A/N: Heres the next chapter. Thank you for the reviews! And this one's kind of long I guess so I hope you like it!

Disclaimer: Avatar is not mine just Serenity.

Zhao came back a little while later. "My search party is ready." He said walking into his quarters. "Once I'm out to sea, my guards will escort you back to your ship, and you'll be free to go." He turned to me smirking. "Of course, you're free to stay. It was just your bad luck that you were traveling with these people."

I grimaced on the inside. I think not. I smiled. "Thank you, but I think I'll pass."

"Suit yourself." Zhao shrugged.

"Why?" Zuko asked turning to Zhao. "Are you worried I'm going to try and stop you?"

Zhao laughed. "You? Stop me? Impossible."

Zuko stood up angrily. "Don't underestimate me Zhao! I will capture the Avatar before you!"

"Prince Zuko, that's enough!" Iroh said.

"Yeah, you need to work on your anger issues." I muttered.

"You can't compete with me." Zhao said. "I have hundreds of warships under my command. And you, you're just a banished prince." I looked up at Zuko shocked. I had no idea…..he was banished? "No home, no allies…your own father doesn't even want you."

I glared at Zhao. I was really starting to not like this man.

"You're wrong! Once I deliver the Avatar to my father, he will welcome me home with honor! And restore my rightful place on the throne!"

Honor? What was he talking about? I definitely had some questions for him later.

"If your father really wanted you home, he would have let you return by now. Avatar or no Avatar." Zhao said. "But in his eyes you are a failure, and a disgrace to the Fire Nation!"

"That's not true!" Zuko said, but I could see the doubt in his eyes.

"You have the scar to prove it."

I gasped looking at Zuko. You….you mean…his father gave him that scar? I couldn't believe it! Why would any father do that to their child?

Zuko growled and got in Zhao's face angrily. "Maybe you'd like one to match!"

"Is that a challenge?" Zhao chuckled without humor.

"An Agni Kai! At sunset."

"Very well." Zhao straightened up, as did Zuko. "It's a shame your father won't be here to watch me humiliate you. I guess your uncle and friend will do." He said walking away.

I stared after the commander shocked at what just happened. An Agni Kai? I had heard about these before, and they weren't pretty.

"Prince Zuko." Iroh said. "Have you forgotten what happened last time you dueled a master?"

"I will never forget." Zuko said staring at the ground, and I could see the sadness in his eyes.

"Zuko…." I said quietly. He didn't turn to me, but I knew he heard me.

"You wanted to know, and now you do." He said coldly walking away from me. I watched him as he paced back and forth. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked over to see Iroh. He was watching Zuko, but he turned to me and looked me dead in the eyes.

"You'll have to forgive him. He doesn't mean to act like this. Zuko has had a rough childhood." I stared at the old man before looking back at Zuko. Yes, I would definitely have to ask him some questions later.

At sunset, I stood in an arena next to Iroh, waiting for the fight to start, while Zuko kneeled down in front of us. He had changed his clothes, so now he was wearing a pair of black pants and an open vest with no shirt underneath.

"Remember your firebending basics, Prince Zuko." Iroh said. "They are your greatest weapons."

"I refuse to let him win." Zuko stood up and shrugged off his vest, exposing his chest. I blushed, though I didn't know why. I saw him without a shirt last night, but somehow today was different.

Zhao shrugged his vest off too, as he turned to face Zuko. "This will be over quickly." A gong sounded and the two men got into fighting stances.

The fight started off with Zuko attacking, and Zhao blocking. "Basics Zuko! Break his route!" Iroh yelled.

Zhao attacked Zuko, turning the tables of the fight. Now Zuko was blocking and Zhao was attacking, as I watched the fight anxiously. There was fire flying everywhere, and I knew this could get very dangerous. I was watching Zuko's attacks more closely than I was Zhao's. Zuko was actually a pretty skilled fighter. I hadn't seen firebending in a long time-not since the attack on my tribe-and watching Zuko, I realized how beautiful firebending actually was.

Zhao shot fire at Zuko three times, until Zuko was thrown back. I had the sudden urge to go make sure he was okay, but stopped myself after I took one step. What am I doing? I noticed Iroh watching me out of the corner of his eyes.

Zhao jumped and landed in front of Zuko, then pulled his hand back and was about to shoot fire right into Zuko's face. "No!" I screamed, causing the guards and Iroh to look at me.

Suddenly Zuko spun and kicked Zhao under his feet, causing him to fall back. Zuko smirked and shot fire at Zhao, gaining the upper hand. Iroh smirked, apparently happy, but I didn't relax at all. I wouldn't until this fight was over.

Zuko shot another blast of fire at Zhao, making him fall to the ground. He went over and held his fists out, ready to attack the man on the ground.

"Do it!" Zhao yelled.

I watched nervous as Zuko shot a blast of fire at him…right next to his head.

"That was it?" Zhao said glaring. "Your father raised a coward!"

"Next time you get in my way, I promise, I won't hold back." Zuko said turning and walking back towards us.

No! I was running before I even knew what happened. Zhao stood up shooting a blast of fire out of his foot at Zuko. Instantly I was in front of Zuko, ready to block, and Iroh had a hold of Zhao's foot in midair.

Iroh released Zhao's foot, sending him skidding backwards. Zuko looked down at me confused, and I was just as confused as he was. I didn't know what came over me. It was like my body moved on its own. It sensed Zuko was in danger, and wanted to protect him.

Zuko, realizing what happened, went to attack Zhao again, but Iroh stopped him. "No Prince Zuko. Do not taint your victory." He turned to Zhao. "So this is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat? Disgraceful. Even in exile, my nephew is more honorable than you. Thanks again for the tea. It was delicious." He said turning and walking away.

Zuko's POV...

I looked over at Serenity and saw her confused expression-though I couldn't understand what she could be confused about. I, on the other hand, had every right to be confused. Why had she protected me? This question kept playing in my mind as I walked away. I stopped after a few seconds, noticing she wasn't following. I sighed, walked back, grabbed her wrist and pulled her with me.

Serenity's POV...

As the three of us walked out of the arena, I came back to my senses, and looked around. I had been so deep in thought about what I did that I hadn't realized where I was. I looked over seeing Zuko was walking next to me-still shirtless-and turned away quickly before the dreaded blush came back to my cheeks.

"Did you really mean that uncle?" Zuko asked Iroh quietly.

"Of course." Iroh said smirking. "I told you Gin Sang tea is my favorite."

"Hey." I looked up at Zuko-careful to avoid looking anywhere but his chest, though that didn't help much either-and saw him watching me confused. "Are you feeling okay? Your face is kind of red."

My eyes widened and I quickly looked away. "Its nothing. I'm fine. Just….not used to the heat, that's all."

I felt Zuko watching me for a few more seconds, then apparently he decided he didn't want to ask questions right now, and stared ahead again.

A/N: Okay well review please! And sorry if the fight wasn't too good. I'm kind of bad with writing fight scenes out.