Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender or its characters

Pointers: 'italics' means that the character is thinking

Summary: Zuko, upon being Fire Lord, takes a vacation in the Earth Kingdom to visit his Uncle. He meets a girl named Luli, who is more than meet the eye. There's a life that she is running away from and a way to to keep Zuko on the path of being the Fire Lord he wants to be. Zuko x OC x ?

Chapter One:

Luli

"Get back here!" "She's getting away!"

"Do something about it!"

She could feel the heaviness in her chest as she ran, her feet hitting against the ground with such heaviness and swiftness. Her long, creamy-colored legs had smudges with dirt and had glistening sheen of sweat adorning them. Her hair, tangled and while, had flown side to side with her movements as she ran. Her head would occasionally turn to look back, but her feet still moving forward as she ran from the men chasing her. She knew she had to lose them, how? She couldn't even think properly to create a plan.

While running and trying to see the distance between herself and her enemies, she had dripped over a lone tree root that was sticking above the ground and immediately fell forward. She rolled some before trying to find the strength and swiftness to get back on her feet and continue with her run, however, the stroke of bad luck had some good in it because while she was lying low, her captors couldn't see her. "Where she did she go?" One asked as the other's eyes were reverently searching, "I don't know!" He answered.

The young girl had eyed them as they had done a 360 where they were standing, still trying to pin point her location. A sudden snap had caught their attention and they had ran that way, assuming it was her. Quickly, the girl had sat up and let out a sigh of relief. She couldn't had been any luckier than she had within that moment. In a few minutes, she had stood and then began walking, making sure that she did not make much noises in her steps in case the men were nearby.

Her clothes were ruined, but it wasn't like that was to be expected. She wasn't rich or had clothes that were made of fine material so of course they wouldn't have last. Her green chemise had holes, rips, dirt, and the smells of the forest along with her sweat soaked in it. Once she was able to, she would get new clothes but that depends if she would be able to find or make some money first. Though would she spend that money on new clothes or food? That was also a key factor in her struggles. She hadn't eaten in days besides the fruit she had found, the berries she knew that were edible. She also had river water, but that was a few days ago as well. Nothing seemed to be looking good.

A small village was up ahead, in which she was glad of. She had walked towards it, seeing people in which brought her a great sense of relief. Immediately, she was eyed as an intruder but upon seeing her face and seeing how dirtied and harmless she had appeared, they had lowered their guard. One woman had approached her, "You poor thing." She said as the young girl's eyes had looked up at the woman, "I'll clean you up and give you new clothes." The kind woman had said. "What is your name child?" She had asked the sunlight eyed girl, "Luli." The answer was short and sweet, "My name is Qiu. Welcome to our small, little village. We might not have a whole lot, but we can certainly take care of you."

Luli did not say anything else but follow the woman who was leading her to what seem like a hotspring. The steam rose and other women were in the waters, chatting away. "Now don't be shy." Qiu informed Luli, who was looking at the waters with uneasiness. "We're all women here."

The young woman nodded and began stripping off her raggedy clothes and then slowly and hesitantly dipped one toe into the springs and then finally entered. The other females stopped talking and looked in Luli's direction. "Her eyes." One said, the other women listening intently. "She has eyes of Fire Nation." The other had said, all of their expression which was fun and happy when she had seen them had turned solemn. "Play nice." Qiu warned them as Luli had stayed far away from them, unsure of what to make of the other women.

They had made sure the distance between her and them was great. However, the sunlight eyed girl didn't mind and had continued to stay in her spot. Letting herself go deeper in the water so that her whole form could soak in the minerals and healthy properties of the water. When she had gone back up to the surface, she could feel warm, oozing liquid on her head. Startled, she looked up to see it was Qiu applying berries into her hair. "We have to clean your hair. And later on brush and comb it, it is tangled." She went on to say as Luli hadn't objected. "You're a quiet thing, aren't you?" And no response was given. "That's okay." Qiu smiled anyway as she continued to massage the girl's scalp and make sure the mixed berry shampoo had touched ever last strand of hair that was on Luli's head.

How did she go from running to her life and then being cared for from a stranger? She did not know but she had felt comfortable that someone was willing to take care of her. Qiu didn't seem like she had any ulterior motives or animosity towards her and so that had made Luli feel safe, which was something she hadn't felt in such a long time.

After the bathing, she was given a meal and sleeping clothes. Also a room and her hair brushed, combed and neatly styled. "You know, you're really pretty, Luli." Qiu said, "Like a little doll. You should go to Ba Sing Se and try to make something of yourself. You have the looks." Luli hadn't said anything, but looked at Qiu's reflection in the mirror. "You could be a dancer or even an actress or maybe, even a singer. Though, I don't know how you sound when you sing but your voice is very soft and airy so I'm guessing you can."

Luli had opened her mouth to speak, but closed it shortly afterwards. "What a jasmine flower! Of all the blooms in the garden, none compares to it." The girl sang, Qiu quite surprised by the sudden burst of song. A smile had adorned her face, "See, I knew you had a sweet voice. What surprises me is that's a very old song." The older woman had noted, "Who taught you?" Luli had shaken her head, "You don't want to answer? That's fine. Well, your hair is completely brushed and combed. How about some sleep, huh?" Qiu stood as Luli had watched the woman go towards the door, "Goodnight."

The door had then slid closed; leaving the sunlight eyed had sat there for a few minutes before going towards the bed. She slowly lied down and pulled the blankets over her shoulder, lying there as if thinking in deep thought. Soon enough, her eyes had closed and she had gone to sleep.

Morning had come and the smelled of fresh, cooked food was in the air. It immediately woke the dark-haired girl, who was now sitting up from her bed and inhaling the smell of the prepared dishes. Slowly, she got up from the bed and walked out of her room to see the woman placing food on the table and another female sitting at the table.

Her dark, brown hair was pulled in a neat ponytail with bangs covering her forehead. Her eyes were big, round and dark brown as well. Her smile was kind and gentle, which had let the fear that resides in Luli's heart disappear. "You're the girl my mother helped, right?" She asked as Luli looked at Qiu, who nodded and gave a warm smile. Luli had then slowly nodded, a bit unsure. "Welcome to our home. My name is Song, what's your name?" She had asked, "Luli." Qiu couldn't help but smile as the girl had walked towards the low, wooden table. "That's a pretty name. Luli." She repeated the girl's name, "Where are you from?"

The other female just stared blankly at Song, "She isn't much of a conversationalist, Song." Qiu told her daughter, "I've been trying to make her make conversation, but she isn't really the talking type. But she means well." She informed Song, who looked at the girl curiously as she stared at her food. "Have you had Kimchi before?" Song asked.

Luli's eyes had risen from her food to look at Song, her expression giving away that she didn't understand what Song was talking about. "Does she speak a different language or something?" Song then asked her mother, who seemed to be unsure. "What do you mean? Not that I know of. Maybe she only knows a few words." Qiu had then begun to eat, not continuing much of that conversation but her daughter was still worried.

They all ate silently.

After a few minutes of Song, obviously curious about Luli she had spoken again. "So, Luli…" She called the female, who had the chopsticks in her mouth and froze from eating. The expression her face was blank but her eyes revealed her inquisitiveness, "How are you today?" Luli then spoke, "Rir?" Both Qiu and Song looked surprised and then looked each other questionable, "What?" Song said, "Fryd?" Luli responded once again.

"So she does speak another language." Song had placed her rice bowl and chopsticks down, "Do you know what language that is, Mom?" Qiu had shaken her head, "Not a clue." The woman replied, "But it does seem familiar." Luli had looked at the two before eating again, acting as if nothing had just happened.

The conversation had then changed, "Well mother, I found out that we've been asked to work in a facility in Ba Sing Se." Song had told her mother the news. The woman's eyes widened and then brightened, "Really? This is good news! Why didn't you tell me earlier?" She asked her daughter, "I guess it slipped from my mind." Song chuckled, "But isn't that great? We'll be able to make more money and can afford a nicer home. We can leave this place."

Luli had watched the hugging mother and daughter, her eyebrow slowing rising as if wondered what had caused emotional display of affection. "But what if your father comes back?" Qiu asked, "How will he find us?" She then had seen the sad emotion that had been displayed on her daughter's face. "Is he really coming back, Mother? The war has been over for a year and Father has not returned home and nor has anyone heard about him or from him." Qiu lowered her eyes, nodding her head. All that hard daughter had said was true, she couldn't counter it.

Luli had seen their once happy faces turn sad in which caused her to frown herself. She may have not understood what had bothered them, but she was not pleased to see them looking so glum. "Luli, will you continue to stay with us?" Song asked her as Luli turned her attention back to Song? "Fryd?" She had rephrased her question, a word she had said earlier. "Will you come with us?" The her eyes had that confused glaze again in which Song couldn't help but giggle at. "Fryd yna oui myikrenk yd?" Luli had said a rather full sentence in her Native tongue. "Fryd'c cu vihho?" It was clear she was frustrated, her thin eyebrows furrowed and her mouth forming a frown.

Qiu had marveled at the strange language but more importantly how Song had made Luli speak in just about an hour of meeting her than Qiu did a whole night. "She seems fond of you." Qiu said to Song, "She's spoken to you quite a lot." She had continued on to say, "Maybe we should teach her some lessons." Song nodded, "It'll help her interact better, especially in Ba Sing Se."

"Yes, she wouldn't be able to fit in at all." Qiu sighed as Luli looked at the older woman, confused as to what made her react that way. "Right, well… They said we can move in about a week, so we should start packing." Song stood as Qiu followed, Luli looked up at them and watched them leave.

Standing now, she had followed them and saw them in their rooms removing things and folding thm neatly. Her head slowly tilted to the right, Song had looked the confused yellow-eyed girl and chuckled. "Want to help?" She asked as Luli looked at her questioningly before standing beside Song, who began placing folded blankets in Luli's hands. "Hold these." Song had instructed in which Luli somehow understood. She stood there, watching the girl place the blankets in a stack in her hands.

A week had gone by and they had taken the ferry to Ba Sing Se. They were greeted by Sano, who was the head doctor of the large facility that he had wanted Song and her mother to work in. He was a tall, dark-haired male with bright emerald green eyes and a charming smile. He had given a tour around the city since they would be staying in the upper-ring and had immediately helped the women pack into their homes. Anything they needed help with, Sano had assisted them with.

"I'm really glad that you'll both be working here. Your knowledge in poisons and accurate doses of medicine really astound me. I wouldn't even be here without you two!" He said as they were all gathered in the main office of the facility. "Starting today, you'll be working here." He then waved his arm over the establishment as people were working at the front desk and patients came in scoring all kinds of rashes, sickness, and wounds. "But you'll be needing these." He gave them white masks to cover their mouth.

Luli had watched from the side, Song immediately noticing her and walking over. "We'll be working today, Luli." She said as the girl appeared at a loss, "Don't worry Song. Your mother told me that the girl speaks this old language in the Earth Kingdom. It's called Manhan. My daughter speaks it fluently. Sen," He turned, "Sen, come over here." Soon a 5'4'', short-brown hair girl came from the waiting and room and over towards them. Her eyes were a grassy-green, her skin a pale color, and a smile adorning her face. "She'll take care of Luli."

"Rammu Mime, E's Cah. E'mm pa yllusbyhoehk oui dutyo cehla ouin vneahtc femm pa fungehk dutyo." Sen spoke to Luli, whose eyes widened in surprise and then smiled, "Oui ghuf so myhkiyka! Fuf, fryd y cinbneca. Drao femm pa fungehk dutyo? Ur, E caa. Fryd fa'mm fa tu?" Luli replied, both girls conversing about what they would be doing today. Qiu and Song watched in amazement as the girls spoke. "Well, they seem to get along just fine." Qiu said, "We have nothing to worry about." She looked at her daughter who was now smiling up at her. "Well, right this way." Sano instructed, "Sen, Luli, have a good time."

Sen nodded and then took Luli's hand, "Mad'c ku!" She had pulled the girl's hand and led her out of the Medical Facility and out to the vibrant and rich city of Ba Sing Se. "Frana femm fa pa kuehk?" Luli asked as Sen led the way, "Irs, mad'c caa. Tet oui ayd? Yna oui drencdo un yhodrehk? Uuuur, fa lyh ku crubbehk ev oui fyhd!" Sen enthusiastically said as Luli blinked twice but allowed herself to be dragged along.

As they were walking, they had seen a bunch of people entering a large building. "Fryd ec dryd bmyla?" Luli asked as Sen looked at the building and then smiled, "Ur, dryd'c y dayruica! Drao yna jano vysuic vun draen day. Edc ysywehk, oui fyhhy dno ed?" Sen explained to her. "E's hud cina..." Luli was then pulled away again, Sen taking the lead as they ran up the steps.

Luli had refused to go in the place, looking at the sight that had been written in foreign words. "The Jasmine Dragon." Sen had said the name, pointing at the place. Luli had looked at her and then back at the teahouse. "Jasmine Dragon.." There were songs she knew in the foreign language, but when it came out to speaking in everyday life the song, she could not.

She pressed her face against the window and looked inside to see the busy place.

Zuko's P.O.V

I was supposed to be on vacation but the type of vacation I was having wasn't so exactly relaxing. Working at the teahouse is nostalgic and better than being a Fire Lord 24/7, but I had just begun really filling out the role so it was hard for me to even agree with this. I hadn't slept properly in a while, stressed, and working myself until I got ill and unable to do much work that I wanted. Uncle had heavily suggested that I had come visit him in Ba Sing Se and even though I argued and I urged for him to see that I was taking my job seriously, he wouldn't allow me to keep deteriorating my health. Today was busy, as usual, and I was waiter and busting tables when customers left. "Uncle, we need Chamomile Tea for table 4." I said to him once I made it to the counter, placing the paper of the order along with the others while I picked up a silver tray and began placing tea for the other customers who were waiting.

Things had finally slowed down and wasn't as bothersome as it had been in the morning. Oddly though, I felt like I hadn't done much at all today. I guess I found myself getting back to the groove of things. Well, I guess that isn't exactly a bad thing. "Nephew, you worked hard today." My Uncle had praised me, saying it as if I never worked hard when I worked back in Ba Sing Se. I always gave things my all, especially simple tasks like these. "Don't I always, Uncle?" I countered, some to little sarcasm to my voice. He just smiled warmly as usual and pat my back before turning and brewing more tea.

I made my way to the table near the large windows and that's when I felt a pair of eyes on me. I looked up and I had seen an odd girl staring at me. Her eyes, the colors of the sun, were staring straight at me. I was uncomfortable but I felt like she was communicating to me with them. She had straight yet wavy, ebony hair that ended down to the middle of her back, pear-shaped eyes, and high cheek bones. I paid much detail to her face since it seemed too awe-striking to me.

Unlike most girls, she had subtle mannerism, like the slow way her eyes moved once she had caught me catching her staring. No expression on her face, they were all in her bright eyes. Her hand, which I noted was petite, had pressed against the teahouse glass. Girls were odd creatures to me, the only ones I became comfortable with was Mai and Aang's friends, which were mine as well. She, however, had seemed different than them.

Soon she had swiftly turned and walked away, the girl who was with her following after her. I was unsure of what to make of all of that and why I seemed to remember her face even after two weeks had gone by. In a way, I was hoping she would stop by again.

Another day had gone and the strange girl from the window that day hadn't come back. I kept looking towards the window in hopes that she would return. I don't know why I was so fascinated by that one encounter. "Nephew, what are you looking for?" My Uncle had stopped my thoughts, my eyes now on him as he looked rather concerned. "For the past few weeks, you keep looking out the window. It isn't Mai, is it?" Mai. She certainly wouldn't be looking for me after the way I kept lying to her and pushing our time together farther and farther apart. I never had enough time for her and every time I promised I would, I would just disappoint her.

I loved Mai, dearly, and more than I ever thought I could even love someone but I knew Mai had no intention of coming back to me. She made that quite clear this time. "No, Uncle. I was just…" I couldn't even come up with a believable excuse. "Well, its just when I…"

"Who is that?" He then asked, pointing towards the window. It was a fog-filled rainy day in which made business slow. However, what Uncle was seeing was that girl I had seen the other day under a beautiful wooden, crimson umbrella. A red scarf was around her neck, her hair in its usual coiffure. She wore a dark green poncho on her shoulders, and black tights visible with green and gold boots. "Is that who you've been looking for, Nephew?" I immediately looked at my Uncle, embarrassed at most but I had covered it up well. "What are you talking about? I've just been thinking." Was my reply, it was a bad one because I could tell by the mischievous smile on his face that he hadn't believed me. "Why don't you say hello?

The idea was ludicrous, especially when the girl had said nothing and just stood there staring at me. I never heard her utter one word, she just remained quiet and curious. The girl had her arm pulled by another girl with short-brown hair, who seemed to be smiling about something. The mysterious girl had been dragged in the teashop much to her dismay. I could tell she was embarrassed.

They had walked over to me and Uncle, who stood there amused by it all. "Hello." He greeted them. "Hey…" I then said, feeling stupid about it afterwards. Why did I just greet them? The short-haired girl laughed while the mysterious one stared silently, no sudden expression or anything to show any sort of emotion. "This is Luli." The girl introduced. "Can't she tell me that?" I asked, "She doesn't speak our language. She speaks Manhan." I was surprised. What exactly was Manhan? "Manhan? That is such an old language. How does she know it?" Uncle asked, "She's from a desertland tribe." The girl replied. Luli then spoke to her friend in Manhan, "She wants to know if she can touch your scar."

What?

Uncle's eyes bulged out of their sockets and I stood there dumbfounded. Did I hear correctly? I stood there bugged out about her first request and how strange this scenario was. Was I going to let her touch it? It used to make me feel self-conscious. Her intentions? I wasn't sure what they were but a part of me felt that it was harmless. She probably never met a Firebender even though she had eyes that reminded me of one. "She said you're beautiful." The other girl giggled. Luli blushed.

I tried to keep everything away from my scar even the largest compliment I had ever been given. "How old is she?" I asked her friend. I knew that wasn't the greatest question but it was a distraction. "She is sixteen." The girl replied, "How old are you?" She asked me, "Seventeen." I answered. All of this was strange, awkward at most.

Suddenly, she stepped in and raised her hand over my face towards my scarred eye. My eyes remained widened, afraid almost as her hand was hovering over it. Soon, she lowered it until her fingertips aligned with it and gently brushed against the scarred skin with her delicate fingers. An unfamiliar sensation went from my face and to my chest as her thumb caressed under my eye. She had said words to me in Manhan, her voice was soft and musical.

I never noticed these things about another girl, but I guess when you meet someone as odd as she was that you paid attention to these little details. She pulled away and then whispered something to her friend who then spoke to me, "She hopes maybe sometimes you and her could go for a walk and talk together, like friends."

I look at Uncle, who was looking at me, and then back at Luli. "Okay…" I didn't even think about the answer, the more I thought… The more nervous and unsure I became. I thought that the three of us would be going together. Otherwise Luli and I couldn't even say anything to each other, despite how awkward I felt about this whole situation.

"Are you coming?" I asked her friend. "I can only come if you guys go tomorrow. I'm quite busy the rest of the week." Her friend explained. "Okay, tomorrow." I nodded and then looked at Luli who looked at me as I spoke. Her friend had said something back in her language in which Luli nodded. "Bye!" The friend then said as she and Luli turned and walk away, leaving me standing there unsure if all of this had just actually happened or was just a figment of my imagination. "She is one peculiar girl." My Uncle commented, "Her eyes of Firebender, her origin of Earth Kingdom, and language so ancient." He continued on to say, "You should consider yourself lucky, nephew. She is one rare person." He then turned around and walked back to the counter as Luli was still on my mind. I could vividly remember her powerful bright eyes, her small nose, and her full yet small lips. Maybe it was because she was a complete mystery that I had found her somewhat intriguing.

Now that I think more back on it, I realized that her friend never asked me my name. I felt a bit relieved for the simple fact I wondered if I introduce myself as Fire Lord Zuko or Lee?

Author's Note:

Luli: The Chinese female meaning "Dewy; Jasmine"

Luli speaks Al Bhed, which I changed to Manhan which means "of the desert areas".

You can find a translator for it, which is easy to find.

I cut it short on purpose. What do you guys think?