Title: Persistence
Author: Simply Kelp
Pairing: It was written with Jetko in mind, but I'm not sure how slashy it will be...
Rating: T to be safe
Summary: "I think Li would make a good Freedom Fighter," Zuko heard Jet say. He hoped that it was not a sign that Jet would persist in getting him to join their gang. AU, Jet did not see Zuko firebend.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar; Mike, and Bryan just let me play with the characters as long as I put them back in roughly the same condition I got them.
A/N: Thanks to Katanagirl16, this is coming out a lot earlier than I expected. Ch.3 will take a bit longer as I want to make a few changes to it.
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After Jet parted with Li, he kept an eye on the kid. He, Smellerbee, and Longshot coincidentally got on the same train as Li, and his Uncle. He watched, disinterestedly, as people left at their respective stops. After a few stops- five to be precise-, Li, and Mushi- was that the old man's name?- left the train, and began walking through town. Jet, and the others left soon after.
They rented an apartment with money that they had liberated from the Fire Nation soldiers; they were going straight now, but why waste the money? The apartment was adequate; he had stayed in much worse conditions in the woods. Smellerbee decided that she was tired, so she set up her bed, and took a nap.
While she was sleeping, Jet decided to go exploring. "I'm going to go look around. You want to come, Longshot?" he asked the other boy. Longshot gave him a meaningful look, and shook his head. Jet shrugged. "Fine with me." Part of him was glad; he had planned to look for Li. He did not want to have to explain that.
It was Saturday. Jet assumed it must be market day; there were booths of food, and useless junk set up everywhere. Large groups of people were milling around, and shouting to be heard over the din. Jet charmed a lady into giving him a deal on several pears; Longshot liked them. Putting the fruit in his bag, he asked the lady, "I'm looking for my friends; have you seen a young guy with a scar on his face, and an old man?" She had not.
Jet continued on down the street. He would find them eventually. After over an hour of searching, Jet, on an impulse, looked into the nearest tea shop. The old man was there, but Li was nowhere to be seen. The old man was talking to the owner, while enjoying a cup of tea.
Jet cautiously entered, and sat down within earshot of them. "I can't believe my luck," the owner said, "my last server just up, and left a week ago. I've been running the shop by myself ever since. I would love for you, and your nephew to work for me. Can you start tomorrow?"
So, they were going to work at the tea shop. Jet had not taken time to notice the name when he entered; he would have to remember to look as he left. When the old man had finished talking, Jet stood to leave. The owner offered him some tea, but Jet told him that he was not thirsty. It was a lie. He was actually really thirsty, but he wanted to follow the old man to see where they lived.
The rest of Jet's evening was spent tailing the old man. He spent an hour in a floral shop, at least twenty minutes examining grapefruits, and several hours playing Pai Sho. Just when Jet was contemplating whether he should forget it, and return home before he got lost, the old man stopped at an apartment building, and went inside. It was a block away from the tea shop, and six from where the gang was staying.
When Jet returned home, he could hear Smellerbee, and Longshot talking- or rather, Smellerbee talking, and Longshot listening (Longshot was an excellent listener). He wondered if the conversation was personal. Should he wait until they finish? He stopped when he heard his name.
"- Jet. You know how obsessive he can get," Smellerbee was saying. He was not obsessive. He was many things: passionate, dedicated, probably zealous even, but he was not obsessive. "We don't even know anything about this Li kid."
Jet opened the door, smiling as usual. "Hey guys. Just went for a walk," he said casually. He dug through his bag until he found the pears he had bought earlier, tossing one to both Longshot, and Smellerbee. "Picked that up for you, Longshot." Longshot smiled appreciatively. "Ba Sing Se looks promising," Jet continued; he was not sure who exactly he was talking to now. Glancing out the window, he could just barely see the tea shop, and, behind that, a building that he thought must be Li's apartment. Tomorrow he would have to pay the tea shop a visit.
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Thank you all for reading! I would love to hear from you.