Burning Pile (Prince Zuko Book 1)

*eleven*

His eyes were wandering over the girl sitting on the table, her hands resting behind her as she watched his uncle work his wonders. „You really are quiet clumsy lately..." Iroh muttered quietly and Aurora gave him a apologetic smile.

„It's not her fault, the girl fighting her pushed her over when she was distracted." Zuko was leaning against the wall, rolling his eyes. A soft blush appeared on the girls cheeks as she realized that he did indeed watch her and saw her fight.

„Then you know that I was able to bring her to the ground." A cheeky grin was on her face as she made eye contact with him. As Iroh turned her ankle a tiny bit her grin slipped and she whimpered quietly. „And if you would've been careful and not get distracted, you would've won." His eyes felt cold as he watched her.

„Don't be so rude to her, Prince Zuko. This was her first fight, she did quiet well if I do say so myself from what I heard." Iroh gave her a soft smile, which she barely returned.

As she walked to her room she felt Zuko following her. She let herself fall into her bed with a relieved sigh. The throbbing in her head almost fully gone. A knock on her door made her sit up straight again. „Yes?" Her voice was soft, already knowing who's behind the door.

Zuko came in leaning against her wall looking around in her room. „You did well today." His eyes looked everywhere but at her as she smiled slightly. „Your uncle made you say this, right?" She was sure that Iroh would be the reason behind this.

„No, I wanted to tell you earlier, but you got hurt, so I didn't get to..." His voice got quieter as he realized how stupid it might sound. „Thank you, Prince Zuko." Aurora smiled soothingly at him, telling him quietly that she appreciated his words.

He nodded walking over to her slightly, taking a closer look at her head wound. „How Are you feeling?" In thought he tilted her head up, gaining a better look at the injury. „I'm doing well, only a slight headache..." Her voice was shaky as she tried to control her blush. „That's good." Zukos voice was getting huskier the more he concentrated on her wound.

„I don't think it will take long to heal, you got to be careful, firefly." The word slipped off his tongue so easily that he didn't even notice, but she noticed a soft gasps escaping her lips. A smirk was playing at the corner of his mouth as he heard her breath hitch.

„I'm sorry that he escaped again, I wish I could've helped you somehow..." Aurora looked up her eyes meeting his. A harshness showing in them. „It doesn't matter, we will get him soon." He sounded like he barely believed himself as he pulled his hand away. „I should leave now, you need to get some rest." The coldness in his voice made her heart almost shrink. „Of course, thank you, Prince Zuko."

With that she turned away from him, the last thing she heard was him closing the door. „Firefly" She whispered softly as she started grinning slightly. With her mind back in her childhood Aurora fell asleep.

The following days Aurora spent most of her time by the railing reading in the last book she owned. At times Zuko would stand next to where she sat or Iroh would ask her how she was doing.

A knock on her door made Aurora stop getting ready as she opened the door, a guard standing in front of it. "Yes?" Aurora smiled up to him putting her hair up. "The Prince wanted me to tell you that we're reaching some land, where he would like to leave the ship for a bit, wanting your company." With that the guard left immediately.

She quickly finished getting ready, deciding to let her hair down again, it was a beautiful day outside. With a pleased smile, after looking at her own appearance, she left her room walking to the prince's room. "It's open." His harsh voice sounded from inside. Opening the door Aurora found him shirtless meditating. "Forgive me, Prince Zuko. I thought you would be ready until now. The guard told me you wanted to walk around the island with me..."

Zuko got up nodding and putting on a shirt, flexing his back muscles slightly, making the girl feel butterflies in her stomach. "I am ready, I just didn't know how long you would take." He stated turning to her. His eyes wandering over her frame, making her feel small.

"Well then, we should get going." He stated smirking slightly.