The villagers did not assist with the unloading, and most of them slowly dispersed back into their homes. Sokka stayed for a long time, silently watching the soldiers as they deposited crates and beams of lumber in an orderly pile. As he started to sway on his feet, Sokka grunted in discomfort before sitting down, resting his boomerang on his knees as he watched them. An elderly woman - Zuko assumed was the one they called Gran-Gran - came up and spoke softly to him.
Zuko knew he was staring, but he couldn't help it. As much as he knew this wasn't his time, this wasn't his life, the possibility of getting to start over was almost impossible to resist.
"They're odd, aren't they." Lu Ten said, startling Zuko. He stayed quiet and started fiddling with the latches of his saddle.
"Feeling out of your element?" Lu Ten questioned, leaning against the hind leg of Zuko's mount.
"It's kind of hard not to." Zuko replied. "It's all so, different."
"Could you imagine Azula being here?" Lu Ten asked and Zuko's head shot up.
"That would be terrifying." He said. Lu Ten laughed.
"She would be able to figure out how to set the ice on fire and then do so."
Zuko shuddered. "I'm glad she's not here."
"We were all a little relieved when she left I think." Lu Ten agreed and Zuko scowled again. More information that was important, but completely unknown. Father had never allowed them to stray from the royal estates. Azula leaving, either of her own volition or by design, was unimaginable.
"Your Highness." A guard interrupted them. "The supplies have been unloaded."
Lu Ten pushed himself off the mount and looked around.
"Alright," He said. "Let's get back to the ship."
As Zuko swung himself up and onto the saddle, the other men froze at the sounds of a struggle. They all turned, and the guards surged forward, but relaxed as they saw a pair of adults grappling with a young woman.
Zuko squeezed the reigns as his heart squeezed to a halt.
"Let, me, GO!" Katara yelled and writhed in their grip. Sokka had run over and was trying to quiet her, but Katara kicked up a clump of snow.
"I'm the Waterbender!" She screamed and Lu Ten took a step forward. The villagers, en masse, closed ranks. From his seat, Zuko could see over the wall of their shoulders and watched as Katara bit into the mittened hand of one of the adults.
"Let her pass." Lu Ten ordered and the villagers hesitated.
"Katara, no!" Sokka yelped as Katara gave a final grunt of exertion. Then she shoved herself through the bodies and popped out in front of Lu Ten.
"I want to go." Katara said, keeping her face set and stern. Sokka slid past the villagers easily and grabbed his sister's arm.
"Katara, they're Fire Nation!" He said.
"They'll take me to get trained." Katara hissed back.
"It's a lie! You know it's a lie!"
"Sokka!"
"I-" Zuko started and Katara faced him. His palms began to sweat. "I mean, we won't hurt you."
Not again. He added silently to himself.
Katara narrowed her eyes and yanked her arm free of Sokka's grip, still staring at Zuko.
"You wouldn't get the chance to." Katara replied, her tone neat and even. Zuko gulped and gave a curt nod.
"You can't go alone!" Sokka said. "They'll just kill you when they get into open water."
"Open water isn't exactly the best place to attack a Waterbender." Lu Ten replied blithely. Sokka only glowered back at him.
Last year, there had been a fight. Zuko, having something to prove, had gone against Sokka one on one. Lu Ten was older and assured. It wouldn't be much of a fight if it came to it.
"You should come with us." Zuko blurted, glancing briefly in panic at Lu Ten. "As an escort."
More than angry, Lu Ten simply looked confused. Sokka looked surprised for a moment. Then resumed his glower.
"A young lady should certainly have a chaperone." Lu Ten agreed and Katara smirked at her brother. The crowd parted as she walked back to her grandmother and picked up a bag. As she slung it over her shoulder, she grabbed another. This one she shoved at Sokka as she walked back toward the soldiers.
"Let's go." She said as he stood blinking down at the pack in his hands. Katara didn't even look back while she marched up to Zuko.
"Well?" She asked. Recoiling, and suddenly feeling a sweat break out, Zuko hesitated before reaching out to her. Katara grasped his forearm and he half swung her, half yanked her onto the saddle behind him. Lu Ten chuckled as he mounted his own beast and pulled it halt in front of Sokka.
"No thanks." Sokka muttered and walked over to the empty sled.
"We are grateful for your hospitality. Another ship will return in three months with more supplies." Lu Ten announced curtly. Without waiting for a question, he turned his beast and rode back out of the gate. The soldiers waited and Zuko abruptly urged his beast forward.
As they jolted forward in their seats, Katara wrapped her arms around Zuko's middle. Under his coat and sweat, Zuko went cold.