The Banished Commander (ATLA fanfiction)

Twenty-one

Zuko's P.O.V.

I follow Jet from dropping the food off to the ledge of the boat to look over the ocean. 

"Thanks for helping with that." Jet says "He definitely shouldn't have had that much food while we got so little." 

"You were right, we needed to do what was right." I say 

I lean against the railing, looking out towards the ocean, watching as the waves disappear away from the ship. I look towards the land in the distance before sighing. 

Zara, I hope you get to see your dad soon... 

"There's this girl." Jet laughs "Never thought I'd be the one trying to win a girl back."

"She must be one girl then," I comment, watching the ocean

"Yeah. She really is." He explains "It's something to do with her dark hair and these amber eyes. The way she takes care of her family. She used to help with the Freedom Fighters. She became someone like their mom."

"She sounds like a girl from back home," I say with a smile

"The power that she has with that mark of hers. It makes her a serious threat against the fire nation." He explains

"What mark?" I ask

"Mark of the Dragons." Jet says "It's the reason why she had to leave home other than having a secret relationship with the prince."

"Jet, enough bragging about Zara. She's not going to come back after the dam incident. Not with you trying to use Katara like that. No matter how much you turn your life around." Smellerbee says "We should get some sleep. We reach the city tomorrow."

Jet nods before saying goodbye as he follows her out of sight.

I shake my head before I walk over to my uncle and Jian before sitting down.

"You look uneasy." My uncle says

"Jet had a thing with Zara." I whisper "He wants to win her back."

"He isn't going to have the chance. You'll probably find her before he does. You've already done it twice." Iroh says

"And let's be honest Zuko. You and my daughter have something different. Something that others can compare with." Jian says "And you guys did make a promise to each other at one point." 

I chuckle before shrugging as I look back at the land before sighing. 

"I just hope she's alright." I sigh 

"She's with the avatar. She's fine." Jian says 

Zara's P.O.V. 

I look around the trial that we're taking before leaning against the rock next to me, grabbing my wrist for a second.

"Give me a minute guys." I start, pulling my sleeve up to show the redness around the mark 

I shake my head before I see Katara walk over, placing her hands surrounded by water over my wrist. 

"Why is it growing again?" She whispers 

"I... I don't know. But this time the growth is painful." I hiss 

"Hopefully we can find you something to help relieve it when we stop to rest again," Katara says 

I nod before she pulls her hands away, I look over at the others as they look worried at me. 

"I'm fine you guys. Let's keep going." I say, pulling my sleeve back over my wrist 

I look towards the ocean that we're going to be crossing before sighing. 

Is he already there?... 

I shake my head before jogging to catch up with the others. 

"Are you sure you're okay Raa?" Aang asks 

"Yeah. I'm fine." I lie 

"Now I don't think I'm the only one who knows that's a lie." Toph pipes up 

"Just a lot on my mind alright. I need to figure out why the mark is growing again." I admit "It's nothing, just something I need to figure out alright." 

-~- 

I look at the mark before watching as the others are asleep. I smile before standing up and heading towards the water, sticking my hand in it, letting the cool water soothe the burning skin. 

"Zara, I know you're not okay," Sokka says as he comes and sits next to me 

"I thought you were asleep," I whisper 

"Not when I know you are suffering." He says when he looks at the wrist in the water "This is what I mean." 

I look at my wrist before pulling it out of the water and show it to him. He gently takes my wrist in his hand before turning it and studying the redness as he shakes his head. 

"This is like the last few times where it was just a little sensitive." He starts 

I shake my head before pulling it away and putting it back in the water. 

"I don't know what it is but it's also burning up and I don't know what to do. It even hurts to firebend." I whisper 

"It hurts to bend?" He asks 

I nod before sighing as watch the water flow over my wrist. 

"At least with that hand, it hurts to try and keep the fire under control. Almost as if something is blocking my bending." I say "I'm hoping to find somebody who might know what's going on." 

Sokka looks at me before nodding as he sits next to me. 

"How about you try and get some sleep, I'll try to keep watch for a little bit. We can't have you exhausted if you're already struggling with bending." He says 

"You're right. Thanks, Sokka." I whisper 

Zuko's P.O.V. 

I look around Ba Sing Se before Jian leads us towards the apartments. 

"Sorry about the run-down area but with so many people fleeing, it has the most space," Jian says 

"Don't be sorry, friend. You did what you can do with short notice." Iroh says 

"I have you guy set up at work at a tea shop close to your apartment," Jian says 

"A tea shop?" I question 

"Yes, it is the best that I could do for now. Besides, I assume your uncle has taught you about tea." Jian laughs 

"I've done my best. Zara was always the better student out of the two of them." Iroh laughs 

Jian laughs before shaking his head. 

"She got that from Lin." He chuckles "Oh how proud she would be of our daughter if she could see her now." 

I look at the apartment before setting my bag down. 

"Thank you again, Jian. I'm glad you were able to show us around. I know you help with the boats." Iroh says "Hopefully soon you will get to see Zara." 

Jian smiles before looking at the time. 

"I need to get going so I can go get the next group, but glad I was able to get you guys settled. I'll check in soon." He says 

I watch as Jian and my uncle say goodbye before he leaves and my uncle looks at me. 

"Let's get settled in." Iroh says "Time to embrace this life." 

"The simple life where we can start over." I say with a soft smile before grabbing my bag and heading to my room