The Water Bender and the Fire Prince//Zuko Fanfiction

2 ~ Tattoos

Zhao reminded Enyo of the bottom feeders she sometimes assisted the crew in clearing from the bottom of the ship: disgusting and with beady eyes that made her want to squirm.

"I've never seen anyone from the Fire Nation with your eye colour," Zhao commented. He attempted to sound friendly, but he leered forward, his eyes narrow. "How exactly are you and Iroh related?"

Iroh chuckled, and Enyo found herself surprised by his casual tone, telling the story they had gone over thousands of times.

"You remember Captain Dosai and his wife Ulani. They fought with me in Ba Sing Se,"

There was a flash of confusion on Zhao's face, but Iroh continued cheerfully as if Dosai and Ulani had ever existed. Enyo stepped out of Zhao's way as he focused on Iroh, happy to be out of the firing line as she stood next to Zuko, who was picking at the edges of his sleeves, his eyes downcast.

"Enyo was born around the same time Zuko was," They didn't know this, of course. It was just an assumption and made for easy storytelling. "I am her godfather; her parents died on the frontline a few years ago after an Earth Kingdom attack."

"My apologies," Zhao nodded briefly toward her and Enyo stifled a snort. The fake sympathy was almost laughable. "However, Iroh, that still doesn't explain her appearance. Nobody in the Fire Nation has blue eyes and brown hair,"

Iroh frowned at Zhao. It was the same expression he did whenever he tried to discipline Zuko or her. His eyebrows creased and his mouth sank into a throne. Enyo glanced at Zuko and they made eye contact, only to dart her eyes away to keep from laughing.

"I'm disappointed in you, Zhao. I would've assumed you had taken the time to visit the colonies, and then you would know that her appearance is not that peculiar."

Zhao's eyes flashed, and Enyo nearly took a step back. It was bad enough that he and Zuko had argued. She didn't want to be a target as well. Not of a man like this. Especially when she had no bending of her own to defend herself with and her spear was still on the boat.

Enyo glanced down the edge of the port to where the newly fixed ship bobbed. The sun was setting, and its reflection bounced off the water in long golden stretches, bathing the small settlement in purple and pink light.

Enyo stopped next to Iroh, turning her gaze from the water to look down at the large court they had come to. She dug her hands into her pockets. In one hand, she gripped the two stones, and in the other, she gripped the wrench. Enyo had spent most of the day on the ship, aiding in the repairs while Iroh and Zuko played diplomats. She had come down in the hopes of finding the two so they could leave and instead overheard that they were duelling.

"What exactly is an Agni Kai?" Enyo asked Iroh as Zhao and Zuko descended into the arena. The latter had changed since she had last seen him-- pants and a ceremonial shoulder cover. His feet were bare.

Iroh's gaze didn't turn from his nephew. "It's a traditional firebending duel. You only win when your opponent gets burned."

Enyo tilted back enough to see Iroh's hands behind his back. He was wringing them to the point where the skin was white. He was nervous.

"Zuko will win," Enyo stated. Even if it weren't true, hopefully, optimistic words would help him feel better for a moment. "I've only just met Zhao, but he is arrogant."

Iroh snorted. "Zuko is arrogant at times too."

Enyo glanced down at Zuko. He had shrugged off the shoulder cover, exposing a broad back. The stick and poke tattoo that the crew had insisted everyone got gleamed in the dipping sunlight. She had an identical marking of spirals on her own back. Her eyes narrowed. Zuko's hands were still, his feet steady. He was ready to fight.