I gaze at my reflection in the mirror that hangs on the iron wall. Iroh gave it to me, along with this extra suite. He was kind enough to let me stay aboard this ship, even though "His Highness" didn't agree to it. Iroh had some of the Firebenders aboard go down and remove my bag from the barge, and it was loaded onto the ship. Currently, I'm ignoring the guard outside of my door. This is the fifth time he's asked me if I'm certain I do not want to join the general and the prince for dinner.

If I've ignored you thus far, what makes you think I'm going to answer you now, you blockhead?

Maybe you should go…catch up with Iroh some. It's not like you have to talk to Zuko…

Yes, but his presence will be as annoying, even if I don't talk to him. Even then, it would be rude not to.

True…

Quite frankly, sometimes I disturb myself with these mini-conversations in my head. Perhaps this is not normal?

"Ma'am, please. The food is getting cold and Prince Zuko is growing irritated."

Irritated! He's irritated!

"Fine!" I cry, wrenching the door open. The guard jumps back, startled by my speed and anger. He blinks and stares at me, still in a state of shock like the moron he is. "Are you not going to lead me?" I demand, hands on hips. He turns on his heel and walks down the hall, completely silent.

From the outside, this ship looks small in comparison to the larger Fire Navy ships. That's hardly the case. We must have gone down at least 20 hallways until the smell of fresh fish wafted into our general direction. He opens a door and who should be standing in the entry way but the Devil himself.

"Finally…" he grumbles, rolling his eyes and turning his back to me. I blink, taken aback, before following him to the diner table.

It's a traditional table. Low to the ground, black lacquer, and not elaborate in design. No chairs, either; simple red cushions have taken their place.

Zuko sits down next to his uncle and I take the spot across from the general. The elderly man takes a long sip of ginseng tea (his favorite) and picks at the steamed salmon on his plate. Iroh was always very careful and slow in his eating. I wonder how the little brat eats. Perhaps, with so many years out at sea, he's forgotten his princely manner and eats like the boar he is.

Well, this is a surprise. He eats like Iroh does, if not slower. Each piece of meat he picks up, he examines for a split second before chewing thoughtfully upon it. He keeps his eyes down and fixed on the food.

Hm…perhaps he has more discipline than I expected? It doesn't make a difference though. He's still as rude. It's not like he invited me into the room. He did not offer a seat (although how could he?) and he hasn't yet asked me a single question about myself. In fact, he hasn't even said anything. How can one person be so silent? Doesn't he have anything in the least bit interesting to say? What a dull prince. Surely after the war, the Fire Nation will be the dullest place on the planet when he's ruling it. At least Ozai adds some excitement…

"So, captain, what were you doing out on the barge all by yourself?" Iroh address me, suddenly. I blink and look up at him.

"Well…" I start, uncertainly. I glance at Zuko. He has not looked over at me yet. What a boar. He's no better than Zhao. I take a long breath in and think of the numerous excuses that I could come up with to appease Iroh, if he should be mad at me for deserting.

"Yes?"

Here goes nothing…

"I ran away."

A clang of chopsticks on the table. I look to my right to see Zuko staring at my incredulously, hand still poised from dropping the sticks. He's gone completely bug-eyed. It's actually kind of funny.

"You deserted?" Iroh asks voice calm and even. I nod slowly and nervously pick at my fish.

"Are you insane! Get off my ship NOW!" Zuko exclaims abruptly, standing up and glaring at me. He points to the door and I take a quick look back at it, feigning confusion as to why he's pointing at the door.

"Prince Zuko!" Iroh says shock apparent in his voice.

"Do you know how many Fire Nation Navy ships will be after you now! You'll lead them right to us!" the prince bellows, his face starting to flush. I look at him, stoic, and take a drink of tea, still staring at him.

"What difference does it make? We're not in Fire Nation waters."

"That won't stop Zhao from trying to find me and sabotage my destiny! He won't care if I'm Earth Nation waters. He'll take me along with you!"

"He wouldn't dare. And what's this business with your destiny?"

"He would! Look what you've done! Get in your barge and leave!"

"You haven't answered the question."

"I don't need to! Get off my ship!"

"Don't you think that you're being rude?"

"What! Aren't you listening! Leave!"

"Not until you answer my question."

He walks up to me and bends down so that we are face to face.

"Get. Off. My. Ship." He commands his amber eyes narrowed to slits.

"Answer my question and I'll be happy to leave."

"No."

"Then I'm afraid I can't leave."

"What does this have to do with anything?"

"I'm curious."

"Well, stop it."

"I can't. I'm intrigued. You just can't tell me to not be intrigued."

"Yes, I can."

"True, you can tell me to, but that doesn't mean that I'll obey."

"What are you? Some kind of rebel or something?"

"No, I'm just different."

"Well, stop it. It's annoying…"

He stands up and looks down at me. He looks exhausted, which is the result I was hoping for.

"Alright. Until tomorrow then, when I'll ask you again." I stand up, bow respectfully to Iroh and walk out of the room. The guard outside looks at my strangely and starts to walk with me before I wave him off.

"It's alright; I memorized it. Thank you anyway."

I lay in my bed now, eyes closed, face relaxed. This is kind of like my meditation. I can't just sit down and stare at some stupid candels. It gets too boring for me. My thoughts always wander. So,I decided that I would just do what I've always done and reflect camly on the days events.

Well, that was certainly the strangest dinner I've ever had. Now that I think about it, I hardly ate anything. I'm starving! Oh, well. I'll eat a big breakfast tomorrow. The moon looks nice tonight. It reminds me of a rice cake. Rice cakes…yum…oh…I'm so hungry. That stupid boy! If he hadn't got all hysterical, I could have eaten in peace. What's his deal anyways? What does he mean by his "destiny"? Doesn't he know that destinies aren't real? Along with Gods, Goddesses, and especially Avatars. The whole thing is a big joke. All those books: myths. Fairy tales. It's a good thing the Air Benders were wiped out. They've been misleading the world for too long. I don't know why anyone would buy into that nonsense. Yeah, like anyone could really control all of the elements and still not become evil. So much power…how could someone not become power hungry? It's a complete waste of time. But what does that have to do with destiny! This is so mind-boggling! That boy is so confusing. And rude! Hasn't he heard of respecting his elders! I may only be two years older, but still! No offense, Iroh, but you're a really bad parent figure. Maybe it's up to me to teach him some manners? Heh, maybe it's my "destiny"! Please. What a joke.

"I'll figure it all out in the morning." I groggily say, pulling the covers up over my head and snuggling down into the soft down of the mattress. "Things always look better in the morning…"