Where There Is Smoke, There Is Fire [Avatar: The Last Airbender Fanfic]

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The following day he left for the island, where some of the Fire Nation Supremacists were besieged. The island wasn't too far from the Capital City, which is probably why they chose the island to make their base. It was only about two hours from the Capital. Usually, Iroh would be Interim Fire Lord when he would go away, but Sokka and Suki would keep an eye on things as he would only be out for the next day or two. They could get word to him quickly enough if anything went wrong since he was still close. He rode on a komodo rhino to the boat that would take him to the island encampment and towards the Fire Nation military outpost and dismounted as he was greeted by Colonel Uzan.

"Fire Lord Zuko. Thank you very much for gracing us with your presence. It is an honour to have you here. Please let me know if there is anything you need." Colonel Uzan wasn't the best commander, but he was smart enough to lead the siege. He was a slightly more plump man in his fifties, with brown hair slowly going grey. His nose was large, too, taking up a large portion of his face.

"Thank you, Colonel Uzan. Has anything happened so far?" He replied, walking side by side with the man to his tent, which had all the maps and plans for their attack.

"Nothing so far, my Lord. But it has been several weeks now, and I doubt they have many supplies left. I am expecting them to make a move at any time. The men are on watch all day and night and ready to defend the Fire Nation in your name." He explained, and his men bowed and greeted the young Fire Lord as they passed them.

Once they arrived at the tent, the men opened the door for them, and they headed inside. Zuko saw their area map and plans on a table in the middle of the tent. Behind the table was a young girl on a seat who leapt up immediately and bowed low and respectfully to him. He couldn't see what she looked like until she straightened up. She had a curvy figure, but she looked strong for her size. She was smaller than average; if he stood right in front of her, the top of her head would reach his jawline. She had an elegantly structured face, and her golden eyes were big and framed by long, thick lashes.

"My Lord, it is a great honour to meet you." She spoke with a soft voice with a certain firmness to it that he couldn't quite put his finger on. Her small but full lips curved into a small smile that relaxed her brow slightly.

She was gorgeous. It took Zuko a moment to return to his senses as he realised he would continue staring if he didn't catch himself.

"Ah, this is my niece, Izara. She is my assistant but is at your disposal while you are here. She has already set up your tent for you right next to ours. Should you need anything, please go to her as she will serve you during your stay. Would you get us some tea, please?" Colonel Uzan went to shoo her away, but Zuko stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

"Izara, is it?" he waited for her to respond, and she managed a nod after staring blankly up at him for a moment. "It is nice to meet you. Thank you for looking after me." He gave her a smile, and her eyes widened when he bowed his head in appreciation. She smiled back and bowed, much lower than he did, then quickly zipped out the tent door. "You said that she is your niece?"

"Yes, she is." He replied, looking at the door that Izara had left through a moment ago.

"I hope it isn't too bold to say, but it seems like she didn't take after your side of the family very much." Zuko was trying to be polite, but he was surprised that a man like Uzan could have a niece who looked like that.

The larger man laughed loudly, knowing precisely what the young man was referring to. "Ah, the girl took after her mother. My brother was lucky to get a girl that pretty since he looked fairly similar to me. She got his smarts and personality, though. General Zaigan was his name. He was in the Navy." He chuckled again and nodded his head, then gestured to the table. "Anyway, shall we look over these plans, My Lord?"