Zuko's Girl

Azula

After escaping the North Pole on a makeshift boat Iroh had made, Zuko held me tight to his body to keep me warm. " How long has Zhao had you as a prisoner?" Zuko asked " A while, I was captured after crossing the canyon" " You must have been so scared, did he hurt you?" " Yeah" I sighed " My back...I can't even look at it. It makes me sick" " What did he do?" " He'd whip me when I didn't behave". " I'm fine, I healed myself after it evey time. It's just left so many scars" " Zuko, you aren't going to capture the avatar?" Iroh asked " I'm tired" Zuko sighed " Then rest, both of you". Zuko lied down on the boat and stared at the sky as he sighed, he looked so pale and beat up I couldn't helo but feel sorry for him.

For three weeks we drifted off at sea, no food, no water and nothing to cover us from the storms or wind. Luckily we finally managed to find land, Iroh thankfully had taken some money from Zhao's ship before we escaped so we had money for food and shelter, which Iroh wasted no expense. I sat across from Zuko in a cream dress, my hair waving in the small breeze as Iroh got a massage from two men. Zuko looked so upset, he kept his head down and wouldn't let me touch him. Iroh sat down beside us " It's the anniversary, isn't it?" Anniversary? " Three years ago today I was banished. I lost it all, I want it back. I want the Avatar, I want my honour and I want my throne. I want my father not to think I'm worthless" " I'm sure he doesn't, why would he banish you if he didn't care?" Iroh smiled.

Zuko stood up and walked away without another word, Iroh turned to me " That came out wrong didn't it?" " Very. But...can I ask what happened? I still don't know the story behind his banishment or his scar" " I'm sorry Scarlett, but that is something Zuko should tell you himself". I followed Zuko out to the garden, he was leaning against one of the trees staring out at the horizon. I leaned against another tree and stared at him quietly, " I know what you want to ask and I don't want to talk about it" " I understand, and I won't push you to tell me. I know it must be hard" " You know nothing" He snapped at me. " I know it hurts that you're not at home, that you can't see your family or friends" " And how would you know that?" He scoffed " Because that's how I feel".

Zuko gave me a surprised look, " Are you saying you regret coming with me?" " I'm saying I was forced out of my home too, away from my loved ones and everything I knew. I don't have a scar or a wound but I do miss my family". " If you hate me so much then why did you follow me?!", I grabbed Zuko's face gently, forcing him to look down at me. " I don't regret my decision to follow you Zuko" " You don't?" He asked, resting his hands on my waist " No, I'd follow you anywhere" I rested my forehead against his as he smiled gently at me. " I wouldn't be compete if I didn't have you beside me" He pressed his lips against mine gently, holding my face carefully as he pulled away.

Zuko and I waited for Iroh to come back before having dinner, he was off having another shopping trip like he did every night, which made Zuko less than pleased. We saw Iroh making his way towards the room and followed after him.  Iroh walked through the door with a big smile of his face, emptying his bag on the table, letting all the shells free. " Look at all these magnificent shells, I'll treasure these for years to come". " We don't need anymore useless things. You forget we have to carry everything ourselves now". " Hello brother...uncle" I jumped in surprise and turned my head to the corner of the room, where a young teenage girl was sitting, wearing fire nation clothes.

Zuko stepped forward with a scowl on his face " What are you doing here?" " In my country we exchange a pleasant hello before asking questions. Have you become uncivilised so soon zuzu?" I held my mouth to stop myself from laughing, zuzu? Haha that's halirous. " Don't call me that!" The girl seemed to notice me behind Zuko and furrowed her brow " Who's this?" She asked " Nobody important so leave her out of this". " She seems familiar, is this the girl Admiral Zhao was supposed to marry? Father showed me the papers asking for his blessing. He was intrigued to see her, a girl with two different coloured eyes and can bend two elements is special". She smirked at me before stepping forward " Whats your name?" " I said leave her out for this" Zuko stepped in front of me.

" Don't tell me you've falling for a water tribe peasant, poor zuzu. How will I break the news to poor Mai". Zuko's face fell before he growled at her, Mai? I looked at Zuko, she must have been his girlfriend before he was banished.....maybe Zuko didn't like me after all. " Do what do we owe the pleasure?" Iroh asked changing the subject " Must be a family trait, both of you so quick to get to the point" she said before breaking one of Irohs shells. " I've come with a message from home, fathers changed his mind. Family is suddenly very important to him. He's heard rumors of plans to overthrow him, family are the only ones you can really trust". She turned away and looked out the window with a sad glint in her eye " Father regrets your banishment, he wants you home".

I placed my hand on Zuko's shoulder supportively, this is something he's wanted for years and now he's finally getting it. I thought he would be so excited and jumping at the chance to finally go home, but instead he looks upset. " Didn't you hear me?" His sister asked " You should be happy, excited, grateful. I just gave you good news". Zuko turned to look out the window, holding onto the table as Iroh stood forward " I'm sure your brother simply needs a moment-" " Don't interrupt uncle!" She yelled at Iroh before turning to Zuko " I still haven't heard my thank you, I'm not a messenger. I didn't have to come all this way".

I gave her a dirty look, she's so rude and privileged, everything I'd expect from a bratty princess. " Father regrets? He wants me back?" Zuko asked slowly " I see you need time to take this in, I'll come to call on you tomorrow".