Avatar The Last Airbender Fan Fiction ❯ Traditions of the Heart ❯ Insomnia ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the last airbender

 

 

Aihe rolled over onto her stomach restlessly. She laid there for several minutes before sighing angrily and propping her head up on her hands. Everyone had parted ways hours ago and she had gone right to bed but sleep was just not showing up. `Ergh why can't I sleep?' she thought pushing herself up to sit on her legs. It was about midnight judging by the full moon. `I'll go for a walk and maybe then I'll be able to sleep.' She stood up and pulled on the long red robe she had found in her room and slipped into her shoes. She did a quick check in the mirror to catch any stray hair, of course there were several. She used the pitcher to bend some water over her hands and wet her hair down before bending the water she used out the open window. She disliked her straight hair because it never failed to look messy, but she wouldn't trade it for the world. Of her whole appearance it was her hair she prized most. Long, silky, thick, and dark it hung down to the small of her back and her bangs fell thick and straight down between her eye brows and eyes. Just like her mothers. She secured the robe around her waist and left her room. She wander down the corridors until she came to an open air hallway, there she stopped. The night air was warm and comforting. A few fire flies lingered to display their tiny lights. Aihe breathed deeply and smiled.

 

“It's a beautiful night, isn't it” a some what familiar voice said behind her. Aihe jumped and tried not to let out the startled noise in her throat but instead it came out sounding like a hiccup. She turned to find Zuko standing at the entry way of the hall, opposite the side she had entered from.

 

“I'm sorry Fire Lord Zuko. I hope I have not angered you by wandering through your home this late at night.” Aihe said bowing quickly.

 

“It's ok, you're forgiven. I couldn't sleep either. This is a good spot to come to at night. It's a good view.” Zuko said walking over to stand beside Aihe. They stood there for several minutes in silence before Zuko broke it.

 

“Aihe, have you ever been in love?” Zuko said looking down at his hands. Aihe was surprised by his question but recovered quickly.

 

“A few times.” Aihe said plainly. It was Zuko's turn to be slightly surprised. Aihe smiled at his reaction. “Why do you ask, Fire Lord Zuko?”

 

“I thought I was in love with this girl, but one day the thought of not being with her anymore didn't scare me.” Zuko said returning his gaze to his hands before realizing he was confessing his heart to a stranger. It may have made him feel more comfortable to confess to someone who had no stake in his life but she may not care to listen. He quickly stood up straight and faced Aihe. “I'm sorry I shouldn't be burdening you with my problems.”

 

“I don't mind at all. Let it out, it's easier to talk to strangers sometimes.” Aihe said giving him a comforting smile. “Do you want me respond or just listen?” she asked gently. Zuko relaxed and decided to continue.

 

“You can respond if you would like.” Zuko said quietly.

 

“Well in that case from what you have told me you were in love but it sounds like you fell out of it.” Aihe said sitting on the rail facing Zuko.

 

“I didn't think I could ever fall out of love with her. I guess that's what happened to her too. We were perfect together like mirror images before things just got odd between us One day we are happy together then the next she's dumping me.” Zuko said with a pained look on his face. Aihe had to mentally tell herself not to touch him the way she would comfort anyone else but his face made her want to.

 

“That happened to me too. His name was Oli and we thought we were perfect together too. We liked all the same stuff and even had the same personalities. But in the end I realized that our perfection was our undoing. We got bored looking in the mirror all the time.” Aihe said seriously. Zuko didn't look at her but she knew she had hit the nail on the head.

 

“Who broke up with whom?” Zuko asked still keeping his head down.

 

“He left me. I was young and too afraid to be alone so I held on until he pushed me away even though our love had died long before. Since then I've had my heart broken plenty of times and it never gets any easier. The one thing I've learned from it all is that love is like a two pieced puzzle. Pieces that are too similar or too different will never stay together but putting together two pieces that are both similar and different at the same time will create a lasting bond.” Aihe said looking out at the moon.

 

“Well I've got eleven months to find that other piece. Do you think that's likely?” Zuko said propping his elbows on the railing and putting his head in his hands.

 

“Who knows, but you've got some great people who are going to do everything they can to help you.” Aihe said smiling at him brightly; he returned her smile for a second.

 

“I still love her but not in the same way. It still hurts though.” Zuko said sadly. Aihe's smile faded and she decided to forgo her ban on touching him to put her hand on his shoulder. When he didn't react she kept it there.

 

“And you always will love her, just like I will always love the Oli. The pain however will go away and you'll find loving again is not very hard.” Aihe said gently.

 

“What would you do if you saw, Oli, right now?” Zuko asked trying to think of what he would do if Mai were to walk into the hall at that very moment.

 

“I'd greet him as a friend.” Aihe said confidently. “Of course on the inside I'd be wondering if I could still wash clothes on his abs.”

 

“That's not right” Zuko said standing up and looking at her like she'd done something wrong. At that Aihe couldn't contain her laughter any more and let it out.

 

“What? Oli was hot.” Aihe said through her laughter.

 

“Women.” Zuko said exasperated. Aihe calmed her laughter but kept smiling as Zuko shook his head.

 

“So do you feel better?” Aihe asked looking at Zuko who was now looking at the moon.

 

“Yeah, actually I do.” Zuko said with a slight bit of happiness in his voice.

 

“Good because I am suddenly very tired.” Aihe said sliding off the rail and stretching her arms above her head. Zuko watched her stretch and couldn't help but notice her curvy figure beneath her robe. His eyes stopped on her breasts as she ended her stretch.

“You're checking out other women already” Aihe said giggling, “You're well on your way to healing that broken heart of yours.” Zuko's eyes widened and his whole face went red.

 

“I...uh…um...sorry.” Zuko stuttered out rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

 

“I forgive you this time.” Aihe giggled. “If you ever need an ear to listen you know where to find me. Goodnight Fire Lord Zuko.” Aihe said bowing but making sure her robe stayed closed. It wasn't her personality to flaunt herself, especially to royalty.

 

“Goodnight Aihe and thank you.” Zuko said smiling and bowing back to her.

 

Aihe left Zuko in the hall way and made her way back to her room. It didn't take long before she found it. As she laid on her mat she let her mind wonder back to the hallway. She silently prayed that they would find his soul mate on their journey. She chuckled as she drifted to sleep thinking “One evening with these people and I'm already devoted to them all. Maybe just maybe I can give up my search and stay with them. If they will have me…' she fell into a comfortable sleep.

 

Ok so this chapter is shorter then the last but it just felt so final. Next chapter will deal with the spa day and a little romance drama. Please continue to review.