Zukos group had to wait at shore for a day and just hope that the fire nation was now in such a big mess that they couldn't even mobilize and start to track their group.
This day was spend with Zuko trying to explain to everyone what was going on and what the former prisoners options were.
They were free to go if that is what they wanted. No one would stop a former prisoner from just leave and go where-ever they wanted. And there was a few who elected that, people who said they still had family in the fire nation and wanted to rejoin their family.
The rest had two options. Either join Zuko to fight against Fire Lord Ozai or be transported to the north pole where they would be safe until the battle was over.
Probably the only place that was sure to be kept safe at this time.
Zuko was honestly kind of surprised that his former crew had all decided to join the fight… He had told them again and again that he no longer had any real power of them and they didn't have to do anything he ordered.
They still gave him those weird looks… It made Zuko wonder if he had some weird growth on his face. These guys should be used to the scar right? Was it getting worse?
Though when Zuko checked his reflection it looked normal… At least he hoped. Finally he had to ask Ty Lee in a shy voice just to be sure and she cheered happily that he looked fantastic.
Finally their pickup arrive, their own stolen fire nation ship and Katara was already at the railing grinning and beaming as she was waving down at Zuko and Zhau-Li who as usual was right next to Zuko.
Zuko smiled. Looked like it had gone well for Kataras team too. The moment the front of the ship opened up Katara rushed out to give Zuko a hug.
Zuko smiled as he returned the hug. "Looks like it went well for you." he said.
"Yup!" Katara grinned as she stood back. "And thank Tui and La it went well for you too! I will admit. I was kind of worried."
"Heh… Thanks. We're fine though." Zuko said and then realized a group of men was gawking as they looked wide-eyed at them and Zuko realized that ones again it was his old crew. "Oh erhm. Guys." he addressed them. "You remember Katara right?"
"Oh I remember her." One of the soldiers said. "You ordered that I tie her to a tree."
Zukos eyes widened. Zhau-Li blinked shocked and katara halted.
"Oh erhm… Yeah." Zuko swallowed. "We're good now though! See?" he pointed at Katara. "So erh Katara. You remember back when… Well that time. I had a crew and… After I was branded for treason they were imprisoned so erhm. Katara the crew. Crew.. Master Katara of the southern water tribe."
Katara lifted an eyebrow at the soldier who spoke up. "So you're the one who tied me up huh?"
"Yeaaah. I'm not really that big on tying up kids honestly. But I knew you wouldn't be hurt. The Prince sure barks like there's no tomorrow. But he rarely hurts anyone." The soldier shrugged and Zukos face turned a deep red and Zhau-Li was wide-eyed looking down at him.
"Yeah I pretty much figured that out." Katara smirked as she looked up at Zuko. "Under all that shouting and fire spitting. He's just a big softy." she grinned padding Zuko on the head.
"Katara!" Zuko shouted. "Please! Could you just… Not!"
"But Zuko." Katara tried. "You always put on such a tough guy act. But you can't bear it to see a turtleduck with a broken wing."
"Shu-Shut up."
"That's true." The helms man chuckled. "I remember when one of our Komodo Rhinos got sick. The Prince got very upset."
"HEY!" Zuko shouted.
"And when he thought he had hurt that war hawk on accident." Jee smirked. "You almost cried."
"I did not!" Zuko exclaimed.
"I remember you locked yourself inside of your cabin for the entire day." Jee continued.
"That is not true!" Zuko exclaimed. "Katara! Zhau-Li! What-ever these guys are saying don't listen to them!"
"What else did he do?!" Katara asked stepping closer to Jee completely ignoring Zuko.
"Oh where to begin?" Jee asked. "We ones found a wounded lion seal and had to stop for a week until it was healed. Prince Zuko insisted that this was an endangered species so it was our duty to make sure it would be safe."
"Yeah that's not true! We have a ton of lion seals at the south pole. Too many of them in fact!" Katara said.
"Yes I know!" Jee laughed and Katara laughed into her hand. "It's nice to finally formally meet you Master Katara." Jee smiled kindly.
"Oh the pleasure is all mine. And Katara is fine." Katara assured.
Zuko groaned as he held the bridge of his nose and finally it occurred to him… His old crew was coming with him. They were going to meet Aang… and Toph… And Sokka. He was doomed…. Absolutely doomed.
Zhau-Li was still looking at Zuko.
"I was thirteen all right!" Zuko exclaimed.
"Fourteen at the war hawk incident. Fifteen at the lion seal incident." Jee corrected Zuko.
"So it's only a year ago." Katara smirked.
"You're all making this a way bigger deal than it is!" Zuko exclaimed. "If our Khomodo Rhinos got sick we would loose our land transport! And War Hawks are military property! We would get in trouble he was hurt!"
"So what about the lion seal?" Katara asked while pursing her lip. "And that turtleduck you adopted."
"He what?" Jee asked.
"Yeah Zuko has a turtleduck now. Named it and everything." Katara grinned. "And he is spoiling it rotten! Preening its feathers for it and feeding it under the table! That's one spoiled turtleduck."
"Shu-SHUT UP!" Zuko shouted. "I got better things to do than talking about this anyway! Stop wasting time!" he exclaimed as he finally marched away.
"Oh thank Agni." The engineer sighed as he held his forehead.
"What?" Katara looked at him.
"Master Katara… To be so close to Prince Zuko for over twenty four hours and not one single anger outburst has quite frankly been unnerving." Jee informed. "We have all been waiting and almost praying for it."
The soldier nodded. "The Prince always shouts! That's what he do. And now he's been so soft spoken and shy. It's weird."
"So… He hasn't always been like that?" Zhau-Li asked.
"NO!" The entire crew shouted.
Katara bit her lip as she seemed a little befuddled. "You know. I think what we really learned here is that actually Zuko didn't change that much. He was a softy back then and he's a softy now. Now he's just… Less confused."
Slowly everyone nodded and Katara smiled kindly.
"I'm sure you'll get used to it soon." Katara said. "In fact. Zuko is just being more true to himself that's all. It's really inspirational."
And the crew nodded again even smiling a little bit. Still would take some getting used to. But they seemed pretty onboard.