Zuko and I still had yet to say anything to each other. I was standing by one of the railings. Zuko is practicing his firebending with Lieutenant Lee, when the boat turns, the two are thrown to one side, while I go flying over the side of the boat. I landed in the water. I quickly swam to the surface I saw Zuko, Lee, and a few other members looking over the edge. I used my bending to put myself back on to the deck. Lee laughed.
"It's not funny. I could have died." I said
"You're a water bender I doubt you would have died in the water." Lee said
"What ever." I said
Zuko walked over grabbed my wrist and pulled me behind him up to the tower. Zuko storms in yelling.
"What is the meaning of this mutiny? No one told you to change course." Zuko said
I look at Iroh who is sitting at a table playing a game.
"Actually, someone did. I assure you, it is a matter of utmost importance, Prince Zuko. Kida why are you wet?" Iroh asked
"Fell into the ocean." I said
"Is it something to do with the Avatar?" Zuko asked
"Even more urgent. It seems, I - I have lost my lotus tile." Iroh said
"What's so important about a lotus tile?" I asked
"Lotus title?" Zuko asked
"For my Pai Sho game. Most people think the lotus tile insignificant, but it is essential for the unusual strategy that I employ." Iroh said
"What is Pai Sho?" I asked
"You've changed out course for a stupid lotus tile?" Zuko asked
"See, you, like most people, underestimate it's value. Just give me ten minutes to check at this port of call. Hopefully, they will have the lotus tile in shock and I can get on with my life. (Zuko breathes fire up at the ceiling in anger, I take a few steps back) I'm lucky to have such an understanding nephew. Kida why don't you sit down and I'll explain the game." Iroh said
I sit down at the table. Zuko looks at me then leaves. Iroh starts to explain the game.
"Is something wrong with you and Zuko?" Iroh asked
"I don't know. Ever since the trip into the fire nation he hasn't talked to me. I don't know what I did, maybe he finally tired of me." I said
"I doubt that very much." Iroh said
It didn't take us long before we made port. Iroh, Zuko, and I left he ship. Iroh checked a bunch of the shops but didn't find anything. I was standing by Zuko when Iroh walks over.
"I've checked all the shops on this pier. Not a lotus tile in the entire marketplace." Iroh said
"It's good to know this trip was a complete waste of time for everyone." Zuko said
"Quite the contrary. I always say, the only thing better than finding something you are looking for (crew members to walk past carrying all of Iroh's purchases) is finding something you weren't looking for at a great bargain." Iroh said
Two crew members walk past with two tsungi horn.
"You brought a tsungi horn?" Zuko asked
"For music night on the ship. Now, if we only had some woodwinds. Oh, this lace looks promising." Iroh said
Iroh walks towards a pirate ship, the three of us enter the ship. We see a monkey with ruby eyes.
"Oh, that is handsome. Wouldn't it look magnificent in the galley?" Iroh asked
One of the pirate's enters and says something to his captain.
"We lost the Water Tribe girl and the little bald monk she was traveling with." the pirate said
"This monk, did he have an arrow on his head?" Zuko asked
I shake my head. Zuko and the pirate captain talk a little bit more. I just roll my eyes and make my way back towards the ship. I get on the ship and head to Zuko's room. I sit there for a little bit thinking over a few things. I move over to his desk and leave him a note. Once I'm done I make sure I have everything I will need. I leave the room. In time to see Zuko, a few men, and Iroh heading towards where they keep the mini ship. I follow behind them, and get on the boat with. Soon we join up the pirates. The pirate captain is on our ship standing next to Zuko.
"Shouldn't we stop to search the woods?" the captain asked
"We don't need to stop. They stole a waterbending scroll, right?" Zuko asked
"Mm-hm." the captain said
"Then they'll be on the water." Zuko said
I walked away from them, I was a good distance from them when Iroh grabbed my hand.
"I saw your bag are you leaving?" Iroh asked
"Yes. I am. Thank you for everything Iroh. I feel like I should tell you why." I said
"No you don't. It was nice getting to know you Kida, and you will be missed by the both of us." Iroh said
I gave Iroh a hug.
"I left him a note, it's in his room make sure he reads it." I said
"I will. Don't worry." Iroh said
I hear Katara. I move back over to the railing.
"Ugh, ugh, ugh. Shoot. Come on water, work with me here. Okay, what if I just, ow. Stupid scroll. Okay Katara, shift your weight through the stances." Katara said
We pull up to shore. The pirates and Zuko jump out of the ship. I see the pirates go one way and Zuko go the other.
"No! Let go of me." Katara said
Zuko comes over holding Katara.
"I'll save your from the pirates." Zuko said
Zuko ties Katara to a tree.
"Tell me where he is and I won't hurt you or your brother." Zuko said
"Go jump in the river." Katara said
"Try to understand. I need to capture him to restore something I've lost, my honor. Perhaps in exchange I can restore something you've lost. Kida come here." Zuko said
I walked over to them.
"Kida are you okay?" Katara asked
"I'm fine." I said
"I'll give her back to you, if you tell me where he is." Zuko said
"I'm sorry Kida. But I'm not telling you where to find him." Katara said
"Enough with all of this. You promised a scroll." the prate captain said
"I wonder how much this is worth…(Zuko held the scroll with one hand and in another he held fire. With the scroll over the fire.) A lot, apparently. Now you help me find what I want, you'll get this back, and everyone goes home happy. Search the woods for the boy and meet back here." Zuko said
"Fine." said the captain
The pirates leave and Zuko heads back to the mini ship.
"Kida what are you doing with them? Why haven't you escaped?" Katara asked
I looked at her.
"Right stupid questions." Katara said
"How have you and Sokka been?" I asked
"Good. He misses you. Will you come with us when we escape?" Katara asked
"As long as nothing stops me yes." I said
"Kida." Zuko yelled
"Go, he can't think something is going on." Katara said
I nodded, I turned and walked into the mini ship. We just sat there in silence.
"You're leaving?" Zuko asked
"So now your talking to me." I said
Zuko just looked away.
"Don't look away from when I'm talking to you. You have gone the past week not saying a thing to me, and now your trying to make me feel guilty for leaving." I said
Zuko still didn't say anything. I turned and went to leave the room but he stopped me. He didn't say anything.
"Yes Zuko?" I asked
Zuko didn't say anything.
"There is a note in your room on the ship, telling you why." I said
There was a knock on the door.
"They found him." the person said
Zuko and I looked at each other. He walked to the door and off the ship. He still had his hand wrapped around my wrist.
"Nice work." Zuko said
I looked around Zuko to see that pirates holding Aang and Sokka, who are tied up. Sokka is the one struggling.
"Sokka." I said
Sokka stopped struggling and looked at me.
"Kida." Sokka said
"Aang, this is all my fault." Katara said
"No Katara, it isn't." Aang said
"Yeah, it kind of is." Iroh said
"Give me the boy." Zuko said
"You give us the scroll." the captain said
"You're really gonna hand over the Avatar for a stupid piece of parchment?" Sokka asked
"Don't listen to him, he's trying to turn us against each other." Zuko said
"Your friend is the Avatar?" the captain asked
"Sure is, and I'll bet he'll fetch a lot more on the black market than that fancy scroll." Sokka said
"Shut your mouth, you Water Tribe peasant." Zuko said
"Yeah, Sokka, you really should shut your mouth." Aang said
"Keep the scroll, we can buy a hundred with the reward we'll get for the kid." the captain said
"You'll regret breaking a deal with me." Zuko said
Zuko let go of my wrist and two of his soldiers send a blast of fire at the pirates. The pirates jump back and Oh runs out, throwing smoke bombs and jumping into the cloud as the fight ensues. Some of the soldiers run out to Sokka and Aang, who are struggling with their ropes, but are stopped by several pirates. I run over to Katara and burn the ropes.
"Come on lets go find the others." Katara said
She runs to join the fight. Aang is shown lost in the smoke, a thrown knife narrowly misses him and cuts through his ropes. Zuko finds his way out of the smoke cloud and hides the scroll behind his back, but the pirate captain sees him and the two begin to fight. The scroll flies into the air and his caught by Momo, the iguana parrot sees him and hits Momo. The scroll flies back down to the ground. A knife narrowly misses Sokka's head, and he uses it to cuts the ropes on his hands
"Aang, are you there?" Sokka asked
"I'm over here. Follow my voice." Aang said
"Where? I can't find you." Sokka said
"I'm right here…Never Mind, I'll find you…Run." Aang said
"Help me get this boat back in the water so we can get outta here." Katara said
I run over to them.
"Are you coming with us?" Sokka asked
"I'll catch up. Go." I said
"We'd need a team of rhinos to budge this ship." Sokka said
"A team of rhions, or two waterbenders." Aang said
Aang and Katara get the pirate ship loose. They all get in. I run over to Iroh.
"Are you so busy fighting you cannot see your own ship has set sail?" Iroh asked
"It's not a proverb." Iroh said
"Bleeding hog monkeys." the pirate captain said
Zuko laughs while pointing at him. His laughter dissipates as the pirated hijack his own boat. The pirates taunt him.
"Hey! That's my boat." Zuko yelled
"Maybe it should be a proverb…" Iroh said
"C'mon, Uncle, Kida." Zuko said
We ran on the river bed, following the pirates who were following the Avatar. We can see the pirates fighting, Sokka, Aang and Katara. We see both boats go over the river. We got to edge of what is a waterfall. I see three of them on Appa at the bottom of the waterfall.
"Prince Zuko, you're really going to get a kick out of this. That lotus tile was in my sleeve the whole time." Iroh said
I turn to them, smile. I take two steps up to Zuko. I take a deep breath the I kiss him. While he is stunned I, waved to Iroh turned and then dived off the side of the waterfall. I slow and gracefully land on Appa. Appa then flies off. I get pulled into a hug.
"Glad to know I was missed." I said
Something lands on my shoulder, I turn my head to see a animal on my shoulder.
"Who and what is on my shoulder?" I asked
"This is Momo, my flying lemur." Aang said
"Okay." I said
"Aang, I still owe you an apology. You were just so good at waterbending without really trying. I got so competitive that I put us all in danger, I'm sorry." Katara said
"That's okay Katara." Aang said
"Besides, who needs that stupid scroll anyway?" Katara asked
"Is that really how you feel?" Sokka asked
Sokka then pulls then scroll out from behind his back.
"The scroll." Katara said
Sokka puts his hand in front to keep Katara from grabbing it.
"First, what did you learn?" Sokka asked
"Stealing is wrong. (snatches scroll) Unless it's from pirates." Katara said
"Good one, Katara. And Kida welcome back." Aang said
"But I have to say one thing." Sokka said
We all looked at him.
"Please get rid off the fire nation clothes you have on." Sokka said
We all broke up laughing.
- - - - - Time Skip and Zuko's Pov - - - - -
She kissed me. I can't believe she kissed me. Once back on the boat , I went straight to my room and found the note she left me.
Zuko.
I'm sorry. I wanted to stay longer, but I missed my family. I liked spending time with you. I liked learning moves from you both firebending and hand-to-hand. We will most likely see each other again seeing as my sister and brother are with the Avatar and your chasing him. I took my necklace with me, but I left my sister's in hopes you will do the right thing and give it back her and NOT using it to tack the Aang. And I hope that what you said before Kyoshi is still true, and that you won't be mad at me. I also hope your not mad about me kissing you. I've wanted to do it since you gave me the necklace.
See you later, Kida
P.S I know that you are thinking, why see you later and not goodbye. So I never say goodbye because saying goodbye means going away, and going away means forgetting.
I folded up the note, I looked over to where she had been sleeping. And I cried. I heard my door open and I felt arms I looked up to see Iroh.
"She's gone." I said
"I know. Don't worry we will see her again." Iroh said
"When we see her again. I'll bring her back and I won't let her leave." I said
Iroh didn't say anything. He just sat there, hugging me.
