Chapter Nine - Love Amongst Dragons

Natsumi smirked as she came across the scene on the boat; a small band accompanied by the dulcet tones of General Iroh who serenaded them as two shipmates danced. She couldn't help but think this was more her scene than the nights she had spent on the ship deck training, with only a few overconfident soldiers trying their luck to challenge her. As a stray twang rang out, the shipmates froze, regarding the soldiers and the Admiral as they boarded the Prince's boat.

"Admiral Zhao," General Iroh greeted them with an inquisitive stroke of his beard. "I don't suppose you've come to join music night on the ship?"

"Unfortunately not, General Iroh," he mused, giving him a respectful bow. "Actually, I've come bearing an offer for both you and your crew. The Fire Nation is finally making its move against the Northern Water Tribe and I would be honoured to have you join me in the siege."

"Of course I can't speak for the crew, but I'm afraid I must decline your kind offer, Admiral," Iroh replied graciously. "It seems I've become too accustomed to the tranquil life of retirement."

Iroh smiled, lightning up his face as his crew regarded him carefully. Natsumi couldn't help but admire the man who could so politely decline such an offer, but also give his crew the freedom of their own choice. However, she suspected that in front of Zhao, the choice was already made for each of them.

"A shame," he admitted, turning his attention to the crew, "but I can see your mind is set. Perhaps you and Natsumi could reacquaint yourselves, while I make my offer to your crew."

General Iroh raised one eyebrow at the scene, regarding it carefully, before nodding.

"Of course. Perhaps you would like to join me for some tea below decks?" he inquired towards her.

"Of course, General Iroh. It would be a pleasure," she smiled softly, following him.

"I don't suppose there's much I can say to dissuade you," he frowned, his eyes set to the ground as he broke their content silence.

"Only as much as I could say to change your own mind," she smiled softly, her amber eyes meeting his.

Accepting this, the General nodded, opening the door of the ship with a creak.

"For the last time, I'm not playing the tsungi horn," Zuko pouted from within the room, Natsumi lifting a hand to her mouth to stifle her laughter.

"No, it's about our plans," the General began hesitantly, making room as the Admiral joined them in the corridor. "There's a bit of a problem."

"I'm taking your crew," the Admiral announced, walking in to command the room.

Natsumi listened outside the open door, hearing Zuko's rage as the Admiral took away his last hope of capturing the Avatar. However, her eyes widened as the conversation took a new turn, focusing on the infamous Blue Spirit. The Admiral questioned Zuko about his skill in using the broadswords that were apparently hung up on the wall. Zhao was no fool. He knew.

"He's real, all right. He's a criminal, and an enemy of the Fire Nation, but I have a feeling that justice will catch up with him soon."

Natsumi watched as Zhao's impassive face entered back within her sights, opting to leave the room.

"General Iroh, the offer to join my mission still stands... if you change your mind."

Slowly the door creaked shut as Zhao pulled it to. As Natsumi turned to follow him, he came to a sudden stop in the corridor.

"Well?" he inquired, eyebrows raised as he turned to face her.

"He won't leave his nephew, sir. Not for anything," she explained, wondering why the Admiral expected anything else.

"Perhaps he just needs the right incentive…" he thought aloud, eyes narrowed. "I want you to stay here, Private. There's still time before the crew leaves. Be sure to use your time wisely before you escort them to the naval base."

"But sir, I really don't think I could change his mind," she claimed, shaking her head slightly.

"Just trust me on this, Private. You're more useful here where you can… integrate yourself."

Natsumi didn't have a clue what the Admiral was getting at, but either way she wasn't about to give up an opportunity to talk to Zuko. Nodding, she watched as the Admiral walked away, wondering how she was supposed to even begin to 'integrate herself', as he put it. Deciding she better face the grouchy Prince sooner than later, she took a deep breath and headed back towards his room, catching Iroh as he exited.

"Natsumi," he blinked in surprise.

"Forgive me for the intrusion, General Iroh, but it seemed that the Admiral wanted someone to stay behind to escort the crew to the naval base," she explained, looking slightly sheepish.

"Your presence is never an intrusion," the General smiled, his eyes crinkling slightly. "However, I would advise that you give my nephew a wide berth this evening."

"I would rather get the yelling over with tonight," she smiled slightly. "Perhaps then we can start fresh in the morning."

"Hmm," he stroked his beard. "I suppose you're right. If you need me I'll be speaking with the crew."

She nodded, taking a deep breath as she knocked at the Prince's door. His grumbles came through muffled as he yelled at his Uncle to go away. However, Natsumi was persistent, knocking once again before the door flew open to send stray hairs into her face.

"Natsumi?" he blinked as he stood in the doorway, baffled.

"Prince Zuko," she nodded to him in greeting.

"What?" he growled, folding his arms over his chest as his permanent scowl settled into place. "Was taking my crew not enough? Maybe you want my ship too."

"Well, if you're offering…" Natsumi took one look at his face before chuckling to herself. "Sorry, not the time."

"You think?" he growled.

"Look, I'm sorry for everything," she sighed, sweeping her stray hairs back into place. "If there was anything I could do to help, I would, but I just don't think it would be a good idea. I don't want you getting captured."

"If you really wanted to help, you would get me on that ship," he scowled.

"How am I supposed to do that? Hide you under my cloak?" she exclaimed, eyes pleading, trying to make him see sense.

"I can infiltrate the ship on my own," he murmured, turning his back on her and walking into his room.

"Do not even think about it!" she warned, her voice rising an octave as she stalked after him. "I didn't protect you all this time just to see you wander onto a Fire Navy ship willingly! How would you stay hidden?"

She placed a hand on her hips as she waited for him to answer.

"I'd figure something out!"

"No, you wouldn't! You would come to me, begging for my help, and then you would expect me to get you to join the siege itself, and you know what the stupid part is? I would do it and I'd probably be thrown into prison right alongside you," she yelled, throwing her arms out in frustration.

"I'm not coming to you for help," he scowled, turning his back on her.

"Zuko," she sighed, moving towards him and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Please… please, just stay here."

Slowly, he turned, his eyes glimmering with the fading hope that he was about to lose everything he ever wanted.

"Could you do the same?" he asked her, saddened.

Natsumi opened her mouth before pressing it into a firm line, her eyes tilting to the left and lowering slightly.

"Forget I asked."

Natsumi picked at her food, pushing it around her bowl while General Iroh ate heartily, obviously making the most of the ship's last cooked meal. Between her and Zuko, the General's eyes kept flicking back and forth, trying to deal with the pleasant company of two sullen teenagers.

"So…" he began, patting his stomach. "I was thinking that the crew could gather for one final music night before they set off."

He raised an eyebrow, observing the two carefully as they gave shrugged and half-hearted reactions.

"Perhaps you could even entertain us with a dance, Natsumi," he suggested heartily, a beaming smile plastered on his face as his eyes crinkled.

"Only if Zuko plays the tsungi horn," she muttered, scowling.

"Excellent. I have already taken the liberty of preparing the instruments myself, since the crew were busy packing."

Both Zuko and Natsumi spluttered, their protests dying on their lips, as the old man regarded them with a sad face.

"You wouldn't make the hard work of an old man with aching bones go to waste would you?" he whined, grasping at his joints with groans of pain.

"I am not playing the tsungi horn," Zuko argued, his arms crossed as Natsumi regarded the old man with sympathy.

"Of course, we could just spend the evening telling old stories. My favourite is from a time on Ember Island when Zuko was a young boy and terrified of the ocean, thinking the dark water spirits would curse him as a firebender…"

Natsumi laughed, trying her best to quell an unexpected snort with a hand over her mouth.

"I'll play the tsungi horn," he agreed, slamming his hands down on the table as he made a quick exit.

"What was the rest of that story?" she inquired, her eyes turning back to the smiling General.

"It seems my memory has failed me. Perhaps another time," he grinned, turning his attention to Zuko's leftovers, "but then again, I may be able to recall if you wish to put a stake on it. How are you at Pai Sho?"

Arriving on the deck, Natsumi observed the crew carefully, grumbling under her breath about how Iroh had hoodwinked her in their game of Pai Sho. She frowned at Zuko who was sitting in a corner, pouting as he gave the tsungi horn his best glare.

"He could at least wish us well for the future," came a grumble from behind.

"Would you, when we're abandoning him to join Admiral Zhao?" another muttered.

"Shh… don't let her hear you," came a loud whisper.

Natsumi raised an eyebrow, turning to see one member of the crew whack the other on the head. Slowly, their eyes rose to hers and she looked at them awkwardly.

"Private Natsumi," she garbled. "Pleased to meet you."

Bowing her head slightly, she ended up staring them down. They stared back as if she were a dragon that had come back from the dead. She had to admit, given their attitude towards their leader, she was kind of surprised at the frosty reception she received. Despite the complaints, they were still loyal to him.

"I'm sorry," she apologised, eyes lowering. "It seems like you didn't have much choice in the matter. Your loyalty is quite admirable."

"Do you need something, Private?" one man with short grey whiskers asked, his eyebrows furrowed.

"No," she sighed, turning away. "Forgive me."

"Lieutenant Jee! So I see you've met Private Natsumi. We are in for quite a treat. She's a great dancer," General Iroh mused, emerging on the deck of the ship.

"A dancer?" he echoed in disbelief, almost amused.

"And Lieutenant Jee here is a wonderful singer and a talented pipa player," the General continued, seemingly oblivious to the tension between the two.

"A singer?" she shot back, a smirk on her face.

"Prince Zuko here even wants to bid you farewell by playing the tsungi horn, don't you?" Iroh added, blissfully ignorant to daggered eyes threatening to cause his spontaneous combustion.

"Can we get this over with already?" he scowled, taking the tsungi horn and resting it on his knee.

"Please do," Natsumi grinned, Zuko shooting her a look.

Natsumi sat on the floor, her smile constant as she beamed at the group who played the song 'A Thousand Suns' while Iroh sang along in hearty tones. As they wrapped up, she clapped, Iroh's pleasure evident as he gave a small bow.

"Well, Prince Zuko. Who would have thought you'd be serenading me with your tsungi horn all over again?" she teased, leaning forward in a playful manner as her finger wiggled in his direction.

"So you guys know each other?" Lieutenant Jee noted, eyes pinned on Natsumi.

"Childhood friends," she shrugged, looking at Zuko as he stewed in his embarrassment.

"We used to fling fire at each other in the Palace gardens," he muttered, frowning.

Natsumi snorted, almost choking at Zuko's blatant description of their childhood relationship. Next thing she knew, Iroh was thumping her on the back as he stared down at her red face with concern.

"I'm fine," she croaked, giving herself a thump on the chest.

"Are you sure?" he asked, giving her an obscure look.

"Fine," she coughed. "Air went down the wrong way."

"Good. Well now you've caught your breath, how about that performance? I seem to recall that if I won our game of Pai Sho you would treat us," he grinned, taking a seat.

"Oh, um… I don't know. I mean, would you even know any of the songs?" she stammered, thinking of the last time she gave a performance.

"Well, what song do you need?" he inquired, happy to accommodate her worst nightmares.

Natsumi wondered what the most obscure song she could think of was. Panicked, her eyes found Zuko's which only brought one thing to her mind.

"Do you know the 'Love Amongst Dragons' written music?" she blurted, looking towards blank faces with relief. "Oh, that's a shame. I suppose most people haven't heard of the music dedicated to the play…"

"I know it," came the Lieutenant's voice, as he picked up his pipa with a smile.

Natsumi gritted her teeth, "how kind of you, Lieutenant Jee."

Sighing, Natsumi dragged herself up and grimaced before turning around to face her audience, crouching down in the twilight. Slowly, the notes began to ring out, and she pushed the tides of fire outwards, acting as the sea, which gave birth to what Natsumi always imagined to be the Dark Water Spirit; something that resembled a sea serpent. Next, a dragon rose; the representation of the Dragon Emperor, their fire representatives twirling and clashing, as Natsumi spun, finally melding the flames in a fire cage that left her flickering form as the dragon transformed, now human.

Slowly, the dance began, and she controlled two flames that tangled and clashed. Her body twirled through the motions, her passion for the dance sparking and rekindling as she worked through the forms. Finally, the flames melded as one, representing the love the Fire Emperor found as a mortal, giving him the strength and fire to take on the serpent which fell like a tidal wave crashing to the ground. Finally, two dragons rose from the ashes, melding and twirling in harmony as Natsumi picked up her pace, sweat shimmering from the strain of holding the forms as they finally came together, one being.

Breathing heavily, her eyes met Zuko's that flashed with raw pain. Letting the fire flicker out, she realised why she had thought of the dance as she had looked at him; it was his mother's favourite.

"No, I'm sorry," she cried after him, a single hand outstretched, as he stormed away.

Following him to his room, she winced as she heard the slam of the door. Finally reaching it, she collapsed against it, painfully regretting her poor choice of performance.

"Zuko, please," she whined, holding her hands in her head. "I'm such an idiot. It was the only thing I could think of, but I forgot how much it meant to you… to her."

She listened, trying to identify any hints that he didn't hate her. Finally, she stood staring at the cold metal door between them.

"I'll do it," she announced, placing a hand on the door. "I'll do anything you want. Just please don't hate me."

Deciding she had waited long enough, she sighed, turning away from the door with one last sorrowful look. The time had come; she had to take the last few members of the Fire Nation that were willing to serve the banished Prince. The final remnants that reminded him he was someone important enough to be served, and in that moment, Natsumi didn't blame Zuko for hating her.

A/N: I realised writing this chapter that you never see Zuko's crew ever again. I wonder what happened to them. Got me thinking that they're such an odd bunch, with what I imagine to be quite grey backstories. I mean, they wouldn't give the best soldiers to a banished Prince would they? I imagine they would all be outcasts themselves for some reason or other. Another fanfiction idea to never see the light of day, I imagine!

P.S - any reading recommendations? Doesn't have to be Avatar. I feel like I've completed this website sometimes. Especially the Naruto Fanfiction XD