not from around here | Zuko X OC

| chapter twenty one |

Uncle Iroh and adopt me any day, I have the papers.

"This way."
Zuko grabbed Saki's hand and pulled her around a corner again, leading the way across the icy floor.

They gotten to a place that had a pool of water that seemed to be emitting a strange glowing light from it. It was oddly warm in there, especially compared to the freezing air outside. The whole vibe of that place was peaceful and calm, it felt like it was pure like fresh water.

Saki saw three figures, Katara, Aang, and another girl she didn't know with white hair and a more tanned skin tone like Katara and Sokka.

Saki didn't get a better look though because Zuko pulled her under a bush with him quickly.

"Stay here." Zuko ordered in a hushed tone.
This time Saki nodded, because she could still watch from her not-very-comfortable position in the bush.
She could hear Katara's voice as Zuko got out from behind the bush.

"No, he's my friend. I'm perfectly capable of protecting him." Katara told the white haired girl confidently.
"Well, aren't you a big girl now." Zuko smirked as he walked towards them.
It took everything in Saki not to burst out in a fit of giggles at what he had said to the girl.

"Kinky." Saki muttered so only Zuko could hear from where he was in front of her.
He turned and glared at the bush and then turned back to the girls and Aang.

"No..." said Katara in dismay.
Saki felt bad because of the pure terror these teens were experiencing because of some guy. Saki now wanted to help them even more.
But she still hadn't been able to convince Zuko to stop chasing the avatar, so her job wasn't done. She felt like that was the reason she was brought to this place and she was not just going to give up.

"Yes. Hand him over and I won't have to hurt you." Zuko told her.

The white haired girl ran from the scene as Katara assumed a defensive stance. Zuko kicked up his leg, sending a fire blast Katara's way. He fired more blasts from his hands.

Zuko continually fired as Katara conjured up water shields to deflect the attacks. Katara drew water from the pond and sent the stream at Zuko, who was preparing another attack. The blast pushed Zuko back several feet and knocked him to the ground.

"I see you've learned a new trick, but I didn't come this far to lose to you." He growled.

Zuko turned around and fired another blast which Katara blocked by summoning another shield of water. A jet of water collided with Zuko, and he was sent farther back. As he attempted to steady himself from the impact, small juts of ice formed around his feet. Saki glanced at Katara, she had a determined look on her face.

Water began rising around Zuko and encircling him. Katara waved her arms about wildly, forming a ball of water around him which she froze solid. She smiled triumphantly at the imprisoned Zuko.

"You little peasant. You've found a master, haven't you?" Zuko yelled down at her.
Saki could've helped Zuko, but that would mean risking the avatar being captured. As long as Zuko wasn't getting hurt, she knew it would be fine to just let them be.

The globule of ice began to glow bright orange with heat and Saki could feel the ground rumbling beneath her. The entire globule heated up intensely before melting away around the firebender.

He fired repeated attacks at Katara, who drew water from the oasis to deflect the attacks. She prepared to strike him with a water blast, however, Zuko managed to slip away and head toward Aang.

Saki was about to send a jet of water to stop him but Katara was already on it.
Just as his fingers grasped Aang's collar, Katara fired a water blast, throwing Zuko to the other wall. She whipped up a large wave and sent the attack at Zuko. The rush of water sent Zuko up the side of the cliff; she froze the water, encasing him in ice.