Within Shadows (Zuko x Reader)

Chapter 9

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You got into the cramped boat with Zuko and blushed a little at the closeness. Zuko have lowered it a little towards the water but Iroh stopped the two of you. "Remember your breath of fire. It could save you out there."

"I will." Zuko replied and lowered it down more.

"And put your hood up, keep your ears warm."

"I'll be fine!" Zuko called out once the two of you were fully lowered. He sat down behind you and you looked over to give him a soft smile.

"He just cares for you, Zuko." You spoke gently.

"I know... But I can handle myself." Was all he said as he began rowing the two of you towards the North Pole. As you two got closer, you raised the masks over your noses and flipped the hood up. You docked at a blind spot on the wall and for up on the ice. Turtle seals making noises behind you. You tapped Zuko's shoulder and pointed to them.

"They need to come up for air once they go down there. I bet if we take that route, we'll find a way in." You whispered. He nodded, pulled down his mask, held his breath and dived in. You following suit. The ice cold water feeling like needles on your skin due to the cold and your breath felt a bit shorter too. You eventually found a way to resurface and Zuko came out with a groan and flopped on his back, trying to capture his breath. You came up but were on your hands and knees trying to capture yours as well. Your body trembled greatly as well as Zuko and he puffed out small pumes of fire. You doing the same but some how a bit larger then the one Zuko made.

The two of you for up and Zuko lead the way again. Pushing past a water current. Hands and feet sleeping here and there but the two of you would resurface at air pockets and then dip down again. But came across thin ice to lead a way out. Both of your breaths depleting but Zuko melted it and crawled out. You closely behind him.

~~~

Katara was fighting Zuko with all her might. You were guarding Aang in case Zuko managed to get past her, but with the full moon being up, Katara had a higher advantage than Zuko. And soon enough, she had him trapped in an orb of ice. Zuko glared at her through the ice. "You little peasant..." He growled. "You found a master, haven't you?" He asked and his gaze turned to you. "And you... I should have expected this." He said and melted the ice around him. As soon as the ice shattered, he was quick to shoot fire blast at Katara. He got close and made it past Katara and managed to dance past you and reach for Aangs collar but Katara was quicker to blast him away with water. She made sure to ice him for good and soon enough, the sun rose.

You made sure to keep your guard up. Zuko huffed out hot air and melted himself out and jumped down to create a large blast that you dodged but it ended up knocking Katara out and whilst you were distracted, Zuko grabbed Aang by the collar and rushed off. "Damn it Zuko!" You muttered through grit teeth. You decided to wait for Katara to awaken which thankfully didn't take long. She gasped and immediately got up.

"Aang!" She exclaimed looking around and her eyes landed on your defeated form. Appa groaned and landed on the dirt with Sokka and a white haired girl on the saddle.

"What happened? Where's Aang and where's Zuko?" Sokka asked as he jumped down. His eyes landed on you. "(Y/n)?" He questioned. Your expression still down casted.

"Zuko took Aang... Katara and I did everything we could to stop him but... He was just too quick. Even for me." You spoke weakly. Refusing to make eye contact with him. You felt a hand land on your shoulder and you looked up to meet eyes with Sokka.