Blazing Crystal (Revised Version)

Chapter 11: Flowing Friendship

Chapter 11: Flowing Friendship

(Crystal POV)

Sixty-five days. I'd been with Zuko and his uncle for sixty-five days. Placing the ink-pen back in its holder, I saw Zuko pacing back and forth across the room. He'd been restless for the last three days, and I constantly questioned him about his sanity. He told me he was anxious to capture the Avatar before Zhao. Seeing Zhao's determination the other day had him on edge. It seemed Zuko feared Zhao would capture Aang and take away his chance of going home.

After a few more rounds of his pacing around the room, I let out a heavy breath. I wondered how many more he would do. It felt like he could burn a hole at this point with his nonstop feet. Standing from the table, I rolled up the paper to put it back beside my cot. As I headed across the room, I stopped to let Zuko pass on his next pace, and then continued towards my cot.

Placing the scroll back beside my pillow, I turned to glance at the anxious prince once more. He looked like he needed a distraction. How could I distract him?

Then the thought hit me.

"Hey Zuko... Want to spar?"

Zuko froze in his step, and his eyes darted over to me with bewilderment. "Spar... with you?"

Immediately, I felt embarrassed. Quickly, I turned away and crossed my arms. "Never mind. That was a stupid suggestion. Sorry I brought it up."

There was silence for a moment. Then Zuko spoke again. "Training with you could be dangerous. My fire could hurt you."

Turning my gaze back to him, I gave a small smile. "I'm not that weak, Zuko. I could take you. I mean, I only know a few moves... but I really need to stretch my arms and legs... and it would be fun to spar. I've never done it before."

He grimaced at the memory of our last fight as he recalled just how not weak I was. Then he nodded in agreement. "Fine. We'll spar for a little bit. It would be nice to train against another element for once in my life." He stepped over to me so he could look down with firmness. "I have a few conditions though. You can only use the water I provide for you on deck. Taking water from the sea is unfair. Also, if you feel at any time I might hurt you, tell me so we can stop immediately."

I rolled my eyes. "You won't hurt me."

"Fire can be unpredictable, Crystal. One wrong move and I could hurt you by mistake."

I spoke with confidence. "I'll be fine. You're pretty controlled. Be more scared of my ice missiles. I have horrible aim."

Zuko laughed.

About an hour later Zuko and I were standing on deck prepared to spar. We didn't bother to tell Iroh about our plans, deciding he would probably be against it and stop us. Before I left the room, Zuko had tossed my water tribe clothing at me. They'd been washed up some, but were tattered and very loose. Leaving the coat off, I pulled on my water tribe shirt and trousers. I could tell I'd lost weight as soon as I put them on, and I had to tie the trousers with a small rope for a belt. Pulling on my boots afterward, I realized it had been a very long time since I'd been in my own nation's clothing. Terrifyingly, the clothes I wore felt strange to me after weeks of Fire Nation attire. Tying my hair up with a ribbon, I tried not to think about it too much.

"We'll spar for a little bit. Don't get too tired. Let me know when you've had enough."

Zuko was irritating me as he continued to freak about our match while we stood on deck. I wasn't a fragile little girl. I could fight him. Sure, this was my first spar ever, but I was confident I could hold my ground. He would be the one to surrender.