The Trouble with Fire

Ch.8: The Blue Spirit

Zuko X OC

disclaimer: I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender. I own my OC


Fang slipped into Zuko's chambers and quietly shut the door behind her. "My Prince, are you still going to do this?", Fang whispered, watching Zuko slip a black shirt on. It was tight fitting and showed off his muscles.

"Zhoa has the Avatar.", he stated. Fang bit her bottom lip. "What if you get captured?", Fang asked. If Zuko got captured.. there's no doubt he would be killed. He was already marked as a traitor to the fire nation. If he was caught doing this... there's no telling what the Firelord would do to him.

"Fang this is my honor... my country... I can't lose it.", he stated, taking the dueling swords off the wall. Fang tried to not feel scared but she couldn't help it. Zuko was a much better firebender then he was a swordsman. "Let me come with you.", she stated. Zuko quickly turned to her. "No.".

"My prince, please. I want to help you.", Fang pleaded as she watched him place the mask over his face. "I said 'No', Fang.", Zuko said sternly, a little more irritated. Fang sighed and sat down on one of the cushions.

She watched as Zuko put on some boots of the same black color. He was going to need to be stealthy as to not get caught. "Don't leave without these.", Fang said, lifting her dress up to her thigh. She had a strap around her leg that was holding 5 throwing knives. She undid the buckle and handed it to Zuko.

"You won't be able to use fire bending while you are there so take these. You might need to defend yourself.", she stated. Zuko reached his hand out and took them. He then knelt down in front of her, pulled the mask off of his face and placed a kiss on her lips. "I'll be fine, Fang. Stop worrying.", he ordered. Zuko placed the mask back on and wrapped it around head tightly, making sure it wouldn't fall off as he slipped out of his chambers.

Fang stared at the now closed doorway for awhile, silently hoping he would just come back and forget this idea of breaking into the forest. Even if he got mad... she had to follow him. She just had to see with her own eyes that he would be okay.

She quickly got up and took off her dress, finding a black shirt and set of pants to wear. Unfortunately, she had nothing to cover her face but she supposed letting down her hair would do a good job of covering her pale skin. Reaching up, she undid the bun in her hair and let the long black hair spill out onto her shoulders. Fang left her dress on Zuko's bed and quickly slipped out the door and towards the docking ramp.


Fang stayed in the shadows of some trees, waiting anxiously for Zuko to return. She had disobeyed Zuko by following him but she couldn't help it. She needed to know he was okay. The alarm had been turned on for about fifteen minutes now. Zhao knew that the Avatar had escaped and she was sure he was using all his man power to keep him their at the fortress.

She saw the gates begin to open and Zuko coming out with the Avatar as his captive. He held both dueling swords to the boys neck. He was backing away slowly, watching all the guards as he walked back towards the forest.

The Avatar didn't seem scared it seemed... that had to have meant that Zuko didn't show the young boy who he was. Fang was about to call out Zuko's name and announce her presence when he suddenly fell back.

She heard a crack as something hit his mask with such velocity. "No!", she yelled, as Zuko hit the ground hard, his swords falling by his side. Fang quickly ran toward him, grabbing his shoulders. "Zuko. Zuko. Please stand up.", she begged, shaking him a little.

The Avatar looked back at her in disbelief. He was trying to process all of this information at once. "Please! Help me!", Fang yelled back at the Avatar as she saw the guards approaching. The Avatar seemed perplexed for a moment but he covered them in a dust cloud and grabbed Zuko on his shoulders.

"Hold my hand.", the Avatar said to her. She complied with his request and felt her legs being picked up from under her as they sped off into the forest, leaving Zhao, the guards and the fortress behind. They came to a clearing in the forest where they set Zuko down onto a bed of leaves. The young Avatar looked up at Fang as she knelt next to Zuko gently massaging his arm while he still laid unconscious.

"You helped us... before, on the ship.", Aang said. Fang looked up at the avatar. "Yes.", she answered back, a small smile on her lips. "Why?", he asked. "I will be honest with you, young Avatar. I do not wish for your capture. I believe in the balance of elements. There is no superior element. I am ashamed of our my nation acts towards the other elements.", Fang said, meeting the Avatars eyes.

Aang seemed surprised but said nothing. Fang gave him a warm smile. "You're going to find not all firebenders are bad, young Avatar. There are some of us, few and far in between, but we are good sometimes. Aang nodded. "You're the first one I've met.", he said, rolling his eyes making Fang giggle.

"I assure you.. I will do what I can to make sure you don't get captured.", Fang said, smiling at him. "Thanks.", Aang said, looking back at Zuko. "Are you two... related?", Aang asked hesitantly. Fang smiled and held Zuko's hand in hers. "He's my husband." The Avatars eyes widened. "You seem surprised?", Fang said, smiling.

"I just... I just never thought...", he said. Fang turned her eyes down to Zuko. "Believe it or not.. he has a caring side. You just haven't seen it.", she said. The Avatar nodded and slowly stood. "You know what the hard thing about being born over a hundred years ago is?", he asked her.

Fang shook her head. "I miss all the friends I use to hang out with.", he answered. "I can imagine. What my nation did to your people is unforgivable.", she said. "Before the war started, I used to always visit my friend. We'd get in and out of so much trouble. He was one of the best friends I ever had... and he was from the fire nation just like you two.", he said.

"Those were different times.", Fang whispered as the boy stood. "I know...I should be going, I need to be getting back to my friends and... before he wakes up.", he said as he jumped into a tree. Fang nodded and waved her hand. "Goodbye, Avatar.", she said as he disappeared into the trees. She turned back to Zuko who was starting to wake up.

"My prince? Are you okay?", she whispered, caressing Zuko's face. "What... happened?", Zuko asked, wincing a little. "The Avatar saved us both.", she whispered. Zuko's eyes widened. "What?", he asked again, not believing her. "I pleaded with him to help you and he did. The young boy has a very kind heart. But that's not important right now.", she answered, caressing Zuko's face.

"I was so worried.", Fang said, as she placed her lips on Zuko's. She held his face while she kissed him, all her worry pooling out into one kiss. She pulled away slowly and looked back at his warm eyes. "I told you not to be.", he whispered back to her.

"It couldn't be helped.", she said as he sat up. Zuko slowly stood, using the tree to help him walk. "We should return back to the ship. My uncle will be wondering where we went.", Zuko stated. Fang slowly stood and walked beside him, holding him up a little for support.


Days had passed since they had escaped Zhao's grasp, barely. They had docked at a nearby port, once again, trying to locate the avatar. Fang sat on the deck of the ship, dressed in a long gown with a fur coat to keep her warm. The Lieutenant was playing the pipa. It sounded much better then the Tsungi horn. He played well, it was a sad sound but soothing.

Iroh was singing "Four Seasons" which happened to be one of her favorite songs. Zuko had refused to come up to the deck and attend "music night" on the ship. She wished he would at least try to enjoy it but it seemed like he never would. "I hate to interrupt your little party."

Fang's eyes widened. That voice. She knew that voice. Zhao. She turned quickly to see Zhao standing near the ramp that connected them to the dock. "General Iroh, Lady Fang. Pleasure to see you both.", he said, trying to be polite. Fang said nothing and just met his eyes.

"I'm taking your crew. I need them for a little expedition to the North Pole. Fang raised an eyebrow. "The northern water tribe?", she asked. She could not believe it. Had the fire nation decided to attack the northern water tribe? If they did... that would be the end of almost all the water benders. Fear clenched her heart. Zuko heard the commotion and came up on deck.

"What's going on?", he demanded. Zuko was dressed in pants and a tank top. The color of maroon and orange trimming looked good on his pale skin. "I'm taking your crew. I can't have you getting in the way while I try to capture the Avatar.", Zhao stated, his arms folded behind his back.

"Uncle Iroh and Lady Fang, you are welcome on my ship.", Zhao said, as he exited back down onto the dock. Fang frowned and wrapped her coat around her tighter, she didn't even know what to say. She could see her husband was absolutely furious and he had a right to be.

The crew hesitantly started leaving the ship, they didn't have a choice at this point. There's nothing they could do. She watched sadly as all of Zuko's hard work left the dock. Zuko retired to his chambers, slamming the door behind him. Fang turned to Iroh, not sure of what to do. She felt helpless.

"Iroh.. what do we do..", Fang whispered, shock still written all over her face. "We'll figure it out but for now.. let's check on my nephew.", he said. Fang nodded as they went down the stairs toward Zuko's chambers. "He must feel so betrayed...", Fang said, biting her bottom lip.

Iroh said nothing as they approached the door to her husband's room. He pushed the door open and peeked his head in. Zuko was laying on the bed, staring angrily up at the ceiling with his arms crossed over his chest. "The crew wanted to wish you safe travels", Iroh stated hesitantly.

"Good riddance to those traitors!", Zuko yelled, not looking at Fang or his uncle. "It's a lovely night for a walk. Why don't you join us? It would clear your head", Iroh suggested, trying to brighten Zuko's spirits.

Zuko said absolutely nothing and stood up from the bed, his hands balled into fists. "My Prince, please come with us. It might help you.", Fang said as she walked up to him and played with the fire nation emblem clasp that held his coat together. Zuko continued to say nothing.

"Or just stay in your room and stay in the dark. Whatever makes you happy.", Iroh sighed, shutting the door behind him. Fang turned and looked back at Zuko. "I know you're upset My Prince but.. please, we will figure it out.", Fang whispered, pressing her lips to Zuko's.

He stayed still but kissed her back. She could still feel the anger radiating off of him as she pulled away. She gave him a sad smile,turned and slowly stepped back and started walking down the hall towards the stairs so they could get back up to the dock. She had hoped Zuko would join them but no such luck.

She walked down with Iroh onto the pier, keeping her fur coat close to her. There was a windchill in the air, if it was one thing she hated.. she hated being cold. "What are we going to do, Iroh? I just don't know where to begin.", Fang whispered.

"Do not trouble yourself Fang, what we need right now is to find a crew. Then we will take it from there.", he said. Fang bit her bottom lip. Iroh was always able to stay relaxed even in the most intense of situations. It was definitely a trait she admired in him.

"Iroh, why is Zhao getting involved in capturing the Avatar? He never seemed interested before.", Fang asked, folding her arms and hands inside her sleeves. "I think Zhao did not believe the Avatar existed till he saw proof.", Iroh said, looking out toward the snowy mountains.

"It is hard to believe that the Avatar is still alive after one hundred years.", Fang said, nodding her head a little. "The Avatar's return is a great relief... he will bring balance to the world.", Fang whispered making Iroh turn his head.

"I feel the same Fang. You don't have to say it.", Iroh said, putting a hand on her shoulder. Fang was surprised to hear that Iroh felt the same way as she did. Her thoughts were cut off when the ground suddenly shook and there was an earsplitting explosion. "Get down Fang!", Iroh yelled. She felt Iroh grab her and push her down onto the ground, covering her body with his.

She turned her head back to see what had caused the large explosion. Her eyes widened as she saw it was coming from the ship. "Zuko!", Iroh yelled as he got up off of Fang and ran towards the ship. Fang quickly followed, her heart was beating a mile a minute.

Why had the ship exploded? Had someone planted an explosive? Was Zuko okay? Had he realized something was wrong and got off the ship in time? He couldn't be dead. Not her husband. No. No. She wouldn't believe it.

Embers flew out of the ship and rained into the ocean below. Fire billowed out of the ship, far up into the sky. The ship was badly damaged as it started to sink into the ocean a little. Smoke rose from the ship in large gray clouds. Fang looked up towards them, silently begging for her husband's safely. She couldn't bare to lose him. She loved him more than anything in the world.


End of Ch.8