Kaori's choice

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar. I own Kaori and any Oc's. Yes that sounds about right. Also, -- I went braindead on the Kumi one. SORRY!

Kaori had locked herself in her room and refused to come out. Before doing so, she gave her daggers to Zuko and told him to hide them; after that she sat in her room for hours apon hours. Hardly eating anything. Zuko stood on deck with his uncle, as they had many times before. The entire crew was oddly silent, all that was heard was the gently rocking of the waves.

"Prince Zuko." Iroh suddenly said. Breaking the awkward silence. "Were almost to Shirotorie. What are you gonna do?" Zuko was silent, he just staired at his reflection in the water.

"I don't know what your talking about." Zuko lied. He knew exactly what Iroh was saying and he didn't know the awncer.

"Don't lie to me. I know you like Kaori. What are you gonna do? Are you gonna let her go? Or are you going to ask her to stay?" Zuko's face turned red. How had Iroh found out? The jig was up he supposed.

"I don't know. I could let her go. But You guys don't want her to." Zuko told him. Iroh smirked.

"You don't want her too either. Do you?" Zuko was silent, and then shook his head. "You have to make up your mind. It isn't too late to change corse. You can head to a diffrent island, and we could tell her that we missed it." Zuko considerd his uncle's plan, then shook his head.

"If she wants to go, were stopping at Shirotorie." He told his uncle bitterly. He wanted Kaori to stay more than everyone else. I really hope she doesn't want to stop. I really pissed her off the other day. Wouldn't suprise me if she wanted to leave...but It would hurt...What am I gonna do? The only thing I look forward to in the morning now is seeing Kaori. Even if she is angry with me. Zuko had to shut his eyes for a moment. He had never been so deeply in love before. The THUMP in his heart never went away; He knew he'd miss Kaori, he knew he'd be sad. But he also knew that Kaori had only gotten on his ship in the first place was to sail over to Shirotorie, he wounderd if he could change her mind. He figured it'd be worth a try, He had nothing else to lose.

Zuko knocked on Kaori's door. It was a good few minutes before she opend it.

"Yeah?" She asked bitterly. Zuko was silent for a few minutes, collecting his words.

"IwantyoutostayontheshipbecauseuncleandtheotherswillmissyouandImighttoo." He said all at once. Whoo! he said that all in one big breath. Kaori rose an eyebrow.

"Take a breath!" Zuko enhailed, and repeted.

"I, want,you,to,stay,on,the,ship,because,uncle,and,the,others,will,miss,you,and,I, might, too." The commas were on purpose by the way. Kaori crossed her arms.

"Zuko, Why would you want me on the ship anyway? Im a suicidal nightmare! Remember?" Zuko sighed.

"I didn't mean it if I hurt your feelings. I was worried is all." He told her, he hated being so soft; but he really did want Kaori to stay and he would have to make peace with her if she was ever going to. Kaori looked at him for a second. She sat on her bed.

"I'll think about it." She told him. He nodded, and left. She shut the door and thought about it; so far it was a no.

Iroh awaited Zuko's return, and when he didn't return with a smile on his face; it was obvious that Kaori had said no.

"She said she'd think about it." Zuko told him, Iroh's eye lids lowerd half way.

"Oh, okay." He really had his hopes up; they all loved Kaori, some more than others. Zuko could still remember the day he had met her, the awkward moment between the two. He rememberd how he had layed on Sadie, and freaked out because of the strange fur. The fur which he had now grown accustomed to feeling. He had grown accomstomed to Kaori's flawless, yet, depressed face. He hoped he would be seeing it forever. But in the back of his mind, he knew it would eventually leave him; he just didn't know it would be so soon! Too soon. It all had happend so fast, he had met her, he had sat up with her when she tried to kill herself, he had to be saved from her and he saved her after she had been knocked out, He had lost her, he searched,he had his heart broken because of her supposed death, and now that she is back...she's gone. He felt his heart breaking. But there was still that tiny chance that she would decide not to go; that she would stay with him and eventually learn to love him back. That chance seemed so unrealistic though, Kaori was both mad at him, and she had made it clear to them that she wasn't going to be on long. But Zuko made a mistake...he fell in love with her. He glanced down at his hand, the hand that he had squeezed her breasts with while she was asleep; it made him feel so perverted, and yet. He actually felt good doing that. He could just picture that bare boob on his hand, and Kaori's hands on his arm. But that vision quickly faded.All he saw now was just his hand. He knew he was in love, and that he was in love badly with Kaori, but was it sick love? Perverted love? God he hoped not. He wanted her to be with him and only him, but he knew that wouldn't happen if Kaori really wanted to go to Shirotorie.

His uncle had a hunch that Zuko wasn't going to be himself if Kaori left. Probably more distant and depressed.Like he was when he thought she was dead; he'd constantly be worried about her, worried that she'd be hurt, worried that she might not have enough money to live on or something. It didn't have to be rational. He might worry about irrational things. Iroh suspected Zuko was in love with Kaori, he had never seen his nephew behave so...soo...diffrently! Zuko had actually offored to sit up with Kaori, and wasn't orderd. Kaori had, had such an influance on Zuko; and now she was going to be gone. Even Iroh knew that the chance of her staying was awfully small. They had been through so much so fast, Kaori might not forget as easily as she claims she will. He knew Zuko wasn't going to forget so quickly. But Iroh really wanted her to stay, she would scold Zuko for misbehaiving and she'd tell him to respect his elders! Although Iroh didn't like being called elderly, he was awaire that he was, and that Kaori only had good intentions.

Kaori walked onto the deck at sunset, Zuko and Iroh surrounded her, asking what her decision was.

"Well. I thought about it, I really do like this ship and everyone on it, and..." Kaori stalled. Zuko growled.

"TELL US ALREADY!" He scolded, she took in a deep breath and told them.

"No." They froze, Zuko more than Iroh..

omg sorry for the shortness! But I wanted to end it like that just to piss you all off. The commas were on purpose, and I know that they don't belong there. :D