(Hey guys! I dont not own anything avatar, but i do own Ashayna! Please enjoy. Shipping is everywhere, so dont be discouraged if your favorite ship isnt on here! It probably will be. Read and review. First fic.)
"My legs are sore," screamed out one of a million thoughts going through Zuko's head. He scowled. Finally back on his way to honor and the only thing he could do was mentally complain of how Azula sat on the throne all day while he had to stand. He should know it was a small price to pay to be accepted back into the family.
"Zuko, can you watch everything for a second? I want to see how our prisoner is doing," said the cold voice of Azula to his right. Even when he wasn't Azula's "enemy," Zuko found her quite unsettling. And the fact that he had betrayed his loving uncle for a brutal sister did not aid his warming up to her.
The young prince watched his sister leave, eyeing the throne through the corner of his eye. Just one second to sit down. Azula would never know. He walked over and placed his hand on the arm of the seat. "What is it going to be like to be back in the throne at home? Will father choose me over Azula to rule our lands?" Zuko's doubt spread as he sat down wearily. He wasn't even sure if his father would accept him, let alone make him leader of the fire nation.
BANG
Zuko awoke from his thoughts and looked up as he saw two members of the Dai Li walking briskly with a prisoner in their grasps. Zuko quickly stood up, paranoid and not wanting anyone to think he was trying to replace Azula by sitting in her seat.
The two members who now stood before the steps gave a curt bow in respect to the prince. Zuko nodded, allowing the two to explain their presence.
"We found this one trying to break into the palace. When we grabbed her she started screaming of corruption and revolution. We thought Azula might want to question her," the smaller of the two guards explained.
Zuko turned his attention to the girl in question. Since brought in, the girl had been staring fiercely at the floor, trying to pull away but without much conviction. Zuko noted with surprise that she was not much younger then him and wore nice clothes. Hardly someone who could be a major threat. "She's probably some merchant brat wanting to get her father out of prison" Zuko thought to himself.
The guard coughed politely to turn Zuko's attention away from examining the girl. "Prince Zuko. What should we do with her?"
With the mention of Zuko's name, the girl shot her head up, staring up at the boy with a surprising mixture of shock and hope. Her eyes were a sharp mixture of brown and gold; her hair of the same color. Zuko felt his heart stop as he recognized her.
She smiled slightly at his recognition, leaving Zuko's heart in a flutter of nostalgia.
"Leave her," Zuko muttered. The guards stood in shock of the prince's choice, tightening the grip on their prisoner's arm.
"LEAVE HER NOW" Zuko demanded fiercely, letting the fire flow freely from his fists. The guards reacted – quickly dropping the girl and retreating to the main doors.
Prince Zuko heaved a mighty breath and calmed down, looking back down at the girl before him. She stood gracefully, clothed in earth nation garment, short hair, and small build; different, but exactly how he remembered her.
In the blink of an eye the small girl ran up the stares and wrapped Zuko in a hug. Rusty in the department of affection, Zuko stood in shock.
"It's been a while, Ashayna."