11th of July

Fire Lord Taishi 25

Year of the Sun

Three hours before noon

I awoke this morning feeling for once throughly awake. It appears my excitement has driven away my homesickness...one emotion will often drive out another. I intend to throughly explore this ship before breakfast so that in the future I will know where everything is. Then after breakfast I shall train..perhaps Mielia will join me...if she's allowed.

If she's allowed...it's awful to say that. I haven't said that since we were ten but it's true. Mielia isn't home anymore and she has the facade to keep up. Anyway I'm sure she will...after all every girl in the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation alike have to train in some method of self defence if they cannot bend...or at least the noble ones do.

Maybe I'll find Lee too...say I wonder if he's an airbender? Maybe...just maybe I can challenge him. It will most likely be the most competition I'll get.

Either Lee or Shinji...

Shinji is still three years away from mastering Fire-bending but he's still quite good...but I don't want to seriously hurt my brother.

I'd love to challenge Prince Sozin! My fathers face if he recieved word I seriously burned the face of a potential suitor! Then again...as much as it pains me to say this...Prince Sozin is probably better..but only because he recieved full training!

Anyway he'd probably be with Mayleen.

One hour afternoon

I am proud to say that I can now navigate my way throughly around this ship. The lower levels are for the servants and cooks and such like. Then the middle levels is divided into practical rooms such as lounges, dinning rooms, training arenas and an arts room which had a grand piano.

The upper levels are private rooms like Princess Mayleens and Prince Sozins and all other manner of noblitiy including myself.

Unfortunately for breakfast I was forced to dine with the Bei Fongs and other Earth Kingdom nobles whom I'll not bother to name. I was the only Fire Nation guest in attendance.

They started a conversation about the army...I think it was between some Earth Kingdom general name Xiun and another noble. Anyway they started off about training the new recruits and then it went on to their abilities until finally some nobles wife ( a pompous old woman) asked if their had been any female recruits.

They laughed! They laughed as though it was an amusing joke! I really think the Fire Nation of all places has the best woman rights. Some women if skilled enough are allowed in our army.

Tis not a womans place yawned an old noble.

Nonense, my Mielia was trained in combat were you not my dear? Asked Lord Bei Fong. I could see Mielia's jaw tighten. I knew she would quite like to use her training on everyone present save me but she replied in a forced voice;

Yes husband, every noble child is required to learn defence.

Ah laws are different in that Nation are they not Lady Maeko? Said General Xiun rounding on me.

Yes I think they are. However our laws are more fitting. If a woman is better than a man at bending or fighting why should she not be given the right to help her country? I myself am adapt in Firebending. Some may presume this a useless talent for I am likely to marry in a few years but I do not see it as so. I intend to put my talent to use, I said proudly.

Some men stared with interest but General Xiun chuckled in amusement.

Fire has no use save destruction. It is not like Water which may heal or Earth which may build. Fire can only destroy. My Lady I cannot see you in a situation where you may ever need to destroy.

I was burning inside. I wanted to destroy him!

Perhaps not General but Fire is destructive but only in the wrong hands. You say Fire has no other purpose? This ship is moving because of our fire. Your homes are kept warm by our fire and you are able to eat hot meals thanks also to Fire I finished.

I think that stunned them. Anyway I left with Mielia soon after and asked if she wished to train with me.

With that we went to the training arena and I changed into a black uniform made of a loose material that isn't easily flamiable but still very comfy. I tied my hair into a messy ponytail and began.

I could hear Mielia venting her frustrations by swing her legs up into many agile high kicks. I felt pity...and sadness but I couldn't focus on that. I had to focus on my breathing.

I went through most of my usual excerises. Some gentle kicks and punches before I tried doing fire whips ( my favourite bending move)

Well after an hour and a half we stopped and I noticed a man watching us. He was robed in a uniform similar to that of a Captain and his sleek raven hair was tied back and bound in a topknot. His face had a few lines but he had a strong jaw. I recognised him as Yu Shing...the Princes Master!

I was mortified. I do not like bending in front of other masters least of all the Princes but he seemed to be smiling.

Not a bad formation but your technique could do with some practice he commented.

Thank you Master Yu Shing I said bowing.

Your breathing is dismal though he added.

I glowered. I felt both insulted and embarassed. I could see Mielia tense behind me.

With that we walked away and to my delight met Lee near the North Staircase.

He smiled at me before greeting me.

Lady Maeko...and of course Lady Mielia he said bowing to each of us in turn. His golden eyes twinkled but I could see a mix of grey in them. My heart flipped as he grinned childishly.

Mielia muttered in my ear, why don't you ask him?

I turned red afraid he'd heard but he showed no sign of hearing Mielia. I blushed as I asked...I do not know why I can stand up to Earth Kingdom Generals but not a simple boy whose inferior to me.

Lee...I forgot to ask you but are you a bender?

Yes...I get it from my mother but I'm afraid I'm not very skilled. She did not wish me to become a master and live in a temple so I learned off my uncle he smiled.

Oh...so I was wondering if maybe sometime...you'd wanttotrainwithme?

I sounded like an idoit saying it so fast but he still remained ignorant and smiled. He said he'd meet me tonight after dinner!

My insides are squirming...maybe I should cancel? Mielia tells me not to be so stupid. It's not like it's a courtship or anything. Most likely we'll be bruising each other...

but still...

Oh spirits!

Uh People Review. By the way this chapter is dedicated to Zapendits who has been a great support with this story x