The Trouble with Fire
Ch.7: On That Day...
Zuko X OC
disclaimer: I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender. I own my OC
It was considerable time before the pirates returned with the avatar and the boy from the water tribe. "Hand him over and you'll get your scroll.", Zuko said as he started walking over towards them. "Hand over the scroll and we'll release him.", the captain answered back. Fang frowned, she knew dealing with pirates was going to prove to be a hassle. "Wait! You're seriously going to hand over the Avatar for a stupid piece of paper?", the water tribe boy asked, bewildered.
"Don't listen to him! He's trying to turn us against each other!", Zuko yelled, pointing at him. Fang had to admit the water tribe boy was smart, trying to pit the two dealing parties against each other was probably the best way to get out of the situation they were in.
The captain adjusted his hat and turned back to the Avatar. "Your young friend is the Avatar? Keep the scroll. We'll take the kid to the Fire Lord and be set for life.", the Captain said waving his hand at Zuko.
"You'll regret breaking a deal with me.", Zuko threatened as he sent a fireball toward the group of pirates. Fang sighed, she knew it was going to come down to this. Her hands came up to drop her coat off her shoulders so she could fight easier. The pirate that had ushered her in from the very start came straight at her, he threw a smoke grenade at the ground making her eyes water.
She leaned back, dodging one of this swords that came straight for her neck. Fang quickly ran out of the smoke so she could see where her opponent was. This pirate was unskilled, she could tell. He slashed wildly not really trying to hit his target. Fang threw a fireball at him wanting to make him stop slashing wildly. Her plan worked and she took advantage of it.
She kicked the mans feet from under him and held his arm in her hands. She yanked hard as the man hit the ground, dislocating his shoulder. The pirate yelled in pain as she stepped on the back of his knee. Generally, she hated being this violent, it wasn't in her nature but it couldn't be helped.
Placing all her weight on the back of his knee, she stomped down as hard as she could till she heard a crack. The pirate yelled in pain again as she jumped off of him, wanting to get away. She didn't want to see what she had done to another human being.
Her eyes frantically searched for Zuko in the smoke. She could hear the captain yelling something that was incoherent to her. She made her way through the smoke toward his voice, more then likely he had engaged in a battle with Zuko.
She ran into something hard that almost knocked her back onto her behind. Her eyes focused on the avatar before her. He stared up at her not certain if she would attack or not. Fang's eyes darted around to make sure no one would see her.
She wrapped her arms around the Avatar's shoulders, feeling him stiffen under her touch. "Run, I will keep Zuko's attention on the pirates. Go, hurry!", she whispered sharply, letting him go. The avatar seemed to not know how to answer but quickly turned and ran way from the group, heading towards the pirate ship that had been docked on the beach for hours. If anything, she just wanted him to get away.
A day had passed since their meet with the pirates. The avatar had successfully got away from the pirates and from Zuko. As a result Zuko had been in a bad mood lately. They had lost a small ship and the Avatar. Zuko, not surprisingly, had decided to place the blame on his uncle for wanting to go to Ports of Call in the first place.
Fang sat on the deck, sipping a cup of warm jasmine tea with Iroh who was staring up at the sky. Her fur coat wrapped around her shoulders to keep her warm from the crisp morning sea air. Her hair was picked up into a high ponytail which let the end strands of her hair brush against her collar and shoulders.
"There's a storm coming. A big one.", Iroh said, still starring up at the clear blue sky. Fang eyes looked up at the sky as well. It didn't seem at all like it was going to rain but.. she had never known Iroh to be bad at predicting weather. "You're out of your mind, Uncle! The weather is perfect! There's not a cloud in sight.", Zuko stated.
"A storm is approaching from the North. I suggest we alter our course and head Southwest.", Iroh said, resting his hands in his sleeves. "We know the Avatar is heading North so we will do the same.", Zuko answered, shaking his head.
Iroh sighed. "Prince Zuko.. consider the safety of the crew. Fang slowly stood and walked toward him. "My Prince, it might not be good to head towards this storm.. after all the ship was just repaired.", Fang stated trying to convince Zuko. Her dark hair blew behind her as she walked. "The safety of the crew doesn't matter!", Zuko yelled making a guard turn his head.
Fang cringed and took a step back. That was not something she wanted the other guards to hear let alone the Lieutenant. He glared at Zuko, making Zuko glare back. "Capturing the Avatar is far more important then any individuals safety.", Zuko stated getting very close to the guard and then walked into one of the cabins. Iroh frowned.
"He doesn't mean that... he's just all worked up.", Iroh said trying to calm the guard. Fang nodded and gave an apologetic smile to him, following Zuko into the cabin. "My Prince, please... I don't want the crew to get upset with you. If they start not respecting you then they won't work as hard for you.", Fang pleaded, placing a hand on her husbands back. "Not now, Fang.", Zuko stated, a little irritation in his voice. "Zuko...", Fang whispered as she sat next to him, leaning her body against him.
"Please tell me what's wrong.", she asked, resting her head on his shoulder. "I let the Avatar get away...", Zuko whispered, feeling low about himself. "Zuko... don't allow the pressure that your father put on you to affect you.
Zuko said nothing but turned away from her, they sat their silent for a little while before Fang reached over and touched his cheek with her soft hand. "My prince...", she whispered, placing a kiss on his lips. She saw Zuko's shoulders relax as he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer.
A smile formed on Fang's lips as Zuko ran his fingers along her side, reaching for the bottom of her dress. He hiked it up slowly, his fingers dancing across her legs. "My prince, we shouldn't.", she said, a smile prevalent through her words. Zuko frowned and let go of her. "Fine. Be ready in your cabin later though.", Zuko ordered, turning back to the window.
Fang stepped out of the cabin, Zuko following behind her. She gasped softly when she saw the gray clouds not far from them towards the North. Iroh had been right... there was a large storm and they were heading right for it. "Well... well.. it looks like your uncle was right about the storm after all..", one of the guards said.
Fang turned her head to see it was the Lieutenant that Zuko had gotten into a confrontation earlier. "Lucky guess!", Iroh said, shrugging. "Lieutenant! You better learn some respect! Or I'll teach it to you", Zuko threatened, jabbing his finger into the lieutenants chest. Fang frowned and stood near Iroh.
This confrontation was going to escalate quickly unless someone stopped them. Fang shot a pleading look toward Iroh, silently asking him to diffuse the situation. "What do you know about respect?! The way you talk to everyone around here.. from your hard working crew, to your esteemed uncle and to your clearly patient wife.. shows you know nothing about respect.", he said pointing to each one of them.
Fang's eyes widened as she stared at the lieutenant. "You only care about yourself! Then again... what should I expect from a spoiled Prince...", the lieutenant finished. Zuko turned around and got into an offensive stance just as the lieutenant had. This situation had gotten out of hand quickly.
"Easy now...", Iroh said stepping towards them. Zuko and the Lieutenant slammed there forearms together, ready to duel any second. Iroh quickly stepped in and separated both of them. "Enough! We're all a bit tired from being out at sea so long.
I'm sure after a bowl of noodles, everyone would feel much better. Zuko turned and walked toward the tip of the ship. "I don't need your help keeping order on my ship.", Zuko said angrily. Iroh placed a hand on Zuko's shoulder but Zuko brushed it off and kept walking toward the tip of the ship. Fang sighed and went inside the hall, the rain was just starting to begin and she didn't want to mess up her hair.
Fang walked alongside Iroh on their way to have a cup of tea together. She had dressed in a long red tea dress for the evening. She hadn't really dressed to go have tea with Iroh but more for Zuko later on that night. Their shoes made soft metal clank with each step as the rain gently landed on the metal roof above. The only sound that could be heard was rain hitting metal.
"Ugh! I'm sick of taking orders from that guy and I'm sick of chasing his avatar. He's a spoiled Prince!", a voice grumbled making Iroh and Fang turn their heads. "I think the crew is at their breaking point, Iroh.", Fang whispered to him. "I suppose we should go down and try to diffuse the situation.", Iroh sighed as they changed their course to the direction of the voice. She could tell it was the lieutenants voice as they got closer.
"I mean who does Zuko think he is?!". By that point Iroh had heard enough. "Would you really want to know?", Iroh asked. "General Iroh! We were just-" "It's okay.", Iroh assured him, holding his hands. The lieutenant's eyes landed on Fang who was following behind Iroh.
"Lady Fang, please.. we meant no disrespect.", the lieutenant stammered out. "May we join you?", Iroh asked as they both walked down the steps. "Of course, sir", the lieutenant said as he brought out a stool for both of them. Fang fanned out the skirt of her dress and sat on the stool. Her eyes scanned over the soldiers in front of her. They looked discouraged, tired and angry.
Fang set her hands in her lap and breathed out a sigh. "I know my husband... doesn't handle his crew in the best way; however, try to understand that he has been through much.", Fang said, meeting the eyes of the Lieutenant. "My nephew has a complicated past.", Iroh agreed.
Fang walked down the hall with Ursa. "I think this is the right decision, don't you think so, Fang? I'm sure Zuko will be happy when he hears the news.", Ursa said, a large smile spreading across her lips. Fang nodded and smiled back up at her.
"If it means I will be able to stay friends with Zuko forever then I am happy.", she answered. Ursa set a gentle hand on her head. "You'll be more then a friend. Of course, being a wife is also about being a friend but you will also help Zuko make important decisions, help him lead the nation and have children together.". Fang made a face. "That doesn't sound fun.", Fang said, pouting a little.
Ursa was about to reply back but stopped when she heard her son's voice. "Let me in!", Zuko demanded as he looked up at two guards standing in front of the curtain acting as a door. Fang turned her tilted her head to the side to look up at Ursa.
"Why does Zuko want to be there? All they talk about is boring stuff.", Fang said, scowling a little. Ursa smiled. "He's preparing himself to be a good leader, Fang. And you will soon be doing the same.", she answered, petting the young girls head.
His uncle came behind Zuko and placed his hands on the boys shoulders. "Prince Zuko, what's wrong?", he asked, concerned. "I want to go into the war chamber but the guards won't let me in.", Zuko said, pointing at each of the guards.
"You're not missing anything. Trust me. These meetings are dreadfully boring.", Iroh said, leading Zero away from the room toward Fang and Ursa. "Mother, Fang, what are you doing here?", Zuko asked, as his eyes landed on both of them.
"We were discussing a good match for you, Zuko", Ursa stated smiling down at him. "And I think Fang is a good choice.", she finished. Fang blushed a little. She didn't know much about marriage or running a country but... Ursa said she would teach her when she got older.
Zuko's eyes landed on Fang then back to his mother. "Fang's going to be my wife? But we're just friends.", Zuko said, slightly confused. Ursa smiled. "Yes and that's a good base to start with. We will talk about it more when you two are older", she assured Zuko.
"Mother, they won't let me into the war chamber! They won't let me pass!", Zuko scowled, changing the subject."If I'm going to rule this nation one day... don't you think I need to start leaning as much as I can?", Zuko asked, hope still in his eyes. Iroh sighed.
"Very well... but you must promise not to speak. These old folks are a bit insensitive, you know. ", Iroh stated, putting a firm hand on Zuko's shoulder. Fang felt a sense of nervousness come over her. Zuko was bossy... she couldn't imagine him being able to stay quiet. "Thank you, Uncle!", Zuko said, as he bowed.
Fang watched as Zuko slipped into the room, fear still filling her stomach. "Why don't you go play outside with Azula?", Ursa suggested, giving Fang a push toward the hallway that lead out to a grassy lawn and a fountain. Fang nodded and smiled, she didn't exactly like Azula... she was too bossy and always wanted to win but she didn't dislike her either.
"As you can imagine... Zuko didn't stay quiet through the meeting. The Firelord said that his outburst was a complete action of disrespect towards the General... and there was only one way to settle it.", Iroh stated. "Agni Kai. A fire duel.", the Lieutenant answered.
Iroh nodded making Fang frown more. "That's right. Zuko looked upon the old general that he had insulted and declared that he was not afraid but Zuko misunderstood. When he turned to face his opponent... he was surprised to see that it was not the general but his father. It was his father whom he had disrespected for speaking out in the Firelords war chambers.", Iroh stated.
Fang closed her eyes, remembering the day she was forced to be in the audience of that Agni Kai. She hated to remember any of it. She had never seen a fire bender burn another fire bender.. let alone a father to a son. She remembered looking at Azula who was sitting next to her, a huge smile was plastered on her face. To this day.. she still couldn't understand why Azula smiled the way she did. Fang sighed.
"My husband pleaded with his father to not have to duel him... but the firelord had made up his mind. Zuko was right, he had the Fire Nation best interest in mind but he had made a mistake by speaking out.", Fang said, wrapping her arms around herself. "No matter how many times Zuko stated that he was the Fire lords loyal son... the Fire lord would have none of it."
"A father and son dueling... I don't know how I would react in that situation.", the Lieutenant said. "My husband refused to duel his father... and so the Fire lord decided that suffering would be his punishment. Unfortunately, I couldn't look away as the Firelord shot a fireball right at his son. I watched my husband being burned. I will never be able to get that image... or his scream of pain out of my mind.", Fang said, holding back tears that started to fill her eyes.
Iroh put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't speak anymore Fang.. I know it's a difficult memory for you.", he reassured her. "I always thought... that Prince Zuko was in a training accident.", the Lieutenant admitted.
"It was no accident... after the duel... the Firelord said that by refusing to fight, Zuko had shows shameful weakness. As punishment... he was banished and sent to capture the Avatar. Only then he could return home.", Iroh said. The Lieutenant stared at the ground.
"So that's why he's so obsessed.. the Avatar is his only chance of things returning to normal. On that day... everything changed for us. At first I thought I was having a nightmare, that at some point I would wake up... but it's been many years.. and I still haven't awoken from it.", Fang stated, meeting eyes with the Lieutenant. Fang shook her head slightly.
"Things will never return to normal, Lieutenant... but the important thing is … the Avatar gives my husband hope."
End of Ch.7
