Burning Pile (Prince Zuko Book 1)

*one*

It was the first anniversary of the day he was banished, Aurora tried to give him some company, just by sitting with him, trying to tell him that everything will be okay and that he will return home as a hero one day.

He couldn't control his anger as he screamed at her, how she didn't understand anything, but she continued trying to calm him down. His anger made the fire in his stomach burn him, he was feeling like he burned from the inside out.

"Shut up!" He yelled pointing his hand toward her. A flame hit her right cheek, making her fall to the ground with a painfilled scream. Zukos eyes widened his heart going faster. He burned her. He hurt her. He didn't want to but she pushed him over the edge.

Iroh hurried over to them falling to his knees next to her, before looking at Zuko disappointed. "This is not the way we use our firebending, Prince Zuko..." Zuko just turned away walking to his room as Iroh took care of the young girl.

2 Years later

Ever since that day Zuko pushed her away as much as he could, he wasn't able to forgive himself. He couldn't even look at her. Aurora still tried as much as she could to be close to him, wanting to show her dear friend that she forgave him, but he wouldn't listen.

Aurora sat by the railing at night watching the stars with a small smile on her face, she admired the night, it filled her with happiness, with a comfort. She didn't notice someone walking up behind her until she saw someone standing next to her.

She quickly jumped up, tripping over her own feet only to be caught by strong arms that wrapped around her waist. "I'm so sorry, Prince Zuko! Oh god, I didn't mean to trip I tried to get up to greet you and-" She pushed the hair behind her ear. For a second Zuko forgot about the scar on her face since her hair covered it. But the moment he saw it peeking through he pushed her away but made sure she was able to stand up.

"Stop talking, I'm getting a headache from just listening to you." He said harshly making her flinch away. "I apologize prince Zuko, I didn't mean to upset you..." He gave her a glare and she looked down. "Didn't you just hear what I said?" He turned away from her, going to return to his room.

"It was my fault, prince Zuko... The scar... I pushed you. You didn't do anything wrong..." Her voice was soft and her eyes held kindness as he turned around. "I thought I just told you to keep your fucking mouth shut." He said while clenching his jaw.

"We were children..." She took a few steps towards him to test her waters. "It wasn't anyones fault..." Zuko shook his head. "God just shut up." His eyes held pain as he watched her carry on. "Can't we just forget it please...?"Her voice was soft. His eyes glanced between hers and the scar before he looked away. "No." He turned away angrily and started walking away.

"I accept you with your scar... What's wrong with mine?" Zuko didn't stop walking. "Do I look that horrendes that you can't even look at me anymore?!" Her voice broke. He was the only one besides Iroh she had anymore. The crew didn't like her, she wasn't like them, neither was she like Zuko, she wasn't a firebender.

Zuko continued walking, not turning around. He wasn't ready to forgive himself for what he did. He doesn't need her pity. He doesn't need her to be willing to forgive him, he's the prince for the spirits sake. Hell, he didn't even need her, she just was there, always, never leaving his side. Right now, he wished he could go back to when he didn't know her, back to when his mother was still around and his father loved him.

Aurora sat back down by the railing for a while before walking to her room to get at least a little rest.