Growing Pains (Zuko/OC)

Chapter 12: The North

"We accept your proposal, Admiral Zhao." Iroh gestured a hand to Kona. Knowing her queue, she bowed low in deference, eyes downcast and face completely neutral. It is not how she pictured starting her first 'relationship,' but with how her life had turned out, she wasn't too surprised.

Zhao smirked down at the girl. He turned back to his general and nodded at him in acknowledgement, a smirk still firm on his face. "I knew you would see the sensibility of the situation." 'And soon my place in the Fire Nation hierarchy will be official,' Zhao thought. Her adoption was irrelevant. She was the child of the famed Dragon of the West. She may not be royal by blood or status, but if something were to...happen to the current Fire Lord with Zuko already out of the way.

The stupid old man had basically given away his thrown.

"We will need to talk about details such as her marrying age and where she will be living," Iroh cut in, though even the words made a shiver go down his spine. He never was one to support arranged marriages, despite Lu Ten being a product of one. He had grown to love his late wife, but he would never wish it on others, especially his children.

Zhao waved off his comment nonchalantly. "Of course, but that's a conversation for another day. We have an invasion to begin, general."

Iroh walked the few paces that had separated him from Kona, and threw an arm over her shoulder, pulling her tight against his side. She stiffened under the weight, but did not resist. "I would like to keep her by my side for the time being, Admiral Zhao. Neither of us will be a part of the assault, but it would grant me some ease of mind."

Zhao agreed with only a nod. Iroh's position in his armada was purely ceremonial anyway. The man was old, out of touch. Zhao only needed him for one thing and one thing only: securing favor in the capitol. He didn't care what either of them did, so long as they stayed out of his way.

-

Miles away, Zuko narrowly made his way through winding ice tunnels and found his way to a hidden spirit oasis. The cave towered overhead. A large waterfall carried a heavy curtain of water down into the flooded cavern, and at the center of the pool laid a small island, covered in a lush green grass that seemed so out of place in the North Pole. Zuko couldn't help but note the pleasant warmth of the temperate air as he slinked over a narrow bridge to the island that housed the familiar forms of the Avatar and the water tribe girl. With them sat an unfamiliar girl with long, snow white hair.

He drew closer, and he could clearly see the shimmering koi pond in the center that sat beneath an intricate Spirit Gate. In the pond, under the reflection of the gate, two fish circled each other in an endless dance.

Zuko froze as the white haired girl whispered worriedly. "Maybe we should get some help."

"No," the water tribe girl replied immediately, "He's my friend. I'm perfectly capable of protecting him."

Zuko couldn't help the smirk that was pulling across his face. The Avatar was clearly indisposed, leaving only the two girls to protect him. Zuko had beaten worse odds.

"Well, aren't you a big girl now," Zuko announced his presence haughtily. Even he could feel the weight of his own glare on them, as he moved forward, his steps confident. He wouldn't lose this. Not today. Not with what he had to lose.

"No," Katara breathed, getting to her feet and standing in front of the unconscious Avatar protectively.

"Hand him over and I won't have to hurt you," Zuko offered. He got no joy from defeating the Avatar's companions. They simply got in the way. It was only fair to give the choice.