Life Happens Wherever You Are (Zuko x OC)

Chapter 24

Zuko had carried me back to the earth kingdom palace where Azula was staying. I drifted in and out of consciousness the whole way there, but was fairly alert once we got into the palace. Two other girls that were dressed the same as Azula were there, one girl with brown hair that was braided, and the other with black hair, half of it up in two buns on either side of her head. Both girls had bangs, the girl with brown hair had her bangs swept to the side, and the other with bangs straight across her forehead partly covering her eyebrows.

The girl with black hair stood up immediately when we came in, "Zuko," I couldn't tell if she was happy to see him or not, she didn't express much emotion. Her eyes shifted down to me and narrowed, "Who is she?"

I met eyes with Zuko and said, "I think I'm okay now, you can put me down."

"Are you sure?" he asked me, searching my face. His was fairly close to mine, but I didn't mind.

I nodded in response, and he gently placed my feet down on the floor. He still supported my upper half as I regained my balance. Once I figured out I was able to stand, I smiled at him gratefully and stepped to the side so that I was standing next to him instead of in front of him. He smiled softly back at me, until the girl with black hair's voice pierced through the air.

"Um hello? I asked you a question."

Zuko's smile dropped and we both looked at her. She had her arms crossed and looked angry.

I cleared my throat, "Hi, I'm Mara," I smiled the best I could muster.

The girl rolled her eyes with a huff, but the other girl with brown hair smiled back at me, "Hi! I'm Ty Lee."

Her reaction made me feel a bit better about the situation, what was that other girl's problem?

I looked up at Zuko with a questioning look. He saw my look and quickly responded, "That's Mai."

I nodded and looked down at the ground. In an instant Ty Lee was right in front of me. I tried not to react too much, but my eyes widened in surprise. She leaned in and said quietly, "Don't mind her too much, she's like that with everyone."

"Thanks for letting me know," I put on a small smile.

Zuko put a hand on the small of my back and said, "You should get some rest. I'll help you to the room."

I nodded and Ty Lee stepped to the side out of my way. I took a couple of steps and then one of my knees gave out, making me lose my balance. Zuko caught me immediately, and we both laughed lightly as he wrapped his arm around me. This reminded me of when we were traveling together, he would always tease me about my balance issues. I could feel Mai's eyes burning into us as we walked away.

He led me to a room in the palace that had a large bed inside of it, "This looks like a good spot, what do you think?"

I looked around the room, speechless. "This is perfect," I breathed.

Zuko chuckled and lifted me onto the bed with one smooth movement. He sat down on the edge next to me, and looked into my eyes. "I'm glad you're okay, Mara."

I smiled, "Me too. It's all thanks to you."

He swallowed, and then continued, "So, what happened?"

I looked away from his eyes and thought for a moment, trying to sort through everything. "Well, I went to see Pao at his shop, I took a carriage, but when I went back to it, it was gone. Then Azula showed up behind me, and we fought. I pretty much won, but then those creepy Dai Li guys showed up and put those rocks on my wrists so I couldn't do anything. They took me to that underground place and kept me in a cave for a while, and then Azula came in and told them to bring me. They took me to that cavern we were in and put me down on the ground, attaching the rock on my wrist to the rock on the ground so I couldn't move," I shook my head, thinking of not being able to do anything but watch.