Avatar the Last Airbender: The Admiral's Daughter Zuko and OC

Cassia

It was early morning when Azari was awakened by the clanking of armor.

Azari rubbed her eyes and looked around confused as she observed Zuko putting on his armor and boots getting ready to leave.

"What are you doing?" Azari asked, sitting up she observed the maps on the floor had been cleaned up. Zuko's bed was made, the incense was almost out. Azari had never seen the room cleaner. "Zuko, have you up all night?!" Azari asked Zuko.

Zuko looked exhausted, he didn't sleep much on a regular basis but lately he had gotten worse with it. "No, I laid down for a while."

Azari looked skeptical but shrugged as she got up and made her bed.

"Where are we going this early?" Azari asked.

"No," Zuko said. "Just me, I'm going to a earth kingdom village to get information about the avatar from them. I already think I know where the avatar is headed though. The solstice is coming and I think the avatar may try to reach his past lives somehow. The stories my mother told me talked about how the spirit world is closely connected to the human world." Zuko realized Azari was staring at him with fascination. He looked away quickly, "I mean, that's what I heard anyway," Zuko mumbled.

"Wow," Azari said, smiling at Zuko. "You have to tell me more later, that sounds amazing. Also, I'm going with you."

Zuko shook his head. "I have to go on foot, you and Uncle will stay with the ship and wait for my signal, then we'll head in the direction of the avatar and meet up on the way," Zuko said finishing his speech.

"Nice try," Azari said as she stood up and went to the partition in the room that made a place for her to change. "But you know perfectly well that both of us are coming with you."

Zuko groaned.

"I know you think it's safer on the ship, and it probably is, but I feel safer around you, not the ship," Azari pleaded. She changed into some riding clothes like Zuko's and walked out in her new outfit.

"Fine, but only because you- uh..." Zuko trailed off as he saw Azari in the outfit. It was nothing fancy but Azari always wore thick robes and long sleeves. Her outfit was a change. "Uh, yeah yeah you can come. You look nice by the way," Zuko said blushing.

Azari was blushing too, "Uh thanks..."

They made eye contact but they swiftly looked away.

"Ok, time to go!" Azari said, getting up and heading for the door.

"Yes, let's go find my Uncle," Zuko agreed.

They went to Iroh's chambers where they found him fast asleep.

"Uncle?" Zuko asked, shaking Iroh's shoulder gently.

"Huh? What?" Iroh asked in confusion.

"We're heading out Iroh, we're going to meet up with the ship later," Azari explained.

"Absolutely not," Iroh grumbled. "I haven't had my morning tea."

Zuko shrugged. "Well, I guess we'll just leave him." Zuko said to Azari.

Azari sighed, "Yeah, next time we need to leave later, Zuko."

Zuko smiled, "It's like eight in the morning Azari, it's not early."

Azari rolled her eyes, "Whatever your highness."

Azari was so happy right then, she felt like Zuko was himself. He wasn't angry, they were having fun. They were getting to forget about the avatar and their dark pasts. It was so easy to just be with Zuko.