~The Deserter~

(Or, The Training Sessions)

Ryuu POV

"No. Stop holding back."

He swung a punch at my head. I bobbed and left-hooked his abdomen. He chuckled and gently bought his knee up to my chin. I dodged it and elbowed his back. He stumbled foward and kicked backwards, managing to catch my left leg.

I toppled over.

"You're good. Just stop holding back."

I grinned up at him as he pulled me up, "Just scared I'll hurt you."

He chuckled again and tapped his chest, "You can't. I'm actually afraid of hurting you."

He let go of my hand and adopted another fighting stance. I did the same, raising my padded fists to my face. He frowned and readjusted my posture for me. He reached up and tucked a loose hair behind my ear. Since Zuko first knew me, my hair had grown to the top of my neck. In fact, I'd put it into a top-not to stop it getting in my way.

"I get first hit. I won."

He swung but missed when I ducked forward. I punched his lower abdomen then stood back up and kicked at his chest. He blocked my foot and kicked me back, if too gently. As it touched my side, I grabbed his foot and pulled him towards me, tripping him up.

While on the floor, he swung his legs about and toppled me. He jumped up and put a restraining hand on my back. I swung a right-hook and brought him down, while jumping up. I took his arms and pulled him up in an arm lock.

"I win!"

"So you do... well done."

I let him go and he flexed his arms. He readied himself for another fight. I did too. This time he jumped up and spun through the air. I stepped back and got lower as he landed the behind me. I kicked back. He caught my foot and spun me around - onto the floor.

I tried to kick out his legs, but he leapt up. He landed and sat on my legs, restraining them. I faught like an Earthbender, he said, so depended on my rooting. That gave me an idea. I pushed my arms straight and rolled, flipping Zuko off.

Now my arms were my rooting so I could kick easily. I brought down both my legs and sprung up. Zuko managed to catch my arms mid-spring. He pulled me down and held onto me. I laughed at his evil tactic of a restraining hug.

"Let me go, you monster! " I laughed.

He wrapped his arms tighter in response. He chuckled softly as I wriggled about, playing at being captured.

"I haven't laughed this much in a long time!" He chuckled.

He let me sit up, "Really? Wow. How boring was it on this ship?"

"Considering the elderly men - really."

He sat up and took my arms and pretended to struggle with me. I pushed him over and sat on his chest, laughing eagerly. Zuko beamed and hugged my neck.

"You got me!"

"Muhahaha! I am now Ship Prince! "

He flopped onto the deck in mock-death. I leaned over his face with a lop-sided grin. Zuko's eyes flickered open and he glanced between my eyes and lips. I could feel myself doing the same. Slowly, we leaned forward - towards each other. My nose briefly brushed his cheek. Before we could meet lips, however, we were interrupted.

"Prince Zuko, I- Oh, Sorry, I'll come back later..."

"Uncle!" Zuko cried in panic. I jumped off of his chest and let Zuko up.

We dusted ourselves off. Iroh gave suspicious - if slightly mischievous - glances at both of us before turning to his Nephew. He laced his hands together and began telling Zuko about something to do with the Avatar's trail. Zuko's eyes widened and he sprinted off towards the Command tower.

Iroh then turned to me:

"Thank you. I haven't heard him laugh like that since he was- about seven."

I maintained my lop-sided grin, "The pleasure's all mine - really...."

It came out wrong, but Iroh still smiled. He went after Zuko into the Command tower.

...

The next day was Weapons training. After raiding the whole ship for any weapons that I could lift, we stood on deck, figuring out which weapon would fit me best. Swords; Shields; Axes; Spears. None was right. Until I found the best weapon I had ever lain eyes on.

A Ji: a spear with two extra curved blades. A tuft of red was at the base of the head to prevent blood dripping down it. The extra blades for slicing. Zuko scoffed.

"You do like deadly things."

I looked at Zuko but managed to stop myself before I could say 'I most certainly do' while looking him up and down. That- now that would've scared anyone.

"So, you definitely want this one?"

"Mmmhmm. Definitely. "

He checked the strap of his scabbard before drawing both dual swords, "Well then, training has begun."

...

The Ji felt right. It was manouvarable and light, yet weighted perfectly, enough for a killer blow. Zuko would strike with a sword but I could defend myself with a twist of the shaft. Perfect. When we moved onto defence against Bending, as scared as I was of the fire, I could always just swish the spear and the flames would be redirected.

"You're a natural. But, like yesterday, you hold back. Be more aggressive. "

"Grrr?" I questioned. Zuko nodded - while chuckling.

Then, he taught me something vital: Stopping Flames. Just a step foward and part my arms with speed and I could stop the flame without getting burnt. It went against everything screaming in my head. But it worked!

Zuko was impressed.

"You're amazing..."

"T-thanks. I'm lucky, my teacher is so good."

I didn't mean to flirt. The problem is, I always mistake flirting for regular kindness, so - yeah. But I could tell Zuko wasn't flirting. He was just being kind. Or at least I hoped I could tell. He put his hand on my shoulder and smiled genuinely.

I didn't know that one week later and this whole ship would be blown to the Spirit World... and I'd get my first true chance of combat.


Short chapter, but some character and relationship developments... next one will be longer. I promise.