Zuko and Taiera sat with Jet and his gang that night, eating the food they'd stolen. Zuko had already forced as much down Kara as he could, so much so that Taiera had banished him from the sick room.

Zuko didn't like it, but Taiera was the healer, not him. The old woman looked at Smellerbee, who sat to her left, and smiled.

"So, Smellerbee. That's an unusual name for a young man."

Smellerbee glared at her. "Maybe it's because I'm not a man. I'm a girl!" Zuko blinked, then stared as she stood and walked off.

Taiera tried to salvage the situation.

"Oh, now I see! It's a beautiful name for a lovely girl!"

Zuko fought a chuckle as Longshot stood and followed Smellerbee. He put a hand on the girl's shoulder. He didn't say anything, but Smellerbee bowed her head.

"I know. You're right. As long as I'm confident with who I am, it doesn't matter what other people think. Thanks, Longshot."

Longshot just nodded, and the two returned to the circle. Zuko kept his head bent over his food, hiding his smile.

Jet spoke up, watching Zuko and Taiera where they sat. "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."

Taiera nodded eagerly. Zuko just stared out over the water. It wasn't about the city, not for him. It was about finding Uncle, and starting fresh.

About getting a second chance.

Because that was all that mattered now. Starting over. A new beginning.

And he would get it right this time.

________

The next morning, Zuko stood at the prow of the ferry, staring through the early morning mist. Kara was much better now- her fever had broken during the night, and Zuko had never been more glad for anything.

She was sleeping it off while they made the last leg of the journey. She claimed she'd be 'right as rain' as soon as they were safe in Ba Sing Se. Zuko hoped she was right.

From behind him, he heard footsteps, then Jet's voice.

"You know, as soon as I saw your scar I knew exactly who you were." Zuko froze, every cell in his body screaming fight! But he stayed calm. There was no guarantee that Jet was telling the truth, that he knew that Zuko was... well, Zuko.

"You're an outcast. Like me." Zuko breathed deeply, evenly. False alarm. Thank Agni.

"And us outcasts have to stick together. We have to watch each other's backs. 'Cause no one else will."

Zuko didn't look at him. He was too relieved that Jet hadn't realized the truth.

"I've realized lately that being on your own isn't always the best path." Zuko's thoughts went to Kara, sleeping below. He saw her face, her shining eyes. Heard her laugh. And he smiled as the walls of Ba Sing Se appeared through the mist, growing bigger and bigger as the little ferry approached them.

__________

Soooo. :) Ba Sing Se is comming up... and *hint hint* so is AHEM AHEM memor AHEM AHEM lol I'm evil I know....

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-Eon