Don't Leave Me (Zuko x OC)

Chapter 15

Zuko came back from another trip down to the local village with baskets of food. 

"Where did you get these?" Iroh asked, suspiciously. 

"What does it matter where they came from?" Zuko walked off again. 

I picked up some of the food, "I'll get started on dinner."

*****

Every time Zuko went 'out'. He returned with good merchandise or a lot of money. I knew Iroh was getting suspicious but I tried my best not to think about where all this stuff was coming from. 

"Muri." He called my name. I stood up from my place by the bed, trying to tidy it up a bit. 

"Yeah?" I approached him.

He had a big smile on his face, both hands behind his back, looking very proud of himself, "I got you something."

He pulled one hand from behind, revealing all my jewellery I had sold. My eyes lit up. 

"How did you..." My voice trailed off. 

"I did a little work around the village and bought them back. I know you can't really wear them but I wanted you to at least have them. A little bit of home."

Tears welled in my eyes as I took back my jewellery, putting them in my bag. 

"I can't thank you enough, Zu." 

He laughed, "I'm not done yet."

I cocked my head in confusion as he produced a lovely bouquet of flowers. I gasped, surprised Zuko could be this romantic. I threw myself on him in a tight hug, one he reciprocated with enthusiasm.

*****

"Looks like you did some serious shopping." Iroh walked into our little cave, something that felt more and more like a home every day. "But where did you get the money?"

I was laid down, my head in Zuko's lap with his hand in my hair, "Do you like your new teapot?"

I watched with amusement as Nalo cautiously pawed up to the teapot, sniffing it before taking a good lick. His little face of disgust made me chuckle. 

"To be honest with you, the best tea tastes delicious whether it comes in a porcelain pot or tin cup. I know we've had some difficult times lately. We've had to struggle just to get by." Iroh placed a hand on Zuko's shoulder, "But it's nothing to be ashamed of! There is a simple honour in poverty."

"There's no honour for me without the Avatar."

Iroh sighed, "Zuko. Even if you did capture the Avatar, I'm not so sure it would solve our problems. Not now."

"Then there's no hope at all."

I sat up from his lap and held his hands in mine. 

"No Zuko! You must never give in to despair! Allow yourself to slip down that road and you surrender to your lowest instincts. In the darkest times, hope is something you give yourself. That is the meaning of inner strength."

He got out of my hold, jumping up and speed-walking away. I watched him go with despair in my heart.

*****

"Uncle, I've thought a lot about what you said." 

I could hear Zuko's voice as I got closer to the cave. I couldn't see them but could hear them perfectly. 

"You did? Good, good."

"It's helped me realise something. We no longer have anything to gain by traveling together."

What?

My heart froze. 

"I need to find my own way."

It was quiet for a moment. 

"What about Muri?" Iroh asked.

"If I look at her, I'll know I'll end up staying. But I need to do this."

He's not even going to say goodbye?

He's leaving me. Again. 

Like mother and father did. Like Hiroshi did. Like Ezume. 

I can't. Not again. 

My heart beat erratically, my breathing got a lot quicker, tears welled up in my eyes. Nalo nuzzled at me cheek, perched on my knee but it did little to ground me back to reality. 

No.

I heard Zuko ride off on one of the ostrich horses. A few minutes later, Iroh found me. I looked up at him through sobs. 

"I know." I cried, "He left."

Iroh wrapped his arms around me. 

"He left me again."