Searching (Zuko x OC)

Chapter 2

Uncle Iroh came home today. He lost his son to the war and the invasion of Ba Sing Se was unsuccessful. The tension in the palace was undeniable.

Zuko told me that his family was acting weird. Azula has threatened that Ozai was going to get rid of him, but I convinced him that was nonsense.

"Ursa would never let that happen," I had said assuringly.

Little did I know how right I had been.

Not long after Iroh had arrived back home did we find out that Fire Lord Azulon had died. Ozai was set to be next in line, but Ursa had disappeared without a word. Zuko and I were both upset. Apparently, she had come into Zuko's room and told him that she was always with him. I got no such visit. It stung, knowing that she didn't love me enough to say goodbye, but I kept my feelings in to be there for Zuko. He had always wanted his fathers approval, but now he absolutely needed it. He stopped speaking to me as much and only glanced at me when we passed in the halls. That hurt almost as much.

Iroh was the only one who still treated me the same as he had before he left. He came home and things went as if nothing had changed. He brought me tea and told me stories. He was there for me everytime I cried or needed advice. Especially when it came to Zuko.

"My nephew is just lost. His mother was someone he cared for greatly. Her loss is affecting him more than he lets on. Give it time," he said assuringly.

I hadn't spoken to Zuko in a long time until that fateful day. News traveled fast in the palace of what had happened at the war meeting. As soon as I heard, I wanted to talk to Zuko. I begged my friend who was supposed to bring Zuko his lunch that day to switch with me. She finally agreed and I set out to his room with the food.

"I said no disturbances!" he barked angrily.

"It's me. I have food..." I said, unsure of wether he would respond or not.

I waited for a minute before deciding that he wasn't coming. I began walking away when I heard the door open. I quickly walked inside.

He looked more distraught than I had ever seen him before. He was pacing back and forth and he had a look of pure terror locked on his face. He was truly terrified.

"I heard what happened..." I said while placing the food by his bed.

"I didn't mean to disrespect him! I only wanted what was best for our nation. I'm so stupid!" he shouted.

Seeing the 13 year old prince so stricken with terror was deeply upsetting. I cared for him. He was my best friend, even thought he was an asshole to me recently.

"I should have kept my mouth shut. Now I have to fight in an Agni Kai. What was I thinking!" he exclaimed, even louder than before.

"You were just doing what you thought was best! You had good intentions," I tried to comfort him.

"Tell that to the General!" he snapped.

I dropped my caring demeanor. He continued pacing and talking loudly about how he had to train and blah blah blah. I stopped listening. I shouldn't have tried. I should have know that the boy who was my best friend was no longer.

"Let me know if there's anything else I can help you with Prince Zuko," I said, deadpanned.

And with that I left the room. He barely noticed. I let a single tear slide down my cheek. How could I be so stupid? I still cared for him deeply, but he clearly didn't care about me. I had to let him go. My best friend was no longer there.

When it finally came time for the Agni Kai, I couldn't resist watching. I could still care from afar, right? He stood on the platform and looked so small. I felt a pit start to grow in my stomach. Suddenly the whole crowd gasped. I turned to look and saw Fire Lord Ozai on the platform instead. I was in shock.

I watched everything unfold helplessly. I watched Prince Zuko beg for forgiveness. I watched as his father called him weak and dishonorable. I watched as he sent a blast of fire, scorching Zuko's face. And I watched as he banished him on a quest to find the avatar. I ran back to my quarters and cried harder than I had before. I felt sick to my stomach at what I just watched. I knew Ozai was ruthless but this?

I cried until I heard a knock on the door. I wiped my tears and opened the door. I was greeted by the face of a palace guard.

"Pack your things. General Iroh has requested you be his personal servant on his trip. You will be ready tomorrow morning to depart with the banished prince and the general," he stated before walking away.

On one hand I was relieved. At least I wouldn't be here alone. I would have my family, Iroh and Zuko. On the other hand, I would be leaving everything I ever knew. The fire nation, even just the palace, was the only place I had ever been.

But I didn't have a choice. I began packing my belongings so I would be ready for my departure in the morning. Eventually I tried to go to sleep, but I couldn't erase the images of the day out of my mind. I felt so much pain for Zuko. I wanted to be there for him. I wanted to take it all away.

But all I could do was dream.