The Spark of a Firebender

A Rude Awakening

Zuko slowly opened his eyes, groaning and attempting to speak, but his voice came out weak and strained, barely a whisper. His eyes darted around the dimly lit room, scanning his surroundings as he struggled to sit up. 

He found himself in what appeared to be a sizable barn, surrounded by hay bales and various farming tools. A quick glance outside revealed a sprawling deserted landscape, but his attention quickly returned to the pressing matter at hand.

Across from him stood a young girl, around his age, with fair, freckled skin. She wore a simple dress, her long, brown hair tied loosely into a bun, with strands of hay clinging to the messy style. Gripping what seemed to be a broom, she held it as if it were a weapon, ready to defend herself.

Kyra held her broom defensively, unsure of what to expect from this mysterious stranger who had suddenly appeared in her barn. She narrowed her eyes, her curiosity mixed with a hint of caution, and jabbed him with the broom, just as Zuko's eyes started to flutter close with exhaustion again.

His eyes shot open, and he jolted up into a sitting position, glaring up at Kyra. The intensity in his gaze sent a shiver down her spine, but she stood her ground.

"Who are you?" he asked, his voice hoarse and tinged with suspicion, his vision starting to become less blurry.

Kyra crossed her arms and attempted to sound threatening. It had been weeks since she had spoken to anybody, let alone some scarred stranger she had found passed out in the desert. "That doesn't matter," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of defiance.

"Where am I?" Zuko asked, still glaring at the girl, his guard firmly in place.

"This is my barn, and I'm asking the questions—" Her words trailed off, as she realized her mistake by revealing accidently where he was.

"Why am I in your barn?" Zuko started, but Kyra interrupted him.

"Ah, ah ah! I'm asking the questions, remember?" she retorted, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she looked down at him, folding her arms with a forced scowl. She really wasn't good at this.

Zuko scowled, his frustration growing. "Why are you asking the questions?"

Kyra shifted her weight onto another foot, trying once more to look menacing. "Because, I have the broom," she replied, a touch of defiance in her voice.

Without warning, Zuko shot up from the hay bale, fueled by a surge of adrenaline. He grabbed the broom, swiftly twisting it around so that Kyra's arm was pinned behind her back, the broom still in her grasp. A smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Oh, yeah?" he taunted.

Kyra yelped as he effortlessly overpowered her, but she managed to react quickly. With a swift kick to his feet, Zuko lost his balance and tumbled to the floor, releasing his hold on the broom. Kyra seized the opportunity, yanking the broom back into her possession. She stood over him, arms crossed, a look of strong annoyance on her face. "You can't do that!" she exclaimed.

Groaning, Zuko sat up, rubbing his neck, his annoyance evident. The encounter had left him slightly embarrassed, but he was determined not to show it.

"Who are you, and what are you doing in the desert?" Kyra asked, her tone still hard as she gripped the broom.

Thinking on the spot, Zuko decided to stick with a fabricated identity. "Lee, I'm traveling," he replied, his voice steady but guarded.

After a few moments, Kyra seemed somewhat satisfied with his response. She extended a hand to help Zuko up, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. He took it grudgingly, brushing himself off, his wariness still present.