The Bender of Two Elements (On Hiatus)

Chapter 4: Memories and Stuff

-Recap-

"Do I really have to stay in here? I mean, where would I escape to? It's not like I would go to the South Pole or anything." I said.

Iroh winked. "Well, there is a hatch on the right side of the ship that the repairmen haven't fixed yet, I suppose you could escape there if you really wanted to."

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"Stop! What do you think you're doing??!!!" I yelled.

"TIFFANY I ASKED YOU TO STAY IN THE SHIP WITH IROH!" Zuko shouted with rage.

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"I'm going to ask you some questions. And no lying. You understand?" asked Zuko, looking like he was trying to keep his anger under control.  

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I gave them the smallest of smiles. I guess their feelings won't change about me just because I'm from a different world, I thought.  

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Our conversation lasted through dinner until almost midnight, and even though we came from different worlds, we all managed to become friends.

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That night, I was moved to a...better room. I feel like Iroh had to do with that. This time, there was a small Pai Sho table in the corner, and a window that overlooked the boat out to the sea. 

I looked around, checking if there was anyone around, and took off the locket that hung from my necklace. After opening the locket, I immediately missed home. Inside was a picture of my family; my mother, father, and baby brother. I smiled sadly. It was supposed to be his sixth birthday in 2 weeks back in my world, I thought.

I really did miss them. It is a lot better here now since I'm somewhat friends with Zuko and Iroh, but I would definitely  go back home in an instant if I had the chance. I looked out the window, with tears in my eyes. Outside was a storm, with lightning slicing  through the sky.

I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in," I said, wiping away my tears quickly. 

Zuko peeked his head in tentatively. He looked rather.....awkward.

"Uh, I just heard some crying and uh... just wanted to check if you were alright," he stammered. 

I smiled sadly. "I'm okay," I said.

Zuko looked at the necklace in my hands.

"What is that?" He asked.

"It's called a locket. You can hold pictures inside." I said.

He stepped into my room slowly, almost as if asking permission.

I nodded, shrugging.

He sat beside me on the floor, and gently took the necklace out of my hands.

"Is this your family?" He asked slowly.

I nodded.

Zuko sighed, giving me back the necklace. 

"I have a sister too you know, and I haven't seen her in many years," he said. 

I nodded, remembering about the crazy Azula of the Fire Nation.

"She was always... troubled. She's heartless and cruel, but she's still my family." Zuko said.

I was stunned. Why would Zuko tell me this information? From the show, he never seemed like the type to make any friends quickly.

Thunder struck loudly, and we both just sat there for a while looking out the window, deep in our own memories.

Suddenly, Zuko stood up quickly and abruptly left my room, as if waking up from a trance.

I spent the rest of the night staring out the window and thinking about my family.

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The next morning, we both avoided eye contact with each other, as if trying to forget what happened the night before.

"Tiffany, would you like some jasmine tea?" Iroh asked, breaking the silence.

I nodded and accepted in thanks. I sat there for a while, drinking Iroh's amazing tea and trying to remember what was going to happen next in the show.

My thoughts were interrupted by Zuko's voice.

"We need to repair our ship," he said. "The avatar damaged half of it, and the nearest port is a couple hours away."

Iroh sat up straighter. "But Zuko, the harbor is in the Fire Nation. What if someone discovers you had the avatar? And what will you say if they ask you about Tiffany?"

"Let's just hope that won't happen." Zuko said quietly, turning away from us.

I bit my lip, holding back from telling them about Zhao.

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When I returned to my room, I sighed and sat down on the floor. My plan of escape certainly had some problems, I thought. What if the hatch I used in the South Pole was fixed? Where would I go even if I did make it out? The Fire Nation isn't exactly friendly to outsiders, I remembered.

Suddenly, I had an idea. 

Kyoshi Island, I thought. Zuko and Iroh stop there to look for Aang, and the warriors are fairly nice as long as you stay respectful...maybe they could even teach me a couple of fighting tricks. I smiled, thinking of Sokka.

I felt the ship docking to the port and heard Iroh walking towards my room, and I knew that we had reached the harbor.

I took a deep breath. This will be an interesting encounter.

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Hmmmmm yup it will be! I extended the time it took to get to the port because I wanted a little more Zuko/Tiffany action..... and OMG the awkwardness!!!!!!

Thanks for you patience about the updates :)  Until next time!!!