The Fire Within - an atla fanfic (Zuko x OC)

Little High

"You aren't suppose to be here?" Sokka questioned.

"Doesn't it look like I shouldn't be here?" I asked, pointing to my hair.

Sokka stared at me for a few moments. "Yeah, doesn't seem like it."

I looked at the sky. "I hope I'm not bugging you all, I know you have a lot of things you have to do."

Aang looked back at me from Appa. "It's not trouble." He said happily.

Katara looked at me. "How was it on Zuko's ship?"

"It was terrible. I was locked in a cell the whole time with little food and water." I explained.

Katara sighed. "I hate the fire nation, they killed my mother."

I widened my eyes slightly. "That's terrible."

Katara nodded solemnly. "Did Zuko ever talk to you?" She asked with curiousity.

I shook my head. "He just called me a peasant and acted like I wasn't important." I explained.

"Ugh. I hate him."

———

"Where are we going again?" I questioned as we walked up a big hill.

"The Earth Kingdom city of Omashu!" Aang announced as we reached the top of the hill. I looked and saw an odd looking city.

"I used to always come here to visit my friend, Bumi." Aang explained.

"Wow. We don't have cities like this in the South Pole." Katara said in amazement.

"They have buildings here that don't melt!" Sokka exclaimed.

"Well, let's go slow pokes! The real fun is inside the city!" Aang said while running down the hill.

"Wait, Aang! It could be dangerous if people find out you're the Avatar." Katara warned.

"You need a disguise." Sokka and I both said at the same time. I smiled slightly.

"So, what am I supposed to do? Grow a mustache?"

———

Aang itched his head that was covered in Appa's fur. "Ohh, this is so itchy! How do you live in this stuff?" Appa grunted in response.

"Great! Now you look just like my grandfather." I said with laughter.

"Technically, Aang is 112 years old." Katara said.

I raised my eyebrow. "Seriously?"

"Now let's get to skippin', young whippersnappers! The big city awaits." Aang said in an old man voice. Aang began to walk hunched over, using his staff as a walking stick.

"You guys are gonna love Omashu. The people here are the friendliest in the world." Aang said happily.

We went to the gate and saw a merchant arguing with the guards.

"Rotten cabbages! What kind of slum do you think this is?" The guard said while smashing them in the ground.

"Noo! My cabbages!" The merchant said.

"Just keep smiling..." Aang said as we walked to the gate. Katara started jittering next to me nervously. "Stop it, Katara, act natural." I whispered to her.

"State your business!" The guard ordered

Aang rushed forward in a move much too sprightly for his supposed age. He pointed an accusing finger at the guard and using his old man voice begins to speak. "My business is my business, young man, and none of yours! I've got half a mind to bend you over my knee and paddle your backside!"