The door opened and she heard her father half bark out, "What's the meaning of banging on our door at this hour?"
"Apologies sir," said a man's voice. "By order of the King we are to inform, or rather warn the city of the situation." Jin's ears pricked up and she sat up slowly.
"Situation?" asked her father.
"It's been happening the last few nights, starting at the far eastern side of the city but slowly spreading here. Young women have been disappearing from their homes." Jin's eyes widened but she stayed put. "There's been no confirmed reports as to who is behind this, but it is highly suspected the it's the Dai Li. We're warning all the families so they can keep their eyes open and be alert. If any members of the Dai Li are spotted in the city you are to report it to the Earth King immediatly."
"I understand," said her father after a pause. "Thankyou." The door shut and soon her father trodded back into the bedroom, closing the door behind him. Jin jumped out of her bed and ran to the closet. She tore through a pile of clothing and beneath it uncovered the broadswords, which she set carefully on the floor behind her. Below them lay the small dagger Zuko had given her long ago, and she held it up to the moonlight, just faintly reading its inscription. "Never give up without a fight."
She stowed the broadswoards under her bed and the dagger beneath her pillow. As she fell asleep she knew that if they came for her she would be ready. No matter what.
----
"You okay?" asked a voice. Zuko, who had been staring off through a window, turned and saw Katara approaching him. He had been keeping to himself through most of the day, not really wanting to have to deal with either of the happy couples at the moment. He missed Jin even worse and actually thought we was going to be sick at one point. Staying away from her for much longer was no longer becoming an option.
"Yeah," he said forcing a smile.
"It's Jin isn't it," she said softly. "It's okay to miss her you know."
"I know," he answered. "I just... I can't back to her fast enough, you know? Especially now that the Dai Li is on the loose. I can't help worrying for her."
"She's a good fighter," said Katara. "If anything, I'd be more worried about them than her." She laughed a little hoping that would help lift his mood. He smiled faintly, showing that it had worked a little. "Besides, if they're smart they wouldn't stay in Ba Sing Se anyway."
"Yeah," he agreed.
"So... you two are pretty serious now, huh?" she asked. He nodded, unable to hold back a smile. "Have you ever talked about getting married one day?" Zuko looked up at her. She would be one to keep a secret, and besides, the biggest danger was over as far as he knew, and he'd be with Jin again by the end of the week.
"Yeah," he answered. Katara gave him a knowing smile.
"So... what did she have to say about that?"
Smiling, Zuko said, "She said yes." Katara's eyes widened and she gasped, but Zuko cut in before she could shout, which she looked dangerously close to doing. "But you can't tell anyone! It's supposed to be a secret and besides, I know she'd want to be the one to break the news." Katara nodded, but couldn't hold back a joyful laugh.
"When did this happen?" she asked.
"The night before we left for Ba Sing Se," he answered.
"And when are you getting married? Where are you getting married?" She looked so excited and he knew she was ready to bombard him with questions, but was restraining herself.
"I don't know where yet," he said with a shrug. "And as for when, she doesn't know this yet, but I want to marry her by the end of next month at the latest." Katara's jaw dropped.
"But that's so soon!" she cried.
"I know, but I know it's the right thing. These last few weeks have made me realize that we're really not meant to be apart. Having her stay away so she's safe isn't the right thing... in fact it's almost unnatural. It's like... it's like whatever is waiting for me, I'm supposed to face it with her by my side, and the other way around. I've been waking up the last few days nausious and I know it's because it's without her. I don't want to wake up without her again. I really love her, so I know this is the right thing to do." Katara smiled and sighed.
"That's really sweet, Zuko," she said. "Oh this is so exciting! I'm so happy for you! I'll tell the others to get moving so we can get you to Ba Sing Se quickly." Zuko snickered and nodded, and Katara hurried off. Reaching into his robes, he pulled out his unfinished letter to Jin. Now that he knew what he could write, he went for something to write with and he finished it.
----
"...I'll be there for you in a matter of days. I'm so excited to be with you again, and I want us to be married quickly. I know now that I'm no longer meant to be without you, and I truly hope you feel the same. I love you so much more than I can say, and having you by my side till death parts us is the best I could hope for. I'm no longer afraid for them to know about us, so I am signing this with ever inch of my love,
Zuko"
She bit down on her lip as she read those final words, rereading them again to make sure she had heard right. It was all there clear as day, his love evident and his intentions obvious.
Mai crumpled the letter angril and threw it to the ground, watching as it rolled past the dead bird's body. She walked over, removing her dart from its belly and she wiped it off. "Stupid thing was so annoying anyway," she grumbled, trying to get her mind off the anger she felt right now.
"Find what you were looking for by interrupting a lover's relationship"
asked Long Feng coldly.
"This letter was written by Zuko," she said, picking it up and holding it so he could see. "It doesn't give away where he's hiding, but I think I've found the bait I'll need to lure him out. And this girl... Jin... she will be dealt with." Long Feng's eyes widened a little.
"Did you say Jin?" he asked. Mai nodded. "You'll leave her to me then," he said darkly. "My men and I have a score to settle with her."
"Whatever," said Mai lazily. "As long as she's dealt with. Do you know where she lives?"
"Not exactly, but I my men know the area her family lives in."
"Good," said Mai. "Find her, but don't kill her yet. I want her alive so I can lure her precious Zuko to me." Long Feng looked as though he were about to object but she cut in before he could. "Then... you may do with her as you wish." Long Feng smiled and nodded.
"Very well," he said, and he left her. Mai stared at the note then tore it into thousands of pieces angrily, throwing them to the wind.
"Marry her!" she spat. "And you forget about me so quickly! I'll make her pay for that. I'll really make her pay."
----
(A/N: I feel this is a good place to draw the chappie to a close, so I will. Sorry this one was short too. Just isn't the same without my Lappy.)