Author's Note:Welcome back to tonight's installment of Where I Come From! In this chapter we finally hit the Northern Water Tribe and we draw nearer to the end of Book One: Water. There is one chapter left, and I will be working on finishing the editing etc on that one asap. So another fun fact before I go. I actually wrote the entire season of Avatar for this story in one night. It was like 30ish hours overall technically. I had really bad insomnia that night and when I woke up what I had written was like 50k words of utter trash! But, I had the bare-bones so I kept at it. This is probably the longest story I have ever written.
And to the one reviewer who said these are their favourite episodes, I hope I do them justice. I cannot wait to hear what you think.
To the rest who are loving how things are heating up, I hope these additional Zuko moments make you smile.
In this chapter we get some more bonding with Zuko so I hope you enjoy it. Poor Mira, what is she going to do now that she's been hit with the love bug? :( I'm not even sure the poor thing has even realized it yet. Season two is going to be rough on her.
~Chapter 8 Start~
It had been a week since that awkward night where Zuko and I had a weird moment, or well, staring contest I guess. He had avoided me as much as I had avoided him, which was easy enough to do since he commanded the ship after all.
Unfortunately, today Iroh wanted both of us to train...together. Great.
So here I was, dressed down in my linens, standing across from Zuko getting ready to spar. Despite the fact that the climate was steadily growing colder as we headed north. Iroh signaled for us to begin and I waited for Zuko to act first.
He came at me hard, and without much warning. Usually Zuko gave away some sort of tell whenever we fought. It made me wonder if he did it subconsciously because he didn't want to hurt me, or if he thought I was that weak.
Anger burned in my gut at that thought, and I reversed his strike, throwing him back and side stepping. He grunted in slight pain as I twisted his wrist, but otherwise continued his pursuit. As his rage grew, so did his speed. I was able to read his movements rather easily due to one simple fact; that Zuko was growing impatient and no longer acting as controlled. He was moving faster than he ever had during our matches, but he was sloppy.
Well, sloppy enough for me to anticipate his movements.
This went on for a while, him attacking, me evading. He was slowly growing agitated with my repeated retreat. He punched, and I danced around it, twisting and turning in ways he couldn't follow. Until he finally grew angry, and bold, enough to push me.
He struck this time, and I dodged not expecting the fire. It singed my arms as I raised them to diffuse the fire with a pained gasp. No doubt he had burned the hairs off my arms.
"What the fuck!" I snarled, launching myself at Zuko.
I struck at him, hard, fire spouting from my fist as he dodged. He let out a series of kicks I didn't even bother to defend against. Gathering as much fire as I could into my fists, I knelt to the ground copying what I had seen Zhao do once. The fire sparked against the metal of the ship as I picked up speed.
I was yelling, I think. I couldn't tell with my blood pounding through my skull. I lifted my hands, throwing out as much heat and rage as I could, a blast of fire sailing towards Zuko. Iroh intercepted, covering my hands and throwing me to the deck. The fire dissipated as I let out a small yelp. Zuko followed soon afterwards with his own grunt of pain.
"Never in my life have I ever seen a more dishonourable fight," Iroh stated simply, "get up and go to your rooms and cool off."
Zuko and I exchanged glares as we parted ways at the split. I slammed my door before I could hear him do the same, letting out a small shriek of anger.
~Break~
I didn't leave my room until that night. Creeping into the kitchens to steal some leftovers. What I didn't expect to find was Zuko doing much the same. He had stopped eating when he saw me and was now just staring at me. Not glaring, not trying to explode me with his stare, just...looking.
I decided to ignore him, grabbing myself a plate of food, and sitting across from him. He had stopped staring at me by now and was back to eating.
"What was...all that about?" I asked, not really wanting to elaborate.
"I was just...pissed off. You were playing with me." Zuko sighed, putting his spoon down.
"I wasn't playing with you, I was just—"
"Don't, Mira. Please, not from you." He sighed, looking away.
"Sorry." I grumbled, going back to my own food.
"No...I should be the one who's sorry. I shouldn't have used firebending during a regular sparring session like that. Uncle was right about it being dishonourable." Zuko sighed, running his hand down his face.
"Well...I'm sorry for trying to fry you into a crisp then." I mumbled through a full mouth.
"Oh, was that what you were attempting to do? I couldn't tell." Zuko mocked with a smile.
I swallowed my food just as Zuko popped a slice of bread into my mouth.
"Mmphff!"
"Be quiet or you'll give me a headache." Zuko said.
But he was smiling, happily even. If he kept smiling like that I'd probably let anything slide.
So I ate my bread in silence. Staring at him as he ate his food, a smile remaining in place. My anger disappeared as quickly as it had come and I could no longer remember why I was mad anymore.
What was he doing to me?
~Break~
"So the purpose of this game is to get the sash from the opponents waist." I clarified, tying a red cloth to my waist.
The weather was beginning to grow even colder, so I was bundled up in a light overshirt. Zuko was still wearing his training linens, clearly not bothered by the cold. Or at least he was acting like he wasn't.
"It's not a game." Zuko sighed as he uncrossed his arms.
"Sounds like a game." I grinned, just to spite him.
"Yes, Mira. The purpose of this exercise is to capture your opponent's sash. It will help you remember to watch your backs and dodge appropriately." Iroh explained, smiling as he watched us.
"Notice how he called it an exercise." Zuko smirked.
"That's just a fancy way of saying game." I huffed as I got ready to fight Zuko.
"Begin." Iroh said.
Zuko began to circle me, so I followed him. I couldn't quite read his expression this time as he stalked me. He was being careful, almost acting defensively this time. Well, if he didn't want to act, guess maybe I should. So I started to move towards him only to find him moving backwards.
With a small frown I continued my advance as Zuko kept retreating. I moved to the side and he mirrored me exactly. He was keeping his distance, just out of my reach. Except, his reach was significantly longer than mine. Which meant...he was trying to get me to move just into his reach to strike.
He was utilizing an old strategy I knew from my sword lessons. He was trying to use his longer reach against me while forcing me to act. If Zuko was wrong about his reach, however, I could easily reverse it on him. I needed to start speeding up, change up my movements so he couldn't anticipate me as easily. I needed him to mess up first.
I had one ace up my sleeve, Zuko wasn't aware that I knew what strategy he was employing. Perhaps he was finally starting to take me seriously in a fight. Pride soared in my chest and I picked up the pace. Zuko was able to keep up easily, slipping away from me much like a cat would.
I couldn't help but think of how similar it felt to Aang's fighting. They both would be a fierce team to fight if they were on the same side of this war that's for sure. I moved forward again, picking up my pace mid stride as I pressed forward once more. I noticed Zuko starting to decrease our distance and smirked.
I had him.
As I moved forward, I twisted and pivoted on my foot to take the next step, closing the additional space I needed so I could slip towards his back. Zuko slipped forward as I began to pivot, passing underneath my left arm and twisting towards my back. I faltered in my movement, twisting on my back foot to follow him. The momentum kept me from falling, but I knew if I didn't do something I would have no other leg to catch me.
Using my last lesson from Zuko, I twisted my hips and hooked my leg around catching Zuko around his back as I whipped him off his feet. We both landed in a tangled heap, my leg on his back with his torso on my other calf. I was startled by the fact I had managed to catch Zuko off guard. I didn't move until I felt Zuko twist an arm around to grab my sash, so I twisted away, grabbing onto his arm.
He let out a grunt as his arm twisted around mine and he rolled, taking me with him and flinging me across the deck. I got onto my feet with the grace of a newborn calf when Zuko grabbed my ankle, pulling me back onto the deck. I was sliding on my stomach as he heaved me towards him. I let out a small shriek as I hooked my other ankle around his wrist and kicked it away.
Zuko lost his grip and made a mad grab to catch my leg again. I began to kick at him and he let out a large huff, giving me an unamused glare. He lunged at me and I drew my knees towards my chest and waited. As he reached me I kicked out catching him in the gut, sending him flying onto his ass. He sat up trying to catch his breath, before standing fully and stomping towards me.
"What the hell! We are supposed to be sparring, not rolling around on deck!" Zuko shouted at me.
"You're the one who didn't let me stand back up!" I shouted back.
Zuko walked over, getting in my face as he raised his hands up.
"Really? And who was the one that sent us there?" He scoffed.
"What the heck is wrong with you, we were sparring. Wrestling is technically sparring." I defended as I stared up into his angry eyes.
"Kicking at me like an angry child is not wrestling." Zuko mocked.
I felt my heart rate spike and frowned. Who the hell did Zuko think he was?
"Well excuse me for not wanting to spend the whole time running away!" I yelled as I flapped my arms once in frustration.
Before I knew it, Zuko moved, twisting around me and grabbing my sash with ease.
"Who said I was running away?" Zuko grinned as he held my sash up.
"What? Hey, no fair! The match was over!" I huffed, turning to look at Iroh.
"The match was not over," Iroh said with sympathetic eyes. "Zuko has won, although he used unconventional methods."
"Too easy." Zuko laughed.
"What's too easy?" I sighed as I gave him a sideways glance.
"Riling you up." Zuko chuckled as he walked off with my sash.
~Break~
It was music night again this evening, and we were docked at the nearest base the Fire Nation had established up north. Jee was strumming away on a pipa as the fire illuminated his face.
"Winter, spring, summer, and fall," Iroh began singing, "winter, spring, summer, and fall. Four seasons, four loves. Four seasons, four love."
Two of the other sailors began to dance together and I smiled. It was actually a peaceful night. I was enjoying each music night more and more. Sadly, fate seemed to be against us as a set of Fire Nation soldiers boarded our ship, followed by Admiral Zhao.
Shit.
He was grinning now, his eyebrows set low and his grin wide. We all turned to regard him as he greeted us.
"Hello General Iroh, do you and Prince Zuko have a moment to talk?" He ordered.
"Of course Admiral Zhao, come on in, we will go get Prince Zuko for you. Please make yourself comfortable" Iroh answered as he grasped my arm and led me towards the door leading below deck.
"I don't think that will be necessary. My asking is merely a courtesy. I'm here to take the crew. All of them. Bring me to Prince Zuko so I tell him personally" Zhao grinned, his eyes twinkling in pleasure at the thought.
I swallowed the breath I was holding, and Iroh let go of my arm. I could already feel the cold touch of dread seeping into my bones. Whatever Zhao was planning, it couldn't be good. Why did he need Zuko's crew?
"Of course, Admiral Zhao." Iroh bowed as he motioned for me to follow him.
"By the way, General Iroh, that offer extends to you should you wish to take it. You may not have been able to take Ba Sing Se, but perhaps you could help take the North Pole." Zhao mentioned off-handedly.
"No thank you Admiral Zhao, I am retired for a reason." Iroh curtly responded.
We headed below deck and towards Zuko's room. Iroh knocked on the door hesitantly, before opening the door and sticking his head in. I stood as close to Iroh as I could, not liking how Zhao was looking at us. He absolutely hated all three of us with his entire being.
"For the last time, I'm not playing the tsungi horn." Zuko childishly snapped.
"Wait does that mean you know how?" I asked as I poked my head in as well.
"I'm a prince, of course I learned to play an instrument." Zuko scoffed as he turned his head away from us.
Zhao was now standing right behind me and I leaned further against Iroh feeling fear sweep across my back. This was the man who wanted to capture the avatar and have him killed as soon as possible. I was already no doubt on his shit list and I worried about letting anything about who I was slip.
I'd be locked away in seconds, no one would stop him. I couldn't help but feel sorry for myself at that thought. Zuko would probably only fight to save me so he could capture me himself, and Iroh would let him.
Wouldn't he? I just wasn't...sure anymore.
"Sorry to disturb you Prince Zuko, but this is about our plans. There is a bit of a problem." Iroh spoke as he stepped into the room. I followed after him, giving a small glare over my shoulder as Zhao attempted to push past me.
Zuko looked confused, until Zhao stepped into the room with a grin. His footfalls echoed against the silence as he stepped into the room and stood before Zuko, Iroh, and I.
"I'm taking your crew." Zhao said, getting to the point.
"What?!" Zuko shouted.
"I've recruited them for a little expedition to the North Pole." Zhao responded as he stepped closer to Zuko.
"Uncle, is that true?' Zuko turned to Iroh.
"I'm afraid so. He's taking everyone, even the cook." Iroh wiped away non-existent tears so I placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Sorry you won't be there to watch me capture the Avatar, but I can't have you getting in my way again."
Zuko went to attack Zhao, but was intercepted by Iroh. He held zuko by his shoulders as he pushed him to stand back in his previous spot.
"No!" He spoke, giving his nephew a small shake.
Zhao wasn't phased, and instead walked towards the wall to inspect Zuko's swords. He picked one up and started to move it around in the light. He seemed to have a keen interest as he inspected one of the small dents in the blade. I could see the wheels turning in his beady little brain.
"I didn't know you were skilled with broadswords, Prince Zuko." Zhao mused as he swung the sword he picked up around.
"I'm not," Zuko answered, "They're antiques, just decorative."
I gave him a funny look wondering how no one knew he knew swordplay, much less dual-wielding. It didn't seem uncommon but...the look on Zhao's face and question suggested it was. I suddenly remembered Jee commenting that he hadn't known Zuko was proficient in swordplay at all either. Was this why Zuko didn't want it to be well known?
"Have you heard of the Blue Spirit, General Iroh?" Zhao asked.
"Just rumours. I don't think he is real." Iroh responded with a shrug.
"It's they, actually, and they are real, all right," Zhao spoke as he walked towards us with one of the swords. "They're criminals and enemies of the Fire Nation. But I have a feeling justice will catch up with them soon."
Zhao handed the sword to Iroh, but kept his gaze on Zuko and I.
"What about you, Mira was it? Do you know any swordplay?" Zhao asked with a grin.
"No, she doesn't. She can barely firebend, much less use a weapon of any kind. Trust me on that." Zuko answered before I could.
Zhao shrugged and then turned to leave the room. He stopped at the door and gave a small look over his shoulder. His gaze landed on me for a second as he narrowed his eyes, before flickering to Iroh.
"General Iroh, the offer to join my mission still stands, if you change your mind." The door shut behind Zhao as he finished the last word.
"Well, shit. What now?" I asked as Zuko grabbed the sword from Iroh's hand and placed it back on the wall.
"Now? Now we devise a plan. The Avatar was headed to the Northern Water Tribe, If Zhao is headed there as well we could use this to our advantage." Zuko answered as he turned back around to us.
"How, Prince Zuko?" Iroh asked.
"First, you accept Zhao's offer to join him. Mira and I can sneak in under the guise of being his soldiers. If he's commandeering soldiers now, he won't be able to tell who is who. We can use the chaos of the siege as our way to get in. Since Mira isn't a soldier, or a member of the Fire Nation army, she isn't included in the crew. Uncle Iroh, if you accept his offer you can get us the information we need to find the Avatar before Zhao does." Zuko devised.
"Well, I gotta say Prince Zuko, that is one hell of a plan." I grinned.
~Break~
I was banished to my room soon after Zuko had told us his plan. Iroh still had to go let Zhao know about his change of heart, and Zuko was still sulking from the whole ordeal. I could hear all of the soldiers slowly pack up their belongings and leave. Jee and Shen stopped by to say their final goodbyes and I had given them each a hug and the request that they be safe. They were my only friends other than Iroh and Zuko.
After they left I couldn't stop my anxiety any longer. So I decided I would try to take a nap or something. Might as well be rested for this. As I tossed to try and find a comfortable position, my skin kept prickling as if something was wrong. It was way too quiet on the ship now and I couldn't stand it. My attempt at sleeping was interrupted by Iroh opening my door.
"I just wanted to say goodbye, my dear. We will miss you." He spoke as he came over to give me a short hug.
"Bye Iroh, stay safe." I whispered into his shoulder as he moved away.
"You as well, both you and Zuko. Watch out for one another." With that he was gone and I was left watching the stars from my tiny window.
I laid back down, attempting to get some shuteye once more. Just as I was starting to doze off I was startled awake. I heard a small knock and twitched.
"Mira, you need to get up." Aang spoke as I let out a small scream.
"Oh my god, don't do that!" I hissed as I got fully out of bed.
"Sorry, but you definitely do not want to be sleeping right now." Aang spoke as I heard a knock on my door.
"Mira?" I heard Zuko ask through my door. I quickly scrambled to open the door and was face to face with a concerned looking Zuko.
"Have you heard anything?" He asked as he looked around.
"Only you, why?" I asked.
"I thought I heard something, that perhaps it could have been my uncle or you wandering around, but neither seems to be true." Zuko gave me a tight expression and grabbed my arm.
"Wait, what are you doing?" I asked as I tried to pry his fingers from my wrist.
"Something is wrong, come on!" He hissed back.
He led us through the halls, and towards the helm, checking out the rooms as we went. Zuko entered the control room first, checking that everything was all clear, before motioning for me to follow. I went to the windows to look out at the rest of the boat, checking that the deck was clear. Zuko looked around at the navigation systems, fiddling with a few of them as he looked underneath a table. He stood up and started to walk towards me, hand on the back of his neck when he froze.
"Mira." He spoke, now deathly seriously.
"Yes?" I asked.
"Can you swim?" He asked as I followed his gaze.
The pirates squawky parrot lizard was sitting just outside one of the left windows.
"Yeah, I can, why?" I asked, not liking where he was going.
His hand tightly clenched mine as he didn't answer. The cabin started to shake and I was knocked into Zuko's arms. Glass was raining down on us now as echoing bangs started to go off in a chain reaction. I could feel the heat burning at my body, my balance completely lost as I was rocked around in Zuko's arms.
"Whoa!" He shouted as I began to cough from the smoke that was filtering in.
He pulled me towards the window and all but threw me out into the sea. I hit the water just as the entire tower went up in flames. I inhaled a screaming breath, kicking myself to the surface coughing out sea water. I heard Zuko scream as he was blasted from the same window he had been flung out of. I could feel the ocean water already stinging my wounds, but I couldn't find it within myself to care.
I dove into the frigid water, focusing on my breath of fire, and kept my eyes open against the rabid stinging. I had to find Zuko, it was the only thought that caught me in that moment. Kicking harder, arms pulling me further down, I held my breath until my organs burned and finally, finally, caught sight of Zuko's pale hand. I grasped it and pulled us upwards, towards the glimmering surface. My body began to quake with the need to breath, my lungs heaving within my chest, as my mouth struggled to stay close and not swallow up half the sea. I could already see a bloody trail following us as I swam upwards, no doubt we both sorely needed medical attention.
Breaking the surface was the most beautiful thing in the world. I began to cough and splutter, pulling in every piece of oxygen I could. I tucked Zuko's arms around my neck, holding them with one hand as I started to swim towards shore. My limbs were now starting to feel frozen. My breath of fire was becoming harder and harder to focus on as I struggled to take in breaths as the waves crashed over Zuko and I. My legs burned with the effort it took to keep us both afloat and for a mere second. I thought we might die.
I had one chance, just one; hope to all hell that I could get myself to waterbend enough to get us safely to shore. I focused on the cold water and felt it through my fingertips. I focused on the extension humming a Moana song to myself as I did. I felt my fingers moving, connected to the water like a rubber band and pulled. I could feel the waves building up around me as I closed my eyes, focusing on my breathing, tying it to the tilt of the tides.
I felt the buzzing in my fingertips first. Like frostbite, but not painful. I felt the water swell around me and sing as we were lifted from the cold dark waters. As carefully as I could, I focused on the movement of the shore, only to find I had apparently put too much emphasis on the need for shore.
We crashed in a heap on the sand not far from the flaming docks. I began coughing and groaning from the impact, I had hit my shoulder hard and prayed it wasn't broken. I rolled Zuko over and started to do CPR. I started with the chest compressions struggling to remember what song it was I needed to remember the beat too.
Always living? No Alive something...something...no wait, it was staying alive!
Humming it to myself I counted to seven before I started to blow air into his lungs. I only got through the chorus three times before he started coughing up sea water. I turned Zuko onto his side and laid down beside him, feeling completely empty.
"Hey." He whispered hoarsely.
"Hey." I answered back with a smile.
~Break~
It took us longer than I'd care to admit to walk ourselves back to the docks, but once we got there we were greeted by a sobbing Iroh. When he saw us he was the most shocked I had ever seen him. He was smiling as he gathered us in his arms and kept whispering thank you over and over.
"It's ok, Uncle. We're fine." Zuko awkwardly patted his uncles back.
"Oh no, he loves us, the horror." I mocked as Zuko gave me the smallest glare.
"I don't have the energy to argue, how on earth do you find it?" He scoffed as Iroh pulled back from us.
"We need to get you two somewhere safe." Iroh nodded as he supported us each on a shoulder and began walking towards one of the local inns.
~Break~
Zuko and I had collapsed on one of the beds without any complaint. We were too tired to fight with one another, and too tired to fight with Iroh as he picked pieces of debris from our wounds. Zuko had taken the brunt of the explosion, sporting some new fresh burns around his eyes and lips. He also was bruised horribly and had what we assumed was a broken rib. Iroh was in the process of binding Zuko as I inspected my own damage.
I had no burns to speak off, but I had a lovely gash in my forehead from the glass hitting me sometime during the explosion. I also was littered with bruises and had dislocated my shoulder. Iroh had to reset it, which I was in too much pain to care at that point since the adrenaline had worn off. I had it in a makeshift sling for the night.
"What happened?" Iroh asked.
"I'm not sure, but the one thing I know for sure is that the pirates we had hired before were the ones who did it." Zuko answered.
"Are you sure?" Iroh asked.
"Positive, we saw the captain's parrot lizard...thing." I nodded in affirmation.
"Now I suppose the question is why." Iroh mused, stroking his head.
"Not why, but who." Zuko corrected.
"You mean Zhao?" I asked.
"Yes, I do mean Zhao." Zuko said with a scowl.
"Well, I suppose it is a good thing I have not taken Admiral Zhao's offer yet. This will make my reconsidering more convincing." Iroh spoke.
"Yes, which is why he needs to think he succeeded in killing both Mira and I." Zuko ordered as Iroh finished binding his ribs.
"Well, for now you both need to rest. I will check out the docks and then go see Admiral Zhao. I will see you both again soon. Meet me in the hallway outside the main control room at about five a.m." Iroh smiled as he got up to leave the room.
"Bye Iroh, stay safe!" I waved from where I had fallen back onto the bed.
~Break~
Sleep didn't come easily that night, although it was sorely needed. My body ached and I hadn't been able to properly clean myself besides what Iroh had disinfected of my wounds. I got what little sleep I could, but it wasn't long before Zuko dragged me back up so we could proffer some Fire Nation armor so we could sneak in.
It was very early in the morning so it was still dark out when we left the Inn. We found a few soldiers sleeping off last night's drink in one of the rooms beside us. Zuko had managed to pick the lock and get us in with little to no trouble. Once we were out we quickly dressed and left the Inn.
We were heading towards Admiral Zhao's boat now. I swallowed low in my throat and wondered if this was the worst situation I could find myself in. We boarded the ship with relative ease. No one was really awake yet beyond those who were necessary or important enough to be needed. Zuko led me below deck and headed straight for the main control room. It seemed almost every ship was laid out the same, even if it was a bigger ship.
We found Iroh where he said he would be. He started to walk towards us once he caught sight. We stopped next to him and he averted his eyes to the ground as Zuko looked forward.
"Our plan is working perfectly, Zhao doesn't suspect a thing." Iroh whispered.
Zuko took off his faceplate before answering.
"You didn't have to do this." Zuko whispered back.
"No nephew of mine is going to stow away on a ship without some backup." Iroh winked at me.
"Thank you uncle, Mira." Zuko softly said.
"Someone's coming. Stay hidden until we get to the North Pole, and the Avatar will be yours. Good luck." Iroh whispered as Zuko put his faceplate back on.
We continued walking down the hall, and took a left. I guess now all we had to do was play the waiting Fire Nation soldier.
~Break~
We had been at sea for over a week now. The days were pretty simple. Usually Zuko and I hid out in storage, or we attended to duties on deck when we were unable to avoid the Captain. Today, though, I was in storage as Zuko was busy working so he could procure us some lunch.
I heard the door open and noticed Zuko stepping in as he removed his mask. He sat beside me and handed me a plate, before starting to eat his own.
"Do you have a plan yet?" I asked as I picked at the apple before taking a bite.
"No, I need more information about Zhao's plan. It won't help us to get caught by either side during his attack." Zuko sighed as he fingered a piece of bread.
"Well, at least for now we are safe and have time. Hopefully Iroh will have something new to tell us today." I mused.
It wasn't too much of a hope considering today Zhao had a meeting with all his generals and captains. He apparently had some sort of secret information that was meant to give the Fire Nation an edge. He was keeping everything tight-lipped, providing orders only as needed.
So far Zuko and I couldn't figure out what his plan was. He had amassed a giant army, but that was it. What else were we missing? What secret weapon did Zhao have? I knew it couldn't be Sozin's comet, it was too soon.
"Hello." Iroh spoke as he stepped into the room.
"Uncle." Zuko greeted.
"I might have something substantial for once. Zhao mentioned the need for a small boarding party to infiltrate the North Pole. He plans to storm the palace for something." Iroh explained as he took a seat.
"What could they have that Zhao wants?" I asked.
"Who knows, but whatever it is we can't let Zhao get to it first." Iroh sighed, stroking his beard.
"Who cares what Zhao is after, what we need to focus on is capturing the Avatar before he does." Zuko spoke, giving us an irritated look.
"Unless whatever Zhao is after is dangerous enough to be a threat to all of us. What if it allows him to capture the Avatar? We need more information." I explained.
"Mira is right. Zhao is hiding something and we need to find out what." Iroh agreed.
"Fine, you focus on finding out Zhao's secret while we focus on capturing the Avatar." Zuko waved off as he began to eat.
"Still...something bothers me." I said, turning to Iroh.
"What?" Iroh asked.
"Why would he need to get rid of me and Zuko? What is it that he's worried we will get in the way of?"
~Break~
"Wow, you look terrible." Aang laughed as I turned and spotted him standing by a few crates.
"You finally made an appearance! I was worried you had abandoned me." I laughed as I walked to stand beside him.
"I'd never abandon you. The spirit world has just been busy is all. How are you?" Aang asked.
"Good. Zuko and I are getting along better now. But I'm worried. I'm worried what Zhao is going to do to the Northern Water Tribe. Are they going to be...okay?" I asked.
"I cannot tell you that, you know this. What I can tell you is to have hope they will." Aang spoke as he held his hands behind his back.
"I have another question, shouldn't I be learning another element by now? You're already studying at the North Pole, I assume. I only know fire right now."
"Well, you learn air from me, fire from Zuko and Iroh, as for the rest...that depends on you. Maybe you'll come across a master, or you could wait until you join us." Aang smiled.
"Is it really all that hard to give me a straight answer?" I asked, deflating a little.
"When it comes to something like the future, yes. Your choices are what define you and your future actions. You can't follow this as some predestined plan. You are in the here and now which means you get just as much freedom to choose as anyone else. Being from the future doesn't change that. Your choices need to come from you." Aang explained.
"But what if I don't want to be here?" I sighed.
"There are some things in life we have no control over. Focus on the things you can control. If you wish to learn another element, nothing is stopping you from learning." Aang smiled before he left.
Turning away I frowned. Why did I have to figure all of this out on my own? It didn't seem fair. Aang had a whole group of friends helping him, teaching him, and supporting him.
I had...Zuko and Iroh...and I was lying to them.
I had been lying to them the whole time. Some friend I was.
~Break~
It had been a couple weeks since we had set sail for the North Pole. Zuko and I managed to keep to ourselves and keep most of the attention off us. When we didn't, we did like lemmings do and followed what the other soldiers were doing. Iroh popped in whenever he could to give us updates and help us plan. Sadly, we hadn't come up with anything yet, despite Zuko's insistence he would think of something.
"We'll be landing soon. Do you have a plan?" Iroh spoke from behind us.
"I'm working on it, Uncle." Zuko sighed as he took his faceplate off.
Iroh sighed and turned away as Zuko led us down another hallway.
"Seriously Zuko, we need a plan." I whispered as our footfalls echoed around us.
"I know, trust me I know." Zuko responded.
He didn't even sound mad at me this time. Was he ok?
~Break~
I could feel the ship rock as they began to fire at what I could only assume was the North Pole. I bit my lip as I followed Zuko through the winding metal halls. I could hear a fight happening around us now, the echoing of crunching metal and men screaming. This went on for most of the day as we forged on ahead. Once dusk began to set in, the commotion stopped, as did our ship.
"Looks like we are stopping for the night guys, get some rest, we begin again bright and early!" One of the commanders ordered a set of soldiers standing at the end of the hall.
"I have a plan." Zuko spoke as he pulled me aside, heading in the opposite direction of the rest of the soldiers.
Zuko led me towards the lifeboats, shedding his armor and motioning for me to do the same. He was now dressed in cream coloured pants, shirt, and over shirt. It was similar to his usual casual wear, with a high collar and tapered cuffs on his wrists. I was in a similar outfit and fashioned my own small sack to my back carrying various emergency resources. Zuko had a few things stashed away on his person, but I wanted to make sure if we got stranded we wouldn't die. Zuko was beginning to lower the boat when Iroh walked in.
"You're fishing for an octopus, my nephew. You need a tightly woven net, or he will squeeze through the tiniest hole and escape." Iroh warned.
"I don't need your wisdom right now, Uncle." Zuko huffed as he stood up from what he was doing.
"I'm sorry. I just nag you because...Well, ever since I lost my son..." Iroh looked away.
"Uncle, you don't have to say it." Zuko sighed as he closed his eyes.
"I think of you as my own. Both of you." Iroh answered anyways.
I could feel tears stinging my eyes as I rushed forward to give Iroh a hug.
"Thank you for everything, Iroh." I sniffled into his robe.
"I know, Uncle. We'll meet again." Zuko turned around to fully face us.
He gave a small bow, or tried too anyways, but Iroh reached out with his other arm and pulled him into the hug.
"After I have the Avatar." Zuko spoke after a beat and untangled himself from our hug session.
He entered the boat and stood near the rear to give me room. I got in after him giving Iroh one last wave as I moved myself as far forward as I could so we both had space. He started to lower us when Iroh rushed towards the edge.
"Remember your breath of fire. It could save your life out there."
"I will." Zuko answered as he finished lowering us.
"And Mira, remember your form at all times. You do not need to do anything fancy to beat someone." Iroh continued.
"I will." I smiled up at him.
"And put your hoods up, keep your ears warm." Iroh spoke as he rushed towards the edge once more and peered over.
"We'll be fine." Zuko sighed.
Once we finally hit the water, Zuko sat down behind me and began to row us. Zuko was sitting flush to my back and I could feel the immense heat he always radiated. It was comforting in a way, at least I wouldn't freeze traveling to the North Pole. As we drew near we raised our hoods up and covered our lower faces with scarfs. We slipped in past the wreckage, finding a small ice embankment to dock at.
We got out of the boat and moved over the mound to find the wall was heavily fortified. I turned around looking for another option when Zuko grabbed my arm and pointed towards some turtle seals. He motioned towards the hole they were diving in and I gave him a look.
"You have got to be kidding." I whisper hissed.
"Turtle seals don't breathe underwater, which means they have to be coming up for air somewhere. It's our best chance." He scoffed as he pulled me towards the water.
"Uh, and if you're wrong we just drown, no big deal." I grumbled as Zuko slipped into the water and I followed after him.
The icy chill of the water wasn't any better than the last time. Only now we were literally in the North Pole, so it was worse. I kept up with Zuko easily enough, but my lungs soon started to burn for air and my limbs had already become long numb. It seemed like Zuko wasn't bothered at all, or he was just good at hiding it.
Finally, Zuko found the exit and we both broke through the water, scrambling for land. Zuko's breath was steaming as he rolled onto his back taking in greedy amounts of air. I was no better, but it seemed like he had better control over his breath of fire than I did. Some Avatar I was.
He started to spit out small bursts of fire as he began to shiver, before standing up and offering me his hand. I took it and found his hand was burning hot. It shook lightly and I realized just how cold he must be feeling.
"Your hand is freezing, aren't you using your breath of fire?" He asked.
"I am, I guess it just isn't as strong as yours, No problem really, I've been cold like this most of my life, I barely feel it." And I wasn't lying. I was cold, sure. My limbs felt numb and water logged, but I wasn't shivering anywhere near as bad as Zuko was. In fact, the only thing that had me gasping on the ground was my lack of air.
"Strange, I've never felt a firebender this cold before." He marveled as he traced my fingers.
I could feel myself starting to heat up as small electric tingles shot from my skin. I had touched Zuko before, but never anything like this.
"Yeah, that's me, strange." I whispered back in a dazed state.
"Come on, we need to get going." He nodded as he finally let go of my hand and started rubbing my arms to help them warm up before turning back around to look at the cave we were in.
He pushed away a few of the yelping turtle seals and I followed him, stepping over them carefully. We found another hole filled with rushing water this time, falling out from a gap in the wall about two feet up. Zuko exchanged another look with me.
"Please tell me you are kidding this time." I whined.
"Nope." He grinned as he stepped forward and dug his boots into the wall as he climbed in.
I sighed and went to follow afterwards, figuring I may as well practice some waterbending to make my life easier, it's not like he would be able to tell.
Ok, scratch that thought, the water was even colder than when it was in the ocean. The pressure was so immense causing my muscles to scream out in pain. From the cold or strain I had no clue anymore. I managed, halfway through the climb, to bend some of the water away from my body so I had less force hitting against me, but couldn't keep the concentration on that and my breath of fire at the same time.
Zuko found the exit first, pulling me up after him. We were both spluttering for air in a tiny pocket that had formed from the rocks. Zuko took a few gaping breaths before sticking his head back in to look around. He surfaced before pointing at the water and diving back down. I followed him as he led us through another opening that was covered with a sheet of ice.
Zuko banged on it a few times before he placed his hands on it and began to heat them up melting the ice. I joined in and before long we managed to make an exit to escape through. We pulled ourselves onto the ice and I gave him a long look.
"Never again." I muttered at his grin.
We looked around and took a moment to rest. The city was large, made up of huge ice structures. Ice bridges, roads, homes, walls, it was beautiful. Each level of the city was mounted above the rest. At the top was an ice palace, built into the natural walls of ice and snow surrounding the area. Zuko motioned for us to move and we scaled the walls, making foot and hand holes as we needed. Zuko spotted a small enclosed area attached to the palace and pointed towards it.
"If I were to hide someone important, it would be there." He started running towards it and I had no choice but to follow.
~Chapter 8 End~