As they returned to Iroh, Kira couldn't shake off the weight of uncertainty that hung in the air. She glanced at Zuko, silently urging him to take the lead in their next steps."What's our plan now?" Kira asked, her voice tinged with apprehension.Iroh, ever the wise mentor, suggested seeking asylum in the Earth Kingdom to protect themselves from Azula's pursuit. Kira nodded in agreement, recognizing the necessity of finding a safe haven.But it was Zuko's response to her next question that held the most weight. When she asked if he still intended to capture the Avatar, his silence spoke volumes. Eventually, he spoke, his tone grave and resolute."For now, our priority should be Iroh's recovery and restoring his honor can wait," Zuko declared.Kira swallowed the lump in her throat, her heart conflicted. She secretly hoped that Zuko would abandon his quest for the Avatar, but she knew better than to voice her thoughts. Instead, she simply nodded, accepting Zuko's decision and steeling herself for the challenges that lay ahead.
Zuko carefully prepared the tea, hoping to provide some comfort to both Iroh and Kira. As he handed each of them a cup, his eyes met Iroh's with a silent plea for approval. "I hope I made it just the way you like it, Uncle," Zuko said softly, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. Iroh took a sip, his expression betraying nothing as he tried to mask his distaste. "Ah, yes, quite exquisite, nephew," he replied with forced enthusiasm, though the taste of the tea was far from exquisite. With great effort, he managed to swallow it down, determined not to disappoint Zuko. Kira, sensing Iroh's charade, followed suit and took a cautious sip, suppressing a grimace as she forced herself to swallow. "Mmm, yes, it's... unique," she commented diplomatically, offering a faint smile to Zuko. As they sat together, Zuko turned to Kira, curiosity glinting in his eyes. "What have you been up to in the past few weeks, without me?" he asked, genuine interest coloring his tone. Kira smiled, recounting her experiences in the village. "Well, I found work at a herbalist's shop," she began, her voice animated with enthusiasm. "I've been learning a lot about medicinal herbs and remedies. And I rented a room at a small inn nearby." Zuko nodded, listening intently as she spoke. Then, a shadow of concern crossed his features. "Did you encounter any danger while I was gone? Did you... have to use my dagger?" he inquired, his voice tinged with worry. Kira shook her head, reassuring him. "No, everything was fine, Zuko," she replied, offering him a comforting smile. "I didn't face any danger, and I never had to use your dagger. In fact, I'm not even sure I know how to use it properly," she admitted with a sheepish laugh. Zuko's expression softened with determination as he listened to Kira's response. "I'm glad you're safe, but it's important for you to know how to defend yourself," he said earnestly. "I'll teach you how to use the dagger properly, and we should get you a sword for better protection. Azula could attack at any moment, and you need to be prepared to defend yourself." Kira's eyes widened with excitement, as if she had been waiting her whole life to hear those words. "Really? You'll teach me?" she exclaimed, unable to contain her enthusiasm. "I'd love to learn! Thank you, Zuko!" Zuko nodded, a faint smile touching his lips at her eagerness. "Of course, Kira. We'll start as soon as possible," he assured her, grateful for the opportunity to empower her with the skills she needed to protect herself. "And yes, Uncle, I know you'll say she's your sister and we should make peace," added Zuko." No, Azula is unhinged and needs to be defeated. Once I regain my strength, we'll resume your training," agreed Iroh. "What a beautiful necklace you're wearing," Iroh remarked to Kira. "It's a memento of my parents, the last thing I have left of them. In our tradition, men gift women a necklace as an engagement token. It's made of fire-resistant material, the only thing that survived the attack on my family," Kira explained, a tear trickling down her face.Iroh nudged Zuko with his elbow, but Zuko remained clueless as to what Iroh meant by it."A lovely tradition," Iroh commented eventually, winking at Zuko, who still didn't quite grasp the meaning.
Two days after their conversation, Kira stood in a small clearing, the early morning light filtering through the leaves, creating a mosaic of shadows on the ground. Zuko, standing across from her, held a wooden training sword, his expression serious and focused."Remember, stance is crucial," he instructed as Kira clumsily mimicked his position, her movements stiff and uncertain."I feel ridiculous," she confessed with a sheepish grin, looking down at her feet to make sure they were aligned as Zuko had shown her."You're doing fine, Kira. Just try to relax," Zuko said, stepping closer to adjust her posture. His hands were gentle yet firm on her shoulders, causing a flutter in Kira's heart as she struggled to concentrate on his words rather than his touch."Right, relax. Got it," she murmured, taking a deep breath and trying to focus on the lesson instead of the proximity of the prince.Zuko stepped back, watching her attempt a basic strike. Kira's movement was awkward, her sword slicing through the air with more enthusiasm than skill, throwing her off balance. Zuko couldn't help but smile slightly, the tension in his face easing."Don't worry, it takes time to get it right," he reassured her, hiding his amusement. "Let's try it again. This time, think about flowing with the movement rather than forcing it."As they continued, Kira found herself increasingly aware of Zuko's presence. The way he moved with such ease and grace contrasted sharply with her own clumsy attempts. Every now and then, their hands would brush accidentally, sending a jolt through her, making her heart race. She wondered if Zuko felt it too, but his face gave nothing away."Zuko, how do you make it look so easy?" Kira asked during a brief pause, her chest heaving slightly from the exertion."It's not easy," Zuko responded, his voice softening. "I've just had a lot of practice. And a lot of good teachers."Kira laughed, a light, airy sound that made Zuko's heart skip a beat, though he quickly masked his reaction by picking up a fallen branch and using it to demonstrate a blocking technique. "Here, let me show you," he said, stepping behind her. His hands reached around to adjust her grip on the sword, his body close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from him. Kira's breath hitched slightly, her concentration faltering."Like this," Zuko murmured, his voice low in her ear. He guided her arms through the motion of a block, his chest almost pressing against her back. For a moment, the world seemed to stand still, and Kira felt a rush of warmth flood through her.But the moment was shattered as Zuko stepped away abruptly, clearing his throat. "Try to keep your balance better," he said, avoiding her gaze.Kira, feeling a mix of disappointment and lingering excitement, nodded and tried the block again, this time alone. She managed it more smoothly, but the thrill of Zuko's closeness lingered, distracting her.As the training session continued, Kira found herself flirting subtly, trying to draw out a more personal reaction from Zuko. She joked and teased lightly, but Zuko seemed determined to keep things professional, focusing strictly on the techniques."Focus, Kira. This isn't a game," Zuko chided gently after she made a particularly playful comment about his teaching style."Sorry, I'm just trying to make light of my imminent demise at the hands of a wooden sword," she quipped, hoping to see him smile.Zuko's lips twitched, almost imperceptibly, and for a moment, it seemed like he might relax. But then he was all business again, pointing out a misstep in her footwork.As the morning wore on, Kira found herself both frustrated and increasingly drawn to Zuko. His dedication to her safety and his refusal to engage in flirtation made him all the more appealing. Yet, it was clear that Zuko was here to teach, and she was here to learn.Finally, as they concluded the session, Zuko complimented her progress. "You're getting better," he said earnestly. "It's important to be able to defend yourself.""Thanks to you," Kira responded, her smile tinged with a mix of admiration and deeper affection.Zuko merely nodded, oblivious to the romantic undertones, focused solely on their shared goal of preparing her for any dangers that might come their way. Kira watched him walk away, his figure a blend of mystery and allure, her heart both warmed and puzzled by the enigmatic prince.
