Wild At Heart (Zuko)

Chapter Sixty

A/N – I am giving Zuko a hart mount, because each nation has it's own animals, I thought to give Tian Tang their own too, they have other Bings and I would say different birds and other mammals and stuff and I personally loved the hart mounts in Dragon Age. It also appeals to Zuko's morality and personal growth as they are strong, powerful, sturdy and reliable mounts.

And the dragon age description of the Red Hart from the game kind of feels like it would fit Zuko (Red Harts are sure-footed and calm animals (perhaps not so much the calm thing for Zuko lol). They are described as majestic creatures with regal bearing. Red Harts are very rare; spotting one in the wilderness is considered a sign of good luck. Hunting them for sport is seen as foolishness. It's said that only one person can become a Red Hart's rider, as the animal will bond with the individual, becoming attuned to its rider's presence)

.....

On his own, Zuko does travel faster than he would have with Kali, as much as he hates to admit that. He has only himself to think about and worry about and he can push himself further than he would push Kali. He has a mount, but not one of the mongoose lizards that he and Kali had. Instead, he has something Kali called a hart. It must be a naturebender animal because he's never seen it before. But it is sturdy and strong and comfortable. It's bigger than most other mount animals too. Kali said that it chose him. He doesn't know what that means but that something chose to come with him from Tian Tang means a lot. That an animal as regal looking as this wanted to join him. To help him. The hart makes a noise and Zuko frowns as he looks at the head of the animal. It sounds rather impatient actually.

"What?" He asks it, the hart makes another noise and tugs its head forward, pulling on the reigns and then kicks at the ground. Zuko raises an eyebrow, thinking he has it figured out, whilst he can't understand them like Kali can, he can read the intent in the tugging and kicking. "You want to go faster?" He asks, the hart makes a noise and nods. Zuko adjusts his hold on the reigns and lets out a breath. He nods and then smiles. Faster means getting this down faster. Faster means returning to Kali faster. He is all for that. The hart seems to sense its desire to run and takes off at a gallop, letting out a bellowing echoing cry. Whilst in the Earth Kingdom he will have to use the mount, but he knows he is going to have to worry about crossing the sea with the hart, he's going to need to find a ship.

.......

The sun is just starting to set when Zuko reaches the western edge of the Earth kingdom. He lets out a breath as the hart stops, staring out over the sea beyond. There is a dock a little further down the road with some fishing vessels. Zuko closes his eyes because he knows he is going to have to steal one of them. He'll return it if he can, but he still has to steal it. He snorts at himself. Before Ba Sing Se he was more than willing to steal as the Blue Spirit, but now he's feeling bad for having to do it. The effect that Iroh and Kali have had on him. The hart turns its head to look at him before it seemingly nods in reassurance. Zuko reaches forward and rubs its neck.

"Okay" He whispers and nods. "Let's go home" The hart makes an argumentative noise. "Fine" Zuko argues. "Take me home" The hart makes a more content noise. Clearly arguing that the Fire Nation is not its home. Zuko lets out an amused snort. He's starting to talk to animals like Kali does only he doesn't have the benefit of knowing exactly what they are saying. The hart snaps at the reigns and then pulls itself around to start down the road again. Impatient or eager to get going.

..........

On the stolen fishing vessel, the hart lays down, tucking its legs under itself on the deck of the boat. It takes up a lot of space given its size but with only Zuko to worry about it's not that much of an issue, he can move around the animal easily enough. Zuko sets his bag on the deck next to the animal before he sits and leans back against the animal's chest. He's set the boat straight and it can just sail on through until they reach the islands. It will be a few hours at least. He can take a moment to rest. He pulls the pack closer to dig around in it. There is food, clothing, and the scroll. He takes an apple from the pack and then holds it out to the hart who turns its head, careful of its antlers, to take it from him. He worries about Kali being out there on her own. He knows she can do it, she has before, but that was different, that was within the walls of a city, this is her going off on her own in the wild. He knows she is different now from when they met. The shy and reserved and scared girl has grown into a confident, powerful, and determined young woman. She's growing into a formidable naturebender and warrior. But retaining her loving and compassionate nature. He snorts. She's turning into nature really. Strong, powerful, and resilient but soft, tender, and caring. He lets out a breath. He really hopes that she is okay out there. That she made it out of Tian Tang without incident. The hart uses its antler to nudge Zuko, he looks at the animal to see what it wants but it is staring at his pack, it's pretty clear what it wants. Zuko takes another apple out and holds it out to the animal.

.....

The docks to the Captial are surprisingly empty when Zuko's stolen fishing vessel docks. He expected some guards, maybe some soldiers. But there aren't even that many Fire Nation military vessels docked, one in fact. At the far end of the docks, it's why Zuko came in the other end. He climbs off the vessel and pulls the hart's reigns along behind him. He doesn't want to leave it on the boat just in case something happens to it but he knows he can't take it with him into the city. It stands out too much. He moves to a stake of crates at the end of the dock. It will be a good place for the hart to tuck itself away from the threats. He leads the hart around to the back of the crates and motions with his hands.

"You have to stay here," He tells the hart who whines and steps closer to him. He can't be worrying about keeping the hart hidden from view whilst he infiltrates the Catacombs. The hart is too big to be stealthy. He pushes at the hart to get it back into the cover on the docks. It can hide behind the crates and things until Zuko comes back for it. He hopes. If he's caught, he has no idea what will happen to him. The hart lays down, tucked away and Zuko lets out a breath. He places his hand on the hart's forehead and closes his eyes, as does the hart. This hart is a connection to Kali. The only one he has right now. "I will be back" He promises and then lifts his cloak hood before walking away.