Zara's P.O.V.
I look around the schoolyard, a blank expression on my face as I continue to sit on the bench.
"What? Can't get a word out?" I hear Chang say
I look up to see Chang and his goonies in front of me before looking back down at my book.
"It almost seems like she can't talk anymore doesn't it boys?" Chang laughs "How about we finally go teach that Zuko kid a lesson."
"He isn't going here anymore," I say, not looking up
"What's that?" Chang questions
"Zuko, well Prince Zuko isn't going here anymore. Fire Lord decided to bring him back to his at-home studies." I reply, finally shutting my book and looking at the group in front of me
"You're saying that puny kid is Prince Zuko, the one who is supposed to be our next Fire Lord." One of the guys says
"Yes. That is exactly what I am saying." I say as I stand up "Now if you will look at the time, it is time to get to class."
I push past them, heading towards my classroom. I look around before looking at the teacher as she nods and I head to my seat, staring out the window, looking out towards the palace.
Zuko's P.O.V.
I look out the window towards the direction that the school would be at. I shake my head before staring at the teacher that is in front of me, pointing at the history points that we were talking about.
"Zuko, can you not pay attention for once?" Azula starts
"I already learned this back at the other place." I start "This is just a review."
"Wait, they were ahead of this?" The teacher asks
"Yes, sir. Our class was a pretty fast-paced class. We would be able to memorize things faster than the other classes our age." I explain "The teacher also had me and Zara on a different topic most of the time due to our advancement."
"I'll keep that in mind for the future lessons." The teacher says "Thank you for telling me now."
I look back out the window to see Uncle Iroh walking through the halls, a worried expression on his face as he starts to leave the palace.
"Where do you think he's going?" Azula asks
"I don't know. Zara is supposed to be having her lesson in less than an hour." I reply as I watch my uncle
I turn around to see my father walking towards his brother, a solemn look on his face.
My uncle turns to look at my father before shaking his head, bowing.
"I think I am going to go find out from Uncle," I say as I stand up
I brush my clothes off before running after my uncle to see him holding a letter.
"Uncle Iroh!" I yell
"Zuko, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in class?" Iroh asks
"No. We were released early for some reason today." I say "Why are you heading this way? You only go this way when you are going to fetch Ling."
My uncle looks at me before pursing his lips, looking down at the letter.
"Don't tell me..." I start
"Admiral Jian was killed in the crossfire between earthbenders and firebenders." Iroh starts
"Where?" I ask
"Ba Sing Se," Iroh says, looking down
I shake my head before looking back at the palace.
"First Ling lost his best friend there, now he lost his dad," I whisper
I look up at my uncle, licking my lips.
"Can I come with?" I ask
He nods quickly before turning around to head to the carriage.
Zara's P.O.V.
I hear somebody knock at the front door. I look through the window to see Ling heading towards the door. I hear him greet the person before it goes silent.
"I'll tell her." Ling says "Thanks for offering to stick around."
"Ling, you know you are family. I can stay and help if you need it." I hear Iroh say
"It might be best that it's just us for a bit. We'll reach out when it's good time." Ling says
I shake my head before heading towards the living room.
"Ling?" I ask
I look at the door to see Iroh and Zuko standing there.
"What's going on?" I ask
I look at Ling when I see him holding a letter. I look over Iroh's body posture to see it sagging more than usual.
"No!" I start "Not him too!"
I feel the emotions start to raise up before I turn around and sprint towards the back.
Zuko's P.O.V.
"The marks getting stronger?" Iroh asks
"Every day it gets bigger." Ling starts "I'm afraid that we won't be able to hide it very well much longer unless we add more bracelets to her collection."
"What mark?" I ask
"The Mark of Dragons." Iroh says "It's a very special mark."
"I thought your dad banned people from having those marks..." I say
"He wanted to but then your father realized that people who have it, can't control them having it or not. But a lot of people still decide to keep it hidden." Iroh explains
"Her's is the strongest that I've ever seen. The size of the mark, it's wrapped around her wrist twice and still grows down the outside of it." Ling says "I think we might have to up her training."
"We might have to. How are we going to explain that to the Fire Lord?" Iroh asks
"Just tell him that she's advancing faster than you thought she would," I say
They look at me before nodding.
"Iroh, would you guys like to come in?" Ling asks
"Not today. I'll talk to the Fire Lord to see if I can bring Zuko down again tomorrow when she might be feeling better." Iroh says "Ozai doesn't exactly know that he's here with me."
Ling laughs before nodding, turning to look back towards the back.
"We'll talk more tomorrow about her training. We need to talk about her schooling now that our parents aren't here and I'm the oldest." Ling starts to trail off
"Have a good evening you two," Iroh says
"Tell her I'm sorry for me Ling," I say
"I will. Travel safe you two." Ling says
LIng shuts the door as we turn around to walk towards the carriage.
"Will she be okay if father finds out about the mark?" I ask
"I don't know Zuko," Iroh says before setting his hand on my shoulder
Zara's P.O.V.
I hear Ling open the back door but doesn't move. I turn around to see him standing there, watching me.
"Come here." Ling says
I look at him before looking down at my hands, watching as the flames disappear.
I start to walk towards him slowly before full on running into his arms.
"Why him too?" I whisper
"I don't know Z. I really don't know. But I want you to know that you will never lose me. Iroh won't make me go back out to the battlefield, not until you are old enough to fight alongside me." Ling says as he rubs my back
"But..." I start "Lu Ten..."
"I know I promised him I would always fight but only when the times were right. I can't just leave you after all this." Ling says
I pull away from him before nodding. I look towards where the school would be before looking back at Ling.
"I don't know if I'll be going back, but we'll talk to your teacher about what we should do with you. I know you're ahead." He says
I nod before looking at the ground, pulling my wrist into sight, tracing the mark.
"It keeps growing. I don't know how to get it to stop." I whisper
"We just learn how to control your power. That's all we can do." Ling says
I look at him before pulling my bracelets over it.
"We should get some sleep." Ling says "I'll see you in the morning."