CHAPTER 2

Sadly, we didn't get out of the snow until a couple days later. Luckily, the ship wasn't too badly damaged and we sailed until we got to a small Fire Navy dock. General Iroh, Zuko, and I walked off the ship, heading... I didn't even know where. Zuko was going on about repairs and losing the Avatar's trail while his uncle was saying something else. This is why I didn't know where we were going.

"Don't mention his name on these docks. Once everyone knows that he's alive, every Firebender will be out looking for him. And I don't want anyone getting in the way," Zuko said quietly.

An unknown man spoke up, making all of us look at him. "Getting in the way of what?" the man asked. "Prince Zuko," he greeted, coming closer.

Zuko crossed his arms. "Captain Zhao," he replied.

"It's Commander now. And General Iroh," the man greeted the old general. "Great hero of our nation."

"Retired general," Zuko's uncle corrected.

"The Fire Lord's brother and son are welcomed guests anytime." He paused, looking at me directly. "But who is this?" he asked.

"She is my servant," Zuko said. "None of your men will touch her."

"Ah, yes. Now I remember. This is the one who spoke out at the Agni Kai against your father. She was banished along with you, being scarred as well." I gasped. He knows about that? "What brings you to my armada?" Commander Zhao asked them.

General Iroh answered, "Our ship is being repaired."

"That's quite a bit of damage."

"Yes," said Zuko, "You wouldn't believe what happened." Crap... You and your big mouth, Zuko... "Uncle! Tell Commander Zhao what happened."

General Iroh started coming up with a story about what happened, then they were both stopped. "You must regale me with all the thrilling details. Join me for a drink," Commander Zhao insisted, leaning closer to Zuko's face. Okay... Creepy much?

"Sorry, but we have to go," Zuko replied, turning away from him.

"Prince Zuko," General Iroh said, laying a hand on his shoulder, "show Commander Zhao your respect." Zuko stopped. "We would be honored to join you."

No... I didn't know what it was, but I didn't trust this man. As General Iroh followed Commander Zhao, I stayed behind with Zuko. He growled, blasting a short wave of fire, then walked after the other men. I stayed close to him.

"Kiara," Zuko said to me. I looked at him. "If anyone besides my uncle or myself tries to touch you, I want you to run. I don't trust these men around you."

"I don't trust them either. But... I'll come back to you, Prince Zuko," I said.

He stopped and stared at me. "W-Why? This would be your chance to get away. To be free."

"That's true, but... Who knows where I would go? I've learned that no one can be trusted. But you proved me wrong, Prince Zuko. I trust you." He didn't say anything, but he nodded. Then he continued walking toward the only different tent from all the rest.

"Sit in the corner. Run if anything happens," he ordered. I nodded and obeyed.

Zuko sat in one of the chairs, a look of distrust on his face. They started talking about the Earth Kingdom capital and if Zuko had found the Avatar yet. Of course, Zuko lied to Commander Zhao.

"Prince Zuko, the Avatar is the only one who can stop the Fire Nation from winning this war. If you have any loyalty left, you'll tell me what you found," the Commander said.

Zuko still lied. "I haven't found anything," he said bitterly. "It's like you said: the Avatar probably died a long time ago." Zuko stood, nodding at me. I stood too, dusting myself off. "Come on, Uncle. We're going."

But we were stopped at the exit to the tent. "Commander Zhao," a soldier said. "We interrogated the crew as you instructed." They what?! "They confirmed Prince Zuko had the Avatar in custody, but he let him escape."

"Now, remind me," Commander Zhao said. He came closer to Zuko and me, placing a hand on my shoulder. I stiffened completely. "How exactly was your ship damaged?" he whispered into both of our ears.

I saw Zuko open his eyes and look at me. He spotted the Commander's hand on my shoulder and his amber eyes narrowed. "I advise you to take your hand away from the girl," he said calmly. But I knew him better than that. He was just masking his anger. Lucky for both of us, Commander Zhao did as he was asked.

Zuko and I were forced to sit back down. I was in the corner, sitting Indian style, while Zuko sat in the same chair he was in earlier. Commander Zhao began pacing in front of the prince. "So, a twelve-year-old boy bested you and your Firebenders. You're more pathetic than I thought," he said.

I clenched my fists. How dare he say that!

Zuko stayed calm. "I underestimated him once, but it will not happen again."

"No, it will not. Because you won't have a second chance."

"Commander Zhao, I've been hunting the Avatar for two years and I-"

"And you failed!" the Commander shouted, turning around with a swift wave of fire. "Capturing the Avatar is too important to leave in a teenager's hands. He's mine now." The older man looked at me. "And I'd be more than happy to take the girl off your hands too." He smirked at Zuko.

My eyes widened. There was no way I was going with this man! Zuko grunted loudly, attempting to attack the Commander, but he was held back by the Fire Nation soldiers.

"Keep them here," Commander Zhao ordered. He walked out.

Zuko, still being held back, kicked and broke the table in front of his uncle. "More tea, please," General Iroh said, holding up his cup. Usually, I would've laughed. But with what Commander Zhao said to Zuko about me, I couldn't even move.

The prince was released, and he stood there for a few seconds, his fists clenched by his sides. He looked at me as I stared at him, then he came to my side, whispering in my ear. "Don't be afraid, Kiara. I won't let him take you, okay?" he asked me. I nodded stiffly. He got back up and sat in the chair again.

Then the Commander came back. "My search party is ready," he announced. "Once I'm out to sea, my guards will escort you back to your ship, and you'll be free to go."

"Why?" asked Zuko. "Are you worried I'm gonna try and stop you?"

Commander Zhao laughed. "You? Stop me? Impossible."

"Don't underestimate me, Zhao." Zuko stood up. "I will capture the Avatar before you!"

General Iroh stood too. "Prince Zuko, that's enough!" he exclaimed.

"You can't compete with me," Commander Zhao said bitterly. "I have hundreds of war ships under my command. And you? You're just a banished prince." I felt my temperature rise with every word he said. "No home, no allies. Your own father doesn't even want you." He glanced over at me, then back to Zuko. "You were banished along with a servant. Shows how good you are, Prince Zuko."

"You're wrong!" Zuko argued. There he goes again... "Once I deliver the Avatar to my father, he will welcome me home with honor, and restore my rightful place on the throne."

"If you're father wanted you home, he would've let you return by now. Along with her." He pointed at me.

"Stop bringing her into this! She's got nothing to do with it!" Zuko shouted.

"Oh, I think she does..." The man paused. "Avatar or no Avatar," he continued. "But in his eyes, you're a failure, a disgrace to the Fire Nation." I got to my feet, heading for the Commander, only to be stopped by General Iroh. I wasn't going to sit there and let him insult Zuko.

"That's not true," Zuko said.

"You have the scar to prove it."

Zuko blew up. "Maybe you'd like one to match!"

"Is that a challenge?" Commander Zhao asked the teenage prince.

Then Zuko made the worst mistake ever. "An Agni Kai. At sunset."

"Very well. It's a shame your father won't be here to watch me humiliate you. I guess your uncle will do." He turned and headed out. "Winner takes the girl," he said, a smirk on his face as he looked over his shoulder at Zuko.