A/N - Sorry, I know you're all anxious to get to the Palace, but I wanted to have one more day at sea, to give Zuko and Katara more time to develop alone. But, I promise, they'll get there soon! =)
After a bit of persuasion from Katara, (first angry, then seductively sweet) I was reluctantly bringing Sokka down to say farewell also. Of, course, he wasn't too happy either once I told him that Katara had convinced me through flipping her hair and giving me puppy-dig eyes. He was still pretty pissed at me liking her. I made sure to angrily remind him not to tell her that I like her. I wanted her to discover that fact in a much gentler way than Sokka would provide. Sokka agreed, most likely still following the logic that if he did what I said, everyone would be safe, which was true.
So, after a few last moments, Aang, Sokka, Katara, and Appa were finally ready. So, we carefully unchained the beast and let him drop gracefully into the water. I was, at first, afraid he might just fly away, but Aang explained that after being chained up for so long, it would be a couple days before he'd be fully capable of flight. I made a mental note to tell the Ringmaster that. Anyway, Appa lumbered slowly onto the beach, and ten of my men made a "U" behind him and led him to the Cirque. I, of course, couldn't resist a ride on a giant flying bison! So, must to Aang's begrudging, I got on the bison's head and rode him to the Ringmaster's tent.
Apparently, while we'd been gone, the Ringmaster had his tent enlarged and an enormous cage brought in. After a quick reassuring word to the bison, I jumped off and helped lead him into the cage. He was immediately fed a rather large watermelon, "to make sure he knows right away how good we'll be to him," according to the Ringmaster. As Appa leaned in to munch on the melon, I patted his head.
"Good-bye, Appa. I'm sorry that I cannot keep you with people you know, but it just wouldn't have worked. I'll be sure that we all come visit you often!" I said.
"You'd be welcome backstage anytime, your Highness." the Ringmaster piped in.
"Thank you, sir. Oh, and please, keep the money." I added, noticing a few sacks of gold coins behind him. "I couldn't possibly take money for separating this guy from his friend." I said, gesturing to Appa.
"Very well, Prince Zuko. Good luck on your travels...and with your father." he added awkwardly. I shrugged helplessly.
"Your guess is as good as mine on that one. I hope he's in a good mood when I arrive." I was pretty sure he'd take me back if I'd captured the Avatar, but...I was still pretty nervous. I hadn't really thought about my own fate in a while. I'd been so worried about Katara's and Sokka's and Appa's, that I never considered the possibility that my father still wouldn't accept me.
I put it out of my head and left the tent. As I was about to leave the backstage area, I heard a familiar voice, however. "Zuko? Could that possibly be you?" My eyes opened wide as I recognized it and turned around to see I was right.
"Ty Lee? What are you doing here?" I asked incredulously.
"I was about to ask you the same thing!" she said, running up to hug me. She'd always been a hugger, really. "I happen to work here. You?"
"Work here? You mean...you're a performer?"
"Yes. And I'm really happy here, actually. My ora has never been pinker!" she exclaimed, turning over into a handstand.
"Well...I can see that..." said, looking around at the hundreds of pink outfits on the performers disgustedly.
Ty Lee rested her chin on her hands, still upside down!, and touched each foot to her head alternately. "So, you didn't answer my question. What brings you to the Cirque du Fire Nation?"
I straightened my posture slightly and said proudly, "I have captured the Avatar!"
Her eyes widened, and she said with extreme surprise in her voice, "You have? Zuko, that's wonderful! Congratulations!"
"Thanks, but the worst is to come, really. I still must face my father."
"I know, but...you're half way there, with the Avatar, right?"
"Yes, I suppose so. Anyway, I was here dropping off the Avatar's bison."
"Oh, neat. So, does that mean I'll be seeing you around here often?" she asked casually.
"Probably. My, um, other captive...is really attached to him. Plus, I, uh..."
"Oooh! Zuko, have you acquired a soft side for giant bison?" she cooed.
"Well, yeah." I said quickly. I was actually going to say that I liked Katara and wanted to please her, but I was kind of glad I didn't have to. "So, yeah, I guess I'll see you around. I should go, though."
"Okay, hope to see you soon. Bye!" Ty Lee said cheerfully. Yep, still as dumb and bubbly as when we were eight.
When I walked onto the ship, I found that Aang Sokka had been chained back up in their cells, and Katara was wandering around with nothing really to do. She happened to be facing the other direction, so she didn't notice me yet.
"Bored?" I asked, a bit louder than I normally would have. She jumped with a start, realized it was just me, and shoved me lightly and playfully.
"Don't scare me like that!" she said irritably, "And, yes, by the way, I am a bit bored."
"Would you like me to teach you Pai Sho?" Iroh piped in, sticking his head around the corner of the tower.
I rolled my eyes and was about to decline, when Katara said quickly, "Sure! Wanna come, Zuko?" She turned to me with those beautiful blue eyes, her hair twirling around her from the sudden turn, and I couldn't help but agree. I normally hated the game, but I realized I'd never actually learned how to play, so I figured it couldn't be too bad anyway. We went up the stairs and to the Helm Room and sat around the Pai Sho board.
Uncle Iroh was actually quite the good teacher. He explained the rules very well, and Katara and I could get through a game without his help within a couple hours!
After learning Pai Sho, we ate a quite dinner and Katara went to bed a bit early. I turned to my uncle with worry. "What am I going to do, Uncle? We'll be arriving tomorrow, and I don't want her to get all sad again. I hate seeing her sad."
My uncle Iroh smiled and said kindly, "Zuko, you have proven yourself to her today. Being as kind as you were with that bison really impressed her."
"How do you know?" I asked suspiciously.
"Because while you were giving the Ringmaster the bison, she came to me and told me herself." he said, grinning. I grinned too.
"She really said she was impressed?" I asked, and he nodded. "But...still. Do you think she will be okay?"
He nodded again, "Now that she no longer thinks of you as an enemy, she will trust you to protect her. But you must do just that. If you stand unmoving as she is made Azula's personal slave, she will never like you again. You must fight to keep her with you, and she will begin to love you as you love her." This time, I nodded, promising myself to do exactly that.
Iroh's words rang through my ears pleasantly. "...proven yourself to her...really impressed her...she no longer thinks of you as an enemy...trust you to pretect her...she will begin to love you as you love her..."
A/N - Sorry, it's a little short. But...that's it! We're done at sea! They'll arrive right after breakfast, writer's honor!
Oh, by the way, sorry I didn't give an actual explanation of Pai Sho. As much as I wanted to, I didn't know how! If one of my trusted readers does know the ruled and would be kind enough to explain them to be in my review, I would greatly appreciate it! In fact...I would even put in a detailed Pai Sho game somewhere in it, and quote whoever gives me the rules! (so please sign it with your username if you give the rules to me) THANK YOU READERS! =)