Chapter 10: Reaching Common Grounds

Jade's stomach dropped like a stone.

This was worse than her worst of nightmares. Much worse.

He knows…he knows…

Zuko's smirk faltered ever so slightly as he saw her green eyes turn wide as fear over took them.

That was as good as any admission and both of them knew it. And yet for some reason, his stomach churned uncomfortably at the sight of her as she averted her gaze down to the water.

"How long have you known?" she murmured softly.

"Since you ran away at the prison rig" the prince muttered "I saw the dragon you made out of coal. Then there was your fast healing, the way the teapots seemed to always break when you were around. Always the clay ones. The way the earth cracked when you left Zhao's tent. You don't even look fire nation" he added motioning to her eyes, which flickered up to meet his own.

He was startled to see that though they were glaring, they were also watering and over bright.

"Maybe I don't look it" she growled tremulously "but I am fire nation."

"You Earth bend" Zuko began but Jade cut across him fiercely.

"SO WHAT?! I was granted the customary blessings by a Fire Sage upon my birth. I was schooled according to Fire Nation Law. I ate Fire Nation Food, I practically breathed Fire Nation lore and stories since I learnt how to read! I was raised in the village of Hira'a, I was a dancer for of their theatre troupe for six years till I was twelve. I performed every year with my friends in the dance scene from Love Amongst the Dragons! My brother and father are both fire benders and I know all their moves! Spirits! I know the full Oath to the Fire Lord back to front! So yeah maybe I do earth bend! But I have as much right to call myself Fire Nation as you do! And no one has the right to tell me otherwise!"

Jade panted as she stared up at the prince that towered over her. However he was no longer smirking. His triumph had faded.

And soon she realized why, for as she gulped to take a breath, her vision burned and her eyes spilled over.

Zuko just stared at her, his mouth slightly open as if in shock.

He'd expected her to be angry, to deny everything and plead with him to not tell, plead him not to disgrace her any further.

However, like she had always done since day one, she had defied his expectations completely.

He didn't know whether he should be peeved that she was acting so oddly or impressed at her outright honesty.

But one thing he was very aware of was the fact that he had made her cry again.

The thought was enough to make him feel utterly sick with himself.

He'd just amended whatever botched grievances they had with one another, and he'd now gone and ruined it again, just because of his own suspicious nature.

But she is an Earthbender!

The nasty voice in the back of his head sneered.

But he squashed it down quickly as he extinguished the flame in his hand, before placing her clothes back on the rock.

"Get changed."

Jade blinked scrubbing her eyes hard as she looked up at him

"What?"

"Get changed." Zuko repeated folding his arms and stalking to stand with his back to her. "It's getting late. We should both go back to the ship before it's dark."

Jade nodded and when she was sure that Zuko wasn't going to turn around she pushed herself out of the water and onto the rock.

Zuko meanwhile did his best not to listen to her snivels or the way her clothes rustled as she put them on quickly.

He'd never admit it out loud, but he'd had a pretty hard time not staring at her when she'd been in the pool. It certainly was a better sight than his uncle bathing for sure. What with the way her smooth brown hair pooled about her creamy slight shoulders, or the way her cheeks had flushed pink.

Had he not seen the proof of her powers at the rig, or felt the force of her punch, he would never have dreamed that she could ever be an Earth bender.

Earth bender's he'd seen were usually built strongly, no matter what height. Even the female benders seemed to look fairly solid even if they were slender in build. But Jade did not look at all powerful. In truth she looked almost like she were like one of the water lilies that grew in the pond; delicate and soft.

It was no wonder no one ever suspected her for two whole years.

"I'm done"

Zuko glanced back and saw that she was indeed completely dressed, though her hair was still loose and damp.

"Come on" he grumbled, pushing aside some bamboo stalks for her to step through. "We'll have to find my uncle first before we leave"

Jade nodded silently, not knowing what to do as she mutely followed.

She'd just revealed her biggest secret, a big secret that should have had her clapped in irons and on her way to the nearest prison rig.

But the prince was not doing anything.

Just what was his game?

It wasn't after long since she followed him, that Zuko began to call out loudly:

"Uncle! Uncle Iroh! It's time to go! Uncle Iroh!"

but there was no answer.

Odd…

Jade frowned. As she looked about them.

Usually Lord Iroh would respond to his nephew's calls, no matter how much they may have disturbed whatever pastime he was partaking in.

Zuko seemed to be thinking along the same lines because he began yelling even louder.

"Uncle! UNCLE?!"

"Zuko I don't think he's here" Jade reached out to grab his arm but Zuko shrugged her off his face a mask of confusion and to her amazement, fear.

"UNCLE! We're leaving for the ship now! If you can hear me please respond!"

There was silence as the two teens made to look about themselves.

"Maybe he went back already?" Jade suggested but Zuko shook his head.

"No he was too relaxed. There was no way he'd ever move unless-"

There was a rustling sound and they both wheeled around just in time to see a Fire Nation soldier with light brown eyes and greying brown hair standing panting hard and his face pale.

"Oh Ji it's just you" Jade sighed in relief, as did Zuko, though he was quick to bark out.

"Lieutenant what is it?"

"your highness…" Ji panted his voice almost hoarse from the effort of his run. "your uncle…he's…he's…we can't find him anywhere?"

"What do you mean?" Zuko snapped though inside he was willing himself with all his might not to panic even as the Lieutenant made to say:

"We searched the springs he'd been relaxing in…but he wasn't anywhere. We only found his clothes. It was like he just disappeared into thin air."

"Nobody just disappears" Zuko spat angrily his nerves mounting even higher as he snarled "Take me to the spot"

They were back at the springs where Iroh had been bathing, only to find several empty pools of cold water.

Well this has turned out to be very fun!

Jade winced as the prince's loud yells pierced through her eardrums.

"Uncle? Uncle where are you?"

The other guards seemed to share her sentiment because one of them rung out his ear with his finger as he snorted.

"Maybe he thought you left without him?"

But even as the words left his mouth Jade knew that they were bogus, as did Zuko who was looking about the clearing in the dim twilight.

"Something's not right here. That pile of rocks!" he exclaimed as he dashed over to the pool his uncle had so recently vacated.

Jade followed, intrigue overpowering whatever anger and irritation she felt towards the prince.

As she looked she gasped. Instead of water, a pile of sharp rocks was clumped oddly.

Oh crap this is not good!

She quickly looked about and sure enough she could see in the path to the side, several large cracks in the ground.

The guards and Zuko however were slower on the uptake.

"Looks like there could have been a landslide sir"

"Land doesn't slide uphill" Zuko scowled, as he looked at the rock formation, comprehension slowly dawning on him "these rocks didn't move naturally…my uncle's been taken by earth benders!"

Clap! Clap! Clap!

"Well done give the prince a prize"

Zuko spun around to see Jade leaning against a nearby tree trunk clapping sarcastically with a scowl plastered over her face.

"Only took you forever to figure out!"

She didn't even seem to care that the other guards were watching in confusion, as she sneered at him.

What did it matter anyway?

He was probably going to tell someone sooner or later.

Zuko however was not amused, and it was with a snarl that he stormed up to her and growled.

"What the hell are you doing? Blasting your mouth out here-"

"What's it to you if I do?" Jade muttered back "besides why bother waiting for the executioner to tie noose when you have a polished ax already at hand?"

Zuko stared at her for a moment shock clearly visible on his face, though it was quickly replaced with an angry glower.

"Because maybe the executioner, is still waiting the verdict to be passed out"

"What?" Jade's brow furrowed in confusion.

"You heard me" Zuko's scowl deepened "I've not finished talking with you yet. I came to you to get the full truth and I won't leave you alone until you give it to me. Until then you are not to speak a word of your abilities to anyone. If you don't then I will send you to the prison rig along with Akan and you two can enjoy fighting one another back there. And while we are on the subject of consequences" Zuko smirked

"If you do agree you're still going to help me find my uncle. If you do, I'll give you a second chance and you can return to the ship peacefully. No one will know your secret and I won't tell anyone."

"You'll…you'll keep it a secret?" Jade whispered her voice thick with shock.

"Yes" Zuko nodded though when she still looked wary he rolled his eyes and sighed "I swear on the sacred fire, I will not breathe a word to anyone"

There was a small pause in which he waited with baited breath, though he wasn't quite sure why.

Then, quickly (and reluctantly) Jade gave him a tiny nod.

"Alright. You've got a deal. But we've gotta get a move on quick. Or else we'll lose the trail"

"What trail?" Zuko's eyes narrowed only for Jade to sigh heavily.

"That one" and with that she grabbed his chin in her hand and turned his head to look to the right, where just a little way off down the rocky path several sets of large bird like tracks were winding away into the forest.

Spirits! Remind me why I signed up for this again?

Zuko sighed as he bumped along on the back of the large komodo rhino.

It was well into the night now and he and Jade had already been riding nonstop for five hours, with said kitchen maid sitting behind him in the saddle.

It did not help his mood that the girl behind him had to put her hands on his waist to keep herself steady on their mount. Her small warm hands.

They were gentle but still Zuko stiffened as said limbs made to suddenly wrap over his stomach in a surprisingly tight manner.

Whether it was due to his naturally warmer body temperature or not, Zuko felt his cheeks burn red hot.

Gingerly he took a hand of the reins and brought it to grab one of hers that was looped over his waist.

"Jade"

But Jade didn't seem to hear him, and soon he was gulping down his splutters as he felt her smaller form press gently into his back. He could almost feel how soft and warm she was even through his armor and though he was reluctant to admit it out loud, it felt rather good.

That was until she murmured quietly:

"Hmm…mum…"

Zuko froze in his seat, ignoring the way the rhino bumped along on the dirt track before them.

Instead he looked back and saw that her eyes were shut tight and her face was set in a small frown. "No, Mum …"

The hand under his began to tremble ever so slightly and to his own surprise he found himself gripping it tight and muttering.

"It's ok. It's only a dream."

He blinked as the words all but flew from his mouth. He'd wanted them to be harsh and snappish enough to rouse her from sleep. However instead they came out gentle and soothing.

But Jade shook her head, her cheek rubbing against the exposed skin on the back of his neck as she whimpered.

"No-please don't go…"

"I won't" Zuko murmured and before he could stop himself he added. "I promise"

Cautiously he turned his head to look and he found to his astonishment, that Jade only smiled sleepily and leaned in further to his touch.

Strange girl.

Zuko turned back to the path with a scowl, wondering if his lack of sleep was addling his brain's connections to the rest of his body. But even as the thought crossed his mind he swatted it away.

No that was a stupid excuse, even by his standards.

The answer was staring him right in the face, or in this case his back, even if he didn't like it…

Or did he?

"Why you?" he groaned softly to himself "Why is it always you?"

But even as the words escaped his mouth he quietly and carefully he laced his fingers in hers.

"hmm…" Jade groaned.

A woman was standing just a little way away in the grassy lawn just outside a house.

"Jade" She smiled as she opened up her arms wide, the wind whipping her brown hair about her kind face,

"Mum…"

"Jade come here"

But even as Jade made to take a step forwards the woman began to fade away into darkness…

"No mum, don't go" she whimpered.

But already the twinkle of the woman's green eyes were lost into empty blackness along with her voice.

"I love you dearest…no matter what happens, no matter what you become I'll always love you"

Jade began to struggle forwards in the pitch black, which was so cold…so icily cold.

Or was it.

As she scrambled forwards in the dark something grabbed onto her own wrist.

It was a hand, a much larger hand. The palms rough and a little scarred especially over the corns. In short this was the hand of one who had trained and worked hard and diligently…like her own.

And it was holding onto her. But it wasn't hard or harsh at all. It was gentle, careful, just like the voice of it's bearer whose voice wafted into her ears.

"It's ok…it's just a dream"

Just a dream…but that means that all this isn't real…

She shook her head vigerously as she felt herself begin to slip away back to the cold.

"No-please don't go…"

"I won't" the voice murmured again, still soft and sincere "I promise"

Jade hummed to herself as she felt her body lean into something warm and solid. She faintly heard someone groan irritably but the sound did not deter her. Indeed it made her smile.

She had not felt so comfortable in her sleep for a long time. Even when she'd had to share a bed with her brother.

But in spite of her comfort one thing niggled at the back of her mind and that was the fact that she was sleeping and sitting.

Her eyes fluttered open.

It was daytime, the sun was shining brightly.

She was leaning on the back of someone, someone with dark armor and a black ponytail and their heads turned down almost as if they were trying to hide it.

Almost as if they were trying to hide the scar that spread all over the left side of his face.

You have got to be kidding me?!

Jade all but groaned as Zuko turned his head to look back at her.

"Had a nice nap Lucky?" he sneered doing his best to keep the flush in his cheeks down.

"Had a good feel creep?" she snapped back as she jerked her body away from his just as he snarled.

"I'm not a creep! Since when have I ever been a creep?"

"Uh…since you started stalking and staring at me for days on end. Oh yes and let's not forget that you did sneak up on me while I was bathing and threaten to burn my clothes" Jade yawned wide pleased to see the prince splutter on his words, though no coherent response left his mouth.

Once it was clear that he had no comeback however he changed tack at top speed.

"We're gaining on their trail. The tracks look fresher" he pointed out to the large animal tracks ahead of them on the road.

"Ostrich-horse tracks" Jade's eyes narrowed on the marks. "They must be in a hurry"

"but they did stop for the night I passed by the camp just half an hour before you got up" Zuko jerked his head behind.

Jade quickly turned to look back at him. Now that she could see his face close up, she saw that he had dark circles and large bags under his eyes, the lids of which were drooping a little as if they were struggling to stay open.

"Have you been riding all night?" she breathed her eyes wide in shock.

"Well yeah…" Zuko grumbled blinking rapidly as he struggled to stay his yawn.

He failed terribly and it escaped him anyway, much to his disdain, because Jade looked rather perturbed at the display.

"You…you didn't even stop to take a nap?"

Zuko's eyes narrowed back at her.

"My uncle has been abducted by earth benders. How could you even think of resting until I've tracked them down?"

"Oh I don't know, maybe because you're still a human being?" Jade rolled her eyes "Stop this rhino and let me steer"

"No! I won't!"

"That wasn't a request! Now stop this animal and switch!"

"But-"

"Now Zuko!"

How dare she?!

Tired though he was, the glower the Zuko gave Jade would have flattened a charging rhino.

But if he thought it would sway his companion he was sorely disappointed. For when she glared him down in return, her own expression was worthy enough to flatten not one, but a whole pride of snarling sabre-tooth moose-lions.

Grumbling and pouting under his breath he brought the rhino to a stop and dismounted quickly to allow Jade to sidle to the front of the saddle.

Once she was settled he hoisted himself up behind her, being careful as to the placement of his hands as he settled them gingerly on her sides.

He couldn't help but gulp a little as his fingers traced over her waist. It was small, much like the rest of her, small and warm and soft.

Rather like his pillow back in his room on board the ship, he noted as he leaned in ever so slightly into her smaller frame. As he did he caught a whiff of spices and something warm and hearty, like broth, though underneath he could smell just a hint of jasmine.

No wonder his uncle liked her, Zuko scowled to himself.

"You smell like tea" he muttered in response to her questioning look.

"Only because I spend nearly every day practically swimming in it" Jade snorted flicking the reins to get the rhino moving again. "And stop sniffing me! It's creeping me out!"

But instead of looking affronted, Zuko smirked and leaned his head down inhaling dramatically.

"Agh! Will you stop that-AH!" Jade cried out as the arm she had been about to jab backwards into the prince's stomach throbbed horribly.

Zuko was quick to jerk away as she clutched at her shoulder.

"I'm fine" she grunted as he made to open his mouth. "Just don't do that again"

Zuko shut his mouth hastily and nodded.

Though it loathed him to obey other people's orders, he wasn't willing to push her temper any further.

Besides arguing wasn't going to help them find his uncle any sooner.

And speaking of his uncle…

"Hey what's that?" Jade muttered and Zuko snapped his head up just as she stopped the rhino again.

His brow furrowed as their mount made to sniff at something on the ground, something that looked rather like an old sandal.

Both of them exchanged a glance before they hopped off the rhino and dashed towards it.

After tugging the curious rhino away from the shoe, which it looked like it was about to chew, Zuko picked it up.

As soon as he did Jade's nose was accosted by such a terrible stench that she almost threw up then and there.

"Yep that's definitely uncle Iroh" Zuko nodded clapping a hand over his own nose as he held it up before the rhino to sniff at once more.

"Right, it's got the scent. Let's go" Zuko clipped as the Rhino began to huff and paw the ground in anticipation.

"Spirits I've smelt some really bad stuff but that is just nasty" Jade mumbled through pursed lips, afraid that if she opened her mouth she'd throw up over the prince who likewise was looking very green even as he deposited the slipper into a small travelling pouch on the side of the saddle.

As he got up behind Jade she stiffened ever so slightly, however he only looked straight ahead to the path, his face set in a grim scowl.

Not that she could blame him.

If Iroh's sandal was here that could only mean his captors still had him imprisoned. But for how long those circumstances would last was another question altogether. Iroh was the Dragon of the West, one of the greatest of Generals of the Fire Nation Army as well as brother to the Fire Lord. If all those stories she'd heard about his victories were true, then he was perhaps one of the most wanted enemies against the Earth Kingdom.

But great general or not, Jade could only hope that he was going to be ok. If not for his sake, then at least for his nephew's.

After discovering Lord Iroh's sandal, Zuko and Jade's travels turned quiet. They barely spoke unless it was to ask about the time, or about any changes to the track.

True to his word, Zuko found a chance to sleep as he sat behind Jade, who did not object when he leaned a little into her for support.

Not that she had much choice with the way his hands kept a firm grip around her waist.

She couldn't help but smirk when he made to mumble something under his breath that sounded like:

"Uncle I wanna do the next set-"

Looks just like a kid…

Her smirk softened as she looked back to see the prince's face as he lay with his forehead on her shoulder.

But even as she turned her head to look back to the front something bright whooshed before her face.

She winced gripping on to the Rhino's reins tight as she braced herself for its distress.

However the beast did not even blink, nor stutter in its steps, not even as the strange shape sped up into the air.

She followed it quickly with her gaze and gasped.

It was a dragon!

Her eyes widened as she saw the flying serpentine form wind its way up into the air. Before it could vanish out of sight, Jade thought she saw something on it's neck turn to look back at her briefly…or rather someone with a blue arrow tattoo on their head

But no it couldn't be…

"Aang?"

But even as she blinked, the dragon and the Avatar vanished out of sight and into the bright blue sky.

What the…what the hell was that?

She rubbed her forehead hard just as something groaned in the distance.

The ostrich horses!

Jade's smile was wide as she looked ahead at the track.

But nothing was there.

She frowned and looked around, only to double take on the reins as she caught sight of something in the sky.

She squinted.

There in the distance just peeking out a cloud, what looked to be a giant fluffy giant, mammal like creature with six large limbs and brown arrow shaped markings on its back was flying.

Jade's face split into an even wider grin than before.

She'd only ever known of such creatures in old history and folklore and even then they were rather crudely illustrated or described.

To see one in real life soaring gracefully in the sky was nothing short of miraculous.

Almost as miraculous as seeing the Avatar return.

Speaking of the Avatar, why had he flown past-

"Hmm…what was that?"

"Prince Zuko?!" Jade gulped turned her head to look back at the prince her hair whipping painfully into his face.

"OW! Hey! Watch it!" he spluttered as he rubbed his face. It was almost like being hit with a heavy rope, such was the thickness of her hair.

But Jade didn't pay him any attention as she looked up at the sky, biting her lip hard with anxiety.

Come on get out, before he spots you.

She sighed silently in relief as the large paddle like tail of the sky bison disappeared behind a low hanging cloud.

Phew…Well that's one disaster averted

"Hey! Hey! I'm talking to you!"

Jade blinked as suddenly a hand waved before her vision.

"What?!" she snapped back at him, tugging his hand down harshly. But as she once more turned to look at him she felt her breath stick in her throat.

Their faces were extremely close. So close in fact that Jade's nose was brushing against the puckered, burnt skin over his scarred cheek.

She gulped as timidly her eyes flickered to meet the keen gaze of the golden amber eye peeking from the slit in the hideous mark.

It might have looked terrifying at such a close range, but even as she looked Jade could not find it in her to feel afraid, not when the expression in it was almost as nervous as hers.

"How-" she began softly but at once the eye narrowed dangerously as Zuko hissed.

"Eyes forward. Now."

Jade nodded dumbly and turned back to look at the road ahead, missing the way the prince looked down at the ground, his cheeks completely pink.

"Stop!"

"What? What is it?"

It was nearing dusk when Jade pulled hard at the rhino's reins in Zuko's hands.

Needless to say he was irritated when she dismounted without so much as a word to him to inspect the ground.

"So? What is it?" he asked after giving her a long enough chance to look around in the dimming light.

He frowned a little as she made to stomp down on the ground firmly with her foot several times, her eyes shut tight.

When she opened them her green eyes were wide and worried.

"They've taken him down-hill off the path."

"Have they caught onto us?" Zuko looked swiftly down the rocky slope to their right, as far as he could see there were no marks to suggest anybody had been there.

But Jade shook her head.

"No. But look. There's scorch marks." She pointed to the ground where sure enough two black streaks had been burnt into it.

At once Zuko jumped off the rhino, his pale face almost chalk white as he inspected the marks.

When he looked up at Jade his eyes narrowed.

"How do you know they've taken him down hill?"

"I felt it in the ground" Jade muttered and when his eyes turned to slits she rolled her eyes scathingly "I'm an earth-bender, sometimes we can feel the vibrations certain things make when they move!"

"if that's the case then where exactly is my uncle?" Zuko scowled.

"a bit about there" Jade pointed down the hill and straight towards a clump of trees. "or at least I think it is"

"You think-"

"It's fairly far away alright!" she snapped over the top of the angry prince who glowered even more as he grabbed her hand and tugged her down the slope behind him.

It was a good thing Jade had a solid stance because the slope was steep and rocky. Even Zuko had a little trouble navigating a smooth path for the two of them.

But that was the least of their worries, for as the further down they went, they started to hear voices speaking.

"General Iroh, Dragon of the West and enemy to the Earth Kingdom-"

Jade gasped as she saw the familiar round figure of Lord Iroh, mostly naked save for the loin cloth about his waist, kneeling down on the ground at the bottom of a hill. Around him several men in green uniforms were standing guard.

Two of them were holding his wrists securely before him with long hard chains whilst another stood before him in a fighting stance.

"Zuko!" she hissed as they rushed forwards.

"I know" Zuko muttered though his heart was racing in his chest. But still they were too far as the earth bending soldier made to bend a large rock up above Lord Iroh's body, declaring loudly for the world to hear:

"these destructive hands of yours have to be crushed"

Zuko saw the rock begin to fall down, down towards his uncle's hands. It was huge almost as big as the rhino he and Jade had just been riding.

And it was going to go down on him.

"NO!"

It was as if everything moved in slow motion.

Jade and Zuko both jumped the rest of the way down the slope, the former launching herself at the boulder just as it almost made to touch the tips of Iroh's knuckles.

Ignoring the pain that flared in her shoulder, Jade pushed her arms forwards with all her might.

She felt it almost at once.

Energy. White hot energy, pulsed like a shockwave through her body and in a split second the rock suddenly hurtled, not down towards its target, but backwards towards the ground.

Oh crap I did it! I really did it! Wow that feels good!

Jade grinned as all the Earth Benders around her backed away in alarm, just as Zuko leapt down beside her. In one graceful but powerful arm, his leg slammed down to shatter the chains linking his uncle's iron manacles on his wrists.

"Excellent form you two" Iroh grinned as he stood to his feet.

"You taught me well" Zuko smirked though it was quick to fade as the earth kingdom soldiers all made to circle the three of them.

"Stay calm and follow your instincts" he muttered as Jade backed into him, her hands up in a defensive pose, that only stiffened as a soldier sneered at her.

"Surrender yourselves. It's seven against three. You're clearly outnumbered"

"Ah yes that's true" Iroh nodded though his eyes were fierce as he snapped his chains beside him "but you are clearly outmatched!"

"HARGH!" an soldier yelled furiously as he and two others fired several large rocks at the three of them.

Jade was quick to roll away in time as Iroh swung his chain like a whip about his head. Meanwhile Zuko had let loose a flaming kick that sliced through the air and hit one of the soldiers squarely in the chest.

But Jade didn't have time to watch any more of either royal's moves, for a soldier was advancing on her, ready to launch another round rock at her head.

Without even pausing to think Jade dodged the projectile, but not before reaching out with her hands.

She caught it deftly in her fingers and using its momentum spun around before punching it back towards the soldier whose eyes widened in shock as it collided with his body.

"Jade Look out!" a voice called and quickly Jade was forced to duck again as an earthbender made to suddenly pop up from a sudden fissure in the ground at her feet.

But he was too slow for her and soon all he could see was the young girl's heel as it jabbed hard and painfully into his nose, breaking it asunder.

Jade smirked her eyes darting sidelong as a third earthbender now made to rush at her, his eyes alight with fury.

Bending her legs low she rooted her stance firmly into the ground hands up as he came closer and closer and close-

With a solid double punch upwards a large wall of stone rose from the ground just as the soldier had jumped for her

WHAM!

Ouch! That has gotta hurt!

She couldn't help but cringe as she heard the man behind the wall groan and slump to the ground, just as his other fellows about him also fell down.

Jade looked about just in time to see Zuko and Iroh both straighten up and dust themselves off as the four remaining soldiers groaned in heaps of rocks and dirt at their feet.

Both of them were looking rather pleased, even as the younger of the two made to smile fondly:

Now would you please put on some clothes?"

"I would if I had any." Iroh chuckled.

"Thank you my dear nephew…And thank you Jade" he added upon catching sight of Jade standing there. "If it wasn't for you my hands would've certainly been crushed"

"You have always shown me great kindness sir. I am honored to have been able to return it in whatever way I can."

Jade couldn't help but blush a little pink as she made to bow low to him.

But even as she straightened up something groaned by her feet.

It was the soldier she had kicked in the face. He was still rather disoriented, what with his bloody and bruised face, but his eyes had somehow found her face.

They were full of hatred, as were his next garbled words.

"Your family should be ashamed…ashamed…"

There was a deafening silence as Jade looked down at the man her eyes wide with shock. Her body still as stone.

Over her minds eye she could hear and see the faint outline of a woman with kind green eyes like her own, smiling at her.

I love you dearest…no matter what happens, no matter what you become I'll always love you"

But even as the voice faded, the soldier made to sneer up at her.

"Traitor…"

It was as if her guts had been pulled out of her body. All of them, her stomach, her liver, her lungs.

But worst of all was her heart. That felt like it had had a knife run through it. No not run through it. But carve it out bit by bit.

Her vision blurred as her eyes began to burn with something hot and warm. She couldn't help it.

Another earth bender …someone of her own kind…had called her a…a…

There was the crunching of feet on ground and in the blink of an eye Zuko was standing over the man.

His face was absolutely livid with rage as he growled softly.

"You really shouldn't have said that"

And then without warning, he kicked his foot out.

There was a sickening crack as his booted foot hit the man's already broken nose.

As he groaned in pain Zuko reared his leg up for another hit, but Iroh quickly caught his arm.

"Stop, Prince Zuko…he's had enough…"

Zuko rounded on the older lord ready to yell but at the sight of his stern face.

With a grimace of anger he pulled his leg back doing his best not to glance over at Jade's still tearstained face.

"He shouldn't have called you that" he mumbled when she opened her mouth to speak. "nobody should"

And without a backward glance he stalked off to climb back up the rocky slope, leaving Jade and his uncle behind to stare in shock.

TADAA! sorry for the wait. life happened.

So yeah we got to see Jade properly earth bend (finally), and Zuko knows her secret. who knows what the hell could happen *shrugs*

Anyways i hope you guys enjoyed and keep R&Ring