Jin glanced through the stone bars of her cell at a young woman sitting in the shadows at the other end. Each of the cells were very small. Only one person could fit in them, but depending on how short the prisoner was, there was hardly enough room for any of them to lay on the ground and be able to keep their legs unbent. At first, Jin was too preoccupied with looking around to even care about the size, but now it was becoming almost like a claustorphobic sensation, and soon she could feel her sanity hanging by a thread. Being underground she had no idea how much time had passed, whether it was day or night, or if even a week had passed. The bars in front of her made her feel like they were mocking her, and she wanted to break through them.
She glanced up at the young woman across from her and she crawled over till her face was nearly pressed against the bars. She looked around, not seeing any guards nearby, and finally called out to the girl, but softly incase there was a guard around the corner. "Hey!" she called in a hushed tone. There was no answer or any indication of the girl even hearing her. "Hey"
Jin called a little louder.
"They won't talk to you," said a voice in the cell next to her, and Jin glanced over, just barely able to see Kiri who was laying on her back, arms tucked behind her head and her legs bent so her knees were pointed towards the ceiling. She looked almost as if she was lounging and Jin could hardly believe her. "It's like they're mindless zombies. Either that or they're deaf"
Jin rolled her eyes and ignored her.
"Hey!" she called again.
"When will you learn to give up?" asked Kiri, pushing herself up so she was sitting on her knees.
"Forgive me, but I haven't given up on hope entirely just yet," Jin hissed at her. "Hey!" she called to the girl, now almost shouting. Kiri reached over and smacked the bars of Jin's cell in an attempt to smack Jin's face. Jin jumped back with a start and Kiri hushed her.
"Cut it out!" she hissed. "You got lucky last time. I wouldn't push my luck if I were you." Jin glanced at her bruised arm and sighed.
"I just want to know why they're doing this... and what exactly they plan on doing with us," she said darkly.
"They're going to sell us..." said a voice and both Jin and Kiri looked up to see the girl in the cell across from them had finally looked up at them, showing she had in fact been listening.
"What?" asked Kiri. "Sell us to what?"
"Whoever pays the most," said a voice and Jin glanced up to see Long Feng approaching, his face maintaining it's usual cool expression. "Slave traders, merchants in need of servants..." he glanced over at Kiri and gave her a smile that made Jin cringe. "...brothels..."
"Why?!" cried Jin. "How are you benefiting from this? You're already free, so why didn't you just leave and go stir up trouble some place else? And why are you taking orders from that girl?"
"Because, my dear girl, Ba Sing Se betrayed us... the people of Ba Sing Se betrayed us and so... it's time for the people to pay for their treachery." Kiri made a face.
"It's all a power issue? You're pathetic!" she cried.
"Not entirely," said Long Feng, who then turned and kicked the bars of Kiri's cell, missing her face by inches. "You see, I don't do business with just anyone. I've worked in the past with some very powerful connections within the Fire Nation, and even though their newly crowned Firelord has turned his back on us, the firebenders I've worked with have not given up their loyalty to the Dai Li. Mai, as you know, was the daughter of the family who had control of Omashu, and she has connections that are well worth our while.
"You see, both the Firenation and the Dai Li want the same thing, the run over Ba Sing Se. So it's very simple. I supply them with the objects they desire and in exchange we team up again and take back the city that's rightfully ours and start our own independant nation of firebenders and earthbenders, teamed up together. An army like that would so so powerful,
there'd be no stopping us."
"The Firelord will not let the city fall so easily," said Jin. "He will fight and you will not win." Long Feng merely laughed at her.
"Foolish girl," he scolded. "He will give us anything we desire in exchange for you, his fiance." Jin's eyes widened. How did they know? Not even the avatar and his friends knew! "You should be more careful what you write in your letters," Long Feng added. "You never know who else may be reading in." Jin lowered her head and Long Feng smiled, satisfied that he had at last broken her spirit, at least for now. "The Firelord will take you back in exchange for Ba Sing Se. That is how it will be."
"If only life were like that," said Kiri in a mocking tone, leaning back on her palms. Long Feng gave her a dangerous look.
"And why would you say that?" he hissed.
"Well," she said with a shrug, staring up at him lazily. "As amazing as your plan sounds... to you that is... you're forgetting one little detail."
"And that would be...?"
"The avatar is against you, and four combined elements are more powerful than two," Kiri said, then smiled at him. Long Feng sneered at her.
"With a face like yours... I'd watch what I say. My men have been in prison for months, and they've been without a lot for too long. There's no telling if I would be able to help you should something... happen." He bent down and reached into Jin's cell without warning, and grabbed on to her arm. She attempted to fight him but he pulled her sleeve up and before she could stop him, he pulled off the bracelet Zuko had given her. "Everyone can be sold once you've named the perfect price." With that he left and Kiri leaned forward, spitting at his feet but missing.
"I won't be sold to anyone!" shouted "Give me back my bracelet you monster! Give it back!"
There was no answer, but she did not stop shouting angrily at him. Kiri looked over at her in concern, but Jin ignored her. "Theives! Give it back to me!"
"Jin, calm down!" she said softly. Jin broke down into sobs and fell back, her head bouncing off the stone wall behind her and again she cursed the ridiculously small size of the cell. She held her head in her hands and cried, feeling like a bit of her lover she was now stolen from her. Even his aroma on the shirt she wore gave her little comfort. She gritted her teeth, picturing Long Feng selling the bracelet for some stupid fortune and she dug her fingers into her scalp angrily. All her hope was fading, and she now felt dangerously close to taking Kiri's advice. Just give up and give in.
----
They landed towards the center of the forest and Zuko pulled out some torches they had brought with them in their travels. He handed two for Aang to light while he lit the other. Aang focused on the torch for a second, and attempted to light it, accidently sending a blast of fire right at Zuko, who quickly repelled it. "Sorry!" cried Aang. "I haven't done much firebending." Zuko walked over to him and held his hand out over one of the unlit torches.
"The key is your breathing," he explained. "Use it to help you control it." He lit one of the torches with ease and let Aang light the second on his own. Aang focused and did just as Zuko had instructed him, and this time, rather than a sudden burst, he ignited the torch with much more control and Zuko nodded in approval.
"We should split up," said Katara. "We'll cover more ground and probably find Jin faster. There's only 3 torches so we'll have to go in groups of two."
"I'm with Suki!" called Sokka quickly, grabbing on to Suki's arm. Suki gave a shout of surprise, but didn't argue.
"I'll go with Katara," said Aang, and Toph and Zuko turned towards each other. Katara looked at them unsure.
"You guys okay with that?" she asked. They both shrugged.
"I guess so," said Toph.
"Let's just go," said Zuko. He was too busy thinking of Jin and wondering what Mai was doing to her to care about much else at the moment.
"These torches last for about two hours each," said Sokka. "So we have an hour to go out and look and an hour to get back here. Or else we're lost in the dark."
"One lost person is enough," said Zuko. "No matter what, we meet back here after an hour. Whether or not you've found anything..." he added, lowering his head. They nodded and without another word they went off in their little groups.
----
"Not entirely surprised your brother just lunged for Suki like that," said Aang after a few minutes of silence, and Katara snickered.
"Did you see the look on poor Suki's face? He scared her half to death," she joked. "Thanks for not embarassing me when you said you wanted to travel with me."
"I'm not like Sokka," said Aang. "I get uneasy when it comes to making a fool of myself, especially in front of a girl."
"I'm not sure that Sokka enjoys doing it, but it does seem to come naturally to him"
----
"You're not dragging me with you to make sure I stay safe again, are you"
asked Suki, raising her eyebrow at Sokka. Sokka made a face then shook his head.
"No. I know you can take care of yourself, Suki- WATCH OUT FOR THAT SNAKE!!!" he suddenly burst out, pointing at the ground in front of her. Suki nearly jumped out of her skin from his sudden outburst and leapt back,
looking at the ground.
"Where?!" she shouted. Sokka smirked and put his hands on his hips.
"Gotcha..." he chuckled. Suki sneered at his little joke and smacked his shoulder. "Ow!" he cried, grabbing at it and she rolled her eyes.
"Only you would be insensitive in a time like this," she muttered. "Watch out for that snake..." She snorted and continued walking.
"I'm sorry," said Sokka. "Just thought I'd mess with you. It's been too serious for too long. Serious situations make me do stupid things."
"So what's your excuse the rest of the time?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, but smiling to let him know it was all in fun.
"Okay, now that hurts, Suki," he said sarcastically and walked up, taking her hand. "But if it makes me sound better... I do really hope Jin's okay." His eyes darkened a little and he looked down. "I know what it's like to lose someone you really care about so suddenly." Suki frowned and placed her hand on his cheek.
"Well..." she said softly. "The sooner we find her the better the chance we'll have that Zuko won't have to go through that." Sokka looked up at her and whatever had come over him passed when he looked into her eyes. He smiled and nodded. They turned and continued to search.
----
"Guess the happy couples just needed to be alone..." muttered Toph. "When will it be my turn to find someone? I mean, it's not like I'm gonna mind what he looks like!" Zuko smiled a little, greatful someone was able to break his angsty demenor tonight. "I used to think it was overrated, but now I feel left out!"
"You'll find someone," said Zuko. "Until then don't push yourself."
"Katara suggested I dress more lady-like once. That's not gonna fly with me. Whoever falls for me will have to take me as I am because I'm not changing for anyone."
"Good," said Zuko, shrugging.
"You know, ever since your little story on Appa, you haven't been talking much," she pointed out. He thought of pointing out that she really hadn't stopped talking but thought against it. "Do you really think you'll be able to reason with Mae?" she asked after a minute.
"I don't know," he answered. "But I have to at least try. I don't want to hurt her, but saving Jin is my top priority now. If I have to, and only if I have to, I will fight Mai. I just hope it doesn't come to that. She's let herself become so tainted over the years... there's no guarantee of anything right now."
"Well, hopefully we can get through this without anyone dying. There's been too much death going on with us lately. I don't want to have to deal with it again."
"You and me both," said Zuko with a nod.
-
(A/N: Those who were there for the earlier version of this fic are probably shouting "WE ALREADY READ THIS!" Please refrain from throwing things at Smeagol's girl. Poor poor Smeagol's girl...)