Chapter 8: "I'll never change"
There was always time to heal...were safe inside the walls... but nowhere is safe...
The morning following Jet's discovery...
Itsuki tended to his duties until he saw Jet storming through the crowd of people willing to pay for the goods being sold. "We have to talk.", Jet said. Itsuki grabbed him by the collar and into the back. "I saw a fire bender in Ba sing Se last night. Two of them."
Itsuki raised an eyebrow believing he is referring to Zuko and Iroh. "What did they look like?"
"A boy and girl. Guy had a scar on his face. They lit up lanterns out of thing air with nobody around. Itsuki they're fire nation and they're infiltrating the city. I'm not making this up!"
Itsuki's concerns were partially laid to rest as maybe it could be someone else, but it was too risky to let Jet try and expose whoever it was by himself. And if it was a different group of fire benders, Itsuki could keep Iroh and Zuko out of it. Itsuki wanted nothing to do with it, however whatever Jet might have discovered could pose problems all around. "I told you before of my disinterest in getting mixed up with these things. But if you're right then I'll help you."
"That's good to hear. Just meet me west-side of town tonight."
Jet left leaving Itsuki to figure out a way to keep his secrecy intact.
Later...
Jet and Itsuki met up as agreed, and Jet took Itsuki where he claimed to have found one of the Firebenders.
"So where are they?", Itsuki asked.
"I tracked one of them not far from your weapon shop. Up on the second floor.", Jet pointed out. Itsuki and him quietly scaled the apartment and saw inside a young girl. "That's one of the firebenders I saw last night."
"Jin...", Itsuki said in his mind. Right then and there he knew Jet was wrong, but this was worse than he thought. She saw him 'fire bend' before when Azula attacked her village, so if she saw him Jet would learn everything, and not take it too well. "What do we do?"
"We stake her out and see what she does before she sleeps. Look for a chance for her to use some fire bending."
"Where is the other one?"
"I couldn't track both so I tailed her. We'll try to track him down tomorrow."
"What did he look like?"
"A scar on his face, dark hair.", Itsuki knew it had to be Zuko just from that. Two people who knew his secret and Jet was on their tail. Itsuki needed to act quickly before Jet could learn anything.
"I'll track him.", he volunteered.
"Now?"
"I have an idea where to look. Just be sure not to do anything until we make a plan."
"Trust me I have no intention to act without showing everyone beyond a shadow of a doubt they're fire nation."
I knew I needed to warn Zuko and Iroh. They were going to be exposed if I didn't warn them otherwise everything would be unraveled. I headed back to the tea shop as fast as I could hoping they were still there at this hour. To my luck when I got back Iroh was the only one there and was locking up the shop. I walked passed him but gave a soft 'psst' to goad him over to an ally.
"I hope you have a good reason for dropping unannounced.", Iroh greeted coldly.
"You're in trouble. Zuko was spotted using his firebending. The guy who saw him is going to expose him any time now."
"And what do you gain by telling me this?"
"The same thing you want."
"What you want is never the same. You always have a larger game in mind.", Iroh said distrusting every word Itsuki spoke.
"Neither of us can take the risk regardless.", Itsuki handed Iroh his swords.
"I'm not very good with weapons like these?"
"That's not who I had in mind."
"You want Zuko to defend himself? I don't yet know your game but I won't let you endanger my nephew again."
"They're insurance. In case anything goes south, he can borrow them. If all goes well that won't come to that."
Iroh took them and walked away.
Later...
Itsuki met up with Jet again back at his armory. "Itsuki, did you find the other firebender?"
"Not in person but I know where he's hiding. A tea shop."
"Then we just wait until we catch him firebending and then we can let the authorities take it from there. We just need to get them in one place."
"And I have just the idea. Tomorrow night, wait for me to enter the shop, then you get my back."
"What? What are you planning? When will I know?"
"You'll know when you see it, trust me.", he lied through his teeth. But Jet seeing how Itsuki came through thus far didn't take into account on Itsuki double-crossing him.
Next morning...
The only way to be sure Jet wouldn't have any second guesses about me was to make sure it appeared I had something in motion. But the goal wasn't to expose Zuko or Jin. But in order for what I had in mind was to get Jin to accompany me to the shop. That required, I face her again.
Jin was doing her daily errands, going by her normal routine as if nothing was wrong. As she was walking by the street a stranger in a hood grabbed her covering her mouth. Jin struggled trying to get away, the stranger held a knife to her neck telling her to be quiet. She stood still shaking in fear. But just be fore anything else happened the stranger was clonked on the head with a rock. He collapsed and audibly moaned from the pain.
When Jin opened her eyes after she realized she was unharmed she saw to her surprise a familiar face, Itsuki.
"You!"
"Shhh! It's alright.", Itsuki calmly said. Keeping his arms open and trying to act as docile as he could be.
Jin started to calm down, processing what just happened. "You, saved me?"
"Just like I did before."
"You burned down my home.", she switched from calm to stern raising her voice.
"I didn't start that fire. I only used it to save your parents."
"Well whatever the case. Thank you."
Jin walked with Itsuki trying to learn what he was doing at Ba Sing Se.
"So why are you here of all places?"
"Fresh start. I didn't have anywhere to go, so I found a job and just went to work."
"What do you do?"
"Help with selling weapons."
"Not the kindest job I bet."
"Shifty people walk in and out. But no trouble."
"That's good.", she paused trying to avoid the question she's wanted to say. "Are you from-"
"No. I wasn't born from the Fire Nation. I'm not even a bender. Where I come from, its different how we interpret what I can do."
Jin wasn't sure what that meant but at least she got an answer that didn't mean he was from the worst nation in the world. "That's a relief I guess."
"It's not. Jin, who you think I am, it's not even close. In fact how everyone treated me when they found out is on the mark."
"Don't you think someone who is a little more neutral should make that call?"
"Doesn't matter. But listen, what does matter is your in danger. Someone thinks your a fire bender."
"What? That is just crazy."
"This guy is really dangerous, but I have a plan. Ever been to this tea shop downtown?"
"Yeah! Uh-what about it?", Jin got very suspicious wondering if Itsuki knew about why she knew about it specifically.
"Just meet me there. I promise, just bear with me on this and it will be the last thing you ever have to deal with about me."
"Itsuki...", she didn't know if it was a good idea but from Itsuki's tone it was serious. At the least she agreed to do so, just for the hope that whatever Itsuki was dealing with, this would bring some closure to how things ended between them.
The following night...
Itsuki waited across the tea-shop where he was waiting for Jet. Sure enough, he came right on time. "OK, your going in there, but what is your signal?"
"Didn't have it exactly mapped out yet. But what you should expect is for me to yell, They're Fire Nation. Then just take them by surprise.", Itsuki explained.
"I can work with that. If only Smellerbee and Longshot were here."
"Why'd they bail?"
"They just don't believe me. But hey, I appreciate you doing this."
Just then Jin started waiting by the front doors of the shop. Jet pulled out his swords ready to attack. Itsuki pulled him back, "Wait! I'll go in first. Then she'll follow. When you hear the signal, be ready.", Jet nodded and held off.
Itsuki walked right inside, Jin saw him go in but didn't say anything, she just followed suit. Itsuki and her sat down waiting for someone to take their order. It didn't take long for Iroh and Zuko to notice the two of them. Zuko looked the more visibly outraged but tried holding it in. "Hey did you get into a fight with him or something?"
"It's complicated but don't worry. Were on good terms."
"Ok is this some kind of way to get back at him for something? Were you just lying to get me to go out with you?", Jin said starting to think Itsuki was being a jerk.
"I have no idea what your talking about.", he said non-nonchalantly. Zuko walked over to their table eyeing daggers at Itsuki, "Evening, how goes your shift?"
"What kind of joke is this to you?"
"Just a fellow citizen trying to get some expertly made tea.", Itsuki said with a smartalec tone.
"Lee, don't worry I was just leaving."
"Wait a sec,", Itsuki grabbed her wrist before she got up. "Get the swords I lent you.", Itsuki said now completely serious. Zuko was confused but didn't take any chances. He went to the back and did exactly that. It looked like to the other customers Itsuki and Jin were getting in an argument, including her.
"Let go of me", she broke free of his grip. A couple officers started getting up from their tables ready to settle the dispute.
"Oh you'd rather be with him huh? Well by the way I should bring mention to something about your fellow tea maker and uncle; THEY'RE FIRE NATION!", he yelled.
Sure enough Jet heard the it and rushed inside.
"You're just acting crazy!", Jin retaliated. Then the door busted open with Jet holding his swords in hand.
"You're not going anywhere scum!", Jet yelled.
"Hey! He didn't mean it literally guy!", Jin said.
"What? Of course you are! He just said so! You just told everyone they were! I saw that kid firebend those lanterns the other night! I saw it with my own eyes!", Jet accused.
"If you want a show I'll give you a show.", Zuko said pulling out Itsuki's swords.
With that Zuko and Jet began to brawl inside the tea-shop, while Itsuki stood around and watched. Smiling as everything went according to plan. Zuko kicked a table at Jet, but Jet sliced through it and swung at Zuko. The scarred swordsman jumped on top of one of the other tables with Jet hacking at his opponent's foothold until he faced him on even ground. The fight continued outside and Itsuki continued watching letting the two duke it outside in plain sight.
While Jet fought alone he kept taunting Zuko into using his bending, but Zuko kept his restrain and didn't waver using it. As they locked blades Jet turned seeing Itsuki not lifting a finger to help. "Itsuki what are you waiting for?!"
Itsuki said nothing and remained observant over the street brawl. Eventually the authorities broke up the fight, ending with everyone turning on Jet.
"He's fire nation! I'm not making it up!", Jet pleaded.
"That kid wrecked my shop and assaulted my employees!", the manager stated.
"It's true sir, we saw the whole thing.", said one of the officers.
The officials took Jet away, with Jet staring right at Itsuki. "YOU SET ME UP! Liar! You'll regret this!", Jet threatened.
Itsuki turned away shrugging Jet's threat. Whatever the freedom fighter had in mind didn't matter. After the commotion died down Itsuki went back to Zuko and Iroh. "Was that what you call, all going well?", Iroh he said in a tone that pierced Itsuki's own body. "You had us play right into your hands. We forced that boy into prison because you antagonized this whole thing."
"We settled our problem, now were even."
"This isn't over Itsuki. Someday you'll get what's coming to you.", Zuko warned.
"I hope this is where we finally part ways.", Iroh said.
"Don't count on it.", Itsuki replied.
"I thought after the North Pole something about you had changed.", Iroh said disappointingly.
"I lived my life doing nothing but this. No matter what little I have left this all I know. You fool yourself Iroh, I'll never change."
Just before Itsuki left, as soon as he turned away he saw Jin having heard everything. She didn't show any sign of pity, he didn't want any, he just left and took off.
Getting Jet caught to keep our secrets safe was half the plan. Getting them to never want to speak or see me again was the other half. Those three were the only ones I could dare to consider friends here in this world. It didn't matter to me at the time what they thought of me. After I left I thought maybe this was the fresh start I sought. I was right, but not the kind I had perceived.
