Zuko raced through the underground bunker that the royal family used specifically for days like this-- the day of the solar eclipse. It had been an unspoken secret to protect royalty from attempted coups and uprisings. The bunker was more like a palace underground and far away from the actual Fire Palace. He knew his way around and didn't hesitate. After all, he was on the run. Redirecting lightning at his father was the most extreme definition of treason. There was no taking it back. His alliance was clear-- he would go to the Avatar and try to convince him to let him be his fire bending teacher.

After another turn, he stopped, eyes widened as he looked into a room that he had never seen before. It had always been closed but now... the room was empty of everything except a giant cage in the center. A chamber pot in the very corner furthest from the door and behind a curtain of red silk. In the middle of the cage was a large bed, small chair with a dressing table to the side, and a small dresser presumably filled with clothes. What truly surprised him was that the only creature in the cage was not a bird but a young woman around his age. Her hair was red and wavy, her golden eyes held flecks of orange. Those eyes were fixated on him and he swore he felt the air heat up in that moment. She rose from the bed, moving carefully as if expecting him to attack her. Her body was thin with slight curves hidden behind a dress made of black silk.

"... you are not the fire lord..." Her voice was haunting, soft and husky. "Who are you?"

"..." He didn't have time to waste on pleasant conversation but could he live with himself by leaving a girl in a cage to be tormented by his father. No doubt the man would be angry at his son's betrayal. Would he take it out on her? He couldn't take that chance. "Zuko. I'm going to get you out of here..." He moved to the lock on the door and examined it. Made with the hardest steel, it was heavy and not meant to be easily removed by fire bending.

"The key is there. The fire lord leaves it in sight so I can always see my freedom but never attain it..." He followed her pointing hand to see the large key hanging on the wall next to the door. Making quick work of the distance, he grabbed the key and returned to the lock to set her free.

The second the door opened, a wave of hot air sent him flying back. Zuko slowly got up to find the girl gathering clothes and knotting a large robe shut to create a makeshift sack. The silk dress moved gracefully as if the hot air was caused by her. She must have been some kind of fire bender but without making any moves... his father must have trapped her in that cage because of her power. The girl exited the cage and approached him. "Lead the way..." At his look of surprise, she rolled her eyes. "I owe you for releasing me. So I shall follow you until I have paid you back or until I decide you are no longer worth me following you. I advise you proceed with caution, Zuko..."

He narrowed his eyes but chose to ignore that jab and the fact that he didn't even know her name. No, he had overstayed his welcome and the longer he stayed there, the more danger they were in. So he took off down the halls, twisting and turning as needed without looking back at her. If she couldn't keep up, that was on her. Serves her right for having an attitude like that towards the prince of the Fire Nation...banished or otherwise, he was still born royal.

After what seemed like an eternity, he came to the doorway to freedom, opening it to expose the forest and fresh air. Wiping his forehead with the back of his hand, he looked back to see if the girl was still following him. There she stood, bag in hand and eyes shut as she took in the fresh air as if she hadn't been outside in years-- probably hasn't been.

"What is your name?"

Her smoldering gold eyes flashed open to meet his and she licked her lips in thought. "...it has been so many years... since my name was spoken. The fire lord just called me Phoenix... But I do not acknowledge that name. It always made me uncomfortable. The Masters' Ran and Shaw would be displeased if I took on such a powerful name without earning it..."

"It's not that hard to tell me your name."

She rose an eyebrow at his snappy comment. "I assure you, it is. He kept me away from others for so many years that it is like a distant dream, remembering my name. But I believe it is... Zara... yes, that seems right..." She gave a little smile as she repeated the name. It was almost as if she were afraid to lose that simple knowledge again and if she didn't say it, it would be lost again.

Zuko sighed, rolling his eyes. Or she could just be a strange girl who was trapped in a cage. At any rate... "Zara, let's get going. We have a long way to go before we get to the Avatar."

She tilted her head at him and nodded with that same odd smile. "I will follow to the Avatar. But if I may ask, how do you plan on finding him? Last I remember, he disappeared 100 years ago and no one has seen him." The way the dark-haired boy smirked at her let her know that he had a plan and this adventure would not be fruitless.

(Zara means "radiance" but also has Arabic roots that mean "blooming flower". I think it fits her. Or it will once she comes into her own.)