Under the Cherry Blossom ↠ Zuko x OC ✔️

03 | The Chase

Iroh and Arlington have been following Zuko for a while. He stopped in a town and revealed his true identity. Now, Zuko is on the move once again.
"Hey, Iroh. I'm going on a walk, would you like to come?"
"I would love to, but I need to finish up dinner." Iroh smiles while stirring a pot of stew.
"Okay, I'll be back soon." Arlington walks into the woods with Peanut by her side.

↠ ↠ ↠ ↠ ↠ ↠ ↠

Further into the forest, Arlington hears voices. Her heart speeds up, not knowing whether the people are a threat.
"Should we check it out, Peanut?" The little dog just looks at Arlington.
"Ok, let's go."

As Arlington and Peanut approach the people, the voices stop. All of a sudden, a pillar of rock shoots out from the ground and flings Arlington into the air. She screams and lands with a grunt in front of Aang, Sokka, Katara, and a blind girl Arlington hasn't met.

"Man, that definitely bruised my back." Arlington lays on the ground, trying to regain her breath that was knocked out of her.
"ARLINGTON!!" Aang runs up and hugs her.
"It's nice to see you, Aang." She laughs.
"Where's Zuko?" Katara distastefully asks.
"I don't know."
"Who's Zuko?" The little blind girl questions.
"Oh, just some angry freak with a ponytail who's tracked us all over the world." Sokka nonchalantly says. 'He's not a freak and doesn't have a ponytail anymore.' Arlington rolls her honey green eyes.

Aang has Arlington sit on his sleeping bag. "How have you been?" The monk energetically asks.
"Other than being knocked twenty feet into the air by a rock, pretty good." Arlington smiles.
"Why aren't you with Zuko?" Katara questions. Arlington looks down. "He decided to go off on his own."

"Wait, do you care for him?!" Sokka's eyes grow big. He noticed how Arlington's mood dropped when speaking about Zuko leaving.
"What?! No."
"I can tell you're lying." The blind girl says in a sing song voice. Arlington snaps her head towards her.
"How?"
"I'm an earthbender. I can sense the vibrations of your heart. It speeds up when you lie. Name's Toph."
Arlington smiles. "Nice to meet you, Toph."

Katara begins to inspect Arlington. "Do you have any injuries."
"Maybe my on back, I'm not sure." Katara orders Arlington to lay on her stomach as she checks for anything that needs to be healed.

"Have you changed Zuko's mind about capturing me?" Aang asks Arlington. The rest of the group looks at her, waiting for an answer.
"I'm getting somewhere. He's trying to find himself without capturing, you, Aang, as his top priority. I would say it's an improvement. But he still has a long way to go."
"At least you're helping." Katara smiles kindly.

"I better get going. Thank you for the healing session, Katara. It was nice to see you guys again and it was nice to meet you Toph." Arlington stands, getting ready to leave.
"Why don't you stay longer?" Aang offers.
"I can't. Iroh and I are tracking Zuko. We aren't sure where he is, but hope to find his trail soon."
Aang nods and everyone bids Arlington goodbye and safe travels.

↠ ↠ ↠ ↠ ↠ ↠ ↠

Iroh and Arlington walk in peaceful silence. They both enjoy listening to the nature surrounding them, until Iroh is knocked to the ground by an earthbender. Arlington is soon flung into the air.
"Ohhh... That really hurt my tailbone." Iroh rubs his behind. Arlington holds her head. "I swear I saw stars for a second."

Toph walks out from behind the rocks and greets them.
"Heh, sorry about that. I thought you were going to attack or something." The blind girl shrugs.
"It's fine, Toph. I would like you to meet, Iroh. He gives great tea and advice." Iroh grows bashful due to Arlington's complement.