Chapter Three: Torn Apart

Once we arrived at the hideout, Jet showed our guests around while I checked in with the other children. I leapt up to one of the larger platforms where I saw some of them sparring. I cringed from my ankle and leaned against a tree to steady myself. I should've been taking it easy, but there was still work to do. There would be time to rest later.

Observing the match, I smiled at the ten-year-old girl sparring against an eleven-year-old boy, who was twice her size. I had found the poor thing scavenging near one of the villages I was scouting when she was only four. She charged at the boy with her knife, who blocked it with his shield. She kept swiping at the shield, but he held his stance and pushed her back.

"The legs, Razor! Go for the legs," I said.

The boy turned and frowned at me. Razor took the opening and kicked his legs from underneath him. He landed on his back, and before he could recover, she knocked the shield from his hands and held her knife at his throat.

Half of the children cheered while the other half booed. I applauded and nodded to Razor, who smiled at me while pumping her fist in the air. The boy groaned, flailing his arms and legs against the floor like a spoiled child.

"No fair! Tashi distracted me." He pointed at me.

I stepped away from the tree and limped over to them. "Hey, you're the one who let yourself get distracted. If you had stayed focused, she wouldn't have gotten the upper hand."

Razor stuck her tongue out at him. "Don't be such a sore loser, Blockhead."

"How many times do I have to tell you it's The Block?" he said.

She snorted. "Who cares? You're still a loser either way."

"Hmph." He stood and stomped off.

"Nice job, Razor." I ruffled her messy mane of hair. "You're getting better and better everyday."

She laughed. "You've been a good teacher. So how did the mission go?"

"Better than expected actually." I looked out to the other children and waved my hand to call their attention. "Everyone, I have an important announcement to make. It appears that the rumors spreading throughout the villages are true. The Avatar has returned, and he and his friends are now here as our honored guests."

Gasps erupted amongst the children, and I could already predict the bombardment of questions. I waved my hands, settling everyone down.

"I know you're all curious, and you'll have a chance to meet the Avatar in a moment. However, I believe this occasion calls for a special feast. Who wants to help with dinner?"

….

Night fell, and everyone was gathered on one of the large platforms for dinner. I sat beside Razor while Jet stood in the center of everyone and gave a rousing speech. I examined our guests. Aang was having a good time, Katara was still entranced by Jet, but Sokka…. He narrowed his eyes at Jet and sulked off to the side of the platform away from his friends. It was clear he didn't like our group, and I pondered if I should intervene before he caused us any trouble.

Feeling someone tug on my sleeve, I glanced down at Razor. "Something wrong?"

She pointed ahead. "Are you just gonna let Jet flirt with that Water Tribe girl?"

I shrugged. "It's no big deal. Besides, he's playing her."

"Playing her?" Razor blinked.

"You'll understand when you're older." I gathered my things and stood. "In the meantime, I'm gonna turn in. My ankle's killing me. Have a good night, Razor."

"Night," she said.

I stepped onto the walkway and saw Longshot waiting in the corner. He nodded to me and handed me a note.

I unfolded it. "Jet wants me to meet him in his hut. Thanks, Longshot."

He nodded and walked away.

Always a man of few words. I shook my head before making my way to Jet's hut.

It was the largest and most decorated out of all of them. Heading inside, I collapsed on his cot and sighed. Boy, was it good to finally be off of my feet. I stared up at the ceiling and relaxed until I heard footsteps outside. Jet pushed the curtain aside and entered the hut.

I sat up and reclined against my hands. "So how long am I gonna have to watch you string along that Water Tribe girl?"

"Not long." He sat beside me. "Just until I can carry out my plan."

"Really?" I raised an eyebrow. "And what is this plan? You kinda failed to mention it."

His eyes widened a little, and he glanced away. "Don't worry about it."

"Uh, as your second in command, I believe it's my job to worry about it." I frowned. "Or do you not wanna tell me because you know I'll disagree?"

He rested his right arm against his knee and scoffed. "Tashi, don't start."

"I have every right to start." I groaned. "I hate when you keep secrets from me."

Jet stared at me for a few moments and heaved a deep sigh, blowing his hair out of his face. He crawled behind me and placed his hands on my shoulders.

"Look, I've come up with a plan to run the Fire Nation out of Gaipan for good, and I need Aang and Katara's help to do it," he said.

I jerked his hands off of me and stood up. "Fine, don't tell me."

"Come on, Tashi. Don't be like this." When I kept walking, he tossed his swords on the ground. "See. This is exactly why I don't tell you these things. You let your emotions get in the way of what matters."

I span around so fast that my hair almost whipped me in the face. "What matters? You think acting rash and violent is what matters? I'm not stupid, Jet. Every time you leave me out of one of your plans, you end up causing way more damage than you need to."

He walked over to me and grabbed my wrist, almost twisting it. I yelped in pain, but his grip was too strong for me to pull away.

"You're hurting me." I saw the rage in his eyes again and flinched.

"For your own good. I'm the only one willing to make the tough decisions that keep us alive." He glared at her. "Or did you forget that I saved your life after the Fire Nation almost killed you? I gave you a home and a purpose after they destroyed your village and left you with nothing!"

I closed my eyes. "No, I haven't forgotten."

"Then start acting like it. We're about to achieve our biggest victory yet." He let go of my wrist and leaned in to kiss me. "I promise you'll love it."

I turned my head away, allowing his lips to only collide with my cheek. "I'm not in the mood. Goodnight, Jet."

I rushed out of his hut before he could stop me, and hurrying across the bridge, I jumped onto a different walkway out of his reach. Did I mention Jet was the boy who had stolen my heart? Yeah, and then he locked it in a cage, so I'd never leave. With a promise of comfort and security, he made me feel like I'd never be safer anywhere else and preyed upon my fears of losing everything again. Still, I did consider the Freedom Fighters my family, but was this place really my destiny?

I pulled out my great grandmother's necklace and stared at the amulet. It was no coincidence that I ran into the Avatar. It had to be a sign that my life was meant to take a different course, but was I brave enough to go for it?

Hearing a loud clank, I turned and saw Smellerbee, Pipsqueak, and the Duke hauling off the barrels of blasting jelly we took from the campsite. While I was curious, I was also very exhausted, and I decided I'd investigate in the morning.

….

I woke with a yawn and rubbed my groggy eyes. Sitting up, I flexed my ankle. It didn't hurt as much as before, but I would make sure to take it easy anyway. After getting ready for the day, I stepped outside of my hut. Judging by the sunlight, I realized I had slept in longer than I should have, and after scolding myself, I made my way through the hideout to begin my duties. While leaping to the next platform, I heard shouting, and following the sound, I saw Katara and Sokka bickering with each other while Aang watched from the sidelines.

I leapt down from my perch and landed beside Sokka, startling him. "Something wrong?"

Katara looked at me. "Nothing. I was just leaving."

She stomped off in another direction.

Aang walked over to me and bowed. "Morning, Tashi. Have you made your decision yet?"

"Not yet." I glanced at Sokka, who had stormed back into their hut. "Uh, would you excuse me, Aang? I'd like to speak to Sokka in private."

"Sure." He ran off to go play on the zip-lines.

I peeled back the curtains a little. "Sokka, is it alright for me to come in? It's Tashi."

There was some grumbling before I heard Sokka mutter, "Fine."

I entered the hut and saw the Water Tribe boy sitting on his cot. He was sharpening his boomerang and didn't bother to look at me.

Sighing, I stepped closer and folded my arms. "No offense to Aang and Katara, but you don't seem as naive as they do. I can tell you don't trust my group or my boyfriend."

"Yeah, well–" Sokka paused, his boomerang dropping from his hands, and his eyes widened. "Boyfriend!"

I shrugged. "Yes, now–"

He stood. "You mean all this time Jet's been your boyfriend while he's been putting the moves on my sister! When I get my hands on him, I'll–"

Sokka strode toward the exit, but I snatched him by his ponytail and yanked him back. He fell on the floor, and letting out a frustrated yell, he tried to push past me. I placed my hand on his forehead and was able to hold him back with one hand. Being a tall girl had its benefits sometimes.

"Will you let me through already?" Sokka said.

"Not until you tell me what that fight was about." I pushed him back and folded my arms. "You called Jet a thug."

"That's because he beat and robbed a harmless, old man while we were out this morning." He glared at me. "And he thinks it doesn't matter because the guy was Fire Nation."

"Again?" I pinched the bridge of my nose and turned away. "Damn it, Jet."

"So you believe me?" he said.

My gaze wandered to the floor. "I've known Jet for four years. Deep down, he means well, but lately, he's gotten more rash. He won't even tell me his plans half the time, and he's developed a temper."

I rubbed my wrist, remembering last night.

Sokka glanced at my wrist. "And by the sound of it, you've dealt with his temper more than once."

This guy is definitely sharp. I met his gaze. "Anyway, I think Jet's up to something. Something big."

He furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"

"Last night, he mentioned running the Fire Nation soldiers out of Gaipan for good, and that he needed Aang and Katara for something important. Then I saw the others taking the barrels of blasting jelly somewhere."

He put a hand to his chin. "I can't quite piece it together, but it doesn't sound good. I need to get to the bottom of this."

"Well, whatever you do, be careful." I turned around. "I'm gonna go talk to Jet."

"Wait," he said.

I looked at him.

"You're not gonna tell him anything, are you?" He narrowed his eyes. "I mean, you have no reason to help me over–"

I put a finger over Sokka's lips, silencing him. "You're right. I owe Jet my life, and to be honest, it's a debt I'm tired of repaying. So do what you need to do to protect Aang and Katara. I won't stand in your way."

I removed my finger and saw a blush creep along his face. He must've had very little experience with girls if he was that easily flustered. I chuckled to myself before turning to leave again.

"And what about you? You know Aang wants you to join us," he said.

"That all depends on how Jet plays this. Now, if you'll excuse me–" I left the hut.

I looked in the direction of Jet's hut and started making my way over. However, when I landed in front of it, someone grabbed my hands and held them behind my back.

"I'm so disappointed in you, Tashi," Jet's malevolent voice hissed in my ear.

I struggled against him. "Jet, what are you doing? Let me go."

"Not a chance." He tightened his hold on me. "I saw you talking to Sokka. What did you tell him?"

"Nothing. I was just being a good hostess and was making sure everything was going okay with him and his group." I tried to hide the tremble in my voice, but it creeped out despite my efforts.

"Really? Well, we'll see if you're telling the truth after tomorrow." Jet shoved me into his hut. "Until then, you can stay here."

As I fell on the floor, I reached for my whips, but Jet kicked me across my head before I could move. I collapsed against the floor and was seeing black.