Thanks Hopefully. Almost. There for Following.
~The Serpent's Pass~
Ryuu POV
"Who would have thought after all these years, I'd return to the scene of my greatest military disgrace... as a tourist! "
"Look around. We're not tourists, we're refugees," Zuko sighed and draped one arm around my shoulders.
He put the bowl he had been given when he complained he was hungry to his lips. He reacted badly, throwing it over the side. I rolled my eyes and leaned over the handrail to catch the beautifully warm lake air.
"Ugh! I'm sick of eating rotten food, sleeping in the dirt. I'm tired of living like this!"
I raised one hand and shook it, "At least you are alive!"
Behind us, an arrogant voice struck up, ignoring my comment, "Aren't we all? My name's Jet and these are my Freedom Fighters, Smellerbee and Longshot."
Zuko - his arm still around my shoulders - turned around. I was forced to turn around as well and was met with the haughty smile of the boy who had spoke. He removed a piece of chewed grass from his mouth and took it between two fingers. He mock-bowed. A guy beside him nodded, the other one winked-
"Hey."
"Hello," Zuko waved awkwardly.
Jet, the leader, swung his arm in a gesture before chewing on the grass and removing it - "Here's the deal. I hear the captain's eating like a king while the refugees have to feed off his scraps. Doesn't seem fair, does it?"
Iroh raised an eyebrow, "What sort of king is he eating like?"
Jet smirked and leaned against the wall behind him. Iroh wrung his hands expectantly. I crossed my arms and exhaled slowly - Jet eyed me.
"The fat, happy kind," he directed at Iroh. The latter began to drool at the prospect of food. I pinched the bridge of my nose, frustrated. Jet turned to Zuko and put one hand up next to his mouth to emphasise the secrecy of his words.
" You want to help us "liberate" some food?"
Zuko nodded firmly, "I'm in."
Jet put out his hand for Zuko to shake, but I snarled at it. I wriggled from Zuko's grip and grabbed one of his shoulders, placing a finger on his chest.
"Hold up! We had a strict no theft deal. Anyway, You know why he eats best? Because he freaking controls the direction this boat goes in-" I turned around to Jet "-and an unhappy, unfed Captain could - I don't know - send us back to where we came from!"
Jet laughed at me, "Some imagination you have! My friend, Your girlfriend's crazy."
"She's not my- oh, nevermind," Zuko ran a hand down his face.
I threw my hands in the air knowing no-one would listen to me. Jet signalled for Zuko to follow him and his motley crew. I threw myself against the rail - Iroh smiled knowingly.
"At least they are thinking of others..." he offered.
I put my head on my arms, "I s'pose there's that."
Iroh put a hand on my shoulder and I looked up at him, his eyes smiled, "I know you care very deeply for him. I respect that. But sometimes caring to much can - as a result - hurt us. You need to learn to let him help himself and gently guide him on the right path. You are strong, Ryuu. Let that be your biggest ally. But relax from time to time."
Sighing sharply and nodded, not entirely understanding what Iroh had actually said.
...
The sun had set, leaving the moon to bask us in cold light. Iroh had fallen asleep sitting up against the rail but I couldn't even shut my eyes without having nightmares of my childhood. I cradled my head and looked out across the wide expanse of lake. It glimmered in the moonlight. Each wave brighter than the last.
I tried to concentrate on that. The movement of the waves. The rhythm. But screaming echoed from the back of my mind. I couldn't move it. It played repeatedly, reminding me of my mistakes. Of seeing my father die. Of seeing my mother be blinded in one eye. Of losing my leg.
Gritting my teeth, I concentrated on waves.
A thud came from my left. I saw the group of thieves slide down it, carrying parcels of food - so I supposed it was a good thing. A good thing they were helping others. Zuko landed on deck and sheathed his dual swords, Jet came after him. The two boys nodded at each other.
The quartet of thieves stuffed some food parcels into large squares of cloth and split up. Jet led his two friends to an empty spot to sleep while Zuko headed towards Iroh and I. He squatted down next to me. I slid down the rail onto the floor and leant my head on his shoulder.
"Why are you still up?" He queried harshly.
I closed my eyes and pulled his arm closer, "I was worried. And... nightmares. "
Zuko sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He lent his head on mine, "I'm here now. You're safe, alright?"
He pulled me closer to his side and wrapped both arms around my shoulders. In return, I hugged his closest arm. He was warm, so warm. I must've fallen asleep because when I next looked around, it was day light. Zuko was still snoring beside me. But we were disturbed by Jet, who nudged Zuko with his shoe.
"Wake up, Sleeping Beauty. We gotta hand this food out."
With a start, Zuko woke up. He let me go and clambered to his feet. I leant back against the rail and wiped the sand from my eyes, yawning and stretching. Zuko unwrapped his parcel of food and so did Jet. Together with Longshot and Smellerbee, they gave out bread; apples and Egg-Custard Tarts.
Zuko held an apple before my face - "You won't want this will you. Being stolen and all."
I gave out. My stomach rumbled like crazy, "Fine! You- you did the wrong thing for the right reason."
He gestured for me to carry on.
"- And, yes, I was wrong... I'm sorry and I sincerely apologise, on my honor I apologise."
He bit his lip, the corner of his eye twinged but he dropped the apple into my awaiting hands. I ate it greedily - just enough to satisfy my stomah for now. Zuko slid down between Iroh and I. The former eagerly munching on a Tart. Zuko lay his head back and exhaled slowly. The others had finished with the food and plonked themselves beside us.
Iroh turned to Smellerbee with his hands in his lap.
"So, Smellerbee. That's an unusual name for a young man."
Smellerbee snarled, "Maybe it's because I'm not a man ... I'm a girl!"
She got to her feet and stomped over to Longshot. Iroh called after her, "Oh, now I see. It's a beautiful name for a lovely girl!"
Longshot merely pointed at Smellerbee and she nodded and muttered what he meant to herself. Iroh self-consciously rubbed his reddened forehead. Jet sashayed over to us and wedged himself between Zuko and I. He put his arm around my shoulders. I edged closer to Smellerbee - who had sat between Longshot and I.
"From what I heard, people eat like this every night in Ba Sing Se. I can't wait to set my eyes on that giant wall," Jet grinned.
Iroh nodded, "It is a magnificent sight. "
Jet raised an eyebrow at Iroh, "So you've been there before?"
Iroh looked away, fixing his vision on distant spot, "Once. When I was a ... different man."
Jet chewed his surprisingly long lasting piece of grass and set his jaw.
"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."
I crossed my arms and drew my legs to my chest. Iroh glanced over at Jet.
"That's very noble of you. I believe people can change their lives if they want to. I believe in second chances."
Zuko growled and shot to his feet. He marched to the stern and I went to follow. Jet pushed my shoulder down. He went after Zuko instead - telling me that he wanted to say something to Zuko first. I gazed after Jet as he marched towards Zuko and frowned angrily.
The walls of Ba Sing Se pulled into view. They were magnificent yet terribly imposing. Iroh had an odd glint in his eye as we entered the shadow of the infamous walls.
