Recap:

Jet and Zuko fight to what first seemed like to the death...but the outcome was quite different. A stranger from Aunt Wu appears and hands Jet a small vile with red liquid inside.

"How can you still think I'm your goddamn slave!" hissed a voice in his ear.

Sorry for the long wait. But I finally updated! Hurrah! Enjoy! Also heads-up...this month and the next are going to be hetic. School and rowing does a number on me...

Chapter Six: A Rude Awakening

The world was humming and buzzing with life as afternoon finally came. The plump, blood-red sun glared down viciously at the two exhausted teens without mercy. Sweat slid down their faces, which was covered with thin patches of dirt. Their legs moved forward but their weary minds' were a few paces behind them.

A pleasant sound reached their ears as they continued to walk on. This sound was the trickling of a stream that seemed to beckon to the boys in a beautiful voice. Their suffocating minds' and bodies' dashed toward the sound. Towering trees and greedy bushes purposely seemed to scratch and block them in an attempt to stop them. But it was a hopeless task and the boys reached the singing river.

Both teens stuck their faces in the water and drunk to their hearts' content. Zuko was the first to realize how primitive and uncivilized he became the past few days. The water teased and mocked him as he drew back with uncertainty. Unlike Zuko, the rebel tossed his head back with a large grin on his face. Droplets of water showered on Zuko, but the prince merely acknowledged the teen or the shower of water before looking back at the wide stream. "So…I guess I should start to set up camp and-" the rebel began but was interrupted by a scratchy feeling in his throat.

His voice came short as a mildly-loud cough broke through. Opening his eyes after his small fit, brown orbs examined his hands and ground. There coated lightly on the lime-green grass were dark patches of crimson.

What? Blood? From me…

Jet wiped his mouth and his hands on his sleeve quickly with disgust. Jet looked around to see Zuko still staring at the water. Turning away, Jet got up slowly and gazed at the fiery-colored sky. Maybe…just maybe…he would see a sign that would answer all of his tiring problems ever since he was captured.

Thud.

The sound of something heavy hitting the ground tore Jet's attention slowly toward the source of the sound. There on the ground was Zuko's dull-colored armor and clothes. Gulping down the saliva and remaining blood, which rested in his mouth, he slowly looked up. There in the slow-paced stream was a bare prince with his back faced to Jet. He couldn't figure out if he was glad he was in the water and saw only the upper-half or disappointed. Muttering a curse underneath his breath for his foolish thoughts he remembered a saying he said to Sokka a while back.

"Remember why you fight."

"Stop gaping like an idiot and get inside. You smell and look like a peasant." the prince spoke in a stern tone as Jet watched the prince continue to have his back facing him. After a moment of doubt and consideration, Jet heard the prince's voice once more, "I don't bite…now get your grimy ass over here before the sun sets."

Jet saw Zuko shoot him a glance before turning back. Sighing heavily he began to take his own armor off and was careful to unravel his cast on his arm. There was a small yellow bruise on his arm and he lightly pressed it, but only to feel a shot of pain run through his body.

Edging slowly toward the stream, that moved lazily, Jet shivered violently as the wind licked his bare skin. Partially glad Zuko had his back facing him and eyes closed, Jet stepped in the cool water. Twirling the water with his index finger, Jet looked at the prince with a hint of curiosity.

"So…tell me…why are you chasing after the Avatar?" the rebel asked, knowing that this was a tender topic. But they were both standing together in a stream and naked. Jet felt the prince owed him an explanation for all of these past events.

Zuko opened his eyes and faced the rebel, "Well….I guess I should." After a heavy sigh, the prince began, "It all started when I was fourteen…"

An hour passed by quickly, and the two teens listened to each other's stories. "Afterward, we stole all of their supplies." the rebel concluded with a large grin creeping on his face. The prince laughed softly, "I even told Zhao that my father and his men are foolish." The rebel nodded and looked off at the sky once more, but something troubled him.

"So what were you trying to do when we were fighting on the hills?" the rebel asked as he continued to stare at the sky.

After a moment of silence, the prince finally answered, "Do you really want to know?" Jet shrugged and watched the blood-red sun dip downward to the horizon, "Sure." Fingers gently brushed against Jet's cheek; turning around, Jet gave the prince a questioning look. The prince's thumb ran down to the rebel's soft lips and he paused silently.

Moving his head closer, Jet walked a step forward and he could feel the warmth radiating from the prince. Zuko closed the gap between their lips slowly with hesitation. When their lips touched gently, it seemed to be a candle in Zuko's world of turmoil and confusion.

The feeling of arms wrapping around his neck sent small shivers down the prince's spine. The teens' kisses became more violent and vigorous as night began to settle in followed by the howl of a wolf…

Well I hope you enjoyed! Also...(hint) the wolf plays a huge symbol throughout this story. Mwhaha! Until now...read, review, and love!

Mdalia: Glad you like the story. I knew Jet and Zuko would be a shocker or thriller for many.

Lin13: I know...even I am pissed off at that guy.

TMW: Lol, thanks!

Candylicious231: Do I really? Wow...I don't why I always find this a surprise. Well I'm glad you like it!