Falling for the Enemy (Sun and Moon Book 1)

Chapter 32 - The Ferry

Zuko rubbed the cool cloth over Kara's forehead, frowning in concentration as she moaned. Sweat poured off of her- Zuko was starting to get really worried.

He was tired of eating the rotten food of the ferry, but he'd dealt with it thus far. But now Kara was sick- and Zuko was convinced it was because of the rotten food. She'd been just fine all through the journey from the Si Wong Desert to the ferry port, but barely a couple of hours after the ferry set off she was throwing up.

And now she had a fever and kept calling for Aki.

It could be worse, Zuko thought. She could be calling for Aang.

He shrugged the thought away as quickly as it had come. He stood as a knock sounded on the door and Taiera entered the room. The elderly refugee had been helping Zuko care for Kara, and now she placed a hand on his shoulder.

Zuko fought the urge to shake her off. He knew she was only trying to help, but Kara wasn't getting better.

"She needs medicine." Zuko spoke quietly, but Taiera's grip tightened.

"No, she needs rest. And so do you, Lee."

"I'm not tired."

"At least go up top and get some fresh air! Please, Lee, the last thing that will help Kara is for you to get sick, too."

Zuko sighed, but he already knew that Taiera was too persistent for even him to resist. She would just keep badgering him until he gave in.

With a sigh he stood and brushed his fingers through Kara's dark chocolate hair. He didn't like that it was damp- she was sick, really sick, and it scared Zuko. It was almost like seeing those serpents going after her all over again, except this time Zuko could do nothing about it.

And that scared him even more.

The helplessness.

He hated being helpless!

Zuko stalked out of the room and up onto the deck. Refugees wandered it; some sat in the shade of its roofs, lounging about and smiling, even laughing. A passing refugee handed him a small bowl of something. He glared into it.

How can they be so happy?

But in a way, Zuko understood. They were free now, finally. Even Uncle hadn't been able to break down the walls of Ba Sing Se. Once they were within its embrace, these people could rebuild their lives.

And that was something they had thought they'd never be able to do.

But it still irritated Zuko. Kara was really sick, maybe dying. She needed medicine and good food, but no one was helping her. Zuko leaned against the railing, staring out over the waves of the lake.

It was so unfair.

With a violent movement, he threw the bowl over the side.

"I'm so tired of living like this!"

He didn't say it loud, but it attracted attention anyway.

A dry, slightly raspy voice came from left.

"Aren't we all?" Zuko turned to see a tall, lanky boy with shaggy dark brown hair. A wheat stalk hung from his mouth, and the boy turned dark, cynical eyes on the Fire Nation Prince.

Zuko looked back warily.

"My name's Jet, and these are my Freedom Fighters. Smellerbee and Longshot." The boy- Jet- gestured at two other boys, who stood behind him.

One, short with shaggy brown hair and a blue headband. There were red streaks on either side of his face. The other was thin and pale, and a straw hat shadowed his solemn features. They were all dressed in red and blue.

"Hey." That from Smellerbee. Longshot just nodded.

"Hello." Zuko looked back out at the waves, unsure what they wanted.

From behind him, Jet spoke again. "Here's the deal. I hear the captain's eating like a king while us refugees have to feed off his scraps. Doesn't seem fair, does it?"

Zuko smiled slightly. "What sort of king is he eating like?"

"The fat, happy kind."

Zuko's smile widened slightly, but then disappeared when he saw Jet watching him with knowing eyes. There was something... off... about this boy. Zuko wasn't sure he liked it.

"You wanna help us... liberate some food?"

Zuko stared at his hands. Good food would help Kara get better. And maybe... maybe the captain had medicine. Zuko clenched his fists for a moment- he didn't want to revert back to crime.

But if it would help Kara...

He turned to jet. "I'm in." Jet smiled.

________

They waited until it was dark, and the ferry was lit only with small paper lanterns scattered over the deck. Then they crept up the stairs.

Zuko watched the guards, creeping with all of his Blue Spirit stealth. They never saw him. Behind him, Jet and the others followed, every bit as quiet as he was. They were obviously accomplished thieves.

The moved to the kitchen windows and peered inside. Zuko's mouth watered at the sight, and he smiled. Kara would eat better from now on, and so would he.

They ducked out of sight, then circled carefully around to the door. Zuko drew his Dao swords and slid one into the lock. A bit of jiggling and it came right open. Zuko smiled as Jet slipped in ahead of him. Smellerbee was on watch. Zuko didn't know where Longshot was, but if his name was any indication, he was somewhere where he could observe and help if they needed it.

They filled their bags with food. Jet nodded at Zuko, and Zuko nodded back, smiling slightly.

Then Smellerbee's high-pitched voice drifted to them. "Guard's coming!"

Zuko and Jet left the room quickly, but silently.

The three of them ran to the balcony's edge, and an arrow came from nowhere. A cable was attached to it, and they sent the bags down it. Then the three robbers followed it. By the time the guard passed by, they were long gone.

______

YAAY. You will be happy to know that I have 45 chapters written... but I'm not going to update them all at once, sorry. :P

This is ONE TIME that I will do this... three chappies in a row... but I couldn't help myself and I felt kind of bad because the last two were so short... But you all owe me MANY comments and votes!! :)

-Eon