The Stone Cold Bender *ATLA Fanfic*

*Chapter 11*Masked Friend*

"Ummm hi?" I say from where I lay on the metal deck of the ship, a man lays unconscious next to me.

"Well, hello there." Commander Zhao replies, a smirk on his face.

I sit up with a sheepish smile, maintaining eye contact. "I'm just gonna-" I say shuffling backwards until I run into something. Stood behind me is another one of Zhao's soldiers.

He gives a nod to the man behind me. My arms are then forced behind my back and I'm forced to stand. I keep my head down.

Zhao walks towards me and grabs my chain, making me look at him. "And who are you?" I say nothing and simply glare at him.

"Fine, be that way." He releases my face and steps back. He then jesters to the man I had save from a lava-y death. "Take him to the infirmary. And the girl, a cell." With that he leaves.

The man holding me shoves me forward, getting me to walk in the direction he pleases.

We walk through the metal halls of the ship for a while until we come across the cells. I am shoved into the first one. After locking the door, he leaves, probably deeming me not a threat.

Sighing I sit cross legged on the floor. 'That's the last time I try and save someone's life, cause clearly it only gets me into trouble.' I cross my arms grumpily. 'I have a feeling that Zhao won't be as nice as Iroh... this sucks.' I sulk, hanging my head.

"Why do I keep getting kidnapped?" I mutter to myself, dismayed. "I should of just stayed on the ship."

The clearing of a throat breaks me out of my mopping. Standing outside my cell is Commander Zhao with his hands behind his back.

"What can I do for you, Commander?" I ask sarcastically, rolling my eyes.

"After regaining consciousness, my man has reported that you are an earth bender. Which is strange as you are in fire nation attire and in the Fire Nation."

I freeze for a moment as I think of a response. "I think your guy might have hit his head harder then I thought, or the lava fumes got to him." I shrug, trying to seem convincing.

He isn't convinced. "Then how were you hurdling towards my ship on a slab of stone?" He cocks an eyebrow.

"Um, momentum?" I falter slightly under his glaze. "Anything else?" I ask, clearing my throat.

"Well, I am also quite interested in why Prince Zuko, has a earth bender traveling with him?" He smirks as I freeze once again. "Yes, I had seen you on the Banished Princes' ship. At first, I had thought nothing of it, thought that you were simply a peasant. But now you have piqued my interest."

"Especially with how when I looked at you from on my ship, the prince had given me a seemingly protective glare." At this I look to him surprised. 'I mean, I tease him and flirt with him. But would he actually care if something were to happen to me? Probably not.'

"Princy just doesn't like you." I shrug, putting off myself-doubting thoughts, opting to continue talking with Zhao. "He tends to glare at people he doesn't like."

"And you?" He asks, raising an eyebrow questioningly.

"I am on the receiving end of his glares a lot of the time." I shrug. "Make of it what you will." I uncross my legs and pull my knees to my chest, resting my chin on them.

"That all, Commander?" I ask mockingly.

Zhao hums before replying. "Actually, yes. Here." He moves his hand from behind his back to reveal a loaf of bread. He tosses the loaf through the bars of my cell. I catch the loaf that is hard as a rock.