On Deck <Zuko's Ship, Open Sea>

[zuko]

Zuko approached Sho, quickly snatched his collar and began pulling him back to top deck, completely ignoring the boy's question.

"Come with me..." Zuko ordered as he pulled Sho along and out of the hallways.

The prince figured that since Sho was only a servant, he would not be very experienced in his firebending. Zuko could tell it was in Sho's nature not to be the sparing type, so if the prince asked nicely on whether or not Sho wanted to spar, Zuko would most likely get a 'no' as an answer...and Zuko wasn't in the mood for that. Sho was going to help Zuko practice his firebending; end of story.

Until they reached top deck and was well away from the crew, Zuko released Sho's collar and walked away from Sho, giving space between themselves. Then, without saying a word to the servant, Zuko took his firebending stance, arm out in front of him, ready to spar his opponent.

A smirk emerged on his lips. Zuko only imagined on how confused Sho must be, but the prince quickly got over it and set his mind on his breathing, eyes focused on Sho.

[sho]

Sho’s eyes widened and his mouth opened to let out a surprised gasp as Zuko grabbed him. Not only was he baffled by the sudden gesture, but he was a bit frightened of it too. Had Sho said something unforgivably insulting? Was this a delayed reaction for something he did? Sho’s mind raced with possibilities for a few seconds before he was suddenly jerked forward further down the hallway to the stairs. Sho stumbled for a moment as he was pulled along, just catching his footing before he was forced up the short stairway to the deck. Even then his stocky limbs had to speed up to even with Zuko’s long stride, making walking very awkward. His cheeks flushed slightly as he was dragged in front of the crew, most of who were observing the scene with faint interest.

When Zuko finally released him, Sho blinked at the prince, a puzzled expression clear on his face. That was, until Zuko turned around to face him and motioned into what was, most definitely, a firebending stance. Sho’s eyebrows rose in sudden realization, his eyes still wide and hinting his extreme reluctance.

Yes, he was a firebender. Yes, he was not good. His master had told him so, and Sho knew it was true. He had never been confident in his fighting abilities, so never cared to advance. He had work to do and drifted away from his training early on… Not that it mattered. He didn’t have near enough talent to even dream of the rank “Master” anyway.

Sho was scared. He knew he didn’t stand the slightest chance and injury was always right out there as a consequence. But what choice did he have? Zuko didn’t look like he was in the mood to negociate.

Taking a deep, shaky breath (a horrible start, he thought), Sho motioned into his own stance.

[zuko]

As Zuko stood and watched Sho take his shaky stance, he noticed on how nervous the servant looked. Zuko figured he would try and not overwork Sho as much, mostly because he was a servant and it appeared that the boy didn't have much experience with firebending; the wide-eyed look on his face gave it away. But Zuko took firebending seriously. Practicing was the only way Zuko was going to get better, so then he could capture the Avatar and finally go home; it was the only way.

Some of the crew members were taking curious glances at the two teenage boys that stood in their stances. Most of them kept working though; if the prince saw them not doing their work, they might be ordered to join in with the firebending practice as well...which was something that they didn't want.

Taking focus on Sho, Zuko let in a heavy breath of air, causing his hands to warm up tremendously and give a small spark. He could feel his body warm up immensely as small flames and steam arose from his hands and arms. Then, without hesitation, Zuko roughly punched the air in front of him, setting off a large mass of fire toward the servant. Zuko did this twice; switching from his right foot to his left foot and bending his knees slightly to give more balance and power to his flames.

[sho]

Sho had managed to calm himself down a bit before Zuko’s strikes, but his body was still pumping up with nervous adrenaline. He had to give this a shot; maybe he could even build up some respect in Zuko’s eyes… if he didn’t get knocked out. No… Don’t think that way. He thought frantically, digging his feet more firmly to the ground and standing in his stance with more confidence. You’ve got to try. Give it everything.

Eyes now narrowed in concentration, and mind racing back to distant training sessions, Sho slid past the first burst, guiding his hands around his center as he moved to fend off any stray flames. Harmless enough. But the second burst caught him on edge, and Sho quickly jerked up his hands into a V shape, parallel to the ground. As the flames came to confront his outstretched hands, he forcefully pulled them apart, separating the flames and sending the two different sides of fire to fly out around him and out over the deck.

He didn’t strike back, but stayed in stance to regain his breathing pattern and plot his next defensive move.

[zuko]

'Well...he managed to block my attacks' Zuko thought, a bit surprised that the servant was ready for his second blow, which he easily blocked off. As Zuko watched the boy in front of him narrow his eyes, as if concentrating, Zuko began to stray sideways to try and get a better shot.

Zuko had missed this. It was a good way to release his frustration. He could feel every blow of fire take his stress away, as if the fire seemed to be his stress itself.

The prince had his arms held in front of him, his breathing slow and precise as he kept a firm glare on his face. He continued to walk sideways, carefully placing one foot beside and over the other, until he was at a certain angle to Sho. That's when Zuko quickly ducked down a bit and threw a blow that headed for Sho's rib-cage. As that blow of fire was headed toward the servant, Zuko jumped up and gave another blow of flames by using a swift motion of his foot, sending the fire up toward Sho's upper torso. Carefully landing back on his feet, Zuko watched as the flames cascaded to Sho, ready to see what the servant would do.

[sho]

Sho was at attention, his face and torso rotating along with Zuko as the prince carefully moved around him. His eyes were focused on his opponent, narrowed and observant as Sho attempted to brush distracting thoughts from his mind and guess and be prepared for Zuko’s next move. However, this was a bit difficult as the increasing stares of the crew members became painfully more evident, as there were more movements and murmurs. In fact, Sho swore he heard a raspy voice spit out a bet on Zuko (which made his face redden slightly) then another voice challenge it.

At Zuko’s first strike, Sho knew he was drifting into deeper water. Deep nervousness still hung in a pit in his stomach… but he still tried to give it his all and confronted the line of flame head on, forcing the fire directly upward with his the heel of his palms. However, like the first confrontation, he was not expecting the second blast, and frantically unsure of what to do and having little then a half second to think, Sho rose out his hands in front of him protectively and set his lips into a grimace. The force pushed him straight back, and Sho stumbled and fell right on his tail bone. A shock of pain shot through lower half, but he quickly stumbled back to his feet and returned to his stance, breathing shakily.

His confidence was lowering again, for Sho was sickly embarrassed by his fall, especially after he stole a quick glance at the little group of chatty observers.

I can’t take one more shot like that…

[zuko]

Zuko continued his usual firm glare, but he was smirking on the inside. Sho had fallen, but Zuko figured it wasn't too hard to do; the servant didn't seem to have much experience. He could practically hear Sho's shaky breathing. In firebending, you must control your breathing at all times--Sho apparently was too nervous to do so. Zuko remained in his stance, not quite moving for a moment. The servant was flushed red from embarrassment, but Zuko had to give some credit to him. After all, Zuko did drag him out here without asking.

The prince was in such a great deal of focusing, that he did not realize that most of his crew were placing bets all around. Most of them were surprised and betting because none of them had seen Zuko face a servant before and to someone around his own age. Most of the time, Zuko would spar the lieutenant, but not today obviously.

Zuko narrowed his eyes at Sho. The boy wasn't attacking him. It kind of seemed pointless if Sho didn't fight back. This only made Zuko growl impatiently, so without waiting for Sho, Zuko jumped again, this time giving two spin kicks. The short, but faster moving flames came at Sho again, sending waves of heat across the deck of the ship.

[sho]

Sho, still red and embarrassed by his screw-up, attempted to regain focus on the fight and not his past mistakes. However, his mind was still racing with what he could have done and kept cycling around to his naivety when it came to fighting. His inner voice kept bringing him down, and he felt his confidence continue to drain out of him.

“No! You can do this; you just need to focus. No use trying to change the past. Calm down and think about your next move…”

Narrowing his eyes again in focus, Sho attempted to calm himself with deeper and more even breaths. He felt his stomach and limbs grow warm, and felt the heat inside him begging to extend past his limbs, as if the action would inspire the feeling of greatest relief. As the heat of Zuko’s flames bore down upon him, Sho felt a wave of knowing and excitement course through his entire body. He wasn’t sure he had ever felt like this in a fight before - had been jolted with this sudden sensation of realization and confidence - but the feeling was enjoyable and almost intoxicating. Sho felt his lips twitch into a slight smile in spite of his lingering fear.

Bringing his hands out in front of him, Sho took a lunging step forward to reach out to the first coming line of flame. He made a sweeping motion with his left hand, directing the fire to his side before taking another firm step forward and sweeping his right hand in a similar fashion. Without much hesitation, Sho brought his hands together, thumbs next to each other with palms facing outward, took a deep breath, and pushed with all his might. Heat rushed through his body and flames exploded out of his palms, aimed straight at Zuko.

[zuko]

Zuko's face twisted into a smirk as he watched Sho re-direct his flames in opposite directions, then aim a blow at him.

'Finally...' Zuko thought quickly as he got ready for the fire that was rushing toward him; he almost begged for that fire.

Quickly clasping his hands together in front of him and locking his thumbs, Zuko bent his knees and stood firmly, waiting for the fire to strike him. The fire came and surrounded his body with heat, and as the timing became right, Zuko split the fire in half using his own fire to push away the flames and send them into opposite directions.

Beads of sweat were now tearing down Zuko's forehead as the fire was pushed away and the feeling of flames brushing softly on his skin. He loved and hated that feeling at the same time. The sensation of fire surrounding you, but not burning you, is a begging and wanting feeling. But when it did burn you, it was unforgiving. He understood this perfectly.

Zuko concentrated on his breathing, his eyes boring into Sho. Running up a few steps toward his opponent, Zuko straitened his right palm and swiped his arm down low toward the ground. As he swung his arm back up, a line of fire emerged, coming close, and stretching high over the servant.

[sho]

The flames were very near him – flickering and burning oh-so-closely to his skin. His body became wrapped in the intense heat of the fire, and he felt a dribble of sweat slip down from under his long, dark bangs and down his pale face. The flames were a magnificent orange and highlighted with bright sparks of deep red and yellow; the beauty of it was beyond words. Sho’s auburn eyes dazed over for a moment in awe at the powerful, alluring sight as the line of flame rebelled against his palms and slicked around his body.

In the few seconds of being wrapped in fire, Sho couldn’t help being impressed with the flames around him -Their beauty and power, their intense heat and emotion. The restless, flicking fire around him seemed to move with such energy and passion it almost inspired him. All the time while he kept in his stance, awestruck by the fire around him, his mind kept whispering, this is your element.

The last of the flames flew behind him and off the side of the deck, and for a moment, Sho just stood and stared at the prince, taking breaths from deep inside his stomach. But suddenly, Sho spun on his heel and let his other leg kick up into air, sending a curved line of fire at Zuko’s chest.

[zuko]

Zuko's eyes widened a bit as he watched Sho's attack come toward him with a fiery intensity. The servant had made a bit of a change since the beginning of the fight, and as seeing the flames head toward his chest, Zuko became apparent of this. The hiss of the flames were getting louder; the heat was growing stronger. 'Move!'

Zuko quickly crouched to the metal floor of the ship, and by using his right hand for support, the prince lifted his feet into the air and spun his legs and body around so swiftly and effortlessly that Sho's flames were extinguished in mid-air. Zuko loved the feeling of the last breath-taking moment of heat, before cool air washed over his face and body. But the prince decided it was time to end the fight here.

Pushing himself quickly back on two feet, Zuko rushed toward the servant, his glare fierce and filled with the wanting of fire. Ducking low and lunging forward, Zuko blew a large blow of fire with both of his fists and roughly made contact with Sho's chest plate, causing fire to erupt in all directions.

The rest of the crew stood in amusement and awe. Some already began to hand over their lost bets, fishing in their pockets for the last bit of money they had. They figured that the prince had won. The shocking result of that last blow sent a heat wave that left the crew holding their breath.

[sho]

Sho’s eyes widened at Zuko’s move, extremely impressed… and sort of envious. The prince’s movements were so fluid and seemed so natural… The way he spun and had complete control of the flames.... The firm and perfect landing… The push and the fiery rush… He was so at one with his fire. Sho’s gaze darkened and again his confident thoughts were mudded with put downs. He couldn’t possibly ever have that perfect control, be at that one with his element and feel that rushing emotion inside him. To ever gain that complete confidence in himself. He didn’t have the talent to dream to be able to achieve such powerful grace. But he wanted it.

The young servant was still dazed in complete awe and envy as the prince rushed toward him. It took a few half second blinks to get Sho’s focus back, but by then it was too late. Sho only had time to widen his eyes and gasp in surprise before Zuko’s heated fists whammed right into his chest.

Fire exploded around him, and Sho, knocked completely breathless, stumbled backward, gasping, in a feeble attempt to get out of the unbearable heat that jolted him right in the face. But the force was more than he could handle. Eyes squeezed shut and arms raised protectively in front of his face, Sho completely lost balance and slid backwards. His head rammed harshly against the metal deck, and a pain-filled groan escaped his lips.

Head throbbing, chest and lungs aching, and ego extinguished, Sho slowly opened his eyes, defeated.

[zuko]

Zuko looked upon Sho as he lay on the deck of the ship from the recent blow. The prince had to give the servant some credit. The boy did fairly well, considering that he was a servant anyways.

Zuko replayed Sho's fall over in his head and realized that there was a feeling of hopelessness written on Sho's face as he fell, like as if he thought it were impossible to fight back. But Zuko couldn't help but notice that Sho enjoyed the fight and the feeling of fire rushing through him. Either that, or Zuko had only imagined the small smile that was on Sho's face not too long ago. It reminded the prince of himself in some ways. When he was learning firebending from his uncle when he was younger, Zuko remembered smiling with pride everytime he did something right for a change; he loved the feeling of being able to really control fire for the first time.

Straitening his posture, Zuko walked over to Sho's unmoving body on the deck of the ship, his expression set in a firm, but soft glare. Standing over Sho, Zuko looked down upon the servant for a moment, noticing the pain he was in, and without thinking, the prince offered a hand to him.

[sho]

Sho quickly sat up and glanced at Zuko’s hand hesitantly, as if the small gesture was some kind of harsh joke or mocking. It was humiliating enough having been slammed to the ground with out much difficulty in front of the whole crew, but this small offering of ‘help’ had to top it off. However, as Sho passed the prince a questioning look, he didn’t see a smirk or any kind of amusement. Really, he didn’t see too much of any emotion.

Thinking he really didn’t have much more to loose anyway, Sho grasped Zuko’s outstretched hand and hastily pulled himself to his feet. His pale face was still rather flushed from the heat of the fire and wasn’t decreasing in redness due to his only increasing embarrassment. He had made such a fool of himself during the conclusion of the fight; there was no way he could hold any respect in the prince’s eyes.

Sho quickly aimed his gaze firmly to the ground and shuffled uncomfortably for a moment, before offering a mumbled reply.

“Thanks.”

[zuko]

Zuko merely nodded at Sho's reply. He couldn't help but stare at the embarrassed redness that was smacked on the boy's face. Was he embarrassed because he lost? Well...it was only practice and not very many people on his ship won anyways. Was Sho trying to prove something to Zuko? For a servant, Zuko was actually expecting less. But Sho had given Zuko a hint of wanting acknowledgment. Zuko knew that feeling though; being embarrassed because you actually thought you could accomplish something without failing and leave a good impression behind.

Zuko's face eased up a bit as he gave Sho a small smirk for the practice, then without saying a word to him, he turned and headed off toward his room. Before he passed the deck however, he noticed that the crew was handing off money to each other. Zuko grumbled angrily, remembering how "busy" they looked before...until now of course. Glaring at his crew, Zuko barked loudly: "Back to work!"

Some of them flinched a bit; others just casually walked off and continued what they were doing before the fight. Those who lost their bets grumbled to themselves as they carried on their duties. One of the crew soldiers walked up to Sho and slapped his back as Zuko headed below deck.

"Meh, it was a good try!" the solider said contently as he stuffed his currently won money into his pocket. "But Zuko has had a bit of training. I bet you're hurting, huh?"