A/N: Hey! Thanks for reading! Please review! And give me song recommendations if you want.
My loneliness is killing me
(And I) I must confess
I still believe (Still believe)
When I'm not with you I lose my mind
Give me a sign
Hit me baby one more time
...Baby One More Time, Britney Spears
Day 8 was when things got interesting. After finishing his workout, Zuko decided to read a book. All alone, he flipped upside down on the couch, feet on top of the headrest. If his father saw him now he would probably explode.
His uncle wouldn't mind though, Zuko thought, feeling a twinge in his chest. Iroh was always more of a father than Ozai had been. But according to the fatherlord he was a bad influence and wasn't allowed to visit or send letters.
He missed him terribly.
As he opened the book on war tactics, a sharp 'thunk' resounded on the side of the tower. For a moment the ex-prince dismissed it as a bird- it's not like the animals hadn't crashed into it before. But no bird made a noise that loud.
Gracefully twisting his legs off the burgundy couch, he quietly set the book down and went to look out the window. There was the familiar expanse of deep forest and a tall, idyllic waterfall but he looked down and…
There. A small figure dressed completely in black had shot an arrow into the wall and was climbing up. This definitely hadn't before. He was in such a secluded place that no one came here on purpose. The prince assumed it was some sort of bandit or an assassin.
Thinking fast, he picked up the heavy book and prepared to throw it out the barred window at the intruder so they fell. But as he prepared to throw it, Zuko hesitated.
If this stranger was climbing up his tower, they probably weren't an ally of his father. They were from the outside world. Maybe they could help him escape. He hated asking for help, but he was going so crazy that he was ready to face the consequences of being weak and disregarding his father.
As fast as he could, he raced up a few flights of stairs to grab his swords. If the person turned out to be dangerous, he reasoned, he could incapacitate them and force them to help him out of the tower. Then he could find his uncle, and do something to restore his honor…
It was all fitting together. Satisfied, he went down to the lower floor. The thin scraping sound of arrows being stabbed into the wall got closer until finally a set of tanned fingers appeared through the bars. There was a sharp exhale and then a grappling hook was shoved through the hole. Eyes wide, Zuko watched as the fingers disappeared and the rope attached to the hook strained.
There was much creaking, until finally two metal bars fell out with chunks of wall and a sharp shriek sounded. It was a girl, he realized. Hopefully his chance of escape hadn't fell- he resisted the urge to go check.
And it was good he did. The tan fingers appeared once more, attached to a set of cloth covered arms which hoisted up a lean body.
From his position behind one of the seats, Zuko got his swords ready as the girl swung her legs over and planted them in his sitting room.
About to confront her, he watched with bated breath as she pulled out a leather satchel. All he could see of her were her hair and downturned eyes When she finally lifted her head, he saw the brightest blue he had ever seen in his life. But his awe disappeared when he saw what she pulled out.
That's my crown! He screamed internally, feeling affronted as he watched the girl handle the small flame shaped piece. Why was she robbing the palace? What did this common thief think she was doing?
All common sense flooded away as he stood and vaulted over the couch. "That's my crown you're holding!" Really? That's what he was going to say? Very scary, Zuko.
The girl looked up at him and her eyes widened, eyebrows shooting up into her hairline. She reacted quickly, confidently reaching to her side for a weapon. But she pulled nothing out. Instead her hand snaked out halfway before realizing there was nothing there.
But the motion hadn't gone unnoticed by Zuko. For a moment he continued rushing towards her, mind blank. Then he made the connection. The sudden, smooth hand motion. The dark blue eyes. No way.
She reached for her grappling hook. As the weapon came rushing towards his head, he sliced it out of the way. The severed rope, hook and all, thudded softly onto plush carpet. She was a waterbender.
His uncle would have exploded on the spot. Iroh was fascinated with the way they bent and he would have been excited to meet one, even if they had no water and were about to be knocked out.
Too late, she tried to find another source for her bending but Zuko raised one arm, and hit the side of her head with the hilt of his sword.