Chapter Text
Prince Zuko of the fire nation. Fifteen years old. Banished from the fire nation until the day he could bring back the Avatar. Was not having a good day.
This was no surprise. Because Prince Zuko never had good days.
So neither was it a surprise that while Zuko was hissing and on the verge of ranting while clearly losing his temper. The crew of his ship, the Wani, barely even took notice of it. Basically… They were used to it. It was just Tuesday…. Or maybe Friday… could be Sunday as far as they knew. Every day out on the ocean was kind of the same. You still had to cook dinner every day. Steer the ship every day. And the prince never took breaks when it came to his own training so… And now he was fuming. Which was normal.
General Iroh more than anyone didn't even lift his head, instead solely focusing on the board placed in front of him as his brow slightly furrowed. Then finally moved one of the tiles.
The soldier seated in front of him smirked knowingly as he moved a tile on his own.
Only for General Iroh to grin. Move another tile that gave him a free second move that he used on a different move and took out his opponent's war ship winning the Pai Sho match.
His opponent gaped and then slapped his own forehead as he groaned and Iroh chuckled while picking up a cup of tea.
"URGHHH!" Zuko shouted and released a bit burst of fire. Nobody even took notice. After all… It was normal. "Didn't we just re-supply?!" he asked.
"No Prince Zuko. That was two months ago." Iroh replied calmly not even looking away from his board.
Yes. Their need to re-supply was the reason for Prince Zuko's anger. For two months they had been circling the south pole… And then run out of food. Which had forced them to leave south pole waters to head for an earth kingdom port. Just so they wouldn't starve to death.
"Weren't those supposed to be supplies for three months? Not two?!" Zuko asked angrily.
"Times are tough. We are still at war." Iroh was now fully occupied with resetting the board so he didn't even look at Zuko. His opponent didn't look like he wanted to play anymore though. He was sitting with crossed arms and a big pout on his face.
"You know as well as I do we were snuffed!" Zuko exclaimed. "Again! The biscuits were moldy! The cabbages were rotten and that salt made everything taste weird."
Iroh sighed deeply. "Times are tough." he simply repeated. "Perhaps it's not that bad. We have been at sea for two months. The men are tired. They deserve some shore leave. And you might enjoy a little time on land too." he said finally looking up. A slight smile on his face. "Perhaps explore the city? It might be fun." he encouraged in a warm smile.
"I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR FUN!" Zuko roared as he slammed his hand down on Iroh's table. Making the board flip and all the tiles fall everywhere.
Iroh looked down at all the tiles all around the deck then up at Zuko again. "Prince Zuko. Everyone needs rest from time to time."
And Zuko groaned. "URGHH!" as he turned around covering his face as he hissed and a soldier was down on his knees picking up the tiles for Iroh.
He didn't really seem to mind. Because honestly… It was just nice having something to do for once.
Lieutenant Jee was sighing deeply as he was leaning up against the railing. He too also just looked utterly bored.
"If we don't pick up provisions we'll starve." Jee simply stated. "We don't really have a choice. And it might be a couple of days before we can re-supply. What benefit would it be to deny the men shore leave?"
"FINE!" Zuko shouted. "Take the damn shore leave! All of you!" he exclaimed. That made everyone perk up their heads. "Three days. That's what you're going to get! And then I don't want to hear any other complaints!"
The reaction was immediate as people cheered and for a moment Zuko lost his anger as he looked pretty taken back by the cheer. It was quickly replaced by his usual scowl though. "I'm going to meditate!" he stated. "Do not disturb me!" he exclaimed as he marched towards the metal door leading to the sleeping quarters below.
The soldiers looked at each other.
"You think Prince Zuko actually ever manage to meditate in there?" One soldier whispered and the other shrugged.
It was a bit too soon though. Zuko had not left the deck yet and he turned around as he huffed. "I HEARD THAT!" he yelled while picking up a Pai Sho tile from the deck and threw it right at the soldier hitting him in the head.
"Auw!"
"I said no more complaints!" Zuko shouted and finally vanished down to the corridor slamming the door after him.
The soldier's friend turned to his friend who had just been hit with a lotus tile. "You kind of asked for that buddy."
"I know." The soldier sighed deeply rubbing his forehead. "Good aim though."
Jee however rolled his eyes. "Teenagers," he commented.
And everyone on the deck… Everybody… Collectively sighed.
As predicted when they had finally reached port in the earth kingdom. A fire nation military port. All of the soldiers and crews men were so happy that it could be felt.
Zuko was not… He was sitting in a chair while waiting for the supplier. Crossed arms. Crossed legs. A big pout on his face and smoke almost escaping his scalp.
Iroh on the other hand sitting next to him looked entirely calm while sipping on his tea. And the supply manager was sniffing while fixing his glasses and reading from a list. "It says here that you received provisions to last for three months… Two months ago."
Zuko seethed. "We got bad supplies," he informed.
"Uhu." The supply manager looked unimpressed.
"The biscuits were moldy. Half the cabbages were rotten. And there was something really weird about the salt." Zuko informed.
"Salt is a luxury item, my prince. Not really needed is it?" The supply manager asked. "So I don't think you should complain about that."
Zuko's eyes narrowed.
"Actually." Iroh looked up. "Salt is important. Not too much of it of course. But soldiers who doesn't get any can end up suffering from hyponatremia. People often underestimate the importance of balanced nutrients for an army and especially seamen who are caught at sea." he said. "We had to throw that salt out. Please excuse my nephew though. He is merely frustrated that we had to make a detour to ask for new supplies so soon." he said.
"Ah. Of course General Iroh." at once the supply Managers tone just changed and was so much more respectful making Zuko roll his eyes.
"I really do apologize for this," Iroh said kindly. "It seems that our last port was indeed running very low on supplies and just gave us what they had. Sadly those supplies were… not all fit for human consumption."
"Yes of course General. And I deeply apologies for that." The supply manager said… and Zuko glared at him with burning eyes.
"Isn't this nice Prince Zuko?" Iroh asked in a warm smile. "Fresh supplies! We won't starve."
"Hurray," Zuko replied sarcastically while Iroh just smiled kindly at him.
"We got three days off now." Iroh beamed. "You should go enjoy yourself! I'm sure there must be something fun to do around here."
"I don't do fun," Zuko informed annoyed.
Iroh however chuckled as he waved his hand. "I heard there's a spa in town. It might help relax those muscles."
"Urggh." Zuko rolled his eyes as he turned away and crossed his arms again.
The supply manager. Did not look impressed.
"He's just having some tough days," Iroh said in a kind tone while Zuko grunted. "Weeks…" he corrected himself. The supply manager lifted an eyebrow. "Okay… He's been like that for a few years." Iroh finally admitted while the supply manager continued to look unimpressed and Zuko just looked annoyed.
It didn't take long for Zuko to regret giving the crew three whole days of shore leave. They had reloaded within the first day and he was ready to leave.
But Zuko for all of his faults was a man of his words. He had given them three days shore leave so fine!
So Zuko was going to get some training in while he was on steady ground. He could go for a long run around the city. Which he did…. And then he did it again. Finally, he had run the entire circle around the city five times and Zuko got bored of the same scenario over and over.
Iroh was at that damn spa. So he wasn't going to teach Zuko any fire bending techniques. And while they were stuck here he couldn't look for the avatar! It had been about two and a half years now. His sixteenth birthday was about a month away. And Zuko was no closer to the goal.
This sucked.
And there was Uncle. Looking relaxed and jovial as he approached Zuko.
"Prince Zuko!" Iroh beamed. "You really missed out on that spa. But you can still make it if you change your mind." he offered. "It will do wonders for your muscles with a good massage. It'll be on me," he swore.
Zuko huffed as he crossed his arms and turned away. "No thank you." he bit Iroh off.
"Oh. Perhaps some other time then." Iroh smiled as he fanned himself with a paper fan he had found somewhere. "I got great news, Prince Zuko."
"A clue about the Avatar?" Zuko asked bitterly.
"No no." Iroh chuckled. "There's a noble family that needs sea passage and it has been ordered the first ship to lay anchor here is to give it to them. Transport the family to the west coast. And well, we are the only one harbored here now. So it falls to us. Isn't that great?"
"West coast?!" Zuko exclaimed. "That's the opposite direction of where we need to go! I don't have time for that."
"Come now Zuko," Iroh said. "I heard there's a girl in the family. Around your age. Isn't that wonderful? You can spend time with someone your own age instead of being stuck on such old dogs as me and the crew."
"You think I have time for that?" Zuko asked. "I don't. The answer is no! We're raising anchor tomorrow morning and are setting sail for the south pole. And that's that!" he stated as he took a furious step away.
"Oh." Iroh blinked. "That's a shame. The order came directly from my brother."
That made Zuko freeze. He just froze. And then slowly he moved backward until he was back beside Iroh. "Father?" he asked.
"Signed in his name and by his handwriting," Iroh informed as he pulled out an official looking document that Zuko snatched away and then read it with narrowed eyes.
"It might be good for us to not always be at the south pole. That place is terrible cold isn't it?" Iroh asked.
Zuko sighed. "Fine." he rolled the paper together in a surprisingly careful way. "We shall get those nobles to their goal. Swiftly and safely. Father will hear of a job well done." he said.
"Right." Iroh exhaled deeply. Sounding outright resigned. "I'll make preparations ready. Maybe you should prepare yourself, Prince Zuko. As I said, they are nobles and there's a young lady among them."
"Prepare myself how?" Zuko asked annoyed.
"You know. Make yourself look presentable." Iroh smiled. "You want to leave a good impression, don't you? So maybe." he halted as he looked over Zuko. "Huh this might be a problem." he had to admit holding his chin.
Zuko rolled his eyes. "I'm wearing my uniform. It's fine," he stated. "It's the military. And our ship is still a military vessel."
"Of course Prince Zuko." Iroh sighed deeply.
As Zuko was back on his ship, waiting for the nobles to arrive. He schooled himself as well as he could. He wanted to make a good impression. Needed to make a good impression. So these nobles could send a letter back to his father and tell them what an honorable and capable person he was.
So… Be on his best behavior. Don't get angry. Don't get frustrated. Be a good Prince for the fire nation!
Even if these noble usually sucked. Zuko just had to be a good prince and then finally. They came.
A man and a woman, carrying a baby. And behind them, a smaller figure, a girl.
"Ah!" Iroh beamed as he spread out his arm. "Lord Ukano and Lady Michi." he beamed happily at the couple. "And who's this cute little thing." he cueed at the baby. Only barely did Zuko manage to not roll his eyes.
The woman chuckled. "General Iroh. How long it has been. To think we would meet under such circumstances." she smirked. "This is Tom-Tom." she introduced the baby.
"He's wonderful!" Iroh beamed.
"And of course. This is my daughter." Michi stepped aside revealing the girl.
The moment the girl was in view her eyes landed on Zuko and they widened in shock. Zuko as well, his eyes widened in shock and horror as he could recognize that slim figure and those narrow cat like eyes anywhere.
Long shiny black hair and a pale complexion even now as she was gaping as Zuko.
"Mai?!" Zuko blurted.
"Zuko?" Mai asked.
There was silence. Utter silence as the two teenagers looked at each other.
"Oh, so you know each other?" Iroh asked in a warm voice. "How delightful!"
Zuko closed his mouth as he bit together and crossed his arms. "I wouldn't say know," he said.
That made Mai's eyes widen, and then they narrow. "Really?" she asked. "We only spend how many hours together at the turtleduck pond?" she asked.
"That was a long time ago," Zuko replied back.
"Well duh. You've been out here at sea since then." Mai commented. "What happened to your hair? It looks like crap."
"It does not!" Zuko exclaimed. "It's a warrior's phoenix tale!"
"Yeah, I know that part. But where's the rest of it?" Mai asked. "Isn't it a bit early for you to go bald?"
"I have not gone bald. I shave it every morning!" Zuko exclaimed.
"Oh geeh. So you are choosing to look like an egg. That makes it so much better." Mai rolled her eyes and Zuko fumed.
"Well isn't this nice." Iroh stepped in between them to stop the argument. "The young ones are friends." he chuckled a little awkwardly.
"Mai." Lord Ukano spoke in a warning voice. "Behave yourself. This is the son and brother of Fire Lord Ozai. We don't want any incidents to reflect badly on our family name."
Mai rolled her eyes. But said nothing as she crossed her arms. Zuko held his tongue too.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Jee was standing a few feet away and he was dreading this already.
Being away from the south pole for a while had sounded so nice… But two teenagers. Two entire teenagers! One he had gotten used too. But two?!
This was going to end terribly wasn't it?