Searching (Zuko x OC)

Chapter 11

Zuko and I had somehow grown even closer after our last talk. Hearing him say all those things about me just made me even more confident that I was here for a reason. And it made me even more determined to train more.

I was always the first one up on the ship, even before Zuko, so that I could train in the peace and quiet. I began stretching so that I could warm up my muscles. I was beginning to be very flexible and I noticed it making a positive difference in my fighting. I listed to the waves against the ship as we continued after the Avatar. I tried not to think about it as much, but sometimes I couldn't help it. Especially when I went on my runs. I did laps around the ships deck every morning so that I stayed in top condition. It also meant that my thoughts often drifted to things I didn't want to be thinking of.

This time, my mind took me to the events that happened a few nights ago. With Zuko.

We had been so close. I looked deep into his eyes and I could have sworn that he was going to kiss me. Was he? I didn't know. Did I even want him to? That was something I didn't want to answer. Zuko was my only good friend on this ship. I trusted him more than anything and I couldn't risk to throw it away or something as stupid as a crush. Especially not when we were finally back to normal.

"Sora?" I heard someone call.

I skidded to a stop and turned to see the person who said my name.

"Hi Akemi," I said, slightly out of breath.

I leaned against the railing taking time to catch my breath as he walked over to me.

"What are you doing?" he asked curiously.

"I'm going on my morning run. What does it look like?" I teased.

"You do this every morning?" he questioned in shock.

I simply nodded and wiped some of the sweat that had formed off of my forehead. He watched me do so silently and then smiled.

"Mind if I join?" he asked.

"You don't look ready to run," I replied, looking at him in his under armor clothing.

"I'll be fine," he insisted, looking over himself before returning my gaze of uncertainty with a smile.

"Alright," I said hesitantly, "But dont expect me to wait for you."

"Deal," he said, taking off in a run before I could get off the railing.

"Hey! Not fair!" I called after him, breaking into a sprint after him.

I lapped him easily. I did this every morning for 3 years, so it wasn't that much of surprise that I was faster than him. I ran until the sun was past the horizon and it began to get too hot.

I stopped and he eventually ran up behind me, completely out of breath. I was shocked when he collapsed onto the ground and on his back.

"Remind me not to join you again," he said in between pants.

"Duly noted," I giggled.

I held my hand out and pulled him up off the floor with a smirk. There was just something exhilarating about being the best at what you do.

"Thanks," he said, taking it.

"So, I'm guessing that means you'll be too tired to train with me today?" I asked.

"For you? Never," he said firmly, still clearly out of breath.

"How sweet. I'll see you in an hour?" I asked as I headed back inside.

I didn't wait for a reply. I knew he would agree. I had a suspicion that he liked me, but I wasn't sure if I felt the same. He was cute, but my feelings never seemed to go any further than friends. I was about to open the door to my room when I heard a loud thump from Zuko's room. I paused for a second before deciding to ignore it and went to get dressed.