Under the Cherry Blossom ↠ Zuko x OC ✔️

Prologue

Arlington sits at her desk in her adoptive parent's house in upstate New York. She is researching a plausible wormhole in China.

Today marks the ninth year since Arlington's mom went missing. Her dad was killed when she was seven. Her mom vanished off the face of the Earth, leaving no clue as to where she might be, a few weeks after her dad died.

Arlington is sixteen now and reasons that the only explanation for her mother's disappearance is through the wormhole in Xi'an, China.

A knock on Arlington's door quickly diverts her attention from her laptop to the door. Her adoptive mom, Leona, opens the door, while Arlington quickly closes her laptop. She doesn't want her adoptive parents knowing that she's trying to find her biological mother.

"Sweetheart, dinner is ready." Leona says in a soft, velvet tone.
"Okay, I'll be at the table in a few minutes." Leona gives a curt nod and closes the door.

Arlington quickly packs her beat-up black leather backpack with supplies she will need for her journey. She prints her plane ticket she purchased a few days ago and tucks it deep into her pocket.

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After dinner, Arlington dresses in an all black outfit. Black jeans, t-shirt, and combat boots. Arlington pulls her dark brown reddish hair into a high ponytail. She tightens the silver star bracelet that her birth mom gave her before she vanished. Ever since then, Arlington has never ever taken it off.

She pulls out a sheet of paper and writes a goodbye note to her parents explaining why she's leaving.

Dear Mom and Dad,

I miss my mother dearly. I need to know what happened to her. It's time to find her. I want to thank you for everything that you've done for me. Both of you are ideal parents who love me unconditionally. Thank you dad for teaching me that I am stronger than I think. Thank you mom for teaching me that taking chances is the way to discover who I really am. Thank you mom and dad for teaching me to always believe in myself. It pains me to write this, but I must find them. You guys have excelled in being spectacular parents. I want you two to know that I will always love you and that I'll always have a special place in my heart for you. I hope you will be supportive of my choice.

Your Loving Daughter,

Arlington

Arlington slips the letter into an envelope and seals it. With shaky hands, she places it on her bed, knowing that in the morning, her parents will find it. Lastly, she packs a water proof sleeve and places pictures of her real and adoptive parents, her dog, family vacations, and her house key. Arlington places the envelope with her most precious possession in it, in a pocket on the inside of her shirt.

She looks at her resting dog, Peanut, and kisses the top of his head. Peanut lifts his head and perks his ears. "Goodbye Peanut. I love you. You are the best dog anyone could hope for." Arlington's voice quivers. A single tear slips from her eye. She opens her bedroom window and crawls though it.

Arlington looks back at her home. Memories of her soon to be past life play through her mind.

Eight year old Arlington opens her mom's minivan and her new puppy comes bouncing out. "Come back Peanut!" Arlington shouts. She doesn't want him to run into the street. Peanut comes running into Arlington's arms and she carries him into his new home.

"Mom! Dad! Look! There's snow on the ground!" Nine year old Arlington yells. She runs outside with Peanut and they start playing. After many hours they come inside freezing. Arlington's mom hands her daughter a cup of hot chocolate and a Christmas cookie. Peanut sits next to the fireplace near the Christmas Tree.

"Come on Peanut! It's the first day of summer! Let's go swimming!" Arlington is very ecstatic because she just finished her 1st year of middle school. Arlington and Peanut jump into the pool and play with a ball. Her father soon joins in.

Arlington turns her head to the road and walks to the bus station. Once the bus comes, she'll be at the airport and on at plane to China. At the last moment, Arlington runs back to her room and puts a leash on Peanut. She couldn't leave him behind.

The bus arrives and Arlington finds a seat in the third row. She sits down with Peanut next to her.

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Arlington walks through the airport in Xi'an China. People give her a few strange looks. Mainly because Peanut bouncing along next to her without a care in the world. She brushes them off and secures her backpack over her shoulder.

Later that evening, Arlington sits on a fluffy hotel bed with Peanut. She opens her laptop and looks for the location of the plausible wormhole. She scrolls through an article and stops at a picture. The photo puts Arlington in a trance. She's mesmerized by the enormous size of it.

Arlington strokes Peanut and thinks. 'Should I go through with this? If I do, there is no coming back.' She lets out a little groan of frustration. Arlington is very conflicted whether to risk everything for the slim chance of finding her mom. 'It's worth it.'

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A slight breeze blows through Arlington's ponytail. She stares into the deep pit. Arlington shakily grabs hold of Peanut. She holds him tightly to her chest. Arlington's knees are about to give out because of her anxiety. Arlington takes a deep inhale and then exhales. She does the unthinkable, and jumps.