Leiko awoke the next morning with a full belly from the feast. She rolled over and looked at her new husband. He was already awake and looking at her. She rubbed her eye and smiled at him. "Morning." She said.
"Good morning."
"We should get up now. The crew had been up and about." He told her. She nodded and they both climbed out of bed.
The night before, the crew had moved everything of Leiko's into Zuko's room so they could share. It was like a dream come true to Leiko. Everything she had hoped for was coming true. When the two walked up on deck the crew began to clap and cheer. Leiko blushed and giggled. Zuko took Leiko's hand and they walked onto the deck. Iroh walked up to them. "Good morning, you happy couple you. If you do not mind, the crew and I have some congratulation gifts for you." He stated.
"Very well than." Zuko replied. The crew members walked up with different items in their hands. The Lieutenant walked up first and spoke.
"We all pitched in some money and bought you two some gifts." And he held up a new pair of swords, and laid upon them was a red dragon mask. He held them out to Zuko. "Prince Zuko, this is for you. They're antiques." He told them. Zuko picked up a sword and swung it around and then took the rest of the items.
"Thank you Lieutenant. Who knows, maybe I will put them to good use." Zuko said with a smile. The Lieutenant cleared his throat and spoke again. "And Leiko, this is for you." And he held out a silver shirt. It had no sleeves, and it looked small. "This is an extraordinary piece of work. It goes under your clothes, it's armor. Feel it." He said and she took it from him and held it up. "It's light as a feather, but it's hard as steal. Nothing can penetrate it…nothing! We know what a warrior you are. And with this it assures us that you will always come back safe and sound." Leiko smiled and rubbed it between her fingers, feeling the scales on it.
"Thank you. This I know will be put to use in the future." She said and everyone laughed. Iroh stepped forward next. He had a big grin on his face.
"This is a special gift that only royals use. When a royal gets married, both the man and bride get one of these." And he held out a pair of gold rings that had red gemstones on them. "The man wears one and so does the bride." He handed one to both of the teenagers. "Put it on your ring finger." And they slipped it on. They were a perfect fit.
"How did you get these, Uncle?" Zuko asked.
"It wasn't easy, but I managed. You deserve it. Now everyone who gazes upon you two will know you are married. Now then," and he rubbed his hands together, "Who wants some breakfast?"
Later that day, Leiko was taking a nap in her room. As she slipped off into slumber, the same haunting dream came upon her. She tossed and turned in her sleep as she approached the unknown figure, and before she could turn the body over and gaze upon the face she awoke with a sudden jolt! There was the sound a horn the blared through the air, waking her as she sat up in a heartbeat! She looked around and saw Tila squawking in the air, fluttering back and forth, alerting her of danger. Leiko jumped out of bed and grabbed her bow and arrows. She tied her sword to her waist and grabbed her spear and ran up to the deck. "What is it?" she asked Zuko.
"There's a ship catching up with us." He replied as he looked into his viewer.
"What kind of ship?" she asked.
"A fire nation ship!" he answered, and then he turned back to her.
"Who is it? Zhao?"
"No…Kilix."
"What?" she asked with more alarm and peered through the viewer. He was right! At the tip of the ship stood Kilix, and with a general's tarp draped over his shoulder. "He's a general now?"
"How could that be?" Zuko asked. "The only one in charge of appointing officials is-"
"My father." Leiko cut him off. And then their eyes were directed into the sky as a fireball appeared! "Oh no…" and it came down and splashed into the water next to the ship, causing a big wave that came up on deck! Leiko grabbed onto Zuko's arm. "We must do something!"
"Men, ready the catapults! All hands on deck!" he commanded as he ran off to the front of the boat. Leiko stayed in place in the back of the ship and looked on as Kilix came closer and closer. She growled and took out her bow and arrow and aimed it at the ship. She saw Kilix looking through his viewer and she aimed for it. Letting the arrow go, it went with a whizzing sound and struck the viewer, shattering the glass! Kilix stumbled back in surprise. Leiko loaded her bow again.
"I'm not going with you." She muttered and she fired again! The arrow struck one of the other officials on the boat, making him yell out in pain! "Zuko, hurry with those catapults!" she yelled to him as he fired another arrow.
"Fire!" Zuko commanded, and his men fired the three catapults, two missing and one hitting the top of the other ship! Yet at the same time they were hit on the back of the ship, causing it to tremble! Leiko dropped her weapon and grabbed onto the railing! Zuko ran back to her and held her by her waist, helping to steady her back to her feet. She growled and grabbed her weapon again. "It's run by fuel." Leiko pointed out. And she lit an arrow on fire and aimed. "There's a hole in the ship, and if I make the shot, I can stop the ship. All I have to do is hit the right pipe."
"Won't it explode?"
"Only if I miss." And she pulled back on the string, "Please don't miss." She told herself and then she closed her eyes and let go. The arrow went through the sea air and then into the hole in the ship. Leiko held her breath and Zuko grabbed her elbow. Nothing happened. "Did I miss?" she asked Zuko. Zuko looked closely at the ship.
"You did it! It's slowing down!" he pointed to the ship, and Leiko looked.
"LEIKO!" they heard a yell from across the water. It was Kilix, and he sounded mad. Leiko smiled and Zuko held her close.
"I don't think he'll be catching up with us for some time now." Leiko said with satisfaction.
"Looks like we have to stop for repairs as well." Zuko informed her.
"Ilaki Island isn't too far away." Leiko stated, while looking at Zuko and they both smiled