The Other Airbender

16

I promise I can update more soon
(*'Д｀*)
Here's a longer chapter because why not :D

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During the early hours of that morning, just before I had finally managed to calm down enough to sleep, the ship had slowed to a halt. No one had come to explain why, although it was probably because I was a prisoner. Still, I hated being kept in the dark about everything. It had happened multiple times in multiple cells and it was really starting to get on my nerves. Was it really necessary to not tell me anything that went on?

The only visit I had had during the day was Iroh. I think he was growing on me, even though he was the Fire Lord's brother, and I hadn't really had a proper conversation with him. Of course, I wasn't going to trust him any time soon, but when you know you are going to die, you becomes less rational. He brought me food (and tea), so obviously I was inclined to appreciate him. It was the only human interaction I'd had other than the prince.

Being left alone in a cell wasn't good for me. All my thoughts and feelings took advantage of the fact that I barely had any sources of distraction, which lead to me being forced to listen to all the doubts and worries in my own head. Ironically, the thing keeping me sane was my injuries. The wounds from the explosion regularly reminded me of their existence; every time I moved I could feel them, along with the chains restraining me. It distracted me from my thoughts. The skin beneath my bandages itched, but I couldn't do anything about it except awkwardly scratch the material and pretend it gave me some relief. As if that wasn't enough to bear already, I was wearing male Fire Nation robes. I had noticed before, but my conversation with the prince and his uncle had soon replaced all my other worries. The only reason I hadn't complained about it was because it was actually very comfortable, though I'd be caught dead before I ever admitted that to anyone.

I hadn't seen the prince yet, not that I minded. In fact, I was more relieved, I never knew how to act in front of him, and it was almost as though I had no control over myself when he was near me. Fear always overcame my senses in his presence, and I hated it. I brushed the thoughts of the prince away and sat up on the mattress, light from the now fading sun meeting my eyes. I was surprised, to say the least; the day had passed rather quickly.

I almost felt at peace as I looked out at the vast array of warm colours that were spread across the sky like the paints on an artist's palette, the cotton candy-like clouds adding to the scene. The sea shimmered below like thousands of mirrors reflecting the spectrum of pinks and oranges. We had docked beside what appeared to be a mountain range, each peak topped with thick layers of snow and ice, which also reflected the sky's colours. It had been a while since I'd had time to watch a sunset like this. I felt a small pang in my heart. The last time I'd seen a sunset was the evening I had set off to find Haru. I shook my head, trying desperately to clear him out of my thoughts.

Whenever he came to mind, guilt always followed. The rational part of me was constantly reminding me that I couldn't have saved him and he'd probably escaped. He's perfectly capable. But doubt always remained, settling in the back of my mind like a splinter I couldn't seem to remove. What if I had found him? What if he wasn't on that ship? What if he's hurt? Or even dea-

Stop it, Miko. Not this again. You can't blame yourself. He got himself in that mess. He can get himself out.

I sighed heavily, the weight of my own thoughts too much to bear. Sometimes it felt like two parts of me were constantly fighting, trying to gain control over my conscience and my actions.

The vibrant colours faded away with the setting sun, leaving behind a starry navy sky. The night was calm, except for the loud shuffling from other rooms on the floor I was on. I had come to the conclusion that I was being held in a spare room for crew members, which was why this room was distinctively better than the cell I had been put in that first day, a few floors below this one. The ship members were being especially loud tonight, and I assumed it was something to do with the person that had knocked on my door saying the admiral was taking the crew. They were probably packing up their things to leave. Oh. That was probably why the ship stopped. Loud creaks and groans of metal underfoot came and went, leaving behind an heavy silence that seemed to hang in the air. Everything was absolutely still. Even the ship seemed reluctant to move. It was almost unnerving. I couldn't even hear the sea.