This is my first Avatar The Last Airbender fanfiction thank you to LunaStar07 for helping out with my writing and beta reading my work hope you enjoy the next chapter
Disclaimer I don't own anything related to ATLA
Zuko managed to make it back to camp his body slumped over as the pain began coursing through him intensified. He could feel the soreness from the fighting and his aching stomach. He managed to set the rice the Kyoshi warriors let him take to boil in a stolen pot over the campfire. As he watched the rice and water boil he thought about their offer more and more wondering if traveling with them would be a good idea. Sure, having a more reliable food source would be nice and traveling with the Kyoshi warriors most likely guarantees safer passage across the earth kingdom, especially since they probably have charts and maps of the area to avoid fire nation outposts. If he makes a single misstep a single mistake he's dead and he doubts that the Kyoshi warriors, especially their leader Suki wouldn't be merciful if they learned who he is. Just as he thought of her name her face flashed into his mind, he couldn't help but think of the way she smiled at him the way her eyes gazed into his. He felt weak thinking about her but shook himself out of his dazed scolding himself again just like before "She would have nothing to do with you, you are her enemy, you are fire nation." he spoke out to himself hoping his words would convince his confused mind.
Zuko saw that the rice was finished boiling, and he set the pot to cool on the rock bed. He then reached up and pulled his blue spirit mask off his face, letting it rest in the palm of his hands. He let his fingers slide along the inside of the wooden mask feeling the words etched into the brow 'Too My Brave Little Soldier...Ursa' as his fingers grazed over her name he let his fingers linger on it picturing her face in his mind. "I wish you were still here with me...," his mind imagining the last time he saw her, watching her face disappear behind her hood like it consumed her as she walked away from his life. He sighed as the memory always caused his eyes to water as he fought back the tears that threatened to spill over as he put away his mask.
Zuko grabbed a pair of chopsticks and pulled the pot into his lap the metal a now more reasonable temperature as he started to eat. He scooped up and ate the bland nearly tasteless rice. He groaned at the taste, but he stomached it too hungry to care. After finishing off the small pot he put his stuff away clearing up his campsite packing his stuff. He wanted to sleep, he felt his movements sluggish, but he could feel the sun about to rise and banishing the dark sky. If he was really gonna decide on joining these Kyoshi warriors he would need to leave soon to meet them before they leave or he would miss his chance.
Almost finished packing, Zuko readjusts the saddle on his Ostrich horse as the beast awoke and he loaded everything up. The Ostrich Horse whined as the heavyweight was put on him making him shift around shaking his feathers. "shhhhh don't worry just a little longer, and when we get to town we can get rid of most of this stuff okay." Zuko said trying to calm and soothe the bird, stroking his gloved hand down its head brushing back the feathers along its brow. This earned Zuko a soft chirp and purr from the animal as it tried and nuzzled its beak against Zuko's hand and face. Zuko let a soft smile grace his lips as he took hold of the reins and mounted the Ostrich horse to ride off, the sun now peaking for the trees.
The Kyoshi warriors had a brief, but unrestful sleep. The fighting last night made all their body's stiff and sore making any movement a pain. Dawn came only a few hours after they collapsed in their sheets and as the sun rose up they knew that they had to start packing, but no one was eager to get up. Suki took her time like the other girls in slinking out of bed, but she needed to set the example and crawled her way out of her tent. She let out a loud yawn as she stretched her back. "Come on girls, up and at 'em!" she called out as she rubbed a large round bruise on her back from when the blue spirit slammed his sword pommel into her.
Aikio was the next to try and get out of bed her dark hair a complete mess as she scratched her head and stretched out her back. "Damn I haven't felt this sore first day of training," she complained as she stumbled over to the fallen food stash fishing out an apple from one of the bags for her breakfast.
Suki became a little annoyed as the other girls remained in their tents she understood they were all feeling the same way she did, but that was no excuse to sleep in. "COME ON GET UP THIS INSTANCE!" she yelled loudly startling the girls almost instantly drawing them out of their tents. Even Aikio was startled at the loud outburst by her captain as she bit into her apple. Suki let out a loud sigh and she brushed back her hair and tied it off. "Okay now everyone sound off!" she said in a commanding tone.
"T...Ta..Tam present." Tam said in a soft and shaky tone as she tried to stand straight with the growing bruise on the back of her right leg.
"Yawn, ummmmm Ki... Kikki here." Kikki called out as she slouched where she was standing in her lazy posture.
"Ami here." Ami was the next to sound off she was much smaller than the rest of the girls, but she tried her best to stand at attention.
"Aikughio here," Aikio mumbled with an apple in her mouth as she was sitting on one of the food crates resting her elbows on her knees as she ate.
Suki let out another loud sigh as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Now, I'm gonna sound off jobs and I want them all done in the next hour so we can set off," She said as she walked over to the girls. "Kikki and... Aikio you two are on food detail I want you both to pack up the food and load it on the cart." she order and both Aikio and Kikki looked at her with wide eyes and as they were gonna argue they saw Suki's angry glare and they both went silent and nodded. "Yes, captain," they say as they gaze at the large mess on the ground.
"Ami you go check on the Ostrich horse make sure they are saddled up and the carriage is hooked up," she says and Ami nods firmly. "Yes, captain." Suki than turns to Tam seeing the way she standing awkwardly on her right leg. "Tam you and I will be packing up the tents and supplies," she says and Tam sighs in a bit of relief glad she won't be doing anything alone. "Got it captain." she smiles and nods to Suki.
Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors started doing their tasks clearing up the campsite though they moved much slower than Suki would have liked she couldn't blame them even she had trouble with her bruise. She would reach back and try and rub and soothe her back but every time she did she wondered if the blue spirit would be arriving soon as since they awoke she hasn't seen him. She would glance up once in awhile to the woods wondering to herself if the blue spirit decided to not join them since he got what he wanted what reason did he have to come back. Suki rubbed the back of her neck as she continued to pack up the tents helping Tam load them on the carriage.
Zuko had readjusted his blue spirit mask on his face as he reached the clearing where he first found the Kyoshi Warriors camp. He stepped out of the forest on the back of his Ostrich horse and saw the familiar warriors from last night. They were all clad in green robes and black armour with their faces painted the trademark of the Avatar Kyoshi herself. Zuko sighed definitely remembering these warriors, any doubts that they could have been different were expelled from his mind. He approached slowly keeping his finger tightened around the reins.
"Well, well well look who decided to finally show up," Aikio said in a smug tone as she crossed her arms over her chest drawing all the girls to look up at their visitor. Suki turned from the carriage and smiled at the masked man. "Hello Blue spirit, have you decided to join up with us?" She asked walking over to him, her hands on her hip with the same soft smile that graced her lips. Zuko looked at her halting his Ostrich horse in place, he gazed down at her and he slowly nodded his head raising a thumbs up.
Suki smiled wider grinning as she looked up at him. "Great, it is an honor to have you join along with us. I'm sure we'll do a lot of good together," Suki says as she waves over the Kyoshi warriors to come greet him. They each gave a warm welcome to Zuko each giving their names. He got a good read on them as they wore their personalities on their sleeves The only girl he saw had more reservations about him was Aikio. She was a lot more headstrong than the others, who were more timid and less confident they looked up to her and Suki. If Aikio had any type of suspicions about him she hasn't made it vocal yet. "So Blue, you ready to get going?" Suki spoke up and bring Zuko turned his eyes away from Aikio and to Suki and gave her another nod. "Good, Sisters time to move out." She said as she mounted upon her Ostrich Horse and the Kyoshi's follow suit, Tam and Aikio got up on the carriage cart while Kikki and Ami mounted the other two birds snapping their reins to head out.
Zuko rode along with them traveling down the path heading towards Ba Sing Se. He was glad he no longer felt the pain in his stomach from hunger, an added benefit from traveling with them, but he still remained cautious. Whenever they stopped to make camp, he set up the tent they provided for him near the edge of the site. He thought it was best to keep as much distance as he could from the others, especially when they ate. When he or one of the Kyoshi warriors cooked he would take whatever serving was for him and scooted off to the shade of his tent, his back to them so they wouldn't see his face when he lifted his mask to eat. For a few days, it became the same routine travel, camp, eat, and sleep. He didn't interact with the Kyoshi warriors much except a nod or small sentences written in the dirt when they asked him to do something. Once in a while when eating or just sitting near his tent his eyes would glance at the girls they mostly stayed by the fire talking joking around, but Suki, like him, sat alone he saw her by her own tent pouring over charts and maps. He thought of it and he notices how she never really joined in with the girls either she was off on her own when not giving orders. Thinking about his own time on his ship, he remembered doing the same thing. He rarely talked to his shipmates only barking orders and pouring over maps and charts for his mission. Though he had to admit he wasn't as... compassionate to his crew like Suki was to her warriors.
Zuko shook his head not wanting to remember his time on that cursed ship. He was almost glad that it was at the bottom of the sea if it wasn't trying to take him down along with it. He took a deep breath as he calmed his nerves before pulling off his mask as he settled in his tent. He took a loose piece of cloth and draped it over his face as he rested his head to sleep. After the first night, he couldn't handle sleeping with the mask pressed against his face all night long. So having the loose black fabric shielding his identity was a compromise he was willing to deal with, especially if it meant staying alive and to help him ease his sleeping mind.
When morning came, Zuko could feel the sun rising even if it barely passed the horizon, he could feel its warmth helping him wake from his uneasy slumber. When he awoke, he tugged on his mask fitting the face of the blue demon on his own as he crawled out of his tent. He would usually at this time knowing everyone is asleep, sneak off and practice his firebending routines away from prying eyes. But as he was about to take off he heard someone else walking about the camp and he got down low and remained silent wondering who else would be up. Then he spotted Suki as she was saddling her Ostrich horse which made Zuko quite curious. "Why was she up already? Where is she going so early? Why hasn't she let the rest of the group know what she's doing?" the questions crossed his mind as he walked over to her. His steps were silent as he approached her and as he got closer Suki slowly turned and jerked with a loud gasp seeing the blue demon face. "Spirits, Blue what are you doing up? You nearly gave me a heart-attack," she sighed as one hand rested on her chest and the other gripping the hilt of her sword.
Zuko raised his hands apologetically not wanting to have scared her, but since he couldn't speak out there was no way he could alert her to his presence. Suki let out another sigh "It's okay, but still what are you doing up?" she asked again as she calmed herself down. Zuko then thought what to do and he pointed to his ear and gestured to her and the Ostrich horse. It took her a second as she watched him before understanding. "Oh, so you heard me getting the saddle ready..." Zuko gave a nod as she continued. "...And you were curious what I was up to, and where I was going." Zuko nodded again and tilted his head to the side waiting for an answer from her. She let out a soft chuckle as she watched him. "Hehe well, sometimes I like to do some morning scouting before I wake up the girls. It's relaxing, plus if I bump into any animals I get to do some hunting to make sure we keep food stocked up," Suki says as she pats the side of her saddle where a yumi bow and a quiver of arrows are nestled in. Zuko nodded content with the explanation and was about to turn around when he heard her soft voice, making him pause and look to her. "You know since you are up, would you... wanna come along?" she asked with a soft smile gracing her lips. "It would be nice to have some company, besides we won't be gone too long," Zuko wanted to shake his head and tell her no thanks, but decided against it giving her a subtle nod making grin a bit. "Great, then you better mount up I'm not gonna wait for you," she chuckled as she climbed up on the saddle grabbing the reins of her Ostrich horse. He followed suit climbing up and mounting his own bird, shifting into the saddle as Suki snapped her reins and headed off. Zuko quickly followed after her riding by her side.
Suki and Zuko were riding further down the road away from the camp. The sun barely shining through the thick brush and trees, only soft rays of light beaming down upon them. Zuko looked around gazing at the dimly lite forest before turning to Suki and nudged her side to get her attention.
When she felt the soft nudge from the blue spirit she turned to him. "What's up blue, something wrong?" He shook his head and then pointed to his eyes then gestured to their surroundings. She then cocked her brow wondering what he was trying to say examining his gesture. "What are we looking for?" she asked trying to clarify what he was trying to say and he gave a nod. Suki let out a soft chuckle and smiled up at him "Hahaha well, we are looking any signs of fire nation troops or bandits in the area," she said as she kept her pace riding next to him. "But we are also looking for any signs of people, towns or anything like that. You see much of the charts I have are very old, like maybe 80 to 60 years old. So I've resorted to updating what we have on the fly till we can buy new ones and so far not many towns have detailed maps of the earth kingdom." She said and Zuko nodded, understanding why she was always looking over her maps alone when they were at camp. Soon, silence fell between them as they rode. Only the soft chirps and grunts from their mounts could be heard.
Suki than jerked her head as she heard soft rustles in the bushes up ahead and she halted her Ostrich horse. Zuko quickly stopped as well pulling the reins to stop his ride and watched as Suki dismounted and pulled out the large bow and quiver that were strapped to the saddle. She strapped the quiver over her shoulder as she pulled and nocked back an arrow on her bow. Zuko dismounted as well, following close behind her as they both moved silently towards the rustling bushes. When they got closer Zuko noticed Suki's lips curl into a smirk as she drew back the arrow, letting the soft bristles of the fletching touch her cheek before letting the arrow fly.
Suki shot the arrow and it flew straight through the bushes and with a soft thunk, the rustling went silent. "Direct hit," she said with a grin walking over and fishing her hand through the dense brush. Zuko became curious what she hit. She then yanked out a large black and white Badger Rabbit with an arrow in the middle of its back. "A good kill." Zuko thought, seeing the arrow placement knowing it was a clean kill. "Am I good or am I good,' Suki chuckled seeing her handy work as she removed the arrow from her the prey, before walking back to her Ostrich horse loading it on the saddle. She then turned to Zuko tossing her bow at him which he quickly caught. "You can get the next one, we should get at least two more before heading back," she said then she looked up at the blue spirit curiously as she saw him examine and looking over the bow in his hands. "You have used a bow before haven't you?" she asked and Zuko shook his head. He was trained in firebending but not much else, even his sword fighting was just his firebending techniques just with the blades. He didn't have much formal training with weapons, all that he did know was learning on the fly and from watching others. Suki started to laugh a bit covering her mouth with her hand. "Well looks like I'm going to be teaching the infamous Blue Spirit how to use a bow and arrow," she said with a mocking grin.
Zuko didn't know what to think as Suki led him into the woods, finding a small clearing "This will be great for practice," She declared as she walked over to a tree and carved a large X into the bark with her fan blade. Suki then took Zuko and made him stand about 100 feet away from the makeshift target. "Now let's see what you got," she said handing him an arrow, which he took and did his best to nock the arrow in the bowstring just as he saw her do earlier. "Good now draw it and fire," she ordered and Zuko nodded pulling back the arrow and aimed it at the tree, but as he did so he could see Suki trying to hold back a laugh. She bit her tongue trying to stifle any noise as Zuko let the arrow loose and it flew only three-quarters of the way landing straight in the grass. Suki then burst out laughing making Zuko groan even angrier as he saw where the arrow landed. "Wow, I really thought you would have at least hit the tree let alone get it to the tree line." She laughed and Zuko turned and glared daggers at her. "Hahaha okay, okay look you didn't do that bad, your form is decent you just need to fix a few things," She stated as she walked over and retrieved the arrow before walking back to him.
Suki handed Zuko back the arrow and he nocked it back in the string. "Now draw the arrow back," she said watching as he drew back the arrow and reached up and grabbed his elbow adjusting it. "You need to raise this a little higher like this," she then reached out with her other hand to readjust his fingers, adjusting his grip on the bow and how the arrow was shelved against his hand. "There much better you sho-" Suki's breath hitched in her throat as she looked up at the blue spirit his face staring back at her. Zuko's and Suki's eyes we locked together, and the unexcepted closeness had made him freeze up completely as she adjusted his hands. When their eyes met she could see past the darkness of the eyes of the blue demon mask. she could see two beautiful golden orbs, like small little suns hidden behind dark clouds. Her cheeks became flush red not even her white face paint could hide her blush. Then she realized how close she was to the masked and she pulled herself away abruptly, trying to keep a bit of distance from him. "Ummm yeah, so that... that should be better." Suki coughed "Wanna... wanna try again?" she said trying to look away from him avoiding to meet his gaze.
When she pulled away Zuko instantly regretted it as he wanted to feel her closeness again, but he shook himself knowing she was right to pull away. He knew deep down that he shouldn't get his or her hopes up knowing when she sees his face that whatever she could feel for him would turn to anger and rage. He took a deep breath as he maintained the stance Suki had left him in and he faced his target, the fletching of the arrow pressing against the cheek of his mask. He let the arrow loose shooting and letting the arrow fly through the air it, whizzing down to the target. Suki smiled wide as she watched the arrow as it buried itself at the base of the tree. "Good job, you got distance now you just have to work on your aim," she said and patted his shoulder. Zuko sighed in annoyance feeling like he should have gotten it he should have hit the target. He then grabbed another arrow from Suki's quiver drawing back the arrow and quickly firing it off only for it to be lodged into one of the branches missing the target again. He made another groan in frustration grabbing another arrow, shot, and missed once again.
Suki could see his anger flaring and placed a hand on his as he gripped the drawstring. "Blue, it's okay relax," she spoke softly to him and Zuko turned back to look at her their eyes meeting again. Her breath hitched in her throat a bit as she looked back into his golden eyes as she bites the inside of her cheek looking at him. Zuko similarly couldn't help staring into her eyes getting lost in the blue pools. His tense fingers loosened their grip on the bow and arrow as he lowered the bow. Suki smiled up at him as she pulled away, but not as abruptly as before keeping close to him as she let go of his hand. "If you... if you want, next time we set up camp you could... you could come with me on my scouting. We could do some more hunting together and more... bow lessons," She suggested smiling as she saw him become more relaxed and he gave a subtle nod in agreement.
"Good, it would be nice to have some company," Suki said as she reached out and took her bow from him sheathing it back in her saddle. "Oh, and before we go, you are getting those arrows you fired," she smirked and pointed to the tree he was firing at. Zuko let out a loud huff which made her giggle and she quickly covered her mouth as she watched him go retrieve the arrows. Once he got them all, they got on their mounts to head back to camp, the morning sun rising now above the trees.