The Half of Me | Zuko

Chapter Five: Winter Solstice part 2: Avatar Roku

"Sailing into fire nation waters. Of all the foolish things you've done in your 16 years, Prince Zuko, this is the most foolish." Ryoko stood beside Zuko, staring intensely at the water from the upper deck. There was a chance she would run into her father and nothing terrified her more. After standing up to him to protect Zuko, she had not seen him since. She did not know what his reaction would be to seeing her again. 

Ryoko knew she was not the meek girl underneath her father's wing anymore. Her fire bending has grown along with her duty. She would not fail and she would not bow to her father anymore, but the part of her inside was still a young girl who afraid of his power as well as the fire lord who would be furious on hearing his banished son had returned.

"I'm afraid I have to agree with your uncle, Zuko. This is extremely foolish and dangerous." 

"I have no choice."

"Have you completely forgotten that the fire lord banished you? What if you're caught?" Zuko turns from the telescope to his uncle.

"I'm chasing the Avatar. My father will understand why I'm returning home." Ryoko sighs. 

"And if he doesn't?" Ryoko asks with a sympathetic glance. While her father was not great, it did not compare to the banishing and burning of your son. 

"Ryoko's right. My brother is not the understanding type." Zuko said nothing but turned back to the telescope, looking up to see Appa. 

"They're they are. Helmsman, full steam ahead." Ryoko frowned as they reached the bottom deck where a catapult was waiting. 

"Really, Prince Zuko, couldn't you shoot them down with something more fragrant?" Ryoko looked up into the sky at the flying bison, ignoring the horrid smell as Zuko lights the ball on fire to catapult. 

"On my mark. Fire!" 

Ryoko didn't know if she was holding in a breath because she was scared of seeing them get hit or because she wanted to capture them. She looked into the horizon and her eyes widen, now sure she wasn't able to breathe. "Prince Zuko!" Zuko turns to Ryoko with worry and follows her gaze.

"A blockade." 

"Technically you are still in Earth Kingdom waters. Turn back now and they cannot arrest you." Zuko glares at nothing. Ryoko steps forward and puts a hand on his arm, gripping it lightly.

"You can fight another day. We'll find them again, I'm sure they will leave after seeing the blockade. My father won't stop until he gets what he wants." Zuko clenches his jaw and looks up again at Appa, but his eyes focus on how the beast is flying faster.

"He's not turning around!" 

"Please, Prince Zuko, if the fire nation captures you, there is nothing we can do. Do not follow the Avatar." Zuko looks to Ryoko whose eyes were pleading with him. 

"I don't want to lose you to my father of all people." 

"I'm sorry. Run the blockade!" Ryoko shakes her head as steps to the edge of the boat watching the blockade. She knew her father was there somewhere, most likely plotting. They were on opposite sides now, did he view her as a traitor? 

Zhao stood on the boat in the blockade with a smirk on his face. "The avatar," he moves his telescope down and sees Prince Zuko's ship in the water, "and the banished prince. This must be my lucky day." 

"Commander Zhao, what are your orders?" 

"Shoot the bison down, captain." He watched the lone boat across the water, his eyes squinting in thought.

"But there's a fire navy ship out there, sir - one of our own. What if it's hit?" Zhao picked his head up. He knew his daughter would be on that ship, but he knew that she would make it. She always did.