I do NOT own ATLA. I only own Reyna and my other OCs

Chapter Three: First Encounters

For her whole life, Reyna had had a tiny fear of water.

Not because of the wetness.

Or the cold.

Or even the Waterbenders.

But because of how hard it was to control.

Ever since she had started her Avatar teachings, Reyna had always had trouble with water. Now, being stuck on a ship with a snappy prince who needed therapy, was a new low point.

"I TOLD YOU TO SCAN THE AREA!" Zuko shouted as Reyna had started to take a break. "NOT SIT AROUND AND BE LAZY!" She swore he muttered "Useless." As he walked away.

Reyna shared a look with another soldier who had been forced- sorry- chosen to be on Zuko's crew. It has already been three weeks and they had already found and searched all four air temples. Now it was a wild goose chase…. Without the goose.

"Yes Prince Zuko." Reyna muttered, stretching her back and walking to the map room.

It was night. The moon was full and the stars shone bright. Iroh had even started a night called "Music Night" where the crew would sing, dance, and play what instruments they had. Reyna loved it, even if she never participated in the songs herself.

Zuko never joined. He never seemed to take a break from trying to find the Avatar. It was depressing really. But Reyna had a plan. Well, a plan to try to get the prince to stop. Even for a moment.

She walked over to Iroh, who was playing a type of horn she had never seen before, and sat down, crossed legged, never to him. He stopped playing. "What is wrong, Reyna?"

During the journey, Iroh and Reyna had become friends. Whenever she had a complaint, she would usually talk with him. Of course, she hadn't told him about being the past Avatar who was born more than a thousand years ago. That would be a lot of him to take in.

"I know the crew doesn't care, but the Prince has yet to join us."

Iroh nodded. "It seems like my nephew had taken the night to be by himself with his thoughts."

"It isn't healthy," Ryena implored. "Being obsessed with finding the airbender. He's only thirteen. His life should mean more than this."

Iroh looked up at Ryena's. "It seems you speak from experience."

Automatically, Reyna nodded. "My life was changed dramatically when I was younger. Younger than Prince Zuko."

Iroh gave a small hum before handing Ryena a small tray with two cups of jade tea cups and a pot of steaming tea.

"I was meaning to bring this to him, but why don't you?"

Reyna gasped under the helmet. "Me? Why would he take tea from me? We don't even know each other?"

Iroh smiled. "You are part of his crew. If he wants you to respect him, and him respect you, then it must start with even the tiniest bit of friendship."

Friendship?

With Zuko?

What?

But Reyna took the tray and bowed her head slightly. Then she made her way towards the map chamber.

"I already told you, Uncle. I don't have time for your time-wasting nonsense." Zuko muttered to himself as he heard the door open.

"I'm not your uncle." Said a voice. Instantly, Zuko turned only to find a fire nation soldier (part of his crew no doubt) with a tray of tea cups and tea pot. Zuko grumbled something under his breath.

"What was that?" Asked the soldier. They paused. "May I enter?"

Zuko, not knowing why, nodded and returned his gaze to a map.

The soldier set the tray down onto the table, sat knelt down on both knees, and started to post the tea in a cup. Once full, they tried to hand the steaming cup of jade.

"I'm not thirsty." Zuko said in a low, tired voice.

"Your throat is soar," Said the soldier. "This will help you gain your voice back."

Zuko glared at the soldier. "Who are you to tell me that I need tea?" He hissed. "Last time I checked, I was the prince."

The soldier had the nerves to chuckle.

"Even if you are a prince, I'm pretty sure that self-care applies."

Zuko opened his mouth to complain, but closed it and took the tea cup from the soldier's black gloves hands. He sipped it slowly, thinking.

Reyna stood up to leave, but Zuko grasped her wrist, stopping.

"Wait," he said. "You never answered my question. Who are you?"

Reyna stiffened. There was no way in the spirit world that she would tell Zuko who she was.

"My name is…. Rin…. your highness." She lied, deepening her voice to make her sound more... manly(?). Then she ran back to the deck, where the music instruments sang.

Unknown to Reyna, Zuko ignored the tea, and stared at the spot where she had last been standing. There was only one thought in his mind:

Who really was that soldier?

Hey guys! I'm back! Sorry about the wait, and unfortunately there will be another one. I don't have the next chapter written, but I can promise that Zuko will learn a little more about 'Rin'.

Chapter Song: Secrets By OneRepublic.

Thank you everyone for reading!

Please review to let me know how I'm doing and how to improve.