Flameheart | Zuko

THIRTY-NINE

Suki and Zuko looked everywhere around the Lower Ring for Homura but no matter where they looked, she wasn't there. Anyone they asked didn't know about her and so, hours later, as they sat down by the street, tired and hungry, Zuko and Suki had no idea how to proceed. For a while, they sat there in silence, paying no heed to those passing by, the sun above their heads being rather annoying and only reminding them of the time they had wasted looking around for someone who wasn't there. Eventually, Suki spoke up.

"Maybe she's in the Middle Ring," she suggested but he shook his head at once.

"People can't move from the Lower Ring to another Ring without reason. She wouldn't have been able to get to the Middle Ring."

Suki let out a small sigh as she leaned her head back against the wall. There was a beat of silence. "I got upset when I heard about her past, you know, but in the end, I never guessed she would run away to be free of it. Then again, I never knew her mother was in the prison close to the palace."

"I didn't think she'd leave either," he admitted with a sigh as he turned his attention to the street in front of his feet, avoiding Suki's eyes. "She left the feast early and I guessed she was tired. I thought I should give her some space. Maybe if I had made sure she realised I didn't blame her for what happened she wouldn't have left. I don't know what else I could tell her to convince her, though."

Suki turned to face him properly, appearing intrigued. "You know, Zuko, there are a lot of things on the line for you. You left your nation. What happens if you come back empty handed?"

He closed his eyes as he let out yet another sigh. "I'll try to get over my humiliation and avoid Mai for at least the first week so she won't feel like telling me 'I told you so'."

Suki couldn't help but smile at his reply. "Why did you leave everything to search for her, Zuko?"

"It was a decision I took in the spur of the moment," he murmured as he opened his eyes once more and turned to face her. "I didn't want her to leave me just yet."

"And what if we find her?"

"I'll ask her to stay in the Fire Nation," he admitted, noticing her pursed lips at once. He smiled. "She's a Fire Nation citizen, Suki. It's not a given she'll stay in Kyoshi island forever."

"I know and she loved the Fire Nation capital but it'll be hard to live without my best friend in a nearby house," she admitted as she looked away with a frown. "I've gotten used to her presence. But I still want what's best for her so if staying at the Fire Nation capital with you will make her happy then that's where I want her to stay."

He smiled. "Thank you, Suki."

"You take care of her, Zuko," she grumbled, "if you don't, I promise you I'll come after you."

"I'll make sure she's happy to the best of my abilities."

This time, she smiled back. "I didn't know you could be so adorable. You're almost as sweet as Sokka."

At once, he scowled. "Did you just compare me to your boyfriend?"

"I couldn't help it, it's that expression you make when you speak for someone you care about, it's adorable," she cooed as she reached up in an attempt to pinch his cheeks. With a roll of his eyes, Zuko stood up before she could touch his cheek. Suki laughed as she got to her feet as well and followed him down the street so they could continue their search for Homura.

Hours passed and they still didn't find anything. As the sun started to set, they made their way to the train station and took the train leading to the Upper Ring. The guards at the train station wouldn't let them pass at first but eventually, Zuko made them realise he was the Fire Lord and as Fire Lord, he could go to the Upper Ring whenever he pleased. A while later, they were taking the last train of the day to the Upper Ring with Suki right beside him. As they took in the sight of the city from above, she couldn't help but gasp.