fire in your eyes • zuko

v

They were back at sea by the next afternoon.

Nava was laid out on her back and counted the screws that dotted the ceiling of her cell for quite possibly the dozenth time. Iroh hadn't been down to see her yet but she had heard Zhao announce him as their new general early that morning. She had no idea if Zuko was on board or even alive and she couldn't help but be a little worried. If Nava had gotten herself thrown into prison for nothing she was going to be very upset.

Her cell door swung open and revealed a guard standing in the doorway with a tray of food in their hands.

"I'm not hungry," Nava snapped and turned her back to them.

"It's me," came Zuko's voice. He shut the door gently and set the tray on the floor. "How did you get that bruise on your face?"

"Zhao and I had a little talk."

"Are you the one that scratched him?"

Nava nodded and couldn't help but smile.

"Uncle said Zhao told him it was from one of the rhinos." he paused. "We're going to be at the North Pole in a few days, so just hold on until then."

"Thanks. Be careful, okay?"

He nodded once and left the cell.

Nava pulled the tray towards her and picked up the bowl of rice. There was no cutlery, so she was forced to scoop it out with her fingers. Once she was finished, she left the tray by the door and resumed her spot on the floor, back to counting screws.

////

The next time Zuko came around was four days later. He stood on the other side of the door and peered in through the small window. "I'm leaving tonight," he said, periodically glancing back up the hallway. "Uncle will be down here when they're ready to attack with some winter clothes and he will get you out. I'll capture the Avatar and we'll be on our way back to the Fire Nation in no time."

Nava got to her feet and approached the door. "You sure you can do this?" she asked.

"It's my destiny. I know I can do this,"

"Okay. Good luck, look out for yourself,"

"You too, Nava. See you and Uncle later."

With that, he was gone.

Nava wasn't alone for much longer before Iroh came with a bundle of clothes in his arms.

"There will be no guards down here before or during the invasion – Zhao wants them all to be fighting," he said. "I will be back to let you out after we dock and I will take you into the village. Zhao plans on interfering with the moon spirit to render the waterbenders defenceless, so he will be distracted. Keep as close as you can and I can get you to safety." He thrust the clothes into her arms.

"Do you really think Zuko will get to the Avatar?" Nava asked suddenly.

"For his sake, I hope not," Iroh said sagely. "I will be back soon. Get dressed."

Once he was gone, Nava unfolded the clothes in her arms and laid them out in front of her. She was left with a coat, a pair of leggings to go under her current trousers, and a pair of black boots. Hidden in the boots were two sheathed blades, scratched and well-used upon inspection, but they were recently sharpened. Probably lifted from one of the soldiers. Smiling, Nava layered up and returned to waiting.

////

The ship came to a stop, which jolted Nava from a light sleep. She stood up and stretched, and stooped to grab her knives and hide them in her boots. She waited in silence a bit longer until she heard footsteps rapidly approaching her cell. It opened a second later and Iroh was in the hallway.