Forgive me?

Ch. 3

Disclaimer- Avatar: The Last Airbender does not belong to me.

At that response, Zuko walked a little ways away, until he saw a well-covered plot of land to the right. He went over there and threw off his firenation clothes, quickly replacing them with the periwinkle blue tunic, and navy pants Katara had given him. Zuko suddenly felt very awkward. He was not use to material like wool and sheep skin, and scowled momentarily. After the initial reaction, Zuko neatly folded his fire nation uniform, and clumsily adjusted his snug clothes.

It was rather funny he thought. If someone had even hinted that he would be wearing colors of opposing nations on a rebellion against the Firelord back when he was banished, Zuko would have scoffed and shouted at the ridiculous prospect. Yet here he was, nearly 17 years old, traveling, teaching, and swapping clothes with his kingdom's greatest threat. Zuko snorted, and briefly wondered if this was how his uncle had felt when he thought they were honored guests of his formerly abandoned war post. Zuko shrugged and picked up the stash of valuable coins he had managed to confiscate before turning a way from his father. He could use some of them to buy some clothes more to his liking, and the livestock he had to replace.

By the time Zuko reached the Market it was bustling with activity, just as he remembered. However, there was an agitation that had not been present before. Remembering the Avatar's word about this being one of the only independent nations, he could only wonder why. His thoughts were confirmed when a young boy with messy brown hair shivered and buried his head in the form of a tall dark haired woman.

"Is it really true that the fire lord is going to attack us," he asked.

Zuko bristled, and crumpled his shoulders, turning his attention to the dusty road. 'Not if I can help it.' He thought.

"Quiet Shu, we mustn't think of things like that," the woman whispered in a worried, but soothing tone.

The boy buried his head into his mother's arms again, and she patted his head with a sorrowful smile.

The earth kingdom woman reminded Zuko of his mother.

Even though the former firelady seemed so strong and noble, there were times when he would follow her quietly, and see her holding the most painful look in her expression. As Zuko thought of this, the voices in the background seemed to disappear, and all that mattered were himself, his uncle, and a distant past.

Young prince Zuko rolled over in his bed with a tired look in his face. He had a nightmare about his father challenging him to an agni kai. Zuko shivered and looked at the clock. It was still fairly early, so his father would be in the throne room. The young prince clumsily removed his sweaty sheets, and fell to the floor.

Zuko stiffened momentarily and then scuffled to his large, heavy door. When he cracked it open, he caught sight of the palace guards drinking a hidden stash of alcohol and talking amongst their selves. Relieved, the young boy let out a small gasp of breath, and quietly tiptoed past the guards to his mother's chamber. When Zuko reached his destination, he opened the door very slightly, looking for the tall graceful figure

When he caught sight of her, he smiled slightly. He glanced up to see her face and saw the saddest look. Zuko's eyes widened. Who had hurt his mother? Who had caused her so much pain? Casting quietness aside he slid open the door, startling his mother.

"Mom what's wrong." He practically begged. The woman looked on with a soft look. "Who hurt you? I'm gonna kill him!" There was such defiance in his stance, that any who looked on would of sworn they saw steam coming out of his fists, and flames of candles rising up with his hurt. But that was impossible, for this was Zuko, he was not a bender. Or so they thought.

Ursa's look of pain quickly faded away, and the woman fell to her knees, crushing the boy to her chest.

"Aw I love you so much!" Then she'd kiss him and mess up his hair, before giving him another whopping kiss. Embarassed, the boy would blush and kick away from his mother.

"Ug…mom!" he would protest, "Stop it! I'm not a baby!" And Ursa would laugh some more and squeeze him tighter.

"Ah but you'll always be my baby." And Zuko would turn cherry red.

Zuko smiled as he thought of those interactions, and soon realized that the hustle bustle of the market place seemed to have fade in the distance. When he look up from the dusty road, he froze. His travels had taken him on a turn that led him directly to the spot where he had first seen Song and her mother.

"Of course," he said with a slight bitter tone, and when he turned he heard a sweet voice that could only be the young healer. Zuko turned around to see her exiting a neighbor's place with some herbs, and paled.

"No." He gasped. The wind carried his voice further then normal and Zuko saw as the girl perked her head and started turning towards him. Zuko ducked behind a wall just in time to avoid direct line of site. He briefly saw the girl mouth Li, with a curious look before staring towards his direction and shaking her head. Then she turned on her heel and walked towards her home.

Zuko let out a small sigh of relief. He was not ready to face her just yet. Zuko then peeled off the wall and hurried towards the busy market place. Before long, he came across the booth that he and his uncle had bought their former clothes from. Remembering the old man, Zuko swallowed sadly, but then rummaged through the different outfits.

"Well, I guess here goes," he stated. Zuko found some fine silk and velvet garments, and gave the slightest smile. The young prince always did like the feeling of silk. He figured it was because of his royal upbringing. His mother refused to import anything less then the best for her children. Placing one hand on the crisp garments, Zuko opened his napsack and pulled out one of his moneybags.

"I'll take these three." Zuko said as he chose one green and gold, one brown and gold, and one rich blue and light blue uniform. The merchant looked surprised for a moment, but then smiled as he glanced at the higher price tags. He looked again at the boy, scrutinizing his build, feature's and supplies.

"Certainly." the merchant was silent for a moment, and hungrily looked towards the bag hidden in the prince's nap sack, "Only the best for you."

Zuko hurried away from the merchant, not sure he liked the sign of that. Something was up. The man was a little too suspicious for his liking, and when he spoke it reminded Zuko of Azula's oh so calculating words, which would undoubtedly lead to the death or destruction of some poor unfortunate soul. Not that this man was nearly as harsh and deadly as his sister but he was crooked, and he had something planned.

Before long Zuko was out of site of the merchant, and a small smirk appeared on the man's face, as he thought of a golden eyed boy, sneaking out of heavy doors.

"Yes, only the best," he paused, "my lord."

To be continued...