3 years later

"Get down!" A man screamed.

A rough hand grabbed a 23 year old and pulled him behind a large piece of metal where other soldiers were putting on their armor.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed dumb ass?" A 15 year old sneered at the man as he looked over the metal and punched fire at the earth benders other soldiers were fighting.

"The commander had directions, I'm doing my job," Lee told them like it was obvious. The scarred teen didn't seem to care.

"Are you going to tell us or what?" He asked unamused.

"He's taking soldiers with in the woods to sneak behind, us eight go left and right so they're surrounded, take em out," Lee glanced over but they all gasped when a Boulder slammed into the metal they hid behind.

"You there go with Zuko, the other three your with me, do not hesitate," Lee nodded sternly.

"Yes sir," Zuko confirmed as he got to his feet and took the lead with the three soldiers.

They ran through the sides lines of the battle and Zuko didn't hesitate to jump in with a stomp as he sent two punches of fire and kicked a wave as the three other soldiers sprinted in with the cover Zuko provided.

"Not bad runt!" Jay laughed from the side but grunted when he was hit by a rock.

Zuko jumped out of the way of the Boulder that tried to hit him but he rolled to the side in a sturdy stance as he growled sending a strong flame at the bender.

The bender was suddenly knocked in the head from behind and fell to the ground as Lee stood behind him. He gave a small wave.

"Good job boys, tie these bastards up!" Xai called to the soldiers as Zuko took off his helmet to wipe his sweat. His hair was in a top knot that was slowly starting to fall, his scar healed on the side of his face. He was almost as tall as Lee by an inch and was built much more than when he joined three years ago.

Zuko knelt down to the unconscious without question and used rope to tie his arms behind his back, no emotions shown on his face.

"Hey Zuko, way to lead the way," Lee smiled at him as Zuko barely acknowledged the compliment.

"Just following orders, not that hard," Zuko shrugged as he went to the next enemy soldier to tie back.

-

They made camp after the earth benders were taken away by other troops and the group of soldiers started the food.

"Hey yo! Halfie!" Jay waved over as Zuko was warming up the water in his metal cup to make some tea.

"Hm?" Zuko raised his brow confused. He made a face seeing jay coming his way. He hated that name.

"Little birdy told me what day it is~" he wrapped an arm around the boy as Zuko groaned.

"Happy birthday Zuko!" Lee called from the other side of the camp for everyone to hear.

"Go eat shit," he looked at them as the men laughed at their runt.

"Aw our baby Zuzu is growing up!"

"Im going to leave you all behind," Zuko said flatly as everyone cheered and cooed at their youngest.

"Aw you know I had too man," Lee laughed sitting with the teen as Zuko sent him a look.

"So are you finally going to tell me how old your turning or going to let me be one of these fools that think your 18 now?" Lee hummed close to him as Zuko shook his head.

"Your staying a fool," Zuko looked down at his drink.

Lee chuckled shaking his head at the boy, the past three years he's barely even gotten the boy to show if he enjoys something, he can't remember if he's gotten Zuko to smile. Definitely not to laugh. That was a reward all the men were betting on each year on whoever can get Zuko to laugh first. Zuko was very much aware. He cared for the men that basically raised him to be more of a man and had small signs to show his appreciation but he would just be more relaxed with them.

The first time Lee tried to hug him he broke the older mans thumb.

That did not stop other men trying to force affection to their little brother figure. He was to much fun to tease.

"Sixteen," Zuko said in a whisper. Hoping Lee would miss it.

"What?" Lee did not.

"I turn sixteen today," he sipped the drink casually.

Lee took a minute to process everything. The past three years, retracting what they've been through... since he was thirteen.

".. I.. uh.." Lee was lost for words.

"Have You thought about properly joining the military now?" He offered but was smacked in the back of the head.

"What?! You technically can now and not as a child soldier!" Lee whined as Zuko glared at him.

"Only commander knows, that's it, got it?" Zuko asked seriously and Lee chuckled softly.

"I got it runt," he nodded understanding.

"Happy birthday Zuko," he handed him a small box. Zuko slowly opened it and saw there was a dessert inside.

"Last Village, neat bakery," Lee explained as Zuko looked at the one treat, it was a slice of chocolate cake. With strawberries on top.

"Thank you," Zuko gulped a little as he closed the box wanting to save the treat. They don't get to many sweet things, best is tea, otherwise rice porridge and bread, some times there's special occasions.

"You know, I always thought about owning a bakery, we didn't have that kind of stuff in my village, I use to be able to make some mean bread," Lee told him softly.

"Do you want some?" Zuko offered wide eyes.

"No no no, that's for you, besides once we all go home I'll show you I'll show you how to bake like a man!" Lee flexed but Zuko didn't react to him.

"Your a man? I thought your still a little boy," Xai smacked the back of his head walking by and Zuko turned his attention back on the fire.

-

Zuko snuck away from the camp as there was only embers remaining in the center of men sleeping, he tip toed to the outside to get away holding the box.

He backed into the woods and went to look for a spot to sit. He climbed up a hill as he followed the moon seeing there was a clear spot at the top. Perfect.

He sat in the cold grass and listened to the silence of the night. Living with 30 or more men in a camp for three years, it was hard to get some quiet.

No one found it funny when Zuko would get so fed up with the older men he'd cover his right ear to not listen anymore. He did it more when Lee was talking. He thought it was funny when he'd make fun of his own deafness in the left ear.

"Happy birthday too me," he sighed pulling some of the cake off to eat in bite sizes.

He swallowed the chocolate cake, his chest hurt thinking about how rare it was to taste something sweet, his mother use to say sweet people eat sweets. It was a way for him and his sister to eat their meals for dessert if they were acting up.

He didn't feel very sweet.

He set the box to the side and closed his eyes leaning back as he stared up at the night sky. The cool breeze against his skin.

Three year and he still can't sleep at night, three years but he didn't miss his life. He didn't miss being a prince. Maybe because it was hard for him to feel still, to miss for being in the palace but maybe he knew he didn't belong there. He hated the people he was surrounded by but he would die with them any day.

He would never call them family though. He refuse to have family even though he knows they see him as their runt of the troops, their little brother. He denied it still.

He's seen death in the three years.. he's been to war, the battle field, called to the military to fight and sent back to their main troops. He's helped drag corpses to a pile to burn after knowing each of their names. The first time was a month after he was recruited. That was the last time he cried.

Lee had an arm around him as Zuko cried for their fallen soldiers. That was the last time he wanted to feel like a child.

Zuko quickly sat up with a soft gasp seeing something in the sky. It looked like an animal but it didn't have wings so it couldn't have been a bird... it looked odd. Maybe a cloud? There was no way it was a real mammal.

He rubbed his face tiredly thinking he was seeing things. He must've. Zuko finished the cake so he wouldn't have to share in the morning and went back to the camp before Xai noticed he was missing again.