not from around here | Zuko X OC

| chapter nineteen |

That mentally scarred me, so therefor, it needs to scar you too.

Zuko's ship was docked and the crew were gathered round.
It was music night again.
Lieutenant Jee was playing a lute, as Iroh sang.
"Winter, spring ... Summer,
and fall ... Winter, spring ... Summer,
and fall ... Four seasons ... four loves ... Four seasons ... for love."

Saki was enjoying the sound of the music. Iroh had a surprisingly soft voice when it came to singing, and Saki thought that it matched his personality. Lieutenant Jee was also a wonderful lute player and, together, him and Iroh made a very entertaining pair for music night.

The music stoped as the crew and Saki noticed Admiral Zhao boarding the ship, along with two soldiers.
The crew looked in surprise at the admiral and a high-pitched chord emited from the lute as they all stared.

"What does he want now." Saki muttered.
"Saki, go and get Zuko." Iroh told her, urgently.
"On it!" She called back as she ran to the chambers where Zuko was hiding away from music night.

Saki got to Zuko's room and knocked before slowly opening the door and cooing.
"Zukooo..."
"For the last time, I'm not playing the tsugj horn." He snapped, turning around and glaring at her.
"But you'd be so good at it." Saki giggled at the thought. "Anyway, I'm not here because of that. I'm here because-ow! Watch it, side burns!" She was shoved out of the way by Zhao as he marched into the room.
Saki glared up at him as Zuko swivelled around and looked at him in shock.

"I'm taking your crew." He said, casually.
"What!?" Saki and Zuko exclaimed as Iroh joined them in the room, looking at Saki apologetically.

"I've recruited them for a little expedition to the North Pole." Zhao smirked, walking around Zuko's room.
"Uncle, is that true?" Zuko asked his uncle in shock.
"I'm afraid so. He's taking everyone..." He put his arm over his face in woe. "even the cook."

Everyone, except Iroh, looked at Saki.
"I'm not going! You can't make me!" She snapped, shaking her head.
"Oh, but I can." He smirked as he walked towards her, making her take a step back.
"I can make you do whatever I want." His smirk widened and he ran a finger along her jaw line, stopping at her chin and lifting her face so it was close to his.

"But I'm no use!" Saki assured him, jumping back and trying to get away from him.
"Look, I have weak little arms, I can't carry anything." She told him, waving her arms around to show him how useless she'd be.

"Oh don't worry, I have the perfect use for a pretty girl like you." He said, walking forwards even more. Saki stepped back, her back hitting the cold metal of the bedroom wall.

She had no where else to go.
She felt like a cornered animal. Trapped, no where left to run with this tall and evil man looming over her.
She was ashamed to say, she froze up.
She knew she should've fought him off, but she didn't. But next time, she promised herself she would.

Zuko slid in between Saki and Zhao, a look that could kill set on his face.
"She stays with me." He demanded.
"Mmm, no. I need her to be a part of the expedition crew." Zhao stated, unbothered by Zuko's attempt in keeping Saki out of his dirty clutches.

One of Zuko's hands touched Saki's waist and she looked down at it, momentarily stunned out of her panicked state. It was strange to feel his touch, as he was usually so distant, both emotionally and physically.
Of course, the probability of it being voluntary was extremely small considering how he'd squeezed himself in the gap between her and Zhao. But she still felt something inside her stir.

"-so she'll be coming with me now." Zhao finished, snapping her out of her trance. Saki had missed the first of what he had said, but knew it wasn't good.