Find Me | Zuko x reader | Avatar the Last Airbender | Book 1

Chapter 35: Complicated

          "A girl's day out?" Y/N asked, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

          "I think Toph and I need it, if you want to join us, you can!" Katara offered, and Y/N sighed with a smile. It could be a good opportunity for them to bond. 

          "It's alright, I think it would be great for you two to get the day off, spend a little time together." She checked her appearance in the mirror one last time before heading towards the door. "I can keep searching for Appa while I'm out, but mostly I want to walk the city more- possibly try the food, shop a little."

          "You're sure you want to go out alone again today?" Katara clipped her hair loops in her bun. "Are you doing alright?"

          "I wasn't alone for the majority of the time I was out yesterday." Y/N reassured her. "And I don't intend to spend the entire day alone, don't worry about me."

          "Ohhhh..." Toph smirked over at her. "You find a special someone while out in the markets, eh? A nice earthbender?"

          "He isn't an earthbender, and I don't see him that way." Y/N readjusted the strap of her bag. "Still, we connected really well, and I think despite everything, we could really be good friends." Toph nodded. 

          "Sounds cool. Find a good restaurant we maybe go to later for lunch, and we'll see you tonight, yea?" She called as Y/N pushed out the doors.

                             —|➖◾️➖|—

         The entire day was relatively uneventful. Jet never showed at the predetermined spot, which Y/N found strange in itself. She waited for awhile, people-watching and enjoying the sounds around her. 

          When he didn't show, she asked around a bit, but no one who knew of him had heard anything from him, or said anything that might give hints to where he was. Until...

          "Hey. You." Y/N glanced down when someone poked her shoulder. At first she thought the teen was a guy, but the voice said otherwise.

          "Hello? Who am I speaking to?" She asked. A guy stood behind his friend, stone faced, a bow slung across his back.

          "I'm Smellerbee, that's Longshot behind me. We're part of the Freedom Fighters, Jet is our leader. What did you tell him?"

          "What do you mean?" Y/N turned around to face her head on. "Where is he? Can I see him?"

          "He got arrested." Smellerbee cut her off, getting up in her face. "He suspected someone to be a firebender at a local shop. He's a great fighter, but he lost the fight. Halfway through it he just suddenly stopped and started apologizing. Then the Dai Lee got involved, and took him even though he stopped and threw down his weapons. He could've won! What did you say to mess with his head? Don't lie to me! I saw you with him yesterday!"

          "Calm down, short stuff." Y/N said angrily, pushing her Smellerbee's face away. "I didn't say anything that got him arrested. Did he seriously attack the suspect spy?" She nodded, and Y/N let out an angry growl, rubbing her temples with her fingers.

          "I don't know how this city works. Does he have a trial? What's going to happen?" She asked, glancing over at Longshot, who still hadn't said anything.

          "That's the thing. He's gone. No one has seen him since. He isn't in the jail. He's just gone. Poof. What did you do?"

                             —|➖◾️➖|—