Yeah edits! Silent Jee, edited (for the most part) and back in action!
I do not own any other the avatar original characters, all fan characters are mine
Check out my other stories, or my DA account: Witchywinnie
Chapter 21: Battle on the Black Swan
"That's the Black Swan?" Zuko asked about the black dot before them.
"It is," Toshiro replied as she continued to glare at the ship.
"How do you know?" Zuko squinted to try and get a better look at the ship.
"Just trust me," was all Toshiro said. She looked at Zuko's hand that was till upon her shoulder. It was so big that it covered her entire shoulder. Smiling, she turned back and looked back out to the sea.
The dot was getting closer, which meant that the Black Swan had either stopped, or the wind was on Toshiro's side and was speeding up the fishing boat. It had only been a few days, but Toshiro was determined to get that ship back, sleep in her own bed, and kill who ever was now on that ship holding her loyal crewmembers captive.
Zuko took his hand off her shoulder, and walked down to the main deck. He knew that even if the Black Swan was motionless, it would still be a few hours before they were close enough to take any action. He leaned against the side of the ship, and closed his eyes. A few hours meant some sleep before they had to deal with the dozens of pirates probably on the ship.
"Zuko," a voice rang in his head. "Zuko," it called again. Swirls of blue flew around an empty black space, and formed two beautiful pale blue, sly, mischievous eyes. They shined, as they seemed to taunt him wordlessly. Locks of golden brown hair fell over the eyes as they became surrounded with lightly tanned skin.
"Zuko," the voice called, as it got more and more familiar. Below the face, more swirls of blue danced together, making a stunning blue kimono. It was a light blue trim, with silver flowers embroidered on the darker blue skirt. From the sleeve emerged a hand that reached out to Zuko.
He looked back at the now formed woman, and knew who she was. Before him was a gorgeous Toshiro. He took the hand that was extended out to him and stepped closer to her.
Toshiro's hair stretched down to below her waist and above her ear was a blue rose. The blue brought out the striking color in her eyes. She was so attractive. He remembered when she was in the revealing dress Hana and Jasmine lent her at the inn. She was eye catching, but nowhere near as beautiful as she was now.
He placed his hand on her hip and pulled her hip to his. Putting his other hand behind her head, he again brought her lips to his, and deeply kissed her. He combed his fingers through her hair, and ran his hand up her back. He saw Toshiro bring up her hands and felt her gently graze her fingers up and down his chest. He hadn't realized the lack of his shirt before, but at this point it didn't matter. Toshiro's fingers were cold on his bare skin, but they felt soothing, as his body grew hotter.
They broke apart to breathe and Zuko pushed some loose hairs out of Toshiro's face. "Zuko," she said again, but he kissed her before she could say more. He ran his fingertips up her spine. When he hit her neck, he started to massage her shoulder before slipping his fingers down the back of her neck and under her kimono. He could feel her cold fingers around the waistline of his pants. Stroking down, his fingers started to graze her chest.
They broke apart for another second. "Zuko," Toshiro said again out of breath, "Zuko." Zuko ignored it, and kissed her again, but he continued to hear her say his name. "Zuko… Zuko… Zuko?"
Zuko's eyes slowly opened and staring him in the face was Toshiro. "Ahh!" He jumped at the surprise of Toshiro. She was in her pirate attire and looking at him a little confused. "Zuko, are you all right?" She asked, as she leaned over him and checked his forehead. "You can't fight if you're sick." She looked him in the eye when she realized how close they were, and she quickly backed up and blushed. Clearing her throat, she stood back up and then said, "You have been asleep for a few hours. We'll be approaching the Black Swan in about twenty minutes or so. You need to be awake."
"Right," he responded to let her know he was awake. He felt his forehead and thought, What was that about? Was it a dream? He stood up and looked over to where the Black Swan was. They were close and they needed to be ready in case the pirates aboard knew it was Toshiro behind them, causing them to attack first. He walked over to see his uncle talking with Toshiro. He joined them, but they continued to talk without showing the awareness of his company.
"I can take it, Iroh," Toshiro insisted.
"We're coming with you, and whether you want us to not, we are helping you. I'm not going to stand there and just watch if you have a sword to your neck," Iroh fought.
"He's right, Toshiro," Zuko added, "We aren't going to stand on the side lines."
Toshiro's eyes shot back and forth between Iroh and Zuko and she sighed when she realized she wasn't going to win. "Fine," she declared, "But stay out of my way. I don't want to be the reason for one of you losing a hand, or worse, a head."
Zuko and Iroh smiled, making her smile too. "All right! Get ready to attack the bloody bastards on my ship!" Toshiro yelled as she raised a sword to the sky. They ran to the bow of the ship, to board the Black Swan. Toshiro stepped up onto the edge and wrapped her arm around a rope hanging from the mast.
The ship sailed straight, going along the side of the Black Swan. Toshiro smirked as she pulled herself up with the rope and swung onboard the Black Swan. Recognized by her old crewmembers prior to her swing, the pirates were on the main deck with their swords at the ready.
"All right," Toshiro yelled so everyone could hear her, "We can do this the easy way, or the not so easy way. I'm fine either method. But let's say you pick the easy way. Who is the bloody urchin who is captaining this crew!?"
The pirates stepped closer and Toshiro stood her ground. Zuko and Iroh joined her from the fishing boat and stood behind her, both in a fire bending stance.
"I'll ask again. Who is your new captain?"
A man standing on a keg of rum chuckled and said, "Me."
Toshiro shook her head.
"Not what you expected?" He asked as he stepped off the keg.
"No," she answered, "You I can expect. But that is a waste to be standing on a full keg of rum. You'll get crud in it from your cheap boots."
The man laughed in a deep voice. He had dark skin and earrings pierced through his nose and mouth. He wore no shirt, revealing many oddly designed tattoos and he wore a pair of green pants and brown boots. "You must be Toshiro," he said as he stepped toward her. He was very tall, about a foot taller than Toshiro. He looked directly down at her and she looked up at him. "You're pretty small to be a big threat."
Toshiro rolled her eyes and stabbed him in the stomach. "You aren't the captain," she said as she walked away from the falling man, "You're too stupid." She walked up to the helm, where a man shorter than the last, but still taller than Toshiro, stood. He had black hair and a scar on his right check. "You're smart," he said, "He's not the captain, I am."
"No you're not," she said.
"Okay, you're right. But, you'll have to get past me to see him."
Zuko and Iroh just made it up to the helm in time to see the man make the first attack.
Toshiro smirked as she dodged the man's sword. She stood behind him and ducked when he swung his sword around. Going to strike at his feet, Toshiro missed when he jumped, and tried to stab her on the floor. Toshiro put her weight on her hands and pushed her feet into his face. The blow forced him a few steps back and when he went to strike again, Toshiro was fast enough to slash his arm before he struck her.
The man fell to the ground and Toshiro brought her sword to his neck and asked again, "Where is he?"
He pointed to a man standing about five feet behind her. The man was a few inches taller than Zuko. He wore all black, from his button up shirt to his boots. He had blue eyes, dusty brown hair that hung in his face and had a short ponytail in the back. He wore black gloves and carried a sword in his right hand. "Excellent job, Toshiro. You have beaten my first mate."
Something about the captain struck Zuko as odd. For some reason, he seemed quite familiar.
Toshiro glared at him and raised her sword, ready for him to attack her. "Get off my ship," she said firmly.
The captain took a step toward her and pushed her sword out of his way with his finger. Toshiro swung it back. "Toshiro, you seem very young," he said, his accent somewhat like Toshiro's; proper in some ways, but cruel in others.
"I get that a lot." She got in her stance.
"Toshiro, I don't want to fight you. I see no reason to."
"Really?"
"Yes. I rightfully stole this ship; therefore it is no longer your ship. That being said, would you like to join my crew, Toshiro?"
That was not what Toshiro wanted to hear. "Get off MY ship!" She yelled once more and made the first strike, which the captain easily blocked. Toshiro jumped forward and the captain moved to the side, tripping her. "Oof!"
"Toshiro!" Zuko yelled from the stairs.
"Shut your mouth boy," Zans said from behind him and Iroh. "Toshiro can't beat him."
Toshiro pushed herself off the ground and stepped back. "Why are you fighting Toshiro? Is there really any point?" The captain asked, taunting her.
She ignored it and took another step back. Glaring at him, she waited for him to strike her. "I don't want to fight you, why are you waiting for me to?"
She didn't move.
"Fine," he finally said and swung at her. She dodged it and stepped once more back and up onto the edge of the boat. The captain laughed, "Toshiro, you are nowhere near a worthy opponent." With that, he struck again.
Toshiro waved her arms around and tried to catch her balance, but failed and fell off the side of the ship.
The crew fell silent as they listened to her the splash of Toshiro hitting the water. When it came, Zans turned to Zuko, "I told ye boy."
"Toshiro," Zuko said under his breath. He couldn't help her, and now she was defeated.
R&R! I love comments!