The Banished Commander (ATLA fanfiction)

Twenty-six

Zara's P.O.V.

"Zara, we were finally able to meet with the king. Do you think you want to come with us?" Aang asks

I look over at him before I nod.

"Yeah. Just let me know when it is and I'll be there. We need to find Appa." I start "My dad has been keeping an ear out as well."

"Tell him thanks for me." Aang says "I'm going out. I'll see you tonight. Toph and Katara went out for the day. Then Sokka will be at the library for the day. He's trying to do some more research."

"Alright. Thanks for tell me kiddo. I'm probably going to go to my dad's for dinner tonight. He's been wanting to have me over since he's been here the last few times."

"That's amazing that you were able to reunite with him and be able to reconnect." He says

I smile before nodding, hearing as he shuts the door behind him. I look back in the mirror before slowly starting to braid my hair.

"Zara, we're leaving." Katara hollers out

"Have fun girls! I'll see you tonight." I holler back

I hear as the house goes silent before standing up and grabbing my jacket, heading toward the door. Looking around the house one last time before shutting the door behind me, heading towards the lower part of the city.

I listen to all the people talking around me, whether it's coming from the shop keepers or just the kids running through the streets. I smile, barely avoiding the kids as their running around, playing games.

-~-

"Zara, Ling, don't go too far." My mother warns

"I won't mama. I'll be okay." I laugh

I hold onto Ling's hand, watching as all the shopkeepers keep trying to sell their items to the crowd around them. Ling picks me up, setting me on his shoulders as he turns in a circle.

"What can you see up there kiddo?" Ling asks

"Everything!" I cheer "I can see the whole world up here!"

I look over at my mom as I see her holding my father's hand, watching us kids with joy in her eyes. I smile before she laughs, just shaking her head as my father makes a comment.

-~-

I shake the thought out of my head before heading towards the shops.

Zuko's P.O.V.

I look around the apartment, my shirt fitting just over my shoulders. I hear Iroh come walking in with Jian before I look back toward them.

"Right. I'm glad she found some people her age. Zuko has a date coming up. The one girl that is always around the tea shop." Iroh explains "Any clue who Zara is going out with?"

"Some young man that she met around town. She didn't tell me much. She's always been a private girl. Something she picked up from her mother." Jian says

"Well, this young man must have something that's special. She's always been a picky one." Iroh teases

I look out the window, watching as people are walking by the apartment. All of them clueless of the war going on around them, not a care in the world.

"Zuko, when are you heading out with Jin?" My uncle asks

"I'll be picking her up later tonight after the shift." I answer

I look back towards the shops before seeing a familar braid, help back with blue ribbon. I get to my feet before stepping closer to the window. I see Zara look around and laughing as she stops to talk to the people around her.

She hasn't changed one bit.

I laugh to myself before shutting the window. I head toward the closet, getting ready for the date.

-~-

I smile, listening to Jin as she's talking. I look over at her as I see the smile on her face as she moves some of the hair out of her face.

"Did you ever meet back up with that friend?" Jin asks

"No, but it's alright. It might be for the best." I explain "We have a long complicated history."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." She says

"It's okay. We have both moved on." I say with a smile "Hey, why don't we head to the fountain?"

"Yeah. I want to show you something there!" She cheers

Zara's P.O.V.

I'm sitting on the fountain ledge, staring into the sky. Tracing the stars as I feel my hair brush my shoulders. The voices aroud me starting to fade away. I close my eyes as I listen to the noises surrounding me before I hear a distinct voice.

"Oh no! I thought they would bit lit up!" A female voice cries

I turn around to see the girl that is always at the tea shop before seeing Zuko standing next to her. I frown slightly before looking back towards the sky.

He's moved on...

I hear him tell her to close her eyes before I turn to see him looking around before I see him make eye contact.

I nod before standing up, taking a deeep breath before looking at the candle wicks around me. I watch Zuko start to light the ones on his side before I aim my fire at the ones closest to me. I watch as the last two are lit up before I nod towards Zuko, turning around to walk away. I immediately head towards our home.

-~-

I walk into the house to only see Sokka sitting there. I send a nods towards him before heading toward my room. After opening the door, Sokka grabs the door from behind me, not letting me shut it.

"What's going on? You always have something to say when you return." Sokka starts "How did the date go?"

"The date didn't last long. He found out that I couldn't tell him all about the avatar and left me alone." I explain

"That's not the only thing bugging you." He points out

"It's nothing." I lie

"Don't lie to me." He cuts off

"You have to promise not to tell anybody then." I start

"I promise." He swears

I try to fake a smile before looking at Sokka before pretty much falling into him. He looks shocked before wrapping his arms around me, holding me in place for a minute.

"Zuko is here..." I whisper "He's moved on..."

"What?" Sokka asks "I thought he was still in love with you. At least he gives that vibe off every time we run into him."

"I don't know. But he was out on a date with somebody else." I whisper

I feel the tears start to well up before Sokka pulls me closer to him, starting to rub my back.

"Shh. You don't need him. You have us. We won't leave you." Sokka whispers