Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar. I own Koima.

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Chapter 19

Fallen Star

"Hello Ichi, Konan, Nihoku, and Homeru." I said brightly, bringing the men their dinner that night, "How are you all feeling?"

"HUNGRY!" Came the deafening call. I smiled and sat each tray by the men, "Good, because I have a lot of food for you today. And it's time to change your dressings." I started at Homeru and slowly worked my way down to Icharu. I smiled kindly at him, "Did you have a nice nap?"

Icharu nodded and allowed me to change the dressing on his burnt ear, "I did. Though I got a surprise awakening."

"Oh? What happened?" I asked, not looking away from my job. There wasn't much left of Icharu's right ear, it resembled Zuko's but had a bit more cartilage left. He would be able to hide it by keeping most of his long brown hair down.

"Prince Zuko was in here."

"Really?" I was genually surprised. I hoped that Zuko didn't do anything to make matters worse for Icharu; he's gone through enough as it is.

"Yes. He apologized to me; for the things he had said yesterday and earlier today. He said that he was sorry and hoped that I would forgive him." It sounded like Icharu couldn't believe it himself. I was pleased, "Did you think it was sincere?" I questioned. "Yes, he sounded like he meant it. Did you tell him to apologize, Koi?"

I shook my head, smiling, "I can tell Prince Zuko to do anything, but no. I didn't tell him to do anything. He did it by himself." I applied aloe to the burn on his forehead, just above his eyebrow, "I haven't seen him since we came back from the AnYun market. I didn't even know about it until you told me."

I picked up their empty bowls and platters, "You all have a goodnight. I'll be back in the morning to check on things. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Koi." They all said. I smiled and left the infirmary with a lighter heart.

:;:;: Zuko:;:;

The next day Zuko was out on deck training with one of the guards while Koima and his Uncle Iroh sat in the shade a safe distance off drinking tea as they watched him fire, Uncle Iroh throwing occasional commands to the Prince.

"Move to your left! Don't let your defenses down!" Iroh shouted to him.

Zuko ducked to his left, catching his opponent's fist between his wrists, stopping the man's attack. Zuko twisted his wrist to one side, sweeping his foot under his opponent, making him lose his footing and fall to the deck floor: Zuko had won. Uncle Iroh congratulated Prince Zuko for completing the maneuver, but Zuko looked to see if Koi was the same. Her smile was all he needed.

Later in the galley, Zuko was eating the ports abundant Pompun fruits that were his favorite delicacy. He pondered over the week and that they would be at the port of AnYun for a while. The stock was almost full, but repairs still needed to be made before they could continue their search for the Avatar.

'Why can't they fix it faster!' Zuko thought irately, 'The Avatar is sure to be at the North Pole by now. Everyday wasted here is a day farther from catching the Avatar and bringing him to father. Then will I be restored to my rightful place on the throne.'

"What are those?"

Koima's voice brought Zuko out of his thoughts, Koi was looking at the Pompun fruits with an interested look on her small face. Zuko looked down at the bowl, "Oh, these are called Pompuns," he said, "Would you like a couple? Sit."

Koima sat down and took a proffered fruit. She bit into it delicately, careful not to lose any of the juices. Koima's face was a mask or pure delight, "This is really good!" She ate the rest of it, carefully pulling out the stone before biting into the rest or it, "How is it that we didn't have these Pompuns before? They're delicious!"

Zuko handed her some more fruit, "AnYun is the only place in the world beside my homeland that grows Pompuns. They are very good, but taste even better when they are roasted." Koima finished eating the next one, "How are the repairs coming?"

"Slow, they had barely begun removing the bent and melted metal from the boiler room. It will be awhile before we are back at sea."

Koima looked thoughtful, wondering about something, "Icharu told me that you apologized to him yesterday." Zuko nodded and waited to see what she would do or say next.

"Well whatever you said to him made him feel all the better." Koima smiled at him. Zuko knew right then and there that he was forgiven, Koima wasn't mad at him anymore; this made his day a lot better.

"Is it alright is I can walk around the market for a few hours or so?" Koima asked, "After I take care of Icharu and the others of course."

Zuko nodded, "Yes, Would you like someone to accompany you? 'Maybe me perhaps?' He thought.

Koima shook her head, "Is it okay if I can go by myself?"

Slightly put out but not showing it Zuko nodded, "You can do some of your shopping if you wish." He suggested with a little smile, masking the fact that he would like to go with her.

Koima frowned, "Um, no. I don't have money. I haven' earned an-" Zuko held out a money bad, mentally cursing himself that he had forgotten to pay her, "Here, I'm sorry I forgotten. Here is your pay for working in the infirmary."

Koima looked at the money bag, then him, "Zuko, I don't require pay. I like doing work. You're allowing me to stay on your ship, allowing me to live here safely, I can be paid for helping out." She brushed the money away. But Zuko wouldn't let her, "You deserve it, you work on my ship, I pay you. It's your job and you get paid for doing it. Take the money and buy yourself something…that's an order." He added the last as an afterthought knowing that Koima wouldn't disobey him. Koima sighed and smiled faintly, "That's no fair. You know I won't disobey you." Zuko smiled and handed her the bag, she took it, "Thank you, Zuko. She bowed and left to go to the infirmary to check on her charges. Zuko smiled as he watched her go, she was so kind…meek, humble…. so unlike himself.

:;Koima;:

In the market of AnYun was crowded and noisy, it was different to be on my own but it was enjoyable, having something to spend was an extra little plus to boost my good mood. I was horrifies when I saw how much Zuko had given me, I surely didn't make this much…it was too much, more then I deserve. I walked by people and their Panyars, a type of cat that people had for companions, and looked at each stall ad I went past.

Kimonos, jewelry, weapons, and food went by, each stall brilliantly decorated to attract customers like a moth to the flame. It was about midday so I can get something to satisfy my appetite. Stalls of food and treats of every flavor and style made my mouth water. The smells enough were so toxicating to drive anyone crazy. This was beyond what I had imagined markets would be like, I had lived out in the woods, and I have never been subject to sights and smells like these.

I stopped at a small stand and bought a bowl of rice with some vegetables, the woman gave it to me and I handed her three coppers. I sat down in the grass off to one side and ate hungrily while I watched people walk by. It was nice to eat something rather than fish all the time, rice was sooo good!

'What can I buy?' I wondered as I glanced at all the stalls within my view. Zuko had given me 20 gold, 50 silver, and 30 coppers, which I had spent three from already. I had enough to get something not too expensive. I finished my rice and continued looking through the Market. I smiled at the children that ran around, chasing and playing cat and mouse with each other.

It was an hour later when I saw something that made my heart leap out of my chest. I went closer to look; It was a beautiful crystal necklace. I stared at it, it was a crystal or stone I didn't know the name of, inside the crystal it looked like there was something inside it… another crystal! It hung on a black silk ribbon, looking all the world like a star that had fallen out of the night sky. The crystal within the crystal was the shape of a star with five points.

"You like it?" I looked up into the stall owner's eyes. He took the necklace and held it out to me, "30 gold pieces and it can be yours." His words made my heart fall; I looked away, "I'm sorry. I don't have that much sir. Sorry to waste your time." Oh how horrible I felt, leaving a necklace as beautiful as that one. I took one last look at the necklace and walked away from the stand.

"Miss! Miss! Come back please!" The stall keepers voice called after me. I turned back to him; he beckoned me to come over. 'What have I done? Did looking at it cost money too?' I walked back to the jewelers stall.

"Don't walk off just yet, Miss." He said, "Let's talk."

"But I don't have that kind of money, sir." I said, wanting to get away.

"How much do you have?" He asked, leaning over the display.

"Only 20 gold."

His eyes widened, "A young girl such as yourself having that much money is strange, how did you get all that?" He asked suspiciously. My eyes narrowed, I was being judged already? "I didn't steal it is that's what you are thinking, or selling myself. I work as a healer on a ship!" I restrained from saying Prince Zuko's ship, but I wanted to see the men ask for forgiveness for making assumptions about a healer on a Princes ship. I glared at him, why did I have to take interest in this particular stall? The jeweler held out his hands, "My apologies, miss. I didn't mean to say it that way. So you're a healer, eh?"

I nodded.

The jeweler rubbed his stubby beard thoughtfully, he was quiet, making me feel fidgety. What is it that he was thinking?

He looked at me, "How about I make you a deal? I need someone that needs to be healed, but we don't have that kind of money for a healer, I will give you the necklace for free if you help my…son."

A necklace…for free? I nodded, "Yes, I'll help."


Do you think the jeweler was being sincere? Does he really need a healer? Or does he just want to lure Koima away with shiny jewelry and do something else? Tell me what you think?

(YAWN) Ahh. Wow, I didn't get back from babysitting until like 12 last night. I've been out later than that though; I've babysitted until 5 in the morning before. Anything for money. I think I'll buy the Motion City soundtrack so I can listen to that "My favorite Accident" Song that was on Google video. Hopefully they have it at WalMart. LOL. I'm posting a lot….faster! Faster! I already typed up the first chapter to the sequel. I can't tell you the title name because it would give it away…but it's a way better title than this one. Here are some titles I was thinking about before I settled on one.

She's still hurting

You don't know me

If that is who you are

My life is my own, not yours

Torn

I liked that Torn one…

Im having fun listening to my Linkin Park CD. Meteora. Nobody's listening is my favorite! An Its easier to run.

I have a TV show that I really hate, some of yall probably hate it too. MTV's SUPER SWEET SIXTEEN! I hate it! Little preppy bitches getting everything they want and whining when Bow Wow isn't going to perform at their party., I hate the Triplets one! It drives me fucking insane! What is the point of that show? To make all the poor, less prosperous people of the nation feel so fucking bad that we don't have that much money to have Ciara perform at a little party! AAAARRRGGGHHHH! MTV is going to shit, I'm telling you what. They need music back on it. All this Yo Momma, Pimp my ride (I like that show), Date my Mom, Parental Control, Punk'd…….Where did all the music go? OH! You want to know which show I hate the most! 8th ocean, or something like that! With the fucking models! Boo Hoo! You gained a fuckin' ounce! Go throw up and never eat again!…………………………………………………………Okay. Sorry yall. I'm in Black Widow mood and I hate watching Tv when it happens. (cheesy pained grin) Haha, please review…….(Im going to bed….)