This is my first story, yay! The idea for this came when I was listening to the thunderstorm quite a while ago

Disclaimer: I regretfully do not own Avatar the Last Airbender

As a storm roars in the Fire Nation, a frightened Marume goes to her only source of solace and comfort…The Prince.

The rain poured hard. The droplets were smacking against the roof of my room. The sound was not relaxing in the least. Water. A dislike for the whole element. Everything it stood for. Images of my parents shot through my mind. My little brother…screaming…crying out for help. They were drowning, and there was nothing I could do. Tears began to fill my amber eyes. I wiped them away and rolled out of my bed. I needed to find him, my only source of comfort in this cruel hateful world.

I crept out of my room silently, and made me way down the halls of the palace. His room was only a few doors down, yet it was still too far in my mind.

Gently, I opened his door, entered the room, and shut it behind me. I was light on my feet and crept towards his enormous bed in the middle of the room. I could make out his silhouette against the crimson sheets. His steady breathing...he seemed the calmest, the most peaceful when he slept.

"Zuko…?" I whispered, leaning on the edge of his bed.

The figure stirred a bit, and he turned on his side, facing me.

"Marume? What's wrong?" the prince mumbled sleepily.

I lowered my head and played with my fingers.

"It's the rain…I can't sleep..."

There was a brief pause, but it felt like forever. Zuko sat up and shifted towards where I was standing. He picked me up of the ground in him arms, and laid me gently next to him. He pulled the silk covers over the both of us and wrapped one arm around my waist. A blush crept up onto my fair skin, and a smile escaped my lips.

I came to live at the Fire Nation palace after the death of my parents. I grew up in a small village in the Earth Kingdom. The only thing I can remember about my home is its destruction… The man-made flood.

My body tensed and I balled my hands into fists. The firebender embracing me must have noticed this, because he turned me towards him. His hand reached up to the side of my face. Lightning struck, illuminated the room in a soft hue of white for a second. Thunder rumbled furiously. I closed my eyes as tight as I could, and buried my head into his chest. I could feel the moisture rising to my golden orbs. I lightly sobbed into the Princes embrace. He held me tighter and gently stroked my silken jet black hair.

"It's alright, Maru…Everything is alright. I'm here…"

Zuko softly kissed the top of my head, and pulled me away slightly, so that we were looking each other in the eyes. Although it was dark, I could still make out his features. His shaggy hair that would fall over his eyes from time to time… His sharp jawline... His slender nose… His scar…I would always tell him he should forever be proud of his wound. It was a symbol of courage.

Zuko's hand made its way to the side of my face once more. Being here with him was the most beautiful feeling. I could never describe how wonderful it truly felt. He was my other half.

"You know, I'm gonna make you my wife someday." The prince sighed as he pulled me back into his chest.

The rain continued to pour, but I no longer listened as we both fell asleep to the sound of each other's breathing.

"Many solemn nights
Blond moon, we stand and marvel...
Sleeping our noons away"

-Teitoku

This was fun to write(:

I really love my character, Marume. She has and interesting background! I hope to write more stories with her included!

Ookini(:

-Miyako