Hey there to all of my fans! I am so glad to be writing again after such a long absence and I hope that all of you didn't miss me too much. I have tried MANY, MANY times to submit this chapter and I just kept getting error messages!!! Talk about going insane! I am SO sorry about it and I hope that all of you loyal readers out there forgive me... After all of the wait, here is the next chapter of my story and PLEASE, PLEASE review!!!! I have my next chapter started and my goal is to reach 60 reviews before I publish it, so if you all want a new chapter, YOU NEED TO REVIEW!!! ENJOY!!!
Memory
The sun began to set and the group atop the giant Flying Bison was beginning to settle in for the evening. That was, all except for Zuko. All of them had decided that since they had no real bearings as to where they were, they thought it would be a good thing to fly until they hit land, find a map, and then make their way to the deserted island on the edge of the Fire Nation.
Meanwhile, Zuko had barely moved so much as a finger's width since they had taken off. His eyes shifted from person to person around him. Sokka and Katara seemed at home on the behemoth. Still atop Appa's head, sat Aang. The boy had made himself comfortable and had released the reigns completely. Zuko turned to Zana, who had already gotten used to the undulating motion of their flight, was at ease. She was chattering away with Katara over something and her smile seemed to light up her entire face.
"We have not had the opportunity to speak much, lately, my Nephew," came Iroh's voice. Zuko's head whipped over to his Uncle who was sitting cross-legged with his hands in his lap. The younger Fire Bender's arms tightened again on the saddle. "You look tense," Iroh smiled knowingly. Zuko scowled in return to his Uncle's remark. "It's not that bad is it?" Zuko just rolled his eyes and looked away again. He wasn't looking forward to a conversation. Instead, he looked back at Zana.
Somehow, her and Katara's conversation had switched to hair. Zana sat facing Zuko with her eyes close and head tipped back as the Water Bender did something to the back of Zana's head. Zuko watched curiously since he had never really cared to examine teenage girls interacting before. "Ah," came Iroh's voice again, "So I see the two of you have made up, am I right?" Zuko immediately slipped into a defensive mode, "What are you talking about?" he hissed so no one else would be able to hear him over the wind or the constant noises Appa was making. "Why, you and Miss Zana, of course," Iroh smiled again, seemingly proud of his observation. Unable to think of a better retort on such short notice, Zuko growled, "Who said we were fighting in the first place?" Iroh gave a half-shrug, "Call it the intuition of an old man…let's not forget that your Uncle used to be quite the ladies' man when he was your age…" Zuko grimaced, not even daring his mind to fill in the rather disturbing blanks.
"I remember this one girl…she had a figure like you wouldn't believe-" "Alright, I think I get the idea!" Zuko cut in, trying his best to avoid what he knew had been coming. "Fine," Iroh made a faux sad face, "then don't listen to the glory days of your beloved Uncle…" The older man barely waited a heartbeat before perking up, "Either way, however, it is about time someone found a special lady friend," Iroh grinned. Zuko rolled his eyes and proceeded to tune Iroh out and concentrate only on what the others were doing.
It wasn't long until night fell and the group settled down. They had debated again about stopping to rest somewhere, but there had been no land in sight and Aang reassured them all that Appa could probably use the exercise. Since Aang, Katara, and Sokka had all of their familiar supplies back, they seemed right at home while Iroh could sleep soundly practically anywhere. Zuko had watched as the sea seemed to swallow the sun and spit night back out. It made Zuko feel all the more uneasy as he was not among his element any more, not to mention he wasn't even on solid ground. It had captured his attention for a while and Zuko had begun to allow himself to loosen up.
His head tilted back and allowed his glowing eyes to examine the expanse of sky above him. The moon seemed so full and bright that night and he couldn't help but ponder the events that had taken place back at the North Pole Water Tribe. He only knew half of the story and he never liked being in that situation. Zuko blinked and shifted his gaze to a mere coo beside him. It had been Zana.
Somehow, in all of his nervousness, he had nearly forgotten that she must not be very comfortable atop the beast: just as he was. She was sitting with her legs tucked beneath her, as there wasn't much room near Zuko since Iroh's snoring bulk was only a few inches away from his own body. Subconsciously, Zuko's grip retightened on the saddle. Zana silently proceeded to lay out her cloak across her lap because the air blowing over them had grown chilly while the weather had cooled with the sun's setting. Zuko watched her smooth deliberate movements and, in their own odd way, they caused him to relax. It was just something about Zana's constantly mellow demeanor that put Zuko at ease.
When she had finished, Zana looked back up at Zuko. Normally, she would have respected Zuko's "space issues", but he had looked so uncomfortable that she decided that it was best to go over and subtly comfort him a little.
Zuko was staring back at her and Zana's stomach did a slight flip-flopping motion. His golden eyes seemed to nearly glow in the dim night. Though his features were their usual stone, she was able to tell that he was relieved that she had come to his side. Zana couldn't help the growing urge she had to finish what she had started back on the island, just before the others had returned with the news that they had rediscovered Appa. Her gazes flickered momentarily to his lips and then quickly back to his eyes. Zuko seemed to be reading her mind, because he took a quick survey of the others before leaning down to give Zana a quick kiss on the lips.
He pulled away and returned to looking at the sky as if nothing had happened. Though, all the while, he held back a smirk, because he had glimpsed the look on Zana's face before pulling away. He knew she had wanted it as much as he.
Zana's eyes were wide and could only stare at Zuko's strong profile. She was glad because that meant he was not able to see the way she still blushed after they kissed-even if it was only just for a split second.
She was on his left side, so her view was obstructed by the large scare that ripped across his face. It was all she could do to resist the urge to reach up and touch his scar once again and instead her hands played with the cloak across her lap. She quietly cleared her throat and reached over to grab one of Zuko's hands, which had been clutching the railing of the saddle with all of their strength.
It took a little coaxing but he eventually released his death-grip. Zuko looked back down at Zana. Her velvet fingertips traced the outline of his palm and he was able to feel himself loosening up with the mere friction of her skin on his. "It's funny…" Zana said. Her soft words were barely audible over the hum of Appa and the wind rushing around them. "What is?" Zuko asked, equally as soft-his eyes staring unblinkingly at the pattern Zana's fingers were making. The girl waited a few seconds more before answering, "…how only hours ago we weren't speaking to each other and now, we're here, atop a Flying Bison, holding hands…" She gave a curt laugh, "I'm sorry. It all sounds so absurd and childish…" Zana released Zuko's hand. He found it odd that he missed her touch after only a few seconds.
Zana felt foolish for having said such stupid things to Zuko. She turned away and looked out over Appa's head into the murky blue abyss. She couldn't help but wonder how the beast was able to see in such light.
Zuko looked down at the top of Zana's head. It was true: what she had said had actually sounded like something out of a child's fairytale- not that he had paid any attention to the ones he had been told when he was younger…
He thought about it more and knew that he didn't want Zana to feel bad or become upset with him again, so, very reluctantly, Zuko released the railing of the saddle and his arm snuck its way around her waist. Without having a change in his facial features, he gently tugged her closer to his side, and he forced himself to ignore the sensation he felt when her body heat penetrated the fabric of his clothing.
With his thoughts distracted from just how high up they were, Zuko realized that it was not that bad riding the Flying Bison. It was a much different experience than his first. That time, he had nearly gotten himself killed back at the North Pole-not to mention he had been tied up. Then there had been that battle with-Zuko's muscles involuntarily tightened-Zhao… His memory must have suppressed his final battle with the General. It had, obviously, been more preoccupied with keeping himself alive.
"Zuko?" Zana's concerned voice came as she squirmed from his fingers digging into her side. Zuko had to will himself to lighten his grip so as to not alert Zana that there was anything bothering him.
He couldn't help but look into her face again to search for any hint at all that Zhao was her sire, but, no matter how hard he tried, he was unable to see any traces of the General in her soft features. Zuko found it hard to believe she was his enemy's daughter and he no longer kicked himself over not knowing what family Zana came from-she was nothing like her father. "What?" Zana gave a slightly self-conscious laugh. "What's 'what'?" Zuko replied. "You're staring…" Zuko blinked and said, "It's nothing," and then looked away.
The girl sighed and placed her head on his shoulder. She cooed, "You should get some rest." Without moving, Zuko gave only a grunt as an answer. He was too busy thinking. I was the only one there…I am the only one who knows Zhao is dead… Zuko's eyes flicked to Aang, I don't even think the Avatar knows he killed Zhao-he probably would have said something by now. Careful not to disturb Zana on his other shoulder, Zuko lifted his hand from his side and stared at it: I let him die… I tried to show mercy and save him, but he pulled his hand back… "I tried, Zana," he whispered under his breath and she barely stirred. Zuko knew that Zhao had hurt Zana deeply, but, from the sound of it, he understood Zhao was all Zana had left in the world.
Shifting, Zuko gently put his cheek on the top of Zana's head. He wanted to fill that void for her, but Zuko knew sooner or later he would have to let everyone know what had happened back at the North Pole Water Kingdom.
Soon, his eyelids grew too heavy to keep open and Zuko fell asleep, despite being so high above an endless ocean.