The trip back to the hideout was a casual one for the three travelers; but for jet, it was the beginning of his greatest victory.
The waterbending girl was Katara. She was mild-mannered around him and he sensed her attraction to his rogue-style. Not that he could blame her; among other things, Jet was also very arrogant. Most of the girls in his gang had a crush on him at one time or another, and though he was highly flattered and encouraged by this, he never returned their feelings. He had a natural charm and wit about him that hid his true motives quite well, and his fast-thinking was always a plus in sticky situations. Katara also seemed to dislike her brother, who was the only one suspicious of him. This also played perfectly into Jet's hands.
The airbender boy was Aang, and he was so enamored by Jet and his companions that Jet hardly fancied him a threat, even with his masterful bending skills. He seemed more inclined to devour jellied candy with Pipsqueak and throw spark pellets with The Duke than figure out what Jet's master-mind plan was. The goofy kid was also often agreeing with Katara, which meant two against one on Jet's side.
Sokka was very sour and moody. His motions bled dislike for both Jet and his Fighters, and whatever the charismatic boy said he would attempt to gather a rebuttal. When they reached the hideout, for example, Jet thought he'd have a little fun with his attitude and stopped in the vacant clearing without pointing up.
"We're here," he stated confidently. Sokka walked up next to him and looked around.
"Where? There's nothing here," he claimed. Jet grabbed a looped rope nearby and held it out to him, idly chewing the twig.
"Hold this."
Sokka took it and glared sourly at it. Jet grinned and closed his eyes.
"Why? What's this do -"
He let out a sudden yell as the loop wrapped around his wrist and hoisted him high into the trees. He got stuck among a few branches but was pulled through despite his struggles. Jet handed another rope to the airbender.
"Aang?"
"I'll get up on my own," he said. He leapt from the ground with wind whipping behind him and landed high in the trees, bouncing off branches until he, too, disappeared among the leaves. Jet turned to his admirer and held out his hand, flashing a charming smile and deepening his gaze.
"Grab hold of me, Katara."
Katara took his hand but nearly gasped when he spun her gracefully around and stopped her gently at his side. His cheek nudged hers and she blushed deeply, feeling him so close. His arm took her waist and she placed a hand on his chest as they were lifted up through the trees. Sighing into a smile, she relaxed and enjoyed the ride, looking up at Jet, who was smiling charmingly, his dark eyes hypnotizing. They fell onto the wooden platform of the nearest treehouse and Aang sped by on a rope course.
"Nice place you got!" he called distantly. Katara laughed and followed Jet as he walked to the platform's edge, the hideout coming into plain view. There were tents and platforms built in the crooks of tree branches, held together by rope ladders and bridges, all suspended in the very tops of the forest's tallest trees. The light of the sun glinted on the red leaves and cast a warm, inviting glow around the whole hideout; Katara saw it and stared in awe.
"Its beautiful up here," she whispered. Jet gazed at it all with a trained eye.
"Its beautiful, and, more importantly, the Fire Nation can't find us," he said.
"They'd love to find you, wouldn't they Jet?" said SmellerBee, leaping from his rope hook and landing beside Katara. Jet closed his eyes and grinned.
"It's not gonna happen, SmellerBee," he said as the others followed them. He led Katara to the bridge just as Sokka stumbled onto the platform beside Pipsqueak. He stumbled to catch up with the two, battling his way past Longshot and the Duke as he went.
"Why does the Fire Nation want to find you?" asked Katara, walking beside Jet as he led the way, his back straight and his posture demanding respect.
"I guess you could say...I've been causing them a little trouble," he said offhandedly. He didn't need to elaborate; his Fighters knew Jet's true heroism and would speak it for him. Though he was arrogant and full of himself, Jet never outwardly bragged. He let his Fighters do that for him. "See, they took over a nearby Earth kingdom town a few years back..."
"We've been ambushing their troops, cutting off their supply lines, and doing anything we can to mess with them!" stated Pipsqueak. Jet glared straight ahead, smiling, before turning to Katara.
"One day, we'll drive the Fire Nation out of here for good - and free that town," added Jet, struggling to keep his passion hidden. Hearing the words escape his own mouth was something uncommon; the mutual hatred the group harbored for the Fire Nation never needed to be spoken, and his lips threatened to tremble on at the actual sound. He regained himself and Katara seemed not to notice his underlying barbarity as she blushed again.
"That's so brave..." she whispered. Suddenly Sokka reached her and hissed angrily.
"Yeah, nothing's braver than a guy in a treehouse," he claimed bitterly. Katara turned and glared at him, though Jet remained undisturbed by his comment. The truth was, Jet found Sokka completely insignificant. He was ignored by his own sister and traveling friend, never taken seriously, and dug his hole even deeper with sarcastic remarks like that. Jet suspected he was jealous and, naturally, couldn't blame him. Katara frowned at Sokka.
"Don't pay any attention to my brother..."
"No problem. He probably had a rough day," he said. The two comments immediately put the warrior in his place and Sokka slunk back, grumbling. Jet, once again, remained undisturbed as Katara tried to liven the conversation again.
"So, you all live here?" she asked.
"That's right. Longshot over there?" he looked towards the loyal archer, who lowered his head at the memory Jet now repeated. "His town got burned down by the Fire Nation. And we found the Duke trying to steal our food," a forlorn look crept across the boy's face as Jet continued. "...I don't think he ever really had a home."
"And what about you?"
The question was very bold, but Katara did not know this. Jet stopped on the bridge and let the others pass by, contemplating his answer. He let the form of his mother flash across his face again. The bloody corpse of his father. The reason he fought.
"Fire Nation killed my parents. I was only eight years old. That day changed me forever."
Katara looked down, blindly unaware of the terrible truth his answer held.
"Sokka and I lost our mother to the Fire Nation," she admitted. Jet turned to her as they stood, side by side, on the bridge, sharing their pain. Pain brought by the Fire Nation.
"I'm so sorry, Katara."
She'll understand. She'll understand why I'm doing this. Sokka will understand too, in time.
He put his hand on her shoulder and smiled as they stood, alone, upon the bridge. Taking courage from him, Katara followed after the others with Jet behind her. He watched her go and lowered his dark eyes dangerously.
It was perfect. It would all be over soon...two days, tops. Jet's fingers tightened eagerly on his hooked swords and he felt like laughing outright. The demons, whose hell fires consumed the barren earth, whose power choked the land and slew the innocent, would be gone. No one would ever again have to know the pain of losing everything they loved, the pain that haunted Jet each day with incessant vigor and made it impossible to sleep each night. All the soldiers he had killed throughout the years had built p to this moment. The moment the fire-devils were drowned in a righteous flood, released by the true heros - released by Jet.
The meal was about to begin and the children situated themselves around the main area. Girls dangled on branches and small boys, coated in paint and berry juice, jumped from tree to tree, seeking a clear view of the main dinner table. Jet's most loyal sat with him, along with Katara, Sokka, and Aang; cheers erupted around him into a rising chorus of "Speech! Speech! Speech!" and Jet stood. Pipsqueak was already wolfing down Leechy Nuts, but he looked up when Jet raised his cup.
"Today, we struck another blow against the Fire Nation swine!" he excalimed. Children raised there fists and cheered as Jet smiled, reminiscing. "I got a special joy from the look on one soldier's face, when the Duke dropped down on his helmet and rode him like a wild hog-monkey!"
The Duke leapt up on the table and circled a platter of fish, shaking his fists in the air victoriously. The crowd of children clapped and howled in support as Jet looked on, unfinished but patient. Once the Duke had taken his seat again, he continued with the rehearsed portion of his speech.
"Now, the Fire Nation thinks they don't have to worry about a couple of kids hiding in the trees...maybe they're right."
A loud, echoing boo thundered through the trees. Jet grinned and turned from his drink in sudden passion, his code of apathy forgotten.
"Or maybe...they're dead wrong."
His statement was meant as literal, but its true meaning was covered up by another deafening chorus of cheers. He fell back to his seat beside Katara, very impressed with himself, and took a drink from his cup. Katara and Aang were beaming.
"Hey, Jet. Nice speech," she said encouragingly. Jet nodded and grinned.
"Thanks. By the way, I was really impressed with you and Aang. That was some great bending I saw out there today," truthfully, he believed it was; but he also wanted to lay on the compliments and get them both on his side. Katara glanced at Aang before looking down and blushing.
"Well, he's great. He's the Avatar. I...could use some more training."
Jet's mind clicked again, ever swift and cunning, registering the heavy weight of her words and the wonderful future they held. The Avatar. This was going to be easier than he thought. His attitude, however, he kept very even and smooth, as always.
"Avatar, huh? Very nice."
For both of us.
"Thanks Jet!" piped Aang. Jet grinned. All he had to do now was ask.
"So I might know a way that you and Aang can help in our struggle -"
"Unfortunately, we have to leave tonight," said Sokka suddenly. Jet looked at the ground for half a second, seeing his plan slip away, and then realized what the warrior wanted.
"Sokka, you're kidding me! I needed you on an important mission tomorrow..."
The warrior boy stopped and Jet suppressed a grin. He was hooked.
"...what mission?"
