The Shadowbender Book 1 ( Avatar Last Airbender FanFic/ Zuko Romance)

Chapter 2: Who are you really?

To our disappointment we lost track of our attacker and gave up after a couple of hours. As we stumble out of the shadows, we are still in the the same woods that I met him in. I am so hungry and tired that I decide we should stop to rest here. I literally have no idea what to do from here and Zuko seems just overwhelmed by our small adventure. We haven't said a word to each other since the sun had gone down. We are surrounded by a couple of trees sitting on a little hill surrounded by the stars in the sky. We each lay down at the exact opposite sides of the little fire that he started. I again feel socially awkward and turn my back so I can stare at the dark green pine trees that outline this little spot and into the familiar shadows. It seems so quite and peaceful but I know at the other end of the world someone is probably getting killed right now. So much to thinking about happier stuff. 

I felt so alone without Onai. We've never been that long apart from each other and it really hurts. All because I followed a stupid guy. Now I was totally alone, separated from the only family I ever had.

Zuko is laying on his side apparently asleep until he whispers "Hey, stranger?" 

"Yes...".

"I can't sleep..."

"That's not my problem" I whisper back

"Agh," I hear him roll over onto his side so that he is facing me."Then tell me one thing... what exactly did you do back there when we escaped the shooting arrows?"

 I sit up to look at his handsome face. "I... I don't even know it myself."

"What?" He sounds surprised by this. The fire reflects off his face, making his scar more noticeable, he is beautiful even with the red burn on the left side of his face.

"I've done it before, many times, but only with myself. I don't know why I can do it..." I trail off not wanting to speak anymore.

"But where did you learn this?" Zuko and his questions.

I feel white hot anger boil in the pit of my stomach. "I just don't know!" I shout at him feeling the anger roll through me but this burning sensation soon leaves me "I just - I don't know... Is that enough? Please just leave me alone!" I roll over again to face the darkness turning away from the light and away from Zuko. Zuko could be the light of my darkness, he could bring balance to me. I can't help letting my voice crack, giving a hint that I am about to cry. As I am lying on the ground I feel this big lump in my throat building up. I take deep breaths, in through my nose and out through my mouth. Just trying to stay calm and opening my eyes as wide as possible, keeping the tears from rolling down my dirty cheeks but I fail. I notice my vision starts getting blurry. Good job Kida, now you are already at crying in front of a boy you like. Silent hot trears roll down my cheeks over my celestial nose and into my ruby lips. The salty taste reminds me of all the times that I have cried over my feeling of loss. I would use Onai's fur to soak up the sadness. Thinking of my furry white companion makes fresh drops fall harder making me mad at my show of weakness.

Through my silent sobbing I feel something warm touch my back. I hear Zuko's words of comfort "Erm... Hey its going to be okay." I sit up to face the light, the warmth, and the safety that Zuko brings. I forget about my red eyes and tear stained cheeks. I peer into the picture painting of myself in his pleasant hazel eyes. I immediately shy away form this show of openness with so much anger that I feel that I am about to burst.