The Fire bender, the Avatar, and the Deity, oh my

The Banished Prince

Lynn let out a huff, before she sat up and moved to exit the tent. She jerked backwards as she nearly ran into a black silhouette until she realized it was only her pet.

Playfully, the girl flicked the cat-owl. "Ōumi, you scared me."

The animal blinked and let out a sound between a whoo and a meow and tilted its head. Lynn pet her and spoke in a low voice to her animal guide. "I know it's dangerous, but I need you to stay here and protect Aang."

Without a second thought she left the village, wandering off in the direction that they had come. Lynn's breath was slow and steady, just as the monks had taught her. She only slowed her pace when she reached the edge of the water. Lynn had a plan that some might consider reckless.

Pausing momentarily, she knelt down and placed her hands over the water and closed her eyes. They shot open again as a fish shot out of the water and hit the ice.

Hesitantly she grabbed it and snapped its neck. Her plan wouldn't work if she was hungry, she reasoned. Gritting her teeth, Lynn started to mutter to herself. "Come on, how hard could fire bending be?"

The first thing to hit her was the smell. She pulled her hands back and let out a string of curses. The fish was on fire all right...now all she had to do was put it out. Her first instinct was to smack it with her hands. Cursing again she stuck her hands in the water and blew on it.

Rolling her eyes at her own stupidity, Lynn decided it would have to do. She ate silently and quickly. Standing up , she stopped her foot, breaking off a piece of the ice and used water bending to give herself momentum.

Lynn smirked as she sat down. "I'll let you do all the work, fire navy."

And indeed, they did find her several hours later soaked in water and 'shivering'. Lynn practically threw herself at the first person to approach. "Please, you have to help me, please!"

The scarred teenager glanced awkwardly at the girl who was fake sobbing and had formed a death grip on his ankles. He hesitated slightly. "Guards, bring her aboard. She might have information on the avatar."

Foolish boy. Despite her bitter thoughts, Lynn kept up her act. "Oh thank you!"

He huffed. "Whatever. Now stop it, you're getting my clothes wet." He shifted slightly. "My uncle will get you tea."

I'm in. That was surprisingly easy. "Thanks. Tea sounds great."

The teen in charge turned to one of the guards. "Take her to an empty room and give her a spare change of clothes. It's a miracle she doesn't have hyperthermia already."

The guard cleared his throat. "Umm sir, where am I supposed to find clothes that'll fit her?"

"Figure it out!"

Lynn turned to look over her shoulder as she was led away. "W-wait, what's your name?"

"Zuko."

She smiled softly. "I'm Lynn."    Without another word, she followed the guard and soon found herself alone. After double checking that the door was closed, she slowly slipped off her clothes. Her water tribe robes hit the ground with a soft 'plop.' One arm at a time, she put on the red and black robe that had replaced it. It was accompanied by matching black and red pants. They had obviously belonged to a younger Zuko.

A twinge of guilt burst into her stomach and Lynn was quick to dismiss it. I'm not planning on killing them or anything like that, I'm just learning their side of the story...and maybe wrecking their ship a little.

A knock broke her out of her thoughts. "Come in."

She smiled nervously at the old man who had entered the room. "Hi, you must be Zuko's uncle. I didn't catch your name earlier."

"I'm Iroh. I mark you as a cherry blossom tea type of gal."

"I've never had cherry blossom tea before, but thank you, it smells good."

"You've been seriously deprived Lynn."

She blew softly on the surface, concentrating slightly so she didn't use air bending. "I suppose I have been. Now, tell me: what is fire nation nobility doing this far south?"

Iroh raised an eyebrow. "How did you know we were nobility?"

She set the cup down. "I just figured common guards wouldn't wear outfits this well made."

He chuckled. "You're correct, they probably wouldn't! My nephew is hell bent on finding the Avatar and the Deity.He has this crazy notion that it will help him return home with honor."

"You don't share his sentiments?"

The smile on the ex-general's face fell. "My brother is a cruel man. I love my nephew, but he doesn't think things through. He wants his honor so bad that it if blinding him. He hasn't put a moment in thought of what will happen after he delivers them to the fire lord."

Lynn set down her empty cup of tea. "Well, I really should thank him, then, for going so far out of his way for me."

Iroh smiled again. "Yes, you probably should. He'll be on the top deck."