The Girl behind the Shirshu Chapter 24, an avatar: last airbender fanfic

I sat atop a railing, looking out over the ocean. Zuko walked out on the main deck and I cocked my head to the side in curiousity. What was he doing up? And then Mai walked out after him, about ten minutes after. I frowned, sensing her red scent flutter like a heart at the sight of him. She like him. A lot. And here came the jealous gut feeling.

"Aren't you cold?" Mai asked.

"I've got a lot on my mind. It's been so long, over three years since I was home. I wonder what's changed. I wonder how I've changed." Zuko admitted.

"I just asked if you were cold, I didn't ask for your whole life story." Giggled and held his face in her hands. "Stop worrying."

The two kiss. Mai exited, and Zuko stayed there with an expression of relief on his face. A feeling built in my chest and forced its way out in tears. I ducked my head and silently cried.

"Avery? Are you okay? You didn't got to the welcoming ceremony."

"But Mai was there." I said. He gave me a look and closed the door after him.

"Yeah... and?"

"I dunno, you tell me." I said, crossing my arms and continuing to glare at the ceiling.

"Avery... what is this all about?"

"Go ask your girlfriend. She can clear it all up, maybe kiss it better." I snapped angrily. Zuko gave me a weird look.

"'Girlfriend'? You mean Mai?" Zuko asked. I lolled my head to the side and gave him a look. "She isn't m-"

"Then why'd you kiss her?" I asked, sitting up. His eyes widened. "Yes, I saw you. I couldn't sleep, due to guilt and nerves, because of you. And then you stabbed me in the back!"

"Ave, I-"

"Don't you dare call me that right now." I scoffed in anger and leaned my head back. "I knew I should've gone with Aang and Katara. At least I wouldn't have to put up with this bullshit."

"Fine, if you're going to be an unsupportive jerk, I'll leave you alone then!"

"Fine!"

"Fine!" Zuko yelled, storming out and slamming the door after him. I got up and locked the door. I flopped back on my bed and gritted my teeth.

"She hasn't left her room. At all." Lin said in surprise.

"How long has it been?"

"A week." Hei-Bai said.

"Is she trying to kill herself again?" Chi asked.

"'Again'?" Lin asked her husband. He rubbed his neck.

"Long story. We need to focus on the matter at hand."

"It's simple. We kill Mai." Lin said. Chi and Hei-Bai gave her looks of shock. "I'm kidding!... Kinda!"

"We need to fix this." Hei-Bai said. "We'll put death on the back burner."

"Fine..." Li agreed. The image in front of the spirits fuzzed and cleared. "The hell was that?"

"The image flashed forward..."

"How far forward?"

"... Um... two to three weeks... and she still hasn't left."

I sprawled on my back and hummed quietly to myself, tired but not able to sleep, hungry and thirsty but not budging. I began singing:

"On the first page of our story,
The future seemed so bright.
Then the saint turned out so evil,
I don't know why i'm still surprised.
Even angels have their wicked schemes,
And you take that to new extremes.
But you'll always be my hero,
Even though you've lost your mind.

"Just gonna stand there and watch me burn.
Well that's alright because I like the way it hurts.
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry.
Well that's alright because I love the way you lie.
I love the way you lie.
I love the way you lie.

"Now there's gravel in our voices.
Glasses shattered from the fight.
In this tug of war you always win,
Even when i'm right.
Cause you feed me fables from your head,
With violent words and empty threats,
And it's sick that all these battles are what keeps me satisfied.

"So maybe i'm a masochist.
I try to run but I don't wanna ever leave.
Til the walls are going up.
In smoke with all our memories.

I sighed and covered my face with my hands. Why's I have to get sucked into all of this? Why couldn't I turn my back on Zuko and make my own dicisions? 'Cause a promise is a promise' I sneered mentally at myself. Great, I was so frazzled that I was talking to myself. Stress, panic, guilt... Why'd I suddenly feel so weak...? And sick...? Why's the ground rushing up at me...?

-Zuko POV- (ba ba bum)

I walked down the hallway, heading for my room, but paused when I passed Avery's room. I haven't seen her in weeks.

"Avery?" I asked, knocking on the door. No answer. I repeated her name, louder. Still no answer. I grew panicked. I tried the door, but it was locked. Something was definitely wrong. I sucked in a breath and kicked the door open. I walked in and looked around. No Avery.

"Ave?" I called. I heard a groan and walked over to the opposite side of her bed. I gasped. Avery was sprawled across the ground, looking sick. I could see her ribs through her shirt, and her face seemed hollow. I rushed over and picked her up. She shouldn't be this light...

I rushed her to the infirmary.

"What's wrong with her? Will she be alright?" I asked. The doctor nodded.

"Avery will be fine. High stress and anxiety teamed up with a lack of food and water certainly did a number on her. She just needs food, water, and sleep. I'll keep her here for a week or so to make sure she recovers properly." She said. I nodded with a grateful sigh.

"Thank you." I said, standing.

"She's a good person, your highness." The doctor said. I gave her a curious look. "It'd be a shame to let that go to waste."

"What do you mean?"

"Be wise in your decisions." She said, turning and walking away. I looked from Avery, to the retreating form of the doctor, and back to Avery. I sighed and left.

The song Avery sang to herself out of boredom (and my obsession to the song) is called 'Love the Way you Lie' by Skylar Grey. It's amazing. And pretty accurate when it comes to Avery's situation.

So yeah, Avery nearly killed herself with stress and a lack of food. Smooth one, Ave.

Disclaimer...