Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar or any of its characters. I own Koima.


Chapter 31

I heard

I was able to leave the boiler room early when the replacement came in. It was a small relief. I didn't feel happy or sad, only numb; hearing the rumors that were being spoken about me. Men thought I was a whore on the ship, a concubine to Prince Zuko, that I had killed Icharu, Konan, and the others… I was a Fire Nation abomination. I know I shouldn't care, but… it still hurts.

I was alone in the barracks; everyone had their own business to attend to. I haven't even seen Jin yet…there hasn't been any time. I miss my friends.

'Four more days on this damn ship…' the thought of surviving this seemed hopeless, 'We're going to war… I can't fight. I don't want to kill people! I didn't want to kill those two soldiers. It's hopeless, I'm hopeless. Everything is so hard…' I took off my helmet covered my face.

; Zuko;

Zuko couldn't find Koima anywhere. She was off duty, he knew. A short soldier was not easy to miss. He had even checked with Uncle to see if he'd seen her. Nothing.

The last place he checked was the barracks. Zuko went in and saw her with her back to him. The haircut was unmistakable. Her shoulders were shaking, her face in her hands. Zuko sighed, feeling horrible. He had barely any time to see her or talk to her.

"Koima?" He went to her side and sat next to her on her hammock. She didn't look at him. "Go away, I want to be by myself." He heard her murmur. Zuko shook his head, "No. Something's wrong. What is it?" He persisted. Koima would never tell him anything unless he pressed her, he would only do it if he knew if it was of importance. Zuko's assumption turned up correct.

"Everything Zuko." She whispered. "I've heard the rumors about me, what they say what I was. I just don't see any hope in surviving this…"

Zuko swallowed back the lump in his throat as he looked at her. For once in his life, he felt like there was no hope also. Koima was his hope. And if she didn't feel there was any hope…he didn't. She is everything to him… and to see her like this… Zuko shook his head.

"There is always hope." He said, forcing himself to believe it also, "Don't think there's not. We know the rumors aren't true. That's why they're rumors. Things will turn out for the best, you must believe that or its not." He said, even though he didn't know for himself. Koima is his reminder that things will come out well in the end. He stood up and got a damp rag from the bowl of water by the sink used to wash clothes. He handed it to her to wipe her tears away, "Stay here, I'll go get Jin. I know you want to see him." He saw her face light up a bit and oddly; his heart fell that she would be so cheerful to see Jin. Did she ever do that when she knew she would be seeing him come or find him? Zuko didn't know.

: Time Gap:

Zuko went out to the galley once again to look for Jin. He had to be secretive about it as not to attract any attention. Zuko found Jin by the food, of course. On Zuko's ship, Jin had the reputation of being the 'skinniest pig' No matter how much Jin ate he would never gain so much as an ounce!

Jin ate his food hungrily, disregarding the fact that his stomach could only hold so much. He still had his chopsticks in his mouth when all of a sudden; he was jerked out of his seat by a rough hand.

'Shit! I'm busted!' He was about to blurt out that his friends had given him all the food and he didn't steal any, but he was wrenched away from the galley. No one noticed him go.

"Sir, I-"

"Shut it!"

Jin knew that angry commanding voice anywhere. Jin gulped. Was he in trouble? Who could tell with the bad-tempered Prince? Even though Jin couldn't see him, he knew it was Zuko. Zuko led him down the deserted hall in silence. Jin started to get paranoid. "What did I do?" He asked finally, "What's going on?"

"Koima is…. Upset." Zuko admitted, "I want you to cheer her up."

Jin began walking on his own, "Upset? Why? What happened to her?"

"Don't ask questions. Just do what I tell you." Zuko snapped.

Jin swallowed back a "Yes sir." And kept quiet. Was it him? Or did Zuko seem a bit…. Well 'pissed' isn't the word Jin wanted to use. But Zuko looked like he was mad that he was getting him. Zuko shoved him forward with no warning at all, "She's in the barracks." He stated. Jin looked back over his shoulder at him, unsure. Zuko sighed impatiently, "Go! But act like there's nothing to worry about."

Jin nodded and Zuko stalked off. Jin went into the barracks and saw a lone soldier sitting in one of the hammocks, gently swinging back and forth. It was the first time Jin had ever been able to see Koima since that night a few days ago.

Jin approached cautiously, though felt foolish for doing so. This was is friend. But Jin didn't know what was the matter with her…. "Koima?" He breathed, almost too afraid to ask.

The soldier turned. Koima's face was scratched and burned; it was her eyes that made Jin recognize her.

"Hi Jin." She whispered. Jin noticed that she had been crying… Why? Zuko wants him to make her feel better. How could he make her better if he didn't know what the problem is in the first place?

Jin went over and smiled at her, "Oh high and mighty Prince Zuko sent me to come see you." He teased playfully. He saw Koima smile faintly. Good progress. Jin sat down beside here on the hammock, he wasn't sure what he should say, but Jin threw caution to the winds. "Prince Zuko tells me that something is wrong. What is the matter?"

Koima shrugged, "Everything." It was so simple, yet Jin couldn't understand why.

"Why?"

Koima glanced at him, "I've heard what everyone is saying about me. You have also. I can tell you have." Jin didn't say anything. He knew what she was talking about. Jin cringed inwardly, 'Poor girl, she heard all that…' It had hurt even to hear about what others were saying about Koima. He knew none of it was true, only male gossip.

Jin sighed, "Yes. But both of us know it isn't true." That didn't seem to move Koima. She nodded, "I know, but the fact that people are saying those things about me… it hurts. I'm being talked about like I'm some common whore! I'm not! They say I killed Zuko, Icharu, and the others. I made the ship blow up." Koima clenched her fists till they turned white. Jin grabbed her hands, stopping her, "No. Koima, stop. Calm down. You shouldn't care what other people think about you. It doesn't matter. They are the ones that are stupid for talking bad about someone they don't know. The men from our ship are defending you. They claim that none of it's true."

Koima looked up, her eyes wide, "They are?"

Jin nodded, "Of course. You took care of us at some time. It would be traitorous if we said anything bad about you and not stand up against their lies. You are a mother to us all whether you realize it or not."

Koima stood up and smiled at him, "Thanks Jin…. It means a lot."

He smiled, "Hey, be happy. The North Pole is only three days away."

;:;:Koima:;:;

(Later that Day….)

I groaned in frustration, "Nooo…." This was going to be…. Uncomfortable. But this was the only way.

Zuko and Jin checked the doors, "Go on. Be quick!" Zuko whispered, "We'll stand watch."

"On the door." I added. Zuko rolled his eyes, "Of course. Gosh you can be untrusting. Go on!" (Amy Note/ Zuko said "Gosh". Haha!)

I sighed and stepped into the shower platform and undressed, casting quick glances behind my shoulder to make sure they weren't peeking. This is the only shower I've had in four days. It drove me insane to be aware of my own body odor.

Zuko and Jin stood watch on the door to warn me if anyone comes near. I turned on the water and stepped in disregarding the cold temp. Ahhhhhh. Much better. I could feel the grime being washed off my skin. I got the soap and scrubbed myself as hard and quick as I could, not knowing how long I would have.

;Zuko;

'Hurry…Hurry…Hurry!' Zuko thought anxiously. How long do girls need to get clean? Zuko shook his head impatiently. He knew this would help Koima feel better though he wished she would hurry it up before any men come and see them…but more importantly :Her.

"Is she done yet?" Jin breathed, his eyes straight ahead. Zuko shrugged. "Hmmm." Jin murmured.

"Are you done yet?" Jin asked a bit louder.

They heard Koima's reply, "Ummm… Almost."

Zuko saw Jin look back over his shoulder…….. "Hey!" Zuko jerked him back around away from the shower platform.

Jin's gaze snapped forward and didn't meet Zuko's angry glare. Zuko noticed that Jin had a small grin on his face….

"YOWCH!" Jin rubbed the back of his head, the smile replaced by a pained frown. He was lucky Koi was within hearing range or he would've gotten a whole lot more than that. Zuko pulled his hand away, "Pervert." He hissed. Jin rubbed the back of his head though he couldn't keep the knowing grin, of what he had seen, off his face. "OW!"

(Amy Note/ If ya'll watch NCIS, it's like Gibbs smacking Donozo upside the head, though this was a lot more painful. I LOVE TONY!)

;Koima;

I got dried off and put my clothes back on quickly and came out. "Thanks." I said before replacing my face helmet. I noticed that Jin was rubbing the back of his head and Zuko was looking beyond pissed.

I frowned, "Ummm. What did I miss?"

Zuko glared at Jin, "Nothing, Jin only telling a bad joke."

Jin was infamous about his horrible stories and jokes. I even found them a little distasteful.

"Well I'm done. Thanks for keeping watch." I thanked. We left the shower, Jin staying out of arms range from Zuko. A couple soldiers came in as we were leaving. Oh! Grossgrossgross! I sped up, grateful the mask hid my expression. GROSS!


Sorry it's been awhile. I have been sooooooooooo busy it's unbelievable. McDonalds takes up all of my time and I'm too tired to even get online to check mail sometimes, more or less type up a chapter. The next chapter is going to be a long one. The story is almost over. I want it over so I can post the sequel! STUCK BETWEEN NATIONS! I'm almost finished writing that story. It will be the last story unless I want to keep writing what happens after……..NOPE! Can't tell ya!

I saw "Lady in the Water" Last night with my boyfriend Brandon. It was awesome. One part startled me so bad that my hands went up to cover my face and my hand hit my eye and my contact flew out! FLEW-OUT! FLEW-THE-FUCK-OUT! Luckily I got it and had to clean it to put it back in.

I want to advertise my Boyfriend's band. Y'all have got to go check out their site. The band is called "Dead at the Dance Club!" Go to my profile and I will put up a link to their site.

YOU NEED TO START REVIEWING MORE! YES YOU! THAT'S WHY I HAVEN"Y BEEN POSTING SOONER! DO IT NOW! PRESS THE DAMN BUTTON AND ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY IS "I like it." Or "Another chapter would be nice" Or even a damn comment saying "I LIKE EGGS!" will be appreciated.