Avatar Last The Airbender Fan fiction
Rated T for Safety
I DO NOT OWN Avatar The Last Airbender or the characters included, the creators do
There seems to be a lot of Zutara fanfics, some Maiko fanfics, but not many Jinko fanfics.
This fanfic has the shipping Jinko - Jin/Zuko
Zuko is the Fire Lord and he is negotiating for an alliance with all four nations. This starts with a Zuko and Iroh moment.
The Memory
As soon as Aang had defeated the Fire Lord, Zuko took up the throne but unlike his father he ended the war, with the help of the Avatar and friends, and called all the Firebenders to stand down and retreat.
"I'm proud of you nephew." said a forgiving Iroh
"For what? I betrayed you and everyone"
"But you looked into yourself and you saw hope, not in Azula's words but in your heart"
"Thank you uncle, but I need more than hope to rule this Nation…I need your love more than your wisdom" Zuko replied quietly a lump in his throat.
"When I was at a loss I had no father, to…love me but I always had…had you who I have come to love as…as a father" his voice was quaking as he held tears back
"Zuko, you will always have my love and I will always love you…as I did my Lu Ten" Iroh answered gently his eyes filling with sparkling tears.
"Uncle, I'm sorry for everything"
"I'm sorry too"
There was a tender moment where the two embraced for some time with hot heavy tears falling from their eyes.
Afterwards uncle and nephew sat opposite each other in front of the fire. They were both drinking tea to calm there minds and emotions.
Iroh told Zuko a good place to start as a ruler of a huge nation was to make peace with all the other nations. After a long goodbye the pair parted as Zuko made preparations to set a course for the Earth Kingdom of Ba Sing Se.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zuko started his journey in the Earth Kingdom. As he rode down past the lower ring he remembered a girl, a girl who loved him for him. It was obvious that she guessed he was a firebender but still she had loved him.
He stopped outside the Tea shop where he used to work. It was about the time when Jin usually came, he had checked. People stared at him as he stood waiting. Soon a man recognized him.
"You there" the man yelled.
"That girl you were with that night, she doesn't go to that tea shop anymore"
"What?"
"You heard, she lives round the corner up the hill, not far from here"
Zuko followed his directions and came to a hill where a cozy house sat with its back to the sun. This was the right house. He picked flowers from a stall near by, climbed up the hill and knocked the door twice. How nervous he was he hadn't seen Jin in ages, did she still feel the same way about him?
"Hello is Ji..." he started
"Yes she is, but who are you?" asked a short thin person
"Well I... am"
"Mother who is that at the door" said a sweet voice drawing closer.
"Jin?"
"ZUKO" she laughed and ran to hug him, he caught her in a tight embrace. The mother looked dazed and went back inside muttering about chores to do. She invited him into the house. It was big enough for a family of seven.
Once the door shut Jin turned to him and instead of 'Where were you?' or 'What happened?' or even a simple 'Hello', she whispered into his ear "I missed you"
Zuko took her to the 'Jasmine Dragon' and on the way he told her where he had been and what he really was.
"So you're not in the tea business and you hate tea but you're also a firebender who is the Fire Lord"
"Yes"
"Well I suspected something on the lines of firebender but Fire Lord" it was true Jin was confused but yet she seemed really interested.
"So there never really was a circus?" she smiled and stared dreamily at him.
"Well no but I had to…" he had been silenced by Jin who had leant closer and kissed him on the lips. At once without hesitating he returned the kiss. They broke apart and continued walking.
"What was your business here? Do you have a place to stay?" she inquired
"I'm here to bring peace between the two nations with the Earth King"
"Really, well I'm sure it's getting late you had better get going" she turned to walk.
She wanted to know if he loved her like she did him.
"Wait! … Why don't you come with me? I'm sure you'd love to see the palace"
She turned back her face full of happiness, he did love her and he wanted her around. Together they climbed into a carriage, which Zuko paid for, and headed towards the palace.
"Wow…it's, it is beautiful" Jin gasped looking around her. He too pretended he was amazed, he wasn't going to tell Jin he had been living here with his evil sister Azula.
"His Majesty the Earth King" said a Di Lee Agent as the King walked past he caught sight of the Fire Lord and a young lady.
"Welcome Fire Lord Zuko, to my humble home what is it that you have come for … No wait! Tell me tomorrow when you are refreshed. Di Lee give the Fire Lord and his mistress accommodation. I need rest" with that he walked down the hall and through a door on his right.
"This way" and the two youngsters followed the Di Lee Agent.
They were shut in a room together.
"Hey wait there's been a mistake there is only one bed"
"It doesn't matter, Zuko it's a double bed, there's plenty of room" Jin had misunderstood his outburst.
Her smile faded as he paced up and down the room.
"What are you thinking about it's not me being here is it? If you're uncomfortable I can leave" she said disappointedly.
"No it's not that it's just…"
"Just what" Jin said hopes falling.
"It's just… " His face was close to hers now. "This" with that he closed the distance between them enclosing them into a passionate kiss. She immediately understood and returned the kiss with even more passion.
They sat in a close embrace for a while, not wanting to let go or be without one another. Finally Zuko broke the silence and told her how much he loved her. He followed her curves with his hand. Jin felt the heat from his hand and snuggled up closer to him. She was enjoying being in his company and in his strong arms.
He couldn't take his eyes off of her, not to mention his hands, which rested above her waist. She held his hands closer to her. As Zuko fell asleep, she kissed his sleeping placid face. Jin rested her head against his warm body watching his chest heave and fall.
She too fell asleep in his arms, the safest place she ever wanted to be.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next day Zuko sought out the Earth King and together worked out a good agreement which was sealed with both signatures.
"Well you put up a good argument"
"As do you, Your Majesty" Zuko replied
"You made a fine choice"
"Of what"
"Your wife"
"Jin?!"
"Yes she loves you and you can see that. You make a great couple. She'll help you rule your nation. I only wish that I had someone like that to love and to love me in return."
"Aren't you married?"
"To my Kingdom yes and to a beautiful bride but there is no connection between us"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later on after his conference with the Earth King, Zuko sat down by Jin on a riverside picturesque view. They sat under a tree in the cool breeze, her head resting on his chest. His hand was supporting her waist. It was a nice location particularly for what he was about to do.
"Jin"
"Yes"
They were both looking into each others eyes which were both filled with deep emotion.
"Jin I love you and I have ever since that date and well I …"
Zuko had a small woven box in his hand. Inside was a gold ring with rubies. Jin blushed not because she was embarrassed but because she knew what he was trying to do. Before he could continue she finished the sentence for him.
"Yes…yes I will marry you" happy tears made her complexion sparkle and glisten in the sun light.
He was overjoyed, which was rare for him, he picked her up and together they embraced tightly. He put her down and their kiss lasted for a long time.
The light weight gold, ruby encrusted, ring twinkled on her finger as they walked back to the palace, hand in hand.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Earth King was there to see them off at the ports. It had been seven months since Zuko had left the Fire Nation to bring alliance with other nations. He would soon be setting off to the Fire Nation to see his uncle (who had taken over as Fire Lord, while he was away).
Zuko also wanted to Iroh to see his unborn "grandson" before setting off for the Southern Water Tribe.
"When are you going to arrange a ship to get to the Fire Nation?" Jin asked him.
"I already have" he said taking her in his arms.
"Careful" she warned gesturing to her stomach.
"I want to get there before the baby is born"
"Don't worry the healer said eight and a half weeks, we'll be there in no time at all" Zuko stroked her face and she gave him a quizzical look.
"It is in the harbor right now. Our entire luggage is already on board"
They laughed and she kissed his cheek.
"Come on before the ship leaves" she mused.
Together they walked to the ship, his arm around hers. On board the ship all that could be seen were two silhouettes looking towards the distance. As the ship sailed away, the sun started to set around them.