Burning Bright
Part XI
"Jin?"
Zuko watched as Jin flinched from her place. She looked up quickly but there was something in her expression that made Zuko think that she was not as happy to see him as he was with her. Her beautiful, hazel-green eyes were rimmed with red and her knuckles were red. With a start, Zuko suddenly realized that she had been crying. Her nose looked red and her skin looked cold and clammy. Zuko wanted to go towards her, to wrap his arms around her slender frame but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He felt as if he had done something wrong by coming here.
As soon as the bombs set off and all the cheering and chanting had been finished, everyone started dispersing. He Shen, with a strum of his liuqin, announced that he would be treating everyone to free drinks at a nearby tavern while Ge Jiang muttered something about plans for escape routes and work and left but not before whispering something in Jin's ear. Jin frowned a little but she gave Zuko a bright smile when he looked at her. Jin and Zuko had stayed behind in the Main Room for a long time, speaking to people and congratulating each other. As Zuko talked with Hai, Jin suddenly kissed him in the cheek, excused herself and disappeared into one of the tunnels.
Zuko frowned and he questioned Hai about where Jin was going. Hai looked reluctant to tell Zuko but he finally relented. He led Zuko through the tunnel where Jin passed and into a small room with a wooden door. He left but not before warning Zuko to be careful.
"Why?" he had demanded.
"Just….just think about it before you open the door," he had said. And with that he left.
Now, seeing her despondent appearance, Zuko wished that he heeded Hai's warning and hadn't gone.
"Li!" Jin smiled. Her smile looked warm and inviting but Zuko knew her too well. She was smiling her sad smile. Zuko reluctantly stepped into the room and examined it. It was small and bare, furnished only by a small lamp that hung on one side of the wall and a small table at one corner.
Zuko looked at the table carefully and saw that it was a mini-altar. A small, silk covering was laid on top of the simple, wooden table. A pot of incense with three long, thin red candles sticking out of it was neatly placed beside a tattered looking portrait. Jin notice that he was staring at the table. She brushed her fingers against his, catching Zuko's attention.
Zuko looked at her, startled. He felt as if he was intruding on something and that he was severely unwanted. Jin seemed to realize that because she clasped his hand and gave it a small but comforting squeeze.
"Today was such a big and historic event that I felt like I just had to tell her," Jin said. She looked happy but her expression was tinged with sadness.
Zuko's mouth dropped and before he could stop himself he blurted out, "Her?"
Jin gestured at the small portrait and nodded at Zuko to examine it. Zuko reluctantly picked it up and once he took a better look at the portrait his stomach churned.
The person painted on the portrait was a woman who looked remarkably like Jin. She had Jin's big, wide eyes and small, finely-sculpted nose. She looked regal and noble with her perfectly, wide smile and half-lidded eyes. Her hair, which looked as unkempt and as choppy as Jin's hair, was fashioned into a half-up, with some of her hair pinned into a topknot and with the rest tumbling down her shoulders. She had the same sort of care-free and fun-loving nature as Jin although her eyes looked intelligent, slightly rebellious—stubborn even. Zuko swallowed thickly as he realized who this was.
The woman in the portrait was Jin's mother.
Zuko dropped the portrait unto the table in such a harried manner. It was as if he was holding a piece of fire-hot coal than a parchment of paper.
"She would have been so happy if she was here, Li," Jin smiled. Zuko continued to look at the picture, his gut twisting and turning as he examined it.
"She looks….looks….just like you," Zuko managed to choke.
Jin gave a little laugh. "Really? Most people say I look like my father."
She injected another tone into the word "father" but Zuko could not identify what it was. Shame and guilt started to wash over him.
"You have her smile," Zuko stated.
They didn't talk for the longest of time. Finally Zuko asked to lighten the mood, "Do you think that she'd like me?"
He suddenly felt foolish. He was really genuine when he asked that question. Zuko knew that Jin's mother was…gone…but that did not mean that he did not care what her mother's opinion was of him. He knew that Jin's mother was probably up there in the spirit world observing her daughter, passing judgment on her screw-up boyfriend. Zuko cringed at his own thoughts.
Jin laughed, "Are you kidding me? She'd love you! She would think that you are charming!"
Even to his own ears that sounded stupid. Zuko stared at her suspiciously as he said, "Me? Charming? Are you patronizing me?"
"No. I'm serious. She would really like you, Li," Jin said. She began to play with the hems of his sleeve absentmindedly. She was smiling but her eyes had a sad and distant look to them. Zuko bit his lip.
"I just wished that she would get a chance to meet you," Jin sighed. Zuko gave her a comforting hug but his cheeks started feeling warm. He wondered what really happened. He wondered how Jin's mother died. As Zuko stroked her hair, he began to realize that his general knowledge of Jin's past and her life was still very vague. He really didn't know much about her. He didn't know why they were forced to move into Ba Sing Se. He didn't know about Jin's mother or father. He didn't even know where she was from before she came here. He guessed that it was mostly because she and her brothers didn't seem to want to talk about it at all. Whenever a discussion about their past or what their life was like before they came to Ba Sing Se came up, Jin and her brothers would divert the topic.
Zuko, however, didn't want to be the first one to bring that up. Her mother's death seemed to be a particularly touchy area.
"Well…I'd love to meet her," Zuko smiled. He broke his grasp from her, knelt down and faced the portrait.
Jin's mother stared back at him, her smile as warm and inviting as Jin's. After a closer look, he realized that Jin was right. She didn't look too much like her mother. Her mother's eyes were greener, her nose was small and petite but long and pointed and her jaw looked harder. Zuko guessed that he automatically assumed that they look exactly alike because she had the same sort of effortless and graceful beauty that Jin has. Her hair was choppy and slightly messy and she did not wear make-up. It was as if she didn't care too much about her appearance but she still managed to look effortlessly beautiful.
Sort of like Jin.
He looked at her and saw that she kneeling next to him. Her eyes were glassy and she was smiling but her fists were balled. She was trying not to cry, Zuko realized. He wondered if he should comfort her or just ignore it.
He decided to ignore it. He had learned that if people are trying to hide their tears, then it would be more polite to pretend that you did not notice them. And Jin was definitely trying to hide that she was upset.
"How about your mom? Do you think that she would like me?" Jin asked. Her voice was light and calm but it sounded slightly shaky.
"Yeah, she'd love you. She'd think that you're charming too," Zuko impishly said.
"Me? Charming? Are you patronizing me?" she asked in a mock annoyed tone.
"No. I'm deadly serious," Zuko chuckled.
"What was she like?" Jin asked.
"Who?"
"Your mom."
"She was very sweet and kind and loving."
"She sounds like a really great mom."
"She was," Zuko sadly said. After awhile he ventured, "How about her? What was she like?"
"Who?"
Zuko gestured at the portrait.
Jin smiled.
"She was the best," was all she said. Zuko didn't ask her anymore questions or push the topic further.
They then began to pay reverence to her mother. He wasn't so sure how Earth kingdom people do it so Jin told him that he could just pay reverence the way most people from the Fire Nation would usually do.
In between low bows he muttered under his breath, "Please…if you're out there…um…Jin's mom...I swear I mean no harm. I'm really sorry if I ever did anything to hurt her….actually I was about to do something that was going to hurt her….but….it's all over now. I'm going to fix it. So if you could like….um…hear me…do you think you could help me work things out?"
Jin stared at him, slightly perplexed as he continued to talk to Jin's mom. Zuko smiled at her sheepishly before turning his attention back to the portrait.
"So um….yeah…I haven't completely figured things out with Jin yet. Mostly because I'm new to this kind of thing. But I hope you um…approve of me. Because it would really stink if you don't. I know Jin takes your opinion seriously or something…I'm a great guy, really. Sort of…" Zuko felt stupid as he continued to mumble and whisper. Jin probably thought that he was weirdo but he couldn't help it. It was one of those weird little quirks he had. He liked to talk to himself or inanimate objects. It helped released the tension.
Jin looked at him with a confused look but she didn't press him with questions or ridiculous comments. Instead, they continued with the ancestor worship. After about five minutes of ancestor worship, Jin announced that she wanted to leave and Zuko quickly followed her noticing that she didn't seem too eager to stay in this place very long.
"Hey, do you think you could have a place for one more at the barracks?" Zuko asked as they exited the room. Jin looked a little shaken and she didn't seem ready to talk yet but Zuko really needed to get this sorted out before he left.
He already had a plan. He would go back to the palace, try and avoid Azula as much as he can before scrambling to his room to pack his bags up and leave without ever going back. He knew his decision. He was going to be part of the Resistance.
"Hm? Yeah, sure. We have lots of room in the barracks," Jin said. She still looked as if she was deep in thought.
Zuko smiled, satisfied. He said, "Well, that's great. I can move in here by tomorrow."
"What!"
"I'm moving in here."
"But…but why? Don't you have an apartment in the Upper Ring? What about the teashop? What about your uncle?"
Zuko stepped back, slightly startled at the memory of his uncle. He felt a bit guilty. He had completely forgotten about the old man. He sighed in relief after remembering that his uncle's prison cell was in the palace and not in the Dai Li's Headquarters. He would just have to break his uncle out and take him with him.
Zuko pouted and drew her closer with his hands, teasingly saying, "Why? You don't want me to come here?"
"No…" Jin giggled as she kissed his nose.
"I'm just worried about you. You wouldn't be coming here if something wasn't wrong," Jin frowned.
Zuko smiled at her assuringly and said, "I'm fine. It's just that um…well…um…"
Zuko racked his brain for a decent excuse.
"…um….after our mission with the blue soil….well….things got haywire and well…I think a Dai Li Agent saw me and got suspicious so…I want to lay low for awhile," Zuko mumbled. At least it was partially truthful.
Jin stared at him. It looked as if she didn't completely believe him. After many agonizing minutes of silence Jin sighed and shrugged, "I guess you could stay in the barracks. Just try to keep out of Ge Jiang's way. You're still on his death list."
Zuko smiled and they moved forward, towards the Main Room.
"I'll try," he chuckled.
"And you're going to have to sleep as far away from where I'm sleeping as possible. Ge Jiang already has enough suspicions about what we're doing whenever I come home late," Jin meaningfully said.
Zuko blushed hard after realizing what Jin was talking about.
"I would never—um—you know…..I wouldn't….that's stupid of him to think like that—I wouldn't defile your honor—''
Jin laughed loudly before grabbing Zuko's hand and pulling him into the room, saying, "Come on, most honorable one. I want you to protect my honor by walking me home."
Zuko gave her a crooked smile before linking his arms with hers.
Zuko noticed many weird things as he entered the palace.
For one thing, the Dai Li Agents didn't seem too shaken up by the explosion. As he walked through the hallways, no one looked sad or no one was panicking or moaning in despair. Everyone went about their usual business as if nothing happened. Zuko was so perplexed by their reaction that he just had to see how Azula felt about the whole explosion matter. Although he didn't plan to go there, he hurried to the throne room where he saw Azula sitting idly.
Another strange thing was that Mai and Ty Lee weren't dutifully sitting beside or in front of her. They were nowhere to be seen.
"Um…"
"Why, hello Zuzu. I'm so glad you could join me," Azula said as she flicked a lock of hair away. Zuko immediately started regretting his decision in coming here.
"Azula….I heard that an explosion happened in Lake Laogai," Zuko cautiously said.
"You are correct. An explosion did happen. Well, actually explosions happened. But not to worry. I have everything under control," Azula said.
"What! But didn't….didn't their headquarters get destroyed?" Zuko frowned.
"Not all of it is completely gone. Some more…er….strategic parts were strangely still usable," Azula said.
"What do you mean by…strategic parts?"
"Oh…whoever blew the whole place up decided to keep the prison rooms and a few other places intact. It's all quite bothersome really. If they were going to blow the whole place up why didn't they just do a proper job and blow everything to the sky? People here in the Earth Kingdom are quite ridiculous," Azula said.
Zuko suddenly felt uneasy for some reason. He shuffled his feet, looked away from his sister and muttered, "Were there any…casualties?"
"Oh…about five hundred."
"Five hundred? And you aren't mad or concern in the least bit?" Zuko demanded. Azula should be completely annoyed now. She had just lost five hundred men.
"They're indispensable. Hardly worth the trouble," Azula said dismissively. She looked and sounded bored with the conversation.
"But…but you need them! You need Dai Li Agents to Earthbend the wall open," Zuko argued.
"Please, Zuko. That's hardly a problem. If I need Earthbenders, all I need to do is to look in the registered Earthbender list and forcibly take them away from their homes to do my bidding. Honestly, Zuzu, you can be so stupid sometimes," Azula sighed as she rolled her eyes.
Zuko frowned. Something was wrong. Things aren't supposed to be turning out this way. She should be mad, furious even. Zuko stared at her suspiciously, trying to see her angle.
"Do you have any idea who did it?" Zuko asked. He began to back away. He suspected that Azula knew or had a vague idea of who was behind the explosions. That meant that he needed to leave this place quickly.
"Oh…I have a few ideas but they're just theories," Azula said.
She was smiling at him now but it wasn't the re-assuring kind of smile. It was as if she was mocking him. Her eyes glinted and her lips were curled in disdain. It was as if she knew something that he didn't. Zuko balled his fists and his brow began to sweat profusely. Azula was planning something. He was sure of it. She wasn't going to proceed about this calmly. He was surprised that she wasn't lashing out in rage at anyone by now.
"Like what?" Zuko asked. He stopped in his tracks.
"They're not very plausible. I wouldn't want to bore you with them," Azula said in a bored tone.
"What do you plan to do when you find out?"
"I'm still thinking about it," Azula smirked.
Zuko rubbed his hands together and looked around. His heart stopped once he realized that Dai Li Agents were everywhere. They blended in, looked unnoticeable because they were hiding in nooks and crannies and dark corners. Zuko was suddenly afraid that they would pounce on him.
"I have to go somewhere," Zuko said as he made a turn to leave.
"Go where? To your girlfriend?"
Zuko paused. His heart pounded against his chest.
"Um…"
"Don't act so surprised Zuzu. I know. Keeping a secret like that is really difficult, especially if you've trusted it to someone like Ty Lee," Azula said.
"It's not a secret," Zuko shortly said.
"I've heard that she's incredibly poor. Funny. I didn't peg you as someone who'd like peasants."
"Shut up, Azula! Don't talk about her in that way—''
"I've also heard that Ty Lee has met her. She seems to be someone very pretty. A little too pretty for you in my opinion. I can't believe someone would be desperate enough to go out with you."
"It's no big deal if you've found out about her. I don't care," Zuko spat. He hoped he sounded brave because his insides were shaking.
"Well…if it isn't some big secret then I guess it would be no problem that I meet her? It's not fair that Ty lee saw her before I did. I am your sister," Azula said. She looked downright malicious.
"Well—'' Zuko faltered and lost any coherent train of thought. Azula's presence was affecting him more than he'd like to let on. He hated that about her. He hated the way she seemed to pick up emotions and insecurities so well. He hated that she knew how to intensify all his anxiety. He shouldn't let her do this to him.
He looked at her, met her eyes and glared.
"It wouldn't be a good idea. She wouldn't like you," Zuko sneered.
Azula scowled, losing her cool for the first time. She angrily clutched the throne's arms. All around her the Dai Li steered. One attempted to move forward. Azula glared at him and made a stop signal.
"Oh really Zuzu? I'm not so sure about that. I think you'll find that I'm a very…ah…people person," she said. Her smile looked crueler and crueler as Zuko looked at her.
"She'd think that you're a big jerk," Zuko snapped. He then turned away from her and muttered, "I have to go somewhere."
"Say what you want, Zuko. I couldn't care less!" Azula said coolly as Zuko began to leave the throne room in a harried manner.
Azula smiled and said as Zuko left the room completely, "I have a feeling that me and your stupid, peasant girlfriend will be meeting a lot sooner than you think."
Zuko ran towards his room, completely ignoring anyone that passed his way. He slammed his door opened, grabbed the nearest bag he could find before grabbing as many clothe as he could and stuffing it into the bag. He was surprised that Azula didn't ask the Dai Li or Mai and Ty Lee to capture him and put him into prison. This just wasn't her style. For some reason, that made Zuko all the more nervous.
He needed to get out of here, break his uncle out and get to the Resistance's Headquarters as fast as he could. He wasn't sure if the reason why Azula didn't kill him yet was because of her good mood or it was because she had a hidden agenda. All he knew was that something was severely wrong and he did not want to stick around to find out what she has planned for him.
Zuko scowled in frustration as a shirt oozed out from the opening. He tried to squeeze it in.
He could feel his tension rising. He looked around, completely paranoid, that the Dai Li might come bursting into his room with their stupid stone cuffs and gloves. In anger he threw the shirt away and decided to leave it. He examined all the contents of the bag and saw that he had packed three shirts, a pair of pants and some socks. It was still pretty small since he planned to live in the headquarters for the rest of his days but he decided not to give it too much contemplation. He'd get another pair of pants, two more shirts, some underwear of course, a few food and weapons and maybe a nice coat before leaving.
"In a hurry?" a dull, monotone voice said.
Zuko jerked his head up and spun around. Mai stood at the doorway, her eyes blank and expressionless as usual but her body was tense. She leaned against the doorframe and began to play with one of her knives.
Zuko sighed, exasperated before saying, "I have to go—''
"—somewhere," Mai finished for him. Zuko stared at her blankly, not sure what he was supposed to tell her or what his reaction was supposed to be.
Mai shrugged before continuing, "It's the same, old, boring statement. Trust me; I'm used to it by now."
Zuko frowned at her, trying to think up of a suitable response. All he could manage was, "Leave me alone. I need to finish this."
Mai didn't look the least bit offended. She continued to stare at him with her dull eyes.
It was funny how Mai and Jin were alike in some ways. Like Jin, Mai took his temperamental outburst and awkward comments in stride. Like Jin, Mai clouded most of her emotions from everyone else. Like Jin, nothing ever seems to faze Mai. The only difference was that Jin takes everything—the good, the bad—with a smile while Mai takes everything with a bored expression.
Zuko shuddered. The comparison freaked him out a little bit.
"It won't matter if you hurry up Zuko. Time doesn't matter in your situation," Mai sighed. She didn't move from her position.
"Shouldn't you be in Azula's side right now, doing whatever she tells you?" Zuko said in annoyance. He just wished that she would go.
Mai glared at him but she didn't stir or move. She continued in her flat voice, "She wants to be alone right now. Especially after she had the talk with Ty Lee."
Suddenly, Zuko remembered Ty Lee. He had not once seen the bright and overly-cheerful girl. That was definitely wrong since Ty Lee was everywhere spouting bubbly comments and airheaded phrases. Zuko frowned.
"Ty Lee? Wait—where is she? I haven't seen her today," he demanded.
Mai sighed again before saying, "I can't get all the details out too straight. The fact that she's bawling her eyes out makes it a little hard to understand what she's saying—''
"What? She's crying? What happened to her?" Zuko worriedly said. Ty Lee cried a lot, mostly because she was sensitive and overly-emotional but from Mai's account, things sounded serious.
"All I could make out was that she and Azula had a little talk. That itself is pretty much self-explanatory," Mai drawled.
"A talk? What did Ty Lee do wrong?" Zuko asked. He started feeling worried for his friend. He hoped that he had nothing to do with it. Azula's rage when someone screws up is unimaginable. And she doesn't care who she directs it to—as long as you made a mistake she'll chew you out even if you're her best friend.
"Too complicated to explain, too boring to divulge. I'd rather not," Mai yawned.
"Is it that bad?"
"She's eating chocolates in her room with the door locked."
"Yup. It's definitely that bad," Zuko said remembering Ty lee's hatred of chocolate and all its fattening capabilities.
"She'll get over it. She always does," Mai said. They lapsed into an uncomfortable silence with Zuko packing some weapons and with Mai playing with her knives.
Finally, Mai broke the silence by silently walking towards Zuko who was trying to desperately stuff another shirt into his bag. She sighed loudly. To Zuko's surprise she grabbed his shirt and began to fold and roll it.
"You're doing it wrong. You have to roll it up so it leaves more space in your bag," Mai monotonously said as she jammed the shirt into his bag. She then gestured for Zuko to do the same. Zuko, absolutely perplexed, began to fold and roll his clothes in the way Mai showed him. Mai stood in front of him, not moving, not speaking. For some, reason that made him nervous. She then picked up a knife that Zuko was planning to pack.
"And your weapons have to be wrapped thickly. Otherwise they'll slice through your clothes," Mai continued as she wrapped a long knife into a thick, wool cloth.
"Thanks Mai," Zuko awkwardly once everything was packed.
He then remembered that in her own quiet way, Mai had been the nicest person who was friends with Azula. She stood up for him and Ty Lee and she never embarrassed or mocked him. He suddenly felt very grateful towards her.
"I…um….I want to say thanks—''
"Save it. I hate it when things get corny."
"That's not all. I want to say goodbye—''
"Didn't I just say that I hate it when things get corny?"
"I just wanted to say goodbye!"
"That was completely unnecessary. We already know that you're leaving," Mai said. She blew on her nails.
"We?" Zuko asked suspiciously. He wondered if Azula knew too.
"Ty Lee told me to give you this. She'd give to you herself but she's too sad to do anything right now. She's scared her tears might make it salty," Mai said. She pulled out a small, round earth cake from her sleeve.
Zuko took it.
"Tell her thanks."
"It's not for you so you better not eat it. It's for Jin," Mai said. Zuko stared at her, trying to see if she had a hidden agenda. He was suddenly afraid that the cake might explode by Azula's hand.
"Oh. She's going to love it," he reluctantly said. He suddenly felt touched by Ty lee's earth cake and Mai's help.
He blurted out before he could stop himself, "Look! I can't tell you the full details but you and Ty Lee could come with me—''
"No, thanks. I hate travelling on foot and I'm supposed to bring some tea for Ty Lee," Mai said.
"Look! This is a chance for you to escape from Azula!" Zuko argued. Mai's eyes sparked with emotion for the first time. It was fear.
"You don't have to worry about the Dai Li. You could go out the front door when you leave. It's deserted," was all she said. Mai then turned around and began to leave.
"Mai…wait!"
She paused.
"What's going on? Azula knows, doesn't she?" Zuko said.
Mia sighed deeply before turning around to face Zuko again. Her face was an expressionless mask.
Zuko shouldered his bag, ready to leave.
Mai looked at him with concern before saying, "I'm sorry, Zuko. I'm really, really sorry."
Zuko raced along the palace's prisonhold, the bag's weight pressing against his shoulder. He didn't have too much time. He had to get his uncle out of here without raising too much suspicion. That task was extremely difficult since Dai Li Agents were posted everywhere. But at this point, he had thrown caution out of the window. All he cared about was reaching the Lower Ring with his uncle by the end of the day.
Zuko frowned once he saw that no Dai Li Agents were posted. This was certainly strange. While the prison room was strong, Azula did not trust it to support the Dragon of the West. That was precisely why she always kept at least four Dai Li Agents near his room.
Zuko hurried to the door and peered over the small, barred rectangle.
His heart nearly dropped.
His uncle wasn't there.
He was staring at a dark, empty room. Zuko gripped the bars in panic. What was going on? Where was his uncle? Suddenly, the hope that he had escaped on his own flickered in his mind but that seemed impossible. The prisonroom didn't look damaged or didn't look as if someone had escape from it. It looked untouched.
Zuko wrung his hands in frustration. He spun around and caught a Dai Li Agent giving some food to one of the prisoners. Swiftly, he grabbed the man by his collar and thrust him into the wall, knocking the tray of food unto the ground. The Dai Li Agent cowered and whimpered in fear.
"Anything wrong your highness?" he asked in between his whimpers.
"Where is he?" Zuko demanded.
"Who?"
"You know who! Where's my uncle!" Zuko demanded, his voice rising octaves higher with every word.
"Your uncle? Who's that? Would that happen to be the man in that cell?" the Dai Li Agent nervously said.
"Stop playing games! Where is he!" Zuko yelled. The fire in the lamps exploded, breaking its glass case and casting a deathly, orange glow across the walls.
"He's in a ship on the way to the Fire Nation!" the Dai Li Agent yelped. Zuko dropped the Dai Li Agent, his mind whirring a mile a minute. What was that man talking about?
"What?" he asked not quite believing it.
"It happened last night, while you were….er….while you were away your highness. The princess ordered it. He was to be transported to the Fire Nation," the Dai Li Agent explained. He started to edge away from Zuko.
"The princess….fire nation…..uncle….Azula!" Zuko scowled. She knew more than she let on. Zuko scowled in frustration. What was he supposed to do now? He was supposed to liberate his uncle! Now, his uncle was on a ship, in the most disgusting section no less, with the thought that Zuko had a hand in this. He'd probably hate Zuko even more.
"She said that he could not be held here, especially after the explosion. It wasn't safe," the Dai Li Agent muttered as he tried to leave.
"As if Azula would care," Zuko snapped as the Dai Li Agent left.
Things were already falling apart. But he had no choice but to forge on forward. He wasn't sure what Azula has up in her sleeve but he knew that she had other reasons for sending his uncle away. He didn't want to stick around to find out what her full plan was.
He had no choice but to leave his uncle behind.
With a heavy heart, Zuko ran from the prisonhold and into the courtyard.
It was sundown by the time he reached the Lower Ring.
He expected to arrive later. It was really strange though that Mai was right. No Dai Li Agents were patrolling the front gate or the courtyard. In fact, it was as if no one was guarding the palace. Zuko suddenly felt suspicious. He escaped from the palace a lot more quickly than he expected. It was as if they were just letting him go. For him, that was not a good sign.
Zuko raced across the passageway, to the main entrance avoiding flying spikes and three foot tall cylinders swinging at him. He didn't know why he felt so jittery. He felt something at the pit of his stomach and something was nagging him at the back of his brain. He wasn't sure what's going on with him. Mai's cryptic and completely unhelpful warning and the news of his uncle being in a ship on its way to the fire nation had shaken him more than he expected.
After finally managing to narrowly escape all the booby traps Zuko ran to the door and knocked on it. A dull and sleepy voice said, "Knowledge talk..."
"But wisdom listens," Zuko answered. The door swung open to reveal Nuo, leaning against a wall next to the door. He looked tired and worn-out and groggy.
"Are you okay?" Zuko asked. He was in a hurry to see Jin but he felt the need to be polite to Nuo.
"Long day. We've been busy," he yawned as he gestured around the room.
Zuko's eyes popped open once he took a closer look at the room. It was filled with people. At first, Zuko thought that they were Resistance Members but after a closer examination he noted that most of them were civilians; mothers and fathers herding their children or old people sitting on chairs.
"Who are all these people? Are they new members?" Zuko asked.
"What! Oh no! They're civilians actually. We've started leading them outside the wall," Nuo explained.
"You mean you've started it? You've started the evacuation?" Zuko asked. He was impressed. Imagine, they just blew up the Dai Li headquarters in one night and soon they were leading civilians out from Ba Sing Se the next night.
"Jiang wanted it done soon. He's afraid that the Dai Li and the fire Nation might make reparations. You wouldn't believe how much work we have to put into convincing the civilians about the Fire Nation. And the process of leading them all down here…..unbelievable! By the time the sun went down we've only managed to escort one group out," Nuo breathed tiredly.
"Escort?"
"Yeah. We can't lead them all at once so we had to divide them into groups. Shu with his wife Fan and a few other Resistance members lead the first group," Nuo said.
"Was Jin with them?" Zuko asked a little worriedly.
"No. She's going to lead the eighth group. And also…..she wanted to wait for you," Nuo smirked teasingly as he said the last part. Zuko chuckled before merging into the crowd to find Jin. It took him a while to find her. Finally, he saw her at a corner talking to a very snobbish looking woman. Duan Jie was next to her and he was holding a little girl in each hand.
"For the last time Madame Ying, you're going to have to wait. You still belong in group four," Jin sighed in exasperation as Zuko approached her. She was wearing her battle gear, an outfit that looked similar to the Dai Li's except it was sleeveless and showed off her midriff, exposing her tone and flat stomach. She was wearing black arm and leg guards and her hair was tied into two braids. She was wearing a brown straw hat.
Madame Ying, the baker who lived down at the west end of the Lower Ring, huffed before stomping off into the opposite direction.
"Jin?" Zuko called as soon he got Jin's full attention.
"Li!" Jin happily cried. Her eyes lit up and she gave him a big hug. Zuko smiled in content.
"Busy?" Zuko asked.
"Very. Ge Jiang's not taking any chances. He wants this evacuation to start," Jin sighed. She looked tired and worn-out. And Zuko does not blame her. He suddenly remembered that he had no sleep for the past few nights. He started feeling the effects of his all-nighters.
"Li!" Duan Jie called him. Zuko looked at him and offered a wide smile. The girls that clung onto his hands looked shy. One was about eight years old and the other looked about ten.
"Hey," Zuko said. He lowered himself down so that he'd be able to reach the eye level of the two girls.
"I'd like you to meet my little ones. They're set to leave in a few more minutes," Duan Jie proudly announced.
"Hi. My name's Li," Zuko said. He held both his hands out so that the two may shake them. The two girls reluctantly took his hands and shook it.
"Hi. My name is Lili," the one who looked like eight-years old said.
"And I'm Aya," the other added.
"Nice to meet you," Zuko said.
"Where did you get the scar?" Lili asked.
Zuko stiffened and his mouth stood agape for many seconds. Duan Jie, mightily embarrassed, hushed his daughters up and herded them into a direction saying, "It's rude to ask questions. Come along now. Let's join our group…"
Zuko felt embarrassed and his hand involuntarily touched his scar. He suddenly hated himself. Suddenly, he felt a soft, slender hand cover his own. He turned to his side and found Jin smiling at him comfortingly.
"What's wrong with you? You look like you've seen a ghost," Jin smiled. She didn't mention the whole scar incident and Zuko was entirely grateful for that. He was glad that his girlfriend wasn't one of those nosy, busybody and prying types.
"More like my sister," Zuko muttered.
"Hm?"
"Nothing. I'm just glad your okay," Zuko quickly said. He leaned towards her and gave her quick kiss on the forehead. Jin frowned.
"Of course I'd be okay. Is something wrong?" Jin asked.
"Nothing. But in times like these….you can't be sure," Zuko sputtered.
"Well….I can't lead you to your room just yet. We still need to organize this evacuation," Jin said. She looked tired and weary.
"Why now? You just finished undermining the Dai Li," Zuko breathed.
"Ge Jiang wants it done. Something about risks or revenge or something…." Jin yawned.
"You should sleep," Zuko said.
"As if you've been sleeping," Jin snickered.
"Your brother is a jerk. He should've given you more time to rest," Zuko mumbled.
"No. Jiang's right. Who knows? The Dai Li might be on a rampage right now, taking their anger out on innocent people," Jin said.
"Anyway, Ty Lee gave you this," Zuko said. He took the Earth Cake out and gave it to Jin. The cake looked a little squished but other than that it seemed fine.
"That's so sweet of her. Any special occasion?" Jin asked slyly.
"Not that I know of," Zuko smirked. After a while he sobered and said more seriously, "She's going….away."
"What?"
"She's a circus performer Jin. She can't be tied….down…" Zuko said as he tried to make it sound as believable as possible. Jin looked sad.
"She sounds like…He Shen. Can't be tied down. Maybe you should hook them up," Jin sniggered.
"They'd make one interesting couple," Zuko chuckled.
"People say we make an interesting couple," Jin laughed. She then added, "I hope not all circus performers can't be tied down…"
She wrapped her arms around his neck as Zuko smirked, "Not this circus performer…."
"I'm glad you came. I'm having a little trouble with the fire blossom," Jin smiled.
"What's the problem?"
"It's dying. I don't think that it takes too well in this climate," Jin frowned.
Zuko opened his mouth to speak but before he could, He Shen suddenly came up from behind him, wrapped an arm around his neck, wrapped the other arm around Jin before pulling them closer to his chest.
He looked tired and frazzled. His usually messy hair was even messier than usual. It looked like a rat's nest. His face was smudge with dirt and dust and his armor looked frayed and worn. The liuqin was still slung on his back and he still had a bright, carefree smile but his eyes looked tired and heavy.
"Why, hello Li man! Sis! Heard you're moving in with us, Li. Know what that means? Means it deserves an awesome song, man!" He Shen said. He broke out into another song. Zuko and Jin waited patiently for him to finish. When he was finally done he said, "Major happenings today, man. I feel worn down and ready to pass out cause I've been dancing and partying the whole night but I'm not gonna do that dude, cause Jiang will like rip my head off and I've got people to lead and…."
He Shen lapsed into a silence. He gave a big yawn and looked off into the distance.
"Um….Shen?" Zuko said. He poked He Shen in the arm.
"Shen…" Jin said as she gently shook him.
Suddenly a gong sounded. That snapped He Shen back into focus. He yawned and said, "That's my cue Li man. Gotta go lead the second group. Take care sis. Meet you at the outside…."
As He Shen stalked off Jin said, "About the fire blossom…"
Zuko smiled and said confidently, "Don't worry. It just needs more heat."
He grabbed her hand and radiated a moderate amount of heat so his touch sent warm tingles into her arm. Jin's eyes widened in amusement. Zuko said as he drew her closer, "All you need is a firebender's touch…"
Suddenly, there was a big quake on the ground. Everyone gasped or screamed in horror as the rumbling continued. Zuko lost his balance and fell face flat on the floor. Jin hurriedly helped him while trying to calm the panicked civilians and Resistance members down. It was a difficult task since everyone was getting more and more riled up and even the Resistance members started panicking.
"What's going on? An earthquake?" Zuko asked over the din of the noise.
"No…it's something much worse…." Jin whispered fearfully.
The wall in front of them exploded, flinging rocks in eveyr direction.
"Look out!" Zuko yelled as big chunk flew towards Jin. Jin slammed her fist at the flying projectile and it crumbled into little tiny pieces. Dust and dirt flew everywhere and the screams of all the hysterical civilians only made things more confusing.
Zuko rubbed his eyes to get a closer look at the figures emerging from the dust. As the dust cleared away the entire room erupted into screams. Zuko's mouth dropped. It was the—
"Dai Li!" Jin said. She suddenly formed a solid stance before earthbending a wall and directing it into the Dai Li. A few got slammed backwards while some managed to dodge it. Stone gloves suddenly flew towards Jin. Zuko flicked one away with his arm while Jin lithely dodged them all Earthbending more rocks and shooting them at the Dai Li.
Zuko didn't stir for the longest of time. This was it. This was Azula's plan. She was going to take the Resistance down. He didn't move or speaking from his shock but he was vaguely aware of what was going on around him. The Dai Li Agents started capturing civilians and rounding them up. Resistance members started fighting. The second group set for evacuation was halted.
From the corner of his eye he could see Ge Jiang taking on eight Earthbenders at a time. He was fully clothed with his armor and a heavy helmet rested atop his head. He kept his calm and cool demeanor although his eyes were steeled with anger.
From the left he could see He Shen flinging one Dai Li Agent with his bare hands. His hands were cuffed together with the stone gloves but he still looked formidable since he whenever he stomped on the ground with his legs small tremors would rock the main room. Hai and Nuo were trying to desperately keep up in the fight but they were losing badly. Hai had a cut on his head and Nuo had agiant size welt on his cheek.
Suddenly, he remembered Jin.
He looked around and sprinted trying desperately to find her. All around him people were screaming. Women and men were being cuffed and injured. Children were wailing as the Dai Li rounded them up. Where was she? He hoped that nothing too serious happened to her.
A Dai Li Agent suddenly started barreling towards him. Zuko growled and in one swift move he managed to slip his bag from his shoulders and he threw it at the Dai Li Agent's face. The Dai Li Agent staggered giving him enough time to draw his sword s out. Once the Dai Li Agent got back up, he sent two stone gloves flying towards Zuko. Zuko dodged one, deflected the other with a sword before crouching on the floor to avoid an earth spike sent by the Dai Li Agent. He slid across the ground, hit the Dai Li Agent's shin with the hilt of his sword. The Dai Li Agent gave a cry before losing his balance and crumpling unto the floor.
Zuko scrambled back up and continued to run, desperate to find Jin. His brain was processing so many things at the same time that he just didn't have much focus as he sped across the room. As he pushed a child out of harm's way he thought about how they managed to find the Resistance's secret headquarters. Was there a traitor amongst their midst? He was very sure he didn't tell Azula. As he gave a low kick to an attacking Dai Li Agent he thought about what Jin might be thinking. Was she afraid? Angry? Panicked? As he pinned another Dai Li Agent into the wall he thought about Jin's reaction and how Ge Jiang might automatically blame him once this whole thing was over. He thought about how he was goign to keep his cover.
He continued to fight but his movements were so robotic since he didn't think of anything else but Jin. And how he hoped that she was safe. And he hoped that she wasn't mad at him.
Suddenly, as he knocked a Dai Li Agent away, he saw her. He saw Jin.
There were about ten Dai Li Agents surrounding her, all of them earthbending earth spikes, rocks, and stone gloves at her. Jin easily dodged some, deflected a few others against the Dai Li Agents. As Zuko looked on, he realized that she could handle things fine.
Jin crouched on the ground with a low kick and sent three Dai Li Agents flying. She then grabbed one Dai Li Agent's sleeve and threw him across the floor. Two came at her but she earthbent miniature columns at their feet causing them to lose their balance. Things were going fine until….one Dai Li Agent came at her from her side, earthbent the stone gloves towards her and cuffed her hands, knocking her unto the ground.
"NO!" Zuko yelled. He tried to run towards her, to help her when a jet of blue fire blocked his path.
Zuko's heart sank. He only knew one person who could bend blue fire.
He looked at the direction from where it came from and his jaw clenched.
It was Azula, donned in her full Fire Nation outfit. She looked cruel and malicious as she calmly strode forwards.
She smiled mockingly before saying, "Am I late for the party?"
"Azula!" Zuko hissed angrily. He formed his swords into an x.
From her place Jin's eyes widened. She said, "Azula? Wait—you know her?"
Azula's eyes inched in Jin's direction. Her smile became wider. She said, "Oh. So this is your girlfriend Zuko. Ty Lee was right. She is pretty. A little too pretty for you, maybe."
From behind her Mai and Ty Lee emerged. Ty Lee looked ashamed and visibly upset. She gave him an apologetic glance and mouthed "I'm sorry" while Mai simply stared at him with her usual bored face. Her eyes however looked remorseful. Zuko knew that they weren't as evil as his sister at heart but still, their presence made him angry. He glared back at them angrily. Ty lee shrank in her place.
"You know each other? Wait—what did she just call you? Who's Zuko? What's going on, Li!" Jin cried. She looked hysterical.
All around them, the fighting had stilled. Ge Jiang was staring at the scene with angry eyes while He Shen looked afraid. Hai, Nuo, Long and Guai stared at all of them curiously. Even though the fight had stopped, everyone was still tensed and in their stances. Around him, he could hear children wailing and crying.
Zuko felt as if he was underneath a spotlight. He suddenly understood Azula's plan. Why Mai told him that it didn't matter if he got to the Lower Ring in time. Why Azula let him go so easily. Why there weren't many Dai Li Agents patrolling the palace.
She was using him to lead her into the Resistance. He had led her hear. He was the one that caused all this.
"Oh, so you didn't tell her? Very wise decision, Zuzu. It would've ruined the whole plan," Azula continued.
"What plan? What's going on Li? Why is she calling you Zuko!" Jin cried. Her voice sounded strangled. Zuko couldn't face her. He shut his eyes and tried to focus so he would be able to outtalk Azula. To avoid the discomfort, he sheathed his swords back into place.
"You didn't know? Zuko is here undercover for the Fire Nation. He's the one who orchestrated all of this. He came up with the plan. He was the one who led us here," Azula smiled. Jin gasped. Azula then turned to Zuko and added, "Thank you so much, Zuko."
Zuko groaned. He knew what Azula was up to. She was trying to make everyone in the Resistance think that he was a traitor. A strange silence enveloped the place.
"I knew it! I knew we couldn't trust him!" Ge Jiang said breaking the silence. He looked extremely angry. His face was a violent shade of purple.
"What? Li, a traitor? But that can't be!" he heard Duan Jie say. Zuko turned and saw DuanJie. He looked at Hai, Nuo, He Shen and everyone at the Resistance. They all had the same look—a look of pure disbelief. Their eyes were pleading. It as if they were begging for Zuko to say that it wasn't true.
"She's lying! She's only trying to turn us against each other! Li! Please tell me that she's lying," Jin cried. Zuko looked at her and his chest constricted. Her eyes started getting red. She was about to cry.
Zuko looked at her pleadingly and said, "Jin, I swear I had nothing to do with this—''
"Forget it Jin! It's over! He's with them! Don't you realize who she is! Who he is!" Ge Jiang roared.
"No! Li would never—''
"His name is not Li! HE'S NAME IS NOT LI!" Ge Jiang yelled. Zuko could feel his head swimming. He balled his fists up. From behind Azula, Ty Lee looked upset.
"His name is Zuko! Doesn't that name ring a bell Jin? Doesn't it? Haven't I heard his name before in our History Books? Shouldn't you have realized who he is by now?" Ge Jiang snapped. He was stomping towards them. Zuko looked at He Shen and saw that he had frozen in place.
'Zuko…" Jin whispered to herself.
"Yes, Zuko! Tell me Jin! Tell me who he is!" Ge Jiang growled.
Jin closed her eyes and said in a barely audible whisper, "Zuko. He's the prince of the fire nation."
"I can't hear you!" Ge Jiang snapped.
In a louder voice Jin announced, "Zuko. He's the prince of the fire Nation."
And the world came crashing down after that. Zuko watched as everyone's face morphed into horror. He Shen shook his head and clicked his teeth. Ge Jiang looked ready to smash Zuko's brain into the ground.
"Oh, so he forgot to mention that too? I hope that finding out that your boyfriend, my brother by the way, is the prince of the fire Nation won't cause any problems in your relationship," Azula said. She looked like she was enjoying herself.
"I hope this won't cause you any problems!" Jin snapped and suddenly, thrust her hands at Azula's direction and the stone gloves detached itself from her hands and sailed towards Azula. Azula growled and dodged it before sending a streak of lighting towards Jin.
"Jin!" Zuko cried but Jin easily dodged it.
The fighting commenced. Zuko felt a wall of earth crash into his side. Zuko flew backwards and slammed into a chunk of rock. Once his vision cleared he saw that it was Ge Jiang, slowly advancing towards him. Ge Jiang looked beyond angry.
"Jiang, I swear this was all Azula's idea! I didn't know anything about—''
"You lied to all of us! You lied to my sister! You lied to her and you broke her heart!" Ge Jiang accused.
"I never wanted—''
Ge Jiang earthbent a column of rock to pummel him into the right.
"You've hurt her! And since you've hurt her I'll be keeping my promise of killing you!" Ge Jiang roared. He carried a giant boulder and threw it at Zuko. Zuko rolled over as the boulder slammed unto the ground.
"Jin means the world to me! Jiang please! Stop! I don't want to hurt you," Zuko said as he scrambled back up.
Ge Jiang wasn't listening. He sent Earth Spikes in Zuko's direction. Zuko dodged each and everyone fo them as Ge Jiang continued, "Liar!You probably never liked her! You were just using her to get to the Resistance!"
That hit Zuko's nerve. Ge Jiang's implication that Zuko never liked Jin angered him greatly. He growled and sent a burst of flame towards Ge Jiang. Ge Jiang wasn't expecting it. He fell back and became unconscious.
Zuko said through gritted teeth, "I do care about her. I care about her more than I've cared about anyone else."
And with that he sprinted off. All around him the fights were becoming more vicious. He saw Mai sending her knives towards an Earthbenders. The Earthbender managed to deflect it. He sent an earth wave towards Mai propelling her into Zuko's direction. Mai would've crashed and seriously hurt her head had Zuko not grabbed her arm.
"Hey. Be careful," Zuko said.
Suddenly she drew a knife out and sent it flying above his head.
"What the—''
"You too," was all she said before bounding off. Zuko turned around and saw that Mai had thrown the knife at a man who was planning hit Zuko with a club. The man was now pinned to the wall with Mai's knife.
Zuko continued to run. He wanted to find Jin. He needed to explain things to her. He saw Ty Lee and He Shen fighting. Well, they looked as if they were flirting more than fighting.
"Ooh…you're so cute!" Ty Lee said as she tried to jab He Shen in the chest. He Shen backed away.
"You're not too bad yourself. I should write a song about you," He Shen said as he sent an earth spike towards Ty Lee. Ty Lee dodged it with a graceful somersault.
She giggled and said, "So you're a musician?"
"Poet-slash-musician-slash-artist ready to create awesomeness for a total cutie," He Shen said as he waggled his eye brows. He parried Ty Lee's punch.
Ty Lee blushed and said, "You're making blush. We're supposed to be mortal enemies."
He smirked and said, "If you weren't working for the majorly evil and cracked-up princess, I'd totally go out with you."
Zuko didn't bother to hear the rest of their conversation. He sprinted forwards, dodging Dai Li Agents and angry Earthbenders. As of now, it seemed as if both sides hated him. He couldn't blame them. Finally he caught side of Jin. She was fighting with a Dai Li Agent. Zuko was about to go towards her when a sword blocked his path.
"Not so fast son," a voice said.
Zuko was horrified to see that it was Duan Jie.
"Let me through. I don't want to hurt you," Zuko said through gritted teeth.
"You've already hurt her enough. You're not going an inch near her!" Duan Jie declared.
Zuko sighed as Duan Jie thrust the sword towards him. Zuko easily dodged it. In one swift movement he was behind Duan Jie. He quickly jabbed his elbow unto his shoulder knocking him down.
"I'm sorry," Zuko said before running off.
He looked at Jin and saw that while she was holding up, it won't be long before she went down. Before Zuko made it towards her the Dai Li Agent hit her shin causing her to fall down. The Dai Li raised his hand ready to hit her when Zuko set a stream of fire towards him, propelling him away. Zuko hurried towards Jin to help her up.
"Here, let me help you," Zuko said as Jin rubbed her temple.
He tried to grab her arm but once she had realized who he was she swatted his arm away and angrily said, "Don't touch me!"
She stepped back away from him.
"I was just trying to help…"
"Get away from me Li—Zuko!" she snapped, catching herself after realizing she had just said "Li" instead of "Zuko."
"Look Jin! I had nothing to do with this!"
"Save it for some other clueless girl!" Jin spat.
Suddenly there was an explosion. Zuko looked around and watched in horror as the left side of the main room exploded, sending chunks of rock everywhere.
Jin gasped "What the—''
Whatever she was about to say was interrupted by Azula's maniacal laughter. Zuko watched in horror as Azula rose on top of a pile of rocks. She said, "Retribution is the sweetest thing! You blew up my headquarters and now, I'll blow up yours!"
And with that she sent bolts of lightning out everywhere. One shot through their direction.
"Watch out!" Zuko said as he pushed her away. The two of them tumbled unto the ground with Jin lying below Zuko.
"What are you doing!" Jin demanded.
"I'm trying to keep you from getting fried by Azula's lightning!" Zuko said.
"I'm not fried so you can shove off me now!" Jin said irritably as she slid out from underneath him. Things were exploding from everywhere. Hai was trying to defend Long from the rocks. Guai was earthbending an earth shield. Nuo ran around in circles in panic.
He looked at Ge Jiang and saw that the he was fighting with Azula. Ge Jiang was holding himself very well at the fight. He matched Azula evenly and for once he was glad to see his sister not as confident as she usually is. An explosion happened in another side. The whole place was crumbling down. If he didn't get out of here, the whole place would collapse.
He had to get Jin to safety. He saw her attacking a Dai Li Agent. Before she could reach him Zuko sent a wave of fire to block her.
"What are you doing?" she shrieked.
Zuko grabbed her arm and forcefully pulled her along, "Getting you out of here. This whole place is about to collapse."
"Let me go!" Jin said as she struggled from his grasp. Zuko however held onto her firmly.
"We have to go!" Zuko insistently said.
They continued to struggle against each other when they saw Duan Jie fighting against a Dai Li Agent. He was clearly outmatched with his old age and untrained hands.
"Let me go! I have to help him!" Jin snapped.
Suddenly the ceiling above Duan Jie exploded. The whole room started shaking. It was starting. The Main Room was about collapse.
"We have to leave!" Zuko said.
"Everyone move out! Move out!" he heard Ge Jiang's voice say.
From the corner of his eye he could see Azula, Mai, Ty Lee and a few other Dai Li Agents were already exiting the place. He Shen was herding some people out through a tunnel while Ge Jiang was earthbending another passageway for some families. Guai and Long also escorted some people while Hai and Nuo scrambled away.
"Jin! Duan Jie! Come on!" Zuko insistently said.
But it was too late. Duan Jie did not notice the explosion above his head.
"No! Duan Jie!" Jin screamed.
Duan Jie only had enough time to look up before the rocks toppled on top of him and crushed him from everyone's sight.
Zuko led Jin through one tunnel and together they continued to run, hearing the sounds of the explosions and the small tremors it made. Jin didn't argue anymore. He guessed that she was still in a daze after seeing Duan Jie…..
Duan Jie.
Zuko heart tightened. Duan Jie was a good man. He was one of the few people who were really nice to him. And now he's dead. Zuko swallowed thickly. He could not bring himself to think about it. He can't be dead. He just can't be. But still, he knew that Duan Jie's chances of survival were slim. Even if he survived the rocks, the whole place would have collapsed all over him by now. And to think, the last thing he ever did to Duan Jie was knock him down.
Zuko felt the heat rising to his face.
It seemed as if Jin had broken out of her daze. Suddenly Jin forcefully took her hands away from him.
"Let me go!" Jin screeched.
"I'm trying to help you!" Zuko exploded. He didn't have time to patiently let her rage on him. Duan Jie's death, Azula….it overwhelmed him. He just couldn't take it anymore.
"Well, I don't need your help!" Jin snapped.
"I saved your life! Most people would be grateful!" Zuko
"Grateful for what Zuko! That you lied to me and made me look like a fool in front of my brothers and everyone else!" Jin shrieked. Her eyes started getting puffy. Zuko cringed when he heard her say his name. It sounded slightly..unnatural.
"Jin….I didn't mean to hurt you!"
"But you did hurt me! You lied to me and stabbed me in the back! I trusted you! I put my honor on the line for you and you just led them here and now Duan Jie…..Duan Jie…..Duan Jie's….dead," Jin choked.
And with that she fell unto the floor and broke down crying. Zuko had never seen Jin cry before and seeing her in this state tightened his chest. She was hiccupping and sobbing and tears were streaming across her face. Zuko did nothing else but what his instinct told him. He sat next to her and hugged her and held her as she cried and sobbed into his chest.
"Shh….it's okay," Zuko comforted. It didn't sound so re-assuring since his voice cracked.
Suddenly Jin pushed him away and scowled, "Don't touch me!"
Zuko sighed. He pleadingly tried to reach out to her.
"Look! I said I'm sorry—''
"But sorry doesn't cut it!" Jin screamed.
Suddenly the earth shook. Zuko remembered that bending was tied to one's emotions. And if this gigantic tremor was any evidence of how Jin was feeling, he understood that she was beyond angry. Suddenly she earthbent him into the wall, pinning him there so he was immobile.
"Jin—''
"Sorry doesn't make up for the fact that you led them here, attacked the Resistance, endangered innocent lives and killed…." she trailed off with a pained look.
"I told you that it isn't my fault!" Zuko roared.
"Liar! You lied to me about everything! I can't believe I ever liked you! I can't believe I fell for you! I can't believe that I actually let you kiss me!" she shrieked. Zuko felt the tension of the cuffs pinning him to the wall tightening.
"I lied to you because I knew this would happen! I knew that you'd end up hating me!" Zuko spat.
Jin looked taken aback. She didn't release him although he could feel some of the tension easing in his wrist.
"You know what Jin? I thought that you were different from everyone else in the Earth Kingdom. I thought that you wouldn't judge me just because I am a Firebender. Now, I see that I'm wrong. You're just like everyone else in here!" Zuko continued. Jin looked hurt.
"That's not true…"
"Stop pretending that you actually care! Don't you think that I already know! You like Li, not Zuko! Not me," Zuko said. The truth, the pain, everything started to sink in.
"Of course I liked you! I really, really liked you! And you just betrayed me—''
"Stop it! Stop pretending as if things wouldn't have gone any differently if you knew who I really am! You're just like everybody else! The moment I tell you my real name you start judging—''
"I'm not mad because of who you are, Zuko! I'm mad because you betrayed me! I don't have anything against dating the prince of the Fire Nation!" Jin snapped.
"Oh really!" Zuko roared.
"I'm mad and angry and upset with you because you just betrayed me and everyone else. Ge Jiang was right! I shouldn't have vouched for you," Jin said. Her voice was cracking and the tears continued to stream down her face.
"I didn't betray you! Just listen—''
"I hate you! I hate you Zuko!" Jin spat.
That stung and hurt him a lot more than he expected. Zuko felt as if a ton of rocks were just dumped unto him.
Silence.
Zuko couldn't hear anything except Jin's panting and sobs.
Jin looked guilty. She said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I was just upset—''
"Don't."
"Zuko, I didn't mean it. I don't hate you—''
"Don't. You've made it pretty clear."
Jin cried harder.
"Out of all the people in the world I had to fall for the stupid prince of the fire nation," she sniffled.
"Judging by the fact that you have pinned against the wall, I don't think you like me very much," Zuko dryly said.
Jin didn't say anything more. Instead she left him go, turned away from him and started walking in the direction of the Main Room. Zuko hated himself even more as he heard her sniffles and cries. He clenched his fists.
He knew that he shouldn't say anything else but he couldn't help it.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Jin didn't turn around to face him. Instead she said in a weak voice, "It's complicated."
Aawww….sad chapter.
I know not everyone is happy with the turn of events but I just had to go with it. I felt that it made my fic a bit more authentic. Every couple has to have their bad days. For those holding out on a Maiko reunion (but that seems really unlikely since most of my readers are Zujin/Jinko/Jinzu fans) it's not happening. It see Mai and Zuko as a more platonic friendship kind of thing. In my opinion it suits them better.
SkorpionQueen012: Thanks for the awesome reviews. Made me feel awesome. :D
daveshan: Thanks for the review and the really helpful criticism. I know my Azula isn't as evil as she is supposed to be but I'm working it out.
TheApocalypticTarantula: Thanks for the review! Sorry to disappoint you but Jin and Zuko might not be reuniting very soon. Your review so made my day.
Alana C. Jones: Don't worry. I didn't misunderstand you. I knew it was figure of speech, of course ;) Thanks for the review. It made my day.
arica998: Thank you so much! Your review makes my heart grow three sizes bigger.
And thanks to all those who read this or added it to their faves. Awesomeness.
Don't leave me hanging.
Keep the reviews coming.