The Fire Within - an atla fanfic (Zuko x OC)

Put a Gun Against His Head

I got up and yawned, stretching my arms and legs out. I got out of bed and started to brush my hair. It was believeable I was from the Fire Nation now. I took off my nightgown and glanced down at my wound which was just starting to heal enough to where I didn't have to worry about it. The stitches could probably be taken out soon, by the looks of it. I changed into a robe looking outfit, which, although was Zuko's still fit pretty nicely. It was a little baggy, but it's better off that way.

I slid on the pointed toe boots I had finally gotten my hands on and looked in the mirror. I looked exactly like someone from the fire nation. It was almost exciting. I walked out of my room and began walking to the helmsman, where I was assuming everyone was hanging out.

The past week had been super awkward, ever since Zuko and the whole boobs situation. We hadn't talked about it at all. In fact, we hadn't really been talking as often as we used to either. Whenever we did talk, it wasn't about anything personal. I felt responsible for this, as I basically started the whole situation a week ago. I really missed talking to Zuko. It felt as if now we weren't even friends. I walked into the helmsman tower and looked around.

Iroh was playing Pai Sho (per usual), and Zuko was looking over Jee's shoulder at a map. "Hi Iroh, Hi Prince Zuko." I said as I entered the room.

Zuko spun around and looked at me with surprise. "Is that my robe?"

"You gave it to me, remember?" I said with a tiny shrug, recalling when he told me I could borrow it since I didn't have any clothes to wear when I first came on the ship.

Zuko shook his head and turned back around.

"We haven't been able to pick up the Avatar's trail since the storm." Jee continued.

I sat down across the board from Iroh and looked at the game in thought. "Would I move this piece here?" I asked with confusion.

"You don't want to do that." Iroh replied.

"How about here?" I added, pointing to another square space.

"Nope."

"Here?"

"You don't want to do that."

"Well where should I put it then?" I questioned.

"Well, you could go here, here, or here." Iroh responded, pointing to different places.

I watched him with both confusion and anxiousness. "Iroh, this is too difficult. I'll never be able to learn it."

"You can only succeed if you first believe that you can." Iroh responded with a chipper smile.

"Guess I won't succeed then." I muttered.

Suddenly, the room became dark and we looked out the window to see a big ship blocking the light.

"What do they want?" Zuko murmured.

"Perhaps a sporting game of Pai Sho!" Iroh said hopefully.

The men from the other ship came aboard. "The hunt for the Avatar has been given prime importance. All information regarding the Avatar must be reported directly to Admiral Zhao."
They said while showing Zuko a wanted poster of Aang.

"Zhao has been promoted? Well, good for him!" Iroh said.

I looked at him, thinking the exact opposite.

"I've got nothing to report to Zhao. Now get off my ship and let us pass." Zuko told them sullenly.

"Admiral Zhao is not allowing ships in or out of this area." The man replied.