Night had settled quite well over fire nation lands, rest and stillness along with it a few homes flickered with lights that were soon to be blown out as the hour grew later and later, but where all should be calm and still one made their way across secure prison grounds. A young prince who's agility and stealth went far beyond his years. His reason for doing this were unclear all that he was sure of was that what he wanted waited beyond steel doors. It was Iroh his uncle he sought so diligently his troubled mind knowing no one else to turn to. Suddenly there are voices and he hides himself behind a pillar as two guards emerge from the corridor.
"That's a feisty one eh?"
"Yeah just give it a month or two and she'll learn her place." He pauses thinking "And maybe if we're lucky she'll lose that mouth of hers too."
"We can only hope that." They both erupt in smug laughter and continue on.
A new prisoner and being admitted at this hour; strange thought the Zuko but no matter it was no concern of his. Quickly, quickly he hurried for time was fleeting past the doors of empty cells-one he knew occupying a new inmate- all the way down to the very end of the hall. He stopped at a very heavy door and from his cloak he removed a key, with two twist and loud click the it was open. He turned the knob the door becoming slightly ajar letting beams of light cut through the darkness casting a dull glow of the sullen figure behind iron bars, he entered slowly.
"Uncle" A long pause follows his mouth suddenly felt dry.
"Answer me……… please." He pleads his voice is staring to crack, but silence was his reply. Stricken of pride and arrogance he went t his knees tears falling.
"I can't do this alone anymore." Do what? He was the crown again and finally claimed his father's love isn't that what he wanted? What he had worked for, so why wasn't he happy? He didn't know but maybe Uncle did if only he would tell him.
"Uncle please" He tried one last time something deep inside starting to break and then the shield returned. "Fine I don't need you anyway. Foolish old man you can rot in her for all I care." His words are venomous lies that damage him much more than the victim, just like they did the last time.
He stands brushing away dust and tears then swiftly depart. He runs down the halls silently cursing himself not really paying attention to what he was doing. He'd memorized the buildings structure and could probably guide his way out with his eyes closed. But whoever designed this place knew what they were doing the halls were created to be identical in every way to confuse escaped prisoners or an intruder. Zuko saw it as a type of pattern door, torch, fire nation emblem, and of course the ever present color red.
That's why he was stopped dead in his tracks when he saw it a sliver of blue. It was through the vision hole of a door. His better judgment urged him to keep moving sadly it was ignored he'd been lured by a familiar shade of blue. He once again reaches for the master key an eagerness rising within. The door opens with a disgusting creek and curiosity is cured.
"You"
To Be Continued…..
