You think I would be that evil?


~ The Western Air Temple (Part 2)~

Ryuu POV

Zuko's camp was... uh... basic. Red canvas littered covered a scrape with one blanket and a tiny backpack rammed with supplies of food. Rangi had probably given it to him. I smiled gently, reminiscing of her kindly yet eccentric ways as Zuko yelled at a badgerfrog.

"Uggh! I can't believe how stupid I am! I mean, what was I thinking? Telling them I sent an assassin after them? Why didn't I just say Azula did that? They would have believed that! Stupid! Uggh!"

Rolling my eyes, I chose a heavy apple from his pack and bit into it, savouring the flavour. Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose as the badgerfrog leapt off of the log and back into the forest. The Prince then threw himself face down beside me - yelling into the dirt.

"Alright, pity parties over," I held the apple in my mouth and rolled Zuko over. He scowled at me - his face caked in dust. I brushed it off and raised a brow - he lolled his head, looking away into the dense forest. Groaning impatiently, I whacked his shoulder sharply with a fist. He whipped his head back - shooting bolt upright.

"What was that for?" He demanded.

"Got you to pay attention, didn't it?"

I chewed on a mouthful of apple while trying to look smug - didn't work - as Zuko rubbed the spot on his shoulder I had hit. He heaved a laboured sigh and met my eyes as I swallowed the mouthful and pressed a finger on his chest.

"This isn't you - you don't give up (it can be annoying). But for now: rest - it is the evening after all. We can try again tomorrow. "

Zuko nodded firmly, getting up and stretching his arms out. Orange haze of the last sunlight illuminated the camp as Zuko went off to scout for firewood. I sorted out the food, checking if anything had gotten too squashed in transit.

Mangoes; Apples; Noodles; Ocean Kumquat - Rangi had packed well - Rice Cake; Rice candy; Cookies and a flattened banana. Scraping the rest of the banana out, I wretched. Zuko emerged from the shadowy forest, dragging out a tree worth of firewood.

He kicked out a scrape and started piling up some of the wood into a pyramid shape. Raising his fist, he Firebent a roaring into life. I scooched up next to the Firebender and handed him a partially squished Rice Cake. He nodded in thanks and stared into the fire.

"You're right," He suddenly broke the comfortable silence, "I'm not going to give up any time soon."

I leant my head on his shoulder and smiled silently. Night had set in and the fire was our only light. We sat by the campfire a bit longer before the lack of sun effected us especially - its warmth gone, leaving the winds to chill us. Zuko pulled me closer when I started shivering. About half an hour later, sleep sounded like a brilliant idea.

The Prince pulled his blanket over both of us as we lay by the dying embers of the fire. He laughed at me, because I blushed at laying in such close proximity to him. But the increasing chill forced me to lay rammed up against him - as he is a Firebender, his body was warm.

"Night," He mumbled, half-asleep himself. I awkwardly lay my head on his chest, his rhythmic breathing and heartbeat sending me as to sleep. The next thing I knew, was Zuko jerking out with a Fire whip. He called into the darkness - being greeted by a familiar voice.

"Toph?" I hissed while jolting awake. She cried out and fell to the floor. She had the misfortune of stepping into the Fire whip. Zuko leapt to his feet to try and apologise, but Toph crawled away, not wanting to be around him. When she was gone, Zuko threw himself to the floor.

"Uggh! Why am I so bad at being good?"

I got to my feet and stood above him, shaking my head, "You act before thinking. That's why."

He smacked his hands to his face and screamed into them. Sighing, I hooked my hands under his armpits and dragged him to the fire side. I sat down opposite him and folded my arms over my chest.

"Calm down - breath. Just relax and think straight. One stupid action can be fixed. That Waterbending girl is a healer, so Toph will be healed. We need to think of a plan to redeem you..." I tapped a finger against my chin.

"This is stupid!" Zuko yelled, "I'm stupid!"

"Zuko, you're not. You just make rash decisions. You're impulsive. Now, help me think of a plan or go to sleep: Your choice. "

We brainstormed until the sun rose, when I felt vibrations through the Earth. Something heavy was coming our way. It stopped and changed corse towards the cliff edge. Zuko's eyes widened in horror: Combustion Man. Oh, great...

...

This was the plan. Stupid, deadly, suicidal, brilliant plan. Zuko tore the shelter apart for a rope and charged in the direction of the Firebending assasin. Before I could stop him, he had latched the rope onto a tree and assailed down the cliff. Groaning, I ran after him.

"Stop! I don't want you hunting the Avatar anymore! "

Zuko flung himself at the Firebender. The explosion the man had set off missed the Avatar and his friends - just. I grabbed the top of the rope and slipped down beside him - after waving my hands about hissing rope burn.

"The mission is off. I'm ordering you to stop. If you keep attacking, I won't pay you! "

Combustion dude didn't stop. So, Zuko in his normal ways, decided to Firebend against him - I shrugged and roundhouse kicked the guy in the back. The older, buffer man grabbed the collar of Zuko's tunic and watched as he squirmed. I continued to punch and kick the guy to no avail:

"All right, I'll pay you double to stop!" Zuko gasped.

The guy took aim at the Gaang. Zuko kicked him so he missed. I tried to punch the guy, but was thrown back by Combustion dude using Zuko as a bat. I toppled over the ledge, just managing to grab a root. Zuko screamed and was thrown back. Combustion dude let off another explosion but Zuko rolled over the edge next to me.

Something happened that resulted in a massive explosion and Combustion man being blow to the Spirit world. The shockwave hit the root, almost knocking us off. I grit my teeth as I held of to the end of the root. My hand began to slip until Zuko hauled my up next to him.

"Nice of you to drop in," I smirked at my own joke. Zuko huffed and clambered up the root. He had trouble boosting himself up, so I gave his feet a shove to help. He put his hands down and helped me up with him. When we were both on the ledge, he embraced me tightly - I squeezed him back, grateful he wasn't dead...

"Come on," he got to his feet, "Let's get to safety. "

I nodded, "Sounds like a brilliant idea. "

We found a door in the upside down tower and, through some amazing rooms, found our way to the Gaang. Zuko, out of nerves, took my hand as we approached the kids. He - 16 year old Fire Prince - was scared of this group of kids. Admittedly, they could be terrifying.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but ... thanks, Zuko... and Ryuu," Aang gaped. He and the others were in shock. Couldn't blame them. Zuko squeezed my hand, I giggled proudly. Sokka scoffed.

"Hey, what about me? I did the boomerang thing."

Zuko continued, ignoring the comment, "Listen, I know I didn't explain myself very well yesterday, I've been through a lot in the last few years, and it's been hard."

One speech about honor later and Zuko bowed to Toph - finally letting go of my hand, "I'm sorry for what I did to you. It was an accident. Fire can be dangerous and wild, so as a firebender, I need to be more careful and control my bending, so I don't hurt people unintentionally."

Aang looked genuinely shocked. He ponderd for a bit before answering positively. I patted Zuko's shoulder and beamed up at him. He gave a small smile back.

"I'd like you to teach me," Aang bowed. Zuko was, under his serious persona, jumping up and down like a little kid - I could see it in his eyes. Zuko bowed back respectfully. I chewed my lip to stop myself hugging him like a proud mum.

"Thank you. I'm so happy you've accepted me into your group. Uh, is it oka-"

Aang silenced him with a raise of his brow, "Not so fast. I still have to ask my friends if it's okay with them."

He did do and, apart from Katara, it was all positive. Zuko glanced at me with a gleam in his eyes. All the red specks had gone. His eyes were purest gold - a good sign.

"I won't let you down! I promise!" He stepped towards the group. I stayed rooted - they hadn't excepted me, so I turned to go, until Zuko stopped me. He caught my wrist and turned me around to the Gaang. My eyes widened in horror.

"What are you doing? " I hissed nervously.

"I'll join on one condition, " Zuko gripped my tense shoulders as he stood behind me, "Ryuu is allowed to join too. She's done nothing wrong and - well - She's my girlfriend. "

I squealed and rotated my head at him. He chuckled lightly, "If she wants to be."

Nodding eagerly, Zuko broke into a smile. A big, genuine, happy smile. I'd not seen it in a long time. It suited him. Aang consulted his friends: they were in agreement that I could join too. Zuko hugged me from behind - I hugged his arms across my chest.

After retrieving Zuko's equipment, Sokka led us to two rooms that stood opposite each other. When he showed me into my room, he scrated his cheek nervously.

"Uh, sorry about what I said yesterday. I was angry... I feel bad for targeting you just because you and Zuko are- are a thing. I have a girlfriend myself and, so yeah, I know how you felt. Sorry."

I shrugged and curled my lips into a smile, examining the chamber, "It's fine. I apologise for ever being mean or hostile to you."

Sokka nodded and went to fetch Zuko to show him the other room. I stumbled around the room, wondering who last slept in there, until a shadow passed in the doorway. I thought it was either Sokka or Zuko, so went to flash a smile at them. But it was Katara. She leant against the door frame with a look of disdain on her face.

"I'm watching you and your boyfriend. You two have been against us in the past and I'm aware of his... difficulties with sides. Watch out because otherwise you two will be in trouble - big trouble. "

Being taller than her, I shrugged and looked indifferently. She stalked away at the reaction. Boyfriend/ girlfriend were titles I'd have to get used to. It sounded strange. After a minute or two, Zuko appeared in the doorway smirking.

"So.." He padded towards me, by a shelf of wrinkled scrolls, "You haven't given me a proper answer. Yeah, I know it wasn't romantic or whatever... but I really like you-" He took my hands as I giggled "- Do you... want to be-?"

"Yes!" I laughed, "Yes, please."

Zuko met my eyes, grinning from ear to ear. This was a new start for both of us. A good one, at that. He hooked a finger under my chin and began to ask if he could kiss me - before he could finish, I crushed my lips against his. He laughed through the kiss and, as a result, I started laughing. He stood there, letting the beautiful afternoon sun drain through the corridors, deteriorating in hysterical laughter.

I love him. The way his laugh was gentle, yet powerful. His golden eyes. His manner of speaking. Him. I love him...

Yep. This was a good start.