I do NOT own ATLA

Chapter Four: Talking

From that moment on, Reyna found the courage to talk to Zuko more and more.

During break she would go and give him tea. During training she would act as his opponent. She always made sure her face was covered by the helmet. Yes, she didn't know if the prince was sexist or not, but still, he might see a woman crew member as a weak link. So ya, it was best to stay hidden.

It was hard though. Ever since their tea conversation, Zuko had tried to find out more about "Rin". This meant he would follow her, ask questions, and practically stalk her through her course. It was creepy, then again, he had never had a parental figure to tell him that that was not ok.

Reyna would tell Iroh, the only one on the ship who knew her real name, but he would only chuckle and tell her thing like:

"It's just a phase. He shall soon learn that you do not appreciate it."

Reyna did not want to wait for him to , Reyna was going through the files apon files of messages that Zuko had tried to send back to the Fire Nation. Surprisingly, she was quite good at it. Growing up, all she had seemed to do was train. It was… nice… though to have a few moments of quiet.

"Ah, there you are!"

Goodbye quiet moments.

Reyna turned to see Zuko slumping into the doorway like a kid on a mission. Once again, Reyna was glad that her helmet was covering her face so that the prince couldn't see her rolling her eyes.

"I've been looking for you for the past half hour!" Zuko grumbled. "What are you doing!"

"Sorry, my prince," Said Reyna, standing up and facing Zuko. His burn had healed enough to be without the bandage, but it wouldn't go away. HIs stray ponytail was a little creepy though. "I didn't know doing my assignments was against your orders."

Zuko gave her a harsh glare. "I don't like your tone."

"Sorry." Reyna muttered under her breath.

"We're heading farther out to sea. I need every soldier on the deck."

"In case we find the avatar?" (Reyna couldn't help but smile a bit.)

"Just get up there!" He finished by stomping out and slamming the door behind him.

"Aye Yi Captain."

It had been seven hours since Zuko had called Reyna to the deck and no luck finding the current avatar. This did not do any wonders for Zuko.

"He has to be somewhere!" Zuko yelled, his whole face red with anger.

"Patience, young nephew." Iroh suggests, holding a cup of tea.

"I DON'T NEED PATIENCE!" Zuko shouted back. "WHAT I NEED IS THE AVATAR!"

"What I need is silence." Reyna grumbled to herself.

Iroh almost choked on his tea as he laughed to himself. Zuko turned to her, full dragon rage mode.

"HOW DARE YOU MUTTER ABOUT ME, PEASANT!" Shouted Zuko, his anger now pointed at Reyna. "YOU'RE LUCKY THAT YOU GET TO EVEN BE APART OF THIS CREW!"

"Am I lucky?" Reyna shot back, finally breaking. "You have no respect for anyone who is a part of your crew. We are the ones working while you throw tantrums like a spoiled brat."

A fist full of fire shot over Reyna's head, smoldering the top of her helmet. Iroh immediately stood up. "Prince Zuko-"

Ignoring him, Zuko sent another streak of flames, but this time towards her face. Reflexes kicked in and Reyna dodged and sent her own attack of ruby heart toward the prince. He rolled on the deck, a look of disbelief written adorned his face. Mutters around the ship could be heard.

"Did you see that-"

"They're a firebender!"

"What do you think the prince will do-""I bet he'll yell again-"

Zuko looked at the ground, then stopped back into the boat, his fists in rage. Reyna walked back towards Iroh and sat down. He gave her a disapproving look.

"What?"

He looked away.

"Sigh, ok ok. I'll talk to him."

Reyna stood up from her spot and made her way under the deck.

She found Prince Zuko in his chambers, with his door wide open. He was sitting at a single table, looking like he was meditating. She cleared her voice.

"What?" He hissed, not even looking at her.

"I… just wanted to apologize for my harsh words from earlier." Reyna stated. "I'm sorry." She started to walk away when Zuko responded.

"You were right."

This made Reyna freeze. She was right? DId Zuko just say that he was wrong. Maybe he had changed from only a few months at sea.

"About you needing to apologize." He stuttered instead.

Guess not.

"I guess I'm just tired." He looked away from her and back to the table, where there was absolutely nothing.

Reyna pondered her choices.

1) Leave and go back to the deck

2) Stay and talk about feelings to the prince

"Oh, by the sprites." She muttered softly to herself. "May I come in."

He nodded. She sat down across from him. Awkward silence filled the room.

"Sooooo." She started, making Zuko look up at her. She sighed. "Look, I know it's not the same, but my life changed before I was ready too. At first I hated the fact the whole world around me was changing, but I could do nothing about it. For you, you were forced to change before you were ready. You're what? 13? You should still be in school, not on a boat on the sea looking for someone who was said to die a hundred years ago."

Zuko gave her a look. She held her hand up in a 'hold on' motion. "I'm just stating fact. I'm not trying to bring you down, but you're not going to last long without allies."

She held out a hand. He looked at it in confusion.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to shake your hand. You know, to become allies. Usually this is how it works."

He raised out his own hand, hesitantly, and grasped hers. His palm was warm, probably from the fire he threw" at her. Once they separated, Reyna decided to do something reckless. Something she was probably going to regret later in life. She placed her hands onto her helmet. Zuko's eyes widened.

Well, she thought, here goes nothing. She took off her helmet. Black hair fell down about an inch over her shoulders (she had to cut it before the voyage.) Her deep amber eyes met his golden ones (which were as wide as the moon).

"You're a girl." He blurted, then quickly covered his mouth in embarrassment. Reyna couldn't help but chuckle at that.

"Yup. My plan was to keep that thing on for the whole time, but it gets stuffy in there one you have it on for a while. Hard to breathe." She noted his shocked face. "Surprise?"

Zuko didn't respond, but his face was completely red, not from rage, but from blush. It must have been from embarrassment.

"Yeah. So… I'll be back on the deck if you need me. Your uncle said that he was going to make fire poppy tea. Never had it, but I'm done for it." She placed her helmet back on and started making her way back to the door.

"Wait!" Zuko said, stopping her in her tracks. "Could we talk another time?"

"You're the prince. You have authority. But sure. As long as you don't throw anymore fire balls at me."

Zuko laughed, making Reyna smile. "I promise, Rin."

"Well then, good time Prince Zuko," Then she walked out and returned to the deck.

Maybe Iroh was right.

Maybe she could make a new friend after all.

Look! I'm finally updating! I'm so so sorry about that wait, but a lot of thing are happening in my life (for the better) so I haven't had time to write for a while.

So, quick overview, Zuko finally gets to see Reyna's (Rin's) face. And he blushes (I'll let you decide what that means).

Also I'm thinking about starting "The Boy in the Iceberg" next chapter, but I'm open to having Zuko and Reyna having a chapter or two to get to know each other a little bit more. Let me know in the reviews.

Chapter Song: As It Was by Harry Styles

Once again, thank you so much to all of my readers. Its nice knowing there are people in the world who like reading my writings!

Please review to let me know how I'm doing!