Disclaimer: I don't own Atla
And it does work out. The cart they rode in took them to a port where they used the new passports given to them to get a ferry to Ba Sing Se. Lenetta watched as the sun made the water look shiny, the blue sky making it look extra beautiful. Iroh and Zuko were standing beside her, Iroh seemed to be contemplative while Zuko seemed depressed about their new situation.
" Who would have thought after all these years, I'd return to the scene of my greatest military disgrace." Iroh suddenly brightened and turned to the two teens with a silly grin. " As a tourist!" Zuko seemed to be more downtrodden after Iroh said this. " Uncle, were not tourists were refugees, we shouldn't be having to downgrade ourselves like this." Zuko took a sip of his soup, and suddenly spat it out. " Ugh this is disgusting, I'm tired of eating rotten food and sleeping in the dirt!" Lenetta couldn't help but agree she missed sleeping in a bed and good food, she had a feeling she knew what was going on with the food situation. She put a hand on Zuko's shoulder. " Hey it could be worse, we could still be sleeping in the dirt." her attempt at comforting her friend seemed to work as he smiled slightly at her and gave a soft chuckle. " I agree though, this food is disgusting." they both tossed their bowls overboard.
" I think I know what we can do about the food situation." the three travelers turned toward the mysterious voice. In front of them were two boys and one girl…or boy, it was kinda hard to tell; she figured they would find out in a minute. " My name is Jet, and these are my Freedom Fighters, Longshot and Smellerbee." The boy with the bow and arrow nodded at them while the other one said, " Hey". Ah, a girl.
" My name is Lenetta, and this is Lee and his Uncle Mushi." Lenetta points to each one as she says their names and they each give a short nod, deciding to let her do the talking." So, you said you think you know what we can about the food, do tell." Jet smirks liking this girl already. " Alright, I heard that the captain is eating like a king; while us refugees have to feed off his scraps." Zuko and Lenetta scowled at this. I knew it. " I think you're right; so what do you propose we do about this?" Lenetta asks while crossing her arms over chest. " I think we should go in and liberate some food, we'll take some food and distribute it amongst the refugees." Lenetta thinks it over while Iroh looks between the two teens. I normally wouldn't like this but I can't say no to something good like this. Lenetta and Zuko look at each other, they nod and smirk at each other. Lenetta turns back to Jet, " Count us in." Jet smirks at this. I think these two will make fine additions to my Freedom Fighters, especially Lenetta.
oOoOo
They plan the liberation for after sunset and to meet close to the food storage area. Lenetta and Zuko strap their weapons to their backs. They nod at each other, Lenetta's stomach growls in anticipation of some good food. They find the three teens at their meet up point and they immediately get to work. They had discussed earlier what they were going to do, they just needed to act on it. Jet breaks the door down with his twin tiger hook swords and Jet, Zuko, Lenetta, and Smellerbee rush in while Longshot stands watch. Lenetta and Zuko work in tandem to gather up food with their swords and gather them up, they left some behind obviously. Jet smirks at the two as they work harmoniously.
" Guards coming!" Smellerbee warns as they run out of the storage room. They manage to make it past the guard without him noticing. Longshot shot an arrow that was attached to a rope to the pole across from where they were hiding. They slid across with no one the wiser. Once they were safe Lenetta and Zuko grasped each other's hands in congratulations and the group smirked at each other and silently congratulated each other for their success.
oOoOo
Lenetta and Jet passed out food to the other refugees. Once the last traveler had their food the two teens started walking towards their group. " Say, Lenetta." Jet had been wondering for a while now how she got with the people she was with. " Hmm?" Lenetta hummed. " How did you get to be with those two, and you guys worked really well together with your swords." Lenetta nodded, she had a feeling this would come up. " I found them being attacked by Fire Nation soldiers, they were struggling against them so I joined them and I just never left."
She was glad she joined them and she regretted nothing of that day, her body just couldn't help but get goosebumps at the thought of Princess Azula. She omitted that part though. Jet nodded and his eyes narrowed. " Fire Nation scum, they'll attack anyone, it doesn't matter if they're innocent or not." Lenetta felt his hatred rolling off of him in waves, it wasn't toward her and she knew she wasn't anything like the Fire Nation soldiers or the Fire Lord, other than being a firebender, it still triggered memories of the villagers of her old home and her parents. Jet noticed her demeanor changed and before he could ask her anything they came across their group.
Lenetta went and sat next to Zuko, he noticed her hands were shaking as she brought her soup up to her mouth. When she put it down Zuko looked at her and gave her an "are you ok" look. She smiled at him in silent reassurance, he would ask her about it later. Jet noticed their silent conversation, he wondered if they knew about their feelings for each other, they both worked well together and seemed to communicate without words.
"I heard people eat like this every night in Ba Sing Se, I can't wait to set my eyes on that wall." Iroh got a faraway look in his eyes as he remembered what the wall looked before he and his soldiers came to destroy it. He still felt guilty about it, but he knew he could do nothing about it, he could only move on and do better.
"It truly is a magnificent sight." Iroh told them wistfully. "Have you been there before?" Jet asked Iroh. "Once…when I was a different man." Iroh looked down at this, Lenetta knew about the 600 Day Siege of Ba Sing Se. She also knew Iroh was the Dragon of the West, it's hard to believe now considering he doesn't act like a battle hardened Fire Nation General, but she had been told stories about it on her travels and from Iroh himself. Lenetta knew he blamed himself for his son's death, he was killed in battle and there was nothing Iroh could do to save Lu Ten, he still blamed himself since he led the siege. It was this that led to Iroh quitting the Siege and him going to the Spirit World to search for Lu Ten. She didn't know much about that part though, Iroh kept that close lipped and Lenetta wasn't going to pry into such a personal journey.
"I've done some things in my past that I'm not proud of, but that's why I'm going to Ba Sing Se: for a new beginning. A second chance." Lenetta smiles, she had sensed his hatred for the Fire Nation and she could understand, something horrible must have happened to him to cause this much rage; she hopes Ba Sing Se can help him, she will help him. Jet sees her smiling at him and decides he likes it, he hopes he can do it again. Zuko suddenly feels some jealousy but immediately silences it; What do I have to be jealous for; it's not like she sees me as more than a friend. Iroh looks pleased at Jet. "That's very noble of you. I believe people can change their lives if they want to. I believe in second chances." Iroh and Zuko share a look and Lenetta gently nudges him with her shoulder and he sees so much care in her eyes. He feels unworthy of her care for him, he wants to do better for her. Jet watches this interaction, he may not be able to have Lenetta as a girlfriend but he wishes the best for her and Lee.
oOoOo
The next morning Zuko is standing at the railing, when Lenetta sees this she joins him. He smiles at her and she smiles back. "It's going to be ok, we can make a new life for ourselves in Ba Sing Se, and we're going to be just fine." Zuko smiles at her optimism, he wishes he felt the same way. Lenetta notices his sad look. She nudges him. "Hey, what's wrong?" Zuko sighs, she's so perceptive which is something he loves about her, she has this uncanny ability when he needs to talk and she's always right there when he needs her. "I just don't know about this, I'm afraid I won't be able to be happy in Ba Sing Se." Lenetta frowns at this. "You're not going to be alone, I'll help you, we'll make it through this together." Lenetta puts her hand on top of his and squeezes gently; his heart flutters.
Zuko and Lenetta stare into each other's eyes; he leans in and she reciprocates, their eyes start to flutter closed as they get closer until, "Hey guys." Jet's voice interrupts them and they pull back before Jet could notice. Lenetta clears her throat and tries to slow her racing heart. "Hey Jet." Lenetta tells him with a bright tone. Zuko scowls slightly but quickly hides it. Jet smiles as he senses the still remaining tension in the air but chooses not to say anything.
"You know, as soon as I saw your scar, I knew exactly who you were." Zuko tensed slightly, he was ready to defend himself if he had to. "You're an outcast like me." Zuko relaxed since his identity wasn't revealed but tensed slightly at being called an outcast, he sort of knew it but to here it stated out loud was kind of a blow to his pride. "You both are, and that means we need to stick together. We need to watch each other's backs because no one else will." Zuko looked back to the water. "I've realized lately that being on your own isn't always the best path." Zuko looks at Lenetta. Lenetta smiles at him and takes his hand; "And you never have to be alone again." Zuko smiles at her and squeezes her hand, the three teens look back out to the water.