The Waterbender and The Firebender

Chapter Two

Firenation Navy Ship:

Like the day, the evening was beautiful. The perfect night for music under the stars. For Ash, it was one of her favourite nights away at sea. They would celebrate the different songs from the Fire Nation and forget about the stresses of catching the Avatar. It was relaxing and no one was under much pressure. 

That night, however, Ash wasn't really in the mood.

After her conversation with Zuko earlier that day, Ash could only think of the words he had said to her.

You always bested me at Agni Kais. You are talented, Ash, and you have potential but you're wasting it here, with me.

Those few words played over and over in her mind. Why did Zuko not believe that she was here with him until the end? Without him, her life would be over. 

As she lied with her eyes closed on the bed in her dimly lit room, Ash's mind spun in circles and there wasn't going to be any silence soon. In the chaos she called her head, Ash thought of something. 

Does he think I'm sacrificing my future by being away from the Fire Nation?

She opened her eyes in realization. Zuko thinks he's destroying me with his banishment!

When Zuko was first banished at the age of 13, Ash and Zuko had been going strong. Many thought that they would be married when they came of age. After the Agni Kai that burned his face, there was no possibility that Ash's family would allow an event like that to happen. Her father was a powerful and honorable commander under Fire Lord Ozai and had his own fleet of Firenation ships.  

When the announcement came that the Fire Prince was banished, Ash's parents had told her that she must break up with Zuko. Her being a young teenager, she defied her parents order and ran off. In the eyes of the Fire Nation, her young act of love she had shown was seen more of an act of stupidity. She was smart and people believed that she would see her mistake and she would come running home. 

They were all fools. Ash hasn't had a thought of going home without Zuko.  

Her mind was no longer spinning, it was in a frenzy. Fortunately, it calmed down enough for her to acknowledge the knock at the door. Ash walked over and opened the heavy metal door for General Iroh.

"Ah, Ash- going to bed so soon? It's music night." 

Ash looked down. She didn't realize she had changed into her robes for sleeping. 

I guess my wandering mind can't give me a second of peace to alert me of a basic action.

"Iroh! My apologies but I'm not feeling the greatest. I think I'm going to retire early tonight."

"Are you sure?" Ash nodded her head slightly, "Alright. I do hope you feel better. Is there anything I can get for you? Some tea, perhaps?"

"Tea would be lovely, thank you." 

"Of course, my dear." with that, he left to retrieve her a cup of his famous tea. Hopefully, the delicious hot beverage would help her calm down. 

And it did help. A lot.  Ash was able to get some much needed sleep. That was until she heard the door slam in her room. It startled her from her inner peace and, by instinct, jumped into a position to fight. 

"What's going on?!" Ash yelled into the dark. 

"I've come to take you home, Ash" a man's voice calmly yet aggressively called out. A fireball was then lit in the palm of the mysterious man's hand. He brought the fire up to his face and Ash dropped her fighting stance at his familiar face.