Notes: I have found a new story title. I have checked via the search database to see if anyone had a story by this title. It didn't give me any bones, so I think I'm good with this one. One can only hope.

Zuko's Girl (Nikki): I have to thank you for your story idea. It was the inspiration to the new title I have. I will give you partial credit for the inspiration. Thank you so much. laughs I love you, too.

Almostinsane: I'm glad you enjoyed my story enough to put me in your favorites. It makes me feel really great.

Camel: Constant reviewer, eh? Well I'm glad I have someone who's keeping in touch. Thank you for the support. shifty shoves cookie in her mouth at great speed and eats it

Disclaimer: View Chapter 1… Sheesh…

Where we left off…

"No. No. Stay here. I'll let you out later." She was talking to something in the barn, it seemed. Not to mention, he heard small caws and coos that were almost inaudible. Zuko swayed back and forth a bit trying to see what she was talking to and what was making the noise, but to no avail. He figured it might have been an animal of some sort. Maybe her pet? Before he could even get a sight of it, she had the barn door closed and walking towards him holding a bag that looked to have something in it.

"I have my supplies. Let's get to the ship so I can tend to your uncle." She said as she looked up at him.

"All right." Zuko replied. He then turned and walked in the direction of the docks with her following close behind.

Chapter 4

After walking for a while, they reached the ship that was at the town's docks. Kali just looked up and down the gigantic ship and seemed in her own world. Zuko looked her way and studied her expression. Is she surprised? In awe? She doesn't show much when it comes to emotions. That's for sure. "Impressive sight, isn't it?" He said in a tone that showed a bit of arrogance. She nodded at his words and just replied. "Yea. It's pretty impressive."

Zuko's ego sort of deflated at the tone she said it with. She said it was impressive, but it was like she didn't even care. Did she just say that to shut me up? Zuko's good eye twitched in annoyance at this thought. "Lower the platform!" He yelled at one of the crewmembers. In no time at all, the platform was lowered and he was walking it to the upper deck followed by the girl.

When they got up to the deck, the man who lowered the platform looked at Kali wide eyed. Zuko turned to see her and the man at a sort of a stare down. She was looking at him blankly and he was looking at her in shock. Zuko could only guess it was because of her appearance. Out of nowhere, Kali slapped the man across his face and this made Zuko's jaw drop and eyes widen. He never was so shocked in his life. The man did nothing, but stare… at… her… Zuko closed his mouth in understanding and remembered what he said to her in front of the older woman. She hates when people judge her on appearance… I should know about that more than anything…

"Weren't you ever taught it's impolite to stare!" Kali shouted at the shocked man. The Firebender didn't know what to do. He was outraged, yet somewhat intimidated. He just remained in place utterly speechless. "Learn some damn manners!" Apparently she's not in a good mood, either. Zuko sweat dropped at this thought, knowing that the mood was caused because of his outburst. Why should I care, though? After this I'll never see her again.

She walked towards him leaving the crewmember in his stupefied state. "Well? Where's the patient? I want to see the condition myself." She asked in a tone that seemed a bit impatient to the young prince. He then nodded to her and walked to a hatch door that led below deck and into a dimly lit hallway. He led her to a room and opened the door. Inside was the elder man laying on a bed unconscious. There was another man in there standing next to him who was the ship's doctor. He was placing a damp rag on Iroh's head as they came in.

"How's his condition?" Zuko asked with a bit of sincerity in his voice.

"It seems to be getting worse since you left." The doctor replied weakly. He apparently didn't want to deliver this news to the prince.

Out of nowhere Kali walked over to Iroh and stood across the bed from the doctor. "How long has it been?" Kali asked and sounded very serious.

The doctor was surprised at the seriousness in her voice. He decided to answer her anyways. "About 5 days."

"What leg is it?"

"The right one."

Kali lifted the man's robe enough to examine his leg. She looked at it and ran her index finger over what appeared to be a red line. "He has blood poisoning now from whatever got him."

"How can you tell?"

"When the vein is red like this. It's not normal. The poison is going through the blood stream. I'm guessing you gave him something to slow his blood flow because by now it should've been farther up his leg. It's only at the knee right now."

"Well, yes we did. We've been giving him a dose everyday."

Zuko just watched in confusion as the two talked amongst themselves. Not because he didn't understand the medical jabber. It was something else that confused him. There was a grown man in front of him. One who studied medicine and surgery for years upon years. Then, there was a girl who looked about Zuko's age and seemed to know more about medicine than the man. It was just all very confusing and unbelievable to him.

While in his thoughts, he seen her take some things out of her bag and set them on a table. There were a few bottles, some powders, and a small wooden container. She also took out the black cloth that she had as a blindfold earlier and wrapped it around her nose and mouth. She opened the wooden container to show what looked like small knives and some needles with very thin thread. Zuko didn't like where the look of this was going. Is she going to do surgery? The doctor just stood there and observed what she was doing. It was like he was learning from a girl who should be learning from him.

She took out a towel and picked up one of the bottles. She moistened the corner with the liquid in the bottle and then wiped down the utensils in the box. After she cleansed the items, she then wiped the skin above the infected vein with the damp corner. "Are you sure he's unconscious?" She asked the man in a serious tone.

"He hasn't responded in a few days. I'm sure of it. The medicine we gave has a tiring affect." The doctor said.

"That means he's not completely knocked out." She then took another black cloth out of her bag and tossed it to him. "You're going to need this." She looked at Zuko. "And it would be a convenience if you stepped outside during this. Don't want any fumes getting to you."

"What are you intending to do?" Zuko asked curiously.

"I'm going to use a substance that will put him into a deeper sleep so he won't feel anything from the minor surgery. I don't want it affecting you, so please step outside. The doctor and I have everything under control." Kali responded.

Zuko gave the doctor a weary look, but he nodded to him in reassurance. Zuko then walked out of the room to leave them to their work. He didn't know if he would've left the room with just the girl in there, but the fact that there was a skilled doctor from the Fire Nation in there left him feeling more secure.

One thing was for sure… Whatever happened in there left Zuko more curious about the girl. She was strange and her knowledge about medicine at a young age just added to it. He just stayed out in the hallway and leaned against the wall. Not wondering about his uncle's outcome as much as he was wondering about the girl.

I hope I didn't bore you all to death with this chapter. Read and review. No flames. You all know the drill.