Searching (Zuko x OC)

Chapter 10

Zuko's POV:

It had been 2 days and Sora still wouldn't talk to me. I knew that what I said must have really hurt her, because she had never acted like this before. Everytime I messed up before, she always forgave me. Even if I didn't deserve it.

I sighed as I focused back on what my Uncle was saying.

"We need to stop at the next port to get supplies. We need food and more medical supplies," Uncle Iroh said.

"Fine. Pick the nearest one with good supplies and we'll stop there," I sighed, not really paying attention at all.

"Still nothing?" Uncle asked, referring to Sora.

"Not a word. I don't understand! Clearly I didn't mean her!" I shouted angrily.

I stood up from my chair and paced around the room. Uncle sat silently as I continued.

"I don't understand why she's being so stubborn! It's not like I don't know she's a good fighter. Why are girls so sensitive!" I shouted in aggravation.

Without Sora to calm my temper, it had grown to be even worse than usual.

"Have you ever told her that?" Uncle asked curiously.

"Told her what?" I asked annoyed.

"That you value and respect her fighting," he answered.

I paused for a minute, trying to think.

"...I guess not," I hesitated.

"How is she supposed to know what you think about her if you've never said it? She probably believes that you did mean it," Iroh said softly, getting up and placing his hand on my shoulder.

I stood still and stared out of the window at the ocean passing us by. I didn't even know how to begin apologizing. I didn't know how. It had been years since I had apologized to someone. What if this one turned out similar?

"Uncle what do I do? What do I even say?" I asked, turning to look at him.

"I cannot tell you that. In order to mend what you hurt, it needs to come from your heart. You need to be honest," he answered before walking out of the room saying, "I'm going to go make some tea."

I took a deep breath and decided to go find her. Knowing her, she would be training on deck. I walked slowly, thinking along the way about how to start. I could only hope that I did a good job.

I walked onto the deck and sure enough, there she was doing target practice with her throwing knives. Her accuracy was scary. I gulped, wondering if now was the best time to interrupt, but brushed the thought out of my head.

"Sora?" I asked hesitantly.

She whipped around and threw a knife in my direction that I narrowly dodged.

"Agni's sake, Sora!" I yelped as I saw her relax.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were the great Prince Zuko, better than any stupid little girl," she snapped back.

"That's.....um... well t-that's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about..." I started, rubbing my hand on the back of my neck.

"I have no interest in hearing what you have to say," she spat before turning back around and continuing her training.

"You haven't even heard what I have to say yet!" I exclaimed, already growing annoyed.

"Doesn't matter," she muttered just loud enough that I could hear.