Truth | Avatar The Last Airbender

𝐼𝐼𝐼.

"Akira? Where's Zuko?" Iroh asked, trying to cover his panic.

Akira shrugged, her eyes wide. "Zuko's missing? Last time I saw him, he was in that cottage that went up in flames. He told me he wanted to be alone, sent me back to the ship."

Iroh nodded, scratching his chin curiously. "He must've gotten hurt during the fire and ran off. I'll send some soldiers to go looking for him in the woods."

Akira hoped he couldn't see through her lies. She knew exactly where he was. She knew that the Earth Kingdom soldiers had caught him and thrown him into the prison, not bothering to trial him.

Why should he get a trial? He's from the Fire Nation. Everyone knows that the Fire Nation does nothing but cause destruction.

Luckily, the elderly woman was alright. The soldiers had come in time to rescue her.

Akira wondered if the elderly woman knew that she wasn't from the Fire Nation. She didn't look like a Fire Nation girl at all.

All of her features screamed Water Tribe. Especially her blue eyes, brown skin and long, brown hair.

Despite being in Fire Nation clothes, she was every bit Water Tribe. And she felt it, too.

Iroh went with the soldiers, desperate to find his nephew. Akira felt bad for being the cause of his distress. But technically, Zuko brought this on himself.

She pulled her black scarf above her nose, the only thing visible was her icy eyes.

Her dark clothes blended in with the night as the sun had now set. Stars were scattered across the sky.

Her eyes darted across the ship, everybody was gone. When she got off the ship, she made her way towards the prison.

It had been twelve hours since Zuko was arrested. Akira wondered if he believed that somebody was going to rescue him.

The prison was surrounded by high, thick trees. Metal walls circled the prison, entrapping it.

Akira couldn't see well in the dark, but luckily the prison was illuminated by lanterns.

She watched as the guards walked around the prison, studying their patterns and timing their walking speeds.

Her eyes scanned the metal wall for any other entrances as the only way to get in was large, metal doors. Akira knew better than to enter through the main doors.

The full moon shone proudly, like a beacon in the night sky. Akira reached for her pouch of water, walking towards a blind spot on the fence.

She had to be quick. The guards would walk past in exactly 47 seconds. Her hands moved smoothly as she lifted the water up, freezing it against the wall.

An icy staircase was formed. She ran up it, mentally thanking Iroh for gifting her with custom gripped shoes that allowed her to walk on ice without slipping.

When she had reached the top of the metal wall, she unfroze the ice, brining the water back into her pouch.

Her eyes scanned the grounds of the prison, watching closely for any guards. So far, there was none.

She took her chance, hopping down from the wall, using her water to cushion her fall.

"Did you hear about the new prisoner? Says he's the Prince of the Fire Nation," a nearby guard laughed mockingly. Akira hid behind a bush, listening closely to their conversation.

A female guard laughed, "yeah, right. The Prince of the Fire Nation wouldn't be stupid enough to get caught. What cell is he staying in, anyways?"

"Second floor. Cell 247. Everyone thinks he's crazy. Keeps talking about an Akira," Akira paused at the mention of her name. Why would he talk about her?

The female guard frowned as if she were confused. "Akira? Isn't that a Water Tribe name?"

The make guard shrugged, "I told you, he's crazy." The guards laughed and joked as they walked off, leaving Akira alone with her thoughts.

She stood up. Second floor. Cell 247. She climbed in through an open window, hiding behind a door as more guards passed by.

As she walked up the stairs, she made sure to stay in the part with the most shadows, blending in with them.

Zuko's golden eyes lit up as he saw her approach. "Akira? I knew you'd come back for me."

Akira smiled, her normally cold gaze softening. "I always come back for you, Zuko. It's my job." She froze water around the lock on his door before kicking it off.

He stood up, his eyes crinkling as he smiled at her. She was shocked. Zuko? Smiling at her? It didn't seem possible.

She tossed him a blue mask and black robes. "I found these in your room. Don't kill me for snooping. Just put them on."

He nodded, adjusting the blue mask. She could see his eyes crinkling behind the mask, he was still smiling. Why was he still smiling?

He grabbed her arm, his fingertips causing tingles to shoot up her arm. Was he burning her arm?

He wasn't. She couldn't feel pain. She just felt weird. Whatever this feeling was, it was new to her. She didn't like it.

He ran, his hand still gripped around her wrist. Why was he still holding her wrist?

Akira tore her wrist away, increasing her speed so she was now running ahead of him. They snuck outside of the prison.

It was harder to climb up the ice stairs with Zuko. He didn't have the same shoes as her. On ice, he was clumsy and kept slipping.

Akira held back her laugh as she grabbed his wrist, helping him up the stairs. She felt her fingertips burn as she continued holding his wrist, jumping over the wall.

She used her spare hand to cushion her fall with water. Then, she let go of Zuko's wrist, her fingertips feeling cold.

He looked at her. She looked back. His mask was in his hand now. A ghost of a smile was etched onto his face, as if he was too scared to smile.

Akira turned and walked off, Zuko following closely behind her.

Her gaze was fixed on the forest ahead of her. Zuko was being strangely nice to her. That was new.

In the past three years he has been nothing but rude to her. She had only ever saw his arrogant, angry side. She thought his arrogant, angry side was his only side.

Is he actually as bad as he acts?

She glanced back, her eyes locking with his. His face remained neutral, but his eyes were softer than usual.

She looked away again, staring at the path in front of her. No, she thought to herself. He's tricking you. Don't let his false kindness distract you from your plan. You'll return to the Southern Water Tribe, kill Zuko and reunite with your family.

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