Author's Note: Based off the prompt, 'Falling leaves' from Daily Prompt on Dreamwidth. :D
Summary: A younger Zuko knows where his mother is hiding.
Disclaimer: Not mine, but Bryan and Mike.
It was autumn in the Fire Nation. The leaves changed their color and had already left the tree bare. Palace caretakers could be heard sweeping them up.
Zuko looked out of his room from his balcony view. His eyes scanned the garden before him as if he was looking for someone. He figured, if he looked long enough or if he concentrated on the area he could catch a glimpse of her. A memory, an apparition.
A swish of robes caught his attention. Quickly, he skimmed garden before finally, seeing her face. His face broke into a smile.
"Mother, what has taken you so long?"
-
The palace caretakers have seen the royal son taking to someone unfamiliar. They've alerted the palace guards who swiftly ascended the steps to his room. The guards easily opened the oak, double doors.
"Royal Crown Prince Zuko!" The first guard ran to Zuko, while the others searched the room for any suspicious clues. "Who is here with you?"
Zuko looked at him confused. "No one."
"The caretaker had noticed-" The guard furrowed his brows.
"There is no one here in the room with me, as you can well see." Zuko extended his arms to emphasize his point.
The guard eyed Zuko. "So, there isn't, Royal Crown Prince." The guards bowed deeply to Zuko. "We are sorry for this unnecessary intrusion." The guards turned on point and left his room.
Zuko turned back to face the garden. "Don't worry, Mother, I'll keep your secret."
Author's Note: Quite unbeta'd as you can probably tell. I need to look over homework or something. Darn school.