Y/N couldn't help but fidget restlessly as the two firebenders stared daggers at each other. She wasn't aware of the history they had, but it was obvious why Zuko hated him. Y/N was extremely anxious about her future, yes, but part of her just wanted to see Zhao's face kicked in.

          Zuko attacked first, sending several short bursts of fire from his hands. Zhao easily sidestepped or dispersed every one, continuing his seemingly effortless defense as Zuko wailed on him, a sick smirk plastered on his face. 

          This isn't good. Y/N thought, watching as Zuko quickly tired himself out. Zhao had a strong foundation, keeping himself planted firmly on the ground even as he dodged and moved. Zuko, however, was light on his feet, recklessly using up his energy at the very start of the fight.

          The prince had to stop to catch his breath, his stance a little weak as he recovered. Zhao saw this immediately, stepping forward to take the offensive.

          "Remember your basics, Zuko!" Iroh commanded, watching as Zhao advanced, sending his own series of blasts. Zuko didn't move aside or dodge, he seemed too tired to move around too much. He instead blocked each attack, dispersing them as they came. 

          He was obviously trying to stay firm on his foundation, but with every attack he was pushed back a bit, barely able to stay upright. Zhao sent one final huge blast with both hands, and Zuko's block only shielded him from getting burned. The force of the attack sent him flying, rolling close to the railing where Y/N stood.

          "Don't get up yet." Y/N bent down and hissed at him through the railing bars. He was breathing hard, covered in dust and scratches, but he looked over at her. "Save your breath, and think for a moment. I know you can win." I hope you can win...

          Zuko didn't seem to be listening all that much, simply laying there and staring at her intensely as Zhao approached him from behind. Y/N grabbed the bar, not daring to reach out to him. 

          She couldn't say anything else, words wouldn't form in her mouth. He seemed to be studying her, gears turning. She only returned the intense stare, trying to form some sort of encouragement, but fear was rising up in her throat, threatening to come out in sobs.

          "Please." The tight, pleading word barely escaped Y/N's lips before she clamped he mouth closed, unwilling to show Zuko any more weakness in her. Please. I have to be there for my siblings, my family. They mean too much to me. Please.

          Zhao jumped the remaining distance, preparing to deal a finishing blow to the face, but Zuko rolled out form under him at the last moment, jumping up with a spin kick that sent a wave of fire right into Zhao's legs, causing him to stumble and almost hit the ground.

          Zuko didn't stop, firing blasts relentlessly with newfound vigor as the commander tried to regain his footing. A few more well-placed attacks, and Zhao lost his ground completely, falling onto his back. Zuko stood over him, and raised his fists to finish the fight.

          Y/N cringed and braced herself, expecting his screams to suddenly rip through the air with Zuko's final attack at his face, but never heard them. Zuko had shot the last blow right next to Zhao's face, leaving the commander unharmed. He stepped back, frowning down at his beaten enemy.

          "That's it?" Zhao growled, sitting up. "Your father raised a coward." Zuko ignored him, and he growled again, standing and firing a blast of fire at the prince's back. Iroh quickly stepped in, easily blocking the flames and knocking him backwards again. Zuko yelled, attempting to attack Zhao again, but Iroh held him back.

          "Stand back, Zuko. Do not taint your victory." Iroh handed his nephew his cloak. "What dishonor you have brought yourself today." He scolded, standing over the defeated commander in the dust. "You should be ashamed of your actions. My nephew, even in exile, has demonstrated more honor than you."

          Zuko returned to the railing, leaning against it. He wouldn't meet Y/N's gaze, simply staring at the ground.

          "What was that??" Y/N demanded, frowning at him. He looked up, confused. 

          "What?" He asked, sounding annoyed. "Not even a thank you?"

          "Why did you scare me like that? You made it seem like he was a match for you for a second there!" Y/N grinned at him with a small laugh. "Trying to make me doubt you? Wow. Thanks for the anxiety attack. You had that fight in the bag, there." She punched his shoulder lightly.

          "Oww." He complained, rubbing the spot where she'd hit him. 

          "Oh, shut up, you big baby. Next time, skip the suspense and just kick his butt." Y/N handed Zuko his water canteen, which he took with only a small glance at her.

           "In all seriousness, thank you. This wasn't part of the deal, but I guess Prince Zuko's word is worth a lot." She continued. 

          "I'm not a prince anymore, right now." Zuko pointed out, his face blank. Y/N rolled her eyes.

          "I don't care, you saved my life." She leaned forwards, trying to make eye contact, something he wouldn't do. "A very honorable thing, indeed, my prince." 

          He unscrewed the lid of his canteen, and swirled the water around a bit, watching it. He turned away as the smallest of smiles crept across his lips.

                             —|〰️〰️〰️|—

          "Good morning. Your uncle told me to check on you. I hope you don't mind I'm not staying on the main deck, it's raining." Y/N carefully opened the metal door, stepping through and closing it with her back as to not spill the tray of tea she held. Zuko was standing by a table, using a small flame on his fingertip to light some candles.

          "I don't need to be 'checked on'." Zuko grumbled, but he walked over to the corner of the room to grab another cushion, placing it on the floor next to his. Y/N rolled her eyes, walking over and setting the tray on the table. 

          "Good to see you too, sunshine." She sat down on the seat he offered, setting the cups she brought onto the low table and pouring the tea and taking a sip of hers.

          "Is there some weird waterbending trick that would help us find the Avatar? He's everywhere, impossible to track." Zuko handed her a map, gesturing at the marked points as Y/N unrolled it, pushing her H/C hair from her eyes to squint at the strange pattern of sightings.

          "First of all, no, there is not, and even if there was, I hope you realize I am not good at bending. I'm a beginner at best." Y/N didn't look up from the map as she spoke. He was right, there was no rhyme or reason to the sightings. Except... "They're either lost, or stopping to see the unique wildlife. All these points are special to a certain species."

          "Yeah, yeah, I wasn't asking for boring facts about animals." Zuko said in a snarky voice, picking up his cup of tea and sipping from it. "And what am I supposed to know about waterbenders? It was worth asking just in case, and even if you don't know much, what you do know you have mastered." Y/N looked at him incredulously at he took another sip of jasmine tea.

          "Did someone spike my tea when I wasn't looking, or did you just compliment me?" She asked, studying her tea closely.

          "Shut up and read the map." Zuko snapped. Y/N smiled a little, looking back down at the map.

          "I'm not joking, though. The only pattern with this is unique wildlife." She pointed out, handing the map back to him as he finished his tea, pouring him another cup.

          "Why would you know so much about that, you probably haven't even left your ice village before." Zuko took the new cup, holding it as he studied the marks. 

          "You're right, but I always wanted to travel the world as a kid, so I've been studying maps since I was 5. In recent years I studied more formerly because I thought I would be leaving the village with my father to fight in the war." Y/N sipped her tea. "I know the layout of everything very well, and although it's hard to keep up with the war from such an isolated place, I've managed."

          "So you really think the Avatar is sightseeing wildlife?" Zuko asked, a hint of a mocking tone in his voice.

          "He's a 12 year old boy, isn't he? I don't see why not." Y/N leaned over to peer at the map over his shoulder.

          "Stop breathing down my neck." Zuko grumbled, leaning away. 

          "I wasn't, stop being so touchy and let me look at the map, too." Y/N said sassily, and Zuko composed himself, holding the map closer to her so they could both see it clearly.

          "So let's assume your far-fetched assumption was right." Zuko huffed, tracing the lines between the points on the map. "Given the general direction the Avatar seems to be heading, where's the next close 'unique animal species'?" Y/N bit her lip, thinking for a moment as Zuko drank more tea.

          "No specific species in the area to the north, but there is one particular dangerous animal, which I don't think would be a problem for a master of all four elements." Y/N grabbed a quill from Zuko's table, dipping it in the inkwell and making a small mark on the map. "The Unagi, a giant water serpent living in a small bay on the coast of Kyoshi Island."

          "You're sure? You don't seem like you actually know what you are talking about." Zuko looked up at her, and she met his gaze, shrugging.

         "It's just a hunch, but it's likely. It's the only pattern I see, and it may be worth checking out, given the fact that we have no other leads." Y/N tapped the mark absentmindedly, watching Zuko think. Both teenagers jumped as a crewman suddenly opened the door.

          "What is it?" Zuko asked irritably.

          "We just received word that the Avatar is on Kyoshi Island." Ha. Zuko glanced at Y/N for a moment, then back up at the crewman. 

          "Set course for Kyoshi Island immediately."

          "Yessir." The crewman shut the door behind him, and Zuko rolled up the map, not looking at Y/N, who stared innocently at the ceiling with a huge smile on her face. They both stood up to leave the room, Y/N still grinning widely.

          "Shut up."

          "I didn't say anything."