"Man. Swords are so cool." Sokka grinned as he and Zuko walked down the street while the sun was setting. "That Dao blade! Uh and the Short Nihinto! I also really liked the Katana Set. What's the little Katana for again?"

"Erhm… It's not that important." Zuko said.

"How am I ever going to choose?" Sokka complained. "That Jian blade though." he sighed deeply.

Zuko smirked. "For someone whom didn't know anything about swords this morning. You sure seem into it."

"Of course I am!" Sokka stated. "Swords are super cool!"

"Yeah…. They are." Zuko nodded amused.

Sokka quieted. "Do you… Honestly think I could learn how to wield one?" he asked.

"Yeah." Zuko replied honestly. "I don't see why not."

"That doesn't sound to encouraging." Sokka commented dryly.

"I mean it." Zuko stated. "Look there's a difference between just holding a sword and poking stuff, and then actually wielding a sword. Like I told you. Not a tool. An extension of yourself." he said. "Really, what it takes most is persistency. To keep training and not stop and well. Ever since we started training together. You showed that will and persistency. I'm not saying it just to be nice."

Sokka chuckled amused. "No you wouldn't." he acknowledged. "Thanks Zuko."

Zuko glanced at Sokka, then cracked a smile just in time for Katara to come running with the other two.

"SOKKA! LEE!" Katara shouted, smiling widely as she reached up to them.

Zuko exhaled deeply. "So. We're ready to go yet?"

"Not yet." Katara winked.

"The local in was looking for help to clean up their warehouse!" Aang grinned.

"And we cleaned it right up! Shiny and sparkly." Toph grinned. "Easy when sharing that work between an air bender, a water bender and an earth bender!"

"So we are getting a free meal and beds for tonight! Then we can travel tomorrow morning!" Katara finished for them.

"Are you serious?" Sokka asked. "Real beds tonight? And well prepared food!"

Zuko was just about to object, but already felt his own mouth watering by the promise of better food. To top it off his body was aching already by the mention of a real bed. So he ended up closing his mouth.


Zuko wouldn't admit it. But he was almost crying as bowl of miso soup with noodles was placed in front of him. Fresh vegetables, mushrooms, thin slices of meat that Aang was carefully picking out of his own and Sokka grabbed before anyone else could lay claim to the meat Aang didn't want.

This… Smelled so good. It was heaven. And carefully Zuko picked up the chop sticks for a first taste… It didn't taste as good as he smelled. It tasted better! And Zuko started to eat with a real hunger.

He wasn't alone. Everyone was clearly starved for a good meal.

"This has to be the best miso ever made!" Toph proclaimed loudly.

Zuko kind of had to agree. Which was pretty amazing considering he had had royal miso soup in the past. Then again… Back then fine food had been an every day thing so it became normal. Now all of them had only had rice and wheats for two weeks or more.

Three new figures stepped in, a man a woman and one year old in the womans arms.

"You're enjoying your meal?"

"MING!" Katara beamed happily. "Ying! And who's this?" she asked looking at the one year old. "awwww! He's so cute."

"She!" Ying said. "This is Ming-Ying!" he grinned.

"What?" Katara blinked stunned.

Ming shook her head. "It's a joke." she said. "Her name is Kulai."

"She's adorable!" Katara beamed with heart in her eyes.

And the toddler laughed back at Katara in a childish grin… Zuko was seriously concerned that Katara was going to faint any moment by now.

"Girls and their babies. Am I right?" Sokka asked not looking particularly impressed.

"I'm not really into it either." Toph commented in a huff. "Babies are gross."

Zuko could only nod as he picked up a mushroom from his miso and fed it to Lin-Lin under the table while everyones attention was on the baby.

"You think she might be a bender?" Katara asked. "You know, with both her parents being benders."

"It doesn't matter if she's a bender. She's a precious gift either way." Zuko simply stated.

"I didn't mean it like that." Katara said. "Of course she's precious no matter if she has bending or not. All children are!"

"And adults." Sokka stated importantly. "Bending isn't everything! Right Lee?" he asked.

Zuko rolled his eyes.

"I hope she's not a bender." Ming sighed deeply.

"Why?" Katara asked.

"If she's a bender. She'll be drafted." Ying said. "All benders are when coming of age."

"Oh." Katara's heart sank.

"How come you are not drafted yourself?" Zuko asked.

"We provide a service." Ming said. "Supplying the fire nation army with tools they need. Soldiers also need cups to drink from."

Zuko nodded thoughtfully.

"As long as we keep up our quota. We are good." Ying said.

"How much is that quota?" Sokka asked.

"Oh it changes. Depends on what they need." Ying shrugged. "About 2000 cups a month I say."

And Sokka spat out his water. "That's… A lot!"

"Do you get any compensation at all?" Katara asked.

"We're not getting drafted." Ming replied.

"Oh…" Katara realised. "Right."

"Sorry, we didn't mean to bring you down. Just saying hi." Ming smiled. "Enjoy your meal! We're going to get some too!" she cheered and finally they walked off to a different table.

Zuko was hanging his head as he now poked at the soup in front of him.

"Draft huh." Katara commented.

Zuko glanced away.

"Lee?" Aang asked.

"Every first born child and every fire bender must join the fire nation army." Zuko muttered. "It is encouraged that all young people sign up. It's considered dishonourable not to do it if you don't have an excuse. A really good one like lacking a leg or something like that."

There was silence.

"I fully expected to be on the front line as well if I hadn't… You know." Zuko shrugged. "The royal family must set an example. Lead by example… I was looking forward to it. Standing on the front line. Proof my worth and loyalty to the fire nation."

Katara frowned deeply.

"I get it." Sokka said. "I wanted to go out there with my dad. Go with him and take on the fire nation head on. Show that the water tribe were still great and I wanted to be a part of it… Funny thing is. Or well not so funny. Reality really isn't as fun as daydreams. Not at all."

"I don't get any of that at all." Aang admitted. "I never wanted to fight anyone."

"That's what makes you a sap twinkletoes." Toph smirked then playfully hit him on the shoulder. "No more sour faces let's eat and sleep in real beds!" she proclaimed.

Zuko nodded as he returned to his food which still tasted amazing, but sadly it wasn't quite as easy to enjoy it any more.