A/N I'm embarrassed, honestly, I am. I took a ridiculously long time to get out this ridiculously low-quality, short chapter. I'm ashamed. You can throw rotten fruit or eggs or something at me if you want. I'll get out the next chapter ASAP, I swear. Thank you to GrinLikeTheCheshireCat for curing me of writer's block! You were a huge help, and I will use more of your idea in the next chapter as well. You rock. -Nerdy J

I thought it over for a moment. Was there any possible way this could backfire on me? How can it? He's a non-bender, I've been training in Firebending since I was a kid. I will get rid of this nuisance of a soldier who keeps talking back to me... Nothing can possibly go wrong.

I allowed my confidence to shine on my face.

"Perfect. I accept your 'challenge'."

The Earthbender's fearful expression wasn't lost on me, rather, it annoyed me to no end. Was there something going on between my prisoner and soldier that I didn't know about? How is it that I don't know anything that happens on my ship?!

We moved to the part of the deck that wasn't wrecked from the Avatar's attack in the South Pole. The girl insisted on coming outside to watch the fight, even though she had just woken up from a two week long slumber and been fairly traumatized only a half hour before... Speaking of which, how did she do that?! Just sob, and then brush it off like nothing?

Focus, Zuko. Win this fight, then you can worry about the prisoner's mental health.

Not that I'm worried.

Because...I'm not.

We both took our positions, and my experienced, trained eye quickly began breaking up his stance. His stance is solid, but too bladed. If I strike him at that angle, he won't have a brace...

"Prince Zuko, are you sure this is a good idea?" Uncle called, concern lacing his voice.

I didn't respond, keeping my eyes trained on my opponent.

"Alright, are both parties ready?" shouted Lieutenant Jee.

The two of us nodded slightly. I was vaguely aware that most of the crew was on deck watching our match. All the better. I want plenty of people to see my victory.

"Begin!"

I watched, horrified, as a fire blast immediately launched itself at Akan's head. My friend ducked to the ground, sliding easily out of the way. He continued weaving between flames as he made his way closer to Zuko. Slowly, my fear for his safety began melting away, leaving curiosity as well as interest.

Zuko fights so rigidly, so stiffly. He fights like a soldier. I suppose he was trained that way. But Akan... He's almost casual while he dodges.

This should be fun.

I was getting angry. He wasn't fighting the way he should. He wasn't fighting like the Fire Nation soldier he was. He was fighting like a...

I didn't know what he was fighting like.

He continued getting closer, his movements quickening as the pace of my strikes did. It's time to change this up. I made like I was firing at his head, and while he ducked to the deck, I copied his position, sending a sweeping blast of fire at his feet.

He fell on his back hard, grunting. I leapt through the air, quickly pinning him down and holding a fire dagger to his throat.

"Yield," I hissed. I didn't want to burn him, considering I was still dealing with the after effects of the last time I did that...

Focus!

He struggled for a brief moment, before realizing he was trapped, and falling back to the deck.

"I...yield," he mumbled.

I covered my mouth as I saw Akan get knocked flat on his back, I would be yelling for him to get up, but when someone is holding a knife made of flames to your throat, it's time to be smart.

He yielded, and I angrily shoved down the tears. No! You've cried enough!

Zuko rose to his feet, a victorious smirk on his face that made me want to take him down. Akan struggled to his feet, rubbing his back. I ran across the deck, hugging him. He stepped back at first, startled. Not that I blame him, I've never been one to initiate physical contact like that. After a moment, he hugged me back, his arms enveloping me.

"I'm sorry, Misuki," he whispered.

I squeezed him tightly, burrowing my head into his chest.

"Idiot," I muttered.

Iroh watched the two teens sadly, seeing the sweet affection they clearly held for each other. Tearing them apart seems so cruel...

I narrowed my eyes at them. They were still embracing, and it was sickening, to be honest.

"We are approaching a Fire Nation port," I announced."You will leave the ship there."

He pulled away from the Earthbender, nodding stiffly.

"Someone else escort the prisoner back to the medical bay," I said.

The girl apparently realized for the first time that nearly the whole crew was on deck, and she seemingly folded into herself, shoulders hunched and arms crossed. Well, that's new. Who would have thought that tough-mouthed, stoic mask hid a shy little girl?

I noted that she had taken her hair out of its usual braid, and the tangled, wild mess was hanging in her face, only one green eye peeking through. So she's not totally indifferent to it, then. She went to the trouble to cover it.

Stop analyzing the Earthbender's mental process, for Agni's sake!

I laid in the medical ward, fighting desperately to stay awake. I couldn't fall asleep! I needed to talk to Akan, to tell him how sorry I was that this happened to him for trying to protecting me...and to say goodbye. But I had been through a lot today, and I could feel the blissful call of sleep tugging at my consciousness... Just for a little while...

Akan entered the medical bay silently, shutting the door with a soft click. Walking over to the cot, he paused before attempting to awaken the sleeping girl. She looks so cute... Gah, no, I meant calm! Calm! When she's sleeping... Almost hate to wake her up...

"Misuki!"

I startled out of my sleep abruptly, my hand shooting up to catch the one shaking me and twisting it violently to the side.

"Ow! Let go!"

I blinked away the remnants of sleep lingering in my mind, and smiled sheepishly when I saw who I had unwittingly attacked.

"Sorry, Akan. Reflex, you know."

I released him, and he rubbed his wrist, glaring at me slightly.

"I get it, no touching you while you're sleeping, geez..."

We both caught the double meaning at the same time, and I could feel heat rise to my cheeks.

"What are you doing here, anyway?" I questioned, tugging my hair to cover my burn again.

His face shifted to a serious expression, rather than his usually playful one.

"We are approaching the Fire Nation port now. I'm leaving the ship...and you're coming with me."

A/N Again, there is no excuse, but I hope you guys can forgive me :( This is actually my sixth draft of this chapter...