The morning was slightly chaotic. Everyone was rushing around, preparing for the ceremony, and Zuko's mother had followed him around all day, giving him advice and helping him prepare for what was to come. Though he got a little annoyed with it, he was still greatful to have her around now.
When he got dressed in the robes and looked at himself for the first time in the mirror, he smiled. As heavy of a responsability as this all was going to be, a part of him was excited and he was not going to lie about it.
"There you are!" said his mother, hurrying in. "You'll need a topknot again." she said, reacing for his ponytail. Zuko spotted the red tie she was ready to use and he stopped her.
"Please use the old one," he said, looking at her. "It's Jin's..." She smiled and nodded. "Speaking of her," he said as she began to tie his hair in the same style Azula had pulled it into before. "Have you seen her?"
"I haven't," said Ursa. Zuko frowned.
"I'm going to go look for her," he said once she was finished.
"All right, but hurry back. You have less than an hour!" He nodded and headed for the room he had laid Jin in. When he closed the door he felt like he'd finally shut himself away into the one peaceful room in the palace, and when he looked down at the young woman, still sound asleep in the bed, he smiled at her, walking over to her and sitting on the edge of the mattress slowly. The movement made her stir a little and she opened her eyes, smiling when they met with her.
"What are you doing here?" she asked with a yawn.
"It's chaos out there," he said softly, kissing her forehead. She moved over and he climbed into the bed with her, laying back and breathing out a relaxing sigh.
"Won't they be looking for you?" she asked.
"Probly," he said, turning so he faced her. "But till then, you mind if I hide out here?"
"For a little while," she said with a small smile. "Then I'll have to get dressed, and you're not staying for that." He snickered a little. "You look handsome," she added, reaching out to touch his robes. They felt very silky.
"I had a servant bring you a new dress you can wear," he said. "It's made of the finest material, and I think you'll like it."
"What color?" she asked.
"Green," he said. "I figured Fire Nation red wasn't exactly your color." She smiled fully and allowed him to kiss her lips.
"You said you were going to do something last night..." she said softly. "What was it?" He thought for a moment, not exactly remembering what she was talking about, and then it came back to him.
"Oh..." he said. "I think it can wait a little longer. At least till after the ceremony. Meet me under that tree again?" She nodded.
"They'll need you at the banquet afterwards," she said softly.
"They can wait. It won't take long, I promise." She smiled and he kissed her again, then lingered on her lips. Her body felt so warm, still shaking of the last bits of sleep, and her touch was almost relaxing. He spread her lips, kissing her deeper, until she finally pulled away and sat up. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing," she said. "I just... I trust you and all... it's just you probably shouldn't kiss me like that... on a bed... with me..."
"Ah!" he said, pulling away. "Sorry."
"No, don't be," she said with a smile. "Well, I'd better get dressed." He smiled and kissed her cheek before leaving her.
----
Zuko stood tall, staring out into the crowd as the ceremony went on. Once he spotted Jin in the crowd, his eyes never left hers, and it was as if she was his source of strength now, his encouragement that all would work out for the better. She stood there smiling at him, her eyes glittering in the sunlight and he couldn't help but think of how beautiful she was, and he became all the more eager to meet with her after the ceremony. She was so happy and unknowing of what he was going to do. She didn't know that in a pocket, hidden in his robes, he had a golden bracelet with a rose engraved in it and a small ruby set in the center. It was the type of bracelet that symbolized something special... an engagement.
He'd made his mind up about it after he'd seen his uncle cross over, and he knew he wanted to do this. The previous night had been a funeral and she'd been too upset, but now she was standing there, smiling almost brighter than he'd ever seen, and he knew the timing would be much better. But most of all he could only picture himself with her now, through whatever would come. Every adventure he'd have to take, she'd be by his side through all of it. He truly deeply loved her, and he wanted to spend forever with her.
Zuko was so lost in the thoughts that he almost didn't notice the small crown-like headpiece get raised and he called himself back to what was going on, pushing aside his excitement for a moment. He felt it get put in place, and the realization of what was happening hit him like lightning and he looked around as the audience applauded and cheered. Their voices soon became like a blur... and he looked for Jin's face again. She was applauding and cheering as well, but he couldn't hear it. It was all too overwhelming.
A hint of sadness passed when he realized what was missing. He wished now more than ever the Iroh was there to see him. He looked up to the sky and smiled, knowing that the old man was, and nothing would keep him from watching this. That thought comforted him a little more and soon the ceremony was over, and he was able to focus on what had been driving him practically mad not too long ago.
When he was finally able to leave, he had barely gotten two steps away from the crowd when a messenger came running to him. "My lord!" he called out, and Zuko turned, giving him his full attention. "We've recieved a message from some of the soldiers in Omashu. An uprising has already begun against you. Firebenders are storming the city, taking up hostages and threatening to kill the citizens if you don't abdocate the throne." Zuko's eyes widened and he siezed the message, not believing that this was already happening. "Apparently they were loyal to your father... and only your father." Zuko sighed as he set the letter down.
"I can't believe this..." he groaned. "Send word that I'll be arriving along with a small fleet. The avatar will probably be coming with me. We'll leave before nightfall." He turned and sighed. "And we'll need to make a stop at Ba Sing Se first."
----
Jin stood waiting by the tree, pacing around nervously as she kept an eye out for Zuko. When he did arrive his face made her frown and she began to worry. "What's wrong?" she asked. He looked up at her sadly.
"Omashu is in trouble," he said. "We need to go there as soon as we can. There's an uprising." Jin's eyes widened.
"What?" she gasped. "That's awful!"
"I know," he said. He looked at her as if it pained him to tell her what he needed to. "It's going to be dangerous... very dangerous, Jin. I can't take you with me this time." She stared at him in shock and placed her hands on her hips.
"What are you talking about?! I was in the final war with you! I even faced the Firelord!"
"And you were nearly killed too!" cried Zuko. She stared at him, her eyes softening as if she was beginning to understand. He walked up to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "I almost lost you once," he said softly. "I'm not letting that happen again. We'll be making a quick stop to Ba Sing Se, and... and you won't be following any further from there."
She looked down at the ground. "So I'm supposed to just sit there waiting and waiting... not knowing if you're alive or dead or if I'll see you again?" she said darkly. "That's really better to you?"
"Yes," he answered. "Because I'll know you're safe. And besides, I heard about your little stunt... running away? Your family is probably worried sick over you. And I know you miss them." She looked up at him with sad eyes, but nodded, unable to deny it.
"And when will I see you again?" she asked.
"It won't be long, I promise," he said softly, placing his hand on her cheek. "As soon as it's done, I'm coming back for you. I'll come for you and I'll grab on to you, and I swear I'll never let go for anything."
"How can you be sure?" she asked. He sighed then, knowing it was as good of a promise as he'd ever have, he reached into his robes and pulled out the bracelet. Jin gasped at its beauty and he took her wrist, sliding it on for her.
"When I return for you," he said softly. "It'll be to take you as my bride." She looked him in the eye, her heart pounding. "If you'll have me," he added in a whisper. She smiled and tears fell down her face.
"Of course I will!" she cried and he threw his arms around her, hugging her close and kissing the top of her head. She pulled away to look up at him and he kissed her lips with such fury and passion, and Jin discovered in the frenzy of her heart pounding up a storm, it was beating in the same rhythm as his. She pulled back, smiling brightly, a few tears lingering on her face and he brushed them away for her.
"I promise you," he said softly. "Not even death will keep me from you." She nodded and smiled. "Now come on," he said. "They'll start the banquet without us if we don't hurry." She laughed, despite herself, and locked arms with him, heading quickly into the dining hall with him. Before they entered he quickly warned her that for now they should keep the engagement a secret while he still had enemies so near him. If word reached the wrong person and they tracked her down... he didn't want that for her. She agreed reluctantly, secretly eager to tell Katara and the other girls, but he promised her that it would not have to remain secret for too long. And so, respecting his wish, she made sure the bracelet remained hidden under her sleeve, but she didn't take it off, not for the world.
----
That night, they left on a warship, Aang agreeing to aid Zuko in Omashu, and they managed to board Appa on the ship as well, a feat that amazed almost everyone on board. When they arrived, to avoid anyone knowing that Jin had arrived with a Fire Nation fleet, she agreed to ride on Appa and be left off not too far away from her home, but a safe distance so there would be practically no one to see them landing. Zuko wore a hooded cloak to keep himself from being recognized, and when they landed, he escorted Jin to her house, keeping the hood drawn and in place.
When they were near the door he stopped with her and she turned to face him. "This is it I guess," she said sadly. "Promise me you'll hurry back." He smiled sadly and nodded.
"I will as soon as I can," he whispered. She smiled and looked down.
"I told you... it's like we're always meant to be apart." He stroked her cheek lovingly and took her hand in his.
"Only for a little while longer," he said softly. He kissed her lips gently and sweetly one last time and she stepped away sadly, not wanting him to leave. "I love you," he whispered.
"Goodbye," she said, turning to leave.
"Bye..." As they parted they kept their hands together until they slowly, reluctantly, slid apart, and Jin, knowing she couldn't look back, hurried to her house, part of her wondering what the reaction would be from her family once they saw she was all right.
A shadow zipped over her head and she looked up to see the flying Bison pass over, and she waved at it, hoping her love could see her from up there -a part of her knew he could-. Turning sadly, but carrying hope in her heart, she reached for the door handle and opened it, stepping inside to face her family, whom she had missed so badly.
----
Zuko watched as they flew over and smiled when he saw her wave. "Only for a little while, I promise," he whispered.
(A/N: This is the END! And yes, there's obviously going to be a sequel since I had more adventures planned out for the two, but if I kept it all in one fic it would be... the never ending fic. R&R, please! I luv y'all!)