Outcast

Chapter 3: Not So Different After All

Once the firebenders finished melting the ice off the ship, the boat set sail to a nearby Fire Nation harbor. As the boat was sailing, I needed to stretch my legs so I walked out of my room and went straight onto the deck. I walked along the railing as I stared at the tall ice glaciers that passed by. Once I reached the front of the ship, I leaned against the railing with my arms and looked at the ocean water. The sound was peaceful all around. I could hear the water splash and the birds chirp. I could hear the breeze whistle in my ears and if I closed my eyes, I could hear the ship creak.

"It's peaceful out here." my eyes shot open and sharply turned my head to the right and I saw Zuko staring at the horizon ahead of us. I rolled my eyes and sighed.

"Geez, you can't sneak up on me like that." I looked away and stared back down at the water below.

"Sorry." There was a slight pause. The sound of nature filled the silence between us two.

"Is there something you want?" There was another pause.

"I just wanted to give you these." I turned my head to face him and he was handing me a pair of clothing. I looked at him up and down.

"Why are you giving me those?"

"We are about to reach the harbor. One look at you and they will question me about the water tribe girl on my ship. And if they find out you are a fire nation girl that was hiding in the south pole, they will imprison you."

"Why do you care? All I am is a prisoner. Sure you gave me a room but I am only here because I didn't want my friends to get caught." He then shoved the clothing against my chest and he had an angry expression.

"Just put it on. I don't want anyone to know that the Avatar appeared and I'm sure you don't want the whole fire nation knowing that he is alive either. So if you were smart. You would do as I say and put it on." He then stormed off leaving me hanging onto the clothing he shoved onto me. I looked down at the clothes and sighed. He's right. Once we get to the harbor, everyone will be asking questions on why a firebender is dressed in water tribe clothing. And that could lead to the whole fire nation finding out about Aang. We don't need the whole nation chasing us wherever we go. We need to keep Aang a secret for as long as we can so that we can end this war once and for all.

I then made my way to my room and started to put on my new attire. I had a somewhat tight, black shirt and black pants. A dark red tall boots with yellow accents, and a red long jacket with a collar that went all the way down to my knees that also had yellow accents outlines a yellow belt and attached. There was also a dark red brace that went around my waist. I definitely looked like I came straight out of the fire nation. I then put on my black leather gloves and when I opened the door, Zuko was standing right infront of me. His face was surprised and the expression on his face looked flustered. I just raised an eyebrow and waited for him to respond as I stood in the doorway. He then clears his throat.

"We have arrived at the harbor and need you to accompany me."

"Why do you need me? I put on the clothes you gave me already, now you want to babysit me?"

"I can't risk anyone finding out the Avatar is alive. I need you to stick close to me and not say a word. I can't trust you." I then rolled my eyes.

"Fine. Lead the way. I'm not going to pretend that I like you or anything like that so don't even try asking me." He then starts walking towards the deck of the ship.

"Just be quiet and go along with anything I say."

"Ugh, yeah yeah I get it. Let's just get this over with." and I walked down the ramp, I looked around and saw huge fire nation ships on both sides of us. I had no idea how big they were until now. This makes Zuko's ship seem like a cano next to these things.