Sorry I wasn't here, I was at my dad's and I hate the man! So it's great to be back and OMG I love all the reviews I got! Thank you to everyone! Now here's the next chappy!

Aiori ran onto the deck the next morning and saw Prince Zuko over at the edge, looking ahead. She decided to have some fun and snuck up on him from behind. She tiptoed up to him and then yanked on his ponytail! He spun around and yelled with fury in his eyes!

"Uncle!" he barked! But then he saw Aiori and softened, but not to a welcoming state. She giggled to his reaction. "Oh, it's just you." He said and turned back around. She crossed her arms.

"Well, it's nice to see you too, your highness." She said sarcastically.

"Don't pull the hair." He commanded.

"Okay, okay, don't lose your temper on me." She said as she did a pushy gesture. There was a moment of silence. "So, I wanted to talk to you about yesterday."

"What you did was stupid and dangerous." He commented.

"I was hoping to at least get a thank you."

"Thank you." He finally said.

"And thank you for helping me." She spoke up with a hand on her chest. He turned to her again.

"The wolves helper me. But how?"

"Well, my people talk to wolves. I learned how at a young age. Wolves and my people have shared land for ages, and we learned to understand each other after some time. We speak their language." She explained. He just turned away again. "You know this is the longest conversation we've had ever?"

"Thrilling." He replied, still not looking at her. She just sighed and looked off at the ocean.

"I'm going to practice." She said and walked away from him. She began to water bend on the deck, calling up a stream of water to her and moving it around in the air.

"I saw your face." Zuko finally spoke again.

"I know you did." Was all she said, and continued to practice.

"Why aren't you covering it again?" he asked out of curiosity.

"What is the point? You have already seen it." And she turned the water into a ball and spun it around.

"That man," he started.

"Commander Zhao. I know." She replied quickly. "Your uncle informed me of the situation." She saw Zuko bow his head. "There is no shame. His hatred is his problem and his alone." Zuko growled under his breath and Aiori tossed the water ball overboard and walked up to him. He didn't look at her, bur she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"He wants to ruin the rest of my life." He said quietly.

"Than don't let him." She suggested and walked off. He turned, watching her walk back into the ship. He just faced the water again. A warm feeling stayed on his shoulder from where her hand was. He normally didn't let anybody touch him, but her touch was different, almost calming and relaxing.

Later, Zuko walked back out onto the deck and spotted his uncle standing at the edge and looking at the water. He approached him and asked him what he was looking at, just needing to talk to someone since his encounter with Aiori. Iroh looked down and smiled, "Aiori is water riding."

"But she doesn't have a boat or anything to stand on." Zuko remarked.

"She is a water bender, she doesn't need one. Look." He pointed down and they saw Aiori standing on the water! She waved up to them, lifted her arms into the air and a wave erupted from under her feet! She stayed on, standing on it as it moved forward, surfing. Iroh laughed as he watched her skill. It was like her feet were gliding with the water. Zuko watched, almost wishing he could do the same. Aiori looked up at him and waved. He waved back, meekly, hiding his interest. She continued to ride the waves for quite some time, until she lifted up her arms and rode a wave that lifted her up onto the ship. She was hardly even wet! Iroh clapped his hands.

"That was nothing." Zuko spoke up. Aiori looked at him and smirked.

"Okay Mr. Fire Bender, lets see you do that." She said, motioning to the ocean water. He scoffed it off.

"I can do more impressive things." He waved it off.

"Excuse me?" she caught him, "Why don't you prove it?"

"Okay, how?" he turned and folded his arms, meeting her challenge. She thought for a moment.

"Tomorrow at dawn," she said, "We'll have a battle." And she walked off as he chuckled to himself.

"I look forward to it." He mentioned. She just walked off. Iroh walked up to Zuko.

"Zuko, are you sure that's a good idea?" he asked.

"It's just a bet, Uncle. Nothing serious." He told his uncle. "What could happen?"