A. N. : I had planned one chapter, but it seems like this will be a two part suffering. Also I have a lot of headcanons on the way society works in the different countries, even down to ideals of beauty so honestly if you're ever curious, just go ahead and ask.

There's a Fire Nation ship anchored nearby.

Two Tribesmen spotted it a few hours ago, using their small – kayaks, was it – to go around unnoticed. In the hour after they came back, a plan was hatched.

They will take the ship.

Zuko was included in the team as a way to prove his loyalty, and he knows it's important, vital even, and he knows he has to control himself, to look like he isn't affected, like he really changed allegiance – loyalty knows no hesitation.

He is going to kill his people.

He breathes.

They will take the ship. He concentrates on that word. Take.

Don't think of the implications, of the lives, of the people on the ship – his people – don't think about any of that. Breathe. Act indifferent.

Zuko has always been bad at lying, so this time he just does his best to stay on his own. Not lying to anyone but himself seems to be the best strategy.

The Earth King left earlier during the day with his bear, after smiling to Sokka for an uncomfortably long time and waving at Zuko like they've known each other for years.

Not to be pessimistic, but he's probably going to die in the next days.

The men are starting to prepare themselves for the operation – attack – sharpening their weapons, putting on war paint – Jet was lent a bone sword and seems to be having trouble adjusting. He will have to prove himself tonight too.

Zuko sighs. Grabs his swords – there's no way he's going to use fire tonight, for a multitude of reasons, the obvious one being that they are supposed to be sneaky. The most important that he doesn't want to risk being mistaken for an enemy by the Water Tribe warriors. The untellable that he can't burn anyone, even less his own people.

He wonders what to do with Lin. Maybe Toph or Katara could take care of her tonight.

There's shouting. Katara is in a heated argument with the Chief and Bato – Zuko learned his name today – and honestly he wouldn't care if she didn't suddenly scream – I can fight too !

Zuko gets up at the same time as Jet – of course he would too, the real question is why isn't Sokka saying anything – and walks over there. Katara seems relieved he's here, asks for his support – he knows she is perfectly able to take care of Fire Nation soldiers, he's seen it first hand, why isn't he saying anything –

Spirits, is this how he looked three years ago when he begged Uncle to let him inside the war chamber ?

Zuko pinches the bridge of his nose and Katara looks like she is going to hit him – how dare he, he's such a hypocrite and just like Master Pakku, they're all a bunch of sexist jerks – what ?

That's – that's a word he doesn't know. But apparently Jet gets it and says it has nothing to do with her being a girl – and why would it – she just doesn't know what's really going to happen – he stops when the temperature drops to the point Zuko can feel it.

But really, it's not about her – even though she is young and Zuko doesn't think about the first time he killed someone, or about the Freedom Fighters and how they were probably even younger – it's about all the others. It's about how she is the only one here who can freeze someone to death or suffocate them easily. It's about how messy this is going to be.

She doesn't want to see that. To be there. No one does.

And he probably looks as nauseous as he's feeling, because Katara grits her teeth – fine – and walks away.

The Chief nods at Zuko before going back to his preparations. Bato follows. A few seconds pass, and Jet seems to notice just now who he's standing next to, stumbles, mumbles something, and almost runs away.

Zuko isn't even on the ship yet, but he already feels sick.