Chapter Twelve: Sweet Skin and Sour Promises
Panting and gasping for air with difficulty, his sight slowly focused from the blurry state it has been in for the past twenty minuets. Sweat sparkled silently all over his body making him feel as if he was wearing a second skin. Looking up as the door suddenly opened cautiously but soon was slammed shut. There, smirking in front of the door, was his worst nightmare playing over and over in his mind.
"Now…shall we continue with the questioning?" Zhao smiled slightly as sat down in a chair behind a charcoal-colored desk. A blank piece of parchment lay quietly on the desk as the Admiral began to write on it with an elegant quill. The rebel just glared at the firebender, this was all wrong…everything was going wrong. Running his hands through his brown matted hair, Jet released a soft sigh.
"What? I thought we were all done with the questioning a few minuets ago." the rebel snapped back and watched the Admiral place the quill down. Both of their brown eyes stared at each other before Jet looked away as shame began to sink into his skin. The rebel observed the sheets below and above him. They were drenched with sweat and bodily fluid; wincing at the sight of this he heard the firebender laugh softly.
The quill began to scratch again on the parchment followed by a soft question, "Was it really?" The rebel could taste the sarcasm and victory in Zhao's words and Jet knew the Admiral won once again. "Going on, I have question to ask you," Zhao countinued as he paused in his writing, "where is it?"
Jet knew exactly what he meant; ever since day one he was questioned about his hideout. Riches, weapons and glory all rested in the hideout and from what he heard it was still a large impact…despite his own disappearance. Scoffing, Jet looked up and grinned as he began to grab his clothes on the ground. "It has now been almost five weeks and you still haven't got your answer yet. Do you expect me to give you an answer now?" the rebel laughed as his weary body was now fully clothed.
His clothes clutched to his body but the rebel ignored the uncomfortable feeling. Striding over to Zhao's desk he leaned over and was going to continue on until the Admiral's hand grasped on his neck. "I won't tell you if you keep on grabbing me." Jet choked as he stared at Zhao with rage.
With that said the Admiral smiled and gradually released his grip on the rebel. "That could be arranged if you would agree to be a soldier for my army." he countinued to smile and Jet just backed away slowly. Backing up he felt the door handle behind him and allowed his hands to go behind his back. "Why so shocked, Jet. This is your only chance…unless you really do enjoy my-" He was cut short as he watched with horror as the rebel just slipped away from his grasp. Grabbing a dagger he dashed out of the room to see the rebel running down the hall.
With he ease he threw the silver dagger at the rebel and cursed softly when he missed his mark. But the dagger struck the rebel on his right calf and sunk in half-way. Releasing out a cry in pain the rebel clawed at the metal wall and sunk to his knees. Inhuman pain buffeted him as he slowly felt his right calf. His leg was now dripping with hot blood as he lightly grasped the handle of the dagger.
Ice with claws was running up his veins as he took out the dagger from his calf. Warm tears began to form but he brushed them away with his hand and clenched the dagger fiercely. Getting up painfully he found Zhao before him and took this opportunity to drive the dagger through Zhao's exposed throat.
"You see, this is what I like about you. You never stop fighting…join me, Jet. Or die like your dear Prince." he growled as he dodged the rebel's attack and easily took the dagger out of his hand. The rebel's eyes were now wide with disbelief and fear, for weeks he tossed and turned in his cell…wondering. Did Zuko die out in the cold while finding food? Did Zhao kill him before he even woke up? Now the answer was here but not completely. He's dead…but how?
Sinking back into the pain in his calf he felt his shoulders sag with the weight of his decision. "What's the point of fighting back when you have nothing to fight for? The other Freedom Fighters will soon fall without me anyway…and Zuko's….dead." the rebel softly spoke out his thoughts and moved his gaze up toward Zhao. "I….I…accept your offer." he whispered hoarsely.
Zhao smiled and handed the rebel the dagger he took from Jet. Taking the dagger, Jet stared at the Fire Nation symbol etched on the handle. "I accept your offer…when I'm dead and rotting in hell." he snarled and shoved the dagger through the Admiral's arm. "Have fun dying, asshole." the rebel gave a salute and dashed off as he left a trail of blood.
A few guards spotted Zhao and rushed over to him but quickly the Admiral pushed them away. "Get that damn rebel back here and get the healer." Zhao barked as other guards began to follow the trail of blood and as the other searched for the healer. Cursing angrily as he cradled his bleeding arm and got up, shouting at passing guards to get the rebel.
"Just my luck." he laughed hysterically as he followed the blood trail that lead out on deck. There he was, on the ground with a hundred Fire Nation guards and firebenders surrounding him. "Bring are good friend to the healer…we have much to discuss with him." Zhao countinued to laugh as the rebel was forced to follow Zhao.
There inside the healer's room was an elderly woman with water tribe clothes on. Jet chocked with shock but soon noticed the shackles on her arms. "Back again, Jet….and Zhao too." she grinned as she revealed rows of shinning teeth.
Zhao sighed heavily and showed her his arm, "Yes…I'm afraid this rebel is truly a rebel to his word." The rebel leader noticed how the waterbender carefully took the dagger out of Zhao's arm and dips her hands in water. Wrinkled hands soon lit up with a soft blue light as she placed her hands on his wound. There before his eyes the Admiral's wound was healed.
With a nod the Admiral spoke curtly to the waterbender, "Make sure his wound is all healed and that he learns to respect me." Turning to the rebel he smiled wickedly, "You agreed and took the Fire Nation weapon in your hand…before your rude remark. Welcome to the crew, Jet." With that Zhao left victorious as usual as he made his way back to his room to finish of the letter to Fire Lord Ozai…the rebel was now his.
Zuko sat down across from his uncle and listened to the retired general of his plan to get Jet back. Uncle Iroh still couldn't understand why Zuko wanted him back so badly. But he knew that it would be unwise to question the prince. "I believe that afterward the rebel is placed back in his cell. You should take the watch as guard for the cell and sneak him out by boat. You can't hide him in Zhao's own ship…that would be foolish." Iroh countinued as he took a sip of his Ginseng tea.
The prince bit the inside of his cheek and noticed that rush of footsteps followed by laughter. Releasing a heavy sigh he stood up and looked down on his uncle. "You don't have to do this, uncle." he spoke out softly, his eyes traveled toward the Fire Nation's banner hanging on the wall.
"Hmm? You know why I do this…I do it for the nephew I cherish the most. Just like how I commit myself to my tea…you can never get the right flavor until you confide with it your trust and reassurance." Iroh smiled and was unable to see the prince's questioning look.
The metal door swung open to reveal Admiral Zhao, "General Iroh…we are almost near are destination. Care to take a look outside?" The retired general smiled and got up before dismissing Zuko. Restraining himself from glaring at the Admiral, Zuko left without another word. "Also I have some interesting new for you about are newest recruit." Zhao smiled as he escorted the general outside.
Zuko stood outside on deck and watched a crimson bird take flight with a scroll in it's talons. Checking that the deck was clear the prince let loose a ball of fire and watched the bird sink into the churning sea. The scroll floated for a few moments before sinking also with the bird. "Sorry father…it's your time to be blind." he whispered before his uncle and hated enemy walked outside on deck.
Little did he know that the one he truly loved was on the other side now…but all he did know was that Jet was alive and that was all that mattered.
It's true...when you accept and place your hand, while or after, on the crest you arefully accepted. And of course Zhao knows this...clever bastard.