Burning Pile (Prince Zuko Book 1)

*nine*

Aurora barely slept that night, her mind would always go back to Zhaos face. Her heart would beat faster and her body would tremble. As she reached the deck she leaned next to Zuko on the railing. "We found out that the avatar is in Kyoshi." His eyes were locked on the water. Aurora nodded. "I don't think I will join you..." She whispered quietly making Zuko look at her. "Why's that?" He questioned quietly.

"He's a child, Zuko... I promised I would do everything in my power to help you, but he's only a child." Her eyes were filled with sadness. This young boy had so much responsibility at such a young age. "Don't you want to go home?" His eyes met hers, as he looked at her confused. "I don't have a home anymore, Zuko... Your father burned down my house before my parents sent me with you."

"You can live in the palace, if my father knew you helped-" He started but Aurora shook her head. "I don't want to go there again, Zuko, everything there meant pain. I don't want to feel that pain again." Her voice broke, she knew he'll be angry. "When I get my honor back I can help you settle down again-" He tried to reason with her but nothing worked.

"Do your thing, catch him. But I don't want to hurt a child..." Aurora smiled sadly at him before going to return to her room. Zuko was furious, how could she say she didn't want to go home? She promised she would help him catch the avatar and now that they were so close to actually fulfilling his task she stops?

Zuko couldn't believe her, but again he shouldn't care. Deep down he knew he cared, hell, even how he acted around her lately showed that he cared. She meant something to him, he couldn't hide the fact anymore.

Aurora rethought everything she said to the Prince. What was she thinking? She quickly got up and put on some pants and her long sleeve red shirt, grabbing the sword Zuko gave her before running to the main deck while tying her hair up. "Prince Zuko!" Her feet carried her as quickly as she could but by the final steps she tripped over her own feet.

Two strong arms wrapped around her waist and held her up. "You should watch where you're going." He was annoyed by her behavior. "Sorry..." She smiled up to him apologetic. She quickly straightened up and held onto her sword. Zuko turned to some rhinoceroses.

"Can I still join you...?" Aurora looked up to him with puppy eyes. A sigh escaped the princes lips as he watched her. "You don't have any armor nor do you have the skills to fight or protect yourself-" He started but she interrupted him. "I tackled you, don't underestimate me, Prince Zuko." She held a confident grin as she walked to the rhino.

"You will not ride one alone. We don't have enough for that, you can ride with me." Aurora nodded and waited for Zuko to get onto one so she could get up as well. As she felt someone grab her hips she yelped and blushed. "Calm down I'm just helping you up there." Zuko calmed her down, rolling his eyes as he helped her on top of the rhino.

"Thank you." She smiled softly as Zuko got onto the rhino as well. Her arms wrapped around his waist as she held onto him. "This is really exciting, I never rode one, this will be my first ever fight-" She rambled quietly hoping that Zuko won't hear her. But he did and her words brought a small smile onto his face.