The next week Azulon would allow her to come out of her chambers every two days but she was always guarded by six soldiers, three on one side and three on the other, and she was only allowed to the palace library and back.
Every third night she would go sit for those dreadful meals with the royal family. She noticed several things during those meals. Iroh had moments of silence where he would glance at the sit next to his, as if someone was meant to be sitting there. Another thing was Ursa, at times she'd black out and look off into the distance, almost wistfully.
Then there was Azulon, Ozai and Azula; they were indeed the same blood. And finally, Zuko, who was kind hearted as Ursa and gentle as Iroh. He stayed quiet during meals and would occasionally glance at (Y/N), and when caught he'd choke on whatever he was eating and quickly look away in embarrassment.
On days she stayed inside, Azulon would send instructors in to teach her the Fire Nation history. She'd just sit down and stare at the walls numbly, letting the voice drone on in an endless slur of words that meant nothing.
It was becoming a schedule now and she grew tired of it. She hated her shoes, she'd much rather run around barefooted. She hated the bleak dark walls that had no light.
She patiently awaited Iroh, she had faith that he'd see his promise through. He would free her. All she had to do was play by Azulon's rules and be a good 'Little Dragon'.
She shuddered at the nickname given to her by Azula. It seemed everyone who despises her uses it.
Suddenly the door to her chambers opened and she snapped her gaze to the door from where she sat by the hearth.
Zuko peeped his head in and grinned shyly.
"Umm hey."
She tilted her head. "Hey."
He cleared his throat and walked in.
"Sorry I was meaning to come last week and before that but I had lessons with my sword instructor." He explained sheepishly.
She chuckled. "You don't have to explain yourself. You don't owe me that y'know."
He nodded and scratched the back of his head shyly. "I know, I uhh I wanted to."
(Y/N) smiled.
"So I was thinking we could go out around the castle and I'll show you around. Not sure if anyone has done that yet."
(Y/N)'s smile faded a bit. "I'm not sure if I'm allowed outside."
Iroh walked in behind Zuko and beamed her a bright smile.
"Yes, you are. Azulon has allowed for Zuko to show you around the castle." He informed her.
Since Zuko and her were roughly the same age it was Azulon's idea to have Zuko befriend her and make her feel more at home. But no one told Zuko that of course, he was just told he could show her around and make her feel more comfortable.
(Y/N) sighed. "Not sure it'll be all that fun if I'm surrounded by guards."
"Actually it will just be me and Admiral Enzo tailing you both."
The thought of Admiral Enzo gave her chills; he didn't scare her the least but the thought that she had permanently scarred him left her feeling horrid.
She agreed and Zuko's eyes lit up like the night sky.
They met Enzo at the door. His burnt arm seemed to have healed because there was no bandage wrapping anymore. He leered down at her.
"Make one move and I will not hesitate to burn you." He hissed.
(Y/N) glared up at him but said nothing.
Zuko ignored him and brushed straight past him.
"Come on (Y/N), can't wait for you to see the garden." He chirped.
(Y/N) followed, feeling Enzo's eyes shoot daggers at her.
They walked through the palace, this time with no guards, just side by side. Four feet behind them Admiral Enzo and Iroh were walking; Admiral Enzo had his unblinking eyes trained on (Y/N) while Iroh just looked happy to take this stroll around the palace with Zuko and her.
Zuko showed her where the kitchen was, the war room, balcony area, the conservative, and finally they ended in the Royal Garden.
It was a beautiful large garden with flowers of all kinds blooming. The grass was fresh and look heavenly compared to the stone slabs she had been stepping on these past few weeks. There was a cherry tree at the center, and under it was a beautiful small pond.
The afternoon sky stretched out, golden streaks from the setting sun slashed across the canvas of space. It was a beautiful sunset.
Zuko stepped out onto the grass. He realized she wasn't beside him and turned.
To his amazement she was kneeling down, taking her shoes off.
He said nothing and knelt beside her, taking off his shoes as well.
"What are you doing Little Dragon?" Enzo snapped, gripping the hilt of his sword as he walked towards her.
Iroh stretched a hand out and he stopped walking immediately. (Y/N) and Zuko looked up. For the first time that evening Iroh actually looked dead serious.
"She's taking off her shoes and I will not hear another word from you for the rest of this evening Admiral Enzo."
Enzo's hand which was clamped around his sword tightened but he said nothing as he stepped back with his bald head down.
(Y/N) turned back down and took off her shoes, fighting the grin that was struggling not to show on her face. It gave her a happy feeling that Iroh had told Enzo off for her; he defended her.
Finally, when she had it off she stood up. Zuko kicked his off as well and jumped onto the grass.
He turned to her. She took one step and felt her toes sink into the grass and onto the earth, then she took another step in and both her feet seemed to melt into the soil. It cooled her feet and gave her a rush of happiness.
Zuko watched her in curiosity and amazement, he'd never seen someone so invested in putting their feet on the ground. All he felt from being barefooted was the grass itself.
(Y/N) stood there with her eyes closed and she could feel the blades of grass tickle her feet and she laughed.
Zuko couldn't help but chuckle, her laughter was infectious.
"Hey wanna race to the cherry tree?" Zuko asked, grinning.
(Y/N) opened her eyes and her twinkling (E/C) orbs met his. She grinned.
"Of course. If you can keep up."
Zuko aligned himself next to her and they both got into their stances to run.
"On my mark," Zuko said, "GO!"
They both raced through the garden, side by side. Zuko staggered on a rock halfway and (Y/N) threw her head back and laughed.
She could feel the soft grass as she raced and she felt alive again. She could feel the afternoon air against her face and the warmth from sweating. She loved this rush of adrenaline.
The cherry tree was close, she turned to Zuko and they were side by side racing. They both laughed as they struggled to beat the other's pace.
Finally, they jumped forward and Zuko reached it first while she rolled aside on the grass. Zuko did some weird touchdown dance and (Y/N) giggled uncontrollably, the adrenaline pumping through her veins was almost close to cliff diving. She could hear her own heartbeat, she wondered if Zuko could hear it too.
Zuko panted and collapsed next to her.
The two eleven year olds both simmered down, and caught their breathes. They watched the pink tuffs of the cherry tree scatter in the wind in a comfortable and happy silence. It was quiet for a while.
Finally, Zuko got up and looked behind him to see where his uncle was. Far enough.
He turned to (Y/N) and she sat up too.
"Hey did you see the look on Enzo's face when uncle told him to back down?"
He made a funny face.
(Y/N) giggled. "He's always so stoic and mean looking."
Zuko smiled at her. This was the first time he'd ever seen her this happy. She had blades of grass and cherry blossoms in her hair that was tied up. Wisps of her (H/C) hair were loose from the bun.
"You should let your hair down."
Her eyes sparkled. She grinned. "You have no idea how long I've been wanting to let it down. This bun is killing me."
She took off the clip and her hair tumbled down her shoulder, to her back, and onto the grass.
Zuko stared at the length in amazement. "How is it..." He trailed off, almost shyly.
He wasn't sure if it was an appropriate question.
"I have never cut it, not once in my life." She answered his question, staring down at the length.
"You look better like this." He smiled softly.
She chuckled. "Thanks."
A sharp pain in her chest made her breathe hitch. Her smile dropped instantly and her hand flew to her stomach.
Zuko panicked.
"Hey are you okay?"
She forced a smile and ignored that pain.
"Yeah just that my heart is beating so fast from the race."
He stood up and offered his hand. She took it and he pulled her up.
"Wanna play tag?" He grinned.
She grinned and quickly touched his shoulder before jumped back.
"You're it." She teased.
"Hey no fair we haven't counted." Zuko pouted.
"You're gonna have to catch me." She called out and ran.
Zuko race after her, laughing as she eluded him when he got close enough.
They spent the rest of the afternoon playing in the Royal Garden and (Y/N) felt happy for once that whole month. It was like she was racing through a valley filled with flowers with her friend; that's what Zuko was now, he was her friend.
She let this moment wash out the pain from earlier, she wasn't gonna give in to it.