Legal Notice: My friend who lives in the city reacquainted me with the fact that I don't own this.
Chapter 14: Reacquainted in the City
"Now what's so big that Appa has to wait?" Sokka asked as the platform that was being raised by Kana and Toph came to a stop.
"That." Aang said, staring out into the distance, an approaching Drill barreling towards the wall, flanked by eight tanks on either side.
"We made it to Ba Sing Se, and we're still not safe. No one is." Ying wailed, Than pulling her into his arms as they all huddled together.
"What are you people doing here? Civilians aren't allowed on the wall." a gaurd snapped, and everyone turned to stare.
"I'm the Avatar. Take me to whoever's in charge." Aang ordered, "This family is a friend of mine, I humbly request that they get to Ba Sing Se as fast as possible."
"Of course!" the guard snapped to attention, motioning for another man to approach. "Take these refugees to the train, immediately. They have priority boarding."
"Kana, you should go with them. Keep them safe."
"But what about the Drill, Aang?" she asked, but he just smiled.
"I can handle it."
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Ying was letting Kana hold the baby – who was joyfully playing with her hair – as they were escorted to the train that would take them to Ba Sing Se. The family hovered around her and Hope, albeit unconsciously, which was arguably a good thing. There were so many people in the crowd that it would be impossible to find somebody if you were to be separated.
She was so focused on the family she was escorting, that when a hand latched onto her shoulder from behind, she felt her muscles prepare to strike, only to remember at the last moment that there was a baby in her arms. "You aren't going to kick me in the face again, are you?" a smooth voice murmured into her ear.
"Jet!" Kana gasped, eyes going wide as she spun around, "What are you doing here?"
"Ba Sing Se is a place of second chances, more than I thought it would be actually." He said, smile slightly before flicking his eyes down to the child in her arms. "She's cute."
"And sweet." Kana sighed, motioning to Ying's family to come closer, and handing Hope back to her mother. "This is my friend, Jet."
"It's nice to meet you, my name's Than." he said, shaking Jet's hand firmly, "This is my wife Ying, and my baby Hope."
"It's nice to meet you all." Jet replied politely, making Kana's smile widen.
"We could only find the guy selling cold tea, Jet, no one else is around." A grating voice said, a voice that Kana absolutely despised said.
"That's okay, Smellerbee. We can just get something to eat in Ba Sing Se."
"Than, why don't you and everyone find a seat on the monorail, I'm sure Ying would like to sit down." Kana said blankly, glancing at them.
"Oh, of course!" the man grinned, ushering her family on board.
"I'll be there soon!" Kana called, waiting until she couldn't see the family anymore before turning on her heel, and slapping Smellerbee across the face.
"That's for nearly murdering an entire village of people." She hissed, and it seemed like the other girl was going to lunge at her, but Longshot put his hand on her shoulder, and shook his head.
"Longshot's right Smellerbee," Jet said, stepping in front of her, "You don't want to start something right before we get to Ba Sing Se, besides, we all deserve to get punished for what we did."
"Why are you taking her side, Jet, she isn't one of us!" she snapped.
"Maybe not," he replied glancing back at Kana, "but she showed me that I could have a life, not based on hatred."
"All she's shown me, is that she sticks her nose where it doesn't belong." Smellerbee muttered, shoving past him, and into one of the monorail carts.
"Don't mind her," Jet said, rubbing the back of his neck, "she'll get used to you."
"Oh, and how do you know that?" she smirked, "Plan on seeing me around in Ba Sing Se?"
"You might be the Avatar, but that doesn't mean you can't slum around in the lower rings to come visit." He grinned, but she just frowned.
"Being around people who are less fortunate than yourself isn't 'slumming'." She said, making him shake his head with a light chuckle.
"You really are one of a kind, Kana."
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"This is a cozy apartment." Kana said, looking around the near empty room. It was better than she thought it'd be, considering it was randomly appointed by a resettlement agent that didn't look like he really cared. "You'll be able to raise Hope here comfortably."
"And the luck of getting a job that has to do with wood work was wonderfully convenient." Than grinned as he moved around the living room. "Thank you for getting us here Kana."
"I could stay until we know the Fire Nation won't break the wall." She offered.
"That's a nice gesture, but it's obvious you haven't seen your friend in awhile." He laughed lightly, looking into the bedroom where Jet was pushing the bed around for Ying.
"You're right," she sighed, arms crossed, "I haven't seen him for a long time. He's changed, for the better."
"You two are lucky to have found each other, young love is a wonderful thing."
"What!?" she yelped, face burning red, "That's not it, we're just friends!"
"I've finished moving around the furniture, but I have to go now." Jet said obliviously, walking into the living room. "I'd promised the guys I'd make it to the house in time to help set it up."
"You've done more than enough," Than said with a smile, "we really appreciate you two escorting us here, but we really can't impose anymore."
"It really isn't a problem, Than." Kana pressed again, "Are you sure you don't want me to stay?"
"No, no," he laughed, pushing Kana and Jet into the hall, "go spend time with your friends, get to know Ba Sing Se. You might even find something out about your bison."
"Okay," she said wearily," but Than, we really aren't…" she tried, but he just chuckled, shutting the door.
"Who isn't what?" Jet asked suddenly, beginning to walk to the stairs.
"Nobody is anything." Kana muttered mouth twisting into a hard line, making the corner of Jet's lips perk up into a soft smile. The smug bastard was amused!
"What?" she snapped, crossing her arms, and sticking her chin into the air.
"We almost were." He grinned, slinging an arm around her shoulders as they walked out of the building, and onto the street.
"But we weren't." she stated simply, shoving him playfully away. Jet just stumbled back, using his momentum to move forward, and link their arms together. Kana laughed despite trying to stay serious.
"And whose fault is that… besides mine obviously." He asked, with a teasing lilt to his voice.
"Smellerbee's." she laughed, "If she hadn't interrupted, you would have been my first kiss."
"Maybe even be an old married couple." He joked, and she elbowed him in the side gently.
"I don't think that would have happened." She laughed.
"Why not?" he asked, suddenly serious. "People say that time goes fast when you're happy, I've never been as happy, or trouble free when you're around. You make me forget everything, if just for awhile."
"Jet," she sighed, pulling away from him, "there are a lot of things that are keeping us from living happily ever after."
"I know." He said, making her groan.
"No, you don't!" Kana insisted, frustrated. "I would have left no matter what you had done, I had to find Aang! Not to mention what you did, I still haven't forgiven you, and you haven't given me any reason too!"
"But you said-"
"That I didn't think you were a monster, that's it." She grit out, trying to storm past him, and leave this conversation – that had left a sour taste in her mouth – behind.
"Kana." Jet murmured softly, grabbing her arm, strong enough to halt her, but light enough that she could rip away from him if she wanted. "I'm sorry that I ever had the thought to do what I was going to, but you have to believe me. I've changed."
"Prove it, then I'll believe you." She responded with a sharp glare, taking her arm back.
"I will, I promise." He stated, and the tension drained from her shoulders. She moved forward, and wrapped her arms around him in a brief hug, before stepping away with a slight smile.
"Good. Then we should go meet up with Longshot and Smellerbee."
"Yeah, we don't want to be late."
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"You know," Smellerbee drawled, leaning against the wall, "Jet lied to you."
"What do you mean?" Kana growled, eyes narrowing.
"He told me to blow the dam, there was no ordering me to stop," she shrugged, "he's an excellent liar."
"Oh, and I'm sure he ordered you to interrupt our kiss too, and just lied about wanting to?" she snorted.
"You're the Avatar, you were a valuable asset, and you still are."
"You know, I would believe you if you weren't such a horrible liar. And the fact that the moment I showed up, it was like you never existed." Kana laughed, a sneer placed over her face.
"You have no idea what Jet and I have gone through." Smellerbee snarled, and Kana began stalking towards her with a feral grin.
"And he obviously doesn't care, otherwise he would have listened to your warnings that I was a Fire Nation spy in disguise when you first saw me. Face it Smellerbee," she snickered darkly, "you are nothing but a pawn to Jet, a puppy that followed him all the way to Ba Sing Se."
Kana saw Smellerbee's fingers curl into a ball, she saw it coming straight for at her face, and she could have avoided it easily. But at that same moment, she saw Jet and Longshot enter the room. Kana let Smellerbee's fist strike her clear across the jaw, and let out a cry of 'pain' as she 'stumbled' back into the wall.
Her eyes lit on fire, and with a snarl, Kana pushed off the wall to attack, but Longshot grabbed her shoulder, and held her back. She tore away from him, storming into another room, her lips curling up in triumph as Jet began to yell.
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"Come on Team Avatar!" Sokka cheered, "If Kana were here, she'd be twice as fast as you two!" Katara let out a frustrated scream, shooting a spiteful glare at her brother, who cleared his throat. "I mean, you're almost there!"
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"I can't believe you convinced me to go table shopping with you," Kana complained, "You don't even have a job!"
"No, but I have enough to get a table, maybe a few more bed rolls, and possibly a cushion to sit on."
"You should be buying groceries than, food before comfort, you know that." She scolded lightly, "This isn't the forest, you can't scavenge or steal."
"Don't worry, I planned on getting those later tonight." He chuckled.
"Jet, do you even have a sense of money?" she asked, stopping. "Do you know how to haggle, or pick the right produce, or even find good furniture?"
"I learned everything I needed to in the forest." He said, shrugging off her questions.
"This isn't the forest, Jet." She insisted, "You need to know this stuff to survive."
"Well, I was a little busy trying to fight the Fire Nation." He snapped, making her huff.
"Come on," she growled, grabbing his arm, and dragging him after her. I'll show you how to haggle, that's the most important thing. You should have just asked for help."
"I didn't know I needed it." He grumbled, making her stop. She placed a hand on his shoulder, and gave a small smile.
"The good thing about help, is you won't need it anymore."
Kana turned around, and trotted to the nearest fruit stand with shaded fruit, Jet following close behind her. She had half expected him to say that he didn't need any help. But that wasn't Jet, that was somebody else she knew.
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"And that's how you get a bargain." Kana gloated, walking down the street clad in a pair of brown pants, and a green shirt. She had gotten an old woman to sell her the new clothes at half off if she paid full price to have Kyoshi's green dress, dyed blue.
"And how'd you get so good?" Jet teased lightly.
"I'm from the Water Tribe, everyone knows how to barter, even children."
"A useful skill." He chuckled, making her smile grow wider, until she angled her face up at the sky. The sun was beginning to set.
"I'll need to leave soon, Jet." She said, and he stopped.
"What do you mean?" he asked a little too hastily.
"It's getting late, the sun's going down," she frowned, "I need to go find Aang."
"Why are you always so focused on him?" Jet asked bitterly. "He's twelve, and you act like he's your boyfriend."
"Aang isn't twelve, he's thirteen. And he isn't my boyfriend." She snapped "He has gotten older since the last time I've seen you, Jet."
"Then why are you always so worried about him?" he asked sourly, but Kana just crossed her arms fuming.
"I'm sorry, okay?" he sighed, running a hand through his hair, "Why are you so worried about him."
"You wouldn't understand." She muttered, looking away from him.
"Try me."
"Fine." She growled. "It's because he's thirteen, a monk that abhors violence, he's so naïve, and he doesn't really understand what war is! He's too young, he has so many mistakes ahead of him, and the world just can't afford for him to make them." She sighed, rubbing her temples.
"Then why didn't you take the responsibility of solving the world's problems from him?" Jet asked gently, and Kana just stared at the ground, ashamed.
"Because I was so busy thinking about myself and learning Firebending, that by the time I escaped from Zuko's ship, everyone had already known about the Avatar's great return!" she snapped, throwing her arms up in exasperation. "Hope is a dangerous thing, given just enough, people can start a revolution, given too much… And they become foolhardy and stupid."
"You think that if it was common knowledge that you were alive as well, people would put themselves in danger?"
"Not just that, but what if the Fire Nation doubled their efforts in crushing all opposition, and just started to burn everything to the ground?"
"So how long do you plan on hiding?" he asked, and Kana froze.
"Hiding?" she hissed coldly, eyes turning up to glare at him heatedly. "There's a difference between hiding, and letting someone make a distraction for you."
"But I thought you wanted to protect him, aren't you putting him danger by making him the Fire Nations sole focus?" he said, brows knitting together in confusion. Her lips curled into an expression he's never seen before, it was somehow cruel, but at the same time wasn't.
"I am protecting him," she stated firmly, "by focusing on Aang, our enemies won't even realize that the lotus tile has been placed. And the piece that is the most underestimated is often the most dangerous."
"Where did you learn to think like that?" Jet whispered, and Kana's face twisted into a dark grin.
"My father had some uses."
"What do you mean by that?" he asked, swallowing, but her expression went blank.
"There are a lot of secrets between the two of us, Jet, and neither of us have earned the right to know them yet."
"Let me buy you a cup of tea before you leave." He said suddenly, making Kana blink in surprise at the sudden change of topic.
"Okay," she agreed before thinking, "we'll get some after taking the groceries back to your house."
"Actually, we're already near a tea house. I could just take them back, and meet you back here." He said hastily.
"Oh, Okay," she assented, thinking that he probably just didn't want her around Smellerbee, "I'll wait for you there, but I'm ordering the worst possible brew of tea for you!"
"It shouldn't be hard," he yelled back at her, already making his way back to the apartment. "I heard some people saying that place was only decent."
Kana only snickered as he disappeared around a corner, then walked into the tea house. It was empty except for a single bus boy, and it seemed musty. It was rather cozy, and it definitely had potential to be a nice place. As she moved forward to the wooden counter, the busboy turned at the exact same moment, a tray of dishes in his hands.
Their shoulders smacked into each other's, and the cups went flying. Kana immediately dove to her knees, plucking at the shattered pieces of clay; glad she had decided to keep wearing her hair down. She tucked her face behind her brown locks, cheeks red in embarrassment as she kept her gaze locked on the ground.
Pale hands gave a cup to her so she had somewhere to put all the shards of clay, and she looked up with an appreciative smile. The thank you froze in her throat, chest constricting, and her hands going numb, dropping the cup in her hands to the floor. The resulting clunking was loud and unexpected enough that the busboy's head rose in surprise, recognition filling his eyes immediately.
"Kana?"
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Hey all, I just everyone to know that I feel terrible for not posting in two weeks. However, I do have an excuse. I had been busy writing four Zutara chapters, and two Taang one shots. Sorry again for the delay, but I can only do so many things at once, haha.
One other thing, I went back and edited a few chapters in book two having to do with Meno. Basically, I just took him out of Destiny in the Swamp, along with mentioning him being in the swamp in Tales of the Beifong Family. I've decided he wasn't important enough to be in the visions she had.
No Character Questions