More Than Just Friends
Chapter 2: Zhao
Setting: Fire Nation Harbor in Earth Kingdom :P
Disclaimer: I Don't own F***ing ATLA .
A/N: Sorry it's been a while I feel bad but I've had a boat load of school projects to do so I couldn't finish writing this chapter. Anyways, I got grounded so I've had time to do nothing but write and do homework. -_- But I got my iPod and phone back so hurray! I really can't live without technology. Thank god my mom didn't take my laptop! Haha anyways here is chapter 2!
Zuko, Iroh, and Jamie walked off Zuko's boat talking, "Uncle, I want the repairs done as quickly as possible. I don't want to stay too long and risk losing his trail.
"You mean the Avatar."
"Don't mention his name on these docks. Once word gets out that he's alive, every fire bender will be out looking for him." Zuko said getting up into his uncle's face. "And, I don't want anyone getting in the way."
"Getting in the way of what, prince Zuko?"
"Captain, Zhao." Zuko said crossing his arms.
"It's commander now. And General Iroh, great hero of our nation."
"Retired general," Iroh said.
"The brother and son of the Fire Lord are welcome guests anytime. What brings you to my harbor?"
"Our ship is being repaired." Iroh said motioning to the damaged ship.
"That's quite a bit of damage."
"Yes, you wouldn't believe what happened." Zuko stated. "Uncle, tell commander Zhao what happened."
"Yes, I will do that." Iroh looked towards Zhao to explain. "It was incredible-" before he could further explain Jamie stepped in between the men.
"Well you see, we collided with an Earth Kingdom ship causing a lot of damage. It was really intense." Jamie explained.
"Jamie! My daughter, it's so nice to see you again. That is very interesting how that happened. You must regale me with all the thrilling details. Join me for a drink?" Zhao said leaning into Jamie so that he was a few inches from her face.
"Sorry, but we have to go." Zuko said grabbing Jamie's hand and starting to walk away.
"Iroh grabbed Zuko by the shoulder and pulled him back. "Prince Zuko, show commander Zhao some respect." Iroh turned back to Zhao, "We would be honored to join you. Do you have any Ginseng Tea?" Iroh said following Zhao. "It's my favorite."
Zuko growled and blew steam out of his nose before following Zhao and Iroh. Jamie grabbed Zuko's hand, "Zuko, it's okay we will have plenty of time to capture the Avatar."
Zuko pulled Jamie in for a hug and wrapped his arm around her waist before walking again. "Thanks Jamie for reassuring me, but I don't think it will help." Zuko said planting a kiss on Jamie's forehead before walking into Zhao's tent.
"And, by years end the Earth Kingdom Capitol will be under our rule. The Fire Lord will finally claim victory in this war." Zhao said once the two friends entered.
"If my father thinks that the rest of the world will follow him willingly, then he is a fool." Zuko said sitting down in a chair and pulling Jamie on to his lap.
"Two years have done little then temper your tongue. So, how is your search for the Avatar going?" Zhao said as Iroh knocked down some battle equipment.
"Eh, my fault entirely." Iroh said slowly walking away.
"We haven't found him yet." Zuko said rubbing a hand up and down Jamie's back.
"Do you really expect to? The Avatar died a hundred years ago, along with the rest of the air benders." Zhao said glaring at Zuko. Then he smiled, "Unless you have found some evidence that the Avatar is alive."
"No, nothing," Zuko said looking away from Zhao. Jamie could feel the heat of Zuko's hand on her back as his temper rose.
"Prince Zuko, the Avatar is the only one who can stop the Fire Nation from winning this war. If you have an ounce of loyalty left you would tell me what you've found." Zhao said standing up and leaning over to Zuko getting in his face.
"I haven't found anything. It's like you said, the Avatar probably died a long time ago." Zuko pulled Jamie up off his lap and stood up. "Come on Uncle, we're going." Zuko started walking out of the room with Jamie following close behind when two guards blocked their path while on stepped in the room to talk to Zhao.
"Commander Zhao, we interrogated the crew as you instructed. It confirmed, prince Zuko had the Avatar in custody, but let him escape."
"Now remind me how exactly was your ship damaged?" Zhao said walking up behind Zuko.
Zuko turned and started walking back towards the chair he was sitting in earlier while grabbing Jamie's hand and pulling her with him on the way. He sat down in the chair and pulled Jamie on his lap again without saying a word. Iroh sat in the chair next to Zuko's as Zhao paced in front of the chairs while asking Zuko questions. Zuko explained everything that happened.
"So a twelve year old boy bested you and your fire benders? You're more pathetic than I thought."
"I underestimated him once, but it will not happen again."
"No it will not, 'cause you won't have a second chance."
"Command Zhao, I've been hunting the Avatar for two years and I-" Zhao cut Zuko off.
"And you've failed, capturing the Avatar is too important to leave in a teenager's hands. He's mine now. Come on Jamie, you don't deserve to stay with him. You're coming with me." Zhao said grabbing Jamie by the wrist and pulling her off of Zuko's lap. Zuko jumped out of his chair to attack Zhao, but two guards grabbed him and held him back. "Keep him here." Zhao said walking away with his hand still tightly around Jamie's wrist. She looked back at Zuko with pleading eyes to get her away from her father. Zuko didn't do anything but kick the table and flipping it.
"More tea please," Iroh said as Zhao pulled Jamie out of the room.
-Later that day-
"My search party is ready. Once I'm out to sea my guards will escort you back to your ship, and you'll be free to go." Zhao said walking into the tent that held Iroh and Zuko.
"Why, are you worried I'm going to try and stop you?" Zhao laughed.
"You stop me, impossible."
"Don't underestimate me Zhao. I will capture the Avatar before you."
"Prince Zuko, that's enough." Iroh said standing up.
"You can't compete with me. I have hundreds of war ships under my command. And you, you're just a banished prince. No home, no allies, your own father doesn't even want you."
"You're wrong. Once I deliver the Avatar to my father he will welcome me home with honor and restore my rightful place on the throne."
"If your father really wanted you home, he would have let you return by now. Avatar or no Avatar, but in his eyes you are a failure and a disgrace to the Fire Nation."
"That's not true."
"You have the scar to prove it."
"Maybe you'd like one to match."
"Is that a challenge?"
"Agni Kai at sunset, and I want Jamie back too."
"Very well, it's a shame that your father won't be here to watch me humiliate you. I guess your uncle will do." Zhao said stepping out of the tent.
"Prince Zuko, have you forgotten what happened last time you dueled a master?"
"I will never forget."
-At sunset-
Zuko was kneeling in front of his uncle facing away from Zhao with his shirt off and a vest-like fabric around his shoulders.
"Remember your fire bending basics, prince Zuko. They are you greatest weapons." Iroh told Zuko.
"I refuse to let him win." Zuko said standing up and letting the fabric slip from his shoulders.
"This will be over quickly." Zhao said as he stood up.
The two fire benders quickly got into fire bending stances as a gong was rung. Zuko made the first move by punching fire at Zhao. Zhao quickly stepped to the side to dodge the fire as Zuko kept punching fire at him.
"Basics Zuko! Break his roots!" Iroh yelled from the side lines. Zhao started punching fire at Zuko pushing him back and then finally knocking him off his feet. Zhao stood above Zuko and punched fire at him. Zuko quickly reacted by spinning around and knocking Zhao off his feet as Zuko stuck his landing. Zuko shot fire at Zhao's feet making him stumble backwards and then finally kicking fire at him knocking him off his feet again. Zuko stood above Zhao ready to end it.
"Do it!" Zhao yelled at Zuko. Zuko shot fire at Zhao missing on purpose. "That's it? Your father raised a coward."
"Next time you get in my way, I promise I won't hold back." Zuko said walking back towards his uncle.
Zhao kicked fire at Zuko to be stopped and pushed the ground by Iroh. "No prince Zuko, do not take your victory," Iroh said grabbing Zuko who was going to attack Zhao. Turning back to Zhao Iroh spoke, "So this is how the great commander Zhao acts in defeat? Disgraceful, even in exile my nephew is more honorable than you. Thanks again for the tea. It was delicious."
As Zuko turned with his uncle to leave Jamie came running up. "Zuko!" She yelled as she leaped into his arms. "I'm so glad you're okay." She told him as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Zuko smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist giving her a tight squeeze before setting her back down on the ground and taking her hand as they walked out. "Did you really mean that Uncle?" Zuko asked his uncle.
"Of course, I told you ginseng tea is my favorite." Iroh told Zuko as they walked back to Zuko's ship.
A/N: YES! I'm finally done! I absolutely hated writing this chapter :P but it had to be done so you can meet Zhao and find out that he is Jamie's father. If you didn't noticed Jamie doesn't like to be around her father. You will find out why later. I can't wait to tell you all the extra stuff that happened between Zuko and Jamie in the past. I think it's pretty intense anyways the next chapter will be when they go to Kyoshi Island and try to capture Aang again. Okay and one more thing, I was thinking of getting an Instagram or a twitter or both depending on what you guys want. I kind of wanted to use that to get information out to you guys on when I'll be updating and why I won't for a while because it's kind of too much work to keep telling you on here but please PM me or Review if you think that would be a good idea. Also, I could not believe how many people have read this and review just my first chapter. My other fan fiction didn't get those many reviews on the first chapter so thank you so much for R&R