A/N: Hope this fight scene is better than the last. Don't worry, my story is almost done.

Disclaimer: I don't own avatar

Chapter 10: Agni Kai

Kalaya was talking with Ying about his family in the main room while the day passed. The strongman was the largest man she had ever seen with huge muscles and stood over a head taller than everyone else. He had brown hair and eyes and a face that looked like granite, but softened as soon as a smile started. His family was huge, and he had a tale to go with every one of them. She smiled as he told of his eldest niece who, wanting a pet, picked up a baby moose lion cub. Kalaya was distracted as a man came in and spoke to the innkeeper in excited tones.

"There's going to be an Agni Kai, a fire duel. Here, in Tu Lon at sunset between a prince and an admiral."

Kalaya overheard and saw the innkeeper glance her way before telling the man he couldn't see it, he just had too much to do. Kalaya got up and walked to him.

"I need to see the duel," she said when he turned to her.

"My lady, it would be safer for you to stay here."

"I really must insist."

"I must protest, my lady, it is far too dangerous."

"I can go with her," Ying said behind Kalaya. Ling frowned up at his strong man. "My brother Yang will be here in a few minutes, and I was thinking of watching it anyways."

"See," Kalaya said. "I'll be back afterwards with Ying. I trust him and know he can protect me if needed."

The innkeeper sighed and nodded. He would die if anything happened to her, but she was resolute to see the duel and Ying was with her. He had done everything he could.

Kalaya walked outside with Ying after being introduced to Yang, his twin brother. Ying led her to the square where many people had already gathered. She eased to the edge, by a stone fountain with a large fish spouting the water out so she could see better, and saw Kozu and Zow kneeling, backs turned towards each other at the edges of the square.

They were only wearing black pants and each had a red and gold cloth resting on their shoulders. An elder man was in the center, waiting, and Ying leaned down and whispered to Kalaya that it was the governor.

She turned her attention to Kozu, who Li was giving last minute advice to. The sun was resting just above the water when both men rose and turned, facing each other in fighting stances. They studied each other, waiting.

Kozu started by shooting fireballs at Zow. The admiral stood his ground, drew fire as he crossed his arms in front of his chest and thrust them downwards as the fireball hit, effectively blocking it. Zow returned fire, stepping confidently closer with each blast. Kozu blocked as Zow had, then sent a blast to Zow's right with his left hand. He jumped in quickly to Zow's left while the admiral blocked the first blast, kicking him in the side, and knocking him off balance.

Zow stumbled back, but quickly regained his balance and glowered at the prince, then roared and charged him, sending blast after blast with his fists. Kozu kept blocking, unable to do anything else and was pushed further and further back as Zow advanced.

"Come on Kozu," Kalaya whispered. Zow ducked down into his core before letting a large blast out and aimed at Kozu with both arms stretched out, palms open. Kozu put his arms up to block it, but it was too strong and it sent him flying back. He landed hard on his back and slid ten feet before coming to a stop. He struggled to rise as he saw the admiral walk up to him.

"Looks like you're still just a foolish boy," Zow sneered as he approached Kozu, readying his arm for a final blast.

"No!" Kalaya shouted. Zow was startled and looked over to his side and straight at Kalaya.

"You!" he roared and turned back to Kozu, fury on his face as he brought his fist down.

Kozu had seen Kalaya and seen Zow turn towards her. He grabbed Zow's hand before the fire had left and pulled him to the ground, hitting him as he rolled with him until he was upright. He sprang away and entered a fighting stance as Zow rolled and got up. Zow wiped his lip with the back of his hand and stared as he saw blood. He glowered at Kozu.

"You did it," he said in a low voice as he glared at the prince. "You're the thief."

"You're wrong," Kozu said. He jumped at Zow, kicking and hit him in the chest with fire, sending him back. He slid his foot towards Zow, sending more fire, making Zow jump backwards before spinning and sending a fireball, hitting Zow again in the chest. Zow fell onto his back and Kozu rushed forward, his right fist ready to give the final blow.

"You deserve to die for what you've done," Kozu said as he glared down at Zow. Zow looked into the princes' golden eyes, terrified.

"But you won't, not yet, not by my hand." Kozu stood up from his stance and turned his back on Zow, walking back to Li.

Kalaya was so happy, she wanted to run to Kozu, but held back. She glanced at Zow and saw him get up, and shoot a large fireball to Kozu's back. Li yelled and Kozu turned, but there was no way he would have blocked it in time.

Kalaya bent water from the fountain in the square to form an ice shield between the fireball and Kozu and sent the rest of the fountain water at Zow, sending him flying before freezing him against a shop.

She ran over to Kozu, making sure he was ok as he got up. He had been blown off his feet from the shock of the blast hitting the ice. Kalaya helped him up before hugging him tightly.

"What are you doing here? I told you to stay at the inn," he said as he looked down at her holding him, slightly irritated.

"I couldn't, I had to see. Besides, you needed me just now."

Kozu separated himself from her and held her at arms' length. She had the beginning of tears in her eyes, so he smiled softly and brought her close for a kiss.

"I'll get you, you thief!" Zow yelled at Kozu. The couple separated to see four soldiers melting the ice encasing Zow to his neck before securing the admiral. The governor walked up to Zow with a stern expression on his face.

"You are un-honorable on all accounts, Zow, and will face charges of conspiracy and treason to the crown. You will be shipped out to face these charges before the fire lord himself." Zow paled and tried to plead with the governor, but Fong had already turned his back on Zow and started walking to Kozu and Kalaya.

He bowed before them when he came up to them. "I see this is your lady, Prince Kozu. You could travel back with the prisoner and state your case, reclaiming your honor and position."

Kozu looked at Kalaya. She would never be welcome in the fire nation, and he would never be happy if she wasn't.

"No, I can't," he said, turning back to face Fong. "My father said I could only return if I captured the avatar. I know my brother may be more lenient, but I have no place there any longer. I will not fight and my lady will not enjoy life there."

The governor studied the princes' face. It was set, and could not be moved. He loved his lady too much, and Fong was happy for him.

"Well then, I wish you both happiness and long lives. I will present your case before the fire lord. My ship leaves in two days if you change your mind. Rest Kozu, you've earned it." He smiled as Kalaya started to lead Kozu back to the inn. They were joined quickly by Ying and Li. Kozu smiled in greeting to his master and the strongman, but was too exhausted and hurt to make any comment.

He leaned on Kalaya as they neared the inn, and was slightly surprised that she took the extra weight so well and without comment. She practically carried him into the inn and up the stairs to her room before sitting him down on the bed. Li and Ying had followed her and looked at her expectantly.

"Ying, could you get me a bucket or pitcher of water?" He nodded and left. Kozu sighed and lay down. Li looked over him, worried. He had taken a bad fall and had several burns, scrapes and bruises that covered his arms and chest.

Ying returned with a large pitcher quickly. Kalaya thanked him before taking it. She hesitated though, looking over Kozu as he lay on the bed.

Kalaya looked at the pitcher before bending some water out and onto her right hand. Kozu saw the water turn a bright blue and was startled. She moved her water covered hand to a scrape on his arm and Kozu saw her concentrating, though nothing happened. Beads of sweat appeared on her brow before she removed her hand, and returned the water to the pitcher.

"Is everything all right?" Li asked.

"Yes, it's just…I'm not a very good healer."

Li smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You can do anything you set your mind to, my lady. Just trust in yourself." He turned and motioned Ying to follow him and left the room to have a drink, glad the duel was over and everything was all right.

Kalaya looked at the pitcher again and drew water onto her hand once more. It started glowing again. She took a deep breath before settling her hand once more to the scrape on Kozu's arm.

He was surprised as a cool sensation followed her hand. There was surprise on her face, but it turned into a smile as she continued moving her hand, slowly erasing the burns and healing the scrapes till they looked like they had been there for a week. When she had healed the worst of his injuries, she looked him in the eyes, her hand raised to his face.

"I'm not sure this can be done, but can I try something?"

He looked into her eyes and saw her love for him. He trusted her with his life.

"Yes," he said, closing his eyes. She raised her hand to his right cheek and rested it on his scar. The cool sensation occurred there, but not as strong as it had been everywhere else. She let out a deep breath, and the sensation intensified slightly before it left, and he opened his eyes to see Kalaya tired and breathing more heavily than usual.

"Are you ok?"

She looked at him and smiled. "Come here." She kissed him before helping him stand up. She led him to the washstand on the other side of the room and the mirror that was positioned above it. Kozu glanced into the mirror before taking a second, longer look.

He had not looked fully into a mirror since he had been scarred by Zow. His face was tan, and was starting to have a weathered look. He could see the beginnings of crows' feet at the edges of his eyes. What surprised him the most was his scar. He had glanced into mirrors over the past two years since he had received it to see an angry red mark staring back at him from the right side of his face, telling him he had failed, that he had no honor. Now that angry red mark was a faint pink, and didn't yell at how he had failed, but how he had won. He looked at Kalaya and grinned.

"I know it's still there, but I can keep tryin..." He stopped her with a kiss.

"Thank you," he whispered. "It's fine, I like it." He kissed her again before she could resist. His body sagged as the days events caught up with him. Kalaya helped him to the bed and brought a chair over. She started to sit, looking exhausted herself. Kozu had an idea and grabbed her before she sat down completely and pulled her onto the bed.

"No, we can't…"

"It's ok, just till I sleep, I want you next to me," he whispered as he nuzzled his face in her neck.

"Ok," she sighed, moving closer to him.

Li knocked, but receiving no answer, opened the door to find Kalaya and Kozu sleeping on the bed, fully clothed and as close as they could be to each other. He smiled and eased the door closed again before heading back to the main room. He needed to make arrangements of his own before they awoke.