The journey to Omashu took longer than I thought it would, but we're finally here, and I can tell there's a lot that needs to be done. The firebenders here refuse to accept me as the new Firelord, and the governor himself has practically declared war against me. But there is still hope. Tonight, Aang is going to lead a small group, including myself, to free King Bumi. We all hope the old man finally thinks the time is right to fight back.
I can't tell right now how long it will all take, but I promise you as soon as it's over I'll get back to you as quickly as I can, even if it means strapping a rocket to that giant bison. I keep picturing you walking down the aisle, and it makes waiting even harder, but I know it will soon all be worth it. When we have kids, we'll be able to bring them into a world at peace, not war. I remember when that dream seemed so unlikely, but now there's much more hope than before.
This bird I sent the letter with is trained to deliver messages by using its powerful sense of smell. I used the hair tie you gave me so it would be able to find you. Let it smell something of mine and it should be able to find me. Please write me back. Hearing from you again will help me so much more than you know. Take care, and I'll be with you soon.
Love always, Lee
PS- Until I'm with you again and it's really safe, my name is Lee."
The door opened slowly behind him and Sokka poked his head in. "Sorry to bug you," he said. "But it's time we head out if we want to get to King Bumi before it's too dark out." Zuko looked up from his letter and nodded. When Sokka was safely out of sight, he placed a small kiss on the paper and stuffed it into an envelope. He attached it to the leg of the great bird, and after holding Jin's hair tie in front of its nose, it took off with the most bizarre sounding squawk he'd ever heard any bird make.
"Hopefully her parents are deaf," he muttered, rubbing his sore ears which were now ringing, and then turned to head out, bringing his broadswords with him.
----
Jin sat on the floor in her room with a needle and thread, mending one of her outfits again for teh fifth time in the last two months. If she had the money, she would have bought herself a new one, but she could not afford much anything right now. It had taken a while for her family to get themselves back on their feet, and now with her back that added on another family member to support. A part of her felt guilty for coming back, feeling now more than ever that she was being a burden, but if she left again, she knew she would break their hearts.
She glanced up at her small closet and saw the edge of her green silky dress protruding out a little and she smiled, thinking of Firelord Zuko, and wondering where he was. She sighed and went back to work, wondering how long it would be before they could finally be together. Her family still didn't know about it, and she didn't tell them. They would never accept her love for him let alone their engagement. In her heart she knew she would probably end up running away with him again so she could marry him, and as much as that thought made her excited, she couldn't help but feel bad, wishing her own family could be a part of her wedding.
The future was still uncertain, she reminded herself, so there was always the chance that everything would work out. She pulled up her sleeve slightly and looked down at the golden bracelet with a smile. She had not taken it off since the day he had slipped it on her wrist, but she had taken great care in making sure no one saw it but her. The bracelet was not the only thing she kept hidden. Her scar on her chest was always covered and she took great care in making sure it stayed that way.
When she had first arrived home, after being bombarded by tearful hugs and welcomes followed by "Where were you?!" from everyone, she confessed that she had gone along with the avatar and his friends to help in the battle. She didn't tell them about Zuko, the loss of Iroh, or much anything reguarding the Fire Nation. She didn't even reveal that she had seen Zuko get crowned as the new Firelord. What she had told them, she knew almost the minute the words had left her mouth that they didn't believe her. They never really pressed on the issue, trying to remain content that she was back. Someday, the truth would have to come out and she knew it, but until then, the less they knew, the easier her life would be... for the time being.
She finished up her stitching and pulled her clothes on, satisfied with her patch job, and went out to help her mother with the garden.
----
A sudden piercing squawk was a rather rude awakening after sleeping quite comfortably in her warm bed. Jin's eyes snapped open and she lay still unable to tell if she'd been dreaming or not. She waited, then, shrugging, she laid herself down and tried to get back to sleep. The squawk rang out again, and she nearly fell out of her bed. She spun over in her bed and nearly screamed when she saw the giant bird sitting in her window, peering at her like a hungry vulture at a carcas. It was almost the size of a dog, with small black eyes and an exceptionally large beak. She'd never seen a bird like it, and felt very nervous considering its size.
Her eyes trailed down to the creature's large feet, and just as she was about to notice the sharp talons, a letter tied to its leg got her attention, and she hurried over to it, pulling it off carefully when she was certain the bird would not try to bite her. It just stood there as if she weren't even there, and she shrugged, too curious to see who the letter was from. Within the first few lines she knew immediatly and her heart began racing with excitement. She sat down on the edge of her bed, lighting a candle so she could see it better, and read the letter.
It felt a lot longer than it really had been since she'd last seen him, but it was only because she was so eager to be with him again. Already he was talking about children, about starting a family! It gave her shivers, but she was so excited. Knowing she wouldn't sleep a wink until she'd replied, she quickly went to her small desk and pulled out some paper. Once the letter was written she frowned, realizing now she had nothing that smelled like him. The only thing she could think of was her bracelet, and, hoping the bird's sense of smell was as good as Zuko claimed, she held it under its beak. It sniffed it for a minute, then tapped at it with its beak, and with a final squawk it was gone.
"Jin!" shouted her father's voice from across the hall. "What's going on in there?"
"It's just an owl!" she called back. She waited, hoping they bought it, and when there came no response she knew they had gone back to sleep. She blew out her candle and threw herself on her bed with a smile, wondering how Zuko would react when he saw a response back from her.
She remembered their very first date and smiled to think at how far they'd come from that (she also laughed, now unable to picture him being a part of any circus). She remembered Iroh volunteering him for that date, and how funny it had been to watch Zuko's dumbfounded expression. Having to call him 'Lee' again made it almost feel like old times, only this time a happier ending was definitely in veiw, and times were not so dark.
Sadness came over her when she remembered Iroh's mischevious smile the day he'd set them up. It may have been a while, but the pain was still so real. She'd gone by the Jasmine Dragon, and found it had been boarded shut, waiting for someone to buy it. The whole idea made her even more sad because in such a short amount of time, that place had come to hold so many memories. The mop and broom war, rushing around from customer to customer while still trying to keep their sanity, even the tea itself. Of course, Iroh's tea had always been unforgettable, and after his death no tea tasted the same to her. In fact, she'd almost entirely lost her desire for it at all.
She glanced down at her bracelet, knowing she'd been lucky that it had actually worked. The bird had hesitated though, and she made a mental note that she would have to find something better next time before her scent was the only scent on that bracelet. Perhaps she would drop by the old apartment sometime this week? Zuko's belongings should still be in there since no one had moved in yet. And secretly, she'd been wanting to go in there but had never really had a reason to. Smiling to herself, she acknowledged that she had a reason now, and she rolled over, knowing if she didn't sleep she'd be a mess the next morning. "Goodnight, Zuko," she muttered, taking a final glance at the stars and she hoped they would deliver her message to him.
----
"Can you bring me that bowl, Jin?"
Jin crossed the kitchen to fetch the bowl her mother was pointing to and handed it to her. "What are you making?" she asked.
"Just a salad," she said. "It's too hot out to eat anything heavy."
"Could I have some too?" asked Jin. Her mother nodded and began to tear apart a lettuce head. Then she sat down and there was a long awkward silence between the two of them. Her father and brother had almost immediatly returned to treating her the same way they always did, but her mother had not. Ever since her return, her mother seemed to not know what to do with her anymore. Conversations became awkward and scarce, and sometimes it felt like they were strangers living under the same roof. Jin felt bad, a part of her wanting to open up to her mother and tell her everything, even about Zuko, but she knew not to. If her mother was treating her so differently now, she couldn't imagine what it would be like if she told her the truth.
Thinking for a minute, she attempted to make converstation. "You know what I miss?" she asked. Her mother glanced at her curiously. "Remember how you used to tell me those stories when I was a kid?" There was a pause.
"I remember," her mother said, her voice devoid of emotion.
"You made all of them up, didn't you? The many tales of 'Princess Jin'... I remember most of them, you know." Her mother said nothing. "Some of them were so funny... and others used to scare me. Do you remember?"
"That was years ago, Jin. I don't remember any of the storylines." Jin frowned. This was not working as she was hoping.
"Yeah well... I remember them. You told some great stories, Mom." Her mother did not reply. Jin sighed, not knowing what else she could say.
"Okay... Call me when that salad's ready."
"I will."
She sighed and left the kitchen, wishing there was something she could do to make things better.
----
"Dear Lee,
That bird gives me the creeps! I'm glad you've found a way to write to me. It helps me too to hear from you. My parents aren't mad at me for disappearing like that, but they're still unhappy with me. It makes me wish our relationship was no longer behind their backs. I know it's going to break their hearts when they learn the truth. I don't want to get married behind their backs though.
Be very careful. I know you'll be successful. With the avatar, Katara's amazing waterbending, and Toph's earthbending, you'll be unstoppable. And I better mention Sokka's boomerang or he'll feel left out. Just be careful still and hurry back to me. I miss you so much. I can't wait to see you at the end of that aisle. And when you go out into battle, remember that no matter what happens, I love you, and I'll be waiting for you as long as it takes.
Best wishes and all my love, Jin"
Zuko folded up the letter with a smile and stored it away in his pack, not wanting anyone else to read it. Their engagement was still a secret, and until she was with him again, he knew it was best to keep it that way. Behind him, the door opened and he quickly put his pack away.
"There you are," said Katara as she stepped in. "Come on, there's a meeting going on right now and we'll need the Firelord there to know what's going on!"
"I'm coming!" he said and hurried to the door.
"What are you smiling about...?" she asked curiously and Zuko shook his head.
"Nothing," he answered, and hurried out with her to the meeting he was already late to.
----
(A/N: There it is, as promised. R&R!)