When Hatred turned to Love (ATLA Zuko x OC)

Chapter Six - The King of Omashu: Part 2

"...First, Avatar, what do you think of my new outfit? I want your honest opinion," The Crazy King asked.

Aang stared at him for a long moment not knowing if a negative answer or affirmative would be right one to say. But he really didn't see any point on answering that question.

"I'm waiting!" The King said.

The kid scratched his bald head and he finally answered "Uh... I guess its fine,"

"Excellent, you passed the first test," The King said pleasingly.

"Really?"

"Well, not one of the deadly tests, the real challenges are more... challenging," The King said moving his hands around.

In a blink of an eye and a huge blast of air Aang managed to get exactly in front of the King using his air bending making him faster than the wind. "I don't have time for your crazy games; give me my friends back we're leaving!" Aang demanded losing his patience.

"Ah, I thought you might refuse..." The King started as the door to the other room opened and Aang finally saw his friends being given some kind of crystal by the guards. "...so I will give your friends some special souvenirs. Those delightful rings are made of pure Genamite, also known as Creeping Crystal; it's a crystal that grows remarkably fast. By nightfall your friends will be completely covered in it... terrible fate really... I can stop it, but only if you cooperate,"

"They're already creeping!" Sokka shouted in panic.

"I'll do what you want"

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The bright light of the morning sun entered the room. It was all it needed to wake her up. She had slept well that night, and a full night rest was something she hadn't experienced in years. She was used in her nightmares and her nostalgic feelings of her people. She had to move on, she knew that, but what she didn't know was that if she was ready for it.

She turned around noticing that the Prince had already woken up and he was getting dressed for the day. Much to her surprise he was shirtless. Oh, dear! She thought feeling her cheeks burning from the long blush that appeared on them. She hadn't seen a shirtless man since... well, long time ago. She would normally place her hands in front of her eyes to cover the view, but he had turned his back at her and he hadn't even noticed that she was awake. I guess it wouldn't hurt just to stare a little... right? She thought. For a sixteen year old boy he was pretty much muscular and tall. His bare soldiers as pale as they were, it was just nice staring at them. What the hell am I thinking? She thought to herself.

She immediately covered her eyes when she realized that Prince had just turned around. She was pretty sure he saw her staring at him. She sighed... Way to go, Iris...

"You can just stop staring at me and say good morning," She heard the Prince's voice saying. She noticed a playful tone in his voice, something she hadn't spotted before.

"I wasn't staring at you," She said lying. When it came to a challenge she always managed to be a good liar, and she liked that. She placed her hand off her eyes and she turned forcefully her gaze at the ceiling changing her position supinely. She had noticed that the Prince had worn something to cover his soldiers and his bare chest and for a reason she didn't like it.

"If you want me to take that shirt off, you can just say it," He said forming a playful expression at his face

She bit her lip and smiled evilly. She turned and looked at him chuckling "You think you're the only man I laid eyes on? I've seen better," she said raising an eyebrow.