Fire and Ice

The Bracelet.

Zuko's POV

Could it really be her? After all these years, could I have actually found her? It wasn't my original mission, but if it really is her then surely it must mean something. After all, finding one long lost girl like her seems practically just as complicated as finding the avatar, which is my main mission. I thought to myself. I stand up, having only drinking half of my cup of tea. I quickly leave the place, leaving my uncle to stay there and enjoy the rest of his tea.

I notice her walking farther down the street. I quickly try to pursue her while attempting to remain unsuspicious.

She turns a corner so I speed up in an attempt to not lose her. When I reach the corner and look around it, I see her walking into a thick forest.

Why the hell is she going into a forest like that?! And alone!!

Klare's POV

I walk along a path that I had made for myself in the nearby forest. I knew that I was being followed, and when I turned the corner I noticed that it was that strange boy with the scar on his eye who was my pursuer. I paid him no mind though, I had nothing to hide therefore I had nothing to fear.

I knew this forest better than anyone else, after all I do live in it. With my knowledge, I decide to confuse the boy so that I could find out why he had followed me.

I walked through some uncleared vines and undergrowth, which I was able to go into without it touching me, before making a sharp turn to the right after I was deep enough to where he wouldn't have seen me.

I sensed him entering the undergrowth and walking around aimlessly, trying to both find a way out and catch a glimpse of me. I watched him, moving through the plants without a sound of any kind. I staying in the shadows, on the edge of the small clearing in the thick plants, I watch as he sits on the tree stomp in the middle.

He grunted in annoyance as he slumped over, probably realizing that he was completely lost and his hood/hat had came off a long time ago.

Finally pitying the poor boy, I step out of the shadows and revealed myself. Though, he doesn't seem to notice my presence until I walk around and stand about 3 feet in front of him.

"You know, after following a girl that you don't know into a thick forest, you should have expected her to notice and make you lost." I said with an amused tone, causing him to raise his head up quickly to look at me. His expression was that of pure shock, but much to my disappointment it went away all too soon.

"I didn't think you were as clever as a snake." He retorted, only causing me to giggle a bit.

"Well, my dear sir. You must have a good reason to follow me, even to the point of getting yourself lost. How about we make a trade, hmm? You tell me who you are and why you followed me, and in return I'll tell you how to get out of this forest."

He glares at me and I can tell that he knows he has no other choice but to comply with my offer. By the moment he opens his mouth to speak agin, I knew he would give me the information I requested.

"The bracelet." He says hesitantly while staring at his feet.

"My bracelet? What about it?" I questioned further and I gently wrap my other hand around the bracelet on my wrist.

"It's not that hard to recognize those simple markings and design. The things I created with my own hands. Do you remember when I gave it to you Klare? It was a gift to represent our friendship, before you left me completely alone." He smiles sadly at the ground in front of him, still not daring to look me in the eye.

My eyes widened as I took a partial step back and gasped in shock.

Could this boy really be my dearest old friend Zuky? The once one and only Prince of the Fire Nation? The son of Fire Lord Ozai? Son of Ursa? The banished prince with whom my care and worries had been given to immediately ever since first receiving the news?

Could this scar faced, sorrowful boy truly be that same Zuky I had known many years ago?

I stare silently at the boy for a few minutes, until he finally risks looking up at me. I see a type of gleam in his eyes that I knew of only one person to ever have.

My eyes began to tear up and I quickly ran the few feet distance between us, tackling him in a hug. He was a lot stronger now, so he was able to pick me up while he stood and hugged me back.

I cried into his chest, unable to hold back the tears as I hugged him weakly.

"You idiot! You should have told me it was you or at least given me a sign or something! It's been so long!! So much has changed! Didn't you receive my one letter I sent you four years ago?! Why did you never respond?! ...Don't you care for me anymore?" I mumbled the last part as I looked up at him, still teary eyed.

His expression seemed panicked at my reaction, but soon he relaxed and just hugged me tighter as places his chin on my head, saying two words that I would have never expected to hear from this boy.

"I'm sorry."

Published: Jul 6, 2015. 2:03 pm