Under the Cherry Blossom ↠ Zuko x OC ✔️

04 | Kyoshi Island

It has been a few days since Zuko has found the Avatar's trail. Arlington is bathing Peanut in the ship's bath house. She has to make sure to use the showers after all the men. It would be awkward if she were in the room while they were showering. Arlington pours a buck of water over Peanut, washing off the soap. She grabs a towel and drys him. She picks up her dog and holds him to her chest. Arlington walks through the corridors until she reaches her room. Once inside, she sets Peanut down and he scurries to the red sheeted bed. Someone knocks on the door.

"May I come in?" Arlington knows it's Iroh. "Yes."
Iroh walks in and gets ready to tell her some news.
"Would you like to tell Zuko about not finding the Avatar's trail yet?" He asks with a joyful grin. Arlington's face falls into a frown. "Do you want me to die?! If I tell Zuko, it's bye bye Arlington."

Iroh ponders the statement. "But if I tell him, I have to deal with his rage." He strokes his beard. The two look at each other and nod.
"We'll both tell him." Arlington suggests. Iroh nods in agreement.

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When Iroh opens the door, Arlington sees Zuko sitting in a lotus position in front of an altar type table, candles are burning in front of him. Arlington notices the fire of the candles increase and decrease with the Prince's breathing. Her eyes widen. 'Why is bending sooo cool?!' Zuko speaks up in a silky voice.

"The only reason you should be interrupting me is if you have news about the Avatar." Iroh clears his throat. "Well, there is news, Prince Zuko, but you might not like it. Don't get too upset."

"Uncle, you taught me that keeping a level head is a sign of a great leader. Now whatever you have to say, I'm sure that I can take it." Zuko is facing always from them.
"Okay, then... we have no idea where he is." General Iroh rushes out.

"WHAT?!" Due to Zuko's anger the candles flare up. Arlington shields her head from the falling embers. The Prince stands and turns around. When he sees Arlington, he immediately glares at her.

"What is she doing here?" The venom in his voice is evident.
Iroh fans himself. "You really should open a window in here. I thought Arlington could help."
Zuko snatches the map from Arlington's small hands. "Give me the map!"
Before things can get worse, Arlington leaves the room, unnoticed.

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The door to the control room opens and Arlington walks in. The captain doesn't hear her. She grabs a map of the new world she's in and leaves before getting caught.

In her room, Arlington rolls out the map on her desk. She places a brush in her hand and dips it in ink. An 'x' is placed on the South Pole and the Earth Kingdom harbor occupied by the Fire Nation. Arlington plans to track the places she's searched for her mother.

When she places the final 'x' down, her bedroom door slams open. Arlington whips her head around to meet Zuko's cold eyes. He storms pass her and looks at her map.

"What are you doing?" He hisses. Grabbing the map.
"Trying to find my mom." She sneers, taking the map back. Zuko is enraged by this action and slams Arlington into the wall, causing her to whimper. Peanut arouses from his slumber and runs towards Zuko.

"What is this?" He raises an eyebrow.
Arlington calls Peanut to her side. "My dog." She replies.
"Dog?" Zuko questions. "Who are you? And where are you from? I had never heard the name Arlington and seen a creature called a 'dog'." He closes in on Arlington, trying to intimidate her.