In His Kiss, Here Comes The Sun, Rebel Child, and Dancing In The Street.

The ladies made sure that all the guys had plenty of fun by dancing with all of them, minus Zuko. He was surprised to see that Shaiya was a very skilled dancer. Something he didn't expect.

After Music Night ended, all returned to their rooms.

Zuko headed to his room to await Shaiya. She had gone to her room to grab her pajamas, a pair of her father's pants and one of his shirts. She treasured the clothes more than her riches, little though they may be.

When she got to Zuko's room, she went to his private bathroom and changed. She came out, and Zuko went in. He came out in his customary pants and no shirt. When he did come out, he saw Shaiya sitting on the corner of his bed, looking rather uncomfortable.

"Hey, you okay?" he asked inquisitively.

"Yeah."

"You don't seem okay."

"I said I'm okay." she replied tensely.

"Okay, fine. Didn't mean to bug you. I'm just a little worried. Is that allowable?"

"Yeah. I guess." she mumbled. Slowly, Zuko walked over to the edge of the bed she was sitting on and gently laid his arm around her shoulder. Too tired to object, she leaned into his grip.

"C'mon, we need to get to bed. You've got a big day tomorrow."

"I do?"

"Yup. Remember, my uncle challenged you to an Agni Kai, just to see how far along you are."

"Oh, yeah. Ugh." With that final grunt from Shaiya, the two crawled under the covers and snuggled, mostly Zuko. He wrapped the arm he was lying on around her shoulders and his other arm around the base of her ribs.

"And just what, may I ask, are you doing cuddling up to me?" Shaiya asked.

"Not cuddling, I just want to make sure that Zhao doesn't make it to you."

"And what do you mean by that?"

"I spotted another Fire Navy ship around 80 nautical miles away. If they managed to catch up, who knows who' on that ship." The thought just scared Shaiya dramatically. "Hey, your okay."

"I know, I just don't want anyone to find me. My mother would kill both of us, you then me, Zhao would kill you then rape me, my disobedience would be reported to a higher authority, and no matter what happened, I'd end up dying. I'm too young to die. And besides, my mother would never believe me if I told her that her hero tried to rape me."

"Wait, Zhao's your mother's hero? I find that hard to believe. Anyway. We both are too young to die. And don't worry. No one will get to you." Zuko answered in what he hoped to be a soothing tone.

"I know. I trust you, Zuko. A lot."

"Thanks. Not many people do. There's just one thing I want you to know. When your with me, do as I say. Forget Zhao, forget your mother, forget the customs, and most of all, forget about me. As far as you're concerned, I'm not here. There's nothing in the world that can destroy you. Just keep that train of thought. Just stick with that train of thought. Don't lose that thought. I am not here, Zhao doesn't exist, the customs were never written, and your mother doesn't care. Just think like that. Just think like that." Zuko whispered and sighed.

Shaiya visibly relaxed. She even snuggled into the bed a little more. It wasn't long before the two teens' breathing evened out and they fell into a deep slumber.

The next day, Meiya decided to wake her daughter early. Little did she know, Shaiya and Zuko were sleeping peacefully, in Zuko's bed. Meiya's first stop was Shaiya's room. Empty.

She must be with Zuko, she thought. If he's dishonored her, I'll have his head.

Meiya headed down the hallway to the prince's room and cracked the door. Slowly, Meiya made her way up to the bed. In it, she found from the teens' mid upper-arm and up uncovered. She began to worry.

Slowly, Meiya crept back to the door and closed it almost all the way. Then, unable to keep her anger bottled up, she threw the door open in a rage of blind fury.

"GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF MY DAUGHTER!" she yelled, causing both teens to wake instantly and her little baby girl to fall to the floor on her backside.

"Mother, what is your problem!" Shaiya yelled as she stood.

"Your in BED with a boy and your NOT even MARRIED yet!" her mother screamed, her fists igniting.

"I'm not a baby, I'm aware of the customs, and I can think for myself, thanks! Besides, would you like to know why I'm sleeping with Zuko?"

"Oh please, do enlighten me." her mother replied sarcastically.

"Zhao, your hero, tried to rape me!"

"Watch what you say! Your lying!"

"I wish I was!"

"Zuko forced you in here, didn't you, you filthy bastard! Just because your royalty doesn't mean you can play around with my daughter!"

"He didn't do a damn thing to me!" Zuko looked as if he had just seen a ghost. He was kneeling in bed, his arms dangling loosely at his side. Meiya had enough and she charged. Her daughter caught her midway to the bed.

"Well, it most certainly looked like he did!"

"I told you, he didn't! I came in here, with Zuko, in his bed, on my own! And besides mother…" Shaiya snarled the last word as, in one swift move, she spun on her heels, walked up to the now standing Zuko, threw her arms around his neck, and forced him into the first, and possibly most emotional, kiss the two shared.

Meiya was positively taken aback by the sudden action of her daughter. She noisily stormed out of the room.

Shaiya released Zuko and stared straight into his molten-amber eyes.

"Whoa." he whispered.

"I had to get my mother off your case."

"Uh, thanks."

"Well, see ya Zuko." she said as she released her grip and left the room after her mother.

After Shaiya set things straight with her mother, she met Zuko in the galley for an early breakfast. Iroh wandered in after the teens finished their last biscuits and were getting ready to head above deck.

"Sleep well? I heard shouting earlier." he asked.

"We're fine, uncle." Zuko replied. Shaiya smiled sweetly and followed Zuko to the deck.

The two began to practice their moves before Iroh comes out, intent on being warmed up so he doesn't yell at the two.

Shaiya strikes up a conversation.

"So, Zuko. Why are you letting the Avatar wander about the ship without guards?"

"We made an agreement. If he tries to leave, I get his bison. Not that I want that stupid monstrosity."

"Yeah. Appa is pretty big. I'm amazed he hasn't tried to kill the Av…uh… Aang."

"I wish he would. Then I could take his crushed body to my father. Maybe I'd get my honor restored. I really don't care at this point."

"Oh yeah, why not? I thought you were all about the honor, throne, and kingdom you were promised if you did bring him back."

"I was. That was until I realized that my father stripped me of everything I cared about. He, and his ancestors, destroyed everything the Avatar cared about. Why am I fighting the Avatar, who has more in common with me than we both would like, rather than helping him fight the man that almost killed me, and who is continuing the very same war which caused the Avatar to become the last Airbender left in the world, and disappear for 100 years. Why am I not fighting my enemy, but a boy that can help me destroy my enemy?"

"Wow. Since you put it that way, I guess you're right. We should be fighting your father rather than Aang. That was a little confusing by the way."

"Oh, sorry."

"It's okay. I'm used to confusing. One of the BCD's, Ina is her name, has quite a habit of being random and confusing. When she does that, she's really hard to understand."

"I bet she is." As Zuko finished his sentence, Iroh walked above deck with the Avatar and Katara in tow.

"Guess what guys, time to train!" Iroh called. Katara summoned up some water, Zuko and Shaiya stood in their fighting stance, and Aang held up his staff, all preparing for the training they were going to receive.

A/N: How'd y'all like it? It was kinda long, but oh well. Don't forget about the German I need, and the opinions on the lyrics at the beginning of the chappies. Tank U! TTYL!