I've drawn Jet in the outfit he's wearing, if you wanna see it head on over to my tumblr, just type jet in the search bar ~ AvengersLoki-Zuko ~ I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender.

Tending to his newest charge, an ostrich-horse which he named Kailao, Jet listens to the men playing the instruments he never knew they had – apparently there was a music night that happened every so often, where was he and how did he not know of such an event? Did Zuko know there was a music night? He'd have to talk to Iroh, or possibly Zuko, about this fabled music night – it wasn't that he wanted, or even knew how, to play an instrument, he just found his life was lacking in the music department, surely listening to a couple of songs wouldn't hurt anyone. Humming along to the music filtering down into the stables, even if he knew little to nothing of the song being played, he watched the ostrich-horse eat the pile of grain from the palm of his hand. Everything was so utterly peaceful.

"Lion-Heart!"

The instruments made an unholy scream. A string may have broken. And Jet's ostrich-horse startled rather violently, its clawed foot kicking the bucket of grain and sending grain flying everywhere. Sprinkled in grain along with some komodo-rhinos, Jet takes a calming breath and runs his hand through the wild mop of brown locks he calls hair. A little bit of the feed is free, but he knows there's more. He feels grain slipping down his back and settling at the waistband of his pant where it creates an insatiable urge to throw his clothes off and scratch.

"Lion-Heart," looking up from his ruined clothing, Jet sees Zuko in the stable doorway with a few other men hovering behind him, "I need you to come with me and a couple of men. My Uncle has yet to come back and I fear something may have happened to him."

"By all means, Prince Zuko." Jet swipes at the grain sticking to his arms, "I'm sure your Uncle is fine, he probably just slept in or something, hell, maybe he's on his way right as we speak."

"Regardless." Zuko growls, the men that had followed Zuko watch as he grabs Jet by the shirt and pulls him close, "It is your duty as a member of the royal guard to preserve the lives of all members of the royal family. My Uncle included. Now, I need you to come with me. Immediately."

Jet sighs, "At the very least let me change into something not covered in grain."

The Fire Prince lets out a low growl as his supposed bodyguard removes his hands from his shirt and passes him by, the air surrounding him becomes heated and the fully armored, fully grown, adult soldiers subtly take a step away from the angered teenage boy. Fifteen to twenty minutes later, the two teenage boys and their small entourage are heading into the nearby forest. Zuko and the Fire Nation soldiers on their favored steeds, the komodo-rhinos, while Jet is riding alongside the Prince on a simple ostrich-horse. Albeit, a magnificent ostrich-horse – or so Jet says.

Zuko casts his friend a side-glare, "I can't believe you're wearing that."

"Hey, at least I'm wearing something." Jet retorts heatedly, still fixing the wrap on his left arm, "Besides, this is a precautionary thing. I thought you of all people would, and could, appreciate that."

The Prince can't help the scoff that escapes his lips, but despite this, he watches his friend situate the band securely around his midsection, the outfit the men had scrounged together just didn't seem right on the wild haired teenager. It was too simple for the Prince, even though he wasn't the one wearing it, and it was too thin. It offered no protection. At all. The worn, sandy colored fabric looked as though it were ready to rip at the seams, the pants looked stiff, and the shoes looked uncomfortable – and the wrap, what was the point of it?

The air became dense with heat, the humidity pulling the Prince from the train wreck that was his friend, if the outfit had been up to Jet, it would probably be a mismatch of armor and obnoxious colors that clashed with one another. Jumping off his komodo-rhino, Zuko makes his way through the bamboo trees, the men and Jet following his lead – no one is here.

"Uncle?" the firebending Prince calls out; Jet draws closer to the hot spring, "Uncle! Where are you!?"

A soldier speaks up, "Sir. Maybe he thought you left without him."

"Doubt it," Jet mutters, he stoops down to snag a blade of grass, "If that were the case, he'd still be here."

"Exactly. Something isn't right here." Zuko scans the area, his eyes landing on the hot spring his Uncle had been, "Look at these pile of rocks."

A different soldier draws near, "It looks like a landslide, Sir."

"Land doesn't slide uphill." Zuko murmurs, "My Uncle's been captured by earthbenders!" he turns to the men, "The rest of you, go back to the ship! Lion-Heart, come with me!" he heads towards their mounts, "We're going to track these men."

oOo

That had been a while ago, or possibly a day ago, he'd lost track after slipping into blissful unconsciousness for the fifth time. Yawning, Jet leans against the strong neck of his ostrich-horse, simply watching the Prince as he slips out of the saddle and walks towards what appears to be a lone sandal – then, because Zuko is a dork, his dork mind you, he sniffs at the footwear before reeling in disgust:

"Yup. That's Uncle Iroh."

"Did you really have to smell it to know that?" Jet grouses lazily as Zuko hurries back to the komodo-rhino beside his ostrich-horse, "That could have been anyone's sandal; people lose their shoes every day. Who's to say that someone hasn't been here before?"

"You know as well as I, that Uncle isn't very fragrant."

"Really?" Jet hums sleepily, he clicks his tongue causing his ostrich-horse to follow beside the giant lizard-like beast, "I think he smells like tea. Jasmine tea to be exact."

"Well then. Next heat wave I'll have you spend the day with him." Zuko says almost heatedly, "Tell me what you think of him then."

"Why are we even talking about what Iroh smells like?" Jet sighs, fighting his keep his eyes open, "Not only is it weird, but it's creepy. Shouldn't a couple of teenage boys be talking about things like – what girl we wanna fuck or comparing sizes?"

Zuko splutters, his face beet red, "First of all: you started it. Second: what girls do you know on the ship? And third: compare the size of what?!"

Jet mock gasps, "How scandalous, Prince Zuko!"

"Jet!"

YAWN!

"If you're so tired, why don't you go back to the ship?"

Jet forces himself upright, rubbing at his eyes, "I never said I was tired."

"You don't have to." Zuko keeps his eyes on the multiple ostrich-horse tracks; "It's in your voice. The way you talk. And your demeanor. Also, not to mention the fact that you yawn every 5 seconds."

Yawn. "Not true."

"You literally just yawned."

"Only because you keep talking about it!"

"Of course," Zuko rolls his eyes, he leans to the right in his saddle to inspect the tracks – Jet has half a mind to push him off, watch him fall, and laugh and laugh, "How could I be so insensitive?"

The Earth Kingdom teen snorts, "You're such an ass."

Apparently, something catches Zuko's attention for he turns to look over his shoulder, Jet follows his lead just to see what caught his attention, only at a much slower pace. What he sees is a large, fluffy beast flying through the skies – at least he hopes there's a giant, furry monster, otherwise he'll have to take his friend up on that offer of returning to the ship.

"Did you see that?" Zuko asks,

Jet cranes his neck, "Was it a humungous, white-furred monster flying through the skies?"

"Yes."

"Then yeah," Jet enjoys the popping of his joints, "I saw it."

"That's the Avatar's bison."

Jet watches Zuko pull on the komodo-rhino's reins, he frowns, "What about Iroh?"

"I - ," Zuko pauses, he looks back in the direction they were following.

Jet turns Kailao in the direction of the Avatar's monster, "I'll go after them. You go after your Uncle."

"Jet, you're in no condition - ,"

"Listen." Jet snaps, "We were planning to send me in sooner or later." his expression turns simpering, "Besides, I probably look pretty pathetic right now – it'll lower their guard."

Zuko sighs, "Okay. Be careful."

Jet nods, "You too, Fire-Bird."

Both teenage boys head in opposite directions. Clicking his tongue and snapping the reins for extra speed, Kailao and his rider speeds off into the forest. Eyes narrowed and cast skyward. For a while, Jet manages to keep an eye on the sky bison while his ostrich-horse weaves in between the various trees dotting the landscape, it seemed pretty easy, because how hard would it be to follow a large flying cow that sheds like crazy?

Well, pretty hard if you're on land and surrounded by an army of trees. The trees creating a thick canopy allowing no light in and successfully hiding the Avatar's pet from view.

"Great." Jet growls, turning his attention up ahead, he spots what seems to be a random wall in the middle of nowhere.

Brows knitting, he slows Kailao to a calm amble before stopping completely, jumping from the saddle, he approaches the stone wall and presses a hand flat upon the cool surface. Above, a roar can be heard. Shrinking in on himself and pulling out the dual broadswords Zuko had given him, he looks to the skies and spots the Avatar descending just beyond the wall. Blinking, he quietly sheathes the weapons and listens. Beyond the wall, he can make out the distinct sound of multiple voices, looking to his ostrich-horse, he begins to remove the reins and bridle. Pulling Kailao's head to his level, Jet looks the animal in the eye.

"Back to the ship."

The hybrid animal gives a quiet huff and takes off for what Jet figures to be the direction of the ship – the men knew what to do once Kailao reached the vessel without him. Quietly circling the wall, he finds what he assumes to be the entrance into the small village. Barely five steps inside the village, he spots the Avatar's bison along with his target, the Water Tribe girl, but no Avatar.

"Hello!?" he calls out, she turns only to blink her large blue eyes in shock, "I hope you don't mind, but I'm looking for a place to stay."

"Oh!" she fiddles with something, "I - ," Jet draws closer, "I'm not from around here. I'm – we're, my friends and I are helping the villagers."

Jet is just an arm's reach away from her when he hums thoughtfully, "I kind of thought you weren't from around here, what with the Water Tribe get up, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask." he offers a kind smile, "Mind if I ask what you're helping the villagers with?"

She turns somber, "There's a spirit that's been terrorizing this village. It took my brother, Sokka."

"A spirit?" Jet ponders, he sits upon the wooden porch of the large building, inside, he can hear people talking, "Isn't that a little – extreme, for a bunch of kids?"

"Oh no," she toys with her braid, sitting beside Jet, "We're traveling with the Avatar, he's the bridge between both the spirit world and ours."

"The Avatar – nice." he eyes the large fluffy monster and vice versa, "I guess that's why you're so far from home."

Silence.

"What about you?"

"Me?"

"Yeah, aren't you a little too young to be traveling on your own?"

"I - ," Jet pauses, time to work his story-telling skills, he changes his expression to appear aloof, "Truth is, I have nowhere to go. The Fire Nation attacked my village, killed my parents and anyone else who was unlucky enough to get in their way. I was only a kid when it happened. But apparently it wasn't enough that they took my home, friends, and parents away, they decided they might as well take my freedom away as well."

"What do you mean?"

"After – they burned my village, they decided to make me a slave. I just recently escaped." Jet toys with the strap of the scabbard, "It wasn't easy, but here I am. The last of my village's people."

"I know what you mean; the Fire Nation took my mother from me. Destroyed my village and took all of the waterbenders. I'm the only one left."

"I guess we have a lot in common then, huh?"

She blushes, "I guess we do."

Jet smiles, "You never told me your name by the way."

"Oh, my name is Katara."

"I'm Jet." he looks down the town's main road and sighs, "I should be going."

"I thought you needed a place to stay?"

"I do." Jet stands, "But I need to keep moving or else the Prince's pet will find me and send me back to the Fire Nation."

"The Prince?" Katara pauses, "Wait, do you mean Prince Zuko?"

"Yeah, you know of him?"

"Of course!" she snaps, her anger directed at said Prince, "He's always chasing after us everywhere we go!" Katara looks up at Jet, "Wait, you said his pet?"

"Lion-Heart." Jet says without missing a beat, he trains his expression to look grim, "The Fire Nation's greatest weapon supposedly. They say he killed a man when he was just a kid. And because of his manic nature, they call him the monster of monsters." he meets Katara's gaze, "No one knows his real name – what they do know is that he's loyal to Prince Zuko, and Prince Zuko only."

"Lion-Heart." Katara murmurs, "So that's his name. We've met him before, around the time we met Aang. He ruined Aang's glider and nearly killed him their first meeting, not to mention that he was about to kill Sokka as well."

"Charming guy, isn't he?" Jet laughs dryly before sighing, "And lucky me, I get the honor of being his sole target. So far, I've been able to stay one step ahead of him, but I get the feeling my luck will only last so much." Jet starts walking, "It was nice meeting you Katara. Hopefully we'll meet again someday."

1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5.

"Wait!"

Jet turns, "Yeah?"

"I don't know, this might sound crazy but - ," she looks at Jet, " – maybe you can come with us."

"Are you sure?" Jet tilts his head, "Having the Prince and Lion-heart chasing you guys doesn't sound very appealing."

"I know but if they're both together, then we'll know where they are and – you'll be safer with us."

"That does sound nice." he smiles, "Alright. You've convinced me, and don't worry. I'll watch your backs."

Katara smiles beautifully, "Great! I - ,"

YAWN!

"We can talk more after you get some sleep."

"No – I'm good." Jet yawns again.

Katara gives him an unimpressed look, "Sleep, I'll make sure you're safe."

Jet smiles sheepishly, "Thank you. You've done so much for me already."

oOo

CRASH!

BANG!

ROAR!

Eyes flying open, Jet makes a hasty dive for his broadswords – once his fingers wrap around the handles, he scans the area only to see Katara and the villagers gathered at the windows, suddenly, he remembers where he is and what he's doing, or rather, what he's supposed to be doing. Exhaling heavily, he grabs the strap of the fancy scabbard and forces himself to his feet, dragging the weapons after him, it's night by the looks of it which means he's only spent a handful of hours away from Zuko, but he's ready to give in and run back to the Fire Nation ship with his tail tucked between his legs and failure branded upon his forehead. Is there such a thing as relapsing from time spent away from a person?

"Jet!" looking up at the sound of his name, he sees wide-eyed Katara, smiling and happy, "Come on, let's go introduce you to Aang and Sokka ~ !"

He literally woke up, it's too early – or late? – for this game, "Lead the way ~ ."

He's led out past the townspeople and towards two boys talking with one another, one in obnoxiously bright colors and the other in blue, he can already distinguish who's who, but he smiles anyway:

"Aang, Sokka, this is Jet and he's coming with us."

"Great ~ !" Aang smiles bright, "Nice to meet you Jet ~ !"

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" Sokka cuts in, "Who decided this!?"

"Aang just did and I asked him to come along." Katara smirks.

Sokka glares at Aang who shrugs, "Two against one."

Sokka groans, "Fine. Welcome or whatever."

Jet remembers the warrior before him, "Thanks."

The group is approached by the villagers, "Thank you for what you've done. I only wish there was something we could do to repay you for your kindness."

"Actually," Sokka speaks up before Aang can reply, "We can use some supplies since we've got an extra addition," he narrows his eyes and Jet before turning to the village leader, "And some money."

Apparently Katara picks up on Sokka's disdain for Jet, she smacks him lightly, "Sokka!"

"What!?" Sokka huffs, "It's true!"

"We would be honored to help the Avatar and his friends ready for their journey."

The group watches the villagers leave to gather the supplies; Aang turns to the other three:

"I think it's good that we have another person with us."

"What are you talking about!?" Sokka exclaims, "We barely know the guy!"

Jet can't stay his tongue, "Why are you so against me coming along!?"

"Because I barely know you!" Sokka snaps, he looks Jet up and down, "What do you even bring to the table!?"

"Jet was a slave for the Fire Nation until recently! He escaped and now he's got this Lion-heart guy chasing him!" Katara snaps, interrupting both boys, "I'm sure you remember Lion-Heart since he was the guy who was about to kill you until Aang distracted them! So Jet doesn't need you questioning him about his trustworthiness!"

The two siblings glare at one another until Aang sheepishly parts their attention, "Um guys, we have a problem."

"We sure do." Sokka growls.

"I know how to talk to Avatar Roku, we need to reach his home on a crescent shaped island by the winter solstice, but - ,"

"It's in the Fire Nation." Jet finishes,

"How do you know where it is?" Sokka asks suspiciously,

Jet rolls his eyes, "I was a slave for the Fire Nation since I was a kid, I've learned a thing or two about those ash-makers."

I was and am still iffy about this chapter but hey, here it is :D