For the Want of the Sun • Zuko

chapter 12: Fugitives

"This one seems edible."

I inspect the berry in my hand, soft and purple. It squishes between my fingers and I tilt it back and forth, looking for any signs of poisonous qualities. Not that I know what those look like. I sniff, but the berry has no smell. I'm sticking my tongue out, the fruit about to touch the tip, when-

"Cut it out, Y/n."

I shoot Zuko a glare, dropping the berry to the ground. "Well, what do you want to do? I'm starving!"

He groans, rolling his head. "I am, too, but you can't just go eating strange berries. Maybe...maybe there's an animal somewhere."

"Yeah, like that fire-ferret you tried to chase down earlier?"

"I thought we agreed not to talk about that."

I sigh, looking at the ground and trying to ignore the rumbling in my stomach. I raise my eyes to find Zuko already staring, and he jerks his head to the side in a tired manner. I walk after him in understanding, brushing past the bushes to find his uncle.

"Uncle," he calls. "We didn't find anything to eat! I can't live like this, I wasn't meant to be a fugitive! This is impossible!" He shakes his fists at the sky in anguish and I smirk. I look over at Iroh who is sitting on the ground, finger brought to his chin in a pensive expression.

"Whatcha doing?" I ask. Iroh turns to me with a smile, beckoning me over excitedly.

"Ah, Y/n, you're looking at the rare white dragon bush. Its leaves make tea so delicious it's heartbreaking!" He clasps his hands together. "That, or it's the white jade, which is poisonous."

"Hmm. Yeah, maybe that's not the best idea then."

"Uncle, we need food, not tea," Zuko speaks from behind me. He walks past me, brushing me with his shoulder. "Y/n and I are going fishing."

"What?" I exclaim. "I'll be doing all the work!"

"Oh, sorry to inconvenience you," he deadpans. "I guess starving will be easier."

I stick out my tongue at him but follow begrudgingly. "See you later, Iroh," I call. "Don't eat anything poisonous."

"Yeah, yeah, see you later!"

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

"How are you so bad at this?"

I send Zuko a fiery glare, stabbing the sharp end of my stick into the water. "At least I'm trying, your highness. It's not like you're any help!"

"I don't know how to fish! I'm a prince! What's your excuse?"

I stare at him, confounded. "Do you think the servants at the palace hunted for their own food or something?"

He shuts his mouth abruptly, looking away. "Uh, no, I just-"

"Okay, whatever. Can you just help?"

"I mean, not really."

"Ugh!" I drop my stick, grabbing my hair. "We're gonna die out here, aren't we."

Zuko shrugs. "Possibly."

I sit on the mossy ground, bringing my knees to my chest. I feel lightheaded and dizzy, and the emptiness in my stomach has grown into a painful gnawing. The sun is too bright, and it sends colors whirling in my vision. I shut my eyes, trying to find a moment of relieving darkness.

A hand on my shoulder, and a soft voice. "I didn't mean it, Y/n, we're gonna be fine." I can't bring myself to look up. Zuko sighs from above me. "We'll figure it out soon, ok? Let's go find my uncle, maybe he knows what to do."