It was with quite a heavy heart that Zuko the next morning stood at shore. Watching the big fire nation vessel vanish as it was going back towards the earth kingdom where they would be looking for allies for their invasion.
It was dangerous for everybody. The fire nation would be highly active and the tribes men would run a high risk of being figured out. Still… It was their best bet.
Zuko just hoped they would all meet at their rendezvous point as planned, three days before to eclipse giving them time to hatch out details.
Zuko sighed deeply and then felt a little hand in his own. He glanced down to see Toph stand next to him holding his hand.
"I'm going to miss them too." Toph said.
"They'll be okay. They are capable." Zuko said.
"Well. Sparky Junior should be keeping them out of trouble." Toph said.
"You do know Zhau-Li is older than me right?" Zuko asked.
Toph shrugged. "I met you first." she commented. "And he has kind of been following you around like a lost polar dog."
"No he hasn't. He was the one looking out for me." Zuko defended his friend. "Anyway. I suppose we should move a bit more inland. There should be a city at the coast on this island. And a few villages." he said. "We can get some better clothes there and figure out our next move."
They all nodded as they were all wearing the red garments worn by fire nation soldiers. In Tophs and Aangs case they were far to big and even when cutting off pants legs and sleeves it just looked weird.
Aang like promised had stopped shaving his head and thus had short stubble across his head. It wasn't ideal but it did cover most of his tattoo, the rest could be covered with a hat or headband.
Nervously did Zuko start to try and flatten his own hair to make it cover the left side of his face and thus the scar.
Surprisingly it actually did work really well. Though Zuko pointed out this really wasn't fire nation fashion. Normally people in the fire nation would have long hair pulled back into a top knot. Men and women alike.
Apparently long hair symbolised strength in the fire nation. Which Sokka found… Odd.
"It's a tradition more than anything else." Zuko finally explained. "But as fire nation citizens we put value into respecting our traditions. Respect is a very important value in this country, and showing disrespect can be met with pretty severe punishments."
"Erh, how severe?" Aang asked.
"Well it really depends." Zuko shrugged. "If you disrespect your class room teacher you get to stand in the corner holding two buckets of water for an hour or more. If you disrespect the firelords war room, apparently he thinks that's reason enough to burn half your face off and banish you from the country. So… You know." he shrugged. "If you disrespect an officer of rank or noble that would be considered a valid reason for a duel to the death. So yeah what I am saying is this. Show respect! In this nation that is deemed important. And so does acting with honour."
"So you get literately punished for being disrespectful?" Sokka asked. "Geesh."
"I don't know Sokka." Toph smirked. "Settling disputes via duels to the death sounds kind of badass. Sounds like my kind of place! Way better than long endless boring meetings. These guys get stuff settled!"
"How in the name of Tui and La would that held what ever underlying problem that caused the dispute in the first place?" Sokka asked. "Perhaps there was an underlying social or economic issue and the answer is to actually have a look at the root of the problem. You thought about that?"
Wide-eyed everyone looked at Sokka.
"What?" Sokka asked. "I am just saying that level of unhappiness is usually the last straw in a series of events grounded in larger underlying problems! And that could be systemic oppression and negligence in addressing grievances. That's logic!"
"Sokka…" Aang hesitated. "I have no idea what you just said."
Sokka pouted. "My talents are wasted on you guys" he muttered as he walked forward and past them all.
Zuko blinked.
"What do you think Zuko?" Katara asked.
"Well erhm…" Zuko hesitated. "Like I should be understanding that… And it's pretty bad that I don't."
"Hey don't sweat it. You're sixteen. I don't think you're supposed to know these things." Aang commented.
"Yeah… I don't think that is going to work as an excuse if I am suddenly fire lord." Zuko said. "You think Sokka would be up for hire after this whole thing?"
"Depends. Can you pay in jerky?" Katara asked in a smirk.
"I mean I guess." Zuko commented.
"Then I think you'll be good." Katara replied.
They kept walking for a bit more and then the first tower appeared over the branches making Aang gasp. "Look a city!" he exclaimed just about to run forward only for Zuko to grab the neck of his tunic.
"Yeah. Let's not go there. Let's stick to the villages where we are less likely to draw attention to ourselves." Zuko said.
"But Zuko!" Aang gasped. "Do you want to show us how amazing the fire nation is?"
"What I want is for us to not be found out at our first day here." Zuko said. "That would be so stupid. Even by our standards."
"Isn't the entire point that no one will be suspecting that we are anywhere near the place?" Aang asked. "They wont know. And we can try to find a map to find where sun warrior island is!" he beamed. "And you can show us some traditional dishes. And show Sokka, Katara and Toph how great the culture of the fire nation is!"
Zuko groaned deeply rubbing his face. "You're never going to let this go are you?"
"Probably not." Aang said.
"And you are going to keep bothering me for days and days until I say yes." Zuko said.
"Yeah… So might as well get it over with." Aang commented.
And Zuko groaned. "Fine but keep a low head and don't draw any attention to yourselves." he asked.
"And first. Let's find some clothes and a place to park Appa." Sokka commented as the big bison opened its mouth and made a roar in response.
Both were soon achieved. By the shore they found a nice cave easily fitting Appa. And Sokka found a clothes line filled with clothes with plenty of clothes out for dry.
Zuko though made sure to put a couple of coins in the pocket of one of the pants left behind. Money he had found on the fire nation vessel they had been sailing and had divided among themselves at the water tribes men.
It should be coins enough to cover the cost of the clothes they had picked out.
Zuko couldn't help but sigh deeply as he got to put on a tunic in airy light silk. Earth kingdom clothes were usually heavier thicker fabrics.
Fire nation though would be very light in its materials. Zuko had honestly missed this.
The others as well seemed to have a good time and would admirer their own picks of clothes then though Zuko fell on Kataras neck and he swallowed. "Erhm. Katara." he said.
"Yeah." Katara turned to him.
"I am really sorry." Zuko said honestly. "But I think it'll probably be better if no one sees that." he pointed at her necklace. "It's very obviously not fire nation. And we really don't want to draw any attention to ourselves."
"Oh." Katara held her necklace. "No I get it. It's okay." she assured as she lifted her hands behind her neck and finally unclasped the necklace.
Zuko pulled out a soft handkerchief and handed it to Katara. "Here. So it doesn't get scratched."
"Thank you." Katara smiled as she took the handkerchief and used it to wrap around her beloved necklace before putting it on her bag.
Zuko blushed a bit as he looked away remember their history with that particular necklace.
"Heh remember when tried to use that necklace to bribe you Katara?" Sokka asked.
Zuko squinted his eyes.
"That was then!" Katara said. "Beside if it wasn't for Zuko I would never have gotten it back at all! I lost my necklace at the prison ship. Zuko wasn't even there when we were. So I much have dropped it."
"You did." Zuko admitted. "I found it on the wrecked ship after you left."
"See." Katara smiled and then glanced up at Zuko. "So thank you for getting my necklace back."
"You're… erhm. Welcome." Zuko said.
"Let's find another necklace in town you can wear with your outfit." Aang grinned. "Which really suites you by the way. You're beautiful!"
"Thank you Aang." Katara smiled. "I don't know with you guys but I'm starting to get hungry. I wouldn't mind trying some of that fire nation cuisine right about now." she smiled and they all nodded as they headed towards the town they had first spotted.