Within Shadows (Zuko x Reader)

Chapter 5

"...You bought a Tsungi horn?" He deadpanned.

"It's for music night on the ship!" Iroh responded cheerfully causing you to lightly chuckle. He then moved on ahead, stroking his beard. Zuko followed then you. And as the two of you were making way back to the ship, Iroh's eyes lit up at a boat that seemed to be selling various things. "Oh look! This place looks promising."

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go on in!" You exclaimed and lead the way. Iroh following happily alongside you while Zuko groaned and followed suit too. The ship held several mystic and strange things here and there and you and Iroh looked around with curiosity.

"We lost a water bending girl and a little monk she was traveling with." Someone spoke catching both you and Zuko's attention. You just wanted to eavesdrop but Zuko had a different plan.

"This monk. Did he have an arrow on his head?" Zuko more so demanded than questioned as he approached the two pirates. Iroh held a strange monkey statue with ruby eyes and necklace and attempted to make the same face it was making towards you causing you to giggle.

"Yeah... He did. Him and a water bending girl came in here and stole a scroll from us." The man from before replied to Zuko.

"Do you know where they headed?"

"Hmm... Depends. What's in it for me?"

"You help me get that kid and you'll get your scroll back. Simple."

"Very well. Just follow our ship and we'll lead you to where we lost them." And with that, Zuko stormed off the ship, you and Iroh following back to the ship but getting on the small boat that you and Zuko had used before. Iroh joining the ride this time. The pirate ship set out and the boat following along side it.

~~~

Katara was tied to a tree. You stood among the guards and listened in on the conversation at hand while you had an internal struggle within yourself. Debating on if now was the time to sneak off and find the rest of the gaang and rush off with them or to stay with Zuko and to see how this plays out. "Tell me where he is and I won't hurt you or your brother." Zuko demanded Katara.

"Go jump in the river!" Katara snapped back then glanced away from Zuko. Zuko's expression dropped and he took a few steps towards her.

"Try to understand." He began and circled behind her. "I need to restore something I've lost. My honor." He spoke and appeared on the other side of Katara. Her eyes kept away from him. He then leaned towards her ear, causing your jaw and fist to clench and your gaze to sour. "Perhaps I can exchange him for something you've lost?" He held the necklace in front of her neck with a smirk. Kataras eyes widened.

"My mother's necklace!" Zuko moved in front of her once again, dangling the necklace in front of her. "How did you get that?!"

"I didn't steal it if that's what you're getting at. Now, tell me where he is."

"No!"

"Enough of this necklace garbage." The captain of the pirate ship grumbled. "You promised a scroll." And at this words. Zuko pulled out the scroll and held it over a large flame in his hand.

"I wonder how much this scroll is worth." He mused. The pirates gasped and one uttered a "no!". Zuko smirked at this. "A lot judging by your reactions. Now you help me find what you want. You'll get this back, and everyone goes home happy. Search the woods for the boy and meet back here."