Fire & Rain: Book 1

The Shirshu

Y/N's POV
I woke up to an empty stomach, I'd been so busy trying to track Zhao and worrying about Zuko, I'd completely forgotten to eat.

Nevertheless, I got ready and headed to the deck, Zuko turned to me,

"Did you rest well? How are you feeling?"

I smiled at him and told him I was fine before I was interrupted by a loud growl from my stomach. Zuko's eyes widened before he whispered,

"Have you eaten since you left to follow Zhao?"

I shook my head.

"Y/N, are you serious?"

He grabbed my arm and pulled me into the galley and ordered the chef to make me some food.

"Zuko, I'm fine, you don't need to worry about me."

He took me into the dining room whilst I waited for my food so he could speak to me privately,

"How could you say that? You left on a crazy mission following Zhao under the sea. You didn't come back for almost two entire days."

"Zuko I can take care of myself."

"I know, I know, but... I just don't want to lose you again."

I smiled and placed my hand on top of his, trying to reassure him,

"Not going to happen"

After I had eaten, Zuko returned to his room to speak with his uncle and I joined the crew on the deck.

Suddenly, a pretty lady riding a massive animal that I've never seen before boarded the ship. With the rest of the crew, I fell back then stood guard.

The lady shouted:

"Get back! We're after a stowaway!"

Zuko, who had come up to the deck with his uncle after hearing the noise, then stepped forwards and replied:

"There are no stowaways on my ship!"

But the strange animal proceeded to rip a hole in the ship, a man came running from below deck, but before he could escape, the creature struck him with its tongue, seemingly paralysing him.

Zuko watched in astonishment,

"He's paralysed..."

"Only temporarily"

The lady said as she pulled him from the floor before continuing,

"The toxins will wear off in about an hour, but by then he'll be in jail and I'll have my money."

She began to walk away but Zuko stepped forwards,

"But how did you find him on my ship?"

"My shirshu can sneak a rat a continent away."

Iroh then spoke out too,

"Well, I'm impressed."

She then whipped her shirshu and left the ship, but a Iroh stared as she rode into the distance continuing,

"Very impressed."

I monitored the crew above deck whilst Zuko led his uncle downstairs, when they returned Zuko announced,

"We need the woman with the shirshu."

He marched off the ship followed by Iroh, I ran back to grab the kantana that Zuko had lent me before and chased after them.

When I caught up I panted, catching my breath before asking:

"So... where are we headed?"

Zuko slightly turned to me and replied monotonously,