Under the Cherry Blossom ↠ Zuko x OC ✔️

01 | The Awakening

'I betrayed Uncle. I betrayed Arlington. I hurt both of them. I hurt, possibly even killed, Peanut, the last thing Arlington has left from her world.' Prince Zuko stands on the deck of a Fire Nation ship. After three long years, he's finally heading home.

The ship sails smoothly, cutting easily through the sea. A mountain range is visible in the distance. The full moon shines brightly through the cloudy night time sky. The sound of Mai's voice breaks Zuko from his thoughts.

"Aren't you cold?"
"I've got a lot on my mind. It's been so long. Over three years since I was home. I wonder what's changed. I wonder how I've changed." Zuko keeps his gaze on the ocean. Last time he was on a Fire Nation ship, he was chasing the Avatar, with Uncle and Arlington by his side.
"I just asked if you were cold. I didn't ask for your whole life story. Stop worrying." Mai wraps her arms around Zuko's torso. She pulls his face closer. Mai and Zuko share a kiss. Though, the kiss was bland. Nothing compared to the passion Zuko felt when kissing Arlington.

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'Hey dad, maybe mom, if you're dead. I bet you guys didn't think I would be a prisoner. Don't worry though, I'm not in trouble for murder or selling drugs or something. Just a war prisoner who tried to help the good guys win.' Arlington's back aches as she silently talks to her parents. Her cell is a dark and small metal box. Uncle Iroh is in a cell beside her. He's remained relatively silent, only speaking to ask Arlington if she's ok.

"I know you're hurting, Arlington." Iroh begins.
"Aren't we both?"
"Yes, but the pain is slowly draining you. You're losing hope."
"How can I not? Zuko betrayed us. He deliberately hurt Peanut. Aang could be dead." Arlington counters. She keeps her head down and uses her nails to carve the metal floor in an attempt to get her mind off things. Although, the action is futile.

A tsunami of memories hit her. The pain of yesterday intensifies. But Arlington doesn't cry. Her golden green eyes stare blankly at the ground. 'Peanut's going to be fine. Katara can heal him.' Footsteps echo through the brig of the ship. Iroh returns to being silent and Arlington leans her body on the cell bars to rest and closes her tired eyes.

"Arlington? Uncle?" The sound of Zuko's voice makes Arlington's blood run cold. She shrinks back further into the shadows, but it's too late, Zuko has already seen her.
"Arlington.. I don't know where to begin.." The Prince crouches down to meet Arlington's eyes. Her black hair with a reddish tint hangs in front of her face. She bites her lip to keep from yelling at Zuko.

"I don't want to talk to you." Arlington says through gritted teeth. She turns her body so her back faces Prince Zuko.
"About Peanut.." He starts. Angry tears fall from Arlington's eyes. She whips around to bend a gust of wind at Zuko, but the heavy chains restraining her prevent the action.
"Cállate! No quiero hablar contigo." Arlington's sudden outburst quiets Zuko.

He doesn't know what to say, mainly because he doesn't know what was said. All he can do is stare at Arlington. Her hair is a mess and is all over the place, her silk robes are torn and burnt, and her cheeks are stained with tears. 'I did this to Arlington... I hurt her.' Prince Zuko quickly leaves the cell block, knowing it pains Arlington to see him.

"Arlington," Uncle begins. He moves closer to her cell.
"Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness." He finishes. Iroh can't do anything but offer Arlington advice. She doesn't reply and begins softly counting multiples of 6 to 1000.