AN-gasping- Need reviews...seriously I'm getting no love from people lately, except one fan. To my #1 fan you are the best!

The ship was buzzing the next morning about the third massacre that Leiko had inflicted. The men gathered in the boiler room and sat in a circle, talking about the newest recruit. "She's only fifteen and she's already killed thirteen people. She shouldn't be trusted." A man said, "I mean, did you see the slashes she leaved on her victims? Who knows, if we make her made we might be her next prey. She's like a tiger I tell you! She might be the daughter of the great Zhao but she's a menace. The Fire Lord should have her put to death when we return to the Fire Nation." And the other men nodded, but stopped when a roar came from the doorway.

"YOU DENSE IMCOMPITENT BASTARDS!" Prince Zuko shouted at the top of his lungs! He marched over and grabbed the man who spoke by his collar and ripped him up from his seat! "Don't let me ever hear you talking about Leiko like that ever again! Leiko is a respectable and honorable girl who deserves more than she gets! She killed those men to protect herself, just like any of you would!" and he tossed the man back into the wall and held him there! "Maybe she won't be the only one who kills someone around here!" and he created a flame from his fists and held it in front of the man's face!

"Zuko stop!" Leiko yelled and rushed in, followed by Iroh. She grabbed his arm and pulled it down. "It's only natural of them to detest me! Think about it, I really have killed a lot of people. Maybe they're just scared."

"Oh they will be!" he pursued.

"No Zuko, leave him alone. They're in shock, that's all. The old Zuko wouldn't do this." She said and the prince sharply removed his flaming hand from the man's face.

"The next man on this ship who speaks badly of Leiko is thrown overboard to feet the fish." Zuko said and left, slamming the door behind him. Leiko and Iroh turned to the other men.

"Please," Leiko tried, "I only killed those men to protect myself and everyone else."

"But what about those others?" a man called out.

"My father made me do it. I used to do his dirty work." She explained.

"It's true." Iroh stated. 'She was obligated the whole way. It was either them or her."

"But Zhao would never hurt you. You're his daughter." A man said. There was a moment of silence.

"You don't know my father." She stated blankly and left the room, leaving Iroh to handle the rest of the commotion.

Leiko walked up to the deck and to see Zuko. She spotted him a ways out and saw him blowing off his temper by throwing flames off the ship one after the other. The roar of his flames echoed of the water. After he sent his last flame off the ship Leiko approached him. He didn't turn to her, so she walked up slowly so she wouldn't startle him. "You know your temper can be quiet fiery…literally." Leiko joked around. He just looked at her over his shoulder as she walked up to his side and stood next to him. "You know you can't blame them. I'm a dangerous person."

"No you're not." Zuko simply replied without any bitterness, "You're doing what's right for you."

"I know I had to kill Sang, Tran and Shei, but the others I could have avoided."

"Zhao would have killed you."

"Better one life than eleven." She said and Zuko turned to her.

"Don't talk like that!"

"Let's face it, maybe the men are right. Sang was eleven, Tran twelve and Shei thirteen."

"That doesn't matter!" he demanded.

"Yes it does. Thirteen to one is a big difference and nothing can take back what I've done. And it won't be the last person I take down." Zuko grasped Leiko's hands and pulled her close to him. He used the back of his hand to rub her cheek.

"You are fighting for your life. These people are evil; they've been sent by your father. Don't ever forget that." And she looked away. "What?"

"Every time you touch me I get goose bumps." She admitted with rosy cheeks. He smiled a bit.

"Me too." He confessed. "But I mean it Leiko. You're not doing anything wrong. Just think, these people now do Zhao's dirty work. And that gives you the right to slay them." Leiko looked back up at him as it dawned on her.

"You're right…" she said, "It's my job to promote justice and stop them."

"You see, you're doing nothing wrong." And she smiled at him. "Now be the warrior you are and be proud." Leiko grinned wider and tugged at Zuko's tunic.

"Only you could make me feel better." She stated, "You have such a big heart."

"I only act this way towards you so don't expect anything new." He reminded her and she laughed.

"I will not forget." She answered. "Now excuse me, I have to practice." And she leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. He watched as she walked off and into the ship. He touched his cheek and blushed from the sudden contact. More chills took over him and he shivered. The feeling he got whenever they touched was amazing, not to mention when he felt her lips. They were so soft and warm, and such wisdom came form them. They were perfect, if you don't count the occasional cursing she did. He was convinced that there was nothing she could do to make him stop feeling about her the way he did. Something about her just made everything better and brought out the good in him.

For the rest of the day Leiko practiced in her room. Tila sat on her perch and watched her master. Leiko took a rod and began to spin it around, doing all sorts of moves with it. Zuko came in a little while after dinner with Iroh to watch. They were amazed by all that she could do. She could spin that rod so fast that it could act as a shield, and strike with it just as fast. She had such control over it all that it was almost breath-taking. Everything she did seemed impossible. But then she got a better idea. "Zuko, let's have a fire duel." She said. Zuko looked at her surprised. He had never seen Leiko fight with her fire bending skills, and he knew she had to be good. He wanted to experience first hand just how good she was at the art of fire bending and agreed to her challenge. They walked up to the deck at sunset and readied themselves for an intense battle.

The setting sun made everything have that certain hue to it, and set the mood for some fire bending. Leiko took her place at the tip of the ship and Zuko and Iroh stayed near the man part and did a pre-battle meditation. "Do not be too surprised if Leiko seems…well…better than expected. Remember Prince Zuko, she has been training every single day of her life to fight. Her fire bending skills may be just as good as yours or even stronger."

"I'm well aware of what she's capable of, Uncle." Zuko said and stood up. "It's just a friendly practice." And he faced Leiko. Leiko stood up and did the same. They struck a fighting pose and began! Zuko threw flames at her over and over again, each one stronger than the last, but she evaded the flames and put her arms up in an X to block them. Zuko continued, but she stepped out of the current and ran forward at him, and as she jumped up and did a flip over his head she sent flames from her feet, creating a wheel of fire in the air! Zuko and Iroh gasped at the sight…maybe she was already master! It was very well possible. Then she landed and spun around, still sending flames form her feet, forcing Zuko back. He sent a flame at her and she blocked with one arm and canceled the shot. Next she threw flames at him, making him step back further! Then she spun around with her arms out, creating a twister of fire! He jumped back to avoid her great attack, but before he could attack again she tripped him and held her fist out in front of his face as he was on the floor. She had beaten him, and beat him good.

Instead of getting upset, he smiled up at her and she returned the gesture. She held out her hand and helped him up. "I'm convinced there's nothing you can't do, Leiko." He said to her, "That was amazing. Where did you learn all of that?"

"My father." She replied.

"He taught you?" he sounded surprised.

"Yes, he was a master…and so am I."