Chapter Five

Zuko had been doing- better- in the two months since his conversation with Uncle. He was protecting his crew now, even, sometimes, from himself. Uncle had told him that leaders command their men when they need something done or done differently, and then let the men do their jobs. Delegation is a thing. Compliments exist.

Zuko was trying.

Now though, now he just felt like he wanted to cry. How was Zhao in port again? Why was Zhao in port again? Why did the universe hate him?

He needed supplies- his crew- his uncle- all needed food to survive. Water, hay for the Komodo-Rhinos. Money to pay his men. The hundreds of little things they needed to keep their tiny rust bucket of a ship moving.

But, apparently, everything Zuko needed couldn't be spared for at least another week, maybe two. Never mind the fact that they really couldn't stay that long- he needed to get them home- which meant he still needed to find the Avatar.

And now Zhao had invited them for tea. And Uncle had accepted before Zuko could stop him.

Zhao was talking. He really liked talking. "… one of the crew members on your ship- I believe her name was Rai- requested a transfer. I have granted it."

Zuko glanced at Uncle who didn't look nearly as confused as Zuko did. "Who?" Zuko asked. Zhao smirked and Zuko immediately wanted to stuff the words back into his mouth.

Zhao tapped a finger against his chin. "Here," he said, standing and rustling something around on his desk. He handed a paper over to Zuko. It was a transfer request, one from nearly two years ago. It wasn't a woman. And certainly not one named Rai. It was Akimo.

Zuko felt like banging his head against the desk. That man just wouldn't let himself be kept safe. Akimo's past self was trying to kill him.

"He will be transferred to my personal ship," Zhao said, a smile tugging on his lips.

Zuko saw red. Red flames burning through Akimo, red blood welling up, red flags raised in a tribute for the fallen. Zhao was still trying to kill Akimo. He had not forgiven- and he had not forgotten.

Zuko found an odd almost-calm descending on him. He had promised to protect his crew- and he would. "Agni Kai," he said, "Dusk. I win- you leave my crew alone. And I get my supplies tomorrow."

Zhao raised an eyebrow. "As my prince commands," he said. He sounded entirely too pleased, like this was what he'd wanted all along. He glanced over to the wall of the tent, then sighed. "As much as I enjoyed the company, I'm afraid I have much to do before the duel." He bowed to them, more a parody than a real bow, before sweeping out of the tent.

Uncle looked worried. "Are you sure nephew?" he asked, Zuko could hear the unspoken ending, don't you remember what happened last time?

Zuko breathed in, deeply. Father wasn't here, he wasn't anywhere near here. He would face Zhao. He would win. He would protect his crew. Zuko breathed out, slowly. "I'm certain Uncle."

Uncle nodded.

-…-

Dusk arrived. Zuko was so very glad they didn't have an official Agni Kai ring here. This way he could watch Zhao approach. He could verify that it was actually Zhao he was fighting before he got in the ring.

Zhao came. Zuko very nearly breathed out a sigh of relief before he realized that would mean he was happy to see Zhao.

It was better than father though.

"Remember your basics Prince Zuko," Uncle said, and Zuko nodded.

He knelt, his back to Zhao, until it came time to fight.

-…-

The fight was over quickly. Iroh wasn't surprised, Zhao was good but he lacked the discipline of a toddler.

At the end, Zhao lay flat on his back, Zuko standing above him, one arm back. It would be very, very easy for Zuko to end Zhao permanently.

"Stay away from my crew," Zuko hissed.

"Or what?" Zhao asked. "Your father will demote me? I don't think he'd care if I'd killed you today. He would be glad to have you gone. If he truly wanted you back he'd have let you come home years ago."

All true-unfortunately. All from the wrong source as well. Zuko would need more time to figure that out.

Iroh waited for the rage- the denials- but they never came. A strange… almost calm… settled over Zuko's face.

His hands formed a series of circular motions, so very familiar to Iroh, and something he had only taught to Zuko conceptually to stop his nephew's sulking after Azula had mastered it.

It required separation- and calm- and Zuko was not- and had never been a calm…

Lightning sprang from Zuko's hands, crackling across the rapidly darkening sky.

Iroh blinked.

Zhao, faced with one of the few people on this world who could bend lightning, decided that now was a good time to remain silent.

-…-

Akimo whistled. "Remind me to not get on his bad side," he muttered.

Jee laughed. There was more than a tinge of anxiety in his laugh. Lightning? At fifteen?

-…-

Zuko was about as surprised as the rest of them. He… that definitely should have blown up in his face. But it hadn't.

In a moment of crystalized clarity- he'd realized that right now- right here- his father didn't matter. His crew did. They needed him. And he'd…responded. He resisted the urge to grin. That had… actually worked.

In an almost daze he turned his back on Zhao, and walked away, resisting the urge to shake away the tingling from his fingertips.

Zhao was embarrassed, angry, ashamed- but he was not a complete fool. He remained on the ground until Zuko was long gone.

A/N: This was where I first intended to end this thing- now I am unsure. It feels like there could be more here. At the same time- It's two in the morning and I really should be sleeping. So maybe that's just tired brain talking. Do you people want more or do you feel that this ending is satisfactory? Or do you not read Author's notes?