Burning Bright
Part XVII
"This is humiliating," Katara declared breathlessly as they continued to forge on forward. Behind her Sokka looked downtrodden and weary with his shining, sweaty face and his despondent expression. Toph was trudging behind the Duke and Teo who were moving with their eyes closed. Aang walked on with a disappointed expression on his face as Momo rested atop his head while Haru looked sadly on, his shoulders dropped and his face drooping. Jin looked thoroughly distracted as she hung in the back. She failed them. She failed everyone in the Resistance again. This was her chance to prove to them that she can handle this, that she can be a capable leader of the Resistance. This was her big chance—and she failed.
She couldn't even rescue any of the Resistance Members. Katara told her that they didn't have time, everyone in the Resistance were condensed in the central area of the capital city and according to Hakoda, their forces there have already been defeated as soon as the eclipse was over. Jin sighed heavily—she felt slightly angry at herself. Maybe if she hadn't wasted her time looking for Iroh, she could've helped Aang. Looking for Iroh was a waste of time; the old man was more than capable of taking care of himself. Jin suddenly wished that she had thought trough her decisions much better. The Resistance members were right. She was a terrible leader who didn't deserve to be their leader. She should just go to some hole and bury herself there until the war is over or possibly until she dies.
"Do you mean getting thoroughly spanked by the Fire Nation, or having to walk all the way to the Western Air Temple?" Sokka inquired sarcastically as Katara turned her head towards him.
"Both," Katara dejectedly said as she looked away.
Aang suddenly spoke up in a sheepish tone, "Sorry guys, but Appa gets tired carrying all these people."
Appa gave a mighty roar of agreement.
"I wonder how the rest of the troops are," Teo thoughtfully said.
"They're probably on their way to a prison. Seems like my dad just got out, now he's going back in," Haru sighed loudly.
"I miss Pipsqueak," the Duke said loudly.
"I miss not having blisters on my feet," Sokka declared as he looked up at Appa.
"I just miss everything before the war in general," Jin said, speaking for the first time. Everyone looked in surprised and turned to look at her. She didn't seem to be in a mood for talking, with them losing on Jin's biggest chance to prove the Resistance Members wrong. She didn't look like her chipper self and her mouth was drawn into a sad, thin line.
"Well, I miss the badger-moles," Toph piped up.
"And I miss my hair loopies," Katara giggled. The mood elevated slightly and everyone gave a small laugh as they proceeded forward. It didn't take long before Jin and everyone else felt better.
"So, what's got your beef?" Sokka asked as he hung in the back with Jin.
"Nothing's got my beef. I'm perfectly fine," Jin murmured as she looked away from Sokka.
"No, seriously Jin. What's up? You haven't spoken since we left," Sokka pointed out. He was starting to notice that Jin wasn't as cheerful as she used to be and though he admitted that it once annoyed him to no ends, he was beginning to miss his severely optimistic friend. He could use a sprinkle of Jin's happy camper sunshine right now because he was feeling downright depressed.
"I'm….I'm just so angry at myself. I was just so stupid! I should've come with you guys," Jin said her face contorting into a spasm of sadness.
"Yeah….well we're all stupid. We fell for Azula's plan. She had it all figured out," Sokka sighed.
"I didn't things through. I'm never usually like that. I just don't act on impulse. I don't know why I just…just went there," Jin said her eyes displaying frustration.
"Speaking of which….what were you doing during that time anyway?" Sokka asked curiously. While they were trying to attack Azula, she had told them a handful of interesting things, one of which was a very prevalent implication that Jin and the evil firebending Prince Jerkface dated once upon a time in Ba Sing Se. Aang was too busy trying to find the Fire Lord so only Sokka really caught that comment properly. That and coupled with the fact that Jin never takes a jab at Prince Jerkface and the Resistance Members' plethora of stories as to how Jin caused the downfall of the Resistance gave Sokka a sneaking suspicion that what Azula was spouting off was not just another lie.
"What?" Jin faltered and stared at Sokka in surprise.
"Where were you anyway? You know during that time when you said you had to do something," Sokka said. He knew that he shouldn't push it, especially when he was talking to Jin—a person who never lets her true feelings and secrets out so easily. Jin was as hard as a rock when it came to questioning. But he was enormously curious and he felt that if Jin and Prince Jerkface were dating, then maybe he should start thinking of a plan to make her forget about him because from the looks of it she wasn't completely over him yet. Sokka was afraid of the possibility that Jin might go over to the enemy's side.
And he just couldn't bear the thought of his best friend (yes, they were sort of best friends by now) going over to the Fire Nation all for Prince Jerkface, a guy who did not deserve a girl as awesome as her.
"Oh…me? I was just um….I went to rescue a friend," Jin said, her voice quavering at first but as soon as she said the last few words, her voice became firm.
"Which friend?" Sokka said.
"An old Earth Kingdom friend I met in Ba Sing Se," Jin smoothly said though Sokka noticed that she wasn't looking at him straight in the eye.
"What's his name?" Sokka prodded.
"Why do you care?"
"I just want to know."
"Um…Mushi," Jin said, thinking of no other names as she said this. She bit her lip and subconsciously wrung her hands, a sign that Sokka knew she was lying.
"You know Azula said something back there," Sokka significantly said, hoping to get some sort of reaction from Jin.
"Oh really?" Jin said. Sokka noticed that she started to walk faster. He matched her steps stride by stride.
"It was probably just another lie. You know…something to distract us some more," Sokka said easily.
"What was it about?" Jin's voice sounded calm though she looked nervous.
"Oh….just that you and Prince Jerkface were dating," Sokka carefully said as he watched her face for any reaction.
Jin's eyes widened and she paused in mid-step as soon as Sokka said it though she quickly recovered. She rapidly walked on and said as she gave off a nervous laugh, "Really? Yeah…you're right! It's probably just a lie….how ridiculous! Me and Li—Zuko dating? I haven't even met him yet."
Sokka rounded up on her, ready to fire more questions when Toph suddenly declared, "Hey, we're here. I can feel it."
"Oh, look at that. We're here. I'll just go ahead," Jin said as she eagerly darted away from Sokka. Sokka frowned; annoyed that Toph interrupted him and Jin when he almost had his piece of information.
"Uh, I think your feet need their eyes checked," Katara said as she looked around and saw nothing but mist.
"No, she's right," Aang said as Jin looked at him in surprise. She too saw nothing.
"We are here," Aang said as he pointed downwards. Everyone rushed over to the edge of the cliff and were shocked to discover that each and every pagoda was built upside down. Statues of male and female airbenders dotted the place. A cold mist curled throughout the whole temple.
Despite her dour mood, Jin felt breathless as she peered over the edge. She said in an awed tone, "Wow, it's amazing."
As soon as they all settled in, Jin changed out of her threadbare Earth Kingdom clothes back into her Fire Nation ones. Jin had asked Katara to repair some of the edges and maybe rework some of the fabric since the invasion made it more thin and loose. Haru could barely control the blush that was rushing to his face as soon as he saw Jin in her light and…slightly revealing Fire Nation outfit. She had lost some of her leggings so she had to make do without them, giving complete exposure to a great deal of her legs. Everyone settled around the steaming pot of soup Katara whipped up for them and Haru tripped all over himself, hoping Jin will sit next to him. Much to his disappointment (and to Jin's utter relief), Katara gestured for her to sit next to her and Jin gladly obliged.
"It's so different from the Northern Air Temple. I wonder if there are any secret rooms," Teo mused thoughtfully as soon as he finished his soup.
Haru smiled, stood up and beckoned the others to join him, "Let's go check it out."
Aang stood up ready to follow them, when Katara blocked him with his glider and said, "You guys go... I think we need to talk about some things."
Aang took his glider back and looked nervous. Before they left, Haru looked back and said a little hopefully, "Do you want to go Jin?"
Jin rapidly shook her head and said, "Um…I think I'll just stay here for awhile. You know….rest my feet."
Haru looked disappointed but he nodded nevertheless and scampered off as soon as Teo and Duke called out to him.
"You know…I think Haru has a thing for you," Toph said.
"No! Don't be stupid!" Jin scoffed.
"Yes he does and besides what's so wrong with that anyway? You two would make a great couple…unless you know…you already like someone else," Sokka meaningfully said as he alluded to Jin and Prince Jerkface's relationship while trying to make Jin forget about Zuko at the same time with Haru.
"Look, could we go back to the main point here. I though you guys needed to talk to Aang about something," Jin said as she looked away.
"Why can't I go?" Aang demanded.
"We need to decide what we're gonna do now. And since you're the Avatar, maybe you should be a part of this," Katara said seriously.
Aang grouchily leaned his staff against the stone bench, crossed his arms and sat down.
"Fair enough. So, what's the new plan?" Aang sighed. He didn't look ready to discuss something like this but Katara wasn't letting him off the hook. This was something they all needed to figure out and this was something Aang could not avoid. Sokka and Jin stopped their growing banter and sat up, listening to the conversation intently while Toph gave her undivided and full attention.
"Well, if you ask me, the new plan is the old plan. You just need to master all four elements, and confront the Fire Lord before the comet comes," Sokka shrugged.
Aang scowled, grabbed a pebble and flicked it away saying sarcastically, "Oh, yeah, that's great. No problem, I'll just do that."
"No one said that it's going to be easy, Aang," Katara said as she laid a hand on his arm and said comfortingly.
"Well, it's not even gonna be possible. Where am I supposed to get a firebending teacher?" Aang scowled.
"We could look for Jeong Jeong," Katara said, her brows furrowed deep in thought.
"Yeah right, like we'll ever run into Jeong Jeong again," Aang said as he laid on a bench and carelessly dismissed Katara's idea.
Toph suddenly sat up looking confused. She said, "Who's - Oh, never mind. If it's important, I'll find out."
"How about you Jin? Do you know anyone in the Fire Nation that you could recommend?" Sokka asked, raising his brows at Jin.
Jin flushed and quickly snapped, "No. I don't think so."
"Oh well, guess we can't come up with anybody. Why don't we just take a nice tour around the temple?" Aang suggested as he stood up, grabbed his glider before bounding off. He ran towards the edge, unfolded his glider and flew off leaving Katara dumbstruck and everyone else speechless.
Toph whistled and said, "What's up with him?"
"He just needs time to come around. Maybe now wasn't the best time to talk to him about this," Katara worriedly said.
"I'm sure we'll figure this out," Jin smiled, her ridiculously upbeat nature returning.
Sokka brought his chin down his hand and said thoughtfully, "There's got to be someone who can teach him firebending….."
It didn't take long for Zuko to start panicking. How was he going to convince everyone that he was no longer against them? What was he going to do? Zuko started to sweat profusely and after many minutes of deliberation, he decided that he should probably get his "I-want-to-teach-the-avatar-firebending" speech straightened out before he tried it on the Avatar for real.
And so far, he was having a very, very miserable time.
"Hello, Zuko here," Zuko said as he raised his arm in greeting. He began to fidget as he thought of what to say next. After thinking about it he continued, "But I guess you probably already know me... sort of."
He scratched the back of his head. That sounded stupid.
"I have a lot of firebending experience, and I'm…" he forced a smile out, making a mental note that it would probably make him less hostile if he offered a smile.
"…considered to be pretty good at it," he said as he proudly put a hand on his chest. It would probably be good also if he appeared confident.
"Well, you've seen me... you know, when I was attacking you?" Zuko paused after realizing his verbal mistake. He slapped his fingers against his forehead in embarrassment. He nervously added, "I should apologize for that."
He looked around nervously before waving his hand dismissively and saying, "But anyway, I'm good now."
Zuko suddenly raised his palms up in defense and said, "I mean, I thought I was good before, but now I realize I was bad."
Zuko internally groaned as he became more and more uncomfortable. He said, "Ugh, but anyway... I think it's time I joined your group, and taught…"
He straightened up and tried to muster his most sincere expression as he said, "…the Avatar firebending."
The badger frog merely croaked.
The stupid badger frog just croaked.
Zuko could barely contain his frustration, "Well, what's your answer?"
The badger frog gave him one last croak, before jumping on his head and hopping away. Zuko sighed dejectedly and said, "Yeah, that's what I'd say too."
This was not going well. He was already spouting off pure stupidity and to think, this was just practice. This wasn't even the actual thing yet.
"How am I supposed to convince these people I'm on their side? What would Uncle do?" Zuko scowled to himself.
Zuko then started to pretend that he had an imaginary beard and he started to pace around saying in a slightly scratchy voice with an air of a wizened master, "Zuko, you have to look within yourself, to save yourself from your other self. Only then will your true self reveal itself."
That did not help in the least bit. If anything it made him all the more confused.
Zuko scowled and nearly tore all his hair out. He said, "Even when I'm talking for him, I can't figure out what he means. What would Azula do?"
Zuko raised his voice to a higher pitch, started to move his body in a way that was feminine and said, "Listen, Avatar, I can join your group or I can do something unspeakably horrible to you and your friends."
He then folded his arm arrogantly and said, "Your choice."
Suddenly the badger frog hopped in front of him again, startling him and causing him to move backwards. It fixed its small beady eyes on Zuko and gave a mighty croak.
Zuko took the hint. He sighed and said, "I guess I'm not that good at impersonations."
The badger frog seemed to croak in agreement.
Zuko rubbed his hands together and decided that now as the perfect time to say something to the Avatar. He quickly hurried down towards the temple, ready to deliver whatever he had to say but as he neared towards them he paused and his heart nearly had a spasm. For sitting there, along with the Avatar and his friends, in a circle, was Jin. She was sitting with her back turned to him. Of course! How could he have forgotten? Jin was with the Avatar now! Zuko panicked at the last minute. He spun on his heels and turned around.
Now wasn't the time to say something to the Avatar for a number of reasons. Actually, just one reason. And that was Jin. He had no idea what he was supposed to do or how he was supposed to act towards her. He began to worry of how she thought of him now? Does she hate him? Or does she still like him?
Zuko scampered off, hearing Toph's voice as she said, ""Who's - Oh, never mind. If it's important, I'll find out."
Zuko decided that since he got his "I-want-to-teach-the-avatar-firebending" speech down, he might as well get his "Jin-I'm-really-sorry-please-forgive-me" speech all figured out. He thought long and hard about this and decided that he couldn't push through speaking with the Avatar without really figuring out what to say to Jin first. He thought that maybe he should tell her a few things like how he missed her, how he still sort of likes her and most of all…how sorry he is for what he had done to her.
"Hey…Jin. Um…Zuko, here," Zuko said as he raised a hand out in greeting. He gulped nervously as he tried to picture what sort of reaction she would harbor.
"But I guess you don't need an introduction 'cause you already know me….'cause we were you know….we used to date back in Ba Sing Se….sort of," Zuko mumbled as he looked at the ground unsure of how to continue.
"So…yeah….you look really pretty today. I mean you always look pretty, even back in Ba Sing Se but you know I'm just saying," Zuko babbled incessantly.
"So….anyway, I came here because I'm going to teach the Avatar firebending because you know…I'm a Firebender. Oh and about that…I guess I should apologize for not telling you," Zuko hung his head sheepishly.
Realizing that he said something stupid once again, he quickly said, "But I'm good now. I mean I was always good…I never really wanted to be bad, it's just that Azula made me look bad so you thought that I wasn't good but I actually wanted to be good it's just that circumstances made me bad."
That sounded extremely confusing in Zuko's ears.
"So what I really meant to say was...I know I did wrong by you with destroying the Resistance and all and before we left we sort of got on the wrong foot so all I wanted to say is that I'm sorry and I hope we can work this out and start over because I really…really like you," Zuko finished, with a sense of pride since he felt that he did that second piece particularly well.
Then the badger frog croaked and hopped away.
"Wait! Jin! Don't be like that! Just give me a chance to—''
Zuko stopped himself and decided that he was acting extremely ridiculous. He was yelling at a stupid badger frog!
"What would uncle tell me?" Zuko briefly wondered and with that, Zuko started another bout of Iroh impersonations.
"Zuko…you must know that a way to a woman's heart is simple sincerity. Just open your heart out to Jin and make her see your true self which is masked by your other self so she won't see another self other than your true self," Zuko said in the same advising tone Iroh often used.
Zuko scowled in frustration after realizing that that was very unhelpful.
He decided not to impersonate Azula since Azula would probably just barbecue Jin without saying a word.
He released a stream of smoke from his nostrils after realizing that the only way he was going to ever push through with this was to talk to the Avatar and his friends.
And he must make Jin understand also.
The badger frog croaked a good luck to Zuko as he sped off.
He made camp in a dense forest a few meters away from the Western Air Temple. He had chosen that spot specifically because it provided a good view of the Western Air Temple and if Aang and his friends ever decided to leave before he could talk to them, then he would be the first to know. He expertly scrambled through the vast hallways of the Western Air Temple, having been there before with his uncle three years ago. The memory made him feel distant and sad and he suddenly yearned for the chance to talk and to apologize to his uncle.
It made him think about all those times he has done wrong against perfectly good people.
Suddenly, as he passed through the halls in search of the Avatar, a nostalgic feeling swept over him. He started to remember Ba Sing Se and all its noisy and overcrowded glory. He remembered Jin and the thought of her image flowed freely in his brain. Her adorable, small nose, her large, expressive eyes and the smell of earth and all her scents wafted through Zuko's senses. He suddenly remembered all those happy times they spent in Ba Sing Se and he suddenly realized that he missed those times so much.
It suddenly occurred to him how much he wanted this to work out. How much he wanted he and Jin to work out.
"Aang, can we talk about you learning firebending now?"
Zuko paused. That was the water tribe girl's voice.
"What? The wind is too loud in my ears. Check out this loop," he heard the Avatar chortle.
Zuko started to grow nervous. They were coming closer. What was he supposed to say again?
"Aang, I think we should be making some plans about our future," he heard another male voice say. A deeper one this time. He guessed that it was the water tribe girl's brother.
"Ok, we can do that while I show you the giant Pai Sho table. Oh, you're gonna love the all-day echo chamber," Aang said.
Zuko readied himself. They were coming closer. He suddenly wished that Jin wasn't with them so he didn't have to deal with her.
All of them emerged from the corner with Aang, Sokka and Katara looking at each other and with Jin trailing them from behind. Toph suddenly paused once she saw him and she said seriously, "I think that'll have to wait."
Everyone turned to look at Zuko as Toph pointed at him. Aang stared at Zuko open-mouthed while Katara and Sokka froze. Jin could barely regain herself as she stared slack-jawed at him. Then after a few seconds, their expressions melted from shock to anger. Everyone tensed considerably and formed hostile stances with Katara holding a hand to her water satchel, ready to waterbend Zuko to the next county, Aang pointing his glider at Zuko and Sokka holding his boomerang out and gripping his sword tightly. Only Toph and Jin didn't look angry. Toph looked nonchalant while Jin still looked shell-shocked.
Zuko attempted a friendly smile, raised his hand up and said, "Hello, Zuko here."
Zuko decided that sneaking up on them was not the best way to start things. He clicked at his teeth nervously and began to twiddle his thumbs out of the awkwardness of the whole situation. His eyes were kept on the ground for a long time but he finally had the courage to look up.
He did so and then he wished he didn't.
The first person he ever saw when he looked up was Jin.
And. She. Looked. Stunning.
She was dressed in Fire Nation garb—she was wearing a halter-like top that exposed her smooth and flat belly, her skirt which felt just below her knee was slit at the sides showing off her toned and slender legs, her hair was loose save for the topknot fastened with a small headpiece atop her head, a circlet hung on her upper limb and the fact that he was seeing her dressed in red rather than her usual green, made his stomach feel strange and he suddenly felt very possessive of her. She looked so beautiful with her large green eyes that he felt a little lost on what to say again.
She was still staring at him with a twinge of shock and for some reason he felt relieved that she wasn't acting hostile along with the others.
"Hey, I heard you guys flying around down there, so I just thought I'd wait for you here," Zuko sputtered with a careless shrug of his shoulders. He tried to gather his wits but it was very difficult with Jin standing right in front of him.
Try as he might, his amber eyes would often fix steadily upon Jin.
Jin suddenly coughed and looked at him defiantly.
"Okay…wait! I think I'm doing this wrong. Let's start all over. Hi, um Avatar. Zuko, here—''
"Yes, we know you're here," Toph impatiently said.
"So um….I guess you guys know who I am. Which sort of reminds…um….hey Jin," Zuko said trying to get some sort of emotion out of Jin. To his surprise, she looked nervous.
"I knew it! I knew it! You do know each other!" Sokka declared triumphantly.
"You know Zuko?" Katara said sounding a little hurt as she faced Jin.
Jin held her hands up defensively and said, "Wait—this isn't what it looks like and anyway—why are you here?"
Jin faced Zuko, her eyes heavy with anger and hurt. She was in an earthbending stance and she looked as downright unwelcoming as everybody else. Only the small, little blind girl retained her apathetic expression.
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you….erm…I wanted to tell you something, Jin but I guess it could wait 'cause…I have something more important to tell the Avatar," Zuko said nervously, losing his train of thought. Zuko could see that Jin was starting to blush and her expression had softened. He felt slightly better.
"We don't want to hear you say anything, you big jerk!" Sokka spat.
Zuko's temper flared briefly and he flashed an annoyed glare though he managed to have it under control once again. He said, "I know you must be surprised to see me here."
"Not really, since you've followed us all over the world," Sokka said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Oh. Right... Well, uh... anyway, what I wanted to tell you about is that I've changed, and I uh, I'm good now. And, well, I think I should join your group," Zuko said becoming more and more visibly uncomfortable. He looked at Jin and was bereft to discover that she looked disbelieving and slightly angry.
"Oh, and I can teach firebending... to you. See, I uh..." Zuko mumbled as Aang lowered his staff looking confused. Katara stared at him in disbelief.
"You want to what now?" Toph piped up. Zuko stared at her and was relieved to see that at least someone didn't hate him. But that someone was just a twelve-year-old and compared to the fact that she was surrounded by older and taller teenagers, he decided that her weight on the gravity of this situation wouldn't help much.
"You can't possibly think that any of us would trust you, can you? I mean, how stupid do you think we are?" Katara said interrupting Toph. Behind her Jin looked guilty but she maintained her angry expression.
"Yeah, all you've ever done is try to hunt us down and capture Aang," Sokka added.
Jin didn't say a word but she was looking at him with pure revulsion and disgust.
"I've done some good things. I mean, I could've stolen your bison in Ba Sing Se, but I set him free. That's something," Zuko defensively said. As if on cue, Appa suddenly heaved himself up, pushed past Katara, Sokka, Aang and Jin, stopped in front of Zuko and with his great, mighty tongue proceeded to lick him.
"Appa does seem to like him," Toph significantly said as Zuko wiped some of Appa's saliva off.
"He probably just covered himself in honey or something so that Appa would lick him. I'm not buying it," Sokka scoffed.
"And neither am I," Katara huffed. Toph glanced at Jin as if looking for support but Jin merely looked on at the scene wordlessly. Her eyes looked angry so Toph guessed that she didn't really like Zuko either.
"I can understand why you wouldn't trust me, and I know I've made some mistakes in the past," Zuko remorsefully said.
"Like when you attacked our village?" Sokka demanded.
"Or when you stole my mother's necklace and used it to track us down and capture us?" Katara demanded.
"Or when you betrayed me and everyone whoever cared about you in Ba Sing Se even when I trusted you?" Jin snapped.
Zuko could barely contain his surprise.
It was the first time that Jin had spoken to him since they encountered and it did not look as if she wanted to work things out with him. The words weighed heavily on him and he felt his remorse rise back up again. Sokka stared at her questioningly as she stared at Zuko with hurt in her eyes but by the expression on her face, he decided against it.
Regaining his voice Zuko said, "Wait—what? No! No—look I didn't mean….if you just give me a chance to explain…."
"We don't want to give you a chance Zuko!" Katara snapped.
"Look, I admit I've done some awful things. I was wrong to try to capture you, and I'm sorry that I attacked the Water Tribe. And I never should've sent that Fire Nation assassin after you. I'm gonna try to stop him," Zuko said as he hung his head in shame.
"Wait, you sent Combustion Man after us?" Sokka said angrily as he pointed his boomerang at Zuko.
Zuko paled after realizing his mistake. He cursed himself. He knew he was going to say something wrong at one time or the other.
"Well, that's not his name, but..." Zuko sputtered as he began to panic.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to insult your friend," Sokka sarcastically said. From his side, Toph finally assumed an apprehensive stance.
"That guy locked me and Katara in jail and tried to blow us all up!" Toph accusingly said as she pointed a finger at Zuko.
"And he nearly got Jin killed by crushing her with Ozai's statue!" Katara added.
Zuko looked completely flustered. He was panicking. He said, "What? He wasn't supposed to that! I specifically told him not to hurt Jin—''
Jin's features softened at this comment but Sokka looked livid. He sarcastically said, "Oh, so just because you told the Combustion Man not hurt your girlfriend makes everything perfectly okay?"
Jin snapped, "I'm not his girlfriend!"
"Whatever," Sokka dismissively said.
"Why aren't you saying anything? You once said you thought we could be friends. You know I have good in me," Zuko said looking at Aang pleadingly. Aang looked down as he pondered what Zuko said.
Aang looked at everyone else. Sokka shook his profusely and so did Katara. Toph merely shrugged at him and mouthed, "Think about it" while Jin simply did not meet his gaze.
"There's no way we can trust you after everything you've done. We'll never let you join us," Aang declared with a sense of finality. Zuko stared at them dumbstruck.
"You need to get out of here, now!" Katara threateningly said.
"I'm trying to explain that I'm not that person anymore," Zuko desperately said.
"Either you leave or we'll attack," Sokka snapped.
Zuko closed his eyes, rubbed his temples and said suddenly kneeling down and holding his hands out as he did so, "If you won't accept me as a friend, then maybe you'll accept me as your prisoner."
Katara angrily glared at him and hissed, "No we won't!"
Suddenly, she waterbent water out of her satchel and sent a small wave pummeling towards Zuko. It hit him, square in the face and sent him flying backwards causing him to lie facedown. The gasp and the panic that escaped Jin's mouth was very audible as Zuko hit the ground. Sokka stared at her, surprised that she would still care about this jerk. Jin sheepishly looked away.
"Get out of here and don't come back. And if we ever see you again...Well, we'd better not see you again!" Katara declared as Zuko closed his eyes and nodded in defeat. He looked around them pleadingly for one last time, his eyes resting on Jin the longest. Jin stared back at him and for the first time since they saw each other again, Zuko couldn't fathom the expression on her face. It was a mix between anger and….something else. When it was clear that no one wanted him anymore, he turned around and left.
Silence ensued and nobody spoke for the longest of time when Zuko left. Jin in particular, seemed to be deep in thought.
Finally Toph broke the silence saying, "So….you didn't tell me that Zuko's your boyfriend…"
Jin suddenly snapped out of her reverie, "He is not my boyfriend!"
"I can tell you're lying," Toph said in a sing-song voice.
"Ugh!"
And with that, she turned around and stormed off.
"Why would he try to fool us like that?" Katara ranted as she stomped around the chamber. After the whole ordeal, the group decided to have a meeting convened though Jin did not look as enthusiastic or as livid as everyone else. She continued to drift off distractedly, her hands absentmindedly fiddling with the circlet.
Sokka scowled and said, "Obviously, he wants to lead us into some kind of trap."
Katara heatedly continued, "This is just like when we were in prison together in Ba Sing Se. He starts talking about his mother, and making it seem like he's an actual human being with feelings."
"He's not that bad really," Jin said suddenly speaking up.
"Not that bad? Not that bad? He tricked you into dating him so he could destroy the Resistance!"
"That's not how it happened—''
"That's exactly how it happened!" Sokka argued.
"How would you know?"
"Neng told me—''
"Oh, so you believed all those terrible rumors about me like everybody else?" Jin said her voice sounding hurt.
"No! And don't turn this around all on me. What's this business between you and him anyway? Are you two secretly dating or something?"
"Sokka's right. What is going on between you two?" Katara asked.
"What—no! Nothing's going on between us! I don't even like him!"
"Yes, you do! I can see it in your face!"
"No, I don't—''
"Well, you obviously still care about him—''
"I do not—''
"Wel, you cared enough to yell when Katara hit him with a water wave—''
"Well you don't have to worry about me betraying you for him or something—''
"I didn't say that—''
"But you were implying it!"
"Look, why can't you just date someone who isn't an evil jerk who's been trying to kill us for the last few months…like a Haru?"
"For the last time, Sokka, I'm not—''
"Hey! I'm just trying to let you see the truth! He wants you to trust him and feel sorry for him, so you let your guard down, then he strikes," Sokka declared as he pummeled his fist against his palm.
Jin looked ready to argue but she looked down and said, "Yeah…you're right. Maybe it's just another ploy so we'll trust him."
"The thing is, it worked. I did feel sorry for him. I felt like he was really confused and hurt. But obviously when the time came, he made his choice, and we paid the price," Katara said.
The memories of Ba Sing Se's downfall and Zuko's evident betrayal came rushing back to Jin along with the heat of anger. She said, "Yeah, you guy's are right. We can't trust him."
"I kind of have a confession to make. Remember when you two were sick and I got captured by Zhao?" Aang said, suddenly speaking up.
"And you made us suck on frozen frogs? How could I forget? I had a wart on the flap that hangs down from the back of my throat for a month!" Sokka cried in outrage as he presented his mouth for everyone to see.
Katara, visibly annoyed, huffed and said, "Sokka, I looked at it and told you there was nothing there."
"I could feel it! It's my throatal flap," Sokka argued.
"You always feel something," Jin scoffed.
Sokka turned to her and said, "But—''
"Anyway, when Zhao had me chained up, it was Zuko who came in and got me out. He risked his life to save me," Aang interrupted.
"No way, I'm sure he only did it so he could capture you himself," Katara said as she brought her fist down and crossed her arms.
"Yeah, you're nothing but a prize to him," Sokka said.
"You're probably right," Aang said as he dropped his shoulders.
"And what was all that crazy stuff about setting Appa free?" Katara huffed.
"Actually, he wasn't lying," Toph spoke up.
"Oh, hooray. In a lifetime of evil, at least he didn't add animal cruelty to the list," Sokka said putting a hand on his cheek in true mocking nature.
"I'm just saying that considering his messed-up family, and how he was raised, he could've turned out a lot worse," Toph said looking directly at Jin hoping to play to her sympathies and previous like for Zuko. But Sokka and Katara had already gotten her, red-hot mad and she looked weary of this conversation.
"You're right, Toph, let's go find him and give him a medal. The "not as much of a jerk as you could have been" award," Katara said sarcastically.
"All I know is that while he was talking to us, he was sincere. Maybe you're all just letting your hurt feelings keep you from thinking clearly," Toph firmly said as she brought up an arm with her palm facing upwards.
"Easy for you to say, you weren't there when he had us attacked by pirates," Katara seethed.
"Or when he burned down Kyoshi Island," Sokka said as he clenched his fists.
"Or when he tried to capture me at the fire temple!" Aang scowled.
"Or when he made me look like a fool in front of all the Resistance members!" Jin snapped.
"Why would you even try to defend him?" Katara heatedly said as she inched towards Toph.
"Because Katara, you're all ignoring one crucial fact. Aang needs a firebending teacher. We can't think of a single person in the world to do the job. Now one shows up on a silver platter, and you won't even think about it?" Toph scowled as she pointed an accusing finger at Katara.
Katara looked remorseful and suddenly remembered the situation they were in. She looked at Aang who merely shook his head and said, "I'm not having Zuko as my teacher."
"Wait—maybe, Toph has a point. We shouldn't jump to conclusions just yet," Sokka said stopping Katara before she could say anything. He turned to look at Jin and said, "How about you Jin? You've dated him—''
"I did not—''
"Say all you want but it won't erase the truth. So anyway, you've dated him right?"
"Ugh—''
"So you must know a little about him. What do you think?" Sokka said.
Jin looked highly irritated. She snapped peevishly before leaving the group, "I think that I already made this mistake once. And I don't plan on making it again."
Zuko didn't know what to feel after the encounter with the Avatar and his friends. It didn't turn out too well.
But for some reason he cared more about the fact that Jin absolutely hated him than being unable to convince the Avatar. He had never really understood the gravity of his lies before but now, as Jin displayed a frontier of hurt and resentment, he began to understand slightly and what he understood was not good. He had harmed her and hurt her and he perfectly understood why she was still cautious and apprehensive in dealing with him.
Zuko sighed.
But still, he wished that things had gone on better.
He stiffened as soon as he heard a rustle.
"Who's there? Stay back!" Zuko yelled.
Before Zuko could stop himself, his natural born instincts took over and he immediately firebent a wave of flames towards the intruder. Suddenly a rock pillar rose from the ground and Zuko had to stumble backwards to avoid it.
"It's me!" a small, female voice called out.
"Ow!"
Zuko rubbed his eyes and stared, completely appalled, at the scene before him. Toph was sitting on the ground rubbing her burnt feet. And there next to her was….Zuko felt heat rising up his cheeks. It was Jin and she trying desperately to administer all of Toph's wounds. Zuko groaned. He can't believe himself! Now, the Avatar will never take him in!
"You burned my feet!" Toph yelled as Jin gripped her feet.
"Toph! Are you okay?" Jin worriedly said. She looked rattled.
"My feet just got burned! I'm obviously not okay!" Toph retorted.
"I'm sorry, it was a mistake!" Zuko frantically said.
"No….you're a mistake!" Jin angrily said as she stood up and faced Zuko.
"Jin…it was an accident!" Zuko said trying to desperately explain. Jin crouched to the ground and tried to help Toph up.
"Look, I'm sorry—''
"Get away from her!" Jin yelled angrily, her anger manifesting as a rock column rose and spiraled away once she stamped her foot.
"Let me help you. I'm sorry!" Zuko pleaded as Jin heaved chunks of rocks at him.
"Now, I'm sorry! I can't believe Toph talked me into coming here! I knew it! I knew it! It was pointless! You're like what you've always been! A liar!" Jin said as she barred her teeth and tried to carry Toph.
"She's too heavy for you! Let me help you!" Zuko said as he tried to run after them. He touched Jin's shoulder and in all the confusion and chaos that ensued with Zuko trying to desperately help and with Jin sending chunks of rocks at him, Zuko suddenly stumbled into Jin, causing her to fall backwards and let go of Toph. Toph rolled over to the side, crying at the pain while Zuko fell on top of Jin.
Jin and Zuko blushed after realizing the position they were in.
"Get off me!" Jin whispered.
Zuko said, "Wait—Jin! I need to tell you something—''
"Get off me!" Jin yelled angrily as she pressed her hands against his chest and shoved him away. She scrambled up and gathered Toph who said, "Hey! Do you think you could be a little more careful with me?"
"Sorry," Jin apologized.
Zuko grabbed her shoulder and said, "Jin wait! I can help!"
"Go away Zuko!" Jin snapped as she shrugged off Zuko's hand.
Jin with her free hand, thrust it outwards and an earth column rose and hit Zuko's chest propelling him backwards. Zuko gave a groan of pain and for a moment Jin looked worried but Toph said, "You think we could go a little faster? My feet are killing me and I can't see a thing!"
Zuko winced and grimaced as he gripped his side trying desperately to say, "I didn't know it was you."
Jin scurried off with Toph into the darkness.
"Come back!" Zuko called out.
When no one answered he clutched his head, bent his knees and rolled to the sides in despair wailing, "Why am I so bad at being good?"
Everyone was having breakfast and Katara was handing out bowls of rice with wooden spoons to everyone. They were all gathered near the fountain and after the little event yesterday with Zuko turning up, everyone was in a more chipper mood. Katara was still slightly annoyed at him but Sokka, like his true good-natured nature, didn't remember much of it and he was in a considerably better mood. Haru, on the other hand, looked dour.
He had heard that Jin was in a relationship with this Zuko guy and from Sokka's vocal view on things, Jin still liked him. He was planning on showing the clay statue of a monk that he had repaired with earthbending to Jin but he immediately decided that Jin would probably not be as impressed as he wanted her to be. Haru sighed. Impressing a girl like Jin was much more difficult than he imagined.
"Has anyone seen Toph? Jin?" Katara inquired as she passed a bowl to The Duke.
Sokka shrugged and said, "I haven't seen the two of them since they both stormed off yesterday."
"Maybe they're just exploring the air temple. There are some pretty fun spots to practice earthbending," Haru said a little dejectedly at the mention of Jin.
"I think we should go look for them," Katara worriedly said.
"Oh, let them have fun with their rocks. I'm in no rush to have Toph yelling at us again and to have Jin getting all sad and secretive about Zuko," Sokka said dismissively.
"We can go check for them," the Duke suggested.
"Yeah, I want to ride that tunnel down to the hall of statues again. It'll work a lot better now that I fixed my brakes," Teo said as he started to wheel himself away.
Teo pulled his break stick and rolled off, kicking up a cloud of dust. Haru and The Duke followed him shortly saying that they'll help look. Katara nodded and soon she, Sokk and Aang lapsed into a comfortable silence when a loud rumble was heard. They flinched as the ground shook. They turned their heads to see a large cloud of dust. Suddenly the wall crumbled and Jin emerged with Toph in her arms grunting in pain. Everyone scrambled towards them in alarm as Toph prattled Jin, "Can't you go faster?"
"It's not easy earthbending and carrying you at the same time! Did you know that you are so much heavier than you look?" Jin irritably said as trudged towards Aang, Sokka and Katara.
"Hey!" Toph protested.
"Toph, what happened?" Katara asked as Jin set her down, her face red and her breathing short and puffing.
"My feet got burned," Toph said.
"Oh no, what happened?" Katara asked as she examined Toph's feet.
"I just told you, my feet got burned," Toph impatiently said as she rubbed her feet.
"I meant how," Katara corrected.
"Well, I kind of went to see Zuko last night," Toph said sheepishly.
"You what!" Aang said in shock.
"What?" Katara cried.
"Ugh! And you! What were you doing with her? I thought you said you didn't want to make the same mistake!" Sokka said pointing a finger at Jin.
"Jin came with me because she thought that Zuko would be useful with us and that he deserves another chance! We could work something out!" Toph declared.
"What? Jin…I thought we were over this before! Zuko equals pure evil! Do you not get it?" Sokka snapped.
"Hey, I realized that you were right after Zuko burned Toph's feet! He can't be trusted! So you can save me the I-told-you-so!" Jin snapped at Sokka peevishly.
"No, it was an accident, Jin and you saw it! You're just letting your hurt feelings towards Zuko keep you from thinking about this clearly!" Toph argued.
"No…Jin has seen the error of her ways and realized that we were right when we said that Zuko was nothing but big, dumb jerk!" Sokka forcefully said.
"Well, you weren't the one who got burned so how would you know if it wasn't an accident?" Toph demanded.
"Because it's Zuko and what he does is never an accident," Jin bitterly said.
"Wait…can we backtrack? So he attacked you?" Aang said holding a time-out sign.
"Well, he did and he didn't. I already told you, guys! It was sort of an accident," Toph scowled in frustration.
"But he did firebend at you?" Aang clarified.
"Yes," Toph sighed.
"See, you trusted Zuko and you got burned... literally," Sokka said as he snickered. He couldn't help inserting that little joke in. When no one laughed he sighed and looked away muttering, "No one ever appreciates my sense of humor…."
"It's gonna take a while for your feet to get better. I wish I could've worked on them sooner," Katara said as she bent some water out of satchel and waterbent around Toph's feet. When it didn't seem to do any good she water bent the water back into her satchel.
"Yeah, me too," Toph sighed.
"Zuko's clearly too dangerous to be left alone. We're gonna have to go after him," Sokka concluded.
"I didn't want it to come to this. I hate to go looking for a fight, but you're right. After what he did to Toph, I don't think we have a choice," Jin said in a disappointed manner. She looked sad and thoroughly downtrodden. Katara guessed that she was still hoping that Zuko would miraculously prove himself to be good and she was sad that he did wrong instead.
"He's crafty, but we'll find a way to capture him," Sokka said conspiratorially.
"Maybe just invite him back here. He's already offered himself up as a prisoner once," Toph said as Aang and Sokka hauled Toph up.
"Yeah... get him to come back and say he'll be our prisoner. Then we'll jump him and really make him our prisoner. He'll never suspect it," Sokka said, absolutely enamored with his brilliant plan.
"You are a master of surprise, Sokka," Katara chuckled as Aang and Sokka dropped her off near the fountain where she dipped her feet into them, an expression of relief on her face.
"Ahh, that's the stuff. Now I know how the rest of you guys feel. Not being able to see with your feet stinks," Toph said.
"Not as much as you…do you ever take a bath?" Sokka said as he wrinkled his nose.
Toph held her fist up and said, "Hey watch it! Just because I'm impaired doesn't mean I can't pull a sucker on you!"
Zuko had to fix things before it's too late. He had to explain things to Jin. He had a small glimmer of hope in his heart. She obviously was still very angry with him but she came with the little blind girl so that must mean that she still had some feelings for him. Zuko sighed, hoping to get things straightened out when his heart stopped as he saw the sight before him. It was the Combustion Man and he was leaning against the ledge, staring at the group intently. Zuko paled. The Combustion man then inhaled as he reared his head back and fired a blast of energy from his head.
It cut through the fountain breaking the group up. He saw Jin get swept off to the side her shoulder hitting a pillar.
"No!" Zuko cried as he swung on a vine.
"Stop! I don't want you hunting the Avatar anymore," Zuko cried.
Zuko stood in front of the Combustion Man, his arm spread out, trying vainly to stop him.
"The mission is off. I'm ordering you to stop!" Zuko cried but the Combustion Man merely flicked Zuko away and sent another blast towards the top of the fountain.
"If you keep attacking, I won't pay you!" Zuko threatened as he ran towards the Combustion Man again. Combustion Man stopped Zuko in his tracks by grabbing him by the shirt. Zuko threw his fireball, but missed and it hit the wall. Since his previous threat didn't really work Zuko hastily said, "All right, I'll pay you double to stop!"
Zuko swung his arms down, making Combustion Man let go. He turned and executed a short jumping sidekick just as Combustion Man fired another shot, knocking his aim off and knocking Zuko away. Zuko managed to hang unto the ledge and the Combustion Man, after deciding that Zuko seemed to be nothing but a nuisance, turned at Zuko ready to blast him off to the next country with his eye when suddenly a large boulder blocked his path. The Combustion Man's stream of energy shattered the rock sending debris everywhere and before Zuko knew it, Jin was bounding up towards the Combustion Man looking fierce. She earthbent a rock pillar at him, sending him backwards and impairing him for a few seconds.
She held her hand out for Zuko to grab and Zuko took it with disbelief. Jin was helping him. He couldn't believe it. As soon as Zuko was safely on the ledge Jin was suddenly knocked sidewards.
"Jin!" Zuko cried but Jin merely twisted on the floor and sent the Combustion Man against the wall with her earthbending. The Combustion Man looked dazed and Jin hurried towards him, ready to give him a kick.
"Wait! Jin! He's pretty strong—" Zuko started but it was too late. The Combustion Man grabbed Jin's leg in mid-kick and flung her off towards Zuko. She stumbled into him and the next thing Zuko knew she was in his lap. Zuko blushed. How come they were always put in compromising positions?
"Are you okay?" Zuko asked in concern. He found himself gripping her waist protectively.
"I'm fine," Jin curtly said before shoving his grasp off and standing.
"Jin, wait—''
Too late.
A blast hit the ground between them and it sent the ledge crumbling. Jin and Zuko fell but Zuko managed to grab the vine.
"Jin!" Zuko cried as he saw Jin falling steadily away.
Zuko swung the vine in her direction and just before she slipped away from him, he grabbed her by her hips, pulled her close to him.
"Hang on!" Zuko cried.
"I'd rather eat dirt!" Jin viciously said.
"It's a long way down!" Zuko said and he tightened his grip on her hip. Jin scowled and flung her arms and encircled his neck as Zuko pulled her close. They were so close to each other now, only breadth away and as they swung rapidly and Jin looked down, she felt nervous and involuntarily held unto Zuko tighter and pressed her cheek against his.
"Don't worry. I got you," Zuko said.
Jin still found the energy to hate him. She scowled and said, "Whatever."
Suddenly a blast resounded and their vine broke. Luckily they were near a ledge. The two of them barreled through a pillar.
Jin rubbed her head as the two of them stared at the Combustion Man. Suddenly, a small, flying object spiraled through the air, hit his forehead and the next thing Zuko knew an explosion happened. He acted on instinct and he grabbed Jin and shielded her from the debris. Jin resisted but she eventually gave in.
When it was all over, Jin broke free from his grasp and scornfully walked towards Aang, Katara and Sokka and Toph (who was being carried by the two boys) who were coming towards them. Zuko sighed.
Aang looked ashamed.
"I can't believe I'm saying this... but thanks Zuko," Aang said.
"Hey, and what about me? I did the boomerang thing," Sokka protested.
"Listen, I know I didn't explain myself very well yesterday. I've been through a lot in the past few years, and it's been hard. But I'm realizing that I had to go through all those things to learn the truth. I thought I had lost my honor, and that somehow my father could return it to me. But I know now that no one can give you your honor. It's something you earn for yourself, by choosing to do what's right. All I want now is to play my part in ending this war. And I know my destiny is to help you restore balance to the world," Zuko said as he walked towards them. Though to Sokka, it looked as if Zuko was talking more to Jin than to Aang because he was looking at her directly. And whatever he said, much to Sokka's annoyance, seem to have an effect on Jin since she was looking down and a smile was on her face.
"I'm sorry for what I did to you," Zuko said as he bowed at Toph .
His intense amber eyes fixed steadily upon Jin's hazel-green ones and he said, "It was an accident. Fire can be dangerous and wild. So as a firebender, I need to be more careful and control my bending so I don't hurt people unintentionally."
Jin stared at him blankly.
"I think you are supposed to be my firebending teacher. When I first tried to learn firebending, I burned Katara. And after that, I never wanted to firebend again. But now I know you understand how easy it is to hurt the people you love," Aang said.
"Yeah I understand that pretty well. It is easy to hurt the people you love," Zuko said as he looked at Jin.
Jin rolled her eyes and looked away but she couldn't stop the small smile that played on her lips.
"Thank you. I'm so happy you've accepted me into your group," Zuko said bowing to Aang.
"Not so fast. I still have to ask my friends if it's ok with them. Toph, you're the one that Zuko burned. What do you think?" Aang asked looking at Sokka.
"Go ahead and let him join. It'll give me plenty of time to get back at him for burning my feet.," Toph said after a few seconds of silence.
"Sokka?"
Sokka closed his eyes before sighing and saying, "Hey, all I want is to defeat The Fire Lord. If you think this is the way to do it, then I'm all for it."
"Katara?"
Katara stared at Zuko resentfully, and snapped, "I'll go along with whatever you think is right."
"Jin?"
Zuko started to perspire. It was Jin's answer he anticipated the most and it was Jin's answer he was the most worried for. He stared at her as her face became stony and blank. She shrugged and said carelessly, "Sure. Whatever. I guess its okay."
Zuko smiled at her answer and in spite of herself, Jin smiled back.
Things between Jin and him were obviously not okay. Throughout the whole ordeal with him trying to join the Avatar Jin had either regarded him with either hostility, anger or cool indifference. He knew that she was still hurt and angry at him. Zuko was disappointed because he really wanted to talk things through and work things out. But Jin was till hurt and angry at him. But still, there were small instances that Jin still cared about him and liked him. Like when she came with Toph to try and talk to him. Like the time she gasped when Katara hit him with a water wave. Like the time she pressed her cheek and drew herself to him while they were swinging on the vine. Like the time she saved him. Like the time she smiled back at him.
The moments were small and fleeting but Zuko was sure that they would add up to better times and eventually, even if it would take a decade, eventually Jin would forgive him and all would be well.
The two of them just needed baby steps.
"Hey," a voice said.
Zuko looked up and to his surprise, it was Jin and she was holding a bowl of porridge in her hand. They were eating dinner and despite his new membership in the group, he was still severely excluded and treated like an outcast. Zuko knew that he was not wanted in their little campy dinner so he stalked off into his own corner with the bison not even bothering to get a bowl since Katara, who made the dinner, was behaving in such a hostile manner towards him.
"Hey," Zuko said, completely surprised.
Jin thrust the bowl of porridge towards him and said, "Here. Have some dinner."
Zuko took it and said, "Thanks."
Jin, without another word, spun around to leave but Zuko said, "Wait! Jin! Thanks for saving me…back there."
"I just thought that Aang needed a teacher. I didn't want you to die and leave him without a teacher. It's not like I care about you or anything," Jin said nonchalantly though Zuko could see that a faint trace of a smile was on her lips.
"Oh. Okay. So…um…why'd you bring me dinner? Aren't you afraid that Katara would get mad for you sharing her cooking with me," Zuko asked trying to keeps light.
"I didn't want you to starve," Jin protested.
"I thought you didn't care."
Jin huffed, stared at him contemptuously and said shortly, "I don't."
And without another word, she left.
Zuko smiled to himself.
Yes.
They just needed to take things slowly.
Baby steps were exactly what they needed.
WAH! I just gave Zuko and Jin's relationship a do-over! It's back to square one. But anyways, it's more fun that way...so much weirdness, awkwardness and romantic tension is about to ensue for these two (heh hehe evil little me) So…this is the first Zuko/Jin interaction in chapters and there will be more and more to come now that Zuko's in the GAang. I would've wanted things to be immediately fine with them but that seemed a little too weird, considering how hurt Jin was. Finals (yay!) are finally over so I can update a bit faster now (I hope *crosses my fingers*).
Thanks to those who read this and added this to their favorites, had it story-alerted and added me as a favorite author! :)
Special Thanks to those who reviewed:
ArrayePL: Thank you so much! And just to warn you, expect that the timeline may be altered a bit in the future. You're review is just too good!
SkorpionQueen012: Yeahhh I know. It really sucks for her. But anyway, thanks for the awesome review! Keep being awesome!
Alana C. Jones: Oh my, you're always making me spaz with your lovely comments! I can't find the words to describe how much your reviews mean to me either! :D
Lunar Calling: Thank you so much! Honestly, you just made my chest swell.
tgbwe: Thank you so much! I'm so sorry if I update so slow. I'll try to update faster! Thanks much!
Please don't leave me hanging.
Always R&R.