I'm back! Yay! Can you tell I love the explanation point yet?

Okay, here's the deal. I've gotten about 50 hits on my story already, and only 2 reviews! That's only about 4! REVIEW…REVIEW…REVIEW…REVIEW…REVIEW…Get it? Good!

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar.

Chapter 3: The Long and Winding Road

Commander Raghnall's ship was almost as big as Zhao's was. The soldiers aboard wore uniforms similar to their Commander's. Theirs was not as fine and well-made as Raghnall's, but the material that made up the clothes under their armor was the same dark, tight kind that Raghnall had. Some of the soldiers looked tired and worn out, like clothes that had been to the drycleaners one too many times. As their commander moved through the sea of soldiers parted without a word, each of them casting either fearful looks or looks of pure hatred at his retreating back. Zuko followed behind Raghnall, staring at the men around him who all kept a safe distance between them and the small group of two walking to the center of the bridge. The men stared back at him, sympathy showed in some, others horror, curiosity, or just bleak interest in something that didn't really matter to them. Had Zuko been the young boy he was before the duel, he would have asked Raghnall or even one of the men what went on around here that made everyone act the way they did, but he was no longer that boy. His main concern now was getting off this pot as soon as possible so he could get back to the Avatar, not waiting around ask what brand of toilet paper this house used.

"Socorro!" Raghnall called through the door that led below-decks.

'This guy gets creepier and creepier.' Zuko thought. 'Why doesn't he just send someone to get him?' "Can we just get this over with already?" Zuko scowled. "I have other, more important things to do than sit around and waste my time here."

"Be patient." Raghnall said soothingly. He attempted to put his hand on Zuko's shoulder but the prince jerked away.

"Yes sir?"

A young man appeared before the two of them, and Zuko couldn't help but noticing that Socorro would not come within arm's reach of the Commander, nor would he look him in the eyes.

"Take this young man to my chamber and prepare him for our confrence." Raghnall commanded.

"I don't need any preparation!" Zuko snapped. "Let's just do this and get it over with!"

Raghnall smiled at him. "Just be a good boy and go with Socorro."

"I take orders from..."

"Come with me." Socorro started pulling him through the door. "Don't fight," he whispered. "it just makes everything worse."

Just before the door closed behind them Zuko caught a glimpse of Commander Raghnall.

He was licking his lips.

So...how was it? Can you tell what's going to happen next? If you're a seasoned fanfic-fanatic I bet you can.