Meeting at the Oasis

As the sun slowly rises it's rays begin to shine upon the young prince as he sits fully dressed in his fire nation navy garb . Zuko sits cross legged in the palace garden. The only ones up are the maids who have to prepare for the new day and the guards who are up around the clock

"Hm it seems there is no mana here. No mana but something else. According to mothers stories it must be energy from spirits, well it doesn't matter I can't use it but I do have chi. Energy in the center of the belly with it I can begin to strengthen my body it won't be much but it will be more than anyone else.*exhale* okay it's time to go"

As he rises abruptly water drops from his armour suggesting he has been there a long while.

While he lacks personal knowledge of his past self he still has knowledge of his past world a world with swords and magic, a place where several races fought together and against each other. But sadly he can no longer use magic. As a consummation he can utilise chi to strengthen his body and boost his movements and senses aswell as his bending although he still hasn't had a chance to try bending yet.

As Zuko walks through the palace he can't help but notice the looks of the servants most have pity in their eyes as they have worked here since he was a child and he was always kind and sweet unlike his sister who if in the mood would abuse them physically or verbally. But there were still some who found joy in his circumstance even whispering amongst themselves, but really he found it funny they even thought there opinions mattered.

"Aahh my nephew are you ready to go"

Suddenly as he exited the palace he heard a refreshing voice of his only confidant the Dragon of the West General Iroh or as he always calls him...

"Uncle you really don't have to come with me you know"

When he heard his nephew speak he couldn't help but be surprised. There was no sadness there was no anger just a simple statement as if talking about the weather with a neighbor. This was not the tone of a banished prince at all, but nevertheless he was happy Zuko wasn't broken and so he laughed.

"Hahaha well there is nothing I do here that I can't do on a ship."

"You mean drink tea?"

"Eh... Hahaha well ofcourse but that's not all I do you know."

"You mean play pai sho?"

"Eh... That that's not all I do."

"You mean eat?"

"Eh... Hahaha nephew let's get to the ship while the waves are still calm"

"Uh huh the crew should already be ready"

And so the pair walked to the dock there was no parade no send off no squealing girls just an old man and a bandaged teen but the atmosphere was of ease and relief.

At the dock was an outdated Fire Nation cruiser with a few modifications.

As Zuko boarded the ship he wasted no time in getting the crew to set sail as he saw no point in loitering. After he headed straight to his quarters with his uncle in tow.

"So where are we going first in the hunt for the Avatar"

"Uncle you sound excited. Humph well we aren't going after him for at least another year."

"Hm? So where are we going?"

"The Northern Watertribe"

"Oh really and why is that nephew?"

Asked Iroh with a curious look on his face as Zoko pointed to his still freshly bandaged face.

"Because of this."

For the first time since it happened Iroh felt that his nephew was angry but it still didn't make sense to him so he asked.

"Bandages? Zuko I'm sure there are some in this ship there's no need to go to"

"NOT THE BANDAGES! Ugh I'm talking about the scar."

"Oh I see I see hmmm"

It was obvious the old man was still clueless and Zuko still wanted to meditate on chi to strengthen his body so he wanted his uncle to handle the men so he took his time to explain after he calmed down.

*exhale*"I am going to find a healer for my scar"

"Oh! What a good plan but I don't think the Northern Water tribe will accept fire nation guests"

Once again Zuko had to fight off the urge to kill this uncle of his while he explained.

"No uncle I will be going alone you and the men will stay out of there scouts eyes while I sneak in and seek treatment. It shouldn't take more than a week."

"Okay now I understand but why will it take so long if they can heal it it should only take three day max"

Ofcourse Zuko would not tell his uncle his plans for his trip to the water tribe ofcourse the main reason he will not is because he will mostly be scouting to see if there is any benders or talents he can recruit or if possible girls with daddy issues who he can exploit. What you are only trash if you are a peasant doing this but he is a prince he can play with the heart of whoever he wants.

"*sigh* uncle I just want a quick break everything is just going too fast for me you know?"

"Then take you time nephew I shall speak to the captain and the crew you should rest it will be a long journey"

"Thank you uncle"

He whispered as Iroh left his room loud enough for the old man to hear him.

Now alone he removed his nonsense armor and dressed in a pair of comfortable loose fitting black pants and sat crosslegged on the floor bare chested as he began his breathing exercise.

After a while of doing this exercise he realized that his body had two types of chi. One seemed neutral a chi he assumed everyone had but digging deeper he found a orange- red colored chi.

"This must be where my fire bending comes from but what is it?

Hm? I see energy and life but why is that it. No I doesn't matter with this although it is a small amount I should be able to enhance my strength and recovery even further. Whatever else I can do with it will have to wait until later."

And so 8 days passed and the crew is docked by a small fire nation colony up north

During these 8 days Zuko barely left his room except at high noon when the sun was at its hottest. He would sit bare chested on the deck and absorbed the suns rays into his skin and to his center. At this point the orange colored chi in his body grew about 3 times it's original size and although it still isn't much he knew that it meant his fire bending will improve at least in his flames density. Also his body is far more energized than it used to be while his muscles are more compact and defined while his skin has become more clear but oddly he didnt tan in the sun. Even his hair had grown more longer and healthier. In this short time he has changed and it has not gone unnoticed. Although he doesn't interact much at all with his crew preffering to take his meals in his room he does sit with them on music night although it was forced on him by his uncle they don't know that and it's safe to say that his aloof attitude has won him a slightly good reputation with his crew. They would rather aloof than arrogant.

"It will take at least a day and night for you to make it to the north pole I don't know why you won't let us drop you closer"

"Honestly you worry too much uncle I will be fine"

"You could catch a cold"

"As you told me I will use my breath and it's only a night at sea"

"Well it's a small boat, what if you are hit by a wave?"

"Then I will swim and as you can see the wind is going my way it will be quick"

"Remember dress warm and don't get caught and dress warm"

"No matter how many times you say it I will still remember *sigh* see you soon uncle. And I want a fully stocked ship when I get back!"

Zuko yelled as his small boat began to sail in the direction on the north pole and soon all he saw was the ocean. Somehow he felt calm at sea alone that is. Ofcourse what he really means is he can talk to his imaginary friend without anyone thinking he is crazy. Because he is not as princes aren't crazy they are elegant.

"Now all I have to do is swim under the ice on the opposite side of the city and sneak past through this part here and then into the city I go. Hm this map doesn't say what's there but uncle says it a holy ground to the water tribe I guess I can see when I get there."

It was now night and after getting lost under water and nearly dying he managed to follow a group of seals to find a pass into the north he decided to head to the holy ground to spend the night. As he arrived he lit a small fire in his palm and he was shocked to see grass. As he walked further in he arrived at a pond with two coi fish.... maybe he is not a fish expert nope he is a prince. After watching the fish circle each other for about 10 minutes straight wondering if they get tired he sat down to do his breathing exercise and was quickly shocked by what he found out but also very happy. The two fish were flooded with spirit energy which he believed meant they were spirits but when he asked them they just continued to circle each other as if he didn't matter but he didn't let it hurt his pride he just circulated his chi and let it grow by connecting to this holy ground he even contemplated building a little hut here to stay but decided instead to concur this tribe but after feeling a chill and noticing both fish staring at him he quelled those sinful thoughts and took off his shirt to wipe off the cold sweats then he closed his eyes and continued to meditate.

"We will be right out side my lady"

"Yes ofcourse"

As Princess Yue entered the spirit Oasis free of her guards she let out a relieved smile. Growing up she was always protected as her father would say but to her it felt like she was being smothered lucky for her she had a place very few people were allowed to come the spirit oasis her own private heaven. Only today there seemed to be a guest today.

Down by the pond she could see a boy about her age who sitting crosslegged in front of the pond with no shirt which he could because the weather in the oasis isn't that cold but the more she stared the more he seemed perfect he seemed regal royal like a king yet all he was doing was breathing. His aura was almost enough for her to not notice the scar or the fact that nobody should be here.

"Who are you?"

Asked Yue back in her princess mode she disliked so much it was a habit but she was slightly interested in this boy and she hoped her tone wouldn't scare him off.

Zuko of course heard the foot steps of three individuals before the girl entered the oasis but after feeling two of them stay a reasonable distance away while the lighter footsteps continued he decided not to hide but to wait and see if he could use this person to gather information. Or if it was a girl with daddy issues he can exploit, after all he felt great after spending the night saturated in spirit energy his chi even grew more than 5 time over night. So he let out a gentle aura he learned from the demon fish of death below him and opened his good eye to see his guest he had to remove the bandage because of the water. When he saw her he was slightly shocked he has never heard of anyone with white hair and not to mention her spirit energy matched the fish.

"Hm oh sorry I was distracted did you say something?"

Hearing that gentle and inviting voice she didn't let her guard down but eased herself as she really didn't want to call her gaurds.

"I asked who you are"

After she asked the second time and seeing he disarmed her he rose and said

"My name is Lee and yours miss?"

"You don't know me?"

She asked suprised as how can one not know the princess of the place there staying. Ofcourse she already deducted he isn't originally from the water tribe as his pale white skin gave that away instantly.

"I'm sorry but I don't, honestly I dont even know where I am, heh"

He said embarrisingly while scratching the back of his head.

"Oh you dont huh, so how exactly did you get here Lee?"

Now she was intrigued. The scar on his face seemed barely a weeks old and was clearly a gift from a fire bender.

"Ahh well you see I my ship was attacked by fire nation soldiers and I was the last survivor I drifted in the water and ended up in these icy waters and walked for 3 days to make it here"

Although she knew at least 70 percent of that story was false she still made her way down to the pond and removed her coat to sit. She figured crappy story or not he's not a threat.

Zuko seeing her sit down smiled, put back on his shirt and sat aswell. And so they both sat watched the fish dance in the waters. They joked laughed smiled especially Yue as Zuko was putting his charm on to the max as he already figured who the girl is only she still didn't say her name.

"So am I going to keep calling you miss or does the pretty lady have a name?"

She blushed realizing her mistake and quickly told him.

"Oh my apologies my name is Yue"

"Hmm Yue as in princess Yue?"

"Tch dont pretend you didn't know!"

"Haha well I figured you didn't want to be a princess this evening but the evening is almost over"

Zuko said with a smirk as he put on his white coat. Seeing this Yue also rose from her seat and dawned hers. Suddenly she turned quiet and answered while looking down to hide the sadness on her face.

"Well you are right sometimes titles are a burden especially when it comes with things you dont ask for"

"*muttering *Dont I know it." " Well princess I will see you around?"

"Ah yes but where can..."

When she looked up he was already gone.

"What a strange fellow but at least I can be myself around him"

She suddenly felt eyes on her as she turned to the pond to see both fish staring at her as if to give her a warning about a bad wolf but she just shook it off.

"He's likely not a threat. Probably. Yeah yeah mabey."

She muttered to herself on her way out before putting back on her stoic facade she loathes oh so much.

After Zuko snuck past the princess's gaurds who sucked at their jobs but looked serious he wandered the city taking in the sights.

"I think I would have liked it here if it wasn't so damn cold. Hm now where can I find a healers hut? Ah! I should ask a gaurd."

While ignoring or being ignorant of the stares he got from talking to himself Zuko approached a gaurd and asked.

"Excuse me but do you know where the healers huts are sir?"

"Hm who are you kid?"

"Eh? Well that's rude shouldn't you answer my question first?

"I asked who you are boy don't play games"

The garden said firmly gripping his spear ready to use it if necessary on this stranger who is clearly not from here as if he were a guest city gaurds would be the first to know to look out for them.

"Ah dont use that tone of voice with me."

Zuko couldn't help but be annoyed with this gaurd first he didn't answer his question now hes clearly threatening him HIM A PRINCE!

"Humph your coming with me!"

The gaurd suddenly grabbed Zukos left arm ready to slam him into the ground when his vision went black.

SPLASH!

"Hey"

A whisper in the dark could be heard after the water was splashed onto a man's head.

"Hey peasant it's time to wake up"

"Ughh wha what happened? Where am I?"

"Oh well what happened was you over stepped your bounds and laid your filthy hands upon me and so I punched you it seems I didn't control my strength very well but luckily I have lots of experience with bandages."

Zuko spoke with a smile on his half handsome face as he looked in disgust at the naked maggot before him who's head was wrapped in soaked bloody bandages which were done rather crudely.

When the gaurd grabbed Zuko it was like the world froze for him. Never in his life would he expect a mere guard to dare to touch him and so instantly he raised his left arm formed a fist and struck the bug with a sharp jab to the forehead. Ofcourse if a normal man were to do this it would have been fine but Zuko was no normal man not after his chi training it wasn't enough to kill the gaurd instantly but it did lift him off his feet and into an alley where he fell unconscious and began to bleed. Luckily no one saw and Zuko brought the bastard back to the seals cave. As for why the gaurd is naked.

"Where where are my clothes!"

"I would rather you not scream the echoes here are painful."

"Ah sor s ssorry"

"Phahaha it's fine it's fine. Hmm about your armour you see it's over there its drying oh and its mine now"

"Oh that's goo WAIT WHAT DID YOU SAYYY!! OUCH!"

"Didnt I say not to scream you peasant. And I will answer you after you fill out where the healers huts are on this map okay.... peasant?"

"Ye yeah I I will do it just just dont hit me anymore "

"Good now get to work"

As Zuko stands at the caves exit wearing his new water tribe clothes he reads his new map and is quite impressed completely ignoring the smell of burning flesh behind him.

"Hmm that guy was a good map maker he should have changed his carrier if he survived. But by the looks of it my fire bending is on a whole other level compared to the past but I feel like it's too heavy fire should be light I've gotta work on that. Ah So that's where it is huh?"

After cleaning up the rest of his mess Zuko packs his white clothing in his bag and heads out back into the city for the healers hut. Part of him can't help but be excited over the chance to heal this blight upon his regal figure.

"Excuse me anybody here!?"

"Ah yes yes come in. What can I do for you"

"Ah I didnt expect the healer to be such a pretty girl"

As Zuko entered the hut he was struck by the site of a cute brown skin girl with light brown hair cut in a hime style that suited her just fine with her big blue eyes she was short standing at only a little over 3ft if not for her c cup sized chest and shapely body he would have thought she was a little girl.

She blushed furiously hearing what he said and quickly responded with a stutter.

"Cccute. Um um um what what do you need sir?? Ah! Your face who would do such a thing!!?"

*whispers*"hehe she's adorable." "Ah this this is why I came I was attacked about a week ago and wanted to know if it was possible to have this healed without a mark?.

"Ah whi without a mark huh? Well it can be done but it it will require a better source of water."

She said in a depressed manner obviously not hearing his first comment.

"Hmm by better source you wouldn't happen to mean water from the spirit oasis would you doll?"

"Ddddoll?? Um umm ye yess yeah but but I'm i can't get it I'm sorry!"

She said first blushing as much as her caramel skin would let her before finishing with tears in her eyes.

"No no you dont have to worry about that I will get it. Hmm but are you the one who will heal me. Ah I'm sorry I didnt introduce myself my name is Lee."

"Ah I'm Agatha and yess! I can heal you I'm the best healer of my generstion!"

She replied with a wide smile and her chest puffed forward overall it made a very cute display. If he wasn't afraid of being caught he would have kidnapped her but after hearing her last comment he made a decision but first he will need a big pillow case.

"Ah well then Agatha when can we get started?"

"Um if if you can get the water about a pint is fine and we can do it tomorrow night."

"Oh you want to do me tomorrow night?"

Zuko said with a smirk trying to see her blushing self again butttt.

"YES! I will do you tomorrow night!"

She said with a wide smile and one fist pumped up in the air leaving Zuko in a stunned state.

"You are you sure about this?"

He had to be sure he is many things but he is not a rapist.

"Yes and no need to worry it won't hurt I promise it will feel good"

As he watched her say this with a determined face he was at a loss so all he could do was answer plainly.

"Oh well yea yeah okay I will be here at around the same time with the water."

"That's perfect I'm usually here alone practicing on fish so it would be good to have some company! Oh yeah before you leave let me see your scar up close."

As Zuko walked forward and bent down so she could reach his face she pulled water from the air and let it glow on her palm as she rested it on his face gently.

Its safe to say Zuko was stunned by the display. From her control over the water to how it felt sinking into his skin he almost didn't even realize when he arrived back at the oasis.

"OH SHE MEANT THE HEALING WILL FEEL GOOD NOT THE SEX!!!"

He screamed in realization nodding to himself proud of his intelligence before lying down in a corner to sleep as he hasn't had rest in 3 days. Ofcourse he didn't realize a pair of fish who seemed to give him a brief glance filled with annoyance and disdain.