I stood with Zhao and Iroh on deck. I gripped Iroh's shoulder and gazed off into the distance. I had to keep up the innocent blind girl appearance.
"This will truly be one for the history books, General Iroh. Just think, centuries from now, people will study the great Admiral Zhao, who destroyed the last of the Water Tribe civilization. You're lucky you're here to see it." Zhao said. So... he's also pompous.
"Be careful what you wish for, Admiral. History is not always kind to its subjects." Iroh warned tersely.
"I suppose you speak from experience, but rest assured. This will be nothing like your legendary failure at Ba Sing Se." Zhao said, taking a step forward. I frowned. What an ass.
"I hope not, for your sake." Iroh said sadly with a bowed head. I squeezed his shoulder in a way of saying 'Don't listen to him!'
"Tell the captains to prepare for first strike." Zhao ordered. Iroh nodded and went to lead me away but I removed my hand from his shoulder and shook my head.
"I need to talk to him." I said. He frowned. "Don't worry. I'll be fine. If all else fails, I can paralyze him and jump ship with Zuko."
"Alright, but be careful." Iroh said. I nodded and he walked downstairs. I walked over to Zhao.
"Excuse me? Admiral Zhao?" I said politely.
"Yes, Miss Nyla?" Zhao asked.
"I wish to join you and General Iroh when you go in." I said. Admiral Zhao frowned.
"That isn't a good idea, Miss Nyla. Because of your difficulty, you could get seriously injured." Zhao said. I sighed and placed a hand on his shoulder. He stiffened and I grinned inwardly. See, you can learn things in a bar.
"Sir, it's only color blindness. I can fight. Just ask General Iroh. The first time we met, I took down Zuko..." I trailed off at the mention of Zuko. Zhao gave me a curious look.
"How did you manage that?" He asked.
"The element of surprise." I said. "He too underestimated me because of my blindness."
"I would like you to prove that before you go out." Zhao said. I smiled and batted my eyes at him.
"Who will I be fighting, sir?" I said. I slipped away, trailing a hand down his arm, and walked down to a flatter deck level. "Send someone to fight me, fire and all."
"Miss Nyla, are you sure?" He said. I nodded and pulled out the piece of shrapnel.
"Ryuu!" Zhao said, just as said man walked out on deck with another man. "Fight Miss Nyla and do not go easy on her!"
"But sir, I'm not a fire bender. Tatsuo is though." Ryuu said, nudging the man next to him. I smirked. Perfect, I was going against Zuko.
"Fair enough. Tatsuo, fight Miss Nyla." Zhao said. Zuko nodded and faced me, slipping into a fire bending stance. I grinned.
"Whenever you're ready." I said to him. He nodded and shot a burst of flame at me. I flipped out of the way, careful about my leg. I ducked and weaved my way around each attack with ease and gradually made my way closer.
"Is that all you got, Tatsuo?" I called mockingly. He smirked under the grate and charged. I leapt over him, using his shoulder as a launch pad. I turned and grabbed his waist, pulling. He fell backwards and I slipped around him as he crashed down. I sat on his waist and held the shrapnel to his neck.
"Play along, Pouty." I whispered. He nodded slightly.
"Is this proof enough, Admiral?!" I called. He clapped.
"Yes. Very good, Miss Nyla. You may fight. Just, stay close to General Iroh and I." Zhao said. He looked like he wished that he were 'Tatsuo' in that moment. I nodded and let go of Zuko, standing. I slipped the shrapnel into my pocket and helped Zuko up. I bowed to him before making my way below deck. I went straight to my room and went inside. Iroh was waiting for me.
"So?" He asked.
"I asked him if I could fight with you and he said no. I bribed him into letting me go by fighting a crew member who just so happened to be Zuko. I also used other tactics like guilt and flirtation." I said, nonchalantly twirling the shrapnel shard. Iroh laughed. There was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" I asked.
"Tatsuo, Miss Nyla." They said.
"Enter." I said. Zuko entered and closed the door, locking it and pulling of his helmet.
"You're getting good at playing soldier, Pouty." I said. He frowned at me.
"I'm leaving soon." Zuko told us.
"Already? Shouldn't you wait until we're closer to the tribe?" I asked. He shrugged.
"Speaking of closeness; what the hell was that up there?" Zuko asked. I smirked.
"Well, Zhao wasn't allowing me to come, so I told him I could fight. Then he made me fight you." I said.
"I meant the straddling." Zuko said. I laughed.
"That's what's got you pissed?" I said. "I was making Zhao jealous."
"Why?"
"It's a method of persuasion called flirting." I said. He stared at me.
"Why would that work on him? I mean, you're... you." Zuko said. I gave him the middle finger.
"Nyla, please. Is that necessary?" Iroh said. Zuko and I sent him matching looks of 'stay out of this' and he stood.
"I'll get out of your way." He said, leaving.
"Are you saying I'm unattractive?" I said. Zuko's eyes widened as he realized what he said.
"I... uh... I didn't... err..."
"I mean, I realize I can be a brute, but that was a low blow." I continued.
"Nyla, I... um... err..."
"Seriously though, was that really necessary? I mean-"
"I didn't mean it! You're not unattractive!" Zuko exclaimed.
"So, I'm not unattractive, but I'm not attractive?" I said. This was too fun. Zuko was blushing.
"Your'e not the first thing, okay?" He said. He put his helmet on a slammed out. I blinked in confusion. Did he just say I was attractive.
"Miss, are you alright?" Another soldier asked, peering in the doorway.
"Ah, yes, I'm fine. Me and Tatsuo know each other from a long time ago. Don't worry about it. I was just teasing him." I said. Ryuu nodded.
"If you don't mind me asking, how do you know each other?" Ryuu asked.
"When my village was occupied, his family moved in. We grew up together." I said. Ryuu nodded.
"Well, we are nearing the Northern Tribe. I suggest getting some sleep before we head out." Ryuu said. I nodded.
"Thanks, Ryuu." I said. He closed the door and I sat on my bed, confused.
"Damn you, Pouty." I muttered. I layed down and went to sleep.