Summary so far:

Zuko finds a certain someone pinned on a tree. When Zuko comes to question the rebel, conflicts arise and hate is apparent. But a hand with dancing flames by the throat seemed to think otherwise about not cooperating...

Well I got a few reviews that asked if this was just a one time shot. Now that I read over my first chapter, I am now reconsidering starting a story. Oh I have such great surprises for all of you. So read and review!

Chapter Two: The Lotus Tile

Fire raged through the sky like angry hornets eating up the sky. His opponent dodged them with ease and made a remark to the prince, "Make your movements more fluid…and stay focused." Zuko nodded but the thought of the Avatar being close made his mind bleed with anxiety. 'There are going up north….but why do you care?' echoed the rebel's voice through his head. Just to make sure he wasn't lying, he ripped the rebel out of his icy prison. His lips showed hints of a smile as he saw the rebel, now tattered and torn, fall on his knees and growl.

'You killed my mother…and so shall I kill you!' he heard the rebel snarl as they stared at each other for a few long minuets. Zuko scoffed and kicked the rebel in the side which made the rebel now on his back. Placing a foot firmly on the rebel's chest, Zuko spoke in an annoyed tone, 'Go put a wet cloth over your bleeding heart.' Dragging the rebel back to the ship on a Komodo rhino proved to be a challenge, but in the end he made it by dinner time.

Somehow Zuko dodged his opponent's attack, a rushing feeling filled his arms and he felt himself move a few steps forward. His arms raised up to one side until they were chest leveled; thrusting his hands, in a movement that looked like someone swinging a stick, he closed his eyes for a brief second. He opened them to see a trail of fire snake its way furiously to its opponent. That is when he recalled a few weeks ago of an incident like no other…

Almost two weeks ago…

Beads of sweat formed by his brow and he quickly whipped it off but was soon tossed to the side of the boat with vigor. Groaning in anger he also saw his opponent unharmed from his own attack but was also grasping on the side of the ship. Looking up at the ship, Zuko snarled in anger, "Someone's changing out course." He stormed his way toward the helmsman and each step brought his rage to a new level. "They better have a good excuse…or everyone will be wearing scars like me." he whispered underneath his breath.

Reaching the door he pushed it open roughly and walked in as the door met with the metal wall with a loud 'CLANK.' He walked forcefully toward the helmsman and grabbed him roughly by the scruff of the collar, "Who told you to change our course?" A wise and calm voice, "I did…but I assure you it is of utmost importance." Zuko released the man and turned to face his uncle who was situated on a crimson cushion. Moving a piece forward on his Pai-Sho board, he continued with a sigh, "You see…I can't find my Lotus tile." Zuko raised an eyebrow and asked in a curious tone, "Lotus tile? You made us change coarse for a stupid lotus tile?"

Uncle Iroh sighed again and placed his elbows, "See it is like people, like you, that doesn't understand the true power of the lotus tile. Just give me ten minutes to check the merchandise at the sport of trade. Hopefully they'll have the lotus tile and I could get on with my life." Zuko growled in anger and threw he head upward; a cloud of smoke filled the room due to the prince. "I'm so glad I have an understanding nephew." Zuko roared in anger and left the room, his footsteps could be heard everywhere around the ship. "Just like his father…always thinking he rules the world. When will they learn?" Iroh smiled as the smoke began to clear up.

Zuko collapsed on his bed and clutched the ends of his pillow. Letting out another growl in frustration he buried his head even deeper into the pillow. He felt himself go light-headed and his eyelids became heavy with exhaustion. The sound of heavy footsteps broke through his sleep like a dagger to a man's arm. Zuko's amber eyes were alert and gazing at the metal door.

As he predicted, the door swung open to reveal his uncle grinning at him like usual. "Good, you're up! Well hurry on and come outside with me on a walk." Iroh spoke in his laughing voice, before the prince could protest he was soon dragged by his uncle. "Uncle!" he exclaimed in shock as he found himself walking off his ship.

Dragged into numerous shops with his uncle, he could feel his good eye twitching with aggravation. Finally he was able to escape his Uncle's grasp and slip out of the small shop, immediately the air around him became tense and silent. Everyone was staring with fear and shock of this Fire Nation figure. Zuko gave a grunt and ignored the stares and whispers, but soon everyone relaxed seeing that he meant them no harm. "Morons." he muttered with distaste. He felt a warm hand rest on his shoulder; quickly Zuko spun around and saw it was his uncle. "I checked all the shops on this side and there is no lotus tile in stock." Iroh spoke in a sorrowful voice. Zuko growled and shouted at his uncle, "I'm glad to know that this was a waste of time." Iroh smiled and motioned toward the line of men carrying hoards of items, "If you can't find what you're looking...buy what you aren't looking for at a great bargain!"

The prince was back in reality and out of the past, he dodged the next blow from his opponent. A hand rested on his shoulder and a voice broke through Zuko's ragged breathing, "That's enough…now why don't we have a nice cup of tea, eh?" Zuko knew it was his uncle and he merely gave out a grunt in response. Iroh steered his nephew inside the ship with a smile on his face. Inside Iroh's room, Zuko noticed a small table in the middle of the room with two cups of steaming tea. Their fragrance filled his nostrils and he could feel his muscles relax by this. Taking a seat on a cushion, he heaved out a heavy sigh and rested his head on his left hand.

"Prince Zuko…I have been meaning to ask you about our prisoner." Iroh started out in a quite voice as he took a sip of his tea. Zuko stared at his uncle and stared deep into his cup but didn't make any signs of replying. "What will you do with him? It has been almost four weeks and he is now beginning to go mad." Iroh continued in the same calm and quite voice. Zuko frowned and gripped his cup slightly, "I will do what I want with the prisoner when I want to." The retired general scowled at Zuko's stubbornness and answered in a slightly louder voice, "Would you care to tell me what your plans are then?" Zuko gripped the cup in a firmer grip and the liquid inside bubbled in rage. "I will do what I want with the prisoner when I want to!" he shouted angrily as he released his grip on the cup and stood up.

Iroh took another sip from his cup and placed it down gently before looking up at his towering nephew. "That rage of yours will never help you get a woman." Iroh replied in a smooth voice. Zuko saw the smile tugging at his uncle's lips and he could feel his fists flickering with now dancing flames. But he managed to leave the room without burning anything except for the tea.

As he stormed toward his room, he then began to consider about his prisoner. It never came to him what the rebel was meant for…at first it seemed like a trophy or warning to others. But as he slowed down to a walk, the exiled prince began to wonder if that was really why he brought the rebel to his ship.