A Reasonably Unreasonable Life
This was completely unreasonable. I'd been alone all my life, so why was I lonely know? Zuko had been gone for two years, this just wasn't right. I'd gotten one look at him in passing, and now my heart was a complete mess. I realized a long time ago that he probably wouldn't ever return to the fire nation. After all, the Avatar had been dead for 100 years. Why would he turn up now?
It was only a fleeting glance. But somewhere in there a message was conveyed. It wasn't possible for us to be together while he was with the Avatar. That she had already understood. It didn't make it hurt any less, but at least after their encounter on the boiling rock she had some reason to think irrationally and fantasize about them somehow finding a happy ending. Realizing thinking about this was causing her to lose her composure, she tried to blank her mind.
Handing the shop keeper four gold coins she grabbed the dual swords and sprinted out of the shop. It wouldn't do to stay where someone could recognize her blank, emotionless face.