So, I have been on a bit of a Last Air bender kick and wanted to make a little story of my own. This note is more so a warning. I love ATLA and the humor it provides but I wanted to make this story seem a little more serious. This story takes off where Zuko and Iroh become refugees on their way to Ba Sing Se. Since the show itself skips across their time there, I figured I could use that to my advantage. Be aware the a good portion of this story takes place in Ba Sing Se but will continue with the general ALTA plot eventually. On the boat ride they meet Zoi and her brother Jun. Unknown to Zuko and Iroh at first, Zoi and Jun are also fire nation citizens who are planning to have new life in Ba Sing Se after a tragedy that happened to them. Without giving everything away too quickly, Zoi and Jun's existence helps shape Zuko in his understanding of war and what is actually, good for. The answer: Absolutely nothing.

"War does not determine who is right — only who is left."

Zuko glared out at the sea in front of him as his uncle tried to conclude how amazing it was that he would be returning to the place of his greatest military disgrace as a tourist.

"Look around you, were not tourists, were refugees."

"You say that like it is the worst thing in the world." A voice said slightly startling Zuko.

"How long have you been standing there?!" Zuko exclaimed, not wanting their identities to already be compromised.

Beside him was a girl who looked to be around his age. She had medium length black hair and green eyes that matched her very earth bender colored outfit.

"Just long enough to hear you complain about being a refugee. I mean come on, it's better than being a fugitive. Complain to me when that happens."

Zuko squinted at her suspiciously. "Are you a fugitive?" The girl looked from the sea to him and laughed lightly.

"Do you think I would tell you if I was?"

Iroh came walked to the other side of his nephew and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Now Lee, be polite. Hello young lady, my name is Mushi and this is my nephew Lee. What might your name be?"

The girl smiled at Iroh and stuck her hand out. "Nice to meet cha' Mushi and Lee. I'm Zoi." After shaking Mushi's hand she went for Lee's bet he did not extend him. Zoi raised an eyebrow but simply put her arm down.

"So what brings you to Ba Sing Se all on your own Zoi? Iroh asked. Zuko rolled his eyes at his uncles need to socialize with the girl.

"I'm actually here with my brother Jun. He's sitting over there." Iroh and Zuko glanced in the direction Zoi pointed, which lead to a boy who looked a little older, maybe his early twenties, sitting in the corner by himself. He also wore earth kingdom style clothing and had a rather sad look on his face.

"We lost our parents not too long ago and made a decision to try and make a fresh start out here. What about you too?"

Iroh brought his attention back to Zoi. "I'm sorry for your loss. Lee and I are also looking for a fresh start. Life has not been easy these past few years so we are trying something new."

Zoi nodded in understanding.

"Well it was nice meeting you guys, I'm going to go check on my brother. I'll see you around Imp sure."

Zoi walked away toward her brother and Zuko watched her leave. Iroh turned to his nephew and smiled. "Nice girl. I hope we cross paths again."

Zuko scoffed and looked back out to the sea.

Zoi slid down the wall and sat next to her brother who seemed lost in his own thoughts. She nudged him with her shoulder lightly causing him to look at her.

"You good?" She asked lightly. He nodded his head. "Yeah."

When night time came everyone was given a little bit of food. It was nothing great and Zoi felt had she not been so hungry she might not have even bothered with it. Jun ate with no complaint, simply content with getting food at all. In the distance Zoi could see Lee sitting with his uncle. He looked very annoyed about something, probably the food they had been given. She had a notion that he was not quite used to the simple life and was having trouble adjusting. He was then approached by another boy. He sat next to Lee and seemed to be talking to him in a way that she could tell was meant not to draw attention. Whatever they had been talking about seemed to get Mushi's attention, as he chimed in on the conversation. Moments later Lee and the unknown boy walked off together. Zoi could not help but be curious as to what they were up to but in the end remained seated. It was not her business.

A while later while Zoi was lost in her own thought her attention was brought back to reality when an apple was placed in front of her. She followed the arm the apple was being held by to find the face of Lee. Zoi took the apple hesitantly and looked around to see most of the people on the boat eating again, as well. The unknown boy from earlier also passing it out.

"What did you guys do?"

"What needed to be done." Was all Lee said as he walked away to pass out more food. She bit into the apple as she looked to her brother who was also eating and shrugged at her.

Zuko sat back down next to his uncle who munched happily on his Newley acquired food. Jet walked back up to them with a triumphed look on his face. "Job well done Lee." He said causing Zuko to nod.

"This, this right here is why me and my freedom fighters are going to Ba Sing Se. A new start. I'll admit, I have done some pretty bad things in my past, things I am not proud of but this is a going to be our second chance.

Iroh smiled at the boy. "Life always offers second chances, it's called tomorrow. We are fee to change are lives if we want to."

Zuko looked from his food to Zoi and Jun across the way. Zoi was resting her head on her brother's shoulder trying to sleep. Jun looked tiered, but his eyes remained open. Zuko couldn't not help but wonder what it was they were trying to get away from. Obviously, everyone on this boat had some type of past they wanted to leave behind. And Zuko was not sure what made him curious about their situation in particular. He assumed it was because he had not spoken to anyone else. Jet had claimed he had done some bad things in his past but did not specify which also made Zuko wonder what kind of secrets he was hiding, but Zoi, her past involved her and her brothers past involved their parents passing. Parents die all the time. It's of course sad but not usually something people move over. There had to be more to the story. Maybe it was to forget about his own past that Zuko was so caught up on looking into someone else's. There was no other explanation really. He did not know Zoi and Jun and he did not want to know them, yet he found himself watching them from time to time, imagining scenarios in his head about where they came from and what happened to them to make them leave wherever it is they came from. Zuko sighed, he needed to clear his head.

Zuko got up and walked over to the railing and took a deep breath. His solitude was interrupted however, when Jet appeared next to him.

"You know, when I saw you and your scar I knew exactly who you were." Jet began, causing Zuko to tense. "You're an outside, just like me, and we have to stick together. Watch each other backs, because no one else will."

Zuko listened to Jet as he asked Zuko to join his little freedom fighters group. For obvious reasons, Zuko had no interest which Jet seemed to take more personally than he should have. Looking over to his uncle Zuko's eyes widen as he sees him heating his tea with fire bending. Zuko slaps the cup out of his uncle's hands.

"Are you crazy! Anyone could have seen you!" Zuko whispered harshly.

Iroh frowned. "I know what they say about crying over spilt tea, but it's just so sad."