"We need repairs." I reported to Zuko, who sighed as he looked at a map.
"This is the closest port." I glanced at the map.
"I'll inform the Captain." I bowed, excusing myself to share the information.
~~
After arriving at the port, I fixed the hood and mask that hid my identity. I walked with Iroh and Zuko up to the bridge, and stopped as they went down to the port. Shortly after, crew from the port came on board. I watched as they assessed the damage, and continued into the brig. I quietly followed behind as they met with our own crew. They were chatting, as if catching up.
"Yea the Avatar really his us bad." I overheard. I sighed and stepped into the room, using the base of my short staff to hit the floor. Everyone looked at me. I looked at the port crew and gestured for them to leave.
"And who do you think you are? As a Lieutenant, I would expect some respect. from... " One of them walked towards me. "A maid? Didn't know the banished Prince had a taste for... foreign girls." he laughed.
Without hesitation, I swung my staff in his face, pinning him down to the deck, raising my hand up, and icicles of ice shot in front of the other port crew and protruded out from my staff, pointing it into the man's neck.
"You.." he started talking again, and I pressed the tip of the icicle further into his skin. He shut his mouth and I stepped off, the icicles pointed at the other men returned to the canister next to me.
He and his little crew quickly left the ship. I turned to look at the others, closing the door with my staff. Pulling down the mask covering my mouth, I stared at them. "Which one of you let it slip?" I asked and they all looked at each other. "Either you tell me and we settle this now, or we wait for Prince Zuko and General Iroh's return and you answer to them. Your choice." I waited and one person stepped out.
"The guy.. we went through training together. I apologize ma'am." He bowed.
I sighed, walking towards the windows, seeing the men walk off the ship. "I'll handle it when the two of them come back. You, for now on clean up. Everyone else, get to work." I ordered, pulling my mask back over my face and walking down to the docks.
I followed the crew that just left our ship, into the central tent. Inside was Zuko and Iroh. As expected, they reported to their superior information they received about the Avatar.
I easily weaved my way through the guards up to the front, passing the Commander and towards Iroh and Zuko. Standing by Iroh, I bent down as if to whisper in his ear, but just passed on a note instead.
"And who is this?" I glanced at the man, and looked away.
"Someone you shouldn't mess with." Iroh spoke, stopping the man as he looked me up and down.
"So, a 12 year old bested you and your firebenders." the man turned to Zuko, "You're more pathetic than I thought."
"I underestimated him once, but it won't happen again." Zuko replied to him.
"No, you won't, because you won't get that second chance." he turned to the three of us.
"Commander Zhao, I have been hunting the Avatar for 2 years - " Zhao interrupted him.
"And, you failed. Capturing the Avatar is much to important to leave in a teenagers hands. He's mine now." Zhao stood in front of Zuko.
Zuko tried lunging at Zhao, but was grabbed by the other two soldiers in the room. "Keep them here." Zhao said as he left. Zuko angrily kicked over the small table holding the tea set.
"More tea please." Iroh requested, looking at the soldiers holding Zuko. The two of them looked at each other. I walked over to Zuko, placing a hand on his shoulder. He turned to me, his anger clearly expressed on his face. I shook my head and he threw the two soldiers off of him, sitting back in the chair.
It wasn't long before Zhao came back into the room, "My search party is ready. Once I'm out to sea, my guards will escort you back to your ship and you will be free to go."
"Why? Are you worried I'm going to try and stop you?" Zuko asked him.
Zhao just laughed in response. "You? Stop me? Impossible." he smiled.
"Don't underestimate me Zhao, I will capture the Avatar before you." Zuko stood from his seat.
"Prince Zuko, that's enough." Iroh stood up as well.
"You can't compete with me. I have hundreds of warships under my command, and you - are just a banished prince. No home. No allies. Your own father doesn't even want you." Zhao smiled.
"You're wrong." Zuko replied. "Once I deliver the Avatar to my father, he will welcome me home with honor and restore my rightful place on the throne."
"If your father really wanted you home, he would have let you return by now, Avatar or not. But in his eyes, you are a failure, a disgrace to the Fire Nation." Zhao continued saying things that he knew would push Zuko's buttons.
"That's not true." I saw how clenched his fists were, white and shaking.
"You have the scar to prove it." Zhao pressed again.
"Maybe you'd like one to match." Zuko got in his face.
"Is that a challenge?" Zhao asked.
"An Agni Kai, sunset." Zuko quickly set a time of day.
"Very well. It's a shame your father won't be here to watch my humiliate you. I guess your uncle and girlfriend will do." Zhao looked at Iroh and I before walking away.
"Prince Zuko, have you forgotten what happened the last time you fought a Master?" Iroh asked and I sighed.
"I will never forget." Zuko replied.
~~
Sunset came around, and we were shown to the dueling grounds. I stood by Iroh, "Remember your firebending basics, Prince Zuko. They are your greatest weapons." Iroh advised
"I refuse to let him win." Zuko stood, facing Zhao.
"You really don't speak much during work." Iroh whispered as Zuko ad Zhao met in the middle.
"... habit." I whispered. "It's how I was taught, how I was trained.." I thought as the gong was hit to start the match.
Zuko fired the first shot, which Zhao was able to deflect multiple times.
"Basics Prince Zuko! Break his roots!" Iroh yelled as Zuko began getting pushed back. Zhao had pinned Zuko down, and as he was about to deal the finishing blow, Zuko managed to get himself out of it, knocking Zhao off balance. He begin a series of attacks against him, eventually pinning him down.
"Do it!" Zhao yelled at Zuko, who fired the finishing shot, next to Zhao's head. "That's it? Your father raised a coward."
"Next time you get in my way, I promise I won't hold back." Zuko told Zhao, and began walking away from him.
Iroh and I walked towards Zuko as well, to congratulate him. "Wait, he-" I noticed Zhao, but Iroh reacted first. Stopping Zhao's attack and pushing him back.
"No Prince Zuko." Iroh stopped Zuko from attacking Zhao, "Do not taint your victory." I sighed, happy that there was no crisis.
"I have to improve my reaction speed." I thought.
"Even in exile, my nephew is more honorable than you." Iroh said, and I smiled. "Thank you for the tea, it was delicious."
Stepping to the side as the two of them walked back to the ship, I glanced back at Zhao who continued laying on the floor. I followed after the two of them, "Did you really mean that uncle?" Zuko asked as we walked.
"Of course." Iroh replied, "Ginseng tea is my favorite."
I watched as the two of them walked side by side back to the ship. "Hopefully he forgot about the crew revealing the information.." I thought as we walked up the ramp.
YOU ARE READING
Zuko x Reader
FanfictionI was abandoned by my parents, and taken in by Empress Ursa. Raised by maids until I was three, taken by Ozai for my water bending, tortured, interrogated and then put in his "Guardians." However... Everything changed during the Agni Kai.. ~~ I ow...
