The Phoenix

Ships

"Lee!" Ty Lee called down to the captain.

"Oi what?!" Zuko called back blocking the sun from his eyes as he looked up at the crows nest.

"Fire nation, 3 o'clock!" She pointed to the side and Zuko saw a ship coming towards them.

"Shit, alright, I need all blues down below! Better now than when they're closer in range," Zuko commanded and Katara stood up from her seat behind the captain. He wanted her close majority of the time or at least in view.

"Blue? What does that mean?" Katara asked confused.

"Anyone with water tribe history, including you," Zuko told her calmly.

"What why?" She crossed her arms not moving.

"If the fire nation comes on this ship and sees water tribe on here they'll know we're pirates, only pirates have multiple people from other nations, I'll handle it though," Zuko put his hand on her back to lead her below deck.

"You guys good under here for an hour or so?" Zuko asked walking to below deck as there was a secret room under the stairs, there was at least five people including Katara that were 'blue'.

"It's all good, gives us a break at least," a man patted the seat next to him for Katara.

"Stay quiet when you hear the bridge come down, I'll make sure they don't stay long," Zuko nodded firmly as he closed the door behind him. They would be able to get out of needed but it blends with the wall when closed.

He looked at Katara as he closed it and she watched him as well. She gulped a little when she was left alone with the other water tribe members.

"Soooo... You guys are from the northern tribe?" Katara looked at them awkwardly.

——

Zuko stood at the edge of his ship with the scroll in hand, he wore his hat proudly as he blocked the sun from his eyes as the fire nation ship approached. He saw their captain waiting to arrive as well.

"What is your purpose in these waters?" The fire nation captain asked as their ships were next to each other.

"Just passing by," Zuko told him calmly. The man made a motion and the crew lowered the bridge for the man to come onto the pirates ship.

"As pirates it seems that passing is all you do," the man glared at the captain.

"As someone that has been ordered by princess Azula and the royal family, I'd watch what you'd say captain," Zuko handed him the scroll. The man opened it and read the hand written letter, he looked almost impressed and handed it back.

"It's admiral Zhao to you," he said calmly as Zuko put the scroll back.

"You seem awfully young to have such an important mission... Have you seen anything for princess Katara?" Zhao raised a brow judging the pirate.

"My crew and I haven't been out long enough, we're heading to Ida bay to keep a look out, sending some of my team in the market to see if there's any word," Zuko kept his cool and voice steady.

"If someone we're to hear of a southern water bender I'd assume word would travel fast," he tilted his head to the side looking the admiral in the eyes.

"You would assume, captain.." Zhao nodded suspiciously as he trailed off.

"Lee, captain Lee," Zuko held his hand out to shake.

Zhao looked at his hand and saw the scars trailing up the young captains arm as well as tattoos, he looked the man in the eyes as he studied his scar that covered half his face.

"Where did you say you were from?" Zhao didn't take his hand.

"Born and raised outside the Capitol, mother and father had a farm for our cattle, my older brother left for the ba sing si invasion when fire lord Iroh was a general," Zuko smiled proudly as if his 'family' brought him joy. 

"Just trying to bring glory for our nation like my brother did, the princess is our top priority, I'm honored princess Azula would consider me," he nodded firmly and saluted to the admiral.

"You should be, for how young she is the princess will be a great asset to the military if she stays in that lane," Zhao agreed with a smile.

"I fully agree, with her history I'm inspired by her strength as well as prince lu ten," Zuko nodded more as if he was excited to talk about the royal family.

"As you were captain, I'll alert my other ships around her to leave you be," Zhao still didn't shake his hand.

"Appreciated admiral sir, pleasure meeting you," Zhao bowed with his fist against his hand and his crew pulled the bridge up when Zhao made it back on his own ship.

"Keep an eye on this ship, I smell rats," Zhao glared at his men as he stepped on his own ship.

Zuko scoffed watching the metal ship sail off and rolled his eyes.

"What a prick," Zuko growled.

"Who knew you were such a convincing liar captain," jet snorted as everyone chuckled.

"There's nothing that a fire nation  high rank loves more than someone kissing their ass, you open a book and read the news and you know exactly who is who and say they're all strong," Zuko grinned back with mischief in his gold eyes.