The Avatar Abandoned

Summary: Aang wasn't frozen for 100 years, he wasn't even born in the Eastern Air Temple. He was born into a family of travelling Air Nomads who were living in the Earth Kingdom of Ba Sing Se. However, when he was five, his parents discovered him playing with little figures made of fire; even though he was an Air Bender. Knowing their son could only be the Avatar - the first in over 100 years, they panicked and abandoned him in the Fire Nation, hoping they would never have to see him again.

Chapter Summary: In which Aang discovers why Zuko didn't kill him and accepts his punishment, while Azula makes certain comments causing Zuko become slightly confused.

Warnings: AU/AR, slash, Zukaang, rating may go up later.

Disclaimer: I neither own Avatar, nor make any profit from the virtual rape of the show. :D

A/N: Thought I'd add in the disclaimer because I hadn't used it the first chapter, and I had to add it in. And there's a description of Zukos room in this chappie, and if anyone gives me grief over it (Yes, you know who you are - and yes, I do actually mean you (I know what you're thinking as you read that bit D: )) then I shall destroy you. Thanks to the following people for reviewing!

ArrayePL - Glad you liked it, and as promised (throws bag of cookies) Bag of cookies for you!

Karma Roo - Yay, thank you! I'm glad you liked it enough to try it! (Gives cookie)

PonyboySlashLover - (Send you cookie) Thanks for the review!

Anyways, thanks to all reviewers, and he's the next chapter!

Aang was nervous as he was led towards Zukos room. He had been given some rice and steamed vegetables and then bathed. After his bath a servant had given him some clothes that were too big, but they were comfortable, and he had pulled them on, but only cause his clothes had been taken - somehow without him noticing. He tugged the shirt back up over his shoulder - the red cotton kept slipping down, which was, needless to say, annoying.

Momo was perched on his newly cleaned and brushed hair, sniffing the limp, slightly damp, brown strands, tugging some slightly in his small white paws. The Guards pulled open a huge ornate pair of doors and pushed Aang inside.

'Don't touch anything and make sure that your pet,' here the Guard that was speaking stabbed his finger at Momo, 'doesn't break anything either. The Prince will be along shortly. Although I personally don't see what he likes about you,' he muttered the last part, but Aang heard anyway. With that they turned and locked the doors behind them.

The young boy sighed, looking around his virtual prison. There was no way he could get out now - at least not without damaging something and ensuring his death sentance. The room was nicely decorated, if somewhat simplistic. The walls were painted a dark crimson and the floor was plain wood planks, covered slightly by a large crimson and black rug. Candelabras hung from the wall, candles flickering faintly, illuminating the room just enought to see by. To the left, there were two doors leading off from the bedroom.

Cautiously, Aang opened the first door, peeking inside. There was a beautiful bathroom, even nicer than the one that Aang had washed in before. The floor was black marble and in the floor was an enormous sit-in bath with several silver taps. Closing the door silently, Aang slid over to the other door, opening it, looking inside with curiosity. There was a long walk in wardrobe inside with many typical Fire Nation garments as well as some clothes worn only by the Royal family or citizens of high standing. Looking around, Aang noticed many of the things were similar to his own red cotton shirt and black slacks. He felt a blush stain his cheeks as he realised he must be wearing Zukos clothes - although he didn't quite understand why.

Aang left the wardrobe and turned back to the bedroom. In the centre of the room was a huge four-poster bed, covered in what looked like black silk sheets. Aang wandered over, entranced by the bed. It was easily the most comfortable place to sleep he could ever remember seeing. He let his fingers ghost over the material, shivering slightly as the cool slippery sensation met the tips of his fingers. He pushed his palm into the bed and was pleasantly surprised to find springs instead of hay, or just material, as he was accustomed to sleeping on. Aang glanced about guiltily for a second, and seeing only Momo in the room, he lay down on the bed and shut his eyes.

The twelve year old had to bite his lip to stop himself from gasping - it was like lying on a cloud in comparison to what he used as his bed. He hummed softly, letting his mind go blank. A small noise broke through the blanket of silence he had wound around himself - maybe a fly or something? He cracked open an eye, expecting to find a housefly crawling on the ceiling, and fell out of the bed in shock when he found Zuko hovering over him instead.

'Aaa - Oof!' came the strangled noise from Aangs throat. He looked up sheepishly at the Prince, hoping he wasn't about to be thrown in prison - only to find a slight amusement in Zukos amber eyes. 'I ... er ... oops?' Aang offered up, running a hand through his brown bangs. Zuko smirked and sat down on his bed as Aang propped himself up on his elbows.

'Do you remember me telling you that I had a different punishment in mind for you, other then death or having your hands burnt off?' Zuko asked, straight to the point.

Aang felt his stomach lurch. 'Y-yes ... '

'Well, what would you say to living here as my servant? Of course, you would not be mistreated, and you will be provided with food and lessons, if you want them, you can sleep in the palace and you can have your ... Momo ... ' Zuko added the last few points off-handedly, as if discussing the weather. 'Of course, the alternative is you say no and accept the normal punishment ... ' the Prince noted, as Aang opened his mouth, hoping the boy would agree - for some reason Zuko wanted the boy around.

'Your ... servant?' Aang asked, biting his lip. Of course, he was going to say yes - who wouldn't? But still ... 'What would I have to do?' he questioned, staring up at the Fire Prince with his steel grey eyes.

'Oh, not much. You'd have to be near me most of the time, though, in case I wanted to run an errand or something similar, but you wouldn't be asked to do anything outside of your capabilities,' Zuko replied with a casual wave of his hand.

'Well ... I guess ... I don't have much choice, really ... ' Aang replied, offering up a shy smile.

Zuko smiled slightly. 'Good. Then lets go and get you some clothes that fit,' he said, standing up again and holding out a hand to help the small boy up. Grinning as he realised he was still on the floor, Aang took Zukos hand, pushing himself to his feet, then followed the teenager out of the room.

The pair walked down several corridors, Aang looking around with wide eyes. The Palace was even bigger inside than outside - and it looked pretty big from the outside anyway. Zuko kept glancing over at Aang - just to check the boy was still there, Zuko told himself, he was silent and it would be easy for him to wander off without the Prince noticing. Zuko smiled slightly as he watched Aang tug the cotton top back up over his shoulder for the fifth time in less than three minutes - it was cute.

Wait.

Cute?

No ... not cute. Endearing ... in a little brother way. Yeah ... that was it. Zuko felt heat rising in his cheeks as he blushed, and he suddenly felt as though the silence was awkward instead of comfortable. Apparently Aang felt the subtle shift in the atmosphere too, as he blushed slightly, seemingly for no reason, and rubbed the back of his neck. Finally, after what seemed like an age, Zuko stopped outside a door and opened it.

'Sati is the one who makes all our clothes - she'll take your measurments and then make a few shirts and pants for you. We can send someone for shoes later,' Zuko said, pushing Aang towards the door. Aang looked up at the older boy, fear and nervousness swirling in his silver eyes. 'Don't worry, I'll wait out here until you're done,' Zuko added, feeling a bit sorry for the boy that had been a street urchin until a few hours ago.

Aang swallowed and then nodded, entering the room. Sati came to the door. 'Do not worry, I shall make sure I take good care of him, Prince Zuko,' she smiled, and closed the door. Zuko sighed and raised an eyebrow at Satis comment. The woman had an odd sense of humour sometimes.

'Hello there Zu-Zu,' came a smug sounding voice to his left. Zuko fought not a jump slightly at the unexpected comment.

'What do you want Azula?'

She smirked. 'Now, is that any way to speak to your sister, Zuko?'

'Yes. Now what do you want?' he snapped, turning to face her, glaring slightly.

'I'm hurt. I only wanted to talk to you about your new servant - what's he called?' she said, smirking.

Zukos eyes widened microscopically as he realised he didn't know. 'That's none of your bussiness,' he replied curtly.

But Azula noticed, and her smirk stretched a few milimeters. 'Haha, an excellent way to start off your relationship, Zu-Zu, not even knowing his name,' she sniggered.

'What are you talking about?' he said sharply, curious about that 'relationship' remark. Even though he and Azula were polar opposites, they were close, and sometimes he felt as though Azula knew more about himself than he did.

'Oh, nothing. But I would have thought he was a bit young, that's all,' the Fire Princess replied, leaning against the same wall as him, folding her arms across her chest.

'You're being stupid. You have servants younger than him.'

Azula laughed out-right at that. 'That may be, my dear brother, but they're just servants, and that's all,' she said, still laughing.

'What? If you aren't going to make sense, go away!' Zuko snapped, frustrated with his younger sister.

'Very well, brother, if you can't see what's infront of you, I shall be the first to say 'I told you so', when the time comes,' and with that, Azula left, leaing Zuko to puzzle over her words.

----

Some time later, Aang came out of the room, to find a distracted Zuko slouched against the wall. 'Bye Sati, thank you!' he said to the woman who bowed to him and replied with a 'You're very welcome, young Aang,' and closed her door.

Aang? Zuko thought. So that was the boys name. He would have to remember that.

'Sati said my clothes should be ready by next week,' Aang said, smiling brightly as he walked beside Zuko. He looked over when he recieved no reply and noticed Zuko has a glassy look in his eye. 'Zuko?' he asked, tapping him lightly on the arm. The Prince jolted slightly, doing his best not to look confused.

'I'm sorry, what?' As soon as the words were out of his mouth his gave himself a mental smack. That was a stupid thing to say, a Prince doesn't say things like that, he is dignified at all times, and if he doesn't hear something, he pretends to have heard it! But Aang didn't notice Zukos 'slip-up' and repeated himself, smile back in place.

'Sati said that my clothes should be ready by next week, Prince Zuko.'

Zuko almost missed the statement for the second time, distracted again by the shoulder that the top had slipped down. Aang seemed to have given up on fixing it now, or he just hadn't noticed it had fallen down. 'Good. Sati is a fast worker, and the sooner we can get you out of those clothes the better.' Zukos whole face flushed red as he realised what he had just said and coughed slightly to cover his embarassment.

Zuko thought back to what Azula had said. He couldn't be attracted to Aang could he?

No.

Of course not.

Ridiculous.

But maybe ... ?

Zuko sighed mentally. It was going to be a lot more difficult to have Aang around than he had thought.

A/N: Eh? Eh? Waddaya think? I hope I got Azula right, but you never know. :/ Oh well. Likes? Dislikes? Constructive critiscism? I quite liked this chapter, I thought it had a bit of funny in. I did quite well, words wise. Longer than the last chapter, 2,530 words this time :D Me pleased. Next time it's Aangs turn to think about things, and he explores the Palace and meets Iroh. :) Good reasons to come back, ne?

I'm also chuffed that I got the second chapter up so soon after the first! I've decided that I'm gonna update the next chapter as soon as I get up to 7 reviews for this story so far! I need 4 more review, people you hear? ;P And the third chapter is in progress, so love me in review form. I also accept anonymous reviews, so no excuse.

On another note, if you happen to think of a better title, tell me please! I'm starting to dislike the one I have. :( Eh ...

Anyways, as always, review! I love it when you guys to that! Feedback it like fish for seals. I just played the horns, toss me a fishie, eh? I depend on you for food! ;D