Don't Leave Me (Zuko x OC)

Chapter 3

Zuko was calmly meditating in his room, the flames of the candles growing and withering with the rise and fall of his chest. He had allowed me to stay in here so long as I was quiet so I had curled up on his bed, Nalo snuggled into my neck, and was trying to fall asleep. But I found myself just watching him as he focused on his breathing. It was a rarity that Zuko was this calm these days. I loved watching him at peace. Peace that was quickly ruined by Iroh opening the door. 

"The only reason you should be interrupting me is if you have news on the Avatar."

"Well there is news Prince Zuko. But you might not like it." Iroh added defensively, "Don't get too upset."

"Uncle, you taught me that keeping a level head is the sign of a great leader. Now whatever you have to say, I'm sure I can take it."

"Okay then," The general took a minute to think how to word this, "We have no idea where he is."

Fire erupted from the candles, startling me enough to sit upright on the bed. 

"WHAT?!" Zuko stood from his relaxed position on the floor. 

Iroh manifested a fan and cleared his throught, "You really should open a window in here."

"Give me the map!" Zuko snatched it out of his Uncle's hands. 

"There have been multiple sightings of the Avatar. But he is impossible to track down."

Zuko stared at the map, "How am I gonna find him, Uncle. He is clearly a master of evasive maneuvering."

I sighed, "He's a kid, 12 years old. He's probably just going to do a load of fun kid stuff."

"Like feeding turtleducks?" Zuko asked innocently. 

I giggled, standing and approaching him, "Yes, my Prince, like feeding turtleducks. Although I imagine something slightly more outrageous." I pointed to a spot on the map, "I believe the elephant-koi are native to Kyoshi Island, right on course of the Avatar's previous location."

"The Avatar is a wise and powerful being who has just returned after 100 years disappearance in the middle of a war. He will not be wasting his time riding elephant-koi!" Zuko snapped, rolling the map up and throwing it onto the floor. 

I sighed, picking it up and placing it on the table gently, "Anything you say, my prince."

Nalo's tiny little growls could be heard in my ear, aimed at Zuko, but I just picked him from my shoulder and let him down to the floor where he curled around my ankle. Zuko looked regretful for a moment before returning to the conversation on how to locate the Avatar. Soon it became dinner time and a servant brought our meals to Zuko's room. He was placing it down as he shared some valuable information he learnt at the docks from which the fish had came. 

"The Avatar's on Kyoshi Island?!" Zuko rose out of shock. 

I looked up at him smugly, "Wow, who could've guessed."

Zuko muttered under his breath, "W-well done."

"I think I deserve a little more than a well done, don't you think? How about a-"

I shut up when I felt Zuko's soft lips against my temple. He pulled away and smiled at me. 

"I should listen to you more." I nodded out of agreement, too stunned to speak when Zuko turned to Iroh, "Uncle, ready the rhinos! He's not getting away from me this time."

Iroh pointed at the prince untouched meal, "Are you going to finish that?"

Zuko grabbed it out of the way of his Uncle's greedy hands, "I was going to save it for later!"

The famous 'Dragon of the West' pouted in response. 

*****

As we neared Kyoshi Island, I stood out on the bow, watching the land grow in size. I'd read about Kyoshi Island before, named for the Avatar Kyoshi and home to elite force of women-only warriors. Our loud fog horn snapped me out of my thoughts and we landed at the bay. Below me, Zuko as well as other soldiers rode out on the rhinos, something I wasn't aware we had on the ship. I decided to stay patiently on the ship, cleaning up Zuko's room and ensuring his meal was kept warm for later. I emerged from the deck a little later, only to see black smoke bellowing up into the sky. 

No. 

Why? 

Zuko returned to the ship, running on and barking orders to the soldiers to follow the Avatar. He was coming my way but I made eye contact with him to stop him. 

"Zuko, why is there smoke?"

He ignored me and continued bossing everyone around.

"Please tell me you didn't set fire to the village." He glanced my way and stopped but stayed silent, "Zuko! Why is there smoke?!" 

Grabbing the base of my neck with his large hand, he steered me into the ship and down to his quarters. The door swung shut behind us as Zuko led us to the centre of the room. 

"Look, Muri, I-OW!"

Nalo had bitten Zuko's hand to remove it from my neck. I smirked, letting my fire ferret crawl down to my upper arm and pecking his little head. 

"Good boy." I cooed.

Zuko sighed, "I did what was necessary, Muri. The Avatar doused the flames anyway." He added spitefully. 

I turned my back to him, crossing my arms with a huff as Nalo stuck his tongue out at Zuko with a growl. 

"Muri." He groaned, never used to me ignoring him. 

"Setting a village on fire is never necessary, it's cruel. And I never would've expected something like this from you." I said sadly, refusing to look at him. 

"Muri." The prince gripped my dress but I gave no indication I noticed. 

"Muri."His voice was getting a bit desperate now. 

Nothing.

"Princess." He practically whined, wrapping his arms around his waist and snuggling his face into my neck, "I'm sorry. Please, look at me. It was a mistake, it won't happen again."

From the moment he called me that I knew I was done for. It was moments like these that made it all worth it, that reminded me who I was here for. I turned around in his arms, placing my hands on his chest. 

"You have to promise me you'll never hurt innocent civilians again." I enforced, "And give me a kiss."

"I promise." He sealed his vow by softly pressing his lips to mine. 

I only fell into him more, really enjoying myself, especially when his tongue began to slip into my mouth but suddenly he pulled away with an "OW!". Nalo was dangling off his chin by his teeth. 

"I don't think your fire-ferret likes me very much." Zuko chuckled. 

I giggled, prising Nalo off by squeezing the bottom of his jaw and just behind his head which caused his bite to loosen. 

"Well, I love you so he'll have to learn." 

Zuko smiled guiding me to the table so we could finish our meal from earlier.