A/N: Sorry to keep you guys and gals waitin, but man has my computer been evil. Plus, my best friend just went off to orchestra camp at a location about an hour and a half away. Without me. For 6 days. GRR much. Anyways, I find it ironic how this chapter fits in with the actual Avatar episode of the same number...And the coincidence was quite unintended...Enjoy!
Music night rang through the hallways of the ship. Many of the men appeared drunk, and were dancing and singing so out of tune it was torture being near the galley. Uncle Iroh was smiling constantly to a bored, annoyed Kaida. She sat as close to the door as possible, and as far away from everyone else as she could. These guys were so bad, they were making her ears bleed.
Why am I stuck here, she thought to herself, Prince Zuko's lucky enough to miss out on all the fun. Where is he?
Kaida smacked her forehead as Lieutenant Gi stepped up. He had this ridiculous grin as he announced he would be singing a love song. Kaida really didn't enjoy love songs. Especially when sung by a half drunk army man. She started to sneak out when Iroh grabbed her wrist and sat her back down again.
"It's rude to leave during the song," Uncle Iroh whispered.
"Of course sir. Sorry sir." Kaida whispered back, regretting her manners. Oh Agni, take me now!
Prince Zuko walked by on deck the next morning as Uncle Iroh played his Sungi horn. Kaida sat nearby reading her book, giving questioning looks to the creepy grinning monkey next to her.
Why does he even have that thing? She continued thinking of reasons on that question, her face visibly confused as she glanced at the grinning monkey.
Prince Zuko looked over at her and caught a laugh in his throat. His uncle had begun to explain the history of the ruby covered monkey to her. Iroh imitated the monkey's grin with his own creepy version. She scooted a little bit away from him with the most confused and disturbed expression Zuko had ever seen. At least he wasn't alone in thinking his uncle was nuts.
"Where have you been Prince Zuko? You missed music night!" Uncle Iroh cheerfully greeted his nephew.
"He didn't miss anything good…" Kaida muttered behind her book, audible enough for Prince Zuko to hear unintentionally.
Zuko raised a questionable eyebrow at his uncle. Like he'd care if he missed music night. He dreaded that night ever since his uncle suggested it.
"Lieutenant Gi sang a stirring love song." Iroh continued.
"More like disturbing," Kaida whispered again, "And that doesn't even begin to cover it."
Zuko turned around and smirked a little, he could imagine how bad it was. He was lucky not to be there. He continued walking down the hallway to his room, "I'm going to bed. No disturbances."
Iroh shrugged and continued playing his song, Kaida went back to her book.
Prince Zuko strode along the deck, the sun was high in the sky above him. He had slept through the morning and felt like he had missed out. He had to ask his uncle if anything new had happened while he was in his room, he didn't want to be left out of anything. He especially didn't want to in the current predicament he was in. Zhao was surely thinking up something.
Zuko heard a faint whistling noise and something strike a target bluntly. He walked a little faster with a curious worrying feeling. He made it to the bow of the ship, and in the large area was where his uncle and Kaida were.
"That was so close, Lord Iroh! You're really much better than earlier." Kaida smiled to the retired general, who was holding a bow in hand.
"Yes, I believe I am," he agreed, "But I shall not stop until I hit that middle!" Iroh raised the bow again after Kaida handed him an arrow. He let it fly through the air whistling past Zuko, who was making his way over to them. The arrow struck the lower corner of the target causing Iroh's face to beam his self pride.
"Excellent!" Kaida clapped her hands as Iroh pretended to flex his muscles and act as if he had slain some legendary beast.
"What are you doing Uncle?" Zuko interrupted the moment with a blunt question.
"Oh! Zuko, I'm glad you're awake! I'm just trying out my new hobby! Why don't you try?" His uncle looked at him expectantly. Zuko rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"Oh but you must!" Iroh insisted and pushed the bow against Zuko, "Try it! That is unless you're just too scared to try something new." Iroh's sly grin was getting to the competitive boy easily.
"Oh fine." Prince Zuko sighed with a frustrated scowl. He picked up the bow and reached for an arrow.
"I know! Let's make this a bit more interesting! How about we see who is better between-" Iroh began before Zuko interrupted.
"You would stand no chance, Uncle." Zuko added in swiftly.
"I know I wouldn't. That's why you should try to beat Kaida here." He motioned to the blonde girl, who was taken by surprise, but had a sly glint in her gold colored eyes.
Prince Zuko glared, "Fine." He raised the bow again awkwardly. Now how do you use this thing?
"Prince Zuko? I didn't know you ever did archery before," Uncle Iroh spoke up wryly. He saw his nephew's shoulders drop in suppressed anger. Iroh leaned over to Kaida and whispered to her, "You see?"
Zuko sighed and went back to concentrating stringing the bow and arrow correctly. It was tough getting it to go together, it either slipped or was too hard to pull back. He bit down as his temper began to rise. He finally got it to stay, he lifted and aimed at the target shakily. The arrow shot out from its spot, stinging the side of Zuko's hand as it struck the metal of the ship. It ricocheted along the deck before coming to a stop by sharply striking Lieutenant Gi in the behind. It luckily hit his armor, but it hit hard enough to make him turn and glare at the little archery group.
Each of them were wide eyed, they all hoped the man would just walk away and forget the whole thing…It was quite embarrassing. Kaida picked up the bow Zuko had abruptly dropped, grabbed herself an arrow, and strung it with ease. Zuko felt as though she was showing off.
She lifted it up expertly and shot the arrow dead center of the target, without stinging her hand. Prince Zuko stared, half amazed, half embarrassed to be shown up by a girl. "How did you do that," he asked flatly, almost sounding disinterested.
"My mother was part of the YuuYan archers when she was younger. My father had convinced her to teach me when I was little, even though she was reluctant. But she was won over since she decided I needed a way to protect myself in this war. But I would never raise an arrow against another person." She told him with a meek smile. Uncle Iroh nodded possibly from already knowing that fact.
"Prince Zuko," Iroh began, quickly changing the subject, "Because Admiral Zhao has not dispatched this regiment, perhaps we should start searching for a camp site."
Zuko nodded in agreement, but had no idea where it would be safe to do so. They were traveling in Earth Kingdom waters, nearby the shoreline even.
Kaida spoke up in the silence, "I know of a town that would be more than willing to host this regiment."
"Really?" Iroh's face lit up, his obvious eagerness was worse than a child's. "Please tell us then if you will Miss Kaida."
"The city lies due northeast along here. We should be able to reach it well before sunset." Kaida stated to the older man, Zuko was a little less interested. To him it was probably some old war scarred town with hopeless people roaming the streets and homes.
"Then let us give the place a try. What do you say Prince Zuko?" Uncle Iroh looked up to his nephew, waiting for his answer.
"Fine," Zuko sighed and watched his uncle ask the location of the place from Kaida before setting off to change the course. Prince Zuko looked down to Kaida, making sure no one was within earshot. "Could you uh…show me how to do that?" He motioned to the arrow she had embedded in the archery target.
She grinned, "Of course. But first, promise me you won't go hitting anybody again?" She laughed a bit at his rather humiliated expression. "I'll take that as a yes. Well, for starters, try holding the bow at a bit of an angle…"