Avatar: The Fifth Element

Appa growled with glee, overjoyed to finally be flying again. Aang was sat happily steering the sky bison with Katara at his side, while Toph nervously cling to Sokka. She never really got used to flying, just like Rumi.

Usually, Rumi would've held onto Zuko as if her life depended on it, but now, she seemed to be avoiding him. Clutching onto the side of Appa's saddle, Rumi stared at its base, refusing to look at the darkening clouds around them.

"Rumi, just let me help you!" Zuko reached a hand towards Rumi, but she swatted it away.

"I'm fine," she insisted, her shaky voice saying otherwise.

"Stop lying! You're scared and exhausted, just hold onto me and get some sleep! Please," Zuko pleaded, inching his way closer to her.

Just as Rumi was about to once again protest, a loud rumble sounded throughout the sky, and a raindrop fell on her nose.

As the raindrops grew heavier, Appa groaned and Momo buried himself in Sokka's side.

"Aang! We gotta land now, we can get there tomorrow!" Sokka ordered.

When they landed, they were no longer in the forest, but a mountain range on the edge of the Earth Kingdom. After a night's rest, they'd be able to get to the Eastern Air Temple the next day.

As per usual, Katara, Aang, Sokka and Zuko set up sleeping bags, while Toph used her earthbending to build herself a little shelter. Rumi helped unpack, but was quick about it, and once she finished, sat off to the side propped against a rock. She had a perfect view of the ocean, and it felt as though she could lose herself in the waves and rain.

She looked over to the group, only to see Zuko watching her with a look of concern. Rumi quickly averted her gaze back to the ocean.

"I'm gonna go see if I can find some fire wood," Zuko stated loudly, almost as if he wanted Rumi to hear.

Several minutes past, and Toph came and sat beside Rumi.

"Y'know, I don't know a whole lot about love, but I don't think you should be so cold towards Zuko. His heart races anytime he's around you, or even talks about you. Trust me, I'd know."

Rumi looked at Toph curiously, though she knew Toph couldn't see her expression. But the whole situation must seem really tense for everyone. When Zuko regained consciousness, Rumi was hugging him and apologizing, and now she was as distant as ever.

She rubbed her face in her hands tiredly, "I'm just scared and confused!" and with no explanation, she got up and walked off.

Pacing back and forth too close to the cliff edge, Rumi was at war with herself. She looked to Aang and the group, and then to the forest-y patch where Zuko was looking for firewood.

"Ah shit," she muttered to herself and jogged off into the forest.

It didn't take her long to find Zuko, who had an arm full of wood, accentuating his strong arms. Rumi couldn't help but stare a little.

Zuko noticed her and his cheeks grew hot, "R-Rumi?"

Rumi let out a giggle, "So you get embarrassed when you stare at me, and you also get embarrassed when I stare at you? There's no winning for you, is there?"

Zuko gave a slight smile and shook his head, "What are you doing here?"

"Well first of all, I'm gonna help with this," she took some wood out of Zuko's arms, "Second of all, I should apologize. I've been... confused, I guess. I've been back and forth with you a lot and that's probably confusing you too, so I'm sorry. I just don't want you to get hurt, and I don't know how to stop that from happening."