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☽𖤓
"𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬," Iroh spoke with a heavy sigh that made Touka glance up from where she was sitting with her legs crossed, pulling at a loose string on her clothing. "Of all the foolish things you've done in your sixteen years, Prince Zuko, this is the most reckless."
Touka watched the exchange with a sinking feeling. She knew Iroh was fighting a losing battle with the Prince. Although she agreed with Iroh, Zuko's resolve was unyielding. His stubbornness reminded her of Katara, a trait that shone through unmistakably.
"I have no choice, Uncle." Zuko replied curtly, his eyes fixed on the horizon as he scanned the skies for Appa.
Iroh's face twisted with frustration at his nephew's defiant words. "Have you completely forgotten that the Fire Lord banished you?" His voice softened, tinged with desperation. "What if you're caught?"
Touka hugged her knees to her chest, her lips pressed into a thin line. There was nothing she could say to change the situation. She didn't even know the full story behind Zuko's banishment, not that she expected him to confide in her. The scar on his face told a story of its own, one that spoke of pain and betrayal rather than a father's love.
Zuko finally turned to face his Uncle, his eyes burning with determination. "I'm chasing the Avatar. My father will understand why I'm returning home."
"You give him too much credit." With crossed arms, Iroh raised one of his gray brows at his nephew. "My brother is not the understanding type."
The Prince's lips stayed closed, for a mere second his front cracked as his gaze lowered and met Touka's for the briefest of moments. Before he put up that wall again she saw hurt, anger, and everything in between. Although it was gone as quick as it had appeared.
His focus returned to the skies, his eye peering back through the scope. It had been quiet for a while, Touka closing her eyes whilst her chin continued resting against her knees, not expecting to hear anything important.
Zuko uttered something her ears hadn't caught and turned around shouting towards his helmsman. "Helmsman, full steam ahead."
Those words had the girls eyes snapping open quickly, alertness filling her crystalline gaze. "No." She whispered to herself, standing up, fingers wrapping around the metal bars of the rail as she looked up into the sky. Touka's heart dropped down into her stomach when she spotted Appa.
A soft groan escaped her, putting her face in the palms of her hands. She didn't know if they were brave or stupid, flying straight into Fire Nation territory with no cover except the clouds that were few and far between.
