Author's Note:So sorry for the delay! I hit a portion that is less edited than the rest and have wanted to add more context as well as flesh the chapters out, so I spent the week getting three to four chapters prepared so that I can go back to my original release schedule and focus on editing a few chapters ahead of what I am posting. I hope you guys like this chapter, it was originally one full chapter with the following one, but I broke it into two to make it fit better. Because of this, I will be posting the following chapter today as well.
It just might be later tonight. Much love and enjoy.
~Chapter 6 Start~
The following days were a lot easier on us. For one thing, we were no longer being chased. The best Zuko and I could gather is that Sadar's soldiers had lost our trail near the oasis town filled with Iroh's 'friends'. It made a lot of sense logically, no one in that town would give us up causing our trail to just disappear without a trace. Through a network of what I could only assume was some sort of secret organization Iroh was a member of, we were transported via carriage and foot towards the ferry terminal to Ba Sing Se. A different person or family would take us in each night, keeping us well fed and hidden. It was some covert shit that was for sure. That stopped about a day ago and now Iroh was leading us towards a large stone mountainside. Two Earth Kingdom soldiers were standing before it, watching us as we approached. I couldn't see any discernible entrance and was wondering if we had taken a wrong turn somewhere.
"So we're heading across a ferry to get to Ba Sing Se through here?" I asked as we walked towards the base of the rock facing.
"Indeed we are, Ba Sing Se is located across the water. This is the only remaining safe passage into the city. It's well protected and hard to access without earthbending, so the Fire Nation hasn't found it yet." Iroh explained.
The two Earth Kingdom soldiers standing before the large rock wall tipped their heads in greeting once we reached them. I waited and watched as they moved a large stone partition for us using their earthbending. I stood in awe as they gave us soft smiles, turning to watch for more refugees as the entrance closed back up. Iroh led us towards the ticket counter, our passports clasped tightly in his right hand. He strode through, unbothered by the large and boisterous crowd, appearing as if he belonged, much like he always did. With another infectious smile, he waited for the woman at the counter to finish helping a young man with deep chestnut hair. When the young man had received his ticket, Iroh stepped forward while Zuko and I followed silently.
"Passports, please." The woman asked as Iroh handed them over.
"Head over to the docks, they are going to begin loading now." She said, stamping our passports and handing us our boarding passes.
"Thank you." Iroh said, continuing to smile as he took them back.
Iroh handed us each our own passports back, before moving towards one of two ships that were docked below us. We walked down several flights of stairs before I could see the water. It appeared we were hidden behind a large cave next to the coast. The two large boats were filled with motion as clusters of refugees were boarding one ship and unboarding the other. These ships were wooden instead of metal, looking less industrial and clearly meant to transport passengers. They were more akin to the boats in pirate movies in my time than the ones the Fire Nation used. It's not like someone could bend wood, so why the obsession with metal? Perhaps it was for durability and due to Fire Nation using steam power and firebendering so the ships wouldn't rot or burn. Guess only airbenders and waterbenders could use a ship and power it by themselves in this time.
"Wow, it's so different from your ship, Zuko." I stated in awe.
"Yeah...it is." Zuko said, his eyes scanning the ship from top to bottom.
Zuko had a faraway look in his eyes as we boarded the ship and gathered on deck. The staff began to hand out a blanket and thin mat to each of us as they assigned us a place to sleep. The ship began to set sail, moving past the rocky protection of the cave and into an expansive lake. I watched as the ferry terminal grew smaller as the ship reached full speed. The wind was cool, but not freezing so it contrasted nicely with the sun beating down on us. I could smell the wet air that always accompanied bodies of water and took a deep breath. It was actually beautiful out here on the water and for a moment my life felt serene. Perhaps we were finally safe. I was interrupted by Zuko handing me a bowl of soup the workers were now handing out. He was holding his own with a frown, staring into the bowl deep in thought.
"Who would have thought, after all these years, I'd return to the scene of my greatest military disgrace? As a tourist." Iroh grinned as he whipped out his hat.
"Look around. We're not tourists, we're refugees." Zuko corrected, taking a sip of his soup.
He spat it out almost instantly making me debate if I should bother trying mine. I looked at it seeing the lukewarm broth filled with what looked like less than choice pieces of vegetables and an odd chunk of what I assumed was meat. My face twisted in disgust as I smelled the sour scent of spoiled food. I wasn't even sure if it was edible and although I was starving, I wasn't quite that desperate yet. I also didn't think I couldn't handle being on the run, a refugee, and sick all at the same time on top of everything else. Life really didn't stop doling out the punches lately.
"Ugh! I'm sick of eating rotten food, sleeping in the dirt, I'm tired of living like this." Zuko sighed as he rested his head against the railing.
"I know." I sighed as I placed my hand over his and squeezed.
He squeezed back before threading his fingers through mine with a soft smile. I felt my fingers tingle at the contact and couldn't stop from smiling. Rotten food or not, I was happy to be here with him. As the days drew on, Zuko and I grew closer. I found myself warming ever so slightly at his presence, almost as if I were a moth drawn in by his flame. He was captivating in his own way, and his anger seemed more like a protective shell than anything else. I wanted to learn more about him as each day went on. I had somehow gotten underneath his skin, and he mine. It marvelled me how something as simple as holding my hand had my heart pounding in anticipation of his touch.
"Aren't we all?" Someone asked.
Zuko withdrew his hand from mine instantly, turning to look at whomever was speaking. With a small sigh, I withdrew my own hand and placed it in my pocket to avoid the cold his hand had left behind. Turning around I saw it was a young man about our age that had interrupted our moment. He was wearing a blue tunic with red and silver plated armor. His pants were a dark brown and he was wearing long dark boots. He had scruffy chocolate brown hair hanging just below his ears and tickling the tops of his narrow eyes. His skin was tanned, signifying how often he was in the sun, although that was incredibly common around here. He was chewing on a piece of grass as he spoke, looking a bit too big for his britches. He was attractive and he knew it too, something I detested no matter what time I was in. Neither of us said anything as we watched the boy step closer.
"My name's Jet, and these are my Freedom Fighters. Smellerbee and Longshot" Jet introduced, gesturing towards his friends.
Smellerbee was short and rather lanky; they were clearly young. They had similar hair to Jet, only it was a lighter shade of brown. They had twin red markings on their cheeks and wore a red tunic with brown and silver plated armor. Longshot had short cropped hair and wore a straw hat. Their clothing consisted of a long blue tunic with white trim, and a ripped red cape. They had arrows strapped to their back and no doubt an unstrung bow. He was silent, but his eyes watched us keenly and I knew that his bow was for more than mere show.
"Hey." Smellerbee greeted as Longshot soundlessly nodded.
"Hello." Zuko greeted back.
"Hi." I waved, watching Longshot with a wary look.
This seemed to catch Jet's attention as he stepped closer. I wasn't sure how comfortable I was that a stranger was getting so comfortable around me. I looked around at the rest of the dejected refugees milling about finding many of them needing assistance. So why did Jet and his 'Freedom Fighters' zero in on us? The boat was filled past capacity and I didn't like how Jet was looking expectantly at us. His group's name ignited flashes of news broadcasts about different freedom fighters, zealots, terrorists, mercenaries, patriots, nationalists, armies, war, and angry people with access to weapons hurting people.
My time had the world's horrors accessible to everyone's fingertips at every second of the day by a mere push of a button. My knowledge from my time had made me paranoid, and the things I had witnessed in the Earth Kingdom had only solidified my wariness to follow anyone or anything without asking a few questions first. Jet and his Freedom Fighters were strangers and we were on the run from not only the Fire Nation but every enemy of them as well. Zuko and Iroh were royalty, the political equivalent of a goldmine in times of war.
"Here's the deal," Jet smiled at me as he walked closer to Zuko, ignoring our lack of interest. "I hear the Captain's eating like a king while us refugees have to feed off his scraps. Doesn't seem fair, does it?"
His eyes slid across Zuko's form, taking in his defiant stance, before sliding over to me. He watched my movements as my eyes followed his. He seemed to be appraising me, finding particular interest in my hair with a small grin. I watched as he looked at Zuko, both of them squaring off in some unspoken contest of egos. Iroh sidled up to us, taking keen interest in both Jet and how Zuko was acting towards him. His eyes flickered towards Longshot who was watching us warily as his leader encroached on our personal space.
"What sort of king is he eating like?" Iroh asked, perking up at the mention of food.
"The fat happy kind," Jet replied, turning to look at Iroh before looking back at Zuko. "You want to help us 'liberate' some food?"
Zuko looked down at his food, and then at me, before tossing our bowls into the ocean. I stood stock still, unsure of what to do or even say. I didn't want to eat that soup, but this kind of behaviour had already split us up once before. I wasn't willing to rock the boat right now, pun entirely intended. Zuko looked at me for a moment, taking a breath and closing his eyes in thought. I knew what he was most likely going to say, I wasn't a complete fool. Zuko showed his affection in different ways than most, such as caring for our needs or looking out for us. Sometimes that meant he acted bullheaded, as if he had all the answers, but his heart was always in the right place. Right now our needs were proper food, and it wasn't just our little trio, everyone on this ship did.
"I'm in." Zuko agreed, his gaze slipping from mine and back to Jet's.
"By the way, what're your names?" He asked, turning towards me.
"Uh...the name's Jade, that's Lee and his uncle Mushi." I grumbled feeling awkward under his gaze.
"I'll meet you when I'm ready." Zuko stated as he stared Jet down.
Jet looked between us, before casting Zuko a sly grin and backing off. Longshot and Smellerbee trailed after him, casting us one last look before they disappeared into the crowds. I was less than enthused about the fact Zuko was going to be joining Jet alone, leaving Iroh and I waiting. I really hated having to just sit and wait.
"Alright, I'll see you tonight." Were Jet's parting words.
~Break~
"Zuko." I hissed.
"I know, you're not going to agree with this. I'm not asking you to help me this time just...please let me do this one thing without an argument." Zuko sighed, placing his hands on my shoulders.
His hands felt warm, incredibly warm. I could feel myself starting to heat up in response, the tingling growing stronger as he leaned closer to my face. I cleared my throat unsure of what else to do, not wanting to look flustered. Zuko was waiting for my response and the lounger I took staring at his pretty face the more awkward this would become. Okay, this honestly would benefit not only us, but the other refugees too. My morals wouldn't be in question if I supported Zuko's decision. But I was also self aware enough to know I also wanted to support him because I didn't want to disappoint him anymore. I seemed to care about what he thought of me. I wanted him to like me, there was no denying that. Our friendship had hit uncharted waters and I was at a loss at what I should do; other than not arguing with him about this.
"Sure, I mean yeah, no arguments here." I managed to say, wanting to take back my words as soon as they came out.
"Thank you." Zuko smiled as he stepped away from me.
His hands left my shoulders and I felt the chill of the cool evening air hit my skin. I took a deep breath to calm my beating heart as I noticed Iroh giving me a knowing glance. My face felt hot and I tried to shake away the butterflies in my stomach. So much for trying not to appear flustered, I was so busted.
"What?" I coughed, pulling my shirt collar higher.
"Nothing." Iroh laughed as he turned away.
~Break~
I waited with Iroh on deck, not wanting to appear like we were up to something. I knew Zuko was more than capable of taking care of himself, but I was still worried. Something inside me wanted to be there with him to make sure. But, he had backup, even if it was that creep Jet and his 'Freedom Buddies'. It didn't stop me from worrying, the last time Zuko and I had been separated he had to resort to his firebending. We couldn't afford to be outed now, and that paranoia gnawed at my gut like a starving rat. I let out a deep sigh and stretched out beside a now dozing Iroh. Perhaps I could take a small nap of my own, I was pretty tired.
"Wow, I didn't realize you guys met Jet here." Aang spoke, startling me from my reverie.
"We need to get you a spirit bell or something, This sneaking up on me thing is getting ridiculous," I sighed, clutching my chest in surprise. "Wait, you know Jet too?"
"I do, but that's a story for another time. I see you and Zuko are getting along better. You're also in a much better mood, I'm glad." Aang praised with a beaming smile.
"It was bound to happen sometime, you can't stay sad forever." I whispered causing Aang to smile.
"Wise words for such an unsure Avatar." He smiled.
"Hey, I've only actively known I was the Avatar for less than a year, I'm allowed to be unsure." I scoffed.
"You've got me there. Now, tell me about them, why are you still with Zuko and Iroh, I thought you wanted to part ways with them?" He asked with a smile.
"I...I don't know. I left, but no matter what I did, I couldn't find a way to fit. But here, with him—I mean them, it does. Fit I mean. Zuko is a stubborn bullheaded angry asshole, but he's also kind, wise, and has a good heart. They make me...happy." I smiled to myself. "When I was alone, I learned I needed to find you as soon as possible because Sadar and his army brought weapons from my time."
"You mean guns." Aang supplied.
"Yeah, I do..."I said with a small nod. "But I also can't find you on my own, I already almost got caught by Sadar again when I tried, and once was enough trust me. I don't know this world, But Iroh and Zuko do. Plus they care about me, so I also have protection. The next time I meet up with your younger self, I will tell him everything and join him."
"Even if that means you have to leave Zuko?" Aang asked.
The thought hit my gut and I must have made a face, because Aang's smile fell and he gave me a look of concern. I cleared my throat and attempted to regain my composure, avoiding the thought as I mulled over my answer. I didn't want to leave Zuko, and part of me kept thinking that he might even join me when I did leave. It was a small bleeding light of hope that grew with each passing day. He seemed less invested in capturing Aang and more interested in surviving with Iroh and I. Maybe during our time in Ba Sing Se I could finish changing his mind.
"Yeah, even if I have to leave Zuko...but, I still have hope he might follow me, he seems different lately...but either way, that's still my plan. I can't let you go again without you at least knowing what you're up against. If I cause your early death I...I don't know if I could ever forgive myself." I said, looking down and feeling ashamed for not following Aang the last time I had run into him.
"You can't worry about things that haven't happened yet. As long as you're happy, you're exactly where you need to be." Aang smiled, looking off into the distance.
Was that what I was? Was I happy? Yeah, I was happy, so maybe that was enough for now. If I made Zuko happy, maybe staying with me is where he would want to be too. The thought struck me like a cord, but instead of embarrassment I felt warm and content.
"Thank you." I said, looking out at the water as the reflection of the moon moved with the waves.
"I have to say, it has been exciting getting to see things from this side. You and Zuko always seem to...compliment one another. It's fascinating to watch." Aang smiled as he changed the subject.
I snorted at Aang's comment, that certainly was one way to put it. I couldn't deny we got along better now than we ever had before. Everything about our relationship had seemingly changed for the better and I wasn't so sure it was going to last. Fear of rejection and bitter emotional demons burdened me and I wasn't sure I was even ready to face the path I was already halfway down. Nothing was forever, and I feared most of all Zuko and I were just as temporary as everything else surrounding us. Along with my hope, came fear and sometimes it felt like too much to bear, so I often avoided it. Having someone else point out what I already felt was happening made it too real. If I was wrong it would just hurt more to get my hopes up.
"Even when I'm trying to kill him?" I asked, turning my bitter feelings into sarcasm.
"Even then." Aang laughed, not noticing my suddenly sour mood.
Spirit Aang was gone as quickly as he had come, something that no longer surprised me. I was once more left alone with my thoughts, which were more turbulent than before. I liked Zuko, there was no use in denying it anymore. Somewhere along the way my feelings of annoyance and anger had become feelings of affection. I wanted to laugh at the bitter irony of the Avatar falling for the Prince of the Fire Nation, but I didn't have the energy too. I was a bad trope in a romantic comedy, oh how the mighty have fallen. I was interrupted once more as Zuko, Jet, and the others rushed over and began to hand out food to the refugees. Zuko came straight over to me, handing a few choice pieces to myself as Iroh sat up at the commotion.
"Thanks." I smiled, taking the food without argument.
"You're welcome." Zuko returned my smile with a breathtaking one of his own.
That smile was not going to help my train of thought at all. This was dangerous territory, if he kept encouraging me like this I was going to keep having these thoughts and feelings. We all sat down together as Jet continued to hand out food. Zuko sat beside me, his knee brushing mine. He had a silly smile on his face as he glanced at me to make sure I was eating, before he began to eat his own food. I couldn't deny that I had a similar smile on on my face as I watched him. I started to eat some cold roasted meat, enjoying the fact it wasn't rotten immensely. Were those spices I tasted? Why yes, I do think they are, hello my familiar friend, oh how I've missed you so.
"So, Smellerbee, that's an unusual name for a young man." Iroh said, making small talk.
"Maybe it's because I'm not a man. I'm a girl!" Smellerbee responded with an angry shout.
She stood up and stomped off leaving us sitting awkwardly with Longshot. Longshot looked at Iroh with a blank look, before he stood up, looking towards where Smellerbee had gone. Even my awkward ass knew it was better to never assume pronouns because gender binaries were a social construct. There was little rhyme or reason to gender coding outside of making pronouns obvious to strangers, and it worked for the most part, at least until it didn't anyways. That moment went often like this one did, throwing all the 'rules' straight out the window. Only silver lining is we all knew now and she wouldn't have to deal with Iroh's foot in his mouth again.
"Oh, now I see! It's a beautiful name for a lovely girl!" Iroh attempted to correct, his voice raising above the crowd.
"Smooth." I sighed, covering my eyes in secondhand embarrassment.
Longshot shot me a look before rushing after Smellerbee. He grabbed her shoulder, turning her to face him. He nodded and gave her a look which seemed to do the trick as she turned back to look at us. I didn't even notice his mouth move, much less his eyes or facial expression change. He was giving us all much the same look as before, but I felt something cold sweep through me and shivered. Was he giving us a warning? Creepy...
"I know, you're right. As long as I'm confident with who I am, it doesn't matter what other people think. Thanks Longshot." Smellerbee seemed to answer despite the silence Longshot gave.
Jet came back over and sat down with us, not seeming to notice what had just transpired. He had a few pieces of food in his hands, mostly meat and bread. I continued to eat my meat, finishing the last of it off before moving to an apple. Jet gave us all a look of pride, his eyes sweeping across the jubilant feasting crowd.
"From what I heard, people eat like this every night in Ba Sing Se. I can't wait to set my eyes on that giant wall" He boasted before taking a bite of his bread.
"It is a magnificent sight." Iroh agreed with a nod.
"So you've been there before?" Jet asked keenly, leaning towards Iroh to listen.
"Once, when I was a...different man." Iroh said as he looked away.
"I've done some things in my past that I'm not proud of, but that's why I'm going to Ba Sing Se; for a new beginning, a second chance." Jet said, looking away.
"That's very noble of you. I believe people can change their lives, if they want to. I believe in second chances" Iroh said with a smile, not noticing the faraway look on Jet's face.
I agreed with him, but I wasn't so sure his words applied to Jet. Something was off about him, and whenever he looked at me I felt so...vulnerable. Him and his friends carried their own baggage, much like we all did. But, I had this paranoid feeling that whatever Jet's baggage was, it was just as bad as ours, if not worse.
~Break~
That night we were all curled on the deck to sleep. Most of the elderly, children, and the sick had taken the indoor quarters, leaving the rest of us sleeping outside in the elements. The cold damp air was nipping through my blanket causing me to shiver uncontrollably. I pulled my blanket tighter around myself in an attempt to block out the breeze and conserve my heat. I turned towards Zuko, trying to find a more comfortable position to hunker down in. Heat radiated from him, drawing me in without me really thinking.
I attempted to stay focused on my own breath of fire, feeling the heat battle against the cold and lose. The blanket I had was too thin and I had never really enjoyed the cold. It actually made me rather miserable, and most often unable to fall asleep. Zuko rolled over with a small sigh, I was still shifting and shivering when he placed his hands around mine, covering them with his. They began to warm immediately as he chucked at my poor circulation.
"You are the only firebender I know who gets this cold." He laughed, the low timber of his voice making me flush instantly.
I was doomed if it was that easy for him to cause shivers of a different kind to shoot through me. He draped his blanket over mine and moved over. His leg was now flush with mine as he flashed me a grin. Was he aware of what he did to me or was I just seeing what I wanted to see?
"Goodnight." He said before rolling over.
I felt the heat instantly as I shared a blanket cocoon with him. I snuggled towards him, draping my arms around his middle to tug my own blanket across him as well. His hands moved to cover mine, halting me from moving away. My cheeks were well past warm at this point, but I didn't care. I was now toasty, well fed, and incredibly safe. Maybe for a little while I could pretend I was loved even the tiniest bit, at least until dawn broke.
"Thank you." I whispered into his searing back.
He said nothing, but his fingers intertwined with mine, keeping them warm throughout the night. Maybe Zuko and I could stay together and maybe I could find a way to live in this time with him after all. It was wishful thinking on my part, but it was the final thought I had before I drifted off to sleep.
~Break~
I was hanging around near Iroh when Jet found me. He cornered me near the railing and began to speak before I could even greet him. I was irritated beyond belief with how familiar he was acting towards me. I was rarely comfortable with any man cornering me, and although in this time no one had really tried anything yet, I was still wary. But still, something felt off about Jet. He was dangerous, I just didn't know how he was going to be dangerous. He was very observant and nosy, but he was also adept at fighting based on what he and Zuko had accomplished last night. It was a toss up, would he discover our secret, or was he going to end up being violent once it was obvious we weren't going to do what he wanted?
"I just wanted to let you know, if you ever find yourself in need, please do not hesitate to find me in Ba Sing Se." He spoke as he gave me a tilted grin.
It was his boyish charm, he made a grin look innocent. If I was younger I would have probably been drawn in, but I wasn't. He was treating me like a woman from this time, but I was anything but. It was a miscalculation in his attempt at manipulating me. He wanted me to like him, feel comfortable around him, but to what end I wasn't sure, what did he want from me? I didn't exactly have much of anything to give, and he didn't know who I actually was either.
"Uh...sure." I smiled back awkwardly.
He looked around noticing only Iroh to my right and turned slightly serious. He stepped closer into my bubble of personal space, leaning down to talk to me. I could feel his breath hit my hair and frowned. He was already too close to me before, now he was pushing my tolerance immensely.
"Hey, where's Lee?" He whispered next to my ear.
"At the back of the boat, I think." I answered as I leaned back slightly to look at the rear of the ship, pretending to be unbothered by how close Jet was.
"Thanks, and remember, that offer still stands. We have a girl on our team if it ever gets...uncomfortable traveling with two single men." And with that, Jet was gone before I could say more.
"What an asshole..." I muttered, turning around and feeling flustered.
Just what was he trying to insinuate? I mean, sure in this time it was probably strange a woman of my age was traveling along with two unattached men I wasn't related to. But, wasn't Jet doing the same thing with Smellerbee? What made him somehow better and safer for me than Zuko and Iroh? I mean, other than the fact Zuko and Iroh were Fire Nation that is.
~Break~
I found Zuko just as Jet was leaving. He had a surprised look on his face as I walked over. I guess whatever Jet wanted to ask, he had asked. Jet didn't look too pleased as he walked past me, but he didn't look particularly angry either. He stopped for a moment to watch me, tilting his head as he turned away and kept walking. It hit me then that Jet reminded me of a child who had just been denied a toy.
While some kids would explode, he looked like he was skeptical, almost carefully piecing everything together to find a reason why he couldn't get what he wanted. Right then I knew how Jet was going to be dangerous for us, he was way too interested in us that it bordered on obsession. If he didn't discover our secret, he was going to end up in the way at some point, he was an uncontrolled variable.
"Hey, heard Jet was looking for you, what did he want?" I asked, turning towards Zuko.
"He offered me a place in his group." Zuko sighed as he cast a look out into the water.
"I'm guessing you declined?" I asked, not bothering to let him know I was offered much the same.
"Obviously." Zuko said with an eye roll.
"So Ba Sing Se huh, what do you think?" I asked as I leaned on the railing.
"I think it's just another place to be trapped." Zuko answered as he mirrored my movements.
He had a bitter expression that mirrored my feelings. It was so strange to be in sync with Zuko, and I found I rather liked it. It was strange, but I was able to read people better nowadays. I used to have so much trouble with it, but now it was almost second nature. Before Iroh it was like a muscle I never knew I had, after training with him it was like I had strengthened it every day. I could read more than the battlefield now, I could read a stranger's intentions and even Zuko's emotions.
~Break~
"So...Mr. Lee, Ms. Jade, and Mr., um, Mushy, is it?" The border agent asked as she inspected our passports.
She didn't look too convinced and I gnawed on my bottom lip unsure of what to say. The woman's eyes slid towards me and I almost let out a squeak. I was never good at border crossings, even in my own time, I was screwed if she asked me anything. Thankfully, I saved the trouble of making a fool of myself by Iroh.
"It's pronounced Moo-Shee." Iroh explained as he raised his hand.
"You tellin' me how to do my job?" The irate woman asked as she gave Iroh a sour look.
Well, at least her attention was off of me now. I let out a small sigh, my shoulders slumping as the relief flooded my body. I never did well under heavy pressure. My mother always told me I was a shit liar. I wonder if any of the other Avatars were as not-smooth as I was.
"Uh, no, no," Iroh defended, waving his arms and giving a meek look. "But may I just say you're like a flower in bloom. Your beauty is intoxicating."
Iroh clasped his hands together and gave a small bow as he smiled at the woman. She seemed to enjoy the attention as she smiled back and leaned in closer. Iroh moved towards the counter, leaning on it as he looked into the woman's eyes.
"Mm, you're pretty easy on the eyes yourself, handsome. Raow!" She flirted with a wink. "Welcome to Ba Sing Se."
She stamped our passports as she leaned in closer to Iroh as she handed the passports back. Iroh gave her a wide smile as Zuko smacked his forehead. I couldn't cover my giggle as I watched Zuko shake his head in shame. Iroh winked at the woman who gave him another roawr. Well, no denying that Iroh was smooth.
"I'm gonna forget I saw that." Zuko said as he snatched his passport back.
Iroh handed me mine as I shrugged, not really bothered by Iroh's flirting. It was effective if nothing else. I followed after Zuko as he stomped off, his lips pressed into the third frown since we got off the boat. We headed towards the inner part of the city, leaving the large amount of people who had arrived with us behind. We were instructed to head towards the trains and I wondered what they would be like. We'\re they steam powered? Were they like the metro train?
"Where to now?" I asked as Iroh led us down another hall.
"We need to take the train to get to the inner part of the city, which is this way." Iroh explained as he took us left down another hallway.
We entered another large open area filled with benches. At the far end was a track for a train that looked pretty much like the tracks did in my time. We took a seat at one of the empty benches at the far end, Zuko sitting near the end of the bench. Iroh and I squished in next to him, avoiding most of the other refugees. It was something we had in him on, we weren't all that social when it came to strangers.
"What do we do once we get in? Do they have a place for us to sleep? Will we need to get jobs?" I asked, letting my anxiety out through word vomit.
"They will have somewhere for us to stay, and yes we will need to work. Once we get in we speak to another border agent and they provide us with the keys to our home and directions. From there we will have to get jobs." Iroh explained, unbothered by my flurry of questions.
"Man, as long as I get a bed I don't care." I sighed as I looked up at the ceiling with a small smile.
Finally, some stability, things were going to be different here. For once, they were going to be more familiar. I was going to work, go home, have a place to sleep, and consistent food. I never knew how muchI could miss the monotony of it all. Zuko was silent during our conversation, opting to look away. He had crossed his leg over his other and crossed his arms in his usual closed off expression. I noticed Jet coming through the entrance, spotting us instantly. He quickly walked over before sitting next to Zuko. It was frustrating that I was right about him being a nuisance we wouldn't be able to shake, but this was ridiculous.
"So, you guys got plans once you're inside the city?" Jet asked, looking nonchalant.
"Get your hot tea here! Finest tea in Ba Sing Se!" A vendor announced, wheeling his tea cart towards us.
Jet was mirroring Zuko's position and I wanted to scowl. I looked over at the tea vendor to avoid Jet's watching eyes, not really having the energy to fake a happy expression. I didn't want to pique his interest any further in us, nor did I want to appear rude.
"Ooh!" Iroh waved at the tea vendor. "Jasmine, please."
The man poured Iroh a cup of tea, before wandering off to find more customers. Iroh looked down at his tea before taking a sip. Once he had, he spat it out, his tongue following after as if he were trying to get the taste out of his mouth. His face twisted in disgust and I jumped in my seat, startled by the display. I looked at the tea that he spat out trying to see what was wrong, but saw nothing in the puddle at Iroh's feet.
"Blaugh! Ugh. Coldest tea in Ba Sing Se is more like it. What a disgrace." Iroh complained.
Was that really all that was wrong with the tea? So much for keeping a low profile. Guess first world problems existed anywhere at any time. Jet was casting Iroh a disgusted look of his own, judging him deeply. Zuko looked annoyed, giving Iroh a disapproving look, completely missing how Jet zeroed in on Iroh's behaviour.
"Hey, can I talk to you guys for a second?" Jet asked, jerking his thumb away from Iroh.
I looked towards Zuko for guidance and met his questioning gaze. I shrugged and he sighed. Standing we followed Jet towards one of the stone pillars to see what he wanted. I still hadn't even learned what Jet's intentions were and whose side he was actually on. The most I could gather is he wanted to help people, was arrogant, and thought too much of himself. There was no way there wasn't something personal going on, not with how pushy Jet was being; he was trying to prove something.
"We both will have a much better chance of making it in the city if we stick together," Jet started to speak before stopping at the base of the pillar. "You guys want to join the Freedom Fighters?"
I wasn't sure it was such a good idea to talk so openly about what amounted to a militia. We were refugees in Ba Sing Se and they could kick us out whenever they wanted; and that's without taking into account that Zuko was Fire Nation and I was from the future. Jet and his group's intentions were also still a mystery, and he had yet to tell us what his 'group' did; other than liberating food.
"Thanks, but I don't think you want us in your gang." Zuko responded before I could voice my own thoughts.
"Come on, we made a great team looting that captain's food, and Jade, Lee says you're talented with a sword as well." Jet attempted to convince us, turning to me to plead his case.
So that was it, Jet was interested in my fighting abilities. The puzzle was finally starting to take shape and I was figuring out what motives Jet had. I wasn't entirely sure Jet was as altruistic as he claimed to be due to the fact he was recruiting only fighters which meant he expected a fight. There was an undercurrent of anger that I recognized in him from spending so much time with Zuko. But the difference between their anger was that Zuko faced his anger head on while Jet's anger hid beneath the surface of his pure intentions.
"Did he now?" I asked, quirking an eyebrow at Zuko.
"I might have mentioned it." Zuko coughed as he looked away looking almost embarrassed.
No wonder Jet had wanted me to join him back on the ferry. His offer was a little less creepy now that I knew his original motive. The only question that remained was if Zuko boasted or if he was answering Jet's pointedly led question. It was most likely a question I'd never learn the answer to, but I still had hope that Zuko had praised my fighting abilities.
"Think of all the good we could do for these refugees." Jet continued to press, moving closer to me.
"I said no. Come on, Jade." Zuko declared, grabbing my arm and pulling me away from Jet.
"What do you think, Jade?" Jet insisted, pressing me for a response despite my retreat. "Don't you get a say?
"Sorry, but I agree with Lee. Good luck in Ba Sing Se." I waved as we reached the bench Iroh was sitting on.
"Have it your way." Jet muttered as he watched us walk off.
I didn't like the look in Jet's eye when he said his parting words, but there was little we could do about it now. We came back to find Iroh sipping steaming hot tea which had previously been ice cold. I panicked and looked around catching Jet's eye, Iroh had made such a big stink that it was cold, there was no way Jet forgot that detail. I was just about to elbow Zuko when he rushed over, smacking the tea from Iroh's hand.
"Hey!" Iroh exclaimed.
I turned back around to see if Jet was still watching us but he had already walked away. There was zero chance that Jet would have missed this juicy little fact. He had been buzzing around us since the first day on the ferry. Hopefully we would be placed in different sections of the city and never have to see him again. That was probably a famous last wish if I ever heard one.
"What are you doing firebending your tea?" Zuko hissed, "For a wise, old man, that was a pretty stupid move."
"I know you're not supposed to cry over spilled tea, but...that's so sad." Iroh sniffled, avoiding Zuko's gaze and carrying on anyway.
"Oh Iroh..." I sighed as I dragged my hand down my face.
But still, I couldn't shake the feeling of waiting for the final shoe to drop. No amount of wishful thinking could prevent me from just knowing there was unfinished business left between us. Jet didn't exactly strike me as the kind of guy who gave up easily, nor did he strike me as someone who would have missed Iroh and his magically hot tea.
~Break~
We boarded the train, opting to take a different car than Jet and his Freedom Fighters. We sat down in our seats and I twisted around so I could look out the window better. It seemed like the train here was moved by earthbending, but was suspended on a track like a monorail. Once more I was sandwiched between Iroh and Zuko as people squished onto the train. On Iroh's left sat a family with a newborn baby who cooed and hiccuped every once and awhile, on Zuko's right was an elderly couple that awed over the newborn.
"What a handsome baby." Iroh complimented as he leaned over to get a closer look.
"Thank you." The mother said, her smile beaming across her face.
The train began to move and we finally left the station. As soon as we cleared the outer wall there was nothing but an expanse of farmland. The sun was illuminating everything in a golden light causing the fields to look like spun gold. I stared in awe as we got closer to the city not entirely sure what I had expected. It was huge, larger than I had ever seen in this time. No wonder the city was considered impenetrable, it was made up of rock and stone. any earth bender could move about the city, controlling entrances and making them vanish at a whim.
We reached the inner wall within the hour. After going through we found an equally expanse of land filled with houses and buildings. It looked like it was separated from the richer parts of town as the smog coming from some of the industrial sites clouded parts of my view. The train veered right, heading towards one of the stations near the smog coated district. The train slowed to a stop and we stepped off, taking a look around to get our bearings. The city was impressive for sure, but the area outside of the station was dirty and not at all impressive. Heading towards another border agent, Iroh spoke to them about procuring our accommodations. It only took a few minutes before Iroh walked back to us, the keys to our new home in his hand.
"Let's go." Iroh smiled as he led us down the stairs and into the street.
I hoped for once we would get a break; I was tired of running and hiding. Even if it was only for a little while, I would take it gratefully. As long as they were by my side everything felt like it was going to be okay.
~Chapter 6 End~