I don't own Avatar the last airbender just my oc. Sorry it took so long i hope you like this chapter!

Chapter 16

Liling had woken up earlier the next morning, she looked at the new clothes that Iroh was kind enough to buy for her along with a tea pot.

'He reminds me of my own father…'Liling thought lightly touching the colored fabrics. 'I can't forget the reason I'm here….the moment that there's an opening I'll leave…no matter how kind everyone seems on the ship they're still the enemy.'

Liling brushed her long hair back and started to practice her stances, since they took away her canteen she could at least practice some moves.

She was fully focused on her stances.

'Liling never forget that the basic are the key to mastering the elements, they are the main structure of any bending. If you don't master the basic you can't advance further.'

'Yes father! I'll practice everyday to master it!'

'That's my little jasmine flower.'

"Dad…." Liling whispered softly

There was a knock on the door Snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Who is it?" Liling yelled hurriedly plopping herself on her bed trying to act natural. However her visitor did not answer.

Liling frowned usually the person would answer.

"Who is it?" She repeated

Again her visitor said nothing though she could hear someone shuffling behind the door.

"Look! Don't play games with me! Whoever is out there" she growled at the door "I won't let you in until I know your name!"

It was because Iroh had told her not to open the door to anyone unless if it was him or Zuko.

She waited with bated breath her visitor to say something, her heart pounded in her chest, she prepared for the worst until she heard him groan.

"Agh! I can't believe this" a male voice growled before calling out. "It's me!"

Liling blinked a few times…Zuko? Why is he out this early? Curiosity got the best of her so she opened the door.

There standing outside was Zuko dressed in his casual dark tunic and pants, his arms folded when he saw her..she looked different…was it because she's wearing the new clothes his uncle got her? His eyes slowly moved, the new light green kimono somehow made her look a bit more…

Doing his best to gulp down the strange suddenly existing lump in his throat not breaking eye contact.

"I…I…Uncle wanted me to get you." He quickly said

"Huh? why?" She asked

"So that you'll go outside for a while on the ship."He said clearly a bit annoyed at her questions but..somehow it didn't feel that bad to answer her.

"Oh…okay." Liling answered

He gave her a small nod, gripping her hand in his tighter as he made to tug her along behind him. Everytime he did that he couldn't help but notice how soft her hand was…even when she worked in the kitchens and doing the daily routine of hers, she always have those hands soft as silk.

A few minutes later Liling was looking at the sea and glanced at the clear blue sky. She noticed the seagulls going in the opposite direction and a few circling around.

"There is a storm coming." Iroh stated wisely after taking a deep breath of the sea air, "A big one."

Liling looked at the old man.

"You're out of your mind, Uncle." Zuko commented drily as he closed his telescope and walked over to where his uncle was standing, "The weather's perfect. There's not a cloud in sight."

"He's right, I've travelled a lot by boat and you tend to pick up the subtle signs of any weather changes." Liling said "The slight change in the air…the seagulls are acting strange heading the other way instead of north where there might be more land and there's more large rocks that they could stop and rest but they head south..."

"She is right Prince Zuko, A storm is approaching from the north." Iroh said firmly as he turned to face his nephew, "I suggest we alter our course and head southwest."

"We know the Avatar is traveling northward," Zuko retorted, taking a few steps forward and pointing north, "So we will do the same."

"We can take a different course, you can't be so reckless.." Liling argued " You have to think these things just cause the sky is nice and the wind is picking up good doesn't mean that it'll go smoothly."

"Stay out of this." Zuko snapped harshly without looking away from his uncle, deciding to ignore the face he saw from Liling Pouting and glaring at him out of the corner of his eye.

Iroh shook his head and looked at his nephew, "Prince Zuko, consider the safety of the crew."

"The safety of the crew doesn't matter!" Zuko snapped, then looked behind him just as Lieutenant Jee walked onto the deck and cocked an eyebrow at the prince with a frown on his face.

Zuko's expression hardened. "Finding the Avatar is more important than any individual's safety." Liling tightened her fist and walked towards Zuko.

SLAP!

Everyone was shocked their eyes widen seeing what had just happened, Zuko stood there feeling the harsh sting on his cheek, Liling growled at the Banished prince not regretting her action towards slapping him.

"How can you say that!" Liling shouted " These people are away from Their friends and families! They're here to help you! The least you could do is make sure they'll be back alive!"

Zuko was still shocked at what just happened as Liling continued.

"If it wasn't for the crew here you'd be alone!" Liling shouted " They work their butts off everyday for you!" Liling let out a angry shout. "You're the worst!"

Zuko watched Liling as he touched his cheek watching her walk off in anger. The prince gave Lieutenant Jee a hard look then walk back into the command tower, slamming the door behind him.

"He doesn't mean that." Iroh stated in an attempt to sooth the situation as the two of them turned to look at the closed door and at the angry girl watching the ocean.

"Oh he does! I'm not talking to him until he apologizes!" Liling said loudly.

"He doesn't mean that-"

" No excuses! Just for his attitude I'm not making his dinner!" She said

"No! Liling he really he doesn't." He insisted hoping that Liling would change her mind. "He's just all worked up."

"I'm not buying it! So he won't have any of my specialty spicy pork stew." She said "And if you try to sneak him any I won't make you the tea time pastries!" Iroh then looked over his shoulder at her again with slightly narrowed eyes.

A few hours later Liling looked warily up at the gray clouds the ship as she shifted nervously on her feet beside Iroh on the top deck.

"Huh, looks like your uncle and Liling were right about the storm after all." Lieutenant Jee taunted as he crossed his arms and looked at Zuko.

"Lucky guess." Iroh said pleasantly, his hands raised slightly as he walked closer to the lieutenant with Liling trailing behind him. Liling Nodded her head.

"Lieutenant! You'd better learn some respect," Zuko barked as he marched towards Jee and jabbed him in the chest with two fingers, "Or I'll teach it to you."

"What do you know about respect?" Lieutenant Jee demanded harshly as he glared at Zuko's back, not noticing the way Iroh was making a silencing motion with his hand and Liling nodding her Head agreeing to what the lieutenant was saying.

"The way you talk to everyone around, to hard-working crew to your esteemed uncle, shows you know nothing about respect! Even your prisoner knows how to respect us!"

Liling couldn't help but nod her head, she glanced at Iroh who slapped his hand on his forehead in exasperation, then she looked back at Jee and Zuko, who still had his back to the lieutenant.

"You don't care about anyone but yourself!" Jee ranted angrily then sneered, "Then again what should I expect from a spoiled prince."

Liling flinched backwards slightly when Zuko whirled around, his right arm extended in a Firebending position and Lieutenant Jee was quick to the same.

"Easy now." Iroh said soothingly and moved to stand beside the two when Zuko and Jee wrist blocked the other's arm and smoke began to rise from the prince's hand.

Iroh looked at the smoke for a moment then smacked both of their wrists about and pushed them back slightly, "Enough! We are all a bit tired from being at sea so long. I'm sure after a bowl of noodles, everyone will feel much better….or better yet the delectable puff treats that Liling made would put a smile to our faces "

"Aww…it was about to be good…" Liling grumbled

Lieutenant Jee turned and walked away, the few other crew members that had watched the scene followed after him. Zuko turned his back on his uncle and Liling, taking a few steps forward.

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

Iroh stepped forward and placed his hand on his nephew's shoulder only for Zuko to shrug it off and walk away, leaving Iroh with a crestfallen expression. Liling placed her hand on Iroh's shoulder in a silent gesture of comfort as she glowered at the prince's turned back as the dark storm clouds moved closer.

"He's a jerk…" Liling mumbled turning away

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