Burning Pile (Prince Zuko Book 1)

*seventeen*

Aurora begged Iroh to leave her alone, to let her have time to heal and he gave it too her. Until now she didn't allow herself to feel all the pain, all the sadness. But as she sat there, all alone, everything washed over her. Every little emotion. Guilt. Anger. Sadness.

Maybe if she would've stayed she could've saved him. Looking at her sword, that laid on a shelf she started feeling the burning in her stomach. A sob escaped her as she allowed herself to feel. So she sat there for a while just crying, sobbing into her pillow. Why did she had to leave? Her body was trembling, shaking. Her heart going a mile per second. Her mind being clouded by the most hurtful thoughts.

A knock on her door made her flinch. Wiping her eyes quickly she hugged her knees to her chest. „Yes?" Her voice was husky from all the crying. Her face red and her eyes puffy. A guard walked in putting a plate on her side table. „Thank yo-" The door closed before the guard let her thank him. The guards and crew on Zukos ship used to be a lot nicer.

Her eyes fixated on the sword, she got up. Zuko taught her that training or fighting, helps you calm down, get your mind off of things. Her fingers slid down the blade, leaving a thin red line. She gently wrapped her fingers around the handle. This was the last thing she had from him. The thought of him laying there in his bed, maybe even with her book in his hands made her throat feel tight. With a quiet sob she cut the air, wishing it was the person that killed him.

Anger filled her. Another slice. Closing her eyes she let herself move the knife the way Zuko taught her. A slight ghost of his fingertips were dancing on her arms, the pressure he had on her lower back. As she continued she couldn't hold back anymore, her knees gave out and she cut her hand accidentally. Kneeling on the floor she started to cry again.

„You said it would help! You're a liar! It made everything worse!" She screamed hiding her face in her hands. „You promised. You promised, you wouldn't leave." Aurora felt pathetic, he treated her like shit. But deep down she knew he still saw her as a friend. He just couldn't show it.

A guard opened her door, having heard her screams, he gasped seeing her hand bleed and her crying as she leaned her forehead against the bed. She didn't look up, this whole situation was pathetic enough. The guard left quickly before coming back with Iroh. The general looked at the girl in pity as he kneed down next to her.

He took her hand inspecting the cut, before turning to the guard. „Get me something to wrap this up with." With a nod the guard left, quickly returning with what he was asked for. He closed the door standing in front of it, his eyes resting on Aurora.

Iroh went to take care of her wounds without asking what happened, he knew she would tell him when she was ready. Looking away Aurora bit her lip as a last tear ran down her cheek. „Zuko lied..." She sniffled. „He said putting your emotions into fighting would make them disappear. Everything felt so much stronger, the anger, the pain..." Shaking her head, she felt pathetic for believing him. „He promised nothing would happen when he was searching for the avatar. He lied about everything, Iroh..." Her eyes found his.

His eyes still showed no emotions to Zukos death, confusing her. „Don't put all of the anger on him, my dear. He was right, the emotions have to be strong before they leave. Why would you want the emotions to go away? You have such an incredible heart, Miss Aurora. Your emotions make you to the person you are." he gave her a small smile before getting up. „You should get some rest, maybe tomorrow will look brighter." Aurora nodded sitting down on the bed.

As they both left Aurora felt hope, something felt off about this whole situation. Iroh not feeling sad. Normally she would only wear a big shirt, but she wasn't feeling safe enough for this on the ship.

With Zukos small smiles, he would give her while teasing her, on her mind Aurora went to bed.