Extinguish

A/N: I know, I know, another Zuko and OC story...

But I promise you it's not like the others! I worked really hard on this so I could entertain you guys, so please pay me back in reviews! Sorry if this sounds whiny and needy, I'm not going to be like that all the time, promise.

-Cherri

I was sitting on a boulder, kicking and shifting my feet through the sand, utterly bored. It sounds normal, doesn't it? Well there's one thing wrong with that sentence.

I wasn't bored, I was terrified.

Scared to the core. But I couldn't let it show or else I was dead meat. Straight from the mouth of daddy. How endearing.

I came from a family of sand benders in this kill or get killed world. My parents are dead, and my brother..long gone. He works for the black market. Shady stuff, so I can't acknowledge that I'm associated with him. It would get me killed. And I'd rather be the killer than the victim here.

I bended my sand attacks at them as they dropped like flies. Please don't let them see me. Let me be an unseen tormentor.

" Hey! Little girl!"

I turned sharply.

" What?!" I hissed.

" What are you doing alone out here?" the young man pestering me asked.

" You're obviously new here. Come, sit and watch me," I prompted, slapping the spot next to me.

I continued fighting my assailants through the sands.

" You're good,"

" Thanks," I said.

Once they were all down, I ran off.

" Why are you running?" He asked.

" I don't want to be caught, idiot!," I said.

" You sound like my sister," he said.

" Okay, bye!" I said, and used some sand to give me a head start.

" Hey! Wait up!"

" What do you want?" I asked.

" Your name, perhaps?"

" Ramake. Buzz off," I said.

" I'm Zuko," he said.

I was instantly caught off guard. I bended some sand around his wrist and pulled him towards me.

" Prince Zuko?" I hissed.

" No! No! I mean yeah, but it's not like that! I was banished and now I'm a refugee," he said.

" What do you want?" I asked.

The only thing keeping me from joining forces with the Fire Nation was my fear of them. I didn't want to dishonor my parents' memory by being killed off like them.

" You were able to take those guys out so easily. I have people searching for my Uncle and I. We need your support," Prince Zuko said gruffly.

" Just don't turn me in," I said softly.

" What?" He asked.

" I'm wanted too! This better not be a ruse or I'm dead meat," I said.

" Don't worry. We've got your back,"

" Then I guess I have yours," I said.

" And by the way, knowing your Uncle, ex General Iroh, he put you up to this, didn't he?" I asked.

" Yeah," was the only reply.

I reluctantly followed him to his shabby home where I met his Uncle.

" Uncle. I found our protection," Prince Zuko said to him.

" She doesn't seem to like you," he commented, seeing my annoyed expression.

" Obviously," I said, rolling my eyes.

" Very pretty, though," Iroh said.

" Cut the garbage. I know all about you two and I'm only helping so Fire Prince Zuko here doesn't turn me in," I explained.

" Tea?"

" Whatever," I shrugged, sitting down next to him.

" Why don't you two get comfy while I get us some real food," Prince Zuko said.

I leaned back and drank my tea.

" What is your name, young lady?" Ex General Iroh asked me.

" Ramake," I said in between bites of a roll.

" You look hungry," he commented.

" I live in the desert. Of course I'm hungry." I mumbled.

" Where did Zuko find you?" Iroh asked.

" Where I said. The desert," I said, gulping more tea down.

" What's a lovely young lady doing in the desert?"

" Surviving,"

Silence.

" Where are your parents?"

" Dead."

" Siblings?"

" Unheard of."

" So are you a bender? Zuko must've been really impressed if he picked you," the old man asked.

" I'm a sand bender, if you must know," I said.

Prince Zuko walked in and I grabbed a moon peach.

" Prepare for sandy tea and bone dry hair. Living with a sand bender is no picnic," I said.

Iroh laughed.

" Since I'm your bodyguard of sorts, do I get payment?" I asked in between sweet, juicy bites.

" Food, shelter, and safety should be enough," Zuko said gruffly.

" Throw a couple of gold coins on top, and we've got a deal," I said.

" You're incompetent,"

" You're voice is weird,"

" You should be grateful!"

" Excuse me? I was forced into this! You should be grateful!"

" For what?! Throwing sand in people's faces?!"

" What can you do better?"

" I'm a great fire bender, like my father!"

" Is that how you got that scar on your face?!" I finished.

Zuko touched his scar tenderly and walked off.

" What's with him?" I asked aloud.

" I need to tell you about Prince Zuko's scar," Iroh said solemnly.

I put my head in my hands and listened.

By the end of the story, I heard a loud crash.

" Sorry. That was probably me. I can send sandbags flying when I'm angry enough. How could his own father hurt him like that? My father taught me how to survive before he died. It's not right," I said.

" I know that. Zuko is very conscious of his scar and he is constantly trying to regain his honor," he explained.

" I think... I need to apologize," I said softly.

Iroh didn't say anything. I stood and walked to where Zuko disappeared.

" I'm sorry Prince Zuko. I didn't know," I said.

" I didn't know either," he said gruffly.

Okay, scratch that, he said everything gruffly.

" Know about what?" I asked.

" About your father. I heard you talking to Uncle. I shouldn't have mentioned mine in front of you," Zuko said.

" It's alright. It's not that sensitive of a topic for me. He died when I was seven. But he still took the time to teach me how to survive," I said.

" My father tried to teach me with pain," he said.

" It's not fair. My father would only punish me if I did something horrifically wrong. You spoke out of turn. What does that even mean?!" I said.

" You wouldn't understand, peasant," he said.

" You're right. I wouldn't," I said angrily, stepping out.

" That boy is infuriating," I complained.

" I'm surprised he didn't snap at you for calling him Prince. It usually makes him antsy,"

" You mean angsty?"

" You know what I said," he insisted.

I humphed and laid down on my stomach.

" It's boriiing here," I drawled.

Iroh didn't say anything and I walked out.

" They are a pair of weirdos, those two," I said to myself.

I went to the tavern and got myself my favorite: a fruit slicer. I didn't have any money, but I just took down a guy the bartender had a bet with.

" Here ya go, Ramake," he said gruffly.

" No problem. Have you seen a guy with a scar on the right side of his face?" I asked, while slurping.

" No, but that sounds a lot like Exiled Fire Prince Zuko. You shouldn't talk about things like that around these folk. They're desperate," he warned me.

" Yeah, probably. He has me hired as his bodyguard or something," I said to make small talk.

" I'd pick you as a bodyguard over these burly men any day," he said.

" Thanks. But the Prince is a royal pain in the butt. He's probably going to get himself caught like the idiot he is. So I'm not going to stay here long," I explained.

" Your father was a good man,"

" I know that. Why are you telling me now?" I asked.

" In case you forget while you're on your journey," he answered.

" Thanks, but one stupid Prince won't make me forget that," I said.

" Here comes the brat Prince. Need to disguise?" He asked.

I nodded and he gave me a muffler while I took my braid out. I ruffled my hands through my hair, then slipped the muffler up to my eyes. He rubbed a bit of dirt on my face and I changed into regular sand bender clothing.

Zuko walked up and grabbed my wrist.

" Come on, Ramake," he said.

I looked at him with wide eyes. I slid my muffler down and yanked my wrist out of his grip.

" How did you do that?" I asked.

" Do what?" He asked.

" Recognize me. My own mother couldn't recognize me if she were here," I said.

" It's your eyes," he grunted.

" Excuse me?" I asked.

" They're a light shade of orange-brown. Very rare," he explained.

" Yours aren't bad either," I said, using my thumb and pincher finger to open his swollen eye a little wider.

" Ow!" He said putting his hand on his eye.

I just gave him a look and ran ahead. I went to an alley to change into my regular clothes.

"Don't come after me, Zuko. I'm just chan-" I was cut off by seeing his still, shocked form.

" Zuko! I said don't com- okay, close your eyes, and turn around," I instructed slowly.

He did as instructed and I finished putting my shirt on. I tapped his shoulder to let him know I was finished. He jumped and I rubbed his shoulder.

" Hey, it's okay. I'm fully clothed now," I said soothingly.

" You sure?" He asked.

" Hey, I'm not trying to seduce you or anything. You walked in here," I said.

We started walking and I looked up at him from the side.

He still had a look of shock on his face.

" You look like you've never seen a bra before," I teased.

" I haven't," he said.

I froze in my tracks.

" What? Don't you have a sister?" I demanded.

" Yes, but I've never seen her undress before. I've seen bras in laundry baskets, but never on a girl before,"

He was so innocent. I felt a pang of guilt and rested my hand on his back.

" Sorry for being your first, then," I said quietly.

We entered into the small house and we were met by Iroh anxiously waiting for us.

" We don't speak of this," I whispered in his ear.

He nodded firmly.

" We have business in the tavern you were just at, Ramake," Iroh said.

" Alright. I'll lead the way," I said.

Once we got there, Zuko started compaining.

"No one here is going to help us. These people just look like filthy wanderers," he said.

"So do we," Iroh pointed out.

I snickered and started giggling when Zuko shot me a glare.

" Ah, this is interesting. I think I've found our friend," Iroh said, pointing to a bald man sitting near a Pai Sho table.

" Hey Renshi," I greeted.

"You brought us here to gamble on Pai Sho?" Zuko asked incredulously.

" I don't think this is a gamble. May I have this game?" Iroh asked.

"The guest has the first move. I see you favor the white lotus gambit. Not many still cling to the ancient ways," Renshi said.

" Those who do can always find a friend," Iroh said.

There was definitely something hidden behind their words.

" Then let us play," Renshi said.

Eventually, the tiles formed a lotus shape. I was getting suspicious.

" Welcome, brother. The White Lotus opens wide to those who know her secrets," Renshi said wisely.

" Are you talking about your flower shop?" I asked.

"What are you old gasbags talking about? " Zuko asked rudely.

" Hey! That man was a good friend of my father's. Be nice," I commanded.

" I always tried to tell you that Pai Sho is more than just a game," Iroh said.

"It's over! You two fugitives are coming with me!" A large man said.

" No!" I cried out.

" I knew it! You two are wanted criminals with a giant bounty on your heads! " Renshi said.

"I thought you said he would help!" Zuko said.

" Renshi, please. Don't do this," I said.

"He is going to watch," Iroh said.

"You think you're going to capture them and collect all that gold?" Renshi said loudly.

I could instantly see what was going down.

"Gold?" someone piped up.

Everyone perked up and surrounded the large man and his accomplice, pulling their weapons out.

" Uh... Maybe we shouldn't," the accomplice said.

They started fighting and we escaped into Renshi's flower shop.

" It is an honor to welcome such a high-ranking member of the Order of the White Lotus. Being a Grand Master, you must know so many secrets," Renshi said to Iroh.

" Now that you played Pai Sho,are you going to do some flower arranging, or is this club going to offer some real help? " Zuko asked.

" Flower arranging makes money. And money gets you food," I said.

" You must forgive my nephew. He is not an initiate and has little appreciation for the cryptic arts," Iroh said.

" Neither does Ramake," Renshi said.

" Uncle Renshi!" I complained.

A peephole opened in the door and someone peered at us.

"Who knocks at the guarded gate?" The doorman asked.

"One who has eaten the fruit and tasted its mysteries," Iroh said.

" Okay, they sound like they've had too much Cactus Juice," I said.

" What's Cactus Juice?" Zuko asked.

" I hope you never find out," I said.

The door opened and Iroh walked in. Zuko and I tried to follow him, but the door was slammed in our faces. Iroh opened the peep hole.

"I'm afraid it's members only. Wait out here," he said.

I groaned while Zuko sulked. Then he leaned over and sniffed a flower.

" I saw that, you know," I said, sniffing a rose and touching its petals tenderly.

" And I saw that," he said.

" Are you saying that I'm like you?"

" Well, you don't act like a girl,"

" What's that supposed to mean?"

" You're not normal!"

" Neither are you!"

" Are you even female?"

" You should know,"

" That wasn't my fault!"

" I told you not to come after me,"

" I couldn't hear you,"

" Then you're deaf,"

" I'm not deaf!"

" Your ear seems a little shriveled,"

" Shut up!"

" Make me!"

" You're so rude and uncaring!"

" That makes you the devil,"

" And I'm rude?"

" I speak my mind,"

" You're just so arrogant,"

" What does that make you?"

" Honest,"

" You infuriate me!"

" You chose me!"

" Arg!"

" Ha! I got you there!" I finished the argument.

He created a fire fist and I drew in some sand from outside.

" Don't cross me, brat Prince," I growled.

The door opened and he dissipated his fire as I sent my sand back outside.

" What's going on? Is the club meeting over?" Zuko asked.

"Everything is taken care of. We're heading to Ba-Sing-Se," Iroh said.

" Ba-Sing-Se? Why would we go to the Earth Kingdom capital?" Zuko asked.

"The city is filled with refugees. No one will notice two more," Uncle Renshi said.

I groaned and pouted at him.

" We can hide in plain sight there. And it's the safest place in the world from the Fire Nation. Even I couldn't break through to the city," Iroh said.

Zuko and I looked at each other, relieved he didn't see our fight.

" And you two. I leave you alone for five minutes and you try to kill each other! I'm disappointed," he said.

Zuko and I humphed and turned away from each other.

I avoided Zuko by hugging Renshi.

" Bye Uncle," I said.

" Is he really your Uncle?" Zuko asked.

" No, but he was a good friend of my father, so I call him that. Closest thing I have to family," I said.

" I'm glad you're agreeing again," Iroh said.

" I never said that," I huffed.

A man I had never talked to before walked in.

"I have the passports for our guests, but there are two men out on the streets looking for them," he said.

Zuko and Iroh peered through the window and then turned towards each other with serious looks on their faces.

" I guess this is when we split," I said with my hand on my hips.

I was suddenly forced into a large pot with someone else.

" Zuko?!" I hissed.

" Shhh, I'll explain later," he whispered.

I got uncomfortable not knowing where he was, yet knowing he was close.

"Hey you, where are these men? I got a tip that they're in your shop," I heard through the pot.

"As you can see, no one is here but us," Renshi said.

" We know all about your secret back room. Kick it down," a familiar voice said.

They were the guys from the tavern!

"Hey! That room is for flowers only!" Renshi yelled.

I heard a loud crash and then silence.

" Some unlucky soul has an incomplete Pai Sho set," the accomplice said.

"Let's go back to finding the girl," the buffer one said.

I gulped. Were they talking about me? I sure hope they weren't talking about me. I felt ourselves heaved onto something, then rolled away. Zuko lifted the lid and poked his head out.

" It's stuffy in here," I complained.

Zuko put the lid back on.

" We still need you. I might be facing my sister soon, and I need your help," he said.

" Well look who's getting humble," I smirked.

" Shut up," he said gruffly.

Later we were finally able to get out. I saw that it was night and the moon was shining brightly.

" We'll set up camp tonight," Iroh said.

" Okay with me. I'm exhausted," I complained.

" From arguing with Zuko on the entire ride here?" Iroh guessed accurately.

" It's not my fault he's an arrogant brat," I shrugged.

" I won't disagree with you,"

" Uncle!" Zuko yelled.

" It's late, and I'm tired. Go to bed," he ordered.

Zuko and I set up the other tent and he looked at me expectantly.

" No way am I sharing a tent with you!" I protested.

" Uncle sleeps alone. Trust me, it's better that way. And it's only one night," Zuko rationalized.

" Don't try anything, freak," I said.

" Like I'd want to," he huffed.

I responded by smacking him upside the head.

" Why are girls never happy?!" He demanded.

" We can be. I just hate you. That's all," I said simply.

" Well thanks,"

" You're welcome," I said while undoing my side braids and main braid.

" What are you doing?" He asked.

" Taking my hair down. Got a problem?" I asked testily.

I held it up and let it down with a woosh. I shook it to get it it place and looked at Zuko, who looked shocked.

" What's wrong?" I asked.

" I didn't know your hair was that long," he finally said.

" Well it is. It's wavy because I always braid it. I promised my father I'd keep it long," I explained.

" It's pretty," Zuko blurted.

" Thanks, I guess," I said, blushing a bit.

Hey! I wasn't expecting it! I didn't like my hair down at all. It was so dark brown, that people often mistook it for black.

" You should wear it like that all the time," he said.

" Are you kidding me? It's so messy and hard to deal with," I said.

He just laid back and closed his eyes. I soon followed suit. I could have sworn I saw a smile on his lips before he snuffed the candle. Maybe I didn't hate him that much.

Review!

`Always, Cherri 3