Chapter 12: A Secret Reveled

Kirana sat on her bed, unable to sleep. Something was bothering Jo and it was starting to show. He wasn't concentrating during fights and Kirana was getting the best of him. If he could do lightning he couldn't now, he didn't have a balance of mind and spirit.

Kirana sighed. She could resist no longer. She got up and created a Kirana sized hole in the wall that separated her's and Jo's rooms. Forming a flame in her left hand Kirana looked in. Inside Jo layed on his bed, fast asleep. Not for long, thought Kirana as she walked over.

She grabbed hold of his shoulders to shake him awake. "Jo wake up, it's me," she said giving him an extra hard shake.

He snapped up causing Kirana to leap backwards. "What."

Kirana took a breath and stepped closer. "Though I have been warned not to push but to let you tell me yourself, I can no longer hold back." She looked him in the eye. "I need to know what's bothering you," she said slowly.

Jo returned her look, his iron will showing in his eyes. Though it looked weaker to Kirana. "I'll fight you for it." Jo sighed.

"If I told you it would only cause you to loose your concentration tomorrow," he said, simply. "You need your sleep, go back to bed." He lay back down as if to go to sleep.

"Johan Ling Unzarin, as my bodyguard and I your superior, I demand that you tell me what is bothering you," Kirana said, her anger obvious. She was tired and wouldn't take no for an answer.

Jo raised and eyebrow. "As your bodyguard it is my duty to keep you safe, even though I can see I will loose this battle of wills."

It was Kirana's turn to raise an eyebrow. For him to admit defeat would take a lot of self-control considering how big a Firebender's pride was. "But you won't tell me anyways. Fine. I have ways of getting what I want." She turned to leave, heading towards his door.

"Where are you going," Jo asked, getting up.

Kirana didn't turn. "To the only place I can get some answers." Jo knew she was talking about an interrogation.

"You wouldn't…" he didn't complete his sentence as Kirana turned around.

"Why wouldn't I?" Jo opened his mouth to speak, then shut it. Kirana's rock solid will was fuelled with anger, making it harder. That plus her eyes had gone from liquid to solid brown. "If I fail tomorrow Jo, it will be because you did not tell me what was bothering you. May that be on your conscience." Kirana knew Jo believed enough of what she said to tell, his eyes where never masked no madder how hard he tried.

"Fine. Follow me." Kirana followed him back to his bed. Jo lit some candles with a flick of the wrist and sat down. Kirana pulled a chair from the floor and sat on it in front of him. Jo took her hands.

"Do you trust me?" he asked.

Kirana thought for a moment. Did she? Her father trusted him, which was enough of a reason for Kirana to even start trusting someone. If he had wanted to kill or harm her he would have done it by now. That plus she loved him. "I do, with my life," she finally said.

Jo nodded. "You know the day when you first went into the Avatar state? When I went to the other side of the Temple to see if any help was needed I was caught and shoved against the wall by two men." He took a breath, and saw that Kirana's eyes had turned back to liquid brown. "I met my father and twin there."

Kirana frowned in confusion. "But I thought you dad was John Unzarin?"

Jo shook his head. "My twin is Izu and my father is Zu Ling." Kirana yanked her hands from him. He was not lying; no one could lie about something like this. A twin she could understand but… Zu Ling? Never. But she trusted him with her life. She had just said that.

"Jo, did Zu Ling ever raise you?" she asked, an idea forming in her head. Jo looked at her confused. "No." She smiled. "Then he is not your father, simply your sire."

Jo shook his head no. "If someone sires you they are your father."

Kirana laughed. "You simpleton. My father, your mother, John, and the rest of the Unzarins' are your father. Zu Ling did not raise you, therefore he is not your father," she said as if it were the simplest thing in the world. Jo shook his head but saw that he could not win.

"Fine, you win." Kirana smiled, kissed him and turned to leave.

"Well it's about time you told her."

Kirana whirled around, and froze. Jo stood in front of her. No. This must be Izu, she thought. He looked exactly like Jo, same black hair and amber-brown eyes. Though Izu was taller and seemed to have a hard look about him.

"So, Avatar, you still trust him. I have to say I didn't expect that."

Jo glared at his twin. "What do you want Izu," he asked, voice full of poisoned daggers.

Izu smiled, and to Kirana's surprise, it didn't seem evil. "To talk. But not with you." He turned to Kirana. She realized he was wearing a stolen Watertribe parka.

"Your father, General Ikara, is still alive and well. He has helped me realize a great many things. One of which is that my fathers plan is foolish and bound to fail." He paused to let the words sink in. "I have come to pledge my self to you." He pulled out his sword from his back sheath and bent down on one knee.

Kirana turned to Jo, confusion and surprise both trying to find a place on her face. "Is he lying?" Jo took three strides and stood over his brother, eyes probing him for lies.

"No."

"Can I trust him?"

"Yes," Jo said with obvious distaste.

"I need all the allies I can get." Kirana took the offered sword. "I accept. From this day on you are my valet and will do as I say. Your actions are now my actions, do not disappoint me." Kirana taped Izu once on his right shoulder. "Rise." She handed him his sword and he sheathed it.

Izu turned to Jo. "Can you contact the Avatar from the Spirit World?"

"I've never tried," said Jo, looking at his twin with a suspicious and questioning look.

"How about you talk as if I'm here, which I am, and have Izu spy for us," Kirana said, stifling a yawn.

Izu thought a moment. "I can do that. There's a hill about a hundred feet east of the entrance gate. I can meet you there or here, depending on the circumstances." Izu turned to leave.

Kirana turned to Jo as his twin left. "We should both be getting some sleep." She closed the hole in the wall as she left.