Chapter 10:

That day passed without much happening. I beat Iroh at pi sho just because no one else could, Zuko plotted courses and tried to figure out what the avatar was doing, and the crew refused to quit questioning me. I finally got them to leave me alone by walking up to the deck and doubling back to my room. I sat in the corner and tried to concentrate, but my mind was elsewhere. The sun had set and I had eaten dinner, so I attempted sleep, but after an hour of me staring blankly at the wall I decided to return to the deck.

The sky was dark when Avari questioned me. "Akina? How did you meet Zuko anyway?"

"I was working in the stable taking hay to the horses and I accidently ran into him."

"You accidently ran into him?"

"Yeah, I was carrying a couple hay bales down the aisle and didn't see him. I was trying to lift the hay again when he offered to help. He thought me to be a long haired stable boy I'm sure, for when he saw I was a girl he dropped the hay and his jaw." I said laughing at the memory.

"What happened after that?"

"Well, I picked up the hay he had dropped and dragged it over to the nearest stall. He followed me around for a while, until all the hay was gone. Then he walked off and I ran out of the barn to find out what I was supposed to do next. I was just a kid then, but I was still faster then alot of the other stable hands, and I used to race the horses around the paddocks for fun."

"So he just left?"

"no, he went off somewhere and I found out I was to work the stallions that day. I was suprised they were trusting me with the stallions, but the head trainer there was very kind to me. I remember when I was working a young colt General Iroh came up to the fence and watched me for a while. Then he left and I went on working the horses. About an hour later the head trainer told me to work a new horse, I didn't have to use a saddle, or bridle, but the horses owner didn't mind if I did. I remember the horse was a tall, chestnut, only 4 or 5 years. He was a lovely colt, but very high strung. I remember leading him out to the main ring, a big rectangle fenced in with a wooden fence, then Zuko and Iroh came and stood next to the head trainer. I suppose he explained me to them, how I was the orphan that stayed in the hay loft during the night and did odd jobs and training during the day. I walked the horse around and led him to the middle of the ring. I preferred not to use a saddle, and I didn't like using bridles so he wore neither. I used the light rope halter and reins I sometimes used on Ealorr for him. Then I just remember riding around the ring and passing Zuko standing at the gate."

"so he just watched you ride? but when did you actually talk to him?"

"Well, I rode around for a bit and when I finished Zuko came up to me and started asking me where I learned to ride. Then he asked if I wanted any help cooling off the horse and putting him away. We just started talking during that, and our relationship went from there. But I don't think he thought I was anything more then a friend." I said staring out to sea and clutching the small crystal dagger in my hand.

"Akina, he thought much more of you. You didn't find me until you were thirteen, but I know from the little time I saw you with him that he loved you." Avari reassured me. "And I'm sure he never forgot you, he probably can't recognize you. You've changed alot, and you always hide your face."

"Really? Have I changed that much? Hm..." I said drifting off into thought. I stood there thinking for most of the night. And then I came to a disicion. I was going to have to unchange myself. If that was possible anyway.

I walked over to the stairs when I heard something. Thunder. I looked back over my shoulder and saw dark clouds gathering just ahead of the ship. Lightning cracked down and the sea tossed and waves crashed on hidden rocks.

At the noise the crew and Iroh ran up to the deck. My hat flew off my head and landed on the stairs behind me. As the crew readied the ship for the storm I felt eyes staring at me as the wind pulled my hair from my face and ears, but this time no one questioned me and I didn't bother fixing it. I felt the rain start to hit the ship and my cloak was weighing me down, I pulled the tie at my throat and let it fall to the ground. Avari wound herself around my neck multiple times to keep a steady hold and I felt the ship being tossed around by the sea. Zuko ran up to the deck and began helping the rest of the crew.

As a particularly large wave hit the ship I slid over to the rail. The ship tossed again and I felt myself being pulled off the floor. I reached up to the rail in time to get a slight hold on the rail. But as I tried to pull myself up my hand slipped farther and farther off the rail. I cried out as I started to fall and heard voices yelling on deck. As my hand slipped completely from the rail Zuko caught my wrist. But my hand kept slipping, and as he tried to pull me up the wrap came loose and he pulled up only that. I plunged into the water below and lost consciousness.