Searching (Zuko x OC)

Chapter 15

I had begun to throw myself into my training more than normal. It was a distraction from everything I had experienced. It made me feel safe as well. Like I would be prepared next time. A next time I hoped never came.

"Sora, I'm not going to firebend at you," Zuko insisted.

"You have to. I need to be prepared to fight against benders. You should know why this is important to me," I argued.

Zuko was about to argue back before the ship suddenly jolted. Sora kept her stance but Zuko stumbled over and would have ate it had Sora not caught him.

"Someone's changing our course," he said, clearly aggravated.

He set off marching to yell at someone and I followed behind. I still wasn't totally comfortable with being left alone, but I also knew that Zuko's temper wasn't what anyone needed today.

"What's the meaning of this mutany!" Zuko yelled, walking up to the person steering the ship, "No one told you to change course."

"Actually someone did," Uncle Iroh said, still carefully playing a game of Pai Sho.

Zuko marched over to his Uncle to bear his explanation.

"I assure you it is a matter of utmost importance, Prince Zuko," he said.

"Is it something to do with the Avatar?" he asked hopefully.

"Even more urgent," he said seriously, "It's seen I- I've lost my lotus tile."

"Lotus tile?" Zuko asked in confusion.

"Oh jeez," I muttered, knowing exactly where this conversation would lead.

"For my Pai Sho game. Most people think the lotus tile insignificant, but it is essential for the unusual strategy that I employ," Iroh explained, making his next move in the game.

I saw Zuko's face contort in anger before I could step in to try and intervene.

"You've changed our course for a stupid lotus tile?" he questioned angrily.

"It's actually a very valuable part of the game. You shouldn't underestimate it," I butted in.

Uncle smiled at me happily, knowing that his lessons in the game had been paying off. I was becoming a good opponent for him.

"Just give me 10 minutes to check the merchants at this port of call. Hopefully they'll have the lotus tile in stock and I can get on with my life," he pleaded.

Zuko tried taking some deep breaths but eventually grunted angrily and let out a plume of fire and smoke out of his mouth. I grabbed his arm and began dragging him away before things worsened.

"I'm lucky to have such an understanding nephew," Iroh said before we left the room.

I dragged Zuko all the way back to the deck so that he didn't burn down the entire ship. He began shooting fire out angrily as he paced the ship.

"When is he going to realize that this is no life! I don't get to have one until I capture the Avatar!" he shouted, sending fire over the railing.

"Zuko, I know that this is frustrating, but your Uncle does so much for you. Just let him check the stalls quickly and then we can be on our way," I said softly.

"Whatever," he huffed before getting into his bending stance, signaling that he wanted to resume training.

We did so until we arrived at the port. Uncle walked happily into the town and began browsing the stalls as Zuko and I trailed behind. Eventually, we had looked at every one and we still hadn't found the lotus tile.