-2 Days later: Near The North Pole-
"G-g-goodn-ness, its ss-so c-c-c-cold," Arie said, shivering and rubbing her arms.
"Don't blame me for you not packing anything warm, besides, you're a firebender," Zuko said.
"T-the w-w-waterb-bending stops t-that from h-helping m-m-me," she said.
"N-not m-my f-f-f-fault," Zuko mimicked, meanly.
He walked away leaving Arie there(its colder below deck since so one is down there.)
"Prince Zuko, if she gets sick, you'll only have yourself to blame," Iroh said.
"She'll be fine," Zuko said.
-1 hour later-
Arie was huddled in a coner of the deck. Zuko went over to her.
"Whats wrong with you now?" he asked.
As Arie tried to get up, Zuko noticed her eyes going in and out of focus.
"Arie?" he said again.
He caught her as she fainted into his arms.
"Oh, great...UNCLE IROH!"
He picked up the girl, bridal style, and walked to his uncle.
"What am I supposed to do with her?" Zuko asked.
"Keep her warm, I don't think she is sick, just almost frozen," Iroh said.
"And how do you suggest I do that?"
"Find the warmest thing you can."
Iroh walked away from his nephew. Zuko looked at the limp girl in his arms.
-She is lighter than I thought she'd be.- Zuko thought.
He went below deck and sat down in his room on the bed with her on his lap. He started thinking.
-The warmest thing on the ship is the engine, but that would kill her. I guess...oh...great.-
Zuko lay Arie down on his bed as he lit a few candles around the room and took off his armor. He then sat down and put her back on his lap, wrapping a blanket around them both and holding her close.
"Trust me, I still loathe you!" Zuko said to the unconsicious girl.
Arie found herself in Zuko's arms the next morning. She was on his lap, which made it worse.
"ZUKO!" she screamed and slapped him.
"OW! Is that what I get for helping you not get sick and wind up dying?!" Zuko exclaimed, now awake and rubbing his sore cheek.
He had fallen onto his side on the bed, Arie on top of him.
"What do you mean?" she said, punching his chest multiple times
"Eck! You fainted on deck last night," Zuko said," From the cold."
He caught her fists and pulled her down onto himself.
"Let me go!"
"Not till you apologize and say thank you," Zuko snickered.
"Never," she hissed, trying to wiggle free.
She could only move her waist because of the good grip he had on her arms.
-WHY WHY WHY??? Can't he be a weakling??!!-
"Let go!"
"No."
Zuko's eyes widened as she accidently bucked her waist into his. She then shifted, trying to get free.
"Don't move that way," Zuko growled.
Arie smirked and shifted her hips again.
"I said, "DON'T!"!" Zuko hissed.
Arie felt something on her leg...
No...way... she thought.
Arie stared at him in shock.
"I told you not to."
Arie tried to pull her arms away, but Zuko was too strong. She then did the last thing she could think of. She kneed him where it hurt the most.
"Oh, crap!" he said, letting go of her.
Arie jumped off the bed. As she was about to run out the door to the deck, she stopped. Zuko was muttering bloody murder. Arie sighed and sat down next to him on the edge of the bed.
"Didn't your parents ever tell you not to do that to men?" Zuko muttered.
"No, not really..."
"Why you little b-" Zuko started.
"Shhh..." Arie said, putting a finger to his lips," Just relax."
Zuko muttered some profanities under his breath.
"There, that a good little prince," Arie teased.
"Oh, yeah, I'll "little prince" you if-"
He didn't finish because the ship tilted roughly, knocking him onto the floor on top of Arie, just as a soldier walked in.
"Prince Zuko, a-Did I interrupt something?" he asked, wide eyed.
Suko and Arie were in a questionable postition. Zuko was pretty much straddling her hips and her hands here on his chest, truthfully trying to puch him off.
"No! If you didn't notice, the ship tilted," Zuko said, getting off her.
"Oh, right! Ahem, well, your father requests that you come home immediatly," the soldier said," It says Miss Arie is to accompany you."
"Very well," Zuko said, slightly surprised.
The soldier bowed and quickly left.
-1 week later: In the Fire Nation-
"Why in the world does my father want me home?" Zuko said.
"Probably to gice you some bad news," Iroh said.
Zuko was once again in the tower with his uncle. Zuko was watching Arie, again. She was on the deck looking at the coming dock.
"I wouldn't doubt you're correct, Uncle," Zuko said, going down to the deck.
He went and stood next to Arie at the railing of the ship.
"I never thought I'd come back here," she said, quietly.
"I didn't think I would either," Zuko said.
"I figured out the reason why you're so keen on capturing the Avatar," Arie stated.
Zuko looked at her.(Its times like thoses where the guys only just notice the height difference between the girl and themselves.)
"So why do I?" he asked, testily.
"For the same reason why I tried to be the best girl fighter my dad had ever seen. Just hoping for a sign of love," she said," I only found out my dad truely loved me when it was too late. Prince Zuko, I best your dad loves you...deep down. Maybe he just doesn't want to seem weak at all."
Zuko stared at the unbelieveably intelligent girl. She looked up at him and smiled You know "". Arie had her hand on his this whole time and neither had noticed...until just then. They quickly withdrew their hands. Both of them blushed. Just then, the ship docked.
"Well, lets get ready to see what he wants," Zuko said, seriously.
-About 20 minutes later-
A servant was leading Zuko and Arie through the palace.
"Your father requests that the lady stay with you in your old room, Prince Zuko," the servant said.
When they reached the room, the servant was aobut to leave.
"You both are to have dinner at 6:00," the servant said," The lady shall find some nice dresses that were placed in the closet."
The servant then left. Arie sat on the bed.
"What is my father up to?" Zuko said, more to himself.
"Maybe he missed you?" Arie suggested," I mean, your sister isn't the nicest thing in the world..."
"I didn't ask you," he snapped.
"Then think to yourself," Arie sniffed.
"Why did he have to stick us in the same room?" Zuko said, angrily," I already have to deal with you staying in my room on the ship...NOW HERE!!"
"But here. There is only 1-" Arie started.
"You might want to go get dressed," Zuko said, cutting her off.
"Hn, fine," she said, getting up.
She went into the closet and found a red dress. After a quick bath, she slipped into the dress, brushed out her hair, and walked back to the bedroom. Zuko stared at her for a bit. He had cahnged into another outfit. She grinned.
"Like it?" she asked, twirling around for him.
"No, I hate it, now lets go," he smirked.
He grabbed her arm.
"OW! You liar..."
When they reached the dining room, Zuko's fater was waiting for them.
"Lady Arie," he said, bowing as she entered before Prince Zuko," How wonderful to see you again after these long years."
He took her had and kissed it, making Zuko almost gag.
"It is wonderful to see you in fine heatlh, Lord Ozai," Arie said in an enchantingly sweet voice.
Lord Ozai turned to Zuko. Zuko bowed.
"F-Father, it is good to see you again," he said, nervously.
"Prince Zuko," he said, bowing slightly," Well, lets eat."
-After Dinner-
"Now, I have a matter to discuss with you both," he said.
Arie and Zuko exchanged glances.
"Arie, your father and I, since you were little, had talked about you getting married," he continued," It was decided that at age 18, you'd marry my son, Prince Zuko."
The dining room went silent. Zuko stiffened and Arie's eyes had widened. Arie slowly rose out of her seat, bowed slightly, and ran off quickly. Zuko started to get up to go after her, but he looked at his father.
"Why did you choose for her?" Zuko asked, angrily," And for me?"
"Knowing you, you would not marry if it were your choice," he said," This ismy bidding and you WILL obey it."
Zuko bowed angrily and left. He saw his uncle by the staircase.
"You knew about this didn't you?" Zuko accused.
"Sadly, yes, I did," he said," I was sworn to secrecy though."
"Ahh!" Zuko growled," Where did that girl get to?"
"Upstairs," Iroh said," I suggest you don't call your future wife that..."
Zuko ran up the stairs to the bedroom.
"Okay, where are you?!" Zuko called.
"Here," he heard Arie say weakly.
It came from the balcony. Zuko went onto the balcony to find Arie on the ground crying.
"Oh, get up and stop being a weakling," Zuko said.
Arie brushed away her tears.
"Can't you call it off?" she asked.
"No, and I'm not gonna try," he said," If this is what my father wants, then so be it."
Arie's anger flared. She got up off the ground.
"You think doing everything your father says will make him love you?" she shouted," Well, it won't, you insolent brat! No one could love you because of your stupid pride! I HATE YOU!"
Arie slapped him so hard, he fell on the ground, face stingingm and a bright red handprint stuck on his face. Arie stormed off into the room and slammed the balcony door. Zuko was hurt. More than just because of his face. He knew what she said was probably true. Her hating him was an obvious fact.
"Arie! Wait," Zuko called through the door," Can we talk about this?"
He tried to open the door, but she had locked it and him out. Zuko sighed. He knew he probably was spending the night on the balcony.