Zuko's Girl

Fugitives

I looked up at Zuko with wide eyes, " What?" Zuko looked at me, eyes wide and shocked at what had just fallen from his mouth. " What did you say?" " I.." Zuko let me go and I quickly moved away from him, both of us avoiding eye contact with each other. " Scarlett-" " You need to go Zuko, your family are waiting for you", it was quiet for a few moments before I heard him walk out the door. He didn't mean it....he couldn't of. He only said it to convince me to come back with him, he'd never say that to me. " Scarlett?" I turned my head to see Iroh staring at me " Whats wrong child? Why are you crying?" I touched my cheek, feeling the wetness of it " I'm crying?" " I heard you arguing with Zuko, what happened?". " He...he said he loved me" " What?" Iroh asked surprised " He didn't mean it, he'd never love someone like me" " Scarlett, you are a beautiful and smart young woman. Of course he would" " Iroh please".

Iroh sighed " Then at least walk us to the ship, to say your final goodbye", " Fine" I sighed as I followed Iroh. I walked with them to the docks, stopping when I saw the huge fire nation ship in front of us. Iroh placed a sack in my hands " This should do you till you're on your feet" " Iroh I can't accept this" " You need it more than me". Iroh pulled me in for a tight hug " Please take care of yourself, I hope to see you again one day. You have been like a daughter to me Scarlett". I felt tears fall down my cheeks as I held Iroh just as tight " I'm going to miss you so much Iroh, you were the best father figure to me". Iroh smiled and stroked my cheek before stepping back to let Zuko say goodbye.

We stood quietly for a second, neither of us knowing what to say. I sighed before putting my hand out " It was nice knowing you Prince Zuko" He took my hand and shook it slowly " It was nice knowing you too Scarlett". I started to walk away before I felt a hand on my arm, I turned around and was caught by surprise when Zuko smashed his lips against mine. He grabbed my back of my head with one hand while the other wrapped around my body, holding me tight to his. He pulled away as I looked at him surprised " What are you doing?" " I meant what I said Scarlett, I love you". My eyes widened again before I kissed him " I love you too Zuko, but we have to say goodbye" " No I want you to come with me" " Zuko we've talked about this". " I don't care, I want you by my side. I want you to be with me when I see my father and when I reclaim my honour" " Your father will have me thrown in prison" " I won't let him, I won't let anyone touch you I swear".

I looked at Zuko nervously before looking at the huge ship in front of us, " Please, I need you" He begged. I sighed and nodded " Okay, but if you break your promise then I'm gone" " I won't break it, come on". Zuko grabbed my hand and walked me up the huge ramp to Azula who was waiting for us at the top. " Took you long enough brother, but why is she here? She isn't welcome in the fire nation" " She's with me Azula, I'm sure father will understand" " She's not family" " She's my family. I'm not returning without her" " Zuko" I whispered in surprise, Azula scoffed " Fine, its you who'll have to discuss this with father not me. Now let's go, it's a long way home". Azula nodded to someone, they turned to the crew so they could hear them " Alright, prisoners aboard! Start the engines!".

My eyes widened as I stood still, staring at Azula as she turned to the man, answer burning in her eyes. " Prisoners?" Zuko asked " Take them!" Azula yelled as she attacked Zuko. Zuko pushed me down the ramp as he and Iroh fought the fire nation soldiers " Scarlett get out of here!" Zuko yelled " I'm not leaving you!" I yelled back. I ducked just in time as a fire nation soldier sent a flame at my head. I grabbed his arm, hit him in the gut and threw him over my shoulder and into the water before turning to fight against the next one. Iroh and I quickly defeated the fire nation soliders, allowing an escape " Prince Zuko hurry!!" Iroh yelled as he grabbed my hand and began to run, Zuko following behind us.

We ran through the back streets and alleyways to get as far away from the ship as we could, stopping in a small ally way on the other side of town. We all gasped for breath as we stared down at the ground, Zuko groaned " She lied to us. Father wants us both in prison for embarrassing the fire nation at the North pole" Zuko spoke up " I knew there was something else behind this. We must leave town at once. But first we must blend in". Iroh pulled a knife from his pocket, he raised it to his bun and sliced it off, letting the hair fall to the ground. " What are you doing?" I asked " The fire nation will be looking for us, we can't wear the traditional bun. We are fugitives". Iroh gave the blade to Zuko, who hesitantly cut his hair too. " We have to hide" I took the blade from Zuko, " What are you doing?" He asked as I started cutting my hair with it.

" They'll be looking for me too" " They'll recognise you by your eyes Scarlett, nobody has two different coloured eyes" " Then I'll find a way to cover one, they won't know it's me". I ripped a piece of my skirt and took a lace from my shoe, I poked two holes through it and tied my shoe lace together before placing it on my head and over my blue eye. I turned to Zuko " Now we have to go, before they find us" " Scarlett I can't let you run with us" " Zuko if we don't and they find her, they'll torture her. She won't be spared" " Fine, but we have to be careful and stay clear of any fire nation soliders". We all agreed and quickly made our escape, running into the forest and into the wasteland beyond the small town. Hoping we wouldn't be found by the fire nation.