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

Chapter 14

Liling barely slept the last few days, whenever she closes her eyes she'd have nightmares of what happened. She never had any boy or even a man touch her like that. She didn't know why he would suddenly say those things. 'Was it my fault?' Liling thought 'Did I do something to lead him on?'

Liling looked at her shoulder, it was looking better than it was two days ago. She kept healing it with her bending and she was lucky to treat it on time if not it would've left a nasty scar on it. Today is when they're going to send Shi off for his punishment. Liling stayed in her room all day trying fix her ripped Kimono but quickly gave up on it tossing it in a corner, putting on her regular clothes and adjusting her green haori. Her eyes kept staring at the door fear spread through her knowing that even if it only happened one time that it could happen again by anyone. She didn't feel safe being on this ship, she didn't have anyone she could fully trust...she thought back of her parents, if her father was alive then he would've protected her from anyone.

'But he's not here anymore...'Liling thought. 'No one...Aang isn't with me...I'm alone...why am I even here?'

Iroh was still a bit worried about the young girl, once they docked the ship, they immediately took Shi off to another firenation ship for his punishment. Iroh had a feeling something was going to happen but he never thought it was something like this. He should've known the signs whenever that soldier looked at her. He walked to stop in front of Liling's door. Lightly knocking the door while holding a tray with teapots and cups as well a few sweets, in his other arm held a wrapped cloth.

"Liling? It's me."Iroh said

There was no answer so Iroh knocked again.

"Liling?" He questioned

He heard the door slightly move and he saw Liling in tears.

"Liling what's wrong?" Iroh asked softly

"Everything..."Liling muttered crossing her arms over her chest in an attempt to comfort herself.

"Nothing is going to happen to you."Iroh stated

"You don't know that for sure!" Liling snapped slightly shaking. "I...just wish I can see them again...everything changed so much since I left..."

Iroh stayed quiet watching the young girl clearly shaking up from what had transpired, he placed the tray in the small table and poured some tea. He handed it to the young girl listening what she was saying hoping that talking would calm her spirits.

"What do you mean?" Iroh asked softly

"You may not believe me but...I was trapped in the iceberg with my friend..."Liling said taking a sip of her tea in an attempt to calm herself down. "The fire nation changed...the southern watertribe...I don't have a place to go back to..." she looked at Iroh. "Please tell me what happened to the southern tribe...there used to be so many waterbenders there...now it's just some women and a few kids. Where have they gone?"

"Things changed so much since you've been in that iceberg." Iroh's grip on his teacup hardened."The South Pole has always been geographically closer to the Fire Nation. After the attack of the Air Nomads, Fire Lord Sozin decided to capture the South Pole's water benders. One by one, the raids continued till there were none left and the south pole was-"

"Until it ended up like that..."Liling mumbled gripping her teacup. "My mother was so proud of her tribe, of everything they did..."

Iroh looked up from his teacup, staring at the young girl.

"She told me stories about each nation, her adventures with my father...and of how I was born."Liling said "My father was also proud of his nation but deep down he couldn't help but worry about something...at first I didn't understand it when he told me but he was right..."

Iroh's face softened considerably as he reached out to gently pat the young girl's shoulder. Liling immediately flinched and backed away a bit. "I'm sorry."Iroh said softly. Liling nodded her head.

"I just..."Liling started until Iroh raised his hand stopping her.

"You don't have to explain yourself, it's alright."Iroh reassured knowing that Liling is still recovering from the events, it will take some time for the young girl to be herself again. He placed his tea cup back on the tray and held the wrapped cloth out to Liling.

"What's that?" Liling asked

"Some clothes that I found, something to replace you're old ones."Iroh said Liling nodded she didn't even want to touch that pink Kimono. "Wear those and I'll see you outside, I'm going to the market to pick up a few things and I'd like some company."

Liling nodded, some time off the ship might do her some good, once Iroh left Liling held the fabric in her hands.

"Uncle! Can't we just go already!" Zuko demanded after a few minutes of waiting. "We're only here to restock supplies not shop for useless stuff!"

"Prince Zuko I'm just going to look around for a bit."Iroh intoned "A bit of shopping and some fresh air clears the mind."

"Fine! Only half an hour and that's it!" Zuko snapped

A smile lit up in Iroh's face watching the dark haired girl cautiously walking towards them. Iroh then nudged at Zuko with his elbow.

"Doesn't she look lovely?" Iroh whispered

Zuko shifted his weight away from his uncle's elbow. "What are you talking abo-"

Zuko paused staring at the dark haired girl wearing a dark red kimono, with a red sash tied around her waist. And soft brown shoes, seeing her in those clothes made her look like she is a fire nation girl.

"You look very nice Liling."Iroh complemented

"Thanks..."Liling nodded wrapping her arms around her body in an attempt to comfort herself. She glanced at Zuko.

A small mischievous smile appeared on Iroh's face glancing at his nephew who seemed pretty baffled.

"Prince Zuko, doesn't she look nice?" Iroh asked innocently on the inside he was laughing.

"I...Er...yes she looks nice..." Zuko muttered not looking at Liling he glanced at the other stalls.

When she spoke her voice was soft almost timid.

"Thank you"

Zuko glanced at her, he felt his mind go completely blank as she caught his gaze. Iroh looked at the two teens.

"Well, shall we go?" Iroh said

Both teens nodded as they walked Zuko sucked in a deep breath as he felt his cheeks, that had just been lukewarm, now burn with a ferocious heat as his gut churned but instead of causing him much discomfort, it was somehow felt oddly pleasant for him.

"This is pretty." Liling said looking at a stall that the merchant is selling teapots. She looked at the white teapot with a black swirl design, with a wooden handle.

"That is very nice."Iroh said picking up the teapot and inspected it. "It looks very well crafted."

"The teacups look cute too." Liling stated looking at the black and white tea cups.

"I'll take this." Iroh said the merchant nodded taking the tea set and wrapped it in a durable cloth, placing it in the wooden box. He handed it to Iroh in which he handed it to Liling while he paid.

"Thank you." Liling said politely holding the box. Liling went to another stall glancing at the wares.

Zuko shook his head and turned towards his uncle.

"Why buy another tea set? We have enough tea sets uncle." He grouched quietly to Iroh.

"It's a well crafted piece." Iroh stated taking out a fan from his sleeve fanning himself, then closed it smiling serenely at Zuko. "I think it would make a lovely gift for Liling."

Zuko groaned. "You're not supposed to give any gifts to her!" He snapped.

"You're right dear nephew." Iroh said then a mischievous smile etched on his lips. " I think is only appropriate if a young man like yourself should give her gifts."

"That's not what I meant! I would never gift her a gift! " Zuko snapped he turn and started to walk ahead, Iroh noticed that Zuko's ears were a bit red, he watched Liling at the stall looking at the accessories. 'Interesting.' He thought. ' You never know prince Zuko…you never know.'

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