As Zuko slowly opened his eyes, feeling the sun that would soon rise. He still felt very heavy… Drowsy. He honestly didn't really feel like getting up at all. It was far to comfortable here under his blanket and with an odd weight on his stomach.
Drowsily Zuko glanced down and saw a young earth bender laying right across him on her back. Her head on his stomach and a snore escaping her mouth as a line of saliva rolled down his cheek.
Moving his head a bit Zuko saw another twelve year old using his body as a head rest. A young air bender with his own snot bubble threatening to pop from his nose.
And to make the hole picture complete. Lin-Lin and Momo were curling together making a living pillow right at his feet.
Zuko didn't say anything. Instead he just closed his eyes and settled under his blankets sighing deeply. There was no need to get up just yet. It could wait.
He started to hear movement in the rest of the house. No doubt the fire nation citizens getting up with the sun to start the day.
Then a warm scent of bread and tea started to fill the air proving that someone was making breakfast.
Zuko sighed deeply as he just laid with closed eyes.
"Katara… Sssh." A hissing voice sounded about him. "You'll wake them."
"It's just so… So cute." The female voice responded.
"Why do you think I am trying to draw a picture? It's just to good."
Zuko frowned deeply as he cracked open an eye and saw the fuzzy outline of a young water bender standing right above him.
"Morning Zuko. Don't mind us." Katara smiled warmly.
Zuko groaned as he turned to his side, in effect disturbing both Tophs's and Aangs positions and Toph's head dropped down on the floor.
"Auw! Hey!" Toph exclaimed.
"Just five minutes more please." Aang groaned.
"Great! You ruined it Katara!" Sokka exclaimed as he was sitting crossed legged in his bed with a piece of paper in his lap and a pen in his hand.
"Sorry Sokka. I'm sure the world will feel deprived of your master piece." Katara smirked.
"It could have lasted us for the rest of our lives! Something to look back at and remember! Don't diss art!" Sokka pouted as he crossed his arms and looked away.
"I'm sure you can use your memory master artist." Katara rolled her eyes.
Zuko groaned deeply as he sat up and stretched his arms and then rubbed his eyes making Sokka groan as he threw his paper and supposed master piece away in defeat.
"Dammit lay still Sparky." Toph groaned as she tried to get back up only for Zuko to push her back down. "Hey!" Toph exclaimed as Aang laughed. Only for Zuko to push him down too and stand up.
"Aww man." Aang pouted from the floor. "I was so comfortable."
"I'm not your pillow Aang." Zuko stated. "And not yours either Toph." he said pretending that he hadn't been really comfortable as well as he headed to his bag and found his jar of Zingiber salve. Toothbrush and fresh robes.
"Spoil sport." Toph pouted. "I felt your heart beat. You were totally at deep peace."
"No I wasn't." Zuko snapped. "I was just sleeping." he said while carefully putting the crown away in his bag and finally stood up.
"Lie." Toph smirked.
"Shut up." Zuko replied as he walked for the door and opened it up so he could head for the wash room.
On his small travel he met a few people and they all stopped by the sight of him to make a short bow. "Prince Zuko." "Prince Zuko." "Prince Zuko."
Came all of their respectful greetings.
"Erhm hi… Good morning. Hello." Zuko greeted each of them only to land at an occupied wash room.
Made sense and Zuko patiently waited for the occupant to be finished.
Soon enough the door was opened and the middle aged man with a freshly washed face screeched by the sight of Zuko. "Argh! Prince Zuko! Forgive me!" he bowed.
"Oh… That's okay." Zuko said.
"Forgive me!" The man exclaimed as he bowed and took a step backwards. "Forgive me." and he bowed again… and took a step and bowed and took a step. And kept doing this weird dance of bowing and going backwards until he finally rounded a corner.
Zuko blinked as he looked after the man… Okay this was going to take a little getting used to.
After a quick wash, changing robes and tending to his scar Zuko was headed for their shared living and dining room where breakfast was served and multiple people were already eating.
Though by the sight of him everybody just stood up and bowed.
"Prince Zuko!"
Zuko was standing still. "Erhm." he halted. "Good morning." he said.
Everyone was just standing still with bowed head.
"Please enjoy your breakfast." Zuko finally said as he lightly bowed back and that finally seemed to be they key making everyone go back to their own business and Zuko exhaled deeply quickly finding the only one who had not been standing up.
Iroh who was smiling and waving Zuko over.
Feeling grateful Zuko headed for the open spot at the table and sat down next to Iroh allowing him to pour up tea.
"You sure have made a great impression on these people." Iroh chuckled amused.
"They don't have to do any of that." Zuko sighed.
"No. Unlike the people in the palace and on the ship you commanded. They don't have to do anything." Iroh said. "Which means they chose to do it. And that Prince Zuko. Is a true sign of respect."
Just then Aang came down to and the whole procedure repeated as everyone just stopped and stood up.
"Avatar Aang!"
And Aang halted his eyes wide making Zuko smirk. Hah! At least he wouldn't have to be the only one to suffer.
"Erhhm… Hi." Aang blinked confused. "Is that newly baked bread?" he asked. "It smells so good!"
There was quiet. Clearly people didn't really know how to respond and neither did Aang.
"Eerh." Aang halted. "I hope you have a nice breakfast!" he at last exclaimed and darted over to Zuko and Irohs table too. "Wow that was weird." he exclaimed looking up.
"They merely wish to show you their respect young Avatar." Iroh smiled as he poured tea for him too. "The best thing to do is merely to accept with gratefulness and humility."
Aang nodded thoughtfully. "I'll try my best." he said. "And not let it go to my head. Cause that's bad!"
"Indeed." Iroh smiled warmed. "That's the humility part! Respect can never be demanded or taken. Only given."
Just then Zhau-Li appeared with the robe he had borrowed, neatly folded together and he bowed. "Prince Zuko. Thank you for letting me borrow this." he said.
Zuko glanced down at it then up at Zhau-Li. "Keep it." he said. "It's yours."
And Zhau-Li breathed and then smiled. "Thank you."
Zuko sighed deeply. "Zhau-Li. Would you sit with us?" he asked.
"Of course." Zhau-Li sat down and bowed his head in respect making Zuko sigh deeply.
"Look." Zuko began. "I do appreciate what you did yesterday I just… You know you are not my servant right?" he asked. "You don't really have to do any to do any of this."
"I know." Zhau-Li said.
"Oh." Zuko blinked. "So erhm…"
"I want to though." Zhau-Li said. Then he smiled. "Prince Zuko! When I joined the fire nation army. All I wanted was to serve and help protect the fire nation. Though as I was finally on the field, I realized I wasn't helping protecting anyone." he swallowed. "I all ready told you. I want to serve you!"
Zuko sighed deeply at Zhau-Li. "Zhau-Li… I think what I need right now. More than a servant. I could use a friend."
"Why can't we be both?" Zhau-Li asked and Zuko blinked. Zhau-Li smiled. "My prince. We are not equals, and we are never going to be. You are the Crown Prince of the fire nation. The only one who can help mend this broken world. The Avatars fire bending teacher. I am merely a citizen from the country side. My father is a brick layer and my mother is a seamstress. I wanted to be part of something greater… Something more. I was so proud to join the army." he closed down. "And then I became ashamed. Ashamed of the army, ashamed of my nation. Now though, I feel pride again. And proud being able to serve you in what ever little way I can. And that you would even consider me a friend. That is an honour beyond all measure."
Zuko exhaled deeply. He should probably have realized that there was no fighting this. At all. "Okay." he then said.
"You mean. I may continue serve you?" Zhau-Li asked.
"Yes." Zuko replied. "We'll be going to the palace again today. This time everyone in the Avatars group. Uncle… Can I ask you to come as well?"
"If you think that's wise." Iroh said. "I still am the dragon of the west." he reminded Zuko.
"I know." Zuko said. "That though also makes you one of the fire nations finest generals and your advice could be invaluable." he said.
"As you wish Prince Zuko." Iroh bowed respectfully. Just then Toph, Katara and Sokka finally joined them as well.
Toph not even hesitating to plop down next to Zuko with a big grin on her face.
Zuko looked at Toph. "Erhm Toph. Could I ask you a favour?" he asked.
"Sure." Toph grinned and Zuko bowed down to whisper in Toph's ear making her lift an eyebrow.
"That is going to take me all day." Toph complained. "You do realize that right?"
"Yeah I'm sorry." Zuko sighed.
"Okay here's the deal." Toph said. "I get to use you as a pillow again and it's a deal."
Zuko sighed deeply. "Fine."
"Don't sound like that Sparky." Toph smirked as she stuffed bread into her mouth. "I know you didn't actually mind."
And Zuko groaned deeply making the others chuckle.