not from around here | Zuko X OC

| chapter eight |

(me when someone asks for some of my food.)

Zuko had gone back to the ship after challenging side burns to a Agni...whatever, as Iroh was telling me what it actually was whilst looking for some fire nation clothes for me.

"Ohhhh I see. Why would Zuko do that, seems unnecessary." I said, rifling through the very red clothes as the woman with the stand watched with interest.
"Zuko feels he needs to show he can beat Zhao." Iroh sighed, shaking his head.

"You know, my clothes are fine." I said after looking through another pile and finding nothing.
"They're okay, but not when we want to blend in." Iroh said kindly, smiling at the woman who was glancing from me to him.
"I guess." I hummed, moving onto the next pile of clothes.

"Found anything you like?" Asked Iroh as I sighed again.
"Not yet, it's not really my style." I pointed out, looking down at what I was wearing.

"Iroh, you really don't have to-" I started, turning to him to protest about him buying me new clothes.
"It's no problem. Now go on." He said, and I turned back to the clothes.

"Hmm, this is nice." I pulled out a red tank top and checked the size, then held it up to my torso.
"It would look lovely on you sweetie." Said the store lady, smiling warmly.
"Thank you, you stock such amazing clothes, they feel so soft and good quality." I smiled at her before going back to rifling through the clothes.

"Thank you!" The lady smiled at the compliment.
"The clothes are hand made by my sister, me, and my two daughters." She added.
"Well, tell them they're doing amazing." I said as I pulled out a pair of loose fitting trousers.

As I was holding them up, something behind them caught my eye.
I quickly folded the trousers and hung them over my arm, along with the top, and walked over to what I had seen.

It was a black t-shirt that looked a quite large, however that was perfect. It was still in the fire nation clothes section, however it had a small and beautifully embroidered bison on the front left breast. It looked exactly like the Avatar's flying bison, the detail was amazing. On closer inspection, I saw it had a ying yang symbol on the back and I smiled, pulling it off of the rail.

"This is perfect." I murmured.
The lady that owned the stand peered over my shoulder to look at the top.
"Are you sure sweetie? That's from the men's section you know..."
"I'm one hundred percent sure!" I told her, nodding.

"It's seems you've made a decision." Said Iroh from behind me, walking up to the counter. The lady went to the other side of the counter and rung up my clothes.
"You've made some good choices, enjoy!" She handed us a paper bag with our goods and I took it, smiling.
"Thank you." I bowed respectfully and Iroh followed suit.

"Thanks again Iroh." I said as we turned and walked away.
"Don't worry about it Saki." He smiled warmly at me again.

It was a short walk to the ship and, after some casual chat, we went our separate ways.
As I walked down the hallways I spotted Zuko coming towards me. I remembered everything he had said.
When he passed me it felt like it was in slow motion, my anxiety went through the roof and I wasn't sure if I should say something.

By the time I made the decision, it was too late anyway.

I opened the door to my room and quickly got inside and closed it behind me, taking deep breaths.

I wish I'd stayed back in my world.
I wish my parents hadn't left me.
I wish they could be here right now.
I wish I had told them not to go.

Tears poured down my cheeks and I threw the bag aside as my back slid down door and I sat with my knees a to my chest.

On the other side of the door, Zuko stood, about to knock.
He heard a voice in through the door and listened closely.