Wild At Heart (Zuko)

Chapter Eight

Zuko stands on the porch, staring out into the trees beyond, he assumes Kali's gone looking for more food, she seems to like doing that, likes being out there. He thinks it has to be a nature-bending thing. He remembers a little about the stories Iroh told him as a child of them, flashes of it but nothing concrete. Not enough to know them. He kind of wishes he paid more attention, had a better memory. Maybe then he would understand better. He turns his head, can hear something from around the side of the house. Someone. He can hear someone. He moves around the side of the house, holding his hand down at his side, ready for a fight if need be, but there is no need. He pauses. Kali's standing there with two ostrich horses who happily play with her hair as she chuckles, trying to pack up the saddlebag on one of their backs.

"Where did you get them?" Zuko asks her as he moves closer.

"They wanted to help" She answers and hugs the nearest ostrich horse's neck with a smile. Something that makes her look so much younger than her usual pained frown. "I accepted" She then looks at Zuko. "It is better than going on foot?" She asks.

"Yeah" Zuko assures her with a nod. The two of them sharing a look. She looks away first, reaching down to pull a roll of fabric from the pile of things at her feet. She holds it out to Zuko who frowns.

"Change" She offers and turns back to the saddlebag. "I have one for your uncle too" Zuko touches the roll of fabric and glances at Kali. She's been busy. He wonders how she found time to do this. How long has she been awake? "You might want to do something with your hair too" She adds, he gives her a look before realising that she's right. And she knows how to live away from authority better than they do. She knows how to lay low and keep herself hidden and small. He reaches up for his ponytail and pulls a face.

.......

Zuko adjusts the new clothing he has on as he leaves the hut, swapped out are the red and blacks for greens and browns. Earth Kingdom colours. Blending in. He touches the knife tucked away in his belt. He knows she's right about their hair, but that doesn't mean he wants to do it. Iroh follows him out in his own changed clothing and looks to where Kali is sat on the ground, the ostrich horses sat with her. Iroh smiles fondly as he watches her feed them from a bundle of apples in her lap. Zuko lets out a breath as he pulls the knife from his belt. He stares at it for a moment. It has to be done. Iroh moves closer to him, understanding what he is going to do, he nods solemnly and turns to Zuko. Zuko brings the knife up behind his head and then clean cuts off his ponytail. He passes the knife to Iroh, who does the same. The two of them dropping the ponytails to the ground. Sort of throwing away their identity. Something nudges his shoulder and he assumes it is Kali. The shove is harder a second time.

"Hey" He goes to scold but finds it's now Kali who's nudging him. It's one of the ostrich horses. He raises an eyebrow at it.

"She's impatient" Kali offers. "She wants you to hurry up" She teases. Zuko lets out a snort and holds up his hand to the animal who presses her head into his hand. He glances at Kali as she stands, handing the last of her apples to the second ostrich horse who happily takes it from her. She's so soft with them. Patient. Something he probably struggles with more than he lets on. The only animals that ever seemed to entertain him were the turtle ducks back home. He looks at the ostrich horse wanting his attention.

"Well, let's get going then" Iroh offers as he moves to the second ostrich horse with Kali. Iroh climbs up onto the back of the second ostrich horse followed by Zuko climbing up onto the second. Zuko then holds out his hand towards Kali and she looks up at him surprised. She assumed she would be riding with Iroh. He seems to be more open to her being around. Though Zuko seems to have softened slightly she doesn't exactly get the vibe that he wants her here with them. She supposes it would be easier for them if she wasn't. One less mouth to feed. One less person to worry about. She takes a deep breath and reaches up, taking Zuko's hand and lets him pull her up onto the back of the ostrich horse. He releases her hand and picks up the reins instead. Kali positions herself behind him on the saddle and curls her arms around him.

"Where are we going, exactly?" Kali voices. Zuko and Iroh share a look because neither of them actually have a plan. She glances between the two of them.

"Urm, just....anywhere" Iroh answers. "For now..." She hums a little and pulls herself closer to Zuko who then shares another look with Iroh, because they both know they are going to have to come up with something. They can't just wander around forever and hope for the best.