Sound Waves (Avatar: The Last Airbender) Book 2

Chapter 13 - Tunnel Vision

Fun fact for my older readers who have been with me for a long time- This chapter is the first chapter written with my new laptop that I bought myself after many years of using a lot of hands me downs. So enjoy! -Golden :)

3rd Person's POV

Uncle Iroh dragged the young prince along with him through the Third Ring, the moody teenager just wanting to be left alone and to sleep in some off-putting alley somewhere. They currently had no address, no bed to sleep in, nor a roof over their heads. But the way his Uncle's eyes twinkled, it seemed he had a plan. He could only think it had something to do with how they managed to get the tickets into Ba Sing Se in the first place.

"Oh come on, dear nephew! It is time to explore the city! Ba Sing Se is a very beautiful city!" Iroh states as they avoid stepping in goat shit. Zuko makes a face of distaste before rolling his eyes at the irony. Why did they even have goats in the city?! Oh yeah, the lowest of lowest rings, gotcha.

They were practically in the slums of any major city in the world, but all put into one. Zuko feels like taking a shower and just scrubbing his skin raw after walking through here.

Iroh's attention was drawn away from his nephew and his current task of exploration when he heard and saw a large group forming along the sides of the streets, excited smiles and jumping kids that were covered in dirt and grime clutching onto the adults scattered amongst the crowd. Iroh smiled, immediately dragging the sulking prince along with him by his arm.

They stood next to many groups of singles, couples, or families. Iroh sparking up the conversation to find out what was going on for such a large group to form.

"Is there a parade going on today, miss?" He asked her, watching her eyes flutter in confusion at his sudden voice next to her. She turned her head to look at him, a kind smile breaking out on her face. "Sort of! The Royal Princess is visiting all of the rings today! We are her last stop before making her way back to the palace!" Zuko's interest was peeked, slightly pushing his uncle to the side to talk to the woman full front.

"Princess? You mean the Princess of Omashu?" The woman nodded, "Yes! She and her citizens are currently visiting the city for a couple of weeks. It's so exciting! I heard that she is really beautiful!" Stated the woman, gushing over royalty. Zuko shared a look with Iroh, the older man grinning.

"Ah, what a turn of events!"

"You knew she was coming here, didn't you?" Iroh said nothing in reply, closing his eyes in relief. 'I'm glad that she made it out of there safely, and is here.' He thought. Zuko scrunched his brows together, (one brow gang Zuko). His golden eyes looked out past the crowd, trying to see when she would arrive- Shit, he knows what he looks like. He unconsciously wiped his hand through his short hair, wondering if she would recognize him without the ponytail. It was making him nervous to see her again. The last time he saw her is when she treated his injuries after rescuing her and the Avatar from Zhao- No, that isn't right. He bit his bottom lip, it was at the North Pole...

The scream she created still haunted his dreams at night.

When the cheers from the crowd began, so did the thumping of his heart when he caught sight of her, surrounded by Dai Li Agents, one stationed to walk right next to her, the formation in a diamond shape to protect her from anyone.

He could feel the heat rise up along his neck to his cheeks and ears, how she carried herself was so different than how he knew her to be with the few and far in between interactions with her. Iroh smirks at Zuko's reaction that he tried to hide from his and everyone else around them.