I don't own Avatar the last airbender just my Oc.

Chapter 12

It was a strange morning for Liling first Zuko let her be out without being cuffed walking freely on his ship, except the fact that the guards were constantly watching her but she didn't mind as long as she didn't do anything to them then they won't bother her. After he let her out she quickly followed the guard so that she could have a warm bath which she hasn't had in a while thanks to prince firecracker.

Obviously she wasn't going to wear the clothes she had on for a few days so she changed into her other fresh clothes which was a simple pink kimono. she had simple wooden shoes, leaving her hair long she went to wash her dirty clothes. Adding it in the washbin using her soap and using the wash board to scrub it clean while humming softly.

Zuko was concentrating really hard in his training sparring with another soldier, once he was done he heard a humming sound he wondered who was humming and stopped gazing at the girl in the pink kimono.

Liling continued humming quietly, unaware by the fact that someone was watching her every move. She stopped humming and sang a verse.

'Don't fall in love with the traveling girl...she'll leave you broke and broken hearted'

'Don't fall in love with the traveling girl, if you know what's good for you'

Zuko's brow furrowed as she turned her head to look at the clear sky. A light breeze blew and her hair lightly flowed delicately.

Her eyes went back to her work and a small smile played on her lips. She hang up the wet clothes up at a small lining that she made carefully placing her green haori in it.

Her eyes glanced at the haori her fingers gently caressed the fabric smiling softly yet in her eyes had a hint of sadness in them.

Zuko was faintly aware that his own body had froze in the spot, almost as if it were in a trance as he stared at those eyes, even as they flickered to look in his direction.

"I…I…" he gulped nervously and she quickly caught his gaze.

His cheeks had a very pale blush and he was doing his best to avoid her eyes.

For some reason, it was surprisingly amusing for Liling since she was used to seeing his angry and grumpy side but not this side, Liling then thought that he reminded her of Her friend Ru, Ru had a similar personality like Zuko only that he wasn't so angry all the time, she loved teasing Ru about anything making him flustered. She found her mouth twitching upwards in a small smile thinking of her friend.

Zuko's brow furrowed in confusion

"What?"

"Nothing" Liling bit on her lip to stop herself from giggling in his face.

Zuko scowled darkly.

"You're laughing at me aren't you?!"

"No. I was just thinking of someone that you remind me of." She replied Coolly

"Who exactly?"

"Oh…he's nothing of your concern." Liling simply said

Zuko's gaze hardened suspiciously.

"That wasn't much of an answer" he said

Liling shrugged her shoulders ignoring that comment. "I better go find your uncle, he and I have a pai sho game in a bit."Liling spoke calmly. "See you later Prince firecracker."

"Would you stop calling me that!" he yelled but she was already walking away ignoring his outburst. She'd been calling him prince firecracker ever since she got captured.

He watched her back closely until she walked out the room. He couldn't help but notice the way her long hair swished against her hips as she walked.

As soon as she was out of sight he all but growled angrily.

"Argh! That-that girl!" he spluttered under his breath, Zuko snorted out his nose, puffs of steam literally bursting from them as he vented his frustration. "AGH! What is wrong with me?!"

"Your highness?"

A voice called.

Zuko froze his spot. He slowly turned to see one of the soldiers that goes by Shi standing behind him, a small dark smirk gracing his features.

"What do you want Lieutenant" he clipped tersely as he straightened himself up.

"Oh nothing your highness" Shi shrugged though his smirk grew "I was just passing by when I heard you. Is there something the matter? Is that prisoner giving you any attitude?"

"That is none of your concern Lieutenant" Zuko replied coolly

"Of course your highness. Forgive me for my intrusion. I was merely concerned with the fact that the girl still doesn't know the type of situation she's in. Especially being a young woman, some men that have been traveling by sea for two years hardly seeing any woman, even Some men might have certain urges when they see her." the lieutenant added and Zuko was alarmed to see a small sneer creep its way up the older man's face. "Don't tell me that you don't have that instinct when you see her?"

But he took a deep breath trying to keep a level head, once he steadied himself as he replied stiffly:

"Like I said before, its not your concern."Zuko replied "But watch what you say next time and don't go near my prisoner."

"Of course your highness" Shi bowed and swiftly made his way over to a different part of the ship.

He wasn't sure why, but that sneer on Shi's face and what he said earlier made his gut churn uncomfortably and spine shiver. There wasn't any women on his ship, just men because he thought that women would distract them and wouldn't fully concentrate on the mission. Zuko tried to forget what Shi said yet it still stuck on his mind.

Two weeks have passed since then, Liling adjusted to being on the ship even with the guards watching her, she just does her usual routine sometimes watching Zuko train, play pai sho with Iroh and most of the time she'd ignore Zuko's constants temper tantrum.

In the afternoon Liling drank some tea with Iroh while he taught his nephew firebending. Liling watched closely at Zuko's stances and how he faced his opponent. She stayed silent most of the time.

"Liling may I ask you something?" Iroh asked glancing from his teacup.

"If it's nothing related to any of my friends I'd be happy to answer."Liling replied being cautious.

"It's about your necklace it is a lovely piece." Iroh said glancing at the necklace.

"Thank you, it belonged to my mother."Liling said her fingers touching the amber stone. "My father proposed to her with this necklace."

Iroh nodded and smiled paternally at the young girl. Zuko was fully concentrated in his training until he heard a small faint humming sound from the girl. Causing him to lose focus missing his chance to attack, he kept dodging the fire blast. Zuko growled and called off the sparring session.

"You!" Zuko growled pointing an accusing finger at Liling. "Just go!"

"Me?! What did I do?!" Liling snapped

"Just get out of here! I don't want to see you!" Zuko snapped

"Why?! I didn't do anything!" Liling said angrily. She stood up. "Your such a jerk! Good luck with your jerkbending! You big jerk!"

Liling stormed out muttering darkly, wondering why she was getting so much attitude from the prince. She didn't even want to see his face so she went to the kitchens to see if she could have a snack.

"Prince Zuko, that was rude. You didn't have to shout at her." Iroh shook his head.

"Uncle! Can't you see that she's a big distraction. She's so noisy, it's hard to keep focus when she's watching me train and-"

There was a loud snort and Zuko quickly turned to see his uncle, not frowning, but grinning from ear to ear.

"What?" he frowned but as Zuko caught Iroh's eye, his uncle burst out laughing.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha! A big distraction! Ha-ha!" he chortled and clapped his very stunned nephew on the shoulder.

"Uncle it's not funny!" Zuko snapped

But Iroh only continued he couldn't help it, he never thought he'd see the day. He just has to be patient until whatever his nephew is feeling blossoms into something special.

One morning Liling was on deck walking with one of the servants.

"Well, well if it isn't the little prisoner."Shi said whistling as Liling walked by.

She ignored him lately that guard kept watching Liling with weird looks, he wasn't like the other guards this one gave her the creeps. She was helping one of the servants holding the tray of food.

"Prince Zuko."

Liling went inside helping the servant place the plates on the table. Iroh smiled looking at the delectable food, once the food was placed the servant left and Liling sat on the floor looking at her portion of food.

Zuko reached for his bowl of rice, his chopsticks picking off a piece of fish. Iroh was eating with much gusto.

"The cook really improved in today's breakfast."Iroh commented. Liling smiled softly, she glanced at Zuko almost finishing his food.

'It's true today's breakfast is better than yesterday's.'Zuko thought the taste was so different.

"Well...um..."Liling mumbled gaining a curious look from Iroh.

"Is something wrong, Liling?" Iroh asked placing the now empty bowl on the table looking at her with a slightly worried expression.

"Um...well the cook didn't make it..."Liling started "He hurt his hand trying to cook the crab in the hot water, I was there on time to treat him but he couldn't cook with one hand so I made today's breakfast, while the cook kept a constant watch."

After the confession Iroh smiled. "It was delicious! I'm looking forwards to what you'll make for lunch!" Iroh said happily.

"What?!" Zuko said in shock. "You cooked it?!"

"Yes! Geez! You don't have to shout!" Liling snapped "Was it that bad?!"

"I think it was delicious."Iroh said innocently glancing at Zuko who was still in shock. "Well, Liling asked you a question prince Zuko. What did you think of the food she made?" On the inside Iroh was laughing, Liling just stared at Zuko.

A very, very faint blush appeared on Zuko's face. He shook his head and lightly muttered.

"It was nice..."he muttered out glancing at the tea cup avoiding the young girls stare.

"Thank you." Liling politely said picking up the empty dishes, setting it on the tray. "Even the cook thought it was good too. I guess they must've missed some home cooking." Liling lifted the tray full of dirty dishes. " I'm going to help them clean this, then I'll come back for a game of Pai sho."

With that Liling left to the kitchens to help the cook anyway she can.

"How's your hand?" Liling asked

"It's feeling a little better now."The cook said showing Liling the bandaged up hand.

"Well if it's starts to hurt again let me know."Liling replied after finally cleaning up the last of the plates.

"Thank you, Liling your a big help." The cook said gratefully. "I was afraid that for a moment I would've lost my hand."

"We were just lucky, just try to be careful next time."Liling said grabbing a pot of tea. "I'll give Iroh his usual tea now."

It was usually liked that the last few days, some guards kept watch at her a few of them enjoyed Liling's company. Some of them even forget that she's supposed to be a prisoner. By everything that happened time went by that it was already night time.

Zuko was meditating in his room the candles softly lit his room, trying to be at peace.

Knock! Knock!

"Prince Zuko"

Zuko winced a little as his uncle's voice through the door to his room.

"Prince Zuko!"

"What?!" he yelled back irritably, still not moving from his meditation pose.

"I'm going to go down to dinner in the galley. Do you want to join me? Liling made roasted duck! With some dim sum!"

"No! I'm fine Uncle." Zuko irritably yelled back.

"Are you sure?" Iroh sounded concerned. "I can bring up something for you."

"I said I'm fine. I'll eat later." he added, a little less harshly than before.

He couldn't help but smile ever so slightly as he heard his uncle chuckle outside the door.

"Alright prince Zuko, I'll see you later."

"Why isn't prince firecracker here?" Liling asked placing the roasted duck on the table.

"Prince Zuko is busy at the moment but he said he'll come down to eat later."Iroh said eying the duck.

Liling let out a sigh. 'I really don't get him.'Liling thought she got up.

"I'll go to the kitchens and tell the cook to make a tray for him."Liling said 'He may be a jerk but I guess I owe him something for letting me out of the cell and enjoy some company.'

Iroh chuckled lightly watching the girl leave. 'They grow up so fast...' Iroh thought before shoving a small dumpling in his mouth, his expression becoming delighted.

"Delicious!" Iroh said to himself before grabbing another small dumpling.

Liling walked to the halls since everyone was having dinner, Liling decided to make the tray of food to bring to prince firecracker. Lately Zuko hasn't tried to interrogate her the last few days. Maybe he just gave up since Liling wouldn't tell him anything. She placed the pot of tea over the fire waiting for it to warm up.

'I wonder how Aang is doing...I hope he's okay...I miss my friends.'Liling thought she glanced at the floor and tightened her fist. 'I have to find him. The minute that I find Aang is when I'll make my escape.'

Unknown to Liling someone in the shadows was watching her closely, unaware of this person's presence she started humming.

"I wonder if this is en- mmph!" A hand extended covering her mouth.

Zuko shut his eyes once more, doing his best to calm down his breathing and bring it down to a slow easy rhythm. He frowned to himself as Shi's words from a few days ago echoed in his head.

"Even some men might have certain urges when they see her. Don't tell me that you don't have that instinct when you see her?"

Zuko's brow furrowed even more. Hearing those words again. Why would he say that? Surely he wasn't implying to do something to the girl.

He groaned and shook his head to clear it, a rumbling sound was heard, knowing that he hasn't eaten Yet. Zuko quickly grabbed his tunic and putting it on, tying the sash even as he quickly dashed out of his room.

When he approached the door to the mess hall and heard two voices still speaking inside he scowled. But even as he made to turn away, one of the voices, a man's voice dark and dangerous, caught his attention.

"Listen here girl! I know what you want and you know what I want."

"Don't you dare touch me! Keep your filthy hands away from me!" a female voice snapped back.

Zuko's eyebrows rose in astonishment. He'd never heard Liling sound like this before. The tone in her voice sounded so scared and very alarming.

"Don't be like that, we can try it the easy way or the hard way."

"Stay away! I-I'm warning you!"

Zuko had just leaned his ear to listen at the door when Shi made a move grabbing Liling holding her tightly hungrily kissing her neck, as she struggled against his grip.

"Get off!" Liling snapped grabbing the nearest object hitting him on his side.

There was a heavy thud and a crash, sounds of plates broken.

"That's it! You forced me to do this!"

Without even thinking, Zuko slammed the door open, just in time to see Shi lunging forwards, his face alight with fury.

Below him on the floor an was Liling her eyes filled with fear, she did her best to scramble away from him and towards one of the tables which was over turned.

However Shi was quick to raise his fist, which was covered in burning hot punched hard, and the flames shot out straight towards Liling's head, she raised her hands up in an attempt to block it.

"Someone Help!"

There you have it guys! Please leave a review and tell me what you guys think! Any comments or suggestions feel free to Pm me!