Chapter 29: Shadows

It wasn't long before the whispered rumors of the Fire Nation's approach became actual news. Villages miles and miles away that had previously been unoccupied reported troops moving through. The Fire Nation's approach was all anyone in Longshot, Smellerbee, and Jet's adopted could talk about. Some people said the Fire Nation would skip them entirely. Others said occupation was certain. Still others insisted that they would pass through, nothing more.

For a long time, Smellerbee, Longshot, and Jet refused to speak of it, even with each other. Smellerbee was the first to break the taboo.

"If they come . . . what are we going to do?" she asked one night as the three lay on their straw mattresses, moonlight falling across their faces.

For several minutes, there was no response from either of them, and Smellerbee thought that maybe they were asleep. She glanced to either side. Longshot was looking at her, at a loss. Jet, however, was staring up at the ceiling, clearly thinking hard.

"We're going to stay," he said finally.

"Stay?" Smellerbee asked. She and Longshot exchanged an uneasy look.

Jet turned, propping himself up on his elbow.

"We've been running for a long time. Before the Freedom Fighters, even . . . No matter how hard we fight, we end up running," he said, looking at Longshot. Smellerbee stared at Jet. His eyes were dark and serious. "Maybe the best way to deal with them is to survive them. To not let them take control of our lives. Because that's what they do – every time we run, they take a little more control over us. If we don't let them push us out, we stay in control this time."

Smellerbee looked back at Longshot, who was staring without seeing, lost in thought.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Smellerbee asked tentatively.

"I'm tired of running, Smellerbee," Jet said. "We have something good here. I don't want to lose it."

That decision made, the three tried not to think of it as the week progressed. Smellerbee kept hoping that by some miracle the Avatar would defeat the Fire Lord before they had to put their fortitude to the test, and she couldn't help but hate herself a little for it.

:–:–:–:

Towards the end of the week, Smellerbee found herself on the mountain with Jet, digging for clay. As they piled everything they'd dug up on the cart, Smellerbee got a good look at the valley below. It looked just as beautiful as she had since the first time she'd seen it. She half-expected to see plumes of smoke rising amidst the trees and flags bearing the Fire Nation insignia marching up the path towards their ceramic shop.

"Come on, Smellerbee," Jet said, putting a hand on her shoulder to guide her back to the cart. "We've got to get back."

"Jet, I don't want the Fire Nation to find us here," Smellerbee said, aware of how childish she sounded. But she didn't care. It was a truth she'd been holding back for a long time.

"They won't be looking for us here. We're new people."

"Are we, though?" Smellerbee asked, looking up at Jet. "Every time I think I'm someone new . . . my past catches up."

"Smellerbee, we've got lives here. We can't just walk out."

"You were going to walk out on the Freedom Fighters," Smellerbee reminded him.

"Yeah, and look how that turned out," Jet said with a laugh. "No, look," he added, seeing Smellerbee's hurt look. "I mean that running doesn't work. You guys came with me. And I'm grateful for that. And I'm glad we found this place and these people, but I'm done running. If we stay here, if we wait them out, we'll make it through."

Smellerbee stared at him. He sounded so sure. So hopeful. She hadn't heard that sort of innocent optimism from him before, and it filled her with the inexplicable urge to lean up and kiss him, the way she had kissed Longshot. For a split second, she thought she might actually do it.

Instead, she stepped back.

"Okay," she said, looking down at the ground, hoping Jet hadn't seen her desire reflected in her eyes

"Hey, Smellerbee," Jet said, reaching out and lifting her chin so she was looking at him. "We're going to be all right." Smellerbee nodded. Jet smiled. "Let's get back to the shop," he said. Smellerbee looked back at the valley, still beautiful and green, one last time before she followed Jet down the path, back to the village.

As much as she tried to let Jet's confidence bolster her own, she couldn't help but worry.

:–:–:–:

"Are either of you going to tell me what's wrong, or will I have to guess?" Ms. Zhu asked one day as Longshot and Smellerbee worked silently in the shop, more subdued than usual. They had just received news the previous night that the Fire Nation had begun quartering soldiers in a village only ten miles away. Longshot and Smellerbee looked at each other for a moment before Smellerbee answered.

"It's just . . . the Fire Nation is getting closer. And we think they might come here," she said. It was the truth, just not the whole truth. But she couldn't very well add Also, I am actually a rich runaway from the crazed general who took over my town and married my sister and then I met Jet and Longshot and all three of us were in the gang the Fire Nation wanted caught more than any other, so we're mildly terrified they'll kill us for that if they figure out who we are.

"I see," Ms. Zhu said. "And if they do?"

"I . . . I mean, that would be bad, wouldn't it?" Smellerbee said, confused by Ms. Zhu's response.

"Yes, it would," Ms, Zhu said, appearing slightly amused. "But what will you three do if they occupy the town?"

"Well, we figured we'd stay . . . see what happened."

"So then why are you worried?" Ms. Zhu asked. "Three innocent refugees . . . if you keep your heads down and continue your work, what do you have to fear?" She was looking at them, waiting for their reaction.

"You're right," Smellerbee said, not meeting Ms. Zhu's eye. "We're just getting worried about nothing."

"Mmhmm," Ms. Zhu said. Smellerbee could tell she knew they weren't telling her everything.

:–:–:–:

That evening, the three refugees went to their favorite place for dinner, a bar and restaurant called The Sparrowkeet, where they found Ling looking grave while Suzume and Maylin spoke to her in hushed tones.

"What's wrong?" Smellerbee asked, sitting beside Maylin at their usual booth.

Ling just shook her head, staring blankly forward.

"She got a letter from her cousin – he lives about ten miles from here –"

"His mother – my aunt – got arrested," Ling said, her voice empty of emotion. It was as though she was in shock. "For refusing to allow soldiers in their house. And they told her she'd have nowhere to run. They want this entire region. They're going to take everything."

"Ling, I'm so sorry," Jet said, but he was looking at Longshot and Smellerbee.

"Does that mean . . . they're coming here?" Smellerbee asked, her voice small.

Ling nodded, tears gathering in her eyes.

"We'll be okay," Suzume said soothingly. "The Avatar will take care of the Fire Lord and we'll all be okay. We just have to make it through."

Unconsciously, Smellerbee shook her head, Ling's words still echoing in her mind. They're going to take everything.

"Suzume's right," Jet said firmly. "All we have to do is survive." Smellerbee looked at him. The determination in his voice did not match the doubt in his eyes. She watched as he put his hand on Suzume's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. She wondered if Jet had told her about who he really was. About what was really at stake if the Fire Nation showed up on their doorstep. And in that moment, Smellerbee hated Suzume for giving Jet a reason to keep them there even though they were risking their lives to do so. Because of Suzume, Jet no longer belonged to just her and Longshot.

"How long until they get here?" Maylin asked. Her eyes hadn't left Ling's face for the entirety of the conversation.

"I don't know," Ling said. "A few days. Maybe."

Longshot looked at Smellerbee, his eyes wide. A few days?