AN: Yes, Haru and Katara finally got it on! Yes, they are a minor couple in this tale, but I'm still rooting for them!
Encounter with Embers
NOW THAT THE battle was over and Jet was not in danger of dying from his wound, he recalled that Ty Lee, in spite of her annoying and crazy nature, had actually been concerned for his life when he'd been injured on the battle field. She was ready to abandon the battle, just to make sure he was okay.
He wondered if this meant that Ty Lee truly liked him.
Before, he had just assumed that she was crazy. And, also, she thought Sokka was 'cute', commented to Mai how lucky she was to have a 'hottie' like Zuko, and even had told Aang that he'd be 'very handsome in a few years'. Not to mention she thought Haru's hair was 'pretty'. This girl definitely had a few screws loose. That or she was attracted to just about any human male in her general age group.
She probably didn't like him for who he was, then. It was just a strangely psychotic infatuation. Right?
He didn't know what to think.
He explored the halls of the palace wordlessly, taking note of all possible escape routes, all of the possible ambush points. It seems that his instincts built as a Freedom Fighter had come in handy now.
But, sometimes these skills gave him more information than he needed to now. Like how he knew Katara and Haru were consummating their relationship. He was, happy, he guessed, for the couple. But he also felt a tinge of regret.
Katara had liked him, not too long ago. But he had ruined her amorous feelings with his lies, betrayals, and lack of regard for human life. Boy, had he been incredibly dumb. But, somehow, maybe it was worth it. The learning experience of it all. To make such a mistake and have the chance to rectify it, that was a prize in and off itself.
Well, in any case, he and Katara were not meant to be. And there were other pretty girls out there to be had.
Come to think of it, Ty Lee was pretty. When she kept her mouth shut and sat still for one moment. But she was from the Fire Nation, and therefore, the enemy. Despite her ties with 'Team Avatar', he still felt wary around her.
Perhaps he'd feel cautious around anyone from the Fire Nation for the rest of his life. Racism that had been fed to you from the cradle was not so easy to shrug off. It subconsciously weighed in the back of one's mind continuously.
Although Ty Lee didn't seem evil, per se. Just crazy. Or, well, maybe that was just how fifteen year old girls acted when they liked boys. She did seem rather light hearted for someone who had grown up during a war.
But she'd grown up on the side of those who were winning the war. She had gone to a prestigious Academy for Girls. She'd come from good stock, had never known what it was like to lose your parents to the enemy. Her life had probably had her as happy as a clam.
She even got to run off to the circus on a whim and become a performer while he and his Freedom Fighters sought revenge for those they had lost to the soldiers of the Fire Nation.
He grit his teeth as jealousy coursed through him. Spoiled brat! What would she even know about pain and loss? Why did she even deserve to fight alongside him and his comrades? Why did she even deserve to be rescued?
That's right! They had also lost a good, worthy Earth Kingdom warrior in the process of losing her. How did that add up? The trade of Suki's life, just to have a psychotic Fire Nation girl come to their side. Feh, worthless.
"Jet?"
He tensed suddenly, turning around to find none other than Ty Lee standing behind him. Speak of the devil. He inwardly cursed to himself. He'd been so caught up in his thoughts that he hadn't even heard her coming. This mistake would cost him dearly, since he could not flee now that she'd spotted him.
"What do you want?" he asked gruffly. He crossed his arms and chewed on his stalk of grain.
She seemed unfazed by his rather rude reply. "Well, I couldn't sleep and decided to take a walk, and then I ran into you, so I thought maybe you'd like to walk together?" she rattled on.
Good spirit, the girl could talk. He rolled his eyes. "Only if you promise not to attack me or kill me." He responded sarcastically.
"Okay!" she beamed, hugging his arm tightly to her chest.
He pulled himself out of her grasp. "No touching."
She pouted slightly, tossing her braid over her shoulder. "Fine." But she kept with her word and walked alongside him silently.
He was enjoying her company, when she didn't touch him and didn't chatter incessantly. Jet glanced sidelong at her, and noted that she was very pretty when she was like this. Her wide brown eyes had a certain glow about them, as did her flushed cheeks.
Gah, why'd he even think about or notice these things?!
"What're you thinking about, Jet?" Ty Lee asked, noticing the anguish Jet was experiencing. He was rather cute like that, when his face twisted with emotion. So much better than him glaring while chewing his little plant-thing.
Although, he was rather…what was the word? Sexy? Yes, sexy. He was sexy when he was brooding.
He scowled darkly at this girl. He hated her, he was sure of it. He hated her because she was of the Fire Nation, she cost them the life of Suki, and she stalked him. And she chattered and was annoying and…and…he was so attracted to her.
What the-?!
He cursed to himself a multitude of times, smacking himself in the face. What. Was. He. Thinking?!
Ty Lee…attractive?! No, she was crazy. He hated her. He wouldn't have this, he wouldn't!
"What I'm thinking about is none of your business, you psychotic wench!" He snarled.
Ty Lee blinked at him. Once, then twice. "Okay, just asking. Sorry." She tilted her head at him questioningly. As if his outburst was only mildly confusing to her. Not surprising, not disturbing. Only confusing.
What was with this girl?!
She smiled, let out a small giggle, and continued walking. More like skipping.
He was shaking with frustration. Oh, the things he wanted to do to this girl! He wanted to scream at her, smack her, pull that dumb braid of hers! Didn't she get it? Didn't she understand how badly he wanted to just…argh!
He caught up to her, gripping her arm tightly. He tugged on it, whirling the girl around.
She smiled. "You want to dance?" she practically sing-songed.
He growled like a feral animal. "NO!"
"Oh…well, what then?" she queried.
"Listen you! I want you to get something into your thick head!" Jet cried. He brought his other hand up and grasped her shoulders tightly.
She winced, but gave him her full attention. "Yes?"
"I hate you! You're annoying, you're stupid, and you're…you're evil!" he shrieked.
"Evil?" she blinked. She look thoughtful, pressing a finger to her mouth. She truly was contemplating it. "I don't really think I'm-"
"Shut up!" he interrupted, shaking her slightly. "You're a spoiled Fire Nation brat! It's your fault Suki's dead and Sokka's so bent out of shape! You're a demonic, evil, devil's spawn! I can see right through you!" he screamed. His voice echoed down the halls, and he wondered absently if he was disturbing anyone's sleep…it was late, after all.
"And further more-mmph!?" his eyes bugged out of his head when Ty Lee interrupted him. With her lips against his. Kissing him. Ty Lee…was kissing him?!
Jet's guard went down, his tension slowly relaxing as her tongue slipped into his mouth. He found his tongue caressing hers, a soft moan working its way from his throat.
His hands, that had been violently gripping her shoulders before, now loosened their grasp. He pulled her against his chest, his hands caressing her back ever-so-gently. She sighed into his mouth, tip-toeing to wrap her arms about his shoulders.
She tasted so good…slightly spicy, slightly sweet. And the fragrance of her hair, her skin… he pulled her closer, reveling in the touch of her slim fingers which had tangled themselves into the hair that fell messily onto the nape of his neck. He fought a shiver of pleasure.
Oh, to lay with a woman this soft and sweet smelling…
She mouthed his name, a soft coo, against his lips. "Jet…"
And hearing his name, murmured in her distinct voice, brought him back to reality. He was kissing Ty Lee, rather passionately, in a hall of the Palace of Ba Sing Se. now was not the time, or the place…or even the right person!
He hated this girl!
He pushed her away, blushing deeply as he covered his mouth with a hand. He turned away slightly, feeling very weak suddenly.
Only now did she look surprised. "Jet? What's wrong?"
He didn't know what to say. He despised this girl, and yet…he wanted her at the same time. Was this…normal?
His mother and father had died before he was old enough to be concerned with girls, love, sexual intercourse. So, thus, his mother never told him how girls acted when they liked a guy. His father never told him when he'd know he was in love with a girl, or how to bed her in a way that would be pleasurable for both parties.
No advice they gave could probably guide him on how to deal with a girl like Ty Lee anyway. She was, he sensed, a whole different situation.
But a situation he didn't want to be around or in.
He fled, not giving her any answers. No indications to his thoughts, his own confusion.
Ty Lee watched him retreat, grinning. Poor Jet…
She knew he was a confused young man. She knew that he'd had a hard life. And that she was probably throwing him for a loop. But, she saw a thick veiled desire shinning in his eyes. Behind the loathing, of course. But the attraction was there! Once he became accustomed to her, and realized she really liked him, he'd come around.
She'd just have to be patient until then.
She giggled and skipped off.
Tomorrow would be another day, after all.
SHE LOOKED UPON the outer wall of Ba Sing Se with determination. Her mission was of the utmost importance. She had to succeed, or she'd surely be executed. She and her loyal men had worked so hard, had struggled for so long.
To escape the Fire Nation's clutches, intact, that was a feat in and of itself. And to fight from the shadows, in guerilla warfare style, that had also taken much strength and perseverance. And to be accepted as a part of their group was yet another accomplishment.
For eight years she had trained. She learned the arts of weaponry. Bow and arrow, knives, darts, and even broad swords. She especially liked the broad swords. And hand to hand combat. She also enjoyed that. She still felt a thrill when she, so small and considered weak, could knock a pompous ass on his, well, ass.
The wounds she'd acquired, the scars she'd earned. The sweat, the effort… It all brought her here. Destiny, fate, whatever you'd call it… She had worked her way to be here, before the walls of Ba Sing Se. Before…him…
Now, night had fallen, and all was quiet. The soldiers of Ba Sing Se were all exhausted from the day's battle. As were the mish-mashed army of Omashu that had fought for Ba Sing Se's safety. She had seen the battle from a distance. She witnessed Omashu's victory, and the Fire Nation's defeat.
She and her men hid carefully when she saw the soldiers retreating. They waited patiently until nightfall to approach the outermost wall of Ba Sing Se. Now, as she stood before Ba Sing Se, she found herself trembling.
She glanced at her hands, quivering with anticipation. Oh, to see him again, after eight years…
"Lady…?" a soldier, a rebel, regarded her questioningly.
He knew, as well as the others, what this meant to her. How long it had been… they knew her life story, they knew her hopes and dreams, they knew her failures. These men, for the past eight years, had been her fellow warriors, fellow rebels…fellow friends. She knew them as they did her. She knew that many of them had wives and children that they, too, had left behind in the Fire Nation. They sometimes cried with sorrow at night, as she had many times.
"I'm sorry, Jeong Jeong, I just…" she replied feebly, trailing off.
He shook his head, pulling his cloak tighter about himself. "I understand."
She nodded, looking at the other familiar faces. "Let's go."
And they grabbed their ropes and hooks, throwing them over the unguarded walls of Ba Sing Se. they scaled the walls swiftly and silently, their presence unknown. They all dropped down to the farmland of the outermost sectioned.
They huddled closely together, listening for any sign that they had been noticed. But it was dark, and they had been quiet as death. So they were safe.
She and her men jogged across the vast fields of farmland for what felt like hours, reaching the second wall of Ba Sing Se. They quickly climbed it as they had the previous wall, and she gritted her teeth. It was going to be a long night, simply because climbing the four walls of Ba Sing Se and running throughout the farm and three cities of various economic statures was very time consuming. And, yes, she had to admit, very physically taxing.
But she'd do it. She'd dealt with worse. And for once, this tunnel had a light at the end of it. She quelled her hopes and anxieties. She didn't want to get her hopes up too high, for if they were quashed, she didn't know what she'd do. How could she carry on…?
But the idea that he was here, with Omashu's army, fighting for what he believed in, which also happened to be what was right… it touched her.
She'd heard of his struggles over the past few years. Spies would bring word of the happenings in the Fire Nation. And would bring word of the sightings throughout the world.
She grieved for him when she heard of his misfortunes. And seethed with anger at those who had dealt him those misfortunes. She wept bitter tears at the news she had received. For eight long years, her tears could have filled an ocean.
Until recently. She discovered his involvement with the Omashu Army and it gave her hope. To know that he could turn his life around and become the man she always knew was within him…
But to know that she'd only had nine years in his life to help mold him so that he could become this man…
She was distracted from her thoughts as they had finally jumped the fourth wall and were now only a short distance from the palace of the Earth King. Only a small way from where he lay, sleeping peacefully.
She wondered what he looked like now. How tall he had become, who he resembled more…
He was probably handsome. No, definitely handsome. Despite the wound his father inflicted on him, she knew…he'd be beautiful. Wonderful. Everything she'd wanted him to be, to become.
All of her hopes and dreams. Her lullabies and soft croonings. Her happiness, her joy, her sorrow and her pain…
Oh spirits… Her hands shook once more. She forced herself to steady them.
She waited for Jeong Jeong's order. He signaled them, and they surrounded the palace, infiltrating quickly and quietly.
The sun began its ascent in the sky, dousing them in golden-pink light. She looked at it in wonderment. Was it really already dawn? Had her thoughts drowned her out so she couldn't see and hear the passage of the time?
True, while she was lost in her thoughts she'd only heard herself breathing. Her pulse beat strongly in her ears.
They waited, watching for any sign that they had been noticed.
The palace was quiet. And in the air, she sensed the exhaustion from the previous day's skirmish. The peaceful quality to the friends, family, and lovers that were relieved to see their loved ones alive and well. The grief at those lost in the battle…
And the waiting continued. They stood in the throne room, all kneeling before the empty throne of the King of Ba Sing Se. servants looked at them fearfully, running off to inform the guards. And soon enough, they were flanked by Earth Kingdom soldiers, the Earth King himself, and the Avatar with his comrades.
"What…what is the meaning of this? Who are you?" The Earth King demanded. He had come to realize that he was a King and should behave in such a manner. He felt his heart sink as he looked among these people of pale skin and golden eyes. Fire Nation citizens, obviously.
But these people of the Fire Nation bowed deeply, and their leader spoke: "I am Jeong Jeong, the Deserter of the Fire Nation. My men and I come to offer our services to the Avatar to help win this war and see the Fire Nation fall from glory." He announced boldly.
His warriors bowed even more deeply, then stood proudly, emulating their pride in their Master's words.
The Earth King knew not what to say, but Aang did. "I would be honored if you and your men fought with us, Jeong Jeong." He replied gleefully.
Jeong Jeong nodded in affirmation, then glanced from Aang to his comrades: Katara, Haru, Sokka, Karida, Toph, Jet, Ty Lee, Iroh, Mai, and Zuko. His eyes sat upon Zuko for several moments longer than he had the others.
Zuko shifted uncomfortably. What was this man gazing so intently at him for? He had never met him before in his life.
Jeong Jeong turned to the cloaked companion who stood just beside him and nodded. He…or was it a she? It was hard to tell from her blood red hooded cloak…
The figure stepped forward, trembling slightly, stopping once it was only a few feet away from the 'GAang', Zuko most specifically.
The hooded figure spoke: "For eight long years I have awaited this day." The voice was strong, but feminine.
And oh so familiar. Zuko frowned, touching his temple. That voice…he'd never thought he'd hear that voice again. He found himself trembling as much as this cloaked figure. This was his…no, could it be true?
Iroh and Mai also frowned in recognition, glancing between Zuko and this cloaked figure.
Zuko stepped closer, reaching a hand up towards the figure; the woman whose voice had resounded in his dreams. "M-mother?" he asked incredulously.
The woman pulled her hood back, and unfastened the cloth covering her face. It revealed amber eyes and a pretty face. And a collective gasp from Iroh, Ty Lee, Mai, and Zuko
"Zuko." She replied tenderly, reaching a hand to touch her son's face. In these eight long years, he had grown from her little boy into a man she barely knew. But somehow, he was the same.
In his eyes, she saw the same kind soul, the loving little boy he was. And she felt relieved that Ozai hadn't twisted him the way he had Azula. No words could describe the complete and utter joy she felt.
Zuko's eyes widened. This was…unbelievable…his mother, Ursa, was alive. Here, now. His knees felt weak, his heart pounded like a drummer, and his breath hitched. "Mother…" he breathed. It had been eight years of living hell…and here she was, just as lovely and wonderful and…everything!
Both took steps towards one another, and they embraced. Tears flowed down both their faces and they sunk to the floor together, holding onto one another desperately. Never again would they ever let the other go. Never.