Avatar the Last Airbender: The Admiral's Daughter Zuko and OC

Crescent Island

Zuko clenched his hands on the railing of the ship, he was almost shaking with anger and confusion. "What's he up to Uncle? Why didn't commander Zhao arrest me?"

Iroh looked calm even though Azari thought that Iroh had to be at least a little unsure but he answered smoothly. "Because he wants to follow you. He knows you'll lead him to the prize you're both after: the Avatar."

Azari blinked, realizing that Iroh was right. It made sense. Of course her father would come up with something like this.

"If Zhao wants to follow a trail of smoke, then that's exactly what I'll let him do," Zuko said, coming up with a plan swiftly.

"What do you mean?" Azari asked. "Why would you want him to follow us?"

"Because," Zuko said. "It's a diversion."

And, Azari realized, it was just like Zuko to get out of a situation like this.

"Come on, we have to hurry if we want to get the vessel ready," Zuko said. He hurried to the stairs taking him below deck.

Azari rushed after him, she looked behind her for Iroh but he just kept looking out at the ocean shaking his head.

Azari turned back and ran after Zuko but stopped herself and turned down a different hallway. She went to Zuko's room and grabbed a knife from a drawer in the wardrobe.

Once Azari reached the vessel she was out of breath and panting from running down so many hallways.

Zuko had already had the soldiers get it ready to launch into the water.

The ship was already opening up to let the small boat out.

Zuko hopped onto it and Azari had to run after Zuko and scramble up to catch up with Zuko.

"Hey!" Zuko jumped when he saw Azari next to him. "What do you think you're doing?!" Zuko seemed a bit angry but Azari ignored him.

"Come on, let's get going," Azari said, leaning back against the railing as they slowly shifted into the water.

"I don't know what you two are thinking but you're not thinking sensibly," Iroh said. Azari and Zuko looked up to see Iroh looking down at them.

"I didn't agree to Azari coming!" Zuko complained, the anger was fading from his voice but it was being replaced with hints of stress.

"I said the two of you," Iroh said, clarifying.

Azari rolled her eyes at the two of them.

Zuko sighed then became serious. "Uncle, keep heading north. Zhao will follow the smoke trail, while I use it as a cover."

"We use it as cover," Azari corrected Zuko.

Iroh grunted in doubt and shook his head.

Zuko didn't say anything as they slid into the water and all but disappeared into the smoke.

The two of them made their way through the smoke until they found themselves in sight of an island. It was shaped like a crescent moon. Or at least Azari assumed it was, it was hard to tell all the way down in the ship.

Azari and Zuko didn't speak until they landed on shore and got out onto the island.

"Well what are we going to do now?" Azari asked. "Just go in there and try to capture the avatar?"

Zuko shrugged, "I don't really have any better ideas at this point."

Azari and Zuko headed towards the temple without saying much else. Once they reached it they did their best to sneak in.

They made their way through the old halls that Azari thought surely had to be ancient. They passed a few fire sages but it was easy to hide behind the many pillars and curtains. There weren't a lot of fire sages to be worried about though.

Soon they found themselves at the top of the temple. Ahead of them there was some sort of commotion.

Azari could see the Avatar and his friends there. There were quite a few sages too. Azari wondered if this was why they hadn't run into that many on their way there.

Zuko hurried forwards without Azari, making her have to scurry as quietly as possible to keep up with him.

Suddenly before Azari quite realized what was happening Zuko had the avatar in his grip. The avatar's hands were behind his back and he was struggling.

"The Avatar's coming with me!" Zuko shouted. Azari stood behind Zuko with the knife in her hand. She wasn't very good with knives but she didn't think a bow or Zuko's swords would be easy to carry.

Zuko started to head back down the stairs they had just come up. Azari followed behind him, watching the Avatar as he stared back at his friends desperately. As he watched as they were captured.

The avatar broke free and shoved Zuko down some of the stairs with his airbending.

Azari was partially knocked down by it herself. She tried to get up but realized she'd sprained her ankle or something because she couldn't walk.

Azari lay helpless on the floor.

Zuko dashed past her after the avatar but it was too late. The avatar was already inside the room he had been trying to get into. Azari didn't think they'd open the door.

Zuko shook his head in anger but he hurried back and took Azari's hand trying to help her up.

"You okay?" Zuko asked, he realized she was hurt and helped her to a pillar she could lean against.

"I'll be fine," Azari said. Zuko cared, Azari knew he did. Sometimes she just had to remember it.

7/22/24 I hope you like this chapter. It's 11:30 pm. Does it still count as Monday? I will try to post earlier in the future! The next chapter will get more interesting, I promise. Thank you so much for reading!