If Zuko was to be honest, he still didn't really know who this woman was. He didn't doubt her words though… That he had… Burned down her village.
Zukos stomach sunk as he tried to listen in to the others conversation and finally the word was dropped.
Kyoshi! She was one of the Kyoshi warriors from Kyoshi island! Oh…. Okay now Zuko got it. And he averted his eyes, only for his heart to sink even more as more girls joined them all with combat fans in their belts.
Several of them were glancing at Zuko with a hostile look on their faces. Only for Suki to wave them away and tell them they were good. And then the girls would start to giggle.
That might have been cute. But Zuko already knew each and everyone of them was a killing machine and he had destroyed their home… Their home which had been on a sovereign island which had remained neutral in the war. He had literately brought the war to them. And Zuko squirmed even more by the looks of the killer girls with fans. He wasn't exactly at ease right now.
He couldn't even enjoy the hot bowl of soup the girl… Suki! Suki was her name had gotten for all of them.
At last in an attempt to relax Zuko had retrieved to a corner with his food and was just concentrating on eating. With this team you never knew when you would get a well prepared meal again and you needed to salvage this thing.
Carefully Zuko lifted a steaming spoonful of soup and blew on it, then put it in his mouth.
That was of course when someone had to ask him. "Hey are you okay?"
Zuko jumped in shock, then chocked on his own soup and started to cough.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to startle you!" Suki exclaimed holding up her hands as Zuko coughed and banged on his own chest.
"It… It's okay." Zuko managed to wheeze and finally sucked in a deep breath and finally managed to settle before he glanced up at the Kyoshi leader who looked at him with concerned eyes. "I'm fine." Zuko said, cringing as his own voice broke.
Suki smiled amused. "Look. I'm sorry if I scared you earlier. I just you know… Wanted to get even. Then we would have a chance of starting over."
Zuko glanced up at Suki. "I don't understand." he said.
"You're travelling with the Avatar and I trust those guys." Suki said. "I will admit when I first heard the rumour I thought it was weird. But I thought if it was true, there was probably a good reason. Like I said, I trust these people."
Zuko blinked.
Suki tilted her head. "You know. You are not a thing like what I remember you being."
"I erhm." Zuko glanced down at his bowl. "I had a few issues to work out… A lot of issues… I am still working on it."
Suki smiled amused, pulling forward a chair and sat down to look at Zuko. "You don't seem like such a bad guy now."
"Erhm… Thanks." Zuko glanced up.
"Seriously. With you acting like that it's really hard being mad at you. It's okay. You can talk back to me." Suki assured. "I don't bite."
"I don't really have a desire to talk back to you." Zuko said a bit confused.
"Hmm. Maybe Sokka is right. You're an alien." Suki commented.
"I'm not." Zuko began then sighed deeply. "I'm not an alien." he finally finished in a calmer tone, groaning as he ran a hair through his hair. "I just… I want to do the right thing. And I know what I did in the past was wrong. I did a lot of wrong things. And yet the best I can do is to move forward." he sighed deeply. "I'm not very good at this." he finally said meeting Sukis eyes. "Speaking I mean. Never been good at it."
Suki smirked. "I just want you to know you don't have any reason to be afraid. The Kyoshi warriors are loyal to the avatar in all of his re-incarnations. And right now the Avatar is gushing over you and is really busy telling everyone how good friends you are now."
"Oh." Zuko blinked. "Ahem." he coughed into his hand. "The Avatar tend to… Over exaggerate sometimes."
"Also he is incredible honest." Suki said amused. "I don't think he can lie to safe his own life. Seems to me that's another thing you two have in common."
Zuki blushed as he glanced away.
Suki chuckled. "I hope you'll enjoy your meal. Prince Zuko." she respectfully nodded at him and finally stood up and walked away to rejoin the others.
Oddly Zuko looked after her… Why was the entire world acting so weird now? This was weird.
And it didn't become any less weird as another Kyoshi warrior came and asked if he wanted another bowl of soup.
What was wrong with these people?
As soon as Zuko felt it was okay to leave without appearing rude. He excused himself with the reason that he was going to check on Appa.
Thankfully the others seemed to smile an understanding smile and let him go. Suki for some reason even looked slightly apologetic.
Honestly though the moment Zuko was outside he just inhaled a deep breath of fresh air, just enjoying to be outside again and he made his way over to Appa who was hidden behind some cliffs with the other animals.
"Hi buddy." Zuko smiled as he padded the big bison on the snout. "You doing okay?"
The bison made a big huff in response just as Momo and Lin-Lin came running between Zukos legs and then around him. Zuko smirked as he reached into his pocket for the bread he had brought from inside and crumbled it up into pieces. "Here you go." he said making both animals cheer before digging into the food.
Zuko inhaled again as he turned towards the water, noting that the sun had started to set.
Ba Sing Se huh?
Zuko had heard so many stories of that city. Uncle had laid siege to it… For 600 days and yet hadn't managed to breach the walls.
Had to be a really big and strong wall! Iroh with the entire fire nation army at his disposal and not able to breach it. It had seemed unreal back then and it still did now.
Iroh the dragon of the west. Who had killed the last dragon in the world with his own hands. Who had conquered so many lands.
Then again. To connect Zukos uncle who loved his tea and pai-sho with that general from the stories also seemed pretty weird.
Heck. Zuko himself had often ended up forgetting about all of those incredible stories about Iroh when the old man just went on about music night and the wonders of tea.
Zuko put a hand on Appas ear, mindlessly scratching as he looked towards the water.
"Where are you uncle?" Zuko asked out loud. "You said you would meet up." then he exhaled deeply. He couldn't really blame Iroh. It wasn't like he had any way of knowing where they were.
For petes sake they had spend most of their time in hiding either on a barren mountain or in an inhabited forest. How on earth was Iroh supposed to find them like that?
Just then Zuko sniffed, there was a scent in the air. It was… Spicy. And it reminded Zuko of the fire nation.
Was that fire flakes? Who had fire flakes all the way out here?
The scent alone made Zuko long for home, as well as just grabbing a handful and stuff them in his mouth and curiously Zuko followed the scent around the cliffs going a bit more inland until finally he saw the light of a fire and a group of people around that.
A fairly large group there seemed to be around twenty or so people there and Zuko halted.
That's when a woman turned her head and Zuko recognised her at once. So did the woman as Ming lightening up and grinned. She poked the person beside her an older man and pointed at Zuko.
The man gaped and suddenly Zuko had the attention of everyone now looking at him.
…. Zuko didn't know what was going on. But swallowed and stepped forward.
"See I told you!" Ming exclaimed. "Prince Zuko is here! I told you all!"
Zuko halted now having everyone's eyes on him. Ming though was beaming and Ying looked slightly apologetic.
Then an old man squinted his eyes. "How do we know that's actually prince Zuko?" he asked. "And how do we even know the stories are true?" he asked.
Zuko halted as he glanced around all the people looking up at him then he blinked. "Wait a minute. Are you all… Fire nation?" he asked.
"Fire nation and their husbands." Ying smirked holding up a hand.
Zuko smiled amused then looked back at the others. "What are you all doing here?" he asked.
A young woman sighed. "To get a ticket you need an earth kingdom passport. We are from the fire nation. We don't have earth kingdom passports."
"Oh." Zuko realized. "You are all heading for Ba Sing Se then. Right?" he asked.
"We'll just have to take serpents pass." Ying said a little sadly as he held his daughter in his lap. He looked nervous. No wonder.
"The serpents is infamouse for how dangerous it is." Zuko said. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"We already come so far." The old man huffed.
Zuko hesitated. "May I join you?" he asked.
"Of course your highness." Ming smiled as she moved aside allowing Zuko to sit down and people frowned at him.
"For the record!" The old man huffed. "I don't buy you're Prince Zuko! And even if you were, I have no reason to think Prince Zuko is any different than the rest of the royal family."
"That's entirely fair. On both accounts." Zuko said. "You got no reason to believe I'm Zuko. And you got no reason to believe Zuko is any different than the rest of his family."
The old man blinked, clearly not expecting that answer.
"I don't want anything from you." Zuko assured. "Well… I did smell some fire flakes." he said. "I haven't had any fire flakes for three years. Ever since I was forced to leave the fire nation." he admitted. "The scent. It reminded me of home. It sure has been a long time since I last set foot on those shores."
That made everyone blink and then relax. They all seemed to recognise his feelings, they all shared it in some sense.
A girl looked up at Zuko, she looked to be ten or eleven then offered Zuko a bowl. "My mom just made these." she said hinting at the woman next to her.
"Are you sure it's all right I take a handful?" Zuko asked. "I don't mean to steal your treats."
"Uhu." The girl nodded and Zuko smiled then put a fist in the palm of his hand and bowed.
"Thank you. That's a very gracious gift." Zuko said before taking a small handful. Carefully he picked up just a few from his hands with his fingers, taking care to saviour the flakes and put them in his mouth feeling the burning sensation in his mouth. "These are very good." he smiled lightly. "Thank you again. They do taste of home."
Again everyone was just looking at Zuko. Some with curiosity and others with reprehension.
"I erhm…" Zuko hesitated. "I know you all have a story. About why you are here… You are refuges." he said. "I would like to hear them. Your stories I mean. That is… If you wouldn't mind share."
"Why?" It was a young man who asked.
Zuko looked at him, the man looked like he was his own age. Maybe a little bit older, not older than nineteen at least. And he had a burn scar starting at his chin and going down his neck.
Zuko glanced at the scar and the young man smirked. "I tell you how I got mine if you tell me how you got yours." he said.
Zuko looked at the man. "What's your name?" he asked.
"Zhau-Li and yours?" The young man asked.
"Zuko." Zuko replied honestly, making some of them smirk amused. "I refused to fight my father, Fire lord Ozai, in a Agni Kai and he publicly burned my face off and then banished me. You?"
"I was ordered to burn down a village and I refused. I was burned and imprisoned for insurrection." Zhau-Li replied.
"I assume you escaped prison." Zuko then nodded. "So… A deserter from the army?"
Zhau-Li looked at Zuko then nodded.
"It takes a brave man to stick to his principles." Zuko said. "If what you say is true. You acted with honour that day."
Zhau-Li smirked grimly. "Not like it helped any. They burned it all down anyway. All the screams… People running. Crying." he hissed. "That's when I knew. Fire is evil."
Zuko looked at Zhau-li frowning slightly. "You're a fire bender. Aren't you?"
"No." Zhau-Li stated. "Not any more."
Zuko kept looking at him then moved forward. "Let me see your hands." he asked.
Zhau-Li frowned.
Zuko lifted an eyebrow but finally Zhau-Li sighed and offered Zuko his hands.
Zuko glanced down at them, seeing rough fingers with some scar tissue as well. "You shouldn't be afraid of fire." he then said holding forward his own and then, he made a tiny little flame appear in his own hand. "See… Fire is not always bad. Right now this fire is keeping everyone warm. Here." he offered the tiny flame into Zhau-Lis hands and Zhau-Li's eyes widened.
"Look at that flame in your hands. What do you see?" Zuko asked.
Zhau-Li frowned. "It's… Small." he commented in a slight frown. "And… " he blinked confused.
"Alive." Zuko finished. "It's alive. Fire after all. Is life."
Zhau-Li blinked as he wide-eyed looked up at Zuko.
Zuko smiled a hopeful smile.
"How can you even say that!" Zhau-Li asked in a frustrated voice. "Look at your face! Fire did that to you!"
"I didn't say fire wasn't dangerous." Zuko said. "But so is water, it can drown you. Earth can bury you. Wind can knock you off a cliff or tear down a house! Yes the elements are dangerous. But they also are what creates this world. They are all needed. If one goes away all of the world will collaps. For a plant to grow it needs all four elements. Earth to grow, water to nourish it, it breaths air and fire… The sun. Gives it life." he smiled. "I learned that while training the Avatar."
Zhau-Li gasped. "So… It's true." he gasped. "You are Prince Zuko. And you're with the Avatar."
"Yeah." Zuko nodded and everyone gaped astounded.
And then came a waterfall of questions which evolved into a talk that lasted for many hours. It went back and forth and the more they talked the more at ease they were with each other. It had been so long since Zuko had been with his own people. And it felt different. He really enjoyed being with team Avatar but this was kind of different as they talked about their favorite festivals from the fire nation and what the perfect fire flake was. They were four fire benders total in the group. Zuko, Ming, Zhau-Li and a girl called Shuri. They all showed off and the other clasped their hands while they whispered old fire nation proverbs. It was clear this group had something very specific in common.
And then long after the sun had gone down and everthing had become dark hours ago. The Avatar himself came.
"There you are!" Aang gasped. "I couldn't find you!"
Everyone gaped up at Aang.
"The Avatar!" One of them gasped.
Zuko shook his head. "Sorry Aang." he said. "Listen. Tomorrow you guys should go ahead to Ba Sing Se. I'll meet up with you at the wall or something."
Aang blinked. "Why?" he asked.
"I'm going to help these people across the serpents pass." Zuko said. "It's the least I could do."
Aang looked at them then he rolled his eyes. "You really think we are going to let you do that alone?" he asked. "If you're walking across the serpents pass to help these people. We're all walking across the serpents pass. Appa can take the old ones and the children and then we walk."
"Are you sure?" Zuko asked.
"Yup. I'll go tell the others." Aang said. "Sokka is going to be so annoyed. But you know. I'm the Avatar."
Zuko smiled relieved. "Thank you. I appreciate it."
Aang just winked and went back towards Appa.
Ming gaped. "Are you sure?" she asked. "Prince Zuko."
"Yeah." Zuko said. "You are fire nation and I wasn't there for you. Even when I should have been. At least I can do so now. I know it isn't much but… At least I can make sure you make it to Ba Sing Se safely."
"The Avatar will help us? The fire nation?" Zhau-Li asked astounded.
"The Avatar seeks to restore balance to the entire world." Zuko said. "We are trying to save the fire nation not destroy it! The one who is destroying it is Ozai! My father! That's why you are all here in the first place."
They all nodded seriously.
"I want you all to be safe." Zuko said seriously. "So when this is over. You can help restore the fire nation! I'm going to need help with that. A lot of help… When the war is over that is." he smiled shyly. "Would you help me restore the fire nation. After the war?" he asked.
And suddenly, everyone was smiling. They were nodding eagerly and Zuko smiled warmly feeling really happy to meet others. Others who truly loved the fire nation. Not for what it had become but for what it could be.
And these people, they were giving Zuko hope too!
