"I didn't even know that the fire nation had taken over the city, let alone the fact that you were here!" Ashayna exclaimed, walking into Zuko's room.
Zuko watched Ashayna start to make tea, mentally making up excuses for when Azula questioned him for leaving after she had specifically asked him to "watch over everything." In all honesty, he just needed a quiet spot to talk to Ashayna – his best friend from his childhood.
Ashayna sat down across from the young prince, holding out tea for him. "You look great, Zuko," she said with a smile. As always in the context of looks, Zuko's hand immediately went up to his scar. The last time he had seen Ashayna was a week after he had received his mark of shame. He still had had bandages around the injured eye on the day he was banished and sent away on the ship – the last day he had seen Ashayna.
She noticed his discomfort and smiled a little more gently. "It really is great to see you again," Zuko's old friend said. Zuko nodded and sighed silently. "So…where is Uncle Iroh? I can't wait to see him again. It'll be like having a father back!" Ashayna exclaimed. Zuko winced.
Ashayna was born to a well off family. Her older sister, Mariana, was betrothed to marry Iroh's son, Li Ten. The young couple had been in love since their early pre teen years and awaited the day they could happily be married. Ashayna and her sister Mariana had lived in the palace in the mean time, learning to love the family that would be theirs the day Mariana and Li Ten would say "I do." But this day would never come.
Zuko felt despair washed over him as he realized this. "Poor Uncle…" he thought to himself. Not only had Iroh lost his son, but now it seemed as if Iroh had lost the nephew that he had taken care of like a son.
Ashayna set down her cup rather harshly, knocking Zuko out of his thoughts. "Something's different about you…" she pondered, looking equivocally at Zuko. The prince turned away, not up to being scrutinized.
"A lot has happened since you've been gone," he retorted simply.
"Like you're voice stopped cracking?" The young girl giggled. Zuko smiled slightly – very slightly.
Zuko looked at Ashayna. She had changed a lot too. The last time he had seen her was when he was thirteen and she was twelve – she being a year younger. Both still awkward teenagers. Now it seemed as if they had both become what they had always meant to. Ashayna; a small yet strong beautiful young woman. And him; a troubled dark young man. He shook the thought out of his mind.
"How long have you been here?" Zuko asked. Anything to keep his mind from wandering. It was time to catch up with his long lost friend….