Lotus Flower: Book One|ZukoxOC(Avatar the Last Airbender Fanfic)

The Blue Spirit - Part I

As the messengers leave and as Prince Zuko storms pass, I fall into step beside him. "Who is Admiral Zhao?" I ask dumbly.

"He is one of the Fire Nation's top military strategists, who is trying to glorify his name in anyway he can—including stealing the Avatar out from under me any chance he can get. He is the biggest hot head and narcissist the Fire Nation ranks have ever seen." He grumbles, not slowing down.

"What are you going to do then?" I ask, not voicing that he is the biggest hot head I know.

He suddenly stops and whirls on me. "I don't know. Why do you even care? If Zhao prevents me from going after your friend, then that's one less person after him." Prince Zuko glares, before turning away again and continuing to his room.

Before he could get very far, I grab the sleeve of his shirt. His amber eyes shift to me in shock. "I-I... you're my friend too." I murmur, not meeting his gaze.

Silence. "That's where you're wrong." He shakes me off and storms away.

"Prince Zuko..." I call but he doesn't stop or even look back, leaving me alone in the dark and lonely hallway.

***

I wipe the sweat off my forehead, no doubt smearing flour along my face in the process.

"Ms. Liena! My dear, you should have told me that you needed something." The cook exclaims in surprise as he walks in.

"It's okay, Kai, I don't mind doing this myself. Plus, this recipe requires an airbender's expertise. I appreciate you, though." I smile as I fluff up the dough.

"Let me know if I can assist in any way," he says, putting on his apron.

Not too long after that the pies were ready. They didn't have all of my usual ingredients. In fact, I had to use a lot of their spices because that was about all they had besides a little bit of sugar. The fruit was even different. I used cherries, plums, and cinnamon apples. There was so. much. cinnamon.

***

Crossing my fingers, I made my way above deck.

The day seemed gloomy, actually everybody has seemed gloomy today ever since Zhao's men were aboard.

"Is everything okay? It's been almost an hour and you haven't given the men an order," Iroh's voice stops me in my tracks. Peering around the corner, I see Zuko staring across the water like he had been lost in thought.

"I don't care what they do." He mutters. My heart drops.

"Don't give up hope yet. You can still find the Avatar before Zhao." Iroh encourages.

Zuko faces his uncle, the desperation clear in his eyes. "How, uncle? With Zhao's resources, it's just a matter of time before he captures the Avatar." He turns back to the sea, "my honor, my throne, my country, I'm about to lose them all." Prince Zuko says quietly.

I clutch my chest, taking a deep breath as I make my presence known.

"Hey, Iroh! Hi, Prince Zuko!" I chirp, causing Zuko to jump and Iroh to toss me a strained smile.

"Hello, Ms. Liena. I hope you are well." Iroh bows and I give him a hug in return.

"I'm doing just moon-peachy. I hope you are too." I smile.

I turn to Zuko, to see him avoiding my gaze.

"I hope you are too, Prince Zuko." I say, clasping my hands in front of me as I step up to his side. He faced the water once more, clearly ignoring me. "I have the greatest surprise for you ever!"