Painful Rescue

AN: Thank you for the reviews! The Last Female Firebender, thank you for bringing that up. I have been thinking about that too, he is a bit too….hyperish, haha, is that a word? No it's not, but now it is! I noticed how Prince Zuko laughed in the "Waterbending Scroll" as the ship of the pirates set sail, that is why I came up with the fact that he'd jump at the chance to rub something in people's faces. In this case, Kushai's….but thanks for bringing that up!

The 3 companions

"Make sure you land on the deck," Katara flinched every time it seemed he would miss the 'target'. While Sokka just sat there, mumbling something about how he would knock out the firebenders.

"It's ok Katara, Appa is a smart flying bison, he'll get it right," Aang reassured the girl, but found himself gasping every time he seemed to be falling out of course. It's not that easy to control a 10 ton flying bison!

"Yep, we're all gonna die," Sokka smiled dully.

"No we aren't Sokka! Aang knows what he's doi-i-ing," Katara was freaking out, but was trying hard not to show it. One false move and they'd be splashing into the water. With all their supplies! And Prince Zuko could easily catch them.

On deck

"Prince Zuko, I have never seen such a big bird in my life! Come and take a look!" Uncle Iroh glared in amazement at the 'bird'.

"I have no time to look at a bird Uncle. I am training," The Prince replied as the guard shot a fire at him, which Prince Zuko easily dodged. Even after the distraction. But in the corner of his eye, he saw exactly what his Uncle had been speaking of.

Prince Zuko froze………The Avatar.

"That is not a bird Uncle! It's the Avatar!" Prince Zuko ran to the railing.

Where Kushai had now been standing, more like wobbling in one spot, every now and then crashing to the metal floor. Her exhaustion had taken its toll on her. But Kushai wouldn't miss the chance to see the great Avatar! The girl jogged over to Prince Zuko and thrust herself at the railing before she would collapse.

"So it is true…I have believed you before, but this is…just amazing," Kushai interrupted Prince Zuko's thoughts.

"Kushai, get to your…my, room while I take care of this," Prince Zuko directed to her. But Kushai did not flinch.

"NOW!" Prince Zuko growled.

"Oh, why is that?" Kushai tilted her head. Was he concerned they would hurt her?

"Because…you'll get in my way," the boy lied, he had another reason….but was not going to tell.

"I won't, I am not an idiot, now let me live without an order!" Kushai took a step forward him, anger in her eyes. She would not get in his way, and if this was his reason, she was going to stand her ground.

"Foolish girl, do as I say!" Prince Zuko shouted forcefully, but mentally slapped himself soon enough, that had been wrong to say. Not that he cared! But he couldn't hide it, he did….

Kushai backed up many steps, he had…how..why! Kushai frowned, this was not the boy who had so gently kissed her. This was not the boy who had apologized so surprisingly to her….

"If that's how you feel, I will stay here, and join the Avatar! I will not take orders from you! I will not take your insults!" Kushai felt a tear trickle down her cheek. If he saw it, then it was fine….she didn't care.

Kushai turned on her heel, but walked only to the other side of deck. Prince Zuko couldn't afford to loose her! She had given him comfort, no!

CRASH!

Prince Zuko snapped out of this as he saw the bison…umm…buffalo..whatever it was, landed on deck.

"Let the girl go," Sokka took a step forward hoping to look brave. But forgetting that he was still on the bison, he crashed to the metal floor.

"Where is the Avatar?" Prince Zuko commanded, ignoring the other boy.

"I'm right here, and I'm not dead…" Came a wobbling Aang from under Appa. Yes, he had fallen off, and Appa had almost crushed him. Well, Appa had landed on him, but Aang was ok, because he had used his airbending to lift the weight by much.

"Aang!" Katara ran over to help him, who had landed a good couple of feet away from the bison. Sokka was the only one who had been able to hold on, yes, he looked awfully pathetic clinging to Appa's fur. But what other choice did he have? Fall off and crack his head open?

Katara was shot back by a grasping fire…..Prince Zuko…

"KATARA!" Aang forgot his pain and quickly ran to the girl's aid, but had also been knocked back by another deadly fire.

Prince Zuko grinned mentally, now he would regain his honor….finally! The Prince stood up to shoot a fire that would knock the Avatar unconscious, but had now, also gotten thrown back by something.

"I thought there was good in you, but I was wrong!" Kushai screeched at the Prince, tears trailing down her red cheeks, her blue eyes trembling. The girl put down her stream of water she had so hatefully thrown at the Prince. Kushai collapsed in exhaustion. Waterbending had nearly drained her of all her energy. Kushai pushed her way off the ground, now wobbling back and forth. She fell again, but this time she was able to pull herself up by the railing.

Prince Zuko stared at her, painfully shocked. Not because he was hurt physically, but because of her harsh words. They pierced through him like daggers, opening wounds that hadn't even fully recovered. And those hateful eyes, staring into his, they were shocking! The blue, peaceful eyes had no calming look like they used to, only hate, sadness, and anger. Also, the look of exhaustion on her face and her entire body concerned him.

"Get on Appa, quick!" Sokka's voice rang through the silence.

"I will! Good bye!" Kushai glanced at the Prince, but froze as she saw the pain in his eyes. The amber eyes were quivering, as if he couldn't control them. He trembled, trying hard to hold in the ton of tears he for many years had tried to hold back. But now, there were many more that were threatening their way out.

"Please hurry," Katara pulled her out of the trance, "We aren't safe here!"

"Coming…" Kushai turned, a last tear making its way down. She wouldn't cry….no she wouldn't…

Prince Zuko tried to stand up, he needed to stop the Avatar, but the pain was holding him down.

"No, Uncle! Shoot him down!" Prince Zuko yelled with the last of strength he had. But reconsidered this, Kushai could be severely hurt!

His Uncle was also thinking about this, luckily he brought it up so the Prince wouldn't have to.

"What about Kushai? We can't hurt her, she doesn't have much of a choice, leave her be," Uncle Iroh turned to his nephew. Oh no….Prince Zuko had never been in worse state than this. Not because of any severe cuts or broken bones. But his eyes were dull, lost, blank from all but sadness….no, the Prince had had too much pain, no more God….No more…

AN: Aww, sad….sorry, if this made you cry than tell me! Because I want to knowif I made people feel emotional. PLEASE REVIEW!