Hey y'all! Ok so ... sorry the last chapter was so short. And so to make it up to you, I'm updating the day after it! Yes now rejoice! Bah... haha yeah ok so read on!
Let me explain myself: being homeschooled and having my parents, I was never allowed to date, and I didn't think I was ready to date. When I graduated, I started going out with a boy I'd known since I was little for the first time ever. I am, and always have been, very self conscious when it comes to guys taking an interest in me, so I only kissed him about three times, and that was near the end of the summer. Also, we nearly never cuddled or did all that lovey dovey stuff. We held hands, and hugged, but that's about it. Oh and kissed a few times on the lips. So now you can understand, perhaps, why I was so embarrassed about Zuko fixing my clothes.
Oh Lord I'm so stupid. And immature, and rgh! What's wrong with me? He was just helping, that's it. Ok, breathe. Now to find Iroh, ah that wasn't hard.
Sitting in the middle of the deck was Iroh, playing some sort of game on a little table with a few other soldiers gathered around. I walked over quietly and watched over their shoulders. It looked like Iroh was winning whatever the game was, and it seemed like it involved winning money. My assumption was correct when Iroh leaned back pleased, and the other man sighed and handed over some coins. That's when he, and everyone else, noticed me.
"Why hello Kristen! How long have you been there? Say, would you be up for a game of-"
"Uncle. My training?" Zuko seemed to have done my little 'appear out of nowhere and freak people out' trick. Personally, I loved doing it. By the way, I am smiling evilly right now.
"Ah yes, it is that time isn't it?" Iroh looked up at the sun like it could tell him the exact time. I glanced at my watch: it read a little past two.
"What are you training for?" Zuko shot me a 'duh' look.
"I train every day so that I can master Fire Bending and defeat the Avatar." I snickered. He sounded like he was reading from a script or something. Of course, he glared at me in return for my laughter.
I sat next to Iroh and watched Zuko face off against a not-so-happy looking soldier in armor. After only a few seconds I could see why he was wearing armor, and why he wasn't looking very happy. At first, they faced off like they were going to spar and I felt familiar with this scene. Of course, as soon as Zuko kicked the man onto his back with a jet of flames I felt completely out of my zone again.
And then Zuko had to go and ask me (tell was more like it) to join him for a round.
"No I can't, I haven't sparred with anyone in a few years. I've probably forgotten everything. You'd kick my butt! Especially with your fire stuff." Zuko looked triumphant. Of course, we can't forget Iroh.
"Nonsense! I'm sure you remember it. And I'm sure Prince Zuko will agree to refrain from Fire Bending on someone so inexperienced as you say." And now there was no way for either of us to back out really. So I got up and stood opposite Zuko. I felt almost as bad as my first testing. (Which was really nervous)
However, as soon as Zuko rushed me with a few punches I felt newly confident. I easily blocked each of his punches, and dodged his kicks. It was an incredible feeling, being able to see each attack coming, know exactly what to do to avoid it, and have the time to move out of the way. Of course, this made Zuko angry. This was obvious as his hands started to smoke when he punched at me.
"Fight me back, coward!"
He wants a fight? Fine!
I let loose a roundhouse kick to his head, catching him by surprise. He barely had enough time to put up his arm in time to protect his head when I tapped his hand with my foot and turned the roundhouse into a sidekick, hitting him hard in the stomach. Zuko staggered backwards, and glared at me furiously. All hell broke loose then, as he fired a ball of flame at my head.
My eyes widened and I rolled out of its way, but just barely. I could feel the fabric on my pants leg had been singed black. And of course, that made me mad: I just got these! And they aren't even mine!
I dove at him, dodging a few more punches and kicks, spun around and hit him hard in the jaw with a palm-heel. And that's exactly what it sounds like, the heel of my palm. Believe me, it hurts and I can hit hard with it.
Zuko stumbled back again, almost falling over, and shook his head to clear the dizziness. This time he threw a few quick punches of flame that I dodged, but when I saw a wave of flame headed toward me I knew I couldn't dodge it and my hands shot up in reflex to protect my face from the fire.
Before the flames could touch me, the same pale light lit up the area in front of my body and the flames passed directly around it, not even singeing me.
After that, everyone who was on deck stood silently and stared at me. Zuko didn't shoot any more fireballs at me, so I assumed our match was unofficially over. I stared at my hands in awe. That was the second… no, the third time I'd done something really weird!
"What… was that? Was that one of the bendings?" I asked, really confused.
Iroh walked over and took my hands. Zuko also came over, but not too close; he was mad at me still.
"I do not believe it was any of the forms of bending. As far as I know, you are doing something completely different. But, we can try to figure out if you are a bender and work our way from there." I nodded my head, still feeling numb about what I'd done. Iroh dismissed the men who had been standing around gawking, and led me over to a corner of the ship. I wasn't sure if Zuko was going to come or not, so when we passed him I said softly to him.
"Thanks for the match, I enjoyed it." I shot him a kind and forgiving smile, hoping he wouldn't hate me forever for showing him up in front of his men. I knew how fragile men's egos could be. And all I got in return was a kind of glare, and he turned to follow us.
