Searching (Zuko x OC)

Chapter 23

"Sora, I want you to train with me," he said.

"Excuse me?" I asked, turning to glare at him.

"I want to practice fighting against a waterbender. When we get to the North Pole I need to be prepared," he continued, turning his body to face me.

"What makes you think I want to do that? You're a better bender than I am. You've been bending since you were a kid. I just started a week ago," I argued, crossing my arms defensively.

My temper was growing and I felt my blood begin to boil. He hadn't spoken to me since our last excursion and his first conversation was to order me to fight him? Not an apology but a demand.

"Then you need this just as much as I do. You need the practice," he shot back.

I tightened the grip my hands had on my arms in anger. I knew that he didn't mean it as an insult but it still pushed my temper over the edge. I glared at him with a new determination in my eyes. He wanted a fight? Fine. He'd get exactly what he asked for. This would be a good excuse to try out some new moves as well as release some of my anger.

I didn't say a word, simply marching right up to him. I kept my glare cold. I could tell he was slightly uncomfortable at my demeanor. Even in my angriest of moods I was never so cold and heartless in our interactions. He kept his composure as I finally got inches from him.

"As you wish, Prince Zuko," I said confidently, adding an extra emphasis on his title.

I was the only one on the ship who never called him by his full title. He had insisted that I just call him Zuko. I used to feel special for getting the privilege. Even Uncle Iroh called him Prince Zuko. It was expected that everyone address him that way. I, on the other hand, only called him that when he really pissed me off. I could see a glimpse of pain gloss over his eyes before I walked past him, bumping him with my shoulder as I did.

"Akemi, grab me another bucket of water please," I said, keeping my back to Zuko.

"Are you sure this is a good idea? You seem really-" he began to argue, but when he met my gaze he stopped.

He sighed and went to go grab another bucket as I requested. I stretched silently and waited until I heard the bucket placed beside me to turn and face Zuko. He looked as confident as ever on the outside. He wanted me to believe the mask he was wearing, but I could see the uncertainty he was hiding. It wasn't uncertainty about fighting me, that much I knew. He truly was a better bender than I was. I was still learning the basics all on my own and he had been training with masters since he was a kid. In terms of skill, he could best me easily. What he was so uncertain of wasn't clear, but I decided to try and use it to my advantage as best I could. Zuko fought with his emotions. I would fight with my head.

"Alright, I'm ready," I said, getting into a grounded stance and bringing the water from one of the buckets into my hands.

Zuko nodded and got into his own stance. I took a deep breath and prepared for his incoming attack. Firebending was all about being offensive. Zuko was always the first one to attack. I simply prepared for his move.

Zuko shot his foot out towards me and sent a line of fire my way. I stepped out of the way and spun my water around to expunge the fire. I ducked and avoided the fire ball that was sent my way and rolled forward. As I did so, I bent the water so that it shot out towards him as soon as I was out of the summersault. It hit him in the chest and he was pushed back slightly. He kept his stance firm so he didn't tip over, but he was definitely shocked at the aggressive hit. He brought his hands together and shot a line of fire at me. I narrowly avoided it by sending up a wall of water that caused steam to sizzle into the sky.