Best Friends Forever?[SPORATIC UPDATES]

11: Good News

I never knew a building could be so big.

Why would anyone need so many rooms?

I've spent the past few days just exploring & flipping around. Careful to avoid any of the more official looking parts. These halls are so big and wide, they make the perfect space for practicing.

Until today that is.

"Ugf" came from both the mouth of the person I'd just bumped into as well as mine.

Three 180°s followed by a double back tuck was perhaps not the best way to end my little hallway performance.

"I am SO sorry. I should have been watching where I was going." I rush out as I scramble to get off of the unfortunate victim to my momentum.

I realize who it is when they reach for my outstretched hand.

"Oh Zuko. Real sorry about that." He grips my hand & I pull him up. "Must have landed a bit too close to you hahaha." I give him a big smile. "Let's call it even?"

He gives me a scrunched look. Like he's been told the mathematical equations of a Clark Lu trick.

"At the fountain. When you pushed me in?" I try to explain. He looks even more confused.

"When Azula set fire to an apple on my head & you pushed me into the fountain." As I explain in more detail, his face begins to soften. "Then you used me to help yourself up & left me there. Soaking wet."

A furious blush blossoms on his pale skin.

"I-"

"No need to apologize, if that's what you were going to do." I say with a wave of my hand. "Water in the fountain hahaha." I laugh.

"No seriously-"

"Zuko. We're even. You knocked me down. I knocked you down. We're 1 and 1." I tell him with a big smile.

He attempts to say something, before just blowing air from his lips & lightly shaking his head. Continuing on his path.

"So..." I fall into step with him. "Where are you headed?"

Silence.

"You really don't like talking to me, do you?" I had to ask. It's not like we talked much before, but... we weren't around each other often. Now I find him around every corner.

He sighs. Pinching the bridge of his nose. "What do you want Azeala?" He sounds tired as he stops walking. Turning to face me.

I roll my eyes at the repetitive question. "Haven't we been through this Zu? I don't have some secret agenda." I wave my hands around. "I just, want us to be friends..." I give him a shrug at the end.

He gives me a flabbergasted look in return.

"Listen Zuko." I start. Making contact with his amber eyes through my own. "I don't know how long I'll be staying in the palace-" let alone the Fire Nation, "but I'd really like us to be friends while I'm here.

"Ty Lee's off some place." Probably with Azula, "I haven't ran into Mai yet." I should really hunt her down again, "&... well..." My mood drops when I start to think about it. "I haven't... I haven't seen my family yet either." I chose to find a painting on the wall over Zuko's shoulder incredibly fascinating at the moment.

I see him stiffen & decide a vase further down the hall is a TON more interesting.

Great going Zea. Now it's awkward.

Zuko clears his thought. "I'm sure you'll be in contact with them soon." He says & starts to walk again.

"Ha. I don't even know what happen to them after I left." I say as I walk right beside him. "Or if they even want to see me." Father was always so strict. I'm sure I'm a major disappointment to him now.

A deep frown sets on my face as I think about it.

It's been so many years. And, I still can't bend.

"I could look into it for you."

I turn to him with my slight glassy eyes. "Really?"

"Yah." He says. Avoiding looking at me.

A large smile cracks my frown & I jump to give him a giant hug.

"Thank you so much, Zu!"

"Ah hem." Someone cuts in. Disturbing my excited squeals.

That someone being Azula, who looks back and forth between Zuko & I. He quickly unlatches me and takes a step away.

Azula stares at him a moment longer, before looking at me. Straight into my eyes. Into my soul.

"Azeala, come with me."