Book 1: Clouded Waters

Zhao's Mistake

     Hikari felt anxiety clawing through her veins most of the day. There was no major reason to be triggered. All she had really done was train with some the fellow crew (now that the blasted sling was gone and she was free again). There had been one point she had decided to bug Lieutenant Jee out of boredom. Other than the fact that tonight was music night, there was absolutely nothing that should have been causing her current predicament.

     She had done some meditation, breathing exercises, forced herself to drink tea, and even took the time to talk to Iroh about her problem without a cause. To no avail, she was just pouting on the floor, in front of the cot...in Zuko's room.

     As mentioned before, it was music night. Their uncle wanted the prince to play the tsungi horn. He also wanted the girl to be there to sing, dance or even offer a story, yet she refused due to her ailment. The other teen refused to be a part of anything the old man hosted. That left the two of them in the dark room, pouting in silence.

     "Why won't it go away," the girl complained.

     "Remind me why you're in my room," the prince growled.

     "I feel horrible. I don't want to be alone and we both want nothing to do with music night." When he was silent, she sighed, "Look, it you really want me to leave, I'll go. I-"

     "Just stay."

     "...Thanks."

     "You look fine."

     She stared at him. It took a few moments to realize he was asking about her health. A slight smile graced her features before returning to a frown.

      "I've been feeling anxious all day. My heart feel like it's racing, when it's not. My breathing is rapid, or at least it feels that way. I'm shaky and not like myself and..." She ran both of her hands through her hair, "I don't like it, but it's there."

     "Have you...tried meditating?"

     "Yep. Forced myself to drink tea too."

     "What brought this on?"

     "It's been on and off all day. I talked to Uncle about it too." Hikari threw her head back onto the bed, "I sincerely hate this."

     Zuko huffed, "You've expressed that already."

     "Says the guy whose worried about my wellbeing."

     "I am not."

     "Have you tried this? What brought this on? Admit it," She turned to look at him, "you care about me."

     "Whatever make you happy."

     "Awe, come on! That was so sweet of you!" She laughed seeing him glare at the opposing wall, "You should be caring more often! It's a total ladies magnet."

     "I don't need dating advice!" The door to the room opened and the prince addressed his uncle, "And for the last time, I'm not playing the tsungi horn!"

     "No, it's about our plans." Iroh stepped in, "There's a bit of a problem."

     Hazel eyes widened. Commander Zhao entered the room. Her heart rate picked up. He was the last person she wanted or expected to see. The surprise caught her off guard in a very bad way. She ended up clutching her top, afraid her heart would bust out.

     "I'm taking your crew," the imposer announced.

     "What," Zuko demanded shocked.

     "I've recruited them for a little expedition to the North Pole."