When Worlds Collide: Book Three, Fire

Chapter Two

/////Sam's POV\\\\\

Training with Azula is torture, especially if she's trying to teach me something she doesn't even understand. 

He had come in during training, but didn't say or do anything. Just sat there in the shadows, his eyes never leaving me. A lot of soldiers and servants came in, also watching. Some would look at me with sadness, while others snickered at my mistakes. It didn't matter to me - I hated them all anyway. 

To be honest, all I wanted to do was see Iroh. I needed advice, and he was the best to go to in these situations. And, if I was being even more honest with myself, I would admit to just wanting a good cup of tea to help clear my mind. 

It was morning, and despite my objections, I was placed in Fire Nation clothing. A maid had brought the official school uniform to me, but Ty Lee happened to be walking by, and made a huge fuss. 

"You are the long lost legend!" she exaggerated. "When Azula sees this thing, she'll take my side, you'll see. You should refuse to wear this ugly thing!" 

I just rolled my eyes, but Ty Lee went in search of the Fire Nation princess with me in tow. She dragged me throughout the palace, and we soon came to a room similar to the training room I was in last night. 

Azula was attacking a guard, showing no mercy. Blue flames burst from her hand, and I involuntarily took a step back. 

"Azula!" Ty Lee sang, cartwheeling into the room. 

The doors behind me slammed shut, blocking my only way of escape, and I huffed. I could deal with the uniform, I really didn't care. I wasn't going to pay attention to the teacher anyway. 

"Azula, you won't really make her wear this, will you?" Ty Lee asked, giving puppy dog eyes. "It looks like something Mai would wear!" 

There was a sigh to my left, and I jumped, seeing Mai there. 

Azula rolled her eyes, and shoved the uniform back in Ty Lee's hands. "If you hate it so much, go look for something else then," she replied casually, making Ty Lee's eyes light up. 

The gymnast whirled around, and still beaming, ran out the door, dragging me along. 

"Why is this such a big deal?" I asked, trying to keep up. "It's a uniform, everyone wears it. Why can't I?" 

"Because, silly," she giggled. "It's just awful. You'll never catch a boy's eye if you dress like this." 

He happened to be walking by as she said that, and stopped in his tracks. Ty Lee didn't seem to notice as she raced down the hall, back into my room, and slamming the door behind us. 

She skipped to the wardrobe, and search through it. 

I collapsed into the bed, and closed my eyes. A few seconds later, material was thrown at me, and I sat up to examine the clothes. 

The outfit was similar to the one I had on - the one the Kyoshi Warriors gave to me. There were long, red pants and a long sleeved black top that slimmed around the waist using a red band, and it went to mid-thigh. A pair of shoes was also at the foot of the bed, but I ignored them. I had grown attached to the flats that I arrived in. 

Ty Lee left me to change, and, not wanting to be paralyzed, I obeyed her wishes. 

Maybe I should attempt to do something in this school. I didn't know how to write or read like them, so I might as well try to learn. I put my hair up in a messy bun, and stared at the mirror before leaving the confinements of my room. Maybe I could learn something useful, for when Aang, Katara, Sokka and Toph come to rescue me. 

Because they were. Katara promised. And I knew, deep in my heart, that no matter what everyone here said, that the Avatar was alive. 

We had come too far for something like that to happen. 

"Sam," he called, walking up to me. He looked tired, and stressed. "Where are you going?" 

"Didn't you hear?" I growled. "School. My summer vacation, and I'm spending it being kidnapped by the Fire Nation and forced to go to school." 

He looked a little confused, but shook his head. "Sam, I need to talk to you," he said quietly. "In private." 

"You really don't want to be alone in a room with me," I spat, glaring. 

He looked hurt, and he grabbed my hand, refusing to let me go. "Please, Sam." 

For the first time since I've been in the palace, looked into Zuko's eyes. His sadness melted me, and with a defeated sigh, I nodded. "Alright," I agreed. "After school. Just name a time and place, and I'll be there." 

He smiled slightly, before wrapping me in a hug. I was stiff, still upset, but didn't push him away. He must've sensed it, because he quickly let me go. "I'll come find you when you get back." 

I nodded, and in that moment, a servant came up to me. "Miss Sam, we need to be leaving now," she said quietly, avoiding eye contact. 

I nodded stiffly, and slowly trudged after the young woman, dreading the day to come. 

/////\\\\\ 

The day was long, and I'm pretty sure that my teacher, a cranky old woman, absolutely hated me. As soon as I had set foot in her class, she gave a disapproving glare, and immediately yelled at me for my lack of uniform. 

Luckily, the servant that had took me to the school was still around to show off the fancy Fire Nation royal seal, that basically gave me permission to do whatever I wanted. Maybe there were some perks... 

The only part of school that was bearable was music. I hadn't held a flute in so long, and it felt great to have something familiar in my grasp. But everyone was too tense, and the kids around me just seemed to act like robots. I could only imagine how the others would react to it. 

Katara would probably go on about how terrible it was, while Sokka would most likely complain about it, but not actually do anything. Toph would most likely wreak havoc, and Aang would take it upon himself to fix things. I often found myself smiling at random things that would remind me of them. There was an older kid that I noticed earlier who was overly protective of another girl - his sibling, perhaps. Another kid had a laugh similar to Aang's, and when the day was over, I couldn't be happier. 

Until I realized that I had agreed to talk to Zuko. For some reason, I couldn't just refer to him as 'he' or 'him' like I had been doing. It was only this morning when I felt like screaming or clawing at him, and now, I just wanted to see him. Maybe because he's the only face that I don't feel like throwing up at. Everything here just makes me want to break down into tears, and being around people like this all day didn't help. 

I stood at the gates of the school for a bit, waiting for someone to come get me, like I was told to do. I was kind of expecting the same guy from earlier to pick me up, but was shocked beyond belief when Azula came strolling up, flanked by Mai and Ty Lee.

Other kids gaped as the trio came up to me, and many stopped to stare. Ty Lee absorbed the attention, waving and giggling. 

"We have some training to do," the princess snapped, and I sighed. 

"I have plans," I stated, and started to walk. 

"Plans?" she asked, disbelieving. "How could you possibly have plans?" 

"Your brother," I told her, glancing back. 

Azula reminded me of someone that I used to know. Some parts of her personality would sometimes make themselves known, and I would feel a flutter of recognition, but it was gone before I could place my finger on it. 

"So you're speaking with Zuzu again?" she scoffed, and placed herself two steps ahead of me. 

"More like he talks while I listen," I explained, raising an eyebrow. "So if you'll excuse me..." I quickly stepped in front of her, purposely slowing my pace. I heard her growl slightly and smirked. 

I hate her. She hates me. 

I've always thought that a mortal enemy would be neat to have.

/////\\\\\

(A/N)

So, did anyone watch the season premier of LoK? I'm so freaked out about it, I'm not even kidding. I'm terrified something will happen to Katara, and Asami... Where the heck did she go?? I'm ready to cry about this, guys.

Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter :D If you did, please vote, comment and follow :) Love you guys!