not from around here | Zuko X OC

| chapter ten |

I sat on the edge of the lower deck.
My legs were under the bottom rail and my arms resting on top of the second rung.

I was concentrating, staring at the water below me, moving my hands, trying to get something to move.
After a while of concentrating I found the best way was to clear my mind and picture the water. I finally got a ball of water to lift up and out of the ocean and to my hands.
I was throwing it from hand to hand when a voice behind me made me jump.

"What are you doing, Saki?"
I jumped and turned as the water I was bending hit Iroh in the face.

"Iroh! I'm so so sorry!" I said, trying to get the water off of his face as fast as I could.
"You're a water bender." Asked Iroh, completely ignoring my accidental attack.
"I-I guess so." I shrugged, looking at the water in my hands.
"How long have you known?" He sat down next to me, wiping his face with his sleeve.
"Since we went to the South Pole. But this is the first time I've practiced."I murmured, slightly embarrassed.

"Do you know anything about water benders?" He asked me, turning to face me and the water I held.
"Nope." I admitted sadly.
"Sorry, I can't help you there. But I can teach you as much as I can about the history... after this visit." He said staring at the island that was coming closer and closer.

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We docked at the island and I watched as Zuko and three other soldiers rode off on the, what Iroh had told me were "komodo rhinos".

I leaned over the rails and yelled as loud as I could:
"ZUKKKOOO!" He turned and looked at me and I waved my hands to him.
"DON'T HURT ANYONE, OKAY!" He just turned back around and continued towards the town.

"I think I should go too." I admitted, watching them get closer and closer to the town.
"Y'know, to make sure everyone stays safe." I added distractedly.
"No Saki, you just stay here where it's safe. We can't let anyone know we have a water bender travelling with us or they'll be after you. We need to make sure you come to no harm." He told me, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"Iroh, I promise I'll be fine." I told him, a slightly pleading tone in my voice.
"I know, but we cannot risk it."
"Fine." I sighed sadly. "I'm going for a lay down." I added, walking back into the hallway towards the cabins.

As soon as I knew I was out of sight I ran as fast as I could down the hallway to my cabin.
I pulled on my socks, hopping up and down on one foot.
I stepped into my shoes and walked out of my door, tapping the toes of my shoes on the floor as I did so to make sure they were on properly.

Even though everyone on the ship walked around with shoes on, I preferred barefoot. Especially if I was just going for a quick walk or to sit on the deck.
I liked sitting on the deck and just staring at the sea that was all around us. Or helping the cooks out in the kitchen.

After being on this ship for a while and asking Iroh, I had come to the conclusion that I was the only female on this ship. But that didn't stop the crew from being pleasant towards me. Some of them were dickheads I'm not going to lie, but all of the cooks were really nice, and there were some specific crew members that I always liked to see because they were so nice to talk to.

And there was Iroh, he was always there to talk and offer his wisdom and tea. Some of the things I appreciate most in life.

And then there was Zuko. Uhhhh. Yeah. He can be nice. But he can also be a little shit that really pisses me off.

I got to the bridge of the ship successfully and was about to leave when Iroh appeared out of nowhere.

"Where are you going, Saki?" He asked, making me freeze in my tracks.
"Oh-I uhhhhh was just going for a...walk?"
He knew exactly where I was going, I could tell by the grin on his face.