Special thanks to starlightz1112,almostinsane,Cala Akina Morushiku, nonesofar,Fran, Mystic Water Bender3, frozonedude12, albr62,Tree Flower,Junkfood, Kiriko-sama,LittleYugiBoy, and Gmasangel for reviewing!
Disclaimer: I still do not own Avatar the last airbender!
NOTE: The last chapter has been changed! If you read it before Sep 1st you might want to re-read it!
5 days later
Aang stared out into the ocean gloomily. He was very good with making tricks with fire from a candle or on the ground but he still couldn't make fire come from his hands or do a fire kick or anything. Although once in a while he could breath out smoke and as Iroh said, he did send out excellent heat waves. They would be in the fire nation in two days. Katara was with the cook showing him some watertribe recipes which the crew enjoyed. Iroh was standing next to Aang sipping tea watching Sokka and Zuko looking amused. The two were yelling at each other as usual.
"A warrior can't only rely on bending! That's all I'm saying."said Sokka crossing his arms.
"And I'm saying I don't rely on bending! I can fight fine with out it! It's not my fault your jealous that your sister can bend-"
"I'M NOT JEALOUS!"
"WELL I DON'T RELY ON BENDING!"
"PROVE IT! RIGHT NOW FIGHT ME WITH OUT BENDING!"
"I smell trouble."sighed Aang turning to look at the two. Iroh smiled.
"This should be entertaining."Iroh said.
"FINE."Zuko yelled and he left and came back with a two swords. Sokka took out his boomerang.
"Don't try to kill each other!"Aang yelled.
"I make no promises!"said Sokka. Aang sighed. Zuko took his two swords and came down hard on Sokka but he blocked it with his boomerang and it made a clashing sound. A few minutes later Sokka's boomerang struck Zuko's left hand and made him drop the sword which Sokka kicked away grinning. Some of the crew members came to watch including Katara who shook her head disapprovingly.
"Give up yet?"Sokka asked.
"You wish!"yelled Zuko swinging his sword as Sokka dodged it. About an hour later the fight finally ended Zuko won but Sokka had put up a good fight.
"You fight well."Zuko said and he went down below deck to his room to change.
"Yeah well I was just warming up."Sokka said putting his boomerang away. Katara rolled her eyes and Iroh laughed. Prince Zuko came back a few minutes later. The same thought passed through every ones mind, two days. Aang frowned. He was running out of time. Although he and Katara both got along with prince Zuko he feared he still wouldn't let them go and that they would have to break out. Even Sokka was beginning to get along with Zuko but it wasn't enough.Zuko walked over to Sokka.
"That was a good match."said Zuko bowing to Sokka. Sokka bowed back smirking.
"Yeah well next time I wont be so easy on you."said Sokka. Zuko smirked.
"You were being easy on me? I was being easy on you too, next time we both should give it our all. Next time I wont hold back."said Zuko turning to Iroh as Sokka gulped. Katara and Aang laughed.
"Uncle what is troubling you? It's like the closer we get to the fire nation the more nervous you get."said Zuko frowning.
"Indeed that is true prince Zuko."said Iroh. Zuko frowned.
"I just haven't been home in so long."Iroh said quickly. Zuko smiled.
"I'm going to go meditate, later Avatar you and I can practice fire bending."said Zuko.
"My names Aang!"Aang yelled as Zuko disappeared below deck.
"Whats wrong General Iroh?"asked Sokka. Sokka and Iroh got along very well and Iroh may have been the only fire bender Sokka had respect for. Both shared the same love of food, tea, and that silly game. Then again Aang enjoyed the game to. Iroh was easy to get along with.
"I fear what will happen if we reach the fire nation. My brother sent Zuko on the mission because he thought Zuko would never be able to complete it. Zuko was supposed to stay gone. If Ozai really wanted Zuko back he would accept him Avatar or no Avatar. Now that your here Aang..."
"You think Fire Lord Ozai wont accept Zuko?"asked Aang.
"No Aang. I think he will but this distresses me more than keeping Zuko banished. You see Ozai has a reputation to keep up. If he casts out his own son once he completes the mission it will raise many eyebrows. So he will accept Zuko back...however I fear Zuko will be on thin ice. My brother is not the forgiving type."said Iroh frowning.
"General! A ship approaches!"said a soldier running over to Iroh quickly. Iroh took out a telescope and looked out at a brown speck that was a ship.
"Ah it is Admiral Zhao. I wonder how he is doing and what he wants? Do me a favor and report this to my nephew."said Iroh giving the soldier a smile. The soldier went below deck.
"I don't know who I don't like more. Zhao or Zuko."Sokka muttered.
"I think Zuko is more friendly."said Katara.
"WHAT!" Zuko's voice filled the ears of everyone on the ship and a blast of fire shot out from below deck as Zuko marched up the stairs clenching his fists as smoke leaked out. He snatched the telescope from his uncle rudely and looked out at the ship. "What does he want?"demanded Zuko.
"You have taken this better than I thought!"said Iroh with a smile as the soldier came back above deck with singed eyebrows.
"We just saw him days ago!"Zuko hissed as the ship neared.
"Isn't that the other guy after me? The one you rescued me from?"Aang asked. Zuko shot Aang a death glare as Iroh smiled knowingly.
"I suppose your speaking of that masked man who rescued you? Quite a price going over his head.Wanted alive to."said Iroh. Zuko looked annoyed. Zhao's ship stopped and Zhao aboarded Zuko's ship.
"What do you want?"Zuko asked angrily.
"You have the avatar?"said Zhao breathlessly looking at Aang like a tiger would look at it's pray.
"Yes we do Admiral. May I offer you some tea?"said Iroh.
"No. I demand you hand the Avatar over to me!"said Zhao. Zuko laughed.
"I found him. I beat you to him. Your going to have to find another way to impress my father."Zuko said crossing his arms.
"I command you hand the Avatar over to me!"Zhao said angrily gritting his teeth.
"I'm afraid you don't have the authority to do that Admiral. Now I'm sure some nice calming ginseng tea will make you feel much better."said Iroh.
"No thank you."said Zhao through gritted teeth glaring at Zuko darkly. He looked at the Avatar and his friends. "You have them up above deck. They could easily escape!"said Zhao.
"It's not likely Admiral. Their pet Bison is locked up behind the boat as you can see."said Iroh his amber eyes studying Zhao. Zhao clenched his fists.
"This isn't over Prince Zuko!"he said and turned and left.
"Good riddance. That guys worse than you and that's saying something."Sokka said looking at Zuko. Zuko crossed his arms.
"Tell me about it."Zuko muttered staring out into the ocean. "I don't like this...I want guards around the Avatar and his friends at all times."said Zuko. Katara walked over to the edge of the boat and started playing with the water making it rise above her and fall back down.Zhao's ship began drifting away but not far.
"Hide behind the nearest island."Zhao commanded.
"But sir-"
"DO IT!"yelled Zhao.The great ship turned at the nearest island out of sight of Zuko's ship.
"Now what sir?"asked the soldier who had been rudely yelled at.
"Now we wait."Zhao said with a vicious smile.
Momo looked down into the water and the wind picked up and Momo fell. Katara laughed and sent a jet of water up shooting the lemur into the air and he jumped back on the boat shaking his fur getting Sokka drenched. Aang laughed. "Every time someone bends something always happens to me!"Sokka cried.
"Alright Avatar you up for some fire bending?"asked Zuko ignoring Sokka. Aang nodded and the two practiced for hours. Sokka pigged out and listened to Iroh's many stories. Iroh enjoyed Sokka's company. He remembered when he used to tell Zuko all his stories when Zuko was a child.
"It looked like the end for me and my army we were out numbered greatly and it looked like the end of us all..."said Iroh.
"So what did you do? How did you escape? Did the earth benders crush you?"asked Sokka eagerly. Katara was also into the story waiting in suspense to know what had happened.
"I thought all hope was gone but I wasn't about to let my men die with out a fight. We gave it our all and discovered, this band of earth benders were not very good. You see they weren't trained soldiers! The earth kingdom had played a bluff on us and it almost worked! They expected us to flee. They may have out numbered us but were clearly out matched themand it was a great victory!"said Iroh.
"That's so cool!"said Sokka looking at Iroh. Katara smiled and looked over at Aang and Zuko.
"Try harder Avatar!"Zukobarked. Everyone put their attention to Aang and Zuko.
"I am trying! You just keep pushing me and it's not working!"Aang yelled angrily. Katara blinked.
"I've never seen Aang this worked up before."said Katara.
"That's the point."said Iroh knowingly with a smile. "Why do you think fire benders have such hot tempers as your brother puts it? Fire usually comes out in anger. Zuko is aggravating him on purpose."Iroh said.
"Well try harder!"Zuko said crossing his arms.
"I'm trying as hard as I can! Give me a break!"yelled Aang getting more angry. He shook his head. He had to calm down.
"Your not even trying."Zuko said.
"I am!"said Aang.
"Looks like you will never learn to bend. Who would have thought the avatar was so lazy?"said Zuko.
"I'm not lazy! I'm trying my hardest!"cried Aang.
"Well try harder!"said Zuko.
"LISTEN! I AM TRYING MY HARDEST SO GIVE ME A BREAK! IT'S HARD OKAY?"Aang yelled and a stream of fire shot out of his hand right at Zuko. Zuko dodged it smiling. Aang blinked in surprise and looked at his hands.
"Well done."said Zuko.
"YEAH! WOO HOO I DID IT YEAH!"cried Aang jumping up and down.
"Good job Aang!"said Katara.
"Why am I not thrilled?"Sokka muttered imagining getting a blast of fire shot at himevery time he ticked Aang off.
"Now you just need to learn to do it when your not angry."said Zuko. Aang nodded and tried it again and again. But it didn't work again."Well for now just get yourself angry. You will get the hang of it...eventually."said Zuko. Aang smiled happily. Nothing could ruin his mood. Iroh smiled.
"Tonight is music night! I trust all of you will be there?"said Iroh. Zuko sighed.
"Will there be food?"asked Sokka. Iroh nodded with a smile."I'm there!"he said.
"Yeah it should be fun!"said Aang with a smile. Katara nodded. Zuko sighed. The night came quickly, to quickly in Zuko's opinion and some talented crew members began playing drums and other instruments. Food was brought out and Sokka stayed there stuffing his face. Aang began dancing with Momo. Katara was dancing all by herself her crystal blue eyes lit up with delight.A slow song began. Aang stepped out at this and began to eat as well while Momo twirled around dizzily.Katara looked atZuko who wasalone standing in the dark. Katarasmiled and walked over and grabbed his arm.
"Dance with me."Katara said. Zuko was to shocked to say no as she pulled him over to the dance floor and she put her hands on his shoulders. Zuko nervously put his hands to her hips and they began dancing Zuko looked into her sparkleing blue eyes...like ice. Katara blushed as she looked into the prince's eyes. A bright amber color...like fire.
"Fire and water. opposites attract."Iroh said to the lieutenant. (The one who Zuko had been arguing with in the episode the storm)
"You don't think..."said the lieutenant, a smile appearing on his face as he looked at the two teenagers dancing.
"Don't think what lieutenant?"asked Iroh smiling.
"Do you think they like each other?"the lieutenant asked. Iroh smiled.
"It's hard to say...I rather thought she had a thing for the avatar but he is a monk. It will be interesting to see how this is played out."
"Sokka! Look Zuko and Katara are dancing"said Aang. Sokka choked on the chocolate cake he had half way stuffed in his mouth. "WAFT?"he said as pieces of cake flew from his mouth.
"It's rude to talk with your mouth full."Aang informed Sokka while watching the prince and Katara.
"What does she think she's doing?"Sokka asked staring at the two.
"Maybe she just needed a dance partner."said Aang.
"Aang you think to innocently! I think he's brainwashed her!"whispered Sokka.
"Sokka that's crazy."said Aang. The song ended and Zuko and Katara broke away but didn't break the gaze they had on each other.
"You um...dance very well."said Zuko. Katara blushed.
"So do you..."she said and turned smiling and walked over to the ocean. Sokka stared at her and back to the prince. Zuko was smiling leaning against the opposite side. Both seemed to be very happy.
"I don't like this..."Sokka said.
"Sokka it was just one little dance. Look I'll go ask Katara to dance and she will dance with me."said Aang and he walked over to Katara.
"Want to dance?"Aang asked. Katara looked mesmerized but smiled and nodded. They started dancing Once the song was over Aang walked back over to Sokka. "See?"he said. Sokka crossed his arms still not convinced and he stuck more sweets down his throat.
"All right everyone it's Karaoke time!"said Iroh. Zuko groaned loudly and walked far away. "Any volunteers? How about you prince Zuko?"said Iroh. Zuko crossed his arms.
"No."said Zuko.
"I'll do it!"said Aang excited and he walked up. "but uh...I don't know any songs."said Aang.
"Just make it up! That's what we do."said Iroh.
"Okay!"said Aang excitedly. "Alright I call this one, Me and my bison! Oh me and my bison have been everywhere. We love flying and swimming and I have no hair-"Sokka tuned Aang out after that finding his pray.
"Oh sweet sweet chicken I have found you at last!"said Sokka cried stuffing his face. Zuko stared up at the moon. It was a full moon and shone brightly. Katara walked over to him. The moon lit her up perfectly making it look like she herself was glowing.
"Zuko,are we friends?"asked Katara. Zuko looked at Katara.
"You mean you and I?"Zuko asked.
"Yes, along with Aang and Sokka."said Katara looking hopeful.
"None of you are my friends."Zuko said after a few moments of silence. Katara's face fell in dissapointment. "In public."he added.Katara looked up and smiled.
"So we are?"she said. "Yeah I guess in private. But don't think this means that I'm not going to hand you over to the fire nation. I mean...I can let you and your brother go but Aang has to be delivered to my father."said Zuko.
"My brother and I will be right behind him."said Katara as she looked into the ocean. Zuko stared at her and found himself smiling. He scowled and tried to pull his attention away from Katara. Katara looked at Zuko blushed and looked away. Zuko blinked.
"Your very loyal to him."said Zuko meaning Aang.
"I'm about as loyal to Aang as you are to your nation."said Katara. Zuko smiled. Katara sighed. If worst came to worst they would be escaping soon and fleeing Zuko once more... Or maybe not. There was still time.
"Admiral what now?"asked the soldier.
"We wait until they go to sleep."said Zhao.
"Just what are you planning sir?"asked the soldier hesitantly. Zhao looked at the soldier with his cold ember colored eyes.
"You will see."Zhao said with a cold smile.
