A/N: As promised, the next chapter up over the weekend, and this story will be finished by Christmas. Thank you everyone for reading and don't forget to review! Now, for the longest chapter I think I've ever done.
Disclaimer: Don't own Avatar
Chapter 12
Jet turned to Aya and grabbed her shoulders as Long Feng sank into a fighting stance. She was so beautiful so perfect, but she looked determined.
"You can't," Jet told her. "I won't let you fight him. I'll…"
Aya stopped him with a kiss and Jet found himself kissing her back, pulling her close to him, trying to get her to stop fighting. She finally pulled away and smiled at him. "I'll be fine, trust me."
Jet nodded, knowing he had to trust her. She was better than Long Feng and he had learned to trust her in the forest and especially after she collapsed the cavern.
"Watch over my brother," Aya whispered as she hugged him. "Don't let him get darted again. It may kill him."
"If you're done saying goodbye to your boyfriend, can we get started?" Long Feng asked in a bored tone. Jet frowned at the traitor and saw Long Feng smiling slyly. Jet smiled at Aya once more and let her go. She nodded and moved so that she was away from Jet, Iroh and the others and facing Long Feng in her own stance. Jet glanced around and saw the Dai Li surrounding the two earthbenders as he edged closer to Iroh.
"She asked you to watch over me, didn't she?" Iroh hissed to Jet as Aya and Long Feng started dueling. Jet tried to follow the moves between the two, but couldn't and merely nodded to Iroh. They both noticed some of the Dai Li turn towards them and both brought up their swords. The Dai Li nearest them started shooting darts and Jet and Iroh defended themselves and the others, Jet making earthen walls while both stopped some of the darts and several earthbending attacks with their swords. Jet saw Iroh falter, dropping to one knee, and created a large shield as he hurried to the firebender. Iroh glanced at him, his golden eyes looking glazed before he turned to look at his arm. Jet followed his gaze and saw a long scratch on the prince's right arm.
"A dart got through, but didn't get me fully," Iroh said before he slumped, though Jet could tell he was still conscious.
Jet concentrated, holding the shield as he felt several Dai Li try to take control and glanced at the others. Kana and Hakoda were starting to move and Kana reached for the firebender. Jet moved Iroh close to the waterbender, though he could tell the firebender was trying to move, and probably fight, by the way Iroh held onto his broadsword.
"Don't move, Iroh," Kana said gently. "The toxin will move faster."
Jet met Iroh's eyes and saw the prince give him a wry smile. "I'll be fine," Iroh said. "Give em hell for me."
"Never give up without a fight, huh?" Jet asked and Iroh started grinning.
Jet smiled back at Iroh and dropped his shield, sending earthen attacks at the Dai Li. The Dai Li were unprepared and Jet saw Hakoda getting up slowly, wielding his sword as Kuzon and Kana started pulling Iroh behind them. Jet attacked the Dai Li, getting close to them with his swords and earthbending attacks their way and redirecting their attacks. He saw Aya and Long Feng continue to exchange blows and heard them as he faced the Dai Li.
"You're good," Long Feng said, sounding frustrated.
"Trained by the best," Aya said with a smirk which caused Jet to smile.
"What, no firebending today?" Long Feng asked. "How did that happen?"
"The gods want you stopped," Aya said. Jet saw Long Feng send an attack her way which she blocked easily.
"Well, the gods aren't here," Long Feng replied with a scowl. "But your brother had better be careful. He doesn't look too good."
Jet glanced at Iroh after taking down another Dai Li and saw Iroh looking pale. Aya stopped as the remaining Dai Li turned to face Iroh with their blow guns and Jet ran towards the firebender. He noticed Aya look startled before she got angry and fire sprang up around her. The Dai Li stopped suddenly as Long Feng started looking scared.
"Dart them all, quickly!" Long Feng shouted as Jet noticed him backing away from Aya. Jet started to run for Iroh and felt several darts hit him as he landed on top of Kana and Iroh. He saw Iroh looking startled before he felt his limbs start twitching and his whole body started having spasms.
"Jet!" Aya called before he heard her turn towards Long Feng and the heat increased in the room. "You'll pay for that," she said and Jet heard tears in her voice. He tried to call out to her as he saw Kana and Iroh looking down at him, but his mouth wouldn't work.
"He received ten darts," Kana said. "He needs a healer, quick!"
"Then heal him!" Hakoda stated as Jet could only watch them.
"I can't," Kana said as she started crying. "I can't bend yet."
Jet felt his heart start to slow as his breathing became labored. He struggled to move his head and finally could see Aya. She was crying and she was surrounded by flames and earth in her gorgeous red dress. The Dai Li were gone or not moving on the ground and Long Feng was suspended by earth in front of Aya and had fire surrounding him. Jet wished Aya wouldn't cry. She was too strong to cry.
"I love you," he whispered before he felt his heart slow and his eyes closed.
Jet suddenly opened his eyes and found himself in the same room he had been in, but it was whole, save for the two combatants in the center of the room. Aya and Long Feng were frozen as he had last seen them, Aya's face showing grief and rage as tears ran down her perfect face while fire surrounded her. Long Feng looked scared to death as he was held by earth and flames and an earthbending attack, the same one Long Feng had used on Jet, was heading towards the old earthbender. They were both pale, almost grey and the fire was frozen around them as well. It was surreal. Jet glanced around, but didn't see the others or the Dai Li. He slowly stood, feeling normal and his ribs didn't even bother him as they had occasionally while he fought and he walked over to Aya.
"I'm sorry," he whispered as he saw the same expression on her face as he had seen when she collapsed the cavern around them. When she had thought he was dead. Four balls of light came down from the ceiling and circled the room. Jet tensed as he saw a red, green, blue and white ball of light circle him and the two frozen combatants before they spread to the corners of the room and turned into people. A woman in green that looked similar to Toph looked at Jet sadly. He felt so sad as she gazed on him with unfocused eyes, and he wanted to make her feel better, but knew he couldn't. A man in red walked up to Aya and touched her forehead. Jet started to smile and become relieved when Aya took a breath and color came to her features before she fell to her knees, the earth surrounding her falling back into the floor and the fire disappearing.
"Aya!" Jet cried and rushed forward to hold her. She seemed surprised but was soon hugging him back and then kissing him. When she pulled away, he saw her eyes come up to meet his and he noticed they were brighter and focused and she seemed sad and happy at the same time. She ran a hand around his face and seemed to be drinking in the sight of him as her eyes wandered all over him. She kissed him again before she sighed and stood, looking around. Jet watched her and stood next to her as her gaze landed on the man in red.
"My lord…why?" she asked the man in red and Jet was startled as he heard her choke back a sob. The man in red sighed and lowered his gaze and Aya started crying in earnest as she faced him. "Why did he have to die?! Why was I the one that had to stop Long Feng?! Why?!"
"Aya, I'm right here," Jet said gently, touching her arm and Aya turned to him, her green eyes sparkling as tears fell down her face.
"Yes, you're here. Do you even know where 'here' is?!" Aya asked as she continued to cry. "We're in the spirit world! You're dead, Jet. I felt it."
She started to cry harder and Jet pulled her into a hug. He looked past her and saw the four adults, gods, conversing and it looked like the woman in green and man in red were arguing with the other two.
Aya stopped as the four gods stopped talking and started walking towards them. She withdrew from Jet, but Jet kept a hold on her hand as they faced the gods. The man in red walked up to Aya and smiled at her. He touched her forehead gently and Aya smiled. Jet felt a feeling of warmth surround them and the man smiled at him.
"I'm Agni," the man said, introducing himself. "Aya, you won't be able to firebend any more. Your mission is done."
Aya turned sad eyes to Jet and Jet hugged her before she could start crying again. Jet noticed the man smiling as the woman in green approached Long Feng and touched him. The other two flanked the lady in green and all were frowning at the earthbender as Agni moved to stand behind them. Long Feng drew back in fright as he had been when Aya was sending the attack to him once his color returned and seemed confused to be facing the four gods.
"Who are you?" he sneered. "Where am I?!"
"Silence!" the woman in green commanded and when Long Feng opened his mouth to retort, no words came out. He grabbed his throat and glared at the woman before he did an earthbending move. He seemed surprised as nothing happened and the woman in green smiled. "You are in the spirit world," the woman stated and Long Feng instantly was bowing. The woman in blue smirked and moved her hand and Long Feng awkwardly rose as if he didn't have control of his body.
"A move that has been perverted by one of my daughters and then perfected by another," the woman in blue stated as Long Feng looked rigid in fear.
"You have upset the balance in attempting to destroy the children," the man in the airbender's robes said. Jet thought the man sounded old, but he appeared young, in his early forties with brown hair and a beard with white streaks, the same as Agni.
"You have killed thoughtlessly, trying to destroy the four nations, trying to disrupt the way things are supposed to be and kill the future," Agni stated.
"And you killed one of my favorites in a dishonorable way while you were trying to trick another into losing," the woman in green stated with a fierce scowl. "Aya would have killed you, but I will save her that horror. You have done much evil, Long Feng. And for that, you will pay the ultimate punishment. You may now speak. Do you have any last words?"
Long Feng gasped and fell to his knees as the woman in blue dropped her hand. He bowed to the gods. "Please…please forgive me," Long Feng stuttered. "I'll…I'll do anything to avoid your wrath. Please."
Agni turned towards Aya and Jet and smiled at them before turning to scowl at Long Feng again.
"Anything?" the woman in green asked. "Would you give your life to Jet and be reintroduced into the cycle instead of facing an eternity in hell?"
Long Feng glanced up and Jet thought that his salt and pepper hair had gone completely grey. The once proud man was shaking and was pleading for help, but Jet and Aya frowned at him when he glanced their way. Long Feng looked at the gods again and Jet saw that all of them had stern expressions.
"I'll give my life to him," Long Feng said, bowing his head to the gods again.
The woman in green nodded and touched Long Feng's head. The earthbender seemed to relax and then he was smiling before he vanished. The woman turned to Jet and it seemed she was tired.
"Jet," she said, "come here."
Jet felt compelled to do as she said and walked towards her, kneeling before her. He noticed Aya was watching him, and she took a step towards him, but the woman held out a hand and Aya stopped.
"Jet, you'll live a normal life, and your days will be as they were, not as short as Long Feng's were," she said. "This needed to happen, for Long Feng to find redemption. Do you understand?"
Jet nodded. He had hoped Long Feng would rot after the man had betrayed him and used his people against him, but now, he actually did understand. Long Feng would never submit to an earthly authority. He needed the gods to find redemption.
"Good," the woman said with a smile. She touched Jet's forehead and he felt invigorated.
"Aya," Agni said as he walked up to the princess. "We will not intrude on your lives again, but know that the future of the world rests in you and your friends. Your brother is all right, and he has proven to be a skilled young man. A credit to his parents and his heritage. Now you and Jet must help the Earth Kingdom. It is still divided and must be united once more. Your student, your love, will be the next king of Omashu."
Jet gasped as he turned from the woman in green and watched Aya. She only had eyes for him, but then smiled and turned back to Agni. "Will I remember this one?" she asked in a wry tone.
Agni smiled, but shook his head. "No, neither of you will remember this much. You will understand the gist of this, but not everything. There is still much you both need to learn. Your parents are waiting, you need to go."
Jet watched with a smile as Aya jumped onto Agni and hugged the god. The god of fire seemed surprised, but hugged her back.
"Can I at least remember what Jet looks like?" Aya asked.
Agni glanced back at the others and the woman in blue nodded. "Yes, she can," the woman said. "She's much nicer than her father was."
Aya grinned and ran to Jet, her eyes roaming all over him. Jet looked back at her and smiled before he turned and bowed to the gods.
"My thanks, great Lords, Ladies," Jet said and he saw the women smile.
"Now it's time for them to go back," the woman in green said. She and Agni approached Jet and Aya and Agni touched Aya the same time the woman in green touched Jet. Everything went black and then Jet struggled to open his eyes. He saw nothing but dust around him and then saw Kana and Iroh gazing down at him, astonishment on their faces. He struggled to move and saw Toph hurry to Iroh and a man in red with a scar on his face catch Aya as she fell. Looking around more, he saw Long Feng's body, though Aya's last attack had stopped halfway between her and Long Feng.
"Jet, you're alive," Toph stated as he turned back towards the others. She sounded surprised, but then not.
"Yeah, I…what happened?" Jet asked.
Toph smiled wryly and held her hand out to him. He took it and she pulled him to his feet. He stumbled and Hakoda and Kuzon caught him, though they faltered under his weight slightly. He turned to Aya once he had his feet under him and the guys let him go as he stumbled to the princess. He noticed her starting to wake up and she smiled at him. The man holding her looked familiar, but the scar over his left eye was unfamiliar. He was tall and regal looking with dark brown hair in a topknot and he was clean shaven. He wore red and black clothes, just a set of pants and a simple kimono that was long sleeved, but it looked like it fit royalty.
"Jet?" the man asked and Jet nodded, falling to his knees next to Aya.
"Is she ok?" Jet asked.
"I'm fine, I don't know why you two are worrying over me," Aya said and both Jet and the man smiled. Aya sat up and hugged the man. "Hi Dad, I'm glad you're here."
Jet just stared as the man hugged Aya back, his face softening until his gold eyes rose to meet Jet's eyes. Aya pulled away from her father and was instantly hugging Jet and the freedom fighter noticed the man looking on with a hint of sadness.
"I thought I had lost you," Aya whispered. "You promised you wouldn't disappear."
"I didn't mean to," Jet told her softly. "But I'm here now."
"Yeah, you are," Aya said before her eyes rose to meet his. He thought they seemed brighter for a second and she smiled before she placed a hand on his cheek. "I'm glad I got to see you."
Jet nodded, and smiled, though he noticed everyone else looking startled. He looked back at Aya's father and stood as the Fire Lord did so.
"Sir, forgive me for taking your daughter," Jet said humbly. "She means the world to me, and I'm sorry I caused you to worry."
The Fire Lord smiled and Toph moved to her husband's side. "It's all right and I understand," he said in a slightly raspy voice. He glanced down at his wife and a wry smile tugged at his mouth. "Stubborn earthbenders have that affect on men like us. But just call me Zuko, all the kids and my friends do."
"Maybe dad one day," Toph said with a smirk and Aya laughed as Jet felt his jaw drop and saw the Fire Lord's jaw drop in shock.
"One thing at a time, Mom," Iroh said from behind Jet. Jet glanced back and saw Kana helping Iroh up as Kuzon and Hakoda helped the princesses up. Ty Lee's eldest daughter suddenly ran in and tackled Hakoda in a bone crushing hug and everyone laughed as she kissed him, saying how relieved she was that he was ok.
The rest of the adults from the house and the girls hurried in, and healers attended them. But Jet never let go of Aya. He had promised her he wouldn't disappear, and he would keep his promise. The twins and several of the older Freedom Fighters came to see him as the healers tended to him and Aya, the healers all amazed that he was up and alert, let alone alive. They all said that five doses of Shirshu venom would kill a person, let alone ten. But he was alive and normal, just a faint ache in his ribs the only proof that he had been injured before. The Freedom Fighters said they were sorry they had gone under Long Feng, but word hadn't reached most of them in time that he was alive. The Earth King was all right as well, he had been waylaid in his chambers and held hostage by a pair of Dai Li, but the freedom fighters led by Aang had quickly stopped them and set the king free. The ball was cancelled and though the soldiers wanted to arrest all the freedom fighters who had taken part in the coup, Toph, Zuko, Sokka, and Aang had given their protection over all of the kids. Jet had never felt so grateful towards any adult than he did when the Fire Lord and Lady pronounced that they would give any freedom fighter asylum from the Earth Kingdom and a new home if any wanted it.
The next day, Jet watched Aya practicing with her mother as Iroh and Kana walked around the garden and the others were missing. The twins were talking with Hana and Marissa and Hakoda was out with Jen Lee and supposedly Kuzon was visiting the princesses with his father. Jet almost stood as Zuko approached him, but the Fire Lord waved him down and sat next to him.
"Do you remember anything after you were darted?" Zuko asked.
Jet was a little unnerved by the gaze Aya's father was giving him and shook his head. "Not much," he replied. "Quick flashes and then it's gone. I know I died, but I'm here now." Zuko nodded and Jet thought for a moment. "Was it like that for you too?"
Zuko seemed startled, but then smiled slightly. "Yes, I didn't remember anything really when I went to be with the kids, and then when I got back, it was like a dream. Now…now I remember things if something triggers it, but it's just flashes. Like a dream long forgotten."
Jet nodded and looked over at Aya who was smiling and laughing with her mother as they created silly images with earthbending. "I'm glad she remembers some of it."
The Fire Lord followed his gaze and smiled before he turned back to Jet. "What do you plan to do now?"
Jet shrugged. "I'm not sure. Look after my friends, my people, as I've always done. Long Feng commanded a lot of mercenary groups and I want to take charge of them and stop the fighting out there. And then the Dai Li." Jet shivered slightly. "They answer to no one but Aya now."
Zuko nodded, starting to frown slightly. "They believe that Aya killed their leader and that she is the strongest earthbender. In that way, they follow her. There's a lot of strife outside of the big cities. Are you sure you can handle it?"
Jet smiled a crooked smile. "After everything I've been through, I think so. It's said the Earth Kingdom was one kingdom before the hundred year war, not little cities ruled by individual kings or mercenary thugs. Thieves and mercenary bands use the fear still going around from the hundred year war and Azula's war to prey on the innocent. I feel like I need to stop it."
Zuko smiled and laid a hand on Jet's shoulder. "You have our support if you need it. But what about my daughter?"
Jet felt intimidated by the hard stare the Fire Lord was giving him now, but after a quick glance at Aya, he knew the answer. "I promised her I wouldn't disappear. And I plan to keep it. I want to ask her to come with me. She taught us so much and my friends love her. But if she's not ready, I'll go wherever she goes." He stopped and saw Zuko still frowning slightly. "Is that ok…sir?"
Zuko smiled slightly and nodded. "Yes, ask her. She's grown up and though it's hard to give her up, she's her own person and I love her for it. As I know you do."
A knock sounded and Zuko smiled. "I think there's someone here to see you though."
"Wait," Jet said as Zuko stood to move towards the door. "Aya said you met my father. What was he like?"
Zuko looked back sadly before he smiled again, a genuine smile that lit up his eyes. "He was a lot like you, though he was much more of a charmer. He had a lot of anger within him though. I did too at the time. But he was a good man. He would have been proud of you."
Jet was startled and unable to speak and Zuko headed to the door and soon a woman's voice came, though Jet couldn't see the person.
"Li!" the woman cried. "Or should I say, Fire Lord Zuko," she said sarcastically.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys," Zuko stated. "They would have killed my uncle and I back then."
"We understand," a soft male voice came and then Zuko was leading two adults into the room. The woman had long brown hair bound into a braid and she looked to be about Zuko's age. She stopped suddenly when she spotted Jet and he saw the man stop behind her. The man was tall, with a wide brimmed straw hat and a long face with dark eyes. He smiled and the woman started crying though she was smiling.
"Hi Jet, we're old friends of your father," the woman stated. "I'm Mei, and this is my husband, Longshot. I used to be Smellerbee and I'm…I'm your aunt."
Jet just stared in shock as Zuko left and the woman rushed forward to hug him tightly.
XXXXX
Aya smiled as her father came to her side. She was watching the meeting of Jet and his father's friends and was listening to it.
"Not spying, are you?" Zuko asked in a low tone.
"Need to see to spy," Aya remarked as she heard Smellerbee explain that she was Jet's little sister and they had been separated when the Fire Nation killed her parents. She and Jet had met again a year later, but both had changed.
Zuko chuckled and Aya smiled at her father. "I also heard you two. Mom did too."
"I can't hide anything from either of you, can I?" Zuko sighed and Aya smiled and hugged her father.
"Nope, did you mean it? I can choose?" Aya asked, studying her father.
"Yes, I had to when I was your age," Zuko said seriously.
"I'm glad you chose the right path," Aya said before she turned thoughtful. Jet wanted to take care of his people and unite the Earth Kingdom, stop the fighting and killing. She did too, and she knew she wanted to stay with him. Smellerbee remarked on living in Omashu and how they hadn't had a good king since Bumi had died ten years before and Aya remembered something. Just a snatch, but she thought she remembered Agni saying something about Jet becoming king of Omashu.
"I'm going with him, he still needs to learn a lot," Aya said with a smile. Smellerbee was telling Jet about how Omashu was mostly empty and they could make it the world's largest orphanage and start fixing things from the south.
Zuko sighed next to her, but then he had an arm wrapped around her shoulder and was giving her a sideways hug. "I knew you would, but don't take it too far," the Fire Lord said in a warning tone. "There has to be a wedding before you take it too far. And I want letters and for you to visit us at least once a year."
"I will, Dad," Aya replied. "Just remember to write back and you should come visit here sometimes. Just have Aang and Katara stop by and we'll hitch a ride on Appa."
"I'm sure we'll be seeing Aang and especially his niece a whole lot more now," Zuko said dryly.
"I'm so glad they finally got together," Aya sighed happily.
"And I'm glad you found your match," Zuko replied. "Jet needs you, he looks like he's going to have a breakdown."
"He won't, but I'll go anyways." Aya turned to her father and kissed his cheek before she hugged him tightly. "Thanks, Daddy. For understanding."
She knew her father was looking at her sadly, but his vibrations told her he was happy as Aya walked inside to stand next to Jet.
"Oh, this is Aya," Jet said as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close to him. "My girlfriend and…"
"Daughter of Toph and Zuko," Aya said, smiling at Jet's newfound aunt and uncle.
"I'm Mei and this is Longshot," Smellerbee said before she hugged Aya. Smellerbee drew back and Aya knew the woman was smiling at her. "We were just telling Jet how his father and we got separated when the hundred year war ended. But we always got a letter and sent a letter every year. But the year Azula was defeated, we didn't get a letter and started searching. I'm sorry about your parents," she told Jet. "I of all people understand. But you were safe and then we heard rumors of the Freedom Fighters starting up again and knew you were ok. We tried to find you, searching out the places we knew, but every time we approached one, we found it empty."
Jet nodded. "We probably thought you were spies for the army. I'm sorry, if I had known…"
"It's ok. You're safe, that's all that matters," Longshot said and Aya smiled.
"Your father would be proud," Smellerbee said and Aya noticed Jet relaxing.
"I've been told that already today. Thanks," Jet said and Aya felt her mother and Aang come into the room. The adults all greeted each other and then Toph demanded they stay for dinner and started escorting Smellerbee and Longshot out of the room and Aya knew her mother was giving her time alone with Jet. Jet sighed and sank into the couch he had been sitting in with her father and she sat next him.
"You ok?" she asked him as she felt him. He seemed tired, a little agitated, and nervous.
Jet turned to her and took her hands in his. She blushed at how warm his hands were and at how well hers fit into his. "I want to help people," Jet started uncertainly. "My people, the whole Earth Kingdom. What really happened last night? After I…"
Aya lowered her head. She closed her eyes and saw a vision of what Jet looked like. He was strong and stable, though a little wild looking with crazy brown hair, but his features told her he cared deeply for her and others. And his eyes, they were dark green and just seemed to suck her in. A vision passed though her mind of Ceres touching Long Feng and then Jet and Aya tried to concentrate on it, but it slipped away.
"I guess I understand what my dad went through now," she sighed. "I know I felt your heart stop. You died, but then…the gods were there, all of them. Long Feng too. Then…I'm not sure, but I knew you would be fine and then, my dad caught me and you were there." She smiled at him and moved towards him, hugging him tightly. He winced slightly when she pressed too hard and she drew back, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry."
Jet just chuckled and then was kissing her gently. "And you saw me, really saw me," Jet said in a low tone.
Aya nodded. "You never told me you had such beautiful dark green eyes," she smirked and Jet laughed before he kissed her again.
"I don't see them, no mirrors," he said before he sighed, relaxing next to her and pulling her closer still. "Aya, I want to help the people, my people. Our people. I think if we go to Omashu with Mei and Longshot, we could fix things. Will you come with me?"
Aya was startled at how much emotion was in his tone. She heard his pride, but also his love for his people and friends. And his love for her. He misinterpreted her silence.
"If you don't, I'll go wherever you go, but I want to make sure my people are safe first. We could…"
Aya stopped him with a passionate kiss. He kissed her back just as passionately and Aya smiled inwardly as she felt heat as if she were firebending again.
"Wow," Jet said when they eventually stopped. "Was that what it was like? Firebending?"
"You felt it too?" Aya asked, surprised.
"Yeah, heat, but comforting, nice, not menacing."
"Yeah, it was kind of like that," Aya said with a grin. "But I was so angry and sad at the time, I really didn't get to enjoy it. But I'll enjoy it much more now."
"But you can't firebend anymore," Jet said and Aya nodded, a memory of Agni touching her and saying she couldn't firebend anymore running through her head.
"No, but I think this will be good enough for both of us," Aya said with a sly smile before she kissed Jet again.
"I love you," Jet said as they cuddled once they had finally separated for air.
"I know, I love you too," Aya said, feeling happier at that moment that she had in her whole life. She was sure Jet was going to kiss her again when a sound of people falling and muffled curses reached her ears. Aya smiled and concentrated and found Iroh, Kana, Hakoda, Jen Lee, and the twins with the Hana and Marissa laughing and trying to quiet each other in a big heap on a wooden balcony above them. Jet was looking up and seemed to be angry before he started laughing.
"Checking in on us?" he asked the group.
"Making sure you don't go too far with my sister," Iroh said and it sounded as if he was trying to be stern, but then him and everyone else was laughing and Aya giggled at her brother and friends. They soon hurried down and everyone was congratulating them on being together and heading out to Omashu.
"Wait, how much did you guys hear?" Aya asked.
"Most of it," Kana replied. "We've been around you too long to not know your blind spots."
Jet stifled a laugh and Aya frowned at him before she frowned at her best friend and brother. "Ha, ha, very funny," she said dryly and everyone burst into giggles.
"Is it true, Jet?" Yin asked.
"Are you really going to try and unite everyone?" Yang asked.
"Yeah," Jet said seriously. "The mercenaries that worked for Long Feng will answer to me."
"And the Dai Li answer to me now," Aya said. "The bad ones disappeared or died."
"And the Freedom Fighters can be safe in Omashu," Jet said. "We can make a difference, I know we can."
"Well, if you guys need help, we'll be there to help," Hakoda stated and Iroh and the girls agreed.
"Thanks," Jet said, sounding embarrassed, but pleased by the support. "The Fire Lord told me the same earlier."
"Uncle Zuko will always stick up for his friends, and especially his daughter," Kana said.
"You might have to stop calling him 'Uncle' soon," Aya teased and felt Kana blush.
Everyone laughed at Kana's blush and soon the teens were talking about plans for moving the Freedom Fighters south and the plans for the future. Aya said how proud she was of her brother finally taking charge and the twins asked to stay in Ba Sing Sae a little longer with the girls. Jet gave them permission and they became ecstatic. They talked all afternoon, concreting plans until dinner when they dined with all the adults. Princess Jenell even came over with a guard and Kuzon and everyone talked late into the night of the plans for everyone to split up. Zuko was going back to the Fire Nation with Toph and Aang would be staying a little longer with Sokka to try and patch a few things up in Ba Sing Sae as Jet moved his people south to Omashu. Iroh, Kana, Kuzon and Hakoda would be staying in Ba Sing Sae for another month, doing what they came for, but also to start working with the king to stop the violence outside the walls and the secrets within.
They would meet up in Gaoling to visit Iroh and Aya's grandparents once the group left Ba Sing Sae and then on Iroh's birthday, it was planned that Aya and Jet would visit the Fire Nation and Aya's parents and on her birthday, her family and friends would visit her. Jet promised to write letters for them both and keep everyone updated on their progress. The next day saw Jet and Aya heading off to his hideouts by ostrich horse and Aya hugged everyone goodbye and had a hard time saying goodbye to her parents.
"You'll be fine, Aya," Toph said as she hugged her daughter. "You're strong. As strong as earth and as fierce as fire."
"Thanks, Mom," Aya whispered before turning to her father.
"It's hard to see you go away again," Zuko said before he pulled Aya into a hug. Aya hugged her father tightly.
"I guess I did inherit your trait of getting into trouble," Aya said.
"I guess you did," Zuko replied with a light chuckle. "Take care of Jet. He's got a lot of potential."
"I will, Dad. Take care of Iroh, he has tons of potential as well."
Zuko laughed again and hugged his daughter once more. "Make sure he writes often and you be careful."
"I'll watch out for her," Jet said behind them and Aya smiled, knowing he spoke the truth. "And, she can definitely take care of herself."
Aya felt her father nod and then let her go to shake Jet's hand. "Take care of yourself and those kids. Aya's right, you've got a good thing going."
Aya grinned and then Jet had picked her up and placed her on the saddle. Aya smiled at her family and friends, her extended family, the twins included as Jet jumped up behind her and then they were off, heading out of Ba Sing Sae. Aya heard a couple of ostrich horses surrounding them and smiled as she heard Iroh, Hakoda, Kuzon, Sokka, and The Duke around them with several guards. They reached the outer wall and then stopped as the earthbenders opened it for them. An ostrich horse approached and Jet stiffened slightly behind Aya.
"I'd like to come with you, to watch over Aya and you, Jet," The Duke said and Aya grinned. Jet nodded.
"It would be an honor to have an original Freedom Fighter with me," Jet said and then they were off to the other Freedom Fighters waiting for them to get the rest of their people and head south to Omashu.