Searching (Zuko x OC)

Chapter 5

"Is that all you've got?" I asked, swinging at my sparring partner and barely missing.

"Not exactly," he responded before clipping my leg and pinning me to the ground.

He smiled down at me and I playfully glared.

"Well played Akemi," I said.

"I learn from the best," he winked.

We both laughed at the remark. However, the moment was interrupted when I heard Zuko.

"Get off her!" he shouted.

Akemi quickly scrambled up into a standing position and bowed. I sat up and frowned at him.

"We're sparring idiot. What do you want?" I huffed.

"I need your help," was all he said.

I looked apologetically at Akemi before getting up on my feet. I dusted myself off while grabbing my knives and smiled at him.

"Good job today. I'm exhausted. Same time tomorrow?" I asked.

He glanced at Zuko who was giving him a death stare before looking back at me.

"U-uh. Maybe," he mumbled before quickly walking off.

I sighed in disappointment before looking at Zuko with a defeated look on my face.

"You've got to stop scaring off my training partners. He's the last one brave enough to agree," I pleaded.

"It was inappropriate! He tackled you. It was unnecessary," he insisted.

"No, it wasn't. When I'm fighting someone they're not going to just go easy on me because I'm a girl. I don't have bending like you Zuko. I have to be prepared," I snapped back.

None of my training partners ever stayed. All the soldiers were easily scared off when Zuko acted like this. I could never get one to stick around for more than a month. I tried to explain that he was just being overprotective, but they were too scared. Honestly, I can't blame them. I would be scared too.

"Well then I'll train with you," he replied matter of factly.

"You need to practice with Iroh. You have to master your bending. You can't waste time training with me. We're on different levels," I said, crossing my arms defensively.

"I'm not wasting my time! Besides it'll help me go over my basics again."

I knew he wouldn't let up. Once he got an idea in his head he was stubborn enough to keep it. Even if it was as stupid as the one he had now.

"Fine. Let's go then," I said, getting into position.

I held my knives in each hand and looked him dead in the eyes.

"W-what? Right now?" he asked in shock.

"You insisted. Bring it hot head," I coaxed, knowing it would make him angry.

He charged at me and we began to fight. We began to move almost in sync, predicting each other's moves and preparing for them. He would try to swing at my head and I would duck. I would kick at his chest and he would jump out of the way. I decided to take it up a notch.

"Don't go easy on me now. This is boring," I taunted.

Before I knew it he was pinning me up against the wall, not unlike how Akemi had moments earlier. If I wasn't fighting, I would have made a joke.

"How's that for easy?" he asked, pride in his voice.

I quickly swept his legs out from under him and pinned him down instead. I held my knife safely at his throat and got close to his ear.