Chapter Two:
Deadly Drunken

Aang finally returned where Sokka sat on the shore, staring blankly into the distance. Appa landed on the shore as Aang and MoMo jumped off.
Aang looked around for a moment before asking, "Where's Katara?"
"They took her…" Sokka replied, without moving his eyes from the foggy horizon in the distance. "They're taking her to the Fire Lord."

I walked out on the deck to feel the cold wind gingerly put its hand on my cheek. I stared back into the distance, then gazed into the fog that lingered in front of the ship. There was no sign of him. I knew he would come to retrieve his friend from us, but why was he not there? Why would he not come? Days had passed since my crew captured her…so why hadn't the Avatar come to rescue her?
I heard my uncle come onto the deck behind me. I began to speak soon after I had sensed his presence.
"What do you want, Uncle?" I asked uneasily.
"Zuko…I know things are hard for you, but please…things will come out okay," he said. I felt his hand on my shoulder. I pushed it off and walked to the bow of the ship.
"How do you know, Uncle? So far, as far as I can see, there's nothing but fog," I uttered, trying to hold back tears.
"I know times are hard for you, Zuko, but all hope is not lost. It only is if you lose hope. You mustn't lose hope, Zuko," he said.
I didn't answer. Soon after I heard him sigh and walk below. What does he know about losing hope-he isn't the one accused of killing his own family! No one knows how it feels to be hated like I. No one knows how it feels to have such shame or have to take the blame for a deed such as I. I know my place and it should not be here! Maybe Zhao was right. Maybe I will never amount to anything. Who would ever care for a thing like me? A banished prince…that's all I am…and all I ever will be…
I went to my room. I sat to meditate. I listened to the air around me. Calm…peace…quiet. A while later, I heard a knock on my door. I tried to ignore it at first, but the knock kept coming. I walked over to my door and banged it open.
"What do you want?" I snarled.
He reported that the Avatar had not been seen yet, that music night was about to begin.

After the music had finally stopped, I went onto the deck. Some of the guards were still there-all drunk with the exception of Lieutenant Jee. Uncle came out, asking if I wanted to hear a song on the Sunki horn, which I refuse. He and Lieutenant Jee went below to discuss some "things". I remained on the deck. Some off the drunker guards began to whisper then burst into spells of obnoxious laughter that never seemed to end.
One of them asked if I cared for a drink. I turned around with an annoyed look and simply said no. They kept begging me to take some of the Rum. In an angry fit of annoyance, I took the rum and threw it over into the salty sea. The barrel floated at first, then sunk never to be seen again.
"Aw, now why did you do that? Why couldn't you've just said no?" one said, followed by shouts of agreement.
"I did," I said, still very annoyed, "but you drunk idiots just don't know when to stop!"
Angry complaints began to rise as I walked below. When I reached the door, the cries died, as I heard one man speak what I was not supposed to hear.
"I'm guessin' that scar didn't knock any sense into 'im," the voice spoke lowly.
Rage filled me. My fists clinched tight and trembled with anger. "Who said it?" I demanded.
"I did, sir, and I'll say it again if you want me to," the drunk idiot said.
I walked over to him and drew my sword. He said it again. "That scar didn't knock any sense into you." The sword struck his stomach and through his back. Blood poured to the floor of the deck. The crimson liquid leaked onto my sword handle and then onto my hand. It burned like a deadly acid. The sweet perfume of blood dampened the air. Realizing what I had done, I dropped my sword and ran below deck, the tears filling my eyes.

Author's Note:
Okay, I had no inspiration for this either. I think it really sucks, but you may think other wise. If you haven't figured it out, yes Zuko was real pissed off and yes he did kill the drunk dude. In my head for some unknown reason, the dude that Zuko kill had a British accent. Do not ask me why, for I dunno. And I couldn't think of a chapter name either…oh well… Read&Review Pleaze! Peace!
-Niobe D. Rosevelt