𝐆𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 [ᴢᴜᴋᴏ]

Chapter 59

Episode 17, The Ember Island Players

A few days passed until we decided it would be best to move. After thinking about possible places we could stay at, Zuko said we could stay at his summer vacation house on Ember Island.

As that was the best and only option we had, we flew to the island.

The vacation home was huge. But what did I even expect from a royal vacation home. However, it didn't have the feeling and warmth of a home. The house was full of dust and it was clear that no one had been there for ages.

The only thing that was good, was the huge garden where Aang and Zuko could continue their training without being seen by any island residents.

The days got hotter and all of us put on our Fire Nation clothes in order not to draw any attention to ourselves.

As Zuko and Aang continued their training, I joined Sokka and Suki who were going to stroll through the market on the island

Yeah, I shouldn't have gone with them. Being a third wheel was not cool. Not even an hour passed by and I already decided to go back because my brother completely ignored my existence. Next time, I'll take Toph with me.

When I got back and entered the garden, I froze. Zuko and Aang were firebending. Shirtless. Heat rose to my cheeks but I couldn't look away. For an 18 year old he had a very well shaped and toned body.

This wasn't the first time seeing Zuko shirtless. It was right at the beginning of our story when he had challenged Zhao to an Agni Kai. But last time I wasn't interested in him in any way; we were enemies.

Toph and Katara were sitting on the ventliated terrace stairs watching Zuko and Aang.

"Enjoying the view?" Toph asked with a smirk and turned her head to me.

I snapped out of my staring and looked at her, quickly shaking my head. "What? No?" An awkward chuckle left my mouth.

Her smirk widened. "Your heart's beating."

Only after she said that did I notice that my heart was beating faster. I took a quick breath before commenting, "Well, I hope so. It would get a little difficult if it didn't." Shrugging my shoulders, I tried to seem unbothered by the situation.

Toph's only response was another smirk before she turned her head away from me. Gulping, I sat down beside her.

"Doesn't it seem kinda weird that we're hiding from the Fire Lord in his own house?" Katara asked. And boy was I glad that someone finally said something and changed the topic.

Zuko and Aang just finished and sat down on the foutain which was in the middle of the garden. "I told you, my father hasn't come here since our family was actually happy." Zuko rubbed the back of his neck with a towel. "And that was a long time ago. It's the last place anyone would think to look for us"

Before anyone could react to it, Sokka came running into the garden."You guys are not gonna believe this!"

I crossed my arms and raised my eyebrow at him. I'm still mad that he forgot me.

"There's a play about us!" Sokka showed us a flyer. A smile broke on my face and I ran up to him immediately, snatching it out of his hand.

The poster's upper half was red with a pair of eyes, one of them was scarred. A tiny bit under the eyes, there were four people in a fighting position. Aang was in the middle and Sokka to his right while Katara was to his left. Next to Katara there was me. My siblings were portrayed in water tribe clothes but I had fire nation clothes on and I was a bit too far away from the others for my liking.