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~ The Storm (part, 1) ~

Ryuu POV

"There is a storm coming. A big one."

Iroh sniffed the air. It was just after breakfast and a week and two days after we had last docked. All I smelt was the food, the smell still hung in the air. Zuko lowered his telescope from his eye and frowned as he walked over to his Uncle.

"You're out of your mind, Uncle. The weather's perfect. There's not a cloud in sight!"

I leant back on the rail and scanned the horizon. No sign of clouds or storms. Iroh sniffed the air again, pointing Northward. Zuko and I simultaneously scowled. We were of the same mind that Iroh was wrong. Iroh spoke again:

"A storm is approaching from the north. I suggest we alter our course and head southwest."

"Sir, how do you know this?" I questioned. Iroh tapped the side of his nose and winked.

Zuko piped up, "The Avatar's going North, so do we."

Iroh set his face into a scowl at the Prince. I sniffed the air again, testing if I also shared Iroh's storm sense.

"Prince Zuko, consider the safety of the crew."

At that point Lieutenant Jee walked out of the hold onto deck, stretching and yawning. He nodded when he saw me, in a gesture of greeting. I smiled back. I come to know the crew better during a heated solo off during music night. Jee had done an amazing vocal solo. Zuko had decided to get more sleep, so didn't hear it.

"The safety of the crew doesn't matter!"

Jee and I shared an angered glance. He strutted up behind Zuko while trying to keep his anger under control. Zuko carried on regardless. Iroh wasn't impressed either by his nephews attitude. I had tightened my grip on the rail.

"Finding the Avatar is far more important than any individual's safety."

"Oh, Thanks," I rolled my eyes sarcastically.

Zuko growled and pushed past his uncle, towards where he last was standing. He took out his telescope and scanned the horizon. Jee went to go after him, but was stopped by Iroh, who, slightly uncertainly told Jee that Zuko was just 'Worked up. He doesn't mean it.'

Jee shook his head. He turned on his heel, walking over to me.

"Who does he think he is. Stupid, spoilt, " he murmured under his breath.

He leant on the rail next to me, staring out to sea. He took out a small painting from his armour. I looked at it questioning what he held.

"My family," he pointed them telling me their names. His wife, Hui and his - in the picture - about twelve year old daughter, Yoshi and baby son, Jee jr.

"She would be your age now, " He sighed at the water racing past, "And Jee jr... three. His birthday today."

He smiled and stuffed it back into the collar of his armour. Poor man, separated from his family. I knew how he felt. Jee straightened up, setting his face into a determined glare.

"I'll see them soon," he gets with his thumb at Zuko, "If he doesn't get me killed. The idiotic pra-""

I forced a grin, to show him I was with him, "Don't worry, sir, what's the worst that could happen? "

Jee grimmaced. He looked over his shoulder at Zuko, who was still scanning the horizon line. Jee turned back to me and stuck his hand out for a handshake. I did so and he turned to walk away, towards the command tower. I stood there for a few more minutes, just absorbing the feel of the sea air, sunlight and the mix of smells.

...

It was about midday when, ahead of the stern, thunder rolled.

It snapped me sharply to my senses. Iroh, who was still on the deck, sighed. He had been right. Jee came back, a smirk painted his face. He was followed by some fellow crewmembers.

"Looks like your uncle was right about the storm after all."

Zuko impatiently drew the telescope from his good eye. Iroh could see the way the situation was going. Zuko marched towards the lieutenant, barging past Iroh. I flattened myself further against the rail, prepar0for shots to be made.

"Lucky guess?" Iroh suggested in an attempt to diffuse the growing tension.

"Lieutenant! You need to learn respect," Zuko jabbed his fingers at Jee, "or I'll teach you the meaning."

An invitation to a fight was all the situation needed. Jee took it, he balled his fists. The crew behind him egged him on:

"What do you know about respect?"

If this was back in Omashu, a crowd of kids would've gone 'oooooh!' But it wasn't. I missed Omashu. Anyway, Iroh made a stop gesture, bringing his hand across his throat. Jee ignored him, still riding on his new found confidence.

"The way you talk to everyone around here, from your hard-working crew to your esteemed uncle and your loving assistant, shows you know nothing about respect!"

('Loving? Am I a loving assistant? ' I asked myself).

Another ooh would've followed. Zuko became increasingly annoyed. I hobbled towards him to go and calm the Prince as Jee carried on. Iroh kept gesturing to stop.

"You don't care about anyone but yourself! Then again, what should I expect from a spoiled prince?"

That would've gotten an 'oooh, burn!' I was just about to put my hand on Zuko's shoulder, when he burst with rage. He and Jee prepared to spar, when Iroh stpped them - placing himself between them. Zuko's hand began smouldering.

"Come now. Enough! We're all a bit tired from being at sea so long. I'm sure after a bowl of noodles, everyone will feel much better."

Jee saw the error of his ways. He backed down. Zuko didn't. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Iroh placed a hand on one shoulder, mine on the other.

"Just, be calm, I'll talk to him," I told Zuko.

"Very good, Ryuu. Now come an-"

Zuko shrugged us off. He marched away, calling back:

"I don't need help keeping order on my ship."

...

The crew had retired for lunch. Jee and a few crew members, including me, decided to take shelter from the gathering storm in the cell under the command tower, where I was once destined to sleep. It was to dark and miserable for my liking.

They lit a fire in an oil drum. After scoffing the noodles in relative silence, the first topic of conversation was Zuko.

I leant forward on the pipe I was sat on, trying to make myself look at the Fire. Expose therapy, as the engine operator laughed up at me. Turns out he was once afraid of spider-rats, but after being exposed to so many in the engine rooms, he got used to them.

Whenever the few crew members bad-talked Zuko, I did my best to defend him, but shut up in the end.

Jee sat resting on his arms, "I'm sick of taking his orders! I'm tired of chasing his Avatar! I mean, who does Zuko think he is?"

Up in the doorway, Iroh swung it open, "Do you really want to know?"

He stood in the doorway, frowning. Jee and his fellow crewmembers stumbled to thier feet. Iroh dismissed them. I stay still on my pipe. Iroh nodded up at me. I nodded back. We had an informal nodding system like that. As a small show of respect.

"General Iroh. We were just-" Jee stammered to correct himself.

Iroh held up his hand, "It's okay. May I join you?"

"Yes. Of course, sir!"

Iroh sat himself down onto an empty oil drum that was placed for me, but I'd decided to sit further away from the fire. He flicked imaginary dust off his lap and sighed heavily. He set his jaw as he stroked his beard.

"Try to understand. My nephew is a complicated young man. He has been through much."