A Beautiful Flame: ~Rules Are Rules~

Chapter 3 (Pt. 2)

"Sheeee's a... slaaaave," she prolonged her words,

Zuko was shocked, he tried to hide it.

"So?" Zuko said, shaking his head,

"Sooo, she's in the low-to-no class, whatsoever," Azula responded, checking her nails,

"But that doesn't change anything!" He said,

"Oh of course it does," She said as she started to circle him,

"You see, your relationship with that slave is practically band from public, let alone in your home,"

"But mother likes her,"

"Oh please, mother doesn't know what she's doing," Azula rolled her eyes,

"Hey! don't say that about mom!" Zuko protested,

"Alright, Alright," Azula raised her hands in defeat,

"But, one thing Zuzu," She continued,

"Your relationship has to end, no slave nor servant has to create a bond with their owner,"

"But I-"

"P-lease. Don't be a baby," Azula hissed,

"You have to end it, it's practically a law you know," She said crossing her arms,

Zuko felt disappointed, but he didn't want to believe it, why should he end up his friendship with Omi? just because Azula said so? No way!

"You're lying Azula! there's no such thing as that stupid law!" He protested,

"I'm just giving my brother a fair warning, but remember," She started walking away,

"Rules are rules. Don't say that I didn't told you so," She disappeared around the corner.

Zuko shook his head, he couldn't believe that his friend is a slave, could she really be? Well, even if she was, she was still his best friend. He shook his head, ignoring Azula's words and headed towards the garden.

Omi was already at the garden, stroking her braid, her cheeks felt dry from all the tears, she reassured herself that everything's going to be okay. Although her mother told her not to, she breathe in and focused, she held out her hands and made a flame burning with perfection, she let it out and stood up, checking to see if anyone was around, no one.

Well, there is a reason this garden is secret.

She striked a pose and breathed, focused on her stance like what she saw the fire students do, she tried the first move, letting fire run from her fingers, she smiled to herself seeing her achievement, she prepared herself for the other move.

"What are you doing?"

A voice surprised her, making her lose balance and fall.

She immediately looked up and saw Zuko, standing and giggling quietly. She glared at him.

"Hey! what are you trying to do?!" she said when she stood up. Zuko stopped his giggling and looked up in confusion,

"I hope you weren't trying to get me caught!" Omi added, she gasped, realizing that she shouldn't have said that,

"What are you talking about? I wasn't doing anything!" Zuko said. Omi stood up straight,

" well... Good, that's what I thought." She said confidently, placing her hands on her hips.

Zuko raised an eyebrow,

"You're weird," he said, coming closer,

"And very suspicious..." He said, leaning closely,

"What are you doing?" She asked nervously,

"Playing detective," He said,

"What's that?" Omi asked, Zuko realized that she wasn't too familiar with it, he shrugged it off, deciding on another thing to do.

"Nevermind, here, I have something to show you!" He said as he mentioned her to follow him. They ran towards the wall and onto the palace grounds towards a pond filled with turtle-ducklings, Omi's eyes brightened when she first saw them.

"They're so cute!" She exclaimed,

"Yeah, here you go," Zuko took out a bread from his vest pocket, parting it into two and giving one piece to Omi.

"I... eat it?" she asked,

"No silly, you break it into smaller pieces and you feed them," He said as he demonstrated her, the ducks came closer, nibbling into the water for the crumbs. Omi giggled with glee.

"Try it," Zuko encouraged, Omi did exactly what he did, happy to be sharing a bonding moment with these creatures,

"This is sooo nice!" She exclaimed with glee.

Zuko smiled seeing her happy, then he noticed someone approaching,

"Hey mom!" He said as he ran to her, His mother immediately knelted down and grabbed her son by the shoulders.

"Zuko, why are you two near the palace?" She asked him, looking straight in his eyes,

"Uh... I wanted to show her how to feed the ducks," Zuko replied, feeling sorry.

"Zuko, next time, play in the hidden garden with Omi, please," His mother begged. Sounding serious and worried.

"But mom, I..." He said before giving in,

"Okay,"

They approached Omi, who was waiting for them. She bowed respectfully to the princess,

"Good morning your highness," She smiled sweetly,

"Good morning Omi," The princess replied,

"Zuko, it will be time for you to prepare yourself for your lesson," The princess turned to Zuko,

"And Omi, please dear, go back to your mother, she needs your help,"

Both children frowned, they left together out of sight before going their separate ways.

~What am I going to do?~ she thought,

~if something happened to her, It will be my fault,~