Prisoner of War

Family Reunion

Zuko couldn't regain his composure. It had been almost three years. And now, Rhea was here, standing right in front of him.

Rhea stared him down, her eyes narrowed.

Zuko's men moved to surround her. Before he could stop it, two of them blasted fire at her from each side.

Rhea lifted her armored hands protectively above her head and ducked the attacks. When she came up, she hurled a knife in both directions, pinning the two soldiers to trees. She shot Zuko a hard glare.

His men converged without his order.

Rhea dodged their attacks easily. Spinning around behind one of the soldiers, she jabbed him between the shoulder blades with her knuckles.

He gasped and drop to the ground paralyzed.

Rhea may not have been very good at chi blocking, but she'd picked up a few things.

Another soldier came at her. No sooner than he had, he was on the ground, unable to move.

One-by-one, the soldiers fell, until only Zuko remained.

"And then there were two." Rhea paced in front of him, a hand resting on the hilt of her sword.

Zuko met her gaze. "I didn't tell them to do that."

Rhea clenched her fists. "No, I get it. I'm not your prize. Anything less than the Avatar is expendable right?"

Zuko examined his immobilized men. "What happened to you?"

She scoffed. "Oh, so now you care." She glared at him intensely. "I didn't see any of that compassion when you left me behind. Did you really think your father wouldn't take advantage of Iroh being gone?"

Zuko didn't have an answer. He just stared at her.

Rhea rolled her eyes. "I see you haven't changed. Which means this warning will probably be ignored." She gestured to the crippled soldiers. "Stay out of my way. I don't want to kill you." She disappeared into the trees.
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Rhea finally stopped running and collapsed against a tree. What had she just done? Ozai had hardened her heart and it had turned her against one of the only people she cared about.

She slid to the ground, hugging her knees to her chest, and cried into her lap. Ozai had made her a monster.
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The captain rushed down from the helm of the ship as Rhea approached. He met her on the gangway. "Ma'am, we were starting to get worried. What happened?"

She walked passed him. "I don't want to talk about it." She paused before going below deck. "Cast off. We won't find the Avatar here."

Flustered, the captain simply nodded and returned to the helm to inform the crew.
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Rhea refused food that night and wouldn't show herself to her men.

Finally, the captain worked up the guts to confront her.

He opened he door and, trembling, stepped inside. "Ma'am, the men and I can't help but notice that you've been acting strange since the village. What happened?"

Rhea glared at him. "I told you, I don't want to talk about it."

He bowed slightly. "I understand. I was just worried."

Rhea looked away as he left. "Wait!"

The captain turned.

Rhea sighed. "I had a run in with Zuko."

The captain lifted his eyebrow. "The banished prince?"

She nodded. "We have a history."

His brow jumped higher. "A history?"

She gave him an annoyed look. "Not that kind of history."

"Really?" He challenged.

"You're disgusting. He's basically my cousin." She retorted.

His eyes widened. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

A mischievous smile broke out across her face. "It's fine. Most people don't. I'm just Ozai's little pet."

The captain nodded sadly. "I am sorry for what the Fire Lord has done to you."

She nodded her gratitude. "If only apologies could end this war."

The captain sighed. "Unfortunately, life isn't that simple. Good night ma'am."

Rhea met his gaze. "Good night, captain."

He walked out, shutting the door behind him.

Rhea laid back on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She sighed. It had been a long day. She needed some rest, but her mind wouldn't let her sleep. Her thoughts were racing with the dredged up memories of her past. Things she had spent so long forgetting came flooding back. She tossed and turned, but couldn't get comfortable.

Finally, she flopped onto her back. What had she become?

A/N
Sorry, I hit a slump there for a bit. The first part wasn't quite as long as I thought it would be.
It's a shorter chapter, but I hope you still enjoy it.
-Cheshire