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~ The Great Divide ~

(Or, Happy? No... )

Ryuu POV

"No," Zuko blocked my exit. He crossed his arms impatiently as I tried to force my way past. Again, I tried to squeeze between him and the door frame, but it was useless. I was trapped in the room. I pouted and glared up at him, he was about 5' 3", me being only 5', the three inches between our heights was exaggerated by the fact I leant on my cane.

"Come on. Pleeeeeeeeease?"

He was stubborn and forced me back. I turned my back on him, still pouting, hoping he'd soon change his hard-headed mind. But no, he stuck to his guns.

"It's way to dangerous, " He snapped, "Anyway, We'll be quick. There is no need for you to come."

I was equally as stubborn - which frustrated the Prince - making him growl. I stood infront of him with the most defiant expression I could muster. He sent one back at me. But his expression was one only Iroh couldn't laugh at. I sniggered under my breath.

"No means no, get it into your thick skull!"

He became so furious that Fire licked his fingers. I leapt (fell) back, Fire being my only big fear. Which was great being on a Fire Navy ship. I mean: No fire there, right?

"Oh- sorry..." He calmed down the flames. But was still furious.

"The answer is still, NO!"

He went to the door to shut me in his - our - room. I caught his arm and brought him back to face me. His face was red with anger. Part of me wanted to back down - the part terrified of the power Zuko held. The other: Didn't.

"Please, Zuko. I will do everything told of me. Please."

He took a laboured sigh, "Fine! Just stick with me. Don't speak to anyone!"

I put my hand on heart and bowed as a sign of respect. Zuko grunted to show agreement but still had a furious glint in his eyes. He took my wrist and almost dragged me to the deck. We met up with Iroh there, he was looking eager at the prospect of Zuko and I getting along.

"Now, you two don't take any... side adventures...-" Zuko looked mildly annoyed, I flushed and the crew laughed "-I'll take the men and we can find some Ginseng. "

Zuko coughed, prompting his uncle.

"Oh, yes. And food."

...

Zuko POV

It was stupid. The whole idea was stupid. Uncle had tricked me into going alone with this girl, and he knew I knew. She was just a servant, not supposed to be my friend - yet she viewed me as such. She had ridiculous thoughts in her head. So did Uncle. Servants and Princes cannot be friends.

As she clutched the basket to her chest, she listed off items we needed. How did my Uncle get me to do this? How did she get me to do this?! It was that look she had given me (It was stupid, but it worked, that sulking look. It made me feel... weird. Like a swarm of Flying dolphin fish were inside my stomach.). I was being to soft on her. As soon as we got back to the ship I would teach her her place... with fire.

But, for now, we would have to get along.

Then, as we rounded a corner, something I'm not completely sure of, happened. An old peasant man in Earth Kingdom garb caught her by her basket carrying arm and pulled her towards a stall. I raised my hands, ready to defend her - just because she's a servant doesn't mean I wasn't ready to protect her with my life. For all I knew this old man could be an assassin!

"Let her-"

But before I could give him a taste of Fire Nation, I saw that he was trying to help her. He was a carpenter, and who sold prosthetic limbs. He himself had a prosthetic foot (I could've used it as kindling, but Ryuu gave me a firm look).

"Oh, this would do nicely, " He held up a leg, "Real Sugi wood!"

Ryuu turned to me, the biggest smile I'd ever seen on her face shining. The weird feeling resurfaced. In the light, the situation, that look - it pains me to say this - but she looked pretty. Almost beautiful. Forcing the inappropriate feelings aside, I curled my lip up.

"How much?"

The old man winked, "If yer gentleman friend is buying. Special couples discount, I s'pose."

I was furious, how dare he. Who did he think I was?!

"N-no. She's not my girlfriend! "

He had a wicked glint in his eye, "If ya say so..."

"I-I do!"

Ryuu was flustered too, but still had the beaming smile on her face. It was annoying that I somehow found it attractive. I'd only known her two days and, look, she was already being mistaken for my - uh. Annoying!

"How much, filth?"

Ryuu smacked my arm to tell me off. Instead of frying her, I sneered.

"I mean- Siiiiiiiir?"

The old man grinned and held out a crooked hand. He glanced between us.

"Seven Silver Pieces. Discount."

I gave him the money but was severely annoyed. Ryuu took the prosthetic leg eagerly. It was sort of funny.. the look she gave me, I mean. The man had a disbelieving glint in his glazed over eyes. Ryuu was having trouble strapping the leg onto it's new place - just below her knee. She rolled up her breeches in an attempt to make it easier, but it wasn't. She only had one hand free.

So I naturally helped her. The way a Prince should behave.

"Thanks- thanks, sir..." She still leant on her cane. It would take practice for her walk again.

"Yes. Now. Let's get away from this filthy place. Ahem-"

At that point in time, I'd rather have been anywhere else. The old peasant hummed an old Earth Kingdom love song. I blocked it out. He was just annoying. Ryuu was my Servant. JUST my Servant!

...

Ryuu POV

"Yes. Now. Let's get away from this filthy place. Ahem-"

Zuko, unknown to himself, was flushing slightly. It made me chuckle as the carpenter hummed an old Love song at us, mainly to spite Zuko. He shrugged at me. I returned it with a laugh. Flustered Zuko was funny. We hardly spoke full sentences all the way back to the ship.

I tripped several times. It was unusual to have a leg again, so it would take some getting used to. Everytime I fell, Zuko caught me. He tried to look disinterested and unaffected. But it didn't work. The dead give away was his hand snaking around my waist.

We bought everything we needed. Funny thing was, even if a could've, I didn't want to run from the Fire Nation Prince. We were friends. Even if Zuko didn't want to be friends.

"Fire gummies? " Zuko glanced at a stall.

"What are those? Sound like fish food."

"I've only tried them once before. And no, they are human food. Snacks. Quite tasty actually..."

We drifted towards the stall. Zuko bought one bag of the snacks. He took a couple of them and offered the rest to me. Carefully, I took a couple out, sniffed them, then ate them. They were the most revolting things I'd ever eaten in my entire life - and I've eaten worms! (As a bet, when I was seven). They were chewy, spicy and sweet at the same time.

"What are those?!"

Zuko had a small smile on his face, a genuine one. The biggest I'd ever seen from him actually.

"Yeeeeuck! How can you eat those? "

"What? You're exadurating."

I wiped my lips, "No! You disgust me."

He chuckled. A genuine laugh.

We'd walked back to the ship. Iroh was waiting for us. He'd caught the tail end of the conversation, and the fact Zuko had laughed - chuckled. He smiled broadly. Zuko didn't seem to be the kind of person to hand out free laughs and smiles. Or hugs. Or any sort of emotion other than angst.

"You're a blessing, Ryuu," He clapped his hands.

We filled back onto the ship and set off to search further west for the Avatar. Zuko maintained the smallest hint of smile right up until he fell asleep. It, in return, made me happy. But I knew tomorrow he'd return to grouchy. So I made the most of happy Zuko.