AN: Work seriously got in the way of this chapter. Apologies for the delay…and thanks for your patience!

I do not own the characters.

Chapter 14

"There's something sweet and almost kind…
But he was mean and he was coarse and unrefined,
But now he's dear and so unsure,
I wonder why I didn't see it there before."

- Something There, Beauty and the Beast

"I always knew there was something different about you." The raven haired woman didn't turn around, but spoke when she heard Lu Ten's familiar tread behind her.

"Really?"

"You were…"

"Missing something?"

She tapped a finger on her stained lips and replied, "Too formal. It was obvious you were descended from some higher place and rank, but I just chose to ignore it."

Lu Ten heard the words behind what she was saying and spoke to her still turned back, "So, it's going to be like that?"

"Afraid so."

"You're not going to trust me – even after all we've been through? Even after I saved your life?!"

Jun refused to be ruffled, and questioned coolly, "Looks that way, doesn't it?"

"What difference does it make that I'm a Fire Nation Prince or Bosco, the Earth King's bear? It doesn't change who I am!"

Jun spun around and said angrily, "It changes everything! Honestly, I don't know what to think. Before, you were some guy who I just wanted to help find his home, a refugee, a lost soul…like me... But now, well, it's all laid out for you. My work is done. You don't need me anymore."

Lu Ten thought back to the time they had spent together in the weeks leading up to their arrival at this moment. His travel companion was an interesting mix and a unique personality. She could handle herself in any situation and was fiercely independent. Still, he couldn't understand why Jun would want to drop him so quickly. In spite of, or maybe because of everything that had happened, he immensely enjoyed her company and didn't mind waking up across the smoldering fire from her every morning. He had assumed the feeling was mutual…

Hearing her ultimatum forced him to admit that when push came to shove, he didn't want to see her galloping off into the sunset. He wanted her at his side – where he could protect her. But, how did she feel? Was her demand to leave a bluff? Had she been burned in the past? Or did she simply want to be left alone and go back to her solitary lifestyle? Given his background and the implications it created, it was a lot to ask from someone who had already given him so much. How could he possibly ask her to sacrifice more of her life for him, a relative stranger? To put herself in probable danger while he sorted his life out in the Fire Nation? Furthermore, he knew he was avoiding the real question: was he asking for Jun's help for her skills, or for something different entirely…?

With thoughts swirling in his head, he considered his other options. He was almost certain the young man from earlier today was his cousin, Prince Zuko. He had witnessed his Uncle's attack on his cousin, and the event had left him shocked - so much so, he had requested to be moved to Ba Sing Se, away from the intensity of the capital. The rumors surrounding his cousin's whereabouts had ranged, but Lu Ten knew there would be some shocked faces if Ozai's son returned.

Still, what if he put his past behind him like Zuko had done? He could retreat with Jun and live a life as a bounty hunter and no one would be the wiser. If he was already presumed missing or dead, then why mess with that fact? The possibility seemed tempting, but, deep down, he knew he owed his people, his father most especially… Without speaking to Zuko, without knowing how long he had really been away, he had to believe there were people in his kingdom that we sick of sending their sons and daughters to war, that they wanted to see peace in their lifetimes and a world in balance.

But there was no way possible he could do it on his own. Even with the power of the comet, there was no chance he could take on Azula or Oazi by himself. He needed another legend to fight the Fire Nation legend. Rumors of the Avatar returning to the earth had always been the currency of hope among the battered people of the world. Yet, what if he could find the Avatar…surely, that man or woman would have to side with him. The Avatar's sole purpose was to bring balance to the world. The optimist in him said it was possible, but the pessimistic and realisitic voices in his head shouted that the whole idea was a suicide mission.

He could worry about all those things later – now, more than anything, he needed to convince Jun to stay. Somehow, with her by his side, he would be able to take on the world. He stated simply, "What if I asked for your help?"

"For what? Are you going to march up to the Palace and demand your rightful throne?"

When Lu Ten didn't answer, Jun paced and shouted, "That's your plan?!"

Lu Ten shouted right back, "Look, as much as I want to turn around and get as far away from the palace as possible, I can't. If I don't do this now, there is no turning back, no hope. Once Ozai crowns himself Phoenix King and Azula takes my throne, the world is lost. Do you want that on your watch?"

"Haven't you learned anything?!" She turned away, and continued, "I look out for me. The rest of the world can go to hell."

Forcing himself in front of her, Lu Ten cupped her chin in his hand and forced Jun to meet in his golden-eyed stare, "You're lying. That's not true and you know it."

"I—"

A disturbance in the bushes took Lu Ten by surprise, but a genuine smile broke Jun's face as she recognized the creature responsible for the noise. She quickly hopped on her shirshu and headed off into the night. Suki and Sokka came rushing through underbrush, weapons drawn, and saw Jun riding away. The Warrior Captain looked at Lu Ten's disappointed face and said, "Don't worry, she'll be back."

Katara watched the fire crackle merrily for a moment, taking in the implication of Zuko's statement. Then, too tired and exhausted from the day, asked, "Do you think Aang will be in danger?"

Zuko stared into the flames and answered, "It's doubtful. Unlike Azula, at least Lu Ten has a general respect for life…plus, he's not really a good firebender. At this point, Aang would be able to take him in a fight."

"Really?" Katara was surprised to hear Zuko readily admit to another failure in his family. He had come a long way from the arrogant, boastful Captain that he had been only a few weeks previously. She guessed the Tatsu face he presented to the world had been hiding this other inner Zuko for some time. Although she resented everything his family stood for, he wasn't as bad as he could be. In the years apart from the Fire Nation, he had obviously made progress on his own. It wasn't easy to rise to the top of the pirate thieves in the oceans around the world, and he had beaten the odds and done just that. She felt something close to respect growing for the Fire Nation prince.

Lost in memories of a cousin he didn't really know, Zuko responded, "Yeah, we were never close growing up because he was so much older. I remember he was wicked with a blade, but that's about it. After I left, I heard he was sent to Ba Sing Se, and assumed he was still there. I didn't know he was lost." Idly tossing something into the fire, he continued, "You know, it should've clicked with me earlier. If my father is so intent on becoming Phoenix King or whatever, and Azula was named next in line, why didn't I question that?"

Katara saw the obvious flaw in his thinking, "What about you? Why weren't you named? Doesn't that upset you?"

Zuko sorted through his emotions before replying, "Actually, no. Whether they thought I was dead, a traitor, or unable to rule, I never had my sights set on the crown. I just want to see my country whole again, and I don't think that's possible with someone like my father or sister ruling. More than anything, I'd like to get back to the Spirit…"

Katara had no answer, and enough questions of her own. She wasn't sure if she could really believe what Zuko was saying. What Prince didn't want to be King? Wasn't the need for power part of their blood? Although, she reasoned after all he had been through, and the fact that his sister was on their trail with murder high on her list, there were a few reasons for wanting to avoid being royalty. Changing the subject, she briefly debated bringing up their heated kiss again, but lost her confidence at the last moment, and asked, "So, I was going to say…"

"Yes?"

"Um, about that...comet Jun was mentioning, does that mean anything to you?" The waterbender's eyes didn't leave Zuko's face. She had been wanting to know…somehow afraid of his response.

Zuko leaned back and looked up at the stars, "Do you want to hear a story?"

Katara laughed bitterly and replied, "This is hardly the time or place. In case you've neglected to notice it, Zuko, I'm not some Fire Nation schoolgirl."

He didn't want to mention just how much he had noticed that fact, so instead responded, "Seriously, can you just relax and I'll tell you a story?"

"Go ahead." Katara had feeling this might take awhile, so she settled back against a tree and listened as the firebender's deep tenor took her away.

"…so, growing up, every Fire Nation Prince or Princess hears the legend of Agni's Comet and its promised return to our people.

Many years ago, when the world was forming, Agni, the most enlightened of the gods, chose the Fire Nation as his special people. He first bestowed the gift of the flame to the dragon, his emissary on earth, in the form of a comet – which lit the sky for an entire day. When the comet had passed, the dragon taught us, the Fire Nation, how to use the flame not only as a weapon, but also as a way to heat ourselves and for use in the sciences.

It is foretold, Agni, who watches us from the sky, will one day send another comet – the most extreme sign of his benevolence. The legend says, at the appearance of this celestial event, that will be the moment for the greatest peak in Fire Nation history, the moment when our powers will be amplified over a thousand times…the power of the sun on earth..."

"…when you'd be most able to completely take control of the world."

"Something like that," Zuko added quietly.

"So, you think this story is actually going to happen?"

Zuko scratched his head, and answered, "Somehow, it all fits together. It confirms my suspicions about Lu Ten – the only way he would know anything about a comet is because he heard the same stories we did, and it sounds like something my father would do. So, if it's true, it's even more urgent we get to the Capital to help Aang."

"Agreed. In the meantime, I guess we'll have to hope and trust that Lu Ten will want to help Aang as well."

Zuko allowed himself a smile, "I think Suki and Sokka could be very persuasive if needed."

Katara looked up at the sky and wished silently, that somewhere out there, her brother and their friends were making progress, that somehow, it would all end in their favor... Her thoughts were broken by Zuko's voice, "Can I ask you a question?"

Katara shrugged – it was only fair. She had been doing most of the asking during the evening.

Briefly touching his scar, he asked, "Where did you learn to heal like that – earlier with Lu Ten?"

"I just did, it was a necessity." Looking away from the flames, she said, "In my time fighting in this war, I've seen all kinds of injuries – internal, external, emotional... I've see what fire can do to a person, and it's not pretty - it's difficult to heal."

"Oh…"

She knew what he was asking, but didn't know what to tell him. Across the fire, his scar looked even more jagged and raw, but even if she wanted to, she didn't know if she could heal that kind of wound… Turning over, she mumbled something about going to sleep, and tried her best to shut out the images of Zuko that kept entering her head.

Ably handling control of his rather unusual crew, Jet made quick work of heading upstream as Azula directed. He spent most of the day trying to figure out exactly how and when would be the ideal moment to wreck the Spirit, only taking a break to flirt with Ty Lee. He couldn't do it too soon into their trek upstream, but he didn't want to wait too long either.

"We'll stop here tonight," Azula announced, interrupting Jet's 'lesson' of how to steer the ship with his new favorite bubbly bodyguard.

There was a collective sigh on board and the crew all but collapsed. Rather than even inquiring if Zhao needed them, or allow them a rest period from their encounter with Zuko and Katara on the beach, Azula had simply commanded the soldiers board the Spirit directly. Although Zuko much preferred the use the massive crimson sails to power the boat, it was a necessary back up to have some steady oars in the design. Shifts and teams of Fire Nation soldiers had traded off all day, helping propel the mighty Spirit upstream.

Jet nodded, and said obligingly, "Aye, aye."

He walked over to drop the anchor, and within moments they drifted to a stop, the great River del Sol circulating around them.

Assured they were stable for the night, Azula ordered, "Follow me…"

Jet swallowed nervously, what sort of sick game was Azula playing at? Was she going to actually follow through on his 'promise' from earlier…? He had never been desperate – women seemed to flock to his side, but he literally feared what becoming intimate with Azula could do. Looking over his shoulder at Ty Lee and throwing a brave wink in her direction, he followed Azula to Zuko's quarters and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly when he saw there were earth kingdom members in the room.

Azula spoke, "These are my Dai Lee agents. They have some extra 'training' for you this evening."

Stalking out of the room, she called behind her, "Just do what you did to Lu Ten."

Toph looked at the large man at her feet and sighed deeply, he outweighed her and there was no amount of tugging or pulling that would move his massive self. Briefly contemplating rolling him along the metal, her thoughts stopped when she heard footsteps around the corner and quickly pulled up the nearby wall, shielding her body from an onslaught of flames.

When the heat didn't come, the earthbender called out, "Who's there?"

A gruff voice answered, "We're looking for the prisoner Jet."

Something made Toph stop, and she asked again, "Seriously, who's there?"

There was a pause, and some scuffling before the answer came back, "His crew."

With her heart still racing, Toph felt as much as was possible thought the conductor of the metal, but decided whoever was on the other side of her makeshift metal barrier was telling the truth. She slowly released the wall. Hearing Zhao stir, she planted a sturdy foot in the middle of his chest and pressed down. Over his groan, she stepped forward, and said, "Toph Bei Fong, of the Earth Kingdom."

A girl similar in structure and stature walked up to greet her, "Smellerbee. Do you know where our Captain is?"

Toph shook her head, "No, sorry, the guards took him sometime ago. I've been, er, 'looking' for him all over the ship, but haven't found him yet. I don't think he's on board."

The faces of the crew fell. While still atop Zhao, Toph scratched her head, and asked, "I know you're on a rescue mission or whatever, but do you feel like taking over a ship today? I could really use a crew."

AN: Can I please get the credit for the newest ship? JunTen? LuJun? I think Iroh will approve.

It seems every author gets to make some mythology of their own, why should I miss out?

Also, I have to know, if there is a lion-turtle, can there be such a thing as an awkward-lion-turtle…?