Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender in any shape or form.
With each passing minute, Ameya grew nervous at their next reunion with Aang. It had been months since she last seen him and she wondered if they even remember her. Was she strong enough to face them now?
If Zuko noticed her grip tightening around his waist, he said nothing. He had initially ignored the heat on his cheek when she grabbed on but as they continued to travel; his thoughts were more focused on the Avatar. He has to capture him now—this was another opportunity given to him. Once he captures him, the banished prince and retired general can return to the Royal Palace.
The edge of the deserted village began to appear in view and Ameya stiffened. She had to make a choice now and she already knew her answer.
"Let me off."
Zuko glanced at her but did not stop the ostrich horse. He can't spare any moment—what the Avatar gets away?
"No."
She frowned. Why does he never listen to her? She huff a sigh and knew it was better than to argue. She'll just have to take matters in her own hands.
Ameya reached over, pressing her body against his back and grabbed the reins in his hand, tugging the mount to stop. Zuko faltered at her sudden movement and turned to glare at her. Their faces were just mere meters apart and her icy eyes widen at the proximity, pulling back immediately just as the ostrich horse stopped.
She hopped off, ignoring the blush on her cheeks and refused to look at him.
"I'm not going to stay and watch you capture Aang but I know I can't stop you." This was her decision—she can try to stay neutral—if at all. She didn't want Zuko to capture Aang but she also knew how much the Avatar meant to him. It was a complicated mess she does not want to get involved in. "Go."
Zuko didn't say another word. He snapped the reins and in a second, the ostrich horse was speeding off.
Ameya stared after the dust trail and slowly, her feet followed after it.
She hadn't realized till after they separated that Iroh was not with Zuko. Where had his uncle go? Did Zuko leave him willingly? Why hadn't she noticed until just now?
Her memories traveled back to the previous night and her shoulders slacken. Ah, that's right. Ameya was too preoccupied with her attack that she barely noticed Iroh to not be in the same cave as them. She had fallen asleep immediately and when they had awoken, the sight of Appa's fur caught their attention.
And now, she was still following them. Was this the right choice?
"Is it this often to meet other travelers in just one day?"
A young voice spoke to her; a small figure emerged from the bushes wearing green and yellow Earth Kingdom clothes and dark hair pulled back in a rounded bun. Ameya tilted her head in the young girl's direction, noticing the pale green eyes.
Was she blind?
"Depends on where you're headed," she replied politely.
The girl did not look at her—eyes staring straight ahead and confirmed Ameya's suspicion. But the older woman did not feel threatened, she rather prefer the young stranger's company than to the three elder men from the previous night.
"To find my friends—at least I still think they're my friends."
Ameya walked in step with her. It appears they were headed in the same direction.
"Oh? Did you guys get in a fight?"
She heaved a sigh. "Something like that. I'm not going back because I can't handle myself of course! They need me with them—I'm that important."
Ameya giggled and nodded her head even if she could not see. "Of course."
"Are you patronizing me?" Toph frowned.
"Oh, no. I'm sure you're capable of handling yourself. I was around your age when I started traveling by myself too." But then again, she technically started at a younger age but it was never by choice.
"How old are you now?"
"Sixteen."
Toph whistled. "You sounded older."
Ameya arched a thin brow at her. "Are you trying to start a fight?" But her tone was light, amusement hung in her words.
Toph smirked. She decided she liked this woman too, she knew how to take a joke unlike Katara and her heartbeat was in a calming rate, mellow and soft.
"I could take you easily," the earthbender boasted confidently, "But I just mean you sound mature for your age—unlike my friends who can be quite ridiculous." She mainly meant Sokka but Aang have his share of moments too.
Ameya laughed lightly, "They sound like fun people. Hold them close to you," her eyes soften, thoughts wandering to Yue once more.
Toph felt the change around her and did not pry. Instead she focused on the chaotic vibrations of the earth from the abandoned town up ahead. She recognized the light steps of Aang, the hurried steps of Katara and Sokka following behind. There were a few more she could not identify but they were definitely engaged in a duel with her friends.
"I love to stay and talk more but I gotta run—my friends need me."
"Go to them," Ameya waved, "Until we meet again."
Toph smiled and readied her hands. The earth bended to her will as she ran over the soil, using her bending to move the earth under her feet quickly. Ameya blinked in surprise, staring at the dusty trail and waved a hand in front of her face. How interesting—she hasn't met an earthbender in a while.
It wasn't until a few minutes later that they realized they never asked for their names—but they had a feeling that would not be the last time they'll see each other.
Once the dust cleared, Ameya realized what must have alarmed the younger girl. There was a dark trail of smoke coming from the town and suddenly remembering that to be the direction Zuko was headed, she began to run.
Was he fighting with Aang now? Who was winning? Are Katara and Sokka with them?
She wanted to stay neutral and hope everyone would be safe but guilt ate at her heart. She should be helping the Avatar instead of the banished prince. He was the one who could right the wrongdoings of the Fire Nation—he was the beacon of hope to all the nations.
Ameya knew it—she knew it the moment she stared at his merged spirit form with the Ocean Spirit and yet—she allowed Zuko to chase after him.
Please don't let this be another mistake, her heart pounded against her chest, please—not like Yue again.
She dashed between the buildings, searching frantically for anyone familiar. Ameya pushed down her childish fear of reuniting with the friends she had left without a word and focused on the possible battle at hand. Who had the advantage? Who was fighting? Who—
"AAAAAH!"
Zuko's scream echoed the empty town and an explosion set the nearby buildings ablaze. She turned towards it with wide eyes, turning a corner and almost bumping into someone.
"Out of my way, peasant!"
It took Ameya one second to recognize the Fire Nation Princess and her arm shot out to grip her wrist, preventing her to run. The younger girl lashed out immediately at the hold, whirling around to aim a fiery punch her way. Ameya dodged, ignoring the heat of the blue flames licking her cheek and twisted the girl's hand behind her back.
"Get away from us!" Zuko shouted nearby and Ameya turned towards his direction anxiously. What happened?
Azula noticed her distraction and twisted her body, elbowing Ameya in the stomach and causing her to release her hold on the princess. They glared at each other for another moment and turned around, running in opposite directions. Ameya could not afford to leave the others without knowing what had transpired and Azula needed to take this opportunity to escape.
But they recognized each other.
The princess recognized her as the peasant with strange blue eyes that had almost bumped into her in the resort. Azula frowned; she did not appreciate being taken off guard so easily—her movements were almost too fluid to be a regular civilian.
Ameya knew better that the person she let go was the princess but at this moment, at the cries of Zuko, she couldn't bother to care. Something had happened and she must go help before it is too late—before the fear and doubt and uncertainty were to take over her heart again.
"Zuko, I can help!" Katara exclaimed compassionately just as Ameya appeared behind them.
Icy eyes widen at the figures of Aang, Katara, Sokka, and the earthbender she had met earlier standing by two figures on the ground. One of them was Zuko but the other completely on the floor was Iroh, unconscious.
"Leave!" Zuko retaliated harshly, sending a blast of fire in their direction.
No one noticed her appearance as she glided past Aang, setting a reassuring hand over his shoulder. Their eyes widen at the sight of the older girl—what was she doing here?
"Go."
She repeated the same words to them, sending a gentle smile their way. Katara reached out a hand to Ameya but she turned around, away from their reach and settled to kneeling besides the frenetic Zuko. His arms moved to hit her but she grabbed his wrist gently before it made impact, her eyes were stern against his bewildered golden ones.
"Calm down," she spoke to him evenly, not breaking eye contact. "Breathe. He will be alright Zuko, I promise."
She set his hand down besides her, not leaving her grip on his wrist and her other hand moved to bend the water from her travel pack to cloak her hand. She moved the healing water over Iroh's chest, making quick work with her waterbending.
The Avatar and his companions watched behind in stunned silence. Toph had no opinion on what to make of the situation besides worry—her new friend had been hurt and her other new friend was healing him. She felt the rapid heartbeats from the three next to her and decided there was a story they must tell her later.
Katara felt the need to help Ameya but her feet were frozen to the ground. She could not understand the scene in front of them—could not comprehend why Ameya was here in the first place. She wanted to take the other woman back—she wanted to leave with her and relay Arnook's message and yet all of that was forgotten from her mind as soon as Ameya had settled next to Zuko.
Sokka was confused and—slightly hurt. He did not forget his promise with Yue—that had been fueling him for the past months. Anytime he saw a flash of long black hair, he thought he would see Ameya again—reunite with her again and would unfortunately break the news of Yue's brave sacrifice and parting words to her surrogate sister. But instead—she appeared in front of them just like their first meeting; always fleeting…mysterious and…distant.
The Avatar watched with wide grey eyes, absorbing everything in. Aang was relieved someone had managed to get through to Zuko to heal Iroh—but he had least expected Ameya to arrive. In a way, he knew her the least considering their brief time in the Northern Water Tribe but he knew Katara and Sokka had taken a liking to her.
But most of all, they took a deep notice at the way the Fire Nation Prince calmed at her arrival. He was still shaking but they saw the way he held her hand tightly, clinging to the smallest sign of comfort as Ameya worked tirelessly to heal Iroh.
It felt like they intruded a scene they were not meant to see and could not bring themselves to look away.
"Go," Ameya repeated again, glancing at her friends with another small smile. "Trust me."
Her words broke their trance and slowly, Toph backed away. Sokka took one step towards her but Katara pulled at his arm. Aang stayed a moment later and Ameya smiled reassuringly to him.
"Uncle—is he—"
"He'll be fine. Don't worry."
Those were the last words they heard before the Avatar group made their way to Appa.
Zuko exhaled tiredly, his gold eyes focused on the magical hand of Ameya moving around Iroh's chest. He trusted her—more than anyone to be the one to help him. He knew she healed his burns flawlessly and she had—somehow—wormed her way into his heart and he was once again relieved at her appearance.
Since when did he grow to trust her?
After Aang and his group had left, Ameya finished healing Iroh. The damage had been disastrous, causing some internal harm to the elder man but she managed to repair the skin just perfect. Iroh's face relaxed just the slightest and she sighed in relief.
"We should get to shelter," she advised, glancing up to look at the still prince and took her hand back.
Zuko nodded his head, reaching down to lift Iroh up and Ameya went to his other side to help. All the surrounding buildings did not look appealing for shelter and it did not help that most were freshly burnt. It was luck they had managed to find Zuko's ostrich horse again, helping Iroh on top of the mount and continued their search. It took them a while to find a deserted cottage at the edge of a cliff nearby some trees but she saw the overview of the beginning of a dessert and frowned.
They set Iroh down in the shade of the house, using what little material they have as a bed for the unconscious patient. Ameya rummaged through her bag, finding a roll of bandages and with Zuko's help, they began to wrap the elder man's chest area carefully. She had mended the burnt skin but the internal organs may be sore and will take a bit longer to heal.
It was quiet between the two teenagers. Zuko stared at his unconscious uncle with worry, scolding himself for leaving in the first place. He wasn't surprised to see Iroh had been following him but he had not expected Azula to boldly strike her family.
His fist clenched his pants. Ozai had given her the orders to hunt them. His own father had wanted to imprison them—and his loyal daughter would follow through with the plan with no qualms. During the fight, she showed no fear. Even when cornered, even when there were six of them against one, they could not subdue her. Azula was perfect—ruthless—merciless—everything he is not—
"Huh, Iroh made his own tea set?"
Zuko snapped to Ameya's direction, watching her hold a poorly made clay teapot in amusement. A few set of cups were laid by her side and she rummaged through their bags for some tea leaves.
He almost forgot she was here with them. He had been so lost in his thoughts that he forgot the waterbender was the one to heal Iroh—she was the one he clung to back at the village. He pushed that away from his mind.
"What were you doing there?" It was a genuine question. He had suspected her to have left by now but instead she followed them.
"I was heading to the same direction. You just happen to get there sooner." She pointed out casually, glancing beyond the door to see the ostrich horsed tied to a nearby post.
"Are you staying again?" Those words left his lips before he could think.
Ameya hesitated. "For a little bit."
Zuko felt odd. A small part of him had felt hopeful at her consideration and yet another part of him felt disappointed. He glanced down at his uncle and realized why.
"For Iroh." It was the same as before. She stayed for Iroh last time—not him.
"Yes." But she did not meet his gaze.
Ameya could not admit she had run towards the town because she knew he was there. She could not say she was there because she heard his cries. And she cannot admit that it was not just Iroh tying her down now—she could not leave Zuko by himself just like how he did not leave her alone before.
But she will allow him to think what he wants. She was always good at lying on matters relating to herself.
Zuko said nothing more.
The setting sun was bright in the weary travelers' eyes. It had been so long since they last slept and the Avatar gang would gladly fall asleep right on Appa but their minds were too preoccupied for rest.
"We should go back," Sokka was the first to say something since their mount on the flying bison.
"We've already gone too far and all of us are exhausted," Aang tried to reason. When was the last time any of them had a good night of sleep?
"But Zuko was there! Ameya—"
"—said to trust her. She will be fine." Toph interrupted Katara, rubbing her eyes tiredly.
"Toph, you don't understand—Zuko kidnapped her before! What if something worse happens?" Katara was frantic; her wide blue eyes seemed to beg Aang for reconsideration.
"I somehow…doubt that," the Avatar mumbled quietly, his eyes drifting down to avoid Katara's gaze.
They hesitated; the scene of Zuko clutching Ameya's hand tightly was imprinted in their minds. What had happened since they separated from the North Pole? Ameya always seem to be cloaked with mysteries and even with their brief reunion, they cannot pinpoint what she was thinking.
"Wait—how do you even know her Toph?" Sokka realized, staring at the younger girl in question.
"I met her briefly before I arrived in town. She was traveling in the same direction as me and was fun to talk with," the earthbender explained. "I didn't think you guys knew her too."
"We met her a few times before the invasion at the Northern Water Tribe…but she disappeared at the end of it with no trace." Katara looked down.
She had considered Ameya to be a friend and yet—the older woman had stayed with their enemy instead. What could they possibly think in this situation? What could they possibly do?
"I made a promise to Yue and I intend to keep it. We won't let her go the next time," Sokka was determined. It had been a confusing day but he realized if they were to go back, they would be wasting valuable time and energy.
"We'll see her again. She always appear when we least expect it," Aang smiled as an attempt to lighten the mood and Katara returned the gesture.
That was true. The woman had been the first to approach them and throughout the little encounter and passing days, they had grown fond of her. She was strong, she was capable. Ameya could handle herself against Zuko just fine—she's done it before.
Ameya said to trust her and so, they decided to do just that. She had no reason to lie—they will see her again and she will appear just as carefree as they first met her.
And slowly, they drifted off to sleep on the saddle, the scroll Arnook entrusted to them forgotten.
Author's Note:
Hmm foreshadowing?
Ameya is such a fun character to write but rather than describing her exactly, I wanted to implement how other characters view her as. I just hope I've input the same feelings I have for her in my writing—does that make sense ahah
Feelings are changing and they are starting to realize it. How much longer I wonder…?
Also thank you guys so much for the positive reviews from the previous chapter! Honestly, it warms my heart so much for everyone to speak up and review-I cherish every one and go back to reread it so often you have no idea-ahah. As a thank you, I will upload the next chapter tomorrow! Thank you all the support and input—a lot of stuff have just been going on with my life and it's just so depressing but I'll rant more about that later aha.
If you guys do ever see mistakes, please do point them out! Grammar is not my strong point and I could only hope I can better myself as I keep writing but sometimes I wouldn't know how to fix things. I'll try to keep the story tense consistent! I just get so into writing and rambling that I often forget to fix it after—oops aha
Hmm I wonder if you guys want to read about my mini character analysis for their actions? There's always something I want to add on but I always feel like I'm rambling or care too much—WHICH I AM DOING NOW AHHH
Reviews are much appreciated! I hope you stay tune for the next chapter tomorrow!
P.S. Yes I love BTS please talk to me about it-either PM or Tumblr I don't mind LOL