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Chapter 8

Katomi's POV

I knelt in the ground, holding my side as I tried my best to just breathe and calm myself down. The tears had subsided, but I could still feel that my cheeks were wet, but I didn't bother to wipe the tears away. My mind was racing as a million thoughts rushed through my mind; I was feeling betrayed and heartbroken as I realized that the boy I loved was someone willing to kill innocent people. What did that make me? Am I a monster for loving him? Are the rest of the Freedom Fighters just as wrong as Jet for this? I put my head in my hands and just felt overwhelmed by all the thoughts and questions and emotions rushing through my head.

I just…can't fathom how Jet got here. How did he become someone who was so willing to hurt and kill innocent people? How had I never even noticed? What does that mean about me? Was I blinded by my feelings for Jet, and now that the blinders were off did my feelings change? I don't think they did…Jet is still my best friend and I don't think that that will ever change. Do I still think that he's the love of my life? Maybe. But I was never really certain about that before…so that hasn't changed much.

As I sat there, I realized, suddenly, that it was getting colder out. I was shivering a little bit as I wrapped my arms around me to try to keep in my body heat. My side was aching and I didn't know if I could get up, unsupported. There were a few trees a few feet away that I thought that I could get to if I crawled, slowly, but this forest was filled with Fire Nation traps and you could never be too careful. I helplessly looked around the clearing, almost wishing that Jet would walk through the trees and be my hero in shining armor again, but I didn't know what would happen now. I left Jet frozen to that tree, and I have no idea if he's angry at me for that or if he understands. With Jet, I never really knew even if we've been friends all these years. He's constantly surprising everybody.

I froze as I heard a twig snap and leaves rustle off in the distance. I looked at the trees behind me and slowly started to move back, wincing and holding my side. Janya was right, I shouldn't have gone out today. I should have stayed where I was and rested. I shouldn't have risked this. I almost did wish I could have stayed ignorant to what Jet did today. The sounds were getting closer and my heart was pounding in my chest as I continued to move backwards, my eyes never leaving the spot that I knew this person…or animal would appear in at any moment.

As I saw the thing get closer, I could tell by it's figure that it was a person. Who, I had no idea. I was growing more and more fearful by the moment as they got closer and the tree behind me seemed to get farther and farther away. I knew that this person had to see me, there was no way that they didn't. I looked up to the sky and wondered if I was going to go and see my parents again, if this person was going to kill me.

I knew that the possibility that this figure was Fire Nation was high. They had to be starting to look for us, they knew who was responsible for the flood and they had to be after us. There was no way that we would get away without a fight, now that Sokka told them who was responsible for blowing up the damn. I have no idea if he told them where our hideout was, but if he did we could find a way out of it, we could move to another forest, we could start over. Hell, we might already have to after everything that has happened. The people of Gaipan were typically on our side, but after this? Who knows what will happen.

"Please, don't hurt me," I suddenly burst out, my eyes wide with fear.

"Katomi?" A gruff voice asked. "It's me."

Jet's POV

I'm in love with my best friend. How…is that even possible? She was just supposed to be my best friend, she was never supposed to turn into someone I fell in love with. I never wanted to fall in love with someone, I saw what happened to my parents, they loved each other and they both died trying to protect one another, and look at what happened? They didn't think to try to save me and live to protect me. They died for each other and left me behind. I never want to do that to someone else, it was why I never wanted to admit these…feelings for Katomi.

If I admitted that I loved Katomi, then I could end up hurting her more than I ever have before. What if I can't live up to the standards that she deserves? Katomi is an amazing girl and she deserves anything she could possibly want. I know that I can't do that for her. I'm too selfish. I know that that was what people said about me, and I didn't care. I knew that I was selfish, but with Katomi all these years, I've tried to be the man that my dad was raising me to be. But I don't know how well I've turned out. I know that I'm bitter and hell, I manipulate people to get what I want. And I don't care. All that matters to me is keeping Katomi safe and to get rid of the Fire Nation. I didn't have time for relationships and dating.

It's amazing what you can think of when you're just walking through the woods, alone. Katomi was right about this place, there was something that brought clarity to your mind. I shook my head slightly and just laughed to myself. 'Snap out of it, Jet' I said to myself. I couldn't believe that I was thinking so much. I never used to do this, I just reacted and did whatever I had to to survive. But maybe living in this area for so long has gotten rid of that freedom, of just surviving. We have it good here, and it's made us all a little bit complacent.

As I walked, I could see something on the ground like a cowering animal…or a person? Katomi immediately crossed my mind and I started to walk faster, wanting to see what it was. I knew that Katomi's side was still hurt and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something bad happened to her and it was my fault. She ran off because of me and I would never forgive myself if she was hurt even worse because she ran away from me.

"Please don't hurt me!" A voice that I instantly recognized as Katomi's called out.

"Katomi, it's me," I said as I stepped into the light.

Her eyes immediately narrowed as she seemed to relax at the same time. I made my way over to her, carefully and crouched before her. "I'm sorry," I said, softly.

"For what?" She asked, bitterly, hurt laced through her voice.

I noticed her nursing her side, but I knew not to help her, just yet. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the plan, I'm sorry I kissed Katara, I'm sorry I've been an awful friend these past few days, I'm sorry I didn't believe you about Sokka, I'm sorry—"

She put her hand up to stop me from saying anymore. "Do you really mean it, Jet?" She asked me, softly. I nodded my head. "I want to forgive you so badly…but I don't know if I can, Jet. This just keeps happening, over and over again. We keep going in a circle and fighting and arguing and it never gets any better. I don't understand…we used to be so good together, what happened?" She asked, her voice sounding more vulnerable than I have heard it in a long time.

I sighed. "I don't know, Katomi," I told her softly, shaking my head, even though I did know. Everything changed because we grew up, because I fell for her.

"I can't keep doing this," she repeated, shaking her head. "I want things to go back to the way they used to be…I just…want to be best friends again."

I felt my heart break a little bit as she said that, but then it strengthened over again and I looked down at Katomi. "Then that's what we're going to do, okay?" I said, gently, pulling her into my lap, being careful not to hurt her side. "We're going to be best friends again, and we're going to stop with the fighting all the time." I felt stronger now, Katomi didn't love me and I could bury my feelings deep down inside of me and forget about them. I wasn't going to hurt her now. I could still protect her and maybe…just maybe, I could find a nice husband for Katomi, one that could love her the way that she deserved and the way that I couldn't.

Katomi's POV

As Jet spoke, I just buried myself into his chest, closing my eyes. I knew that he would never return my feelings for him, and that was what was ruining our friendship. I knew that if I ever told him how I felt, it would get even worse and I just didn't want to deal with that. Jet was too important to me to lose and I could settle for just being best friends. As long as he was in my life, I would be happy.

We both sat there in silence, not knowing what to say or if there really were words to say right now. I was feeling comfortable and safe again, I knew that with Jet, nothing could hurt me. He would make sure I stayed safe and I could finally let my guard down, despite the fact that we were in the middle of the woods, with Fire Nation possibly lurking around the woods. But that didn't matter to me. All that mattered was being with Jet.

"How's your side?" He asked, breaking the silence.

"It hurts…I barely want to move," I admitted to him.

He was quiet for a few moments. "We'll stay out here tonight…and then I'll carry you back in the morning. It's too dark to head back now."

My heart raced a little at the thought of sleeping outside, especially after today. But I needed to believe that Jet would do anything he could to keep me safe. He wouldn't let me get hurt again, not after he promised that things would get better.

"Okay," I said, looking up at him and giving him a small smile.

Jet leaned down and kissed my forehead. "Calm down, it'll all be okay. Get some rest, okay? We'll get home in the morning."

I nodded my head as I suddenly yawned, realizing just how tired and exhausted I was. Today took so much out of me, and I couldn't manage to stay awake much longer. I cuddled into Jet as he tried to keep me warm. As I drifted off to sleep, I could have sworn that I heard Jet whisper "I'm in love with you, Katomi."

Jet's POV

I couldn't believe that I just did that. I told Katomi that I was in love with her, but I'm sure that she was asleep. I thought that maybe…if I told her, just once, then maybe it would be easier to bury inside of me. I would be able to forget about it if it was out in the open. I knew that Katomi didn't hear me, that she was asleep. Or that was what I had to tell myself and make myself believe.

The night went on slowly as I stayed up and kept watch of everything. I didn't want to fall asleep and risk Katomi's life, but I was tired too. I wished that I could just pick her up and carry her back to the tree houses, but I knew that we weren't that close and it could be dangerous out there. Animals came out at night, as well as the Fire Nation. Now that they knew who tried to flood the town, we had to be on high alert. One wrong move could end in death now, and we had to be careful.

My eyes started to grow healthy and even though I was trying to fight it off, I just couldn't anymore. I knew that I was going to fall asleep at any moment and with Katomi in my lap, I couldn't get up and walk around to wake myself up without waking her up. I didn't want her to wake up since she was so exhausted from today, and it was all my fault. I shook my head slightly and after a few moments, I slowly drifted off to sleep.

Katomi's POV

I jolted awake suddenly and looked around, seeing orange and red. Flames. I could see some Fire Nation soldiers closing in on us and I scrambled off of Jet, waking him up in the process. "Wha—" he started before he saw the soldiers and got up as quickly as he could. We were in trouble, there were at least five soldiers to just us two and I was hurt. I had no idea how we were going to get out of this, but I knew that we had to. We had to get away from this and get back to the tree houses.

Jet and I shared a look before getting into position, ready to fight. I would fight through the pain, knowing that this could be a life or death situation and there was nothing else we could do now. It was too late. They were here and there was no way to turn time back and not let this happen. We were going to fight.

AN: Wow, this felt…so good to write, you guys have no idea. It felt so nice to just get back into this world and to be able to write something that I enjoy. I have the next…6 or 7 chapters planned out but not written, but I plan on getting on that so I can update again in the next week or so. But who knows, I'm feeling inspired and I might be able to crank out another chapter this weekend, but I'm not going to make any promises. I'm not sure how I feel about the Jet parts so if you could leave feedback on that, it would be greatly appreciated. If you guys have any requests or suggestions feel free to leave them in a review or private message me, I'd love to talk to you guys about things you'd like to see. But that's it for now, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'm so happy to be back!