While the sun was still out, engineers scrambled over the ship to fix any minor problems. They would be heading to the outpost on White Tail Island for major repairs before entering open ocean on their way north. The events at the ruins and now knowing about their next stop, Zuko felt like he was about to snap.
Lu Ten surprised him in the late evening, throwing a sheathed sword onto his lap.
"Let's go. You're getting stiff." He said.
For the afternoon, Zuko practiced. Remembering his earlier acrobatic failure, he started off guarded. His muscles were not as slow to respond, however, and he pushed more on Lu Ten. With only one sword, he couldn't practice most of his sets, but this was enough. It was enough to know that he was still capable, and to know that his firebending was still lackluster enough to require it.
When they stopped to eat, Lu Ten tossed his arm over Zuko's shoulders and boasted loudly about his improvement. Despite himself, Zuko smiled and pushed gently away from Lu Ten. When they were children, Lu Ten had not been overly interested in Zuko. They played well, but the age difference kept them from being at the same physical stage; Zuko couldn't run as fast or jump as far, and Lu Ten would get bored of the restraint.
Now they were leveling out. Zuko was surprised to see that he was already as tall as his cousin. Lu Ten represented adulthood and the grand ideal of what Zuko was supposed to become. To find the differences lessening was odd.
"I'm glad grandfather convinced Piandao to return to the palace," Lu Ten said while they sat at a table. "He became a good friend to father and you seem to be doing much better."
Zuko hoped this meant the White Lotus was still intact, and perhaps his uncle wasn't still a true son of the Fire Nation.
"I wish my firebending had gotten better as well." Zuko said with a sigh. Lu Ten jostled him.
"Firebending can be overrated. If there's not a good mind behind it, it can be practically useless. Look at your sister." He replied.
Zuko grumbled but made no reply. The guards had escorted Sokka and Katara to the table, seating them opposite of Lu Ten and Zuko.
"Are you both Firebenders?" Katara asked. Her question came with some excitement, while Sokka looked angry.
"Most of the people on the crew are." Lu Ten answered politely.
"But not the trolls." Zuri added as they came over. They sat on the other side of Lu Ten, but leaned over to wave at Zuko. Unnerved, he slowly waved back.
"Who are the trolls?" Katara asked. She leaned away from the table while Sokka leaned forward.
"They mean my two lieutenants." Lu Ten replied.
"We're on a warship?" Sokka interjected.
"All Fire Nation ships are warships." Zuri answered. "But not all of us are soldiers. Like me and his royal highness down there."
Sokka and Katara both glanced at Zuko, how reddened and sank into his seat.
"Zuko isn't old enough. And you are a liability." Lu Ten retorted. Zuri laughed and tapped on the table.
"I wasn't a liability when I saved your hide from a spirit attack." They quipped.
"A spirit?" Katara jumped on the word. "You saw a spirit?"
"Absolutely. It had been stalking the troops at Ba Sing Se, taking faces. When it came for the prince, I was able to chase it off." Zuri said. They snapped, shooting up a tongue of flame.
"That's incredible." Katara said softly.
"You do remember these are the guys who killed mom right?" Sokka snapped. Katara winced and looked down at her lap.
"I don't recall killing any tribals." Zuri said leisurely. Sokka glared at her and Lu Ten held up his hands.
"Enough. We can all recognize and accept that the war has had a very real cost. While you may see us as the aggressors, I can guarantee you that we had no part in the Ice Raids. And my father did end them as soon as he became Fire Lord." Lu Ten said.
"But none of this would even be an issue if your people hadn't decided to take over the world." Sokka shot back.
"I won't debate philosophy with a child. But just know that the war is ending soon enough, and I will not be held accountable for the missteps of my forebears." Lu Ten's tone took on a dark tone. "Perhaps you'd be more comfortable eating in your tent this evening."
"I've lost my appetite." Sokka muttered and stood from the table. Katara followed quickly after, and Zuko watched painfully as Sokka swore at the guards who quickly flanked them.
"I will say," Zuri began. "The tribals are so cute when they're angry."
"You're awful." Lu Ten said, but looked calm as he waved over some of the crew. Food was served and Zuko looked down at the meal, feeling his own appetite vanish.
"They're a bad influence on Zuko." Zuri said and Zuko jumped. He could feel the familiar prickle on the back of his neck, knowing that a judgement was soon coming. Depending on how that judgement went, a punishment might follow.
He often had to navigate Ozai's judgments. He had more than not failed to do so adequately.
"He's just excited to interact with people his own age, I'm sure." Lu Ten dismissed their comment. Zuko focused more on his food, poking it around his plate.
"They're good people." He stated. He could feel Lu Ten looking at him, so he turned.
"I'm going to be spending a lot of time with them, so I might as well enjoy it." Zuko continued. Lu Ten looked surprised and then laughed, loud and quickly.
"I cannot understand how you've changed this much. It's like you're a different person!" He said. The prickle jammed into Zuko's neck now, but he smiled.
"It's been good to get away." He said.
During the night, he could still hear the sounds of repairs. It would be a long journey across the sea, with very few stops. They would attempt to hit some colonies on the way, but a good portion of the trip would be spent in open ocean. There would be nothing to see, not much to do, and food would have to be rationed.
It wasn't a trip he was looking forward to.
This next stop would be even more stressful for him personally. The last time he had been to the White Tail Outpost was with Katara, looking for the Southern Raiders. It was the moment they had actually bonded, when she had forgiven him.
When he had wondered.
Zuko put his hands over his face, feeling the heat form in his palms. Of all times, now was not an appropriate moment to think about that day. It was too complicated already; Zuri was definitely suspicious, while Lu Ten was either confident or pretending. The world was falling apart in ways Zuko had never before considered. Aang was out in the world, dead or alive but ultimately inaccessible. Suki might be dead, fallen with her town. His arms fell limp away from him. At least the heat had left him.