Author's Note:Thank you so much for the reviews, favourites, and follows! Thank you for even checking this story out. I am so happy people are enjoying it. This chapter is slightly shorter, so I might try to finish editing chapter 5 and get it posted tonight or early tomorrow because of that. I hope you all enjoy as Mira and Zuko get to know one another a little bit better. Iroh, as always, is an absolute perfect human being. Also, someone on one of the sites I post on commented that Aang is playing matchmaker, and to that I have to say, no, would he really do that?
Yes, yes he would.
~Chapter 4 Start~
"Sailing into Fire Nation waters. Of all the foolish things you've done in your eighteen years, Prince Zuko, this is the most foolish." Iroh declared as he flourished his hands outwards, a frown etched deeply into his face.
Whatever that man had told Zuko, it couldn't be good. When he had returned that night he was angry and frustrated; which wasn't news in itself, but his reason this time was the problem. Seething impulsively as he ground out the order to sail towards the Fire Nation; to follow the Avatar at all costs.
I stood beside him as we watched Zuko frantically look through his telescope trying to catch sight of the Avatar's bison. He was obsessed, not listening to any reason as he stood on deck all night watching the waves part around the ship.
"I have no choice, Uncle." Zuko childishly retorted.
"Have you completely forgotten that the Fire Lord banished you? What if you're caught?" Iroh asked, his voice almost breaking at the end.
"I'm chasing the Avatar. My father will understand why I'm returning home." Zuko shot back as he finally looked away from the telescope.
"You give him too much credit," Iroh said as he crossed his arms. "My brother is not the understanding type."
Zuko refused to reply, and instead went back to looking through his telescope, trying to catch sight of the Avatar.
"There they are," Zuko almost whispered as he turned to look at the helm. "Helmsmen, full steam ahead!"
"Dear God, this is how I die, isn't it?" I whispered as I stared up into the sky.
Soldiers began to ready the catapult as well, and I almost fell as the ships deck parted as a platform raised the warmachine to the ready. They began to cover the projectile with oil and I didn't even have to guess what would happen next.
"Really, Prince Zuko, couldn't you shoot them down with something more fragrant?" Iroh asked as he fanned himself.
"On my mark," Zuko raised his hand, "fire!"
One of the soldiers cut the rope holding the catapult down, and it fired on cue, shooting a flaming ball at the airborne bison. It missed, just barely, and I almost let out a small whoop.
Glancing at Zuko I could see him starting to grind his teeth in irritation. Yeesh.
"A blockade..." Zuko growled.
"Well shit, what now?" I asked.
"Technically, you are still in Earth Kingdom waters. Turn back now and they cannot arrest you." Iroh suggested.
"Ooo, let's do that, I second that plan." I said louder this time.
"He's not turning around." Zuko said.
"Please, Prince Zuko. If the Fire Nation captures you, there's nothing I can do," Iroh warned, "do not follow the Avatar."
"I'm sorry, Uncle..." Zuko spoke as he closed his eyes for a moment. "Run the blockade!"
At his words a flurry of fireballs came sailing towards the Avatar, which also meant they were sailing at us. I let out a small shriek as I stepped back in shock.
"What now?" I hissed as Zuko shot me a glare.
The projectiles came sailing down, smashing into the water below us causing waves to crash aboard. The boat shook, sending different soldiers scattering across the deck. I looked up to see only minor damage, but that was only the first barrage.
I rushed out of the way quickly, hanging onto the railing as the water sloshed over me.
If only I knew how to waterbend...
Another fireball managed to hit the stern of the ship where Zuko was bracing against the catapult. He managed to stay upright, but the hit had caused considerable damage to the ship. If the smoke coming from that part of the ship said anything.
"Prince Zuko, the engines are damaged! We need to stop and make repairs!" One of the engineers declared.
"Do not stop this ship." Zuko ordered as he turned around and glared at the helmsmen.
We neared the blockade just as the Avatar descended from the clouds. I slipped against the railing where I was holding on and gasped as Aang jumped into the air and shot a burst of wind out, shattering the fireball into dust. His bison flew through unharmed and I let out the breath I was holding. Thank goodness, I didn't have a plan for what to do if he actually managed to kill Aang.
"We're on a collision course!" Iroh shouted as two Fire Nation ships steered into our way.
"We can make it!" Zuko declared.
Just as the two ships were about to collide with our smaller one, they stopped allowing us to sail right through. I saw dozens of Fire Nation soldiers stationed on deck, watching us as we slowly sailed through.
"Oh this can't be good..." I muttered as I moved to stand with Iroh and Zuko as we passed a rather smug looking Commander Zhao.
Iroh was stroking his beard in thought and I knew, I just knew, we were having the same suspicious thoughts.
~Break~
"What is he up to, Uncle, why hasn't Commander Zhao arrested me?" Zuko asked as he pressed himself against the railing of the ship.
"Because he wants to follow you. He knows you'll lead him to the prize you're both after...The Avatar." Iroh answered.
"If Zhao wants to follow our trail of smoke, then that's exactly what I'll let him do." Zuko said as his eyes narrowed.
"You're going to pull a changeling on him, aren't you!" I gasped as I walked up towards him.
"A...what?" Zuko asked, perplexed by my word usage and my suddenly eager disposition.
"Changeling, it's a folk tale turned into kind of a realistic scary story. Basically the idea is you use a decoy so you can get something you want, usually it's a child...but in this case the Avatar is technically a child so I think it's still an apt description." I explained as I leaned in close to Zuko.
"Ok, yes, my plan is to use the ship as a distraction...why are you so interested?" He asked with suspicion.
"If you're getting off this ship and going after the Avatar, someone should at least go with you, I want it to be me." I replied.
I wasn't sure why, but something in my gut let me know wherever Aang had gone in such a hurry was somewhere I needed to be right now too. That, and I couldn't let Zuko go off on his own either.
I couldn't risk Aang getting hurt, I had no idea where Sadar and his men were, and Aang gave me but one assurance; Zuko would keep me safe.
So sue me if I wanted to stick with him.
"I think it's a good idea, Prince Zuko, she is small and agile and it's safer for you both if you stay together." Iroh agreed, tipping the scales in my favour.
"Fine..." Zuko grumbled with a small glare.
But hey, at least this time it was only a small one.
~Break~
I found myself regretting my decision to follow Zuko as I found myself seated on a smaller boat being lowered into the water via a wooden platform and chain. The water was relatively calm, but still rather choppy for such a small boat. It did nothing to calm my nerves, neither did the fact that life vests didn't exist.
What a time to only know firebending.
"Uncle, keep heading north. Zhao will follow the smoke trail, while we use it as a cover." Zuko ordered as he stood beside me.
"Hmm..." Iroh grumbled as he stroked his beard, lost in thought as he saw us off. "Keep each other safe."
"We will." I answered before Zuko could give a snide remark.
Iroh nodded towards us as he disembarked from the ship and set off under the cover of smoke. I watched as Iroh, and the ship, became smaller and smaller as we sailed in different directions. Zuko didn't say anything as he saileed us towards a crescent shaped island in the distance.
"I hope you know what you're doing Prince Zuko..." I sighed as he gave me a look.
"Of course I know what I'm doing, you're not scared, are you?" He mocked as he set our course and we started moving away from the ship.
"No, of course I'm not..." I grumbled with a small blush.
Stupid smart ass prince...
Ok, maybe I was a little afraid, not that I'd ever tell him that.
~Break~
We docked at the base of what looked like large palace grounds that winded around the crescent shaped island. We were at the bottom of long twisting stairs that led towards a delicately perched temple overhanging a volcano. A probably active volcano, judging by the plumes of smoke it emitted.
Could firebenders bend lava?
"Wow..." I gaped as Zuko smirked at my expression.
"First time to the homeland?" He asked mockingly.
"Shut up, you know it is." I rolled my eyes as I stepped off the ship and headed up the steep steps.
"What's the plan?" I asked.
"The plan is we sneak in, assess the situation, and then act." Zuko answered.
"That's it?" I asked.
"That's it." He sighed, getting annoyed with my questions now.
"Alright...it just seems kind of...bare bones." I said, juggling what words to use.
"We have no idea what's up there, or who we're up against, so yes, we will wait to form a full plan." He hissed through clenched teeth as he rushed up the steps ahead of me.
Ok, he kind of had a point, but he didn't need to be so rude about it.
I pouted, but picked up my pace to keep up. Regardless of the fact he pissed me off, I wasn't going to break my promise to Iroh.
Even if I had to kill Zuko to keep it. Err, rather, maim Zuko to keep it.
~Break~
We entered the temple with ease, it seemed like all the Sages were busy with the Avatar, if the shouting and sounds of a scuffle were anything to go by.
Zuko followed the winding halls easily, as I stared in awe at the beautiful structure of the building. Long intricately carved marble columns plated with gold trim and rubies. The floor was also marble of various warm colours. Someone had taken care to carve out the tiles and lay them into such delicate patterns. My eyes darted around, drinking in the real intact temples the people of my time had found just bare remnants of.
I was shaken from my idle thoughts by a hand on my shoulder, steering me to follow closely and stop dawdling. Zuko placed a finger to his lips signaling for my silence and I obeyed. I crouched down, following his movements up another set of spiraling stairs, until my knee brushed his and I stopped.
We had entered a large room filled with marble pillars and two large metal doors. Aang was not far from us now, backing up around a pillar as the Sages fought his friends. He was too preoccupied with his own plan of action, he completely missed Zuko and I.
Zuko gave me a small node as he poised to strike. He moved like a jungle cat, fast and strong. His hand clasped over Aang's mouth as he held the boy's hands behind his back, dragging him into the shadows I was crouched in.
"Now Aang!" One of the Sage's shouted.
Aang began to struggle in Zuko's grasp, which only made him tighten his grip. With a small kick of his foot, he nudged me to move forward. Tightening his grip on Aang's arm, causing the boy to groan, he walked us into the lit room that lay before two large ornate doors.
"Aang, now's your chance!" Katara shouted, causing Aang to struggle more.
"The Avatar's coming with me!" Zuko declared, breaking the tense silence.
He pushed Aang from behind the final pillar and approached everyone with a determined look in his eyes. I followed behind them, getting into a fighter's stance, making good on my promise to Iroh.
'Sorry Aang.' I winced to myself as he struggled to get away.
The Sages reversed their positions, taking advantage of everyone's confused state, and took the Avatar's friends hostage as well.
"Close the doors. Quickly!" Zuko ordered.
He started leading Aang away, down the steps that left the temple. I followed after him with a small sigh. Just how far was Zuko willing to go to capture the Avatar?
I didn't really want to be doing this.
"Don't worry about it so much." Spirit Aang spoke as my eyes flitted to his translucent form.
I couldn't say anything in response, but just knowing I wasn't alone was enough.
I caught sight of Aang's friends being chained up against the pillars and turned back around in sudden shame, catching Aang's eyes for a moment before Zuko forced him to turn away.
As Aang finished turning forward, his momentum carried and it took me a moment to realize he had slipped out of Zuko's hold with a small twirl. Zuko attempted to regain his grip, causing his balance to become off and Aang took that moment to kick him in the back, sending him spiraling down the stairs.
I didn't have much time to ready myself as Aang launched himself at me with a speed I assumed he got from airbending. I twisted my body as I allowed his movement to carry us both, grasping his wrist in my right hand as I twisted, using his weight and momentum to slam him into the floor.
He lay there dazed for the smallest moment before he twisted his legs around and kicked up, causing me to fall backwards as a burst of air shot forth from his feet. He was gone before I finished blinking, rushing towards his friends.
"Go!" Katara shouted as I rounded the corner and looked around for Aang. I saw him steer towards the big doors as the Sages rushed to close it and stop him. He dodged them, flipping up into the air and using one of the Sage's heads as leverage to handspring off to land before the door. He managed to skid in just as the doors closed and all I could do was stand there is awe.
I wonder if I would one day be able to fight like that.
"He made it!" Katara cheered.
A bright light filtered through the cracks of the door, lighting up the surrounding room. I covered my eyes as I felt a strange pulsing sensation. It took me a moment to realize that pulsing was pure unfiltered energy. My eyes widened a crack as I took a step back, but otherwise nothing else happened.
Huh, somehow I had expected...more.
Zuko rushed into the room, looking out of sorts, and let out a strangled snarl as he saw the closed doors along with the Aang's absence.
"You four, help me open this door." He ordered as four of the sages walked forward to assist him in opening the doors fire-run mechanism.
They stood in a line and readied in a horse stance, knees bent and centre of gravity low, before punching outwards. Flames searing through the air and into the door with a crackling snarl. As the heat dissipated, the door remained closed, scorch marks littering it angrily.
"Ugh! Why isn't it working? It's still sealed shut!" Zuko shouted angrily.
He began to pace and glower at each and every Sage who looked at him.
"It must have been the light. Avatar Roku doesn't want us inside." The bald Sage answered as Zuko let out a huff.
"Nothing left to do but wait," I sighed with a shrug, "on the bright side, he only has one way out."
~Break~
In the lull between fighting, Zuko had realized one of the Sages had rebelled and assisted Aang in entering Roku's sanctuary. He was now dead set on interrogating the poor man, regardless of if he actually knew anything of merit.
"Why did you help the Avatar?" He demanded as he paced in front of him.
He had the Sage kneeled on the floor, held down by one sage as the other three flanked him. The tension in the room was palpable and I wondered if Zuko was always this high strung.
Didn't he ever get to just be a teenager?
"Because it was once the Sages' duty," The Sage spoke, his tone sorrowful and soft. He took a small pause to look down at the floor. "It is still our duty."
His expression was somber and I could tell he was grappling with something deep inside himself. But before Zuko could get anything else out of him, we were interrupted by slow clapping causing us all to turn around and investigate.
There strode in a proud Commander Zhao, backed by at least six other Fire Nation soldiers. He was looking like the cat that got the cream, grin spread wide and disgusting. I could see his teeth and wanted so badly to smash the perfect chiclets in.
"What a moving and heartfelt performance," Zhao laughed as he stopped just shy of a few feet from us. "I'm certain the Fire Lord will understand...when you explain why you betrayed him."
"Commander Zhao." The head Sage bowed instantly.
"Keener..." I grumbled as I glared down the pathetic wretch of a man.
"And Prince Zuko with little Mira...it was a noble effort, but your little smokescreen didn't work. Three traitors in one day, the Fire Lord will be pleased." Zhao boasted as a pair of soldiers rounded on us and grabbed our wrists, pinning them to our backs.
I twisted painfully as I let out a snarl, I decidedly did not like this. Zuko seemed to be of the same mind, his body thrashing around wildly as he attempted to get to Zhao.
"You're too late, Zhao!" Zuko roared, lunging forward as best he could. "The Avatar's inside and the doors are sealed."
"No matter, sooner or later he has to come out." Zhao said, his eyes flicking from the doors and back to Zuko's steaming face.
We were pulled away from the door and chained to a pillar much like Aang's friends. The chains pinched at my skin, pulling it tight in some places whenever I moved. I snapped at the soldier nearest to me as he tightened them, a small amount of smoke exhaling from my own nostrils. I exchanged looks with Zuko, but he just shook his head lightly to wait, a scowl etched into his face. Well shit, we were playing the waiting game.
Zhao ordered his men to line up at the ready, and they did so with haste, falling into their positions. Zhao stood at the front, squaring his shoulders in subdued rage. He may have had the upper hand, but he wasn't pleased we had tried to trick him and that the Avatar had also gotten away from him.
"When those doors open, unleash all your fire power!" Zhao commanded; he was done taking chances now.
"How's Aang gonna make it out of this?" Katara asked as she turned to the boy next to her.
"How are we gonna make it out of this?!" Sokka questioned back almost hysterically.
Katara threw an annoyed look towards him, and I couldn't help the snort of laughter that escaped; Sokka had a point.
Light started streaming through the door again, steam leaking out as the doors slowly began to part. I could feel the temperature in the room rising as the hair on the back of my beck began to raise.
"Oh this can't be good..." I whispered to myself out of nervousness.
"Ready?" Zhao asked as the door almost fully slid open.
The room suddenly went dark, the kind of pure endless darkness that swallows you whole. The only beacon of light coming from the glow of two eyes. A rage swept through the room like nothing I had ever felt before and goosebumps prickled across my skin.
"No! Aang!" Katara cried out.
"Fire!" Zhao ordered as he shot the first fist of fire.
His men followed suit and the door exploded in a barrage of flames that circled around the inside of the frame. The fire slowly weaved around and upwards, before dissipating enough so we could see an old man standing there, bending the fire with practiced ease. He was dressed in Fire Nation garb and had long billowing white hair with a matching beard. His eyes were glowing with the same power I had felt before and I gasped.
He was one of the previous Avatars...wasn't he. This must have been his temple.
But I didn't have the same feeling of recognition that I had when I saw Aang.
"Avatar Roku." The sage tied to the pillar gasped out.
Roku collected the flames and brought his hands forward, channeling the energy into one single focal point. He clapped his hands outwards and a ring of fire shot forth, slamming into Zhao and his men, knocking them to the ground. The stench of burning hair became thick in the air and I choked on it as the chains tying us up heated up so hot they fell away and disappeared.
Zuko and I exchanged curious looks. Why had he helped us? We were trying to stop Aang just as much as Zhao was.
Well, I knew why Roku had helped me, call it a feeling. But Zuko didn't have any ties to Roku, as far as I knew. He seemed just as confused as me, but refused to let it stun him, unlike myself; I was a slack-jawed mess. He grabbed my arm and rushed me forward and towards the stairs he had fallen down previously.
"Move!" He hissed as I felt his fingers starting to leave bruises.
But instead of arguing, I nodded and followed Zuko through the winding hallways. The temple began to shake and I lost my foot and slammed into the wall. With a small groan I heaved myself back onto my feet and rushed after Zuko, losing him as he made a sharp left turn. Lava shot upwards from the floor and I shied back, raising my hands against the heat. Zuko stopped as he heard the eruption and the look on his face held fear; for once he wasn't so sure we were going to make it.
He came back for me though, holding true to Iroh's word. He looked around, his eyes darting around frantically.
"You're going to need to try and jump it." Zuko finally breathed out, his voice rough from the thickening smoke.
The ceiling was beginning to collapse now and I shuddered as a bead of sweat slipped down my spine; I didn't have a choice anymore, the temple was making it for me.
I walked back a few paces and readied myself. I had to trust I could do this. After a few steadying breaths I rushed towards the molten lava and jumped towards the wall attempting to run along it with my momentum, praying the air would help guide me if I focused on it hard enough. I started to fall sideways just as I passed mid-span and jumped in a panic, collapsing in Zuko's waiting arms as he lunged to grab me where I had started to veer off the wall.
We fell backwards in a heap, his momentum the only thing keeping us from frying to a crisp. Zuko refused to let us stay there for long, already on his feet and moving to help me. He grasped my hands and heaved me up, ushering me down the last flight of stairs and out onto the beach. We raced onto the boat and I watched as the temple sank into the island as everything around us lit up in orange.
The water was reflecting the chaos around us as we shoved off. Zuko was uncharacteristically stoik. He was gazing out at the waves and I wondered if he might be in shock.
"How did you know that Aang was going to do that?" I asked as the island grew smaller in the distance.
"He had done something similar before, back on our ship. I figured he might do it again if cornered, I just elected not to warn Zhao." Zuko smirked, the grim expression on his face finally falling.
"Wow, not bad Prince Zuko, not bad." I laughed as the cool sea air tickled my cheeks.
"And you doubted my plan." He snorted.
"Your plan was not to have a plan." I deadpanned.
For once, Zuko elected not to respond, and we both enjoyed the lulling peace the ocean brought.
"I'm sorry we lost him again, by the way." I spoke as I gazed out at the sea.
He didn't respond, but for some reason I felt the tension lessen just a bit.
~Break~
I found myself in Aang and my field almost as soon as I had fallen asleep. It had been a hectic day and I was already dead on my feet in the temple.
No pun intended, mostly.
Instead of finding him sitting in his usual spot, he was standing and staring off into the distance, looking thoughtful.
"Penny for your thoughts?" I asked as he turned and gave me a tight smile.
"Just reminiscing I suppose." He airily spoke.
He went and sat in his usual spot, cross legged, and motion for me to do the same.
"Does that mean I can ask you a question?" I asked as I took a seat and stared up into his warm brown eyes.
"Sure." He smiled.
"What was that you did back there? With Avatar Roku?" I asked.
"Ahh, that. That was the Avatar state, so to speak. Usually the previous Avatars do not take physical form, but it can happen. When the Avatar is in great danger or distress, the knowledge and power of all the past Avatars appear to aid the Avatar in surviving and maintaining balance. Call it a defence mechanism." Aang explained.
"Does that mean I can do it too?" I asked as I leaned in close.
Aang was silent for a moment, pursing his lips in thought.
"You can, but I must warn you that you should take every precaution to ensure it doesn't happen. If it does, you will surely be outed as the Avatar. Plus, if you die in the Avatar state, the regeneration cycle is broken and you will, we all will, die for real. No more coming back in a new life." Aang warned.
"Whoa, ok, yeah, note to self, don't enter the Avatar state." I binked, taking in everything Aang had told me.
"Don't worry, you shouldn't have a need for it." Aang comforted as he placed an ethereal hand on my shoulder.
"I wish I had as much faith in me as you did."
~Break~
"Oh, you also have a sword. Does that mean we are going to finally spar?" I asked as Zuko stood before me, arms crossed, but a sword still at his side.
"No." Zuko said simply, uncrossing his arms.
"Going to give me a hint then?" I asked, my own sword being held limply in my hand.
"We will be exchanging blows. Pick the best guard to receive mine, while also picking the best strike to send my way from that guard. If you leave yourself open, well, you'll see." Zuko grinned.
He raised his sword and began to slowly strike at me from a downwards angle. I raised my sword, allowing it to slip off the flat edge of my blade, before striking from below, moving towards his legs. Zuko caught my blade easily, twisting it around and sending my blade strike towards the ground. His next strike moved across the midline, I received his strike, twisting my own blade to shove his strike away from my own body.
My arm was at an awkward angle and I realized I hadn't sent his blade off correctly, and so I dipped my elbow to raise my blade upwards in order to cut downwards. A sharp sting hit my side and I gasped.
"What the hell?!" I shrieked, staring at Zuko who stared at me, holding a small switch with a smug grin.
"You left yourself open." Zuko explained, holding the switch in one arm, his sword in the other.
"Why?" I asked once more.
"So you'll stop leaving yourself open. That could have just as easily been a blade. I figured the sting would help you remember." Zuko said, his amirk growing larger.
"Fine, whatever. Let's just go again." I grumbled, eyeing his stick with disdain.
Zuko cut upwards this time, and I sidestepped, deflecting his blade with my flat edge, before thrusting towards him. Zuko triangle stepped away, shunting my blade away as another sting hit my side.
"Oww! Why this time?!" I hissed.
"After your strike, you didn't reset and left your back open." Zuko said, motioning for me to correct my footing.
"Asshole..." I grumbled as we continued like that for the next few hours.
Zuko didn't start pulling his hits until Iroh appeared on deck, watching us.
"Oh my, I remember when Zuko used to play this game with his instructor. Oh how he would get angry every time he was hit, and it was a lot if I remember correctly." Iroh smiled as he fanned himself.
After that, the lesson was over as Zuko stomped off fuming.
"Was it something I said?" Iroh asked with a small shrug.
~Break~
It had been a few nights since the solstice and Zuko was in an even fouler mood. He wasn't a fan of losing his only chance at going home repeatedly as it turned out. Which of course meant the rest of the crew was on edge as well.
I was having trouble sleeping again and didn't want to really get into it with Aang. Being somewhere new and knowing I'd never be able to get back home was a lot to digest. I was lucky up until this point. I had been kept busy, everything was shiny and new.
But now?
Now it was dangerous, exhausting, and downright frightening at times. It was also terribly lonely. I had no family here, no friends. The closest thing I had was Iroh.
"Couldn't sleep either?" Zuko asked, startling me from my thoughts.
I twisted my body and noticed he had crept up on me during my deep introspection, and was now standing beside me, about half a foot between us. He was dressed down, probably in his sleep wear for the night much like myself.
"Nah, you?" I asked.
He merely shook his head and I let my head fall to rest on the railing. We lapsed into silence after that. I wasn't sure what to say, almost everything was setting him off lately. So, I opted to stay quiet and fall into my own thoughts.
"Do you think there will ever be a day I'll finally be able to return home?" Zuko asked, voice strained and oh so quiet.
The question stunned me for a few reasons. The biggest being how similar our thoughts had been tonight.
"I...I dunno, I'd like to think so but...I'd also like to think it would be on better terms than leading a boy off to his death." I sighed as I voiced my fear of our situation.
"Then you do not know my father." Zuko scoffed as he clenched the metal bannister.
"No, I don't, but I have been getting to know you a little bit, as well as Iroh. I think one day you will return home, I just hope it's on your terms is all." I explained, my thoughts filtering off like the cool sea breeze.
"Do you ever miss home?" He asked, changing the subject to something more comfortable.
Something we actually had in common.
"Every minute of every day." I answered in complete honesty.
We didn't talk after that, just stood outside for a while enjoying each other's silent presence. I could feel the warmth he gave off and basked in it. Maybe I was being a little selfish.
Maybe Zuko was a friend too.
~Break~
When I arrived for my training with Iroh, I found Zuko waiting there with an impatient look on his face. His arms were crossed as a frown was spread across his lips. This wasn't out of the ordinary however, what was out of the ordinary was that Zuko was even at my lesson with Iroh.
"Hey Iroh, hey Zuko. Not that it's a problem, but why is Zuko here?" I asked as I reached them.
"Sure, talk about me like I'm not even here." Zuko whined as he stared out into the ocean.
"I feel you have progressed enough to join Zuko in his training now." Iroh said as if Zuko was completely on board.
"Against my own wishes, might I add." Zuko snipped.
"Wow, I sure do feel welcome" I said in a deadpan, giving Zuko a bored look.
"Don't worry, you're not." Zuko said with a slight smirk.
"Alright, enough chit chat, let's get started." Iroh said as he clapped his hands together, halting my own retort.
Zuko stood across from me, raising his hands up and squaring off. I did much the same wondering what exactly Iroh had planned.
"I want you two to go through the basic strikes, when Zuko does his first strike, I want you to dodge Mira, and when Zuko is finished his strike you start with your first one. Begin." Iroh instructed as he took a few steps around us.
Zuko struck first, as instructed. HIs fist came out, fireless for one of the few times since I had known him. It was slow and so I weaved, moving to strike back. This went on for a few rounds, and by the end I was beginning to feel impatient.
Zuko's movements were sharp and precise, but he managed to keep the pace set by Iroh. Meanwhile, as we kept going on I began to falter and mis-step. Each time Iroh would calmly correct me, telling us to freeze as he came over to correct my stance.
I could tell Zuko was beginning to grow bored of being constantly stopped. He kept giving me withering glares each time Iroh would have us stop. He was beyond done playing with beginners. I couldn't help but frown and feel embarrassment bleed across my chest. Who was he to be so judgemental? Didn't Iroh say he struggled a lot at first too?
"Relax, Mira. You are starting to speed up." Irohg corrected for the fourth time.
"Sorry." I sighed as I slowed my movement.
I saw Zuko roll his eyes as he dodged my strike, moving to throw his own. We completed the circuit once more before Iroh finally stopped us.
"Alright, next I want you two to do the same, but with fire." Iroh commanded.
"Really? Don't you think I am beyond this? Zuko huffed.
"No one is beyond the basics, Prince Zuko." Iroh explained.
"If I knew letting you stay meant dumbing all my lessons down, I'd have left you in the South Pole." Zuko grumbled to himself.
"Oh yeah? I was under the impression that Iroh made that decision, not you." I hissed back.
Zuko frowned but said nothing more. He threw his first attack which I dodged, feeling the heat of the fire hit my bare skin. I almost tripped as my heart rate spiked from how close the fire had come to me. The burning temple entered my mind as I felt the hot air from the active volcano going off. I felt like I couldn't breathe as my heart continued to race.
"Focus, Mira." Iroh chastised.
I took a breath and shook myself from my memories, and moved to extend my own strike. I couldn't get caught up in what had happened, I had to adapt, I had to learn. My own fire, although not as large, soared past Zuko's head as he effortlessly dodged. Zuko moved towards his second strike, and this time I was ready for the heat. I raised my own body temperature, ignoring how close Zuko's fire was and dodged, this time staying fully erect. I moved to my second strike and we continued through them all for two more circuits. Before I had realized it, Zuko and I had begun to dance around one another.
The fire sparkled as it dissipated with each strike. We began to move almost in unison, speeding up ever so slowly as we went. Iroh didn't say anything, instead watching me intently as I matched Zuko's pace. I felt my heart beat in rhythmic time with our movements. Each attack, Zuko seemed to be speeding up ever so slightly. It took two more circuits for me to realize I hadn't messed up even once since the first time.
Zuko had a small grin on his face as he kept pushing our pace. I could feel my own lips spread into a smile as we moved. The heat had long since been forgotten and the movements no longer felt as strained. My confidence grew as we continued, that is, until I missed a dodge as Zuko's flaming fist was sent careening towards my face.
I shied back awaiting the searing blow but found instead, the fire had dissipated before it hit me. Moving my hands from my face I found Zuko standing before me, lightly panting. His fist was pointing towards me, but the fire hadn't come.
"Excellent control, Prince Zuko." Iroh praised.
"Well, someone has to have it." Zuko said with a small frown as he turned away from me.
"Excellent job as well, Mira. You went a lot faster than I thought you could, and kept up with Zuko for quite some time." Iroh praised as he turned to me.
I took in a couple greedy breaths of air as I stared at Zuko's back, before turning to face Iroh.
"Thanks." I said simply, not really quite sure what to say.
Zuko continued to ignore me, heading for a canteen of water instead. As he took in greedy sips I couldn't help but feel impressed by how much power and control Zuko seemed to have.
If only he had that kind of control all the time.
~Chapter 4 End~