(A/N Warning! Begins with ZUKOS point of view. Time for things to get interesting. Oh, and as I'm sure you have noticed, this story is called Our Song. It won't be for many chapters that I place the song in here, but unfortunately I am not gifted in the art of writing songs… so if you have a couple of lines you think might be appropriate for the story, feel free to share with me. It will be a short, sort of sing. I may or may not include them, but I would appreciate the inspiration! Okay thank you and with that… here is Chapter 14!)

Two friends in just a few days. This is a record for me. Three friends if you could count Aang.

On this walk back to Appa, I found that Sokka isn't as annoying as I thought he was at first. I'm not saying that he isn't annoying. Because he is. I'm just saying that it can be funny too. But I can tell he's a good friend to have on your side.

As we walk, I wonder about my new predicament. I seems like my new quest is going to be hard and long. But the comet is coming by summer's end and I'm not sure Aang can master three other elements by then. It took me forever just to learn one. And I'm still practicing the basics!

I also have friends now, but I'm not quite sure how to act around them. I have mostly shunned every one that attempted to be nice to me. I always thought they saw pity. And I hate pity! People would look at me and I always got the feeling all they ever saw was my scar. Evidence of my shame, and I thought, since I would always have the mark, then I would always have that shame and disgrace. Now, I no longer think that. What was it going to be like to have people who liked me even with my scar around? No one except my uncle looked at me and saw me.

You could say I was a bit beside myself. I was used to insulting everyone and being a "jerkbender" as Sokka called it. No matter though, this feeling I have beats the old one my tons.

I hope Katara didn't get the wrong impression though. Because I'm not going to be all sunshine and rainbows. Optimism is not only not included in the majority of my genes, but it just doesn't suit me. Katara and the others are going to just have to put up with the way I am. Now that I have tasted pride, I am in no hurry to get rid of it.

Sokka and I are reaching the clearing but something's off. I hear voices. Some of which are deep and low, which definitely are not Katara's or Aang's voices. Have they been discovered by fire nation soldiers?

"Sokka, there are others at the clearing. Be quiet." I said to halt his babbling of a story that had to do with penguins and how he disliked them because one bit him when he was little. What kind of guy tells another guy that you're semi-afraid of harmless penguins?

I bring myself closer to the clearing and peak through the bush I have hid behind. What I saw was a campfire and among those around it were Aang and Katara. They were smiling and laughing at something the guy beside Katara said.

He was probably around my age, but something bothered me in the way he sat so close to Katara. He looked smug and it bothered me for a reason I can't explain.

Well, at least they aren't in any immediate danger so I called to Sokka and we agreed that there wasn't any danger and we entered the area. I kept a careful eye on the guy next to Katara.

As we got closer, Katara spotted us and got up and started walking towards us. The guy who was beside her got up and followed behind. "Sokka, Zuko you're back! You wouldn't believe it, all these kids are amazing! They are called the freedom fighters. They fight the Fire Nation by themselves and actually make a difference all on their own!" She said excitedly.

I had to admit, a group like this, that was skilled enough to do some damage was quite impressive. But I still wasn't sure about trusting them especially with the sudden interest the guy behind Katara took in me. He stared at me curiously at first but after Katara called out to us, his stare had become… full of something I had seen too many times before: hatred.

"Guys, I would like you to meet Jet. He is their leader. Jet, this is my brother Sokka, and this is Zuko." Katara said introducing us.

"Zuko? As in Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation?" Jet said in a threatening tone of voice as he suddenly drew hook swords from behind his back.

I have decided I have done enough of friend making because Jet, was definitely going to be an enemy.

"Yes," I said hesitantly as I mentally checked to see if I still have my duel blades. I might need them if things got ugly.

And did it get ugly.

Jet sprang from his place, roughly shoving aside Katara, leaving her on the ground. This made me angrier and I drew my swords. As he went for the dive I jumped over him and ran till I was beside Katara. Aang and Sokka were beside us in an instant, and we stood across the fire from each other, a clear line of tension dividing us.

~0~

Just great. Aang and I were having a wonderful time around the campfire with Jet and his friends. They had such an interesting life, though I couldn't help but feel sorry for them. No parents to look after them and all, but I was glad they were making the most of it. But a small boy, The Duke he insists on being called, makes it seem unfair, this life they live. He is just a boy.

Aang was having a grand time joking with others. Aang is a social person, and I don't blame him for wanting the company of people other than Sokka and I. Even I think we are boring. He enjoyed talking to Smellerbee, Sneers, and the duo of Pipsqueak and The Duke. I wonder why they choose names for themselves. Have they forgotten their old ones? I hope not because having a name like Smellerbee would be kind of weird when you were older.

Anyway, we were having a nice time by the fire until Jet met Zuko. I should have thought ahead. Jet has this really deep hatred and dislike for the Fire Nation and categorizes all fire benders as soulless killers. He lost both of his parents to them. I can't imagine what it would have been like for me if Dad had not been there. It would have been twice as painful. I wouldn't ever wish even half of that pain on anyone. Not even Ozai. It just hurt too much.

When he told us about his deep hatred for Fire Nation people, Zuko being Fire Nation slipped my mind. I don't see him that way anymore so perhaps that is why. But I should have realized there would be trouble. But I didn't and now we were standing across the fire from each other. Jet and Zuko seemed to be locked in some sort of death gaze. I now fully know the meaning of "looks that can kill". If that statement were true, both Zuko and Jet would be dead.

"Listen Jet." Zuko said, never taking his eyes off of Jet. "I am no longer the bad guy. I have changed in these past few days. I am on your side. I agree that what the fire nation is doing is wrong. That is why I am with these people now. I want to end this war." I was proud of Zuko when he said this and I placed my hand on his shoulder to show him he has my support.

His gaze slipped from Jet to look at my hand, but just a quickly, it slipped back to Jet.

"What's to say that you aren't tricking us? That you are just there to get close to the avatar." Jet said with anger in his eyes.

"Jet, calm down, I trust him. He wouldn't do that." I said finally trying to play peacemaker. As soon as I said this the actual "peacemaker" joined me.

"I haven't known him very long, Jet. And of all people, I have the least reason to trust him, but I believe in second chances." Aang said calmly.

Zuko's eyes flicked to Aang's to a moment and I saw Aang give him a smile. Sokka also spoke up in Zuko's defense, and I was pleasantly surprised when he said, "He's actually not a bad guy once you get to know him a bit."

Zuko looked back to Jet with a faint smile on his lips.

Jet looked annoyed and whispered to a boy I know as Longshot. He was quite good with the bow and shooting. Longshot shook his head then nodded it. I never had heard him talk. Smellerbee joined the conversation as well.

The four of us stood, ready for anything and I think we make a great team.

Jet finally seemed to make a decision. He stared at Zuko, still annoyed then spoke. "We cannot trust Zuko because he is Fire Nation, but since the avatar and his friends defend him, we will ask you to leave this forest straight away. We cannot risk our position being discovered by the Fire Nation." Jet said. I noticed how he even refused to use my name, as If just being associated with Zuko made me tainted with Fire Nation evilness. Well, too bad. I like Zuko better than him.

Aang agreed and we set off as quickly as we could on Appa. Jet's prejudice against Fire Nation ran so deep. It turns out the Fire Nation aren't the only bad guys. It made me realize how badly we have to end this war. Hatred messed up people and their lives.

I looked to Zuko across the saddle from me and I was glad he gave up his Hatred. If he could give it up, then maybe others could too.