Play With Fire ~Zuko X Reader~

-8- Azula's Lies

"This is what I've been missing!" Iroh laid on a table getting a massage, "Who knew floating on 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?"

I sat in a chair nearby. Prince Zuko was looking at the ground, tenser than normal.

Iroh got up and walked over to his nephew, "I see. It's the anniversary, isn't it?"

"Three years ago today, I was banished. I lost it all," He looked up at me for a split second, then outside the building, "I want it back. I want the Avatar, I want my honor, my throne. I want my father not to think I'm worthless."

I bit my lip. Mostly to keep myself from telling him how wrong he was about honor and Aang.

"I'm sure he doesn't. Why would he banish you if he didn't care?" Prince Zuko walked out with his head to the earth, Iroh looked at me, "Uh, that came out wrong, didn't it?"

I only nodded.

Later we stood in a dark room.

"Look at these magnificent shells!" Iroh held up a conch shell, "I'll enjoy these keepsakes for years to come."

"We don't need any more useless things! You forget, we have to carry everything ourselves now!"

"Hello, brother. Uncle," We turned to see Prince Zuko's sister, Azula. She glared at me, "(Y/N)..."

Prince Zuko gritted his teeth, "What are you doing here?"

"In my country, we exchange a pleasant hello before asking questions," She rose from her seat and approached us, "Have you become uncivilized so soon, Zuzu?"

"Don't call me that!"

Iroh was clearly upset, "To what do we owe this honor?"

Her expression was unreadable, "... Must be a family trait. Both of you are so quick to get to the point. I've come with a message from home. Father's changed his mind. Family is suddenly very important to him. He's heard rumors of plans to overthrow him; treacherous plots. Family are the only ones you can really trust. Father regrets your banishment. He wants you home," The silence was suffocating, "Did you hear me? You should be happy. Excited. Grateful. I just gave you great news."

Prince Zuko looked at me, then his sister, "What about (Y/N)?"

She scoffed, "We both know her banishment was really nothing more than a joke. If she wants to come, she's welcome."

She looked her brother in the eye, "I still haven't heard my thank you. I'm not a messenger. I didn't have to come all this way."

Prince Zuko seemed to fully process what she was saying, "Father regrets? He... wants me back?"

"I can see you need time to take this in. I'll come to call on you tomorrow. Good evening."

She left the room. I could see the cogs turning in the prince's head. I could tell my teacher wasn't comfortable with the Idea.

I didn't know what to do. Sure, it's probably a trap. But if it's real? I want to stay with the prince no matter what. But I want to end this war. I want to see the prince happy. I want the world to be fixed as much as it can. I want happiness we had, like from the days from before banishment back. I want to help the Avatar not get captured.

Why is it that all the things I want more than anything... all oppose one another?

Hours passed.

"We're going home! After three long years, it's unbelievable!"

"It is unbelievable. I have never known my brother to regret anything."

"Did you listen to Azula? Father's realized how important family is to him! He cares about me!"

"I care about you! And if Ozai wants you back, well, I think it may not be for the reasons you imagine."

"You don't know how my father feels about me. You don't know anything!"

"Zuko, I only meant that in our family, things are not always what they seem."

"I think you are exactly what you seem! A lazy, mistrustful, shallow old man who's always been jealous of his brother!"

Prince Zuko left. I still sat in the corner. I made up my mind. I would go with the prince. He would need backup if this goes horribly wrong. And it's not like I have the chance to go with Aang. Iroh nodded to me, I helped him pack his things.

"Wait! Don't leave without us!"

The prince turned to us, "Uncle! (Y/N)! You've changed your minds!"

I smirked, "Like there was any doubt I would come. You can't get rid of me that easily Princey!"

Iroh laid his hand on the prince's shoulder, "Family sticks together, right?"

The prince smiled brighter then I had seen in years, "We're finally going home!"

We descended the hill, heading toward Azula's ship.

"Brother! Uncle! Welcome! I'm so glad you decided to come!" She opened her arms, I noted that she purposely left me out of her little speech.

The captain looked at the princess, "Are we ready to depart, Your Highness?"

"Set our course for home, captain."

The prince touched my arm, "Home..."

We started making our way up the ramp, "You heard the princess! Raise the anchors! We're taking the prisoners home!"

I stopped in my tracks.

"Your Highness, I..."

I smirked, my voice came out at barely a whisper, "Azula always lies..."

Flames erupted from my dominant hand, they were a mix of my normal yellowly-white and bright red. The captain screamed, I could smell a wisp of burning flesh as he crashed into the water below. Iroh was attacking the others.

"You lied to me!"

"Like I've never done that before."

The battle was a blur of flames. A mix of blue, orange, white, and streaks of red.

"Zuko! (Y/N)! Let's go!"

"You know, Father blames Uncle for the loss of the North Pole. And he considers you a miserable failure for not finding the Avatar! Why would he want you back home, except to lock you up where you can no longer embarrass him?"

The red became more prominent at her words. I was fully ready to kill this woman. But I retreated, letting the prince fight his own battles.

I found myself at a riverside. The prince and my teacher panted beside me, and fell to the ground.

"I think we're safe here."

Prince Zuko pulled out a small dagger. Iroh looked at his nephew, who held the knife under his ponytail. The prince sliced it off with the knife. He held it in his hand then passed the knife to Iroh, who cut off his topknot. They let the bits of hair go. Iroh handed the knife to me, I took more care into my new cut. But in the end, bits of my hair flowed down the river. After the two men's just where it belongs.