"Avery?" Someone said from the door. I couldn't see but I could 'see' who it was.
"Iroh? Is something wrong?" I asked, sitting up.
"The crew wants to say goodbye. You never got to know them very well but they took turns caring for you." Iroh said. I got up but didn't move.
"Can you help me? I can't see very well." I said. I heard shifting and a hand rested on my shoulder, gently guiding me to the door. I blinked and shook my head. So many scents, so little time. I said goodbye to each of them, thanking Jee specifically for saving my ass, and gave them each a hug. They left and I leaned against the wall with a small smile.
"I see you enjoy hugs?" Iroh said. I laughed slightly.
"I didn't really get positive attention as a kid." I said, showing my scarred arms. Iroh nodded solemnly.
"Well, I'm going for a walk. Would you care to join me?" Iroh asked. I rubbed the back of my neck.
"No thanks. Is Zuko going?" I asked.
"Why?"
"I wanna know if I have to put up with Prince Pouty." I said. Iroh smirked.
"He's taken to the darkness of his room. I doubt he'll be out. I on the other hand, am going now." Iroh said. He walked past me and I stretched. At least I wouldn't have to put up with the hermit. There was a sudden crash on deck and I stood at attention, straining my ears. I crept up the stairs and heard, "Careful with the blasting jelly!" I frowned. I ran out and looked around. I sniffed and smelt the distinct scent of fire and explosives.
"Uncle? Uncle, is that you?" I heard someone say. I whipped around and saw Zuko.
"Oh, Avery... what are you doing up here?"
"What, you didn't hear that?" I said.
"That wasn't you?" He asked. I shook my head but then froze.
"Oh Agni. Zuko, watch out!" I yelled. He gave me a baffled look and turned to see the lighted fuse. The ship exploded. I was grateful that I crashed into the water. I noticed that my wound had reopened and swore loudly.
"Zuko!" I called. I heard a groan nearby and saw Zuko lying face up in the water. I went to go get him but froze as my leg lit up as if on fire. I turned and saw that a piece of shrapnel was stuck in my thigh. I frowned and ignored my pain. I hopped over to Zuko in the shallow water and grabbed his waist.
"Avery?" Zuko gasped. I nodded with gritted teeth. I was loosing blood fast.
"Great, you're up, help." I said. He kicked and we made it to shore where I collapsed.
"Zuko! Avery! You're alright!"
"Correction; Zuko's alright. I'm bleeding heavily." I said, scooting out of the water. I shifted my leg and swore. I grabbed out the shrapnel and used it to cut off my pant leg. I used the sopping wet fabric to form a tourniquet. I looked to them and saw them hugging. I smiled, sensing their strong family bond.
"Let's get dry and figure out where to go from here." Zuko said. I went to stand but my leg gave out under me. I tried twice before giving up and snarling.
"I hate being hurt." I muttered. I heard a pissed sigh and suddenly, a strong pair of arms swooped me up. I yelped in shock. I held onto his neck and blinked up at him in shock.
"I'm not doing this because I want to, so don't get the wrong idea. Got it?" Zuko said. I nodded. Iroh picked a spot of grass deep in the forest and stacked rocks in a circle. He picked up a few sticks and tossed them in. He drew a breath and shot flames into the circle. Zuko put me down and snapped off some branches. He tossed them in and sat next to me around the campfire. I stretched out my leg and frowned, glaring at the wound. Zuko frowned at the still bleeding wound and took off his shirt, drying it.
"Here, use this to wrap it." Zuko said. I stared at him momentarily in surprise and took the shirt. I took the piece of shrapnel and used it to cut a strip off. I continued to work on cutting and wrapping. I finished and leaned back on my hands.
"So, what are we going to do?" I asked. "You have no avatar, no crew, and now, no ship."
"Thanks for pointing that out." Zuko muttered. I shrugged.
"Glad I could help." I replied sarcastically. Zuko frowned but winced as that action had caused a nasty cut to shift. I frowned.
"What about Zhao?" I suggested.
"What?!" Zuko yelled. I threw a rock at him.
"Be quiet, ya moron!" I hissed.
"What?" He repeated quietly. I sighed.
"Iroh could go work as his general, you could hide on the ship, and..." I paused. "And I could go back to June."
"You going to June is not an option." Iroh said firmly. I blinked.
"Okay. Well, what else can we do? Ship me off to a nice Earth Kingdom family?" I asked. Zuko frowned.
"You're not getting away that easily." He said. I raised my eyebrow.
"Well, it seems that you guys are set, what am I to do?" I said.
"You could hide on board with Zuko." Iroh said.
"Avery needs medical attention. Not an option." Zuko ruled out. I blinked at him in shock.
"Well, Zhao did offer you a place on his ship..." Iroh said. I grimaced.
"Well, it's dealing with the perverted pedophile or death." I said. I sighed.
"Perverted pedophile it is. I'm going to sleep. G'Night." I said. I curled into a ball by the fire and closed my eyes. I sighed as the warmth enveloped me. I fell asleep.