Author's Note: I do not own "Avatar: The Last Airbender" or anything related to it. I do, however, own my characters. If you steal them or borrow them without my "Yes." I will hunt you down. Thank you for your time. And if you do not like this, you don't have to read it. I will not force you or beg you.
Dedication: This story is dedicated to Winter Rose Alchemist. She is my buddy, a sister-figure, and a great person to talk to. This story is for you, WRA (a.k.a. Winter Rose Alchemist)! And to my: readers, reviewers, and friends.
-Jealously and Envy-
Artymis woke up, she sighed. Another dream of Zuko. Why him again, though? Artymis sat up and stared out into the horizon with a distant expression in her green eyes. She felt the breeze lightly hitting the side of her face. She kept still and would slowly blink when her eyes begin to water or hurt. She turned around to Katara and said, "Katara, I need to master the element water. Avatar Roku said so."
Katara was glad that Artymis was finally talking after two whole days, since the encounter with Avatar Roku in the temple. They had made camp the night before and Artymis said nothing at all. Sokka and Katara grew worried. "Was that all?" Katara asked Artymis, to keep her talking.
Artymis shook her head, "No, he also said that a comet would arrive by summer's end. It would be sent by the Fire Lord, and it'll make the Fire Nation stronger. If that happens, nothing can stop them."
"Not even you, the Avatar?" Katara asked.
Artymis shook her head and looked up ahead, "Sokka, where we heading?"
Sokka looked over his shoulder and answered, "We need to get a few more supplies that got lost the last couple of days ago." He felt a hand smacked him against the back of his head. "Ow!"
"We probably lost them because of you." Artymis muttered, crossing her arms. A familiar expression on her face. "Sorry, Soak, I needed to hit someone and you were the closet."
"It's alright!" Sokka muttered.
Katara smiled, I guess Artymis is going back to normal now.
"I guess I owe you an apology?" Artymis asked Sokka, referring to her smack.
"Yes!" Sokka hissed angrily.
"Ok," Artymis sighed. She looked up and smiled for the first time in days, "Not!"
"Hey!"
"Alright, you two." Katara said, with a nervous laugh, "Before you both get into a fight, Artymis?"
"Yeah?"
"I can teach you a little of what I know about waterbending, you know to kinda prepare you before we find a waterbending master at the North Pole." Katara offered.
"Really?" Artymis tackled Katara with a tight hug. "Oh thank you so much! I really appreciate it!"
"Um, Artymis?" Katara managed to say. "You're kinda chocking me!"
"Oh!" Artymis quickly drew away. She made a nervous smile and laugh. "Sorry about that." Artymis apologized.
"It's ok," Katara gagged, "I guess it's true when they say 'love hurts'!" The three friends laughed.
Artymis felt her spirit lift and felt a smile on her face all that morning. They cleaned up their campsite, but left the fireplace where it was. The three friends made a list of what they needed and how much they could afford with the very little money they had. They told Anduril and Appa to stay put.
Artymis walked over to Anduril and placed a hand over his face.
You're feeling better? Anduril asked her, opening his big eyes.
Yes, I am. Artymis paused, I just hope I can accomplish what Avatar Roku wants me to do.
You will, Anduril said, You might wanna go or Sokka will start yelling.
Artymis smiled, You're right, Anduril. She hurried away to catch up with Katara and Sokka. When they walked side-by-side, Artymis looked over her shoulder and yelled to Anduril and Appa, "We'll be back soon!" She turned back to Sokka and Katara and they began to talk and joke. Artymis knew she was in a way brighter mood than she was after the temple, but it didn't ease her worry about the comet.
Life isn't perfect, Artymis thought as they entered a small town. I should expect the unexpected, like everyone else says.
"Zuko?" Iroh's voice woke Zuko up. "Breakfast is ready." Iroh said once Zuko was sitting up on his bed, fully awake.
"Alright," Zuko muttered. He buried his face in his hands when his uncle left the room, the door closing. "Why do I keep dreaming of you?" He whispered to himself, thinking about his dream with Artymis. She said she could help him in his dream. "How can you help me, by what?" Zuko looked up and his eyes narrowed. "I don't need your sympathy or help, Artymis. I can take care of myself." Zuko dressed and was walking out of his room when he felt the ship suddenly change course, a fast turn was made. Zuko steady himself. "Now what is it?" He muttered. He rushed into the control room, where Iroh was playing a game with some of the crew.
"You cannot beat me, but you are all improving." Iroh said.
"Uncle, what's going on?" Zuko asked with authority. "Why has our ship changed course?"
Iroh looked up to his nephew from across the board game. "My lotus tile is missing." Iroh answered.
"Your what?" Zuko asked, Please don't tell me!
"Lotus tile," Iroh repeated. "If I can find one at the mark at that nearby town, I can get on with my life."
"All for a stupid lotus tile!" Zuko felt himself shake from anger.
"Do not underestimate a lotus tile." Iroh said.
Zuko inhaled deeply and let out a breath of fire up towards the ceiling. Smoke spread in the room.
"What a nice, understanding nephew I have." Iroh smiled nervously and weakly.
Artymis, Katara, and Sokka frowned nearly all their trip. The things they needed were a little more expensive than the money they had. But they managed to buy the supplies they desperately needed. Once or twice, Artymis stopped by a shop to gaze at a very pretty kimono. She turned away with an angry face when she remembered the one Zhao had given her, the one in the white box, still on Appa's saddle.
I'm gonna burn that kimono! Artymis thought as she caught up with her friends. But, I did get what I wanted... no! I'll burn it!
"Young lady!" Artymis and her friends turned around at the sound of a trader's voice. "How much would you like for that lovely necklace of yours?" He asked, looking at Artymis' necklace.
Artymis touched her necklace, she shook her head. "I'm sorry, but this necklace isn't for sale."
The man frowned, "Not even for a sack of - "
"Not even for a sack of money." Artymis said, she drew her fingers away from her necklace. "I'm sorry." Artymis turned around and continued to walk around the market with Katara and Sokka.
"That's the second time someone offered a price for your necklace." Katara commented.
"I know." Artymis said then sighed, "I would, Katara, if we really needed the money. Which we do, but I can't..."
"It's completely understandable." Katara laid a comforting hand on Artymis' shoulder.
Artymis looked at her, and smiled. "Thanks."
"Hey, look!" Sokka pointed, "A whistle!"
"Whistle?" Artymis repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Yep, Sokka, we really need that."
He gave a look, "No!" Sokka said, waving his arms.
"Hey!" Katara said, looking at the whistle that Sokka was pointing to. "This one kinda looks like Appa," Katara picked up a small wooden bison whistle.
Artymis joined her and picked up a wooden dragon whistle, "This one reminds me of Anduril." Artymis looked at the bison whistle too, "They both look pretty good, and it'll be a nice souvenir for Appa and Anduril."
"They're not needed, though." Sokka said, "Now, let's keep moving."
"He's right," Katara said, turning to Artymis.
"First time since... he was born!" Artymis joked, the girls laughed.
"Heard that!" Sokka yelled over his shoulder.
"Ok!" Katara ran towards him.
"Got everything?" Artymis asked them.
"Well, about everything." Katara said thoughtfully, she paused and smiled. "Yeah, everything."
"Well then," Sokka said. "Goal accomplished!"
"Look around for a while?" Artymis offered, smiling.
"Sounds good!" Katara and her walked side-by-side while Sokka groaned.
"Oh great!" He muttered, "Right when I wanted to rest!"
"Stop complaining, you cry baby." Artymis teased.
"Ha ha ha, very funny!" Sokka said sarcastically.
"Sure is." Katara said.
"Young people!" A man in a green outfit, long hair, and tanned skin, came out and outspread his arms in welcome. "Would you like to see our sales?"
"Um, we're - " Sokka tried to say.
"You look like young rich people from noble families, why not see our merchandise?" The man asked again.
"Um," Artymis looked to Katara, who shrugged. Artymis looked back at the man, "Alright."
"Excellent!" The man led them on a ship and inside a room where it was full of merchandise.
"Whoa!"
"This place has nearly everything." Katara breathed, walking around and looking around.
"These - you can't really find them anywhere." Sokka said.
"They're rare, and pretty hard to find I bet." Artymis muttered, lifting up a miniature statue. She placed it back and kept looking around. Artymis tilted her head when she saw a picture of roses. The roses were in full blossom. They were a color of pure white, but in the middle there was a red red rose.
"That picture of roses, miss, symbolizes a true and pure emotion." Artymis and her friends spun around at that voice. A man with a dark outfit and a hat, with long grayish hair, and a winged reptile on his shoulder, just entered the room. He had a serious and unfriendly look. "It's ten gold pieces."
"What!" Sokka asked.
"Yes," The man said. "That picture was painted with the most loveliest colors and by a very famous person, obviously, with skills."
"So, what emotion would it exactly represent?" Katara asked, walking over to Artymis' side to see it.
"Any strong, pure, and true emotion." He said and walked over to stand behind the counter. The friends assumed he was the captain of the ship.
"Which emotion you think it most likely represent?" Katara asked Artymis in a whisper.
Artymis paused before answering, "Love." She simply said.
Katara looked at Artymis and gave a teasing smile.
"What?" Artymis asked her, realizing Katara was looking at her in a strange way.
"Well," Katara batted her eyes. "Apparently, someone is feeling 'pure' and 'true'."
Artymis blinked and softly hit Katara, "Shut up!" She muttered.
"You guys are pirates!" Sokka yelled, staring at the man who brought them here and the captain.
Katara and Artymis looked over to the captain and waited for the captain's reaction to Sokka's outburst. He made a small smirk, "Think of us as traders, son."
Katara spotted a scroll and unrolled it as Sokka scooted near her and Artymis and muttered a few non-understandable words. Katara unfolded the slim scroll and gasped out of joy. "Artymis, look!" Artymis leaned in as well as Sokka, "It's a waterbending scroll! Look at these moves. Art, we can learn more than I know!" Katara smiled and it faded when the captain came and snatched the scroll from them.
"Not for sale." He simply explained, placing the scroll back where it was.
Katara frowned and walked up to him, "Why not?"
"Sold to a nobleman from the Earth Kingdom," The captain said, he smirked. "Unless you and your little friends have two hundred gold pieces with you right now, or more than that offered price."
"Two hundred gold pieces?" Sokka gaped.
"Katara," Artymis muttered to her. "Sorry, but that's not worth it. Besides, we haven't even made a dent with the money we have right now."
Katara sighed, "I know."
"We're be leaving now, sir." Artymis said and she turned on her heel and walked out with Sokka. "Wait," She said when they got back on the street. She looked around, "Where's Katara?"
"Still looking, I guess." Sokka said, looking around.
"Go!" Katara came running from the ship, an alarm look on her face.
"What is it?" Artymis asked with worry.
"Oh, nothing." Katara said when she reached them. "I just wanna go, it's getting late."
Sokka rose one eyebrow and shrugged. "Alright," He said.
The three friend began to walk away when a voice shouted out, "Hey! You - get back here!" They turned around and saw that man with long hair and other menacing-looking men. They pulled out weapons and were grinning unfriendly at the group.
"What's going on!" Artymis shouted at them.
"Yeah!" Sokka said, "What we do?"
Katara remained silent.
"Get them!" The long-haired man ordered.
"Uh-oh!" Artymis spun around and started running, "Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! GO!" She shouted. Sokka and Katara followed after her. "What do they want from us?" Artymis asked out loud.
"Quick!" Sokka pointed to an alley, "Hide!" The group looked around to see if the pirates followed them there, they didn't. The group his in the alley which led to a dead end, they stopped and caught their breath.
"I mean, we didn't do anything to make enemies." Artymis, when she looked to Katara and Sokka, received raised eyebrows. Artymis made an uneasy smile, "Ok, we did make enemies with certain actions - but not to them!"
"Who did something that was totally out of line?" Sokka asked.
"Not me!" Artymis rose her hands.
"Not me either!" Sokka said, both he and Artymis slowly turned their head to Katara.
Katara had an uneasy expression in her eyes. She twisted her hands.
"Katara?" Artymis called out to her.
"What? Oh, I was just nervous for a second there." Katara quickly said.
"Did you do something?" Sokka asked her.
Katara paused, as if she was thinking. "No."
"Ok!" Artymis said, "Then what triggered?"
"Hey!" The group gasped and looked up at the buildings, where one of the pirates were. "The kids are over here!"
"Go!" Artymis sprinted first, followed by Katara and Sokka.
"They're getting away!"
"Don't look back!" Sokka shouted.
"I don't plan to!" Katara yelled.
"Me neither!" Artymis said, looking back to Katara and Sokka.
"Art - watch out!" Katara warned.
Artymis looked up ahead of her, she didn't have any time to see who she had bumped into. She felt herself slam against somebody and felt them back a bit, almost loosing their balance. Artymis press her arms against her chest and jerked her head up to see who she had bumped into. Artymis gaped at who it was. Not now! she groaned, but Artymis felt that warm feeling grow inside her.
It was Prince Zuko.
The Avatar froze in her spot and watch Zuko's reaction. Zuko grabbed her arms and narrowed his eyes at her. He pulled Artymis closer to him, he could tell she felt very uneasy. "Why, what do we have here?" Zuko smirked. "The Avatar is here with me, and I take her to my ship, imprisoned her and sail away home." His face was very close to hers now.
Artymis stared at Zuko, and the her eyes were full of anger. "Let go of me!" She tried to break from his grasp.
Zuko smirked again, "What's the matter?" He teased her, "The Lady Avatar can't break free from her captor?"
"Let go!" Artymis hissed dangerously.
"I don't think so." Zuko's face was barely an inch away from Artymis'.
Artymis held her breath. What was Zuko gonna do? Was he going to kiss her? Artymis remembered the dreams she had from his first attempt. She felt herself going crazy for having these dreams. "What are you doing?" She asked in a whisper.
Zuko blinked and drew his face away from her own. He opened his mouth to say something, but someone called out his name. He turned around, still holding Artymis firmly.
"Zuko!" Iroh came over looking happy. "I have not found a lotus tile, but I found things for music night!"
"You still haven't found that stupid lotus tile?" Zuko asked his with anger.
"Probably up in your sleeve." Artymis muttered, Zuko turned and glared at her.
Iroh looked at Artymis, "Why, hello Lady Avatar."
"Hello," Artymis greeted back, a very very weak smile. "I'd be smiling if it weren't for the circumstances." She gave Zuko a side glance.
Iroh looked to Zuko, "Must you hurt the Avatar? She's really nice." Iroh said.
"She'll get away!" Zuko argued.
Artymis realized Zuko wouldn't take his eyes off of her, not even for a second. She frowned and lifted her right boot up. She stepped hard on Zuko's left foot. He groaned and immediately released her. "Nice meeting you again!" Artymis said sarcastically, she turned on her heel and started running again.
"Come back here!" Zuko ran after her.
"Prince Zuko!" Iroh sighed, "He can never lend the Avatar or her friends a break." He muttered.
Artymis ran through the streets and avoided a pirate every now and then. She slammed herself against a wall in an empty alley. She closed her eyes and panted. "Why can't I ever get a break?" She whispered to herself, "Lies, suitor's roses, gotta-save-the-world thingy, pirates - and to top that all - a Fire Nation prince who I have been dreaming of since he tried to kiss me. What more could a girl ask for?"
Artymis sighed again and looked around to see if anyone was watching her. When the coast was clear, Artymis walked back onto the streets. I wonder where Katara and Sokka are...
Zuko couldn't find the Avatar after loosing her in five minutes. He grunted and stormed off to his ship. He locked himself up in his room and laid on his bed. He stared up at the ceiling. Zuko, after a while, looked to the across the room. On the table across the room, was a familiar lavender rose with a white ribbon. Zuko got to his feet and walked over to the table, and picked up the rose.
A suitor's rose, he thought, for the Avatar! He balled his free hand into a fist and shut his eyes in anger. Why am I jealous though? A suitor's rose is not an obstacle for my goal. But it does make me mad that it's from Zhao! Zuko sighed heavily and an image of him trying to kiss Artymis flashed in his mind. Why did I even try to kiss her? She had a suitor - well, a fake one. So, why does it make me so mad to look at this suitor's rose?
An idea came to Zuko's mind. He dropped the lavender rose on the table and he searched for a commoner's clothing, apparently he had an extra in his room. It was 90 like 'Shang's'. Zuko pulled the clothing on and pushed aside his Fire Nation armor and black clothing. He found a strip of clothing and a hat. He pulled them on and opened his bedroom's window. He was about to jump out when he looked uncertainly back at the suitor's rose.
Zuko sighed, he walked back tot he table and picked up the rose. He held it in front of him and stared at it. "I suppose the Avatar might want this back to her." He stuffed it in his pocket and jumped out of the window. Zuko carefully and secretly snuck away from his ship. He dived onto the streets and his eyes scanned for one particular person.
Artymis groaned. "Katara, Sokka - where are you?" She muttered. Artymis had been looking for her friends for a while now. She couldn't find the pirates, which was a good thing. But finding her friends was difficult. Artymis sighed, "I swear I check like this entire town!" She stopped and her face became expressionless when she saw a couple.
A handsome man was giving a lovely woman a creamy blue rose with a white ribbon. A suitor's rose. The woman took it with delight and the couple kissed. Artymis tore her eyes away and walked away, trying hard not to look back at the happy and kissing couple. She walked with heavy steps, but then slowed down, then stopped in her tracks. Artymis lowered her eyes to the ring on her hand. The golden ring that Zhao had given her. Artymis lifted her hand and fingered the ruby ring. She stared at it and slowly and carefully started to pull it off.
"Arivana?" A familiar voice made Artymis jump.
She left the ring on her finger and spun around in alarm. Artymis smiled and sighed when she saw who it was. It was 'Shang'. Artymis flung her arms around his neck and hugged tightly. She felt 'Shang's' arms wrap around her waist and pull her a little closer. Artymis smiled and closed her eyes, she pulled away and looked at 'Shang'.
"Hi, Shang." Artymis said, and felt it was a stupid thing to say.
But 'Shang' didn't think so, he just smiled. "I guess so, Arivana."
Artymis blinked when he said that, and remembered that was the name she had given him instead of her real one. She smiled and nodded her head, "How you been?" She asked.
'Shang' began walking side-by-side with Artymis, she noticed he hesitated. "Fine, you?"
She dismissed the thought of him lying to her, "I've been," Artymis paused for a second or two. "Alright."
"You don't sound too sure." 'Shang' commented.
Artymis lowered her eyes, "I've been through rough times, that's all."
"Anything I can help with?" 'Shang' asked.
"No, it's just... things." Artymis said.
Zuko looked at Artymis with uncertainly. He knew she was lying, it said so in her eyes and tone of voice, and the way she answered him with hesitation. Zuko took Artymis by the hand and led away from the crowd. He took out of the town and on the beach, where the waves softly caressed the beach.
Artymis smiled when 'Shang' took her to the beach. She and 'Shang' slowly walked side-by-side and began to talk to each other. Artymis tried to avoid where she was traveling and her family. She felt that unexplained feeling burn inside her again, she could felt the heat rise in her cheeks and she felt a little short of breath. Artymis knew she felt 'Shang' as something more, and maybe not just as a friend.
Zuko once again felt that flaming feeling inside of him start to burn. He could hear his ears pounding and every time his hand would brush against Artymis', his cheeks start to heat up. He didn't want to admit it, but he felt strange emotions towards Artymis that may not mean they're enemies or just "friends".
"So," Zuko asked, "How's your friend?"
"Wha - oh, my friend!" Artymis made up a lie, "Oh, he's feeling better than he was before."
"Oh," Zuko said, "That's nice."
"Yeah, it is." Artymis said softly. She stopped and turned to 'Shang', "Shang, I hope I didn't embarrass you last time we met." Artymis played with her hands and fingers nervously.
Zuko stared at her with a questioningly look. "Embarrass me, how?" He knew though: that good-bye kiss that Artymis left on his cheek that last time they met.
"Um..." Artymis never felt so stupid at answering something before. "That kiss."
"Oh." Zuko touched his right cheek, where she had kissed him.
"I think I got carried away." Artymis muttered, she lowered her head and felt her cheeks flush slightly.
Zuko placed an arm around Artymis' shoulders and pulled her close to him. "Actually, I enjoyed it." He confessed, Zuko didn't realized what he had just said. He placed his hands on Artymis' shoulders and turned her to face him. He looked at Artymis and caressed her left cheek with a hand. Zuko leaned forward slowly. Artymis held her breath when she felt a pair of lips press against her forehead. She could tell her cheeks were turning at least ten shades of pink. Artymis looked up at 'Shang' when he pulled away. She stared at 'Shang' and a rare smile was faint on her lips. Artymis felt something leap in her chest when 'Shang' kissed her forehead. Why do I feel so happy and why can't I speak? Artymis opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Zuko smiled when Artymis seemed to have lost the words or have forgotten to speak. He rubbed his hands on her upper arm. Artymis looked at 'Shang' in a dreamy way. 'Shang's' hands dropped to her hands. He lifted them up and pulled her hands close to his chest. His fingered her fingers and palm softly. Artymis smiled softly. Zuko the felt something around Artymis' right-hand finger. He looked down to her right hand and his eyes flashed angrily. It was a ring with three rubies and Zuko had a feeling who it was from. He looked at Artymis.
"Who gave you this ring?" He asked her, trying to hide the anger in his voice.
Artymis blinked, the dreamy expression in her face gone. She looked to her golden ring. "U-oh!" She muttered, Artymis opened her mouth and answered him with doubt, "A - A friend gave it to me." She lied.
Liar! Zuko thought and dropped her hands, he took a step back.
"Shang?" Artymis called out to him with worry, "Are you alright?"
Zuko knew he couldn't blow his cover. He made-up a lie, "Uh - uh - yes! I am."
"You're lying." Artymis said, she shook her head. "Really Shang, what is it?"
"Nothing." 'Shang' answered.
"Shang!" Artymis walked in front of him and placed a warm hand on his right cheek. "Why can't you just tell me?" She asked.
"Why can't you tell me about the ring?" Zuko asked, ignoring her question.
Artymis pulled her hand away and sighed, "You're really stubborn, Shang, you really are." She commented without sarcasm.
"Yes, I am!" Zuko shouted, he turned his back to her and stared hard at the ocean.
Artymis gave 'Shang' a sad look, "I guess you're just like the other ones." She muttered lowly, like Zhao for instance. Artymis began to walk away from 'Shang' she stopped in her tracks and gave him one last look of pity. Why are all men so stubborn? she thought as she gazed at 'Shang', How can men clog everything up? Artymis walked away and left 'Shang' all alone on the beach. She stopped in her steps, Was he.. jealous? Artymis shook her head. No! We barely know each other! Once she was far away, but not close enough to the town, Artymis felt her eyes sting and water. She held the tears back. Maybe I lost the only friend who'll think of me more as a friend, not just because I'm the Avatar. Artymis wiped the tears away with her right hand. She caught sight of the glittering ring and stared at it. "Why do I still wear this stupid ring?" She asked herself in a whisper, "It just symbolizes the lies that Zhao told me." But Artymis felt more pressured than before.
"Art!" Artymis straighten herself up as quick as possible and looked around once she assured herself that she didn't look like she was crying. Katara and Sokka were running towards her. "Where were you?" Sokka asked.
"Where were you?" Artymis asked back.
"Well," Katara said. "At least we found each other."
"Yeah," Artymis said then asked Katara, "Hey, can we start waterbending?"
Katara smiled, "Sure!"
"So, what am I supposed to do while you guys perform magic and all?" Sokka asked.
"You can..." Artymis thought for a minute. She placed her hands on her hips, "You can clean Appa up. Anduril cleans himself up, so yeah."
Sokka didn't say anything after a few long seconds. He shrugged, "Ok."
The group started to walk back to their campsite. Katara and Artymis already in deep talk of waterbending training. Sokka just observed and yawned.
Zuko heard Artymis walk away. He hadn't heard her say "I guess you're just like the other ones" before she left. Zuko felt his hands in fists and shaking. He knew he was angry, angry because Artymis still had a ring. A ring probably from the liar Zhao. Why does she still wear the ring, though? he thought, Does she wear it because she thinks he'll come back to her and pour his heart out? A possibility struck him as lightning and he actually had a feeling it was true. Did she wear it, to make me jealous?
Zuko started back for the town and managed to sneak back into his room again in secrecy. He hid his commoner's clothing away and he dressed back in black and the Fire Nation armor. He hid the hat and half-mask away and stared at himself in the mirror. He went back to his commoner's clothes and searched through the pockets and found the suitor's rose. He hid the clothing away and held the rose up, and stared at it.
"Prince Zuko!" A cheerful voice said. Zuko hid the rose in his pocket quickly before his bedroom door opened and out came a happy-looking Iroh. "Come outside!"
Zuko groaned and came out of his room, off the deck, and by some trader ships with Iroh. "Why are we here?" Zuko asked.
"Well," Iroh started. "We did come here to get a lotus tile, but I couldn't find any."
"And?" Zuko said impatiently.
"Well, I found things I didn't expect to find here!" Iroh said happily, "Especially for music night!"
Zuko groaned again, "Music night? Who ever made that was stupid!" Iroh shook his head.
"Captain, that girl and her friends escaped." A voice whispered a little loud to the captain who had a reptile perched on his shoulder.
"Damn, kids these days are more skilled at stealing than helping." The captain said, "That girl in white - she looked suspicious the moment I saw her, and that girl in blue - I had a feeling this would happened. But that boy - I assume the girl's brother - there was no reason to suspect him. Why, he's as dumb as a fish!"
Zuko overheard this, and it caught his attention. He looked around and saw the captain and the man with long hair whom he was speaking to. "This girl in white," Zuko said to the captain, "did she have green eyes? And a necklace..."
"Like this?" Artymis moved her hands forward and backward gently. She took care in her movements. Artymis focused on moving the water in the lake back and forth, like pushing and pulling.
"Great job." Katara said, "You got it." Katara was also doing it, to demonstrate and practice a little.
"Hey," Artymis smiled, "I'm already bending."
"What?" Katara saw that the water Artymis' was bending was a little higher than her own and was bending. I can barely do that, Katara thought and smiled. "That's good."
"What's next?" Artymis said once they pushed and pulled the water for a few more minutes.
"Well," Katara started. "I call this move 'streaming the water'."
"Why?"
"Because..." Katara blinked and laughed softly, "I honestly don't know why!" Artymis laughed with her. "It goes like this." Katara lifted a short stream of water from the lake gently with her hand movements. She brought it close to her and mold the water into a spinning sphere. "It took me months to do this." She commented as she moved her hands to keep the water sphere in place.
Artymis nodded and gently lifted a short stream of water and bend it over her head like a water-rainbow. She bended the 'stream' to go around her, this amused her. Artymis then bended it into a water sphere like Katara's. "Um, like this?" She asked.
Katara stared at the spinning water sphere floating between Artymis' hands. "Um, yeah." Katara said in a monotone voice. She turned her head away and frowned. Art's getting this in two seconds! A bit of jealously arose in her.
"You ok?" Artymis asked Katara once she gently placed the 'stream' back in the lake. I hope I didn't make her mad, Artymis silently thought and leaned forward to see Katara's expression.
"Yeah." Katara lied, turning her face back to her friend. "It's just, you're learning this stuff fast."
"Well, I have a great friend and teacher to help me, that's why." Artymis said.
Katara smiled, "Thanks, Art."
"So," Artymis asked, "Anymore moves?"
"I know this one, but I haven't mastered it 100!" Katara admitted.
"It's ok, you probably do better than me." Artymis said cheerfully.
"Not so sure." Katara muttered lowly. She placed her hands in front of herself and focused on the water. "The idea of this move is to create a wave, a powerful one." Katara concentrated hard. The water arose in a bubble, but it was too much for Katara. She sighed and dropped her hands.
Artymis looked at Katara, "You'll get it." She said encouraging. Artymis looked to the water and did the same as Katara, but this time the water rose many feet above their heads. It was a powerful wave. Uh-oh! Artymis thought as it hit Sokka, who was sitting on a rock nearby the lake, the wave sent him further down in the lake.
"How'd you - " Katara gaped.
"Nice!" Sokka yelled sarcastically.
"Sorry, Soak!" Artymis yelled back.
"He deserved it." Katara said to her, both of the girls laughed. Katara then smiled uneasily.
"What is it?" Artymis asked her.
"Well, I..." Katara took out a scroll from her bag and unrolled it. It was the same scroll that they saw on the pirates' ship.
"Hey, that's the waterbending scroll." Artymis' voice drowned, she gaped at Katara. "Katara - you didn't - "
"I just took it from those thieves, that's all." Katara replied quickly.
"No wonder those pirates are after us!" Sokka managed to swim back and get back on land. He was soaking wet. "You stole it, Katara!"
"I did not!" Katara yelled at him.
"Oh well!" Artymis yelled over their arguing voices, "What's done is done!"
Sokka crossed his arms and shook his head. "Jeez, all for a stupid waterbending-magical-dangerous scroll..."
Artymis and Katara looked at each other, they nodded. The girls both lifted a long stream of water and made a large spinning sphere high above Sokka's head. Sokka had no idea what was going on, otherwise he would've moved out of the way when the sphere came splashing on his head, making him more soaked then ever. He groaned.
"Anyways!" Katara said, scanning the scroll. She handed it to Artymis, "Can you hold this up for me, please? I wanna see if I can get this one move, then I'll resume teaching you."
"Ok!" Artymis held it up for her, I just hope Katara won't use it on Sokka. She smiled at this.
"The water whip." Katara said and scanned the scroll again.
"Sounds cool." Artymis commented.
"Looks like I can do it." Katara lifted a steam of water up and she half turned her body to her left. Katara waved her right arm out and received a whip of water on her forehead. "Ow!" She said, and the water returned to the lake. "What's so funny?" Katara snapped at Sokka, who was laughing.
"Nothing!" Sokka lied.
Artymis moved away and tried out the water whip herself. She succeeded. Artymis smiled and turned around to face an angry Katara. Uh-oh, she thought, What I do? "Katara?"
Katara shut her eyes and sighed. "Sorry, got frustrated back there."
"It's ok." Artymis said, she twisted her fingers nervously behind her back.
Katara handed Artymis the scroll, "Here. It's yours now." She said.
"Thanks." Artymis looked up to the sky, "It's getting late, we should get some sleep."
"You're right." Katara said, looking at the setting sun. "Let's go deeper in the trees and camp there so the pirates won't find us there."
The group grabbed their things and camped a little deeper in the trees. They unrolled their sleeping bags and began to prepare for the night. Artymis looked at Katara over her shoulder. She took a deep breath and walked over to Katara, who was unrolling her sleeping bag. "Katara, can we talk?" Artymis asked.
"Sure." Katara said, without looking at her.
"Are you mad at me?" Artymis asked nervously.
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, I thought maybe you were mad at me because I was learning those waterbending moves faster." Artymis explained, and prayed that Katara wasn't angry.
Katara shut her eyes and her face was screwed up in an expression of anger. She sighed and the angry expression was gone, she turned to Artymis. "I admit, I was a little jealous of you."
"Of me?" Artymis knelt down, "Why?"
Katara gave out another sigh. "I don't know. Maybe it was because you were better at waterbending than me."
There was a pause. "To tell you the truth," Artymis confessed, "I was jealous of you the first time we went to your village."
"What?" Katara asked.
"It was because you had a grandmother, and your people." Artymis explained, "I was even a little more jealous when I found out mine were extinct. But, I let go of it, you wanna know why?" She then answered after Katara nodded, "Because friends don't get jealous or envious of their friends."
Katara smiled. "You're right."
"Time to sleep!" Sokka announced.
They each went to their own sleeping bag.
"Good night!"
"Good night!"
"Sleep well!"
Good night, Anduril, Artymis said to Anduril. She hadn't spoken to Anduril since she and Katara started training waterbending. He and Appa left to search for food and sleep somewhere else. It was because a silver dragon and a white bison, hmm? Yeah, it make the group noticeable. So, for the group's safety, Anduril and Appa slept somewhere else and returned in the morning.
Good night, Artymis. Anduril said back.
Artymis smiled and closed her eyes. The fire was warm and the trees were silent. I wonder if Shang and I will ever talk. Artymis wrapped herself in a blanket and found herself in a sweet dream.
Several hours later, Katara lifted her head from her pillow and looked around. Artymis and Sokka were finally asleep, lost in their dreams. The fire still burn brightly. Katara silently rose from her sleeping bag and got to her feet. She quietly went over to Artymis' bag, and began to carefully search through it. It didn't take her that long to find the waterbending scroll.
Got it! Katara thought and held the scroll close to her. She stood up and carefully and quietly began to tip-toe away from the campsite. I can't disturb them, otherwise they think I'd be jealous that I can't do some of these moves! Katara walked out of the trees and nearby the waters of the lake. She unrolled the scroll and was about to read it, but Momo suddenly jumped on her shoulder. "Momo!" Momo gave Katara an innocent look. Katara sighed. "Momo, please, don't make a sound." Momo jumped off her shoulder and scurried away. Katara inhaled deeply, and read the instructions for the water whip move. She lifted a stream of water and was about to perform one of the moves that the demonstrating drawing said, but the water just fell back into the water. Katara groaned, "Come on!" She muttered loudly. "Work with me here!" Katara began to work this several more times, all her attempts failed.
Morning was arising, Artymis' eyes fluttered open. She yawned and sat up. Artymis groaned when she realized that it was still nighttime. "Great!" She muttered, she flung back on her back and looked over to her right where Katara was sleeping. Only problem was that Katara wasn't there. Her sleeping bag was empty. "Katara?" Artymis called out in a whisper, "And she says I wander off at bad times!" Artymis got to her feet and began to walk away from the warm fire and into the trees. "Be back, Soak." Artymis whispered over to a sleeping Sokka.
Artymis could tell she had been walking for fifteen minutes, when she heard water splashing. Artymis figured it was Katara practicing her waterbending. She shook her head, Does she have to practice now? She walked towards the lake when she heard a small gasp. Artymis blinked and quicken her pace. "Katara!" Artymis said in a low and worry tone.
"Let go of me!" Katara's voice sounded angry.
Artymis leaned towards a thick tree and panted. She looked over to the scene where Katara's voice could be heard. Katara had just done a waterbending move to loosen the grip of a large man that was holding her. Katara began to running, but wasn't paying attention where she was going. Katara! Artymis mouthed and her eyes widen when Prince Zuko came out of nowhere and gripped Katara's wrists. He pulled Katara close to him and his face was about four inches or a little less away from Katara's face. Almost like they were gonna kiss.
"Why, hello, peasant!" Zuko said unfriendly.
Artymis didn't know what overcame her when she felt the feeling of jealously towards Katara. She felt jealous of Katara as Zuko tied her to a tree and smirked at Katara. Why am I... jealous? Artymis thought, Is it because Katara was very close to Zuko? Is it, or is it something else? Artymis remained hidden behind the tree she was standing behind and watched to see if her friend was in trouble, even if she felt jealously of her friend for some unexplainable reason.
"Where is your friend, the Avatar?" Zuko asked Katara.
Artymis could imagine the expression on Katara's face: stubborn and anger. "Go jump in the river!" Katara yelled angrily. Artymis smiled.
Artymis could see Zuko frown, then saw him walk close to Katara, who turned her face away. "Try to understand," Zuko said, "I need to have something back that only the Avatar could help me with."
"I'm not telling!" Katara yelled.
"I won't hurt you or your brother." Zuko said.
"Not even!" Katara's response sent Artymis a feeling of worry. Zuko'll try something else, Artymis thought.
"Not even for this?" Zuko held out a familiar-looking black collar. Artymis held her breath. Katara gasped. It was Katara's mother's necklace. "Your necklace?" He held it up to Katara's neck, Artymis felt another feeling of jealously go towards Katara. She clutched her hand, What's wrong with me?
"My mother's - where'd you get that?" Katara demanded.
"I didn't steal it." Zuko said.
"Give it back!" Katara demanded, her voice growing louder and harsher.
"Not until you tell me where the Avatar is." Zuko said, putting the necklace back in his pocket.
"Enough!" The captain stepped forth, Artymis drew further back in the shadows as she saw his reptile pet looking at the trees, close where she was hiding. "Give us back the scroll!"
Zuko took out a scroll, the waterbending one that Katara had stolen earlier that day, and he held it above his palm where there was a burning flame. "I wonder if this scroll is really worth that much?"
"No, don't!"
"Apparently, is it." Zuko let the flame die out quickly in his palm, "Get the Avatar for me and you'll get your scroll back. Or you can kiss those 200 gold coins good-bye."
"Fine!" The captain snapped and turned back to his crew, "Get that girl - now!" The captain and his crew left, leaving Katara alone with Zuko.
"You even hurt my friends, I'll - " Katara started.
"You'll what?" Zuko snapped, "You'll give me a deadly kiss?" He said with amusement in his golden eyes.
Artymis' hands balled into fists and she shut her eyes. Why am I so - so envious of Katara all of a sudden? Is it because Zuko's sweet-talking to her? Artymis opened her eyes and she turned on her heel. She quickly ran back to the campsite. Once she reached it, she yelled out: "Sokka, get up!"
"What happened?" Sokka said, half-asleep.
Artymis began to talk in a fast way, "Katara has been captured and Zuko's holding her up! And pirates are coming and - and - and - "
"And you'll be caught." A voice said.
"Not again!" Sokka said.
"Get them!" Pirates began charging towards Artymis and Sokka.
"Run?" Artymis asked Sokka.
"Oh yeah!" Sokka answered, "And we get Katara back!"
Artymis nodded, but then was forced to kneel down by the weight of a bag. "Hey! Let me out of here - NOW!" Artymis didn't see anything of gray, and only the shadows outside the bag. She held her hands out in front of her and tried to rip the bag.
"Don't struggle, girl." A rude voice said and Artymis felt herself being dragged.
"Oh, so I'm not good enough o capture?" Artymis heard Sokka's voice, then a groan. "Never mind."
Artymis felt the rocks pass under her as she kept being dragged. The bag finally opened and two arms took her by her arms and hauled her out of the bag in a rough manner. Artymis felt herself lean forward a bit when she was forced on her feet. She found herself face-to-face with Prince Zuko. He stared down upon her, and a smirk came upon his lips. Artymis felt that same emotion start to burn. Two pirates roughly pulled her away from Zuko and tied her hands behind her back.
"Alright," The pirate captain said, "We got what you want."
"Good." Zuko said and he started to walk towards the pirates with the waterbending scroll in his hand.
"Artymis, Sokka," Katara called out, she was still tied to the tree. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" Artymis asked, "It's not your fault."
Sokka stopped trying to untie his hands and rose an eyebrow, "Not her fault, Art?"
"Shut it, Sokka." Artymis hissed.
"No, it is." Katara said with a sorrowful expression.
"No offense, but it is." Iroh said, he was standing close-by Katara.
"Here's your scroll, now give me the girl." Zuko ordered.
"Is it necessary to call me 'girl'?" Artymis muttered.
"Wait a minute." Sokka looked up to the captain, "You honestly are going to trade the Avatar for a stupid waterbending scroll?"
"The Avatar?" The captain looked from Sokka to Artymis, "You're the Avatar?" He asked her, awed.
"Don't listen to the girl or her friend!" Zuko warned, overhearing Sokka's question of the trade. "They're trying to trick us!"
Sokka smiled as an idea lit up in his head. "You know," Sokka said, "It's not worth giving the Avatar to a scar-head, I mean, the Fire Lord will pay much more then a hundred - and more - waterbending scrolls."
"Sokka?" Artymis' shifted her eyes to him and tried to figure what Sokka was trying to do.
"I mean, how much you think the Avatar is worth? Two hundred gold coins? Not even!" Sokka said in a sarcastic way.
"Shut your mouth!" Zuko ordered Sokka.
"Sokka," Artymis muttered to him, "I don't feel that being prisoners of pirates is nearly as safe. I'd rather be captured by Zuko."
"Keep the scroll," The captain said to Zuko, "We'll keep the Lady Avatar."
"Finally!" Artymis sighed, "Someone who isn't calling me 'girl'!"
"You will regret this." Zuko said dangerously.
"Do I have the option of death?" Artymis asked out loud.
Fireballs suddenly came hurling towards the pirates. The pirate with long brown hair came running towards Zuko and his soldiers and threw out small smoke bombs. That side of the battlefield was covered in a smoke fog. Artymis tried to untie the ropes around her wrists blind fully since her hands were tied behind her back. Sokka had an easier time since his hands were ties in front of him.
"Lucky!" Artymis snapped at him. She found herself coughing in the next three seconds. Smoke bombs enclosed the two teens as some pirates and Fire Nation soldiers fought blind fully in the smoke fog. Artymis ran coughing in the smoke. A long sword struck into the ground in front of her, Artymis smiled and spun around and slit the ropes open. Artymis held out her free hands in front of her and smiled. "Finally!" She whispered. She ran out of the smoke and again bumped into somebody. Artymis looked up and saw Zuko in a very angry mood. "Zuko?" Artymis whispered and felt his hands roughly grip her upper arms.
"I'll save you from the pirates, milady." Zuko said.
Artymis face showed she was uneasy, Ok! I regret the "I'd rather be captured by Prince Zuko then by pirates" sentence! I'd rather die! "Um, could you at least ease your grip?" Artymis asked innocently.
Zuko frowned and got rope from nearby and bound her wrists together. "I'll go easy on you." Zuko sneered, he could tell Artymis was very uncomfortable. He brought Artymis' face close to his.
Artymis could've sworn Zuko was going to make his second attempt to kiss her, but she didn't feel like fighting against it. She just watched Zuko as he pulled away and smirked. It sent Artymis a chill down her spine.
"If you'll behave." He teased, and threw Artymis over his shoulder.
"Hey!" Artymis whined when he threw her over his shoulder, "This is unnecessary! I don't care of you're a prince! I find this a violation of my rights!" She paused and shut her eyes. Anduril! Now is a good time for you to be over-protective!
What's wrong? Anduril sounded sleeping.
Artymis made an uneasy smile, Ok: Prince Zuko found us and he just threw me over his shoulder and is now taking me to his ship!
WHAT! Anduril's angry shout hurt Artymis' mind.
Apparently, he's not so sleepy now. Artymis thought dryly.
HE HAD THE NERVE TO TOUCH YOU! Anduril shouted with rage.
Go easy on the shouting, please! Artymis said, And I feel so violated!
I'M GONNA - Anduril's voice drifted off and Artymis could tell Zuko was going to get it.
"Artymis, where are you?" Katara's voice called out.
"Katara!" Artymis called out, she saw Katara running towards her.
"Hang on!" Katara looked around and lifted a stream of water. I can do it! she thought with determination as she steadied the water and tried to remember how to perform it
"I swear I find this a violation!" Artymis shouted to Zuko, "I will accuse you of touching me with disturbing intentions! I will not stand for this!" Artymis kicked her foot up.
"Shut your mouth," Zuko said loudly to her, then muttered, "Slut."
Artymis heard his insult and gaped. "Now, I am really angry! I'm gonna - "
"Your precious Zhao isn't here!" Zuko said angrily. "At least I don't accept everything someone gives me and falls for their lies!"
"Oh, and let me guess: you're a player!" Artymis shot back, "At least I don't try to kiss someone while they're sleeping!" She paused and then said in a teasing voice, "If I didn't know better, I'd say you're jealous!"
"Jealous of what?" Zuko asked, still not getting what she tried to say.
"Of the suitor's rose that Zhao had given me." Artymis answered.
Zuko had had enough. He dropped Artymis in a small boat. "Shut your mouth!" He demanded, his hands shaking with anger.
Artymis rose and eyebrow and crossed her legs in a ladylike manner, "Make me."
Zuko pulled out a lavender rose and held it before Artymis' wide eyes. "Remember this?" He asked her.
Artymis held her breath, "Where'd you - How did you - "
"Apparently, the Avatar isn't careful enough to watch where her things go." Zuko teased.
"Give it back!" Artymis reached out for it.
Zuko held the rose up high, "I thought you hate Zhao." He said.
"I do!"
"Then why keep a reminder of all the lies?" Zuko asked.
"None of your business!" Artymis replied angrily.
"Oh, but I think you do." Zuko extended a hand out and caressed her left cheek.
Artymis suddenly felt so strange, that she didn't resist Zuko's touch. She tilted her head slightly to the left and closed her eyes. Zuko lifted Artymis' face up towards him and he made a very small smile. He felt weird now. Artymis opened her eyes and stared up at Zuko. Artymis snapped out of it, "Think fast!" She said quickly and kicked Zuko away from her.
"I'm going to kill you!" Zuko shouted to her.
Artymis jumped off the small boat and gave him a look, "And how are you going to do that? You can't even think fast!"
Zuko came charging after her then was knocked off his feet again, only this time by a water whip.
"Katara!" Artymis looked over to see Katara running towards her, "You did the water whip!"
"I couldn't have done it without you!" Katara said as she untied Artymis' bound wrists. The girls began to run, but then Artymis ran back. "What are you doing?" Katara asked her loudly, "Exit's this way!"
"I need to get something that Zuko took!" Artymis yelled, "He took your necklace. And I'm getting it back!"
"Art - you're crazy!" Katara yelled, "Come back here!"
Artymis ran over to Zuko, was lying on the ground unconscious. She knelt down beside and stretched her hand over to his pocket. A hand suddenly reached out and gripped Artymis' arm at the speed of lightning. Artymis tried to wriggle her arm out of Zuko's grip. She felt a hand being place at her waist, and bring her down to Zuko as he straighten himself up to stare down upon her.
"You want your suitor's rose back?" Zuko asked, "You have to come with me." He then added, "And I won't let go of you this time."
Artymis knew there was no way to get out of this one, unless she... Anduril, please understand why I did this and what the situation was for me, she silently prayed. Artymis shut her eyes and as quickly as she could, and press her lips against Zuko's cold cheek. Zuko froze where he was as Artymis gave him a kiss on the cheek. It felt like time stopped for both of the teenagers. Artymis drew back and gasped. Zuko felt his cheek warm from where Artymis kissed him. His grip on her waist and arm loosen as he stared at her in wonder. Artymis snapped out of this dreamily-like moment and ran from her, without Katara's necklace or her rose.
"Art, finally!" Sokka said as Artymis ran towards him and Katara.
"Sorry!" Artymis apologized and saw that they were trying to push the pirates' boat into the water. "You can't push this boat into the water."
"Yeah, we figured." Katara said.
"But we need to!" Sokka said, "And now's out perfect chance, since the pirates and Zuko are too distracted right now!"
Zuko's distracted alright, Artymis thought privately and she looked to Katara with a smile. "I think we need two waterbenders to do this task, don't you think Katara?"
Katara got this and smiled. She nodded, "Right."
Artymis and Katara positioned themselves opposite from each other and moved their arms side to side with grace and concentrated on the water moving towards them and the boat. The water came to their calling and were higher than the girls' ankles now. "It's working!" The pirates' boat began to float on the water. "Everybody get in!" The three friends climbed in and set the boat on sail.
"Zuko, stop sitting there!" Iroh came over to Zuko. "The Avatar is leaving!"
Zuko came to his senses, "What!" He got to his feet and began to run along the shoreline, "Uncle, let's go!" Iroh ran after him. Zuko caught up to the pirates' boat, only he was on land. "Avatar!" Zuko shouted to Artymis, "Come back here if you know what's good for you!"
Artymis, who had her back turned to the land, turned around and blinked when she saw Zuko was running there. She looked back to Sokka, who was at the helm then behind the boat and saw a mini-boat made out of steel following them. Even though the boat was catching up, Artymis looked to Zuko and covered her mouth with her hand. She muffled a laugh.
"What's so funny!" Zuko asked in a shout to her.
"Yeah, Art!" Sokka said, "A boat is catching up to us, and you're standing there laughing!"
"I'm laughing, Sokka, because - " Artymis couldn't finished her sentence.
Katara looked at the boat following them, and smiled. "Because that boat following us is Prince Zuko's." Sokka got it and laughed. Artymis looked to Zuko and leaned on the rail of the boat, "You say I'm not careful with my things?" She asked him, 'Well, I say you're not so careful either."
"What does she mean?" Zuko muttered.
"Prince Zuko, looked at the boat following them." Iroh pointed out, gasping for air as they stopped at the edge of the cliff next to a waterfall.
"Boat?" Zuko then realized what Artymis meant, "My boat!" He shouted as he looked behind and saw the pirates on his mini-boat. Zuko gritted his teeth and breathed heavily.
"Sokka, going faster would be very much appreciated!" Artymis yelled as she leaned over the rail to see the mini-boat catching on more speed.
"I can't - I don't know how to control a non-Water Tribe boat!" Sokka explained.
"Great!" Artymis muttered and spun at the noise of a scream. "Katara?"
"Take that!" A pirate just fell over-board by a whip of water.
"Yep, that's Katara." Artymis smiled and looked over to Katara, who had her hands on her hip in a I-am-so-cool-and-don't-mess-with-a-girl-like-me way. "Nice one."
"Thanks!" Katara then gasped, "Watch out!" She warned.
A large pirate jumped in front of Artymis and held out his sword. "Don't resist, doll face!" He said.
"Doll face?" Artymis' green eyes flashed with anger and fire.
"Uh-oh!" Katara said as she knocked over a pirate with waterbending. "You shouldn't have said that!"
"Doll face?" Artymis repeated to the man, her voice a little harder this time.
"You really shouldn't have said that!" Sokka managed to say as a pirate battled him.
"DOLLFACE!" Artymis shouted, her eyes flashing with utmost anger. "HOW DARE YOU CALL ME THAT!" She shouted loud enough for Zuko and his uncle to hear. Artymis brought in enough water to flood the deck of the boat. She whirled the water around and and knocked all the pirates off. "DON'T YOU EVER EVER CALL ME DOLLFACE!" Artymis shouted, she turned to a frighten-looking Katara and Sokka. "Um, I think you and I should waterbend, Katara. You know before we reach the waterfall." Artymis said in a soft tone.
"Um... yeah." Katara said awkwardly. Both girls perform waterbending to try to push the boat with the water away from the waterfall, not pull them towards it. It was working fine up to the point when the boat had it's side to the waterfall.
"Get off the boat!" Sokka warned and pointed at the mini-boat, that had no helmsman now, rushing towards the boat.
"Jump!" Katara shouted.
The friends ran and jumped over the rail of the boat and began falling into the waterfall. But no splash came to them when they shut their eyes. The group opened their eyes to see their large companions flying up the sky. Katara and Sokka were lying on Appa's saddle. The sighed from relief. Artymis found herself on top of Anduril. She smiled and softly patted Anduril's silver scales.
Anduril, she telepath him with a sweet and gentle tone, I knew, since you're so over-protective, that you'll -
Where's that dead man, Zuko? Anduril cut her off in a rude tone. His eyes spotted Zuko and he went straight towards him.
Artymis clung on to his neck, Anduril!
I'm gonna grind his bones to dust - Anduril babbled on to his plan of showing Prince Zuko his penalty for laying a hand on Artymis.
Artymis smiled uneasily. This I gotta see...
"Prince Zuko?" Iroh called out.
"What?" Zuko snapped, as he stared down the waterfall, his mini-boat ruined.
"The Lady Avatar," Iroh chuckled, "was right. The lotus tile was in my sleeve the whole time!" Iroh took the lotus tile from his sleeve and showed Zuko.
Zuko breathed heavily. Everything - all of this - was a complete waste of time then! He spun around and snatched the lotus tile form his uncle's hand. He threw it down the water with his anger.
"You gotta watch where you throw that thing!" A voice shouted from below, "It can poke someone in the eye - say, like, my older brother!"
Zuko gasped as a silver dragon rose it's head and towered above Zuko and his uncle. "Artymis?" Zuko breathed.
"My, what a fascinating creature!" Iroh said in a breath-taking voice.
"Uncle," Zuko said in a nervous voice, "That's the Lady Avatar's creature guide, and -" he gulped, knowing what was in for him "- her brother."
"Her brother?" Iroh repeated.
The silver dragon roared and his claws dug deep into the ground in front of the firebenders' feet. He brought his face up-close to Zuko's, his piercing blue eyes filled with anger and hatred.
"Prince Zuko, he probably likes you." Iroh said happily, oblivious to the fact that the dragon was glaring upon Zuko with unspoken hatred.
"Um," Artymis said, from her seat on Anduril's back, "Anduril doesn't like Zuko, sorry. He wants to grind Zuko's bones to dust, and a lot more disturbing things!"
"What?" Zuko said, "What did I do?"
Artymis rose an eyebrow, "Do you honestly want me to answer that?"
"Prince Zuko?" Iroh looked to Zuko with a questioningly look.
Zuko backed away from the dragon, then heard a very angry voice shouting in his mind:
YOU DARE TOUCH MY LITTLE SISTER? I WILL BREAK YOU IN HALF! I WILL CRUSH YOU! HOW DARE YOU TOUCH MY SISTER, PERVERT! I'LL BE WATCHING YOU!
The silver dragon gave Zuko one more frightening look, and growled. Zuko felt shaking when he heard that voice. But then he noticed that Artymis looked more beautiful. He stared at her, the sun was setting and her hair was pulled back by the wind, it kinda made her hair look like brown waves. Artymis gave Zuko an uneasy smile. She also thought Zuko looked a little more attractive then usual. His golden eyes made a piercing in her heart.
"Bye!" Artymis yelled as Anduril shot up towards the sky, to meet Appa.
Zuko stared at Artymis as she flew away.
"Prince Zuko?" Iroh called out for the second time.
"Huh? What?" Zuko turned to his uncle and sighed, "Let's head back to the ship, uncle."
Artymis watched Zuko and his uncle walk away, probably back to their ship at the market. Artymis leaned against Anduril's neck and softly rubbed the side of his wide neck. Anduril, was that necessary?
The threat?
Yes, was it?
Anduril sighed, I don't want him near you. He paused, I'm going to have to get a restraining order.
Artymis laughed, Whatever you say. She was glad she didn't tell or hint to Anduril that she had to kiss Zuko's cheek in order tog et away from him. Otherwise, Zuko be dead.
"What happened?" Katara asked her worriedly, once Artymis jumped off of Anduril and satin Appa's saddle.
Artymis gave Anduril a glance, and made a sly smile. "Oh, just giving Zuko a warning that he shouldn't come close to us."
Sokka laughed, "Like that's gonna happen!"
"Yeah, I know." Artymis' voice changed unexpectedly and she looked over Appa's saddle, and onto the world below them which was moving like the fast wind. She smiled for some unknowing reason when she quietly recalled the memory of her kissing Zuko on the cheek. It brought a flush to her cheeks and she giggled in a strange way that Katara and Sokka gave her a strange look, then laughed.
"I think Artymis met someone while we got split up and were running from the pirates," Katara whispered in Sokka's ear.
"I hope Anduril won't kill her first boyfriend." Sokka whispered back, the brother and sister quietly laughed.
Artymis was too busy smiling and giggling to herself that she didn't notice Anduril's peculiar look, or didn't hear Katara's and Sokka's whisper, she didn't even take notice of Katara's excited screaming when Sokka gave her the waterbending scroll that she had stolen yesterday.
"Momo found it." Sokka said.
"Momo!" Katara held Momo in a tight hug, "Thank you so much for retrieving the scroll! Was that reptile bird mean to you?"
Artymis snapped out of her daydream and smiled when she looked at Katara, "Ok, Master Katara, let's start reading."
But no matter how much they read out of the scroll, Artymis had one person in mind:
Prince Zuko.
Author's Note: First of all, yes, I did change some of the chapters' names around and there was a change in "Nobody Home" (once was "A Home Lost and Found") besides the changing of the chapter title, the last line that read "A web of jealously and lies began to weave itself" is out. That line and chapter title wasn't meant for that one more, and the line wasn't use in this one, but it kinda speaks for itself when you read this chapter. Anyways, yes, Artymis kissed Zuko on the cheek again - well, to her, the first was 'Shang' when it really was Zuko but she don't know that ( I'm getting myself confused!). Anyways, I think from here on and in the future chapters, Artymis will understand more about her growing and unexplainable feelings for Zuko, as he will too. I need some ideas. And there is a computer picture of Artymis (note the notice next to the link) on my profile page under "Extras". Anyways, thanks for those who reviewed:
Firework: Thanks for the spelling error correction! I had a feeling I spelled it wrong. Well, I appreciate you on-going support.
SoccerChick101: So... -serious eyes- ... we meet again. -lol- Hey chica! Thanks for reviewing, and... ZUKO IS MINE! Eventhough Artymis is gonna kick my butt, oh well! And, I like to hear your story - tell me!