Spirit Oasis
Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA, otherwise Zutara would have happened!
AN: Don't flip out at me, this is my first story. Also, I know there is a hole in the plot, but whatever! I'll explain more at the bottom. No spoilers for you, you sorry little non-benders! *Cue crazy Azula Laugh*
Zuko's Pov
He felt the heat of the rising sun.
Now was his chance.
He looked up as the sun touched his face, and melted the ice encasing him with a puff off furious steam and a raise in body temperature. He leapt down from atop the ice and sent a blast of fire at the water peasant. She noticed at the last second, and turned to raise a water shield, but was too late. The fire reached her skin, and she cried out in pain as she was tossed backwards into one of the wooden beams supporting the roof of the cavern, and proceeded to lose consciousness.
Zuko grabbed the back of the meditating avatar, and started to make what he planned to be an impressive little speech.
"You rise with th- " he cut off abruptly as an acrid stench reached him. He would know that smell anywhere.
The smell of burnt flesh.
He turned around, and saw the water wench unconscious against the beam. The arm of her coat was burned off, and there were scorch marks on the same arm and the right side of her face.
Zuko was filled with surprise. He could have sworn she had pulled up a wall of water to block with; but no. She obviously hadn't.
Damn. If someone from the fire nation found the avatar gone and this girl burnt and unconscious, they would report it to Zhoa, who would know it was Zuko and that he was still alive, because:
A: He had taken the avatar
B: He was a skilled and talented firebender, by the looks of the girl's burns
And C: this particular mission wasn't authorized by Zhoa.
If he left the girl here, Zhoa would be able to tell it was a firebender who had taken the avatar and would know it was Zuko.
Zuko heard voices running towards the door of the spirit oasis. He realized he had a split second to make his decision: take the girl, or leave her.
He chose take.
AN: Ok, so the plot hole is the fact that Zhoa wouldn't suspect Zuko, because Zuko was supposed to have died in a boat explosion, courtesy of Zhoa and some pirates, and even if he wasn't dead, there isn't enough evidence that it was Zuko, and Zhoa is just really dense anyways. I can't find a way around this plot hole, so I am just going to skip over it, because it is somewhat important to the plot. Anyways, hope you liked the first chapter of my first story, and I will try to post at least one chapter a week, but jeez, I have school. Also, sorry this chapter is short, I am just tired. Special thanks to Wolf and MR lover, who pushed me over the teetering brink of writing fanfictions or not. Thank you! -ExtendedExperience