"I Needed Her First." Zuko X OC

Hate Me (Part 6)

'The Avatar's On Kyoshi Island'

Shiloh's <POV>

I see Zuko shift up from the table sternly, looking more intimidating then ever. He looked so unfamiliar to me with his honor manifesting his form.

I feel the colors in my eyes drain with concern. He doesn't even glance at me as he leaves the room with a cold harsh aura.

I stay seated, too unfocused and uneasy to even think about eating the costly feast laid in front of me.

I hear yelling, from the next room. I gulped, trying to listen in.

"Ready the Rhinos, I'm not letting him get away from me this time." Zuko said with intensity filling his voice.

I panicked, he's going to try and fight Aang. The thought picture of Aang's terror as Zuko strikes him with a blazing fire leaving Aang defenseless made my mind race.

I jumped up, still in a elegant outfit and ran to Zuko, my bouncy black curls shifting with every movement.

I took a second to compose my thoughts and think about what logically to do. Zuko taken aback as I glare at him with all seriousness.

"Take me with you." I say holding eye contact with those piercing amber eyes.

Iroh concerned over the aggressiveness of our eye contact, about to speak but Zuko stops him.

"Okay, but you'll be chained up." he said sternly.

"Zuko! Why would you bring her, it'll be a war
ground. No place for a lady." Iroh pouted obviously upset about the situation.

Zuko glanced face palming over to his clueless uncle.

"She's bait, the avatar will simply leave if she's not with us. He needs a reason to stay, leaving us to capture him."

Zuko thinks that's a smart move, but he will soon understand to not underestimate my willingness to protect Aang with my life.

I will protect him, even if that means hurting Zuko or the citizens of Kyoshi. I won't let them hurt Aang.

I kept a poker face hearing his plan, I can't risk leaving Aang vulnerable.

The tall dark haired man turns his back to me, as his army start to prepare.

For some reason my heart felt heavier then usual, different then it did with him by my side. I tug on his hefty loose shirt, his body stopped.

"Zuko..." I mutter looking at the ground below me.

Letting his name leave my mouth felt peaceful, for some reason I wanted to say it more. I wanted to keep speaking to him, everyday. But I was leaving with Aang today, I wouldn't let anyone stop me.

But of course he didn't know that yet. So whatever I was going to say next would be my goodbye.

"Can I get changed before we go?"

All he did was nod and then sigh, angrily leaving the room now cold without his presence. I just stood there, kinda saddened.

I realize there is no time to linger on disappointment, I needed to be there for Aang so I had to go gather my stuff.

I ran down the cold hallway locating my room which had begun to look so homey. I threw on my umber leather combat boots, and I take off my beautiful dress I loved and neatly lay it on my bed.

I quickly put on a pair of comfortable high waisted shorts, with black tank top.

Not wanting to let Zuko know I was planning on leaving I grabbed a thin leather satchel which could be easily hidden by my dark sage corduroy over coat.

I put only the things I need, leaving any new jewelry and items Iroh has spoiled me with.

'I should thank him' I thought to myself he has been so kind to me, and It pains me to be unable to give him a proper goodbye.

I tie my still curled black hair up as I begin to write a apology and thank you leaving it on my desk for Iroh and Zuko.

Realizing they might already be leaving I ran out the door, onto the top deck which I was now vaguely familiar with now.

I see a swarm firenation men grabbing weapons, as the ship grows closer to Kyoshi.

Suddenly I feel a warm familiar hand pull my arm pulling me over to the side of the deck, I look over and recognize the scarred man who so easily towers over me.

I stay silent as I walk with him, eventually we reach two huge intimidating rhinos. I let out a gasp as I examine the scene.

I look at the rhino fascinated and then back to zuko with my eyes glimmering.

Zuko's <POV>

I spot a distracted petite girl, watching around the many scenes on the ship. I walk up to her, checking if she knows im right next to her.

"What a pain." I mutter underneath my breath, which apparently she was too distracted to hear.

"Hey are you even listening to me?!" I yell into her ear, dammit this girl is more hopeless then I thought.

I grab her arm lowering my hand down her cold skin locating her small hand and frozen fingers.

Expecting her to resist my touch, she accepts it. I drag Shiloh to where the ship will allow us to mount onto Kyoshi.

Avoiding eye contact with her at all costs, I felt the disappointment and disgust when she was glaring at me earlier.

I can't bear it. There's this twisting feeling in my chest every time I think of what she must think of me now, I make myself sick to my stomach.

For an unknown reason, her opinion glooms over me. I want her to not hate me. I want her. Lost in my own thought, I hear gasps and awes.

I glance at Shiloh, she appears to be so focused on rhinos. She keeps on glancing at me, like a little kid glancing over to their parents for approval.

A complete look of innocent washes onto her face as she becomes enthralled with fascination for the beast.

Her eyes sparkling when they meet mine, and for a second it was just us. Nothing else mattered to me, I felt an unknown need to protect her.

I feel my heart start thumping, my heartbeat loud in my ears.

Shiloh, please don't ever leave me.

Shiloh's <POV>

"We're here."

I hear Zuko say sternly. He gestures to a guard to chain me up, avoiding meeting my eyes. The guard put cold heavy metal onto my wrists which accidentally snapped on my skin.

"O-ow.." I wince in pain, and I feel Zuko's body shift startling the guard in fear I turned around anxiously to see Zuko staring him down which obviously worked because the guard nearly pissed his pants.

Zuko just then let out a "tch." and climbed onto the rhino. I tried to do the same but with my height and lack of body strength, I tumbled down, looking like an idiot in the process.

(I mean hey you can't blame her, she's chained up attempting to get on an 8 foot rhinoceros)

Attempting to try again, Zuko grabs me by my waist and pulls me in front of him. My body so tightly pressed against his chest, my natural coldness starting to absorb his body heat.

'Shouldn't I be behind him so he can control rhino properly.' As we made our way off the ship, me still placed on inbetween his busy arms, lying beneath his protection.

I look up at his focused amber eyes, which made me feel safe. Even if I was in the enemy's grip, his eyes comforted me.

"Zuko.." I muttered underneath my breath. He looked down at me, with those piercing eyes which cut through my mind.

"What is it?" He responded less intensely then his last few comments.

"Do you hate me?"