Chapter 5: I can't be falling for him… could I?

"Okay, Zuko," I replied smirking. I stood leaning against my right foot, waiting for his strike. This may confuzzle you, but don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I think…

But, I stood there awaiting for him to strike and he took this as an open hit. He charged at me and I stepped to the side, kicking his butt, making him topple forward. I laughed, and a few of Zuko's men chuckling at the fall of their leader. I forced a hand behind his back and sat on it once again. However, Zuko managed to get up, with me on his back. I clung to his neck in dear life, although I knew falling to the floor only a couple inches away wouldn't hurt me. Zuko lifted me off of his back and forced me to the ground, forcing a hold on my hands with one of his hands and the other one was engulfed in fire and pressed closely to my head.

"Dead."

"I admit defeat oh great overlord of nothingness," I said lazily. Zuko got off of me and I got up, rubbing my wrists from the pain of him forcing them against the smooth wooden floor. Iroh-san walked up to me and grinned.

"You almost got him there, you have some potential," he said, taking a fan out of his sleeve and fanning himself. Happily, he walked out of the room. But I thought I heard him say something about if I was part of this group, we could find the Avatar more quickly. I shook my head. I would NEVER give Aang into Zuko. Never.

"Useless girl, come with me!" Zuko said grumpily stomping out the door. I sighed, in a girly manner of a stressed out person and reluctantly followed. What was he going to do to me? Interrogate me again?

I looked up and Zuko swirled around and almost punched me right in the face. I didn't flinch, not even a single blink. I was pretty tired from out fight. "Is that all?" I asked, yawning. I turned away. "I'm going to go to sleep…"

"Not yet, useless girl, I—"

"My name's Sammy. I'm telling the truth. If you're feeling lazy, you can call me Sam. Just stop insulting me," I replied, walking away. Zuko grabbed my wrist and started to haul me off to a different part of the ship. Great, I thought, now I'm getting a tour! Maybe he'll give me the best dungeon on this ship as a parting gift!

However, we ended up in another bedroom, much, much larger than my own. Everywhere were maps of where Aang and his group had gone and I could tell that Zuko was really determined. Of course, I'd do whatever I could to get my pride back, but there are more ways than one to fix it... right?

Zuko wanted me to sit on the bed and I did as he asked. I felt like this was something serious. I quickly sat down and Zuko looked like he wanted to say something, but wouldn't say it. I waited for at least two seconds before I became inpatient and shouted, "What's up? Is something wrong?"

"Quiet down, Hana!" Zuko snapped and I quieted down. He blinked, seeing his mistake, and I noticed it as well. My name wasn't Hana. Just before I told him my name was Sammy.

"Okay, let me tell you something," Zuko started, I nodded and smiled. Zuko frowned at me. I knew what he was mad at. I just love to make him angry. "Stop smiling."

"Isn't there something that Zuko wants to tell me?" I asked, grinning. I knew Zuko was fuming, but I sat there silently.

"I'll start then," Zuko said. He took a deep breath in. "When I was once prince of the Fire Nation, I had—"

This is where he told me about how he was the Prince, but he wanted to go to one of those Fire Nation meetings and Iroh-san finally let him. Because Zuko had said his opinion on a secret plan of the Fire Nation, that being said, he had to fight his father as a punishment. Zuko didn't want to and that's why his face is why it looks like that today. But something caught my ear, and this made me want to cry.

"I also had someone very special to me. Her name was Hana, as I just called you before. She… was very important to me. We were inseperatable, and more than anything, she was my number one. Hana always grinned and made jokes and did all this horrible stuff to me, but she also was so kind and loving. I thought we were meant to be. But, when she found out that I had defiled my father's opinion, she told me she didn't want anything to do with me. She was on my father's side and told me that we should never meet again. I left and that was the last I saw of her."

Zuko was silent and I had to hold in my sadness. I did choke out a small tear and a muffled sob, stupid body. Zuko looked at me; his face was very serious for such a sad story. I couldn't help it. I was such a sucker for those sad stories.

"Your life sucks," I stated, my voice a little shaky. I crossed my arms and puffed out my cheek. "You expected me to burst out in tears and beg to be your girlfriend?"

It was harsh. I regretted it as soon as I had said it. I bowed my head down in shame and said softly, "Sorry, that was rude. I just don't know what it'd be like to be in that sort of situation. I don't feel sorry for you though."

Zuko seemed a bit shocked at my comment. But I continued, "I don't want you to be sad. It's good to tell how you feel, and I hope you feel better."

I got up and left the room. With a small grin, I turned around and waved goodbye. "Cheer up, Zuko. I can't be her, you know."

I walked out onto the deck of the ship, letting the warm sea air fly by. It was going to be dark soon. I heard a light 'thump' behind me. I swirled around and was face-to-face with, what I think, was an Earthbender. He had messy brown bangs and green eyes. He smiled softly at me, picking me off and dragging onto this large brown rock and he led us to shore.

When we were at shore, I glared at him. How dare he drag me off! I was about to escape by, err… stealing the ship! Yeah, that's right, I was going to steal Zuko's ship... with Zuko on it! I think...

"Who are you?" I barked at him. He bent down on one knee and kissed my hand. Oh boy, that got me started. I blushed a bright pink. And my blush became even darker when my grumbling stomach went off. The boy got up and smiled at me. Holding my hand, he started to walk off, taking me with him.

"You know, you could at least tell me your name," I retorted, my color regaining its usual color instead of its previous blushing pink. We walked a while before he answered my question.

"My name is Haru, pleased to meet you," he said, turning back at me. Only then did I notice, he had his hair tied back in a deep brown ribbon. His hair must've been, at least, to his shoulders. I blushed again and smiled.

"My name's Sammy, the pleasure is all mine," I replied, smiling happily.

As we walked, I soon thought about Zuko and how he had such a hard time with his family. I felt bad for him. I felt like he needed someone to talk to. And I started to feel all tingly inside. I gasped quietly. I can't be falling for him… could I? I thought worriedly.

As soon as my thought ended, Haru led me to a village, in which was pretty interesting. An entire barrier of rocks surrounded the small village. He led me inside and I got plenty of stares.

"Sammy, welcome to my village. We can shelter you here."

End of Chapter 5: I can't be falling for him... could I?

Author's Note: Hello, how are you all? I know it's been a while, but I'm back. Do you think I'll fall in love with Zuko? Or will Haru come and steal my heart away before I can betray anyone? I'm not even sure yet, let's hope for the best!