Element Girls and Bunny The Assassin:Here's the next chapter as you kindly asked for. I'd like to say flattery will get you nowhere, but with me that's soo not true. Keep sending the compliments!
But I must apologize. It wasn't until after I sent out the chapters that I realized... I have mistakes! Yes, I'm buggin' over a few typos. The thing is I'm afraid more will show up as the days go on. Especially since I good ol' work wants me to come in at 5 in the morning to do stock! Most nights I'm luck to get 5 hours of sleep. So if I slack in my work for the sake of my fanfic, I'm just tired! Please forgive me, and here's your new chapter.
"This stinks," muttered Kiko, laying on her back with her feet against the wall, her head hanging on the edge of her bed as she watched Iroh drink his tea. It had been three days since Koshi, the day after they had left the harbor it began to rain and hadn't let up since.
"Patience, Kiko, it will stop raining soon," Iroh relied calmly with a smile. The more he watched Kiko the more she began to act like Zuko. He had even asked her if she was related to him at all and she denied it, though admitting she was related to someone he knew in that time, but wouldn't give a name.
"I want it to stop now," sighed Kiko. "I've been wanting to practice my fire bending."
"Oooh, you're fire bending," Iroh said, now interested. "Are you a master, is it different than the techniques we use today, can I watch?" Iroh seemed like a child as the questions seemed to come all at once and it made Kiko laugh.
"Very close, there are differences, and of course." Iroh chuckled as she answered his question in order.
"You know, maybe Zuko can teach you a few things, and vice versa," Iroh suggested.
"Spend time with Zuko? He hates me," she sighed again as she stared at the ceiling.
"He does not, He's letting you live on his ship."
"It may just even be for the end of today, I have no idea," said Kiko, still looking up to the ceiling. "Zuko is putting up with me because there's really no other choice. Besides, he's even asked where the avatar is headed next anyways."
"When did he do this?" Iroh asked curiously.
"Yesterday, when I gave him dinner." Zuko had not come to the dining hall so Kiko had volunteered to give Zuko his tray. "I put the tray on his table and then he asked me that. He sees me as a tool to get to the avatar."
"Did he say anything after that?"
"'Why won't you help me? You understand what it's like to be away from your parents.'" Kiko grunted, pulling her pillow and slamming it on top of her face. Iroh took the time to get up and walk out of her room to look for his nephew. He found out from one of the crew members that he was in the steering room and walked straight in.
"Zuko," he said in a serious voice.
"Not now, uncle," Zuko said, looking at a map on a metal table. "We've spotted the avatar heading towards the east."
"That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about," Iroh said with a stern voice again.
Zuko looked up irritated, "What is it?"
"You asked Kiko to reveal the future." Before Zuko could argue he interrupted. "She knows more than anyone's fair share of information and you think you can simply ask for it? Anything can change her future and you don't seem to care."
"That's because I don't," retorted Zuko. "Getting the avatar is the only thing that matters. It doesn't hurt her, so why should she get mad over it?"
"Zuko, it's not her that's getting mad over it," Iroh said, following his nephew as he began to walk below deck.
"So there is no problem."
"I have a problem with it, Zuko," sighed Iroh. "Using her that way is wrong, especially since she didn't want to be here in the first place."
"Well, she has to compensate for staying on my ship," Zuko said without looking back once to Iroh. "Besides, do you realize how much money you spent on shopping for her? Furniture, clothes, it's all a waste of money."
"Quiet, Zuko," whispered Iroh, rushing in front of his nephew, putting a finger to his mouth. "She doesn't know about the clothes yet. It was suppose to be a surprise."
"You're spoiling her," Zuko growled as he walked past him.
"Seriously, Zuko you need to stop asking her about the avatar. She wants to help, but there are some things that can't be asked. And she's doing good work as it is, cooking for instance."
"I only asked once!" He yelled. "But fine, I won't ask her anymore, happy? Just leave me alone." With that Zuko walked into his room, slamming the door shut behind him.
"That turned out well," Iroh said with a smile. He turned to see a soldier walk up to him and announced the rain had stopped. "Good, get some help and go dry off the deck. Then go tell Prince Zuko to meet me out on deck. We're going to have some fire bending practice." With a giddy laughter Iroh ran to his room before going to Kiko's with a package in his hands.
Zuko growled to himself as he watched Iroh walk up to him from below deck. The soldier had mentioned practice so he wore a tight, red sleeveless shirt and black pants with no boots. The sun was slightly covered by gray clouds, otherwise it was quite sunny out, which meant lots of sweating if it was going to be a hard practice.
"Hold on a moment," Iroh said as Zuko was getting into position. Zuko had thought we was going to practice for his uncle and get advice for what needed to be improved, like always. "Kiko is going to spar with you. Come on, Kiko."
Zuko looked back to the door on the floor and watched as Kiko walk out on to the deck and for the first time since he can remember, he blushed. Kiko was also wearing skin tight clothes, a sleeveless red shirt and maroon pants and she was also barefoot. Her body was well defined and no extra muscle was added to make her look macho, making her look very sexy in her "training outfit".
"I can't believe you got this for me, uncle Iroh," groan Kiko.
"No need to thank me," Iroh said proudly. Kiko only rolled her eyes and looked at Zuko as he cleared his throat.
"You wanted to spar or chat all day?" He said, managing to stop his blushing. Kiko grinned and got into a fighting position, spreading her legs and holding her left hand to Zuko.
"Begin!" Shouted Iroh, and with that the two went at each other's throats.
Without hesitation Zuko lunged towards Kiko, who easily parried his fist that was engulf with flames with her own and kicked him in the side of the head. Unfortunately, Zuko caught her foot and spun her in mid air while throwing her on the deck. She caught herself before actually hitting the ground. She smiled up at him and did a roundhouse kick, but she was just far enough to not be able to hit him. Zuko jumped by instinct and had barely dodged the ring of fire as she swung her leg. When he landed he had not expected Kiko to go on both hands and swing both of her legs. He managed to bend backwards far enough that the flames that were coming from her feet just skimmed across his face. She swung her body and landed on both feet and Zuko stood straight, posed to fight on.
On the side lines the crew had gathered to watch and Iroh, being as he is, began a betting pool.
"20 silver pieces says Kiko can take Zuko," he shouted out. Some people put money in for the fun of it.
"Hey!" It was Kiko who shouted this. Zuko took this opportunity and punched a fireball at Kiko. She stepped back and swung her arm down, forcing a wave of fire to head straight to Zuko. Unfortunately, while doing this Kiko stepped back onto a small puddle of water and slipped backwards, making the wave of fire stronger than she intended as she swung down. Her head hit the railing at the edge of the ship, making everyone gasp in surprise. Zuko, however, was not expecting such a strong blow and managed to move out of the way, but not fast enough. Zuko's arm was sliced open underneath the shoulder by the fire and began to bleed terribly.
"I thought I told you to dry the deck!" Yelled Iroh to the soldier he sent. "Hurry, help prince Zuko stop the bleeding." He said, pointing to two men. He turned around and pointed to another. "You help me with Kiko, I think she's unconscious." He ran to Kiko to find her awake, but the back of her head was bleeding slightly. He and the soldier helped her to her room and the other two helped Zuko to his.
This is not what I had hoped for, Iroh thought to himself, thinking about the two damaged young adults who more than likely were not going to get any closer because of of his actions.
Like I said, drama, actions, there's even blood! Ooooh, Zuko's been seriously hurt by Kiko. Will he throw his temper and really kick her off the ship for good? You'll have to wait and see. And yes I do know what's going to happen!...
Sorry, had a friend who doubted I planned the chapters ahead and did things by ear... or finger... you know!
But I have one last thing. I was thinking about the Avatar world (duh), but I realize something... all the older firebenders look the same! I mean, their hair cuts and beards and side burns! Zhao, Iroh, and you could tell by the shadows of his dad that he has the sideburns. What is up with that!