A/N: Hello everyone and I present to you, yet another fanfic. For once it is not a oneshot and hopefuly I will finish this thing, for once. But hey, I know what's gonna happen at the end so that makes it all better. Don't question me!!! Also I'd like to thank my ASN buddy Violet Verspertine who may or may not have a FFN account for encouraging and helping me start this thing off. I'd also like to thank my weird dreams.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar. I am sorry if I dissappoint. :P
Summary: Five years have passed since the comet came. Five years have passed since the gAang have failed to save the world. Being the sole surviver of the gAang, Zuko has to fight and try to end the war anyway he can with his new friends in tow. The thing is, no one knows who he really is, and that could cause problems.
He heard the bell toll, signaling a gathering in the town square. He wasn't much for large gatherings and crowds. It was too much work to try and talk to everyone in a small town in which everyone knew everyone else and their business and how they go about it. It was too personal for him. Maybe that's why he liked living in a larger city where no one knew anything else about every person they see. He didn't care to know that old man Chu was crazy from fighting in the war and was paranoid because of it, even though he felt sorry for him. He could care less if those two annoying kids ruined Ming's garden and stole all the fruit from the bushes. Or the fact that Ming's son's friend's cousin was a hippie who sung about caves by Omashu. He didn't care or try, but living in a close knit town and making an effort to keep himself away from everyone doesn't work. There'd always be someone who would come to your house with rice, welcome you, and never leave you alone, to always tell you about the happenings around town whether you wanted them to or not.
The bell tolled again. They'd probably do a headcount or something of that nature and notice that he wasn't there. Some of the older folk would go on about how he was cold and heartless. People his age would call him a jerk and other things for not going. The younger kids would know something important is happening and would not understand fully. He sighed.
Five years ago was when peace was supposed to come and everything would be back to normal. The exact opposite happened. He failed and his friends failed, but the world paid the price. He was the only one left who survived. Some would call him lucky, but he was plagued with guilt and remorse. He was thankful to his uncle for helping him through in his own weird tea filled way. He tried to help by attacking small patrols and anything that could help the war. Eventually his uncle asked and pleaded with him to stop. He then moved to the small town where he was now only days away from the front lines, even if his uncle wanted him to stay with him where it was much safer. Just incase was all he said, it was in the letters that he wrote back if they mentioned moving. His uncle just wanted him to be away from the endless war.
The bell tolled again. Not everyone was there. It would take a while, even in a small town. They were sure that everyone was there, including him. Everyone knew that he wanted to be off on his own and thought he was weird, off or any other variation of the words. There was a sudden pounding at the door. Zuko sighed as he went to see who it was.
"Lee! Get out here! Maybe this time you won't be the last one there!" The voice said from the other side of the door shouted. "Hello I know your home!"
Zuko sighed and opened the door. Before he could speak the voice's owner pushed her way in.
"C'mon Lee, your twenty-one and your all alone during the prime of your life stuck in your house moping all the time. People are gonna think you're crazier then Chu, and he's crazy!" She exclaimed. "Chang help me get Lee out!" She started to drag Zuko out of the house.
"Sen, I bet he'd come if you weren't yanking on his arm like a crazy maniac. I told you this would happen." Chang sighed, shaking his head.
"Well excuse me for making sure our little Lee here isn't known as a heartless jerk without any feelings for anyone but himself. People are gonna think it's weird that he isn't going to the ceremony marking the day that the Phoenix King was a hog-monkey's butt and took over the world and killing the world's last hope for peace, thank you very much." She exclaimed back.
"Yeah I know you're trying to help but your going over the top. Maybe that's why you can't get a date." Chang said as the bell tolled again.
Sen got up in Chang's face and pointed a finger between his eyes and started to rant on about how all the guys at the village were stupid and about how the Phoenix King was a hog-monkey's butt. Zuko sighed and shook his head. He considered just walking off without them to the ceremony, but changed his mind due to the fact that he'd never hear the end of it. Finally the bell stopped ringing.
"Oh now look! Ming is gonna kill us all because someone wouldn't come!" Sen said and pointed at Zuko.
"Well we better go before they've noticed we're gone." Chang said and started to walk away. Zuko and Sen followed close behind.
For a small town it was fairly easy to slip in the town square unnoticed. The town elder started to preach through the war's beginning. He said how it ripped apart families and destroyed an entire culture.
The bell tolled.
He then went and told the stories of the middle of the war and how there was no end in sight and how everyone was giving up hope.
The bell tolled.
The elder then said how the Avatar returned and saved numerous towns, lives, and even the frozen north. He mentioned how all the Avatar's comrades helped him and others. He mentioned the loss of Ba Sing Se, the failed invasion and stopped after he described the number of prisoners and how many escaped.
The bell tolled.
The elder paused for a few seconds. He then said how a former enemy of the Avatar went and joined him to help restore balance.
Zuko knew more then anyone who he was referring to. He didn't blame him for not going into specifics.
The elder went on about how the Avatar prepared for the final fight.
The bell tolled.
The elder described everyone's roles in the final battle. How Aang fought and perished against the Phoenix King. How Sokka, Suki and Toph cunningly destroyed the airship fleet, but couldn't make it out in time. How Katara and him fought against Azula, who cheated in the fight.
Zuko blocked out the rest. He knew what happened and didn't need it preached back at him. He knew how he survived and how Katara past away from burns that he couldn't heal. How she saved him from lighting but he couldn't save her. Zuko stared angrily at the ground.
The last part that the elder said was how a mysterious group from all of the nations took back Ba Sing Se on that day and gave the Earth Kingdom a fighting chance.
The bell tolled for the last time.
The villagers dispersed and went back to their houses. Zuko started off towards his own house until he was stopped.
"C'mon Lee, no one should be alone. We have food and stuff at our house and your house is enough to make anyone depressed, and we don't need more of that." Sen grabbed and pulled him to her and Chang's house. Zuko followed dumbly behind.
They started off to their destination, which was to Zuko's misfortune, right in the middle of town, and was also right next to Ming's house.
"Well I guess that the village should be thankful for you three for gracing us with your presence. You were late." Ming blocked the way to the house. She was short in stature, but had a demanding personality, even if she was old.
"Hey we made it so calm down old lady." Sen said. Zuko and Chang exchanged glances and braced themselves for a long lecture on respect.
"Just ignore her, she's stupid." Chang chimed in, hoping to save himself from a lecture. "What she meant to say was that we were getting Lee and we ended up running late. Sorry. We didn't miss anything though so all is good."
"You three, just because you are in your early twenties doesn't mean that you can choose to go to gatherings whenever you please. We are a community and that means when there are gatherings and meetings that means all members are to attend." She turned towards Zuko. "That includes those who have been here for only two years. Do I make myself clear? Now I expect you to all be present and on time for our customary dinner."
"Ok, ok, just let me eat something first and I'll be right there." Sen said as she started to walk away.
"No you won't. Do you think that all those suffering get to eat whenever they want? You shall wait, and so I know that you will, you will not leave my sight until then. Now come along." Ming started to walk away.
Sen sighed as her stomach let out a growl. The trio started to follow Ming.
Zuko glanced around at all the people who were mingling outside with friends and family. He sighed. He hated days like this. It was sunny yet the mood was gloomy. He stared at the ground as he recalled the last few days with his friends. He remembered his Uncle saying that destiny was on their side when it really wasn't. Soon the bell tolled for dinner. Zuko was really starting to hate bells.
The elder spoke again about the war and hoping for peace within the year. Soon everyone began to eat.
Soon Chang and Sen went to grab their food while Zuko waited until there was more space. Everyone seemed happier now. Food always seemed to make people happier. Zuko looked up to see Sen carrying to plates with Chang following.
"I got one for you, sunshine. The trick is to go up first before all the kids take and touch all the good stuff." She said with a smile.
"Yeah eat, and enjoy. Just stay away from Ming's cooking. I'll spare the details." Chang said.
"Don't go into a too deep of food coma, tomorrow we're going to renovate and brighten up your house! So get your painting clothes ready." Sen pumped her fist in the air with enthusiasm.
"My answer is the same as last week, no." Zuko bluntly replied.
Chang burst out laughing until Sen punched his arm. "Aww c'mon, it'll be good for you. Please, Lee it'll give us something to do. This town is boring."
"She's got a point, this place is dull. Living here all our lives kind of takes the fun and excitement out of living in a small town. Plus we're too old to play pranks on Ming without getting sued." Chang said. "But we all know the only reason she says this place is boring is because she can't get a date."
Sen glared at him and started to rant. Zuko rolled his eyes and started to eat. He zoned out again and went back to remembering the events before the comet came. He let out another sigh.
"Lee? You okay, because you're sighing and looking off into space again." Chang asked.
Zuko nodded in reply.
"Ok good! Now we can focus on how I can get a date!" Sen said excitedly.
"Or we can focus no why some random soldiers are here." Zuko said and motioned to the soldiers by the food table.
"Hey I wonder what they're doing here. You think the front lines got closer?" Sen said as she turned behind to see what was going on.
There were a couple soldiers talking to Ming and the village elder. The conversation seemed frantic and rushed.
'Don't know. What ever it is, it sounds important. Maybe they're recruiting." Chang said. "What do you think Lee?"
Zuko shrugged. "I have no idea."
Soon the elder motioned for the village to gather around them. Zuko, Sen, Chang and the rest of the village crowded around to see what had to be said.
The general went on about how they need a volunteer unit of anyone that was willing. People protested about safety for them selves if the joined. The general reassured them by saying that they won't even see the front lines, and that they'd just fill in where troops couldn't.
Chang and Sen started to talk excitedly about joining and volunteering. Zuko studied the general and the other soldiers around him. He had a feeling that something wasn't right about him. It didn't make sense figuratively or logically that a general would ask civilians to "fill in where troops couldn't". The only place where they needed more troops was the front lines, and by the sound of it, no one would get formal training. A younger soldier turned around and stared at Zuko, who stared back. The soldier who looked about Zuko's age started towards him while the crowd was asking questions. Sen zipped in front of him and started to ask questions about joining and flirt at the same time. Zuko sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Wow Lee if looks could kill, that unlucky soul who Sen's flirting with would be dead ten times over. What's eating you?" Chang asked.
"Something's not right. The only place where they need troops is the front." Zuko said, while watching the younger soldier.
"Who knows? Maybe they're talking about like civil patrols and stuff." Chang said hopefully.
"Hey guys! This is the handsome Lieutenant Xiang! He says that the three of us can join! Isn't that great?" Sen said excitedly.
"Oh really now, did he explain what we were to do, or if we'll get any training?" Zuko asked suspiciously.
"No need to fear about danger friend…" Xiang was interrupted.
"I am not your friend." Zuko growled. Chang and Sen exchanged glances.
Xiang gulped then continued. "As I was saying, there's no need to fear. We won't be fighting, and if there was any problem the soldiers that will be there will deal with it."
"So you're implying that we won't get any training." Zuko said flatly.
"Only the basics friend." Xiang said as he smiled.
"Again, I am not your friend. Also, what do you mean by basics?"
"Basics as in basics, people who join should have a basic knowledge of fighting. You look like you're quite the earthbender. My eyes never deceive me. I can always spot a bender."
"I can't earthbend. So what you're saying is that we might fight?"
"Only if the need arises, dear foolish civilian, and we should all know the risks." Xiang blatantly said.
"What makes you think I'm foolish? Is it the fact that I know what you and your soldier friends are planning?" Zuko said accusingly.
"Planning? All we need are volunteers to fill in where soldiers can't. It's been stated by my father, General Lian."
"When you say 'fill in where soldiers can't' you mean the front. It's the only place they're needed. Secondly just because your father's a general doesn't mean anything, I just thought I'd mention that before it all goes to your head. But I guess I'm a little late for that."
"Uh what Lee is trying to say is, of course we'll join!" Sen quickly said.
Xiang shot a glare at Zuko before speaking. "Good, good! The sign up for volunteering will be tomorrow and I hope to see all three of you there. Also, be sure to bring some weapons if you can't bend if you have them." With that Xiang turned and walked the other way.
"I don't trust him." Zuko said.
"Well Mr. Untrusting, what you did was rude!" Sen exclaimed.
"What they're doing is wrong. We shouldn't have to bring our own stuff for one, two they're going to put us somewhere on the front." Zuko stated.
"Maybe you were just a little too hard on the guy. I mean really, what kind of person would put civilians on the front line?" Chang asked.
"A desperate person would. When no one will sign up, they'd find another way." Zuko shot back.
The people started to disperse and head back to their houses for the night. The group of soldiers started to head out of town back to where they came from. Zuko passed by Xiang and shot him a glare. Xiang quickly glared back before starting up a conversation with one of the other soldiers.
Zuko hurried back to his house mulling on what to do next. He was debating on leaving that night towards another town but the weather disagreed. It started to rain and Zuko ran inside. He dug around for anything that would be useful to him if he did decide to join Sen and Chang. He already knew what he was going to do so he decided that there was no use in thinking on it anymore.
"Someone has to be there and make sure that those two don't get killed, and I highly doubt that Xiang will be of much use." He said to himself.
He opened a drawer and pulled out some clean paper. He sighed as he began to write his uncle about his decision and the reasoning behind it. Then he grabbed some maps of the area and of the Fire Nation. Underneath all of the maps he found one of Sokka's unique invasion plans incase Aang did fail and if everyone survived. Zuko felt a pain of remorse and put it with the rest of his supplies. He had a feeling that a modified version of the plan would come in handy so he decided to try and look for anymore that he might have. He later grabbed his swords and the dagger that his uncle gave them and put them with the other supplies.
"Now I need something to put it all in." Zuko thought aloud.
He found some small wooden boxes to put the scrolls and papers inside of. In the bottom of one he rediscovered an old badly drawn picture that Sokka drew of the group and a portrait of his mom and uncle. Zuko sighed as he cursed himself for being overly sentimental. He put Sokka's plans and Iroh's letters in that box. In another he put the maps of the Fire Nation and other areas and in the last one he put whatever was left. Zuko found a bag and put the boxes in there for the next day.
Zuko groaned as he looked outside, obviously not thrilled to go back out. He put the letter to Iroh in his cloak and started to what could be described as a post office. The rain was bad now and he despised being in it. He soon entered the building and handed over the thankfully dry letter to the woman at the desk.
"To Ba Sing Se." Zuko stated as he handed the letter over. The woman smiled as Zuko said his thanks and went to brave the rain again.
Zuko ran back to his house as fast as he could before he could get any wetter. He made it inside and tried to dry off as best he could. Zuko started to mumble about how long hair is stupid when it's wet and that he hates Ozai for having thick hair himself. He put everything he needed on the table and went to bed for the night. Zuko hoped his assumptions were wrong for the sake of everyone involved.
oOoOo
Zuko woke up to the light sound of rain on the rooftop. He sighed at the fact that he'd have to get wet again. He looked outside to see how badly it was raining, he was grateful that it was only drizzling.
"Perfect weather for the mood I guess." Zuko said to himself.
He got his swords and put on the cloak. He threw the bag over his shoulder and put the dagger and a sack of money safely inside his cloak. He sighed as he walked out in the rain and towards the town center. Part of him was surprised that he wasn't the first one there, due to the fact it was only dawn. There was a small group of men who were waiting for the arrival of the soldiers. The sides of the street were lined with families wishing their loved ones good bye. Zuko turned around in the direction of a familiar voice. Sen and Chang came running obviously arguing.
"Well excuse me, if someone would have gotten ready yesterday we would have been here earlier, but no! He had to procrastinate until this morning when he got up late!" Sen screamed.
"Well at least I have what could be classified as a weapon and not a freaking butcher knife!" Chang retorted.
"Well I wasn't the one who lost the other dagger and took the only one we have! Plus a butcher knife is intimidating and scary." She exclaimed.
"Yeah it says 'Look! A crazy woman is here!' and that usually isn't a good sign." Chang turned and saw Zuko. "Hey look! It's Lee! I knew he'd show up!"
"No you didn't! That means I win the bet! So hand over the dagger pal!" Sen ordered.
The two stopped short of running into Zuko and were breathing heavily.
"Well look at who the last person here isn't." Sen said with a smile. "I told you the dashing Xiang was trustworthy!"
"Okay so the guy has a moustache, it doesn't mean he's dashing or anything." Chang said. "Little sisters, Lee you are so lucky you don't have one. I tell ya, I think they plan to murder you." Chang was hit alongside the back of his head by Sen. Zuko just sighed, knowing that Chang's theory was correct in his case.
"Well someone had to make sure that you two wouldn't get killed." Zuko said.
"We'll be fine, plus I have an awesome dagger now!" Sen turned to her brother. "By the way hand it over, and take the butcher knife back, it makes you look crazier then Chu."
"You are a hypocrite! You don't even know how many times I've said that!" Chang grudgingly handed over the dagger and took the butcher knife. At that moment General Lian and some of his troops arrived.
Xiang made a table from rock and laid out some papers, brush and ink on it while motioning for everyone to form a line. Sen motioned for Chang to get a better weapon from the house while they wait. Soon everyone was in line and Chang came back with what Zuko could describe as a cooking machete.
"Why do you need a weapon anyway of you're a bender? It's kind of pointless in my opinion." Sen asked.
"The Fire Nation doesn't know I'm a bender." Chang stated with a smile. Zuko and Sen shrugged it off. The trio made their way to the long line.
They were the last ones in line and were regretting that fact throughout the waiting period. Sen and Chang were arguing over who was before who and Zuko rolled his eyes at the comical sight. Soon their turn came and they were already describing plans that made Sokka's look professional. Zuko gave them the benefit of the doubt because Sokka's underwater ship plan did work. Soon his turn came and he walked up to the desk to face a smug Xiang.
"Well look who decided to show up after all. It seems as if your patriotic duty is stronger then your suspicions." He said with a grin.
"There are reasons why I came here Xiang, and those are none of your concern. The only thing you need to know is that I'm here to make sure that those two," Zuko motioned towards Sen and Chang. "Don't get killed because of your ignorance. Unlike them, it is very hard to gain my trust." Zuko growled.
"I assure you friend that they will be perfectly fine as long as they follow orders, that goes for you as well, now if you would be so kind and sign here." Xiang was pointing at the list full of names. Zuko shot him a glare and signed his "name" on the paper. "Last name please, it's required, and Lee is a very common name."
'That's why I chose it.' Zuko thought. He looked at the paper and next to his name made a horizontal dash. "That's there because 'I don't have one' won't fit." Zuko said bluntly.
Xiang glared at Lee for a few seconds then smiled. "Well thank you friend." Zuko started to walk away. "And by the way, since you are now ranked under me, you are to call me Lieutenant Xiang."
"I'll call you Lieutenant when you earn it, and I am not your friend Xiang." Zuko turned and walked towards Sen and Chang.
"Well it looked like you two were having an interesting conversation." Sen said.
"All I know is that I regret having to answer to him, and I haven't even done it yet." Zuko sighed.
"Well we'll figure all that out later, it looks like everyone is leaving. We should go." Chang said. He motioned for Zuko and Sen to follow.
Soon they were marching out of the village and into the forest. At first the hike was easy due to the level ground around the village, but as they walked further away the more rugged it became. Zuko looked around to get an idea of where they were going. He looked up towards the sky to get the coordinates from the sun. He frowned when he realized that they were headed west. He was hoping that this was just a fluke for everyone's sake. Behind him he could hear Sen complaining about the terrain.
"Hurry up Sen, at this rate we'll get left behind and eaten by wolf-bats." Chang said. "Or I'm leaving without you, and I doubt Lee will wait to get left behind either."
Another group of people from a side path met with Zuko's. He took notice of how the new soldiers interacted. He came to the conclusion that they knew each other.
A younger eighteen year old boy came up alongside Zuko, Chang and Sen. "Wow you guys are slow. If by chance a gang of evil fire guys come all you would be dead!"
"So says the person walking with us." Chang said sarcastically.
"Well excuse me for protecting you." There was a pause. "Did you know that firebenders kill you then eat you alive?"
Zuko rolled his eyes. "No they don't." He said in a matter of fact tone. "Plus that's impossible. You'd already be dead."
"Oh and how would you know genius? Did you even ever see one? I bet not." The kid stated.
"No I never saw one I just got this scar on my face because I made a waterbender angry." Zuko said, his voice seeping in sarcasm.
"What'd you do, insult his wife? She must have been ugly!" The kid said. Zuko shot the kid a glare and smacked across the back of the head. "Ouch! Hey what was that for?"
"You talk too much, and if you actually think I got this scar from a waterbender then you are far stupider then I thought, and I don't think that's possible." Zuko replied.
"Oh c'mon, no need to hit anyone. Unless they're a firebender, then you can hit them. So, my name is Shin. What are all of you guys called?" Shin asked.
"I'm Chang this here is my sister Sen," Chang pointed to Sen. "And grumpy next to you is Lee." He pointed to Zuko.
Shin turned to Sen. "Hey you're pretty cute." He said with a smile.
"Hey watch it pal! I'm older then you and my heart shall forever belong to the glorious Lieutenant Xiang." Sen said with a smile.
"Oh Spirits! Take me now!" Zuko exclaimed. Chang was laughing while trying to make gagging noises.
"Hey shut it you two! You two are both jealous that you're not him!" Sen said defensively.
"I'm not jealous that I'm an ignorant, egotistical jerk." Zuko stated. That earned laughter from Shin and Chang and a glare from Sen.
"You know what, even though we got off to a rocky start, I think I'm gonna like you." Shin said to Zuko. "We should stick together; the four of us will be an unstoppable team!" Shin said enthusiastically. The conversation went like that until dark, when they came to a camp.
The camp they came too was made up of tents, wagons and ostrich-horses. It appeared to only be temporary and it looked like it was there for one purpose. Zuko didn't know what that purpose may be and he really didn't care. He noticed Xiang going into the larger tent with what he assumed were other officers.
"Now I wonder where Lieutenant Xiang went. Do any of you know?" Sen asked.
Shin and Chang shook their heads. Zuko simply shrugged.
"We walked west all day. I don't like the way that this is going. We're a day's walk away from the front." Zuko stated.
"Lee has a point guys. I've heard stories from there. Lot's of soldiers come through my village. I hope we don't end up going." Shin said with concern.
"See! I'm not the only one who thinks something bad is going on." Zuko protested.
"Well you were thinking that yesterday too, and look you're here." Chang said.
"A few people at my village were thinking the same thing, and they didn't come." Shin said.
"I don't think Xiang would do that." Sen said.
"Don't think I would do what now?" Xiang asked from behind.
"Make us go to the front that's what." Zuko said menacingly.
"You all will be safe if you follow orders exactly." Xiang stated.
"Not if those orders are to go to the front." Zuko said.
"Shut up Lee, Lieutenant Xiang said we'd all be safe." Sen said.
"Do you really want my opinion Sen?" Zuko asked.
"Yes. Maybe it'll make what you think make sense to the rest of us!" She screamed back angrily.
"Okay then, my opinion about this Xiang is that he can't be trusted. I think I'd be far safer in a Fire Nation prison then with him." Zuko stated.
"He is a Lieutenant in the army Lee. He has to be trustworthy." Sen said defensively. "How else do you think he would have gotten promoted?"
"His dad is a general of the same unit he's in! Put two and two together!" Zuko exclaimed.
"That doesn't mean anything!"
"It means everything!"
"Guys, stop!" Chang screamed. He motioned to an angry General Lian walking towards them.
"What is the meaning of this? You two are acting immaturely and disrupting the entire camp!" General Lian demanded.
"Oh just a little argument general sir." Sen said sweetly. Zuko rolled his eyes.
"Apparently you think it's something else. Do tell us your side." General Lian demanded.
"It's nothing." Zuko stated.
General Lian nodded and told everyone that it was time to turn in. Zuko and the group were lead to a small tent to stay the night in. Soon the four were all settled in. Zuko stared up at the tent's ceiling thinking over the day's events.
"Hey, Lee?" Zuko heard Sen's voice.
"What?" He asked coldly.
"I'm sorry for being a hog-monkey's butt."
"Same here, I guess. I shouldn't have yelled."
"So forgive and forget?"
"Yeah sure, it's better then arguing."
Sen sat up and pumped her fist in the air. "All right, now we can renovate your house when we get back!"
Shin and Chang laughed.
Zuko smiled. "The answer is the same, no. Well good night." With that he fell asleep.
oOoOo
Zuko was the first to wake up out of the group. He quietly went outside to get a good look around. To him the camp looked better in the dark. He stretched and let out a yawn, grateful to see the sunrise.
"Well looks like someone's up." Zuko turned to see Xiang.
"Yeah, apparently that is a bad thing." Zuko bluntly replied.
"Oh no, whatever gave you that idea friend." Xiang said with a smug smile on his face.
"I am not your friend, so stop calling me that." Zuko demanded.
"Well where I'm from it is polite to be friendly. I guess it's hard to say the same for a country boy." Xiang said.
"I can be very polite. I just don't trust you." Zuko said bluntly.
"You don't trust me?" Xiang acted surprised. "Now why is that?"
"You know why. We were heading west all day yesterday, and if you even have a grain of intelligence you would know that that is closer to the front." Zuko stated.
"I have to say, you are very smart. The army could use a man like you." Xiang complimented. He put a hand on Zuko's shoulder but it was brushed away. "Just so you know I rarely give out compliments so you should be honored."
"Coming from you I can't tell whether that's true or not." Zuko said.
"You are starting to become an annoying little pest. You should learn to keep you mouth shut." Xiang demanded.
"Likewise." Zuko stated.
As if on cue Shin walked out of the tent. "Good morning everyone, it's nice to see that people aren't killing each other."
Zuko nodded and Xiang said his hellos.
"So what's for breakfast? I'm starving! Oh Lee, everyone's up. Your arguing woke us all up." Shin said.
"Sorry, blame Xiang." Zuko said.
"It's Lieutenant Xiang to you."
"Whatever, I don't care."
Shin braced himself and got ready for what would be a very long argument. Soon everyone was up and breakfast was eaten and the large group started to march again.
"We're going west." Zuko stated.
"Calm down, remember flukes and coincidences." Chang said hopefully.
"Well this is some fluke, and a very suspicious one at that." Zuko said.
"I'm with Lee on this one guys. It can't be mere coincidence to go west, even on the second day. The front is only two days away from our villages." Shin said.
"I'm starting to have a bad feeling. What if we are going to the front? The only things we have are knives and my brother's horrible earthbending." Sen said nervously. "That is unless Shin is an earthbender."
"Sorry can't help you there." Shin said apologetically.
"I knew it. They lied to us and they knew it." Zuko said. He was staring at the ground.
"My earthbending isn't that bad guys have faith." Chang said mostly to himself.
The rest of the march was done in silence. Soon the group saw what seemed to be a clearing up ahead. The walked through the brush only to see that they we're on top of a small cliff with tents and supplies. To the far right and left of the group were ramps made of rock that lead down to the ground below that had trenches dug into it for the soldiers. Across what looked like a war torn valley or farm land was what looked like a reddish wall made of wood and tents being protected by what looked liked to be tanks. By the fence structure Zuko made out the Fire Nation's flag.
"Welcome to the war everyone. This is where you will be stationed for quite some time." General Lian's voice rang out. Murmurs of shock and horror were soon heard from the crowd. "This is where our soldiers need to be and all of you graciously volunteered, and you all are thanked."
Zuko's eyes widened. "Oh no, this is not good."