CHAPTER 18

Kiara:
Zuko sat before me with a determined look on his face. I was finally teaching him to play Pai Sho, and he was getting more and more frustrated each time I corrected his movements. It actually made me laugh. He was so focused on winning against me, his arms crossed over his chest. He didn't look up when the door opened, but I did, and I saw Iroh poke his head through.

"For the last time, I'm not playing the sumki horn," Zuko said, knowing it was his uncle somehow. He reached forward while looking at me to grab a piece and move it. But he retracted his hand when I shook my head.

"No, it's about our plans. There's a bit of a problem," Iroh said, making my head snap up.

The door opened wider to reveal Commander Zhao, and my face went white. Something about him just scared me. He smirked when he saw me, then he spoke. "I'm taking your crew."

"What?!" Zuko asked, turning around finally.

"I've recruited them for a little expedition to the North Pole," Zhao explained.

"But you can't just-" I started, only to be cut off.

Zhao glared at me. "I already have. Control your servant, Prince Zuko, before I take her too. She's got a mouth on her."

"You'll do no such thing," Zuko defended, standing up. He looked at Iroh. "Uncle, is that true?"

Iroh's face contorted to one of sadness. "I'm afraid so. He's taking everyone." The man hid his face with his arm. "Even the cook!"

"Sorry you won't be there to watch me capture the Avatar. But I can't have you getting in my way again." Zuko charged at him in anger, but Iroh prevented him from tackling Zhao. Said man had walked over to the wall to inspect the broadswords that were for decoration. He took one down to examine it closer, then began swinging it like he was practicing. "I didn't know you were skilled with broadswords, Prince Zuko."

"I'm not," Zuko replied. "They're antiques. Just decorative."

"Have you heard of the Blue Spirit, General Iroh?" Zhao asked.

"Just rumors. I don't think he's real," said Iroh.

"He's real all right. He's a criminal, an enemy of the Fire Nation." Zhao handed the sword to Iroh. "But I have a feeling that justice will catch up with him soon." He moved to leave the room. "General Iroh, the offer to join my mission still stands if you change your mind." And he closed the door behind him.

I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding at that point. Why did Zhao have that effect on me? I was terrified of him, but if he said something that I didn't agree with, I spat an answer at him. I just hoped that what he said in the Fire Temple wouldn't actually happened. I'd rather die than become his property.

~~~~~
The next night, the crew was leaving. I bid my goodbyes, then made my way to Zuko's room, finding him laying on his bed. Not long after I entered, Iroh stuck his head in, much like the night before.

"The crew wanted me to wish you safe travels," Iroh said.

"Good riddance to those traitors," Zuko said bitterly.

Iroh looked at me and I nodded. He had asked me earlier to take a walk with him, and now he was going to ask Zuko. "It's a lovely night for a walk. Why don't you join me and Kiara? It would clear your head." The old man's smile faded as Zuko refused to respond. "Or just stay in your room and sit in the dark. Whatever makes you happy."

I gave one last glance at Zuko before following Iroh from the room. Before long, we were walking ashore and discussing Zuko's frustration at Pai Sho. And we were laughing. It was all fun and games until there was a loud explosion behind us. Both of us spun around as another explosion sounded.

It was the ship. My face fell and my eyes went wide, filling with tears.

"Zuko!" Iroh and I shouted at the same moment. We began running back to the ship as it was burning. The edge of the dock was as far as I could go because of the heat. Debris was still falling as Iroh approached the ship and I fell to my knees.

Was he really gone?