Flame of the Heart - Book 1 // Zuko

Chapter 6

It had been a week since Zuko had spent the night looking after Shira. Since that day, he never stayed the whole night but continued to send her letters by way of her meal or he would casually leave them where he knew she would find them. Eventually they had a system where every two hours, one of them would leave a note hidden beneath a rock that lay next to the pond. That gave Shira an excuse to make plenty of trips to the pool and Ursa noticed with amusement that Zuko spent a lot more time outside.

Even though the two had secretly agreed one evening when Zuko managed to make a quick visit, that they would not appear in each other's presence when passing notes so as to not rouse suspicion, Zuko didn't exactly follow that rule. Zuko seemed to find it rather enjoyable to sit in a dark corner of the library by the window that overlooked the pond.

The boy had managed to visit Shira in the hallways when no one was around or he managed to sneak to his sister's room during the day when Azula was out, but it was always limited to at the most, an hour. However, during that time he would spend talking with Shira. So far, the girl had managed to avoid getting injured or whipped from Azula so there wasn't ever a need for Zuko to care for her wounds.

One morning when Zuko went to leave a note for Shira underneath the rock, he found a note already from the girl there. Happily stuffing it into his pocket, he rushed to a quiet area and read it.

I just overheard your sister say that she is going on a trip with Mae and Ty Lee overnight. She will be back tomorrow afternoon. Do you think we could talk later? I need to tell you something. ~Shira.

Zuko's face split into a huge smile but his eyes were laced with concern. He was overjoyed that he didn't have to avoid Azula for a while and that meant he could see Shira without being worried that Azula would appear. However, he couldn't help but notice the deep throb of his heart at the last sentence of the girl's letter. Was she upset with him? What was it that she had to tell him?

The rest of the day, Zuko found that he could barely concentrate and was constantly zoning out, worrying himself to death about what Shira had to tell him. Had he been too hasty a week ago? It was just a kiss to the forehead.... But then again, he almost kissed her for real.... However, the girl hadn't mentioned it or acted like anything happened the next time he saw her. Did it really not mean anything to her.... or was she hiding her discomfort?

Finally, Azula fare welled her family and headed out with a host of guards, Mae and Ty Lee. As Zuko stood next to his mother, father and uncle, waving her off, he couldn't help but feel impatient. The moment that his sister crested the horizon, he was going to meet Shira. It was already getting dark and both had agreed to not meet today until it was dark.

"Take care of yourself dear!" Ursa called to Azula.

Azula just lazily waved her hand before riding out, Mae and Ty Lee close behind. When they were out of the gate, Zuko rushed up to the battlements and watched them until the dust from their horses was long gone.

Rushing back down, Zuko realized that everyone had gone back to their duties. Without a second's hesitation, the boy rushed through the palace until he came upon Azula's room. He hadn't noticed that his hair had begun to come out, but he didn't care. So far Azula hadn't said anything about his hair ribbon so he assumed that Shira found it first.

Sighing and trying to catch his breath, he opened the door. He noticed the rope that tied Shira to the bedpost was left limp on the floor. Zuko had taught the girl how to hold her hands so that when Azula tied her up, Shira could untie herself later when she wasn't around.

Looking around, Zuko caught sight of the girl, sitting on the large windowsill. Her back was to him and her shoulders slightly hunched forward. Zuko could tell that she was either upset or crying.

"Shira?" he whispered.

The girl spun around after wiping at her eyes frantically with her sleeve. She plastered a smile on her face.

"Hello Prin.... Zuko," she greeted.

Zuko's face lit up and walking across the room, climbed onto the sill next to her. He realized that it had a good high view of the courtyard and with the moon shining on the pond, it looked like the moon was in the water.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

The girl nodded, "Just remembering.... Things."
Zuko nodded in understanding and was about to say something when Shira reached out and held out a book to the boy. It was a dark brown bound book with a leather cord holding it closed. Zuko slowly took it and flipped through the pages. They were all blank.... A journal.

"It's the last thing I have left of my parents. My dad gave it to me three years ago, but I never used it. I have never been the writing or drawing type."

Zuko stared at the book, then back at her, "I can't take this Shira.... It's a gift from your dad."
Shira smiled and pushed the book back at him when he held it out to her, "And now it's a gift from me to you. It's the least I can do after all you have done for me Zuko... but there is one thing I ask."
"Anything," Zuko said, holding the book tightly in his hands like it was a holy relic.

"Um...." Shira whispered, "Whenever you have problems, write them in the journal.... Then when you find out the answer to the problem or it is all solved and taken care of.... Write about it and how it makes you feel."
Zuko tilted his head, smiling, "Why?"

"Because... one day you might be fire lord Zuko," Shira whispered, hiding her blushing face behind her long golden hair, "When that day comes, you will be facing problems every day and sometimes you lose track of them. It's always nice to know where all your problems are and to know which ones you've solved."

Zuko's heart throbbed at her words and just managed a smile but controlled himself from throwing his arms around her.

"Oh, and one more thing," the girl said, reaching into her pocket, she drew out the book that Zuko had leant her.

Zuko took it and was about to tuck it under his arm when he noticed a red ribbon hanging out of the book, "Is that my hair tie?"

Shira nodded, "I found it on the floor before your sister did. I kept it in the book so I would remember to give it to you."
Zuko glanced at the girl, then back at the ribbon. He paused a moment, knowing that since the girl had the ribbon it would be filled with her scent. Finally, he held it out to her.

"Here," he said, holding it out to her, "Keep it.... to remember me by."

Shira slowly took it before smiling as she clutched it to her chest. She slipped it into her pocket and turned her eyes back to Zuko.

"You should get sleep tonight," Zuko pointed out, noticing that her eyes were drooping shut, "I won't bother you. Maybe I'll come by in the morning before Azula returns."

Shira nodded and stood up, climbing off the sill into the room. Zuko was about to climb out the window to head back to his own room when he felt a gentle hand on his. Turning around, he saw Shira standing there, her head bowed and her face turning red.

"Thank you.... For everything," She whispered.

Without warning, she looked up and planted a soft kiss on Zuko's forehead before turning around and heading back into the room. Zuko sat frozen on the windowsill for what felt like forever until the lights in the room turned off. Sliding off the sill, he landed in the bushes outside and headed back inside. He paused by the pond on his way in and ran his fingers through the moon lit water. A huge smile split across his face before he rushed inside. Unbeknownst to him, a pair of amber eyes watched as this unraveled before smirking and disappearing.