Chapter 2
As the refuges took their first steps onto the Southern WaterTribe snow, they were hustled by a guard to form a queue to the checking board.
As the freezing temperatures continued, Zuko had to raze his own body temperature, he looked at women, men and children with their chattering teeth and shuddering bodies.
As he shifted about in the snow, when a movement to his right brought his attention to a young woman, who literally fell into his arms.
Zuko just managed to catch her before he was brought down as well.
He quickly rubbed her shoulder to get the warmth into her body, then taking off his coat -which the officers had handed out at the beginning- draped it over young woman who collapsed into his arms.
In doing so his breath brushed her cheek and her eyes opened to stare into his golden eyes , when she noticed his scare a flash of dislike came across her pretty features, Zuko propped her up, so she could stand on her own feet.
As his gloved hand left her waist to move forward a couple of steps as the que shifted forward, she reached out to touch his hand, Zuko jumped at the sudden light touch.
In doing so he looked into green eyes.
"Thank you for...back there, I don't know what happened." She gave a shy smile "I'm Gin."
"It's fine." Zuko answered stiffly, always feeling wary of young women.
"So, what's your name?" The woman asked timidly
"Zu-Lee." Zuko stopped himself at this mentally hitting himself for very nearly giving himself away.
"It's nice to meet you Zu Lee." Gin said simpering
Gin kept Zuko mildly amused as they waited in the cold snow.
Zuko looked around the deserted land, the only thing the eye could catch was the deep snow, sea and of course the hulking snow built city; that to Zuko looked like an ice berg that was in habited.
As he looked at the massive wall that appeared to make the 'beautiful city' look more like a prison.
Then coming out of the solid- snow gates were a huddle of three women bringing what looked like coats, muffs, gloves and a steaming jug.
What appeared to be the leader- who was carrying the jug and cups made her way, proffering hot drinks to women and children.
When the queue started to move forward again, the main woman came to offer Zuko and Gin a hot drink.
As she poured the tea for Gin, Zuko tried to see behind the scarf that covered her whole face, with only a glimmer of what lay behind the deep blue mask.
"Tea?"
Zuko looked down at the tea she was offering that was now pretty much empty, and still dozens of people behind him.
"No thank you." Zuko replied, before grabbing her shoulder to ask how long before they could enter the city.
"They have to do a routine inspection and also assigning a job or position." She replied tersely "The South Pole is doing all we can to get refugees as fast as possible into the city."
Even though Zuko could not see her face, he felt her glare from behind the scarf.
"I'm sure you are. I hope you didn't take offence. May I know the name of the maiden who has been so helpful?" Zuko return a mocking glare as he released her shoulder. "Is it perhaps, The Painted Mask? Or could you maybe be a Lady?"
"I wouldn't expect a small boy to know my name." She replied sharply, before flounced over to the next couple in the queue.
More and more time pasted, as the queue to the checking board shortened. In that time Gin had kept talking about her life Bae Sing Sa.
When finally Zuko came to the front of the queue, where he was hurried into one of the eight tents, Gin had promptly been taking into another tent a couple away from his.
As Zuko came through the thick animal skins, he found two men at a wooden table with scrolls sprawled everywhere. Both of them had brown beards and dressed in thick-what looked like seal clad coats.
The visible difference between the men was that the man who was writing had brown eyes and the man who had just stood up had blue.
"Name."
"Lee." Zuko looked at the man with brown eyes, who had asked the question, was abruptly scribing something on the canvas.
"A bender?" The same man asked scrutinising him by looking Zuko up and down
"I'm not a bender." Zuko answered
At this the man smiled "Please name skills, where you're from, age and if you have family."
"My skill; hand to hand combat and dual broadswords. I'm from Omashu. I'm 18 and have no family." Zuko replied studying the man who was standing.
After Zuko answered, the man who was standing looked at a scroll looked up at Zuko.
" We have still four places in The Royal Guard, if that is something you would like?"
" It would involve guarding places in the palace and protecting the Royal family of course. But it would mean that each morning at dawn to train and it would of course mean a lot of discipline. Do you think you would be able to take the responsibility?"
The man standing looked expectantly at Zuko for a reply.
As Zuko considered this proposal, he thought what could be a better position to complete his task than be right next to the real reason he came...
AN: Rubbish ending, but I wanted to get this chapter out of the way as it was quite a hard chapter for me to write. Anyway, even it isn't the best chapter, I hope you all like it. :)
erynnakadaboss: Thank you so much for reviewing, I'm glad you liked it, sorry this chapter isn't my best. I hope you continue to enjoy it. x
Zutara1267: Well Katara has made her entry, although Zuko does not yet know it was Katara. Thank you so much for reviewing, following and reviewing, I really appreciate it. xx
prodigious11: Thank you a lot for following my story. x
WaterPrincess17: Thank you also for following my story. x
Hope you all have a lovely day tomorrow. Please review, follow or favorite if you like the story. :)
Zf2 xx