DOUBLE BENDER, 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙯𝙪𝙠𝙤 [DISCONTINUED]

II: Azula always lies

"I'M STAYING HERE."

Cheyenne's POV:
"Ahh. This is what I've been missing." Said Iroh as he was receiving a massage. "Who knew floating in a piece of driftwood for three weeks with no food or water and sea vultures waiting to pluck out your liver could make one so tense?"

"Yeah, what a mystery," I said rolling my eyes. I looked at Zuko beside me, who was very quiet. Iroh noticed that, so he stood up as he spoke. "I see. It's the anniversary, isn't it?" I looked at both of them confused.

"3 years ago today, I was banished. I lost it all. I want it back. I want the avatar. I want my honour, my throne. I want my father not to think I'm worthless--" I interrupted him. "You are not worthless Zuko!" Zuko looked at me, and I swear I saw a small smile creeping on his lips.

But Iroh ruined it, unintentionally of course. "I'm sure he doesn't. Why would he banish you if he didn't care?" Zuko stood up and left. "uh, that came out wrong, didn't it?" I shook my head in disbelief. "Yes, it came out very wrong," I said before I went behind Zuko.

"Zuko! Wait up!" Zuko stopped when he heard me calling for him. I stopped next to him. "I want to be alone." I snorted. "No, you don't." Zuko just sighed as he looked away. "I mean it, so just leave me alone."

I looked at him up and down. "Okay, but if you need me I'll be at the house." Zuko just nodded, still not facing me. I sighed and left. Zuko always put up a wall, which made everything difficult for him. I got to see the real Zuko that lies beneath all that hate, but just sometimes. Also, these last three months he has been... affectionate around me.

I thought we were progressing, but I guess we weren't. Zuko is too hard to deal with, but I still think that it's mostly due to childhood trauma. What Ozai did to him is not something easy to forgive. But he didn't even know that his father did wrong, and would always do the wrong thing.

...

"Look at these magnificent shells. I'll enjoy these keepsakes for years to come." Iroh showed us the shells he had found. "We don't need any more useless things. You forget we have to carry everything ourselves now." I smirked at Zuko's comment.

"Poor Zuzu, he doesn't have any servant to carry his things." Zuko rolled his eyes, but we were interrupted by a voice. "Hello, brother, uncle, Cheyenne."Zuko took a defensive position.

"What are you doing here?" he had an angry face, as always. "In my country, we exchange a pleasant hello before asking questions. Have you become uncivilized so soon, Zuzu?"

"Don't call me that." I placed my hand on his shoulder, to try and calm him down. "To what do we owe this honour?" Asked Iroh at Azula, getting straight to the point. "Hmm, must be a family trait. Both of you are so quick to get straight to the point." She broke a shell she was holding, which sent shivers down my spine.

"I've come with a message from home. Father's changed his mind. Family is suddenly very important to him. He's heard rumours of plans to overthrow him-- treacherous plots. Family are the only ones you can really trust. Father regrets your banishment. He wants you home."

My heart skipped a beat when I heard her words. I looked over at Zuko, who was almost frozen. "Did you hear me? You should be happy, excited, grateful. I just gave you great news." Her creepy smile made me look away. "I'm sure your brother simply needs a moment--"

"Don't interrupt, uncle!" well, I see that the bad temper is a family thing. "I still haven't heard my thank you. I'm not a messenger. I didn't have to come all this way." I rolled my eyes. "Father regrets? He wants me back?" Zuko was looking through the window, lost in his thoughts.

"I can see you need time to take this in. I'll come to call on you tomorrow. Good evening." And then she just left, as if she just said nothing. I see a lot of weird things happening at once. I looked at Zuko, hoping he would see something weird was going on too.

"We're going home after 3 long years. It's unbelievable." Zuko was packing his bags. "It is unbelievable. I have never known my brother to regret anything." Iroh mentioned. "Did you listen to Azula? Father's realized how important family is to him. He cares about me."

"I care about you. I mean, if Ozai wants you back, well, I think it may not be for the reasons you imagine." I looked at Iroh, and I could see his pain. "You don't know how my father feels about me. You don't know anything."

"But we know he gave you that scar, and then he banished you." Zuko turned to look at me, hurt evident in his eyes. I should not have said that. Iroh spoke before Zuko could say anything. "Zuko, I only meant that things are not always what they seem in our family."

Zuko glanced at me before he spat at Iroh. "I think you are exactly what you seem-- A lazy, mistrustful, shallow old man who's always been jealous of his brother." I was shocked at his words. he didn't mean that... right?

"Zuko!" I said as he left. He didn't even turn to look at me. Iroh grabbed my wrist and when I turned to face him he shook his head. He had a sad look on his face, which made me hug him very tightly. "You are not a shallow old man, you are the man who saved my life, and I'll always be thankful."

"Don't worry my dear, I'm sure he didn't mean that." He was defending Zuko even after he said that. I smiled and broke the hug. "We should rest, tomorrow is going to be a long day." Iroh looked away. "I'm leaving with Zuko. I just--" I interrupted him.

"He needs you more than I do," I concluded the conversation and we both went to bed. When I woke up the next morning Iroh was gone, but he left a note. "I know Azula is lying, keep your guard up. Please wait for us. -Iroh" I smiled at the note.

Suddenly the door barged open. It was Zuko and Iroh. "We have to leave, now!" I grabbed my bag and ran with them. We ran for some time until we got next to a river. "I think we're safe here." Zuko grabbed a knife, which I didn't understand. But then he proceeded to cut his ponytail, finally.

He passed the knife to Iroh and he cut his bun. Iroh then passed the knife to me. I shook my head and gave the knife back. "I'll just let my hair down." I untied my bun and they threw their hair into the river. Now we were fugitives.

A new life was awaiting us.

Chapter 2: Finished.