Hey guys! Sorry for the longish wait for this one. =_= for some reason fanfiction wouldn't let me upload it and then work and mass effect 3 and some other stuff in there and yeah. D: I'm sorry, my excuses are terrible I know I know. I prooomise to get the next out asap. I'm thinking I'll update once or twice a week, how does that sound? =D

Here you go, part 2. This one's short, because it's supposed to round out the last chapter. =) The next one will be really long, I promise. Like, super long. It's already at 2,000 words and I'm only half done.

~VanillaReSu.

Book One: Water
Chapter Three, p2 : You're the worst.

-
Anae

My face was in the deepest scowl it possibly could be as I sat in what I had silently named "The Interegation Throne". I remember when I was in this tent for the briefest moment. Zuko had been in this chair too, gaurds on either side of him. It was like looking into a mirror now, down to even Zhao glaring at the map that hung on the fraigle fabric of this stupid dingy tent.

I thought it wasn't possible but my scowl did end up going deeper as Zhao turned to face me. "Have you thought about it?" he questioned. Oh, how I wish looks could kill. I think I would've slaughtered him by now. "No, I was just sitting here thinking about how nicethat map looks" I snapped.

"Your tongue is as sharp as your fathers" Zhao sneered. I willed my face to go expressionless. My mother had taught me this. Her ways were older, more traditional. She taught me about how women shouldn't express their emotions infront of men like him. Men that didn't deserve a woman's love.

"Of course I thought about it, and I refuse" I said. Zhao temper was rising. I could feel the room getting warmer, the candle flames were getting higher. "You can't just keep casting aside every choice I make" he snarled. "And you can't just keep casting aside how I feel about this" I snarled back.

I could never keep a good face with this man. He made me angry. More angry than I have ever been. "You can't keep doing this. You'll be sixteen soon. How do you think your parents will feel about them having a daughter who is of age but has no interest in her own life" He snapped. I stiffened, the candle flames going sky high.

"You have no standing to make any such assumptions." I stood up, having had enough of this stupid conversation. I began to make my way to the door when he spoke out.

"Prince Zuko has challened me to Agni Kai." I froze for just a moment, before regaining my composure. I turned around, a blank face on but my eyes. I could still feel the anger in them. "And what, pray tell, does that have to do with me?"

"Don't play ignorant." he snapped. Zhao walked over to where I was standing, smirking. "Don't worry, I'll have his eyes finally match." I grimiced at that. "That's if he doesn't give you one first" I walked out of the stuffy tent into fresh air. The sun was starting to set.

Agni Kai was upon us. I frowned. What was he thinking, challenging Zhao like that. What an idiot! I wonder why I went out on this stupid path. He was so reckless. I huffed, walking stiffly towards the arena. I got there at the exact time that Zuko did and by Koh, did I ever regret it.

He was shirtless. I tried my hardest not to stare but I couldn't help but take a small peek. I felt my heart go heavy. Was he always that good looking? I couldn't remember, as I barely got to see him at the palace anyways because of her. My face pulled into a frown, as I remembered her.

*Flashback*

Azula's eyes were brimming with mischief and something else. We were crouched down, hiding behind a plant, waiting. I was terrified of course, if we were caught. "Azula we shouldn't be here, let's go!" I whispered fiercely, trying to pull her towards the curtained door we came from.

"Oh come on, you're no fun!" she sneered, tugging her arm out of my grasp. She was stronger than I was. I was about to protest when I heard them coming. My small eyes widened, scared. "Ready? One, two...THREE" Azula screeched, shoving me out of our hiding spot. I heard a shrill cry of surprise and a shout of anger. And then came Azula's cackle. She never laughed, or atleast not around me.

"What's the matter Zuzu? Did we interrupt your date?" I didn't even need to look up to know what look Azula had on her face. "That wasn't very funny you stupid brat." I heard Zuko snarl. I glanced up, looking at him from the corner of my eye. I never looked at him full on. I could tell he was angry from even hardly looking at him. My full vision was on Mai, with her stupid scowl before it disappeared behind a mask of nothing. I scrambled up, and fled. They were going to blame me for this one, I just know it.

*End Flashback*

'Even then, I should've known'

I brought myself back to reality, when I realized he was looking at me. "What?" I blinked. I never really noticed, but it felt amazing to look at him full on without having Mai silently curse me to death. He was really handsome, but I didn't have anything to compare it to. Zuko raised his eyebrow slightly, his trademark scowl on his face. "You're staring."

My face must've turned the color of the sunset because he gave me the most obnoctious smirk ever. " I was not. I was thinking" I sputtered out, honestly telling the truth. He grunted and walked to his position. Across the arena Zhao was waiting.

The Agni Kai commenced, as the sun began to set even more. Fire was everywhere. It was beautiful, and I felt almost compelled to dance along side the flames. Zhao was a good firebender, but I noticed that his balance was off, very very slightly. Even so, Zuko seemed to be in trouble, blasting out fireball after fireball at Zhao. He pushed them away as if they were nothing.

"Break his roots Zuko" Iroh yelled encouragingly. I stared at him in wonder. This was the first time I had ever heard him call Zuko just plain Zuko. I shrugged it off, and turned back to the battle.

I felt oddly calm about this. Zuko landed on his back, Zhoa had him pinned, and yet. I was calm. Zuko threw himself up, flinging fire at Zhao's feet. My heart fluttered happily. I knew he was going to win. The roles were reversed and Zhao was on his back. Prince Zuko had won.

I smiled as I repeated it in my head. 'Prince Zuko'.. It felt nice to say those words. I frowned suddenly. "Master..." I crooned, as the beating in my chest became slightly irregular. Iroh nodded to me, before practically flying over to Zuko's side. Zhao stood up, and took a swing at Zuko. Iroh caught his foot and threw him back.

"So this is how Commander Zhao acts in the face of defeat" he murmurmed. "Do not taint your victory Prince Zuko." holding out his arm, as Zuko was about to throw another punch. I walked over to Zhao, and gave him a cold look.

"How distasteful. My father will be hearing about this." I silently claimed victory as his face fell. To lose my father's favour was a bad thing. Infact, it was almost as bad as losing the Fire Lord's favour himself.

"Thank you for the tea" Iroh said, walking off with Zuko in tow. "You know, talking to your father would be a bad choice. After all, this is not as dishonorable as what you did" he stated cooly. I was walking away, following the other two before I stopped, hearing his comment, casting a side glance back at him again."I am allowed back home anytime I want. I just choose not too" "I don't think so. I think you're running from what you're meant to do"he replied. "Once again, before you try to disappear again, I think I've found you a good one. Your father will approve" I stared at him, seeing through his bluff. "I always knew you were the worst choice." I grinned, and walked away.

I always got the last word in. Always.