• Summery: You're awesome at a certain Chinese board game. The same one, in fact, that Iroh loves. So when you wind up on Zhao's ship threw a mystical portal you can only see one way out of Zhaos evil grasp, and that's getting invited onto prince Zuko's ship. Hopefully youll be able to keep out of trouble on it; then again, maybe not You X Zuko

    Authors note: OMG, OMG! I’m so sorry, crap, crap, crap. I hadn’t seen episodes with Zhao (especially episode 3, the one I needed) in so long, I made a couple of ubor mistakes. Unfortunately I’m to lazy to fix each chapter but here it goes:
    General Zhao: Well heh, I forgot that he is actually higher ranking when he meets Zuko in episode three so about that heh heh ^_^u my bad. Recall on that. So yea, sorry about that, hope it doesn’t annoy any extremely picky fans or my readers in general (no pun intended).
    The last line of the 4th chapter: I said “So tell me prince Zuko, what did that to your ship?” The actual line in the episode is: “That’s quite a bit of damage.” But since the reader has been put into the story line I figure lines are subject to change a bit since you as the reader make an influence on what happens. So I will change it to the original and add prince Zuko at the end as stated correctly in this chapter.
    Which brings me to my last note: Yes this story does indeed follow the story line of Avatar the last air bender. However, the episodes and such will change as you the reader gets more involved in the story, I’m sort of using that old time travelling theory. Get it? Good, now on with the fic ^___^
    Chapter 5: Job change
    “That’s quite a bit of damage Prince Zuko.” Your eyes widened at the sound of his voice as you nearly fell backwards trying to stop your self from moving into his line of view.
    “Yes you wouldn’t believe what happened. Uh… Uncle, tell commander Zhao what happened!” Came a young male’s voice. The voice was very nervous sounding, you had no trouble telling that the last command was simple a cover. You looked around and noticed a set of bushes near by. Okay, so you knew eavesdropping was wrong but you couldn’t resist. Moving behind them, careful not to rustle the bush that was your hiding spot you gazed on the conversing group and you almost gave away your presence right then and there by gasping out loud.
    The men with Commander Zhao where the two from the DVD! The young boy with the scar and the older, more relaxed man who had previously been drinking tea, now looked just as nervous as his nephew.
    “Yes I will do that. It was incredible!” He paused and then, not so discreetly turned and asked the boy a question. Unfortunately you where too far away to hear it. What where they trying to hide from the commander? Not that you blamed them, the guy seriously always acted like he had a stick stuck up his-
    “Uh yes, right into an earth navy ship!” The boy said nervously, fidgeting slightly.
    “Really, You must regale me with all the thrilling details!” Commander Zhao shifted closer to the young teen’s face with a smile that clearly meant he was challenging the boy’s story… the princes story.
    Wait, shouldn’t he be more respectful to him, I mean, he could behead him! You thought slightly confused, I mean sure you fell a sleep in history a few times but you where pretty sure that’s how it worked.
    The boy obviously wasn’t going to take that particular route as he turned on his heal, obviously agitated now.
    “Sorry, but we have to go.” To my surprise his, uncle? Yea, uncle, put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.
    “Prince Zuko, show Commander Zhao some respect.” He said turning to face the commander.
    Respect?! Really, I must have missed something, this guy is a prince, and a commander is treating him with such …rudeness and this guy is telling him to respect him? Yea, definitely missed something, maybe the chain of commend is different here… You thought frowning.
    “We would be honored to join you. Do you have ginseng tea? It’s my favorite.” The oldest of the group asked ready to follow the commander.
    Yea, yea definitely going to have to ask Yumi…wait, oh no, Yumi! You thought looking at the sun, it was almost time for you to be there, plus you had a feeling that they might want to know this interesting new tid-bit.
    -
    You ran back to the ship as fast as your legs and new shoes could carry you only to find out that you, Yumi, Miguel and a few others had been moved to the main land to cook dinner for the general. You groaned in agitation and then did a 180, heading back to the main land; no wonder you hadn’t crossed paths with the guy, he had taken them to the tents. The tents had been set up earlier that day while you had been taking care of Yumi. Luckily you needed no directions to find them. Finally making it there you half tripped, half ran to the kitchen, bursting through the tents ‘doors’, again almost killing someone. In the back of your mind you recognized him as the poor soul you had frightened into telling Miguel’s whereabouts earlier.
    Miguel looked over at the commotion and realized you where the center of it. He raised a surprised eye brow.
    “What on earth Y.N.? You aren’t late, and Yumi should be fine… I just seen her a moment ago, she said she’d be back in a few minutes… What’s wrong?” He asked, baffled by your sudden carelessness about running in the kitchen. It took you a moment to catch your breath before you could answer him.
    “On my way back… Commander Zhao… talking rude… Prince Zuko, coming here-” You sputtered, gasping for air as you tried to explain, your hands on your knees. Miguel’s voice was sharp as he cut you off at the princes name.
    “Prince Zuko, are you sure Y.N.?” Miguel demanded.
    “Prince Zuko, what, what did I miss?” Yumi asked as the entered the tent hearing Miguel’s demand.
    “Y.N. are you sure prince Zuko is coming here?” Miguel asked as you finally regained your breath and stood up strait.
    “Yes, Commander Zhao was talking to him and his uncle, I saw them on my way back from town. They where arguing about something and then Zhao invited them for tea and Prince Zuko tried to refuse but his uncle said not to be rude which I don’t understand-” Miguel’s face seem to knock the wind right out of you, his haunted eye’s from earlier where back and his body had gone stiff.
    “Y.N. Are you sure it was Zuko?” Yumi asked, turning you to face her. Her expression also startled you, her face was more serious than you had ever seen it.
    “Yea, at least that’s what Zhao called him.” You said, confused as she seemed to struggle to hide something from everyone else in the room, you thought it was a dim glimmer of hope that seemed to burn from her eye’s but she hid it well as she turned to look at everyone.
    “Okay, we know what’s coming, lets get to work!” She shouted. Everyone instantly began moving in a hurry, all of them already knowing what to do. Yumi began to move, ready to do her own thing but you managed to grab her sleeve.
    “Wait, Yumi, I’m confused, what’s wrong with Miguel, why did Zhao act so rude in front of a prince?” You asked in flurry, your mind was moving in all directions, you couldn’t seem to get it to stay in one place long enough to try to figure out one thing before it moved to another.
    “Y.N. you really need to try to get that memory of yours back, Zhao was being his usual self because even though Zuko is a prince he has no power over Zhao. He was banished by his father two years ago. He’s not aloud to come back home until he captures the avatar.” You didn’t have time to ask about Miguel as she ran into the flurry of activity that had been stepped up two full notches.
    You sighed and figured you would get the rest of it later. Moving carefully you began to make some ginseng tea, remembering the uncle’s request.
    ~
    “Two years at sea have done little to temper your tongue.” Man, Zhao was pushing it, he had been doing nothing but prodding at the prince since they had arrived. You where waiting for the water to boil so you had had time to try to ’regain your memory’. By this I mean you where pretty much spying on the conversation hoping to gather some information, that way you wouldn’t have to keep looking like an amnesia stricken idiot in front of Yumi and Miguel. So far though, all you had gathered was stuff you’d already known and hearing the general testing the prince’s temper. The general paused a moment only to continue, this time down a bit more of an interesting path.
    “So, how is your search for the Avatar going?” You bit your lower lip, listening more intently now. You regretted it a bit as a loud crashing sound made you jump. The uncle, Zhao had called him Iroh as he had entered the ship, General Iroh had knocked over a bunch of weapons he had been looking at previously.
    “My fault entirely.” General Iroh said embarrassed.
    “We haven’t found him yet.” Zuko muttered, almost bitterly.
    “Did you really expect to? The Avatar died a hundred years ago; along with the rest of the air benders.” Zhao said snidely. You ground your teeth together. He was being even more of a jerk than normal. The prince averted his eyes from the commander making you frown. Sop he was hiding something, the avatar? You would have to tell Yumi she was right about him still being alive later.
    “Unless you found some evidence that the Avatar is alive.” Zhao seemed to have caught this as well as he glared over the table at prince Zuko suspiciously now.
    “No. Nothing.” He replied, still averting his eyes. Zhao lifted from his chair angrily.
    “Prince Zuko, the Avatar is the only one who can stop the Fire Nation from winning this war. If you have an ounce,” He leaned in close to Zuko’s face challengingly.
    “of loyalty left, you'll tell me what you've found.” He growled out.
    “I haven't found anything. It's like you said. The Avatar probably died a long time ago.” H says, his face still close to Zhao. He then stands and begins to walk across the tent.
    “Come on, Uncle, we're going.” He yells over his shoulder as he tries to leave, only to be blocked by the guards at the gate.
    Another guard passes Zuko through the entrance and hands Zhao a roll of parchment.
    “Commander Zhao, we interrogated the crew as you instructed. They confirmed Prince Zuko had the Avatar in custody, but let him escape.” Your eye widened considerably.
    “Now, remind me…” Zhao crossed the tent, a superior smirk on his lips as he comes up behind Zuko.
    “... how exactly was your ship damaged?” He finished as the prince bowed his head in defeat.
    “Yumi!” You hissed as you straitened up. She was already there, her eyes as big as saucers. You saw the understanding in her eyes.
    Her hopes where not dead, she could still help the avatar, and so could you. Your wish had come true…
    -
    “Yumi, do you think you can serve the tea?” Miguel asked, back to normal, well normal except that his haunted eye’s where still in place. You and Yumi had discussed over the whole avatar thing and decided to keep it a secret for now. Most of the ship will already have known by the time dinner was over.
    “Not unless you think the commander would mind me sneezing in his guest’s tea a couple of times, or his a few extra if I could muster it.” Yumi muttered the last part under her breath making you giggle slightly.
    “Then I hate to say this but, Y.N. do you think that you could manage? Everyone else is busy making the rest of dinner. You whirled around from your once again listening position in surprise to find Miguel looking at you carefully. He took your surprise as hurt and immediately tried to comfort you.
    “Not that I don’t think you can do it Y.N. I just figured after last time you might not want to serve him tea again.” He said looking at you worriedly.
    “No, no that’s not it. I just didn’t think you’d ever trust me around him with tea again.” You chuckled. Yumi rolled her eyes and Miguel smiled with a sigh. So with that you moved over to the now steaming pot, put a few more ingredients into each of the tea cups and poured the hot liquid into them. The refreshing scent of ginseng tea filled the air as you smiled, carefully putting it on your tray. Moving to the entrance you took a deep breath and entered the side exit of the kitchen that connected it to the main tent.

    Commander Zhao and Prince Zuko where once again sitting across from each other, a small table was the only divider between them. The only change was that this time Prince Zuko was not the only one who was tense. The hostility between them sent almost visible sparks flying through the air. You bit your lip, make a snap decision to head for the other table that had been placed in here not but a few minutes ago. Sitting at it was the old General Iroh and one of the men from his ship whom had brought the table. As soon as you where near enough to see the top of the table you instantly recognized it,
    “Pi Sho…” You muttered to your self as you looked over the game familiar game out of habit.
    “Do you play?” It was the general. You looked up in slight surprise; you hadn’t thought he’d heard you.
    “Ah, yes, my grandfather taught me when I was little.” You said in a slightly surprised tone.
    “Give the general his tea as well as mine and leave.” The commander’s seething voice made your eye twitch. Turning slightly you met the commander’s face with a frown.
    He has no right to treat me like that in front of other people… okay, so maybe he does since I’m now officially a part of his crew and all but still!
    None the less you sighed, trying to calm your self as you handed the general one of the tea cups on your tray. He took it with a warm smile and took in the warm calming scent just as you had a moment ago and grinned widely.
    “Ah there is nothing better than a nice hot cup of Gen Seng tea on a cold day!” He exclaimed as you handed the man across from him a cup as well. You could have sworn you heard the prince mutter something along the lines of ‘you enjoy tea no matter what climate it is.’ But you couldn’t be sure. You turned to serve Mr. High-and-Mighty his tea when the general’s voice once again called out to you.
    “Hold on a moment.” You turned, ready to be yelled at, this is what experience has taught you from this world. You had learned that generally the higher ups did not like you one bit, then again it was generally because of your uncanny ability to mouth off to them your opinion or random thoughts. Only Miguel and his sister had put up with it, then again you really hadn’t had anything bad to say about them since both of them where really nice (Yumi has more seniority than you but she is considered of the same authority as you).
    “What do you think I should do?” again the general surprised you as he gestured to the pi sho table. Blinking you gazed at the board in concentration.
    “Well, I think you should use the white lotus tile and put it here; that should put you out of danger for a while.” You finally said moving the said tile to the appointed place on the board. The general smiled and his opponent gave you an incredulous look that clearly said you had done a bit more than ‘get the general out of trouble for a while’.
    “It would seem I’ve found another fan of the white lotus.” He said smiling up at you, something flashed through his eyes that you didn’t catch but gave you the distinct feeling there was more to that message than you knew.
    “Well, my grandpa once told me that the white lotus is an important piece that can get you out of trouble if you know how to use it, I’m not a fan par say but I do like to use it a lot in a game.” You replied smiling nervously at him.
    “Ahem.” Until then you had somewhat forgotten what you where actually suppose to be out here for. The Commanders growl had alerted you that you where pushing your luck, then again, with him you really didn’t have much to push. Trying to resist grinding your teeth together you turned again and walked over to Zhao, your left eye twitching.
    “Your tea commander Zhao.” You ground out setting a tea cup in front of him as well as the red pot. You turned to the prince and handed him the last cup on the tray.
    “Prince Zuko.” You said, purposely bowing to him and not Zhao. You heard a growling sound behind you but ignored it. Zuko blinked in surprise and although you didn’t know it, Iroh smiled raising an eye brow.
    With that you exited the room, thankfully you avoided tripping. When you reached the safety of the kitchen you found Yumi doubled over sniggering, trying to keep from laughing out right.
    “Oh. My. Gosh Y.N.! That was awesome; you should have seen his face when you bowed to Prince Zuko!” You grinned widely until you saw Miguel’s disapproving scowl. You bit your lip and looked down at you shoes as if you where a child being scolded.
    “That wasn’t smart Y.N. Commander Zhao doesn’t like you in the first place, do you want him to challenge you to another Agni Kai?” He demanded.
    “Sorry…” You mumbled, Yumi however couldn’t keep another round of snickers from racking her body.
    “C’mon Miguel, you can’t say he doesn’t deserve it!” Yumi sniggered.
    “It doesn’t matter whether he does or not, I don’t want to have to patch Y.N. up again any more than you want to see another scare on her.” Miguel snapped, this made Yumi’s laughing fit and her smile vanish slowly as she too looked down at her shoes.
    ---
    -Yea! You should listen to Miguel, you keep getting us into trouble *Points accusing finger at me*
    -Aw don’t be such a spoil sport!
    -Shut up, if he challenged me again I would smite him down! (Me: slowly backs away…*)
    -… (Me: welcome back)
    ---

    You heard Miguel sigh and you looked up at him hesitantly. He wore a small smile.
    “It was pretty funny though.” He said chuckling making yours and Yumi’s grins return.
    ---
    Apparently Zhao had been waiting for you to bring the tea and leave because not more than 5 minutes of nothing but tiles clicking against a board Zhao began to pace back and forth across the room angrily. At first you assumed it had been you, however, it was only half the reason.
    “So, a twelve-year-old boy bested you and your fire benders? You're more pathetic than I thought.” Zhao said after a moment. Stopping he placed his hands behind his back, awaiting Zuko’s reply. He was goading him again.
    “I underestimated him once, it won’t happen again.” Prince Zuko replied firmly yet passionately.
    “No, it will not, because you will not have a second chance.” Zhao replied still facing the wall, his back to Prince Zuko.
    “Commander Zhao, I’ve been hunting the avatar for two years and I-” Prince Zuko began to protest. Zhao immediately and angrily interrupted him.
    “And you failed!” He yelled as he whirled around, a streak of fire trailing behind his left hand. Uh-Oh, you didn’t like where this was heading.
    “Capturing the avatar is too important to leave in a teenager’s hands. He’s mine now.” Zhao said as he crossed back over the tent to lean into Prince Zuko menacingly. Yea, he was definitely goading Prince Zuko and you where pretty sure it was also so he could claim the prize and glory of capturing the world’s last hope for peace. Not that he or Prince saw it that way.
    Your attention was back on the scene as Zhao’s words finally made the princes self control snap as he launched himself as Zhao. You and Yumi gasped as two guards seized him just before he was able to reach his goal.
    “Keep them here.” He said looking to his guards. In frustration Prince Zuko viciously kicked the table over, spilling tea every where and breaking one of the cups. Zhao paid no attention as he walked out. The General Iroh simply raised his glass innocently and asked politely,
    “More tea please?”
    That was your cue. You hastily moved to grab the second pot you had luckily been brewing just incase the former happened to run out. Picking it up you hastily moved out into the room as Zuko shrugged off one guard and then the other. Falling back into the chair he growled in great anger. Setting the tea pot down on the edge of the pi sho table you hastily joined Yumi as you two flipped the table back over. Yumi began checking the table for any sign of major damage as you placed a rag from your waist belt on the ground and began loading the fragments onto the rag intending to wrap them up and carry them to the kitchen. You got the bigger pieces on the cloth with no problem. You had begun stacking the medium sized pieces onto it when a sharp pain erupted in your pointer finger. Sucking in a sharp breath you hissed it back out as you noticed that one of the pieces you had picked up without looking had sliced your finger open.
    “Damn it.” You muttered as you looked at the finger.
    “Y.N. Are you okay?” Yumi asked in alarm as she kneeled next to you.
    “Yea, just a cut.” You muttered looking for something to wipe the blood onto that wouldn’t get you into major trouble besides your clothes when a voice you hadn’t expected interrupts your annoyance.
    “Pardon my nephew, sometimes he lets his anger get away from him.” The general had kneeled beside you two and from the surprised look on Yumi’s face you where right to think that this wasn’t normal behavior for a higher ranking man like the general.
    You heard a short humph from the prince making all three of you glance at him. He held his chin up in defiance, showing no remorse.
    “Really he is sorry.” The general said laughing nervously. You looked back to him and gave a reassuring smile.
    “It’s really okay, it’s nothing to serious, just a small annoying cut.” You said holding up the finger as proof.
    “Just make sure you get it bandaged or it will get infected.” Iroh replied standing up and taking his seat.
    “I will, my friend-mmph.” Yumi chuckled nervously as she placed a hand over you mouth and gave a large nervous smile.
    “Yea, in fact we’ll go do that right now.” She said dragging you backwards toward the exit to the kitchen. As soon as you both where safely behind the veil door she released you.
    “What was that all about Yumi?” You exclaimed a bit angry and confused.
    “Look, you know the general out there?” You nodded you head still frowning.
    “Well, he used to have a son, back when he was a general of the army that almost conquered Ba Sing Se.” Yumi whispered fiercely. Sparing her more of your questions over what Ba Sing Se was you nodded for her to continue.
    “Well, during one of the battles his son was killed.” Yumi said intensely.
    “So?” You replied, now more confused than ever.
    “Did Miguel ever tell you he was a doctor back then?” Yumi asked almost impatiently.
    “Well yea, but what does that have to do…with…oh…” You remembered Miguel’s words from earlier that week.
    “I saw so many die under my hands, I began to have nightmares. One in particular stands out in my mind…”
    “Wait, so Miguel was the doctor who tried to save General Iroh’s son?” You whispered looking slightly alarmed. That why Miguel looked so horrified when you told them about Prince Zuko, he knew his uncle was Iroh and that they where traveling together.
    Yumi nodded gravely.
    “So… he blames himself for Iroh’s son’s death?” Yumi nodded again.
    “But, Iroh doesn’t seem the type to hold a grudge.” You replied frowning slightly.
    “That might be true, but Miguel said he was the reason he quite being a doctor for the fire nation and decided to cook. He saw Iroh cry over his son’s body and said it was so much worse then having a regular solder die. Normally he didn’t have to see the parents of the dead, but with Iroh he was right there and the commanding officer, there was no way to keep it form him, and no way Miguel could not have seen.” Yumi trailed off with a heavy sigh. You looked down at your feet sadly.
    “Man, that really horrible…” You muttered.
    “What’s really horrible?” Miguel’s voice made you both jump as he looked up at you with a raised eye brow.
    “Nnothing, I was just saying ttthat that was Y.N.’s favorite tea pot that Prince Zuko knocked over.” Yumi stuttered quickly.
    “Y.N. You do know we have several more of that same kind right?” He asked raising an eye brow.
    “Uh… oh yea…forgot about that.” You muttered looking down.
    “Oh and Y.N. sliced her finger open.” Yumi said having forgotten about you wound.
    “Yumi, don’t make it sound like I cut it off, it’s not that bad!” You complained.
    “I’ll be the judge of that, let me see.” He said as you held up the said finger. Miguel took your hand gingerly in his large hands; you swore he could have completely covered them if he wanted too. He looked it over and smiled gently.
    “It looks okay but just to be safe I’ll get a band aid.” Miguel did just that and pulled out a first aid kit from one of the cub boards in the kitchen and handed you a band aid. You took it and put it on hastily.
    “Thank you Miguel.” You said smiling. He nodded and returned back to helping make dinner. You and Yumi’s attention returned to the spacious tent where the table had been removed and the man whom had been facing Iroh in the Pi Sho game had taken that back as well. General Iroh and Prince Zuko sat facing each other, their chairs angled slightly toward the entrance to the tent. Soon after your attention was back on the main tent Zhao returned; you swore he was almost strutting as he did so. He looked down at both Iroh and his nephew.
    “My search party is ready.” He announced as if the prince and his uncle had been awaiting the news eagerly.
    “Once I’m out to sea my guards will escort you back to your ship and you’ll be free to go.” He continued.
    “Why, are you afraid I’m going to try to stop you?” Zuko demanded challengingly with a bit of bitterness laced into his voice. Zhao immediately threw his head back laughing loudly.
    “You, stop me? Impossible!” He barked. Zuko stood up in anger and defiance.
    “Don’t underestimate me Zhao. I will capture the avatar before you.” Prince Zuko retorted fiercely.
    “Prince Zuko, that’s enough.” His uncle interjected firmly, clearly trying to get him back in check but Zhao did not let up.
    “You can’t compete with me. I have hundreds of warships under my command, and you, you’re just a banished prince. No home. No allies. Your own father doesn’t even want you.” He said, apparently this hit a nerve for just more than you. Yumi stiffened and Zuko’s anger was knocked down a notch as he looked at the ground and then back to Zhao.
    “You're wrong. Once I deliver the Avatar to my father he will welcome me home with honor and restore my rightful place on the throne.” He looked up a Zhao confidently, however toward the middle of the sentence he looked down again, almost trying to convince himself that the words he spoke where truth.
    “If your father really wanted you home, he'd have let you return by now, Avatar or no Avatar, but in his eyes you are a failure and a disgrace to the Fire Nation.” You couldn’t stand it any longer, he was going too far! You straitened yourself, almost knocking Yumi over in surprise. Without fear or ever the slightest thought as to the repercussions of what you where doing you swiftly entered the room.
    “How dare you call him a disgrace!” You growled as all three men looked at you in surprise.
    “I don’t know much about Prince Zuko but I know that you shouldn’t ever talk to anyone like that, you have no right. You always talk to everyone as if they are dirt under your shoes.” You growled walking right up to a shocked Zhao with reckless abandon, the anger you’ve had for him that had grown since your Agni Kai pouring out from your lips.
    “You laugh when he asks you if you’re afraid he’ll try to stop you. You laugh at him and yet your actions show your pride and cowardice. You speak of how he’s a disgrace, you challenged me, a young girl who didn’t even know the basics to fire bending to an Agni Kai and then when I won by, I’m sure sheer will power, you turn and strike me while me back is turned. From what I’ve seen this…this teenager,” You sneered the word that he had used for him. “Has more honor than you have the right to boast for your self…and…and…and I wish I had a cup of tea to spill on you all over again!” You said struggling to find more words for your anger. By this time Zhao had recovered from his surprise and his face had also changed color. It had gone from surprised white-crème, to red, now slightly puce.
    “How. Dare. You.” He said, a stream of hot steam came out of every breath he exhaled after each word. You bit your lip now, your brain finally processing what you had done. Again.
    Oh s**t, I’m in trouble…*1 (Aladdin)
    “Now, now, I’m sure we all just need to take a deep breath and calm down.” Said Iroh looking slightly worried as he looked from you and Zhao, you to where a bit uncomfortable with the limited space between you two. He could very easily burn you to a crisp; you had no doubts he wanted to. You also noticed Zuko; he seemed to still be in slight shock.
    “If you wish to live past this day I suggest you leave, now!” He shouted the last word as fire flew from his lips making you jump back in freight.
    “Ah, hot, hot, hot!” You jumped out of the way, falling back on your butt probably looking like a bit of an idiot. Somehow that particular thought was the farthest thing from your mind right now. Yumi was by your side not even a minute later.
    “Y.N. are you okay?” Yumi asked frantically trying to pull you from the tent. You couldn’t speak as Zhao’s face turned ever more of a dark puce.
    “Get. Out!” He yelled as he threw a fire ball at both you and Yumi. You both squeaked and ran from the tent.
    “What have you done Y.N.?!” Miguel asked fiercely, apparently he had heard your little speech.
    “I’m sorry, I didn’t know what I was doing; he said that and something in me just…snapped. I’m so sorry, Yumi I didn’t mean to get you into trouble as well, and he could have hit you too!” You exclaimed, panic bursting inside of you. You had really crossed the line now. In what seemed to be the now more distant tent you heard more shouting.
    “She is merely a servant, what does she know? Besides you have the scare to prove it.” He snarled out at who I knew was the prince.
    “Maybe you’d like one to match!”*2 Zuko yelled out defiantly, apparently over his shock.
    “Is that a challenge?” Zhao demanded back, his voice filled with anger but you could tell that it was beginning to recede.
    “An Agni Kai. At sunset.” Zuko retorted.
    “Very well. It's a shame your father won't be here to watch me humiliate you. I guess your uncle will do. Your uncle and that servant girl and her friend I’m sure would like to watch as their precious prince is defeated so easily by me.” He jeered and began walking out of the tent, the crunch of the snow just about silent as it faded into nothing.
    “Prince Zuko, have you forgotten what happened the last time you dueled a master?” Iroh’s worried voice seeped through the tents veil door.
    “I will never forget.” Was Zuko’s only reply as silence filled both tents, the only sound now was a pan of water that had begun to boil out of control…
    ---
    -Oh no, oh no, oh no! What have you done! He’s kicked me out, I have no home now! No food, I’m going to die! (o.0 Chill, the chapters not over yet…)
    -Why couldn’t you have given me tea! That would have made it all the more sweeter!
    -Why does Zuko get to have an Agni Kai and not me? *pouts*
    -…
    ---
    You panicked a moment; Prince Zuko was going to face off with Zhao in an Agni Kai! What if Zhao won? He had told you to finish him when you had won, would he do the same to Zuko. What if Zuko won and Zhao did the same thing to him as he did to you? Would Zuko know to move out of the way? Would he be hurt badly if he didn’t? So badly he would have to bare another scare that would mark him? All these thoughts where running through your mind as all three of you stood there, frozen with uncertainty. Uncertainty over what would happen to you. Uncertainty about the Agni Kai that had just been declared in the next room; uncertainty over all that had just happened, and most importantly, uncertainty over what you all should do now…

    You where in yours and Yumi’s room packing what little you had left of your stuff. You had changed back into the clothes you had came here in, a pair of black sweat pants, a black wife beater (again hoping this is the correct name) and a black hoody. Again you thanked your unconscious decision to put on the extra layer since here it too was apparently winter, at least in the fire nation*3. You would still be slightly chilled but it didn’t matter. Putting on your new shoes (since the first pair had been warn down and you had originally been found bare foot you just put on the ones you bought.) you looked around for anything else you might have missed. There was nothing. You hadn’t had anything when you ‘arrived’ here, and you hadn’t had much time to buy anything besides your shoes. Sighing you moved back out the door, hoping to find Yumi and Miguel to bid them fare well.
    You wanted to cry, you wanted to scream in panic, but most of all you wanted to take them with you.
    They had been your only friends, the only people that gave you a sense of familiarity and an ease from the panic that should have engulfed you knowing that you had been sent to another world.
    You managed to find Miguel but Yumi was no where to be found. When you had tried to say goodbye Miguel simply cut off your goodbye with a huge bear hug.
    “Miguel…can’t…breath…” you squeaked out as he laughed and let you go.
    “Don’t say good bye or any of that none sense, it’s not like I’ll never see you again!” Miguel laughed smiling at you widely.
    “Okay Miguel…have it your way… I’ll just say see you later then.” You said trying to erase your tears, holding them back. You felt ridiculous! Why where you crying when you’d only just met him. It didn’t feel that way though, it felt as if you’d known the giant of a man before you your whole life. You felt another set of tears brim your eyes, he was just like an older brother to you, always trying to make you feel better and joking with you. Yet he always scolded you and worried for your safety.
    “That’s right, we will have it my way, and you behave your self, no more picking fights with people who can burn you to a crisp okay?” He asked smiling; you couldn’t help but give a laughing sob.
    “Okay, oh, where is Yumi?” You asked, wanting to say ‘see you later’ to your best friend from this world.
    “I don’t know. She left shortly after you, muttering something about this going along with something or another.” Miguel replied with a shrug.
    “Oh… okay…” You said slightly more miserable.
    You waited a while longer, till about sunset. Finally you decided you’d watch the Agni Kai, maybe Yumi had thought you’d be there and decided to say goodbye there.
    As you walked towards the large four pillared arena a voice called out to you from behind.
    “Y.N.!” It was Yumi. You turned, a smile breaking out onto your voice.
    “Yumi, I’ve been looking for you, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to say good bye to you.” You said, your smile fading a bit at the last part. It was then that you noticed, like you, Yumi had changed clothing. She was now out of her work clothing and into a set that you had never seen her wear before. She wore a red silk Chinese top and a black over coat. Her pants where similar to your own except you where pretty sure they where made a little bit better to endure this weather (XD it rhymed).
    “I had something I had to tell Marisol*4.” Yumi replied, her smile however did not falter at your earlier words. This and her change of clothes confused you.
    I know we where still scheduled to work tonight… You thought, clearly she saw your confusion as she chuckled and replied to your unasked question in two sentences.
    “I told Marisol I quite. I no longer work for Zhao.” Your confusion turned to instant horror.
    “You…did…what?!”
    “I quite.” She replied, her grin still in place.
    She’s clearly gone insane! You thought, your face similar to this: ((0.0))
    “You what?! *5”
    “Jeeze Y.N., you make it sound as if I just told you the avatar and Zuko are friends. *6” Yumi laughed whole heartedly.
    “Oye, why would you do that Yumi?” You asked exasperated.
    “Y.N. think about it, you know my dream, Zuko’s main goal is to capture the avatar.” You gave her a blank look for a moment before you swore you heard an audible ‘click’ as the light bulb clicked on above your head.
    “Oh…” Yumi hadn’t quite the military; that would have had serious consequences. She had told them that she was transferring! Transferring to Zuko’s ship and crew, that way she would have a better chance of being able to meet the avatar.
    “Yea, that and I can’t leave you all by your lonesome; I need to keep you out of trouble.” Yumi said grinning and looping and arm around your shoulders. You gave her a confused look. You where going with her? You hadn’t really thought about the possibility of joining Zuko’s crew.
    “I’m coming with you?” Yumi’s smile faltered as she pulled slightly away from you.
    “Of course… unless… have you remembered where you live?” She asked. She tried to look happy but you could see the disappointment and sadness in her eyes. She really did want you to come. You pretended to smile sadly and closed your eyes shaking your head sadly.
    “No, no I haven’t. I just had never thought about becoming a worker on Zuko’s ship.” You said honestly.
    “Oh, well in that case, let’s go and root for our new employer!” Yumi said, her arm tightening around your shoulders again and her free hand’s fist shooting up in the air.
    You chuckled and let her drag you along until you both saw the entrance to the arena. It was huge! It was practically a coliseum! You noticed the four cornered structure was all metal but still had a red tint to it. You blinked as you noticed two figures standing near the entrance. It was Zuko and his uncle! Zuko, just like you and Yumi, had made a change in his clothing. His however was still uniform like…and missing a shirt. You blushed slightly as you got close enough to see his well built muscles, he wasn’t anywhere near as stocky as Zhao and wasn’t as permanent as Zhao’s but was a lot better looking than any guys back at home. Then again, you’d only seen the guy at your school in passing during gym class; still…
    “General Iroh, Prince Zuko, we’ve come to watch the fight, I do hope we are not intruding.” Yumi said bowing, snapping you out of your little ‘moment’. You bowed in slight panic, a bit later than Yumi, embarrassed at the thought of being caught with your tong hanging out. You embarrassed blush slowly receded as Iroh greeted you both with a smile; apparently you had not been caught.
    “We would appreciate it, but we do not want to get you in any further trouble.” Iroh said his voice apologetic.
    “Don’t worry; neither of us is under the command of Commander Zhao any longer.” Yumi said smiling, and just like you Iroh gave you both an alarmed look.
    “We are now awaiting the reply of another ship in question. We are hoping to join that crew.” Yumi said. You gave her a panicked look that clearly said ‘I thought you had already gotten his permission!’
    “Oh, is that so, and who might that be, you are on Zhao’s docks, are you being transferred to another one of his ships?” Commander Iroh asked raising his eye brows.
    “No, actually, he is considered a great hero of our nation, General Iroh, please except our request to join your crew.” Yumi said again bowing, you did as well.
    “It is my nephew’s decision; it is after all his ship. What do you think prince Zuko?” The general asked, you could see through the curtain your hair provided that Zuko looked slightly surprised by his statement. He then looked down at you sternly.
    “Did you mean it?” He asked simply. You blinked, at a loss.
    “Yes of course, Yumi and I-” He cut you off.
    “No, not that, earlier in Zhao’s tent.” He said; his voice still strong and full of fire. You bit your lip nervously and looked up at him, standing up strait.
    “Yes… yes I did… I can’t say I know much about you Prince Zuko, but from what I’ve seen and how Zhao acted I simply couldn’t let it go. Sometimes my anger gets the best of me. Please excuse my behavior; please let us join your crew.” You said bowing again. He made a ‘keh’ sound and did a 180, moving toward the entrance swiftly.
    “Do what you want, I don’t care.” You looked up, first to Zuko’s bare back, then to Iroh who was smiling.
    “Ummm do you think that was a ‘yes’?” Yumi asked looking to you as you both stood up strait.
    “I do believe so.” Iroh said looking towards his nephew like a father would his son.
    “Welcome to the crew.” He continued looking at you both smiling. You both gave a return smile and said ‘thank you’.
    “Well let go cheer on our new boss!” Yumi said wrapping an arm around your shoulder again. You laughed but were cut off as Yumi began dragging you in a jog once again towards the entrance; Iroh followed but at a bit of a slower, more relaxed pace.

    Unfortunetly this chapter is apparently too long to be all posted at once so I'm going to make multipul parts.
    Part 2 will be installed shortly.