Chapter 8 - On The Run

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It's been a few days since Iroh had taught Zuko how to redirect lightning and I had gone after him, finding him on top of the mountain, screaming at the sky. After we had gotten back to the cabin, my hair was a tangled mess. I tried to brush it out as best I could but it was no use. So, I took my dagger that Master Pakku had given me and cut my hair short.

In a way, I'm kind of glad that I cut my hair. It's now easier to brush through since it's shoulder-length now. 

I also had gotten some Earth Kingdom clothes

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I also had gotten some Earth Kingdom clothes.

(I know that this outfit is different than the one in the Character Bio at the beginning of the book but, I just decided to change it because I thought that this one was better than the other one!!! Also, please pretend that the hair in this pictu...

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

(I know that this outfit is different than the one in the Character Bio at the beginning of the book but, I just decided to change it because I thought that this one was better than the other one!!! Also, please pretend that the hair in this picture is dark-brown or black and shoulder-length!!!)

 to blend in a lot more. Sadly, I had to steal the clothes from someone...

Yesterday, we started traveling on our Ostrich-horses. It's been slow, even with 2 Ostrich-horses between the 3 of us. Zuko has attempted to walk the whole time, letting me and his injured uncle ride the other ostrich-horse. It was a losing battle to get him to ride with me, but I managed to talk him into taking the reins. We've been riding for hours now and Iroh's been groaning in pain and discomfort for about the last 10 minutes. My ability to heal might not be exemplary but I know that he shouldn't be in that much pain still. He just has to be faking. I feel Zuko tense up in annoyance at Iroh's pained groans. "Maybe we should make camp." he says. "No, please, don't stop just for me!" Iroh pleads, his voice so convincing that I almost believe him. Almost. Iroh lets out several more pained groans before Zuko pulls on the reins of the Ostrich-horses, stopping it, causing Iroh's to stop as well.

We all dismount and I help Zuko tie up the Ostrich-horses as Iroh plops down onto a rock. "You know that he's faking, right?" I ask Zuko, my voice quiet to keep Iroh from overhearing. It seemed fairly obvious but it was also something that would likely go over Zuko's head. He grinds his teeth together as he nods. "Yes, but it's easier to just go along with it, and I don't want to risk it if he actually is in pain." he adds. A smile appears on my lips before I teasingly shove him with my elbow. "Aw, who knew you were such a big softie." I giggle. He sends me a light glare that's more of a forceful attempt at not smiling. "Shut up. If it were you, I'd let you wallow in your pain." he replies. I scoff at that. "Yeah, okay, sure." I reply with a roll of my eyes. "I'd really like to see you try, Prince pouty." I grin while ruffling his short hair before walking away from him. I hear Zuko let out a frustrated growl behind me before I hear the Ostrich-horses scuffling behind me making me turn around to see that their bodies are ridged and their feathers are ruffled as they let out short purrs, vocalizing their distress.

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