A/N: I love reviews, and though I wanted to wait another day to post this, I can't wait. Thanks for reading and don't forget to review!

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Chapter 3

As soon as Jet had left, Aya was up and feeling around the room. She felt her bending sight coming back slowly, but nothing moved when she tried to bend it. She figured it had to do with the drink, but she was glad she could feel some vibrations and make out the size of the room. The room was mostly bare, a few cups, an extra set of bedding and a pack with food and supplies, but no weapons. She started getting tired and returned to the bed. She thought about her brother and friends and hoped they were all right. Jet had said that they hadn't been found and they were probably safe. Aya took that to heart, taking as much comfort as she could from the unknown. Her thoughts then turned to Jet and Long Feng.

Aya remembered the stories her parents and 'aunts' and 'uncles' had told her about the first Jet and Long Feng. Apparently this Jet was just following in his father's footsteps, but Long Feng was bad news. He had bison-napped Appa and then held the sky bison ransom to make sure Aang cooperated. Zuko had rescued Appa and then the gang had gotten the sneaky politician out of the way, exposing the truth. But Long Feng had teamed up with Azula and Ba Sing Sae had fallen. Her parents had long thought Jet was dead because of what happened underneath Lake Laogai, but apparently he had survived. Aya just had to find out how. Her eyelids started to grow heavy, most likely from the long day and darts she had taken and she curled up on the bed, trying to think of a way to get away.

She closed her eyes and then felt someone shaking her shoulder.

"Wake up, dear," a woman said. Aya smiled. It sounded like her mom, but gentler.

"Aya, you need to wake up," a man said, and strangely, he sounded like Zuko, but power was more prominent in his tone.

Aya groaned and tried to cuddle into the blankets, but only felt a stone floor, and no vibrations came to her. She opened her eyes and was shocked to actually see a woman in a beautiful green dress and a man in the Fire Lord's robe with his hair in a topknot. Aya quickly squeezed her eyes shut again.

"Fire, I told you we shouldn't have let her see," the woman told the man in an admonishing tone.

"She needs to see us, to know it's real," the man said to the woman before kneeling before Aya. "Aya, open your eyes. We don't have much time to tell you what needs to be done."

Aya slowly opened her eyes again, and saw both the woman and man smiling down at her. She was in a huge room, similar to the throne room back at home, but it felt different. "Who are you?" she asked the people before her quietly.

They smiled. "I'm Ceres," the woman said. "And this is my brother, Agni. No, child, don't bow to us," Ceres said, catching Aya as the earthbender started to kneel and bow to the gods.

"We need to tell you something important and time is running out," Agni stated, holding his hand out to Aya. She took it carefully and smiled at how warm he was as he helped her to her feet. She looked around, drinking in all the colors and sights.

"Where are the others?" she asked. "My father said there were two more."

Agni appeared startled for a second while Ceres laughed. "We needed all of our power combined to help move Zuko through time," Agni said. "But that is not what's important at this moment. Aya, you need to stop Long Feng."

"What?" Aya asked, surprised. "How can I stop him? He's at least three times my age and my bending is disabled by Jet."

"You need to convince Jet of the truth," Ceres said gently. "Convince him to join you and stop Long Feng from starting another war."

"But…can't you use someone with more…I dunno, experience?" Aya asked.

"You are in the right place at the right time," Agni stated. "And you are what we need." He placed his hand on Aya's forehead and Aya blushed slightly as she felt warmth envelope her. "You are a daughter of both earth and fire. Trust yourself and let your heart lead you. You will know what to do when the time comes."

"We have to go, but we'll be watching over you," Ceres said, laying a hand on Aya's shoulder.

"Wait…Iroh, is he ok?" Aya asked the gods, pleading for information.

"He is fine," Agni said, smiling. "Rest now, Aya. You'll need your strength."

"One more question, please?" Aya asked, feeling tired again.

Agni sighed, but nodded while Ceres smiled.

"Will I remember any of this, or will it be like what happened to my dad?"

"That is technically two," Ceres said with a smile and laugh. "But yes, this will be a dream you remember. Zuko could not remember because he wouldn't let you learn your own lessons if he did remember. Now, go to sleep."

Aya could only watch as Ceres reached out to touch Aya's forehead and Aya fell into a deep sleep, though it was more peaceful as she dreamed in colors for the first time in her life.

XXXXX

Kana helped Iroh through the forest, following Hakoda, Kuzon and The Duke. The Duke stopped, looking around before leading them off to the side. The older man stopped and sighed, looking relieved for the first time since they had started their escape.

"Hakoda, Kuzon, check the perimeter and be careful," The Duke said and both boys went into motion while Kana let Iroh down to the ground gently, kneeling next to the firebender as he let out a small groan. "Kana, how is he?" The Duke asked in a softer tone.

"I need to check," Kana replied, taking the water out of the air and a few plants before turning it into the bright blue of healing and laying her water covered hands on Iroh's chest. "Better, the toxin's almost out of his system. You can stop playing dead, Iroh."

The firebender just smiled slightly and The Duke chuckled while Kana moved the water to Iroh's head where she found a small wound, healing it quickly. Kana moved to The Duke with her water and he pointed to his left shoulder. She nodded and found a pulled muscle and a few cuts and healed them before moving back to Iroh, taking more water out of the air.

"Open your mouth, I have water for you," she told him. He complied and she bent a small globe of water into his mouth as Hakoda and Kuzon came back. She knew she had always liked Iroh, ever since they were little, and he was so handsome. His golden eyes, fair skin and black hair just shouted handsome and prince, but she knew he was sweet and gentle, no matter how much he teased his sister or Hakoda and Kuzon.

"Kana, come here," Iroh said weakly and Kana leaned towards him. "Closer," he said and she leaned closer until her face was inches from his. He surprised her by grabbing her and pulling her into a chaste kiss. Kana was surprised but soon was enjoying the kiss as she heard Kuzon and The Duke laugh while her brother started getting angry.

"Ok, you proved your point," Hakoda said testily. "You can let go of my sister now."

Iroh released her and she backed away a little to see him looking at her, his golden eyes showing compassion and tenderness before he turned to grin at Hakoda.

"Isn't that what you and Aya have been wanting me to do for the past two years?" Iroh asked and Kana blushed.

"Yeah, well, she's still my sister!" Hakoda stated and Kuzon continued to laugh.

"She's my cousin, but I don't feel protective over her," Kuzon said while Kana moved to check over and heal Kuzon and Hakoda. She was shocked to find so many bruises on Hakoda. The Duke must have seen the shock on her face, for he moved over to them.

"What's wrong, Hakoda?" The Duke asked.

"Show him 'Koda," Kana said sternly.

"You sound like Katara," The Duke said with a smile to Kana before turning to Hakoda. The young warrior sighed and pulled up his shirt and Kana gasped, hearing everyone else do the same when they saw purple bruises all over Hakoda's stomach, sides and back.

"What happened?" The Duke asked.

"I wouldn't talk to the old geezer," Hakoda said, pulling his shirt back down before Kana started healing him again. "So his bullies beat me. The young guy, he stopped them before I joined the others. Kana, you sure Iroh will be ok?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine," Iroh said in a stern voice. Kana turned to him and hurried to his side, helping him up into a sitting position. She saw him frown at being so helpless, but he smiled at her once he was upright. "Sun Kai," Iroh said in a commanding voice, and surprising everyone by calling The Duke by his real name, "we have to go back for her."

"No," The Duke replied formally. "I'm sorry, your highness, but we need to get to safety first and alert your parents to what has happened. Aya can take care of herself for a while, and we'll get her back as soon as we can. Did you guys find out the name of the young man?"

"The old geezer called him Jet," Hakoda said and Kana watched as The Duke's eyes lit up in surprise before they narrowed in thought.

"Thanks, Hakoda. We'll rest here for a few hours and then continue on. I'm sure word has already reached Ba Sing Sae of our troubles. Once we're there, we'll alert the authorities and then your parents. Then, we'll get Aya back. Only then," The Duke said with a stern look towards Iroh.

Kana watched as Iroh sagged and nodded before lying down again. She bent water for everyone to drink before lying down between Iroh and Hakoda and thought about the last time they had been out on their own and scared like this. Suddenly Iroh's hand was in hers and she turned to look at him.

"Aya will be fine," Iroh said with a smile. "Li may not be here like last time, but we all know my sister can beat anyone up. Including this Jet."

Kana smiled along with Iroh and glanced towards The Duke who was walking a few feet away from them. "Do you think this Jet is related to the Jet from the stories?"

"Yeah," Iroh said. "But Aya will take care of him. Thanks, Kana."

She smiled and squeezed his hand, hearing her brother snort to try and get them to stop talking. Both Kana and Iroh smiled at each other and she scooted closer to the firebender she liked before drifting off to sleep.

XXXXX

Jet walked back into his room with some new clothes for his captive. He had not found any new information out and hoped the girl would enlighten him later. He noticed she was sleeping with her back towards him and he smiled when he saw a strand of hair tickling her nose. He laid a hand on her shoulder, but instead of just waking up, she flung her arms about and managed to land a punch on his jaw.

"Hey, watch it!" he yelled at her and she instantly opened her eyes. "Wow, you've got one heck of a left hook," Jet said while rubbing his jaw.

"Thanks," she smirked and he stared at her in shock. This wasn't what he expected from a princess. He expected her to be demure and say she was sorry, but she didn't. In fact, now that he thought about it, she had not acted like a princess since he had met her. Everything she did differently. When she had cared for her brother and friend, she had been setting them free and had fought back against the Dai Li and him. And then she was proud of the punch she had landed on him.

"Are you done staring?" she asked with a frown. "I know I didn't break your jaw."

"Yeah, here, put these on," Jet said and dumped the pile of clothes in her lap.

"Why?" she asked, feeling the clothes with her hands. "Why can't I wear my clothes?"

"Because yours scream Fire Nation and noble. We're leaving, tonight. So change and we'll go."

She continued to frown at him and he frowned back. "What now?" Jet asked, growing irritated.

"I'm the blind one, not you," Aya stated. "So, either turn around or leave."

"Fine," Jet growled, turning away and stuffing his few extra clothes into his pack.

"Where are we going?" Aya asked.

"A safe place," Jet said, starting to turn back towards her as he talked to her, barely aware that he was hearing her take her dress off.

"No!" She yelled at him. "Keep your face turned away. I can still feel you, so don't even try it."

He frowned and turned his face away. "Pervert," he heard her mutter under her breath and he scowled.

"I didn't mean it" Jet said. "How do you do it?"

"Do what?" she asked, and he heard her pull the shirt he had given her on quickly.

"See with earthbending. I didn't think that was possible."

"That's just how I am, just like my mom," Aya said, shrugging. "I feel vibrations and can tell where stuff is and how things move and where people will move next. You have to listen to the earth. Why do you even work with Long Feng? He's a creep."

Jet smiled slightly. He definitely agreed with her on that, but Long Feng had his uses. "He gets us supplies we need and taught those of us who can earthbend how to bend with accuracy. We act as scouts and help in big strikes that benefit both of us." He heard her finish pulling on the pants and she sighed.

"I don't like him, he's the biggest slime-ball I've ever met and I've met quite a few. All done."

Jet turned around and was surprised at how well she fit into the extra clothes. He had thought her fourteen, maybe, by her small size, but the shirt was tight and showed the curves of a woman, telling him she was older, maybe fifteen or sixteen. She smirked, obviously feeling the reaction she was getting and pulled her long hair back and let it hang loose down her back. He noticed it fell in smooth waves down her back to her rounded hips before he caught himself staring.

"What?" she asked innocently.

"You shouldn't show yourself like that around the mercenaries," Jet said before he grabbed his pack and then her hand, pulling her towards the door.

She pulled her hand out of his grip and frowned at him when he turned towards her. "I can walk myself, thank you."

"Yeah, but we're in one of my hideouts," he said, grabbing her hand again. "I know where we're going. Not you."

"Fine," she growled, but let him lead her out. He nodded to Yin and Yang and the two followed them out. He knew Aya was looking at him oddly and was probably studying him and the twins whatever way she could, but he didn't care.

"I would ask you to wear a blindfold," Jet said as he led her out to the ostrich horses. "But I think that's a little pointless."

"Big duh there," she said and when he looked back, he saw her roll her eyes. The twins chuckled at that and Jet sent them a dark look that shut them up, which just caused Aya to smirk again. He just sighed and continued to pull her to the stable. Most of the freedom fighters had left already, heading out in small groups to avoid notice. He, Aya and the twins were one of the last groups to leave and four ostrich horses awaited them, saddled and ready to go. Aya stopped suddenly when they entered the stables and heard the beasts.

"No," she said, trying to pull her hand out of Jet's grip.

"What's up with her?" Yin asked.

"Don't know," Yang replied.

"I can't ride," Aya said, still trying to pull her hand away from Jet. Jet glanced back at her and saw a small amount of fear in her eyes.

"Fine, you won't ride," Jet said and saw her relax a little before she stiffened again. Jet smiled slyly. "Not alone. You'll ride with me."

Aya just glared at him, but at least she stopped struggling. He led her to his mount and turned her towards him. "You'll be fine, Aya," Jet said gently before grabbing her waist and hoisting her onto the saddle. She looked startled before she grabbed onto the saddle and the ostrich horses' mane before Jet jumped up behind her.

"Damn beast," he heard Aya mutter before he grabbed the reins and kicked the ostrich horse forward to which Aya jumped slightly, but refused to give in to her apparent fear of riding, hanging onto the mane. He wrapped an arm around Aya's waist to stabilize her and the twins followed him into the night, leading the last ostrich horse with their supplies.