CHAPTER 5

Zuko and I hadn't said a word to each other since the night before. I'd gone to my quarters after he'd hit me to calm down, but I wasn't able to sleep. His face kept popping into my head, how angry he was, and when I saw him this morning, not much had changed. He glared at me when I was walking to the kitchen to help the cook prepare lunch, but I ignored him. What he did still hurt. Not physically, but emotionally.

"You've been sighing all day, dear," the cook pointed out. "Is something wrong?"

I looked at him from the corner of my eye and shook my head. He could see the mark on my face, but he hasn't said anything about it. But I could tell that he wanted to. So I put down the knife that I was peeling potatoes with and turned to face him. "Go ahead," I said.

"It's just... He's never hit you before, has he?" I sighed and shook my head. "What was it about?"

"He's just so moody, you know?" He nodded. "I get it, though. We've all been cramped up on this ship for way too long, but it doesn't mean he can't be sensible sometimes. He could at least listen."

"Miss Kiara, you know Prince Zuko better than anyone here, or anywhere. I know it's not my place to say this, but...if he won't listen to you, we're all doomed."

"Yes, but how do I make him listen? It's not like I can just grab him by the ponytail and force him to listen to me." I sighed again.

"It doesn't hurt to try." I gave a dry laugh. "You're female, Miss Kiara. Use that to your advantage. Make him want to listen."

I understood what he meant and shook my head in disgust. "Ew, no. I'm sorry, but I can't. Prince Zuko and I grew up together. We were childhood friends."

"Then bring up old memories. Make him remember all the good times he had when he was a child. That's sure to make him listen."

The cook smiled brightly, giving me encouragement with his words. I thought about them for a second, and agreed that it might work. I returned his gesture with a small smile of my own, then continued with preparing the meal.

I'd been ordered to eat with the prince and his uncle, so I sat at the dinner table with them. It was eerily quiet, tension obviously in the area. Until General Iroh spoke.

"The food looks delicious, Kiara. Thank you for preparing it," he said. He tore a piece of fish off with his chopsticks and began eating. "It tastes even better!"

I nodded to him and gave a small smile of gratitude. "Thank you, General Iroh. I'm glad that you like it."

Prince Zuko looked down at his plate as a guard spoke into his ear. Then came the outburst. "The Avatar is on Kyoshi Island?!" He stood, his fists clenched. He walked toward the exit that was behind me. "Uncle, ready the rhinos. He's not getting away from me this time."

General Iroh, already finished with his dinner, pointed to Zuko's untouched plate. "Are you going to finish that?" he questioned.

The prince walked back into the room and snatched the plate from the table. "I was going to save it for later!" he snapped.

I gasped when he walked past me, grabbing my wrist. He was basically dragging me down the corridor to his quarters. And his hand was becoming very hot on my wrist. "Prince Zuko..." I said, getting his attention.

He stopped walking and turned around, glaring at me. "What?"

The skin around where he held was becoming red with heat. "You're burning me," I whispered.

Realization took over him as he looked down at my wrist in his hand. "Oh," was all he said and released me. I held my wrist gently with my other hand, following him when he began walking again. "Sit on the bed," he ordered when we reached his quarters. I obeyed and watched him as he began putting his uniform on. "You will stay in my quarters until I return. If you attempt to escape, I will bring you back by force."

"Prince Zuko-"

"You will do as you're told!" he hissed. I shrunk back. He's acting strange. After being so nice to me earlier this month, why does he feel the need to be so bitter? "Do you understand?"

"Yes, Pri-"

"Good." With that, he was gone.

I looked down at my hands in my lap, the burn mark on my wrist. It ached, but that would go away soon, wouldn't it? I felt my eyes beginning to water. He's never been this harsh. It's difficult watching the boy you grow up with go from being happy and carefree to being obsessed with regaining his father's approval. But even more difficult than that? Not being able to help him get through it.