disclaimer: i do not own The Avatar...but yes I made up Aiori ;)

oh, and i was thinking about adding only one chapter every few days to create suspension, what do you think? ;)

Chapter 8

"Getting To Know Aiori"

Aiori's status on the ship changed since she had saved them from the raging waters of the hurricane. She was allowed to participate in music night and other events. The other members of the crew seemed to not mind her presence and enjoyed her story telling. While one man played a melody, she'd tell them tales of her people, all the legends and wars that were known. She animated them, making them more interesting so they wouldn't want to leave their seats. She was often found meditating on the deck, or out in the rain, practicing her water bending. She even cooked dumplings on some nights. Yet, despite her new and improved grade among the ship, she kept her face covered in the scarf, hiding her face.

Zuko wasn't so amused. He didn't spit at her, as he would before, but he didn't welcome her with open arms either. He would sit back and watch her, trying to read her. His uncle seemed to love her like a child of his own, and he wanted to teach her new things all the time. But Zuko was too busy with his plans for the Avatar and other things to notice all of her talents.

"Not a perfect fit, but will do." Iroh said as Aiori stood in front of him with one of the crew member's outfits. It was huge, and the armor was heavy, but she was amused by the fact that the sleeves covered her hands. She spun around and lifted up the baggy shirt to see the baggy pants.

"How do I look?" she jokingly asked Iroh and he laughed heartily.

"Stunning, really something else." He replied.

"I just don't like the red. My favorite color is white."

"That is interesting, I never knew anybody who liked the color white."

"It's a pure color." Aiori explained.

"I see, well, we will simply have to stop at the next market. You are in need of some clothes."

"Won't Zuko get angry?"

"He may, but he is always angry." Iroh sighed, "I just wish he would notice the error of his ways. That is no way to live life. I know there is a glowing side to him."

"I can sense that he does, he just does not want to show it."

"Maybe someday, he will change." And Iroh walked off. Aiori squirmed out of the clothes and folded them up, she had her dress on underneath. She set them down on a table and looked up to see Zuko.

"Zuko," she was surprised.

"What were you doing with fire bender clothes?"

"They were given to me, but they are to big, so I'm going to use the material to make my own." She explained. "I have none of my own."

"What about the one you are wearing?"

"It's dirty and I've worn it since I got here. I know it wasn't long ago, but you made me do a lot of chores and…"

"You are fine with the ones you have!"

"Well, your uncle was talking about stopping at the next market."

"There is no time, we are tracking the Avatar!"

"I do not see why it is such a big deal." She said with a shrug. He glared.

"Just go do the dishes or something!"

"I am not your servant anymore, Zuko."

"Since when? And it's Prince Zuko!"

"Since your uncle Iroh released me from that post, and I will call you prince when you start to act like one." She said and crossed her arms.

"You have no authority to speak to me that way!" he barked with flames in his eyes.

"You do not threaten me anymore, Zuko. I am protected by your uncle, which means you have to get used to me whether you like it or not." And he growled and stormed off.

"Aiori, it is tea time!" Iroh called from the mess hall. Aiori turned, but looked back to watch as Zuko stomped off. She shook her head and walked into the room. She sat down in front of Iroh and looked out the window, it was raining outside. The sound of the rain and the ocean was very relaxing. She tapped her fingers on the table and looked at Iroh and smiled. He handed her a cup of tea and they took the first sip together.

"General Iroh, what made Zuko so miserable?" she asked innocently.

"As you may already know, he is a banished prince." Iroh explained, "He wants nothing more than to return to his throne, but he cannot until he catches the Avatar."

"But, that seems impossible." She spoke, still from under her scarf.

"I know, but it's all he cares about." He responded. Aiori looked back out into the hallway and sighed. "Let me teach you how to play my favorite board game. It is particularly fun on rainy days."

Later that day, Aiori was mopping the floor with one of the crew members and stopped to look at the rain. She dropped her mop and ran out into the down pour while giggling! She held out her arms and spun around with her head held high in the air! She loved the rain. She began to dance around, kicking off her moccasins and smiling. Her fun stopped when she heard someone clear their throat. She stopped and saw Zuko staring at her. She smiled, although he was unable to see it. It was as if she was trying to coach him to having some fun, and enjoy being a teenager, but he just had the same stare. "Get back inside." He demanded. She just grabbed her moccasins and did as he said.