• This is part 2 of 2 since the chapter was to long to put into one post ^^u

    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


    Next thing you know you’ve both been ‘asked’ to go sit on the side lines, and by ask you obviously mean Zuko had muttered for you two to stand over there and not get in the way. Pouting you sit down with a huff creating a little cloud of dust to puff up before shortly settling back onto the ground. Yumi joined you, though less put out she mimicked your Indian style sitting position.
    “Remember your fire bending basics; they are your greatest ally.” Iroh said sternly as Zuko remained kneeling with his head bent down.
    “I refuse to let him win.” Zuko muttered as both he and Zhao, almost as a silent agreement, stood and faced each other. Zhao also had his bit to chip in; how he heard Zuko’s words you’re not sure.
    “This will be over quickly.” Despite the cocky statement he was completely serious. You looked from one to the other, now silently nervous, you agitation towards Zuko completely forgotten. The gong that sounded overhead nearly made you jump but you then soon settled back into your nervousness as each fighter took a standard fire bending stance. Neither said anything as Zuko made the first move, shooting out one of his fists a fairly large fire blast shot forth at Zhao. As Zhao automatically dodged it with ease you noted how much bigger the blast was than both yours and Yumi’s. Again Zuko shot another fire blast at him and again Zhao dodged it with ease, an ever growing smirk forming on his lips as his confidence rose. Finally he seemed confident enough to block it, placing both arms in front of his he crisscrossed them, the blast hitting him head on, however he simply brought one bent arm above his head and one down to his waist, his smirk fully visible now.
    “I think you might have knocked his confidence down a bit Y.N..” Yumi muttered to you, your eyes widened and you looked at her in shock.
    “How do you figure that one?” You whispered back.
    “Because, at the start of this Commander Zhao actually took Prince Zuko seriously; Y.N., even though he’s a prince he’s still quite a bit younger than Zhao, he’s our age. Zhao normally would have had a smirk from the beginning but he was calculating him, probably making sure he wouldn’t be able to win like you did.” Yumi explained. She was right!
    “I never thought about it that way, but he seems a lot more confident now, Prince Zuko can win right?” You asked, fearing the Zhao would take his anger towards you and your actions, out on Zuko and seriously hurt him.
    “I’m not sure; I’ve never seen Prince Zuko fight before this, but from what I can see so far it doesn’t look like he has much of a chance.” Yumi muttered, her eyes narrowed towards the field. Her eyes calculating every move each fighter made. When you looked back up it seemed Zuko’s anger had flared back up, he had switched from his controlled fire blast to more complicated kick fire blasts. Again, Zhao was able to block them after igniting his fists with fire, probably because the power behind the blasts where much greater now that Zuko’s anger level was higher. This did not look good; something in you stirred, filling you with confidence rather than fear towards the prince. You had hope that, no, you knew that he would win.
    “He can win.” You muttered allowed. Yumi turned to you and nodded gravely. She had taken your statement as one of insecurity, however, as you watched Zuko’s golden eye’s almost smolder in determination, you where positive he would not give up even if Zhao backed him into a corner. However, now as Zuko let out one more fire blast Zhao bent down and clapped his hands together as the fire split at the point Zhao had made with his palms. Zuko took and unsteady step back, grinding his teeth together as Zhao took a menacing step forward.
    “Basics Zuko break his root!” Iroh coached. However, it was Zhao’s turn to attack. He took, what seemed like very intentional sturdy and solid steps forward. As he took each step he punched the air creating large fire blasts, the same one you had narrowly missed. Zuko was blocking them. However, with each blast Zuko was pushed back more and more, lifted off his feet a bit even. Then Zhao took another stance, you would have laughed if it hadn’t been so intense, it looked exactly like Goku’s Kamehameha wave from dragon ball Z! Just like it though, it seemed more powerful than his other blasts, and this time as Zuko blocked, he was thrust to the ground, skidding onto his back. You gasped and stood to your feet.
    “Prince Zuko!” You yelled out, cupping your hands. Again your mouth had worked faster than your brain; you really should work on that.
    He groaned and looked up on to gasp as from the smoke Zhao leapt forward, landing heavily in front of Zuko. You know what came next.
    “Prince Zuko, get out of the way!” You yelled out as Zhao straitened his stance quickly and shot a fire blast, Zuko’s eye’s widened in shock so did yours as the fire blast inched closer to his face.
    “HAAAUH!” He cried out as he placed his arms behind him and twisted his body upwards out of the way of the blast. However, Zuko’s little acrobatic trick was not finished, twisting his lower body around and stuck out his leg as he did so. Zhao was taken completely off guard as he found himself falling after Zuko swept his feet right out from under him. With this Zuko twisted his body again and landed solidly on his feet. You gawked at the move but then as you checked to make sure he was uninjured you saw the smirk that was now on his face. You gasped, man, you weren’t one for gawking at how hot some guy is but Jeeze did Zuko look hot when he wasn’t angry or sneering!
    “C’mon Prince Zuko, you can do it!” Yumi cheered snapping you out of your stupor. You smiled at her and cheered a single cheer, this time careful to not break his concentration.
    “C’mon, we believe in you!”
    This time Zuko slide his foot forward in a jerky motion sending fire at the commanders feet, making the fire bender stumble more backwards; Zuko repeated this a couple of times, you noticed the General smiling, holding up his fists, totally into the fight, you where too, barely taking anything else in. However, now that the tables had turned and Zuko was winning there was something else bothering you, you ignored it.
    Zuko switched to higher kicks, his ferocity growing with each shot. With one last kick Zuko sent Zhao rolling to the ground. Zuko quickly moved forward and held a warning fire blast stance, his teeth grinding together. You held you breathe, looking in slight alarm at Zuko face; he looked like you might actually…
    “Do it.” You heard Zhao hiss angrily as he looked up at Zuko.
    No, no, no…please…don’t. You where about to yell this but Zuko acted before you could.
    “ARAH!” Zuko yelled out shooting his fist forward. You looked out at the two helplessly waiting for the smoke to clear. When it did you breathed a sigh of relief. Right next to Zhao was a large scorch mark, however, Zhao looked unharmed. Zuko stood up strait, his shoulder hunched in a relaxed manor.
    Zhao looked at the prince in indignation.
    “That’s it?” He demanded. You looked at him in disbelief. Zuko had just spared him!
    What the hell?
    “Your father raised a coward.” He growled, more prodding in order to make Zuko loose control.
    “Next time you get in my way I promise, I won’t hold back.” Zuko said looking down at Zhao. Zuko turned and began walking away signaling that he wouldn’t be falling prey to Zhao’s attempts at angering him. Then and image came to mind, a giant fire blast heading strait for you, for your back. Zhao stood up growling angrily.
    “Prince Zuko, watch out!” You yelled pointing at Zhao already heading for him and Zuko; towards the fire blast you knew was coming. Yumi was hot on your tail. Zhao turned angrily, sending a fire blast at Zuko through a kick; you wouldn’t make it in time! Zuko began turning towards the danger, he wouldn’t be able to act in time. Iroh surprised all of you; he was already there, blocking the blast by grabbing hold of Zhao’s foot. Easily he pushed Zhao back, making him land on his back side. Zuko rushed after the commander angrily but Iroh held him back.
    “No prince Zuko, do not taint your victory.” Iroh compelled the young teen. Zuko ground his teeth together but complied, looking at Zhao angrily. Iroh simply turned back towards the commander who looked a bit bewildered at this point.
    “So this is how the great commander Zhao acts in defeat? Disgraceful, even in exile, my nephew is more honorable than you.” Iroh stated looking at Zhao as if he was a parent reprimanding a child. Zuko looked at his uncle a moment in shock and then glare back at Zhao.
    “Thanks again for the tea, it was delicious.” Iroh said, giving a rye smirk.
    “Oh yes, and one more thing, these two beautiful young ladies are transferring to our crew.” Iroh said gesturing towards both you and Yumi. You where in slight shock, this man…there was a lot more to him than what it had first seemed.
    Both Iroh and Zuko began to take their leave as you and Yumi followed. You looked back to see Zhao sit up and rest his arm on his bended knee and grunt, almost in reflection. Over what you didn’t know.

    As you all head back towards Zuko and Iroh’s ship Zuko looked over at his uncle, seemingly forgetting about you and Yumi’s presence.
    “Did you really mean that uncle?” Zuko asked quietly.
    “Of course, I told you Gin Seng tea was my favorite.” Iroh replied, again with a rye smile. Zuko replied with his own smile. This in turn caused both you and Yumi to look at each other with a large grin. This was looking to be like a whole new adventure, one you had a feeling you might not be too opposed to right away.
    ---
    -Wow… a happy, non-cliff hanger ending… and everything turned out O.K.
    -Wait, the chapter over? I didn’t even get a shot at Zhao! (Me: Dude, you won, he cheated, you got burned, get over it, you won’t be fighting him again any time soon so cool it.) Okay… can I fight Zuko then? (Me:… -_-u)
    -… (Me: umm… you it’s getting kind of hard to talk to you like this…)
    ---
    “Oh, and about your working assignments.” Iroh said turning to both of you. You where starting to feel uncomfortable with him smiling like that. He reminded you of a cat up to no good.
    “Uh… yes?” You said, stepping back and forth uncertainly from one foot to another.
    “First of all I’d like to know your names.” Iroh said smiling.
    “Oops, sorry, my names Yumi.” Yumi said bowing. You copied her actions.
    “And mines Y.N.” You added.
    “Lovely names, both very beautiful.” Iroh complimented both you and you blushed slightly and thanked him.
    “Now, as I was saying, I’d like both you and Yumi to be my personal tea makers, the Gin Seng tea was absolutely wonderful.” Iroh said looking up at the clouds in almost a dreamy manor. You sweat dropped at this.
    “Also I’d like you both to play Pi Sho, I can tell you both have great potential. Yumi, I would like your main job to be the chief’s personal assistant. Y.N. I would like you to be Zuko’s personal attendant.” Iroh said smiling. Zuko’s face and your own must have match because the look on his face and your thoughts matched,
    Personal attendant, what the hell?!

    ---
    MWAHAHAHAHA you all thought I’d let you go with a calm relaxing ending. I shall not do such a thing, well at least not when I’ve been working so hard on the latest chapter. Sorry to saphiresaphirilla. I know I said it was going to be up by the end of next week but as I had expected I had a bit of procrastination hit and when ever I felt like working on it I was always busy with work or other things or I would be somewhere I couldn’t watch episode (Since the transcripts described the fight between Zhao and Zuko so poorly I had to rely on my new DVD and the internet ^_^). I also tried to overcome this little problem by writing out the fight ahead of time, however, when I felt like writing it I was at work and somewhere between home and work I had lost it TT.TT I so hope you enjoyed the chapter though ^^ It was fairly lengthy from what I can see. Let me know how it was ^^.
    Now onto all of the explanations:
    1: The later half of your thought was actually a random thought I had when writing it. I pictured you saying it like Aladdin does when Rasheem (I think that’s the head guards name) catches him during the chase after Aladdin steals the loaf of bread in the beginning of the original movie from Disney (don’t own).
    2: These are the original lines between Zhao and Zuko; your outburst probably should have changed it, however I love Zuko’s line and how fiercely he says it. I didn’t want to give it up lol. So I just decided to change Zhao’s mood from cool and taunting to angry and pissy lol.
    3: I’ve noticed that since I didn’t watch this episode nearly as close as I should have, that it is indeed winter in the world of avatar during the first few episodes, not just in the north and south pole but also in other places like at Zhao’s harbor and I also noticed a little snow on the ground when everyone goes to Kyoshi island. However, at the beginning of this I made it seem a lot more like summer, having the reader and Yumi both wear summer clothing for the work clothes and only until after the storm did I change it to winter clothing so I apologize for that. We’re just going to say that the ship had been sailing through relatively tropical water until now lol.
    4: Marisol is the name of Miguel’s sister, I originally wrote her in when explaining your schedule change in chapter 3. I went to check the name to make sure it was right but I couldn’t find it, I might have hand written it and forgotten to include it when I typed it up; my apologies. Basically she is the main person who helps Miguel and the caption make out the schedules and keeps track of the injured, sick, dead and who no longer works for Zhao.
    5: WARNING: SPOILER FOR SEASON 3 BOOK 1 OR 2. Don’t worry, if you’re afraid if you don’t want to risk the spoiler there’s no real need to read. This line and scenario basically remind me of when Aang tells Sokka he has enrolled in a fire nation school and is going back for a second day. =3
    6: Just my own dry humor that you probably would conclude more to irony than funny lol.
    Wow, 24 and ½ ! I’ve really out done myself this time lol
    Yoko: She has just now checked how much she’s written.
    Me: Oh hey Yoko, everyone, this is my chibi Yoko, he constantly follows me around and annoys me, though as of late he’s been pretty non-existent. *Gives Yoko curious look*
    Yoko: Don’t look at me, I can’t help the fact that I appear and disappear at random times, I was created by the mix of your brain on a high from caffeine and sugar and you and your friends insanity.
    Me: True, true…
    Udou from Hands Off: Well maybe I can help I am a psychology major.
    Me: Um… sure… (Hands Off a good series that, as far as I am aware, has never been made into an anime, however, the manga is awesome, I am one volume away from owning the series, you all should read *pokes*)
    Udou: Well seeing as you have had some mental issues in the past few days perhaps you have created Yoko for some comic relief in order to reduce stress.
    Me: MENTAL ISSUES?! WHAT’S THAT SUPPOSE TO MEAN?! *mutters* So what if I was a bit stressed, don’t have to go and tell the world about it…
    Yoko: COMIC RELIEF! I’M NOT COMIC RELIEF, I’M KING OF THIEVES! Besides, that’s what Kuwabara’s for…
    Kuwabara: Hey!
    Iroh: I think you may be going into a bit of a cross over here.
    Me: Oh, heh… you’re probably right, this whole thing is probably a result of *glares at Udou* typing this up at 1:35 am and drinking now flat coke a cola.
    Yoko:*mutters as he begins walking away towards the living room planning to sleep there* Comic relief, friggen p***k…
    Yuuto: Actually that’s Tatsuki’s job.
    Udou: Ah Yuuto, so you’ve finally come to talk to me about that unrequited love you have.
    Yuuto: Forget what I just said, and go to hell p***k!
    Me:…That and reading all the ending talk show thingys for the Hands Off volumes…
    Tatsuki: Just get on with it so I can go home.
    Me: *Eye twitches* Great now all we need is Kiba, Koutaru, Mio, and Keren and we’ll pretty much have the whole cast. -_-u
    *All said characters appear plus Chiba*
    Chiba: What about me!
    Me: You’re mean to Koutaru why would I want you here?
    Chiba: So what if I take joy in his pain.
    Yoko: *reading through hands off volumes* What about Koutari?
    *He appears*
    Me: Ok that’s it! It’s getting far to crowded around this computer, this is Roses Of Fire signing off!
    Yoko: Please rate, otherwise her p.m.s. will start up again.
    Me: Shut it! And it’s not something that comes and goes as my temper rises!
    Kuwabara: *pokes fingers together* Comic relief…
    Kiba: Just review or rate for all our sanity. (Have any of you ever noticed the similarity between Kiba and Tatsuki besides their E.S.P. issues? I swear they’re related).