Zuko's Girl

Zuko!

Apparently Zhao knew were Aang was headed but needed to make a couple of stops before going to this location. Zhao dragged me onto the ship and locked me in a cell, I had stayed there for days with little food and water. When Zhao finally came back he informed me we were at our first stop. " You cant just leave me in here!" I yelled at him. " Why not? You seem to like disobeying me" " Because you treat me like a slave" " I like to think I treat you fairly" he grinned as he grabbed my face. " You treat me like a slave then touch me inappropriately like this, your old enough to be my father". Zhao grinned before letting my face go and sighing " You really must like our banished prince if your not interested in me" " Interested in you?! I'm sixteen! Your almost fourthy!".

" Most sixteen year olds are married off by now, and what more could you want than a Commander?", " You're from the fire nation you're meant to kill my people!". I let out a small gasp when he grabbed my neck, " All your yelling is giving me a headache. Besides your a smart girl, surely you know a marriage proposal from me would spare your family" " You only want to marry me to anger Zuko". " What's so bad about that?" He grinned " Soon enough I'll have even more power while he'll still be the banished prince with nobody. I enjoy the thought of him finding out about us" " There is no us" " Not yet" he smirked as he slowly ran his fingers down my arm.

" Commander Zhao, your guests are-" " Perfect, I'll be right there" Zhao turned to me with a disgusting smile, " If I were you I'd think about this proposal properly. I can save your family when the fire nation win this war. You wouldn't want to watch your friends and family die now would you?". " Are you threatening me to marry you?" " Take it like that if that's what you wish. Make sure she doesn't leave this cell until I get back ". I sat with my back pressed against the wall as I hid my head in my arms. What the hell is wrong with him?! I'm a sixteen year old girl, why on earth would I ever want to marry him?!

After sitting in my cell for a while, I jumped when the door suddenly opened. I stood up in a panic as Zhao walked towards me, stopping  right in front of me. " So, have you thought about what I said?", my eyes widened " What?" " About my marriage proposal?" " You really think I'm going to marry you? After everything you've done to me" " Trust me I could have done worse. Besides I've only hurt you because right now you're an enemy to the fire nation but after we wed you'll become a fire nation citizen so I'll treat you as an equal". I looked at him with fright as he grasped my hips tightly, " Besides I'd never hurt you like Zuko did. I'd never burn you and leave you with a nasty scar" I turned my head away in disgust as he stroked my back and arm slowly.

He sighed before staring down at me " Fine, if you wont listen to reason then maybe you'll listen to this". I groaned in pain as he twisted my arm, " If you refuse to marry me, I'll make you watch as I slowly kill each of your friends and family, and trust me I'll make it painful". I couldn't take the pain in my arm anymore, it felt like my bone was about to break so I gave in, " Okay!" I cried " Okay! If you leave my friends and family alone....then I'll marry you". Zhao smiled before letting my arm go and walking over to the guard. I held my arm as I cursed at myself in my head, I'm so stupid! How could I be so weak.

Zhao brought me to his meeting room and I stopped when I noticed some all too familiar faces. " Pirates" I said out loud, catching everyones attention. " Oh you've already met?" Zhao asked with a grin, " She was one of the girls travelling with the avatar, wheres my scroll?!" The captain stood up and stormed over to me. I panicked as he took his sword out, jumping in fright when Zhao shot a fireball at him, before standing in front of me.

" You don't get to threaten her like that. Now you need to stick to the plan" " We ain't working with someone who stole from us" " We have a deal, if you don't stick to it you'll be sorry" Zhao threatened as his hands caught fire. The pirates sighed before nodding, " Good, now get off my ship and follow us closely till I say. We should catch up with the banished prince in the morning". I looked at Zhao in confusion as everyone left the room, " Why did you save me?" " We're engaged now, if anyone wants to harm you they have to go through me. Now come, I'll show you your room". " Why do you want to catch up with Zuko?" " I have something I wish to discuss with him, nothing for you to worry about my dear".

Zhao gave me a very bad feeling, I'll have to talk to Zuko before Zhao does, maybe I can warn him. The next morning Zhao informed us that we were close to Zuko's ship and to prepare to board. I was the first one to run across the bridge and throw my arms around Zuko's neck. Zuko gave me a surprised look, " Scarlett? What are you doing here?" " Zhao captured me, I need to talk to you in private please" I whispered in his ear. " Commander Zhao, what can we do for you?" Iroh asked " I just need a word with you and Prince Zuko if that's alright?". " Of course, you can follow my uncle and I'll be with you shortly. I have something to discuss with Scarlett".

Zhao grabbed my arm and pulled me beside him, " That isn't going to happen, besides she'll be in the room with us". " Zhao, she is my friend that I'm guessing you captured" Zuko spat, Zhao laughed before grinning at Zuko. " She may be your friend, but she's my fiance" Zhao wrapped his arm around my waist. Zuko and Iroh both looked at me surprised, I gave them both a sad look, mouthing help me towards them. Before Zuko could say anything, Iroh cleared his throat before smiling, " That is wonderful news Zhao, we shall celebrate over a warm cup of tea".

We followed Iroh and Zuko to their normal meeting room, we all sat down with a cup of tea and listened as Zhao explained his plan about capturing the avatar at the north pole. " My sources say he's already there mastering water bending", " And what is it you want from us?" Zuko asked. " I want your crew and your uncle, you can stay with your ship" Zhao spat. " What?! You can't just take my crew!" " We already have, they're already on my ship as we speak, I just need your uncle". " I'm retired Zhao, my war days are over" " Wouldn't you want the glory of taking down the north pole?" " As great an offer as it is, I must decline. My place is with my nephew" Iroh bowed.

I placed my hand over Zuko's as his face went red with anger, I jumped in fright when Zhao grabbed my other hand " Scarlett, its late dont you think? Come we should get you to bed". I nodded before standing up, " No!" Zuko yelled as he stood up " You cant control her, she isnt your property" " She's my fiance" " You threatened her with something, she wouldn't ever be with someone like you!". " But she'd be with you? The person who caused her to be burned? The person who abandoned her at the temple in the fire nation?". Zuko's eyes widened as he turned to me, " You don't deserve her". Zhao pulled me out of the room and onto his ship as Iroh followed us, " Forgive my nephew, he hasn't had the bestest day". " Why dont you join us Iroh? You don't need to follow that brat around".

" He needs guidance Zhao, I wish to be the one who helps him find his way. Thank you for your offer but-" my eyes widened at the horrible site in front of me. " ZUKO!!!" I screamed as his ship suddenly blew up, Iroh's eyes widened in shock as he fell to his knees. I knelt beside Iroh and wrapped my arms around him, crying into his chest as he cried on my head. Zuko cant be gone.