Set Twelve: Passage
Part Three: Judgment
Zuko sits on the porch alone, staring silently into the firefly-lit night. It is quiet, but not overly so; the crickets chirp peacefully, and it isn't raining. It's one of those rare nights where there are few clouds in the sky and the moon shines a warm orange color that reminds Zuko of home and contentment. That's what it's like now—sort of.
It's been about three months since Azula's betrayal; he, Iroh, and Gan had made it to the shores of the Earth Kingdom about two months ago. Zuko had traveled with Gan and the ailing Iroh around the Earth Kingdom, and had found Lee's family again—he didn't speak to them, but Gan had. They'd taken in Gan, and that had taken off some of the guilt that Zuko still possesses even now.
Now, Zuko and Iroh move slowly across the Earth Kingdom to avoid detection. For the past week or so, Zuko has stayed here, in this old place, with the ever-hospitable Song. He has thanked her many times, and she tells him she's happy just to see him again, but he knows it's time to move on.
He delves deeper into his thoughts. Iroh is still sick, getting weaker every day—Iroh and he need somewhere to stay for a while. Somewhere safe, and isolated from the Fire Nation.
The answer comes to him immediately, but he dismisses it just as quick, for they would never welcome him there, never, never, never.
And yet, maybe they would help Iroh, at least…There are healers down in the South Pole, after all.
He shakes his head, remembering the short, tender moments shared between the sister of the Southern Tribe Chief and he, and her cold rejection of his good-bye when he showed warmth to another. The traitor, Mai.
Zuko can't be lost in memory. He won't. He clenches his fist and decides that yes, it is time to move on.