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

The Bracelet

After the events of the past week Azari, Zuko, and Iroh kept to the shop as much as possible. They had all had enough of Zhao and were following the avatar at a slow pace. That is until Zuko began to grow restless.

Almost a week in her room had annoyed Iroh. He finally convinced her to go with him to play a game of Pao Sho.

Azari had reluctantly agreed after Iroh had promised her tea. The only tea Azari had gotten the whole week was made by Cassia, and although her tea had turned out to be Iroh approved it just wasn't the same as Iroh's.

Azari stepped into Iroh's room where Iroh sat preparing the game. Cassia stood against the wall nearby.

Cassia usually wasn't allowed to be out of her room without being watched by a guard or handcuffed. But since they were at sea Azari supposed it wasn't a worry.

"Come sit," Iroh smiled at Azari.

Azari smiled back, but weakly. She was happy to be with Zuko. Happy they had said I love you, happy about the kiss. But she still felt battered and shaken after the run in with Zhao. Not to mention her ankle which was badly sprained.

"You know," Iroh said. "We've played this game a million times almost but I've never really shown you how the game works."

Azari stared at Iroh, confused. "What do you mean?"

Iroh smiled. "I will show you."

Iroh looked through the pieces in front of him and frowned. He looked around everywhere and signed. "It seems I have lost the white lotus tile."

"Can't we play without it?" Azari asked.

Iroh shook his head, "absolutely not. The white lotus tile is the most important tile in the game."

Cassia let out a small gasp.

Azari and Iroh turned to look at her and Cassia met their eyes for a quick second. She quickly looked away.

Azari glanced at Iroh, wondering if he understood Cassia's reaction.

Iroh had a knowing look on his eyes. But before Azari could ask, Iroh spoke.

"You too like the white lotus tile?" Iroh asked.

Cassia glanced at Iroh again. "I also happen to think it is the most important piece." Cassia said, guarded yet casually.

Iroh nodded and smiled at Cassia. Cassia glared back, but not as much as she normally did.

Azari was about to ask Iroh what that was about but he got up saying they should get to the nearest doc to find the lotus tile.

Azari decided to ask Iroh later.

Azari and Iroh got up and headed out of the room.

Iroh turned back, "Would you like to come with us?" Iroh asked Cassia. "You haven't been off the ship in a while."

Cassia's eyes flashed with a glint of excitement. But she shrugged, "Yeah, okay." Cassia said.

Once they had instructed the captain on where to go Azari and Iroh began a game. Cassia stood near them, watching intently.

Even though they didn't have the Pao Sho piece Iroh insisted he teach her what he could without it.

A loud bang resounded throughout the room and Azari jerked her head towards the door to see who had walked in.

It was Zuko.

"What is the meaning of this mutiny? No one told you to change course!" Zuko yelled.

Azari winced at Zuko. He was always so angry when it came to the avatar. She thought she wished the avatar was dead almost as much as Zuko did.

"Actually, someone did," Iroh said. "I assure you, it's of the utmost importance, Prince Zuko."

Zuko looked hopeful, "Is it something to do with the avatar?"

"Even more urgent," Iroh said seriously. "It seems I- I have lost my lotus tile."

Azari sort of wanted to smack her head.

"Lotus tile?" Zuko asked.

"For my Pao Sho game," Iroh explained. "Most people think the lotus tile is insignificant, but it is essential for the unusual strategy I employ."

Azari looked at Cassia who was staring at Iroh with understanding in his eyes.

Zuko was shocked, Azari thought he had good reason to be. "You've changed our course for a stupid lotus tile?"

"See, you, like most people, underestimate its value," Iroh said calmly. "Just give me ten minutes to check the merchants at this port of call. Hopefully, they will have the lotus tile in stock and I can get on with my life."

Zuko breathed fire up at the ceiling in anger, but Iroh smiled.

"I'm lucky to have such an understanding nephew," Iroh said.

At the port Iroh insisted they have fun looking at things without him. Azari and Zuko shrugged. They agreed to do their own shopping while Iroh took Cassia and some guards to find the tile.

Azari and Zuko browsed the shops, glancing at the expensive items and cheap garbage sold at the shops. They got food along the way but usually the guards did the shopping so there wasn't much they needed.

"No lotus tile," Azari sighed. "Why is this tile so important anyway...?"

Zuko shrugged, "I don't know, Uncle has always been old fashioned. I just hope it doesn't interfere with our chase of the avatar."

"I don't think it will," Azari said confidently, yet truly unsure. "Who knows, maybe we're closer to him than we think."

Zuko looked thoughtful. "That's true."

They stopped at a stand where there were rows and rows of bracelets and necklaces and earrings.

Azari picked up a bracelet she liked and examined it. "I'd think most of these shops would have junk but this is actually pretty." Azari put it down and sighed.

Zuko smiled at Azari. He gave a few coins to the seller and picked up the bracelet and put it on Azari's wrist.

"It looks even prettier on you," Zuko smiled.

Azari blushed as she stared down at her wrist. She looked back at Zuko. "Thank you."

Zuko reached to touch her face but then swiftly drew back. Walking forward quickly. As if Azari wasn't there.

Azari wished she understood Zuko. When they were alone she felt like he loved her. But even in front of just Iroh he was angry. And hurtful to everyone around him. Even her.

Azari felt tears coming and slapped herself hard on the face. She couldn't be stupid like that. She had murdered people. She didn't get to be weak. That made her feel worse though. If she could take back those people she had killed, she would. Then again if she took them back, she would be dead.

Azari hurried to catch up with Zuko.

8/26/24 Hi everyone, another chapter. Expect one next week on 9/2/24 and then we are officially back to every other week because I'm starting school. Thank you for all the likes and reads!